Friday's Letters!

It's Friday!! Hope everyone had a great week! I am so looking forward to this weekend & so glad I have Monday off! This week Ashley isn't hosting the Friday letters link up, but I'm still going to share my letters because I love writing them! And I like keeping with routine ;)

Dear Friday you are welcomed with open arms! This has been a good week, but I am still glad you're here! Dear gym why o why did you have to lose power yesterday after 4 minutes into cardo :/ Since I can't move a lot, incling walking is all I have while I heal and I don't like that it was taken from me. Dear body thank you for taking this healing process head on and making it pretty easy for me. Dear masses I'm so glad your gone (yep, had to say it!). I feel so much lighter without you! Dear Ashley & Tara I'm so excited to spend the weekend with y'all! Good friends, good food, and lots of fishing! Dear husband thank you so much for helping me with housework this week! The house is staying clean, laundry is getting done, groceries are being bought, you are truly wonderful! Dear car financing hurry up and be done so I can have my beautiful car! Dear Cam omg I cannot believe you started 8th grade this week! There's no way you can be that old! I love you sweet brother and wish I could have been there on your first day! Who knows, maybe next year! Dear God thank you for everything! Espescially for my husband, our sweet kitty, your daily provisions, and that you love us for exactly who we are!!

Hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend! My plan is to relax, get sun, and...relax!

-Kate

It's OK Thursday!

It's OK...

-that I woke up at 7:53 and needed to be at work at 8!! Thank goodness for sweet friends who covered me for 20 minutes :)

-that I had to be really wise with my workout yesterday since I'm healing

-to drink water like it's my job

-to buy groceries and still eat out for dinner

-to be in love with my new running shoes

-to be counting down until I can wear non-sports bras again

-to use at least 20 post-its a day at work

-to be soooo ready for this weekend!!

-to pray on the way to work in the mornings; best way to start the day!

-to long for a nice camera to start taking great pictures with (that isn't on my phone)

These are some of the things I am loving this week! How about y'all??

-Kate

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday!! I can't say this week is flying by, but it's definitely moving right along and boy am I glad! I'm linking up with Jamie! Here's some things I'm loving today!

I'm loving that my surgery has come and gone and that it's already been a week ago today! If you don't know what I'm talking about, check it out here! It's not gross or anything (when I hear surgery it makes me cringe!), just evidence of God's goodness in my life!

I'm loving peach rings! I know that's super random but after I got home on Wednesday they were the only thing that seemed appealing the whole day which is weird since I rarely eat candy. Still so good!

I'm loving SheReadsTruth.com! It's an amazing online Bible study where women all over the world are reading the same monthly plan together and sharing their hearts each day! It has kept me reading the Bible daily which is something I've never made a habbit of and I really love it! Plus, they share on instagram, twitter, and facebook so there's never a reason to miss out on what God's doing with these other amazing women!

I'm also loving this sports bra from Champion! For 2 entire weeks I have to live in sports bras while I heal and since I'm not exactly small chested, I wasn't too excited about it. My doctor said they can't be over the head, they have to clasp, and can't have wires. I wasn't sure anything cute or supportive would exist like that but I stumbled upon this amazing (and REALLY cute) sports bra at academy! It's really supportive, super comfortable, has no wires, and my doctor called if flashy :) WIN all around.

Last but not least, I'm loving my sweet hubby! He was so great at helping my recover this past week. He also was so encouraging of letting my bring our cat along which turned out to be a really sweet memory! Thanks hubs for being my best friend and my rock!

What are you loving today??! Do tell!

-Kate

Feeling a little lighter...a look back on my procedure & recovery

Happy Tuesday all!

I haven't posted in a week so needless to say, it's time for an update! Also, I wanted to take time to document my experience of going through minor surgery and the road to recovery, so I would be able to remember all the good memories that were made during this experience.

