6 Month Follow-Up & Surgery

I’m still visiting my breast surgeon and oncologist every 6 month for follow up appointments, along with yearly mammograms. I’m happy to report that my mammogram was clear! During my appointment with the oncologist, I mentioned that I was having some back pain. Last year I was diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease so back pain isn’t something new but it usually comes and goes; this time it has been hanging around for a few weeks and got to be pretty bad. My oncologist, always erring on the side of caution, sent me for an MRI. Praise the Lord, it was clear! In fact, it showed no progression in my DDD since last year so that’s a plus! We still don’t know what has aggravated my back, causing the pain but it’s tolerable and I can live with it.

When I diagnosed 3 years ago, my desire was to have a double mastectomy. We went into treatment taking the most aggressive approach possible. However, since I needed radiation, I wouldn’t be able to have reconstruction for 1-2 years after the surgery.  I wasn’t emotionally strong enough to wait for reconstruction so I opted to go ahead with a lumpectomy. Fast forward 3 years … My skin is healed from radiation and I am scheduled for a double mastectomy tomorrow morning. Research still supports a lumpectomy with radiation as being just as effective as a mastectomy for my subtype of breast cancer.  Even though I understand the research, there are many reasons why I am opting to have this surgery. I'll save those for another post, I'm not ready to get that deep tonight. I have complete trust in my surgeons but I’m very nervous and scared for the recovery process. Please say a quick prayer all goes smoothly tomorrow. I will keep everyone updated on the recovery!

Aiden's Beach Bash Birthday

We celebrated Aiden’s 6^th Birthday with a Beach Bash at ECU’s North Rec Complex this weekend. There was a short rain shower in the middle of the party – perfect time for cake pops and snacks – but the bad weather held off until RIGHT after the party ended!

The kids and some adults too, enjoyed an afternoon of kayaking and paddling boarding. I was a little nervous, since you can’t swim in the lake, that it was going to be hard to keep a bunch of youngins out of the water but A has some awesome, well-mannered friends that played on the beach and splashed until it was their turn to kayak! An extra special thank you to the older kids and adults that helped us out and took kids out onto the lake, we appreciate the help.

We really just wanted his friends to come, hang out and have fun! So instead of gifts, Aiden asked his friends to bring a food item to be donated to Backpack Pals and everyone was so generous!

I did catch some slack on the no gift request but don’t worry, Aiden received plenty of gifts! He is a very blessed little boy with lots of people that love and spoil him. We strive to teach him about giving back to others; we talked about organizations and ways he could help and he chose Backpack Pals! He is excited to drop off the items later this week.

Some days it feels like I blinked and here I am with a 6 year old, other days I’m counting down the minutes to bedtime, but this boy changed my life and has my heart! He is full of energy and spunk, can have a smart mouth (that’s the Jersey in him), always on the go, only has one volume – loud, and can’t sit in a chair to save his life. He also has the biggest, kindest heart, loves to learn & explore, is funny, and has the best white-boy moves in Greenville. I’m so glad God picked me to be his mommy!

6 Year Old Favorites 

What your favorite color? Orange

What’s your favorite toy? Legos 

What’s your favorite food? Pizza

What’s your favorite TV show? Casey Undercover

What’s your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Jersey Mike’s

What’s your favorite outfit? Superhero shirts

What’s your favorite game? Candyland

What’s your favorite snack? Goldfish

What’s your favorite song? All About That Bass by Megan Trainor

What’s your favorite book? Any book about snakes

Favorite restaurant?  Basils

Who’s your best friend? Marley

What’s your favorite thing to do outside? Play basketball and ride my bike

What’s your favorite drink? Sprite

What’s your favorite holiday? Halloween

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? My stuffed animals

What’s your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Pancakes

What’s your best memory? Washington DC and Spy Museum

What do you want to be when you grow up? Paramedic