I did mention that I teach in a building that does NOT have air conditioning, right? :) It is supposed to be even hotter this week...yippee.
I don't know if it's the heat or the change of routine, but my left leg was so swollen and sore after school started. Very odd. The left one is the one where I had the surgery- it was a very minor surgery. But, the incision site is so sore right now. I cannot figure it out. And it's not swollen today or much yesterday. Maybe here at home I can move more freely or sit when I feel like it, but at school it is very uncomfortable.
Hubby goes for his post-surgery follow up on Tuesday. His incision is almost unable to be noticed. I cannot believe it, and I'm sure that Dr. P will not be able to either. I told Hubby that I was feeling like that wasn't fair (because I have a huge, raised, bright red scar on my thigh- resembles an earthworm under the skin...not cool) that his scar is basically not even a scar. He replied that it wasn't his fault, and could I please not be mad at him? He told me I'm not allowed to lift up his shirt sleeve any more... grrrrrrr... :)
In reality, I'm thankful that all is well. I'm just jealous that I don't heal as nicely as he does!
My mother in law even offered to pay for plastic surgery to revise the scar. She said that it just "shouldn't look like that." Hmmmm, I guess it does look kind of bad. But, I told her "no thanks" it's my reminder to take care of myself...
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Back to School Monday...
OK, so technically we aren't back to school. Today and tomorrow are work days. That means I have to go, and the kids get to go to grandma and grandpa's!
Good to see all my friends today, although we could've done without the training. Yawn...Teachers are the worst at sitting still and being quiet. Kind of ironic, huh? :)
One of the elementary teachers, who lost her sister to melanoma some years back, asked me how I was feeling. I don't know why, but it just felt so good to have her ask me that. My response was, "Great; really great!" Because I do really feel good. Thanks, Carla!
Got the ok for Raye to keep sunscreen and hat at school for recess/PE class. That makes me feel good, wasn't sure how much of a hassle that was going to be. I hope she is a trend setter over there. She wants to start a melanoma club (God bless her, I told her no one would want to actually be in the melanoma club...ha ha. She rolled her eyes at me, of course, saying maybe it should be called a sun safety club...). Love that they are on board with this. JoJo is already planning where to stash her sunscreen and hat (marching band is the last class of the day, so she'll be in the sun). My hope is that we stay the course and truly continue to make this our lifestyle- even if we go years with clear results.
Of course, loved showing off my new ring. :) :)
I even had sunscreen in my bag and a football coach and my friend the art teacher both took it and applied at the end of the day as they were headed outside for practice and a run. While they teased me saying, "Thanks, mom!" they know I've got their back. At least in the sunscreen area.
Maybe that can be my new name- Sunscreen Stege-mama....
Good to see all my friends today, although we could've done without the training. Yawn...Teachers are the worst at sitting still and being quiet. Kind of ironic, huh? :)
One of the elementary teachers, who lost her sister to melanoma some years back, asked me how I was feeling. I don't know why, but it just felt so good to have her ask me that. My response was, "Great; really great!" Because I do really feel good. Thanks, Carla!
Got the ok for Raye to keep sunscreen and hat at school for recess/PE class. That makes me feel good, wasn't sure how much of a hassle that was going to be. I hope she is a trend setter over there. She wants to start a melanoma club (God bless her, I told her no one would want to actually be in the melanoma club...ha ha. She rolled her eyes at me, of course, saying maybe it should be called a sun safety club...). Love that they are on board with this. JoJo is already planning where to stash her sunscreen and hat (marching band is the last class of the day, so she'll be in the sun). My hope is that we stay the course and truly continue to make this our lifestyle- even if we go years with clear results.
Of course, loved showing off my new ring. :) :)
I even had sunscreen in my bag and a football coach and my friend the art teacher both took it and applied at the end of the day as they were headed outside for practice and a run. While they teased me saying, "Thanks, mom!" they know I've got their back. At least in the sunscreen area.
Maybe that can be my new name- Sunscreen Stege-mama....
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Amazing Birthday Today!
