Kids

Yesterday morning, Joel and I talked to the kids about the situation.

Previously, they knew that he had a seizure, was in the hospital so doctors could help him figure out what was going on, and then was still feeling weird at home with new meds. They've been exposed to all of those elements at different times. Everett had a one-off febrile seizure as a 4 year-old and if you know her, you know she's vocal about... Well, everything... And loves to understand medical things. And they've been through a lot with my health - med side effects, tests, appointments. I'm not one to say that the hardships we've been through are *worth it* or *necessary* in some weird way, but they've definitely learned a lot already and have mental categories for some of these issues. I'm glad it's not 0 to 60.

In short, we told them that:

1. There is something growing in Daddy's brain that's not supposed to be there and it's what caused the seizure. He didn't do anything to make it, sometimes this just happens because bodies can be weird.

2. The doctors want to take it out, and we are confident in them and trust them.

3. He'll have a day-long surgery, and be in the hospital for a few days after that. They can see him when he's up for it. They'll be with people who love them and they're comfortable with.

4. We don't know what the tumor is until they take it out and do tests on it. (This one for Everett especially, because she immediately went to cancer)

5. People love them a lot and have been helping our family so much already.

6. They're going to have different feelings, questions, and thoughts at different times. That's okay, so are we, and talk to people you trust about all of it.

We're letting them lead any further questions. We're trying to be straightforward, but not say everything.

Joel pretty much led this conversation and was brilliant. The girls were engaged but not visibly upset. They were silly and affectionate. These girls know their dad's got them. (Okay, and me too)

First picture is Joel with them in the hospital. He put on a normal shirt and his hat so he looked like himself, and let them process how they needed to. Second picture is the day he got home, with a lot of snuggles.