Thank you for your ca$h donations!
Scott and Ruth Schneider
Scott and Julie Schwickerath
John and Julianne Spatz
Pam Sloan
Nate and Jody Tate
Brad and Heather Traynor
Kathryn VanDerWerff
Shannon Wallace
Bill and Jayne Westering
Tom and Deanna Wolf
Steve, Olivia and I can't say thank you enough for your generosity and kindness. We are putting all the money raised to suppliment my income until I go back to work and all my medical expenses.
Showing posts with label Schneider. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Schneider. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Chemotherapy #8 & #9
It seems like since I stopped watching the kids I have more things to accomplish and less time to write. I am starting to focus on myself and making sure I never get cancer again. My weeks have been filled with lunch dates with friends I haven't seen in a while, play dates, exploring new business adventures, many trips to the grocery store, (I am learning new ways to eat healthy). I also crave different foods on a weekly basis with fruits and vegetables being a constant craving. I use to drink hot chocolate everyday and I have not craved this since I was diagnosed and started chemotherapy. I am not at a 100% but instead of taking care of 5 kids I am taking care of myself and I am noticing a huge difference in my overall energy. I can wake up at 7 a.m. and go all day without a nap. When I was watching the kids I had to take a nap when they took a nap.
My right hand is getting better! My fingers are still numb but they are bending and there is no more pain. My grip is getting tighter which is making easier to open milk jugs and twisting off lids. I am praying my hand comes back soon! I miss it so much.=)
Although I do not have hair...I do not mind. It definitely saves me an hour a day of not having to brush, blow dry, curl or straighten. Another bonus...I do not have to shave! I use to shave my legs everyday and now I get to skip this step, it has not grown in months. If bald was in I would keep it but I noticed I was a little jealous when Steve and I went to the Keith Urban concert. There I was in my black short wig looking at all the girls who had long locks wishing for that one night I had my hair. I have heard when my hair grows back, it could be a different color. My only request...is it does not come in grey!
I feel like I am an old lady! I get hot flashes all the time! One minute I could have a sweatshirt on and the next I am tearing it off and putting on shorts and a t-shirt. I have not had my period in months which is why I am getting hot flashes. My body is going through an early menopause! Once I stop chemotherapy and radiation is complete my body should go back to normal. Why am I telling you this? Because this is the truth about cancer patients and undergoing chemotherapy changes everything in your body.
Thursday, August 18 - Teresa Bednar and Deb Bothof drove me to chemotherapy. As always my friend Lyndsey stopped out to say hello! I did not get pics of Teresa and Lyndsey..=( This was not on purpose I just forgot. That is what happens when you get wrapped up in good conversations.
Thursday, August 25 - Jessica Monestero and Deb Bothof drove me to chemotherapy.
Teresa, Deb and Jess are the ladies I met while working at InSearch. Teresa is the wife of my former boss Bob. We also had a lunch date for Ruth's birthday and got to catch up on their kids and life in general.
Jessica and I were co-workers at InSearch and she took over my desk when I decided to stop recruiting. It was like old times in the "bull pin" giving each other advice on life and catching up on the happenings at InSearch.
I have the pleasure of seeing Deb once a week as she drops off fresh produce to my house. Deb is always bringing me candy, cookies and food. This her attempt to fatten me up! I use to crave chocolate all the time but since starting chemotherapy I could live without it. It is nice to try something sweet every once in a while. Another bonus, Olivia would never go up to Deb only because she didn't know her that well. Now when Deb comes Olivia greets her at the door and takes her back to her room to play. =)
I am over the hump! I only have 7 chemotherapy sessions left! October 13th (my last chemotherapy session) will be here soon and I can't wait!
Thank you to my drivers, friends and family for your continued love and support. Steve, Olivia and I could not get through this without you.
My right hand is getting better! My fingers are still numb but they are bending and there is no more pain. My grip is getting tighter which is making easier to open milk jugs and twisting off lids. I am praying my hand comes back soon! I miss it so much.=)
Although I do not have hair...I do not mind. It definitely saves me an hour a day of not having to brush, blow dry, curl or straighten. Another bonus...I do not have to shave! I use to shave my legs everyday and now I get to skip this step, it has not grown in months. If bald was in I would keep it but I noticed I was a little jealous when Steve and I went to the Keith Urban concert. There I was in my black short wig looking at all the girls who had long locks wishing for that one night I had my hair. I have heard when my hair grows back, it could be a different color. My only request...is it does not come in grey!
I feel like I am an old lady! I get hot flashes all the time! One minute I could have a sweatshirt on and the next I am tearing it off and putting on shorts and a t-shirt. I have not had my period in months which is why I am getting hot flashes. My body is going through an early menopause! Once I stop chemotherapy and radiation is complete my body should go back to normal. Why am I telling you this? Because this is the truth about cancer patients and undergoing chemotherapy changes everything in your body.
Thursday, August 18 - Teresa Bednar and Deb Bothof drove me to chemotherapy. As always my friend Lyndsey stopped out to say hello! I did not get pics of Teresa and Lyndsey..=( This was not on purpose I just forgot. That is what happens when you get wrapped up in good conversations.
