Summer Fun

So it seems I need to blog more often so I don't have 100 pitures per post. Someday I'll get there again. Since my 9 month hiatus to the cancer/pregnancy blog, I have probably lost most of my readers but I see I have also gained a few new ones too. With 2 kids, moving, school, etc. things are busy and I'm trying to decide if anyone reads this anymore. If not, I might pull the plug. So, do me a favor and if you read this make a comment. If you have a blog, leave your blog address and I'll update my blogroll and start reading yours too :) I have a feeling I might get like 4 comments...if so, thank you to the 4 of you who think my day to day is interesting enough to read about.

So here is our summer so far! Isla showing off a sweater her Great Aunt Cindy made her. Elias and Da da who has become "Daddy" in the past few weeks swimming in the CUZZI

Elias got his first haircut this summer! It got to the point where even product couldn't tame it and every day he woke up so hot and sweaty. I was intimidated but ended up giving him a really decent haircut. I was even impressed with myself!

We had a very spontaneous "No More Cancer" party a couple days after I got the good news that I was in remission!

Elias and his girlfriend Hailey. At least according to him. Guess he likes older women.

Brian thought white powdered donuts were an great idea for breakfast. Apparently Elias agreed with him.

Also new this summer is Elias' potty. We just got notice that we will be moving in the next couple of weeks (yikes) and once we do I am going to try to start potty training him. For now he is content to sit on it with his diaper on and drag it around the house.

Elias loves dressing up like Daddy.

Family pictures, July 3, 2010.

Elias had a great time coloring with sidewalk chalk...

Fireworks were a little late for our kids this year.

We just finished another successful VBS last week. It was a long week for Elias but he had a great time.

Thursday will be Elias' 2nd birthday and my 1 month remission anniversary. Can't wait to celebrate!

Great News!

Taken from my private blog:

This morning as Dr. Mason walked into the office he said, "The scans were negative. You are in complete remission."

I think Brian and I both let out a big sigh of relief as we both had been holding our breath. I am so glad there wasn't any beating around the bush. We experienced enough suspense over the past 8 months. It was exactly 8 months ago today that I was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma. In that time I have undergone chemotherapy treatment, had a beautiful baby girl and been hospitalized. I have had moments where I feel great and times that I can't get out of bed. Now I can look back at all of this and view it in the past tense. It's over. In 8 months I went from perfectly healthy to cancer patient and now to cancer survivor.

Wow. What a ride it was. There have been low points and high points all along the way. I certainly don't want to do it again, but I can't say I would trade the experience either. The past 8 months included the birth of our daughter. Although that didn't go how I would have planned, giving birth was an incredible experience and one I am so thrilled to have had. God didn't have to give me that opportunity but he chose to bless me in that way and for that I will always be thankful.

After we got the results and I finished hugging Dr. Mason we walked out to chat with everybody. Scripps has been such a wonderful place to work with. It is a very intimate environment and I pretty much know everyone on the floor by name. Those I don't know still know exactly who I am. We took both the kids and although it wasn't our first choice I am so glad they came. Showing them off to everyone was a perfect way to end this chapter. Everyone there has been so invested in our lives and in our family. Isla is lovingly referred to as our "ABVD miracle baby!" She got passed around this morning from person to person. Meanwhile Elias blew kisses to everyone and had them all smitten by the time we left.

All of the fellows had a hard time saying goodbye as they probably won't be there anymore by the next time I go in. Dr. M asked if she could leave the Navy and come be my nanny and then wanted a run down of the Ethiopian adoption process. Dr. S called me "hard core" after I told them all we plan on adopting again and that I've just been waiting for the words "in remission" to start the 6 month countdown to begin the process. He gave me his personal e-mail so I could keep him up to date on our family and when talking to Isla referred to himself as "Uncle Ethan." Dr. V in his quirky way said he would miss us. When I thanked Dr. Mason for all he has done he turned around and thanked me - not what I was expecting. To these doctors though I represent a challenge and a personal investment of time, energy and knowledge.

I hope that at the end of all this I leave someone inspired or hopeful. I might never know if this piece of my life or the way I handled this trial has made a positive difference in someone's life but I sure hope so. I worked hard to keep a positive attitude and made a conscious effort to always let those I was talking to know that I was taking what God was giving me and trying to make the best of it.

