Monday, January 19, 2015

CARPENTER COMMENTARIES

 
My family is full of expressions, opinions, and hilarious comments. Here is a few from last week! 
 


1.  Lila told toddler A, "Wash your hands!" "Here watch an expert do it!"

2.  I asked Brian if we had any dirty towels upstairs b/c I am getting ready to do a load. He sends Owen to retrieve them and Owen brings 4 folded towels downstairs.  I said, "Owen those are clean I need the dirty ones." In which Brian replies those are dirty.  I looked at him weird and he said," I thought they looked better folded on the floor than in a pile". 

3.  The girls just got out of the bath and the water is still in the tub as I am getting them dressed.  Miles comes in and says, "Wash my feet, wash my feet, girls!"

4.  I handed Lila a towel and she said, "Mom I can wrap myself, just go cook!" haha

5. Lila was sitting next to me on the couch and says, "Oops a tooty came out of my booty!" then giggles.

6.  So we have 1 bathroom upstairs and 1 down but no one likes using the downstairs one.  So one of the boys (not naming names) had to go to the bathroom and was taking awhile if you know what I mean.  Two of us were hurrying him and as he came out he says, "Just so you know my bum feels really uncomfortable b/c I didn't take my time!"

7.  I had scheduled a pedicure last week and told Brian, in fact have been talking about it all week b/c I was super excited. They are such a treat, right?! So I tell him that morning about my day and he comes home and I said okay, see you soon! Here is his text!





Saturday, January 17, 2015

Whatever...it's just a weekend!

WHAT!!!!??!!!
NO! Oh Brian, you have the wrong idea! It's not just a weekend! This is a group of ladies from all around the globe getting together to eat, craft, talk, shop, more crafts, more talking, and lasting friendships! My husband doesn't get this at all! Sooo, the excitement that has been building is that I will be attending...
WHATEVER CRAFT WEEKEND!
I sent an email in October of 2011 to be placed in the lottery drawing for my name to be picked! It has been a long time but I am beyond excited to meet Megan, Kimberlee, and the ladies. One of my dearest friends, Abby will be joining me!! 
Don't worry, Brian! I have everything you are going to need for the weekend. I made Brian an itinerary for the weekend! :) I think with this plan of action I can make myself unavailable and really connect and enjoy the relaxing weekend, right?!

 
I will post LOTS of pics next week! Cheers to having a WHATEVER weekend!
 

Monday, January 12, 2015

It's organzing month!

Organizing is one of those words that bring me great anxiety.  You would know why if you have ever seen my basement! For me the basement was the place to pile, stack ,and box up everything that didn't have a place upstairs.  However, after 10 years our basement looked like a clip of hoarders.  We had a toy chest that the boys hadn't opened since they were 3 and 4! Thankfully we had some great help with our friends.  We purged about 1/2 of the junk in the basement but still have many boxes to go though. It's a work in progress and I believe each year we are getting better and better at organizing.  Right, Brian?! He would totally disagree with that last statement. LOL

I need an accountability partner! Do you? Let's partner up!

A couple of years ago I found this blog and it really has changed my way of thinking and I have kept up with a lot of the changes she has suggested! Toni is currently doing another 14 week organizing challenge. Go check it out!  www.abowlfulloflemons.net

Here is the schedule.



Monday, January 5, 2015

Re-launch, restart, and refocus in 2015!


Well it has been way too long and I have had several friend bloggers checking in on me. Thank you!  In all honesty it all just got to be too much.  I felt like I was just being a Debbie downer in all the medical updates that I got tired.  Sorry!!  

I will update 1-2 times per week and keep you entertained with our chaotic, crazy life.  Enjoy the ride, friends!  Did I miss something?  Do you have any questions? Want to know more! Just ASK!



Changes oh soo many changes!

1. I will be 4 years CANCER-FREE on Jan. 11th!! I have an Oophorectomy in Feb. sometime to get rid of those ovaries. I feel good and am incredibly blessed!

2. My children are getting older and out smarting their mom with their tech skills! :/
    
Owen is 10 (4th grader) who gets a charge playing Minecraft and Lego's.
Miles is 8 (3rd grader) who lives it up playing outside and playing ball with his friends.
Lila is 4 (Pre-K) who fancies make-up, dresses, and playing mommy with her dolls.
    
