6 Month Dermatologist Checkup

 Good evening!  I don't typically blog this late and especially on a Friday night when I should be watching my daughter perform her band routine on the football field but instead I am home on the couch.

And I might as well take advantage of this time by doing my own little Bible study.

And the reason I am home like this is because I look like this.

Not a pretty sight.  5 spots of skin cancer removed from my face and 1 on my chest.  You can look up on my bio for my condition called Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome and why I repeatedly get skin cancer.   

It's not fun and there's no worse feeling than missing something my kids are doing but I'm covered in bandages and don't feel like explaining myself when people ask me why.  It's also slightly painful at the moment.  I'd rather spend the weekend hiding but I'm brave enough to share this experience on the internet.  Who knows, maybe someone out there just got this diagnosis and is feeling scared and unsure of what to expect.  

These cancer removals and surgeries add scars and those scars may make me look and feel uglier but there's one thing Basal Cell Carcinoma won't do, and that's end my life.  It's not terminal and I can feel grateful for that.  What I experience is much more severe than Carcinoma, as it's a hereditary disease that I will experience for the rest of my life but it won't be the reason that my life will stop going on.  I will live on ... I just have to find a better brand of makeup.   

I can't tell you how many spots have already been removed from the seven years of experiencing this but I can tell you I'm going to be okay.  A little emotional, but okay.  

Monday

 Here we are at the start of another week in the middle of September.  I had an exciting moment on Friday when a nearby orchard picked the name Dawn for free ice cream.  I've been walking/running on the treadmill every day and trying to watch what I eat but when you have an opportunity to get a free scoop of ice cream ... oh, that devil is so tricky.  

It was just Rob and I on this adventure since Bri was on her way to the away football game.  We made the stop before the game and made it to the game just in time for the start.  Since it was September 11 the team wore special jerseys and honored our local police department.  To think that tragic day for our country was 25 years ago ... I still feel heartbroken.

My son came home from college on Sunday and joined us for church and then he snuck off to help a friend set up a surprise birthday party for Bri.  Wasn't that nice?  Some of the kids from the cross country team were there and considering her birthday was back in August she was really surprised ... and happy.  This girl has been going through a lot of struggles so to see she has friends who care enough to throw a party for her was just so sweet and heartwarming.  

Last night Rob helped me to get the box of fall decoration down from the attic and this week's plan is to get it all set up after I clean and organize the house.  The weather today feels like fall and my dog kept insisting that I go outside with her.  It made her happy.  

Well, I guess that's all I have for this Monday.  I'm busy with the usual laundry, dishes, vacuuming and everything in between.  

Labor Day Weekend

 

Happy Tuesday!  I hope you all had a great Labor Day weekend.  My daughter had a four day weekend and I only had a three day weekend.  On Saturday we went to watch a cross country invitational which both of my kids participated in.  It started with the high school races and then the college.  I was so excited that both of my kids had that opportunity to be there together and all the high school team was happy to see Matthew.  He's settled into college very well and is having fun.  

Sunday was morning and evening church services, which always contains an amazing sermon.  My parents wanted to come over on Monday for a barbecue and my dad supplied the meats.  My husband cooked the meat and I made the sides.  It was all so good.  Matthew came home on Sunday night and stayed until Monday evening and it was so good to have him with us.  

Aren't my parents cute?  You can tell we were having a wild time.  

Today it's back to school van driving and getting through a huge pile of chores.  We have plenty of leftovers from yesterday so that's what we will eat after Brianna comes home from her cross country meet.  The morning weather has been cooler and I see the autumn season sneaking its way in.  Are you ready for fall?

Enough is Enough (yes I'm actually complaining about the heat)

 This blog post is going up later than I usually write them.  The day started early with my morning van run.  The van hesitated to start and then the nasty check engine light appeared on the dash.  So, I quickly scurried away to the garage and exchanged it for a sub van.  I did manage to get all three boys on time and deliver them to school.  My daughter's district is off today so when I arrived home she was still sleeping.  Teenagers, right?  The school I drive for had an early dismissal so it didn't feel like it was long before I was back on the road.  On a regular day I'd be on the road right now.  

Yesterday was the football game instead of tonight so tonight will be enjoyed by cooking dinner, mowing the lawn, and then relaxing.  Early to bed because we have to wake up early tomorrow to watch both the son and daughter in a cross country race.  I think it's so cool that high school and college will be racing in the same location, just at different times.  This time of year is busy but that's okay.  

If you've followed my blog for awhile you'd know that I am a huge lover of summer but I must confess that this year I am finding myself eager to get the fall decorations down from the attic.  I don't decorate for the seasons until the season officially starts according to the calendar but I think this year I'll wait until after September 11th.  My American decor stays out until then.  I have always been a lover of the heat but this year it has really affected me.  I'm not sure if it's hormonal or something else, but being in the heat makes me feel like I am going to pass out and it drains me.  I'm just one month away from turning 48 so maybe my body is changing.  Ugh!  Let's not talk about that.  

So, as much as I love summer I'm ready to see it pass.  We are experiencing weather in the 80's and it still feels like summer.  I mean, technically it still is.  This year I'm looking forward to all things fall and all things Christmas.  I'm excited for it but don't worry, I will still complain about winter, though.  That's a season I always felt I could live without.  But we take the bad to help appreciate the good, right?

I've noticed some of the blogs I read have left the blogsphere and I think that's because Blogger has been acting up for some.  The most recent issue I'm having is not being able to leave comments for others.  So, if you are a blogger who normally gets a comment from me and you aren't, well that's why.  I have been blogging for a long time and have no intention on stopping but I hope I don't have to be forced to change platforms ... again.  

Well, if you've made it this far in my mumbling - THANK YOU.  I hope you all have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend.  My son will be coming home.  (insert excited face here)