Doctor, Doctor

Max and I went to visit the doctor on Monday morning. He had a bump at the base of the left side his skull/neck that had been growing over the past few months. The doctor checked it at his 6 month check-up and said it was probably just fatty tissue, but to keep an eye on it. Well, we did and it continued to grow. Luckially, they were able to fit him in on Monday morning at 9:30. After a brief examination, the doctor on-call determined that it was a lymph node that had possibly been exacerbated by something as simple as Max pulling his own hair too hard. (And he's definitely at the hair-pulling stage!) She was not overly concerned, but said to continue to monitor it, especially given the cancer in the family. Max has his 9 month check-up in three weeks and his primary pediatrician will take a look at it again then. (Honestly, I'll feel much better when this particular doctor tells us it's okay.) On a side note, the little mister weighed in at 17.5 lbs. 

Max is now extremely active. In addition to lots of gabbing & squealing, he rolls both tummy to back and back to tummy (alll the time it seems!) and can also sit up on his own for about a half a minute at a time. His physical therapy is going awesome and he's right on track for his adjusted age. His therapist says that he's her 'happiest baby' and that he continues to get stronger each week she sees him. We are so fortunate to have her services- she's a wonderful lady and really good with Max. I look forward to watching her work with him each week. He has grown so much in the past 8.5 months and I'm constantly in awe of him! (I might be a *teeny* bit biased...) 

Memorial Day

Today was a day of paying tribute to servicemen and women who have and are serving our country. I was able to talk to my brother (in Iraq) online for a bit this afternoon, which was awesome. Memorial Day definitely had new meaning this year.

Triumph of Love

Just wanted to post a quick note to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who donated to our team for Relay for Life! Thanks to your generous hearts & wallets, Michael surpassed his $1,000 fundraising goal (mere minutes before the Survivors Lap- thanks Liz, you rock!) and ended up raising $1,030 in the end. I don't know the exact figures right now, but the team as a whole surpassed their goal by a landslide as well! Personal notes will be sent, but I just wanted to tell you all that it meant SO MUCH to me/us. It was a truly inspiring weekend and I don't even know where to begin... so I'll just report that it totally awesome and that we'll post another blog with tons of pictures and commentary sometime this week! Thank you again!!! -A.

Relay Eve

Tomorrow is the Relay for Life.

I do the Relay in my hometown, which is has the highest occurrence of cancer in Pennsylvania. It gives me an opportunity to see and help people who I've known most of my life, but I don't get to see on a regular basis.

Max and I came down to New Castle Thursday afternoon, as Angie was out of town for the memorial service for the wife of our dear friend. Earlier in the week, the American Cancer Society had a Survivor's Dinner for all those who have had or have cancer in the area. My mother attended, as she is a two time breast cancer survivor. They handed out the team shirts and also the survivor shirts at the dinner, and when I got to her house, she had mine laid out on my childhood bed.

There was something gratifying and sad to see that purple survivor shirt laid out for me, next to the white team shirt. Gratifying because I am able to wear the shirt at all. It's a badge of honor. I beat cancer. Granted, my type of cancer is one of the most curable, but it is cancer nonetheless. And it was sad, because I didn't expect to wear one at this point in my life. But then I thought of the many other people who are diagnosed younger than I am: children who have known nothing but chemo and hospitals all their lives, and I quickly ended my little pity party.

I'm looking forward to participating tomorrow. It has become a bit of a family affair. I whish more of our family would be able to be there, but such is life. I'm so very grateful for all the support of both my friends, Angie's friends, and our co-workers. You have given more weapons with which to strike back against something that rips families apart. People will now have wigs because of you. Because of you, people will be able to get to treatments that otherwise would not have been able to. Low income people (including our family) will now be able to recieve mileage reimbursement because of you, and for someone like me who travels 2 hours away for treatment, that's important! You truly have given hope where there was despair for too many people. I hope that you never have the need for these services, but if you do, may you have the support that you have given us.

I will post pictures tomorrow!

1st Mother's Day

Today was my first Mother's Day and it was awesome! Max is the most amazing little boy and I am so thankful to be his Mommy. Luckially, I learned from the best! (Happy Mother's Day, Moms! I love you!)

We started the day at church with our friends Amalia & Hullar, then on to a deeelicious brunch, complete with a very potent Mother's Day mimosa. (Boo-ya!) Then we headed to a huge book sale in the Ag building on campus. The Maxster was very tired by that point (borderline rowdy), so we headed back home for family nap time. I'm a big fan. 

I eventually made a Target run on my own and picked up the goods for our Relay for Life shirts. We're making Max a onesie and I'm making a shirt for myself because can you believe it?- we couldn't find an 'I support my husband/testicular cancer survivor' shirt anywhere online! Crazy! There's *every* other possible family member (even DOGS)  and other type of cancer out there, but not any for a testicular cancer survivor wife. What the heck?! So anyway, I decided to just make my own and it will rock. Hard. =) I was even lucky enough to find an actual orchid t-shirt, which is the 'ribbon' color for testicular cancer. 

(Side note: it's not too late to donate to the cause- the relay is next weekend! Michael is just $242.31 shy of his $1,000 fundraising goal. Please click on the box to the right if you feel so moved! Thank you!)

As I wrap this up, I want to mention four special ladies: my friend Jenn, Heather, Shana and a high school friend. These four mothers have very recently lost their beautiful children and my heart goes out to them. I'm sure that this day was not easy, but I will remember all of their kids in my heart and I hope you will, too. 

Little Piano Man

Max will be 8 months old tomorrow, so we're starting him early! He always seems (pleasantly) suprised by the xylophone sound of the piano, but seems to have more fun trying to EAT it.