Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Frozen Bait Au Gratin. Mammogram Results.

I have 4,325 pictures to post and 2,594 little ol’ stories to tell of Recent Events in the Lives of the Smith Clan. I guess maybe I need to streamline things a bit.

First of all, for those of you who made valiant (and mostly correct) guesses about the photos posted yesterday, I’ve included the photo descriptions at the bottom of this post.

And now, I’ll start from the beginning of our “Family in Town Week” and over the next few days, take you on a few pictorial journeys concerning some of our activities.

We had told Snowy several times last week that “grandma and grandpa” were coming to visit. He loves hearing the words “grandma and grandpa” (because they sneak him treats) and he gives us a major head tilt every time we say the words.

Here he is, established by the front door in order to be the first person in the greeting line.

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Then he thinks he hears a noise. Could it be them?

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A head tilt follows accompanied by earnest pondering.

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He thinks, “I’d better get up and take a look. I’d better scope out the situation. I’d better secure the perimeter. I’d better . . . um. . . I think I lost my train of thought.”

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And this is where Snowy forsakes his greeting duty altogether and ambles into the kitchen for a perusal of any recent crumbs fallen to the floor. Disciplined focus is not his gift.

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While Snowy was meandering about, I was busy planning recipes and making menus. For me that requires a lot of stuff, including a calculator which lets me know if my cuisine dreams are budgetarily feasible, or not. Always better to find that out before getting to the check out counter!

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When I got the to grocery store, I saw a sign I had never noticed before.

Frozen bait? Really? Surely frozen bait is only found in grocery stores near the ocean. Anyone else (away from the ocean) ever seen that sign? For some reason, it just struck me funny. “Hello, family members! Tonight I am going to be serving you Frozen Bait Au Gratin.” Doesn’t it make you just want to come and have dinner with us?

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What we had instead was a wonderful new chicken dish that I will post a recipe for later on.

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Finally, the moment came and the Parents of the Parson arrived.

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Hugging ensued.

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And then Snowy got to accompany Grandma and Grandpa into our new house for their very first visit ever! (He’s trying to check over Grandpa’s shoulder to see if Grandma is coming. He’s very thoughtful like that.)

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. . . to be continued.

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And now for a bit of news about my mammogram:

After the preliminary pictures were taken, the technician asked me to wait while she showed them to the radiologist. The technician arrived back and said he wanted magnifications done of a certain area on the left side. Those were done. I waited some more. For a long time.

Finally, the technician arrived back in the room, followed by the radiologist. I have discovered that it is usually not a good sign when the radiologist shows up in person, instead of just sending cheery little messages back via the technician like, “Everything looks great. You’re good to go.” I have a pretty dismal record when it comes to hearing those kinds of happy reports.

The radiologist told me that that he saw micro calcifications that are “a serious concern.” I guess what makes them a concern as opposed to “non concerning calcifications” is that they are smaller than “regular” calcifications (which are almost always benign), are isolated and have irregular shapes.

So. An appointment is being made for me to consult with a surgeon for a biopsy. The radiologist is hopeful that the biopsy can be done stereotactically which would be much less invasive than a surgical biopsy. My family doctor should receive the report today and will start getting the wheels in motion.

I was told by a doctor a while ago that since my breasts have a long history of manufacturing abnormal tissue, at some point along the way, one of those would probably eventually be cancer. And every time I go in for a mammogram I always think, “Is this it? Has the time come?”

Am I concerned? Yes. Have I cried? Yes. Is it ruining my day? Nope.

I’ll keep you posted as we go along; thanks so much for your concern and prayers.

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And now, the descriptions of the pictures posted yesterday:

Pictures 1 and 2 and 5: Eating my birthday meal at a local restaurant with Steve’s parents and Nathan and Meagan. Also, the view out of the window of the restaurant.

Picture 3: the breakfast that Steve and Sarah prepared and delivered to me to be enjoyed in my pajamas

Picture 4: Sarah is part of a group that is doing a drama/interpretive movement presentation on Easter Sunday. It involves each participant using sticks to act out a song. Sarah did her part of the song for the assembled family (and Snowy) in honor of my birthday. It was so special!

(If you can't picture what I'm talking about, here's another group that did the same song, using the sticks. It is really creative!)

Arise, My Love

Picture 6: The Hugging of the Relatives Ritual

Picture 7: The first night Nathan was home, I came downstairs early in the morning and saw him sleeping on the couch with one foot hanging out. I took a picture just because I was thankful for that foot! (And especially thankful for the College Dude attached to it.)

Speaking of the College Dude, he is out right now, diligently searching for a summer job. This afternoon, he has a doctor’s appointment for follow up blood work related to his thyroid issue. You can be sure he’s going to eat something this time so we don’t have another Collapsing College Dude incident!

