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Cancer Journey/ HEALTH

Health Update- A Med Change and Needles the Size of Coffee Stirrers

{18 Gauge Needle–ugh!}

I have been taking a medication called Tamoxifen for 2 1/2 years.  My breast cancer had estrogen receptors, and the growth of these tumors can be stimulated by estrogen.  Tamoxifen is like a key that fits into the keyhole (receptor) of tumor cells so estrogen cannot get in there and cause growth.  Even though it blocks estrogen, it also stimulates estrogen production, so much so that it is used for infertility.

I have not been doing well on this drug.  It was never a walk in the park from the beginning, but I got over the typical joint aches and moodiness that came with it.  But lately, my side effects from this med have been pretty rough.  Hot flashes so intense I want to crawl out of my own skin, joint aches, ovarian cysts, uterine lining growth (first stages of uterine cancer–a big concern) and the worst one for me–fatigue.  I have always had to take naps on this drug, but the last few months the fatigue was ridiculous.  I would need 2-3 hour naps most days and it was a very deep, drug induced sleep, and I would wake up feeling old and creaky and just plain yuck.

For my recent surgery, I had to go off the Tamoxifen, and OH MY DEAR FRIENDS I cannot tell you how much better I felt.  For those of you who have been reading along my cancer journey the last few weeks, you know I had to have surgery twice in a week, and had a lung infection called pleurisy.

Guess what?  I was LESS TIRED having two surgeries and pleurisy than I was on Tamoxifen.  It has been so great to feel energy even through healing from surgery.  It really put into perspective just how much Tamoxifen had been effecting my life.

My OB has been hinting around about taking me off the drug as he is very concerned about the uterine lining growth.  I have had to get ultrasounds to check lining and cysts every 3 months, but recently he has been checking me monthly, and it has not looked good.  I have an appointment with him soon and I know he will be relieved that I am off Tamoxifen, and I am sure he would have suggested it anyway.

I met with my Oncologist today, told her I feel better after 2 surgeries and a lung infection than I do on Tamoxifen, told her about my uterine problems, and she agreed I need to come off the drug.  She said I gave it my best, and was pleased I almost made it to the 3 year mark.  A study just came out that increased the time for women to take this drug from 5 years to 10 years, which made me cry when I read it.  I thought MAYBE I could make it to 5 years, but NO WAY ten years.  The statistics of being protective against recurrence is impressive, so it was hard to finally give up, but I know it is for the best.

So what now?

There are only 2 other options for me.

Because I am premenapausal, they have to make me postmenopausal.  The goal now since I am stopping the drug that blocks estrogen is to eliminate estrogen.  There are 2 ways to do this:

1. Monthly shots that shut down the ovaries–instant menopause  OR

2. Full hysterectomy–this includes the ovaries.  This is not your typical hysterectomy, most hysterectomies done these days leave the ovaries, which in turn leaves hormones.  Breast cancer survivors don’t get that luxury.

With both options, they start you on an aromatase inhibitor.  This takes care of any estrogen that is found in your muscles, fat, liver and in breast tumors.

I chose the shots, as I am young and I like that it is not permanent.  Taking all hormones out of the body and going for full hysterectomy has its own set of problems.  It increases chance of heart disease, which is the #1 killer of woman, and my chances for that are already sky high due to my chemo and radiation.

I got my first shot today.  I will start on Arimidex in 2 weeks.

How do I feel about all this?

A nervous peacefulness, a little sad, and nauseous.

I am nervous because the nurses read all the side effects of Goserelin shots and Arimidex and they sure sound very much like the side effects I already experienced on Tamoxifen, minus the cysts and uterine lining growth.  Oh how I pray I am one of the lucky ones who do not have too severe of side effects.

I am at peace because today God just keeps reassuring me of His faithfulness.  Not only that, it looked like insurance was going to be stubborn in covering the shots, but at last minute said yes.  My particular insurance usually takes forever making these decisions, so to have the billing manager come and tell me I was approved and could get the shot TODAY was surprising and reassuring.

