It’s been an interesting few days.
I mentioned in the post last week that I started my vacation by being sick.
Then on Wednesday, I went in for a regularly scheduled Pap smear. It turned out there were some red flags that resulted in my family doctor referring me to a gynecologist for an ultrasound and a cervical biopsy. (Don’t tell me I don’t know how to have a relaxing time on vacation.)
I went to the gynecologist on Friday for a not-very-fun biopsy and was told that it would be 5 to 7 days for the results to come back.
Big sigh. Our family has done more than its share of waiting on results and I wasn’t excited about doing it again.
In fact, Sarah also had a medical test last week: a nuclear uptake scan on a neck lump containing multiple nodules. (One of the reasons for doing the scan was to rule out malignancy which, thankfully, they did.) She will see her endocrinologist on June 10 for a final treatment plan but it will possibly involve treatment with radioiodine therapy.
So there were tests and waiting for both of us.
Of course, Steve and I had shared the news about my biopsy with the kids and they were prepared to wait patiently and prayerfully with us, anxious about what might be around the corner and yet having the faith to trust that God would give us strength for whatever came.
Having said all of that, let me share this video with you.
I love the fact that Andrew was clapping very cheerily even though he had no idea what was going on. The Bible says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice” and he was all about it.
As it turns out, the biopsy results returned very quickly–Saturday morning, to be exact. I was going to tell Steve right away, but then I thought about how special it would be if we could all rejoice as a family at dinner. And as you can tell from the video, a lot of rejoicing went on. (Even though Meagan’s reaction wasn’t visible in the video, she was over the moon about the news.)
So that was the end of the day on Saturday–and a very good end, it was. Now let me rewind to the beginning of the day.
I started Saturday off by making a belated birthday breakfast for Steve. (I wasn’t able to make breakfast on his actual birthday since I had to work.) The omelet has sauteed onion, red pepper, and tomato with Italian olive spread and cheese added at the end.
The kids were excited to discover Steve had bought a slip-and-slide; they had a very slippy, slidey, splashy time with it.
Nathan took the tree swing out for a ride.
Once everyone had come in to get ready to eat, Steve showed off his new TV speaker system which he found for half price on eBay. The showing-off process necessitated turning up the speakers super loud which caused all manner of dancing to break out.
One of the funniest moments of the evening for me was when Madi came in from outside, stepped into the den (where music was blaring and Gage was dancing), and got the most incredulous look on her face. It was like, “Who are these people and what have you done with my family?
She knew that parties at our house don’t generally involve loud music and dancing but once the ten seconds of shock had worn off, she was right there in the middle of it. If you can’t tell, the grands adore their Uncle Gage.
Steve showed off a t-shirt the kids had given him which was appropriate for his birthday dinner.
Built in the fifties. Original & Restored. Some Parts Still in Working Order.
Steve’s request for dinner was a hot dog bar with all the various kinds of hot dog toppings. Trust me, Sarah, Meagan, and Gage did a lot of chopping and slicing to get this all together.
He even had lists of the most common kinds of hot dog toppings.
It is always such a joy to share a meal together; with everyone’s crazy schedules, we don’t get to do it as often as we’d like.
There was plenty of laughter.
There were secrets shared.
And there was German Chocolate cake to be eaten.
Gage did his usual brilliant hand-drawn birthday card.
I’ll close with my favorite photo of the night–Steve and Nathan standing at the kitchen window watching the kids play.
They are standing at the same window Steve and Ken used to stand to watch Nathan and Sarah play.
It has in no way been an easy transition to Charlotte, to this new season of life. But events like Saturday night’s dinner make it all worthwhile as a new generation takes its place in the house that love built.
What about you?
What do you put on hot dogs in your part of the country?
Did you have a rope swing or a tire swing when you were growing up? What were (are) some of your favorite outdoor activities?
Is there a story you’d like to share about waiting on a medical test and the news you received?
Goodness. Life has been busy so haven’t been keeping up with Smithellaneous. Thankful for negative result on the biopsy. Nothing like family time!
Karen,
Good to hear from you! Definitely glad for good biopsy news and good family time. Hope your summer is going great so far.
