Here is little Parker all screened in wishing he was outside with the kids too!
Merry Christmas!
10 months ago
Monday, March 16, 2009
Dog days
A few days ago we got to dog sit for the day. Our neighbors wanted to bring there little puppy over for the kids to play with, so we decided to dog sit while they were at work. Needless to say all three of the kids were excited when this cute little puppy showed up. For those of you who don't know, I like animals, but I never want to have a pet. ( I know my kids are deprived) But, I was actually glad when the dog came over to entertain the kids. They dropped him off about 8:30, and my kids only came inside to eat lunch, and they were outside the rest of the day. He was actually a great puppy too. He never barked, and was so sweet with the kids, even when Benson pulled his tail! Brielle decided to name him Kiddlip. I know, what a name right? He was great though. The only problem is that now the kids ask me if they can ever have a puppy! I won't give in, but IF I ever did, this would be my type of dog. Look how cute he is!
Here is little Parker all screened in wishing he was outside with the kids too!
Here is little Parker all screened in wishing he was outside with the kids too!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Now THAT is funny!
I am sure you have heard the phrase, kids say the darndest things. Well, it is true! Pretty much every day around here. I thought it would be fun to put the funny things my kids say on here every once in a while. I encourage you to join with me on your own blog, because what is funnier than reading the things kids have to say?
When Brielle was in nursery a little girl was really bothering her. She kept pulling her hair and touching her and Brielle was fed up. So she turned to the girl completely serious and said, "STOP! Don't touch me, for I am filled with the power of God." The girls stopped dead in her tracks and didn't touch her again! So funny!
One more for Brielle. She was at a friends house the other day and was asked by our friend to get out of the dining room. She looked straight at him and said, "Well, I am sorry for ruining your life" Oh my drama queen.
Benson really loves movies. He pretty much would be happy if I played Kung Fu Panda all day for him. Well, you know the part of the movie before it actually starts, that shows all the previews for other movies, yeah he loves that part to. Usually it starts out by saying coming soon to DVD. Now to the good part. Every day without fail Benson will ask me if Daddy is coming home soon. But since this love of movies began he asks, "Mommy is Daddy coming home soon to DVD?"
Well, Parker doesn't say much yet, but he sure is cute!
When Brielle was in nursery a little girl was really bothering her. She kept pulling her hair and touching her and Brielle was fed up. So she turned to the girl completely serious and said, "STOP! Don't touch me, for I am filled with the power of God." The girls stopped dead in her tracks and didn't touch her again! So funny!
One more for Brielle. She was at a friends house the other day and was asked by our friend to get out of the dining room. She looked straight at him and said, "Well, I am sorry for ruining your life" Oh my drama queen.
Benson really loves movies. He pretty much would be happy if I played Kung Fu Panda all day for him. Well, you know the part of the movie before it actually starts, that shows all the previews for other movies, yeah he loves that part to. Usually it starts out by saying coming soon to DVD. Now to the good part. Every day without fail Benson will ask me if Daddy is coming home soon. But since this love of movies began he asks, "Mommy is Daddy coming home soon to DVD?"
Well, Parker doesn't say much yet, but he sure is cute!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
How do you know?
How do you know if you make the right choice on big decisions? I don't know about you but I think the biggest decision you will make in your life is who you will marry. It takes so much dating, courting, fasting, prayer, and of course love. Well folks I can say without a doubt that I made the most absolute, positive, wonderful, life changing decision when I chose to marry Doug. He is my perfect match. He makes me a better person every day, and more than that, I know he loves me more than anything else. He has been such a huge support to me over the past few weeks. He is willing to do anything he can to help me and make me feel better. I love him so much and I am so grateful for him. Thanks Doug for being my best friend. I included a picture just to show how much he has been doing. He is cleaning the bathrooms. I know, I am pretty lucky.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Tennessee
There are not many places in the world that allow you to do two oppostie activities in one week.
First, the kids played in the snow and built snowmen...
Then they rode their bikes and flew kites in 65 degree weather a week later.
Isn't the South great?
First, the kids played in the snow and built snowmen...