I am sad because…hmm…how to put into words.  My poor ovaries are gonna shrivel up!  I don’t know….I’m used to seeing them every month on ultrasound and they helped create 3 beautiful girls and maybe it is because to me they mean youth?  I was always so proud of my body for continuing to cycle despite chemo, radiation, & Tamoxifen. My doctors marveled at that. I guess I got it in my head that a young, strong body is a body that cycles regularly so for me it became about youth and strength.  Time to let go of that belief.  Adios ovaries…maybe someday after these shots you will work again.

I am nauseous because I had my first shot today, and it was the FIRST TIME EVER that I have gotten queasy and faint from a procedure, and you all know I’ve had my share of procedures!   These shots are given in the stomach, and they place a pellet under the skin.  The nurse told me she would numb the area first, which in itself was surprisingly painful–it burned a lot.

I then asked her if I would be able to see the pellet under my skin and she said “oh yes, it will be right here under the skin, it is good size.” Then she held up the needle that contained the pellet, and that is when my heart started beating faster.  My glance was brief, but my first thought was “that is the size of a coffee stirrer!”  She said “I sure hope this goes where it is supposed to, you are so skinny” as she pushed it in…and that did me in.  I felt it, it seemed like she could have waited a bit longer for the numbing meds to take.  She sat me up, and that is when my head felt weird and she told me I looked green and to lay back down.  That was an hour ago and I’m still queasy.  I’m sure it is not the med side effects yet…I just think the idea of a pellet and that big needle under my skin got…well.. under my skin!

9
Cancer Journey/ FUN/DIY/ HEALTH/ HOME/ Homemade Gifts/ Organizing

A By-The- Bed Basket –A Great Gift Idea For Someone Who Is Sick

The last two weeks I have spent lots of time in bed.  I am healing from reconstruction surgery, and due to some complications, the healing time is taking longer than I expected.

Honestly, I sure don’t mind some chill time, especially now that I am just sore, and not in pain.  I am one that loves my quiet time, and I really love my bedroom and bed, so really it is fine to have to rest a bit.

One thing that has made my time in bed enjoyable is this handy dandy basket.  I have kept everything I need close by in it.

 

The basket has evolved over the last 2 weeks. It started out pretty empty, put together by my thoughtful 10-year-old Avery right after my first surgery.  She gathered the things she saw all over my bed and put them in a basket all pretty.  You can see what she did in the pic below.

She put my purple binder with hospital discharge instructions in it.  My lip balm, my glasses, the TV remote, my Nook, my devotional, pain meds, body butter and a jar of pens.  She even added a little snack.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have added to it, as you can see. Between this basket, my phone,  TV, laptop, my favorite water bottle, my fuzzy blanket & this basket, I have been set!  My requests for help from my family to bring me things that I need have been minimal.

 

{My sweet friend polished my toes for me.  I’ve been so very spoiled!}

I’m thinking I may keep my basket around even after I’m healed. It is just handy and convenient, and I love spending time in my room and bed.

 This would also make a GREAT gift for someone who is sick or is going to have surgery or is just laid up for whatever reason.  

Here is what I keep in mine:

1. Bath & Body Works Lemon Lip Balm–my all time fav.

2. Bath & Body Works Lemon Room Spray–this smells so fresh and clean.

3. A wonderful, encouraging book by author Danea Horn called Chronic Resilience–10 Sanity-Saving Strategies for Women Coping With the Stress of Illness.  Buy this book as a gift for yourself or your friends if it applies.  It is a wonderful book.

4. Trader Joes Coconut Body Butter–another one of my all time favs.  This has been so soothing to my skin after removing tape and bandages.  I.V. fluid from surgery also makes my hands swell and feel dry, so this cream brought relief.

5. Dark Chocolate.  My sister-in-law knew I loved these Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Seeds from Trader Joes and brought them to me with some groceries last week.  Best gift!

6. Alba Hawaiian Lip Gloss–For when you want to feel a bit girly.  The smell of this takes me to the tropics, which was needed when I was in pain!

