Big Thanks!

Big thanks go out to my Mom and Dad, who stood and sat in line in the cold weather, so my girls and I could receive our H1N1 vaccine. Since last Friday I have been calling everyone trying to find one for Caitlin. The flu had hit Allie's school, so this week I kept her home to stay away from germs. Anyway we were first in line and everything worked out just fine. So again thanks Mom and Dad for waiting in line for us, so I didn't have to entertain the girls and have them stand out in the cold. Hopefully we will have built up enough antibodies when it really hits our town.

One Year Ago

One year ago today I can truly say was the worst day of our lives. One year ago today Caitlin was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 18 months old. We had a MRI that morning at 5:30 am and then received a phone call from Dr. Armstrong around 11am, and told that Caitlin had a brain tumor and it was causing fluid to remain on her brain, so within a hour and a half we were packed and in the car driving down to Primary Children's for Caitlin to have surgery that night. Thank goodness, everything went well with her surgery and they were able to release the fluid on her brain as well. The brain tumor was about the size of a walnut. Also soon after we found out that the tumor was a medulloblastoma tumor, which is a type of cancer. So throughout this year Caitlin has undergone chemotherapy treatments and a round of radiation. She has been such a tough and brave girl through all of it. Our family has cried, been upset, and found strength through this hardship. I have learned a lot of cancer terms and treatments, my extended family thinks I should become a nurse, but I am not sure about that. We are thankful for the good Doctors and nurses at Primary Childrens. But I do have one thing to say to other families that may go through the same thing, you as a parent or family member need to be aware of the kinds of medicines that the cancer patients needs and what doses. I know that Doctors and nurses try not to make mistakes but sadly mistakes do happen. A few times I have had to stop the nurses from giving Caitlin the wrong medicine or wrong dose. I have never really been very hard-headed but when my child life is at stake you better watch out. Anyway, off my soapbox, our hearts go out to other families who are going through the same trials. Also a big thank for all our family and friends for all their prayers, support, and love. I do have some good news to report if Caitlin's next scan looks good, we will only have one more cycle of chemotherapy left, so we will hope to be finished with chemo sometime in January.

Three years and going strong

Today is Jake and my three year wedding anniversary. Wow time does fly some days! I remember we were both really nervous on our wedding day, since we both hate been up in front of lots of people. But it turned out pretty well, I think. Allie was upset since we had got her a flower headband to wear on her head, which she didn't want she wanted my bouquet. We decided not to have a reception because of the expense of weddings and that my parents had already paid for my first wedding. So after the ceremony and the picture taking we went and ate dinner at the Bluebird restaurant in Logan, it was so good. So all in all the day turned out pretty good, a lot better than my first marriage, since during the ceremony my ex-husband said his brother was his best friend instead of me. I should of saved me the heart ache and just let him marry his brother. Oh well!!! We are hoping that in the future we will have better luck in celebrating our anniversary. Last year we were planning on going to a hotel, enjoy a break from the girls and relax in a jetted tub. Unfortunately Caitlin was diagnosed with a brain tumor on the Thursday before, so instead we spent out anniversary and my birthday at Primary Children's Pediatric ICU. This year money has been really tight with only Jake's income and a few extra expenses to care for Caitlin, so we decided next year we will save up our money and go do something really fun for our anniversary.
I know that it sounds silly, but I really do believe that Jake and I are soul-mates. It has been three years and we still can find things to talk about, we still call each other on lunch breaks. We really never fight, we might get upset with each other but usually that is because one of us is really tired or being too OCD. We always enjoy spend time together, we love to snuggle on the couch and watch our favorite shows and movies. We love to play games together, and we love to spoil our girls. Jake is a great man and father, he always put his kids before himself. He has worked hard this year to make sure that our family has been provided for. He is always willing to help out, and give me back rubs and foot rubs. He is the greatest husband in the world and I would be lost without him. Happy Anniversary, Jake! I love you now, always, and forever.

Just a Little Update!

Caitlin's scans came back looking good, so we should only have about 4 months of Chemotherapy left. Hooray!!! We are so excited and hope that things continue to go well for her recovery. It has been a very long and trying year for us, and we will be happy to have made it through it. Thanks to friends and family who have helped and supported us. Now if I can get the Christmas shopping done before December then life would be perfect. Well okay not perfect but a lot less stressful.

Busy Time at the Welch Household

Sorry it has been so long since I updated but we have been kind of busy at the Welchs. Jake turned 26, on September 29th. Yeah, he is finally as old as me, but not for long. Due to our little girl's condition, we didn't get to do much, but we did go out to dinner, and I think he liked his presents, an Elmo hoodie and the new Halo game. Also my Mom's Birthday is October 6th, this year she turns the big 5-0. So we wanted to have a big family party, I said that I would make a slide show of photos of my Mom. It turned out okay, but my computer is kind of outdated and was enjoying giving me stress in putting it together. Caitlin thank goodness got over her shingles without any problems. Last Wednesday the whole family went and got our flu shots, Allie was not happy about that at all. But it worked out well since she was out of school for UEA. On Friday we got Caitlin's braces for her legs, since she tends to walk on the side of her foot. Also on Friday was my Mom's 50th Birthday party, which was really fun. Walmart messed up on the cake, but oh well. At least it tasted okay. On Saturday we went to the Texas Roadhouse restaurant it was really good. On Sunday we went up to my Mom to watch conference and eat yummy food. So all in all we had a fun weekend. Caitlin seems to be doing pretty good with her braces. I am hoping she sleeps better tonight than she did last night since tomorrow we have to get up early for another MRI, and she will start another round of Chemo on Thursday. But if everything still looks good, this will be her second to last chemo round. Yeah! Please keep her in your prayers and think good thoughts!