Shipping & Handling

This is such a cute and funny story of a conversation my boys had tonight at dinner.

Connor was asking if he had $100 would it be enough to buy a Lego Crystal Sweeper. Chandler was told him that he wouldn't have enough because he would have to pay tax, shipping & handling. Connor asks, "Whats the handling for?" Chandler, "It means that if you don't buy handling that they will just throw it on your doorstep." Connor says, "Well that is rude! Why would someone just throw your toys on the doorstep?" Chandler says, " Because you didn't pay for the handling!!"

LOL How cute is that?!!! The things that kids say. I love it.

Have a great evening!!

Rachael

Just Believe....And you will See

We seem to be so busy lately. There is so much going on. Trying to get all the Christmas shopping done is fun but time consuming. I love the holidays, especially this year. It always makes most people realize how blessed they really are no matter how bad that year has been.



I had my last fill on the 10th. She was very impressed by how quickly my skin tissue healed from radiation. In only 3 weeks it looked normal. Thank you Jesus. She says she never has tissue heal that quickly and then do a fill that same day. But she did it on me. Yeah!!!! Then I went back 3 days later for the final one on Thursday the 10th. So now she said we could schedule the surgery for the week of February 8th for my reconstructive surgery. She will also be able to do my nipples at the same time. I laughed and said, "Yeah, I haven't seen those in so long!" LOL Crazy the small things in life that make us happy. LOL Then about a month later she will tattoo on the areola. Fun stuff HUH!!!! So I am finally proportional and very full. Much to the delight of my hubby. LOL




I had herceptin on Monday 14th yesterday. I also saw Dr. Lemantani. I told him all of the side affects again and he said apparently my body just will not tolerate the Tamoxifin. Bummer!!! In a way. It is more of a preventative medicine but my body just will not handle it. And there is no alternative meds to take. So like my Grandma Shirley said, "She is healed of cancer in Jesus Name, so why should she have to take anything more." So here we go Grandma, in Jesus Name. It still is kind of scary though. My biggest fear is that it will come back somewhere else. Obviously not my breasts because those are gone but anywhere else would not be good at all. But the good news is I can have a baby if I, I mean we want. LOL Shane says I am totally crazy. So I don't know. We will have to wait and see. I didn't think it would be possible till I was 39 and that would be crazy. Sorry Aunt Carolyn. LOL However, God changed that. So maybe........But at least now it is a possibility. And that makes me feel better about at least having a choice in the whole thing.




Last week on December 8th, a lady whose book I think I mentioned that I read when I was first diagnosed. Her name was Glenda, she lived here in Harrisburg and the book was "Victory thru Breast Cancer". She passed away on the 8th. I didn't know her but only her story. She had been cancer free for almost 20 years. It came back in her sinus' and when they did surgery she bled into her brain, was having seizures and passed away in a hospice. I have never been an overly fearful person about much of anything. But CANCER scares the crap out of me!! I have seen what it can do and does and know I am so blessed for how "easy" my journey was compared to others. Would I be so lucky the next time around? I guess that is where faith steps in and has to take over.




Well our family prayer for the last 3 months or so, really for the last 18 months but ever more fervently the last few months was for us to sell the Jacobs Ridge house by Christmas or the end of the year. The kids have been praying with us also. Chandler asked me the other day, "What happens if it doesn't sell?" I told him it just must not be God's time for us to do so but let's not think that way and have faith that God will sell this house soon. We do have a family who is looking at it for the second time last week. So we are hopeful and very prayerful that this is our Christmas Miracle on its way. The Bible says he knows what we have need of even before we ask. So now we just wait.........In Jesus Name. And Oh What a faith builder for our Boys to see how God really does answer our prayers when we ask. I can't wait to see what He is going to do.