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| Deb and Me Deb was so kind to take me to the movie "The Help" last week. It was a fantastic movie! I highly recommend seeing it. |
Thursday, August 25 - Jessica Monestero and Deb Bothof drove me to chemotherapy.
 |
| I forgot my camera for my chemo session. Here is Jessica and her husband Paul the night of Party for Pottebaum. So great to see you! Can you believe they had twins? Jess looks fantastic! |
Teresa, Deb and Jess are the ladies I met while working at InSearch. Teresa is the wife of my former boss Bob. We also had a lunch date for Ruth's birthday and got to catch up on their kids and life in general.
Jessica and I were co-workers at InSearch and she took over my desk when I decided to stop recruiting. It was like old times in the "bull pin" giving each other advice on life and catching up on the happenings at InSearch.
I have the pleasure of seeing Deb once a week as she drops off fresh produce to my house. Deb is always bringing me candy, cookies and food. This her attempt to fatten me up! I use to crave chocolate all the time but since starting chemotherapy I could live without it. It is nice to try something sweet every once in a while. Another bonus, Olivia would never go up to Deb only because she didn't know her that well. Now when Deb comes Olivia greets her at the door and takes her back to her room to play. =)
I am over the hump! I only have 7 chemotherapy sessions left! October 13th (my last chemotherapy session) will be here soon and I can't wait!
Thank you to my drivers, friends and family for your continued love and support. Steve, Olivia and I could not get through this without you.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Chemo #6 / Update on my Mom
Thursday, August 4, 2011
I woke up this morning and had to paint my eyebrows on with Anastasia's eye brow kit. I don't know why I got so upset but I started to cry. Then when I wiped away my tears along came most of my eye lashes. Ugh! I was just starting to get use to my bald head now I have to get use to my new face. I would put on fake lashes but when you undergo chemotherapy your skin does not renew itself and is ultra sensitive. If I did put on the lashes I would be afraid it might take my skin with it. So I am experimenting with make up to try and make myself feel and look "normal". I got it totally wrong today when I tried the darker color for my eyebrows. I looked like a clown and my mom agreed with me. Slowly I am learning how to apply my new brows and liner.
I had chemo round 6 today. My friend Ruth Schneider was so kind to drop me off and my friend Lyndsey stopped by when she was out and about and brought me back home. My oncologist cut my Benedryl dose in half this time so I wasn't as nauseous as I was last week. When I got home I was sawing logs until around 9 p.m. This made me stay up all night watching TV because couldn't fall back asleep until 4 a.m. This made it extremely hard for me to get up at 6 a.m. to watch my sister's kids.
Friday, August 5, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my friend EMILY GARDELS!
Today was my last day watching the kids. I decided it was time for me to focus on my health and getting better. I am not the same energetic person I use to be before chemotherapy. I require more sleep and small tasks like getting meals ready, doing laundry and making beds makes me exhausted, throw in five kids for 10 hours a day and I am beat. I will go back in January or February when my chemo, radiation and final surgery are complete. I have to wait an entire month after radiation to have my final surgery to remove the expanders and put in implants. So we were thinking after the New Year I will have my new Ta Ta's. It will be a 3-4 week recovery as well.
My mom made her final decision today. Her team of doctors are:
Click here to learn more about my mom's procedure. We won't know if she will need chemotherapy or radiation until after they operate. We are still waiting on the pathology reports to get a stage of cancer and her surgery will be scheduled 2-3 weeks from Friday. I will post as soon as I know. Please keep my mom in your prayers to give her the much needed strength to get through the double mastectomy and pray she will not need chemotherapy or radiation.
My mom is hanging in there and has a sense of humor about this whole situation. You almost need to have a sense of humor to get through times like these.
Thank you to:
Emmy and Nolan Reilly for the hand bag and Christmas ornament!
Jim and Mary Czyz for the delicious Red Velvet Cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes
Marilyn Johnson and Mel for the gift card to Up Stream. It is one of our favorite restaurants!
My cousin Leah and Aunt Linde for the cleaning lady. It is so nice to come home to a clean house and I didn't have to do any of the cleaning! =)
Thank you to all our family and friends who have been there for us. We are looking forward to PARTY for POTTEBAUM on Saturday, August 13th. I will have a sneak peek for you on Tuesday at some of the raffle items.
I woke up this morning and had to paint my eyebrows on with Anastasia's eye brow kit. I don't know why I got so upset but I started to cry. Then when I wiped away my tears along came most of my eye lashes. Ugh! I was just starting to get use to my bald head now I have to get use to my new face. I would put on fake lashes but when you undergo chemotherapy your skin does not renew itself and is ultra sensitive. If I did put on the lashes I would be afraid it might take my skin with it. So I am experimenting with make up to try and make myself feel and look "normal". I got it totally wrong today when I tried the darker color for my eyebrows. I looked like a clown and my mom agreed with me. Slowly I am learning how to apply my new brows and liner.
I had chemo round 6 today. My friend Ruth Schneider was so kind to drop me off and my friend Lyndsey stopped by when she was out and about and brought me back home. My oncologist cut my Benedryl dose in half this time so I wasn't as nauseous as I was last week. When I got home I was sawing logs until around 9 p.m. This made me stay up all night watching TV because couldn't fall back asleep until 4 a.m. This made it extremely hard for me to get up at 6 a.m. to watch my sister's kids.
Friday, August 5, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my friend EMILY GARDELS!