Although I am considered in full remission, I am not considered cured until I have been in remission for five years. Over the next five years I will be seen by the oncologist for a physical exam and blood work every 3 months and have a scan every 6 months.

We don't know what the future holds for us. Someday we would like to adopt again. Someday we would like to live overseas. For now we will just focus on enjoying the life and relationships God has given us.

I think it is only fitting to retire this blog today! Therefore, this will be my final post. Thank you all for your concern and prayers. Your words of encouragement have been a huge blessing to Brian and I...I will be sure to keep them all as a reminder of all the love and support we have had through this process. I will try to start back up with the family blog http://gossettadoption.blogspot.com

Love to you all,
Autumn

Spring Brings New Life!

On March 15, 2010 our daughter, Isla Ann (pronounced eye-la) joined our family. She was 6 weeks early and weighed only 4 pounds, yet God gave her to us at just the right time!

Elias and Isla meet for the first time!

Isla began her journey nice and dramatic and decided to make her entrance that way too! At 3 months along I was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma (as you probably all know). Isla underwent many rounds of chemotherapy with me and despite a number of scares, stayed strong and healthy the whole time. At 34 weeks along I came down with the flu. The intensity of the vomiting most likely caused my water to break, although it took me peeing my pants, 30 minutes of non-stop peeing and a phone call to my mom from the toilet to realize that my water had actually broken. Being an adoptive mom, I was obviously new at this part! Isla came 12 hours later after 45 minutes of pushing. The cord was wrapped around her neck and she was purple and not breathing. From the moment I saw her until I heard she was okay were the most terrifying moments of my life. She was easily recessitated and taken to the NICU where she spent the first 3 weeks of her life. It was a long and trying journey for our family but we have our baby girl with us and it was all worth it and more!

Elias loves his little sister. He wants to help with everything: bathing, feeding, rocking, holding, etc. He calls her baby or baby eye-a. Here are photos my mom had taken of them when I was in the hospital for a number of days. Elias is 22 months and Isla is 2 months.

Elias Besufikad

Isla Ann

I will give a quick update on me. With the birth of Isla and bouts in the hospital my last rounds of chemotherapy had to be postponed a few times and I just finally finished yesterday! It was so nice to have my treatment and know I would not be going back in 2 weeks! In a few weeks I will have a scan and get the results which will then determine if this journey is over for our family or if I will need to continue on with radiation therapy. We are really looking forward to being done with this and just spending some time being "normal" and enjoying our two wonderful kids. At that point I will definitely blog more and tell you all about the ways God has blessed us through these two incredible little people! ...And what future little people He has in store for us!

One Year Ago Today (in video)

One year ago today, we met our son, Elias Besufikad, for the very first time. Although the meeting wasn't exactly how we dreamed it would be, it was still a dream come true!

To read about our first meeting click here and here.

Winter 09-10

I realize my blog is officially lame and I apologize for that. Hopefully once this whole cancer business is over I will be blogging more often than just seasonally. Who knows, maybe I won't have any readers left by then.

Quick update on me: I am still doing surprisingly well with the chemotherapy. I have 2 more rounds (1 more month) of treatment and then I go in for a scan. There is a possibility I will be given the all clear at that point. If the cancer is not completely gone I will have 2 more months of chemo and then possibily radiation after the baby is born.

We've had a lot of fun this winter!!! We got some snow in the moutains and last weekend took a day trip so the Ethiopian boys could experience snow for the first time. Elias basically hated it and was really only content when someone was holding him and not making him touch the snow.

Christmas with Elias was wonderful! Here are some highlights

In mid-January we had a mini reunion for some of the kids from Hannah's Hope. We were able to use my Aunt and Uncle's beach house here in San Diego. We had such a great time getting to meet some of our blog friends in person. The kids had an absolute blast and I hope as they get older we will continue to be able to get together as the kids share a very special and unique bond.

Elias and Maleia

Elias, Maleia, and Sitina

Christian, Ashi, Elias, Maleia, Elyse, Sitina (Liam and Wes were sleeping...)

During this photo we got asked if they were quads...probably thanks to the super cure shirts Bethany made everyone!

Despite all the craziness of our lives due to my health issues this fall and winter have been really wonderful. We really look forward to Spring when Elias' baby sister will be joining us!