All the way on the hot dogs! for our area in VA – it’s mustard, chilli, slaw, & onions. But I prefer Dukes mayo to the mustard. with all the other fixins. My husband likes just chilli and cheese. I see there are lots of way to top a hot dog 🙂 Great dancing & card making going on. Happy bday to your hubs. We didn’t have a swing but we had a creek and lots of wooded area for our homemade playhouses. Every odd and end item anyone didn’t want we would take for our houses in the woods. We didn’t have many store bought toys so we had to improvise. 🙂
We have had to wait on many test results over the years and it’s very stressful. Always grateful for the good results & lots of prayers over the bad ones.
Eswim,
Hmmm. It seems to me that Sarah has put mayo on her hot dogs before. I’ve never heard of anyone else doing that!
I love to hear how you made your own fun when you were a child; making toys and “household items” for your treehouse. Sounds like you and your friends had wonderful imaginations!
And yes, with medical reports we are always grateful for the good and prayerful over the bad. That’s a good way to put it.
Waiting for test results sucks. It is cool that you gave Steve the good news in the form of a birthday present. I’m sure that sense of relief was the best gift he could have gotten. As for the birthday card, get that man on Etsy or something. I know, it would take away the special-ness of it, but we less artistic people would love it.
I don’t like hot dogs actually, but just a little mustard on it if I have to. I used to love playing outside, but I don’t spend any more time now in this heat than is necessary. It’s nice to see kids running and playing without a care in the world, though. It looked like a fun time.
Kristen,
Yes, we all keep trying to encourage Gage to sell his work; he is so gifted!
It definitely is fun to see kids running outside and playing. Such a wonderful season of life for them to be in!
I’ve always been a fan of just mustard and maybe a little ketchup on my hotdogs; but the big thing growing up in WV was slaw on the hotdogs and bun toasted. My dad liked his with chili and diced tomato – that always got a quizzical stare when ordered at the local Tastee Freeze.
I’m so glad you got a negative result – and didn’t have to wait very long for it. Prayers that Sara’s upcoming appointment goes well. And the videos were great!!
Wishing you a wonderful back-to-work week!
SueEllen,
Oh yes, Steve is definitely a fan of slow. He also occasionally uses diced tomato. I guess that’s basically what ketchup is!
I used to toast buns before but got out of the habit; thanks for reminding me of that.
Yes, I was very thankful that my biopsy wait was a short one for a change!
So thankful to hear about your biopsy – PTL!! How wonderful for all the family to be theree to celebrate Steve’s birthday. Love his shirt!!! Late Happy Birthday Steve. Gage, think I have said this before, if you could have another job – making cards for a living I think would be great. You just know what to draw and what to say! Great pictures all around. Hot Dogs!!! LOVE THEM!. My favorite are Schweigert (MN dogs I think). Also love Nathans. Love onions and sauerkraut – ketsup, Clausen pickles. Do like the Chicago dog (without the sport peppers). No mustard thank you. Every once in a while I go to Sam’s Club and get one with a L. glass of pop for $1.50. Such a deal!!!!
Years ago the doctor I was going to wanted to do a Flex Sig – like a colonoscopy. Had never heard of it before and had no idea what was going to be done. Appt. was in 10 days. They called the day before and said that a part needed to be replaced and set the appt. and had to wait another 10 days. Oh the wait. It was not painful but for me, unpleasant!!!
Sharyn,
I love reading the word “pop” when referring to a soft drink. I never hear that word any more down south but I grew up with it. And what a deal you get at Sam’s!
Sounds like you’re pretty adventurous with your hot dog toppings; we like Nathan’s hot dogs, too.
And yes, Gage could definitely make card-creating a great side job!
Whew! Great news about the biopsy!!!
So happy you have all your kids and grands nearby. I understand crazy schedules so getting together is a real treat. 🙂
I either put chili, cheddar cheese, onions, and jalapeños on my hotdogs OR just mustard and ketchup.
Stefanie,
Hmmm. I’ve never even thought about putting cheddar on a hot dog. I learn stuff from my readers all the time! Your toppings sound like quite the flavorful collection.
Grateful to have family nearby; it’s always worth the work it takes to get everyone’s calendar’s synchronized.
Thankful that the biopsy was negative and you got the results quickly. Looks like a great birthday party.
I like just mustard and ketchup on my dogs-burned black over a fire are best. When in NC a friend was ordering and asked if I wanted everything. I said no onions, not know what everything was, and the dog came with coleslaw on it. That was a surprise.
