Dear Meagan,
About DANG time that this kidney is going to be taken care of :) I know you've been feeling uber tired lately, which is making you want to drop your class, but hang in there. Because next week is your final kidney gig and then you will be good as new! You should feel much better after the process and you'll be able to rock out the rest of the semester... at this point you have already proven that you can do it, so your stuck! Gotta finish it out and NO LETTING MOM BAIL YOU OUT! :) I say that out of love! hehe
So at church right now we are going through this 'consumed' journey and I thought I would share some of the things I'm learning week by week with you because it is really interesting. You know 'they' say, whatever you acquire here on earth, you can't take with you when you leave! We come into this world with no possessions, not even clothing, and go out the same way! This journey is meant to open our eyes to being consumed with God and going to Him for our fulfillment instead of our possessions. While we can still enjoy nice things, our sense of satisfaction should not be based on them. Our reading this week was about King Solomon, how we spent all this time and money acquiring all the riches someone of that time could imagine, but in the end it was chasing the wind, and he had nothing overall, no sense of satisfaction.
Therefore during lent (which started Wednesday) we are supposed to give up something we are 'consumed with' until Easter. I personally gave up my endless house hunt haha. As you know Jeff and I are still renting and I'm OBSESSED with the thought of buying a house... I probably search for houses every day and my favorite show is house hunters lol. I wanted to give this up in order to prove that I don't need this 'earthly need' for personal fulfillment. Maybe what you decide to give up for lent is something you turn to when your anxious. For example, if you eat candy or watch junk TV or drink or smoke when you are stressed, try to give that up. Prove that you do not need those things, that you can rely on God.
Anyway, food for thought missy! Praying for all to go well next week, and I will see you right after the surgery! Excited for you to feel better :)
XOXO,
Brooke
Friday, February 15, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
mAss kickers!
Dear Meagan,
mAss kickers intern! I just wanted to say that I am so proud of you for reaching out to mAss kickers! You are so passionate about this organization and I know they have helped you a lot with all of you've GROWN through :)
For any readers, mAss kickers is a phenomenal organization that helps young people affected by tumors to get back on track! As they say, "this ain't no pity party!" I love their attitude and message, here is a link to their website if anyone is interested...
http://www.masskickers.org/wp/
You are going to rock it with them this summer and do what you love to, which is promote awareness and help others through their tough times as well! So proud of you!
Here is the picture you wanted of us all rocking our mAss kickers stickers at lunch!
Love you girl! Keep it up rockstar!
XOXO,
Brooke
mAss kickers intern! I just wanted to say that I am so proud of you for reaching out to mAss kickers! You are so passionate about this organization and I know they have helped you a lot with all of you've GROWN through :)
For any readers, mAss kickers is a phenomenal organization that helps young people affected by tumors to get back on track! As they say, "this ain't no pity party!" I love their attitude and message, here is a link to their website if anyone is interested...
http://www.masskickers.org/wp/
You are going to rock it with them this summer and do what you love to, which is promote awareness and help others through their tough times as well! So proud of you!
Here is the picture you wanted of us all rocking our mAss kickers stickers at lunch!
XOXO,
Brooke
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Sticks and stones
Dear Meagan,
Ahhhhh that little childhood rhyme, "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." It's so hard to do, but soooo important!
When we get positive comments from people, we soak it up, smile, feel good about ourselves, and probably even pass on a compliment to someone else (which is why its so important to compliment other people!). However, when we get negative comments or attitudes or actions from other people, it can also easily effect our emotions, by hurting us. And like the childhood rhyme, we can't let it hurt us.
Let's say someone gives you a little 'tude or says something rude to you. You have to realize that their rudeness is their issue, and you just have to smile, laugh, and move on. Know Meaggy that YOU are nicer than that person, and you are therefore (in my opinion) better :)
Now remember I'm your older sister, I've known you your whole life! You weren't always as nice as you are now (and neither was I haha). Ohhhhh the memories I have of your little 'tude. It's not that you were a bad person, you just didn't know any better. You didn't have the conscious yet to care about whether or not you were hurting other peoples feelings. And for some reason some people just never grow out of that.
