Less than 48 hours away...

Hi everyone.

I want to say a word of gratitude for all those praying for me and mine. I have said my own prayers of course but I am certain that the prayers said around the country right now are building a strong halo of health around me.

I am not worried about this surgery. I know that I am doing the right thing. I have faith in my surgeons and my support. I will be fine, in fact healthy for a long time due to this surgery. I know this to be fact.

Bill is my rock and will update the blog as soon as he can after the surgery. My Mom, Dad, and Mother-in-law will be at the hospital (Plano Presbytarian Center for diagnostics and surgery) for sure...I am sure that there are others that might come on in to get a status update. Please continue to pray...there isn't any reason not to!

Love to you all...thank you all!

Stephanie

We are homeowners!

After a long search we found the perfect home for us! We moved in May 2 and are almost unpacked (I can't believe how much stuff we crammed into that two bedroom place in CA!) So update your address books:
The Hengstenberg Family
6305 Montgomery Dr
Frisco, Texas 75035

We don't have a land line...so if you need to get in touch with us call our cells.

The weekend of April 18th we went to Tyler to meet with family (Bill's Grandfather, two Aunts and and Uncle...) and we had a great time. This is Sami with what I saw as her first real "this is my baby" moment. She was serious and adorable!
Wish the flash wouldn't have messed with this one...his Pirate eye is one for the books!

This one I took today. I was pretty impressed with both my camera and the miracle that is this child! This one is pretty amazing!
For Mothers Day we made flowers out of the kids hands on a tote bag that will also hold a picture of the kids painting the tote. I now wish that I would have made one for myself! Just adorable!

A big miracle happened within my extended family recently (most of you know about this, but I believe in telling everyone as it could save a life.) One of my cousin's sons got caught up in the blind cords in their playroom by his neck. Thanks to the quick work of his brother and Dad (as well as many other emergency personnel and his Mom)...he is 100% recovered. I am putting this on my blog to remind anyone with children that blind cords are dangerous and remind you to do whatever you can to protect your kids. This was one big accident with a happy ending...but you better believe my cousins are not only creating awareness, but changing their blinds so that this doesn't happen again. Do it for yourself...I am!

My surgery is coming up...less than 3 weeks away. Prayers...happy thoughts...meditation...whatever you do will be welcome on our side! I will be under anesthesia for a very long time (probably 8 hours or more) as they are doing everything at once. I am doing OK...but a little scared. I know that God has this one...

OK everyone...it's late! I love you all and will talk to you after the surgery probably!

Stephanie

And now it's April!

Geesh! I can't believe that April is here. It's almost Easter for crying out loud!

So here we go...the last month has been BUSY! Let's dive in!!!

This has to be one of the most beautiful girls in the world...don't you think? She is talking up a storm and giving her brother one heck of a time! She has cut almost 12 teeth (I think) and is doing pretty well considering. She is 18 months old tomorrow! WOW!
We went to the Irish festival at the beginning of March...the kids sure had fun together. It's really great to see the kids play together!
Ah the masters of the Irish festival unite! All for one and one for all!
Just adorable!
One night I heard "Mommy...mommy" coming from the other room...and when I came around the corner...this is what I saw! I know this won't last forever...so you better believe I am soaking it up while I can!

Stickers...he loves stickers!

And in other news....we are "under contract" on our first house!!!!!! HOLLLYYYYYY MOOOLLLYYYYY!!~!!!!~ We got pretty lucky on this one...it's in the "Plantation Golf Resort" in Frisco...and she's real purty! We are expecting to close anytime between now and April 30th.

Here she is! We need to do a little bit of work...but luckily we know a guy! One of the other great things is that we get to pick out our own flooring (for the most part.) Apparently the folks that lived there before us had horrible taste in flooring...so we get to install our own!It's 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with a perfect backyard...and mint growing outside the kitchen! Here's a picture of the front door...Here's the kitchen...lot's of room and lot's of potential!
Here's a great picture of the fireplace! We are thinking flat screen above this gorgeous mantle! What do you think?