Our next family Christmas Miracle is with my youngest brother Dustin and his wife Yesenia. Dustin several months ago applied to the Secret Service. He has gone thru rigorous interviews, drug tests, a 4 hour lie detector test, family, friends & job interviews, health exams & physical fitness tests. One of the recruiters told him it usually takes 12-24 months before acceptance, but Dustin has prayed that God would open the doors and show him what direction his life is supposed to go and that he would be obedient to walk thru that door. So guess what God did. After only about 4 months, Dustin has been accepted into the Secret Service. Talk about God working fast. He is so excited and we are so proud of him. We will miss them so much when they have to move to D.C. but know that he is in the will of God.



So this week I am going to try and finish Christmas shopping so I won't have to be out there next week with all the procrastinator's. LOL I would rather be home baking. So that is my plan anyway. We shall see how that goes. Tomorrow I have a follow up Radiation appointment, Thursday Chandler's Christmas party & Connor's is on Monday. Baking on Monday with Yessie and maybe Audra. Christmas with Tony on Wednesday, Christmas Eve with Mom, & Christmas Day at Shane's parents. So busy busy busy but loving every minute of just being alive. Sometimes I start to get stressed about everything and I just have to slow down and say to myself, "Does it really matter?" or look at my children and know I am truly a blessed mommy.



All my love,
Rachael

One Big Happy Dysfunctional Family

Bellas Family at her Dedication on

Sunday November 29th, 2009

The Whole Higginbotham Clan

Baby Gavin 8 months Old


Bella Boo 13 months Old


Papa Fred, Shane & I celebrating our birthday at

The Higginbothams over Thanksgiving.


Our Family with Papa Fred and Shane's Parents

CaityBug

Uncle Chad with Gavin

Mommy Daddy & Caitlyn having Thanksgiving Dinner.

Dad with his 3 kids

Yesenia & Bella

Mom with her 4

GrandBabies

Caitlyn eating my Birthday Cake

Travis & Audra

Connor with Mommy

Beautiful Bella

Tony with the Boys

Pastor Ross after dedicating Bella

Isabella Grace Lassiter

Well as you can see we have still been very busy. Of course we celebrated Thanksgiving which was especially special this year to me. Then we had Bella dedicated on Sunday & then my 34th birthday.

We went to Shane's parents in Raleigh area for Thankgiving Day. His brother Chad and his wife Marcella came up from Florida. So that was nice to see them again. The boys loved being able to ride their four wheelers. Caitlyn too. She loves to ride with her Daddy. She spent about a half an hour throwing pine cones into the pond. We tried to have a bon fire that night but all the wood was too wet.

We celebrated Shane, Papa Fred & my birthday while we were there. And Christmas for Chad and Marcella because they won't be able to come up for Christmas. We took a lot of family pictures. It is very rare that we are all together. And with Papa getting up in age, 81 now, you just never know when it will be the last holiday that you might all have together. So Papa and I decided this year we were just Thankful to be here period.

My Dad Kyle flew down from Idaho/Oregon for Thanksgiving also. He spent the day with the boys, Travis & Dustin. But he stayed with us the rest of the weekend. We get to see him about twice a year. The summer and usually one holiday. So while he was here Dustin & Yessie had Bella dedicated. As you can see from the first picture, we were all there and her side of the family also.

I started last Monday taking my Tamoxifen. That is the pill that I am supposed to take for the next 5 years. However, all last week I was feeling sick. Like I was going to throw up all week. I kept thinking that it was just a flu bug because Shane has been sick Monday and Tuesday. But then I became very moody, having horrible thoughts & just didn't feel at all like myself. So Shane said to maybe try and take it at night instead. So I didn't take it on Sunday and felt fine, but I took it that night before I went to bed. I was so sick all night. Monday was horrible. It was like it was all built up in my system or something. I was so bad I had to ask Shane to come home and hour or so early. I have never ever done that. I was miserable. So needless to say Shane had to come home and take care of me, the kids, house and all. I hated it. The next day was my birthday and I was still sick. Not quite as bad but still felt horrible. So we had to cancel our dinner plans to go to Barringtons in Charlotte. I was so bummed. My neighbor, Mrs. Costner, brought us dinner from KFC. It was the grilled chicken with all the trimmings. It was so nice not to have to worry with dinner but KFC was not what I had in mind for my bday dinner. LOL Oh well.

