Home Sweet Home

 Hooray! We are home!! It has never been so good to be home!

Nick is incredible. He is now the star patient for two of his doctors. First, he was the first patient of his radiation oncologist to work the entire 5 weeks of treatment. Next, his surgeon told us to expect 4 to 5 post surgical days in the hospital and Nick was discharged at the beginning of his third post surgical day. He is strong, determined, and positive.

The day of surgery was by far the longest day of my life, but it was such a relief to see him come out of recovery with a grin on his face! The tumor is gone and we are one step closer to him being well. The team at Stanford was amazing and we were so blessed to have support and help from our family and friends. Oliver loved all his special dates too. Love you all.

day after surgery

 walking around the unit with Mom and Dad

 walking around the unit with me

making a card for daddy on one of his dates ;)

 first meal at home

Pain in Nick's A**: Going home

Well after three nights and four days all of my liquids/solids/gases are entering and exiting me in the right places, so I'm headed home. My pain has been managable with a little medication and the nurses have been great. All in all it has gone pretty smooth, outside a noisey roomate.

Thanks everyone for all of the support.

Pain in Nick A**: I'm alive

I woke up from surgery. So that's a good start. I feel pretty good other than the fact it feels like I've done about a million crunches. I am also a bit sleepy right now, but that's to be expected. Had a little chicken noodle soup and saltine crackers for dinner and everything its staying down.

I asked the surgeon to take a picture of the removed tissue. Check out this, it is about 12 inches long. The darker red portion on the left side is where the tumor is. The first pic is the back and second is the front.

Thanks for all of the well wishes. It is a wonderful feeling knowing I such a large support group.

Christmas

Normally we spend Christmas up in Seattle, but with the 'Pain in my A**' we decided to stay local. Sitting in car for 14 hours probably would not have been the most comfortable thing in the world  with a 'fire in the hole'. Luckily Lindsey's family, my brother and his girlfriend were able to join us for Christmas. Oh and my brother's dog Lucy, can't leave her out, Oliver is quite obsessed with her.

**Side Note**
Want people to come and see you? Get cancer. It works really freaking well. Just saying. Side effects are a bit of a bummer though. Pros and Cons...Pros and Cons.

Anyways, the 23rd we had the family Christmas party. Little food, some drinks, and the 49ers absolutley getting their a** handed to them by the Seahawks. Didn't phase the munchkin though, he still walks around saying 9ers at everything football. Maaco LV Bowl...9ers! Rose Bowl...9ers! Fiesta Bowl...9ers! Golden State Warrior game...9ers! Yeah we're still working on all the teams and sports. Huskies, A's, pro-basket ball (who cares), but he's got the 9ers down,


On Christmas Eve Chris, Ric and I built Oliver a play kitchen, while Lindsey and Nancy took Ollie to the park. That evening we spent at my Aunt Barbra and Uncle Jim's with both of their families.

Oliver hiding from me in Lindsey's cloths.

Chris, Ric and me building Oliver's Kitchen.

Oliver and Nana headed to the park.

All dressed up for Barb and Jim's

Christmas day we woke up and headed over to my folks house. We got a Nespresso machine for Christmas (early Christmas present), I have to say it's pretty awesome. Nothing like having a way better than Starbucks quality Latte or Cappuccino in about 3 mins.

Oliver checking out his stocking.

Lucy Playing with a new toy.

Making Lauren a Latte with the Nespresso machine.

Hard to get everyone to look at the camera at once.

Oliver playing in his new tunnel.

Oliver checking out some new cars (Uncle Brian would be proud).

My beautiful wife and little monkey.

Meme and Oliver jumping on the trampoline.