Monday, September 29, 2008

I just can't take it anymore!

I just HAVE to post something Twilight related!

I haven't mentioned it in over a month! :)

A while back I was browsing eBay (I love eBay) and I found this shirt. It was LOVE at first sight! I knew I MUST have it... and so, I bought it. I've been looking for just the right time (and weather... the summer has been ridiculous here!) to wear it. Saturday night we went to a friend's house to have dinner. She and her husband have read the Twilight books so I knew they would appreciate it.


And in other Twilight news...

I've sucked my cousin and aunt into the world of Twilight. I'm building a small army of my own Twilight fans so I don't have to feel so alone in my obsession!

I'm also sure that I did not mention that the Twilight Movie release has been moved from December to NOVEMBER 21st!!!!

As well as the fact that whoever leaked the first 12 chapters of Midnight Sun (Twilight told from Edward's perspective) better HIDE! I'm sure there are tons of pre-teen, teenage, and "young adult" girls (not too mention a few of the... eh... "more mature readers") that want to hang you upside down by your toenails!

Ahh... I feel better now.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Good News, Good News!

My biopsy results came back negative. The "mass" that the doctor removed was benign. We are so relieved.
I have a follow up appointment in 3 weeks to make sure that everything is healing correctly.

Thanks for all of your prayers and words of encouragement!!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

I survived

I apologize in advance just in case this doesn't make sense...

I'm taking advantage of a few moments of some-what clear thinking... basically, my head is spinning a little slower than it was yesterday or even earlier today.

Thank you to all of you who have prayed, called, e-mailed, sent text messages, and left comments. You are all wonderful!

I'm feeling pretty good. I'm not in any pain thanks to my friend hydrocodone. However, hydrocodone makes me VERY sleepy and sometimes I can't tell if I'm thinking something or actually saying thoughts out loud. :)

Several times last night I looked at Brandon and said, "Did I just say something to you?" :)

Apparently a drugged Jennifer is a funny Jennifer.

I don't remember anything about yesterday after the nurse said, "And now we are going to give you something to help you relax."

Brandon talked to my doctor after the surgery and she said things went well. She had already talked to the pathologist and given him the biopsy sample. He would be working on it today and we should have the results at my appointment tomorrow... 2:15 in case you were wondering.

I've been sleeping A LOT! I'm a little dehydrated, but I'm trying to work on that.

Other than being sleepy, I'm in pretty good shape.

Brandon and Chandler have a field trip to the pumpkin patch tomorrow. Originally we thought I would be ok with watching Riley tomorrow, but now that we know just how loopy hydrocodone makes me, we are rethinking that!!

My meds are kicking in!!

MANY MANY MANY thanks to Amy Beth. Chandler LOVED hanging out with you yesterday. She has talked non-stop about the puppies, the BOY at your office, her school lunch that you made, and Cracker Barrel. YOU WERE A HIT!

Just for a few laughs....

Pre-Surgery

Post Surgery
My neck is stained orange from the Iodine.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Surgery Update

According to the extremely friendly (sarcasm... yes!) woman at the hospital, I have to report to the 5th floor tomorrow morning at 8:45 am... SHARP!

Monday, September 22, 2008

I feel like I've been apologizing a lot lately!

I'm just not into the blogging thing right now... I've got so much to catch up on, but it's going to have to wait just a bit longer.

My world has been turned upside down lately.

Before I left for Australia I went for a check up with my OB/GYN... the reason isn't really important at this point, but this is what it led to:
My doctor found a "mass" in my right breast. Now ladies, here's where I preach to you (and to myself) just a tad...
You know those "self breast exams" that your doctor reminds you to do at every appointment? Do you do them? I don't... well I should say, I didn't... I will now.
In my defense... my doctor told me that even if I had been doing them I may not have felt this particular "mass" because of it's location. STILL... DO YOUR EXAMS!

Fast forward to Tuesday, September 16th... I'm tired from traveling 2 days to get home from Australia, but I have an appointment with a Surgical Specialist. I called my AMAZING neighbor, Becky, (who always bails me out when I need somewhere to drop my kiddo) and I was off to have an ultrasound to determine what this "mass" could possibly be.

I had several ultrasounds during my two pregnancies so I didn't see any reason for Brandon to go with me.

Boy! I should have rethought that!
The ultrasound showed "questionable results". Results that made the doctor decided to do a biopsy... THAT DAY... THAT APPOINTMENT... IMMEDIATELY AFTER MY ULTRASOUND. We're talking, "don't even get up from the exam table... wait here, I'll be right back with a device that will inflict incredible pain on you."

