It's Been Awhile...

I never thought I would be away from this blog for so long, but three days after my last post I was scheduled for a regular screening colonoscopy. The news was not good. What followed was 3 and a half weeks that are almost a blur.

I had a 5-6 cm. mass in my rectum. The pathology came back as In Situ cancer which was good, but we had to meet with a colo-rectal surgeon, have and Endoscopic Ultrasound, and a PET Scan.

On Monday, the colo-rectal surgeon told us that the mass was movable and surgery was scheduled for Wednesday. The Ultrasound was Monday afternoon. The results of the Ultrasound showed a T3 tumor which was not good. Surgery was delayed a week and we were looking at the PET scan, which came back with no metastasizing, a quick surgery for biopsy, chemo/radiation for 6 weeks and then massive surgery including a colostomy.

A week ago I had the quick surgery. When the surgeon got in there, he found that there was not a T3 tumor, but localized cancer. He ended up excising the tumor completely. Pathology came back with In Situ cancer and heavy dysplasia. What that means is that I had Stage 0 rectal cancer. While that isn't great, it's the best news I've heard in a long time!

No further treatment is necessary. I will have another PET scan in 3 months and then get the privilege of colonoscopies every year... I'm so happy to have the privilege of a colonoscopy.

I have been blessed by a miracle from God. The end result of this experience is only because of all the people who prayed for me and I am humbled at the outcome.

It's Been A Long Time

Life has been moving pretty quickly around here... Anna is 3.5 weeks old!

Things are going OK. We learned Sunday that a good friend is in hospice. He has colon cancer and his wife, sister and step-daughter are all with him. We're praying for peace and understanding. Another good friend is scheduled for major back surgery on 21 February.

Our first night as hosts of our monthly card group was last Friday. Talk about a stressful day! All went well, but it took us 2 days to get the house back in shape.

Yesterday, was Valentine's Day. Special cards, special food, relaxing evening.... well, none of that happened. Men, you can't live with them and you can't live without them. 'Nuff said.

I have a lot to catch up on, but...

Anna Corine Martin, my first grandchild was born last Friday!

I'm afraid of my machine...

Yes, I have to admit it, I'm afraid of my sewing machine. I've been sewing for 50 years and almost 2 years ago I bought a brand new Bernina 830. The thing is huge and scary. I haven't sewn on it much because I am truly afraid of doing something wrong.

So it's December of 2010 and I decide to enroll in a school all about the 830 in Huntsville, Alabama. It's a Martha Pullen Licensing School. It's to be held in October 2011. I call and the Licensing lady is out for the holidays. She'll be back 4 January 2011. OK... I'll sign up then. Today, the 4th of January 2011, I call. The class is full. I'm on the waitlist. She thinks I have a good chance of making it to the school... but a sewing machine class in October is already full in January? Geesh!

Wonderful Christmas Eve

We had an extra special Christmas Eve this year. Everything was just about perfect with the exception that Stephanie and Dameon were in Amarillo and unable to join us.
We all gathered at Jackie and Cody's house, then on to their church for Christmas Eve services.
Then we were on our way to our favorite Turkish restaurant for too much delicious food. After that we all went back to Jackie's for the opening of the presents. Funniest moment, Bret thought he had gotten a Swiss Army knife only to find out it was chocolate! Most special moment was me opening a jewelry gift from John. He sure has good taste!
No weather worries this year, so Lizzie and Lane stayed awhile and John and I spent the night. Up the next morning for breakfast burritos and pumpkin pie. John and I went on home while Jackie and Cody packed up to go to his parents.
We had a quiet day and then Lizzie and Lane came over for dinner. It really was a special Christmas.

Christmas is coming

I've sent of Stephanie's package to Amarillo.... now need to start all the other wrapping necessary for the 3 daughters here and their husbands... I'm not a person who is big into wrapping...

Daygown is done (hand stitching), started on new project. Machine stitching will be done tomorrow.

Funny!

One of the blogs I follow, http://southernhospitalityblog.com/, has a funny entry this week. She has also decided that the big tree is just not the thing this year and bought a 3 foot tree that she put up on a table... didn't know I was a trend setter!