Good times and good friends

WOW, the past few week have been unbelievable. Spring break started on March 20, which was also Natalee's 13th birthday!! Yes, that's right she is a teenier. So many kids sent her cards, the school made a board with comments and pictures also a parent made her a quilt where the kids signed it, and good friends brought gifts over. I was amazed at the good hearts of so many people. Thanks.

Natalee's pain. For the past two months, after her tumors had grown, she has had constant pain, both in her leg and back. She was prescribed 'Gabapentin' which has lessen the pain in her back, it is constantly there, but tolerable. As for her leg she is using the 'TENS unit', which stands for Transuctaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, essentially we put 4 electrode pads (very sticky) on specific muscles near her pain, then attach them to the unit which sends pulses, tricking the brain to pay attention, distracting it from the other pain. It works, it doesn't get rid of it but helps a lot. She can do that up to 4 times a day. The reason for the leg pain; during her surgery, as you may recall, she almost lost her leg because the tumor was wrapped around the nerve that runs down to her leg. When they removed the tumor, it caused nerve damage. From that she has a numb spot about 5"x7". The nerves compensate by becoming very active in that area, causing severe pain and that is why the TENS unit works well for that pain. There was a time when she was spending a lot of time in bed. So now less pain and more quality.

Spring break, Natalee was able to go to the beach with two friends, Makenna Bell and Ally Fulps. Part of the time it was stormy (loved it), then sunny, but cold. We were able to take short trips to the beach then come back and play games, watch movies, eat junk, and laugh a lot. We ran over to Tillamook cheese factory, and to Cape Mears lighthouse. Makenna's mom, Cathy also came with us, so it was also fun for me. I think the best part is seeing my girl laugh and be with friends. It was the best medicine. For that reason I am hoping that she can have more visits. Friday is an open door for anyone to walk on over after school.

This past weekend our Girl Scout Troop went to the beach (our last hurrah) we are dissolving the troop. Again it was an unbelievable time. We left at 4:30, right after we got on the road, Natalee had a surprise phone call from Taylor Swift. Even though she wasn't able to talk with her, she left a kind message that has been great to listen to. Thanks Taylor, to take the time to reach out, that meant a lot to Nat. Well with eight girls along with most the moms, we had a crazy time at the beach. While we were at the beach, some of the men (High Priests) from our Church came over and did some major yard work. They removed a large tree, 5 shrubs, repaired a broken fence from the windstorm and then the general pruning and cleaning up from ole winter. When I came home I was so amazed of the work that was done. I can't help but feel so blessed by so many caring people. You are all the wings that lift us up above the storms so that we can see. Thank you so much.

Tomorrow Natalee goes to the Doctors to find out the results of her scans. In a few days I will post the information, and hope to post some pictures from our beach trips.