Max's Baptism, January 8, 2011

I loooooove this picture.

Maxwell Zakary Josie Turns 8

Our little Max turned 8 in December. Unbelievable because I can so very clearly remember the events surrounding his birth and adoption. How can that sweet little baby boy be 8 years old? I kinda need the universe to slow down sometimes. So Max at 8-years-old: Loves pizza, cheese quesadillas, tacos and milk. Not a big fan of sugar. Loves to share with his mom. He has been known to dig a gummy bear out of his jeans pocket after school that he had been saving to share with me. Cute and gross all at the same time. Will deny it, but loves to read. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series is his fave right now. Takes gymnastics and rocks at it. Just started basketball agian (second year playing). Takes intermittent piano lessons from his mom. Plays with legos and never stops playing with his DSi. Is a math whiz and this morning in the car on the way to school, admitted to liking science. His favorite colors are green and green and green. We certainly have our battles with this kid, but are continually amazed that this miracle baby ended up in our family. We love you, Max!

Done!

Once the May surgery was over and they pronounced me "cancer free," I became very neglectful of this blog. So hopefully there will be just this one more cancer (or non-cancer) update and then I can redevote myself to this blog-- writing updates about my quirky family and posting pictures of the cute people that live in my home (that includes my kids AND husband) :).

So here is the non-cancer update. I had my last reconstructive surgery on 12/2. Everything went fine. I feel fine. I have a dr. appt. on Mon. 12/13 and I expect he will tell me that I am fine. There are still things I need to follow up on--- seeing an oncologist about going on the anti-cancer drug, tamoxifen, getting a mammo in Jan. (every 6 mos. now)--- but I feel like this episode in my life is done. One year, six surgeries, and a lot of drama later.... I have my health, my family, my friends, the gospel... and my hair :)!

It's going to be a great Christmas.

Stupid Cancer.

Another graphic update. Sorry. Two weeks ago the surgeon told me that the cancer came within 1.5 milimeters of the small amount of breast tissue they left in. They left that TINY bit of breast tissue so they could save the nip. Well, guess the margin is too small for comfort. Last Thurs. I met with a multidisciplinary clinic and it was the unanimous opinion of the panel (another surgeon, the oncologist and the radiation oncologist) that the nip be removed. I have the option to do radiation instead, but they all felt that surgery would be the better choice. It was their opinion that doing radiation would make it very difficult for the plastic surgeon to match things up when it was over. So off to the plastic surgeon today to get his opinion on matters pertaining to my rack... what's left of it... :) I know it could be much, much worse (I'm still not going to die, chemo is still not necessary so I don't lose my hair), but still... Crap! (Sorry, mom.)

The surgery was 3 weeks ago today. It went just fine. I came home from the hospital the following day. I fell asleep on the way home, but as we were coming down our street, Michael slowed waaaaayyyyy down and said, "Look at that." I opened my eyes to see pink and white balloons all over the front yard with a love note banner on the garage door and for added humor, bras strung here and there. I just cried. What amazing friends and neighbors we have... I LOVE living here (even despite the horrific wind)! So this is what I saw when I opened my eyes...

Really, how great are the people in my neighborhood??!!

I came home with two drains in, one coming out from each side. Well. Drains are MISERABLE! Thankfully, they came out a week later. Now I am back to dealing with the fluid build-up. Ugh. It is just miserable, but I am trying to remind myself, that it is better than having the drains. Yep, nothing right now is worse than those drains. But the fluid build-up is standing in the way of my running. That does NOT make me happy. I had a dr.'s appt. this past Tues. and she told me to switch over to motrin and see if that helps. She also said that if I am active one day, the fluid problem will manifest itself the next day. Grrrrr. She said to see how this next week goes and maybe I can try the j word (jogging) on Monday.

The left side is healing great and the tissue they took from that side all came back non-cancerous. Yay. When the other side catches up, I'll be good to go! :)

Birthday fun......

I wasn't going to have my new boob surgery in time for my birthday, but my sweet visiting teacher and good friend, Kasey Lighten, made sure I got new boobs for my birthday anyway. Boob cupcakes are the best!!... especially when they're from Dippidee!!

The Big Day

This Thursday. Yep. Everything is set to go. Anxious for it to be over. Ready for this chapter to end. Looking forward to thinking about something else for a change. One of my favorite "Maxine" cards says, "If life gives you lemons.... (open card here) put them in your bra. Couldn't hurt; might help." Hahahaha... So I think that I am figuratively putting life's lemons in my bra this time... Hahahahahaha.. Man, I'm funny! :)