Surgery #4 / 4th of July Weekend

I strategically planned my surgery for this Friday and two weeks of recovery so I can make the bike ride next week in Remsen and enjoy the 4th of July weekend.

My friend Emily Gardels was so kind to fly in from Chicago to be with me for my last "bad chemo" but since I needed surgery we can enjoy the weekend a little.  No chemo side effects. This week was for surgery #4 to repair my hand. Walking into Midwest Surgical the woman who brought me back to get prepped for surgery showed me her tatoo. It was a symbol for breast cancer and said that she has been a survivor for five years. She broke in to tears and wished me luck on my journey.

After my gown was on the nurses had to put in my IV. This is a lot harder then you think. They can't put the IV in my left hand because my lymph nodes have been removed. They couldn't stick me in my right hand because that was the hand they needed to operate on. So they went for the foot. I had a past experience with a foot IV and it did not go well. This time was not any better as they had to stick me four or five different times because they couldn't find a vein. OUCH!!!!! It freakin' hurts. When it was all said and done they didn't even use the foot they decided to use the port I use for chemo.

I also learned one of my nurses grew up in Remsen and the other nurse grew up close to Remsen. Small World!

Dr. Tiedemann came in and said he was going to look at the nerve to see if it was cut or bruised. If it was cut he was going to try and repair it and if it was bruised then he would remove the scar tissue to help speed up my recovery time. If the nerve is cut I might not get my hand back.

I said my good byes to my friend Emily and husband Steve and drifted off to sleep.

When I woke up I was extremely nauseous and had two or three nurses asking if I wanted more nausea medicine. I kept saying “NO MORE DRUGS!”

Thank God the nurse gave me a puke bag because as soon as I got in to Emily’s car I got sick. I just felt awful. When I got home Chris and Heather McQuillan stopped by to drop off a meal and catch up.  I couldn't even hold a conversation because I got sick two more times while they were there. Needless to say I didn’t get to eat the Runza casserole Heather prepared. Steve ate it and said it was delicious!

We got to celebrate the 4th of July weekend at my parent’s lake and my aunt and uncle’s lake. It was nice to take a break from chemo and get to spend time with family and friends.

We FINALLY got some good news!  The median nerve was not cut so my hand will heal on its own.  It could take a year but it will heal! =)

Thank you to:

Stacy Nelson for the gift card to the Gap!
Kiana Baker for bringing us dinner - I think it has been 15 years since I have seen Kiana.  She was so kind to bring us dinner.  We did a little catching up...hopefully when this is all said and done we can go out for drinks and catch up more!  =) 
Heather and Chris McQuillan for bringing us dinner - sorry I couldn't hang out longer. =(
Emily Gardels for coming in to town to take care of me....=)  Love you!!!!
Thank you to my parents, aunt Linde and uncle Terry for the fun parties.  It was good to get out of the house without having to worry about getting sick! =)

Emily and I at Ginger Cove 3rd of July Party!!!
I had a LOT of gauze from sugery wrapped around my
 right arm so I tried to cover it with my sweat shirt.

Chad and Charlie

Steve and Olivia

Baby Paxton!

THANK YOU to all our friends and family for all your love and support!
 
XOXO

My face is still the same...

I thought I was prepared for day when my hair would fall out.  Nothing feels worse then washing your hair and having it fall out in your hands.  I cried for at least 20 minutes in the bathroom and on the car ride out to my sister's house.  Finally, I decided crying was not going to solve my problem.  I immediately texted my friend and  hair dresser Brittany Lemen to shave my head. 

This is Brittany

I did schedule an appointment with her for Friday because I thought my hair would stay in longer...nope...14 days after your first chemotherapy treatment it will fall out.  Tomorrow will be 14 days.  I didn't want to watch my hair fall out on it's own so I decided to get rid of it myself.

I brought five of my closest friends, Cullen, Avery, Addison, Sully and Olivia.  They were very excited to come watch Auntie Em and momma shave her head.  Addison was the only one who was indifferent.  Brittany was so sweet to meet me last minute at Boss Studios where she has her own salon suite. 

