Breast Cancer awareness month - October 2008

Well, I was 2 years since my last mammogram and I finally got mine done last month along with getting my yearly check up. At 44, it is nearly mandatory to have wellness, preventative maintenence checks done yearly. Bad me.......
About a week later my doctors office called me and said all was well.
Ok, I am feeling pretty confident. At 44, I am in the beginning stages of menopause. Not fun, but just another road trip in the circle of life.
I have been having some issues with the change happening and still need to have another pap smear done in January. It came back as not normal, but within normal range???huh???? So have to wait for regrowth of whatever, 6 months wait....
Last week I got another call from the doctors office and was told that my mammogram came back with having seen a spot and now I have to have additional testing done tomorrow.
Ironically, I had a breast cancer awareness dinner and program to attend that night I was told. I'm glad that I was not so freaked out by this news, that I did in fact attend the meeting. My god, the information that is now available and the treatments that can be done. I felt so much more informed for having attended this vital meeting. Yes, I was freaked out by the news and balling most of the day with such a hopeless outlook if it turns out to be cancer and I end up with a mastectomy.
But now, with this information that is available, I feel empowered and hopeful for a great outcome, even if it ends up being cancer.
Of course I would still be very upset by bad news, but now I know it isn't a death sentence anymore.
Thank you Jackson County, FL Hospital for sponsoring such a wonderful symposium.


Be sure to do your monthly self breast exam, at the same time every month to make a fair comparison each time it's done.

Love to fish with friends

There is nothing more fun than sharing good furtune with good freinds. My good fortune includes having a few beautiful and bountiful ponds on our property. The fishing is fabulous and I can't seem to get enough of it, even in the sweltering heat in early June.
The ponds have been left alone to repopulate for about 5 years and my god, the fish practically jump onto the hook.
Lots of bass, bream, blue gill, crappie, etc... It's teaming with fish and a few gators here and there and I don't mean football players!!
For the most part the gators just watch us and so far no big boys have been seen this year. Last year we had 2 that were nearly 12 feet long. They moved on to bigger areas to rule. Whew.....sure don't miss them! They did eat several of the smaller gators. I know this because I found their crushed skulls at the edge of the pond. Not a pretty sight. I've got 2 good things to say about gators and one is,
God they taste good fried and 2 is, They are great for turtle control. Nothing like having your bait eaten by the turtles constantly, but with the gators making their homes in a pond, they do eat and control the turtle population.
Last year I did catch the biggest bass I ever caught, 6.5 pounds and 22 inches long. Of course there was no one there to see me, but I'm sure the neighbors heard me hootin and a hollerin! Yes, I was very loud in my exuberance.
I did have this one professionally mounted and he is proudly displayed at the camp house.
Gotta get my little john boat worked on now. I am still unable to get my brand new fishfinder/depth finder working. New battery too. I also have to fix the holes in the back from putting the dopplar? onto the boat.
Yesterday, I took my friends in the canoe, 3 of us, and I did all the paddling! Had to loan out my other paddle to another friend who brought along his wife and 2 grandkids in his ghenue (sp?). He did not have a paddle.....
My friends are so funny, they did not know how to use a open bale reel. My child stayed with her friend so I could relax and just fish...Ha ha on me. Between keeping us near, but not on the lilly pads and showing them how to cast, there wasn't alot of relaxation.... Guess this is why I usually fish solo.
At least they were fast learners! These gals can now cast with ease and confidence. Their husbands will enjoy the fish we caught and cleaned!