10:30am: Biopsy
1:00pm: Yearly Neurosurgeon visit, hopefully to turn into every 3 years, if he likes my MRI.
Please keep Barry and I in your thoughts and prayers today. Big day for both of us. He will be alone quite a bit tomorrow in the hospital I almost lost him in over a year ago. I’m not sure which I am more anxious over, the biopsy or having to leave him alone. Thanks for your support!
Quirky, optimistic, ambitious family remains protected.
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With Cowden’s Syndrome, you have to follow a set schedule to keep up with which screening is next. Then, of course, if there is a problem, the screening and recheck can run together.
Today, I went for my yearly MRI, about the brain tumor on Monday at 1pm. This is where screenings can run together.
I had a breast issue last year that caused them to redo my mammogram, which has led to other mammograms, ultrasounds and now, 6 months later, a biopsy. Scheduled Monday, one hour before my neurosurgeon appointment. At least they are within walking distance of each other.
The sad thing is, my next yearly mammogram is due in April. But I guess my mammograms are about to put a kink in my set schedule. In my schedule thus far, gynecologist, endocrinologist, neurosurgeon, neurologist, neuro-oncologist, gastroenterologist, dentist, urologist, dermatologist, psychiatrist, counselor, genetics counselor, general practitioner, breast specialist, otolaryngologist, cardiologist, massage therapist, and acupuncturist.
Now, that I have boogered my knee up, I have to add an orthopedic doctor in there. I am sure surgery is in the future for that, which will add physical therapy into the mix.If surgery is in the mix for the next few months, I need to see about getting the lump taken out of my right wrist while they are at it.
The fancy MRI on my left knee next Thursday, then see the doctor Friday. The endocrinologist is in the mix next week somewhere. I’m getting tired thinking about next week.
Barry is my riding buddy. I’d be lost without him. I can’t drive long distances, so he gets me to the long distance rides. I’m tired of being organized. I never considered myself organized, but with all of this, you have to be. All of the above is just me, included in my mix are Barry’s appointments, as well as several I take mom to. I’m not making light of their appointments, mine takes up more calendar space than their’s does. We should hire a good personal assistant……
I got the all clear after my ultrasound today. They thought I had an active lymph node in my neck, but I have been given a clean bill of health any thyroid cancer or lymph node issues for the moment. A big thank you to the good Lord above and to everyone on here for the courage and support you bring out in me daily! THANK YOU!!!!!! 🙂
HAPPY DANCE! HAPPY DANCE!
happily married, secure, slow, disabled, busy (Jill)
happy, mild OCD, determined, almost retired (Barry)
Check out: http://www.showmyface.com
It’s Valentine’s Day, so write an ode to someone or something you love, Bonus Points for Poetry
Be my Forever Valentine. 
To my sweet, handsome husband!
My forever Valentine
Every year with a simple card, you bring me to tears. Then you tell me not to do a thing for you, not fair by the way! You stand strong by my side through thick and thin. Lately, we have had more thick than thin, bit you are still by my side; being sweet, compassionate and understanding. I know this is not where we wanted to be when you retire, but here we are together, holding on. Together we can do anything!
The ‘new’ Barry and Jill Baynes are going strong! In our short eight years, we have accomplished more than I ever expected. There is so much out there to do and see, I’m looking forward to our next adventure together. If our health continues to get in the way, we’ll just find our way around it.
I love and admire you more everyday. You make me want to be a better person and I thank you for that. I’m not sure I would have the will to get through all of this without you. Everytime I check, you are still with me.
You are my rock! You are part of me. You have permanent possession of my heart. I love you. I do not know what I did to deserve you, but it is not our place to question God‘s plan. I’m just glad he brought us together.
I’m looking forward to our road trip tomorrow, even if a doctor is involved. It will be us, together. Thank you for putting up with me when my brain takes over my body. I know it’s not easy. You never make me feel silly or poke fun of me when my left side is acting up. I’m glad I haven’t hurt you. I’ll stop babbling for the moment, honey. Always remember, I love you with all my heart. Please be my FOREVER VALENTINE! You will make my millennium!
Explain why you chose your blog’s title and what it means to you.
Our Blog’s T.le: Two Rights Attempting to Make a Left
Barry and I came up with the title together. It is based on our health issues over the last few years. In 2009, I was discovered to have a brain tumor (gangliocytoma) in my left cerebellum. After a long period, we were told that the brain tumor was just a symptom of a rare genetic disease called Cowden’s Syndrome.
Needless to say we were dumbfounded. I had surgery in 2009 to reduce the tumor, but it was impossible to remove it in its entirety. So, life goes on.
Things were going along great, no magor problems, then December 11, 2012 came around. It started as a normal day, we were assisting the resident’s with morning care. I heard a resident calling for help.
To my shock, it was not for him. It was my sweet husband. He was in the process of having a stroke. I called for an ambulance and off to the hospital we went. Although Barry had a massive right territory MCA, he looked perfectly fine. It was hard to believe a week earlier, they had asked me to call all the family in because they did not believe he would make it through the night.
Months later, a rehab counselor recommended, that we either start a journal or a blog. With the two of us being computer oriented, we chose to do a blog. Oddly enough, the title is related to both of our injuries. We were attempting to get something in the stove. Neither of us could do it with both hands, so he got one end with his right hand and I got the other. It came to us about the same time, that we were two right hands trying to use our lefts.
So we named the blog:
Two rights attempting to make a left!
Nothing fancy, just the two us working together to keep a sense of normalcy.
Sure, you turned out pretty good, but is there anything you wish had been different about your childhood? If you have kids, is there anything you wish were different for them?
