We were able to get out of the house tonight for about 2 hours. Yes this means Lindsay is feeling better. We went to Zipp's to say goodbye to 2 girls that she has worked with for a while, they are moving. Everyone commented on how great she looked, I think she looks better than ever. It is hard to believe she had a double mastectomy 32 days ago. Don't get me wrong, she still has a few more procedures to go through, but she is feeling better and that is all that matters.

Thanks to the Hladik family for dinner! You have been incredible.

We have secured a date for our golf tournament to benefit Team Boobweiser (Lindsay's Team)in the 3 day walk. The tournament will be August 14th, 7am at the Biltmore Golf Course in Phoenix. It will be $75.00 per player. We will have great raffle prizes and silent auction items. We are also working on getting a good room rate just in case people want to stay the night- and for those that are traveling from out of town. I will post an entry form on this site in the next few days if anyone is interested.


Heat

Every summer in Phoenix the local "professional" meteorologists think that it is good to remind us that it gets hot here. They get out and interview people on the streets and ask them questions like "can you believe how hot it is?" Right on schedule tonight one of these so called "weathermen" decided to try to fry an egg on the sidewalk. Hello, we live in the desert. I hope these guys do not make more than teachers, firemen and policemen. Unfortunately I think they do, the bad part is that they feel like they serve the public. Here is my forecast for the next two months in the Metro Phoenix area. It is going to be mostly sunny or partly cloudy and HOT. Thank you, do I have the job?

B

Day 31 after surgery, it seems like it has been 3 months not one. Today Lindsay had her second expansion, it went better than last week I think because she knew what to expect. Now of course she has some pain due to the stretching of the skin and muscle. She is dealing very well with it she is tough. Hopefully next week will be one of the last expansion's then we will begin to schedule the next surgery.

Thanks again to the Hunter family last night for the food, you all are awesome. Thanks to the Master's family on Saturday for holding their own party to benefit Jo Jo getting to walk on Lindsay's team in November. They raised $1350.00 towards Jo Jo's portion of the team.

Foresight

I was driving around today and noticed on the back of a guys truck two scorpion stickers. We sometimes see scorpions at our house, this of course reminds me that I have not found one in quite a while. I get that feeling that there is a reason I saw those stickers on this guys truck. Of course tonight in the garage I almost stepped on one, I killed it then did a full house search for any others. These are the freakiest creatures on the planet, if you have not seen one under a black light you must check it out it is creepy. I guess the point to my story is why in the world would you have two scorpion stickers on your truck? Get a life dude!!!!!

Lindsay finally had one of her better days so far. She felt as normal as she could at this point. She is not looking forward to her next expansion which is on Monday, they will attempt to put in 100 cc's per side which sounds painful to me. Once again this is a part of the process and this will help her get to a better place.

Thanks to the Weldon family for bringing us food on Thursday you are fantastic people. Thanks to the Collums family for dinner on Friday, the food was fantastic. I think I gained 5 pounds just looking at the pie that Mindy made. You are all very inspirational and it is very heart warming.

We have secured a date for our golf tournament to benefit Lindsay's 3 day walk team so that we can make sure all members can walk. Each team member must raise $2300.00 this will help all of them get to that point. The tournament will be at the Biltmore in Phoenix on August 14th at 7am. More details to follow, we will have great prizes and silent auction items.

Michael Jackson has been dead for 1 year, he had to die to finally start to make money again. His estate has made over 1 billion dollars since his death, this means his chimp has some serious bananas. Sorry call me cynical but I would still not let my kids spend the night at Neverland Ranch.

B

Well I think Lindsay over did it again today. She is very tired and sore. Two boys will do that to you I guess. Thanks to Jody for being with her today. Hopefully next week's expansion will be the last and we can get the last surgery scheduled. Our life will change immensely once that final procedure is done and Lindsay can feel somewhat comfortable. Thanks once again for the thoughts and prayers you all send daily.

I had a guy at work today that just found out about Lindsay's health and what she has just gone through. This guy has a very rough exterior and is somewhat of a tough guy- a true Bud Man that has been with the company 30 years!!! When Lindsay still worked for Hensley, she was his favorite and called her his princess. He called me today after hearing the news and was very emotional on the phone. I believe I heard some tears in his voice. He said to give his little princess a soft hug for him and of course if we needed anything to call him. This just reaffirms to me how many people Lindsay has touched over the years and what a strong personality she has. It is amazing how people have responded to her journey. People are amazing and wonderful.

Circus

We were able to get to the circus tonight and let the boys enjoy the show. Did I miss something over the last 30 years? The bearded lady - had a fake beard. If you want a real bearded lady I see a few each day at Wal Mart. They had a person out there that was supposed to be half man and half woman. Don't they understand this is en vogue these days? The worlds strongest man had fake weights!! I guess everything is PC these days. The one thing they still do is torture those poor elephants. They make them stand on those little platforms and look like goofballs. I am sure the elephants are saying "one day I will crush you". Oh well the boys loved the show.

