Happy Birthday Theresa!

Today is Theresa's birthday so I'm hijacking the blog for a second to wish her a very happy, healthy, and non-gassy birthday! We love you and can't wait to see you in a few weeks!

Love,

Dan, Jenny, and Mia

I'm back to work!

Hi! I hope everyone had a Happy Easter! We spent the day with Kurt's grandparents. Kaeli had a blast searching for Easter eggs in great grandma's backyard. Uncle Eric was a little jealous that her eggs had one and five dollar bills inside. When he was little, his only had quarters! Kaeli is putting it all in her savings account!

Today was my first day back to work. To be honest, I was a little nervous beforehand. I didn't really know how I'd feel. However, the day went really well. The kids were awesome!! They were so cooperative and worked so well! They have really grown up a lot in the past four months! They are more independent and such good readers! I am so proud of them! The only problem I had was that my pants kept falling down! I need to get a belt! :-)

By lunchtime, I was feeling like I had never been away. Funny how easy it was to get right back into it. I wasn't really that tired either. I want the rest of the week to be just as good, so I am headed to bed! I just wanted to give a quick update!

I will be seeing my surgeon, Dr. Swanson on Wednesday after work. He wanted to follow up after my little detour into the hospital 2 weeks ago. Then on April 30Th I will be seeing my oncologist. He said we'd set up the octreotide scan at that appointment.

Please pray that I continue to be healthy, happy and strong. I know I have said this many times before, but I feel I must continue to let everyone know how much all your thoughts, prayers and support mean to me. I have been surprisingly upbeat and mentally strong (physically too) through this whole experience. I know that it is all the prayers, thoughts and support that keep me going! So thank you, thank you, thank you! I am so blessed!

Kaeli is waving her book in my face, time to go! Happy Spring! Be happy! Theresa

Just a quick note...

I am feeling much better! I have had a lot of sleep in the past few days and my intestines are getting back to what they were before last week! Not like they were before my surgery, but back to what I guess my new normal is!

I have been talking about gas and poop so much, hoping that they wouldn't always be such a huge part of my day, then I have this bowel obstruction. My doctor said as long as I am passing gas and pooping, I know that my intestines are not twisted. So what I once wished would go away, I'm now wishing for it to stay! So sorry if you are around me and I'm having a stinky day! (Sorry 1st grade rhymes, couldn't resist!)

I had to put my return to work off another week. So I will be returning to school and my kids on April 13-which happens to be the anniversary of my car fire-oh my goodness I just realized that. But that was on Friday the 13Th, so I should be good! :-) Not a superstitious girl anyway.

Kaeli and I had a mommy daughter day. She had her 5 year doctor visit. She is a tall one, the doctor said she is off the charts!!! She had to get a shot and was not happy about that. But we went out to dinner and she seemed to forget about it. Thank God because on the way to the restaurant she said in a very upset voice, "I do not like shots, I did not want a shot!!" at least 100 times!

Time to get some more rest! Thank you for all your prayers and for all the positive energy you all have flowing my way-it is keeping me happy and sane during this unpredictable time in my life!

Happy Spring!!! Lots of Love, Theresa

I'm home!

I am very happy to be home. The doctors let me leave last night, thank God. I got my first full night sleep in 6 days! I am really tired and trying to rest up. Having a bowel obstruction is a horrible experience, one I plan on NEVER having again!

Daddy is taking Kaeli out for a Daddy/daughter date at the movies and I plan on sleeping! I will update later once I am feeling a little more like myself!

Thank you so much for all the calls, messages, texts, cards, thoughts, prayers and visualizations of my bowels untwisting :-) !!!!!! Again, I can't tell you how much it all means to me! I feel so surrounded by love and support and that's what keeps me going! A million thanks!

Love, Theresa

Friday Morning Update

I just spoke with Theresa a few minutes ago and she sounded great. She said that they have removed her IV and that they are going to let her try and eat some food today. If that goes well, she will most likely get out of the hospital tomorrow.

They are taking things slowly and they want to make sure she is 100% recovered from this before sending her home.

UPDATE:
I mentioned that Theresa had a test that showed none of the hormones caused by the carcinoid tumors. It turns out that she needs to get further clarification from her doctor on that, so I'm taking that section out.

Also - Theresa has a laptop on the way from Dell, so she should be able to start posting updates on her own again soon.

-Mike

Untwisted!

Good news! Theresa's intestines untwisted and the worst is over. The tube running down her nose to her stomach was removed and she's able to eat again (just broth for now). I spoke with Theresa for a while this morning and she sounds great. It's uncertain how much longer she'll be in the hospital. The doctors want to be sure everything is okay before letting her go. We'll keep you posted on her progress.

Theresa has her phone and you're welcome to call or text her. She appreciates all the prayers, messages, and thoughts!

- Dan

Theresa making progress

I spoke to Theresa on Tuesday afternoon and she seemed to be doing a little bit better. She also reported that (without getting too graphic) "things are moving in the right direction" with regards to her intestines. :) So that was a positive sign. They are keeping her in the hospital for now. Surgery is still a possibility at this point, but hopefully it won't be necessary.

I'll try to call her again today and update the blog.

She also said thank you to all of you that have left voice and text messages for her.
-Mike