Well, after that pity party...
We had a great Christmas. Gordon was so awesome--taking care of everything while I ordered him around from my throne/bed. I have the best husband a gal could ask for.
As much as I've been tired and sore this Christmas break, it's been a great excuse to stay home and hang with the family. I'm grateful for the time I've been able to spend with Ian and Courtnie. My favorite memory so far is snuggling with Courtnie and having a "totally movie day" last Saturday. It was great.
So, here's our present run-down:
Gordon--PJs, razor (hint-hint), Police DVD, sweatshirt, a yard (yes, a yard) of summer sausage
Amie--a new crock pot (Polly broke my last one), Seinfeld "Scene-It," a snuggly hoodie, an electric blanket (ahhh!) and PJs.
Ian--skateboard, "sky box" skate ramp, shirt, PJs, Cardinals calendar
Courtnie--IM-me, Littlest Pet Shop playset, shirt, PJs, Hannah Montana calendar
The kids also got a new trampoline.
We had brunch with Josh, Kassie and the kids and then went to their house for dinner...deep fried turkey--YUM! The best part was having them close enough to spend the holiday with them. We missed not going to Gordon's mom's this year...maybe for New Year's.
I'm just so happy that I got to have an amazing turkey sandwich the next day--that made my Christmas! :)
Wish you all lived closer...we miss you!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Woe is Me
Time for another pity party...
It's been two weeks since I had surgery to remove my kidney tumor and I'm still hurting pretty bad. I guess that's to be expected when you have an 8-inch incision on your right side. Never mind that my kidney is healing from having a golf-ball sized tumor taken out of it. I guess I'm probably doing better than most. I can get up and around and am not completely helpless... :) *just a little!*
Something has been bothering me since my surgeon told me that the tumor was cancerous. When I had cancer the first time, I was at the tail end of my treatments when a CT scan revealed that the cancer was back. My mom panicked and called in Elders from a local ward to give me a blessing. They blessed me that the cancer would leave my body, and that--according to my faith--I'd never have cancer again.
Since I've left the hospital, I've wondered what that all means in light of the fact that I, once again, have (or had) cancer. The great news is that removal of a kidney tumor is all the treatment required (90% of the time)--so hopefully I won't need radiation or chemotherapy treatments and it shouldn't grow back. But the fact still remains that there was cancer in my body again.
Have I not been faithful enough? Was this cancer another test for me? I know that (like all of us--well, maybe not Bill) we all have things we can do better, and I'm not saying that God is punishing me by giving me cancer again. But what does it mean? I don't know if anyone can answer this one. I'm sure it's bothered my mom, as she was witness to the blessing in the first place.
I go to see the surgeon again tomorrow and hopefully he'll be able to answer a few of my questions. Is this tumor a result of the radiation treatments I had? What kind of cancer was it? What kind of follow-up will I have?
I'm so grateful for the prayers and thoughts that have been offered on my behalf. I have felt them, and they have helped me so much when times were tough for me. I'm so grateful to have good friends and a great family. They are truly the best blessing I could ask for.
It's been two weeks since I had surgery to remove my kidney tumor and I'm still hurting pretty bad. I guess that's to be expected when you have an 8-inch incision on your right side. Never mind that my kidney is healing from having a golf-ball sized tumor taken out of it. I guess I'm probably doing better than most. I can get up and around and am not completely helpless... :) *just a little!*
Something has been bothering me since my surgeon told me that the tumor was cancerous. When I had cancer the first time, I was at the tail end of my treatments when a CT scan revealed that the cancer was back. My mom panicked and called in Elders from a local ward to give me a blessing. They blessed me that the cancer would leave my body, and that--according to my faith--I'd never have cancer again.
Since I've left the hospital, I've wondered what that all means in light of the fact that I, once again, have (or had) cancer. The great news is that removal of a kidney tumor is all the treatment required (90% of the time)--so hopefully I won't need radiation or chemotherapy treatments and it shouldn't grow back. But the fact still remains that there was cancer in my body again.