Today was my last day watching the kids. I decided it was time for me to focus on my health and getting better. I am not the same energetic person I use to be before chemotherapy. I require more sleep and small tasks like getting meals ready, doing laundry and making beds makes me exhausted, throw in five kids for 10 hours a day and I am beat. I will go back in January or February when my chemo, radiation and final surgery are complete. I have to wait an entire month after radiation to have my final surgery to remove the expanders and put in implants. So we were thinking after the New Year I will have my new Ta Ta's. It will be a 3-4 week recovery as well.
My mom made her final decision today. Her team of doctors are:
 |
| Dr. James Reilly Methodist General Surgeon |
 |
| Dr. Marie Montag Cosmetic Surgeon Aesthetic Surgical Images |
My mom is hanging in there and has a sense of humor about this whole situation. You almost need to have a sense of humor to get through times like these.
Thank you to:
Emmy and Nolan Reilly for the hand bag and Christmas ornament!
Jim and Mary Czyz for the delicious Red Velvet Cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes
Marilyn Johnson and Mel for the gift card to Up Stream. It is one of our favorite restaurants!
My cousin Leah and Aunt Linde for the cleaning lady. It is so nice to come home to a clean house and I didn't have to do any of the cleaning! =)
Thank you to all our family and friends who have been there for us. We are looking forward to PARTY for POTTEBAUM on Saturday, August 13th. I will have a sneak peek for you on Tuesday at some of the raffle items.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Thank You
I can't get over how generous you all have been! Thank you to:
Brian and Emily Penke
for their generous cash
donation! Brian and I go
way back! Our parents went
to high school together and
many moons later Brian
and I went to high school together!
Lyndsey, Jerid, Haili and Alexa Foster
For dinner, the cookbook and company.
Thanks for checking in to see how I am
feeling and coming to my 2nd chemo
treatment. I have written more on
Lyndsey and I growing up....coming soon!
Thank you to Betty and Bruce Bode. We loved the chicken and rice dish and will enjoy all the soup you made for many weeks to come! Betty you always think of everything! Thank you for taking the time to make all the food. Thanks for bringing it over Bruce!
Thank you Deb Bothof! Deb brought us meat to last the entire memorial weekend. We LOVED it! I ate almost all the rice krispy treats which was probably a good thing...I need to gain some weight. I love the journal you gave me...it is amazing how it relates to my own life. Thank you!!!
Thank you to Emily Klaur and Nicki McMahon for the comfy clothes and adorable hat! I hope we can have a play date soon! =)
Thank you to my Aunt Linde and Uncle Terry who dropped off the best bacon! OMG! I LOVE it!
Ruth your enchiladas were a hit! Steve and Olivia loved them. I can't wait to try them later on in the week. We have not dug in to the brownies yet, but I plan to bring them to my sister's to share with the kids.
Thank you to Gretchen and her mom Nancy who dropped off a fruit platter, lasagna and dessert. Gretchen just found out she is having a BOY! James will make a wonderful big brother..he is adorable!
Thank you to Sasha who gave me the Sex and the City movie...we need to make a date night to watch it Sushi! =)
Thank you will never be enough and I want you to know that your kindness is helping me and my family get through this "cancer" thing so much easier.
XOXO
Brian and Emily Penke
for their generous cash
donation! Brian and I go
way back! Our parents went
to high school together and
many moons later Brian
and I went to high school together!
Lyndsey, Jerid, Haili and Alexa Foster
For dinner, the cookbook and company.
Thanks for checking in to see how I am
feeling and coming to my 2nd chemo
treatment. I have written more on
Lyndsey and I growing up....coming soon!
Thank you to Betty and Bruce Bode. We loved the chicken and rice dish and will enjoy all the soup you made for many weeks to come! Betty you always think of everything! Thank you for taking the time to make all the food. Thanks for bringing it over Bruce!
Thank you Deb Bothof! Deb brought us meat to last the entire memorial weekend. We LOVED it! I ate almost all the rice krispy treats which was probably a good thing...I need to gain some weight. I love the journal you gave me...it is amazing how it relates to my own life. Thank you!!!
Thank you to Emily Klaur and Nicki McMahon for the comfy clothes and adorable hat! I hope we can have a play date soon! =)
Thank you to my Aunt Linde and Uncle Terry who dropped off the best bacon! OMG! I LOVE it!
Ruth your enchiladas were a hit! Steve and Olivia loved them. I can't wait to try them later on in the week. We have not dug in to the brownies yet, but I plan to bring them to my sister's to share with the kids.
Thank you to Gretchen and her mom Nancy who dropped off a fruit platter, lasagna and dessert. Gretchen just found out she is having a BOY! James will make a wonderful big brother..he is adorable!
Thank you to Sasha who gave me the Sex and the City movie...we need to make a date night to watch it Sushi! =)
Thank you will never be enough and I want you to know that your kindness is helping me and my family get through this "cancer" thing so much easier.
XOXO
Monday, May 23, 2011
My 21st Birthday was much worse...Chemotherapy will be a breeze!
Sunday May 15, 2011
The week before my first chemotherapy session I wanted life to be back to normal as possible. Avery and Addison have their dance recital on June 4th but had rehearsals this week. Don't they look so cute?
Thursday May 19, 2011
1:45 p.m.
