What is up with you??

Seriously, I have been really rather scarce in the "bloggin' world," really. Not intentionally, either. I love blogging, posting family photos, telling stories, sharing memories, sharing funny things my kids do/say, product reviewing, hosting contests....all that blogging is for. What has been happening lately? I am really not totally sure, but I think that I got a bit burnt out. I think I said, "yes," too much, and not enough of "not right now", or "no" to the requests. I can see from the past few months, that my blogging has become less of me, and more of reviews. I am so sorry about that. I got so busy, and everything got piled up. I have some catching up to do, and I hope you will all understand.
I haven't even been keeping up with the daily reviews and personal life stories, photos, or the like. I am sorry to all my readers who have come to see what is going on with me, as a person...to find not much new posted. Actually, we have been quite busy, and I fully intend to catch up, if that is possible. I have been through surgery to remove the melanoma in my ear. I am recovering, and healing! Praise the Lord the melanoma is gone from my ear, too! I just saw the Plastic surgeon on Tuesday, and he said it is looking good. I told him that I feel like I am sleeping on a rock, and asked if that will get better. He wasn't sure, but he said he could fix it in about 6 months if I am still having a hard time. I saw my dermatologist on Wednesday, and she checked me over again. We decided to have another mole removed on my back, and the surgery is set for the end of August. This surgery will take awhile, since the mole is bigger. I have had this mole most of my life (I believe) but it does concern her. I am praying that it is a cancer free mole. So, this is a worrisome fear on my heart, and I know I need to put my trust in God for good results. I also had Nathaniel in to see the dermatologist and had him remove a mole from his right temple. I hope that the results will be cancer-free for him, too. So, we ask for prayer that any and all moles removed are free of cancer, and that our trust remains strong in the Lord.
My blogging is going to be getting back to more of personal life and less of reviews. I won't be giving up on reviews, because I LOVE doing them. Plus, I like being "in the know" of what is out there. I am going to do my best to keep you all up to date on what is going on with my family, me, and our life. I want to put up lots of pictures of my kids, and their funny stories. Also, I don't want to lose touch with all the wonderful blogging friends I have made! I am sorry that I haven't been around much, but I hope to get back into the swing of things. I know my mind has been so much on the melanoma, and just life being so busy with 3 kids under the age of 4 and a pre-teen child. Plus, it is summer...so, that is less time indoors and at the computer. Thanks for hanging in with me. I hope we see more of one another. God bless you! Happy 4th of July!!

Recovering

I would like to thank all those who have lifted me up in prayer over the last few weeks. It has been quite the journey, so far, with my news of having Melanoma (skin cancer). It is a scary thing hearing that I have skin cancer. I know that my Lord has everything under control, He has a plan for me, and a plan through what I am experiencing.

My surgery was scheduled for Thursday morning. I had to be there at 9:30 for preparations/paper work/tests. I had to due a urine test for pregnancy, and (Whew....) it came back negative. (not that I was worried). :) I asked them if they had to forgo surgery for people with the tests coming back a surprising positive. She said that has happened. I am glad I wasn't one of those folks. Anyway, I answered a few medical questions, took my weight, and got in my beautiful paper gown. The gown was a high-tech gown with flaps and holes. I had a hose put in one of the holes and the heat turned on. How cool is that? It was like an inside paper gown heater. Weird. Then, I got the IV inserted. The nurse put on the rubber band and slapped my hand for about 10 minutes to get the vein to pop up. I don't have veins that like to cooperate with needles. She had success with the IV, and started the fluids. Then the anesthesiologist came in to ask a few more questions. We found out we have something in common...busy family life. His wife and him are expecting #4 baby in October. The surgeon came in next and asked me more questions, and answered my questions. He also asked me if I was used to coffee in the morning, and experienced head aches if I didn't have coffee. I said that I drank about 4-5 cups every morning, even through pregnancies. So, kindly enough, they gave me 500 ml of caffeine in my IV. How sweet is that? They said they didn't want me having a nasty head ache from withdrawal. :) Hee ha...whatever works for me!

I had to use the restroom one more time, and went on my way to the operating room. Can I just say I was scared out of my mind? I kept thinking of them giving me too much sleep meds and not waking back up. Crazy thought, I know, but it is one of the many things I was worried about.

I laid on the table (uncomfortable table) and laid my arms out like a T. The Dr.s strapped and wrapped my arms and legs, then they snugged my arms close to my side. I had pressure cuffs on my arms and legs to help with the circulation. I was talking to the nurses and Dr.'s about the geese and the Blue Heron on our lake. Then they asked me how old were my kids. Here is what I think I said:

"I have a 10 1/2 year old, an almost 4 year old, a 2 year old, and a 4 year old. Oh wait, he isn't 4 years he is an infant. You must have given me the meds because I feel all funny now. My baby is only 4 months....." And that is all I remember. When I woke up, I was trying desperately to roll over to get off my back. They kept pushing my legs down and asked if I was alright. I told them NO, and that my back was really hurting. They asked how much on a scale, and I said an 8 or 9. I have a high pain tolerance, though. I think they gave me some morphine, because some pain was relieved. I spent about 30-45 minutes in recovery, then they put me in another room for Stage 2 recovery (sitting in a chair). I was so thirsty! I kept asking for water, and they only gave me 2 glasses. They didn't want me getting sick.