Just keep being nice to people, keep improving yourself, and God will reward you for it! No doubt about it :) What goes around comes around! These days you are generally surrounded by some pretty nice people! But when you do come across that occasional one that just doesn't say things nicely, smile, laugh, and move on!
So proud of you... glad your loving class and PT! You are a rock star :) Such a fighter!
XOXO,
Brooke
Ahhhhh that little childhood rhyme, "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." It's so hard to do, but soooo important!
When we get positive comments from people, we soak it up, smile, feel good about ourselves, and probably even pass on a compliment to someone else (which is why its so important to compliment other people!). However, when we get negative comments or attitudes or actions from other people, it can also easily effect our emotions, by hurting us. And like the childhood rhyme, we can't let it hurt us.
Let's say someone gives you a little 'tude or says something rude to you. You have to realize that their rudeness is their issue, and you just have to smile, laugh, and move on. Know Meaggy that YOU are nicer than that person, and you are therefore (in my opinion) better :)
Now remember I'm your older sister, I've known you your whole life! You weren't always as nice as you are now (and neither was I haha). Ohhhhh the memories I have of your little 'tude. It's not that you were a bad person, you just didn't know any better. You didn't have the conscious yet to care about whether or not you were hurting other peoples feelings. And for some reason some people just never grow out of that.
Just keep being nice to people, keep improving yourself, and God will reward you for it! No doubt about it :) What goes around comes around! These days you are generally surrounded by some pretty nice people! But when you do come across that occasional one that just doesn't say things nicely, smile, laugh, and move on!
So proud of you... glad your loving class and PT! You are a rock star :) Such a fighter!
XOXO,
Brooke
Friday, January 25, 2013
Your doing so good!
Dear Meagan,
Phew! It's been a busy week for me, and I heard it has been for you too with physical therapy and school :) It was so great for you to come stay with me last weekend, you gotta come again soon!
I'm excited to hang out Saturday and for you to meet baby Marlee! She is so cute, I know you will just adore her!
To be completely honest with you, this is one of the first times I've really struggled to come up with something to blog about. You are just doing so STINKIN well! I feel like you have really gotten it together and there is no overarching thing that you are currently struggling with on your 'road to recovery.' Your making progress in every area!
I remember after your initial surgeries, you got very comfortable where you were which left you 'stuck' for longer than ideal. You have recently made a LOT of forward progress and I don't think either one of us wants you to 'get stuck' here, you want to keep achieving. You are so confident and fun when you are achieving, so keep it up! As you are accomplishing all that you are, start thinking about what is next for you. What are you working towards? Being independent? Graduating and getting a job? What kind of job?
I know you are still getting accustomed to school and PT, but just start to think about where you are going from here. I see great things :) You got some thick skin now girl, and you can do anything, you've seen it all. So the sky is the limit! I'm so proud of how far you've come, and more importantly, how far you are going!
Have a great day :) See you tomorrow!
XOXO,
Brooke
Phew! It's been a busy week for me, and I heard it has been for you too with physical therapy and school :) It was so great for you to come stay with me last weekend, you gotta come again soon!
I'm excited to hang out Saturday and for you to meet baby Marlee! She is so cute, I know you will just adore her!
To be completely honest with you, this is one of the first times I've really struggled to come up with something to blog about. You are just doing so STINKIN well! I feel like you have really gotten it together and there is no overarching thing that you are currently struggling with on your 'road to recovery.' Your making progress in every area!
I remember after your initial surgeries, you got very comfortable where you were which left you 'stuck' for longer than ideal. You have recently made a LOT of forward progress and I don't think either one of us wants you to 'get stuck' here, you want to keep achieving. You are so confident and fun when you are achieving, so keep it up! As you are accomplishing all that you are, start thinking about what is next for you. What are you working towards? Being independent? Graduating and getting a job? What kind of job?
I know you are still getting accustomed to school and PT, but just start to think about where you are going from here. I see great things :) You got some thick skin now girl, and you can do anything, you've seen it all. So the sky is the limit! I'm so proud of how far you've come, and more importantly, how far you are going!