B

Dr. Boll did Lindsay's first expansion today. It was painful for her and very weird to watch. They put a large needle into the port in the expander- yes right through the skin. They then fill it with salt water. Today they put in 50cc's on each side. This creates pain, and pressure on that area. Those are some of the words that we have heard numerous times throughout this process. Pain and pressure- they always say that is what she is going to feel no matter what they will be doing to her. I have learned that I do not like either word. Hopefully there will only be a couple more expansions before the next surgery because she is in major pain again tonight due to the PRESSURE on her muscles, ribs and skin.

Thanks again to the Buddecke family for providing a fantastic dinner.

US Open

If you have not been to Pebble Beach I suggest you all go. It is where the Golf Gods live and it is the most breathtaking view you will ever see. I have had the privilege to play there and it is an entirely different experience when you walk the course the way we did Thursday and Saturday. I will have to say it was an amazing Father's Day gift. I was there with my boys and my brother and it was fantastic. It was nothing like the Phoenix Open. People actually watch golf at the US Open. I did get to see some high heels and plastic surgery (not due to breast cancer) when Tiger Woods' group would come through. Yes he had quite a following of Scottsdale looking women, you would think they would at least let him get divorced first. I never knew that Cougars prey on Tigers.

B

Well- it's been a couple of days- so I figured I would be the "guest blogger". It's Lindsay! Brian is spending the day traveling back from California with the boys. They had an amazing time back home- saw some friends, Uncle Ryan, Uncle Jake, cousins, and some great views at the Us Open! I am so glad they were able to go- but I will admit it made me a little homesick. What I wouldn't give to be back in Cali- maybe someday. Brian certainly deserved a break after all that he has been doing around here- maybe wasn't all that relaxing with 2 small children, but at least they could get away!

I have been feeling ok. Still moving extremely slow, but to be expected I suppose. I had Hadra with me over the weekend- she was very helpful. I am grateful for the unwavering friendships that are loving us and supporting us through this!

There are so many things that have happened over the last three weeks. We have been faced with challenges we've never faced before. We had difficult choices to make. As I look back now- I am so proud of what we have done. Our relationships are stronger, our faith is clear, and the little things just aren't as important. We've learned a lot about us, and a lot about those around us. From the time I was diagnosed, I said "I refuse to say I have breast cancer, I have simply been diagnosed. This will not become our life, it will be a part of our life. We will deal, and move on." As difficult as it has been at times, I believe that we have stuck to that- we are moving on! I say "we" and "us" because I certainly have not been doing this by myself. I have been carried throughout this by the love I receive from God, my husband, my children, and many more of you! The innocence and love from my little guys has been true medicine! I am so grateful. I await the day that we can help someone else who is going through this. I am ready to share, encourage, and walk alongside someone just beginning this journey.

Happy Father's Day to my amazing husband and all the wonderful fathers out there! Our children are watching every move we make- let's make smart moves!!!!!

Love to you all
L

Lindsay had a rough day today I think she over did it with activity today. Her back and chest hurt, they said that she would have good days and bad days hopefully that means tomorrow is going to be a good one. She was at least able to get out with some friends and be outside. Overall I can't believe how far she has come in 19 days it is amazing.

Thanks to the Kirby family for a wonderful dinner tonight. Thanks to the Hallums and all others that contributed to get a house cleaner today it was great. The lady that did the cleaning was here for 4 hours, I guess I must have missed a few spots over the last 19 days. I would like to apologize to her for the bathrooms our boys do not have the greatest aim.

Golf

I will be at the US Open this week a gift from my wonderful wife for Father's Day. Unfortunately she will not be attending considering some life changing things have happened since December when she bought the tickets. Lindsay will have someone staying with her starting tomorrow until I get home.

I guess I will get to see Tiger Woods a man I do not have much in common with. I do not have his game on or off the course. I just wonder if he will be trying to get Hoe in One, sorry I digress sometimes. I think I have a few more things in common with Phil.

Thanks again to my wonderful wife for the gift, I love you.

B

We went to get the first expansion done today but Dr. Boll was unable to do it. Lindsay still has an area on the right side that they cut so thin it went through the skin on the original surgery. The area is not completely healed so the doctor thought we should wait until next Monday. I don't think Lindsay was really looking forward to more pain again anyway. I know she really wants to get the expander's out asap they are very uncomfortable and rest right on her ribs. Each day continues to get better, unfortunately Lindsay is still sleeping in the recliner. She cannot seem to get comfortable laying flat on her back.

