Friday Things #540
1. Thank you all for offering up prayers, good thoughts, and well wishes for Dominic’s scans last week. I’m thrilled to share that the scans were clear, and he has now been officially cancer-free for one year. We feel so blessed and grateful that he can continue on living his best kid life.
2. And on that note, I had the kids go through some fall and winter clothes a couple of weeks ago, and we found that all of Dominic’s pants were either too tight or too short. I can’t even explain how happy it makes me to see him outgrow things, be growing and thriving. The memory of him two years ago after surgery, not eating, down to 32 pounds as an almost-6-year-old is never far from my mind.
3. Next week, Joseph is having his tonsils and adenoids removed. If anyone has been down this road, give me all your tips for recovery! I plan to stock up on ice cream, popsicles, applesauce, pudding, etc., but would love any other advice you have.
4. Love this >> 11 Ways to Have a Back-to-School Reset as an Adult
5. Along the same vein, this article really resonated with me… fall/September definitely feels more like a “fresh start” than January does! >> Why Autumn is Better Than January for New Resolutions
6. I’d really love some warm and cozy dinners, but our temperatures are back up into the 80s for the foreseeable future, and I’m not a fan.
7. Book update! I finished Husbands and Lovers and really, really liked it… solid 4.5 / 5 starts for me. I’m now about halfway through The God of the Woods, and I can’t put it down!
8. Learned so many things about Ina Garten that I never knew before (it’s a long article!) >> Ina Garten and the Age of Abundance
9. We’ve been watching The Bridge (the version that was on FX; I believe there is also a Swedish show by the same name on which this one was based) and are into it! We’re watching it on Amazone Prime.
10. TGIF! Truly the coziest dog ever…
Hi Michelle, On this blog you have a picture of a dish that I cannot find the recipe. It has beef, potatoes, peas, etc. Am I looking in the wrong place. If so, direct me to the recipe. It looks do good. I think that it maybe beef stew. Let know. Thanks.
Hi Gina, Here is the link to the beef stew! https://www.browneyedbaker.com/hearty-beef-stew/
So glad that Dominic’s scans all came back clear! What a blessing and reason for gratitude. Prayers always for his continued good health as well as for all of you.
So grateful for Dominic’s wonderful news! One year cancer free feels like such a miracle. Congratulations!!! Continued prayers for good health and growth along the way for Dominic!
I love reading your Friday Things! and I am so happy about Dominic’s results!!
Also want to thank you for mentioning Ina Garten’s article. It was a wonderful article about her!! xoxo
Michelle, Praise the Lord in answering our prayers for Dominic’s cancer free results🙏 May each day be a blessed day for your beautiful family ❣️
That’s wonderful news! It makes me so happy! God bless you and your family. Thank-you for sharing with us.
Dearest Michelle,
Your news brought tears of indescribable JOY-our little ”Domi” has so bravely fought a very tough fight and finally kicked that monster far away…
I thank our Lord He answered my prayers too…
Do stay all healthy and blessed!
So thankful to hear the good news about Dominic!
When my kids had their tonsils out, my specialist said that the best thing after a tonsillectomy is toast. While soft foods are more palatable, rougher foods are better to stop scabbing and bleeding. Not sure if this is still the advice
So very happy that Dominic received such great news!! I had my tonsils removed a long time ago. First I could have water and ginger ale. Then soft things.The next day my Dad made me a steak and spinach!! And I ate it!! Joseph will do fine!! Continued prayers for your family!!❤🙏
So happy to read the news about Dominic; I’m certain your entire family is feeling grateful. Good luck to Joseph with his tonsils/adenoids surgery; popsicles, jello and applesauce will go down easy.
Blogger / instagrammer Chelsea of @twotwentyone did a long and detailed post about her son’s tonsil / adenoids surgery and recovery. It’s a really useful resource
Ice collars for the pain. Popsicles are far better than ice cream, ice cream can leave a thick coating on the back of the throat which can make swallowing even more painful.
So happy to hear the wonderful news about Dominic!
My son had his tonsils and adenoids out when he was 7. Make sure u have lollipops as they help soothe the throat as well.