Also...I have booked my surgery for June 4th. Everything will start pretty early in the morning at Presbyterian Plano Center for Diagnostics and Surgery. I am having the double mastectomy and full hysterectomy that day. And don't tell Bill, but I plan to put in bionics too- you know, make me faster and stronger! I am pretty sure that I could kick some massive booty after I recover! :) I am very lucky to have great doctors and wonderful family to handle my surgery and recovery. We will keep everyone informed.

Love to you all!

Stephanie

How is it March already?????

Hi all!

Seriously can't believe how time is flying these days. I think I say that every year. Oh well!

So- all surgeons have been chosen and the beginning of June is the time for the "Stephanie overhaul!" When all is said and done it will be around October. I will give you more details when I have them but this decision has taken some weight off the old shoulders. "Pending" mode isn't the greatest place for this little personality to stay for too long.

Bill and I decided to hit the house hunting pretty hard. If we don't find something before the end of this month, we will put the hunt off until after all surgeries are complete and I can lift things again. Turns out that is too much to handle all at once.

Onto the brightest parts of our world...

Sami is talking up a storm now. She knows her manners as well as animal sounds. She really is one amazing little creature! Her laugh is amazing and she will do anything her brother does. Here are some shots of her playing...

I have taken two trips back to LA for business and she decided that she wanted to go on the second one...

Mommy- look what I can do!

Darn...I fell...turns out these 1.5" inch heels are a little too much for me!

If at first you don't succeed!!!!


I don't have any updated pics of MJ just yet- wanted to take one tonight while his cousins were over playing. Yeah...that didn't happen! Turns out you have to have your camera in focus in order to take a photo of 4 kids playing together.

MJ is doing really well. Some big news in his world is that he is officially potty trained! No more pull ups at night. BIG HUGE STEP! He decided over the Christmas holiday that he wanted to wear big boy undies during the day and with the help of his Dad he is making it through the night. (Bill was really great about getting up and helping him "remember" to pee in the middle of the night.)

PHEW!

Hope everyone has a fabbbbbooooolous March and pray for someone to be dumb enough to take our ridiculously low offers on some freaking gorgeous homes!

Love

Stephanie

Hi everyone!

I know it's been a while. We have received quite a few really great emails of support and they are much appreciated!

Here is the update...Bill is loving his "updated" job, although it takes him away a lot of nights. He is performing and has cast/directed his first show. He is doing really well. That WE LOVE!

My job has taken me to LA once already and I will be going back again in a couple of weeks. It's busy, but really great! I am enjoying the challenge.

As for my pending "surgery" we are taking a much slower stride. Bill and I went to a plastic surgeon on January 15th and weren't thrilled with what was said. There are a few details that we didn't know about that are slowing us down. I am to see the gynocological oncologist (if that is how you spell it) on the 17th of February, and will see a second plastic surgeon sometime after that. I am still considering June as the time frame to begin this ordeal...but am not married to June. We are planning to seriously start our home search in March. That would be something to get nailed down before I start this process. We shall see! Just a few things going on...just a few!


So here is a sight that I am loving (on occasion of course.) MJ has always been able to sit and watch TV from start to end of a program...but Sami was just too busy to really stay put. She is now starting to sit and watch with MJ...SO CUTE! They have to get "cozy" in their blankets in order to really get into it!
We had our first set of pigtails a few weeks ago! They didn't last long...she doesn't like to keep stuff in her hair. They were darn cute!
The only downside to the new jobs is that we are spending less time at home together than we had in the past. I am sure that things will settle down, at least I hope they do. It's hard on the kids, and hard on us. BUT- we wouldn't change it! It makes us realize that the time we have together is precious and important. Which is why I am saying goodbye as Bill just walked in the door from being away all day.

Love you all!

Stephanie

Happy New Year!

