BLUe MoON WiSHeS!!

Pant, pant... did you see it, did you see it? 

Last night I was out doing my "business" (*sorry, TMI!*), and I glanced up and low-n-behold, look what was in the sky....

A Blue Moon!

In my (almost) 3 short years, I don't think I've ever seen a Blue Moon before... so I made a wish!  

Did you make one?  I'll tell you mine, if you tell me yours!  No, it won't ruin it... I promise!  The more people you tell, the stronger the wish gets!  REALLY!  Haven't you heard that?  

My Mom says, "What you dream about will come about!"  And I think a blue moon is so "dreamy"... almost like... Magic!

Speaking of magic, don't you just love SEPTEMBER?  I love the Autumn season.... cool, crisp days; a lovely roaring fire in the fireplace (opps... we don't have a fireplace!); okay... cozy blankets, and pretty leaves to romp in! One day the leaves are green... then, yelllow, orange, red, purple... IF that's not magic, what is?

Mom's excited it's Autumn too because she's taking an Art class at our local Junior College for the Fall semester...  something about learning and making different Artist Books.  Maybe down the road, I'll take a couple pictures of her projects and share them with you!  Shhh... it will be our little secret, okay?  

A secret isn't the same as a wish, you know... so you CAN'T tell, okay?  Do we have a deal?

Mom's actually excited about a few things...

1) Being Cancer-FREE!
2) Continued healing!
3) Opportunities for creativity (Fall is such an inspiring season, don't you think?)

BUT she's excited AND (a little) nervous about one HUGE thing, so she wished upon a Blue Moon last night too!  Wishing is fun, but I thought I would ask you to pray about it with her too.  Then it's bound to happen don't you think?  Will you do it?  ... for HER and little ol' ME?  Pretty please?!

This is my begging face...  please, please, please!

Ok, are you sitting down?  Cuz, I'm serious about this.  Hands folded.  Close your eyes!  NO PEEKING!!  Well, okay, don't worry you can peek and repeat after me....

"Dear Jesus,  it's me, (insert name)!  Hi.  I know you're busy, and there are probably lots of dogs (*I mean, people*) asking for your help, but I wanna ask you for help too.  She really needs to find a full-time job soon.  Her money's running out, and she (*I mean, Coco and she*) really don't want to have to move, because she (*I mean, Coco and she*) LOVE their home here in Mount Hermon.   

So, since You can do ANYTHING because YOU ARE AMaZiNG and PoWErFuL and MiRaCLeS live in your back pocket, would you provide the perfect job.... in Scotts Valley for my mom (*I mean, Lynne*)?  I know I'm asking a lot, but for You, it's effortless!  See, here's the thing:  if her job is close to home, she can come and eat lunch with Coco or take Coco for a mid-day walk, and Coco won't be so lonesome!  God... you wouldn't want Coco to be lonesome, would you?  I mean look at that face... how sad is that?  (*I know, that was a selfish prayer, but God loves puppies too, ya know! ...Okay, I'm getting off track here!*)  

Thank you Jesus, for hearing all of us and caring for Coco and Lynne!!  Love Coco... (*I mean, AMEN!*)"

(Me so lonesome cuz my mom has to commute soooo far!)  

(Me panting w/ excitement cuz my mom will be home soon!)

Thank you for praying with me!  I just know my AND my mom's wishes will come true, because I believe in Blue Moon wishes, living your dreams, and especially in a very BIG and LOVING God in Heaven!

So, if you tell me your Blue Moon wish, I'll tell you mine! 

Woof, Woof!

Coco

 

Best Laid Plans... Foiled!

Hi, it's me again... Coco!

It was Thursday morning... and I could see luggage being pulled out of the closet, laundry being done, and Mom stacking clothes on the sofa. And I thought, !ADvENtuRE!... we're goin' on a trip!  

(*I congered up visions in my mind*).... Car packed; seat belts on; and off we go... wind in my hair; cars whooshing by; French music playin' on the stereo; nothing but open highway before us.  Road trip!  I LoVE it!  I settle down for a nice snooze. I couldn't be happier or more excited... 