Midwest Cancer Center
Steve took me to my first chemo treatment. We met with my nurse navigator Nicole and Dr. Thome. Then I was introduced to my nurses Ethel and Darcy. Loved Them! They explained everything that was going in to my body and what effects it will have on me.
I watched Oprah and ironically it was about a mother who passed away from breast cancer. She made hundreds of video tapes for her daughter to watch over the course of her life. Ethel started tearing up and said "This will not be you!" Duh! I know that! =) Ethel is such a sweetheart.
After my first treatment I stopped off on Lillian street to say hello to some friends.
Brea - Thank you for my new plant! It is out on my deck blooming beautifully! =)
I was expecting to relive the day after my 21st birthday after my first chemo treatment. If you were with me that night I had a fantastic time but when midnight hit, so did my head...directly on to the table. My friends hauled me off to go back home to recover. Let's just say the next four days after my 21st birthday SUCKED. I was hugging the porcelain God (aka toilet) and could barely lift my head.
I did not experience anything close to my 21st birthday after my first chemotherapy treatment. A little nausea and fatigue. I have definitely felt worse....so I will get through my chemo treatments. Ironically, today is my Birthday and I feel much better then I did on my 21st birthday. The only things that are sitting well with me are yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, Chocolate Ensure, BLT's, frozen fruit sticks and apple juice.
Thank you to:
my husband Steve who took care of me and Olivia all weekend. Steve has been there with me since the beginning and reminds me daily he will be there with me to the end. Steve has been doing both our jobs and I have never once heard him complain. It is extremely hard, but I try to model myself after Steve on a daily basis..he makes me want to be a better person. I LOVE YOU MORE THEN WORDS CAN SAY! =)
my mother and father for helping out with the kids and my birthday present. Mom, Thank you will never be enough for all the time you have generously donated to taking care of the kids. Dad, Thank you for being the designated driver to and from events. I LOVE YOU!!!
my aunt Patty for another generous cash donation...THANK YOU!
my mother and father-in-law for my birthday gift.
My God mother Linda and her husband Wendell Quist for the Carrabba's gift card.
Bruce and Betty Bode for the fabulous meals! We all LOVED your spaghetti with meatballs. It was so good our friend Travis joined us for dinner.
Kathi and Sabrina Scherzberg for the chicken casserole. Steve loved it! I didn't try it...only to save my stomach. I had to stick to the Sierra Mist you brought.;) It was nice meeting Sabrina. We need to get the girls together for a play date this summer.
Emily Gardels for the Pink Flamingo...(see below)
How Fun! Thanks Emily! I can't wait to take Ikaika on a trip with me once I am done with my treatments.
Crystal - for bringing over chemo friendly food. Love the rice with chicken broth.
My aunt Patty and aunt Vicky for the lovely flowers
My cousin Leah, Chad and Charlie for the beautiful bracelet from the Chocolate Peacock.
Leah and I have celebrated our birthdays together since I was three years old. Leah's birthday is May 22nd and mine is the 23rd. Leah had a birthday party this weekend I had to miss. Next year we will celebrate all night! I would also like to congratulate Leah, Chad and Charlie as they will be adding to their family in November. Yay! Something else for me to look forward to!
 |
| Our good friends Michelle and Travis baptized their son Paxton! Olivia had to get in the photo...she thinks Travis is her boyfriend. |
 |
| Addison and Avery with the Auntie Em special HAIR and MAKE UP! |
 |
| Olivia wore her Dora ballerina outfit..she thinks she is going to be in the dance recital ....to bad she will have to wait 2 more years. :) |
 |
| Here are all the little munchkins! |
1:45 p.m.
Midwest Cancer Center
 |
| Me and Steve |
I watched Oprah and ironically it was about a mother who passed away from breast cancer. She made hundreds of video tapes for her daughter to watch over the course of her life. Ethel started tearing up and said "This will not be you!" Duh! I know that! =) Ethel is such a sweetheart.
After my first treatment I stopped off on Lillian street to say hello to some friends.
 |
| Nicki and Brea! |
I was expecting to relive the day after my 21st birthday after my first chemo treatment. If you were with me that night I had a fantastic time but when midnight hit, so did my head...directly on to the table. My friends hauled me off to go back home to recover. Let's just say the next four days after my 21st birthday SUCKED. I was hugging the porcelain God (aka toilet) and could barely lift my head.
I did not experience anything close to my 21st birthday after my first chemotherapy treatment. A little nausea and fatigue. I have definitely felt worse....so I will get through my chemo treatments. Ironically, today is my Birthday and I feel much better then I did on my 21st birthday. The only things that are sitting well with me are yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, Chocolate Ensure, BLT's, frozen fruit sticks and apple juice.
Thank you to:
my husband Steve who took care of me and Olivia all weekend. Steve has been there with me since the beginning and reminds me daily he will be there with me to the end. Steve has been doing both our jobs and I have never once heard him complain. It is extremely hard, but I try to model myself after Steve on a daily basis..he makes me want to be a better person. I LOVE YOU MORE THEN WORDS CAN SAY! =)
my mother and father for helping out with the kids and my birthday present. Mom, Thank you will never be enough for all the time you have generously donated to taking care of the kids. Dad, Thank you for being the designated driver to and from events. I LOVE YOU!!!
my aunt Patty for another generous cash donation...THANK YOU!
my mother and father-in-law for my birthday gift.