The kids all sat down on the floor and I explained to them I was going to have Brittany shave my head.  She cut off my pony tail and started shaving. 

I wasn't to nervous until she started shaving the sides.  However, having all the control to take my hair off was so much better then watching it fall out on its own.  She left an inch of hair on my head and asked if I was ready to be like GI Jane and to just shave it all off.  I was so close but this was such a drastic change I thought I would hold off.  So I am not completely bald yet but this is by far the shortest haircut I have had in my life.  I have one inch of hair on my head which will completely be gone in about a week.  This is what it looks like from the back.

Brittany and I met in 2006 when we worked at Agency 89 Model and Talent Management.  Brittany was the Beauty coach teaching guys and gals how to do their own hair and make up.  I was the acting / business savvy coach.  We hit it off immediately and she has been cutting my hair ever since.  I have never colored my hair so I can't speak from experience, but she is also known for coloring hair.  So if you are looking for a great stylist click here and go to professionals you will find her number there.

Brittany gave me some great make up tricks for when my eyebrows fall out to make them look as natural as possible.  I will fill you in on what works and what doesn't work. 

I kept watching the kids in the mirror as all this was happening and the only one who was really watching was my 4 1/2 year old niece Addison.  She kept making weird faces and said she would like me much better with my wig on.  Cullen my 6 year old nephew and God child reminded Addison and myself of something so insightful...

"It's not a big deal, Auntie Em's face didn't change."  What a smart little boy.=)  Thanks C-DOG you made my day!

As we were finishing up my 2 year old daughter Olivia asked if she could get her head shaved too!  Which made us all laugh.  I am so glad I took the kids because it saves me a day or two of explaining what happened to my hair and scaring Olivia with my new look.  Olivia didn't even bat an eye.  I think when dealing with small children if you don't make it a big deal .... neither will they.  They haven't said a word about my hair since.  The lesson I learned from myself was when I had to explain to Addison she should never judge someone based on their appearance.  I told her she should always like someone for their personality and soul.

As soon as we finished we drove over to the Speiker's for a play date.  I wore one of my wigs and my friend Sasha said she couldn't even tell it was a wig.  I got two of my wigs at TLCdirect and another one from my friend Angie.  Her wig is from the Jessica Simpson line.  You will get to see me in all my new hats, wigs and rag dos over the next few months.  I am looking forward to it. 

Although I did not choose this look, I kind of like it!  I get out of the shower and my hair is dry!  Now I know what it is like to be a guy...they have it so easy.  This saves me an hour of blow drying and doing my hair.  Plus, the weather is hot now so it is extremely nice for summer to stay cool.  Never in my life time would I choose to shave my head, but since I have this opportunity I am going to enjoy it! 

So if you see me without my hair don't be shy to talk to me...my face is still the same and so is my soul.

At my second chemo treatment on Thursday, June 2nd

My Cancer is Genetic

When I was diagnosed with cancer in March, I never thought I could get cancer.  Cancer does not run in my family.  I am healthy, I exercise on a regular basis, I do not smoke, I eat my fruits and vegetables.  I never thought I was at risk until today.   I met with Twilla Westercamp at Bergan Mercy Medical Center for the second time to get the results of my genetic testing. 

I must be lucky because I fall in the top 10% of having a mutation since birth.  What this means is my mom and/or dad  is a carrier.  This increases the risk of my mom and sister to develop breast and ovarian cancer, and my dad to develop prostate and breast cancer. 

The scary part is I could have passed this down to my daughter Olivia.  Twilla did say they are doing several clinical trials on vaccines to fix mutations.  What this means is by the time Olivia is old enough (19 years old) to have genetic testing they will have a cure to prevent cancer that come from mutations.  Thank God for modern medicine!

What is a mutation?  I am not quite sure myself because I am learning all this medical "stuff" all at once.  This is what I got out of it.  Cells reproduce all the time, copy each other and die off.  So let's say my cells ABCD are copied several times then die off the correct way.  The mutation I have is causing my cells to reproduce incorrectly.  I developed cancer because B and C switched and my cells are reproducing as ACBD which is incorrect.  Because my cells are being copied the wrong way, they will not die off causing my tumor to grow.  This is how I developed cancer.

