AHHHHHH!!!

Why does everything have to be so stressful?? Things seem to still be going well, but I feel like we are always on the go-- sometimes I wish we could just have a break from Everything! A break from reality maybe? Usually, I am great at making people think that I am very strong, that I am handling everything well... tonight, I feel like I am not doing so well at that! Maybe it is just the scanxiety kicking in. Sean will be having his scans this Wednesday. I can honestly say- I'm scared! I am so scared that these scans are going to reveal more dreaded news. Yes, I know-- I am trying to stay positive~ especially since Sean does seem to be doing quite well lately. He can even pick Ella up now, he has not been able to do that in over 9 months now~and she has grown quite a bit in those 9 months! He had an appointment today with Dr. Orourke (his local oncologist), Sean has even gained a couple more pounds! I believe he is up to 124 now. His red blood count is also on its way back up now, which is awesome, because it was starting to get a little low there for a while... The biggest concern right now is that Sean has had a couple more sub-q's pop up (swollen nodes). I am not even sure what to think of them at the moment! They are quite small, so that makes it a little less of a concern right now, but it is still a concern. To add a little more stress to my days, I came down with the flu a little over a week ago : (. I am starting to feel better now, hopefully I will be fully recovered by this weekend. Addie also was sick with an ear infection, so she was put on antibiotics- the poor girl. Ella seems to have dodged getting sick lately, lets hope it stays that way! I am really worried that Sean will get the flu, thats definitely one thing he doesn't need right now! Here are a few recent photos of the girls... I really need to get out there and take more! Hopefully it will be warming up a little more soon, so we can enjoy the outdoors...


shhh... don't tell daddy we are stealing from the cookie jar : )
Oh yes, by the way... for those who have asked about the bank information about the benefit:::

you can mail checks to:
Shields Family Melanoma Fund
CHOICE ONE BANK
1423 W. Main
Fremont, MI 49412

Thank you all so much who have helped and all of you that are working so hard to put this all together for the shields family. It means so much to us and we are really excited to be able to see so many that we have not seen in so long. We look forward to being able to spend time with all the ones we love! Hope to see you there!

~nicole~