Then they rode their bikes and flew kites in 65 degree weather a week later.
Isn't the South great?
Time to Pay it Forward!
My friend Shannon started this pay it forward fun! Thanks Shan! Here's how it works-the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well-before you leave your comment here, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going. Then come back, let me know you're going to play, and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift! Remember that only the first 3 comments will receive a gift from me, so be quick!"
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Update
Well, I am home. I never thought I would be so happy to say those words but I am. Don't get me wrong, hospitals are soo necessary, but just a bit too overrated. Anyway, I thought I would post an update so I can track my progress since coming home.
I made it home on Saturday even thought the Doctors were a little wary about me leaving the hospital with my white blood cell count still on the low end. But there really was no other tests that could be run, so I came home. The diagnosis for now is something called Postinfectious Autoimmune disorder. Pretty much it means that I had an infection and my white blood cells started attacking my body as well as the infection. This is what they think caused the inflammation in my brain, hopefully describing the headaches. That is still to be determined. So they put me on Steroids, which I take every morning. Guess what? These steroids don't make you buff, they just make you gain weight. :( Oh well, if it means no more headaches I will take it.
As for the crazy fever and body aches I am still a mystery. All they can guess is that I had some secondary infection on top of it all and we are praying I NEVER get that virus again. So now I just take the steroids and wait. I am pretty much wiped out and want to keep sleeping, which thanks to my mom being here I can get in some naps. My body has been through the ringer and I know it will take a while for me to get my strength and energy back. Slow and sure wins the race right?
I really do have to say that I am grateful for this experience. I hear people say that all the time when they go through something hard and now I know what they mean. It is amazing the great life lessons that can be learned in one week of life. Now for me it is not okay to get stressed about the little things. I want to be moving and serving and doing. I want to be proactive instead of just thinking of all the things I could be doing. Because you never know when you wont be able To do those things anymore. Are bodies are subject to the pains of the world and you can be healthy one day and sick the next. Life really is too short.
Thank you all again for the many prayers and wonderful service on my behalf. You will never know how much it means to me and my family. My cup is overflowing.
I made it home on Saturday even thought the Doctors were a little wary about me leaving the hospital with my white blood cell count still on the low end. But there really was no other tests that could be run, so I came home. The diagnosis for now is something called Postinfectious Autoimmune disorder. Pretty much it means that I had an infection and my white blood cells started attacking my body as well as the infection. This is what they think caused the inflammation in my brain, hopefully describing the headaches. That is still to be determined. So they put me on Steroids, which I take every morning. Guess what? These steroids don't make you buff, they just make you gain weight. :( Oh well, if it means no more headaches I will take it.
As for the crazy fever and body aches I am still a mystery. All they can guess is that I had some secondary infection on top of it all and we are praying I NEVER get that virus again. So now I just take the steroids and wait. I am pretty much wiped out and want to keep sleeping, which thanks to my mom being here I can get in some naps. My body has been through the ringer and I know it will take a while for me to get my strength and energy back. Slow and sure wins the race right?
I really do have to say that I am grateful for this experience. I hear people say that all the time when they go through something hard and now I know what they mean. It is amazing the great life lessons that can be learned in one week of life. Now for me it is not okay to get stressed about the little things. I want to be moving and serving and doing. I want to be proactive instead of just thinking of all the things I could be doing. Because you never know when you wont be able To do those things anymore. Are bodies are subject to the pains of the world and you can be healthy one day and sick the next. Life really is too short.
Thank you all again for the many prayers and wonderful service on my behalf. You will never know how much it means to me and my family. My cup is overflowing.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thoughts from a hospital
Yes it is me finally writing a blog, but i cant promise that I am back to the blogging world. I am actually writing this from my hospital room where I have been for the past four days and will hopefully going home from tomorrow. It has been quite the journey this past little while and I wanted to write it all down so I could remember. So sit back and get ready for a good story.
