MRI Day

I took 2 .25mg tranquilizers before I went  to have my MRI today.  They helped, but I should have taken at least one more!  But, by the time the MRI was done, I was pretty relaxed..  It's really good to get that over with!  Now, I talk to the surgeon again on Friday - this time about the MRI results.  Then nothing for 6 days when I have the surgery.  Pray that the MRI showed nothing else!

After my MRI, we went to The Pub for lunch.  The hospital was so cold that we needed to sit in the sun just to warm up!

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Monday

Yay - the dentist appointments are history!  We both got through without any cavities!  It was beautiful here today.  Warm and plentiful sunshine! 

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Sunday

Great sermon today.  In light of the three hate crimes this week, Pastor Jack preached about loving your neighbor as yourself and about people who are bullies have an absence of love.  He asked us to Google a video called "The Making of a Bully From Scratch".  Very interesting video - chilling.  You can see so many of the shooters in this short video.  They feel an absence of love, definitely.

When we got home from church, Bob & Ann pulled in shortly after. We helped them unload their car and then we went to Peter's for breakfast.  This evening we all sat out visiting until we had to come in to Skype with Bryan's family. 

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Saturday

Game Day!  Before the game, Dave and I went to Lowe's for a light fixture for the master bath.  It is really bright in there now!  We even took time to eat at Village Inn!  We won a gift card from there, so we were able to spend it!

Then it was game time.  Dave got the ISU-Texas Tech game on the little box, so I sat out in the lanai and watched it.  I'm sure people thought I was weird - I was yelling!!  Good win, Cyclones!  I even did my manicure out there while I was watching the game.

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Sawgrass

We went to Sawgrass for the first time this season.  We saw 1 alligator, an ibis and an anhinga.  That was all!  It was windy, so that may have been why we didn't see many animals.  It was still a great walk, regardless!

That was about all we did today.  Bob & Ann are on their way! 

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Thursday

Another day, another doctor's appointment!  Today I had an appointment with my primary doctor here.  As soon as she looks at my blood workup she'll be able to tell me if I'm cleared for surgery.  I'm a little concerned that my blood workup got lost, though.  She should have it by now.

We had repairmen here and at Bob's today and the carpet cleaners at Sue & Penny's.  Plus it was WW day.  I lost the 2 pounds I added last week!! 

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Interesting Day

Someone tried to steal one of the bingo tvs.  Anyway that's the way it appears to us.  We met with KC to see what we could do about it.  Of course, she had no suggestions except to tell the residents to stop vandalizing our park!  Like that's going to work!

After coffee, we came home and while Dave was outside, he accidentally bumped our electrical pole and shorted out out electrical box.  That cost $500+ - at least the electrician came within 2 hours! 

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More Appointments

Now I have a date with an MRI machine - yuck!  On Oct 30th, I will have my MRI and then on Nov. 2nd I'll discuss the results with the surgeon.  In the meantime, I worry about the MRI.  This is the thing I've been dreading most about this latest development in my life journey.  Today they told me I would have contrast dye also.  The last time I had contrast dye, I broke out in hives big time!  They assured me this would not be the same kind of dye.  Great.  Something else to worry about!  Might have to take two tranquilizers to get thru this test!!

Dave and I voted today.  Didn't really have to wait.

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Dr's day

I had my appointment with the surgeon today.  I really liked her!  She's very personable and seems very knowledgeable.  I think I'll be in good hands.  I will have my surgery on November 8th, heal for a couple of weeks and then start radiation for 3-6 weeks.  I was also able to get several things done today for pre-op.  I had blood and urine work done today, along with an EKG and a chest xray.  Thursday I have a pre-op appointment with my primary doctor down here.  After I have an MRI, then I'll be ready for surgery. 

When we finally got out of the clinic, Dave and I went to Columbia Restaurant for lunch.  It was lovely by the water...a little windy, but cooler and less humidity. 

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Saturday and Sunday

Yesterday was a hot one here, but we had errands to run anyway.  By the time we got back, I was drenched! 