So thankful about Dominic.🙏 Wonderful news.Touched my heart reading about him outgrowing his clothes. Prayers for sweet Joseph.
Dear Michelle,
So happy to hear about Dominic’s news and scans are clear. May he continue to grow in good health and happiness! Best of luck with Joseph’s procedure next week! Yes, to ice cream after the surgery! Always love the pics of Judith and Duke! Have a wonderful weekend!
So happy about Dominic’s prognosis. Now Joseph – tonsils & adenoids out! He’ll be fine. I started having strep in college & they wanted to take out my tonsils. I said NOOOOOO! If he has recurring throat infections, it’s the best solution. Lots of popsicles & ice cream will be helpful. And liquid Tylenol.
Never a dull moment in your house! Good look to Joseph next week I hope his surgery goes well! 🙏🏻
I’ll add to the “keep ahead of the pain” advice and suggest alternating between children’s Advil and Tylenol (or the pain relievers of your/your physician’s choice) every whatever-the-recommended-cycle is. Our Otolaryngologist recommended this when my daughter had her “ectomies” and it worked well. They are both medications that treat many of the same symptoms, but the body responds to the active ingredients differently, so one might be better at giving comfort for fever and one for swelling, etc., and this way you’re sure to be addressing all sources of discomfort around the clock.
I loved pastina when I was little and had a sore throat.
My mom would make it with a little milk and butter..salt and pepper of course.So simple but so yummy.
To this day, it is the most comforting of dishes but I amp it up mixing in an egg just after it is drained as well as lots of grated cheese….and sometimes frozen peas.
Oh my goodness…the news of Dominic’s scans and cancer free status made my heart sing. I am not a big church goer but I do believe in the power of prayer. Mine for Dominic were directed to St. Rita…the saint of difficult and impossible situations. When I first heard the news of Dominic’s cancer, I said a special Novena to St Rita and in the past two years have offered a few more for him and for your family.
I know Dominic has had thousands of prayers offered up for him and that he is surrounded by so much love from people he will neer meet. We wil never know why he had to endure this challenge but I do believe the strength he manifested will seve him throughout if life.
Praise be! So glad to hear Dominic is still doing well. Keeping him in my prayers. For tonsils: cold food, you’ve got the idea with the milkshakes popsicles Slurpee‘s. Watching “only murders in the building”. 😊Just finished the Midwife’s Secret by Emily Gunnis. Thanks for the good news! Good luck to Joseph!
Great news about Domenic! I had my tonsils out as a teenager. I found that ice cream sometimes burned a little but Jello was great. Wishing him a speedy recovery.
So happy to hear about Dominic!!
My boys had their tonsils and adenoids out when they were 3. My best advice is fill the prescriptions for pain medication beforehand so you have it on hand when you get home. And then stay on top of the meds like clockwork – their doctor told me it’s easier to manage pain when you’re ahead of it but almost impossible to manage it when you miss a dose and have to play catch up. Good luck!! It’s a rough couple of days but you’ll all get through it!!
Just thought of something else. Get Joseph a bell or something, so he can “call” when he needs something. We did that for our son and I did it for our friend’s 19 year old who had his done. 😊
So happy to hear the good news of “Cancer Free” for Dominic.
I always enjoy “Friday Things”. I have gleaned many book recommendations from what you are reading – we have very similar reading taste. Your recs for TV shows – not so much!
I almost always read whatever articles you include links to. September resolutions makes so much sense. Why isn’t this a “thing”?
I loved the article on Ina. And like you, I learned so much more about her!
My son, who is now 33, had his tonsils and adenoids removed when he was 6. He was generally a very happy kid but was pretty miserable for 2-3 days after. I did stock up on all the things you mentioned but he really found homemade milkshakes soothing and I added half a banana and protein powder bc he wasn’t really eating anything else. He also liked the gold (light colored) grape juice as it was sweet and not acidic. The strangest thing to happen was when his doctor at NYU discharged him at 6pm the same day as the surgery and told us to call her office in the morning to make a follow up appointment. When I called in the morning her office workers sounded rattled and urged me to make an appointment with some other doctor in the ENT group. He saw a different doctor and his recovery was normal. And he never snored again. His doctor was never heard from again for years. From what we researched, she had a nervous breakdown and just disappeared. Obviously it was very disconcerting to us as we were the last surgery she did and she left the hospital right after discharging my son. We found her short lived blog about her journey with mental illness. The only thing we noticed at the many appointments before the surgery was that she wore the same purple dress every time! Years later, she surfaced as a regular pediatrician back in NYU. Strange! Best of luck to you and your family!
