Time keeps on ticking, ticking, ticking...

Let's catch up.

My dad had surgery for his bladder cancer and passed away unexpectedly 5 days post-op in Sept '13.  Total shock.  The hospital was preparing to send him home in the next day or two.  Instead, we sent him to the funeral home.  

6 weeks after dad died, we had to put down our Charlie dog.  

Our baby girl graduated from high school in May 2015.  She did go back to school that Fall as a "Super Senior", focusing more on vocational and life skills and not so much on the academics.  

Now that both kids are no longer "kids", I was having a hard time claiming the whole "stay-at-home-mom" title.  So I got a job last year.  My first job in over 20 years!  Our local historic theater, which I have always LOVED, hired me as a box office employee.  Within a few weeks, I was taking on more projects and bigger projects.  And after a few months, I was moved into event planning. Along with being Box Office Manager, my official title at work is Rental & Event Coordinator.  

 

Spring of 2015 Megan went to Prom with her friend Terrance.  It did my mommy heart so much good to see her partaking in a typical teenage right of passage!  She had talked about going to Prom for a few years, it was a dream of hers, so I'm so glad her dream came true.

After battling for almost 4 years, my Mom passed away from breast cancer July 26, 2015.  Her downhill slide happened quickly, for which I am profoundly thankful.  I'm so thankful she remained "healthy" for so long, and that when it was time, she went quickly.  We buried her with dad (both were cremated). 

Since they went to Prom, they also went to Homecoming in the Fall of 2015.  

And then again to Prom in the Spring of 2016.

While Megan was eligible to remain in the public school system until she turns 21, which is two more years, we've decided that she is done.  Last week was her last day of high school.  Now we are facing the "what's next for Megan?" question from everyone.  Well, she's going to get a job.  We are working with the local agencies trying to find the perfect job for her.  It's a long process.  

Also, since Dave retired from the Marine Corps and we've moved back home, we've been playing in pit orchestras.  And I got a new flute!  Here are some of the shows we've played over the last couple of years.

 

And, my girlfriend wrote a book!!!
(I'm in it!)

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Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy.

Usually given to a woman.

Not a teenager.

Megan will be going in at the end of the month for a hysterectomy.  I'm trying to accept this decision with my heart.  In my head I know it's the right decision, but it's a decision that makes my heart hurt.  I mean, seriously, who wants to give their 17 year old daughter a hysterectomy??  I know she can never have kids, I know this is what is healthiest for her, but it still makes me weepy to think about it.  So, I can't let myself think about it.

Megan was diagnosed about two years ago with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).  She was prescribed Metformin & Ortho-tricyclene to regulate her hormones.  This also regulated her periods.  Managing her periods has just become too much.  Too much pain.  Too much mess.  Too much hassle... it all has just become too much for Meggie.  Could she continue with this monthly hassle?  Yes.  Is it something that she needs to deal with every month?  No.  Having babies is not an option for her, so there is no reason to keep dealing with it.  Let's take the plumbing out, and be done with it.  In the process, we'll also cut down on the chance of cancer in the future.

Medically, it all makes sense.  And all four doctors I've talked with support the decision.  It's not an uncommon procedure for young women with Down syndrome.

But it still hurts my heart.

....sigh




Read more about PCOS here.


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Bloom

Stop what you're doing.  Stop.  Right now.  You need to rush out and buy this book:

Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected - A Memoir

This was such a bittersweet book for me... I read it through many tears and much laughter. It's a beautiful story of love and celebration that EVERYONE should read, whether you have a loved one with Down syndrome or not.

From Amazon.com:

"Bloom takes readers on a wondrous journey through Nella's first year of life—a gripping, hilarious, and intensely poignant trip of transformation in which a mother learns that perfection comes in all different shapes. It is a story about embracing life and really living it, of being fearless and accepting difference, of going beyond constricting definitions of beauty, and of the awesome power of perspective."

I saw it featured in People magazine, and purchased it from Amazon that same night. I curled up in bed last night and started Bloom, and I almost made it through the entire book in one sitting. But by 3am I had to put it down and save the rest for tonight.

I sobbed during some parts, knowing EXACTLY what the author was feeling and experiencing... it took me back to those early days and I relived many of my own memories. And then I would laugh so hard at the very next sentence, I'd wake Dave up who was sleeping peacefully next to me. 

The author had a whole safety net of people to lean on and support her.  We had nobody to lean on... we had just moved to San Diego 4 short weeks before hand and had no family, no friends, no family priest, no family doctor.... NOBODY.  I look back at those days and wonder how I ever made it through. But thankfully, I DID. *WE* did. We made it through. And it's been good. :) 

But seriously, stop reading my blog and run out and go get this book!!!

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