My God mother Linda and her husband Wendell Quist for the Carrabba's gift card.
Bruce and Betty Bode for the fabulous meals! We all LOVED your spaghetti with meatballs. It was so good our friend Travis joined us for dinner.
 |
| Dancing after dinner! |
 |
Emily Gardels for the Pink Flamingo...(see below)
 |
| Ikaika is in Hawaii right now with Emily (Gardels) and her boyfriend Nick. This is Ikaika the breast cancer flamingo. I found her in the dollar section at Target:) and thought it would be fun to send her around the country to different friends. I thought it would be something fun to do while Emily is going through treatment, so she knows we are all thinking about her! So, if Ikaika comes to you please take her out and do something fun with her. Take pictures, send them to Em or post them and then send Ikaika along to Emily's other friends and family. I chose the name Ikaika because it means Strength in Hawaiian. Love you EM!!! |
How Fun! Thanks Emily! I can't wait to take Ikaika on a trip with me once I am done with my treatments.
Crystal - for bringing over chemo friendly food. Love the rice with chicken broth.
My aunt Patty and aunt Vicky for the lovely flowers
Ruth for the beautiful flowers for my birthday and my favorite cookies!
My aunt Linde and uncle Terry for the Barnes and Noble gift card and the chicken noodle soup. It is in the freezer ready for chemo #2.
Sasha for the adorable picture of me and my God daughter.
My cousin Leah, Chad and Charlie for the beautiful bracelet from the Chocolate Peacock.
Leah and I have celebrated our birthdays together since I was three years old. Leah's birthday is May 22nd and mine is the 23rd. Leah had a birthday party this weekend I had to miss. Next year we will celebrate all night! I would also like to congratulate Leah, Chad and Charlie as they will be adding to their family in November. Yay! Something else for me to look forward to!
 |
| LOVE YOU! |
Friday, April 15, 2011
Surgery Day!
Friday, April 15, 2011
6:30 AM Steve and I arrive and check in at Midland's Hospital.
I am introduced to my nurse as she takes me back for a urine sample, wash down with surgical wipes, change in to my hospital gown, surgery tights, stockings and surgery cap. Holy cow did I look ridiculous! My mom and dad arrived for a last good bye and of course my dad was trying to get a picture of me. Needless to say I won..there were NO Pictures!
I was starting to get anxious as there was a clock right in front of me and I found myself staring at the seconds.
7:15 AM
The anesthesiologist came in and asked me a LOT of questions and said I was going to be his easiest client. I have been healthy my entire life, he laughed when I told him I never had a cavity, so there were no major concerns.
The nurses put in my IV and Dr. Grange (the general surgeon) came in to brief us before surgery. The surgery lasts at least four hours so Dr. Montag (the cosmetic surgeon) wouldn't arrive for another hour when Dr. Grange needed her to start with her part.
7:45 AM...now I am starting to get really nervous....only 15 minutes until surgery.
Dr. Grange is doing double mastectomy and a biopsy on my lymph nodes. If they test positive for cancer then she removes those nodes and several ones around them to make sure she removes all of the cancer. Dr. Montag will move in after Dr. Grange and insert expanders under my breast muscle. They look like deflated balloons and once I heal from the surgery (3-4 weeks) I will go in every week to have them filled with saline solution to help stretch my skin to my desired size. (This could take 3-6 months) I am going for a B cup this time... a gift to myself! Once I get to a B cup then the expanders are removed in another surgery then an implant will take its place. When it is all said and done I will look like a barbie. Ta Ta's with no nipples and they will move with me. Another bonus, when I am eighty my boobs will still be perky! =)
THANK YOU Midlands Choice Insurance for my new Ta Ta's! =)
I remember one of the nurses say I probably won't remember much of the conversation because they started to administer the anesthesia.
8 AM
I remember the nurses rolling my bed past Steve and my parents going to the surgery room and then darkness....
9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM,
12 PM (Steve said Dr. Montag came out and said everything was going fine, Dr. Grange was finishing up and should be done around 12:30 PM,
1PM.......
1:30 PM They finally got me to wake up from the anesthesia.
All I remember is seeing my mother and father-in-law and saying thank you for coming and then I was out for the rest of the day.
I don't remember this but Steve said when I woke up I was complaining of a pain in my arm. (from my port for chemo)
I am not sure when I woke up again but it was later in the evening and Steve was in a reclining chair next to me watching TV. At this point I met my night nurse Megan who promised me to give me the much needed pain medications every 4 hours. She brought me some water and did bring me my medications every four hours. I had no pain. =)
Thanks to Marv and Annette my in-laws who drove all the way from Remsen, my friend Lyndsey who sat with my family and Steve while I slept, my parents who waited patiently for me to come out of surgery. Thank you to my husband who was by my side through out today, Saturday and Sunday.
Thank you to my sister-in-laws Rebecca and Jessica who sent me pink roses.
Thank you to my Aunt Vicki and Uncle Denny who sent a bouquet of flowers.
Thank you to Ruth, Scott, Grant and Kyle who sent flowers.
Thank you to Leah, Chad and Charlie for the beautiful Tulips.
Thank you to my Aunt Linde, Uncle Terry, Leah and Chad for having cleaners come to our house. It was spotless!