I am so much better now. I had called the doctor on Monday and they told me to stop taking the medicine immediately. So I have to go back on the 14th and we will see what Dr. Lemantani says. Shane took me out to dinner Saturday night to Barringtons to make up for having to miss dinner Tuesday night. The meal was delicious and awesome.

Thank you to all for your continuing support, love & most of all your prayers.

Love,

Rachael

Busy Busy Busy

The above pictures are our pictures from our day trip to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC.

Take me for a ride on your big green tractor Baby.

You can go slow, you can go faster!! LOL

We have been crazy busy the last week and a half. The weekend after I finished radiation we took a day trip to the Zoo and an Edventure Museum. It was a lot of fun. Shane had never been to this particular zoo. We usually go to the one in Asheboro. But I really like this one because you can see the animals so close up. I know it is better to have a large natural habitat but when you go to the zoo you would at least like to see the animals. Caitlyn loved it. She was only about 9 months old the last time we went. Plus this zoo doesn't have as much walking. You are not totally exhausted when you leave. So we still had enough energy to go to the Museum too. At the museum the kids can pretend grocery shop and ring up the items, play in a real fire truck and dress up in costumes, milk a cow, hunt for eggs, go to Africa, go thru the body parts of a giant sized kid. There are slides thru the heart for the aorta and arteries. Pretty cool stuff. Then we went for ice cream and then we drove home. It was a blast. The kids had no idea where we were going till we got there.

The following week, Mom found a house and we just moved her in this past weekend. So her and Travis will be living there for at least the next 18 months. She was pretty excited to get her own place. I think it is a good step toward a new beginning for her. Plus I was ready to feel like I can move on to the next phase of life for our family. To feel like I was taking control of my life again. Not that I so did not appreciate all my mom did for us, because I know few moms would have done or been in the position to do what my mom did for me, but it was time. It is hard to go back to living with your parent after not for 13 years. You all kind of get set in your own way.

So now the house seems very quiet. Crazy too when we have 3 kids under 9. But it is. We still have Sheba too till mom can get the invisible fencing set up. But overall I think we are all starting to adjust to what "normal" is now.

On Saturday, Shane turned 34. Wow!!! How time flies. We were just teenagers when we started dating. But I have loved every minute of it and look forward to many more years with the love of my life. We had hamburgers, mac-n-cheese, & sweet potato fries. Yummy and of course, Chocolate Delight for dessert. It was very good if I do say so myself.

We are working on getting all the rooms back together after mom & Travis' departure. The guest room has furniture but no comforter. The office has nothing save the wireless and modem. I have been bugging Shane that for my birthday I would like to redo our room. I love the brown's and pale blue. So I could use my comforter set in the guest room and get a new one for my birthday & Christmas. So we shall see. But then I would want the room repainted so I don't know. I will have to wait and see.

I had herceptin today and met with Dr. Lemantani. He said everything looks good. I started my tamoxifen today also. The first day for the next 5 years. Yikes. That is a long time. Oh Well it is better than the alternative. I should only have 4 more treatments of the herceptin. That will be nice to finally be done with that. Should be done by end of February.

My breast tissue is healing nicely from radiation. It looked like I had a severe sunburn with major peeling. But it is finally starting to just look like a tan. Hopefully next week I can start up with the final fills and then set for 6-8 weeks than my reconstructive surgery. Yeah!!!

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving this year. Obviously, I have a lot to be thankful for this year. A lot of things have been put into perspective for me. Not necessarily by choice but overall it has been a good thing to have your eyes opened whether you want to or not. We will be spending the holidays with Shane's parents this year. We rotate each year. It keeps it simple and no one has to wonder. We are taking the boys four wheelers and they will ride probably most of day over the 10 acres. Caitlyn too with her Daddy. She loves them. Shane can't wait till he can get her one too. Then we will have dinner, celebrate birthdays & then do a bon fire that night. So it will be much fun.