(*But then I remember...*)
...sometimes (to my dismay), my "adventure" ends prematurely... and I wind up at Grammy's.  Now don't get me wrong, I love Grammy, but that just means my Mom is headed for an adventure without me.  Ruff!  Not a happy camper!  


So I thought, what's it going to be this time?  Do I get to go?  Oh please, oh please, oh please... woof, woof!  (*Wait... didn't I hear Mom talking about a Lundy Family Reunion in Truckee this weekend?*)  Hmmm... that may mean to Grammy's I go.  Humph!  Time will tell... 

Now it's Thursday afternoon... and off she goes to her weekly doctor's appointment.  It's a "fill" day! I hoped she wouldn't be too sore when she got home. I mean... she still needed to pack all her stuff and my stuff too! Come on... a pup can hope, can't she?

Don't worry about me, Mom!! I'll just wait here while you're gone and hope, okay?!

(*Pant, pant... here she comes!*)  She's home! Yippee, she's rushing around!  Wait... she's not packing; she's ignoring me; she's brushing her teeth again; now she's feeding me early... really early... whaaat?  Rut-ro... she's leaving AGAIN!!! Without me and no luggage. What's going on?!

Rut-ro is right! Best laid plans can turn on a dime... my Mom's off to the hospital again!

It turns out that one of my Mom's scars (which had split open a few weeks ago) wasn't healing properly, and her doctor decided to make her go to sleep again and do surgery in the OR.  She ended up leaving his office at 4:30pm, picked up a prescription at the pharmacy at 5pm, was home 10 minutes and was admitted to the hospital by 6pm.  

She got home about 11pm, but didn't feel very well.  The general anesthesia makes her feel like she's going to lose her "cookies".  Where's nurse Julie?  We need you!  

Well, I guess it's up to me!  Coco to the rescue! So I tucked her into bed about midnight, and off to sleep we went!

On Friday, she woke up sad, because she knew she wasn't feeling well enough to travel to the reunion.  I had to lick a few tears away.  Mom just sat in her chair, in her jammies, and rested all day.  I sat on her lap and kept her company.  It's my job to make her feel better.  And I think I do a pretty good job!

Today is Saturday - and thanks to lil ol' me - my Mom is in much better spirits!  She still needs rest and to be careful, especially with her left side.  Her "filling" schedule will be delayed for a few weeks while she heals again.  But she's really grateful her doctor played it safe.  We don't want anymore "hiccups" along the way!

So don't worry... I've got everything under control.  I gave her one of my favorite toys, and I'm keeping a close eye on her.

Nurse Coco here.. signing off!  Woof, woof! 

Artful Pup!

Yep... that's me!

It's a pretty good "liking" too!  So much so that when my mom hung it on our living room wall, I immediately growled at it. Then I realized it was JUST me... no need to worry! Whew!  That was a close one...

Don't get me wrong... I don't mind sharing my toys; I'll even share my food; I just don't want to share my Mom!  I mean, I'm top dog around here... don'tcha think?

I LoVE my Mom. She's my BFF.

Since her surgery, I don't like letting her out of my sight.  I'm on high alert!  She needs to be watched. See... this is me watching her...

It's all very intense... it's my job, and I take it very seriously!  I hate to admit it, but on very rare occasions, she gets out of my sight.  What can I say?  Sometimes my toys distract me...

....well, she's VERY tricky sometimes!!!

...and before I knew it, she snuck out of the house (without me!!!)! Grrrrr...

Sometimes when she comes home, especially after a doctor's appointment... she's in pain and very uncomfortable, so we just take naps together.

But the other day, she came home and was very perky.  Now, now... I know what you're thinking!  Sheesh... she's not THAT "full" yet!  No, silly... she was perky with energy!

She's feeling well enough to get back to being creative.  She took a class in precious metal clay (PMC) and had a lot of fun!  Look what she made... isn't it pretty?  

It's hand-rolled out of fine silver, textured, and then torched and antiqued.  She just needs to make a "purdy" chain for it!  I know... it's a bit blurry, but it's very hard for a dog to take pictures.  I need to get my nails cut!

