Halfway There

Hello Everyone! I am just about to finish up week 3 of radiation, which means after today, I will only have 17 sessions left! YAY! The only real side effect I am experiencing is the hair loss, but I knew that was coming, and I would much rather lose my hair than my energy!
Doug has arrived safely back to Tokyo to continue where he left off at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and then he will finish up July and August at JETRO, the Japan External Trade Organization. He was able to attend my follow-up Brain Clinic in Rochester on Tuesday, and thankfully everything seems good to go for me, so hopefully I won't be too far behind in returning as well.
Since I am still unable to drive, Hoolia, one of my closest friends, left her 11 month old twins in Denver with Gma and Gpa and came to take care of me instead this week. We had a blast together! On Wednesday we hiked about 4 miles through a preserve near our house and enjoyed a sushi dinner with Macey and her friend Bethany. Yesterday, we spent the day at the Science Museum and Como Zoo. This weekend, my mom is graciously moving up to the big city to help me get to my remaining appointments. I am so lucky to have such a strong support system around me! Thank you always for all of the well wishes and happy thoughts being sent my way!!!!

Look How Far She's Come

This is the week Ann was supposed to get out of the hospital. Instead, Ann is walking around like a miracle on legs. She had a 7 hour surgery on her brain that left her paralyzed, and now she has been going to dance class, pilates, long walks/jogs, and bungee jumping (OK, not that last one). {A special thanks to Ann's good friends Ray, Paulette, and Colleen for making the transition back to classes so easy.} We are so incredibly thankful for this gift. Ann is motivated mentally and seems to be having fewer and fewer 'bad brain days'. I know that God would have provided the manna to get by if Ann were still in the hospital or doing poorly, but we are SO INCREDIBLY thankful that she is not. I think the skies must have been filled with prayer for Ann. Thank you all for being such an important part of that.

Ann and Doug are still making the daily treks to radiation. So far, everything is going just fine. We are hoping that this continues. Ann told me she's not going to 'play into that side effects of radiation stuff- NO SETBACKS!' Her attitude is amazing right now.

We definitely appreciate the continued prayer, cards, flowers, phone calls, emails. They mean so much to all of us. With love, Meagan

A Normal Day

(From Ann)
Today was about as close to normal as I can get. Doug and I started out the day hitting golf balls with Doug's parents. My swing definitely isn't what it used to be, but I had a good time! Then my boss and friend at DanceWorks, Ann Proudfoot, invited me down to the studio to do some busy work, which was great! It felt like home to be at the studio again!

I wanted to share a list I've been compiling of things it never occurred to me to be thankful for, until now.

-Not having to be escorted to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
-Going to the bathroom without pressure from nurses to perform.
-Sleeping in a bed without a bed alarm.
-Standing up while taking a shower.
-Not getting frustrated while getting dressed.
-Not needing help to get dressed.
-Being able to sing along with the radio.
-Being able to stay on the beat of the music while dancing.
-Being able to squeeze toothpaste out of the tube.
-Being able to comb and curl my hair.
-Being able to swing my arms while I walk.
-Being able to chop vegetables.
-Being able to blow my nose with both hands.
-Being able to butter toast.
-Being able to make normal conversation with friends and family.
-Being able to fall asleep AND stay asleep.

Tomorrow, I have a mock run through of radiation. And, on Monday radiation begins. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. Love, Ann

The Perks of Having a Brain Tumor

I have just returned from a weekend up north. (That makes me sound very Minnesotan, doesn't it?) The Iverson Family, from Red Oak, graciously offered us their northern Minnesota cabin for a little getaway. Ann and I used to go there throughout junior high and high school with Christa and Jenn Iverson. It was so great for Ann and I to remember some of those truly fun times. I think that being away for a few days is a nice distraction for Ann before radiation starts. Thanks Iversons!

Several times this weekend I forgot that Ann's left side is weak, until she'd say something like, "Doug, will you move my arm for me?" Ann was even trying to dance a little yesterday. She says that she has no rhythm or coordination since the surgery. It looked to me like she had more than Doug and I combined. She'll be hip-hopping, square dancing, ballet-ing, break dancing, modern-ing, tapping, and jazz-ing in no time. Well, maybe not the square part. Mentally, I think it's still overwhelming for Ann to use so much brainpower to move and talk, but I see glimpses of it getting easier for her.

On behalf of Ann and Doug, still lounging at the cabin, and me, thanks for your continued support!