I had completely forgotten that Memorial Day was on Monday. When I worked I was responsible for keeping the holiday calendar up to date, as well as organizing the work shifts for those of us that kept the IT system running while everybody else was off having fun. Yep... I was not only VP-Finance/HR, but also the Head of IT amongst other jobs as noted in invisible ink on my contract. LOL... No complaints, I enjoyed most of it although the long hours did eventually create bodily harm & early retirement.
Under working circumstances I would still be at the office over the weekend, as well as Monday & didn't really have a problem doing so since I was single & didn't really have anybody in my life. Actually, work was my life & with hindsight being what it is, I'm not sure that was a good thing. Strange what one can learn AFTER the fact!!!
Any who... having just heard from my Dermatologist that I do indeed have 'surface' Basal Cell Cancer on my face. We have opted for MOHS surgery, which has a 99% chance of it not returning every again. She put in a referral today with a response expected in approximately 2 weeks & surgery actually taking place in 6-8 weeks depending on how backed up they are. She did indicate they could put me on the cancellation list if the area doesn't heal in the next week or so & it certainly doesn't seem to be giving any indication that is going to be the case. So we will see what happens over the next few weeks.
I'm just thankful she called with the results today. At least I don't have to spend the next 4 days fretting about what the outcome was even with knowing deep inside what the answer already was.
Since I am now armed with this information & a few more instructions for taking care of the wound site, I am planning on taking myself out for lunch & a movie tomorrow. I'm hoping to see Star Trek or Iron Man 3 or maybe both depending on how crowded the theater is where I am going. Then it's off to Applebee's or some place to enjoy a nice early dinner. It is time to treat myself to a little enjoyment.
Whatever you do over the long weekend, be safe, be wise, don't drink & drive, & enjoy the time with friends & family.
HAPPY MEMEMORIAL WEEKEND, XANGA!!!
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Thank you to ALL who have & are serving in the armed forces. Your sacrifices are deeply appreciated.
It has been an interesting week both weather & living wise. WE had a couple of days that were too hot for my liking & now it's back to being cool again, which I far prefer. At least the rest of the month looks like it's going to be fairly decent, hitting possible mid-80's for a few days. I can live with those as long as the real feel isn't in the 90's which is often the case in the desert. June is right around the corner & the hotter weather will follow, but one can hope it won't be in the high 90's (or more) every day.
No biopsy results as of yet which is making me antsy. I hate the waiting game, especially since the area where the biopsy was taken has become extremely tender, inflamed & more sensitive than it was. It doesn't seem to be healing at all. I've followed the cleaning protocol per doctors instructions, using Cetaphil as the cleansing agent, then applying a thin film of Vaseline & covering after it's completely dry, but that seems to be irritating the area. I finally left a message with the doctors office to see if she can make another care recommendation since I don't seem to be doing the right thing. It's truly a pain in many ways.
Rather than be out in the sun unless I absolutely have to be (then only with sunscreen & a floppy brimmed hat), I have started walking later in the evening around 6:30 or 7:00. It's cooler, the sun is in the process of setting & I don't have to be concerned about the heat which makes it easier to do a brisk walk.
The other evening I decided to walk the complex & took a slew of pictures that started early in the evening & progressed into the night. There is some beauty in this little complex of mine, as well as a lovely 4-legged furry mop of a kitten that talked loudly at me at the top of her voice & allowed me to take a few pictures. Makes me want to get one of my own, but I'll wait until I'm back from my trip to visit my twin before making that decision.
Highlight of my week was seeing Michael for a little while on Thursday. He's been working double shifts which means he works, sleeps, works, sleeps & doesn't have much time for anything else, since he is trying to pull funds together to purchase a house. I understand that we both sacrifice, but it's not always easy for me when he drops off the grid because he is working so hard. Needless to say, ANY time we have together is cherished by both of us & we make the most of it when it does happen.
SO... trip the light fantastic with me as I walked the complex one lovely evening. I simply started on one walking trail & meandered around getting pictures of flowers & the lovely view of rolling hills that surround where I live. It truly is a wonderful place to reside not withstanding the heat extremes that are normal when you live in the desert.
**All pictures were taken with my Coolpad Quattro Cell phone.
Many varieties of flora flourish in the complex...
The complex is loaded with different varieties of trees & bushes...
A lot of times I walk around the parking lot to get a little exercise & these pictures show what I see of the surrounding rolling hills of this desert community...