7. Magazines-a sweet friend, Kashoan from Krafty Kash left these on my porch last week.  Another great gift!

8. A notebook

9. My Scripture Devotion journible.

10. My Nook.  3 Books I have loved is  The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom, Sweeping Up Glass by Carolyn Wall, and now I am reading The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield.

11. A jar of pens, scissors, nail files, & thermometer.  Avery had to make sure her duct tape rose pen was in there.

12. My prescription meds

13. Advil/Tylenol

14. Deodorant

15. My Vita-Strips — I believe these are a key to my healing well.

Another hint is to move furniture if you need to.  I moved this little end table right up alongside my bed so I don’t have to reach.  It has flowers from my sister-in-law on it, a candle to make it cozy in here, and usually, my water bottle is on it.

Here is the water bottle I use.  Lemon is very cleansing and detoxing.  Perfect for someone who is sick.

Cheers to everyone feeling better, or at least feeling loved and comforted while they are down.

 

2
Cancer Journey/ HEALTH/ Music Renews/ Spiritual

Emergency Room Visit & Keeping My Eyes Above The Waves

My second surgery this week went well.  I came home so relieved and with very little pain.  By the next morning (Friday) I was off prescription pain killers on just on Tylenol.   I had energy.  I stayed rested in bed but didn’t sleep much and just felt good.

Saturday morning woke up still feeling quite good.  I wrote about my surgery experience and a hero of mine.  But by 10:30 am, I started having an uncomfortable feeling in my chest, and I thought it strange that it was in the opposite side of where I just had surgery two days before.

I started getting tired and found myself sleeping all day.  I could not stay awake.  I thought it was just from having 2 surgeries in one week, sleeping off anesthetics, etc.

We had a Saturday family night, eating dinner and watching shows together as a family.  As we were watching shows, I noticed my chest pain becoming more and more uncomfortable.  It was pain felt at the top of each breath.  By the time our family show was over, I was only able to get about half a breath before I would feel pain on that left side.  I also had the chills and so I took my temp and sure enough I had a fever.

“You’ve Never Failed, And You Won’t Start Now”

It got worse, so I gave in and called my Dr.  I SO did not want to go into the ER.  I knew it would mean lots of tests.  I knew their first concern would be a blood clot.  Dr. F was very concerned and said to go into the ER right away, and yes, blood clot was his biggest worry.

I hated having to tell my girls that I felt sick and had to go back to the hospital.  My brave 12 year old Colsie wrote this on her Facebook page after we left:

“Everybody, please pray for my mom. She is having chest pains, and is going to the hospital. Hoping its nothing to serious!”
One of my closest friends saw the status and immediately went over to our house to stay with our girls.  That was a blessing & made them feel loved and cared for.
 
“Your Grace Abounds In Deepest Waters”

By the time I got to the hospital, my breathing was quite painful.  I could not get a sentence out without taking breaths in between words.  I noticed my breathing was more shallow as I was not able to get much air in without a lot of pain.

“You Call Me Out Upon The Waters

“The Great Unknown, Where Feet May Fail”

They took vitals, and my blood pressure was elevated.  I still had fever.  They took blood, a urine sample, an EKG, a chest X-ray & started an IV.  The chest xray showed fluid on that left lung, so a CT scan was ordered to rule out blood clot and see what was causing the fluid.  We had to wait awhile for the CT, as I am allergic to the contrast they inject for that test.  They had to give me a steroid and anti-allergy meds, and we had to wait patiently for them to take affect.  This is when my pain started getting really bad and my breathing very shallow.  It scared me.  I tried not to panic but I had never experienced the feeling of not being able to get air into my lungs, and my body would just not let me breath deep as even just a little air in my lungs would cause excruciating pain.  Later we found out this was pleurisy and fluid on my lung causing all this pain.

“Fear Surrounds”

There was a point I panicked.  I had all this fluid being pumped into me through an IV & I had to go to the restroom. I was hooked up to numerous machines and couldn’t up and go, and my breathing was the worst and most painful it had been.  I asked Todd to get a nurse.  The nurse took forever.  I begged Todd to grab anyone, and felt myself entering full panic mode.  I just couldn’t breath.