I hope everyone has a Blessed Thanksgiving. Remember we are all here, so we truly have much to be Thankful for. Don't forget to let the ones around you, the ones you love know how much you truly appreciate them. You never know what tomorrow may hold.......

All my love,

Rachael

The First Day of the Rest of My Long Life to Come

This is me today.

My Radiation Team:

Left to right: Amy, Andrew, myself, Robyn, & Lori

Dr. Mark Liang

My Radiation Oncologist

Today is my first day without radiation in 6 weeks. Wow, I have so many feelings going thru me. I am thankful & relieved that it is over, sad because I won't see my wonderful radiation team anymore, grateful for not having any excessive tiredness or pain during the process, a sense of accomplishment for what I have finished and gone thru, But most of all, excited for what is to come. I can almost see the light at the end of this long tunnel.

I want to say Thank you to all the staff at University Radiation for the great care you have given me over the last 6 weeks. It was fun while it lasted. NOT!!! But I thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of you and you being a small part of my life and sharing parts of your with me.

Andrew take care of little Sophia. Amy good luck with your new baby boy in January. You guys are the best.

With a sincere and grateful heart,

Rachael

Happy Veterans Day

This morning the boys woke up and got all of the 4th of July paraphernalia out. They decorated the hall and the walkway in front of Travis' room with it all. When he came out of the shower yelled quietly, "Happy Veterans Day"!!! They were so proud of themselves. I had nothing to do with it because I was sleeping. I hope Travis enjoyed their "surprise" before he went to work.

Well as I was typing Chandler hollers for me. He has not been feeling good all day and he pucked all over the floor in Mom's bathroom. Yucky!!!! He says, "I think it is chicken & cranberries mom." So apparently he has the 24 hour stomach virus that Connor had last week at 3:30 in the morning. Changing sheets in the middle of the night. Fun Stuff. Oh well guess he won't be going to school tomorrow. I was trying to hold my breath the whole time I was cleaning it up. Just trying not to throw up myself. I hope we all don't get it again.

Happy Veterans Day to All!!

Thanks to my Grandpa Bob & Carl, Papa Fred, Travis & Dustin, Jesus', Jerod, & Uncle Clay.

Love to all and Thank you for your Great Sacrifice.

Love The Higginbotham Family

A Surprise Visit

Grandma Shirley, Nikki & I

Nikki with 6 month old Ryker Jay

Shane & Ryker


Bella doing some kind of scary!!



Me going out on the town with Nikki & Yesenia

Grandma Shirley playing on the slide with Caitlyn. What 79 year old Great Grandma does that? Ours does. Grandma climbed up the back ladder and down she went.

Grandma Shirley & Caitlyn

Nikki & I

Grandma Shirley 79 Years Old

Pecan Pie for her Birthday Cake

Travis & Audra

Audra & I

Dustin & Yessie with Ryker

Well as you can see we have had a very busy week. We arrived home Sunday evening and on Tuesday afternoon my Grandma & cousin Nikki from Oregon flew in. This had apparently been planned for about 2 months. It was awesome to see them and spend the week with them.