14 Had Something To Say (Just click here!):

Anonymous said...

I got most of the pictures right, though I did not leave them in the comments. Did not get Sarah and her movement right. My son was in movement choir at our church for a couple years as a youth. Not sure if it is the same kind of thing. It is so touching to watch. I was amazed he participated. Pretty girls/friends helped! I hope my daughter is in this years group. Would love to see a video of Sarah's.

I will pray for your biopsy thingie. I hate asking this but have they ever mentioned proactive mastectomy for you?
Jill, FL

lesley said...

Oh Becky, I hope you can get the less invasive biopsy. Did you have this type of calcifications in your last cancer scare or are they a new development? I was wondering if this was going to be just more of the same for you.
How wonderful that Steve parents could make the trip!! Snowy must have been in his glory :)

MaryH said...

Becky, we will man the prayer waiting room for any and all results of further testing following your mammogram and you continue to not let these upcoming events ruin your day because, we did this once, we will do it again, and all will be fine. I am standing firm on that belief. Snowy, you are the cutest and the best watcher-outter-for-grandparents of a dog ever. My "granddog" loves coming to visit me because of the abundance of treats I keep for him and our own dog!

Carrie B said...

I love the picture of Grandpa and Grandma, so sweet that they are holding hands. :)

I know what you mean about actually seeing the radiologist in person . . . saying a prayer that you'll be "good to go"

Just sayin'

Michelle said...

You are in my prayers, Becky.

Anonymous said...

Hey Becky,

So thankful that your Radiologist knows what he is doing! Early detection is the KEY! I was mis- dx'ed because of bad Doc. You will be in my prayers and I am sure that you will be just fine with or without BC! Speaking as someone who has been there and done that 3 times.:-) Blessed!
Robin www.caringbridge.org/visit/robinfarley

Jessica Kramasz said...

I will be praying for you!

Anonymous said...

Hey Becky,
I had a stereotactic biopsy a couple of years ago and just thought I'd mention a couple of things that I learned. First of all, the procedure was very interesting. The only painful part of the procedure itself was having to lie in one position for quite some time with my neck in an awkward position. I was told to wear a sports bra afterward, which was fine for several hours, but then I had some swelling and was getting pretty uncomfortable until I took the bra off. Ahhhhh! Don't know why it took me so song to figure it out. The surprising thing was the amount of bruising. After a day or two, almost the whole breast turned black and blue, but it wasn't painful at all. Pretty impressive, though! My husband is a fish biologist and they use "pit tags" on the fish to show which ones were spawned at the hatchery. When they did my biopsy, they put a little tag inside my breast to show where they had taken the sample in case I needed followup procedure (I didn't :)). So I called him and said, "Guess what, honey? I have a pit tag now." Anyway, I'll be praying for you and just wanted to share my experience. God bless.
jenny

Anonymous said...

will be praying for you, Becky....


mrs pam

Anonymous said...

I hope you end up with the less invasive biopsy, Becky, and that everything turns out okay!

Now for a question: Why is it that "Arise My Love" is done with sticks? I must have missed that day in youth group/Sunday School. =)

Anonymous said...

The photos of Snowy in this post are irresistible. No clearer have we seen the "lovable" in your dog!

Praying with you for continued grace concerning your health, Becky, and that of your family.

--Lori (Christoffersen) Johnson of Washington state (formerly of Wisconsin)

Anonymous said...

Praying for great results. My aunt (we are VERY close) is going through treatment for DCIS (which now that I typed that I think you knew that). Nevertheless, I will pray for another 6 mos. reprieve.

How is Sarah feeling. I sure hope this note is finding her feeling better.

Love, Jodi

jmckemie said...

Praying that you get good results from your upcoming biopsy. Had most of the pictures right - but the one of Sarah practicing - looked like she was taking up the art of "divining" but was pretty sure that unless she found the pipes there was no water under that carpet! I have never seen a movement choir perform but have heard they are a truly worshipful experience.

Sue G said...

Becky, my breast biopsy was easy breezy. Two doctors. Two nurses. A boatload of Ativan drip. All was well. Your prayer warriors are already lining up to man the prayer chains. And God hears us. He always does.

Changing subjects: I can't help by "hate" you just a a little bit. Your house is so clean you could eat off the floors (and I saw the photos to prove it!). Amazing, with all you have going on, you still keep an immaculate home. You told me you were a great organizer. I believe it!!!!

It's always wonderful for us to see the family together. It brings such joy into our hearts knowing the joy that fills yours when they are around. Summer is close and soon Nathan will be underfoot and loving it! Good luck finding a job, Nathan. Something tells me that you will be a welcome addition to that cute little resort town during their busy season.