“And I Will Call Upon Your Name

And Keep My Eyes Above The Waves

When Oceans Rise

My Soul Will Rest In Your Embrace

For I am Yours & You Are Mine”

 

Being able to use the restroom actually helped me calm down.  Kinda funny as I think back on it, but it did.  I remember being very deliberate to stop crying and calm down so I could just focus on breathing. It helped.  I had my Doctor paged to get me some pain meds so I could breath easier, but the techs from CT came before the pain meds did.

Not good.

The whole time they were rolling me to CT I was trying not to panic.  I knew I would need to lay down and lay still, but the only way I could find some relief with breathing was to stay sitting up, almost leaning forward. I remember a long hall and seeing my reflection in the dark windows as they pulled me through the door. I did not like how I looked.  A patient.  With tubes everywhere.  Alone…until I remembered I am not.   This is the moment the song in this post entered my brain and it made much sense as to why one of you readers would share it with me earlier in the week and why it was on repeat in my brain all week.  The song is so fitting, as I did feel like I was drowning.  I remembered in that moment “Keep my eyes above the waters” and I remembered to turn my thoughts up toward my God.

Honestly that sweet moment was fleeting, because the worst came when they tried to lay me down for the scan.  I laid down and the same pain that would come when I breathed in, but would let up when I breathed out, came in a full tidal wave and stayed.  I heard a wailing and then realized it was me.  I begged them to sit me up.  I then cried and said I could not do that again.  They called for someone to bring pain meds, then asked me to try again.  I told them the only way I would was if they propped me up a bit on a couple pillows.  They agreed and it worked.  It was still a very painful 5 minutes, but I prayed through it, made myself stop crying, and just did it.

Doc later told me that all the fluid that was collected at the bottom of the lung would come up when I  laid down and that is what caused the pain and drowning feeling.  Glad to know there was a reason I was making all that noise.  Good grief.

“Spirit Lead Me Where My Trust Is Without Borders

Let Me Walk Upon The Waters

Wherever You Would Call Me”

 

I was rolled back to my room and my sweet husband.  He was on day 4 of a bad cold and it was almost 1:00 a.m.  He looked almost as bad as I did.  My poor man.

The pain meds were brought in.  Good ol’ morphine.  I texted my sister that I was getting morphine and she wrote back “ride the wave, Sissy.”  I think that is funny as it is so fitting with the song that was so on my brain.

Ride the wave I did!  Here are my morphine eyes.  I had instant pain relief and could relax and breathe.

The CT scan showed NO BLOOD CLOT!  Whoo Hoo!  My diagnosis was fluid on the lung, pleurisy, & beginning stages of pneumonia.  I went home with pain killer and antibiotics, and this fun little friend who helps me do breathing exercises.

When I left the hospital, I could only get to 750.  When they saw this the respiratory therapist had to recheck with doctor that I could be discharged.  They still let me go, and in the last 2 days I’ve been able to get it up to 1750.  Most of you reading this would be able to go all the way to the top, no problem.

That was Saturday night.  It is now Monday.  I feel so much better with no pain when I breathe.  I’m not completely normal with breathing, I feel breathless when I lay flat or go down stairs, etc….but so much better!

“And My Faith Will Be Made Stronger

In The Presence Of My Savior”

{click play…this was the song on my brain & it is one of my favs}

Oceans by Hillsong

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

 

9
Books/ Cancer Journey/ HEALTH/ Love/ Spiritual

Suffering & A Health Update

Because of my faith, I long to suffer well.  Suffering well does not mean denying pain, for to suffer well means to suffer real.  Pain in this world is a reality, but I believe in a God who has come to overcome this world.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

After a week of physical pain & suffering, those words mean so much more.  Thanks to all your prayers and a very good God, I did feel peace in suffering.  I had a few real moments, what I call “shaking my fists” type moments, but God gets that and hears my cries in those fist shaking times. Those moments happened when I tried to go back onto Tamoxifen (a hormone drug I take for cancer) and when I learned I would need a second surgery due to a defective expander.  Despite these times of struggle, I truly was overcome by the peace and even joy that I have felt the last week.  
That is what God does.  He gives purpose to pain.  I want you to meet someone who I know who has been through so much pain in her lifetime, yet claims God’s purpose in her pain.