Just wanted to say thank you to the Locklin family for providing dinner Saturday night. I guess Firemen really can cook. Thanks to the Dunham family for hooking us up with dinner tonight and for bringing the kids by it was great to see them.

Just a thought

How is it that a pair of grown adults would allow their 16 year old daughter to go on a boat ride around the world by herself? I am going to have a hard enough time letting one of my boys drive around Chandler by themselves at 16.....

We went to see Dr. Eden today, he had the full pathology report for us. He said everything looked good with exception of the cancerous area. Lindsay asked about the chance of re-occurrence, he told her there are still possibilities but they are slim but we will continue to monitor the area. She felt a little better today, she took the boys to a movie in the morning so she was able to have inner action with actual adults. Thanks to the Foreman family for bringing dinner tonight and thanks to the Masters family for the stuff they brought as well. One of my buddies at work asked me today how long it had been since the surgery, he thought a week. I seems like it has been two months since the surgery, everything seems to have slowed down I think it is because we are out of our normal daily routines. I cannot believe how far she has come in 14 days, once again it is a testament to her strength and commitment to get better.


Just a thought

I was going through the U-Scan at the grocery store today, for those of you that do not use this option it is your opportunity to scan all of your groceries, pay and scan your own coupons. I scanned all of my items, bagged all of my items and then paid after swiping my value card(that could be another blog in itself, what are those cards all about just give us the discount). I start to leave without one store employee ever saying a word to me, on the way out I say thank you to the employee standing there at the podium. Shouldn't they be saying thanks to me? After all I did all of their work for them and paid a part of their paycheck by shopping at their store, how about a little thank you. Oh well at least I know I can scan, bag and pay which means if I ever need a job at that store I am way ahead of the game.

B

Lindsay was on her own for a big part of the day today, probably a little early for that but no choice. Thanks to Trisha and Alyssa for helping out during the day. I am home now and have one more day until vacation and we should be in a better place. She is still having some pain but once again each day is getting better. Her first expansion will be on Monday that will be a big test, I am sure it will hurt. Thanks to our neighbor Jo Jo for the food last night is was great.

Our son Dylan made mommy some rice crispy treats to help her feel better, I think they are working.

Wow another milestone today Lindsay drove a car. She looked like an old lady from Sun City doing it but it was great. Very slow turns and slow with the gas which is not usually her driving style but she is still very limited in what she can do. I think she is starting to feel like a real person again, she wanted to do some shopping. I think that is a sign of any woman starting to recover even if it was at Michaels and she only spent $12.00. Once again baby steps. Dr. Boll was very encouraging about the next surgery when she gets the expander's out and implants in. She said it is nothing near to what she just went through, no drains and it is outpatient surgery.

A special thanks to our friends the Goldmans at Zipps for supplying dinner tonight.

Political

Did I see today that Obama is now mad about what happened in the Gulf? I believe the oil spill is a true weapon of mass destruction, lets get some of our people back over here to help US out. My heart goes out to the people of Louisiana, it seems like devastation year after year down there. Unfortunately I don't think a Super Bowl win cleans up beaches and birds.

B

Sorry I have to retract a statement from my earlier blog. I stated that being exposed to lead based paint as a kid had no affect on me. I forgot to tell you that this morning our 2 year old son insisted on going to swimming lessons with his rain boots on. It was 110 degrees here today, not exactly rain boot weather. Looks like that paint went through me and made it to him. Sorry son.

B

Finally the second drain is out!!!!! Wow what a relief, Lindsay can now take a shower without one of us holding those drains. She can put on clothes that do not show the drains because they are no longer there. She can lift her arms a little bit higher and her spirits as well. The nurses said in the beginning that she would have a bad day and then maybe a good day and then another bad day. This was definitely one of the GOOD days. Thank you AZ grandma for helping with the boys today.

The last 11 days have gone by at a snails pace, it seems like it has been 11 weeks not days. The results we continue to see are definitely worth the wait. Not many things in life start as a train wreck and then get better each day. I can say that first day the day of surgery was my worst day and my best day all rolled into one. It was the worst to understand what my wife was going through on the operating table but it was the best once I reminded myself they were saving her life. How things change minute by minute and day by day.

Thank you in advance to Ms. Mary for helping with the boys tomorrow I know they will love their day.

Daily thoughts:

Someone told me today that now hand sanitizer may be bad for you. Seriously? Is anything out there really safe these days. As a kid I was brought up in a crib with lead based paint on it, there were no car seats for kids and our parents did not worry about germs at playgrounds or on shopping carts. How did we make it?

Well we have good days and bad days, Lindsay in pain again today for some reason it comes and goes. We have a doctors appointment Monday and hopefully will get the second drain out continue to head in a better direction. I think the expander's are very uncomfortable for her, once she gets the actual implants in place it should be better. Grandma left town today, the boys were of course very upset. We had another wonderful woman bring us a fantastic dinner tonight, Lynette from Lindsays MOP's group and her friend Jennifer supplied us with a meal and desert. It is once again astonishing to me to see the selflessness of people that just want to help unconditionally. Things have not been perfect through out this journey but you must stick with it during the tough times to get to the good times......

