Great News!

My breast biopsy was negative! It is confirmed to be a fibroadenoma, and is a benign tumor! YAY!

Now, I can relax, and focus on more pressing issues in my life- yeah, I've got those too.

Wonderful things in my life:

- I don't have breast cancer!

- My daughter is my sunshine, my moonlight, my love, and the light of my life

- My health is getting better with each pound lost- my bp, cholesterol, etc. are all excellent

- I've lost 87 pounds!

- My career is wonderful

- I passed my PMP! Woo Hoo!!

Things to improve on:

- Relationship with hubby- he's depressed, I'm in denial, he hasn't worked in two years- enough said

- Payoff bills, streamline expenses, build up nest egg

- Move more

- Live in the moment

This scare has me thinking that I need to start paying attention to what is happening, (or not happening) around me. I think I need to get a therapist or something. I hate whining on this blog- it's about my band, right? The other thing is that I am ashamed- ashamed my hubby could be perceived to be a loser, afraid that I am a loser by extension- or at least an enabling co-dependant doormat- :)

I am lucky that I can support myself, and my daughter. Being the sole family support, however, makes things tight. I need to see some effort from my husband. I know he has pain, but get back to the MD!  I have made things plain that he needs to get an income, stat, but it doesn't seem to be working. He's very sensitive, and I hate fighting.

Didn't I say I wasn't going to whine??? Oh well.

Thanks for listening. The best thing- I don't have breast cancer!

A Lot Going On

So, I haven't posted this week because I haven't been ready to share something scary that is going on with me. I mentioned that I had my first mammogram on Friday of last week. I was called back in for additional films- they told me in advance this would happen, but I was nervous anyway. Long story short, after more films on the left, and an ultrasound, a lump was discovered in my breast.

To say that I am terrified is an understatement.

After crying hysterically, the radiologist told me that it appears to be a fibroadenoma (a benign tumor). They want to take a biopsy on Monday, to be sure that there is nothing to be concerned about.

I have shared this with some of my close friends and family, and the consensus is not to worry! I find it hard not to worry, but I am trying to stay positive, and not get alarmed over nothing. 

The truth is that this is a wake up call- regardless of the outcome of Monday. 

My weight is doing well, I am a pound or so up or down each day, but I think the stress is doing it to me, and maybe salt, as well. 

This post is not a plea, but rather an attempt to share. I am fine.

Have a great weekend, and thank you for you support!!

Annie
xoxoxo

BYOC!!!

There is NUSSING better than a Friday, is there?


Oh wait – yes there is. BYOC on a Friday! Or shoe shopping. With purses amuck. Or about a million other things BUT for right now I’ve got NUSSING but a little BYOC on a Friday – so take it or leave it!

BYOC – Bring Your Own Crazy – 5 questions you can copy and paste to your own blog if you so desire – in an effort to get to know your fellow bloggers better and to give your blog brain a break!

Enjoy!

1. I have to do some MAJOR cleaning tonight…which is prompting me to ask…what is the absolute worst thing you hate to clean or cleaning chore you hate the most? (vacuuming, dusting, laundry, toilets, floors, etc.)

I dislike cleaning, but, it is a necessary evil! I don't mind cleaning the kitchen, the dishes, the counters, etc. I like doing laundry, the washing, drying and folding part are all fine. The putting away! NO!!!! I hate it. As a result, I often have a husband buying socks (they are clean and in the laundry basket, or one of them!), and about four filled baskets of clean laundry. Sigh....  I also dislike cleaning floors. Luckily, my hubby does that.

2. Brown or Black? Fly or Drive? Hot dog or Burger? Gold or Silver?

I like both brown and black, but have much more black in my wardrobe.

I like driving, and road trips are fun. Our recent vacations have all been by car- Hilton Head, Maine, Jersey Shore, Adirondacks, but, I do like to fly. I don't like sitting next to strangers though, but now that I have lost EIGHTY SIX POUNDS, I expect my next flight, at the end of the month, to Nashville for business, should be fine.

I like both hot dogs and good burgers, but, alas, neither like me at the moment. The band does not do well with burgers, and hot dogs are iffy.

Gold or silver...hmmm??? White gold and platinum are my faves!

3. Repeat question: I’m going to pick a person not knowing your relationship with them or even if a relationships exists – and you then try to describe that person in 5 short sentences/words.

Maternal Grandmother

Loving
Outgoing
Died too young
Sunday dinners after mass
One of the best people to have ever lived.

