I’m 17 weeks “pregnant”!

I’m 17 weeks “pregnant” - with a benign tumor, that is. I was just upgraded from carrying around a grapefruit-sized lump to one that is the size of a small cantaloupe. Like, ewww. I met with a FAB Dr. today. Tomorrow is the ultrasound. The least invasive surgery that is possible, fingers crossed, will occur within a month. Do I get a “baby shower” for this one? :)

I love the comparison to the quarter - just in case you needed that.

I love the comparison to the quarter – just in case you needed that.

 

Ooo, pretty

Ooo, pretty

 

Aggressive tumor. Love it

Aggressive tumor. Love it

 

I'm sure this one will show up on the ultrasound tomorrow!!

I’m sure this one will show up on the ultrasound tomorrow!!

 

 

The Obvious Question

The obvious question that many folks want answered is, “How the heck do you walk around with a grapefruit-sized tumor and not notice that?” 

1) Because of the trauma and stress from the last few years, I’m a bit plumper than I’ve ever been. And because I am tall, I can hide a virtual cantaloupe under my sweaters and mostly get by with it. If you are ever inclined to steal large fruit or silverware, call me. I’m your get-away-with-it gal.

2) I’ve had plenty symptoms of pain, fatigue and digestive issues over the years. I never thought to ask, “I wonder if there is a large tumor growing in my pelvis which would cause these symptoms I’ve been having all along anyway?”

3) No one knows how fast this little alien has been growing. But I do know that it hit a critical mass that sent me to the ER on Sunday. Last week, I took LONG walks on the beach and was fine except for the usual, inconsistent gut issues. Now the pain is ever-present and non-ignoreable.

The nice thing about being married to an engineer is that, upon request, he built me a 3D paper model of the 7″ x 5″ x 4″ beastie. Isn’t that sweeeeet? :)

There ya have it. Off to specialists tomorrow and Friday and very likely a close encounter with scalpels the following week.

So in good Hollywood speak, “Does this tumor make me look fat cuz I feel like I swallowed a guinea pig”.

 

I had mine removed and now I feel so much better!

I had mine removed and now I feel so much better!

Uh - ouch

Uh – ouch

There's always a bad one in the bunch

There’s always a bad one in the bunch

Another grapefruitectomy success!

Another grapefruitectomy success!

A Shout Out to Musicmakers

I just want to acknowledge that Musicmakers in Stillwater, MN, not only sent me an awesome Reverie Harp (ok, I sent them a little money for it), but I also received a HAND WRITTEN  note today thanking me for my purchase. Does that kind of awesome customer service still exist??? Well, with them it does. LOVE you guys. Keep up the good works!

Check them out HERE. I love love love my harp. Makes me happy :)

“Harpe” Diem

Seize the day – with a Reverie Harp! Pete and I ran off to the beach this afternoon. We got in a 7 minute walk before the wind and rain got to us. We then dined at the newly renovated Mo’s at Cannon Beach. We watched the sunset from inside the car while I played the new harp. That was cool. Finally, on the drive home, we went through white out SNOW conditions!!! It was wild!

From inside the restaurant. Notice the lights reflecting on the window.

From inside the restaurant. Notice the lights reflecting on the window.

 

Just a few moments later.

Just a few moments later.

Ahhhh

Ahhhh

Harpe Diem!

Harpe Diem!

 

The Newest Baby

The delivery will be easy but I think my wallet needs an epidural – haha. Look at the *gorgeous* Reverie Harp that’s on the way to my home. I REALLY want to provide therapeutic music to folks, especially and hopefully at the DREAM job I applied for at the children’s hospital. Anyone can play this harp because it is set to a pentatonic (5 note) scale where every note harmonizes with every other note. It’s impossible, even for non-musicians, to hit a “wrong” note. The soothing sounds and the vibrations from having this harp on your lap, or on your chest if you are in a hospital bed, are stellar. And from what I’ve heard, even quadreplegics with some arm motion can play this. How awesome is that???

22 strings, 20" X 12.5"Lightweight, portable, gorgeous sound, anyone can play it!!

22 strings, 20″ X 12.5″
Lightweight, portable, gorgeous sound, anyone can play it!!

The "face" on the harp reminds me of this character.

The “face” on the harp reminds me of this character.

Finally Fluting Again!

Other than popping into PCC’s chamber ensemble 2 weeks ago, I have not played any instruments since last October. Hoo boy – going through withdrawal for sure!

I’m getting repertoire together to play at the children’s hospital. If one can get the commercial aspects out of one’s mind, many Disney songs are quite lovely from a melodic perspective. I’ve developed a whole new appreciation for “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes”.

Figuring out melodies/harmonies in 2 different keys

Figuring out melodies/harmonies in 2 different keys

 

Flutetastic work of art. Love those keys!

Flutetastic work of art. Love those keys!