Living the Small Town Life

I haven't had time to post lately as the beginning of 2015 has held many trials for our family..... mainly Cory's dad (which of course affects us as well).  If you have followed at all, you may remember that he was diagnosed in 2011 with Esophageal Cancer.  He had surgery, chemo, etc... and was able to get past that... only to later be diagnosed with tumors in his brain.  He had Gamma Knife, medications, etc... then had a recurrence which led to Full Brain Radiation, etc.  I can't even keep the whole timeline straight.... but on January 1st, 2015 he had some sort of "episode".  Doctors weren't sure if it was a seizure or stroke.  He was taken to the hospital because he couldn't walk or remember things.  This has happened 2 or 3 more times in the weeks since... he has been in and out of the hospital and also a nursing home.  It is believed that the medicine he was on to help him was actually harming him.  They have since removed him from the medication.... and he has been slowly improving... able to walk (with the aid of a wheeled walker) and remember things again (though not completely).  The damage to his brain from all of the radiation is not reversible.  And now that he is off the medication that is supposed to help with that - the doctors say there is nothing else they can do for him.  They suggested for him to go home and enjoy his family and dog for the time he has left.  It could be weeks... but probably not more than a few months.  As you can imagine, it has been a very trying time.  The roller coaster of emotions has been almost unbearable at times.  Cory has spent many days and evenings after work with his parents.  I have been holding down the fort as best I can.... not easy with a new baby.  Of course Cory comes home and helps out as much as he can as well... we are both emotionally, physically and mentally exhausted.  (Hence the reason I have had zero time to blog).  We have still managed to have birthday parties for the girls... and are managing from day to day.  If you read my sister's blog at all... hopefully you were able to see the pictures she posted!  I will try to continue to post as I can... but will probably be sporadic as life is hectic.  Thankfully Cory's dad is home now and is enjoying sitting in his own chair, watching the news and the dog snoring on the couch.... and we hope to go over there often as weather (and health) permits.

Hope your New Year has started off better than ours!