I am doing my best to decide how to put this in writing. I thought about this all day and have narrowed it down to two things I wish would have been different in my childhood. I’ll do my best not to ramble, please be patient.
My sisters and I had a traditional southern upbringing, dysfunctional family and all. Our parents encouraged us to study, we knew right from wrong, and we loved each other. Mom and dad worked all the time. Mom stayed home until we were old enough to be left home alone and then she started working, She was home when we needed her, or at lease close-by.
Dad left in the mornings before we ever got up and was not home until we were in bed. On the weekends, he worked his secondary business and was home only at night. We had our family nights when dad was home. We actually had breakfast and supper around the dining room table several times a week.
I grew up wanting for nothing. If we ever wanted anything extravagant, we had to save our money up or wait for a sale. I believe that is where my frugal attitude comes from today!
During the summer months, mom and dad always made sure we stayed busy. I know my way around the Bible, a softball field, a basketball court, and a swimming pool. Mom and dad made it to the important events, but there were times we were on our own.
One of the things I wish could were different from my childhood is going to church as a family, instead of being dropped off at the door to attend services with my sisters. Don’t get me wrong, my sisters and I are close, due to the time we spent together. It would have been nice having mom and dad with us at church. I truly believe that they both believe the Jesus died to save us from our sins, but I cannot help feeling unsure of their salvation.
Mom lives with me now, and attends everything Barry and I attend at church. Dad is a different story. I do not remember the last time I saw him in church for something other than a funeral. His health is declining and he does not get out like he used to, but I know he grew-up in the church. It would have been joyous to have all five of us in church at the same time. Well, the past is the past. All we can do now is look forward.
My second thing I wish could have been different during my childhood is medical technology. From the time I entered kindergarten through high school, I was always sick.
Mom spoiled me rotten and my sisters still pick on me today, because of that.
I was part guinea pig when they thought they had figured out a treatment for allergies. They did all the testing and I suffered through the intramuscular injections for years, before they figured out it could be done with a subcutaneous needle, just under the skin. The nurse’s from the seventies, learned to give an intramuscular injection into the shoulder. There were several times I actually felt the needle hitting the bone. It was so painful. I took the injections without success for years and then refused to go.
In my teenage years I developed female troubles. We let the doctor do the known treatment for my problem at the time and it rendered me unable to have children.
If today’s medical technology had been around in the seventies, maybe I could have had a normal childhood and been able to have kids today. In my world, Claritin is the best invention of the twentieth century. When I was younger, Dristan was it. With today’s medical technology in the past, maybe brain tumor research would be further along today and I wouldn’t need a wheelchair when my legs do not work.
My life has been God‘s plan and it is not my place to question it. I read my Bible and try to stay upbeat and focused. I pray daily and ask for grace and wisdom to help me make it through the day. I exercise to stay strong and keep busy. My blog is my refuge for my feelings and such. It helps me not to hold things in. I write them down. It is very therapeutic to me. My counselor advised me to either do a journal or start a blog.
To summarize, my parents being more involved with my sisters and I at church; as well as, today’s medical technology being available in the seventies, would have made my childhood a better place to be. Honestly, I wouldn’t interfere with God’s plan for my life. I grew up loved and happy. Everything else is all good!
If, if, if, maybe, maybe, maybe…….
I’ve done it again. This time I tangled with the throw rug in the master bathroom, but me thinks I’ve done my left knee in, again.
Just over a year ago, I tore the meniscus cartilage in my knee. This time, I couldn’t put weight on the knee and it was swollen down into my foot. The doctor said nothing broken, she wanted to check because of the swelling. She gave me a topical ointment for pain, which is some good stuff; sent me home to grease it up and stay off it! She also did a cortisone shot…worked….ehh???
She said when I return; if it is no better, she’ll get a joint MRI (where they inject die in the knee) to see what the damage is. If needed, we’ll talk surgery then.
I truly prefer not to hear those words, but I have to be able to walk. I asked the doctor; if they have to operate, can I get a 2 for 1 deal? I’ve dealt with my solid tumor in my right wrist, the doctor has said it will need to come out. I figure, while I’m asleep, let them fix both. Save me one episode of general anesthesia. We’ll see. I’m ready to NOT be in pain!
Describe your relationship with your phone. Is it your lifeline, a buzzing nuisance, or something in between?
When cell phones first came out, I hated the things. They were big, clunky and more expensive than they were worth.
Next, I landed a job that required I be on-call 24/7. To start they provided pagers (some of you younger people may not know what that is). They were a bigger nuisance, because of stopping at pay phones and keeping up with change. I hate change!
Cell phones were still toooooooo expensive.
Over the years, as technology improved cell phones became less expensive and so much smaller! But, they were still expensive. One month, my stepson’s bill alone was over $1000. He’s lucky to still be with us.
Now that prices have stabilized and phones are more convenient. I believe I only like my phone because it is a necessity. Being disabled, I feel more comfortable, being out alone. If my car breaks down, I can call for help. There’s a GPS on it, if I get lost and tons of games to keep me busy if any of the above happens.
I guess I will go with something in-between. I’d rather not have to keep up with it, but there are times when I would totally consider the thing a buzzing nuisance.
I never want to be put in the class of people who considers a cell-phone a life line. Will our future generations be able to talk to one another? Or write a letter, note or list if they need to? Consider me old-school or just plain old! I do not care, the convenience aspect of a cell-phone is marvelous. Everything else can be considered a buzzing nuisance!
Two Rights Attempting To Make A Left! 
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