DBU Surgery Scheduled

I finally had my appointment with the surgeon on Friday the 16th. I meet with Dr. Cashman (she went to Dobson) and got my appointment scheduled for the 28th.

Loopy

When I got the call that I needed to have a biopsy, it threw me for a loop. I think it was because I already spoke with the radiologist nurse about the discharge results coming back normal. In my head I was done, no more tests, no more worries. I knew that I still had to hear back from my doctor's office with the full report, but sometimes what you know mentally doesn't click with what you feel emotionally. I'm over it now. Whoo Hoo more test (can you hear the sarcasm?)

More DBU

My appointment on the 30th went well. It was strange getting a mammogram, but that was nothing compaired to the ductogram. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't comfortable. I guess a lot of women usually experience more pain or discomfort during it, so I was lucky (or I have a high pain tolerence). Google ductogram if you want the details of the procedure. The doctor said it was an old school technique and he was old enough to know how to perform the procedure. He was funny because before he started, he was very frank and told me he was going to be messing with my breast to get the contrast injected. I told him that I knew what was going to happen because I had done some research on what a ductogram was.

The part that was not comfortable was when he injected the contrast solution. I felt if burning as it was slowly injected. I was pretty much watching the whole procedure (except for when the wire was inserted) and as the doctor was about halfway done injecting the contrast I said, "you have to inject the entire syringe?" My duct felt full (probably is similar to what breast feeding women feel), however the rest got injected and we took a few more pictures on the mammo machine. They put a little sticker on your nipple to keep you from leaking the contrast and then they smosch your boob 10-15 times. Is it any wonder I was sore the rest of the day and night? When the tech took the first picture after the procedure, the doctor, tech and nurse were all behind the safety glass (I have no clue what it is really called) and when they saw the image the doctor said, "DUDE!" I almost started laughing, but I was still in the machine.

I found on on Friday, Oct 2nd that the lab results for the discharge they took came back normal. So no weird cells or infection. On Monday, Oct 5th I got a call from my doctor with the radiologist results from the mammo and they ordered a biopsy. I don't have that scheduled until the 21st. I might try to get an appointment sooner, because I really don't want to wait two more weeks. The waiting sucks!

The DBU

FYI- this post contains "women's" issues.

I always knew someone in my immediate family would have breast health issues, so it wasn't really a surprise that I am having my share. My mom, Nicole and Leah have had some minor issue and my aunt has had breast cancer, so the family history is there.

About a month ago I noticed some rusty colored discharge from my left breast. I did a little research online and found that discharge is not that uncommon for women, however it should be bilateral and not ongoing. I only had it on the one side and I noticed evidence of it when I woke up in the morning. I also learned in my research that once you get your period usually it will go away. True enough after I got my period I didn't have the discharge, so I stopped thinking about it. However, the discharge started again and then I found a lump in a self exam. On 9/14 I went to my doctor and she confirmed the lump. She recommended I get an ultrasound to find out what was going on.

On Wed., 9/16 I had the ultrasound. That was an interesting experience. Me being a single, Mormon girl, it's not like I go around flashing my 'girls' and well they are a little above average in size. The ultrasound technician was very nice and I got to watch as she took the images of the interior of my breast. She took several stills of the ultrasound and measured some areas of suspect. After that I went back to work and to wait for the results. While I was waiting for the results, I was so lucky to put up with my brother and brother-in-law's jokes. Waiting for those results was nerve racking. I did not find out my results until Tuesday the 22nd. After calling my doctor's office twice and learning they did not have the results yet I called the radiologist on Monday. I found out the radiologist had been on vacation the week of my utlrasound and was getting caught up that day. I really, really wish I had know that, it would have saved me some stress.

I got my results on Tuesday the 22nd. They found three different spots. One is a small complex cystic mass, the second is a much bigger complex lobular (lobe leads to the duct which leads to the nipple) well circumscribed (confined) mass. The third is another large lobular complex mass. The conclusion of the finds is that I need more tests. On Wednesday the 30th I am getting a diagnostic mammogram adn a ductogram. The ductogram sounds uncomfortable, but I will let you know how it was when it is done.

My family and friends have been very supportive. My dad and brother gave me a blessing which helped out. My stress isn't too bad about it. Just in wait and see mode right now.

More to come on the DBU (Deb's Boob Update) after tests are done.

Gravity Interrupted?

FYI- for those who don't know Tara had a "gravity incident" this weekend. She tripped in a parking lot, got all sorts of yucky stuff in her knee and gashed it pretty good. We started cleaning it out at home and found it was pretty deep. She ended up going to urgent care (pain meds!) and got 5 stitches. Lucky for her a local pain shot lasts for about six hours, so she wasn't feeling it until that evening. Bad for her, shes not supposed to bend her knee so she doesn't ripe out her stitches.