People, it was BAD! You know how you think childbirth is the worst pain you'll ever endure? Well at the end of childbirth you have a beautiful baby to show for all of your work...
You know what you get at the end of a biopsy? Swelling, bruising, TONS of blood, an incision and 2 very LONG days to wait for results.
At one point I was crying and shaking so hard that I honestly did not think I was going to make it through this procedure without someone physically holding me to the table.
Now, ONE pass with the biopsy needle would have been tolerable... I had not one. Not two, but THREE passes. After the 2nd one I requested more drugs!
If you are interested in the "gory" details... shoot me an e-mail. I'll spare everyone else!

So, the biopsy results are expected back on that Thursday and my appointment is set for 3:00. On Wednesday my doctor calls me (personally, I might add... did I mention I really like this doctor!) to tell me that she talked to the guy over at pathology and so far the results are negative... HOWEVER, she talked to someone in radiology who suggested she order a mammogram.

Ok Ladies... All those who have had a mammogram say, "OUCH!" I had never had one before... I had heard it would be painful... Painful on a "normal" patient? Eh, slightly uncomfortable... Painful on a gal who had a biopsy 2 days earlier? HECK YEAH!
The girl that did my mammogram felt so bad... she had never had a patient who had had a biopsy first. She was trying to be extra careful, but let's face the facts here... she had to squeeze me to death and I had a fresh (attempting to heal) incision... anyone know what happened next?
Yep, the incision opened back up! Fresh blood. YUM!

So, I was more than a little sore on Thursday afternoon.

Just before 3:00, Brandon and I go to the hospital to pick up my mammogram films to take to my appointment. We met our WONDERFUL friend, Trish (who by the way is starting the adoption process... Good Luck Brian and Trish) who took my girls to McDonald's for a Happy Meal and some playtime. God bless Trish!
The doctor's appointment went something like this:
Biopsy results came back negative. YAY!
Mammogram results... eh. "A-typical results" I think, is the phrase she used.

The doctor thinks that the discrepancies in the tests may be due to the fact that the mammogram is showing the "a-typical results" in a very specific part of the "mass". She wants to get a biopsy from that particular area.

Next step... surgery.

This Wednesday, September 24 I will be going in for a Needle Localization and Extraction Biopsy.
The surgery is 2 steps. First (while I'm awake) they will go in and insert a wire guide into the specific area of the "mass" from which they want the biopsy.
The second part is when they will put me to sleep... they will go in, following the wire guide and extract a sample from the area pinpointed by the wire guide.

So, as a part of the process I had to go to the hospital today for my pre-op blood work and hospital registration.

This past week has really made me feel like a pincushion!

So there you have it. I think that's a pretty good excuse for being behind in my blogging.

I didn't post this for your pity, but I would appreciate all the prayers that you can spare over the next few days!

And if anyone has any experience with this sort of surgery, any info or suggestions you may have would be GREATLY appreciated!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Where in the world...

did Jennifer run off to for a week?

Here are some visual clues. 100 "Happy Points" to the first person with the correct answer. :)

Ok...
I had to get there via airplane...

Flying In

Looks normal enough...
McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Midas...
Oh! Notice anything strange about the cars?

Like this...
This is the view from the passenger seat of the car?

But they know about the important things in life like...
TARGET!

They use this...
and other forms of public transportation

I saw some of these guys hanging out at the zoo...
A Koala

A Wallaby with her Joey

A Wombat

I got to see this piece of architecture that has always been on my list of things to see...
And this one...

And, if you still haven't figured it out...look up this flag and see what you find.


YEP! I WENT TO AUSTRALIA!!!

I promise more details are coming... I've just been a little tired and busy trying to get back into my "mom routine".

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Oh the fun I'm having...

Just popping in to say a quick, "HELLO!" to my blogging buddies. I've been unable to get to a computer since I left home last week until today. I've caught up on reading all of your exciting adventures while I've been on my own adventure.

I'm still not going to tell you where I am just yet.... just know that I'm doing very fine and having a FABULOUS time!

I'll be back home on Monday the 15th!

xoxo
Jennifer

Friday, September 5, 2008

Yes, again...

I am behind on my blog.

Blogging Friends please forgive me. It has been 8 days since my last blog.

I was going to give you an 8 day recap, but guess what.... I don't have time right now!

Brandon and I are headed off to Georgia this weekend for the UGA vs. Central Michigan game. We are leaving in just a few hours.
Brandon's mom, Debbie, is coming up to watch the girls for us. YAY Gran! Thanks a million!

In addition to the game, my super sweet and amazing husband is giving me a week off from being a mom!!
I've packed my bags and guess what I'm NOT taking.... sippy cups, diapers, wipes, baby shoes, extra pacis, bottles, formula, board books and snacks! (Ok, maybe some snacks, but I'm not sharing them with anyone!)

My destination you ask???? I'm not telling! You'll just have to wait and see the pictures when I get back, but let me tell you... You'll never guess in a million years where I'm going!

I'll be back on the 15th.... See ya then!