I tell ya...we started 2009 off with a bang! If it isn't a hospital visit (that's how we started 2008) it has to be something right!

Let me back up a little...
Dec 17th Stephanie and Bill enjoyed a riveting visit to Dr. Hampe the breast specialist. After finding out that he suggested a double mastectomy/reconstruction and FULL hysterectomy (I was not anticipating that one,) I experienced my first mammogram. FUN! I have since been scheduled (Jan 15th) for my first meeting with the plastic surgeon. It's going to be a series of surgeries with a lot of follow up. Again...I would rather do this than get sick and go through chemo any day!!! Pray for quick and easy recovery with no complications!

Then there was Christmas! Oh what a three day experience! We loved getting to see all of the family and friends, but seriously hope that next Christmas is more about those visits and less about the presents. I will have a session on my soap box later if anyone is interested in hearing what I have to say about that!

This was the first year that we spent Christmas morning at our own house- what a pleasure! I was the first one up...waiting...for everyone to wake up so that we could see what Santa brought...Here is an image taken today of the most spectacular Harley Davidson that MJ could receive!

This one wasn't from Christmas...but it's just darn cute. They were trying to "ride" in the stroller...and play with MJ's new flashlight in the dark closet!
MJ got one sit-n-spin for his b-day, and we got another for Christmas. Every families dream to have enough sit-n-spins for the kids!
We took a trip to Austin to visit friends right after New Years...we were just moving right along 35E...and about 5 minutes before we get to our destination, I look back to see this lovely sight. Our son in a tube top! I guess he got a little hot! (side note for any parents who don't know this...the portable DVD player is the ONLY way to take a long distance trip with the kids!)
Now to get to why we started with a bang...both Bill and I found out on the 5th that we were promoted. Monday was a hard day at Creativity Inc as 15% of our workforce was laid off, including my boss, the woman who brought me to Dallas. We became close so it is bittersweet to find out that I was promoted to Account manager when she was sent to look for another job.
Bill was deemed the director of the Dallas area Murder Mystery Player shows. he is responsible for all actions to get the shows cast, directed, and produced. He is also acting quite a lot in these shows...next week I won't see him except Thursday night! It is so great for him to have a job that he is not only perfectly suited for but that he also really enjoys. It makes for a little stress and a lot of gracious prayers.

I hope that everyone had a great start to their 2009! Enjoy the ride!

Love
Stephanie

The positive news...

I have some "positive" news.

My Grandfather had a mastectomy this year. They found cancer in his breast. There is a gene called BRAC2 that is mutated in his DNA. He is doing well now, but my Dad and three other of his sisters and brothers went in to get tested to find out if they were positive for the gene. My Aunts, Uncle (and one cousin) found out that they were negative, but my Dad found out that he was positive.

I decided to test as a precaution. A week ago I found out that I am positive for the BRAC2 mutation as well. I will go into a breast specialist on the 17th to find out what the best options will be for my future. I have a very high risk of getting breast cancer because this mutation allows the cancer to grow instead of recognizing it as cancer and killing it. The reason we decided to find out is that I would like to take preventative measures.

The best way for me to lower my risk to what a normal person would have would be to do an early mastectomy and reconstruction. Here's where the positive part comes in! :) I have a lot of research to do, and a lot of prayers to say before we go that route. However I would rather go through a surgery like that than chemotherapy ANY DAY!!!!

The wonderful thing about this kind of communication is that I know that each of you out there can think a happy thought or pray for me and mine. This is going to be one big ride...I am lucky to have the family I do. Bill is an amazingly supportive husband and with the love of my beautiful children I will get through!

With that said...here's hoping the rest of the family that choses to take the test comes out negative. With knowledge comes ability...ability to make the best choices possible. I know that I could live my whole life without contracting cancer...but I sure have a high mark on my "maybe" scale. I choose to do everything possible to make that maybe as small as I can...and maybe let some other things grow! Ah- come on...that was funny!

Love to you all!