Cancer free!

Now that everything is over and results are good, I feel I am ready to share my story.

On October 7th Nick and I found out we were pregnant with our second child. I had my first doctor's appointment on October 22nd. It was just an intake appointment consisting of some blood work and a Pap smear, very routine. As far as I knew it was all good and normal. Nick left a few days later to participate in Top Gun training in Nevada for 6 weeks.

I had my second appointment on November 5th for a dating ultrasound. The nurses set me up in the ultrasound room and I waited, much to my surprise two doctors came in. I was instructed to lay back to begin the ultrasound. The monitor intended for my viewing was tilted at an odd angle towards the wall, but I was able to crane my neck to see the screen. The moment the image came into view I knew something was wrong. The doctor was quiet for a few moments then explained I appeared to have a blighted ovum, because at 9 weeks a baby should be visible and it clearly was not. She quickly finished the ultrasound examination, getting the measurements she needed for my medical file.

I was allowed to sit up, both the doctors gave me hugs and cried with me. The doctor who performed the ultrasound explained what a blighted ovum is: a fertilized egg that attaches itself to the uterine wall, but an embryo does not develop. She also explained that I had a very thick and irregular uterine wall, and the presence of endometriosis. She allowed me to compose myself then sent me across the hall to have a blood draw to check my HCG hormone levels.

I received a call a few days later explaining that my levels were appropriate for being 9 weeks later. I was instructed to come in on November 12th for another ultrasound to ensure that I hadn't miscalculated my period and was fewer weeks along than I thought. I arrived for that appointment and was quickly taken back for another ultrasound. The doctor confirmed that my body had started to absorb the pregnancy and it could cause blood toxicity issues. She also informed me that my PAP smear had shown precancerous cells. I was allowed the option of taking a pill that would help me pass the remains of the pregnancy but I would need to have blood drawn every other day to ensure my HCG levels were decreasing, or have surgery. She also recommended that I also have a LEEP procedure to remove the precancerous cells. She said it was my choice to wait on the LEEP or get it all done in one clean sweep. I opted for the surgery, and I think the doctor was relieved as it was scheduled for that very next morning, on the surgeon's day off.

I arrived for surgery the next morning, and everything went smoothly. The recovery wasn't horrible. I returned to the doctor for a post-surgery check up and was assured that all had went well and she was confident she had gotten all the precancerous cells, but that she wanted me to come back in 6 months for another PAP smear and physical and to hold off on trying to conceive. I was put on a estrogen suppressing birth control for the endometriosis and told to come back if I was having any other issues in the meantime.

As the months passed by my periods were irregular to say the least, but never painful and never showed worrisome signs of infections so I just kept thinking that the next month will be better. I had my 6 month post surgical check up and passed the physical and ultrasound with no worries. The PAP came back a couple of days ago and it was normal as well! I am clear to get pregnant again if that is what Nick and I decide. I am required to have PAP smears every 6 months for the next 2 years to monitor things, but other than that all is well that ends well.

I am very thankful to have one healthy, beautiful baby boy and I believe we will have another child at some point; this past pregnancy just wasn't in the cards for us. My due date was this Friday June 13th, so that is odd to think about, but whenever I get melancholy I just look at Tucker and realize Nick and I have already hit the baby jackpot and are very blessed. My Mama had cervical cancer and her issues started much like mine have. I am hopeful that this was an isolated incident, but in the case that it was not I am thankful it was diagnosed quickly and is being treated aggressively.

Thank you for all the support and help I had from the few friends and family that knew of my struggles. I appreciate you all more than I can say. Now how about a picture of my beautiful baby boy, Tucker?

The for sale sign in the yard

Nick and I moved to our home in Franklin in small truckloads in the middle of the night back in December of 2008. This house has been a wonderful starter home for us, but alas it will soon be time for us to pack up and move to our next duty station. 

Nick will pick orders this September while deployed. He will report to his next duty station almost immediately after returning home from deployment during the summer of 2015. We have made the decision to put the house on the market earlier rather than later in hopes that it sells, allowing Tucker and me the freedom to move with Nick wherever the Navy may send him.

Depending on when the house sells, Tucker and I will move to Las Vegas temporarily to live with my mom until Nick returns home. If by some lucky chance the house sells before Nick deploys, we will rent a small apartment locally until his deployment begins. Regardless of either situation we will remain in the area until mid-late August. 

This is quite overwhelming for me as I feel I have made this area my home. I will refrain from getting too weepy, but this area truly has been my home for the past 5+ years and I know I will miss it. 

Anyone want to place bets on how fast my "Gossip Girl" neighbor starts talking?

1 week dry!

I know a lot of people don't appreciate "mommy brags" in their Facebook newsfeed, thus I come here to share. Tucker has been dry with no accidents for one week! I think it is more than safe to say that he is day trained at the age of 19 1/2 months!! I am so happy we started him young and stuck with it. The process was never stressful and always realistic.

Dry All Day! Tucker's Adventures in Potty Training

I never wanted to be one of those moms that talked incessantly about how her kid went pee-pee on the potty, but after Tucker had his first full day of staying completely dry during the waking hours including a trip to the park...I get it and am ready to shout from the rooftops.

Tucker had a major breakthrough this week and it was simply like potty training just clicked for him. Since his first birthday we have been sitting him on his little potty and he was doing outstanding until he was prescribed feeding therapy followed by oral surgery. It was a major setback and quite disheartening, but after a fluke of having him stand at the regular toilet in our bathroom he suddenly got it and isn't even overly impressed with himself. Another sure sign he understands.

Tucker is now in post-surgery speech therapy to strengthen his tongue; he has successfully pottied before and after his sessions with no accidents in between.

Since starting his potty training nearly 7 months ago we have given him Reese's Pieces as his potty treat, but today I felt he needed something more exciting if he performed his other business. My Mama suggested a little box of raisins, the irony is thick, I know...but low and behold it was like Tucker knew. Such a successful day and such a proud mommy moment.

Now to end on a comical note. Two days ago Tucker had been drawing with a pen, he has never drawn on anything but paper so when he disappeared down the hallway I didn't think much of it. After a few minutes I called his name which he responded to with "Eh!!!" I found him standing on his stool at the toilet with pen marks all over his legs. The poor baby refused to put the pen down while attempting to lift the lid to pee. Much to his credit he did hold his pee until I was able to assist him. Quite amusing.

Lastly, my husband deserves major props. He has been so amazing and has been so patient with Tucker during this adventure. Surely another reason for Tucker's great success.