Here's a necklace she made that looks like a little book! Notice the fun chain?....

If you look really closely, you can see my name hammered into the tag near the heart!  


Mom's doing great, and I'm a happy camper because I know how much my Mom loves me!  Woof, woof!! (*sigh*)

Time Flies!.... Even When You’re NOT Having (*much*) Fun! (told by Lynne)

Believe it or not, it’s been five weeks since my surgery and homecoming!  I’m happy to report I’m well on my way to healing!  My energy is up; Coco and I have been able to start walking again; I’ve weaned myself off my pain meds (for the most part!); and I’m feeling stronger each day!  Praise God; it’s good to “be back!”

Here are a few things I would continue to covet your prayers in...

1. I have a couple of issues under my arms that I’m REALLY hoping will “work themselves out” in occupational therapy & the skin stretching process.
1. Puckering of extra skin
2. Hardness under one armpit (which we’re hoping is fluid and not scar tissue)
3. I'm at risk for Lymphodema, and need to be diligent about doing my exercises.
2. I still have about 4-6 more weeks of being “filled”... HOLY MOLY!!!!  This has proven NOT to always feel real comfortable, but thankfully, my doctor started to use a topical anesthetic which helped with the pain of the needle tremendously. 
1. Ache-i-ness and tightness are just part of the my new normal, but at least I don’t have to stress out over the needle anymore!
3. Once the “filling” process is done, I will need to wait about 3 months before the final surgery and any “clean up” procedures for scar and skin issues.  Perhaps by 2013, I’ll be as good as new!

Five Weeks Out (told by Coco)

Yippee!  I’ve been home with my mom consistently for 3 weeks!  It “almost” feels like we’re back to our normal routine.  The best part is we’re finally back to taking our evening walks again!  There’s nothing better than fresh air; meeting friends along the way; the breeze in my hair; and sun on my back... I love it!  Woof!

We still have lots of fun company coming for visits which is my favorite part of mom being “sick”!  Opps, sorry Mom!  

My only issue... when can I lose the crate?!!

I'm Getting "Filled Up" (told through Lynne)


Hi everyone!
Many of you are walking this day-to-day journey with me.  You've brought me yummy food, stopped by for encouraging visits, reminded me to slow down, taken me to doctor's appointments, gone shopping for me, done my laundry and/or housework, and graciously given me permission to rest rather than respond to everyones' wonderful emails, FB messages, and voicemails.   You've filled me to the brim with love, care, support, grace and delicious sustenance!


Yesterday marked another type of "filling"!  I had my 1st of many appointments to start the reconstruction process.  Can I just say... this journey is strange!  


At the risk of giving waaaay too much information (TMI), I'll try to inform and/or educate you on what my journey looks like going forward.  Warning: if you get a bit squeamish, you may want to tune out at this point... I'm just sayin'!


At the time of my mastectomy, my plastic surgeon inserted "expanders" under my skin.  These expanders will allow my skin to stretch over time and get my body ready for my final surgery - when the implants will be inserted under my breast muscle.  


Each week (for a few months) I will go in to receive a certain amount of saline through the expanders' ports.  The doctor finds the magnetic port, inserts a huge syringe (ouch!), and pumps saline into each expander.  Oddly, other than the needle, I didn't really feel anything yesterday... that is, until I got home.  


Ugh... more discomfort and pain all day!  I'm realizing that this journey is going to be a long one.  I have good days and I have bad days.... it's my new "normal".  It will be 3 weeks tomorrow since I came home, and I was hoping I'd be further along... but I'm learning to give myself time to heal; to gain stamina; to NOT judge my day based on productivity.  Not easy for me to do!  So "thank you" to those of you who keep reminding me... it's okay!


So, I'm calling this phase... My "Filling-Up" Stage - both literally and figuratively!


My doctor is filling up my expanders!
My loving friends are filling me up with grace, food, and support! 
I'm learning how to fill up my mind with healing permission to do nothing.
Coco is filling up my lap with her loving, protective presence.
And God is filling me up with comfort, His presence, and amazing lessons on what's important in life!


