Great Unexpectations

Great Unexpectations

June 12th, 2008 @ 3:47 pm by Mrs. Pineapple
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Believe it or not life goes on whether you are planning a wedding or not. And boy oh boy has life thrown the Pineapples for some loops lately.

Mr. Pineapple landed his dream job a couple weeks ago. He now works in his hometown at his alma mater, Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He absolutely loves the job so far and I cannot be more proud of him. The downside? IUP is an hour and a half away from our home. These last two weeks mark the first time he and I have worked more than two miles away from one another. There is no more commuting to work together - which began very soon after we started dating, no more lunch breaks or quick trips to grab coffee in the afternoon. I no longer have a buddy to ride with me to work, first on the trolley and then on a lovely port authority bus. We see each other about 3-4 hours/day less than we ever have. Not a big deal, no. However, I miss him. It’s crazy because we still live together and have dinner together and run the puppy around the backyard together, but I miss him.

Yesterday I had an interview myself at IUP. The position is amazing. It is pretty much the same job I have now, but better. I would still be able to design for the college community, but with an even wider audience. I would also, once again, be working at the same university as Mr. Pineapple.

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If I get this job we will be moving to Indiana, PA. No more 3 hour/day commutes. Moving? Really? Now? Yep. If I get an offer the boxes will come back out of the basement and once again be filled with our stuff. We have a lot of “stuff.” Moving is stressful for anyone, but I particularly loathe it. This will be home number 6 (move number 5) for me in 2 years. I have yet to fulfill a lease agreement. That’s crazy. Lucky for me my landlords have either let me sublet my space or work out some other arrangement. The last time I moved, I ended up in the ER. My rib cage became inflamed from lifting heavy boxes combined with all the stress.

Of course the “big things” don’t end there. This may be too much information for some readers, but I think it is important and you all love boobies right? Well, last December I felt a lump in my breast. I always wondered if I would be able to tell if there was a lump. Not knowing if it actually was anything I made an appointment with a doctor the next morning. He confirmed that is was a lump, but didn’t know if it was a cyst or tumor. A few weeks, an ultrasound and a biopsy later I was told it was a tumor, but it was benign - called a fibroadenoma. I am 24 with a boobie tumor. Apparently, it is much more common than you may think, so ladies feel your boobies at least once a month

Six months later, it has grown and it has to be removed. My surgery was schedule for last Friday. I was prepped for surgery, IV and all, when the doctor came in and said there was a humidity problem in the OR and my surgery would have to be canceled. I am very thankful that they didn’t take a risk and proceed, but I was also disappointed. I really just wanted to get the whole ordeal over with. New appointment, June 20th.

The kicker? The new job, interview, surgery are just the tip of the iceberg for the Pineapples. When it rains, it pours and we are drenched.

We are lucky though. We have wonderfully supportive friends and family. Yesterday was a hard day, but when I got home and my puppy and a FedEx box were waiting for me the stress started to melt away. My bridesmaid, and one of the most wonderful people in my life, Christy had sent us a get well present assuming I would still be recovering from Friday. It may seem like a little gesture to some, but it was huge to me.

Inside the box was another box, of Blissful Brownies - a dozen huge brownies and a note.
She ordered us three of the ten available flavors: Classic Chocolate, German Chocolate and Chocolate Caramel. They are soooo yummy and the packaging is adorable to boot! They even make wedding favors if you are looking for something delectable and unique.
Here is her note, she and I call each other “B” a total coincidence now that I am a bee. So, for the time being the paper roses sit in a box unfinished, the invitations are unassembled and 30 more escort cards are merely pieces of ribbon and copper. I’m okay with that. For the moment projects are on hold, but I have a brownie in my mouth and wonderful people in my life.

Has anyone else gone through major life changes while planning a wedding?

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31 Responses to “Great Unexpectations”

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Guest

nerdherd

Um, Miss P? That’s my hometown too! Small world.

6/12/08 @ 3:52 pm (reply)

Member

rebecca (message) 1,315 posts, Bumble bee

Thank you for sharing this with us. Please know that I’m thinking about you and Mr. P! CMU love!

