Surgery is scheduled!

Our whole family traveled up to Primary Children's with Jessica this past Sunday. Jessica had a CT scan at 9 a.m. and then apts. with the doctors at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Monday Feb. 28th. We were very hopeful that the scan would show that Jessica was ready for surgery and it certainly did! The tumor itself has responded dramatically to the chemo treatments. Not only does it seem to have pulled away from the liver, but it no longer encases the superior vena cava (major vessel of the heart- hope that I am wording that correctly). It does still line the back of the vessels, but the surgeon feels very confident in a safe removal! The tumors in the lungs are now very small much different from what we first saw. Jessica is scheduled for surgery Tuesday, March 8th. We will know the exact time on Monday, March 7th. While in S.L.C. for the appointments we spent some much needed family time. We played with our Carlson cousins and went to the Gateway childrens museum. All of the kids had a blast! Jessica loved it there!

Friday, Feb. 25th, was an eventful day for Jessica and our entire family. Pine View High School held a special assembly for Jessica, and Mom, Annalise, Alyson, and Jessica had a girls night out to Seusical Jr. at Fossil Ridge Intermediate. The musical was outstanding!! The girls giggled through out. With Horton on the tree saying "I said what I meant and I meant what I said. An elephant's faithful 100%" Jessica said, "Mom, we have that book." Thing 1 and Thing 2 and the Cat in the Hat were our good friends James, Mark, and Jeff. Other good friends were part of the musical! An amazing job was done by all!

It was the Mr. PVHS assembly at the High School. This was an amazing exerience for our family to be a part of. It is some what uncomfortable being the recipient of so much love and support, but at the same time we are blessed with many amazing experiences and this time was from the students and staff at Pine View High School. Each of the contestants were nominated by different clubs in the school and the cause that was chosen to raise money for was Jessica. The assembly was fun and entertaining, but truly showed the love that so many people have for Jessica and for our family. Many tears were shed as we watched this amazing act of love happen for Jessica. We will never forget that day. Thank you PVHS students and staff! You are a great example and strength to Jessica and our family. Another fundraiser is happening Friday, March 4th, at PVHS for Whitni Nisson, recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. It is a benefit concert for her and her family from 7 to 10 p.m. that day. There is a great deal of love and support from our entire community for so many families who are struggling.

Caleb, Alyson, Jessica, and Annalise, with Brianne who is a member of the service club and a good friend of our family who helped to put together the Mr. PVHS assembly. Alyson and Annalise were escorts for the contestants along with 6 other very special friends of Jessica's; Brooklyn, Brecken, Eden, Lainee, Macey, and Sadie. We are very grateful to be surrounded by so many wonderful friends!

Annalise and Alyson, thank you for being such great olders sisters for Jessica, Caleb, and Jacob. It isn't always easy for the siblings to go through an experience like this. They struggle at times. It is often hard as a parent to be the way we should for all of our children as we go through trials. I am just grateful for each one of my children. Cody and I both love them more than they will ever know!

Aunt Julia with Jessica at the PVHS assembly. We are so lucky to have such amazing family support. Aunt Julia is a very special Aunt to all of her nieces and nephews. What would we do without our families? What a blessing they are!

Jessica with Jacob at our hospital stay in St. George on Feb. 18th. She stayed for three days because of a fever and having zero immune system, but even through another hospital visit she stayed happy and upbeat!

On Valentines Day we met Cody for lunch and he took the kids to the nature center to see the ducks. It always feels good to be out having fun together! We are very lucky to have such a great Dad! The kids love spending time with Dad and he makes as much time as possible to spend time with them. He always comes home from work with an exciting story to tell them and gets them excited about the things they are going to do together!

Good friend Isaac, Jessica, and cousin Jason! Can you feel the love!!

Jessica and Caleb playing on the hill behind Grandma and Grandpa Chipman's house. We love the St. George winters! And we love Grandma and Grandpa's house! Lots of memories are made there!

As nervous as surgery makes us, we know that Jessica is in good hands. Normal recovery time can be up to a week, even two. Radiation will follow around a week after surgery and that will be everyday for at least a week. They can also give her chemo while she is receiving radiation. We are just very grateful that the cancer has responded the way it has. We know, without a doubt, that many prayers have been answered!