This is the view from my front window. When I decided to step out on my balcony to take pictures I noticed my next door neighbors cat was out visiting & took a few shots...
A little later in the evening I took another walk & captured a few shots of glowing garden lights, a fuzzy fuzzy kitten, & shots of the moon as well as my wind chime...
From the front window...
From the balcony...
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Funny Punnies...
**do you have a favorite? I liked the 'dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary.'
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Have a FANTASTIC FRIDAY, XANGA. The weekend is a short hop away.
A hug delights and warms and charms, that must be why God gave us arms. Author Unknown
A hug is the perfect gift; one size fits all, and nobody minds if you exchange it. Author Unknown
You can't wrap love in a box, but you can wrap a person in a hug. Author Unknown
Hugs can do great amounts of good - especially for children. Princess Diana
A hug is two hearts wrapped in arms. Author Unknown
Hugging has no unpleasant side effects and is all natural. There are no batteries to replace, it's inflation-proof and non-fattening with no monthly payments. It's non-taxable, non-polluting, and is, of course, fully refundable.
Author Unknown
Happiness is an unexpected hug. Author Unknown
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**A recommend will share these hugs with other readers - bring a smile today, Xanga...
**wonders if she's already used that blog title??? Oh... what the hell!!
Any who, I've walked the hallways over the past few days but have not had the energy to do much more. The early 'haught' spell took it's toll & left me under the weather (pun intended) for a couple of days. Can't tell if it was something I ate or if the heat actually zapped me which has been known to happen.
All I know is, there was no energy, pain levels were the highest they've been for quite awhile, insomnia has once again raised it's ugly head & I've sort of felt like a Human juicer since everything I ate seemed to go straight through me without even thinking about it. I know, I know, such a subject!!
By the time Thursday arrived I was feeling a wee bit more myself & the week was almost over. I suspect all of this 'stuff' is because I'm stressing over a very inflamed raw red area in front of my right ear that's gone 'south' almost overnight. I'm pretty sure what it is & have tried to see if there was a chance for a cancellation appointment, but it seems like there was a snow balls chance in hell of that taking place considering the 'powers that be' at Kaiser have doubled the work load of the very few derm specialists on staff.
I finally decided to go straight to the source & had the customer service center leave a message directly with the doctor office in hopes that would get some attention. Dr. Heyl (my derm) is very aware of what is taking place with my face, so I hoped this would work. This was Thursday afternoon.
Friday morning I was just about ready to head out to do some shopping & the phone rings. It's the derms office nurse. We discuss what's going on, she says they could possibly squeeze me in between a couple of other patients on Friday & she will call me back to confirm.
I put everything on hold waiting for a call back & in about an hour I'm scheduled for an emergency appointment some time between 4:30 & 5:00, although it might be later depending on the people ahead of me. I breathe a sign of relief even with knowing this will probably turn into a biopsy situation & make a beeline to see my manicurist for my nail appointment.
Once the appointment is finished, I have just enough time to stop by the apartment to grab a quick bite before heading off to Wildomar. Don't need to deal with a low blood sugar situation. Traffic is flowing & it's an easy breezy drive. Parking was another matter all together, but I finally get checked in & then it's 'hurry up & wait until she can see me. I'm already an hour early & they finally get me set up in an exam room at 5:00pm & the doctor still has 1 appointment she is working on.
Rather than sit around on my hands waiting for my appointment with the needle. YEP... I knew what was coming having had enough of these to recognize Basal Cell Carcinoma without question. I decided to take a few pictures from the window of the room I was in. It was quite beautiful & at one point there was a lovely hummingbird flitting around in the trees. I was never able to capture her, but the rolling hills, the main entry & buildings in the industrial park made for interesting pictures. LOL...
It was cooler & pretty overcast which I certainly appreciated...
The hummer was flitting about in this picture but no capture that I could tell...
I was taking the last picture when Dr. Heyl popped into the office. She is absolutely a delight. We chatted for a couple of minutes, I explained what was going on. On went the magnifying light to check the area & her comment was "looks like Basal Cell, let's do a biopsy so we can get you scheduled for MOHS surgery since they are also backed-up.'
The nurse comes in to do set-up while the doctor finishes up with the other patient. Then its slice & dice time. The shot hurt like hell since it went directly into the area that is already beyond tender. In a few minutes she has the necessary sample, the nurse puts on a small pressure pack & I'm finally heading back to the apartment at 6:00pm. Talk about a stressful day. I simply crashed when I walked in the door. Thank heavens for stopping by McDonalds for a Chicken & Bacon McWrap because I certainly didn't have the energy to cook. Lord have mercy.