For all those who didn't know, last week I had a breast mass removed (actually 2 because they found a smaller one when they went in). Here's a quick timeline of how this whole mass ordeal started:

• February 14th (yes a Valentine's I will never forget): went in for routine physical and the doctor noticed a small pea-sized mass in my right breast- yes I freaked out and of course the stupid lady who was referring me to a surgeon (didn't use the word specialist) told me how I would live a long life...totally freaking me out more...
• February 15th: all in one day I met with a general surgeon, had an ultrasound, had a mammogram (my first ever...there were lots of tears...mostly from panic, general fear, and terror of the pain of a mammogram), and had a needle biopsy
• the following week: doctor's office calls and says the mass is benign (praise God!) but they still want to remove it. I didn't have health insurance and in no way could afford a surgery. Also, my family starts calling doctor friends we have who say there's no reason to take it out yet or to panic
• last day of Spring break in March: referred to an AMAZING doctor who ONLY specializes in breasts in Houston and she says there's no reason to panic, the mass seems a little big but it's because it's still healing from the needle biopsy and to come back when school is over so she can check it again

**On a side note, this doctor works with a program in Houston called the Rose and they sponsor uninsured women, so grace of God all of these expenses were covered by this amazing program**

• June: mass is still there, seems bigger, and hurts (it's aparently a good sign when it hurts because breast cancer doesn't hurt): doctor ultrasounds it and says she has no idea what it is. It shouldn't have grown at all and she thought it would have disappeared. In an effort to be safe, she schedules ANOTHER needle biopsy to verify it's still benign
• July: I come back for needle biopsy, she calls 3 days later and it's still benign. Because it's growing she still wants to take it out. I am then put on a waiting list for funding and when funding is found for my surgery, I will go in.
• August: I graduate college, still waiting for a call about the surgery, mass seems bigger and starting to protrude a little (totally freaking me out), my family prays over me at my party that God will continue to intervene with this mass and progress will be made
• a week later I get a call at work: I will be having surgery next week and need to come in tomorrow for a pre-op appointment

OK. I know that was long, but that's the timeline! So this is how last week played out!

Andrew and I drove down to Houston, taking our sweet Macy along! We knew we'd be gone for 5 days and she's sooooo social and I hate leaving her, so we packed up and headed to Houston! The night before the surgery, we stayed with one of his grandmother's who just loved Macy (who doesn't!) and woke up bright and early and headed over to the surgery center! It wasn't in a huge hospital, thank God!
After checking in, filling out paper work, and getting my gown on, they put my IV in...yuck! I just didn't look! Next thing I know they are giving me the "office margarita" (a relaxer) and I was out! The surgery went amazingly smooth, they found a 2nd mass (size of a marble) behind the larger mass (size of a half dollar) and removed both. I was very groggy and my sweet mom and grandmother drove me back to my grandmother's house and Andrew met us later with Macy and all of our stuff.

That day was the hardest of all. I spent most of the day throwing up on and off (my body was trying to rid itself of the anesthesia) and had no appetite. I did manage to sleep well and felt MUCH better the following day. I know it was all the prayers, but besides throwing up (and wearing awful compression hose for 24 hours) the recovery has been so smooth! I'm only slightly sore, which is nothing out of the ordinary because I was usually sore before from the growing mass. I can't lift much for another week, but other than I feel great. I spent the rest of the week and weekend resting, with periods of shopping activity (with my family) and eating out a few times.

On Monday (yesterday) I went in for my post-op appointment and the doctor said everything looks good! I'll contiued to be taped up for a little while, whie my incision heals, but I have had no swelling or even bruising! The results of the mass came back also. Once again, no cancerous signs! The doctor said the report shows that my body believed there was a foreign object in my breast and was trying to protect/defend itself by forming a mass around the object. FYI, the object was just dense breast tissue. She said it would have made sense if I had ever been injured there...but I haven't. So I guess my body is just...strange. Regardless, I am glad to have those masses OUT! I feel lighter both physically and mentally! I can now move on from this experience, being more educated in this field, and hopefully able to offer encouragement to anyone else who ever finds a mass. Also, as I was going through this process, I found more and more young women my age who have also found masses (some grew, some didn't, some were removed, some weren't). So strange!