Thank you to Crystal for coming to visit me the next day, for the flowers, magazines for Steve and gift for Olivia.
Thank you Lyndsey for coming to visit me the next day.
Thank you Sasha for my get well kit! =)
Thank you to my mom and sister for coming to visit me the next day.
Thank you Travis and Michelle for watching Jake and Elwood.
Thank you to my sister for watching Olivia the entire weekend. I am sure she had a blast hanging out with her cousins.
Thank you to Dr.Grange and Dr. Montag and the staff of Midlands Hospital. You made my stay very comfortable and helped me to get on the fast track to a complete recovery.
6:30 AM Steve and I arrive and check in at Midland's Hospital.
I am introduced to my nurse as she takes me back for a urine sample, wash down with surgical wipes, change in to my hospital gown, surgery tights, stockings and surgery cap. Holy cow did I look ridiculous! My mom and dad arrived for a last good bye and of course my dad was trying to get a picture of me. Needless to say I won..there were NO Pictures!
I was starting to get anxious as there was a clock right in front of me and I found myself staring at the seconds.
7:15 AM
The anesthesiologist came in and asked me a LOT of questions and said I was going to be his easiest client. I have been healthy my entire life, he laughed when I told him I never had a cavity, so there were no major concerns.
The nurses put in my IV and Dr. Grange (the general surgeon) came in to brief us before surgery. The surgery lasts at least four hours so Dr. Montag (the cosmetic surgeon) wouldn't arrive for another hour when Dr. Grange needed her to start with her part.
7:45 AM...now I am starting to get really nervous....only 15 minutes until surgery.
Dr. Grange is doing double mastectomy and a biopsy on my lymph nodes. If they test positive for cancer then she removes those nodes and several ones around them to make sure she removes all of the cancer. Dr. Montag will move in after Dr. Grange and insert expanders under my breast muscle. They look like deflated balloons and once I heal from the surgery (3-4 weeks) I will go in every week to have them filled with saline solution to help stretch my skin to my desired size. (This could take 3-6 months) I am going for a B cup this time... a gift to myself! Once I get to a B cup then the expanders are removed in another surgery then an implant will take its place. When it is all said and done I will look like a barbie. Ta Ta's with no nipples and they will move with me. Another bonus, when I am eighty my boobs will still be perky! =)
THANK YOU Midlands Choice Insurance for my new Ta Ta's! =)
I remember one of the nurses say I probably won't remember much of the conversation because they started to administer the anesthesia.
8 AM
I remember the nurses rolling my bed past Steve and my parents going to the surgery room and then darkness....
9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM,
12 PM (Steve said Dr. Montag came out and said everything was going fine, Dr. Grange was finishing up and should be done around 12:30 PM,
1PM.......
1:30 PM They finally got me to wake up from the anesthesia.
All I remember is seeing my mother and father-in-law and saying thank you for coming and then I was out for the rest of the day.
I don't remember this but Steve said when I woke up I was complaining of a pain in my arm. (from my port for chemo)
I am not sure when I woke up again but it was later in the evening and Steve was in a reclining chair next to me watching TV. At this point I met my night nurse Megan who promised me to give me the much needed pain medications every 4 hours. She brought me some water and did bring me my medications every four hours. I had no pain. =)
Thanks to Marv and Annette my in-laws who drove all the way from Remsen, my friend Lyndsey who sat with my family and Steve while I slept, my parents who waited patiently for me to come out of surgery. Thank you to my husband who was by my side through out today, Saturday and Sunday.
Thank you to my sister-in-laws Rebecca and Jessica who sent me pink roses.
Thank you to my Aunt Vicki and Uncle Denny who sent a bouquet of flowers.
Thank you to Ruth, Scott, Grant and Kyle who sent flowers.
Thank you to Leah, Chad and Charlie for the beautiful Tulips.
Thank you to my Aunt Linde, Uncle Terry, Leah and Chad for having cleaners come to our house. It was spotless!
Thank you to Crystal for coming to visit me the next day, for the flowers, magazines for Steve and gift for Olivia.
Thank you Lyndsey for coming to visit me the next day.
Thank you Sasha for my get well kit! =)
Thank you Louise for my support pillows.
Thank you to my mom and sister for coming to visit me the next day.
Thank you Travis and Michelle for watching Jake and Elwood.
Thank you to my sister for watching Olivia the entire weekend. I am sure she had a blast hanging out with her cousins.
Thank you to Dr.Grange and Dr. Montag and the staff of Midlands Hospital. You made my stay very comfortable and helped me to get on the fast track to a complete recovery.
Monday, March 28, 2011
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!
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 |
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| Olivia with her cousins Taya and Mya |
 |
| Big Hug! |
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Potty Training Day 3 Pt 1 12 AM - 12 PM OLIVIA
After I put Olivia to bed last night she slept all the way through the night without waking up.
6:40 a.m. I went in her room to check on her and she was on the floor completely passed out. My guess is she was so tired from the lack of sleep she got from the night before she didn't care where she slept. I checked her underwear and she was completely dry!
I did put her on the potty chair but she didn't have to go potty. We went out to the family room so she could snuggle with her daddy. I could tell she was still tired.
ONE STEP FORWARD TWO STEPS BACK
I feel like she is regressing after this morning.
