Stormy Weather

We've had an unusual storm here in Orange County this week.  It's made quite an impression on all of us native Californians.  We aren't used to weather.  In October I showed you a picture from my backyard.  I look out at this mountain every day.

Except yesterday we got wind, and rain, and thunder.  By afternoon it looked like this instead:

That's real live snow in Orange County!  Here's another picture in case you don't believe me:

Okay, it may not be much snow.  It may not last long either, but it is snow.

All you cold weather people can stop laughing at me now.  No fair making fun of me when I've had such a shitty week.  

Today's a housecleaning day here on Twenty Four At Heart.  I wanted to let you know that I will continue to post through the holidays, but I probably won't be posting daily again until after New Years.  I'm hopelessly behind on all my holiday stuff, my daughter is home for the next week or so, blah, blah, blah.  I definitely will be writing a lot, but I might miss a day or two.

I also wanted to give all my readers a huge virtual hug.  I can't even tell you how much it means to me to hear from you when life turns to crap.  You are the absolute best, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.  My blog's host (typepad) is having comment issues.  A lot of you commented yesterday but your comments didn't show up here on the blog.  I did receive your comments, however.  At least, I received a lot more than showed up and I'm assuming I got all of them.  (Typepad promises me they're fixing this problem.)  I greatly appreciate every comment and email - thank you! 

My biopsy won't take place until the 31st (New Years Eve morning).  The doctor wanted it ASAP, the Boob Center tells me they're booked up and that's the soonest available appointment.  Can you believe it?  My frustration with medical bureaucracy knows no bounds.  Who wants something like the possibility of breast cancer hanging over their head for a few weeks? Especially during the holidays?

When they scheduled the biopsy, the receptionist asked me if I'm "prone to fainting during medical procedures."  I answered, "No, but I've never had a 3 foot long needle stuck into my boob before either."

She couldn't stop laughing.  She told me I'm "hilarious."

I wasn't joking, and I fail to see the humor.

In any case, I'm focusing on the strong likelihood that the "area of concern" is benign. Statistically, the odds are in my favor.  It's the not knowing that is hard.  Tell me what's wrong and what needs to be done and I'll deal with it.  In the meantime, I was kind of a mess the first 24 hours post Diagnostic Day.

The Torturer has kept abreast (get it?!) of what's been going on.  When I walked into PT yesterday, he greeted me with a huge hug.  I instantly dissolved into tears.  He didn't even blink.  I think he knew the kindest thing he could do was just let me cry.  He did - and I did.  I felt a lot better afterwards.

Comments

[Hallie]

I will not even suggest you put this out of your mind until the 31st....How the hell could you? What I will hope for you is that you can put it in the back of your mind and only think of it a little. Probably not possible either but I can hope.

And thanks for saying you like my blog. That's ALWAYS nice to hear!

Hallie

[alntv]

I totally understand the not being able to keep up part. Get your holiday in order, get to that doctor appointment and make sure you let us know what's up! I will miss your daily blog though. You are ALWAYS my first stop every morning after I get my coffee! :-)

[Donna in VA]

Holy crap! The Torturer made ME cry.

As for the weather, I left my comments on that over at UndomesticDiva's site.

You take care of yourself. TRY to enjoy the holidays as best you can. I pray everything works out well for you.

[Di]

You just have a lot on your plate right now. Crying is allowed.

[EricaB]

Can I just tell you that that storm that left beautiful snow in your backyard...yeah, headed my way...expected to leave over a foot...a foot that isn't expected to melt like it does for you. Ugh!

You WILL get all the holiday stuff done, I am sure of it! I look forward to your posts and wish you the very happiest holiday!

[phhhst]

My oncologist tells me I'm funny every time I have an office visit, and I just look at her blankly like, hey I'm serious here missie.

I think all bloggers should make a pack to NOT post daily during the week before Christmas.

[Tricia]

Wishing you an uneventful rest of 2008, and a very happy beginning to 2009!

[SSG]

Holidays? I won't be anywhere NEAR a computer, so won't be posting for probably 2 weeks... it's the HOLIDAYS!

31st, mentally that is a long time. Hope it hurries up, you dont faint with the 3 foot needle, it comes back benign, and you get told you need regular checks and that's all.

Man, you are hilarious, that's one of the reasons I read your blog. You're also totally entitled to smack people in the gob when they tell you that though.