“Sexually, mentally, and physically abused, stage 3 breast cancer, homeless, divorced and a single mom are only a few of the challenges that Patti has faced.” Watch this incredible story.

How amazing is she?  Do you want more of Patti?

Order her book, Peace In The Pressure Cooker  –> here.
Follow her on Facebook here.
Visit her website here.

Her story is so inspirational.  She spurs me on to suffer well.  She is such a beautiful example to me and I am so grateful to know about Patti and her story!

//

I am doing great, my last surgery went really well and 2 days later I’m only taking Tylenol for pain.  I am slow and sore, but what a huge change from the first surgery.  Those nasty little red tubes were removed and also my left drain.  What a relief!

7
Cancer Journey/ HEALTH

2 Surgeries in a Week–Oh My! A Health Update

If you read this post, you already know I had to have some more reconstruction surgery.  I wrote a detailed post as to why, but in a nutshell it is because I formed keloids, and when the keloids were treated the skin thinned out too much.  There were other issues with my reconstruction, so it was time to fix me up.

I’ve had several surgeries and felt pretty tough going into it last Wednesday.  A bit apprehensive as it had been awhile since I have had surgery, but tough none the less.  Little did I know this would be my most painful surgery by far…including my mastectomy.

Recovery was a bear and several things added to it.  The main culprit of my misery were these crazy little red tubes.

 
They are only about 1/8 of an inch long, but I had 12 of them put onto my upper chest in the form of an “m.”  When you have a mastectomy all breast tissue is taken.  I am very small and with my skin thinning out, Doc needed to add tissue back.  He did this with a product called AlloDerm, it is a human product where all DNA has been removed and my body quickly takes over it and it becomes my own tissue.  Gross, huh?  Well, I am so thankful for it, despite the pain it caused me this weekend.  I can already see how extra tissue in the area is going to give a great result.

Back to those little red tubes from Hades…they are what held the tissue that was placed under my skin up…like little devil marionettes.

I also had drainage tubes coming out from either side an inch or so under each armpit.  I had these with my mastectomy so I knew what I was in for with those.  They are yucky, in a very sensitive spot (think of how ticklish you are there!) and make you feel pretty miserable.  It kept me from sleeping on my side, and finding a sleeping position was rough the first few nights.  I basically didn’t sleep, until I got smart, kicked my poor husband out of our bed, used 8 pillows to make myself a pillow throne (one under each arm) and found our travel neck pillow.  I now sleep like a queen on my throne, with a creepy necklace made out of tubes at my chest as my jewels….like a kids craft project necklace gone very, very bad!  Fitting as it is Halloween, wouldn’t you say?

I also have 2 incisions, 22 stitches each, in the middle of each breast.  This is typical when one gets a mastectomy and Doc used the same scars for this surgery.  These would be very painful, but the nerves were cut there long ago so I cannot feel anything in that middle area.  A blessing to be honest!

A few other things made the week tough:

~I had an allergic reaction to the betadine –  iodine solution they paint on your skin before surgery.  I itched for 2 days until we figured out what was causing it.  Not good to be itchy when  in a drugged state.  I found myself several times waking up to myself scratching at my bandages…the pain woke me up enough to figure out I needed to stop!

~we switched up my pain meds thinking I was having an allergic reaction to those.  The second pain med made me so loopy…couldn’t watch tv because there were three of them, couldn’t focus on reading or computer.  Made for a very long day.  It also made me jerk awake all night on the hour every hour…and each jerk was so very painful!  I would wake with a start and yell at myself.

~digestive issues from pain killers.  It took quite a few days to get this under control.  By the time I did, my stomach was so distended I looked very pregnant.  Ouchie.