It was an amazing day today at the Western and Southern Tennis Tournament. It was the men's finals...so we actually got to see Nadal warming up! Super exciting!
We were very busy handing out sunscreen for the Andy Caress Melanoma Foundation www.andycaress.org. We got to meet his family- what a really neat group of people. We were honored to be able to work with them today, and hope to be able to do so again in the future. Visit the site and learn about Andy's story and see what a great guy he was.
I handed some sunscreen to a group of young ladies with Lake College Tennis t-shirts on. One of the gals took it, then recognized the name on the logo on our shirts and the sunscreen packet. She is from Colorado, and Andy had been her tennis coach there. She is playing tennis at college in Illinois. It was an amazing moment for me- such a small world. Here is this young girl who actually knew Andy-- and she is here in Cincinnati watching world class tennis. And we meet. I made sure that she went to the booth to talk with Andy's family, they were so happy to meet her.
Hubby said that he was able to use his recent surgery as an example several times when men said they didn't want the sunscreen, but handed it to their wives. One said he was 45 and didn't need it; Hubby responded by saying that he didn't think he did either at 47, and pulled up his sleeve to show his scar from surgery, saying that he just had a run in with melanoma.
One group with 2 teen girls stopped and the mom and dad took sunscreen. The mom told the girls to get some, they didn't want to. I told the girls that they didn't want to end up like me, I have a big scar from melanoma. The one girl asked if my scar was on my leg- to which I replied, "yes...". She went on to say that she thought her parents knew me...we talked further and yes, we do know each other. She knew my story. Then both teens took some sunscreen :)
This family does so much for melanoma awareness and research. I am so glad that we were able to connect with them. I am also so thankful that I got to spend the day doing something so important, with my family by my side.
Not everyone wanted the sunscreen. But, many did and many kept saying what a great idea it was and thanked us for having it. The booth had big gallon size bottles of sunscreen, and hundreds of folks stopped there to put on sunscreen on their way in to the match. It's interesting to watch people and to see their reactions to the offer of sunscreen. Many couldn't believe it was free.
I cannot wait to do this again next year. Thanks, Caress family, for letting us be a small part of what you do. It truly was amazing!
We were very busy handing out sunscreen for the Andy Caress Melanoma Foundation www.andycaress.org. We got to meet his family- what a really neat group of people. We were honored to be able to work with them today, and hope to be able to do so again in the future. Visit the site and learn about Andy's story and see what a great guy he was.
I handed some sunscreen to a group of young ladies with Lake College Tennis t-shirts on. One of the gals took it, then recognized the name on the logo on our shirts and the sunscreen packet. She is from Colorado, and Andy had been her tennis coach there. She is playing tennis at college in Illinois. It was an amazing moment for me- such a small world. Here is this young girl who actually knew Andy-- and she is here in Cincinnati watching world class tennis. And we meet. I made sure that she went to the booth to talk with Andy's family, they were so happy to meet her.
Hubby said that he was able to use his recent surgery as an example several times when men said they didn't want the sunscreen, but handed it to their wives. One said he was 45 and didn't need it; Hubby responded by saying that he didn't think he did either at 47, and pulled up his sleeve to show his scar from surgery, saying that he just had a run in with melanoma.
One group with 2 teen girls stopped and the mom and dad took sunscreen. The mom told the girls to get some, they didn't want to. I told the girls that they didn't want to end up like me, I have a big scar from melanoma. The one girl asked if my scar was on my leg- to which I replied, "yes...". She went on to say that she thought her parents knew me...we talked further and yes, we do know each other. She knew my story. Then both teens took some sunscreen :)
This family does so much for melanoma awareness and research. I am so glad that we were able to connect with them. I am also so thankful that I got to spend the day doing something so important, with my family by my side.
Not everyone wanted the sunscreen. But, many did and many kept saying what a great idea it was and thanked us for having it. The booth had big gallon size bottles of sunscreen, and hundreds of folks stopped there to put on sunscreen on their way in to the match. It's interesting to watch people and to see their reactions to the offer of sunscreen. Many couldn't believe it was free.