THE BEGINNING
About four weeks ago I started to have a headache and a sharp pain in my left side. So, I went to the doctor and the diagnosis was a bladder/kidney infection and possibly a sinus infection. So my Dr.(who is wonderful by the way) put me on an antibiotic and sent me home. About five days later the infection was still hurting my headaches were getting worse so I went back to the Dr.He discovered the infection was still there so he put me on a new antibiotic and decided to try some migraine meds for my headaches. I went home and over the next week I was still not getting much relief. The migraine medicine gave me a worse headache plus crazy side affects. I stopped the medicine and decided with my Doctors advice that I would schedule an appt with a neurologist. This was on a Thursday.
ER VISIT #1
BY Saturday night my head was much worse. I made a late night run to the grocery store for milk and formula and by the time I got home I was wiped out. I woke up Sunday morning and was feeling like I was getting sick, but I had no symptoms. No runny nose, cough, stomach ache, nothing. So I got the kids ready for church and rushed out the door. During Sacrament my body started to ache and I was FREEZING. This continued as I went off to primary and I just felt like I could not get warm. My body hurt so bad but I only had about a half hour before church as out so i decided to stay. Then my dear friend Wanda came and found me and told me that Parker had a high fever. That sealed it. I was going home.
I barely made it home because I was shaking so bad from the pain and chills. I went inside got Parker and I both in out jammies and we laid on the couch. I fed Parker and tried to rest but the pain was getting worse in the body by the second, and my head was aching more than ever. After church Wanda took the other kids to her house, and my friend Karen came to help me with Parker. It was so bad that I couldn't even move to get him some medicine for the fever. This went on for about one hour, and finally Karen tracked down Doug who was still meeting with people at church , to come home to take me to the ER.
When we arrived at the Er I had a fever and I was hurting all over. They gave me some Ibuprofen and then I had to wait for about 2 1/2 hours. By the time I saw the Er doctor, I was sweating all over my fever was gone and he was skeptical about me being sick. He did send me down for a cat scan for my head which came back normal. His diagnosis was a virus and to go home and rest and get plenty of fluids. I think ER doctors are required to give that diagnosis. :0)
THE BEGINNING
About four weeks ago I started to have a headache and a sharp pain in my left side. So, I went to the doctor and the diagnosis was a bladder/kidney infection and possibly a sinus infection. So my Dr.(who is wonderful by the way) put me on an antibiotic and sent me home. About five days later the infection was still hurting my headaches were getting worse so I went back to the Dr.He discovered the infection was still there so he put me on a new antibiotic and decided to try some migraine meds for my headaches. I went home and over the next week I was still not getting much relief. The migraine medicine gave me a worse headache plus crazy side affects. I stopped the medicine and decided with my Doctors advice that I would schedule an appt with a neurologist. This was on a Thursday.
ER VISIT #1
BY Saturday night my head was much worse. I made a late night run to the grocery store for milk and formula and by the time I got home I was wiped out. I woke up Sunday morning and was feeling like I was getting sick, but I had no symptoms. No runny nose, cough, stomach ache, nothing. So I got the kids ready for church and rushed out the door. During Sacrament my body started to ache and I was FREEZING. This continued as I went off to primary and I just felt like I could not get warm. My body hurt so bad but I only had about a half hour before church as out so i decided to stay. Then my dear friend Wanda came and found me and told me that Parker had a high fever. That sealed it. I was going home.
I barely made it home because I was shaking so bad from the pain and chills. I went inside got Parker and I both in out jammies and we laid on the couch. I fed Parker and tried to rest but the pain was getting worse in the body by the second, and my head was aching more than ever. After church Wanda took the other kids to her house, and my friend Karen came to help me with Parker. It was so bad that I couldn't even move to get him some medicine for the fever. This went on for about one hour, and finally Karen tracked down Doug who was still meeting with people at church , to come home to take me to the ER.
When we arrived at the Er I had a fever and I was hurting all over. They gave me some Ibuprofen and then I had to wait for about 2 1/2 hours. By the time I saw the Er doctor, I was sweating all over my fever was gone and he was skeptical about me being sick. He did send me down for a cat scan for my head which came back normal. His diagnosis was a virus and to go home and rest and get plenty of fluids. I think ER doctors are required to give that diagnosis. :0)
Thougts from the hospital cont.