7:00 a.m. I gave her a juice box.
8:15 a.m. I noticed a wet spot on her underwear so I put her on the potty and .... NOTHING!
8:25 a.m. BREAKFAST
8:40 a.m. Olivia started peeing at breakfast. I rushed her off to the potty chair. After sitting on the chair for a couple minutes and nothing...she still says she wants to sit. I go eat breakfast because I am starving at this point. I wait another 10 minutes to check on her and ....NOTHING!
CRAP! Is she going back to her old ways?
#1 NEW UNDERWEAR
Back to eating my breakfast egg casserole.
9:45 a.m. She is in the family room and Olivia starts crying. "I am peeing!" I run her to the potty and...NOTHING.
#2 NEW UNDERWEAR
Good Lord! It is a repeat from yesterday!
10:20 a.m. I gave her some juice and I Steve went out to get me a Mocha from Starbucks! I need something to keep me awake!
While all this is going on I received some exciting news from Michelle this morning. CONGRATULATIONS to Lindsay and Brent Vodicka who welcomed Jaxon John to their family at 9 a.m. this morning! (7.5 lbs. 20 in.) I can not wait to meet the little guy!
Meanwhile, Steve has been fighting with our washing machine. Come to find out the 3 1/2 years we have owned this machine we have been using the wrong kind of soap. I guess we were suppose to use the high efficiency soap. BAD TIMING since I have been doing at least two loads of laundry since I started potty training.
11:20 a.m. Olivia is showing signs she has to go potty and ....NOTHING.
Well another unsuccessful morning. She has not gone pee on the potty all morning! Why is she regressing? The one thing I have noticed is she did not have as many mess ups only because she didn't go potty at all. Hmmm... She was doing so good last night! Hopefully the next half of the day will go better.
Now I am making my Chili to have people over for the SUPER BOWL. Hopefully Olivia doesn't pee on anyone! WATCH OUT for the peeing toddler!
Thank you to Lynn, Amanda, Kelly and Ruth for your advice and encouragement.
"How funny! I was laughing so hard I was crying. You should consider yourself lucky, When I was potty training Caleb, he ended up doing a #2 on my kitchen counter! That may be a difference between girls and boys! :) After that experience I gave up until he was closer to 3. :) Good Luck!"
~ Lynn Nelson
"I chose this same program to potty train Giovanni and had all of the same thoughts, concerns and frustrations that you are experiencing. I would say that by the end of day 3 he was about 80% trained, minus pooping on the potty - that came later. You are doing great - it is soooo worth it in the end and more than anything you get to spend some wonderful one on one time with Olivia. Best of luck today!"
~ Amanda Monterastelli
"OH . . .this takes me back to the good old days. Well, I must say that I may not be the best person to ask about this because I had the great fortune of my daycare lady doing a LOT of the potty training and I just basically followed what she did. I will tell you that I PUSHED Grant on this and I had such a bad time with G that I backed off with Kyle and waited until he was ready. I lowered my expectations for Kyle and we were ALL happier! I know there are books out there that say you can have your child PT'ed in a day or two, but from my experience, I just find that hard to believe - I could be wrong.
This is how it went in the Schneider household. I took the boys to the unfinished basement and set up a potty chair. I put a long shirt on them and had them run around without underwear on and sometimes with underwear on so they would feel the wet yuk! Grant was just defiant and made this harder than it should have been and Kyle didn't like the yuk and picked up on this a lot faster. It took about 9 months for Grant and about 2-3 months for Kyle.
I like the M&M's - we did that and the gifts - I think those are great incentives. Another thing to try is to have Olivia just sit on the potty and read her books - this may take her mind off of having to "perform" as she would be distracted with the books and she also may become more comfortable with the potty by just sitting on it for longer periods of time.
The poop is just stage fright. My pediatrician told me you don't want the boys to hold the poop in for too long or then it becomes painful to go poop and then all of your PT efforts are down the toilet - get it . . .down the toilet?! (I'm so funny!) : ) If they get to the point that it is hard for them to poop - try some water with a little white corn syrup in it (per my doctor) and that might help.
Grant didn't get potty trained over night until he was about 4 or 5 and Kyle still wears a pull-up to bed and sometimes is wet and he is 5. I didn't push with the overnight PT, partly because they were boys and it usually takes longer for boys and also, I didn't want to get up in the middle of the night because I enjoy my sleep too much! I took the philosophy, and I still live by this with Kyle, that he will be potty trained by the time he goes to Kindergarten and sure enough, we have made it. In the meantime, you will need to buy a large bottle of Resolve carpet cleaner, an extra pack of underwear, lots of M&M's for Olivia, and in your case, a STRONG drink for the moments that you just want to pull your hair out!!! : )
I don't know if I have told you anything that you have not heard already, but I hope it gets better for you! Keep me posted. : )"
~Ruth Schneider
"You are so funny! Cm later today and we can chat about this. I've done it twice and have successfully had both of my boys trained by 2 1/2. First of all.... I really think you are starting too early, but cm about the other questions. :o)"
~Kelly Robson
6:40 a.m. I went in her room to check on her and she was on the floor completely passed out. My guess is she was so tired from the lack of sleep she got from the night before she didn't care where she slept. I checked her underwear and she was completely dry!
