They're Coming Home!

Old friends: Mike with Bryant, Linda, and Jeff

Some of our offspring

Mike, Gaby and Jojo have had a terrific time in TN, and now it's time for them to come home.  I know  Mike has been rejuvenated by spending time with family and some of his old friends.  Gaby and Jojo got to see the children of Mike's old friends at a fun birthday party one Saturday.  I know Gaby had a wonderful time because he hardly spoke to me on the phone these past couple weeks!  He'd ask to speak to Christian, "Mommy, I already talked to you!"  And Jojo is saying some new words like 'pizza'.  I'll post some photos from their trip soon. 

Christian and I had a fun weekend.  On Friday we spent time at the mall playing in the indoor playground and we met with Tanya and two of her children.  Then on Saturday we went back to the mall so Christian could meet with Santa to ask for for a DX game player (Santa is a little low on funds this year, but we'll see what he can swing -- and why is he here before Thanksgiving?!). 

Then we went to Borders to buy a study guide I needed when we noticed there were lots of kids in pj's wandering in the children's section.  Pretty soon Mrs. Claus and her elf stopped by to read 'The Polar Express' (we have the movie and it stays hidden with the Christmas stuff only to be viewed during that time).  During the part in the book when the kids get their hot chocolate, in walked staff from the cafe with hot chocolate for all the kids who were listening to the story!  They had a craft which consisted of making a paper chain, after which the kids paraded around the store with their bells (only those who believe could 'hear' the bells ring) while holding a portion of the chain.  By the time the kids walked back towards the children's section, there were many disconnected chains and a few tears were shed by the little ones. 

Afterwards, Christian and I went to the Rio Grande Botanic Gardens and Aquarium.  We got splashed by the stingray as we watched from above the tank!  We found the secret slide in the ant colony.  And we watched the trains go by in the gardens.  It seems lately I've neglected to bring my camera when great moments like these arrive.

That evening Christian worked on painting his Santa globe with Grampa while Yaya and I went to see an excellent movie: 'An Education'.  We can't wait to see the upcoming Almodovar film with Penelope Cruz called 'Broken Embraces'; the trailer looks good.  What can I say about 'An Education'?  There's truth to every character, as my mom said.  It's a bittersweet love story based in the early 1960's England.  I'd recommend the movie to anyone.

And yesterday we wrapped up our weekend by meeting Yaya and Grampa for lunch after Mass.  We also visited Uncle Frank who is in the late stages of a Parkinson's-related illness.  Christian was very curious about the breathing apparatus that Uncle Frank now uses.  It's a horrific disease that attacked a once very active man.

This week we will be celebrating Thanksgiving with my friend Tanya's family.  We're looking forward to a fun, relaxing visit (she has the honor of cooking the turkey). 

Hope all is well.

Newzapalooza

I'm leaving a post on this side of my blogs because it relates to my recent mammogram. Last week I had my first mammogram to get a baseline reading. My doctors have recommended in the past that women need have their first screening between the ages of 35-40 so it can be compared to future tests.

Then this week the government bureaucracy told American women to hold off on having mammograms until we have reached the age of 50.

The American Cancer Society is stunned by the news, of course. However, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure , and Susan G. Komen herself a cancer survivor who lost a sister to breast cancer, is now taking a similar position as the government, which is adding to the confusion and noise of this Information Age:

Other highlights of the new USPSTF recommendations include the following:

•For women between the ages of 50 and 74 years, the USPSTF recommends mammography every two years (rather than every year).

•The USPSTF notes that there is insufficient evidence to assess the benefit and harms of screening in women over the age of 74.

•The USPSTF recommends against teaching breast self-exam.

Although the USPSTF’s position on breast self exams may also be perceived as controversial, there has never been clear evidence that breast self-exams reduce breast cancer mortality.

It should be noted that the recent discussion regarding mammography recommendations is focused on women at average risk of breast cancer. Women at increased risk as a result of family or personal history may need to begin screening at a younger age, and may benefit from screening with breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in addition to mammography. Women who have questions about the screening schedule and approach that’s right for them are advised to talk with their physician.

Unbelievable. We women have been told for decades that breast exams are important! Women in their 30's and 40's are getting breast cancer at increasing rates! Cancer is spreading like wildfire!

A couple weeks ago when I had my first consultation with my doctor, he asked me what I thought was the biggest killer of women. "It's cancer, of course," I replied. The doctor told me, no, it's actually atherosclerosis. Simply put, it's heart disease. But that's not the message pounded into us women constantly: do monthly self breast exams and have regular mammograms beginning when you're 40.

So then I met my nurse practioner yesterday for an annual physical and she was just as perplexed. She said she still advocates that women, who are in their 40's, continue to get mammograms every two years. She also told me that the majority of her patients who are currently undergoing breast cancer treatment are in their 40's. Now how does this jive with the government message?