Have I not been faithful enough? Was this cancer another test for me? I know that (like all of us--well, maybe not Bill) we all have things we can do better, and I'm not saying that God is punishing me by giving me cancer again. But what does it mean? I don't know if anyone can answer this one. I'm sure it's bothered my mom, as she was witness to the blessing in the first place.
I go to see the surgeon again tomorrow and hopefully he'll be able to answer a few of my questions. Is this tumor a result of the radiation treatments I had? What kind of cancer was it? What kind of follow-up will I have?
I'm so grateful for the prayers and thoughts that have been offered on my behalf. I have felt them, and they have helped me so much when times were tough for me. I'm so grateful to have good friends and a great family. They are truly the best blessing I could ask for.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Kinda embarassing, but I thought I'd share
So, I got names "Prescott Valley's Extraordinary Woman" for the month of September. One of my band parents nominated me. It's kind of nice, but kind of weird for me, as I'm just one person, doing my job...
Here's the link if you want to check it out. It's nice...
http://www.pvtrib.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=48408
Being a teacher is often a very thankless job, (as is being a mother) so it's nice to be recognized. I'm flattered. The good news is, I get my hair done next time for free, as I get a $100 gift card to my favorite salon! :) Yeah!
Here's the link if you want to check it out. It's nice...
http://www.pvtrib.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=48408
Being a teacher is often a very thankless job, (as is being a mother) so it's nice to be recognized. I'm flattered. The good news is, I get my hair done next time for free, as I get a $100 gift card to my favorite salon! :) Yeah!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Dum da dum DUMB!
I officially hate the radiologist that did my biopsy. He sucks. (My dad always hated it when I used that word, but I'm going to anyway...sorry, dad.)
I had this biopsy done a couple of weeks ago on the mass in my kidney. It hurt like a mutha, and the only consolation I took in the entire painful event was that I would at least know what it was and what to do about it.
He (the radiologist) called a couple of days later to tell me that the results came back benign. (See my previous post...I already said this already...) Great, I thought. At least its not cancer.
Well...last week my urologist (Dr. Funk...cool name, huh?) called and left a voice mail that said that the biopsy was benign, but that the tissue sample was "inadequate." Whatever that means.
We played phone tag for the last week, and I finally heard from him yesterday. He said that the biopsy contained only muscle and fat tissue, but not ONE iota of kidney tissue--which was the reason we were doing the thing in the first place. ARGH!! I went through all of that for nothing.
Dr. Funk asked me if the biopsy was too big of a deal. I told him that it certainly wasn't pleasant.
Since we heard from him initially (the voice mail) Gordon and I had talked about my situation. We basically came to the conclusion that I'm going to be around for the next 20-40 years and do I really want to keep doing the whole wait and see thing for the rest of my life.
So...I talked to Dr. Funk about just taking it out. He said that that felt very reasonable to him, and, in fact, its exactly what he'd recommend to one of his family members. He thought my logic was, well, very logical.
I've already scheduled my surgery for December 16. This will give me Christmas break to recuperate. I'll need to take a week off after, but I'll miss as little as possible, which is good.
Well, I'm typing in the midst of mass chaos as we get ready for our homecoming game. Our football team hasn't won a game all year. Maybe we'll get lucky tonight. We were out practicing this afternoon and got caught in a HUGE downpour. We're all soaked, but happy. I love my job--I'm having the time of my life, and can't imagine being (or doing) anything else.
Love to all. :)
I had this biopsy done a couple of weeks ago on the mass in my kidney. It hurt like a mutha, and the only consolation I took in the entire painful event was that I would at least know what it was and what to do about it.
He (the radiologist) called a couple of days later to tell me that the results came back benign. (See my previous post...I already said this already...) Great, I thought. At least its not cancer.
Well...last week my urologist (Dr. Funk...cool name, huh?) called and left a voice mail that said that the biopsy was benign, but that the tissue sample was "inadequate." Whatever that means.