My cancer is 1/3 estrogen based which is stimulated from pregnancy which is why I can not carry a child again.  The risk of the cancer coming back is extremely high and either I stay around for Olivia to grow up or I try for number two and not be around for either one.

In some ways I am relieved to know this so I can prepare Olivia when she is older.  I will have genetic testing done on her. 

T-minus 11 hours and counting and my cancer will be removed.  I am so relieved to get it out.  I can actually feel it growing and it is pinching a nerve which sends a sharp pain down my back.  It will be so nice to know it is out.  Please pray it has not spread and the doctors can remove all of the cancer.

Thank you so much to all my friends and family who have sent me well wishes and prayers.  I am so grateful to have you in my life.

Ta Ta for now!

Introducing my God child

Today, Steve, Olivia and I joined our friends Matt and Sasha Speiker for the baptism of their third child Sofia Mae Speiker.

Me & Sofia

I have known Matt since junior high because we hung out in similiar circles of friends.  I never thought I would have been the God mother to his child! =)

I met his wife Sasha my freshman year in college at the bottom of the stairs at the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity with a few of my girl friends.  Sasha was crying because at the time she was going through a break up with her current boy friend who was in the house.  Sasha and I became instant friends and ended up living together our sophmore year in college.  Several years later a group of my high school friends were getting together at a local bar and I brought Sasha with me.  I introduced Matt and Sasha that night and Sasha (and I think Matt) fell head over heels in love!  Sasha said that night in my car she was going to marry Matt some day.  That some day came April 16, 2005 and they now have three beautiful children.  Jack, Savanna and Sofia. 

I don't remember how I met most of my friends but for some reason I remember how I met Sasha.  Isn't it ironic I met Sasha when she was down in the dumps about love and many years later I would be the one to introduce to her husband! (I am extremely proud to have introduced them they make such a great couple.)  =)

I was so honored when Sasha asked me to be the God mother especially during the worst week of my life. Sasha didn't know at the time that I was getting biopsies and ultrasounds until I told her shortly after about my diagnosis.  It certainly lifted my spirits when she asked me. 

I also find it ironic that Steve and I originally wanted to name Olivia, Sofia but decided on Olivia because my aunt had just name her new puppy Sophie.  I also said at some point during my pregnancy with Olivia it would be so cool to have a daugther with dark brown hair and blue eyes.  Now, I have a God daughter named Sofia with dark brown hair and blue eyes. =)  Another prayer answered.  Thanks God.  Thanks Matt and Sasha =)

Matt, Sasha and Sofia

Olivia, Me and Savanna

Trevor (the God father), Sofia and Matt

Me & Colin
Colin was in town from Minnesota.  He is a friend of mine
from high school.  He is really good friend of Matt & Sasha too!

Olivia and Savanna - in their cute little dresses...
Sasha and I were remembering back to the days when we got
all dolled up to go out...I see trouble in the future with these two! =)

Sasha, Sofia and Me

Please say some extra prayers for Sasha's family.  Sasha lost an aunt (her mother's sister) to breast cancer almost two years ago.

THANK YOU!

Happy 2nd Birthday Olivia! 

We had some visitors tonight!

My boss from InSearch Bob and his family!  They were so kind to bring Olivia a birthday present and a gift card to Charlie's on the Lake and a book for me to read called "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers.  Teresa and Bob both read the book and said once they started they couldn't put it down.   I am going to start reading it after my surgery since I won't be able to move for 3-4 weeks!

THANK YOU Bednars!!!

Bob, Collin, Olivia, Me, Teresa and Andrew

THANK YOU Claudia Larsen who made me a rosary bracelet.  I have never met Claudia but she is the aunt to Nancy (Pick) Murphy who is a former class mate of Steve.

This is the letter she sent with it:

"One year I received a bracelet like this for my birthday.  It resembles the Rosary we Catholics pray as a special devotion to the Blessed Mother.  I loved it so much I decided to make a much smaller one such as this for my sister who was going on a mission outside the country.  I had it blessed by my parish priest and asked her slip it into her pocket, to wear it when she could and to pray it - to bring her home safe.  She did and has since passed it around to her friends and family members on special occasions when they needed "protection" as well, and now I make them for people to enjoy and bring them comfort.