We didn't really go anywhere. Just relaxing, talking, & playing games together. We were all here to be with Grandma Shirley. While she was here, she turned 79. I can't even imagine. She is such a wonderful Grandma and an example of a Godly woman. On her birthday, we had a mini-Thanksgiving Dinner with all the fixings. It was delicious. She had a pecan pie for her birthday cake. At dinner, we gave her the special plate that our family uses. It is a large gold charger and whoever has it, is the "special person" for the evening. Everyone at the table went around and told Grandma why we loved her and how special she was to each of us. It was pretty special. One of the reasons that I love my Grandma so much is because of the example of what a wife and mother should be. No one is perfect but she is pretty awesome. When I was about 11 she asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up...I said, "I want to be a Mom & wife just like you." Guess what. I am. To have such a beautiful heritage is the best. I am so glad she is around for my children too. She has 27 Grandchildren & 11 GreatGrandchildren. We are a truly blessed and fertile family. LOL

Well in the midst of all of this, Mom was still in Washington/Oregon visiting with Family & Friends. She came home on Friday night. Travis picked her up. So Mom and Grandma stayed in her room. Nikki & Ryker stayed in Chandler's room, Travis is living in Connor's room, (Yes I said living) and the boys stayed in the playroom on the hideabed. In the evenings for dinner there were 13 people and of course Sheba the dog. Crazy Crazy but lots of fun. It was nice to visit and step somewhat away and have a break from everything else going on in our lives.

So Travis is now living with us also. So our steady household residents are 7 plus Sheba. It is a full house, but overall I think it is functioning very well if I do say so myself. Travis will be moving back here permanently. He came down the Sunday we got home from the funeral and began job hunting. On Thursday, he got a job. He is working for the same security company that Dustin is working for. He started that job on Monday. So we are excited for him. And Audra is very happy!!! So are we.

Saturday night, Yesenia, Nikki & I went out to our favorite Chinese restaurant "House of Taipei". Yummy!!!! Nikki likes it and now it is a tradition when she comes to go. Then we went to a movie. So that was nice for some girl time out on the town. We are some real party girls!!! LOL JK

Tomorrow is my last day of treatment for radiation. I can hardly believe it. It feels like forever with having to go everyday but than again I can't believe I am finally done. All of the staff have been great. They were so nice and friendly thru the whole process. I will be sad not to see them each day. Kind of. The next big hurdle will be to get re inflated. Which I have an appointment right after my last radiation. LOL I am ready to at least look half way normal and I finally get to wear normal deodorant. Whoo Hoo!!!! Ahhhh..... the simple things in life.

As you can probably tell from the pictures my hair has grown out even more. I had it trimmed right before I went to Washington and it is growing like crazy. Nikki highlighted it for me. And showed me another way to style it. Today getting in the truck it was a little windy and I could actually feel my hair moving in the back. I sent a quick Thank you Jesus for my hair being long enough to feel it move. I have noticed with the colder weather and my "length challenged hair" that my ears and neck are going to freeze this winter. It is weird the things you never notice before when you have long hair. But it is finally growing and hopefully will be long and beautiful soon.

Please pray for my cousin Nikki's dad, Uncle Greg. She called my a while ago and said that they admitted him into the hospital with chest and left arm pain. They believe he was having a heart attack. He is only in his early 50's. Pray for a quick recovery and that God will use this to minister to him.

Thank you to Nikki and Grandma for coming all the way out here. It was so much fun. Thanks Yessie for the help in the kitchen with cooking and all.

Love

Rachael

When I Am Weak He is Strong

Last Thursday, we buried my Grandpa Bob. It was a Lutheran Funeral, which is a little different when you are used to a Pentecostal Funeral Service. However it was a beautiful service. The song I chose for the service was by Brad Paisley & Dolly Parton, "When I get Where I'm Going". Everyone cried.


While we were there we were able to see so many family members that we grew up with (like till we were 5 anyway)LOL, an uncle and several other relatives that we literally have not seen in 25 years. We bonded like there had never been any time spent before. We discovered an Uncle Clay who is hilarious. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. So in spite of the sadness and occasion of being in Washington, a piece of our family was restored.


But I have to say it made me sad too. To think of all the time lost with those family members. It once again reminded me of how precious life & time is. We only have now. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. As the saying goes, "The most important things in Life are not Things!!" Oh how true that is. The people in our lives are what is important. One of the things last week that seemed to continually come up was: Forgiveness. Please don't leave things unsaid to those you love. Regardless of the issue, is it worth it to hang on to the bitterness and anger? Life is too short. People change. Make an effort to build that bridge. As I discovered this week, it is soo worth it.