THE EPISODES
So here we are at Monday. Sunday night was really rough, but things would only get worse. Monday morning I woke up and Doug had already left for work. Brielle stayed over at Wandas house so I just had the boys. They woke up and it took everything I had to get up and get them breakfast. My friend Karen came back over and helped me get the boys dressed. Then while I laid on the couch she played with them and kept them occupied so I could rest. This is when the "Episodes" started. I was still feeling really cold and achy and this morning was no different. I started to get cold and shake and then my body began to hurt worse that ever. I felt like EVERY bone in my body was BreAKinG! It went on like this for about an hour. I finally took some ibuprofen and an hour later I started to sweat again. Not just sweat, I was totally drenched, from head to toe. The pain was relieved quite a bit except for the pain in my head and then I just slept. I felt like I had run a marathon. About 4 hours later I started to feel cold again and then the severe pain returned. This is why I call them the episodes. Because it just kept repeating like this over and over again, never stopping. Karen and Wanda watched my kids, and Alice brought me groceries and I didn't move off the couch all day.
ER VISIT #2
Monday night was my worst night yet. So, I called my Doctor first thing in the morning and they could get me in at 10:15. The next two hours were some of the worst. I just laid on the couch and sobbed. I hurt so bad and literally could not move. Doug took me to the doctor where I had temp of 103.7 and even with the ibuprofen my body was not getting better. I was in BAD shape. My doctor decided that I needed to be admitted to the hospital. So I was sent again to the ER so they could do a SPINAL TAP. For those of you who don't know what that is, they stick a huge needle into your spine and drain fluid from it for testing. It is the exact opposite of fun. I again waited in the ER forever before they did the Spinal tap and then waited for about 5 hours before they put me in a room. All the while my head and body were going through the episodes.
Finally, about 8:30 Pm I was admitted to my hospital room where I have been ever since.
So here we are at Monday. Sunday night was really rough, but things would only get worse. Monday morning I woke up and Doug had already left for work. Brielle stayed over at Wandas house so I just had the boys. They woke up and it took everything I had to get up and get them breakfast. My friend Karen came back over and helped me get the boys dressed. Then while I laid on the couch she played with them and kept them occupied so I could rest. This is when the "Episodes" started. I was still feeling really cold and achy and this morning was no different. I started to get cold and shake and then my body began to hurt worse that ever. I felt like EVERY bone in my body was BreAKinG! It went on like this for about an hour. I finally took some ibuprofen and an hour later I started to sweat again. Not just sweat, I was totally drenched, from head to toe. The pain was relieved quite a bit except for the pain in my head and then I just slept. I felt like I had run a marathon. About 4 hours later I started to feel cold again and then the severe pain returned. This is why I call them the episodes. Because it just kept repeating like this over and over again, never stopping. Karen and Wanda watched my kids, and Alice brought me groceries and I didn't move off the couch all day.
ER VISIT #2
Monday night was my worst night yet. So, I called my Doctor first thing in the morning and they could get me in at 10:15. The next two hours were some of the worst. I just laid on the couch and sobbed. I hurt so bad and literally could not move. Doug took me to the doctor where I had temp of 103.7 and even with the ibuprofen my body was not getting better. I was in BAD shape. My doctor decided that I needed to be admitted to the hospital. So I was sent again to the ER so they could do a SPINAL TAP. For those of you who don't know what that is, they stick a huge needle into your spine and drain fluid from it for testing. It is the exact opposite of fun. I again waited in the ER forever before they did the Spinal tap and then waited for about 5 hours before they put me in a room. All the while my head and body were going through the episodes.
Finally, about 8:30 Pm I was admitted to my hospital room where I have been ever since.
THE HOSPITAL
We have now made it to Wednesday. Wow what a wild ride. Tuesday night was full of pain and blood draws and my back was pretty sore from the Spinal tap. They began on Wednesday to rule out everything they could possibly could. That included taking my blood whenever they felt like, and meeting with new Dr's. They decided they would start out with some tests to go along with the Spinal. So they sent me to get a cat scan on my abdomen. Everything was going along quite nicely until they injected the contrast dye into the IV near the end of the test. I THEN HAD AN ALLERGIC REACTION to the dye. My face swelled up and my lips turned blue, my vision went blurry and I couldn't breath. I was really scary.I finished out the test but felt really weak after that.