Not everyone that wears it is Catholic, so we have renamed it from a Rosary to simply a "Prayer" Bracelet.

The largest metal bead represents the Apostle's Creed, or otherwise known as the Profession of Faith.  The first three little "stand alone" beads are in petition for an increase of faith, hop and love.  each of the other metal beads represents the Our Father which the dear Lord gave to all faiths as the perfect form of prayer.  the five sets of ten beads can be used for whatever prayer is special to you.  this is what makes it your bracelet.

The last metal bead at he end is the best - this is my "Prayer Box" I've added.  This is where you put your secrets,your worries and your wishes.  you put them in this little box and give them back to God to take care of because that's the safest place for them.  Enjoy..."

THANK YOU to the Krolls for the gift card to Whole Foods.  Melissa and I went to high school together and it was such a pleasant surprise to get her card and gift in the mail.  THANK YOU!

Justin, Maida, Melissa and Harper
Congratulations on your newest addition!  She is gorgeous!!!

Thank you in advance to Jen Fehringer, Kathy Knickrehm, Deanna Wolf, Crystal Crowley, Joan Allen and my aunt Linde who all signed up to bring Steve and I food after my surgery.  This will help Steve out a lot!!! =)

Thank you to Deb and John Bothof who brought me a blanket to keep me warm during my chemotherapy treatments.  It is PINK my new favorite color. 

Thank you to Travis and Michelle for offering to watch our dogs Jake and Elwood when I am in the hospital.  We LOVE you guys!!

Michelle, Travis and baby Paxton!!

Thank you to everyone for your kind words, cards and prayers.  I can't begin to tell you how much it is appreciated and how grateful I am to have such wonderful family and friends. =)

My 6th Sense

In 1989, when I was 10 years old I kept having a reoccurring dream about my grandpa Ringling.  At the time I didn't have a clue what my dream was telling me.  I would always see a man with dark, short hair and blue eyes.  The clearest blue eyes I have ever seen.  Each night the man would take me further into the dream and on the final night (I had the dream a total of 7 days) the man showed me everything through his bright blue eyes.  The scenes are a bit fuzzy now as I write this today but here are the main events in my dreams.  My grandpa Ringling was floating down a river with my cousin Kari in an inter tube.  At some point my grandpa told Kari to hold on to a branch while he went to go look for my aunt and grandmother.  I saw my grandpa floating down the river and his tube flipping over... he never came back up for air.  I could hear helicopters in the background and see my grandmother on a bench crying and hear my cousin Kari saying: "I think grandpa is dead."  I finally saw a fisherman pulling my grandpa's body out of the water.  I told my sister Angie about my dream and she said I was crazy. 

A day later we received a phone call.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  I had just come home from my piano lesson and my dad was on the phone crying.  I was sitting by the bar downstairs close to the kitchen where my dad was talking.  When he got off the phone he told us that our grandpa Ringling had died.  Not only did he tell us of his passing but he told us the story of how he passed.  Ironically it was exactly like my dream.  My sister didn't think I was crazy any more.  Since then I always knew I had to read signs or dreams given to me because they were glimpses of what was going to happen to me in the future.  I learned to follow my instincts because they were usually right.

I have many other stories and signs which I plan to tell if they are fitting to the situation.  These next few stories lead me up to today and how they will help me through my fight with breast cancer.

In 2003, I decided to apply for a recruiter's assistant position at a company called InSearch.  It was the only position I applied for at the time as my "6th sense" was telling me to go for it.  I was qualified for the position, maybe a little over qualified.  You see,  I was a recruiter for another company and I just wasn't happy.  The position I was in and the company I was working for were just not "clicking".  I thought if I started a little lower in the ranks and learned the ropes I could eventually become a recruiter again. Thank God I got the position because I quit my current job before I had an offer.

