I'm turning into George Clooney!!

Ok, so the hair is beginning to return, thank God. I've lost most of my eye lashes but they're also coming back. The only problem now is that my hair has a really deep side part. It's getting long enough so that it's not sticking straight up anymore (I used to look like that baby orangutan that you've seen on different things) so it's laying off to the side, kinda like George Clooney's hair. So, not only do I have virtually no eyelashes, I'm looking like a man. Great. Baggy shirt, no makeup and a Yankees hat and people will think they've spotted George Clooney in Kings Mountain. Yippee! I'm still lopsided. Apparently, my right side is still swollen from the last surgery so no nip is a bit smaller than his side kick. Hopefully when all the swelling goes down, I'll be even. If not, back into surgery I go. Crap, I've been through enough. At the very least I deserve even boobies, even if I am turning into George Clooney with moobs.

I'm still feeling pretty run down. Not so much sleepy tired but just run down. I'm reminded that I need to be patient and let myself heal. So be it.

The boys have spent this week at the beach with mom and dad. The house has been quiet, no fighting or bickering. Just peace and quiet. Yea, it's not all it's cracked up to be. I look forward to the time alone, but an hour after they're gone I'm ready for them to come back. What's up with that?? They've been having a great time with Grandmom and Grandpop. I'll be going to get them tomorrow. Then it'll be back to reality.

Crap it's hot. We've been having such a heat wave here in NC, but I guess it's that way most places. The only thing moving around outside are the hornets and mosquitoes. When I go out to water the plants, they dive bomb for my not so bald head. Why is it that the only time they come out is when I go out?? I could be outside for 2 minutes and get 178 mosquito bites and 12 hornets come out of retirement to dive bomb my head. Just don't get it. I'm the only one they bother. Don't they know I only have one boob?? Haven't I been through enough?? I'm literally scratching bites on my legs in between sentences.

I had an interesting conversation with a woman at my boys' orthodontist. I asked her when her last mammogram was. Well, with no insurance, the answer was never. So, of course I started researching and there are organizations that will either assist or give free mammograms to women who have no insurance. I think they offer them in October since October is breast cancer awareness month. For info call 1-800-ACS-2345. No more excuses ladies. Get smart and get squeezed!

Well, Wipeout's on then the season premier of Project Runway! Yay! I've missed Tim Gunn. Have a great rest my friends, and remember don't scratch the privates in pubic. That's gross.

Thank You

I was reminded today of the true meaning of grace and how it lives within the hearts of those who choose to embrace it. I've been pretty wrapped up in my own life these days and not really aware of anything other than my own pain and suffering. I've forgotten how truly blessed I am to have healthy children, wonderful parents, a husband who supports and loves me no matter what, and friends who would walk through fire for me. You have prayed me through the hardest and most frightening thing I have ever been through. Some of you I don't know that well. Some of you I haven't seen or spoken to for many years, and some of you I talk to every day. But, no matter what, you prayed me through. People that I barely know have approached me and said that they're praying for me. I get cards on a regular basis from a woman who goes to church with Michael in Raleigh. I've never met her but she sends cards wishing me well. That, my friends is grace. That is God's love.

I've been feeling a little insecure these days. The hair that has held on to my scalp is growing so it's standing straight up. My hands are swollen, my eyebrows are thinning and my eye lashes are disappearing. Never mind the misshapen and disfigured chest. Not feeling the most pretty lately. But, I ran into a friend today. As I took off my hat to show her my hair, the first thing out of her mouth was, "How beautiful you are." WHAT? The thing about it was, she was sincere. Totally sincere. That, my friends is grace. For a little while, she made me feel like I was normal looking again. Thank you, Gina.

Stay well, my friends. Show a little grace to someone. You never know how much they might need it.

Countdown to boobs!

Well, here we are, one week out. Yep, surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday, 7/14. I'm so excited but a little nervous. Even though it's outpatient, there's still the anesthesia. I didn't croak during my last surgery so I probably won't this time, either. But, if I do, make sure I have on a low cut shirt in the casket. Listen, I've been through a lot to get those boobs. I've gotta show 'em off! Hopefully it will be a quick procedure and I'll be home in time for All My Children. I meet with my plastic surgeon tomorrow to discuss all the details. I'm not quite sure what the recovery process will be like but certainly not like my first surgery. Mom will be here to help me again. Hurray for Vilma. What a blessing she has been.

Lori and I took the kids to my neighbor's pool today. I only had Johnathan and she only had her two youngest. It's amazing how the dynamic changes with our kids when one or two are missing. I usually end up playing referee between mine so I had a little bit of a break from that. But holy cow was it hot today. The water felt great, especially when the hot flashes came on. Hopefully these hot flashes won't last very long, but I've heard they can go on for years. With my luck I'll be hot flashin' in the old folks home. I can just hear it now, "Stay away from that old Medlin woman. You know how she is when she's flashin'!!" I'm mean enough as it is, I don't need any help!

Ya know, kids can be strange. Mikey was asking about my upcoming surgery and so I told him what the doctor was going to do. He asked me if he could save my tissue expander so he could see what it looked like. If the doctor couldn't save it, he asked, could he (the doctor) take a picture of it? This is the child who wanted my appendix when it was removed over the Thanksgiving holiday. (he takes after his father) Johnathan, on the other hand wants to keep my chemo port when it's removed. What on earth are they going to do with these things??? Ebay? Show and tell??? Add them to their trophy collections?? Do you ever wonder what your children are going to do with their lives? Apparently mine are going to do something having to do with removing things out of things, I don't know. Maybe a coroner or something. I'm rambling, I know. I'm tired. Not sleeping so well these days. Most nights I'm up several times. I've not gotten a good night sleep in weeks, so stop badgering me!!

We're off to the beach on Sunday. Lori and I are taking the kids for two nights. We're going to the water park on Monday and then beach and home on Tuesday. I wish we could stay longer but I've got a couple of DD's with my name on them waiting for me. No, maybe not double D's but something a little perkier than what I've, well, you get the picture. I guess that's what we'll talk about tomorrow, size, shape, color, length, weight, etc.

My hair has not started to grow back yet, at least not on my head that I can see. To my great delight, though, I've got armpit hair!! I've not had armpit hair in weeks!! I'm tempted not to shave and not wear a hat at the water park. Then I'd really embarrass my kids!

Ok my peeps. Stay well and think of me next Wednesday. I'll update Booby Doo as soon as I'm able. It's 8:10 pm. Do you know where your children are? Hope so. Hold them tight and keep them safe. After all, they are God's special gift to us.