We all flew home Sunday morning early again. Mom stayed to go visit a friend in Portland which is about 2 hours or so from Tacoma. Monday evening we got a call from Mom that Uncle Carl, whom is Grandpa Bob's Brother, passed away. He was at Grandpa's viewing and funeral. He has been fighting cancer the last year. He wasn't doing well but still. So 4 days after we buried Uncle Carl's brother he passed away himself. Sometimes this year I really do feel like screaming to God, "Come on Lord. Enough is Enough!!!!!!" Maybe that is rude but this year really is a doozy of a year. And I keep thinking Ok it can't get much worse and then guess what it does. However, in saying that and feeling that way, the last two mornings getting in the truck to go to radiation the song by Chris Tomlin, "How Great is Our God" started playing as I backed out of the driveway. I honestly felt like God was saying, "Don't forget who is in control. Don't forget the I Am that I Am. Don't forget how Great God really is." And once again I remind myself that He is still in control and I hold to my verse...He has plans to prosper you and not harm you. To give you hope & a future. Jer. 29:11



With Faith & Hope like that straight from God himself, who am I to question the plans he has layed out. I still do not understand. And Yes I am totally scared to death, but I do TRUST Him. No Matter What I know He is looking out for us.


On Tuesday, I had a surprise visit from my Grandma Shirley and my cousin Nikki and her 6 month old little boy, Ryker Jay. It was great that they could come out to spend time with us for a week. Tomorrow is Grandma Shirley's Birthday. She will be 79. So far our visit has been great relaxing and catching up.



Good Night for Now.
Rachael


Rest in Peace Uncle Carl. Your sense of humor will be missed by all who loved you.

Goodbyes....We will Miss You Grandpa Bob

Above is a 4 Generation picture of My Mom, her Dad, Grandpa Bob Renkert, Caitlyn & I. Last year we were in Seattle with my Grandpa. He was in the hospital when we arrived. They didn't expect him to live and called the family in. Grandpa had not seen Caitlyn yet. I so wanted him to meet his Great Granddaughter. Chandler & Connor were praying at home. Needless to say, we arrived on Thursday and Grandpa went home on Saturday I believe. He told everyone it was his two Grandsons in North Carolina praying for him. Thankfully God gave him another year with us. And we are so grateful for that additional year. We were not always close to Grandpa when we were younger but the last 7 years or so we were able to have a relationship with him, he even came to NC several times. Where as before he had never really been anywhere outside of Washington state.


However on Wednesday we got a call the he was back in the hospital but not doing well. At first they said 1-6 months but Thursday, it was 2-3 days. Mom immediately made reservations to go say goodbye to her Daddy. She left at 6 am on Friday. I had radiation as usual and when I got out I called home to check on Caitlyn and while I was on the phone my Uncle Paul called to tell us Grandpa had passed. It was 10am our time but 7am in Washington. Mom was to land at 11am PST. Mom didn't make it in time to say GoodBye. She missed him by 3 hours. Just 3 hours. How often do we waste 3 hours watching TV, reading a book, driving etc. My heart broke for her. I can't even imagine not being able to say Goodbye to one of my parents. I cried out, "Why God??? Couldn't you let him hang on for just a few more hours?" Nothing. I mourn for the time we didn't get to spend with him because of distance & just life. I regret not calling him more and letting him know we loved him. Making more of an effort to visit. Probably all the things most people go thru when mourning. REGRETS!!!


Before he passed, Uncle Paul said the Chaplin was in praying and reading the Bible with him. As she walked away Grandpa Bob left this world peacefully. I pray he now knows the love, grace & peace that only God can give.


We are leaving for Washington on Wednesday and will come back home on Sunday. All of us Travis, Dustin, Yessie, Bella & myself are going. Shane will be home with the kids and working, Audra will be here to help him out with Caitlyn during the day and boys with their homework after school. I am so Thankful she will be able to help us out. Thank you so much Audra.


