is anyone still watching?

If you still check in here to see what's going on in my life.... leave me a message so I can feel the love : )

Just seems like every time I come back to update, I'm apologizing for it having been so long. I was never a blogger before this journey of mine - and it was obviously started to keep people up to date (in my own words) as to how things were going. I feel so fortunate and blessed that things have gone so well! And my lack of updates is simply that there is little to report (as far as my breast cancer journey goes) though I am out and about and living a FUN-filled life!

Most recently I enjoyed having Brittany here for a long weekend visit! She rode back to IL with her bff Mallory and her baby Kale; I picked Britt up at Sabrina's on Friday afternoon and our first stop was the house we lived in for twenty years. We'd talked of stopping by numerous times, as we'd seen them doing all sorts of work on it, so on the spur of the moment, we did. The couple who lives there were incredibly cordial and welcomed us in..... they've done some fantastic remodeling and it really is nice! Britt's eyes welled up as she stood in the doorway of her old room and looked at the changes. As we left, Britt said "that was the perfect way to start her visit!"



After dropping her bags off here at home and taking the dogs out, we headed to Leroy to spend the evening with Mark. Britt had not been to his house before, but loved it, saying it reminded her a lot of grandpa Bob's. It is an old two-story farm type home (though it's in town) with a lot of beautiful wood work - it's comfy! After checking out the house & extra large garage (aka Mark's man-cave which holds numerous collectables & interesting vehicles) we headed to Bloomington for Monical's pizza, and went bowling afterwards.







After a couple of games (which Mark won & Britt came in second - ugh!) we went into the bar area where karaoke was well under way. Though Brittany has a great voice, we could not convince her to join in : ) but it was great people-watching time! She and Mark did play a game or two of pool & I do believe she won those.

Saturday was tattoo day! I'd decided a long while back, that I wanted a pink ribbon tattoo & that's what I got on my right wrist. Believing wholeheartedly that I'd not have survived the whole ordeal without my faith.... I also got a cross on my left wrist. As the first picture indicates - they hurt a LOT (on the wrist) but I love them. I also added 'Sanibel' under the seashell on the back of my neck, have wanted to do that for a long time as well & got to do it in my own handwriting : )











Mark had an older tattoo lightened, and had his pink ribbon (that he got last year) made even more pink. He also added the text (one of my favorite quotes) 'Big C-Christ little c-cancer' above and below the ribbon. Brittany got the pink ribbon / Hope tattoo on her wrist (that she got a year ago) repaired (he did a beautiful job!) And she got a scripture and some flourishes on her foot - really pretty - but she said that one hurt a lot!

That evening Mark fixed rib eye's on the grill and we had his kids over for dinner with Britt. Numerous yummy side dishes, lots of laughs and good conversations around the dinner table.... then we decided to go play pool again : ) Well ok, I don't play but I like to watch - LOL. It was a great day, lots of fun!

On Sunday Britt and I hung around home awhile and then went to the Leroy pool to get some sun. She went for dinner at her dads that evening then headed home early Monday afternoon. It is fun sharing life with Brittany as a responsible / mature / young adult now! Much different than the roles we used to have - and much more enjoyable for both of us I believe!

Monday I had a follow-up appointment with Infectious Disease and they said everything looked good. My antibiotics were done on Wednesday (of this week) and he said I'd not need any more. I saw my plastic surgeons nurse after that, and we discussed the timing of my next surgery, which will be to switch out the tissue expanders for silicone implants. Though the ID doctor said it would be safe to do so in early August, I've decided to wait at least a couple of months. Being summer (and that I like to be out and about / riding the motorcycle, boating, swimming, sunning, etc.) and knowing I'll have drains afterwards.... I'm probably going to wait until October. Besides that, the plastic surgeon and I believe it would be best to let them "sit" awhile, to be sure all infection is long gone, before going in & messing with them / possibly stirring up trouble again.

So that's my update for this week. If anyone is interested in me doing so, I will try to keep up with this a little better than I have been. I appreciate any interest in my blog and my journey in general. I enjoy sharing my experiences with others - I always have - that's just who I am! Have yourself a great weekend..... I know I plan to : )