Thankful November Catch Up - Thanksgiving Day

So I've been slacking with Thankful November but I guess I've had some other things on my mind. Over the past few days, I have gained an entire new appreciation for today, Thanksgiving, and I'm going to rattle off some of the things that have made my 'thankful list' over the course of the last few days:
Mommy intuition to catch a cancerous tumor early
A world-class Children's hospital close by
The "Leaders and Best" - an incredible team of fast acting medical experts who couldn't have been more thorough, accommodating, understanding, honest and communicative with us
Successful surgery
The most caring nurses I could ask for taking care of our son
An absolutely amazing support system, including HUNDREDS of Facebook and blog comments, prayers and well wishes
Family who sat at our side while we waited for hours for outcomes
Friends who have been there every step of the way
Neighbors who sent the most amazing care packages
Fellow bloggers, Alex, Kalyn and Leah,for the most touching blog posts ever
Cousins who take in our high maintenance dog
Coworkers who have sent emails and texts and made visits, reminding me to give everything I have to Easton and not worry about work
My amazingly strong husband who has been my rock through this all
And last by certainly not least, we are so thankful for the power of prayer. Without all the love, prayers and support we've received, we wouldn't have gotten through this without them!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

I can breathe again

I can hardly keep my eyes open, but wanted to send a quick update. A 9am surgery got bumped to 11, only to get bumped to 1:43pm - that's 14 hours from his last feeding! The morning actually wasn't as bad as intended, considering we had an extra 3+ hours to distract a very hungry baby.

According to the doctors, surgery went as well as could be expected, or better than expected if you ask me. His right kidney and appendix were removed, along with a tumor weighing in at 2/3lbs! The tumor was encapsulated which is the best news if all. Drs are still confident it is a Wilms tumor and based on what they can tell thus far, chemotherapy will not be needed! This wont be confirmed until Pathology takes a closer look at it, and being that tomorrow is a holiday, it could be a few days. This is seriously the best case scenario and our fingers and toes are crossed. Please continue to keep us in your prayers until we know more. For now, we will camp out on Mott 7.

Easton is recovering nicely. Of course it's always difficult to see your child in any sort if pain (and thankfully the tumor wasn't causing pain) and I'm sure when he 'comes to', he will nit be impressed with all the darn cords. Our focus for the next few days is to make sure Easton is comfortable and provide him with anything he needs. We are looking forward to going home soon!

I'll post more later but this girl needs to catch sme zzz's. Thank you for the outpour of love and support!

My worst nightmare come true

Never in a million years did I think this blog would be used for this purpose, but I guess there is a reason for everything. As I sit by the bedside of my sweet baby boy at the University of Mchigan hospital a hundred bajillion things run thru my mind- Why Easton? Why us? How did this happen? Is he going to be ok? He NEEDS to be ok.

It all started about a week ago when I noticed some firmness in Easton's belly. I watched him carefully and treated it as bowel related adjusting his diet to accommodate constipation. A few days later with completely normal activity - playing, laughing, eating, and pooping the spot was still firm, so I did what any paranoid mom would do and I made an appt with his pediatrician. Almost instantly the doctor knew something was abnormal and said we had to figure out what it is and get it out ASAP. So we left with a script for a pediatric ultrasound in the morning.

Well we didn't last until morning - last night was a rough one with out of the norm wake ups, feedings and resistance to anything sleep related - screaming, flailing all over, arching his back, I knew something was wrong. To the ER we went. An ultrasound, cat scan and lots of bloodwork later, we heard the inevitable, dreaded word - cancer.

Nothing is 100%, but doctors are fairly confident that it's a Wilms tumor attached to his kidney and are going into surgery tomorrow with plans to remove the tumor and kidney. They will know more once they get in there, and are prepared for all possible situations. Surgery is scheduled for 9am tomorrow morning and we are confident that the amazing team of medical doctors are going to take great care of our baby.

After living the life of a dad with cancer, who by the way has fought an unbelievable fight, I neveR could have imagined my own son having to go through that. Today goes down as the worst day in history, although the next few days, even months could hand us more than we know. We are prepared to fight the fight of our life and will give it all we've got (and more than I'm sure we even know we have!) We are so fortunate to have the most amazing supper system behind us. Please keep us in your prayers - we need all we can get. Gooo Easton!

Easton's Wish List

Dear Santa (and Grandma and Papa, and Nana and Papa and Aunties and Uncles and Mommy and Daddy),
I'm so excited for my first Christmas! I have been a very good boy this year and from what I hear, that gets you lots of presents That being said, here are some things I've spotted that I really, really want:

1.   PBK Anywhere Chair - check! ;)
2.   Detroit Tigers Hat - Toddler size for my big head
3.   Wooden Activity Cube/Incrediblock - check!
4.   Tiny Toms (size 4)
5.   Fisher-Price Sesame Street Silly Sounds Remote
6.   Poppin' Park Elefun - check!
7.   Skidders (size 12 months)
8.   Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Dance and Play Puppy - check!
9.   Laugh & Learn Farm
10. Melissa & Doug Standard Unit Wood Blocks

I will, of course, accept other gifts as well! Can't wait to celebrate Christmas with you.
Love, Easton

Thankful November - Day 16 & 17

Peanut Butter & (Raspberry) Jelly

Day 16 & 17 go together like PB&J! Who doesn't love a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich? They are quick, easy and probably average less than .50 cents per sandwich. PB&J has always been my go-to sandwich. Open-face is my preference, while Bryan enjoys a triple decker. We eat these on the regular at our house - and actually, it kinda sounds good for dinner tonight! :)

Wordless Wednesday

Whooooo's the cutest?!?!

Easy Beef Enchiladas

This was my first attempt at beef enchiladas and I have to say I was impressed, as was the hubby. Not only were these super easy for a weekday meal, but they were delicious -- and also fed us for the next 2 meals. I have to give credit to Molly for these -- as I do for most of my recipes. Thanks to Molly, you have helped  renew my love for cooking!

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
1 cup cooked white rice (yes that says cooked!)
1 can refried beans (not warmed!)
1 can cream of chicken soup (I've used cream of mush before and it was just as good)
1 jar of salsa
8 burrito size tortilla shells
2 cups shredded chesse

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 pan. Brown the ground beef and drain. Add taco seasoning and however much water it calls for. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Add in the (cooked) rice and stir it up real good!
2. Take the tortilla, spread a spoonful of refried beans on the tortilla. Spoon the meat mixture on top of that. Sprinkle with cheese and roll it up. Put the rolled tortilla seam side down into the 9x13 pan. Repeat until all your tortillas are gone- or the meat mix is gone - or the pan is full.
3. Combine the cream of chicken soup and the jar of salsa in a bowl. Mix well. Pour the mix over the tortillas in the pan. Sprinkle with the remainder of the cheese.
4. Put the pan in the oven for 30 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden brown. Remove, cool and enjoy! I like to serve with a side of sour cream, avocado and sometimes extra salsa. YUM!