What timing for this bit of healthcare news.

The independent government panel of doctors and scientists has insisted that the cost of such preventive testing was not a factor in its assessment of breast cancer screening.

"These recommendations have nothing to do with any kind of analysis that addressed cost effectiveness," Dr. Diana Petitti, vice chairwoman of the panel, told CBS News in an interview Tuesday.

"Cost effectiveness was not a part of the discussion. Cost was not uttered in the room," she said. But costs were referenced at least three times in the panel's report when assessing common types of breast cancer screenings, including clinical breast examinations, film and digital mammographies, and magnetic resonance imaging -- or MRIs.

"Digital mammography is more expensive than film mammography," the guidelines note, while MRIs are "much more expensive" than either film or digital mammography

How many of you know of someone who has had breast cancer or have supported the latest "Race for the Cure" fundraiser? Who isn't familiar with pink ribbons? An aquaintance of mine, who is in her mid-30's, just went through breast cancer treatment earlier this year and is on the road to recovery. She is in a high risk group; her mother had ovarian and breast cancer and died ten years ago, while her sister is a five-year breast cancer survivor.

Cancer screening does involve radiation, and it has been said that increased radiation exposure could increase the risk for breast cancer. MRI's are costlier and also involve radiation. But with the messages we hear constantly from our doctors, media, government, and advocacy groups, it can get downright confusing when they suddenly decide that what was once so important - vital! - to a woman's health is now not really important because of, uh, fewer lives really being saved in the age 40 group vs. the age 50 and older group. And it's maddening.

Until there is some clear evidence -- and not anything having to do with cost analysis by a government bureaucracy -- I cannot be convinced that mammograms are not needed at a younger age. Especially after years of hearing the opposite.

Just Say Yes to Broccoli!

Christian's school is having an anti-drug rally on Wednesday. He's in kindergarten. He will have to wear his tye-die T-shirt on Wednesday, and apparently the entire school is going to march around the school yard for fifteen minutes after some sort of presentation is given to the children.

I was wondering how this topic has been handled by his teacher. When I explained to Christian why he will be wearing his colorful shirt, he told me that Mrs. B has been telling them that sometimes kids take too much medicine. That's good, I thought. What a great way to get kindergarteners familiarized with the purpose of this rally. How can a parent possibly discuss an abstract concept of drugs with a child other than by making a comparison to medicine?

So on Saturday I took Christian to a birthday party that one of his classmates was having and I visited with the father of one of his friends who, by the way, has a very good dry sense of humor. The subject of the upcoming rally was brought up and he said, "They're kindergarteners, for gosh sakes! Why are we having them participate in an 'Say No to Drugs' rally when we haven't even gotten to that point yet? They're not going to understand. Why not have a 'Say Yes to Vegetables' rally or a 'Say Yes to Milk' rally?" He made a good point.

And than I began to think about it further and wondered if Christian will refuse medicine next time he's sick after having participated in this anti-drug rally. Nah; he's too much of a drama king to avoid it. Besides, we've had plenty of teachable moments around here about the dangers of drinking medicine without Mommy or Daddy first administering it. We'll move on to bigger topics when the kids are at the right age.

Just Say Yes to Longer Sleep Hours

Peace and (Almost) Too Much Quiet

Ready to roll

One last dig in the yard

Mike, Gaby and Jojo left for Tennessee yesterday and will be gone for about two weeks. It will give Mike much needed time, while he has it, with his family & friends. He deserves it. It felt strange sleeping in our house without them last night, but Christian and I will get used to it.

He and I are going to have fun. Christian went with me on a walk while he rode his bike yesterday. It was a good way to get rid of the sadness of the boys leaving. Christian's really encouraging me to get in shape in his oh-so-subtle ways ("That's junk, Mom." "You really need to lose some weight around your arms and your chin under here."). So exercise we shall. And then we'll see some movies, go to the museum with Yaya and Grampa, and attend some birthday parties, too.

And while I'm home all alone during the day when Christian is at school, I shall relish the time to get some studying, housecleaning, and clothes sorting done. And maybe a little more blogging time, too.

A Smashing Good Time

I had my first mammogram today and I'm glad I finally did it before I turn 40. A bit of maneuvering and awkwardness for a mere five minutes was worth it.

My Kind of Marathon

One day I shall cross the 50,000-word line. I know many of you have or in the process of doing so. Write on!

Source (The Anchoress)

Boo!

Three little weasel boys waited all month LONG for Halloween to arrive.

But FIRST there was Christian's parade of costumes at his school.

Two little Bat Men-Boys take a ride down the school slide.

All dressed up and ready to start Halloween - FINALLY. Three matching costumes sent by Nana and Papa.

The house was decorated and ready all month LONG. Sheesh...when is Halloween going to arrive?

Two scary parents ready for a fun night riding in Tanya and Darren's hay-filled trailer through the neighborhoods to find our treats.