Today we went to church...great sermon!  After church we went down to the beach to see the chalk art.  There were hundreds of people, but it was a gorgeous day today so it didn't matter!  I had Bealls Bucks to use, so we stopped and got me a pair of capris, a skort, and a top!  When we got home, Dave took a nap - I read.  Then I went for my first bike ride of the season.  Did I tell you that it was gorgeous here today?  Oh, that's right, I did!

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Friday

Beautiful day at the Legion!  Yes, it was hot, but we sat in the shade of an umbrella!  There was also a nice breeze  that helped.  We met Sudi and Howard there and it's always good to  see them after being gone all summer.

We also went shopping today.  I got 10 tops and 4 pair of shorts for $200!  Pretty good day, I'd say!

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Thursday

This was my WW day.  Now that I'm on maintenance, I've been given 5 extra points per day.  The object is to be able to add some food so that I don't continue to lose weight and not so much food that I gain weight.  I am also given a range - 2 pounds under goal to 2 pounds over goal.  For the next 6 weeks I have to stay in that 4 pound range.  I gained weight this week, but I'm still in my range.  Now, I'll adjust my points again.  Since I was at 28, I'll go back down to 23-24 for this week and lose what I gained.  It's a constant process.  I liked losing better than maintaining!

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Good to be here!

It's really good to be back.  I love getting to wear shorts again!  Everyone down here survived the summer and seem to be excited to get the fall season going.  The hall looks really good with the new paint and  the Halloween/Fall decorations.  Bingo went well last night.  The new machine and screens need a little getting used to, but it didn't take long until we were all enjoying it.  I even doubled my money last night! 

Playing cards tonight, I wasn't quite so lucky.  Pat and I played Sandy & Marilyn and while we had a lot of fun, Sandy hasn't lost her touch!  She is the luckiest person! 

Dave and I almost have everything put away and cleaned.  We've just got a few things on our to-do list this year! 

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Monday

I drove thru downpours this morning.  Glad to get to Mississippi because it wasn't raining there. We're in Perry, FL tonight.  Should get into The Ranch by noon if all goes well. 

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Sunday

Day 1 is in  the books.  We are in Jackson, Tennessee.  Started out at 7:30 this morning and got to our motel around 5:30.  Long day and I'm tired!

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4th birthday

Aidan is 4 today!  He had such a good birthday!  He got some really cool toys and loved his ice cream and cake.  Kaitlyn pretty much slept thru the whole thing! 

I had tears when we said goodbye to him.  He told me he'd call me, though!!

We're all packed and ready to go after breakfast in the morning.  Our first goal is Jackson, TN! 

Great day for football, too!  Plus, the trees are beautiful right now.

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Friday

Dave and I cleaned the house today.  I dusted and cleaned the refrigerator and freezer while he vacuumed.  We've got everything done except for the kitchen and that's where things are that are going to be packed into the car.  After Dave gets that stuff out of the kitchen, we can clean that floor and we're done!

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Thursday

We had a chilly day here - only in the 40's with a brisk wind.  Glad we're getting ready to head out.  Can't wait to get back into my shorts. 

Dave got antsy today so went out to Bryan's to work.  I have my clothes and everything packed.  Other than my computer and cameras and makeup, I'm pretty much ready to clean house tomorrow and then pack the car. 

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I made it!

Yes, I finally lost 50 pounds...50.6 to be exact!  Plus, I made it to my doctor's ideal weight for me today - my goal!  I lost 2 pounds this week!  Now I need to stay within a 4 pound area (2 over or 2 under) for the next 6 weeks.  This is called maintenance.  They added 5 points to my daily total so that I stop losing.  Hope it works!

Tonight we played Family Feud downstairs again.  Someone had to end up last...yes, it was me!  I'm not very good at that game, but it was still fun!

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Rain, rain, rain

I am getting just a bit tired of rain!  Today was no different - it rained off and on all day and is still raining.  I just got back from my PEO meeting in Cedar Falls.  I'd never been there before and driving wasn't very fun with the rain and the dark, wet roads!  But I made it safe and sound!  That's my last PEO meeting until we get back in May.

