Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday - Sunday - I had a quiet morning and afternoon.  I didn't go to sleep until after 4:00 a.m., so I slept in until around 10:00 a.m.  One of my aunts called in the morning to invite me to the monthly prayer meeting that she was hosting, next weekend.  Later, I chatted with a friend who called and my neighbor who also called.  Then, I went over the baby quilt with a lint roller to remove any stray cat fur (cousin reassured me that her daughter and son-in-law have a cat of their own and are used to cat fur) and found a big enough gift bag in my stash to put it into.

In the afternoon, I cut out and started to sew another tote bag with fabric a friend had given me.  I didn't finish sewing it, though.

One of my other cousins had offered me a ride to see the baby as she and her daughter were also going.  I was dressed and ready when she called to let me know they were on their way to pick me up.  I didn't realize it, but apparently, my cousin (baby's grandmother) was expecting quite a few people and what I thought would be a short visit over perhaps a cup of tea turned out to be a longer visit over dinner!  She had ordered Thai food, which was delivered to her house, and my other cousin and I helped her to dish out everything and serve the dinner.   The baby was very cute and friendly, not at all bothered by the fact that he was being passed from hand to hand and not fussing about so many strangers.  His parents were very impressed with the quilt and thanked me for it. 

After I came home, I video chatted with my daughter.

Today, I went to my appointment with the oncologist, in the morning.  We went over the results of the ultrasound, which showed that it wasn't a fluid-filled cyst, but a mass with smooth margins which seems to be a type of tumor.  Further diagnosis is needed before they can say for certain if it is benign or not, but I was told that the smooth margin is a good sign, as most cancers have irregular margins.  So, we are waiting for the mammogram to be scheduled.  According to the nurse practitioner, the diagnostic mammogram has been authorized; her office tried to call the hospital's radiology department to schedule the appointment while I was there, but couldn't get through.  She told me they will try to call and schedule it and will call me with the information.  I will be calling them back to find out what is happening, if I don't hear from them within a day or two. 

I also had my port catheter flushed while I was at the clinic and I have a follow up appointment in one month's time.  Once I have the mammogram done, I am also to make an appointment to see my surgeon to see if further surgery is required.  

I had taken the rest of the day off from work and I am glad I did so.  I had planned to spend the afternoon sewing.  Instead, I came home, had some lunch, and took a nap as I could barely keep my eyes open!  I took a 4 hour nap, so I guess I was really tired.

After I woke up and had a cup of tea, I exchanged emails with a friend, spoke with my aunt who called to find out how my appointment went, put water to the garden, took the recycling out, took the trash cans to the curb, cleaned out the fridge, did the dishes, and cooked rice and green beans for dinner, and made a cucumber salad.

After dinner, I video chatted with my daughter.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Smooth margins on the mass
- The mammogram seems to have been authorized
- A safe drive to the clinic and back
- A long nap
- Emails, phone calls, and video chats

I am, as you can imagine, feeling rather stressed by this whole thing.  I am trying not to overthink things, or worry too much, but it's not easy.  I need to regain my serenity.

How was your day?  

18 comments:

  1. I think it would be impossible to not overthink things, but remember-smooth edges. I'm sending positive thoughts your way to help with the waiting. Not knowing what is exactly going on has to be one of the hardest parts.

    In the meantime, who knows how much of your fabric stash you can get sewn up with your nervous energy. Good luck. I'd make that a project to keep me busy.

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    1. Thank you, Live and Learn. Yes, I will be trying to focus on positive thoughts! And working on my fabric stash! I still have my Mountain Climbing quilt to finish and my other cousin's daughter (the one who gave me a ride on Sunday) wanted me to make her a quilt, too, in purple, she said. So, that will be another project to work on!

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  2. Alright Bless, you're not allowed to worry as I need all the worrying vibes in the world on a regular basis and you'd be selfishly hogging them. How about I do all the worrying for you and you do you and be serene and positive and concentrate on remaining calm until you know more? Deal. ((HUGS))

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    1. Oops! Sorry, Nathalie, didn't mean to hog all the worry vibes! In any case, last night, as I said my nightly prayers, I stood before the altar and handed over all the worrying to the Higher Powers. I acknowledged I don't know what is in store for me in the future, but I know I am being led down a certain path and I will go where I am led, because I know there is a purpose for it all, even if I don't know what that purpose is. Thank you for the hugs. :)

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  3. I am very sure the baby's parents were impressed by the quilt. You do gorgeous work. They will know that a lot of love was sewn into the gift. I am glad you had a great visit.

    I am sending you wishes for peace and serenity and lots of (((HUGS))).

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    1. Thank you for the wishes and hugs, Susan. Much appreciated. :)

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  4. Such a lovely day on Sunday and that the baby quilt was well received.

    Prayers going up for a good result pertaining to the mass, peace while you wait and your mammogram is scheduled quickly.

    Big hugs.

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    1. Thank you, Sandy. Really appreciate your prayers. I received a phone call today, saying the mammogram has been scheduled for Thursday afternoon, so prayers are being heard.

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  5. Sorry to hear you're playing the waiting game again. You are a very strong lady and should be proud of how you're dealing with things. I hope everything gets resolved as quickly as possible. Sending good wishes and prayers, Christine x

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    1. Thank you, Christine. Really appreciate your good wishes and prayers.

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  6. Bless, I am so very sorry to hear that it was a mass.[But thankful that it was smooth margins].. I know you are stressed, This is very difficult.. Please know , I am praying for you, that this will all be well, no more surgery.. Take care of yourself, rest when needed. Your body is letting you know, you are tired.

    So happy you got to go and visit with the new baby, and give the adorable quilt. Know they are happy to receive it. and happy you got to enjoy a meal with them..

    hugs my friend.

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    1. Thank you, Judy. I've been scheduled for the mammogram on Thursday, so, I don't have long to wait for further results. Hope all is well with you, too.

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  7. I'm sorry to hear that you have a smooth tumour to be concerned about and I can understand how this is stressful for you to deal with. ((((HUGS)))) I hope that it will turn out to be benign as is possible.

    How pleasant to find that the "cup of tea" visit you had envisaged turned out to be a family celebration! The personally made quilt would have been a lovely surprise for the baby's parents.

    Yesterday, Monday, it was cold and rained all day and I was tempted not to bother to put out the trash can as it wasn't overly full, but I braved the drizzle and got rid of the bag inside when they picked up this morning. Today was sunny and mild and I got out and ran some errands, taking bottles for refund, returning books to the church library and finding two more to take out, and delivering a box to the charity shop. This resulted in me bringing back a bag of books, including 6 good junior ones for granddaughter to enjoy as she loves reading.

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    1. Thank you, Bushlady. I'm clinging to the fact that it is a smooth tumor and cancerous tumors tend to have uneven edges.

      Glad you had a sunny day in which to run errands. Granddaughter is sure to enjoy the books you picked for her. :)

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  8. Keeping you in prayer and positive thoughts ... will focus on the probability that, as your incologist indicated, the mass is likely benign. So glad you have a good support network of family, friends and coworkers to lean on. (((Hugs))) to you my friend!

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    1. Thank you, Carolyn. I, too, am trying to keep positive. We shall hope for the best and take it from there. :)

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  9. I'm so glad that quilt was well received and that you had a nice visit with a friendly baby!

    You will be in my prayers, Bless, as you await further information regarding the mass. I am hopeful that the smooth sides do mean it is benign. ((hugs))

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    1. Thank you, Laura. The prayers and good wishes are much appreciated. :)

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