~I started running a fever on day 3.  Freaked me OUT!  I do not want an infection.  If infection, they would have to take expander’s out, I would have to heal for a long while, and start all over again.

~Doc said fever was from my lungs not re inflating properly after anesthetic.  I was supposed to be doing deep breathing exercises every hour, but I was so drugged the first couple days that I was not a good girl in following Doc’s orders.  He also said I was to vigorously cough every hour.  YEAH RIGHT!  Even a small hiccup would make me swear (and I don’t swear…at least often:)) so to cough vigorously was a joke.  Once I started my breathing exercises, my fever cleared up.  Praise God!

~I went off Tamoxifen for the surgery, and when I went back on the hot flashes were INSANE.  I became so very miserable and a different person…crying and feeling like everything was hopeless.  I only took it one day and it completely did me in. That drug is awful, and I am not sure how I will ever make myself go back on it. I only took it one day and gave up. They doubled another one of my meds to make the Tamoxifen more bearable, but that made me sleep all day, so stopped doing that.  Please pray for direction with what to do.  This drug protects me from cancer coming back.

These things plus my pain level made the week one of the hardest I’ve ever had.

BUT…there were so many things that were beautiful that happened this week, too, and I can’t wait to list the gift for you in another post.  I was completely overwhelmed with love from my friends and family. The pictures show just a couple of those sweet gifts…what I like to call God Kisses.

So…why 2 SURGERIES?

I went in to get my drains out and my tubes out on Monday.  I was SO EXCITED, but wondered about  the right side being much smaller than the left.  When nurses saw it they told me it looked like the expander had failed.

OH MY FRIENDS DID I CRY AT THIS NEWS!  I just could not believe it. I knew it meant more surgery and that I would be going back home with drains and tubes.

My Doc office is an hour away and by the time I got home my crying fit was over.  It was a hard night but found my peace again by morning through so much encouragement on my FB page and from friends. There were so many saying they were praying for me and were there for me.

So… tomorrow is surgery #2, at 2:00.

I get to be Frankenstein for Halloween…at least my chest will be! Thank goodness no one will see it.

It is a process, but one of these days my Frankenstein will turn into Va-va-Voom!

I will let you know how it goes when I am coherent enough.  If you want to follow along on New Nostalgia Facebook page I will update there.  If you want to see cool photos, (like when my I.V. misbehaved last surgery) follow along on Instagram.

Love you all!  Know that God is so very close and is with me.  I know He will never leave me or forsake me, and will work all things out for overall good no matter what happens,  because I LOVE Him & He loves me and because He is good no matter what!

19
Cancer Journey/ HEALTH

Surgery Day

It’s surgery day! got moved up a day and my sweet husband and I are in the car on our way to the hospital. I was anxious last night but complete peace today so far. My personal Facebook page had many comments from friends saying they are praying for me and I sure feel those prayers today.

 

I will be posting updates and pics on  and New Nostalgia’s Facebook page if you are interested!

 Instagram — Amy_NewNostalgia

Facebook — MyNewNostalgia

4
5 Minute Fridays/ HOME/ Homemaking/ Simplifying

How To Fall In Love With Doing Laundry

 
{5 Minutes of unedited, nonstop writing on the week’s given theme.}
 
GO.
 
Laundry and love are two words I never thought I would use together.  Laundry FAIL is more like it for most of my life.  I always said that if I ever have laundry caught up AND put away, then I will have arrived as a Mom.  Well, recently there have been many more days of caught up & put away laundry, but I so have not “arrived” as a Mom.  SO. NOT.
 
But I have grown.
I have become wiser over the years.  
More efficient.
 
I have learned that undone laundry does not define what kind of mother/housewife/woman I am.
I have learned that it is ok to do things imperfectly.
I have learned that it is ok to ask for help and allow kids to participate.
 
I have learned how to love laundry.
 
Love is a dramatic word, especially when it comes to laundry…but hear me out.
 
