Two Different Tests

Brandon and I saw the same doctor - a family doctor.

I made an appointment for him to have a check up at the same time as my annual check up. The three of us went.

Brandon was a very healthy, smart child. The doctor saw Brandon scribbling during the appointment. He was impressed with how well Brandon held a pen at his age and the perfect circles he could draw. He told us that Brandon would be a great artist some day.

When Brandon's appointment was done, it was my turn. Tom held Brandon. I was there for my annual pap test. The doctor told me since my tests have always come back fine, I could skip it this year. I told him I'd go ahead and get the test done since I was already there and "mentally" ready.

(Never a comfortable test for me.)

A few days later I got a call that my test came back abnormal.

I needed to come in for another test. A biopsy.

I was nervous. I went in and had the test done and waited a few more days.

That test came back as level 3 dysplasia.

My understanding - Level 4 is cancer.

I cried, then I went to the library to look up everything I could about dysplasia. When I told the librarian what I was looking up and why, she told me I was very brave and that she'd be crying in a corner if it was her.

Thanks.

I had a LEEP surgery scheduled. I'm not sure why, but my biggest concern wasn't if I would be ok, it was whether or not I could have another baby. I prayed a lot that all would be ok.

The surgery was successful. I asked when it might be safe for me to get pregnant. My doctor told me to wait six weeks and let my body heal. We waited six weeks. It happened to be the same weekend as Tom's office Christmas party. We were able to stay overnight at the hotel it was at. And yes, a couple of weeks later when my parents were visiting, I took a pregnancy test and found out we were expecting our second child. Tom and I found out together. Then I put the test in a sandwich bag and took it with me to my sister's home. I showed it to my mother. She was very happy for us.

The following summer my side of the family went to Wisconsin for a family vacation/reunion. My father rented a place for all of us to stay. My family and my siblings' families. A very special week together.

And so a tradition was started. What a wonderful way to be with family every year.