That is strange!!
Such a strange story about your ENT doctor. My OB/GYN for my second child sadly ended up committing suicide shortly after delivering my son. He was her last delivery. These poor doctors need the help they deserve.
So glad to hear about clear scans! Waiting for results is always agonizingly stressful!
The god of the woods is so good!
Add All the colors of the dark by Chris Whitaker to your list. It’s my fav read this year!
Freeze Gatorade popsicles, less swallowing, but they still get the electrolytes since they’re not eating much.
Glad things are going well! The kids are growing and thriving. My daughter had tonsils and adenoids out years ago. You’ll get all the advice for ice cream and ice pops and all that. One thing for us though was a baby monitor and a toy or something that would make a specific sound. If she was resting or playing quietly in her room, but needed me, I didn’t want her to have to call out to me. So she’d make a specific sound into the baby monitor and I’d know she wanted something. Best of luck!
So happy for Dominic! Keep fighting little man!
My son was 7 when he had his tonsils and adenoids out. The day after is super rough because all the hospital meds have worn off. We had liquid Lortab, they had us mix it with Hershey syrup but it was awful tasting. I microwaved a popsicle until almost liquid, mixed the medicine in until it was, which made it more palatable. Stay ahead of the pain. I gave his medicine 30-40 minutes before it was “time”, especially when the ears start to heal, it hurts. Remind him to rest. I set my son up on the sofa couch in the living room to watch tv and be close to the kitchen and bathroom. He needs rest. He will be just fine.
Have a great weekend!
I had my tonsils out at age 10. Believe me, the last thing I wanted to eat was ice cream or popsicles or anything else that cold.
So happy for your family and the good news on Dominic!
I’m so happy to hear Dominic’s results are clear! May he continue to be in good health.
I saved some of my kids clothes from when they were infants & toddlers.
The other day, I was going through them and can’t believe they ever fit in them! I do miss those days!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Continued blessings for your whole family:)
I had my tonsils etc out when I was 14. First bit of advice–they give liquid paid medication. Do NOT let him drink it fast like we’re used to doing with icky medicine! I did that, and it burned so badly I was in tears. Have him sip the medicine slowly. Those first days, it took me about five minutes to get that little bit of medicine down without pain. Otherwise, I’d say to stock up on some hearty easy-to-swallow foods too, like mashed potatoes. I remember being SO HUNGRY and so tired of the snack foods but just unable to swallow anything solid. I have a memory of being desperate for something salty and craving a hot dog and it taking me another ridiculously long time to chew each tiny bite a gazillion times to get it small enough to swallow.
Those are the two things that really stick out to me (and boy did I have crazy dreams that first night after surgery! I still remember those too!) SO GLAD to hear that Dominic is a year cancer-free! Praise God for that! I just finished chemo for breast cancer–makes the rejoicing for him even deeper!
I am so happy for Dominic and your family!
Great news! I am so happy for you and your family!
Oh what awesome news on Dominic!!! Thank you Lord for answered prayers and continued prayers and blessings for your family.
I will also send prayers for Joseph and his surgery. I had the same surgery when I was 5 years old (I am 71 now) and I still remember details of it. As I recall I was miserable afterwards, but hopefully these days the downtime won’t be as bad. One funny memory of that time was my friend that lived next door gave me a paper doll book to take to the hospital, but then wanted it back when I got back home. Ha!
Such wonderful news about Dominic. He is growing up to be a handsome young man. I love to see pictures of your children,they exude happiness.
Bless your family. May they continue to thrive.
So happy and joyful with that news Michelle, may God forever hold you all in his arms😇❤️🙏🙌