Although I don't know why this experience happened to me and hope this is the end of all that, I am grateful for God really truly showing me how to TRUST Him. Also, I'm so blessed by all those who were/have been praying for me, thinking about me, left me sweet messages, gave me sweet cards, and helped take care of me! A special shout-out to my mom who flew out, took care of my when I was so sick the first day, made sure I was using my ice pack every 20 minutes, and just loved on me the way only moms can!

Let me close with a few pictures we took this past week!




waiting for surgery!

  

My hubby and mother in law in the waiting room!



Macy found a cozy spot at my grandmothers!



Red White and Blue healthy recovery breakfast



On the road again! Headin' home!



Car rides are more fun when you can climb on everything!

Thanks for reading!
-Kate

Friday's Letters!

So yesterday I wrote part 1 of a 2 part post, but since I am updating away from the laptop, I'll save part 2 for later today when I'm home and can upload some fabulous pictures from my graduation weekend!
I hope everyone's had a great week and in keeping with the normal Friday routine it's time for Friday's letters!

Dear Mom,Dad & Cam thank you thank you thank you for not only flying in graduation but throwing me a wonderful graduation party, taking TONS of pictures with me in Aggieland, and being apart of everything! Dear Mother-in-law and sister in law, thank y'all for driving up for my graduation, taking beautiful pictures of everyone, and sharing sweet encouraging stories! I am so blessed to have gained such wonderful family members! Dear mom, you get 2 letters because you are that amazing and even more so because you are flying in for my surgery! It means the world to me that you are coming to take care of me and just relax with me for a few days. Although you'll be here for my surgery and recovery, I still CAN'T WAIT! Dear husband, I enjoyed our impromptu date last night! Thanks for not only being my hubby, but my best friend who I can laugh and joke with at the end of a long day. Dear weekend,  please be low key and relaxing! After a crazy busy week like this, I'm ready to take it easy! Dear God first of all, thank you soooooo much for your incredible perfect timing! Thank you for helping with funding of my surgery, giving me the most amazing surgeon, and thank you that this mass will finally be out of my body! Thank you for letting it be a benign mass too! Please guide the doctor's hands on Wednesday and ease any nerves or fears I have going into this. Dear Friday, please move a little faster. I feel like I've been at work forever and it's only been 2 1/2 hours...ugh. Dear body,  it's been a week since we've had a good workout, so get ready because after work, it'll be time to "do work". You may be sore tomorrow, but it will be a good sore! Dear thank you notes,  please write yourselves. I'm so thankful for all my graduation gifts, I just wish I could dictate what I wanted to say and the notes would literally do the writing. O well! Finally, dear husband (you also get 2 letters!) I know we are in such a weird transition time since I'm done with school, but I know good things are ahead for us! There's a lot of different ways our path could go and I'm eager to see what God has in store! I'm glad to have you by my side on this crazy ride called life!

Hope y'all enjoyed my LONG letters! Make sure to check out Ashley's blog for the Friday's letters link up! What are your letters today?? Feel free to share!

-Kate

It's OK! and a whole lot more! (part 1)

Happy Thursday blog world! I can't believe it's already Thursday! This past week or so has been such a rush of events (me graduating!!! whoop whoop!), seeing family and friends, driving back and forth to Houston, etc that I'm just wiped and haven't posted since last Thursday!! In keep with the Thursday norm, I'm linking up with Amber and Neely for "It's OK Thursday" then I will update y'all on what else has been going on!

It's OK...

-to be obsessed with making and eating puppy chow (or muddy buddies for those of you who can't stomach the name). I made it for both of my grad parties and it was a HIT!

-to look at job postings and apartment listings in other cities because I'm just dying to move and for a change

-to wish they made cuter sports bras. Seriously, how hard would it be to make something cuter yet supportive? The minute it says supportive, it looks like an old lady bra...c'mon now!