We played phone tag for the last week, and I finally heard from him yesterday. He said that the biopsy contained only muscle and fat tissue, but not ONE iota of kidney tissue--which was the reason we were doing the thing in the first place. ARGH!! I went through all of that for nothing.
Dr. Funk asked me if the biopsy was too big of a deal. I told him that it certainly wasn't pleasant.
Since we heard from him initially (the voice mail) Gordon and I had talked about my situation. We basically came to the conclusion that I'm going to be around for the next 20-40 years and do I really want to keep doing the whole wait and see thing for the rest of my life.
So...I talked to Dr. Funk about just taking it out. He said that that felt very reasonable to him, and, in fact, its exactly what he'd recommend to one of his family members. He thought my logic was, well, very logical.
I've already scheduled my surgery for December 16. This will give me Christmas break to recuperate. I'll need to take a week off after, but I'll miss as little as possible, which is good.
Well, I'm typing in the midst of mass chaos as we get ready for our homecoming game. Our football team hasn't won a game all year. Maybe we'll get lucky tonight. We were out practicing this afternoon and got caught in a HUGE downpour. We're all soaked, but happy. I love my job--I'm having the time of my life, and can't imagine being (or doing) anything else.
Love to all. :)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Um...so...yeah...
My sister Lindsey is constantly reminding me that I need to update my blog. "I know, I know..." I always tell her. There just never seems to be enough hours in the day.
Amazingly, though, there's PLENTY of time for me to watch "Project Runway." Who knew?
Here's what a typical day consists of for me:
--Wake up at 5:30 a.m. to get myself and the kids ready for school. We need to leave by 6:45 to get to the high school by 7:00, as rehearsal starts each morning at 7:15.
--Between 7:00 and 7 :15, Gordon comes to the high school from work to pick up the kids and take them to school. We say quick family prayers in the morning in my office before they all leave.
--7:15 to 2:15 I'm teaching non-stop except for a 30-minute lunch break. I gave up my prep period this semester so that I could teach jazz band. It's not that bad, it just makes for a LONG day. Most days I'm here until at least 4:30, so that's a 9 1/2 hour day.
--Tuesday and Thursday Ian and Courtnie have football/cheer practice from 6:00-8:00. Wednesday they have gymnastics from 4:15-5:15.
--Last Friday was our first home game, which means that marching season is officially under way. Nights when we have home football games, I'm not home until 11:00 p.m.
--Ian and Courtnie had their first football game last Saturday, so that takes care of my Saturdays.
--Church is at 10:00 on Sundays.
Can I complain any more? When do I have time to think? When, I ask you???
On a positive note, I had a biopsy done on my renal mass on Monday and the radiologist called me yesterday with the results. The mass is benign, which really doesn't tell me much except that I don't have cancer. Can it turn into cancer? What exactly is it? Why is it there? These are the questions that haunt me. (Funnily enough, Courtnie said that the other day just out of the blue...we laughed so hard for about 15 minutes.)
On another random note, I'm starting to like Sarah Palin. Who knew? When I first heard who John McCain's running mate would be, I was TICKED!! What about Romney? I just knew that we'd (by "we" I mean the Republicans) would lose, as no one will vote for a woman. This was all before I got to hear her speak. She's a tough, smart woman (kinda like me) who is a working mom (kinda like me) and who's kids aren't perfect (kinda like mine.) It just makes it more personal to think that we have that much in common, at least, as I have absolutely NOTHING in common with any of the other political candidates from either political party. It makes it interesting, anyway...
We had a "Corn at the Cobbs" party last Friday for our ward at our house. I had a home game, so wasn't able to be there, but I heard it was a blast. I'll have to post pictures when I'm home. For some reason, my school computer won't let me access them.
Well, that's it. I've been thinking a lot of my brother, Bill for the past couple of days as we get closer to Hurricane Ike hitting the Texas coast. I'm sure he's prepared and will be fine, but just wanted him to know I'm thinking about him.
Love to all! :)
Amazingly, though, there's PLENTY of time for me to watch "Project Runway." Who knew?
