I will try to summarize to the best of my abilities the
events of the year 2004....No, we didn't take any exotic vacation, we didn't win the lottery, we didn't even move or change
jobs, but we started a journey full of revelations, discoveries, happiness, sorrow, trials, hope and most of all a year full
of lessons of life. Lessons that will change us forever, make us better people, gave us a stronger marriage and blind faith.
Everything started changing at the end of 2003. We lost
the "HEAD of the clan", a very important member of our family, our dearest Grandma Edna Egge. She passed away Dec 13th 2003.
Although she left us rather quick, she didn't suffer much and for that we are thankful. We do miss her a lot, as many of you
know we were extremely close to her.
Februaryrolled
around and Darin made Sergeant. We are so Proud!
March & April Darin
started to suffer from a buzzing noise or a constant ringing in his left ear. He went to see an "specialist" in town
and he said it was an ear infection. The Tinnitus didn't go away. Darin went in a couple of times to the ER trying to be seeing
by a different doctor. The diagnosis: Ear infection. After the tinnitus didn't resolve after 4-6 weeks an MRI was done and
analized by local people. "NOTHING" abnormal could be seen........if we only knew what was to come.
May came
faster than we expected. Our beautiful daughter Raquel turned 3 years old on the 14th. The very next day, on May 15th,
we were blessed by the early arrival of our daughter Sofia Isabel. After a long and not so easy pregnancy I had a quick and
painless delivery of a beautiful and perfectly healthy 6 pounds 15 oz., blue eyed, fair skin, and dark hair (yeah!!!;) baby
girl. Sofia is now 14 months, very alert, very tolerant and a very happy little girl. Raquel couldn't be happier with
our new addition. She is a very proud big sister, and very helpful too if I say so myself. My mother rushed to my side to
meet the new grandchild. My dad and brother couldn't wait either, they arrived a couple of days later to meet Sofia. Everything
was great. We had her baptized, and just when you think you have it all……....well, you DON'T!
June brought some "LIFE CHANGING EVENTS" - June sneaked up on us bringing
not so good news. The only thing that the local doctors were able to do right for us was to refer us to the Mayo clinic in
Rochester, MN. Finally a diagnosis.....Darin had a rare tumor located in his skull behind his left ear the size of a golf
ball. He had to have a surgery to remove the tumor. The Doctors advised us that it would be very complex due to the involvement
of several nerves. So, off we went (Darin and I) to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN, just two weeks after the birth of our
little Sofia. "God has a plan".....how many times have you heard this? I tell you HE does! The timing for this event was just
planned and worked out for the best. I was on maternity leave, we were very fortunate to have my mother & dad in Minot
to stay and take care of our girls. Them together with Grandma Vicky did a great job keeping the girls happy, safe and sound.
We were down in Rochester for two weeks, Darin had the surgery, (15 hours long) in the process the doctors found out that
the tumor was cancerous and had to approach it more aggressive. We were in God’s hands, He led the hands of the surgeons
and our prayers were answered, the surgery was a success. My in-laws, Dennis & Georgia, joined us at Mayo for support.
The tumor was removed together with the lymph nodes on the left side of his neck. The doctors recommended radiation as a preventative
measure. The tumor caused damage that may be permanent and the recovery from this kind of surgery is slow, but Darin makes
progress every day. He has been a complete inspiration to others and myself, he has never given up and continues to be in
good spirits, full of hopes and dreams, always looking ahead. He has had a very rough summer to say the least but has never
ever complained not even ONCE! He is our TRUE HERO.
July, August & September are a complete
blur to me. After surgery, Darin came home to recover a bit but had to go back to the Mayo Clinic for 33 radiation treatments
starting mid July. Those were 8 long weeks. Dennis & Georgia were able to help us and took care of him down in Rochester.
I stayed home with the girls and headed back to work. Grandma Vicky helped me with the girls during my working hours. The
Police Department organized a benefit to help us with our medical bills. We are so blessed to have people in our lives that
care, family and friends have a completely different meaning now. Darin came back home mid September, just in time to celebrate
my 33rd birthday, having him home was the best present I could have gotten. The radiation was tough on him, very tough. He
is recovering little by little but making great progress.
October & November were recuperating months. Darin started back to work
on Oct 13 and little by little our house has been getting back to "normal". Although we will never be the same, we have learned
a lot along the way. We know that we are blessed in so many ways. Thanksgiving we spent with our dear local family (the Davison
family and extended family). It was a lot of fun.
December We celebrated
8 years of marriage and Darin’s 36th birthday. We (Darin and I) also went back to Mayo for a check up and everything
is NEGATIVE!!! such a beautiful word. The Davison family kept the girls, Grandma Vicky is one of our biggest blessings and
we truly appreciate everything she has done for us. Don't know what I would do without all her help. She is a needle in a
hay stack and we are so lucky we found her.
My brother visited for the Holidays and the girls, specially Raquel was VERY excited. He is the coolest
uncle in her book!
God has a plan.....this text will help you see that HE does!
May God touch your life and guide you through
it all. Thank you all that helped us through this very challenging time in our life. Thank you for all your prayers and concerns.
They are greatly appreciated.
