Team Hall

Last night was the annual Light the Night walk to support blood born cancers. I don't really know how to express in words how touched Dave and I were by the support we felt from our friends and family. As we talked to each one of you last night, and saw your beautiful families, we couldn't help but think how blessed we feel to be surrounded by such amazing people. At the end of the night after everyone had left, Dave and I sat in our car, in the parking lot, feeding Marshall and talking about the night. We were both very teary eyed as we sat in the dark, just the three of us...realizing the sometimes it takes something as bad a cancer to make you realize how good life really is. So thank you...thank you for being a part of a night that meant more to us than you could possibly ever know!!!

I'm a Slacker...I know!

I know, I know, I had a baby and it's like, "Blog? What Blog?" No worries...today is a day for updates. Let's start with Marshall. Instead of telling you all about him, I'm going to post a few pictures. I think they speak for themselves. :)

A Day to Remember

I don't know how to describe what I'm feeling. It's six a.m. and the perfect cool, fall morning. The house is quiet as I sit here with my cup of coffee, snuggled up in a blanket with Marshall sleeping in my arms. The last eight days have been the happiest moments of my life. Dave and I have to laugh because every night we say, "Today is my favorite day I've lived so far!" It's amazing that this little person we created has brought such tremendous joy into our lives.

For those of you who don't know the story of Marshall's arrival, here is the condensed version. Marshall was running a little late, so Dr. Charles decided to induce me on Sunday, September 21st. Saturday night I finished packing my bag for the hospital and pretended to sleep in preparation of what the next day would be bringing. At four a.m. I decided I was tired of pretending and that it was time to get up. As I stood, it was very evident that my water had broke. I woke Dave up and excitedly explained that indeed Marshall was coming today but apparently on his own terms. Funny, I had no idea how true this would be. I took a shower, my husband slept a little longer (ask him about this next time you see him :), and we headed to the hospital.

Everything was going great until around 2 o'clock. I knew something was wrong when the nurse came in and asked Dave and I how big we were when we were born. It seemed a little strange that she was making smalltalk about our birth weights when I was hyperventilating from the pain of each contraction. Looking back I realize she was worried Marshall was too big to make it out the birth canal. Long story, short...by 5'oclock Dr. Charles was explaining to me that although I was dilated to nine, Marshall's position was going to make it impossible for me to deliver him naturally. So...plan B. Frankly at this point, I didn't care if it was plan L, K, or Z...I just wanted him out!

The csection is a bit of a blur, but I do remember Dave's face being right beside mine telling me how great I was doing. And I remember lying there waiting to hear Marshall cry because I knew it would all be okay once I could hear his voice. It only took about five minutes to get him out and then I heard this little voice screaming as he arrived into our world. Dr. Charles quickly brought Marshall around the sheet so Dave and I could see him and then he was whisked off to be checked out. I will never forget how it felt at that very moment to look at my husband and know that regardless of what our future brings, it was at this very moment that made our lives so worth living. Dave was able to run back and forth from where I was lying to where Marshall was lying and then come back to give me all the details. It takes about an hour to stitch a person up after a csection so Dave had plenty of time to describe to me what Marshall looked like...what he didn't say at the time was that Marshall is actually just a miniature version of him :)

Once they were finished with me, I was moved to recovery for an hour and was finally able to hold my son. There really aren't words to describe a moment like this. Dave and I sat there...holding onto Marshall...looking at each other...and realizing we were now not just Dave and Mandy, but a family of three.

Once our hour was up, we were moved to the postpartum room. I was pretty loopy by this point, but I do know that my entire family was in the room awaiting our arrival and that the smiles and tears were abundant. Like I said...a day to remember!

It wasn't just to many DQ blizzards!

Apparently we really are having a baby! I was getting a little worried!

We saw Dr. Charles around noon today and she gave us several options. I know I was looking at her like, "Seriously? You're going to give a pregnant woman options? I can't even decide what to eat for breakfast!" After hearing her out we decided to go home and talk about all of these choices...I'm sure Dave was just about ready to take me to her house and let the doctor help me sort through the quote unqoute options, but he let me talk aloud through each one and we came to a decision together.

So...drum roll please...
I am being induced on Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. That is assuming he doesn't come on his own before then. I've quickly realized that I have no idea what this process entails and that searching frantically on the internet is probably not the best option. I'm about 2.5 cm dilated and 50% effaced. I have no idea what a balloon catheter is or what it will feel like to have my water broken so if you have induction stories of your own to share, please do! But only if they include blissfully painless memories!