3.  We have been blessed to add to our family by fostering a baby from 4 months old. We will call her toddler A, for now anyway! :) Toddler A is active and imitates the other 3, loves puzzles and dancing.

4.  We have moved, added a dog, cat, and turtle to our household! ha-ha

5.  Brian is now a partner with his company and is enjoying fixing up his 1968 M715 Jeep Kaiser and dabbling in some woodworking. 

Friday, October 7, 2011

Happy Fall!

Happy Fall!  The boys had a blast creating this and I spent less than $7!  I will work on updating everyone but know I am doing well. 


Saturday, July 23, 2011

Surgery Update

Well it has been a month since I have posted so I better update you all.  I have been lounging and being lazy trying to heal from all these darn surgeries.   My double mastectomy is behind me and I am healing nicely with that surgery.  However, a few days after surgery I was told the cancer was in my left lymph node so I needed another surgery.  On June 24th I had all my lymph nodes removed from my left arm pit.  This surgery has been a major obstacle!! It was really, really painful and I am still feeling the pain today.  I don't have full arm movement and to top things off I got a fungal infection at the site as well.  Ughh.... I am sooo over surgeries!  The results from my lymph node removal came back and they removed 5 nodes and none of them were cancerous!  Yeah!! 
On July 20th I met with my plastic surgeon so she could fill up my tissue expander's.  I now have 550 cc. of saline in them and I will have one more fill and they are full! I still dislike them VERY much.  I have some nerve pain/damage (not sure) from my shoulder to my elbow.  It is hard to describe the pain.  I don't really have any feeling but when you rub the area it is painful.  I hope this goes away soon.  Also the weirdest feeling is when I have an itch on my breast but it is not a skin itch just an itch that I can't get to.  I told you it was weird.  My next plan of action is to have my DIEP flap surgery in October.

I snuck in to talk to my oncologist and she is taking my case to tumor conference on July 27th to determine if I need radiation or not.  I am PRAYING that I don't have to do radiation. I have been told I need 6 weeks 5 days a week of radiation.  We will see...

 I am now taking 2 aspirin a day to keep my blood thinned which means that I have finished my Lovenox injections.  I was getting those daily for 90 days at the local hospital.  I am so thankful they are done.  I will be starting an IV infusion of Zometa to prevent me from getting bone cancer.  I will go every 3 months for 2 years and the treatment is about an hour long.  I am hoping that my local hospital can do these treatments.   

On another note we took Owen to see his pediatric endocrinologist  for his growth hormone medicine.  He started up last night and did fine.  I am looking for him to start sprouting really fast.  He was -4.0 on the height chart. 

Here is a pic of my new hair with Owen and the other pic is an update on this post.

Owen, Grandma JJ, and I stopped to pick sunflowers to give to Aunt Ellen.

Here is an updated pic of my nails. If you look close you can see discoloration and white lines.  Those white lines are really fragile and the nails just peel when they get close to the white portion.  I also lost one toe nail so not too bad considering the thought of losing them all.  

Yes, that is my wedding band!  The nurses just taped my wedding band but my surgeon needed it removed b/c of all the tools he was using could cause the metal to do damage to my finger.  Well the only problem was I haven't been able to get that ring off for who knows how long. Obviously they couldn't either so they cut it off me. I feel naked now that I don't have my wedding band and I can't wait to get it fixed.


Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Let's breast it down

Okay well I am back! I feel pretty good considering the surgery I went through. It was a tough surgery and I am STILL healing! I am feeling lots of pressure and I really dislike the tissue expanders. So here is the breast break down.

My surgery was at KU hospital and while we were waiting I had my grandma, my dad and his wife Cheri, Brian's father Frank, my Pastor, and of course my husband. Before I was sent to prepare for surgery my pastor said a prayer which was a powerful feeling and gave me the strength I needed, thank you Pastor Dale!

I really dislike needles and am "one of those patients" so I hear. It always takes at least 2-5 attempts to draw blood or get an IV. So I was a nervous wreck regarding the IV and for good reason b/c it took them 4 attempts! Ugh!

My surgeon removed my breast tissue (which I donated to KU for further research) and 2 lymph nodes on the right and 1 lymph node on the left to see if the cancer had spread. The right nodes were free from cancerous cells but we found out that the left node was cancerous. That was a HUGE blow! I go this Friday to have all my lymph nodes removed on the left side and then will have 6 weeks of radiation Monday-Friday sometime after I heal. The good news is they will let me do my radiation in Manhattan rather than KU!