Have a great day :) See you tomorrow!
XOXO,
Brooke
Thursday, January 17, 2013
I work out
Dear Meagan,
Woo-hoo things are on the MOVE this week! FINALLY got your surgery scheduled and your spring semester finalized. You said you have class Mon/Wed/Fri and physical therapy Tues/Thurs.
I am SO proud of you and pumped that you are committing to physical therapy. You have moved forward so much since all of your surgeries, and one of the last couple things to tackle is your physical rehabilitation. As you know, because your tumor was on the right side of your brain, you have a slower/weaker left side. I doubt you remember this but for the first 2-3 weeks after your first surgery, you had NO mobility on your left side whatsoever... you couldn't even wiggle your toes or fingers! And then you finally started wiggling them, and eventually you could slowly start to walk again. That brought on the days of the pimp cane! I'll never forget decorating that cane! So much fun-- I still like to call you Phyllis from time to time :) haha
Now, with help of your brace (if you still wear it?), you can walk very well... but your left side is definitely less coordinated than your right. Soooo committing to physical therapy twice per week is an awesome thing to get your body strong again.
I would say the number one benefit of you doing physical therapy is strengthening/coordinating your left side. However, as you know there are SO many benefits to exercise outside of your specific needs.
Here is a list of seven benefits of exercise from the Mayo Clinic:
XOXO,
Brooke
Woo-hoo things are on the MOVE this week! FINALLY got your surgery scheduled and your spring semester finalized. You said you have class Mon/Wed/Fri and physical therapy Tues/Thurs.
I am SO proud of you and pumped that you are committing to physical therapy. You have moved forward so much since all of your surgeries, and one of the last couple things to tackle is your physical rehabilitation. As you know, because your tumor was on the right side of your brain, you have a slower/weaker left side. I doubt you remember this but for the first 2-3 weeks after your first surgery, you had NO mobility on your left side whatsoever... you couldn't even wiggle your toes or fingers! And then you finally started wiggling them, and eventually you could slowly start to walk again. That brought on the days of the pimp cane! I'll never forget decorating that cane! So much fun-- I still like to call you Phyllis from time to time :) haha
Now, with help of your brace (if you still wear it?), you can walk very well... but your left side is definitely less coordinated than your right. Soooo committing to physical therapy twice per week is an awesome thing to get your body strong again.
I would say the number one benefit of you doing physical therapy is strengthening/coordinating your left side. However, as you know there are SO many benefits to exercise outside of your specific needs.
Here is a list of seven benefits of exercise from the Mayo Clinic:
- Exercise controls weight.
- Duh :)
- Exercise combats health conditions and disease.
- It's true! It helps prevent various health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. But on top of that it also reduces your risk of cancer, depression, anxiety, and arthritis.
- Exercise improves mood.
- El Woods said it best (in Legally Blonde), "Exercise releases endorphins. Endorphins make people happy." Exercise also improves confidence and self-esteem!
- Exercise boosts energy.
- Exercise helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues so your entire body can work better- giving you more energy to accomplish everything you need too!
- Exercise promotes better sleep.
- Girl! You know this one is a bonus! You and dad have those sleep issues but MAYBE when you start exercising regularly with physical therapy they will go away (or at the least they will improve).
- Exercise puts the spark back in your sex life.
- No comment lol.
- Exercise can be fun.
- So right now your going to be doing physical therapy, which is fun due to all the benefits. But eventually you will be feeling strong enough to add something fun to your exercise routine. Find what you love to do in the exercise world and stick to that. Maybe you'll find you love walking out doors or lifting weights with the meatheads or playing tennis with mom. With our dance/cheer background, I personally love doing group exercise classes like zumba or yoga!
XOXO,
Brooke
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
You can do it!
Dear Meagan,
Hey girl hey :) So I heard you have been super tired lately... you said you think it may be your kidney. Honestly, the vitamin D levels may be playing into it as well. Either way, they are both fixable! The vitamin D is already on the way to getting better and mom is figuring out when this surgery is going to happen to get your kidneys back on track!