[BT]

Just started reading your blog recently, about a month ago. I had heard of your story of the accident some time ago, can't remember where. I will be thinking of you and hoping all goes well with the biopsy.

[Jan]

I'm with SSG - smack 'em in the gob! (You gotta love the Brits and their expressions.)

I know two weeks sounds like a long time, especially for something like this. But it will be over sooner than you realize and when the results come back benign, you can start smacking the entire medical profession in the gob for scaring you like this.

And I'll be glad to prop up your right arm while you do it.

[Kelly]

Hmm I don't know if that really is enough to count as SNOW? :) Sucks you have to wait on the biopsy. You ARE funny. The Torturer ... is really a nice guy under that gruff exterior.

[Katie]

Ok two weeks seems quite a long time. hang in there!

ooooh snow on the mountains makes me want to snowboard! SO FUN.

[Linda]

Shit! It's Christmas??? How did I miss that memo???
A good cry is soothing to the soul.
Pretty snow! We get it here in SC every couple years. By the time I crochet up some mittens for you it will be gone. Bummer.

[Sandra]

Holy Cow. That is a TON of snow. :0)

It's nice to know the Torturer has a soft side.

[Kristan]

AWW I totally would have cracked up if I were the nurse on the phone too!

And that last paragraph really got to me. :) See, this is why we love The Torturer!

[emmysuh]

Ugh. Of course it's the waiting that's hard! I hate that you have to wait that long!

The photos of the snow on the mountains are gorgeous!

[Midlife Mama]

The waiting is the hardest part. Wait I think that's a song! Why yes it is. Tom Petty says it best:

The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you see one more card
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The waiting is the hardest part

Dont let it kill you baby, dont let it get to you
Dont let em kill you baby, dont let em get to you
Ill be your breathin heart, Ill be your cryin fool
Dont let this go to far, dont let it get to you

[mama llama]

I'm glad to hear your torturer could give you what all of us would like to..

I'll miss you on your days off, but I'll know you are doing all you need to do to make this season as special as possible for all involved.

Be well, 24.

[Lorna]

No one can tell you it will all be fine. I can tell you my experience with the same situation. I had to have a needle biopsy. A strange experience with your boob hanging down a hole in a table...(and I remember some strange arm positions, so that could be a problem) but it was inconclusive, so I also had to have a surgical biopsy done. All the waiting is torture. In my case, everything turned out benign. I pray the same for you.

[goodfather]

The snow pics are awesome. It is finally Really Snowing here.

My man crush has deepened even further on the Torturer today, if that's possible.

When I had my manhood altering procedure, the first step was to inject my sack with Novocaine (Lidocaine?), and the Dr was looking for the 8-gauge needle. I said, 'Just use the 40-gauge.' He laughed as he jammed it in. I didn't.

[Bev]

I hope that in spite of all that is going on, that you will enjoy your holiday. Just having time with the people you love is such a blessing, and I know you enjoy being with your daughter when she's home.

I am glad that the Torturer was nice to you. I would have HATED to have to put a contract out on him during the holidays if he was mean to you after you having such a crappy week. ;)

Hang in there and try to be good to yourself and enjoy your loved ones.

Hugs!

[thistle]

See, you don't know what you're missing by getting 'weather'...and i've had so many pics come thru from friends in So Cal who had a respectable amount of snow...you poor people, i know you're just not accustomed to it. Personally, had to dig my car out of a drift to go to work today...

Enjoy your holiday, i'm willing to bet a derg or two that this is just a benign blip...and it needs to be silenced and ignored for the next two weeks while you enjoy your family and friends. THAT's what the holidays are for...undefined things like this must not overshadow the good bits of life.

[MLS]

From experience, that biopsy is a piece of cake. It's the deadening they do before hand that is the only thing that hurts and that's just a little sting from a tiny needle. It was actually the sound of the biopsy needle going in that made me think I might faint so wear your ipod headphones and you'll be fine. Oh....and don't watch!

HUGS and prayers to you..

[Joanne]

aawwwwww! the Torturer has a heart after all! I teared up too. How can ya hate a guy who lets you snot up all over his shoulder???

[Smart Mouth Broad]

You are absolutely right, the hardest part is not knowing. Hopefully focusing on your holidays will keep your mind busy with good things instead of worrying. I will keep you in my prayers.

I think everyone is going to be posting and reading less in the coming week or so. I know I am having a hard time getting around to my usual haunts.