Sheesh, I have got to change the look of this place.  The brown is downright depressing!    I've been super busy lately, but I have been reading a lot of Xanga's.  There are some I wouldn't miss for anything!

Had a biopsy done yesterday.  Never thought I'd have to say that sentence.  My dentist found a big ole lump in my neck when I went to see her for the first time in July.  Yeah, my dentist.  I didn't do anything for a week, but then realized it just wouldn't go away.  So, it's a 3.5 cm solid nodule on the RT lobe of my thyroid.  Hurts like a son-of-a when touched or if I move my head too fast.  The biopsy yesterday was a fine needle aspiration...meaning the doc jabbed me in the nodule (heh heh) about 5 times with a garden hose-sized needle (ok, not really, but it felt like it).  Afterwards I could barely swallow or turn my neck.  When I told my preceptor today, he was amazed they didn't even numb me up!  Dang.  I'll have results by next Friday, I hope.  Either way, this thing has to come out.  If it's cancer, the entire thryoid comes out then I'd get iodine/radiation treatments.  If it's not, they just lop off the nodule and that side of the thyroid.  My consolation is that if there was one type of cancer to ever get, thyroid would be the best choice.  Awesome survival rate.  I'm praying that it's just a big blob of "goo".

Y'all take care!  Go O's, by the way...they are smokin'!

Well, the princess party went off without a hitch.  My cousin and I worked on the castle cake for about 3 hours saturday night...I had already baked the layers, we just needed to assemble and decorate.  I promise to post pics, I'm just lame about downloading.  The princess loved her party and needed one wardrobe change halfway through as a result of sitting on a grape...she insisted it left a spot.    heh heh  Princesses.  She truly had a blast and so did everyone else.  I was just thankful for peace and quiet once the crew left...and Royce did the big clean-up at the end.  Isn't he sweet?? 

So, I decided to give our big black doggie, Teddy, a shave yesterday.  He's a goofy-newfy...half black lab and half newfoundland.  An awesome mix, if you're in the market for a sweet, yet not that smart, dog.    Anyhoo, with the warmer weather here, he's been shedding his thick undercoat and it's driving me insane.  So, my dad bought me doggy clippers and I went to town.  Right now he looks a tad like a survivor of a war torn doggy nation...the bath + blading + brushing last night did help, but his arse still looks pretty big, er fluffy.  So, I shall get off and make him look a bit better and will then post a pic.  He's a tad bit unsure of his new look, so if you get a chance, let him know how handsome he looks, ok?

Since I'm feeling like a regular underachiever now, I thought I would blog about the kiddos.  Oh, why do I feel like an underachiever???  Because I went online to find some ideas on how to make my front entrance look like a castle for the princess' 4th b.day party this sunday...didn't find any ideas, so if you have some, ideas that is, let me know.  Anyhoo, I came across a sadistic site that allows over-achieving, anal-retentive, supermoms to brag about parties they threw for their children.  Came across a princess party that sounded soo organized the kids must have been terrified to not follow orders to get to the next activity...we're talking 4 yr olds, not 8-9 yr olds!!  *shudder*  If the kiddos who come to Kyra's party don't go home with a personalized, fabric covered, professionally bound coloring book with princess coloring pages...guess that means I'm just way out of my league!  dang.

Ok, on to funny kiddo stories...if you've even made it this far.  The kiddos both have bean bag chairs and love them.  The best way to appreciate them, of course, is to jump off of the sofa onto the bean bag chair...repeat a dozen times.  Spence has his own twist to this activity, he belly flops with a full face plant.  Sure, I think that some day soon he'll knock himself silly, but he's 2 and a boy...well, you get the picture.  Yesterday, Royce took them to our neighbor's pool to go swimming.  It was their first time in this pool and I couldn't go with them so I was a little nervous.  Thankfully we suited up the kiddos with these swimming life jacket-things so I felt certain that with 3 adult and two older children, my kiddos would be a-ok.  They were going down the slide, jumping off the diving board and Spence was doing his belly flops left and right.  (Yes, plenty of adult supervision during all activities.)  When Royce told them they needed to come home, they about blew a gasket. 

I love them, can you tell?? 

Just got a, um, surprising phone call a few minutes ago.  The pastor of our church called.  Wanted to know if the picture they took of me and Spence and Royce last Sunday could be used in the latest flyer that they mail out in the community!  Then he asked me a bunch of questions for quotes and that was that.  Dang, that's cool.    Here come my 15 minutes of fame!  Whoo hoo!

So, the princess is going to be turning 4 on the 15th.  We'll be hosting a princess party at the house...I am soo glad that the little boys are too young to really care that there is going to be massive quantities of pink and all things frou frou.  I'll be making up a castle cake...hoping like crazy that it turns out ok.  She is soo special to me, I can't believe my baby is going to be 4.  It seems like just yesterday I was holding this incredibly tiny little person in my arms.  Now she is a self-proclaimed "big girl" who must do everything by herself.  I so love watching her grow up.  She can be a stinker, but those good times overshadow the bad, without a doubt.

Y'all stay cool, y'hear?

I am soo glad that we're starting a new week.  Last week was crazy, hard, sad, and simply insane.  A son (18 mos old) of one of my best friends was in the hospital for a week, was released on Thursday, for some GI problems.  He's had them since birth but no one really took the time to figure the problem out.  Turns out that he has Hirschsprung's disease and will be undergoing surgery in the next week or so to remove part of his intestines.  I pray that he will finally be cured of this probelm and get back to being a fun and happy kiddo.

