Potentially life-changing bad news....

[Cav Scout]

Congratulations to you both on the good news! Jamaica is going to be a well deserved and special time AND you'll probably get to hit a distillery! Very happy for you.

[slow trickle]

In Jamaica most resorts will offer tours to the Appleton rum distillery. If not you can hire a taxi driver to take you wherever you want to go and are usually cheaper. If you haven't booked a resort yet, Sandals will do a free wedding if you stay seven or more nights.

[cob]

great news shineRunnah, negril has 7 miles of nude beach. oh you said getting married, well congrats on both

[thecroweater]

Glad to hear your prayers were answered. As someone with degenerated discs in their neck I'm acutely aware how much fun that is not with the the associated pain and migraines that come and go. Interested in hearing how the nerve blocker goes as an alternative to surgery

[ShineRunnah]

Thanks again to all of you! You have all become friends to me through this, and I cannot tell you how helpful the support has been.

I'm just so relieved that my girl doesn't have to endure brain surgery or radiation treatment (yet), and that I don't have to endure her going through it. I'd rather have the surgery myself than endure seeing her go through it, or have to sit in a waiting room waiting to hear how she is when it's all over. It's been hell having to worry while she's in the operating room for shoulder surgeries (one was supposed to be 1-1.5 hours, but ran 5+ hours. It was torture until I knew she was ok), never mind brain surgery. I think I'd need to be sedated so as to avoid a stroke or heart-attack.

On a brighter note, we are going to the travel agent Friday to finalize our Jamaica trip. We (ie: she) just need to make the final choice on which resort. As we're getting married there, I want to be sure to give her the time necessary to assure we have a nice spot to have the ceremony that she will be happy with, and she's been going over ideas with friends and whatnot. I personally don't care where it is, because as long as she walks down the aisle to me, it's going to be perfect regardless of where it is.

The distillery tour was her idea as well. She's been much more supportive and involved in my hobbies since this all happened, and I have been of her hobbies as well. It may seem funny and backward, but she loves football, as does her daughter, and I've never cared for it. But I've been watching the games with her and trying to figure it all out. And it doesn't hurt that the Patriots are kicking ass in the play-offs and about to play for the AFC Championship on Sunday.
Truthfully, I'm just happy to be enjoying the time with her and her daughter.

It seems she is enjoying teaching me about football just as much as I'm enjoying teaching her about distillation. And she really seems to be taking an interest in distillation, and has even mentioned we start learning to make wine together. I'm all for it, and she's even got us signed up for an "introduction to wine-making" class and wants to start looking into what we will need for supplies to get started.

The best thing to come from this "brain tumor" scare has been bringing us closer together, making us appreciate each other more than ever, solidifying our relationship and getting us to realize that although we are still young, time is not certain and every day is truly a blessing. That we must not take life for granted, but instead live each day to the fullest and make sure that we make the most of the time we have with those we love.
This experience reminded us how deeply in love we really are, and how important it is that we show that to each other every day.

Thanks again to all of you here. We both appreciate all the kind words, thoughts and prayers. We are here for any of you that may ever be in need of support. After all you've given, it's the least we can do.

ShineRunnah

[moosemilk]

Great news SR! Hearing good news like that no matter who always brings a smile to my face. Enjoy your trip, and your time together with family. I'm a bit late on the congrats, but cheers!

[Truckinbutch]

Realizing one's own mortality is always a sobering experience . It either firms you up or devastates you . Looks like you all rolled up winners .

[WooTeck]

thats really good news. nice to know its looking good for now and hopfully many years to come

[ShineRunnah]

thats really good news. nice to know its looking good for now and hopfully many years to come

Thanks Woo. We're certainly hoping for many years together. But in the meantime, we're making the most of today, every day.

I'm just happy we've been able to come through this stronger and with more appreciation for each other and more interest in the things we both enjoy. I'm excited to learn about wine making with her, as it's something I never knew she was interested in.
I've even got her daughter interested in "brewing"! Granted, it's only home-made rootbeer, but it's a start!

[LWTCS]

Great news......

[jedneck]

But in the meantime, we're making the most of today, every day

Those are some words to live buy.

[Coyote]

Very glad to hear the good news,

Don't forget to keep having those chats
With God, He listens & hears you, and like
I said He's going to be up all night anyhow

Congrats on getting fitted for the ball & chain

Coyote

[slow trickle]

While in Jamaica take time to enjoy the beautifulness of the country. It is a very poor country and very beautiful at the same time. If you take time to get away from the tourist traps and mingle with the locals you will be surprised to see how happy people with so little can be. Don't be afraid to try the food at the roadside stands. It is great. With what you both have just been through I hope you enjoy your marriage and trip congrats.

[rad14701]

That's fantastic news, ShineRunnah... Well, at least the best we could expect with there actually being a tumor...

[bearriver]

Glad to hear the good news. Ill take all of that I can get!

[Tap]

Happy to hear the good news ShineRunnah. She's a lucky gal to have such a supportive guy in her life.

Brain anomalies can go in so many different directions. Glad to hear that hers is posing no immediate threats. I'm sure you both will (obviously) be keeping a very close eye on it.

2 years ago my brother started having a bit of dizziness... The doctors found, and removed, a tumour the size of a grapefruit from his head. He has had zero negative reactions to this event. From eye sight, to mobility, to cognitive abilities... all is good. After a year of chemo, he has been the same person as he always was.

All I'm trying to say is that, these kind of things don't always have to be the 'end all' of life as you know it. And kudos to you and your lady for overcoming the challenges.

tap.Out.