It Turns Out, I Am Kinda Vain. . .

My hair started falling out from the chemo this past week. In a nutshell, I did not take it well. I didn't even like my hair but, it is very unsettling to see clumps of hair falling off of you in the shower. Several people had told me that when this happened to them, they chose to be proactive about it and just shave their head.

I had AJ do the honors. I thought it was important that I give him something to do. He embraced the task and kept me laughing the whole time. We pulled a kitchen chair into the bathroom, and got to work. He asked if he could make a design in my hair first. When I said yes, he became down-right giddy. There was a lighting bolt and a mohawk at one point. After he was done he asked me for a Yelp review.

To get Charlie involved, AJ allowed Charlie to shave his head.  Charlie did a couple sweeps, made his big brother look like Wolverine, and then was done. But it made the whole thing less scary for him.

I wear a stocking cap that a friend made me, most of the time. At home, I will go without. To their credit, the men in my house have yet to recoil in horror or make too much fun of me, (except for the occasional Alien reference). I am still getting use to going out in public, but it is getting easier. I try to remember that it is just hair.

My Family Star Tree

The family is getting so big, it is hard to find room on my smallish tree for all the stars. The solution? I  gave them their own tree.

A Beautiful Surprise

I came home from my first day of chemo to my side of the bed being surrounded by flowers. My boys are so sweet. 

The nursing staff however, was sleeping on the job.

High Tea

A few weeks ago, my friend Karen invited me to high tea. It was such a fun experience. We went with Karen's sister, niece and her niece's friend. 

Each item was just a bite or too, but we were full by the end. It was beautiful and so fun. 

This Is The Office of My Plastic Surgeon In Scottsdale

Is one of the top 10 things I never thought I would say.

Yet, here I am.  Nice office, though.

I Am Over Putting My Boob in a Hole

My doctor decided that she wanted more biopsies done to see if a lumpectomy was still viable, or if I need to have a mastectomy. I have had a biopsy before. I really was not that nervous about it. And that should have been my first clue that something was going to go terribly wrong.

I don't remember the name of the first type of biopsy. I had to lay on a table, on my stomach and put my boob through a hole in the table. (This also how a breast MRI is done- which I had last week. Fu times. ) The doctor then worked under the table, using God knows what type of machine, to guide the biopsy. She first gave me the numbing medicine. It stings a bit but no big deal. The next step is to take a larger needle, and put more numbing medicine inside the breast, where the sample will be taken. It really isn't that bad. Things were going well, until she took a sample from an area that had no numbing medicine. I screamed. Loudly.  After that, she still had to take more samples. To say there were trust issues at this point, would be an understatement. Meanwhile, I am told to hold perfectly still because the machine is guiding the biopsy. Markers were placed to guide future procedures. (No, they cannot be used to track me. No, I will not have to explain them to the airport security for the rest of my life. I asked.)

After that biopsy is over I was taken to another room where, this time, I was told to lay on my back. They did an ultrasound guided biopsy on the other breast. This I had done before, and was much more comfortable with. More markers were placed.

THEN, after the second biopsy, I had to have a mammogram to ensure that the markers were in the right spot, etc.

So the jury is still out about what type of surgery I will need this summer. Hopefully we will have a plan soon.

So, It's Been A While. . .

I haven't been very good at keeping up with the blogging the last few years. Why? I got thyroid cancer and was sort of bummed out. I try to keep things light and positive, and I just didn't have it in me.

Well, the jokes on me because now I have breast cancer. That is a whole new ball game. I have been strongly encouraged to document this journey/process/shit show, and I feel like that is probably a good idea. I have missed out on 2 years of documenting my kids lives because I was too chicken to talk about unpleasant things. No more.  So, in essence . . .



I'm back!!!!!!!!!!!

He's Turning Into a Werewolf

Charlie and his buddy spent the last couple hours teaching themselves how to make origami claws. It's not creepy at all. 

Why Are You Not Walking Me Right Now?

Star Wars Mac & Cheese Box + Sharpie

Happy Birthday Isaiah

Another Day, Another Landmark

4th of July

Big Surf

Flowers for The Wine Dinner

So This Happened...

Me: Hey, kids! Let me take a picture of you with the 1500 piece puzzle we just finished. <wrestling ensues>

It's 95 Degrees in Phoenix

He's freezing. 

First Wine Dinner - French Laundry

Me: hands treat to dog. 

Dog: Puts treat on floor. 

Me: Fine! <rolls eyes >. Sit. 

Dog: takes treat and starts eating. 

Having an honest dog is very time consuming. 

Flagstaff

After a stressful few days, we will be watching AJ in a soccer tournament this weekend. We decided to take the dog. 

Big brothers have their uses. 

You Know You Live In AZ When

Oven mitts are part of your first aid routine for your dog. 

A Little Education Never Hurt Anyone

Yesterday, Charlie and I drove to Phoenix to meet Kelly, And kids at the AZ Science Center. I would like to say they learned a ton, but the boys spent most of their time shooting baskets and playing the brainwave game. 

Flagstaff Soccer in the Pines

We stayed at the Little America Hotel. It was a really cute place that was clean and comfortable. The decor had not been updated since the 80s, but it was great, and we will stay there again. 

Shawn and I had a great weekend up in Flagstaff. He played 1 game on Friday night, 5 games on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. That is a lot of games. That is a hell of a lot of games for a 40 something. 

Our last day we ate at the Lumberjack Brewing Company. They make their own beer (hence the name), and we sat right by the vats. I tried a delicious raspberry flavored beer that reminded me of a blueberry beer I had one time in Boulder. After lunch, we went to our favorite coffee place (Fire Creek Coffee) and got drinks to get us home.

Flagstaff Wild Flowers

Mother's Day

Field Trip

Field trip day was finally upon us. It went pretty well except that we were short $50. But the kids loved it and we didn't lose anyone. 

Someone is Eating my Tomatoes

Those are teeth marks. 

There Is A Soccer Tournament On Mother's Day

So I've basically stopped trying. 

Agenda

Now he's contemplating taking over the world. Busy day. 

Morning Meditation

Or making a plan to chase the bunnies later. Whatever.

It Boggles My Mind

Who Raised You?

Me: Charlie, go brush your teeth.

Charlie: Say the Panthers are better than the Patriots.

Me: It's a good thing it's your birthday!

Let Me Read That

 Me (to a student during writing): Who are the characters in your story?

Student: John and Magic Mike.

Me: Ummm...