6/12/08 @ 3:53 pm (reply)

Member

MsAnge (message) 124 posts, Blushing bee

My fiance and I are moving to New York City from Michigan later this summer. We are already about 3 hours away from my hometown where we’re getting married in February. Now we’re going to be a whole heck of a lot farther away…right when planning is supposed to pick up the pace! But we need to move - the Michigan economy is going nowhere, plus we both want to break into career fields that don’t have a presence in Michigan. So…away we go!

6/12/08 @ 3:54 pm (reply)

Guest

Brooke

Miss Pineapple, you are not alone! Last year, when I was 21, and only 1 month into engagement, I noticed a lump as well. My doctor said it was a walnut size fibroadenoma. We are in the same boat, sister! Luckily one of my bridesmaids had had one when she was only in 8th grade, so she said it was certainly nothing to freak out about, and was a great support. I got my surgery over spring break last March, with my mom and fiance waiting for me to come back out safe and sound. And better yet, just over a year later now my scar is faded and smooth, so no need to freak out about that! In the beginning we even toyed around with the idea of getting a tattoo over it! But all’s well now. It must be a small world after all. Oh, and the best part? The surgery was only 30 minutes, and I got to eat a huge Jason’s Deli meal after, with dessert! just kidding, that was not the best. The best part came 3 days after the surgery when my mom and I found my dress. So, recovery is a snap too! Plus it helps if you have wedding dress shopping to get you out of bed. Sorry for the novel, but I wanted to let you know you are not alone, young brides and fiances are out there with you, planning weddings and surgery.

6/12/08 @ 3:56 pm (reply)

Guest

shinymonkey

Good luck with everything - that’s a lot of stress! Sounds like you have a healthy and optimistic outlook though, so everything will turn out ok.

BTW: What’s up with the new CMU mascot?! I liked the good ol’ days of having a guy in a kilt as our mascot (or just the plaid itself). Ah, good ol’ Picksburgh.

6/12/08 @ 4:00 pm (reply)

Member

emilie01 (message) 61 posts, Worker bee

I’ve had a booby lump too and had it removed! It’s scary, isn’t it? I was pretty freaked out right before surgery and tried to convince my doctor to postpone - she wasn’t having it! It wasn’t all that bad, and trust me, you’ll feel better once it’s out.

Sounds like you’re going through a lot! You’re definitely not alone - I’m transferring jobs the day after I get back from my honeymoon, and we’re closing on a condo the week after that! Aaaah!

Good luck and I hope you get the job!

6/12/08 @ 4:01 pm (reply)

Bee

frenchbulldog (message) 7,730 posts, Bee Keeper

Miss Pineapple - You and all your craziness are in my prayers. I wish you a safe surgery and a quick recovery next Friday, and I’m also very happy to hear your tumor was not cancerous
I hope you get your new job!

6/12/08 @ 4:05 pm (reply)

Guest

LittleMissBride

Glad to hear everything turned out OK miss pineapple! Sounds like you have a healthy outlook and a good support system to get through the confusing/scary times!

Well in the middle of my planning, my mother passed away. It was rather unexpected - she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a year prior but was never “sick” (still v. active) and expected to recover. After months of chemo & radiation, she had a dangerous surgery and an unexpected complication arose 2 days after it and killed her.

On top of dealing with my grief & my family’s grief, I’m struggling through grad school while working full time and my fiancee just graduated and is looking for a job now. So while the wedding planning will be remembered for all its fun, it will also be remembered as a time of struggle and perseverance.

6/12/08 @ 4:07 pm (reply)

Guest

SKM

thinking of you so sorry for all the craziness…you two will be very strong pineapples when you’re finally mister and misses

6/12/08 @ 4:08 pm (reply)

10.

Guest

Erin

Congratulation to Mr P! And sending good vibes to you! Of course wishing you a successful surgery, but I also hope you’re able to relocate closer to IUP. I’ve done the long commute thing - and agree that you really miss those hours with your partner and personal life!

Since getting engaged, I have defended my thesis and graduated, we bought a house, had our car stolen, and have undergone several small remodeling projects on the house. It’s been a really busy year! Wedding planning has definitely not been our top priority. (Secret is - it doesn’t have to be )

6/12/08 @ 4:10 pm (reply)

11.

Member

beanchar (message) 549 posts, Busy bee

Wow, Miss P– you’ve been through a lot! But it sounds like you two have a good foundation to build on and you will weather these storms and come out stronger than ever.