I did put her on the potty chair but she didn't have to go potty. We went out to the family room so she could snuggle with her daddy. I could tell she was still tired.
ONE STEP FORWARD TWO STEPS BACK
I feel like she is regressing after this morning.
7:00 a.m. I gave her a juice box.
8:15 a.m. I noticed a wet spot on her underwear so I put her on the potty and .... NOTHING!
8:25 a.m. BREAKFAST
 |
| Pancakes, Blueberries, juice and milk....mmm! |
8:40 a.m. Olivia started peeing at breakfast. I rushed her off to the potty chair. After sitting on the chair for a couple minutes and nothing...she still says she wants to sit. I go eat breakfast because I am starving at this point. I wait another 10 minutes to check on her and ....NOTHING!
CRAP! Is she going back to her old ways?
#1 NEW UNDERWEAR
Back to eating my breakfast egg casserole.
9:45 a.m. She is in the family room and Olivia starts crying. "I am peeing!" I run her to the potty and...NOTHING.
#2 NEW UNDERWEAR
Good Lord! It is a repeat from yesterday!
10:20 a.m. I gave her some juice and I Steve went out to get me a Mocha from Starbucks! I need something to keep me awake!
While all this is going on I received some exciting news from Michelle this morning. CONGRATULATIONS to Lindsay and Brent Vodicka who welcomed Jaxon John to their family at 9 a.m. this morning! (7.5 lbs. 20 in.) I can not wait to meet the little guy!
Meanwhile, Steve has been fighting with our washing machine. Come to find out the 3 1/2 years we have owned this machine we have been using the wrong kind of soap. I guess we were suppose to use the high efficiency soap. BAD TIMING since I have been doing at least two loads of laundry since I started potty training.
11:20 a.m. Olivia is showing signs she has to go potty and ....NOTHING.
Well another unsuccessful morning. She has not gone pee on the potty all morning! Why is she regressing? The one thing I have noticed is she did not have as many mess ups only because she didn't go potty at all. Hmmm... She was doing so good last night! Hopefully the next half of the day will go better.
Now I am making my Chili to have people over for the SUPER BOWL. Hopefully Olivia doesn't pee on anyone! WATCH OUT for the peeing toddler!
Thank you to Lynn, Amanda, Kelly and Ruth for your advice and encouragement.
"How funny! I was laughing so hard I was crying. You should consider yourself lucky, When I was potty training Caleb, he ended up doing a #2 on my kitchen counter! That may be a difference between girls and boys! :) After that experience I gave up until he was closer to 3. :) Good Luck!"
~ Lynn Nelson
"I chose this same program to potty train Giovanni and had all of the same thoughts, concerns and frustrations that you are experiencing. I would say that by the end of day 3 he was about 80% trained, minus pooping on the potty - that came later. You are doing great - it is soooo worth it in the end and more than anything you get to spend some wonderful one on one time with Olivia. Best of luck today!"
~ Amanda Monterastelli
"OH . . .this takes me back to the good old days. Well, I must say that I may not be the best person to ask about this because I had the great fortune of my daycare lady doing a LOT of the potty training and I just basically followed what she did. I will tell you that I PUSHED Grant on this and I had such a bad time with G that I backed off with Kyle and waited until he was ready. I lowered my expectations for Kyle and we were ALL happier! I know there are books out there that say you can have your child PT'ed in a day or two, but from my experience, I just find that hard to believe - I could be wrong.
This is how it went in the Schneider household. I took the boys to the unfinished basement and set up a potty chair. I put a long shirt on them and had them run around without underwear on and sometimes with underwear on so they would feel the wet yuk! Grant was just defiant and made this harder than it should have been and Kyle didn't like the yuk and picked up on this a lot faster. It took about 9 months for Grant and about 2-3 months for Kyle.
I like the M&M's - we did that and the gifts - I think those are great incentives. Another thing to try is to have Olivia just sit on the potty and read her books - this may take her mind off of having to "perform" as she would be distracted with the books and she also may become more comfortable with the potty by just sitting on it for longer periods of time.
The poop is just stage fright. My pediatrician told me you don't want the boys to hold the poop in for too long or then it becomes painful to go poop and then all of your PT efforts are down the toilet - get it . . .down the toilet?! (I'm so funny!) : ) If they get to the point that it is hard for them to poop - try some water with a little white corn syrup in it (per my doctor) and that might help.
Grant didn't get potty trained over night until he was about 4 or 5 and Kyle still wears a pull-up to bed and sometimes is wet and he is 5. I didn't push with the overnight PT, partly because they were boys and it usually takes longer for boys and also, I didn't want to get up in the middle of the night because I enjoy my sleep too much! I took the philosophy, and I still live by this with Kyle, that he will be potty trained by the time he goes to Kindergarten and sure enough, we have made it. In the meantime, you will need to buy a large bottle of Resolve carpet cleaner, an extra pack of underwear, lots of M&M's for Olivia, and in your case, a STRONG drink for the moments that you just want to pull your hair out!!! : )
I don't know if I have told you anything that you have not heard already, but I hope it gets better for you! Keep me posted. : )"
~Ruth Schneider
"You are so funny! Cm later today and we can chat about this. I've done it twice and have successfully had both of my boys trained by 2 1/2. First of all.... I really think you are starting too early, but cm about the other questions. :o)"
~Kelly Robson
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
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