Thanks again everyone.

Political talk

I was fortunate enough to see yet another national poll showing our state very low on the totem pole as far as education is concerned. Doesn't it seem like we waste a ton of time on things that aren't as important as our children's education, actually is there anything more important than that? We need family values back asap...

Yet another better day. We went to the doctor this morning. The drains needed to be at less than 30cc's of fluid per day. The right side drain was at 29 for the last 24 hours so Dr. Boll said we could get that one out today. They pulled it out and now Lindsay only has one drain on the left side which should come out Monday. I wish I could tell you how intrusive these are to a persons body but it is hard to describe. I know they are a means to an end and a way to make sure all fluid from surgery is gone but they truly are a bummer. We are almost there, I believe once she gets the second one out she will start to feel human again.

Once again I would like to thank all of the well wishers. I would like to thank the people that Lindsay works with, our Hensley family, friends from church, MOPS, Dayspring, swimming and so the list goes on. Everyone has been fantastic.

We will be having a golf tournament in August to support the walkers that have joined Lindsay's team for the Susan G. Komen walk in November. 3 days- 60 miles!! I will have details to follow but just wanted to put it in your minds if you feel like golfing in AZ in August. I think the team name is going to be Team Boobweiser.

Sports

Can you believe the D-Backs had 31 straight scoreless innings, sounds like my high school dating career.

B

8pm Well I will say thank you to all of you that were specific with your prayers, Dr. Eden called and said the pathology report came back. There is no sign of cancer in the right breast, no sign of cancer in the lymph nodes and the cancer that was detected has been removed. What this means is that Lindsay will not have to undergo chemo or radiation. Wooooooooooooo. We knew the surgery was extreme to rid her body of cancer was the main concern.

What kind of doctor calls you personally at 6:40 pm to break down your test results? Obviously we made the right decision with the choice of doctors. Of course I did give him a case of beer before surgery to make sure he was going to take care of my wife, I did make sure he did not drink it the night before or morning of surgery.

It is amazing how many different dates will be etched in time for us and will signify our future. God has a plan for all of us, I am not sure what it is but to be able to share our journey with someone that may be starting the same journey may be the reason. I know that he has taught us that our time here is short and we need to take care of one another which is what all of your loving, caring hands have been doing.

Lindsay was able to let me take her for a ride in the car today, we went and got her a sandwich and some lotion. Can you imagine an Arbonne consultant running out of lotion? Oh well it was great to get her out of the house.

Political talk - WE THE PEOPLE

I know our very good friend Sueanne may think I am on one side, I am actually a registered independent. All I would like is for our politicians whoever they are whatever side they are on to remember that we are the people, we trust them we want them to make the right decisions please.......

7pm Still waiting the results of the pathology test, this is yet one more hurdle we need to get over. The lymph nodes that were taken are the most important part of what the future holds, so when sending prayers for Lindsay please be specific to a negative test for the nodes. In my Dale Carnegie classes one of the lessons was "I'm tremendous, I'm terrific since I have learned to be specific" so please specify the lymph nodes. Lindsay had a somewhat bummer of a day the walls are closing in on her she wants to get out but still can't do too much. We may try to take a walk outside tonight after her shower, it should be down to a balmy 97 degrees by then.

Thanks again for all of the people bringing food, I think you all must think that I had surgery because you continue to bring my favorite food. Your generosity is amazing and overwhelming but very well received. The cupcakes cakes and pies are not going to wast either, thank you all.

Political talk

A catastrophic oil spill is going on in the Gulf of Mexico, it is threatening their way of life. They are trying to cap it, cut it and stuff it with mud. Couldn't they just plug it up with Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid? Just a thought.

B

4pm Just got back from the doctor she said the dressings on the drains look good even though they were hurting Lindsay pretty bad. Lindsay said it sure felt good to get some fresh air even though it is 100 degrees. We have another appt on Friday to get the discs on the drains changed out, common practice. Once again I think each day will get better, thanks for your thoughts.

Political Talk - Weather you agree or disagree with SB 1070 how does it make sense for the mayor of LA want everyone to boycott our state and the money coming into it. LA does not want their people to spend any money on conventions, loddging, restaurants etc. in Arizona. If they are so in favor of Hispanics why are they trying to take money out of their pockets? The last time I checked there was not a vote on this bill yet everyone wants to punish the people of our state. Do we boycott Mickey Mouse everytime the Govenator of California signs a bill that people may not agree with? Do we turn off Shamu's water supply everytime the Govenator of California says something people may not agree with?

B