Then, on Wednesday, I went in to see my first patient of the day.  An adorable 4 1/2 year old boy who just charmed me.  He'd been having some joint/muscle pain for about 6 months, wasn't eating too much, bruised and bled easily and just wanted to sleep most of the time.  Turns out he has leukemia.  I've always thought that I want to work in pediatrics when I graduate, but this pretty much clinched the deal.  He had been seen 6 months ago for the same problem, his mom was told it was growing pains and told to give him Motrin.  Thank God that this delay in diagnosis didn't make a huge difference. 

He has the best type of leukemia that you can have...and I don't mean to sound flippant at all.  Because he was originally my patient, my preceptor and the docs had me with the mom and the little boy until he was transferred to the hospital.  Being with the mother when she was told was the single worst moment of my life...and I just can't imagine what it felt like to be in her shoes.  If you could, please pray for his quick recovery and for peace for the family.  I think about and pray for this child all the time.

Well, I've probably depressed you now.  But, this is where I have to come and get it all out.  Hug your kids, nephews, loved ones today, ok?

Hola folks!  Been a while.  Things have been more than a little crazy around here.  Spencer went and turned 2 on us.    Can't believe it, where has the time flown?!?!  Some days it truly feels as though we just brought him home from the hospital.  But most days I can't remember a time without him in our lives.  He is definitely the comedian of the family.  I've never seen a child try soo hard to make people laugh.  He has a great sense of humor, loves to give kisses and hugs, and will throw himself down on the floor in a tizzy if he doesn't get his way.  I love him soo much!

My peds rotation is going pretty well.  I see sooooo many babies each day it's helping with that "baby bug" that tries to rear it's ugly head.    There are sometimes when I feel like an utter moron, but I'm getting much better at developing a differential, deciding on medications, and counseling parents.  I may end up in pediatrics when it's all said and done.

Alrighty, I need to git.  I'm exhausted and have no idea why...I had over 9 hours of sleep last night!  If one of my patients gave me mono, there's gonna be heck to pay, heck, you hear me?!?!

I know this is a little late for Memorial Day...but I've been out doing soo much I never had the time to sit and write.  Memorial Day never really meant anything to me.  I never knew anyone who went to war and just didn't really understand...I suppose I pictured myself in a bubble protected from all that "bad stuff".  Not that I don't admire and respect those individuals who fought/fight for our country, it's just that it never really hit home with me. 

Well, I'm at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda for my pediatrics rotation and it's hitting home in a major way.  The press has soo skewed our views of this war and what our guys/gals are going through.  They focus on the deaths, the mistreatment of prisoners, Bush's bumbling.  What about the thousands of men and women who have been injured in battle?  They've lost limbs, been tortured, have suffered.  Their bodies have withstood things that I never knew the body could....and they've lived.  Everytime I see one of the injured soldiers walking, crutching, or being wheeled around the hospital, I am again reminded how heroic they are.  And the kicker?  They are proud for what they've done for their country...they don't want pity, they want support.  So, even though I may question our staying in the Middle East...I admire the men and women who have fought valiantly over there.

Hola!  Just got back from the "girl's trip".  Cruised from Miami to Coco Cay to Nassau and then back to Miami.  Awesome trip...great tan....and awesome hugs from the kiddos when I got back last night.  Nothing beats Spence's hugs and smiles when I walked up the stairs.  He kept pointing at me and telling Royce, "Mommy!!!!"    Yeah, that was cool.  Kyra was soo excited she was barely able to finish brushing her teeth...and she nearly fell off her stool to give me hugs.  Being apart from my family may have been pretty darn tough, but coming back to them was just amazing!

Alright, I have to put together some invites for Spence's birthday party next weekend.  How did he all of a sudden become 2??

Hey folks!  Guess what?!?!  I received my first two rotation assignments!!!  I'll be at the National Naval Medical Center for pediatrics...supposedly a GREAT place to get experience, a huge plus since I may end up in pediatrics.  Then, my psych rotation will be at Johns Hopkins at Bayview.  Also a great place...I'm pretty sure that the two psych instructors I had are there and that would be great to see them!

Can u tell I'm a little excited?  I do have some left-over school work to do, but I should be finished with that fairly soon.  Then I get to just play and relax until May 31st.  (that's my first official day of rotation)  Y'all, I'm sooo pumped! 

Hrmm, what else is new?  Spencer is fast approaching his 2nd b.day.  I can't believe my lil guy is going to be an official toddler!  He is a total ham and does just about anything to make you smile.  He still loves to give hugs and kisses...and points out just about every plane, bus, helicopter, truck, tractor, he can find.  If it's got wheels, he loves it!  I am made to sing The Wheels on the Bus at least a dozen times a day...or any other song, but that one has a BUS in it, the more wheels, the better.    As for Kyra, there are days when I want to strangle (not really) the little booger, but most days she just simply amazes me.  My father-in-law is constantly amazed at how well, and how much she speaks.  She sings non-stop (Spencer loves it!), dances, twirls, and talks back.  Yup, she's officially growing up.    Truly, she is coming out of her shell and I love watching her observe the world and the people in it.  She's always been cautious, but is starting to test the waters, as they were.  I'm pretty much gonzo about these kiddos.  They truly are gifts from God! 

Y'all have a great day.  I'm waiting for my dad to get here so we can start on some projects!  There's LOTS to be done!