Prayer requests:

• I will continue to pace myself.
• I can manage my pain and discomfort effectively.
• I will get some good news from my breast surgeon (on Monday) regarding some healing issues under my arms.

Thank you all for your love and care!  My inbox, mailbox, and phone have been "filled" beyond my imagination with your encouraging thoughts and prayers!


And for your pure viewing pleasure...

Happy Girl getting to walk again!

Homecoming... 


Woof, woof!  I'm so excited; I'm almost home! ....and I get to see my mom (Lynne) again!  


Now don't get me wrong... a little vacation at Grammy's is always nice, but I'm not gonna lie... I WAS a little worried when everyone left on the morning of Tuesday, July 3rd but my mom was the only one who didn't come back that night.  Where was she? Why was she gone? When would she come back?  


And then before I knew what was happening... off I went with Grammy to her house with no explanation! 


Five days later, Gram put me in her car so I settled in for a little drive and went to sleep.  Suddenly, something smelled familiar... I sat up in my car seat; looked out the window; and lo-n-behold we were in Scotts Valley!  I was almost home!  I could barely contain myself!


As soon as I got in the house, I was on the hunt for my mom.  I couldn't wait to see her!  Before I knew what I was doing (because a dog like me can't help myself), I did my crazy-dog run!

Why are you looking at me like that?  I told you it was "crazy". I romp around the couch, jump on chairs, thrash my toys, leap over burning buildings... 

... okay, I don't leap over burning buildings in a single bound, but "the run" is what I do! It's how I express my utter, pure joy!  

Hey what's this?  I've never seen this chair before?

It looks like this is where my mom's been resting... Why won't anyone let me jump up on it... Will my mom let me get up there with her?  Umph!  I want my mother!


I'm noticing a few "funny" things... like, why's she wearing that funny robe?  She's actually got four funny "things" hanging from her sides... wait a minute.... Are those new squeak toys for me?  Let me investigate a little....  

Eww... I don't think so!


Something's not quite right, but I'm so happy to see my mom.  And the best part is.... Yippee!  I do get to get up on the chair with her; I just have to be very, very careful!  I can't get excited on her... just at the door when people come to visit her (and me of, course!).

So here's what I've been able to surmise since I've gotten home...

• My mom's surgery went well; no unexpected surprises
• Her hospital stay was comical, but thankfully short-n-sweet
• She came home on Friday, July 6th
• The first week, she had good & bad days - dealing with nausea, pain management, etc.
• Two (of 4 drains) were taken out on Wednesday, July 11th = Hiccup #1; the nurse pulled the wrong drain.
• On Friday, July 13th = Hiccup #2; one remaining drain started leaking and had to be removed early.
• So far, we think everything is okay, but here's my mom's prayer requests:

1. Her body will continue to absorb any extra fluid that is collecting due to her drains-debacle.
2. The "forgetfulness" or "false record-keeping" of the nurse will be revealed, so my mom's doctor won't "attack" her (again) at her next doctor's visit on Tuesday... clearly he's worried (unnecessarily) about a lawsuit.
3. Continued smooth healing and renewed energy

I don't think I've ever seen so many people coming and going... my mom sure has an army of loving, caring, selfless, amazing, incredible friends!  She asked me to thank you... so... "Ruff, Ruff"!!

It sure is good to be home!  

An Ode to Surgery...


T'was the night before surgery, all my ducks in a row
my mom arrived early, and friend Julie's in tow.
The laundry is washed, and the bills have been paid,
the housework is done, but Coco's afraid.
Don't worry my pup, I'll be home very soon,
our friends will come calling, and we'll walk before noon.

Lovely cards have arrived and many prayers have been sent,

THANKS everyone for all your encouragement!

God's grace is sufficient, I'm smothered in love,
my Protector, my Refuge, my Healer above...


....So, as I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.


Surgery Date: Tuesday, July 3rd
Surgery Time: 1:30pm
Surgery Length: about 6 hours


No, sweet Coco... you can NOT sneak into the hospital!  But I sure wish you could!!