I started in January of 2004 as a recruiter's assistant.  I loved the job because it used my organizational and communication skills and at the same time I learned from some of the best recruiters in the business.  InSearch went through a lot of changes while I was there and eventually a position opened up for me to be a recruiter.  I was more then ready to try again.  At first I wasn't so sure I was going to do well because I had some pretty big shoes to fill.  The last person who was in the position left to start her own recruiting business.  To my surprise, I worked hard and started to see positive results....a LOT of placements and revenue coming in.  I just kept my head down and kept focusing on the revenue coming in and I always exceeded my goals but I was never really happy in the position. It never really satisfied my soul. 

One day, I threw my hands up and told my boss I was done.  I no longer wanted to be a recruiter.   The scary part was I had not a clue what I was going to do with my life.  I just knew I didn't want to be a recruiter.  Not because I wasn't successful..I actually was pretty good...it just didn't make me happy. We worked it out so I could still stay at InSearch and hired another recruiter in my position.  My boss created a position for me as an Office Manager / Recruiter's Assistant.  I knew I wouldn't stay at InSearch forever but it was a nice transition until I figured out what I wanted to do with my life.

While I worked at InSearch I got to know two of the recruiters named Ruth and Deb and my boss, Bob.  Extremely kind people and strong in their faith.  They never threw it in your face but if you asked, they would help guide you with religion.

Deb and I sat across from each other and her son had recently passed away.  Deb would occasionally talk about her son and how her faith got her through her dark moments.  I have always admired Deb's strength and ability to relate to other people.  One piece of advice I remember Deb telling me is I could always go back to work.  Deb encouraged me from time to time to leave InSearch when I found out I was pregnant with Olivia.  She always said I will never get that time back.  I am so glad I listened to Deb.

Ruth is someone I have always looked up to as a role model.  She is always composed, dressed nice, perfect make up and hair and to top it off she is the kindest person I have ever met.  Ruth would on occasion invite the office to listen to speakers at her church and all of us (the ladies) would go.

The last speaker Ruth, Deb and I went to was right before I left InSearch and the speaker taught us how to pray.  I never knew there was a certain way to pray..no one had ever taught me.  Since then I vowed to try it and see if God really answers my prayers.  Ruth and I would have our own meetings at Panera and we would disscus the results. We came to the conclusion God does answer all our prayers but it is only on his terms.  Try it!  Write down your prayers for yourself and others and over time he does answer them all.

I was born and raised catholic so I had read from the Bible in church but I never actually bought one until Bob reintroduced me to the Bible my last year at InSearch.  Bob would have a men's group every Friday before the office would open and he and his friends would discuss the Bible and how it applied to their life.  I would sometimes ask Bob about the Bible and his thoughts about life and he always had fascinating answers to help me in my current situation.  I remember one of our conversations that has stuck with me today.  "If something in your life is not feeding your soul, then it is God's way of telling you to move on."  So I did.  Thanks Bob.  =)
 
I believe I was guided to work at InSearch to strengthen my faith which will help me fight and beat cancer!

In February 2009, I left InSearch to pursue motherhood (Thanks for the advice Deb) as I was pregnant with Steve's and my first child.  My sister Angie was looking for a nanny and she thought it would be a good fit for me to watch her four children while I raised Olivia.  I thought it was a great idea!  I could still stay home with Olivia and play with my nieces and nephews.  At the time Sully was 5 months old, Addie was 2 1/2, Cullen and Avery were three months shy of their 4th birthday.  Olivia was born April 7, 2009.  Although at first it was a challenge and tested my patience watching my sister's kids and Olivia was the best decision I made.  Olivia and all my sister's kids are so close they miss each other if we go on separate vacations or are apart for more then a weekend.

I believe I was guided to raise Olivia with Angie's kids because Olivia will never have a sibling of her own.  Steve and I found out last Wednesday (March 23) I can no longer carry a child.  The chances of the cancer coming back and killing me are extremely high.  I was sad and disappointed at the news because Steve and I decided we wanted baby #2 a month before we found out I had cancer.  Ironically, I have said for a while before this news I would be okay with just Olivia if that was all God could give us.  She is probably the best gift God could ever give me and to top it off she is healthy!  I always thought I would have two children but maybe it is not in God's plan.  God surrounded Olivia and me with my sister's kids to give Olivia the "siblings" she needs and the children I want....but the good news is it will be less expensive! ;)

I have learned through all this that my life is not my own.  The decisions I make for myself are all for God's plan.  My 6th sense works, maybe I knew all along Steve and I would have one child.  I am realizing now more then ever, my words and thoughts are coming true as I go through this experience.  I am just so thankful for the wonderful people at InSearch who helped strengthen my faith, my sister and brother-in-law who have allowed me to help raise their children giving Olivia her "brother's and sister's".