Under Pressure

Who knew that a pinhole leak could make such a mess? I had a water leak my main line this week. Oh, the joys of home ownership. I dug up most of it (yes ME) and then the plumber dug up the rest and fixed it. He showed me the part of the pipe that was leaking and you can't even see the hole. However, when you put enough pressure behind something, it is going to erupt like Old Faithful. Okay, it wasn't that bad, but it felt like it. The only good thing about that whole situation was that I learned to be grateful for running water, I learned how to turn off my water at the city shut off, and I learned that I don't like digging in mud. Needless to say, I am so glad to have running water again, YEAH!

I have pictures that I will post later.

Time Flies

This weekend went by so fast. Stamp Club was on Friday night and we have two new ladies in our group. Apparently I have a twin out there. One of the new stampers, Michelle, said I look just like her brother's fiancee. Interesting, huh!

Saturday was a girls night! We went to yummy Olive Garden. The group sitting next to us had a guy with a laugh that was more like a bark and it was LOUD. I thought Nicole was going to pee her pants one time he "laughed". His laugh had such a startle factor. We then went to Gammage to see Wicked. Since we got our tickets a million years ago we were all excited to finally see the play. It was great! I really liked the music and how the story played with "The Wizard of OZ." I wish I would have brought some opera glasses or that we had been a little closer so I could have seen facial expressions on the actors. I would definately go see that show again!

June 13th - Mom's Birthday - Okay so this post is a little late...

I'm trying to catch up on my blog, so some events may be a bit out of order. Hey, at least I'm trying to get caught up. I just don't work on my computer at home in the evening because I'm on the computer all day at work. Beside, my home computer is turned off most of the time, because the fan in it is loud and it bugs Tara when she is doing homework.

June 13th was my mom's birthday. We celebrated it on Sunday, June 14th.

Mom, Halli & Kin. The kids like to help pass out the presents.


And sometimes they like to help open the presents...

Colby, cheese! He was being very lovey that day.


These are just a few pictures I took at home that same day.

View from inside looking at the backyard. My yard looks pretty good. I was still trying to revive by grass at that point. I finally figured out that my sprinklers suck! They don't have enough water pressure to cover the full area. I have been supplementing the sprinklers by watering in the evening and what do you know, I have green grass.

This picture also shows one of the chairs that Tara got for the back porch. The are very comfy.

This is a typical position for Pumbaa. On a pillow on Tara's lap. He doesn't do this with me that often because I don't know how to sit still. Also, in the background on my window seat you can see some of my card making, scrap booking stuff. This is also a typical sight to see at my house. I am usually doing some sort of craft and the window seat becomes my immediate supply/storage station and I work on my portable table.


My hair is finally getting past my shoulders. You can sort of tell in this picture, but you can't see the longer layer.

Father's Day

We celebrated Father's Day on June 21st at Mom & Dad's home. Dad got some yummy treats and got to spend some time with some of his kids.

Here is Dad and McKinnley.

More treats!

Tara


Me, Deb! Out in the backyard. It actually wasn't horribly hot that day. Just hot.


My Pumbaa. Pretty good picture, he doesn't look like a black blob.

Colby hanging out on the table.

Tara and Colby. LOL. Colby is a goof ball on purpose most of the time.

Oh, lookey, Colby actualy let me take a nice picture without any fingers or funny faces.

Pamelas sunflowers. They got very tall this year. Maybe about 8 feet?

Halli on the swings.


McKinnley on the swings. Wild blond fro!

Colby with the rope bracelet he had for camp. I think he called it a dead man's knot.

They burned the ends to keep it from fraying and the shorten the ends.


Halli, McKinnley & Colby in the back yard.

Happy Birthday McKinnley!

On Sunday we celebrated McKinnley's birthday. She turned 7 years old on May 11th. She got a bunch of cute clothes, some hair ties with bling and a book from Grandma and Grandpa. I got her a pink bracelet. Pamela is taking her to get a manicure and pedicure on Saturday.
The birthday girl, McKinnley

Miss Halli, finally out of her cast.

Miss Deborah, the photograher

Halli, Pamela, Dad & Mom

This is what I did for McKinnley for her birthday. There is a bracelet in the bag.










How do you like Colby's toe socks?

We had to try out the new hair ties.

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FYI- the girls are wearing Colby's t-shirts because they got sunburned the day before swimming.

Mother's Day

Here are some pictures from today at Mom and Dad's house for family dinner and to celebrate Mother's Day.


I made this for mom out of wood block letters and then mod podged paper onto the blocks:

A week or so ago I mod podged my initials so I knew that I wanted to do something like that for my mother's day present to my mom. This is how my initials turned out:

Isn't the owl cute?!

Pamela's cactus in the backyard is blooming

Self portrait, since I am usually the one taking pictures at family stuff, this is the only way I get a picture of me in the mix.

Tara

Here is Pamela wearing a cute new shirt and crocheting a shawl

Pumbaa and his rabbit

Here's Dad. His forehead is all healed up and you can't even see the scar from where they removed the cancer.

Matt, he just got a haircut, can you tell???

This is normal to see Matt texting all the time.

Belle (Pumbaa's mom) and Pumbaa

Mom