Here's what a typical day consists of for me:
--Wake up at 5:30 a.m. to get myself and the kids ready for school. We need to leave by 6:45 to get to the high school by 7:00, as rehearsal starts each morning at 7:15.
--Between 7:00 and 7 :15, Gordon comes to the high school from work to pick up the kids and take them to school. We say quick family prayers in the morning in my office before they all leave.
--7:15 to 2:15 I'm teaching non-stop except for a 30-minute lunch break. I gave up my prep period this semester so that I could teach jazz band. It's not that bad, it just makes for a LONG day. Most days I'm here until at least 4:30, so that's a 9 1/2 hour day.
--Tuesday and Thursday Ian and Courtnie have football/cheer practice from 6:00-8:00. Wednesday they have gymnastics from 4:15-5:15.
--Last Friday was our first home game, which means that marching season is officially under way. Nights when we have home football games, I'm not home until 11:00 p.m.
--Ian and Courtnie had their first football game last Saturday, so that takes care of my Saturdays.
--Church is at 10:00 on Sundays.
Can I complain any more? When do I have time to think? When, I ask you???
On a positive note, I had a biopsy done on my renal mass on Monday and the radiologist called me yesterday with the results. The mass is benign, which really doesn't tell me much except that I don't have cancer. Can it turn into cancer? What exactly is it? Why is it there? These are the questions that haunt me. (Funnily enough, Courtnie said that the other day just out of the blue...we laughed so hard for about 15 minutes.)
On another random note, I'm starting to like Sarah Palin. Who knew? When I first heard who John McCain's running mate would be, I was TICKED!! What about Romney? I just knew that we'd (by "we" I mean the Republicans) would lose, as no one will vote for a woman. This was all before I got to hear her speak. She's a tough, smart woman (kinda like me) who is a working mom (kinda like me) and who's kids aren't perfect (kinda like mine.) It just makes it more personal to think that we have that much in common, at least, as I have absolutely NOTHING in common with any of the other political candidates from either political party. It makes it interesting, anyway...
We had a "Corn at the Cobbs" party last Friday for our ward at our house. I had a home game, so wasn't able to be there, but I heard it was a blast. I'll have to post pictures when I'm home. For some reason, my school computer won't let me access them.
Well, that's it. I've been thinking a lot of my brother, Bill for the past couple of days as we get closer to Hurricane Ike hitting the Texas coast. I'm sure he's prepared and will be fine, but just wanted him to know I'm thinking about him.
Love to all! :)
Saturday, July 26, 2008
So I realize it's been a while...
As I procrastinate even further in writing the drill for our upcoming field show, I am surfing the web, and realize that I haven't updated my blog in quite a while. In fact, I think it's been almost two months. LAME!
So, here's what happened this summer:
1. Courtnie had her 7th birthday June 14. I have a 7 year-old. I can't believe it. "Where does the time go?" is a common question asked, and as I get older, I realize that this question becomes more and more relevant. She had a great birthday party (I'll post pictures later)--complete with a slip and slide and 8 friends. It was fun.
2. The day after Courtnie's party, we left for Utah. We took my good friend (and band parent) Nikki Lorton with us. We had a great time talking and visiting on the trip up. She has two great kids--her oldest is on track to be this year's Valedictorian--and it was fun to ask her advice on raising great kids. It's also nice to hear a different perspective on raising kids from a "non-LDS" view, as she is a devout Catholic.
Anyway, we arrived in Orem and stayed the night with Lindsey before we went on to Idaho to see my parents. I dropped Nikki off at the Idaho Falls airport so that she could rent a car to drive to Montana to spend the summer with her grandma who had just been diagnosed with cancer. We then went on to Rexburg where we spent some time with mom and dad and grandpa Joe. Sunday was Father's Day, so a lot of Sellers family came to Rexburg to visit. It was good to see everyone.