In the meantime, sending virtual hugs your way… ((((Pineapples))))

6/12/08 @ 4:14 pm (reply)

12.

Guest

cuddlebug910

Chalk me up to the fibroadenoma gang as well. When I found mine I was terrified! Then had to go through several days of torture before figuring out it was benign. :O Mine hasn’t grown since its discovery so hopefully I won’t have to have it out, but I guess it’s always possible. Incidentally, I found mine after just starting a new job, selling a condo and closing on a new house, and a death in the family…. Like you said, when it rains…

Good luck with the surgery!!! And everything else too!

6/12/08 @ 4:22 pm (reply)

13.

Guest

Amy

Miss. P, everything will work out, it always does.

Since getting engaged,
My Father passed away after almost a year battling lung cancer, I changed jobs, we moved, My FI graduated, got a new job… in my office, (which has actually turned out great). Things were going smoothly, then I had appendicitis on Easter weekend, which has taken a while to recover from and now we are moving again in 2 weeks and our wedding is July 19th!
But the bad things pass and good things come, and bottom line we are getting married and that’s all that matters.

6/12/08 @ 4:35 pm (reply)

14.

Bee

Miss Green Tea (message) 764 posts, Busy bee

1. me love boobies
2. me sorry ’bout your boobies, and they will be in my thoughts for both reason #1 and #2
3. can you introduce me to your friend? me want brownies too
4. most importantly, i admire your outlook and can’t say I’m confident I’d have that if I was in your shoes. true dat when it rains, it pours, but it looks like you’ve got a solid umbrella there held by good company.

6/12/08 @ 4:36 pm (reply)

15.

Guest

Mrs.Sunflower

Wow, you are going thru alot Mrs. P, but hang in there! It shows the determination and strength you have when life hands you all these big life changes at once.
The brownie idea was soooo cute. I love it.

While Mr. S and I are not going thru any major life changes now, we do plan to buy a house. As to when, we don’t know. With this housing market, esp in the Bay Area, it sux. We will see what happens.

6/12/08 @ 4:39 pm (reply)

16.

Guest

Patty

Thanks for posting this. You never know who you will reach. I too had a breast tumor removed about 1.5 year ago at age 28. Unfortunately mine was cancerous, but since I found it so early, I have a great prognosis. Doing regular self exams is sooo important! Good luck with the move and job and wedding!

6/12/08 @ 4:41 pm (reply)

17.

Guest

sunflowers

I’m so sorry about everything you’re going through. Really puts life in perspective, doesn’t it? I’m so glad you’ve found the right person to share it w/as you’re dealing w/things flying at you from all directions and that you have good friends to support you. Best wishes to you.

6/12/08 @ 4:48 pm (reply)

18.

Guest

Jessica

I know the feeling of when it rains it pours. I discover my first “cysts” in my boobies when I was 20. Come to find out, I had fibroids in my uterus and I’ve had surgery twice. I’m only 24 and at this age… I’m thinking… I’m too young or I’m too this or that… the end of the day is.. God never gives me anything I couldn’t handle. I am getting married in two weeks because the doctor told us we need to hurry up and have kids. There is a blessing in everything. You just got to hang in there!

6/12/08 @ 5:43 pm (reply)

19.

Member

amysue (message) 1,492 posts, Bumble bee

I had a golf ball-sized fibroadenoma out when I was 21. (I’d been ignoring the lump until it got that big. Bad policy, I know.) The surgery left me pretty achey for a couple of weeks, but it was no big deal and you can barely even see the scar now. That’s a lot to have happening all at once, but having no more “boob lump” (which is what I called mine) and finding better jobs are both good things!

6/12/08 @ 5:51 pm (reply)

20.

Guest

Vyviane

You’re NOT alone ms. p.
Here is my story:
I graduated a few weeks before our wedding and also had job interviews and offers in the city that we dated. My husband started working in another city that is 2 hours from our houses two weeks prior to our wedding. Before all the dramas, he was laid off for a while and decided to go back to school to finish where he left off. As a newly wed, we already lived in two separate household until now… a year later.
I hope you two will be together under the same roof after the wedding. Also, rest up and get well soon (after your surgery).

6/12/08 @ 5:54 pm (reply)

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