I have changed my thought patterns when it comes to laundry and now it does not control or define me.  
We are friends now. Not besties, but a friend that I don’t take for granted.

My new thought pattern? 

I love laundry because it shows God has provided.
~He has provided clothes for our family.
~He has provided water & a washing machine that works…a luxury many do not have.
~He has given me children who are healthy enough to play soccer and get dirty.
~He has given me girls that have such great fashion sense that some days it takes numerous outfit changes to find the exact one…which means more laundry…the  most challenging kind, clean laundry caught up in the dirty.  The kind that takes sacrifice to wash again without complaint. 
 
Isn’t that life, the clean and the dirty mixed up together on a regular basis?  
Not ideal, but real.
Signs of life, of living the beautiful imperfect.
Signs that we need Him.
 
He knows all about the washing of dirty laundry.
Of sacrifice.
Of loving that which can be as repulsive as a muddy soccer sock.
Of lovingly washing us, whiter than snow.
 
STOP.
 
 
Need some practical tips to help you love laundry?
 
~Kids 12 and older do their own.  This has changed my life and my relationship with laundry.  My two oldest do their own now.  It has saved my sanity and our relationship.  Now, if clean clothes are on the floor, it does not affect me or my sanity, as I am not the one who will have to rewash them.  They now take much better care of their clothes.  The occasional times I surprise them and do it for them…they are grateful. Kids who are grateful that their laundry is done = winning!
 
~If you have younger kids, have a dirty clothes bucket in their room and another for clean clothes that need hung up.  The goal is to keep clothes off the floor.  If they are old enough, teach them to hang up the clean clothes.  Give it as one of their 3 daily chores.
 
~Use hooks in closets for things like robes, coats, jackets.  These things are a pain to hang up on hangers and kids will struggle with that.  If an item is used almost daily, have a hook for it.
 
~Buy a laundry sorter. I have one like this one and I love it!  Do NOT sort according to color.  Sort according to person in the family.  Mark it clearly so everyone knows where to put their dirty clothes.  Keep in a central location where you can keep an eye on it, and where it is easy for everyone to bring their dirties when asked.
 
~When you see a part of the sorter get full, you know whose turn it is to do laundry.  I have a sorter that has 4 baskets hanging from it.  A full basket makes a perfect full load.  One for my 14 year old, one for my 12 year old, one for my 10 year old, and husband and I share one.  I only have to worry about 2 of the 4, as the older two girls do their own.  I keep our sorter on the main floor in the hallway.
 
~Don’t sort laundry.  Unless we have a new item of clothing that I know will bleed when first washed, I don’t sort.  I think it is a waste of time.  I like to do loads according to person, not according to color.  It makes the folding and putting away so much easier when loads are according to person.
 
~Use sturdy, pretty baskets.  The top picture was taken before I had my oldest 2 start doing their own laundry.  As you can see, I had 3 smaller baskets where I would fold and put each child’s clothes, and they would put their own clothes away.  I folded in the living room so the clothes would not sit.  If they are out and about in my way, I will remember to tell the littles to put their clothes away. This system worked well when they were younger.  The larger basket was for Todd and I.  The medium basket held all socks.
 
 
~Have a hook for each person in the family to keep their towel.  I only wash towels once or twice a week.  I just grab them from the hooks in the bathroom and throw them right into the washer.  Yes, I wash the white towels with the black towels.  It works fine, but make sure to wash separately when brand new a few times.  We only have one bathroom with a shower, so the girls towels are the three on the hooks…they know what color is theirs.  Todd and I use white towels on hooks behind the door.
 
~Wash sheets/bedding/blankets on the weekend.  I just rotate a bed each weekend.  Yes, each persons bedding only gets washed once a month, except for Todd and I, our bedding gets washed twice a month.  Good enough. 
 
~Keep a sock basket.  Keep the sock basket in a central location, where all mismatched or found socks go.  Occasionally grab the basket and have child match any socks as a chore.
 
~Make your own laundry detergent.  LOVE love easy liquid recipe.
 
What is your favorite tip?
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