Thank you to InSearch (Bob, Deb, Jessica, Matt, Carrie and Mindy) for the beautiful cross you gave me.  Such an appropriate gift from the ones who strengthened my faith.  It now hangs on a wall in our bedroom.  Ironically, I have been looking for quite some time to fill that space and now I know why I couldn't find it.

Thank you Jess - I listened to your song and it played on the radio a few times on our way up to Remsen.  Loved it!

Thank you to Deb who stopped by on the worst night of my life, held my hand and cried with me.  The food  was delicious! 

Thank you to Ruth who stopped by to bring me a new cup size and my favorite cookies!  I am so lucky to have you in my life. 

Thank you Brea for having me over at your house.  Olivia still asks:  "Can we go to Brea's house?"  Thank you for sharing your journey with me.

Thank you Angie for your wig.  I can't wait to wear my new color!

Thank you to Claudia for the beautiful prayer shawl.

Thank you Mark, Sara, Ellie and Keaton for the new iPAD cover.  Pink is my new favorite color.

Thank you to my mother-in-law for the beautiful necklace.  As soon as I put it on it felt like I joined a sorority!

Thank you to Judy and Rick for the Strength rock and picture.  I am hoping one day Taya and I can throw that Strength rock in Lake Michigan when we no longer need it.  American Girl here we come! =)

Thank you Stacy for the hearts.  Olivia has already claimed the pink one and I know Steve carries his in his pocket.  I am not sure I will ever get the pink one back from Olivia. =)

Thank you to Crystal for all the books and gifts....you spoil me too much!  I have known Crystal for almost 20 years and she has been there for me in the best and worst of times.  Thank you for your friendship.

Thank you Mom and Dad for helping me with the kids during my doctor's appointments.  I have been extremely lucky to have you as my parents and even luckier to have your help.

Thank you to my husband Steve.  I will never forget when we found out we couldn't have another child and how strong you were for me.  His words as I remember were, "It will be okay.  We will get through this.  We need to get you better first."  Steve still knows how to pull at my heart strings.  Last week he downloaded a song on my new iPAD to remind me of his love for me and promised he will be by my side every step of the way.  I love you!

Thank you God for all the wonderful friends and family you have surrounded me with.  Sometimes our souls need to be recharged in times like this and just a word or two of encouragement is all it takes.

We celebrated Olivia's birthday in Remsen this weekend with the Pottebaum's.  Tyler your performance was fantastic!

Olivia with her cousins Taya and Alexis

Olivia with her cousins Taya and Mya

Big Hug!

We found Cancer

March 8, 2011

If you are my friend and you are reading this and you haven't heard from me...I think writing this down is going to be a lot easier for me at this point and time.  This is not something I thought I would share online.  But what the heck!  My life is an open book and if I can reach one person my job is successful.  A little over a week ago I found a lump in my breast.  I checked my breast from the advice of a Brea Nelson who I met a month ago on February 10.  She told me and everyone else in the room "give yourself a breast exam"!  I took this to heart and I found a rather large lump a couple weeks later.  Right under my nipple.  I called my doctor and went in to see him yesterday.  He tried to extract it and nothing came out but he did get a little piece of tissue.

March 9, 2011
We scheduled an ultrasound today because they wanted to get a better look at what was going on.  I thought it was going to be a 20 minute ordeal.  They would tell me that it was a cyst and send me on my way.  After an hour and fifteen minutes and being checked by an ultrasound tech and the head of radiology they were not so optimistic.  They said it could be cancer but they were not sure so we needed to schedule a biopsy asap.  At this point I hear the word cancer and I can't help but think nothing but the worst.  I don't remember much of what they said after this point. 