Ian had football camp at BYU, so we stayed with Lindsey in Orem most of the week. My days consisted of waking up WAY too late (I don't know what it is about sleeping in basements that just makes you want to sleep all day), waking up and getting ready, taking Ian to camp, driving back to Lindsey's and hanging out with her and her cute family. Wednesday night we went up to Michelle's for Abbie's birthday and the kids had a blast playing on her HUGE inflatable water slide.
We stayed with Michelle Thursday and Friday night and went to the zoo with Michelle on Friday. We drove home Saturday in time to make it to church on Sunday. It was a great week.
3. I turned 35 on July 2. 35 sounds so close to 40!
4. We had two parades at the end of June/beginning of July. I really dreaded doing the parades, but seeing the students and being around them just seems to give me a real burst of energy. I hope that never fades.
5. I have read SOOO much this summer! I read The Virgin Earth, At World's End, The Life of Pi, Sarah, The Divide, and The Host. (I'm sure there's one or two I'm forgetting in there!) I LOVE to read so much. As a result of this love, I've totally procrastinated just about everything I needed to do this summer to get ready for school, but I think it was worth it.
6. Ian attended another football camp at my high school. He had a great time, but worked SO hard. He's such a good athlete. He also got promoted to Level 3 in gymnastics, and Courtnie moved up to Level 2. They seem to have fun in gymnastics--that's what it's all about. Ian can do a round-off, back handspring, back tuck (all in a row) now--that's just so impressive to me.
7. Josh and Kassie moved to Prescott Valley last Sunday. (Well, they're here, anyway--there stuff is all on a boat somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean.) We've had a lot of fun hanging out and getting to know them better. Their kids are so cute, and Courtnie has had a blast being a "mommy" to Allison and Megan. We're excited to have family so close.
8. Band camp started this past Monday. It's going pretty well so far. I've had a few major issues--my best snare player developed a MAJOR attitude, and I had to ask him to leave. We're going to have to do auditions again to fill his spot. Attitude helps/hinders so much in band. I tell all of my students (repeatedly) that I'd rather have the worst player in the world with a great attitude than a great musican with a cruddy attitude. Luckily for me, I'm blessed with pretty great students. Our band is going down in numbers again this year, but only by a couple, and if we can just keep our middle school director for a while, then I'm sure the numbers will start to climb. We're doing a Beatles show this year, so we're all pretty excited about the music, and it's starting to sound good. Now, if I could just get the drill written!! :)
9. Last Thursday I went to see the Urologist about my kidney mass. He really wants to find out what it is, so he ordered another CT scan (yea me!) I'll have that on Wednesday. He said he'd call me as soon as he has the results so we can figure out where to go from here. It could either be a more "solid" mass, or a cyst with "walls." If it's more solid, it will show up brighter under the contrast and will need to be removed soon. If it's a cyst, then we'll just "monitor" it. Either way, it will be good to know for sure what's going on.
So that's where are now. School starts on August 4--can you believe it? We're off and running. Football/cheer starts for the kids on Monday, so my life (as I know it) is pretty much over. *Just kidding*
Love to all. Keep in touch!
So, here's what happened this summer:
1. Courtnie had her 7th birthday June 14. I have a 7 year-old. I can't believe it. "Where does the time go?" is a common question asked, and as I get older, I realize that this question becomes more and more relevant. She had a great birthday party (I'll post pictures later)--complete with a slip and slide and 8 friends. It was fun.
2. The day after Courtnie's party, we left for Utah. We took my good friend (and band parent) Nikki Lorton with us. We had a great time talking and visiting on the trip up. She has two great kids--her oldest is on track to be this year's Valedictorian--and it was fun to ask her advice on raising great kids. It's also nice to hear a different perspective on raising kids from a "non-LDS" view, as she is a devout Catholic.
Anyway, we arrived in Orem and stayed the night with Lindsey before we went on to Idaho to see my parents. I dropped Nikki off at the Idaho Falls airport so that she could rent a car to drive to Montana to spend the summer with her grandma who had just been diagnosed with cancer. We then went on to Rexburg where we spent some time with mom and dad and grandpa Joe. Sunday was Father's Day, so a lot of Sellers family came to Rexburg to visit. It was good to see everyone.