It is 76 in our condo tonight, so I just turned on the air conditioner.  Thursday, however, it is supposed to be a high of 47! 

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Sad

I'm very sad today.  One of my boys is devastated today.  His son (25) had gone to Austin City Limits in Texas.  On Saturday morning, he told his friends he was going down to the dock.  (They were staying in an apartment that was lakeside.)  He was inebriated.  It was between 5:30 and 6:00 AM.  He hasn't been seen since.  Now they have found a body of a male in his 20's in the lake.  Rick and his wife and other son, Matt, are in our prayers big time.  No parents should have to go through this. 

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Sunday

Today's sermon was about Jesus scolding his disciples for turning away the children from coming to him and how we should become as a child, for theirs is the kingdom of God.  It was also World Communion Sunday, so millions of Christians around the world were having communion this day.  Pretty awesome!  We said goodbye to our fellow parishioners and the pastors - always sad!

This evening we went to Bryan's for dinner.  It was cold and drizzling all day and tonight too.  It was hard driving home because of the dark and the rain and the fog.  I watched DWTS Juniors tonight.  Wow, those kids can dance!

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Saturday

This was a good day!  My niece, Linda, came to Waterloo to pick me up for the day.  We went to Cedar Falls because she had some shopping to do.  We hit Target, Old Navy, Ulta, and Carter's Baby store!  What a fun time.  Oh yeah, we also ate lunch at Zsavooz Bar & Grill.  We tried to get the ZZ Leiden basketball game, but it wouldn't come in on their internet.  In case you didn't know, that's the team that Clayton (Kaylee's hubby) plays for in the Netherlands.  They got beat by 5 points, darn it! 

We got home in time to watch the ISU-Oklahoma State game.  It was a fun game with a true freshman starting QB who did an absolutely wonderful job of leading the Cyclones past a ranked OSU team! 

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Friday

Today was another quiet day.  I worked on paperwork and then I was able to talk Dave into helping me!  Then we were able to change our insurance to a local company.  They were very helpful and friendly.  Other than those things, we didn't do much.

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Thursday

Today was a fall-type day!  It was 36 here this morning...got up into the 50's.  The sun was out and the leaves are starting to be really pretty!  I even had the patio doors open about 2", letting in fresh air!  Don't mind these kind of days!

Dave worked at Bryan's this afternoon.  We had lots of wind all day yesterday, so Bryan's  lawn was littered with branches.  It was a good day for Dave to pick up sticks!  Plus he got to see baby Kaitlyn,  too.  I worked on this and that!  Reconciled the checking accounts, etc.

Now I'm sitting here with my flannel nightgown and my fuzzy socks on!

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Wednesday

I didn't get the result that I hoped to get when I met with the radiologist this afternoon.  I have a ductal carcinoma in-situ in my breast - 4 mm in size and it's still in the duct which is very good.  As soon as I get to Florida, I will be having an confirmation MRI followed by a lumpectomy and most likely radiation.  I am anxious to get it done before it becomes something major.  I've shed my tears of fear and talked to God.  He is in charge and with His blessings, I'll be just fine. 

This is Bryan's birthday, so tonight we met him and his family at Carlos O'kelly's for dinner.  It was a fun evening!  I even got to hold the baby!

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Interesting Day

The other day I had a mammogram.  They found an area of new calcification so asked me to come in for a follow up.  So today was that day.  I went in assuming I'd have another mammogram and I did.  I also met with the radiologist who told me she'd like to do a biopsy.  We did that today, too.  It was a stereotactic biopsy instead of a needle biopsy. I'm pretty sore, but I'm just glad that's over!  Now I go back tomorrow afternoon to hear the results.  Please say a prayer for me.

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Monday

Rainy and cold.  We had 2" of rain over the night and another 1" today during the day.  We've had 18+" of rain in September alone.  Way more than we normally have in 12 months!  The farmers may not get into the fields until the ground freezes!!

I finished my jack-o-lantern today...he's so cute!!

Other than finishing this, I didn't do much else!

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