It WAS a Tumor

A favorite phrase around our house has been a quote from Arnold Schwarzenegger in Kindergarten Cop. He mentions he has a headache and a little Kindergartner says, "It could be a tumor." Arnold replies "It's NOT a toomah!"

This video still makes us laugh, but after years of joking, "It's NOT a toomah!" this time it really WAS a tumor. Our daughter, Rikki, is getting married this month. She went in for a premarital physical exam and the doctor found a growth on her thyroid. Initial (FNA) biopsies were inconclusive, but the growth was large (initially estimated at 6.5 cm), so it had to come out. That surgery was on Friday (Nov 1st). 

Pre-op Rikki

Waiting Area. I should have taken an "after" photo of the snacks. Let's just say I ate my share.

It turned into a five hour surgery. It was cancer and had spread to her lymph nodes, some muscle, and was even bigger than originally thought (it had grown up under her jaw bone). The surgeon did an amazing job. 

 

  

 

How do we spend our time in the hospital? Between the occasional visitors, Rikki watches HGTV, Dale and Ryatt read the paper, and I finished my book club book.

 

 

 

 

 

When Ryatt joins us, the party starts: 

Rikki is now on the road to recovery. Her ongoing treatment plans are still to be determined--pending detailed pathology reports and cancer review board recommendations. Her wedding will be November 23rd. We're looking forward to celebrating her life and her future with her best friend, Zakk.

Yesterday she graduated to eating toast! (four days post-surgery)

Halloween 2013

 

"All right, we're gonna do a little number for you. But remember, we're a bit rusty, so bear with us... ♪ My little buttercup..." ♫

"No, we will not die like dogs! We will fight like lions! Because we are... The Three Amigos!"

Before the PLETHORA of trick or treaters arrived

The party will overflow to the park across the street





We tried to keep the line moving, but it typically went down the street

Once in a while this Amiga got to hand out "treats" (glow sticks)



Our neighbor captioned this one, "Dale Price, Halloween Legend"

After the plethora of trick or treaters. The oversized chair was a big hit.

Extra Extra! Halloween News

Our local newspaper, the Daily Herald, stopped by for photos and a story yesterday. Dale told me, "it was the same photographer that came to report on our Japanese reality show." It seems strange that Dale is getting to know the reporters and photographers in the area. But yeah, this was not his first photo shoot or interview. This story appeared in today's newspaper, along with a collection of photos.


Click to view the Herald's photo gallery

Spenser (the photographer) got this fun shot of Dale with the blow up dinosaur. Dinosaur or dragon? I think it's a dragon (notice the fire-breathing). Lately it's been called the blow-up Godzilla. It's big and it's purple, but it's not Barney.
 
As for the story. Well it appears as though in "soft stories" like this, the facts aren't super critical. Yes, he spends two months setting up, but TENS of thousands of trick or treaters? nah. visitors? drive by's? Well, maybe cumulatively. It sounds much more impressive this way, though, right? 

Click to read the Herald's story

My favorite line? "His three kids have been his helpers over the years. His wife, not so much. 'My wife is a fan that she doesn't have to do anything for it.'" Well yeah. It's his hobby, his passion, his gift to the community. I'll support his efforts behind the scenes. I'll enjoy it, shake my head at the amount of time he invests in it, and invite my friends over to admire his artwork.