I was a bit sleepy afterward, and slept on and off on the way home. I was wrapped up in a head wrap. I needed to keep on the wraps until Saturday.

We stopped by my parents to give them an update. The rest of the day I rested, and ate some food. Sleeping that night wasn't too bad, just sore. I did end up nursing Cole when I got home. The meds didn't seem to bother him. He did develop a rash on his cheeks and his stomach. We aren't sure if that was from the 2 bottles of Enfamil, or from one of the meds I had. Fortunately, I don't think I will need to give him anymore formula. I am so glad that Cole did OK without me for those hours of surgery and recovery.

I got Vicodin for pain relief, and that has been a big help. Sleeping has been interesting. I get really sore from laying just on my left side. I will post a picture of what my ear looks like now. It is really swollen, and smaller than what it was. The Surgeon took out less than what he was originally thinking. I am glad for that. He said that my ear is clear from the Melanoma now. I am so thankful! I am suppose to go back to the clinic on Wed., and he will possibly remove the stitches (if all is well). I am hoping things will heal quickly. Tonight my ear is pretty sore, but I don't have any pain meds in me yet.

Thanks again for all the prayers! I ask for continued prayer for any other moles taken off to be cancer free. I also pray for quick, and beautiful healing of my ear. I will be seeing an Oncologist next week for follow up visits. Then, I will see my Dermatologist again in July.

Sickness and Trials

Hello everyone. Thanks for being patient with my blogging, or lack thereof. I have had some things going on in our household that I would like to update you all on what has been happening in the Sassyfrazz household. We are going through some trials, sick times, and major medical issues. I am sure you will understand why I haven't been keeping up on my blogging.
My daughter has been sick for 3 weeks now. She is on a second medicine for ear infections. She started off with a bad cold, then fevers, and an ear infection. While being on Amoxicillin, she started a night time bad cough. Then she was coughing bad during the day. Well, on Tuesday, she spiked more fevers and was complaining about her ears~ even cried when I put on her shirt. So, back to the clinic we went, and found out she has a double ear infection! Now we are on a new medication, and costing $45 we hope it will cure her ailments. She is more herself today, and she actually had a restful night last night waking up at 7:30 this morning (which is rare for miss Madelyn).

I have been pretty sick myself. I was very sick the last weekend of April. I had fevers of 104 (a bit high for an adult). I had chills, lightheaded feelings, chills, and runny nose. I also experienced nausea and other symptoms. It only lasted two days, and I am not going to classify it as that Swine Flu. Cole got the fever, too. His fever was 101.5 for two days. I felt horrible for him. Being so little (3 months old) I get nervous when he is running a fever.
Then, my symptoms turned to the coughing side. I coughed SO much, especially at night. Getting little sleep, nursing, and taking care of sick kids during the day wasn't so great. I finally went to the Dr. (after a week of coughing) to see what was going on. I was diagnosed with Bronchitus. I was given two prescriptions~ Zithromax and Cherritussin. Making a long story short, I had a severe reaction to one of them, and I got a bad side effect. Yesterday, my mom noticed I had a slight rash on my neck yesterday. So, I called the Dr. and he said not to take any more meds. I only had one dose. Progressively I got worse, rash on my neck to my face, now my chest and arms. I swelled up terribly, and this morning my eyes were almost swollen shut. I looked like the girl on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Anyway, I went to the Dr. again today and now I am on Prednizone and Amoxicillin. Hopefully I will get well quickly.

I have had some very serious medical conditions thrown my way. I had 4 moles removed a few weeks ago. I had to wait for the results 10-14 days. I went in to get the stitches removed and had the news that I have Melanoma. This is the rarest skin cancer, but the deadliest. I am grateful that the Melanoma was only in one of the moles, but it is still very scary news. I am scheduled to have surgery on Thursday, May 14th. I hope I am well by then. I will be under a general anesthetic getting a portion of my ear cut. I will be in surgery for 2 hours. I have been praying for the Melanoma to be completely removed, and that it hasn't spread. My prayer is that the Melanoma isn't anywhere else in my body, and that the Lord will heal me completely. I will have to be under observation for the next two years with an Oncologist, and seeing my Dermatologist every 6 months. I do rest peacefully in the knowledge that I have my home in heaven waiting, but I plead with God to give me more years here to see my children grow up. He ultimately has a plan for me, my children/family, and my future. I do my best to trust in Him. I just ask you all to pray for my upcoming surgery, healing, and on-going medical roads.

So, if I don't get on here to blog, review, or do giveaways as often, I hope you will understand. I will try to get something up often, especially with updates. Thanks for reading my story.