My plastic surgeon went in and placed an expander under the muscle and shaped the breast with Alloderm(cadaver cartilage and filled them to a size B). They placed drains in each of my armpits to allow the fluids to escape. The surgery lasted about six hours.

It has been two weeks and I still have the draining tubes in and have a constant ache in my chest. The tissue expanders are ROCK HARD and uncomfortable! I am trying to stay grounded to my initial size decision which is hard b/c having your expanders stretched to MY size will be more uncomfortable and a longer process. They will fill the expanders every 2 weeks for anywhere from 2-4 months to get to my size. I am going to try to get as much as my surgeon will allow so I can speed up the process but I don't want to be in too much pain either. Tough calls I tell you!

It's funny how your image of breasts change with each chapter of your life. For instance when you are single they mean sexuality then you have children and they are no longer sexual but for nourishing your child, then after nursing for three years you realize they are just blobs. Am I the only one who feels this way?!  I went back and fourth deciding if  I should show you what my expanders look like but will leave that decision up to you individually.  If you are interested in seeing let me know and I will show you or email you the pics.  I know that my mind always wanders to the worst so I would want to see but I am also weird but you all know that already :)  I hope to help anyone else who has to endure this journey and have no shame in sharing pics but thought this was the most appropriate way to do so. 

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Surgery

Hello blog family and friends! I will be away from the blog for a week and a half. I am headed to KC today and my double masectomy is scheduled tomorrow (Monday) at 11am. Please pray for my medical team, strength, and a quick recovery!

God's blessings!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Homemade sidewalk chalk

This is the tutorial that I shared over at Couturier Mommy on May 16th. This is a simple project and they can be using the chalk the same day :)

I enjoy crafting and LOVE that other bloggers share their creativity! I try to keep my busy children occupied with new and exciting projects. I don't know a child who doesn't enjoy coloring. I hope you recreate this project for your children this summer.

Items Needed:
Toilet paper rolls
Plaster of Paris
Washable paint
clay
Painter's tape
cardboard
water


Here are the supplies I used. I would recommend wearing gloves as this plaster will dry out your hands. Please NOTE: Do not rinse these containers in your sink or you will clog your pipes!


You will need to make sure that the clay around the bottom of the toilet paper is sealed tightly or it will seep out the bottom.


I used 2 parts plaster and 1 part water and mixed well. Then poured liquid into the rolls.


Here is Miles helping me!


I let the plaster sit for a little over an hour then you just start peeling the toilet paper off.


The boys really like when I put in two different colors. Here they are ready for use!


Miles was overjoyed when he could finally use his chalk for hopscotch.

Thanks for checking out the tutorial! Please stop by again soon!

Monday, May 23, 2011

How could you NOT want one

The boys are loving the mail they have been receiving lately!  I sent out an email/facebook that the boys are coloring on luminaries in honor or memory of someone.  The other day my dear friend Pixie sent a letter to the boys and Owen could read almost all of it.  He was so excited!  Here is a picture of his luminary in honor of his mommy :)  I love how he puts talking bubbles in his pictures. 

Luminaries are $10 per bag and YOU still have time to send the boys a letter.  Please make checks payable to Marshall County Relay for Life and address the envelope with Carpenter Children. You can also make an online donation by simply clicking on my Courtney's Crusader button on the left side of my blog.

My relay for life is the second weekend in June and I am speaking.  I am nervous but also excited to share my story. 

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! 

Monday, May 16, 2011

Guest blogging...

Good Morning!

Today I am guest blogging at Couturier Mommy! Go check her blog out and look at my tutorial I posted. If you have children this is a must do summer craft!! Guaranteed.

If you are new to my blog, WELCOME! Take a look around and let me know where you are coming from so I can check your blog out!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Chemo is OVER!!


It has been pretty busy around here lately now that I don't feel sick.  My last treatment of chemo was April 27th!  I was suppose to have one more treatment but they found a blood clot from my elbow to my shoulder.  I am now going to the hospital DAILY for Lovenox injections in my stomach and legs.  They have also moved my surgery date to June 6th instead of July.  I am excited about the surgery date but not the surgery itself.  I am nervous and scared but in the end this is the best decision. 