I don’t remember a tire swing, but my dad brought home a bus tire inner tube. We kept it blown up and jumped on it like a trampoline. We really enjoyed that for several years.
With all my husbands ailments, we have waited on many tests and biopsies. Never easy to wait and great job when they are negative. Right now we are awaiting a cardio appt tomorrow to check on a ekg he had for a preop. They sped up the waiting to get in tot he cardio as surgery is in 2 weeks.
Patti,
Yes, I’m with you on the burned black. Well, maybe not completely burned but definitely crispy. I’ve never had slaw on a hotdog and probably never will but I know it is definitely a “thing.”
Using a bus tube for a trampoline! What a creative family you had!
I’m a Chicago girl originally. We drag it through the garden. Onions, mustard, sport peppers, green relish, chopped tomato, celery salt on a poppyseed bun.
Friday I did the trifecta. Mammogram, dermatologist (they biopsied a mole) eye doctor, another cataract surgery probably next year. Still waiting on dermatologist and mammogram results
Ellen,
I love the “drag it through the garden” line. From your list of ingredients, its sounds like that’s exactly what you do! And I never thought of getting poppy seed buns; that would make it extra good.
It’s nice to get all the appointments over in one day, isn’t it? That’s a smart way to do things!
I don’t see ketchup on any of Steve’s hotdog lists! Could be a New England thing. That’s all I have ever put on mine and it must be accompanied by baked beans. Yum.
So glad your biopsy is negative, glad Sarah’s is also benign.
We had tether ball. And croquet. There was a jungle gym. Also sprinklers. Bikes were the biggest deals back in the 60s. We rode everywhere through the neighborhoods. We also had creeks that ran through our backyards(Virginia), hours spent following them along and looking for creatures. In the winter we often tried ice skating on them but they were bumpy haha.
Lesley,
We definitely had ketchup on the counter; that’s about the only thing I put on mine, too. And we had my apple baked beans, which everyone loves.
Sounds like an adventurous childhood, rummaging through the backwoods and along the creek beds. And tether ball! Haven’t thought about that in years. I used to be champion at it in elementary school. Surprised I didn’t choose it as a career. 🙂
Seems like life can get kind of full of bad news sometimes, so this good news about your biopsy and Sarah’s results is especially sweet. Rejoicing with you! The video of Steve finding out the news is everything that’s good for the heart and soul. 🥰
Gage dancing with the kids is another priceless video. Love, love!
So glad you all could be together to celebrate Steve’s birthday. That hotdog bar looks so yummy and the T-shirt Steve got is great!
Your vacation was certainly one of a kind, but at least it ended well. 🙂
Sending love!
Deb
Deb,
Wish you could have been with us for Steve’s party, but since I was sick for part of the week, it’s probably a good thing you didn’t come. Still sad, though.
I am always so amazed by people who can just break out into spontaneous dance like him and Madi. I love watching all the joy and energy.
Yes, it was definitely a different sort of vacation but ended with good news and a sweet family so, to quote Carolina Ingalls, all is well that ends well!
Deb,
Wish you could have been with us for Steve’s party, but since I was sick for part of the week, it’s probably a good thing you didn’t come. Still sad, though.
I am always so amazed by people who can just break out into spontaneous dance like Gage and Madi. I love watching all the joy and energy.
Yes, it was definitely a different sort of vacation but ended with good news and a sweet family so, to quote Carolina Ingalls, all is well that ends well!
I love chili, cheese, mustard and sweet pickle relish on my hot dog. So yummy!
We didn’t have a tree swing when I grew up because our house was brand new so no trees. However, the house we raised our kids in had lots of great big trees so eventually we had a big square tree swing for the grandkids. They all loved it and would spend hours swinging! Now we’re back to no trees again. 😞
Recently, I had a physical and an EKG. I was told there could be a problem and was referred to a cardiologist. Of course it was a few weeks before I could get in so the waiting was very stressful. Another EKG showed that there is nothing wrong and I’m very healthy. Hallelujah!
LeeAnne,
That waiting is the worst, especially when there’s a potentially big problem being looked at. But such sweet news when you hear that all is well. So glad you got that news and can take a deep breath and jump into your summer!
So no trees, trees, and now, no trees. Well, it’s a good thing there are lots of other good ways to have fun!