We'll keep you posted on any updates!

Tis the (political) season

Ok still no news on the baby front, other than we are STILL anxiously awaiting the arrival of little Marshall. Mandy has been fighting off a cold, which I feel really bad about because she cannot take anything to help relieve symptoms! So if everyone can chant with me "Marshall, Marshall, Marshall" LOL.

With less than 60 days to go before the general election, we want to encourage everyone to GET OUT AND VOTE this year! Regardless of your political views, and regardless which side you are for, I think it is safe enough to say, this year your vote matters. Here in Ohio, you have until October 6th to get registered. In Franklin County you can register or check your registration by going here (http://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/voter-services/), in Delaware County - (http://www.co.delaware.oh.us/boe/voter.asp). Please check with your state or local municipality about registering to vote (if you are not already).

Also, be certain to tune into the Presidential and VP debates. They are
Presidential Debates
Jim Lehrer, Sept. 26, at Ole Miss.
Tom Brokaw, Oct. 7, in Nashville
Bob Schieffer, Oct. 15, at Hofstra.

Vice Presidential Debate
Gwen Ifill, Oct. 2, at Wash. U in St. Louis

My biggest interest in this election is more about Health care and Education. Mandy's may be different as we all have our own personal agenda's when selecting our leaders. As was mentioned on the Stand up 2 cancer program, insurance only pays for 3% of clinical trials (fortunately my clinical trial fell within that 3%). Ask any oncologist, lab tech, doctor, or nurse and they will tell you this about cancer -- a clinical trial is your best bet to be cured! For this very reason, I eagerly want to hear how each candidate will "CHANGE" the insurance industry to meet this. I am hoping since both candidates have been impacted by cancer in their lives, they are going to push through some ground breaking legislation to remedy this.

Lastly -- The big game is this weekend (OSU vs USC) and without Beanie in the line up for the first time in a long time I don't feel hopeful about our chances. But of course I will still be cheering for them like a mad man... GO BUCKS!

Stand Up

I know many of you have probably saw the advertisements about Stand Up To Cancer that is happening this Friday Night September 5th on all 3 major networks. In case you haven't :) this post is to alert you about this event. I will be posting in the next few days about the advances in treatment for my particular disease. And as you will soon see, it seems for many cancers we are very close to finding cures (including forms of lymphoma). The SU2C site http://su2c.standup2cancer.org/ has some great information about how they are seeking to raise funds for cancer research and finding cures.

If you haven't already, set your TiVo, DVR's, VCR's, or just simply tune in on Friday night.

Labor Day Lies

Dave and I were really excited yesterday because I seemed to be having contractions. They weren't crazy doubling over contractions, but they were strong enough that you could see and feel my stomach ball up tightly and then release after about 30 seconds. They also seemed to be fairly consistent. So, I went to bed thinking...well, maybe tomorrow morning I'll wake up after a good night's rest and Marshall will be well on his way. I mean it is Labor Day! It only seems appropriate to go into labor!

Unfortunately, this day was obviously misnamed because it is around 5:00 and Dave and I are getting ready to make a homemade pizza. Something I'm assuming I wouldn't be doing if I was in fact having a baby! At this point, I'm guessing they were Braxton Hicks contractions. Oh, well...perhaps tomorrow.

At our last doctor's appointment, we were told that I was still 1cm dilated and that unfortunately she couldn't feel his head. So...we are going in this Thursday to see if he is breech or just positioned a little funny. Obviously if he is breech, I'll be scheduled for a C-Section. Although I've seen this video and it looks fairly horrifying, it does have its perks. The first being that it's scheduled! That means I get to show up with my cute pink suitcase at the chosen time and hopefully there won't be too many surprises. They other perk is I don't have to naturally deliver a baby with a giant noggin! I don't know how many of you have taken a good look at my husband's head...but it's really big. Don't get me wrong, it's handsome and all...but still really, really big! Of course, there are plenty of downfalls to a C-Section as well...I'm just trying to look on the bright side.

Chances are Marshall's either as stubborn as his mother or as laid back as his father and neither of those characteristics seem to be making him in any hurry. Dave and I will keep you updated on the pregnancy progress. And...if any of you know how I can get in touch with the person who named this day...I have a bone to pick with him!