-to be really nervous about my surgery next week (details to follow) mainly because I've never had ANYTHING done to me ever.

-to be BEYOND relieved that my mom is flying in to take care of me after surgery. There's just NO ONE like my mom :)

-to be complemented on my tatoo at the doctor's office and have to answer "Thanks, it's actually a fake because I want to make sure I will like it...I swear I'm not 12"

-to treat my cat like a baby. She's my baby and keeps me maternally satisfied for now, so I say it's totally ok!

-to drive to Houston and back home in one day...I was EXHAUSTED by the time we got home last night

-to wish I was starting grad school already

-to remind myself daily that God orders our steps and HE will put Andrew and I where we're supposed to be!

So that's my Thursday list for today! What are YOU ok with?? Do tell! I love comments!

My next post with update y'all on this past week, so stay tuned!!

-Kate

It's OK Thursday!

What a busy week! I'm so glad Thursday is here especially with all the fun that lies ahead within the next few days! For the second night in a row I was up til midnight last night cleaning. Yes, I'm a freak but I'm trying to make my house spotless for my family coming (not that they care, but you want your parents to be proud of your home)! I even magic "erased" everything I could find on the walls and doors last night, so my house is officially ready for their arrival!

Now, onto business. It's time for...

link up with Neely and Amber!

It's OK...

to be counting down the minutes at work til I get to leave and see my family!

to be obsessed with Magic Erasers...they're seriously amazing!

to have a slight addiction to bath and body works candles...omg they're amazing and the summer ones are 50% off...I couldn't resist!

to say "I want that" for graduation everytime I see something I just have to have

to spend two weeks organizing my entire house...feels so good!

to paint my nails maroon for graduation! gotta get into the Aggie spirit!

to buy cooridinating shirts for my mom, dad, brother, and hubby for grad pics this weekend

to nervous/excited for the graduation ceremony

to justify cleaning for hours as an almost replacement for my workout

to secretly hope someone buys me an amazing camera for graduation (I'm ready to work on learning how to take actual photography worthy pictures)

to be a little sad my granddad won't be there in person to see my walk, but I know he'll be there in spirit

to be counting down the hours til I leave work (o yeah, I already mentioned that, but I'm still watching the clock)

What's OK with y'all today??

-Kate

What I'm Loving!

Happy Hump Day!! I couldn't be more happy that it's already Wednesday!! After today, I only have a 1/2 day left at work then my family is here and it's graduation time!! As for our usual Wednesday routine, its...What I'm Loving Wednesday!!

I'm linking up with Jamie and here's what I'm loving!

I'm loving that my family made it to Texas safely! I just wish they weren't staying a few hours away for the next couple of days!

I'm loving  that my work day has actually been kind of crazy (which makes is go by fast!)

I'm loving that I've gotten back to my early morning workouts! with the exception of today, but I was up til 1am cleaning, so that counts!

I'm loving that a wonderful working vehicle is about to be mine!

I'm loving that there's a possible beach day coming this weekend! Finally!

I'm loving  that I'm about to be surrounded with family and friends who love and encourage me!

I'm loving that I GRADUATE in 2 days!!! Whoop!!!

and finally...

I'm loving my husband because he's mine :)

What are y'all loving?

-Kate

Friday Letters!

Happy Friday!! Despite this week going by fast, I'm still so very glad that it's FRIDAY!! With my 5:30am workout already checked off the list, I just need to make it through the work day and I'm home free! In keeping with Friday tradition, I am linking up with Ashley for Friday letters! So here's my letters!

Dear Friday you are off to a great start! With an early workout done, catering set for our work luncheon, and the hubs coming home today, you are shaping up to be a good start to the weekend!

  

Dear Grandmother the graduation card you sent me, brought tears to my eyes. I wish Dandy was here to see me walk and thank you for reassuring me that he was so proud of me even before I graduated. Also, thank you for coming to graduation next week. It means so much more to me than you'll ever know!

