Friday, August 14

I admit to being a bit lazy today. I've been trying to get certain things in place for my family and kids before any procedures take place. I changed our cell phone plan to reflect more realistic usage and talked to the school nurse to ask for her advice on what can be done for the girls once they're back in school. Karen said that the girls can, if they need to, take time from class to go down and see her, or to see Rachel Howard (school counselor). Karen is also going to talk to the principal to let him know what's going on in case there is any "noise" from the girls' teachers. That's one less thing to worry about. I also called the Human Development Center to find out about Ben getting in to see his regular counselor on a weekly basis. I learned that Ed only comes to Silver Bay every two weeks, but Ben could get in to see him weekly down in Two Harbors. Because Ben works in a program down in Two Harbors, I sent an email to the director of the DAC and asked her if it would be possible for Ben to be able to get to the HDC every week, at least for the time being. I haven't had a response, yet, but I'm sure I will very soon.

I've also started making a list of questions to ask the surgeon when we see him on Monday. I need to know, for example, how many days I can expect to be in the hospital, whether or not it will be a single or double mastectomy, how soon we can expect to know what stage the cancer is in, home recovery time, when chemo and radiation will probably start, the possibility of hair loss, and possible reconstructive surgery. I'm not so sure about the latter...it seems to me that breast implants could potentially get in the way of any future mamograms/ultrasounds, and that wouldn't be a good thing.

My dad is doing well enough at the Vet's Home. He doesn't know that I have cancer, and he's not going to know if at all possible. He certainly doesn't need any more upset in his life. More good stuff...I guess my aunts have all put me on the prayer chains at their churches, so I'm pretty sure that Redwood County is nicely covered :-) In addition, Kirstin has loads of Camp Survive people praying for me, including the seminarians, counselors, campers, etc. Again...thank you, everyone, for your prayers and your support. Blessings!