I cannot wait to do this again next year. Thanks, Caress family, for letting us be a small part of what you do. It truly was amazing!
Friday, August 16, 2013
Another Beautiful Friday
Very busy day for us today- hiked yesterday with grandpa to a waterfall that was a bit piddly...need more rain here!
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| Aren't they cute? |
It really is a big waterfall area- would be quite impressive after a heavy rain. A steep hike down to the creek bed and this is out in the middle of nowhere. Glad that my dad went with us to navigate!
Hiked today at the Cincinnati Nature Center with a teacher friend and his 2 young boys. I won't complain about the hike, I didn't have a 25 pound toddler in a backpack on my back like he did (but he's also 10+ years younger than me!). We saw a deer near the trail today- and saw lots of places that would be good photo spots. I'm always looking for Christmas card material.
Speaking of which, don't you think this would be a good one?
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| My leg; his arm. Mela-couple!
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But here is the best of all. Hubby has given me my birthday presents early this year. He typically has not been able to ever keep anything until the birthday or Christmas... this year it's a melanoma themed day. We are headed to the Western and Southern Open in Mason, Ohio to be part of the sunscreen squad. All 4 of us will be wearing our Keep Calm and Get Your SPF On t-shirts and will be handing out sunscreen to the folks at the tournament. It's through the Andy Caress Foundation- http://www.andycaress.org/
So glad to be spending part of my day doing something worthwhile! And, so glad that we are doing this as a family. Thanks, peeps!
I digress...as usual. Anyhoo, hubby gave me melanoma awareness jewelry for my birthday. In his defense, he bought a new vehicle a couple of weeks ago (he hasn't owned a new vehicle in over 15 years...he was due), which he affectionately calls his "cancer truck." :)
So, my bracelet (which I love, love love) comes from www.silveradojewelry.net
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| Love this, and see my Reebok step? I really do try to exercise! |
My beautiful black diamond ring...this I love and I cannot tell you how beautiful it is. I wanted a black diamond ring for my middle finger, right hand. I'm a chunky chick, it's hard to find a size 10 ring. And, it's hard to find one with black diamonds. We did a lot of searching and found this one, which I cannot tell you how much I love! I went to school today and was showing everyone who had eyes. To them, it's just a birthday gift. To me, it's a melanoma reminder; which for me means to be mindful, thankful, vigilant, and aware. It also serves as a reminder of the melanoma connection to my hubby. Love you babe. Thank you...
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Am I Crazy?
Out and about today. See a friend who knows, and was shocked by, my story. When she asks how my summer's been, I tell her about Hubby's diagnosis. She (like everyone else) cannot believe it.
I then ask her if she has gone to get her skin checked (she is a tanning bed tanner and outdoor pool tanner) and tell her about the free monthly skin checks that Melanoma Know More coordinates.
She is not interested. She doesn't want to go, she knows they will find something. Thinks the free screenings are just so they can get you in and find things to take off. She will wait until "it needs to be fixed" and went on to say that she isn't "much for the preventative stuff." I told her that once melanoma reached a stage where you would physically feel something that would make you think you had something wrong that needed to be fixed, it was often too late to fix; early detection is key.
I knew at that moment that it didn't matter what else I said. My words were falling on ears that did not want to hear. Therefore, I dropped it.
Wow.
I then ask her if she has gone to get her skin checked (she is a tanning bed tanner and outdoor pool tanner) and tell her about the free monthly skin checks that Melanoma Know More coordinates.
She is not interested. She doesn't want to go, she knows they will find something. Thinks the free screenings are just so they can get you in and find things to take off. She will wait until "it needs to be fixed" and went on to say that she isn't "much for the preventative stuff." I told her that once melanoma reached a stage where you would physically feel something that would make you think you had something wrong that needed to be fixed, it was often too late to fix; early detection is key.
I knew at that moment that it didn't matter what else I said. My words were falling on ears that did not want to hear. Therefore, I dropped it.
Wow.
Where oh were did my summer go????
It's Wednesday. One week until the official start of school....where did the time go? We have been so busy this summer that it's flown by. Yikes.