Dear mom,dad, & cam I'm so excited y'all will be here next week! I know it's a little chaotic planning a grad party, but you are amazing and I'm thankful for you throwing it! I can't wait for y'all to spend the night with us too!

Dear God  thank you so much for providing a newer car for us (can't wait to get it!) and for handling all our needs! I'm still trusting, although it's hard, that you're in control of this breast mass! Please make it shrink at least!

Dear summer Olympics I wish you were on more than ever 4 years! It's been nice to have something exciting to watch every night! Plus, you motivate me to workout even harder which is nice.

Dear home, any way you could clean yourself before our guests arrive? I won't get my hopes up!

Dear giveaway I wish you were more exciting and had WAYYY more entries. O well, you're only the first one!

Dear friends & family I hope to see as many of y'all as possible next week! Thanks for celebrating with me!

What's your Friday letters??

I'd love to read them!

-Kate

It's OK

Happy Thursday everybody! Hope y'all have had a great week! It seems like this week has flown by! In continuing with the normal Thursday routine I'm linking up with Neely and Amber!

It's OK...

To be super excited that I finally got back to my 5:30am workouts! Feels so good!

That despite being up early, I'm still scarmbling to get out the door on time and doing my makeup in the car

That my current snack obsession is Goldfish

That I've already had 7 cups of water today (not counting coffee) and it's not even 10am & that I had 17 total yesterday

To be completely Olympics obsessed!

To be motivated to workout even more because of watching the Olympics

To be grateful that God is providing a reliable car for me!

To buy Quinoa because it's amazingly healthy for you even though I have no idea what to do with it

To be in love with my new blender bottle

To only buy organic milk because it expires a whole month later and tastes so much better

And finally, It's OK...

To be over the moon that I graduate from college in 8 days, that my family will be there, and that I get to see so many wonderful people that have played various roles in getting me through this process :)

So that's my list! What's on you It's OK list?? I look forward to reading it!



-Kate

WILW!

I'm linking up with Jamie again!

I can't believe it's already Wednesday! I hope y'all are having a great week so far!

Here's what I'm loving this week!

I'm loving the fresh look of our bedroom! I should have taken before and after pics but was just too focused on changing it! I'm loving it even more our bedskirt brings our whole bedding scheme together so nicely!

I'm loving how our spare room is also coming together! In the year and a half that we've lived in our apartment, it's become our "garage" and after a lot of hours in there and throwing away/giving away/organizing stuff, we can finally hang pictures and make it another room!!

I'm loving that I'm hosting my first ever giveaway! If you're interested check it out here! It's small, but it's a start!

I'm loving that after last week of panicking about the future, I feel peace in all the possiblities of things I could/desire to do! Personal training, health & wellness coaching, Grad school for a lot of different fields including my current desire for speech pathology, studying in a new place/moving to a new place, who knows! God knows and that is why I have peace right now!!

I'm loving turkey bacon and black bean burgers this week! Among the healthy go-to foods I've established, turkey bacon can pretty much be used in everything! Andrew and I make a lot of healthy breakfast suppers, put it in paninis, of even make BLTs. Black bean burgers are a great food for lunch because they're filling, good for you, and super tasty!

These two are what I buy :)

I'm loving our new bath mat! It's got memory foam and is seriously amazing!

I'm loving that I graduate in 9 days!! I can't wait to officially have the diploma in my hand and my family there to celebrate!

Finally, and as always, I'm loving my husband! He's been so helpful this week in "project spare room". He spent all day yesterday finishing cleaning out his stuff and organizing the room! Now all that's left is arranging furniture and beautifying it! I have loved spending our evenings watching the Olympics together and making up nicknames/inside jokes for half the competitors. God has given me such a patient, kind, fun man to share my life with and I couldn't be more blessed!

What are y'all loving this week??

-Kate