Breast Cancer: Post 4

MD Anderson called again today.

They moved the surgery back.

There was a change with the plastic surgeon and my mother could either wait for him, or use the trainees that are not yet certified to do the plastic surgery.

She chose to wait for the surgeon. (she doesn't want lopsided boobs... hahaha)

Her surgery date is now November 1, 2011. 

The Rice Festival

The Rice Festival is one of my favorite memories as a child.

Every year on the first weekend of October, all the farmers get together and celebrate the main crop in our area... Rice.   My great grandfather happened to be the very first president of the festival. My grandfather was president for two years. And my mother has volunteered almost every year to help with the pageants.

So, my family has deep roots in the festivals.

Plus.. my dad is a Rice Farmer.

Very deep roots.

We took Joshua this year and he had a blast riding the rides. It was not as a I remember it though. The food wasn't as good (we don't eat a lot of fried food anymore), the rides weren't as big (where was the zipper ride?), the festival didn't seem to have many shops set up (I needed some retail therapy!). I don't know why, but i felt different. It didn't feel like the exciting festival it use to be.

However, the smiles on Joshua face told me that it was the festival I remember... I am grown up now, but to a child.. this is the happiest place on earth.

We caught up with family, and Joshua was excited to ride the trucks with his cousin Austin.

We saw friends too... Joshua loves Lilly and Olivia. He asks to see them every time we drive to Winnie.

Check out the name of his airplane... John and I laughed so hard about it.  

So, although it wasn't what I remember. I will say that we ended up having a wonderful time, and we will continue to come back every year because this is our family history.

Breast Cancer: Post 3

I know Houston has the best medical center in the world.

I know the hospital has the best doctors in the world.

People come from all over to see these doctors, but this center...

on this day... I did not want to ever go back.

Our first visit.. went great.

Second visit.. we found out the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes.

Third visit...

(today)

This was our third visit. Today we found out there is even more cancer.

It's more than they thought. A little worse than they thought.

Stage 2B.

No more lumpectomy.

She will have to have a full mastectomy.

She will have to have reconstruction.

There will be genetic testing.

I think we were all heartbroken. We thought it would be a lot easier. However, if there is one thing I can say about my mother.. she is strong. Stronger than me.. stronger than anyone I know. She can make it through this. She will make it through this. There is no doubt in my mind, she WILL beat this.

As for that hospital I didn't want to return to.... I do and will return to it.

We met a lady today who is 13 years post surgery. She was happy and cheerful and encouraging. She said that this was the best place anywhere. And I believed her.

So although I feel like every time we return to the hospital...  the news gets worse and worse.

I remember.

This is the best place in the world for what she has.

They will take care of her...

.. and she will beat this.

Her surgery is scheduled for October 27, 2011.

Seven On Sunday's

1. Daddy the Baker.
2. My Little Aggie.
3. Coloring pretty pictures.
4. Super Joshua!
5. Playing with Alphie.
6. Cowboy Joshua.
7. Sneak peak of more decorations.

Three Year Old Homework

Say what??

Yes.. apparently Three Year Olds do have homework...

.. lots of homework.

He did a pretty good job though and was very willing and eager to learn.

I am actually looking forward to doing this with him every week... am I crazy??

He is excited too... every week he gets a star for turning it in. When you reach 4 stars you get a toy prize.

Yippee!!

Toasting Tuesday's

Spinach and Cheese Quiche

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 10-oz. package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyère
• 1 9-inch unbaked pie shell
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• Salt and pepper
• Pinch of ground nutmeg

Preparation

• 1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. In a small skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute longer, stirring. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool.
• 2. Sprinkle onion mixture, spinach and Gruyère over bottom of pie shell. Beat eggs and milk together, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Gently pour into crust.
• 3. Bake quiche for 40 to 45 minutes, until set and nicely browned. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes.

Source:All You Magazine

Seven On Sunday's

1. Eating at Chili's.
2. Yum!
3. It's beginning to look like Halloween.
4. Watching tv.
5. There is a monkey loose in my house!!
6. He was pretending to be 'George' from Curious George.
7. Free Kisses from one cute Firefighter!!

The Return of Daddy

Today was the day... Daddy came back home.

Nine weeks.

Nine weeks... without seeing my best friend.

Nine weeks.. without Joshua seeing his daddy.

It was hard for Joshua to understand, but the moment when he saw his daddy was priceless.

They hugged... and hugged... and hugged some more....

...and hugged some more. Joshua would not let go.

Until about 3 minutes went by... then Joshua finally released his daddy.

Relieved he was home.

He helped his daddy bring his bags into the house.

That night we took Daddy to Olive Garden to celebrate.. we are so glad to have him back.

So glad for him to finally be... home.

Cyan is Turning One!

Miss Cyan is going to be turning one year old, and I was awarded the privilege of taking her birthday pictures. She was a great little girl to work with, .....and even she had a lot of fun. These are a few of my favorite pictures from today's session.

The Cancer Update

In the past week my mother has had two meetings with MD Anderson. The first went great.. the latter was a little more disappointment than we were hoping for.

On Thursday, September 8, she had her first check in and meeting with the hospital. Everything went great.. smooth.. she moved from room to room taking care of everything she needed.. check in.. doctor visit.. blood work....

It was a lot faster than we though.

But good news..

Her doctor said that from what Beaumont found, the cancer was only in her right breast and was only in stage 1. This would just require a lumpectomy and 6 weeks of radiation and 5 years of a pill.

Not so bad.

But wait.. the Beaumont doctors failed to check her lymph nodes. So another appointment was scheduled for that following Monday.



Monday.

She was poked and prodded to get samples of tissue. After a small wait... she was called back.

Only to find out.. the cancer had spread.

It was in her lymph nodes.. 2 of them.

Stage 2. Chemo.

Not what we wanted to hear.


We are all ok though. Its really hard to hear, but we have known people that were by far worse and they made it through and there is no doubt in my mind, she will too. I need my mom.

She returns on the 26th of this month to find out what the next step will be. Right now the cancer is at a Stage 2, but they are growing it for 5-7 days.  Depending on a few items, the cancer could move up another stage or so. 

I have faith in God though and I believe that the worst news has pass. He does not give us anything we can't handle, and as a family, we will be there for her and for each other.

Toasting Tuesday's

Black Bean and Squash Chili

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 onions, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 jalapeños, seeded and minced
• 4 15-oz. cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 14.5-oz. cans diced fire-roasted tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons cumin
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 4 cups butternut squash (about 2 lb.), peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch dice
• Salt and pepper

Preparation

• 1. Warm oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions until tender, about 3 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add bell peppers and jalapeños; sauté until tender, about 3 minutes.
• 2. Transfer pepper mixture to slow cooker. Stir in beans, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin and oregano. Arrange squash on top. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
• 3. Season chili with salt and pepper. Serve with sour cream, salsa and other accompaniments, if desired.

Source: All You Magazine

Seven On Sunday's

1. Checking out the books.
2. Eating on the Patio.
3. Shore to ship call... 'Come pick us up!!"
4. The boat docks.
5. Wooden Roller coaster.
6. Our Book Stash.
7. Remember.