4. Even if you don’t have kids, how do you feel about kids in multiple sports during their school years?  Were you in MULTIPLE sports all during school?  Forced or by choice?

My daughter is three, and we did try dancing school last year, but she didn't like to follow instructions, and the teacher was not attentive enough. We may try soccer, this year, maybe.  My step son is not a joiner, although, he did play basketball in grade school
5. Repeat question: Summarize your week in real life and in blog land.

Real life is good, I am coming down from the stress of studying like a maniac for the last five months, so I feel like I have too much time on my hands in the evening. Not that I am being productive (cleaning, laundry)! I am relaxing!

My weight is coming down, and that feels great. I am averaging two pounds a week, or so, and I love it. My band is a little finicky, but I have mostly figured it out. I got my hair done today!!!! Yay! I rewarded myself after getting my first mammogram. It didn't hurt, but is stressful. I am at the age to get one, so I did, must, I must admit it was anxiety provoking. I hate the unknown!

Smooches!!
Annie
xoxo

Protein! Feeling Good

Hello Lovelies,
Today is a good day. I have my PMP behind me, and I am enjoying the summer even more that before!  I am reading everyone's blogs, and am noticing the "protein" theme, and I need help. I need a switch from my usual food choices, and I would love some recommendations on great tasting, no aftertaste, chocolately protein shakes. I used to drink Slim* Fas_t High Protein, but, it's a little light on the protein.

Any suggestions??

Still holding at 84 down, TOM presently, expect big win next week!!! 

Smooch!
A

I Passed! I am a Professional Project Manager!

Whew....I did it! I passed the test certifying me as a PMP! I have to say that I have never studied so hard in my life. Despite that I have been in a PM or director of PM role for the last ten years, and that I have attended college and graduate school, this test was a killer!

I am glad it's over now, so I can get back to blogging and having fun this summer! I am down like 84lbs! I can't believe it! The last tweak I had was the money. I really feel in the green zone, 70% of the time. The biggest challenge is knowing that I can no longer eat when I "feel like it", rather than when I am really hungry. If I eat mindlessly, it sucks. I now eat with focus, enjoying my small (no longer seems small, though) portion, chewing, taking small bites, etc. 

More later, time to go back to celebrating!

xoxoxo
A

Feelin' Sexy!

There! I said it! I am feeling like my old hot self!

Now, I am down 81lbs, still obese, but since I am tall, I am carrying better than most at my weight. I am rockin the high platform sandals! LOVE! I am like 6'3 in them, but I figure it makes me look twenty pounds lighter, right?? 5lbs for each inch.

Going on vacation in two days! Yay! We rented a house in Long Beach Island- on the Jersey shore, but not the Jersey shore you are used to from MTV. I won't be GTLing it, or at least no G and L! I plan to get my tan on, enjoy my sexy hubby, and my beautiful daughter and stepson.

One more day of work to get through!!

xoxoxoxoxo
A

What's Up with Me?

Howdy Peeps,
At work, on a call, (where I do my best blogging)- I am multitasking! :)

Weight is kinda standing still this week- still down 79lbs! Yay! I would love to make the 100lb loss mark by my bandiversary in October, but, we will see. I am feeling good, and getting a lot of nice compliments about my weight loss. I am wearing my old clothes! I am between a 16W and a 18W, or 2x, depending on the designer, cut, style, etc.

I have been having a few stuck episodes of late- all predicatble, depending on what I am eating, when I am eating, or how I am feeling while eating. I find that lunch time is the best time for me to eat. In my office. Alone.  If I am interruped, aggravated, or have company (am chatting while eating, and not thinking), I get stuck. I usually drink hot tea with my lunch- sipping before and during- despite not being band rule compliant, it really helps me. If I am particularly relaxed, I can eat more.

A couple of weeks ago I went out after work with a colleague for an early dinner. I hadn't had lunch, so maybe that's why I was able to eat?? 

We went to Osterio del Circo in midtown- recommend! The service was awesome, and they indulged us completely. The food was incredible.  I had a great meal where I had a small salad- Arugula, Endive, sliced Apples and Bacon Salad with Blue Cheese Croquette for my entree, a couple small pieces of bread dipped in olive oil, two glasses of wine, (or three), and shared a panna cotta.  The vino was Orvietto- delish!  I didn't get stuck, enjoyed myself, and had a great time.

Sorry to tempt you with food- it was awesome, though :)

xoxoxo
Annie