Step by step

*I am writing this post to encourage you to be vigilant with your breast health. I also write it because I believe in prayer. I am asking you to join me in prayer regarding my "steps".

Step 1: Notice something strange. Is that normal? Really, that can't be okay.
Step 2: Get on the Internet, check http://www.webmd.com/. Nope, not really normal.
Step 3: Think about it every time you change, shower, etc. Think that you are crazy.
Step 4: Show husband, "What do you think?" His response, "Better ask the doctor."
Step 5: Check http://www.webmd.com/ again, yep, it said it was not normal. Ughhhh...
Step 6: Finally call doctor's nurse. Yep, doctor will need to examine it. Set appointment.
Step 7: Wait a week and a half.
Step 8: Go to doctor. Get exam. Yep, doctor doesn't like it. Set up three tests.
Step 9: Go to mammogram and get breasts squished and squashed. Radiologists reviews, wants more pictures. More squishing and squashing.
Step 10: Go to ultra sound. Find that your neighbor (female) is your ultra sound technician, too weird but okay.
Step 11: Told they aren't finding anything specific to explain my breast situation.
Step 12: Next day, meet with a surgeon. Review findings: tissues to dense to tell what is happening, need to remove tissue to get a closer look. That means biopsy.
Step 13: Schedule surgery (9/2/08).
Step 14: Pre-op appointment.
Step 15: Hear in detail about surgery. Ugh. Not excited at all! I can expect pain. They will insert wire with guidance of another mammogram and the radiologist, then I will go to surgery where the wire will mark the spot for the surgeon to remove.
Step 16: Set up child care, tell family/friends.
Step 17: Wait. Pray. Go on with the day to days. Biopsy results will be in about 5 days after surgery.

I appreciate your prayers. I dread the pain (after all I am a wimp). I really want to know what is going on and feel this is not an area of health to put of till later. Ladies, remember to pay attention to your breasts and any changes, no matter your age.

I will let you know how it turns out.

Kids Say the Funniest Things...

Manda, age 10 (with her sisters yakking in her ears)

Manda: "Mom, why do teenagers have cell phones?"

Mom: "Because they are apart from their parents a lot. Also, they like to talk with friends."

Manda: "When I am a teenager, I won't have a phone."

Mom: "Well, we may want you to have one. It depends on the situation and the budget."

Manda: "When I am a teenager, I won't talk with friends, only you and Dad."

Mom: "You will probably want to talk with friends, honey."

Manda (after a moment): "I will ask you first before I call a friend. Isn't that a good idea?"

Mom (chuckling, wanting to record this for the years to come): "Sure, hon, that would be a good idea."

Jenna, age 5

Next conversation:


Jenna: "I want five kids."

Manda: "Not me I want only two, boy and girl."

Hannah: "I will have three, okay mom?"

Mom: "Sounds good to me. Then I will have 10 grandkids! I like this plan."

Jenna: "I will name my first kid Zachmess."

Mom: "Zach what?"

Jenna (with emphasis on the last syllable): "Zach-MESS"

Mom: "Oh, that is a new name."

Jenna: "That is so that when he is bad and makes a mess I can call him "ZACHMESS!!!"

Mom: "Hahahahahahahaha!!!"

Jenna (energized by my laughter): "The next one is a girl. Her name will be "Kayla Messy Girl"

Mom: "Oh, so why that name."

Jenna: "In case she is bad."

Mom: "Do you know the other names?"

Jenna: "Ummm, the next one is a boy, "Tom-mess".

Mom: "Hahahaha! You are silly, Jenn."

Jenna: "The last one will be Bessy. You know, remember my lost book? Then I can call her "Messy Bessy" when she is bad!"

Mom: "Hahahahahahaha! You are a silly kid Jenn, I love you!"

Ponderings...

Really, I have not fallen off the face of the earth.

I am hooked on the Olympics, like the rest of America. (Can a nation fall due to a lack of sleep?)

I am preparing for school starting on Monday.

I hope I can be a good teacher this year. (All 3 are in school now. I will not answer the phone much and I will be saying "no" to things a lot!)

I am more thankful than I can express that the charter school we are hoping to send our children to has had its charter approved (today!).

I miss my honey.

I am glad all the slots filled for nursery this Sunday (for now).

I am thankful for a secret sis who spoils me. (Whoever you are, you are good!)

I am thankful for people who give generously to God's work.

I am thankful the NNU retreat went well.

I am thankful that my doctor's appointment today was at 1:45 p.m and I was out by 2:10 p.m. (granted I have two more appointments next week! Maybe those can be as quick! Oh wait, that was a once in a lifetime thing.)

I am thankful that Amy watched my kiddos all day while I was at a meeting and doctor.

I am grateful for friends and family.

I am tired and thankful for my comfy bed.

I love crushed ice.

I am sad our old van we were trying to sell was vandalized. (Three of the side windows were busted completely out).

I am glad I can blog.

I love being a mom.

I love watching a fun movie with my kids and eating a bowl of ice cream with them. (We watched Nim's Island tonight.)

I love how the kids want me to tuck them in and pray with them.

I am thankful for prayer.

I like the cooler weather.

I am glad my Internet is working again (it took a couple day break for whatever reason).

I am glad you read my ponderings.

Since you read this, please say a prayer for me today. I have a need/request and would appreciate your prayers.

The Return

What I have been without this last week.

Without:
3 extra bodies to clean up after
About 100 decibels of noise
4 or 5 blow ups between siblings
About 21 meals to have prepared
5 additional loads of laundry

What has returned home:
3 additional bodies to hug and kiss
100 decibels of noise filled with laughter, play and conversation
0 sibling blow up (at least for this morning)
The return of real meals to prepare
0 loads of laundry (yes, I did say zero, they came home with suit cases of clean clothes. Thank you, Scott!!! Now you know one of the reasons why I call him Mr. Wonderful)
And a daughter that just came to me and said "I am glad I am home."

It was an interesting week without Scott, Amanda and Hannah. They were in Colorado visiting my in laws. I was home alone with only my youngest daughter, Jenna. We had fun. We swam a couple times, saw two movies (Wall-E and American Girl), played horses, lite-brite, read books, had pillow fights and she slept in my bed all week. I loved the precious time with just Jenna. She being the youngest hasn't had mommy to herself. It was wonderful and a gift I will treasure.

Now, my big girls and husband are home. Having the family altogether is beyond wonderful. The noise, commotion, hustle and bustle, and all that is normal is back home. PRICELESS.