I had to take the girls to dance right after my ultrasound and at one point of watching them dance I got a little teary eyed.  What if I never get to see Olivia dance? 

Right after I scheduled my biopsy I got a call from my doctor late in the day.  Dr. Kirsch didn't have the best of news.  The tissue he extracted from my breast tested positive for cancer.  Of course he didn't know what stage or any of the specifics that a biopsy can read but he was almost positive I had cancer.  My mind went blank and tears started to fall from my eyes.  All I could think about was Olivia and Steve.  Then I thought about Cullen, Avery, Addison, Sully and the rest of my family.  How was I going to break the news to them.

I was actually composed when I called my sister and started to explain what was going on but when I tried to spit out the words "I have cancer"  I was almost to the point of hyperventilation.  She got off the phone and rushed back home.  The second person I called was my mom and she was shocked but calm and said we can fight it!  The third person and my most dreaded call was Steve.  I was actually composed, very positive and was thinking a little more clearly at this point.  I had some time to digest what was happening.  Of course he was shocked and reassured me that he would be by my side every step of the way. 

March 9, 2011
Steve drove home so he could be with me for my biopsy with Dr. Grange.  I like Dr. Grange because she has completely focused her career to breast cancer after losing her sister to breast cancer over 20 years ago.  She is attentive and answered all our questions.  She explained everything she was going to do before and during the procedure so I was comfortable the entire time.  She even said she would have our results by Friday so we wouldn't have to wait over the weekend.

If you are a female reading this or a male with a mother, sister, wife, daugther, aunt...PLEASE tell them to get a mammogram.  If not right away give themselves a self breast exam to find any lumps.

Baby week!

Holy cow!  There were lots of boys born this week!

My friend Kelly pushed out twins on Tuesday, March 8, 2011.

Lucas and Leo!

Congratulations to the Kelly, Jeremy, JJ and Will! 

March 10, 2011

Congratulations to Michelle and Travis who welcomed Paxton Ryan in to the world!

Travis and his baby boy...Paxton!

Steve, Olivia and Paxton

Me & baby Paxton

Jen and Matt Fehringer welcomed Joshua March 11, 2011.

Congratulations! =)  He is a cutie!

Reconnecting with Friends and Family

I have been a little lazy with my blogging but after the whole potty training I needed to get out and get some other things accomplished.  I am happy to report Sully has been extremely successful with his potty training during the day and there have been several nights in a row where he is waking up dry in his diaper!  Yeah!  I am thinking a month or two more and he will be diaper free!

Here is what I have been up to the last couple of weeks:

February 10, 2011

My friend from College Nicki invited me to her house for a 31 Party.  There I met all her FUN neighbors and Brea Nelson.  Brea was diagnosed with breast cancer and she reminded all of us to give ourselves a breast exam to find any lumps.  YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH THIS PARTY CHANGED MY LIFE....

Me and Nicki

February 11, 2011

Went to LeMars donuts and the Children's Musuem with my cousin Leah and her son Charlie and Olivia.

Olivia & Charlie all Smiles!

February 13, 2011

Happy Birthday Dave!  Nana came to visit and bought Olivia a new hat from Disney World.

February 14, 2011

The kids and I made a rug from my old t-shirts...I think I can give these up now...=)

That is one ugly rug!  It is now in Addie's bathroom...as long as she likes it I guess it doesn't matter.
We had fun making it!



Angie and Dave had to make a decision where to send the kids to school next year.  St. Wenceslaus or St. Patrick's.  Soo...we flipped coins.

St. Patrick's was tails....so it is St. Pat's next year!



Teaching the kids to read...

Cullen needs a little work. =)  He will get there.

February 24, 2011

Drinks with the ladies at Kona.

Jodi, Nicki, Laura, me and Sasha

February 25, 2011

Academy awards party at Leah's house.

This year I actually watched most of the nominees.  I forgot to bring my camera but there were at least a dozen girls at the party and I had a fabulous time!

March 6, 2011

Steve's parents came to visit.  Olivia kept crying every time Marv looked at her.  Little stinker!