Tuesday

Kristie has her doctor’s appointment later today. I took a sick day to drive her to GF. Last night we decided against genetic testing. Kristie’s big fear is her age
(35). We run a risk of Down’s Syndrome. However, after skimming through the book we were given on our last visit, I have my doubts if they baby will be normal at all. Of course, the medical text highlighted all of the potential risks that COULD occur.

It was just too depressing. I couldn’t read it.

Besides, several mothers who Kristie has talked to mentioned that they never did the genetic testing. Their babies are perfectly healthy.

You hope. You pray. And you wait and see.

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The trials and tribulations of KoKo: Part II

Yesterday afternoon we drove north for groceries. KoKo is now at the stage where she loves to talk (she is my step-daughter after all. Though, I don’t think I really talk that much. If you ask me, Kristie is the talker in this family. Either way, we’re never at a loss for conversation). Here’s a sampling from last night’s trip – apparently, the girl’s on the softball team cannot say thank you; some girls in KoKo’s class played a game where you took certain consonants and vowels from a boy’s name and a girl’s name and divided or added (KoKo wasn’t quite sure), then you got a certain number and if they matched you were destined for each other (apparently KoKo and Tanner were a good match); she is having second thoughts about the horse her dad is thinking of buying her; some of the girl’s on her softball team are starting to boss others around in hopes of impressing the coaches, she eats healthier than Casey, she to an A plus on her FACTS test . . . and that was only about the first ten minutes! However, I would prefer that to her just putting on her headphones and zoning out.

The real drama, though, started when we got home and were putting the groceries away. I was putting the dog and cat food away in the basement. Kristie ran upstairs for a minute. KoKo, in her infinite wisdom, thought she could carry in a 12 pack of 7 UP, a 24 pack of water, the detergent, and a jug of milk. Apparently, Kristie was witnessing the to-be-debacle from upstairs (KoKo had already watched the detergent slide off her stack of groceries) and was waving to her to stop.

I was oblivious (as usual) to all of this as I headed up the basement stairs. Then I noticed what looked to be water all over the back screen door. As I got closer, I realized it was not clear water but white. This meant the milk must have tumbled and ruptured and splashed all over. Sure enough the jug was lying on the sidewalk in front of KoKo, whose arms were crammed full of the remaining groceries. Apparently, she was waiting for me to open the door.

I took it easy on her. It seems whenever I get angry, Kristie seems to think that whatever went wrong was no big deal. However, when Kristie saw the mess, she let KoKo have it. It seems whenever I think it’s not big deal, Kristie thinks it’s a catastrophe. So I just think everything is a big deal and she takes care of all the big deals.

So KoKo was sent out with a bucket of water to wash the mil off the door and the siding. Of course, this led KoKo to lament, “I do EVERYTHING wrong . . . I broke the duck (two summers ago), I lost the bracelet Kurt got me for Christmas (this winter) . . .”

After cleaning up her mess, KoKo came in and Kristie sat her down for a little pick me up talk. Poor thing. Seventh grade drama and depression.

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The doctor’s appointment went very well. We heard the baby’s heartbeat again – much louder and stronger this time.

It was the first time I ever met Dr. Brown, who, in addition to being an OBGYN, is also the mayor of Grand Forks. He decorated his room with hundreds of pictures of him with babies and pictures he has received from former patients. Impressive.

He relieved our fears about the genetic testing. Kristie decided to have some blood work done to test for some genetic things. If that comes back fine, we will forgo the genetic testing.

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Now, the bad news.

Gail called on Sunday. Apparently, she has some lumps in her groin. She has known about this for some time, but she has not seen a doctor about them. This is not good since Gail is a breast cancer survivor.

One would think that any signs of possible lumps would be a clear signal to get a check up.

Having gone through losing two parents to cancer, I’ve spent the better part of the past five years hearing all about lumps, biopsies, chemo, radiation, check ups, and so on. I became accustom to rushing to the doctors at any new sign of lumps or black dots on X-rays.

However, apparently Gail hid the tell tale signs of her breast cancer for some time too. A repeat of that is concerning.

Apparently, Gail talked to the doctor, he informed her that it might be skin cancer. She has finally made an appointment to get a biopsy to find out whether the lumps are cancerous.

This cannot happen again.