I will have a skin saving double mastectomy and removal of the nipples and then they will put in tissue expander's. The reconstruction surgery can take between 2 to 3 hours and they say it is extremely painful.  Ugh...  I believe the children will go to Manhattan to be cared for by Grandma JJ.  I will have family here to help me with my care.  I will have draining tubes to monitor for awhile.  I am hoping that I will be able to attend my Relay for Life here in Marysville on the 15th but we will see.

The next surgery will be a robotic hysterectomy and that will be done at the end of the summer.  That surgery takes an hour to complete.  My oncologist has recommended this because of my onco type test.  My test showed an intermediate risk for recurrence of cancer so we are going to take this to prevent another cancer.

The last surgery is called DIEP or Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery flap and it will take 12+ hours in the operating room.  This is a very time consuming surgery b/c they have to reattach the blood vessels.  I went with this option for many reasons but the main reason is because it is permanent.  Instead of implants they will use my skin and fat of my abdomen and move it to my chest creating breasts.  I know it is AMAZING what my Dr.'s can do!  What is not to look forward to :)  I will have new breasts, flat stomach, and 2 tattoos GONE!!

Oh and my hair is coming back in and so I will be feeling like a new woman before Christmas!

Please continue to pray for strength and healing during these surgeries.  I am confident in my Dr.'s and the teams at KU but nervous about the healing and pain as you can imagine.  However I am ready to feel "normal" again and look forward to these steps being completed. 

Thank you for your continued prayers, calls, cards, food, etc. I am one BLESSED MAMA!!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Sermon Sunday

Yes ME!  I know this comes as a shock to some of you but yes I did the sermon on Sunday!  We called it Adventures in Mommyhood and it was two parts.  The first part regarding my cancer and the second part was the adventures of mommyhood. 

I talked about the new word that I have been using since I have found out about cancer.  The word  BEATIFIC means displaying great happiness, calmness and I want to be seen with a beatific smile. :) I also talked about how God prepared me for this journey, you can find the post here.

I also had photographs of the boys making food and creating a big mess but having a blast.  Then I created a top 5 list.




5 Games Children want to play instead of Chutes and Ladders

1.  You'll never guess what I'm going to bring into the house!  (We had 2 wolf spiders, 2 butterflies, and 1 caterpillar)

2.  Let's see how long we can say MOMMY!  (Oh so many times I can't count them all)

3.  Let me tell you when I'm full (Lila throws her food in 1 BIG sweeping motion)

4.  Guess what I just put in my mouth (Lego, paper, food, goldfish, sock)

5.  Bet I can reach what you think I can't! (getting step stool, climbing on counter, reaching for the toy that is ON TOP of the refrigerator in time out!)

It made me nervous and excited to stand up and share my stories but in the end I had a great time and thought it was successful!

Friday, April 22, 2011

1/2 way there

They have not been able to get on the computer, watch TV, play wii, or even play on the leapster. However mommy has had computer time (limited!) and TV time after the boys went to bed.

We are almost finished with screen-free week and it has actually went pretty well.  I am loving the time with my children and boy it has been exhausting me.  I know that once this chemo is out of me I will have more energy but WOW these kiddos are busy! :)  I love watching them play nicely and use their imaginations!

On day two Owen had a meltdown and said, "He was sick of it and just wanted to play wii!"  Well I can tell you today is the first day he hasn't asked to play.  He did sneak in some screen time at a friend's house for approx. 30 min.  Little stinker :) 


LOVE this verse it is a FANTASTIC reminder: Children are a gift from the Lord: they are a reward from him  Psalm 127:3

We still have several more activities planned:

Put a puzzle together
Make slime
Make sugar cookies
Have a Fitness Treasure hunt with Easter eggs

Here are some highlights of what we have been up to!

 Lots of pictures were painted
 Don't judge the artwork just the painting!
 Playing "dolls" in the only boyish way :)
 April 26, 2011 is Drug Endangered Children Awareness Day and we are donating
a couple of blankets to a local family who is collecting blankets and diapers.
Playing Hullabloo

Friday, April 15, 2011

Screen-Free Week-Ready or Not



We are going to be participating in our 1st screen-free week and let me tell you I am a little nervous!
Just a couple days back I told Owen he needed to play outside and put the wii away and he pouted all the way to the door and then shouted, "This is the WORST day of his life!"  So I am planning ahead and thinking of projects to do so we don't have any meltdowns! Wish us luck! 