Here's the deal, I know you are feeling kind of tired and you are unsure of your schedule this semester with this pending surgery. However, we don't know when the surgery will be, so you have to keep living your life and fulfilling your responsibilities until the surgery. So tomorrow make sure to go to your writing class and explain to your teacher that you have an upcoming surgery, but you still want to attend class until you have it. Who knows, you may only be out a couple of days and still be able to finish the semester.
All I know is that you started making FORWARD progress and we should definitely keep it that up. Look at all you've been through, you made it through the entire last semester with your kidney and back pain, you can do this one too! Promise!
Meagan I could write and write and write until my fingers fall off but in the end YOU made the decision to move forward and YOU have to be the one who makes sure that you follow through with that decision! If you are feeling tired, then you need to figure out why and get on track to fixing it. However, in the mean time you should definitely keep carrying on and fulfilling your dream of finishing your degree!
You can do this- keep pushing forward! I love you!
XOXO,
Brooke
Hey girl hey :) So I heard you have been super tired lately... you said you think it may be your kidney. Honestly, the vitamin D levels may be playing into it as well. Either way, they are both fixable! The vitamin D is already on the way to getting better and mom is figuring out when this surgery is going to happen to get your kidneys back on track!
Here's the deal, I know you are feeling kind of tired and you are unsure of your schedule this semester with this pending surgery. However, we don't know when the surgery will be, so you have to keep living your life and fulfilling your responsibilities until the surgery. So tomorrow make sure to go to your writing class and explain to your teacher that you have an upcoming surgery, but you still want to attend class until you have it. Who knows, you may only be out a couple of days and still be able to finish the semester.
All I know is that you started making FORWARD progress and we should definitely keep it that up. Look at all you've been through, you made it through the entire last semester with your kidney and back pain, you can do this one too! Promise!
Meagan I could write and write and write until my fingers fall off but in the end YOU made the decision to move forward and YOU have to be the one who makes sure that you follow through with that decision! If you are feeling tired, then you need to figure out why and get on track to fixing it. However, in the mean time you should definitely keep carrying on and fulfilling your dream of finishing your degree!
You can do this- keep pushing forward! I love you!
XOXO,
Brooke
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
New Semester!
Dear Meagan,
Hey girl hey :) It was so so sooo good to see you this past weekend! I think we got to celebrate 'Christmas' together more this year than normal, even though we weren't actually together Christmas day lol. It was also fun to see you out and about with your bowling league, I'm glad your having so much fun doing that :)
Tomorrow starts your SECOND full semester of college post-surgeries. You must be so PROUD of yourself (I know I am proud of you) for successfully completing your first semester and now it's on to the next! I believe you said your taking German and writing... both should be a blast :)
To make sure you do just as well this semester remember to set goals based on your academics and keep reviewing those goals like we talked about last week in the blog. That's all for now girlie, short and sweet. I just want to wish you the BEST for this next semester. You are a rock star and your going to rock out this next semester! The progress you made in 2012 is so astonishing and always makes me smile :) BUT 2013 is going to be even better for you!
Love you girl!
XOXO,
Brooke
Hey girl hey :) It was so so sooo good to see you this past weekend! I think we got to celebrate 'Christmas' together more this year than normal, even though we weren't actually together Christmas day lol. It was also fun to see you out and about with your bowling league, I'm glad your having so much fun doing that :)
Tomorrow starts your SECOND full semester of college post-surgeries. You must be so PROUD of yourself (I know I am proud of you) for successfully completing your first semester and now it's on to the next! I believe you said your taking German and writing... both should be a blast :)
To make sure you do just as well this semester remember to set goals based on your academics and keep reviewing those goals like we talked about last week in the blog. That's all for now girlie, short and sweet. I just want to wish you the BEST for this next semester. You are a rock star and your going to rock out this next semester! The progress you made in 2012 is so astonishing and always makes me smile :) BUT 2013 is going to be even better for you!
Love you girl!
XOXO,
Brooke
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