Ian had football camp at BYU, so we stayed with Lindsey in Orem most of the week. My days consisted of waking up WAY too late (I don't know what it is about sleeping in basements that just makes you want to sleep all day), waking up and getting ready, taking Ian to camp, driving back to Lindsey's and hanging out with her and her cute family. Wednesday night we went up to Michelle's for Abbie's birthday and the kids had a blast playing on her HUGE inflatable water slide.
We stayed with Michelle Thursday and Friday night and went to the zoo with Michelle on Friday. We drove home Saturday in time to make it to church on Sunday. It was a great week.
3. I turned 35 on July 2. 35 sounds so close to 40!
4. We had two parades at the end of June/beginning of July. I really dreaded doing the parades, but seeing the students and being around them just seems to give me a real burst of energy. I hope that never fades.
5. I have read SOOO much this summer! I read The Virgin Earth, At World's End, The Life of Pi, Sarah, The Divide, and The Host. (I'm sure there's one or two I'm forgetting in there!) I LOVE to read so much. As a result of this love, I've totally procrastinated just about everything I needed to do this summer to get ready for school, but I think it was worth it.
6. Ian attended another football camp at my high school. He had a great time, but worked SO hard. He's such a good athlete. He also got promoted to Level 3 in gymnastics, and Courtnie moved up to Level 2. They seem to have fun in gymnastics--that's what it's all about. Ian can do a round-off, back handspring, back tuck (all in a row) now--that's just so impressive to me.
7. Josh and Kassie moved to Prescott Valley last Sunday. (Well, they're here, anyway--there stuff is all on a boat somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean.) We've had a lot of fun hanging out and getting to know them better. Their kids are so cute, and Courtnie has had a blast being a "mommy" to Allison and Megan. We're excited to have family so close.
8. Band camp started this past Monday. It's going pretty well so far. I've had a few major issues--my best snare player developed a MAJOR attitude, and I had to ask him to leave. We're going to have to do auditions again to fill his spot. Attitude helps/hinders so much in band. I tell all of my students (repeatedly) that I'd rather have the worst player in the world with a great attitude than a great musican with a cruddy attitude. Luckily for me, I'm blessed with pretty great students. Our band is going down in numbers again this year, but only by a couple, and if we can just keep our middle school director for a while, then I'm sure the numbers will start to climb. We're doing a Beatles show this year, so we're all pretty excited about the music, and it's starting to sound good. Now, if I could just get the drill written!! :)
9. Last Thursday I went to see the Urologist about my kidney mass. He really wants to find out what it is, so he ordered another CT scan (yea me!) I'll have that on Wednesday. He said he'd call me as soon as he has the results so we can figure out where to go from here. It could either be a more "solid" mass, or a cyst with "walls." If it's more solid, it will show up brighter under the contrast and will need to be removed soon. If it's a cyst, then we'll just "monitor" it. Either way, it will be good to know for sure what's going on.
So that's where are now. School starts on August 4--can you believe it? We're off and running. Football/cheer starts for the kids on Monday, so my life (as I know it) is pretty much over. *Just kidding*
Love to all. Keep in touch!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
I swore I'd never...
Okay, it's official...
The end of the world is near...
I let my kids get a dog. Not only is it a dog, but it's an "inside dog." We had a member of our ward pass away recently (he died in a bad motorcycle accident) and it's left his wife pretty devistated. She is having a hard time making ends meet, and taking care of this dog was just too much for her right now. We also took her chickens, so now we have a total of around 14.
In case you can't tell from the picture, it's a Boston Terrier--we named it "Polly." (So, yes, it's a girl.) It's cute and VERY hyper, but I think it will be fun. We need to house train it, which will be a challenge, but we'll make it work. Ian is SO happy, and I even let it sit on my lap and petted it today--a HUGE step for me.
So now at the Cobb Family Farm, we have four goats, about 14 chickens, one dog and two kids. We're happy...
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