Off to the beauty parlor today for haircuts all around and a little color for the greying mama. JoJo wants to donate to Locks of Love, and has been growing out her hair longer than normal for a while. She needs 10" and I'm not sure she has it yet. We'll see. I don't want her to not be able to have a ponytail once it's cut...she likes to just get up and pull it up and go in the mornings. She is not a high maintenance gal.
Hubby's pathology came back clear (Whoo Hoo!) yesterday, so we are thankful for that. His arm is so already healed up. It has only been a week...lucky him. His hand therapist (from 3 wrist surgeries) had melanoma on her calf, he was telling her yesterday that I was feeling funny about comparing our scars. She told him some medical mumbo-jumbo about location, weight bearing limbs, distance from heart, etc. He told her that was all fine and dandy, but it wouldn't make me feel any better about it. I guess a picture of our scars won't make it onto the Christmas card this year, as he isn't going to have much of one! :)
He is feeling pretty good- nerve pain at times. That is a shooting, burning kind of thing that is not too much fun. Takes your breath away. Ouch.
Weather is wonderful here- unbelievable for August...in the 70's for the next few days. Throw open the windows! Of course, back up in the mid 80's next week when we return to school (no A/C in our building, don't ya know...). :)
Off to the beauty parlor today for haircuts all around and a little color for the greying mama. JoJo wants to donate to Locks of Love, and has been growing out her hair longer than normal for a while. She needs 10" and I'm not sure she has it yet. We'll see. I don't want her to not be able to have a ponytail once it's cut...she likes to just get up and pull it up and go in the mornings. She is not a high maintenance gal.
Hubby's pathology came back clear (Whoo Hoo!) yesterday, so we are thankful for that. His arm is so already healed up. It has only been a week...lucky him. His hand therapist (from 3 wrist surgeries) had melanoma on her calf, he was telling her yesterday that I was feeling funny about comparing our scars. She told him some medical mumbo-jumbo about location, weight bearing limbs, distance from heart, etc. He told her that was all fine and dandy, but it wouldn't make me feel any better about it. I guess a picture of our scars won't make it onto the Christmas card this year, as he isn't going to have much of one! :)
He is feeling pretty good- nerve pain at times. That is a shooting, burning kind of thing that is not too much fun. Takes your breath away. Ouch.
Weather is wonderful here- unbelievable for August...in the 70's for the next few days. Throw open the windows! Of course, back up in the mid 80's next week when we return to school (no A/C in our building, don't ya know...). :)
Monday, August 12, 2013
Ah, Monday...
It's the official last Monday of summer around here. Boo... We are cleaning out/up the basement which is a catch-all mess. Hubby told Raye that if we cleaned it out, we could go get a ping pong table. Gee, thanks, hon. So, we are cleaning, pitching, making a pile for Goodwill, and finding fun things we forgot we had!
This morning I got my stitches out (along with the hairs that were sewn into my head!), which was not a big deal. The pathology was clear, so that is good.
Hubby is healing up well. This is good. But, it's also making me feel badly as I had such a hard time with mine. He predicted that this would happen. Clearly, he knows me too well. And, he loves me anyway. :) He heals up pretty quickly usually.
Busy week ahead- meeting tomorrow with the Melanoma Know More folks to look at their school curriculum. Hoping to find some things I can use this year. We have a little something planned every day, so I know it will fly by...
This morning I got my stitches out (along with the hairs that were sewn into my head!), which was not a big deal. The pathology was clear, so that is good.
Hubby is healing up well. This is good. But, it's also making me feel badly as I had such a hard time with mine. He predicted that this would happen. Clearly, he knows me too well. And, he loves me anyway. :) He heals up pretty quickly usually.
Hubby's arm on surgery day My leg on surgery day
Busy week ahead- meeting tomorrow with the Melanoma Know More folks to look at their school curriculum. Hoping to find some things I can use this year. We have a little something planned every day, so I know it will fly by...
This photo makes me laugh...our constant companion this summer...what a great dog we have. She is the best!!
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