I know I have been really slack about updating my blog. Sorry. I have been really busy lately. Of course I have 3 kids, husband and a household to care for but I still am in Radiation and Mom and I are still helping our neighbor, Mrs. Linda, with redecorating her home. It has been fun and a good distraction for my mom. We have both really enjoyed doing it and helping her out. Mrs. Linda absolutely loves it. We have done the whole downstairs.


The boys are doing very well in school. Even Connor. LOL. He still cannot manage to get 5 green days in a row but he has not had even 1 red day this year. Thank you God. This year has been much more relaxed and easy going. Both teachers are awesome and work to help each child succeed. Neither one likes or sends home an abundance of homework. Yeah!!!! For all of us.


Bella is turning 1 tomorrow. They are having a costume party for her tomorrow afternoon. So it should be a lot of fun. The kids will love it. We are having Mexican food. Yummy!!!



I am feeling really good. I feel more normal lately than I have in a long time. I have not experienced any exhaustion from radiation at all. My skin is a little pink but nothing major. So that is awesome and a definite God thing. Who would have thought having Cancer could be this easy going. It is really crazy. But I am so thankful. I have been able to get a lot done around the house and such.



The fall weather has kicked in here in the Carolinas and I am LOVING it!!! It reminds me why I love it here. All the trees and leaves changing. It is absolutely gorgeous. If you have never seen a Carolina Fall you do not know what you are missing. The kids are outside most of the day now with the cooler weather. Especially over the weekends.


Good Night
Rachael



Please keep especially my mom but the whole Renkert Family in your prayers this week coming. His funeral is on Thursday at 11am. Thank you in advance.

Radiation has Begun

Well as you can see I have started the Radiation Therapy part of my recovery. They only radiate the left side that had the cancer. All of those X's on my arms is also on the middle of my chest and all down the left side of my torso. There are probably about 20+ markings. Thankfully nothing permanent. The process of setting me up and lining up all the markings with the lasers almost takes longer than the actual radiation. Crazy but they want it to be right on the exact spot. I have to have X-rays each week and see the doctor every Monday. They monitor my progress very carefully.

Radiation does not hurt at all. It is just like getting an X-ray. It only lasts a few minutes. You are in a fairly large room but it is all lead walls and the door is a vault door like at a bank. I think that is the eeriest part of it hearing that door close and lock. The radiation is done as soon as the machine turns off. So the techs are able to come right back in afterwards. It is not an internal radiation where you have to be isolated for a certain amount of time. So far it has been a breeze. I only have a small pink spot where one of the X's were. They put a clear tape over the paint marks and sometimes they have to be replaced. When they took the sticker off it left a pink raw area. Not to bad though. I haven't been tired at all so far. He said that will probably start this week. Other than that no side affects. God is good.

My final radiation day is November 9th and then about 4 weeks after that will be my surgery to have the implants put in. So hopefully I will still have "New Boobs" for Christmas.

We have all been doing good just busy with life I guess. Caitlyn has had the chicken pox and then Chandler got Bronchitis. Fun Stuff!!! Just another week in the Higginbotham household.

Also one of my neighbors is having some painting done at her house and she saw my house and wanted to know if Mom and I would help her decorate. So we have been trying to help her go thru all her stuff, organize & decorate. That has been fun but keeping us busy also. She has been having to go back and forth to Greensboro because her Dad's health is going down. He had one leg amputated in March and another a few weeks ago because of diabetes. Now his kidneys are starting to shut down. She is so upset as you can imagine. So Mom & I have been making ourselves at home and putting everything back together once the painters finish each room. It has been fun & given us a lot to do. But a lot of fun helping her. Please keep her father in your prayers this week.

I hope everyone has a great week and gets everything you need to accomplish done.

Love & prayers,

Rachael