Results will be back at some point this week &... the question of the day is how extensive is it as the raw area starts at the temple in front of my right ear & extends down about an inch & a-half into the cheek bone area. For now I'm treating the biopsy site, as well as the other area with Vaseline & keeping it covered per doctors orders. It has to be cleaned & treated at least twice a day, a tooth gritting process, and since the area is inflamed there is a possibility it simply will not heal because of the damaged tissue. The waiting game begins. **sigh...
The weekend was spent quietly since energy levels were poor at best. Partly because I'm stressing & partly because I can't find a comfortable position in which to sleep. Thank heavens for the TV. It has become a rather nice companion & Netflix is providing a great deal of entertainment, as are the 20 or so movies I purchased but have yet to watch.
And... with all that being said:
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DISCLAIMER:
If there are spelling errors blame it on Xanga because this is the message I kept getting (part of it any way)...
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This little survey reminds me a bit of the much longer one from either last year or 2011 when I first joined up with Xanga. I'm not sure I can come up with 16 new facts , but we'll give it a bloody go with a shout back to @TrainTrack & @armnatmom...
1 - As a child & young adult (into my early 20's) I used to be able to move inanimate objects when I was upset or angry. I was a highly emotional child. LOL...
2 - I'm dyslexic & it gets much worse when I'm over tired or stressed out.
3 - I can remember numbers at the drop of a hat but cannot remember a persons name for the life of me. I've finally started associating them with something in my life & that helps a little. **does not apply to close personal friends or family. Well... most of the time.
4 - I am an absolute klutz when it comes to walking & I don't even have to be chewing gum. I've twisted my ankles in some of the strangest ways, fallen UP stairs, off curbs, etc. Often times in front of guys I was trying to impress. Thank heavens I've given up impressing guys.
5 - In the 70's I worn my hair in a very full afro for a short period of time. Since my hair is straight as an arrow, I got a tight perm & then used a pik to bring out it's full bloom. Those were the days.
6 - My 3rd child weighed 11.5 #'s & took a little over 21 hours to be born. She now stands just a little under 6'. The tallest girl in our family.
7 - The tallest man I have been involved with stood 7'. I needed a ladder to kiss him.
8 - I am afraid of flying which is going to prove very interesting when I start traveling.
9 - I am afraid of large bodies of water especially if they have fast flowing water. I tolerate swimming pools as long as they aren't too deep. Comes from having almost drowned when I was 9 or 10.
10 - My older Sister, her husband, & my Mom & Dad all lived with me, all at the same time, in my condo when they relocated from different states. Sis & Bro were with me for close to a year. Mom & Dad for almost two. It gave me the chance to really get to know my Mom in a way that would not have been possible otherwise.
11 - The condo I once owned was a medium for spirits that I could see, as well as feel. One was a Victorian woman sitting in a rocking chair doing needlepoint or embroidery. You could see her shadow on the downstairs main wall in the evenings. We also had various pet spirits that would play tag with our cats on a regular basis. These were confirmed by my sister, her husband & Mother.
12 - I learned how to milk cows on my Grandparents small farm in Oregon.
13 - I took ballet lessons in my teens, but since I have no natural balance or grace I chose to run track instead.
14 - My major at BYU was English with the intention of becoming an English teacher. Instead I became an accountant. I'm not much of a face to face people person. Especially crowds.
15 - I do not like carbonated drinks but can drink champagne like it's plain water.
16 - I have had 14 surgeries to remove basal cell carcinoma. The majority of which have been on my face. Painful in ways you can only begin to imagine. If this isn't good advertising to make you stay out of the sun during prime hours or all together & use the heaviest sunscreen, then I don't know what to say. Perhaps a visit to @SisterMae site will make the picture even clearer.
OK... enough already. I'm choosing not to select others. I really don't like doing these & feel if anyone wishes to do so it will be because that is what they desire on their own. Although I did appreciate that two people thought me worthy of doing the survey. Thank you.
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Amazing photography from 'Must-see' on MSN - I just had to share & this just 1 of 81 pics for the month of May!
May 5, 2013: A great gray owl is photographed just moments before snatching up its prey. The photo is from an extraordinary sequence of images by photographer Tom Samuelson along Lake Superior just south of Two Harbors, Minn.