Here is some startling information regarding our children and screen time.  Oh and please know that I am one mom who really needs to work on this.  Since having cancer I have let them sit in front of the TV for WAY too much time.   This will be really good for our family and I am pretty excited to have some fun play time with the children and hubby!


I am praying for nice weather so we can do some field trips outside but here are some of the projects we will be doing.

1.  Put a  puzzle together
2.  Go to the trail with the bicycles
3.  Go to the ball field and practice playing t-ball
4.  Visit the Library
5.  Do some crafts


Please link up if you will be participating and what you will be doing to occupy your children!
I look forward to all the ideas!



 


Thursday, April 14, 2011

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING MOMMY!


Hello one and all
We are growing big and tall

We have had some ups and downs

But this summer we will run around like clowns

Where? At my mommy’s relay

Want to remember a loved one?
Well leave it to us we will draw on a luminary, we will take a picture when it is done!

Join us in raising money, don’t delay!

We love and miss you

And those that join the team we can’t wait to kiss you!



You will see the link on the sidebar-Courtney’s Crusaders!

You can also make checks out to Marshall County Relay for Life and send to:

Carpenter Children:
email me for address (court_carpenter(at)hotmail(dot)com
Marysville Kansas, 66508

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

IT'S PERFECT (with italian gestures of course)

Look at that spaghetti smile!!

I think she liked my spaghetti!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Day 8-Coat Closet

Well I only have chemo treatments every 3 weeks now and so I feel a little "normal" if that is even possible. My "normal" consists of feeling like I am just about to catch the flu, does that make sense to you? I feel tired, have body aches, and my eyes are always blurry. HOWEVER, that is my normal right now and I feel great!

So good that I am going to finish my 21-day challenge. I may not get to them everyday but I will finish at some point. I am thankful that Toni had these challenges and my first 7 still look fantastic. The challenges sure have helped my day to day duties. I can't wait to show you all the before/after photos. I also have viewed other blogs to get more ideas too. :)
I finally added hooks to the closet so the boys could hang up their coats and backpacks on their own! As you can see this has helped and has kept my floor clean!

 Before: Notice the huge pile of coats & backpacks
 After: The backpacks and coats hung up!
Close up of the hooks (purchased at Bed, Bath, and Beyond

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Famous?!

Well not exactly but this will be as close as I get!  Ha, ha.

Let me start from the beginning.  I had all intentions to create cards to give to everyone at the cancer center but then was hit with chemo!  So I asked for help from my Utah Diva gals (my former SU group) and Splitcoaststampers (LOVE this site!) Well the support has been huge and I have received soo many beautiful thank you and birthday cards from friends and complete strangers!   THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!! 

I love doing this and most of the time they already know who they are going to send their card to which is fun to hear about!  I also love all the happy smiles :)

I also leave a thank you card on the table for the next chemo patient with a note that says, " Have a great day I know you can use this. From one chemo buddy to another!"  I know that we all go through a lot of thank you cards b/c everyone is doing something for us during our time of need.  I know I feel blessed by the support I have received!!

So last time I received chemo a lady delivered a bouquet of daffodils to me and in return I gave her a thank you card.  I remember her saying, "I was giving you a gift and you are now giving me one, how sweet!"

Well to my surprise that nice lady returned five minutes later with a camera crew, she is a  news reporter and wanted to do a story about my cards.  So here is my 1 minute of fame! Pretty cool, huh. 

http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/health/daffodil-days-brings-smiles-to-kansas-cancer-patients-

Friday, March 25, 2011

Lila loves...

her baby dolls!!


I can tell you this girl stuff is soo much fun! I have had a blast playing dress up with her too.
Here are some adorable pics of Lila playing with her dolls. She is such a cuddly little gal and loves caring for her babies. She will be an amazing mom one day!  Here she is practicing! :)

Oh and the cradle is mine that my grandmother Joan had made for me years ago. I am thankful that my dad kept this so I could pass it down to my daughter. I am hoping next time grandma comes to visit I can have her paint Lila's name on it too.


 This is my favorite picture of her!
 Blowing a kiss to her baby.
 Patting her babies back.
 Pressing her babies belly to hear the baby giggle.
 Hugging her baby!
 Rocking her baby.
I think we have another child with an eye fetish! Ha!