Alyssa is doing Great!

Alyssa had surgery on March 12th to remove the cyst on her head. The surgery went very well and took about an hour. It was a little more complicated than what the doctor first thought when she started the procedure. The cyst had grone large enough to where it was over the soft spot instead of the bone. The cyst was attached to the dura (the lining of the brain) more than anticipated.

The doctor was pretty sure she was able to get all of it out and that we shouldn't have any problems afterwards and it should not grow back again. Alyssa is happier and more talkative now than ever before. We think that it was actually putting more pressure on things than what we knew. Maybe she had a headache that just kept getting worse until the surgery.

The nurses kept telling us to be prepared for when she comes out of anesthesia. They told us she will probably be upset and crying and not to be alarmed. When they brought her back into the room with us she was alittle dazed but she was calm. She was looking about the room and real quiet. Definately not what the nurses were expecting. We brought her home about an hour later.

She had her stiches taken out 5 days later. The wound is healing well, although it is still swollen. Hopefully the soft tissue swelling will continue to decrease until her head no longer has a big lump.

We are grateful that the surgery went well and that all is well with our little girl.

Count Your MANY Blessings

Today was another reminder about how truely blessed we are. I was headed to work this morning when I began to see thick dark smoke ahead of me. I knew it was a house fire but I could not tell at that point what house. As I got closer I could see the flames pouring out of the upstairs bedroom of my Uncle's home. I stopped as quickly as I could safely and saw the back side of the house engulfed in flames. I parked my car and ran over to the house to make sure everyone was out of the house and were safe. No one was in the house and everyone was safe. The house is a total loss. A few of the family pictures were saved and some other items but that is about all. How grateful I am for my family and the safety that was provided. The love and support that we have as a family unit is irreplaceable and priceless.
I am so grateful for all of the many blessings that we have...they are far too many to even begin to list. I am grateful for the Gospel in our lives that helps us get through times like these, for the support and comfort it provides. I am grateful for our Savior and the trials He went through for us. I am grateful for the generosity and love of those neighbors, church members and community members who have already stepped forward to help in any way they could, even in the simple prayers they have offerred in my Uncle's behalf. I pray that we may see the positives and the blessings that will come from the events of today.