Last Day of School 2015

Audrey's last day of preschool 2015

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP)

I eventually want to add to this post about my journey with Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP), but for now, here is a collage image of my progress. I'm hoping to be able to share my story with others who are doing google searches for bumps behind ears and Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP) and scapula free flap just like myself. This is a rare soft tissue sarcoma... CANCER and seems to go misdiagnosed or un-diagnosed in many. 1/million cases reported each year.



The 1st image was taken November 3, 2014.
I had my first surgery on February 5, 2015 to excise the tumor with  2-3cm margins hoping to get clear margins before beginning reconstruction. My doctor submitted 45 slides to the pathologist.

My second surgery took place on February 12, 2015. My doctor informed me moments before going back for surgery that 2 areas were not clear and they would be taking more of my ear and more of my parotid gland. I cried.



and don't let me forget to tell you all about my pre-op nurse that thought Danny was HOT and looked like Christian Grey from the movie. I'm pretty sure she was turning red as she went on and on and on about it. She made me take a pregnancy test... hello, I have cancer and just had my face mutilated a week ago...do you really think we've thought much at all about "making a baby?"  She was my pre-op nurse for surgery #1 and didn't have me take one. I guess she had just seen the movie or a trailer?

Book Character Day

Today was Dress like your favorite book character day at the boys school. They were so excited to help make their outfits yesterday.

Owen wanted to go as Steve from Minecraft. not my first choice, but he owned it and was excited, and that's what really matters. The books, although more handbooks for the video game, at least keep the boys engaged and interested in reading.

He didn't want a head made, thank goodness, so he helped make a sword and pickaxe and we he was good to go.

It was no surprise that Ben wanted to go as Pete the Cat. I made him a simple hat and heart for his shirt and then found a speech bubble image online, printed on card stock and had him write "I love my RED shoes" on it. His shoes are red!

He woke up sick and throwing up this morning and didn't go to school. He said, "I want to try" and got dressed and I just couldn't bring myself to let him him go. Thank goodness he stayed home, I'm thinking he may have a 24hr virus, poor guy!

Christmas 2014

We had such a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas day at our home. It was relaxing a quiet...yeah right... but fun nonetheless. Now, if Santa could have just remembered to include batteries with all gifts, we'd been set.

Christmas Eve  

Christmas Morning