Then they took me back to my room. As soon as we got back the coldness started to came back and I had the worst "episode" yet. I started shaking so bad I couldn't stop and I was literally yelling out in pain. They immediately gave me a shot of narcotics, benadryl and steroids. The pain stopped a few minuted later and I was finally able to sleep. It was a rough few hours.
Later that day I met with a few different Doctors who of course all wanted blood samples for different tests. I met with a hematologist to discuss my blood. My white blood cell count was REALLY LOW and my platelets were down so they know I was fighting off something bad. The hematologist wanted to do work on my blood, so more tests. He told me that if my blood count didn't go up by the morning then they would have to do a bone marrow biopsy. But we will get to that. Then I met with the Rhuematologist who wanted to do work to see if I had Lupus or some other Auto-Immune disease. Then came the infectious disease doctor who wanted to rule out any crazy diseases. And last but not least cam the Neurologist. He obviously wanted to do tests for things like MS, brain tumors etc. So it was quite the panel of Doctors to try and solve the Mystery.
Wednesday night came and guess what, it was the first night without the pain!!!!! What? I know I was shocked. But I know it was from the fasting and prayers. Both mine and Doug's families fasted all day, and I know that miracles can happen. Another REALLY EXCITING thing happened on Wednesday. My Mom flew into Knoxville to take care of me. She is so amazing, and I am more grateful to her than anyone can know. It is great.
Thursday began bright and early with of course it starting off with more blood work. They came back to let me know my white blood cells were still low so they would be in to to the BONE MARROW BIOPSY. This is DEFINITELY the WORST test that can be done to a living person. Let me explain. First, they numb the area between your hip bone and your back. Then they make an incision with a razor blade. next, they take a ginormous needle and hammer it and dig it into your bone! OUCH! Then they take a smaller a needle to suck out the marrow in your bone. It is pretty indescribable. I just know that my back is going to hurt for days. Then they sent off the slides and we had to wait.
Then last night they sent me off finally for an MRI of my head. Maybe some headache answers.
We have now made it to Wednesday. Wow what a wild ride. Tuesday night was full of pain and blood draws and my back was pretty sore from the Spinal tap. They began on Wednesday to rule out everything they could possibly could. That included taking my blood whenever they felt like, and meeting with new Dr's. They decided they would start out with some tests to go along with the Spinal. So they sent me to get a cat scan on my abdomen. Everything was going along quite nicely until they injected the contrast dye into the IV near the end of the test. I THEN HAD AN ALLERGIC REACTION to the dye. My face swelled up and my lips turned blue, my vision went blurry and I couldn't breath. I was really scary.I finished out the test but felt really weak after that.
Then they took me back to my room. As soon as we got back the coldness started to came back and I had the worst "episode" yet. I started shaking so bad I couldn't stop and I was literally yelling out in pain. They immediately gave me a shot of narcotics, benadryl and steroids. The pain stopped a few minuted later and I was finally able to sleep. It was a rough few hours.
Later that day I met with a few different Doctors who of course all wanted blood samples for different tests. I met with a hematologist to discuss my blood. My white blood cell count was REALLY LOW and my platelets were down so they know I was fighting off something bad. The hematologist wanted to do work on my blood, so more tests. He told me that if my blood count didn't go up by the morning then they would have to do a bone marrow biopsy. But we will get to that. Then I met with the Rhuematologist who wanted to do work to see if I had Lupus or some other Auto-Immune disease. Then came the infectious disease doctor who wanted to rule out any crazy diseases. And last but not least cam the Neurologist. He obviously wanted to do tests for things like MS, brain tumors etc. So it was quite the panel of Doctors to try and solve the Mystery.
Wednesday night came and guess what, it was the first night without the pain!!!!! What? I know I was shocked. But I know it was from the fasting and prayers. Both mine and Doug's families fasted all day, and I know that miracles can happen. Another REALLY EXCITING thing happened on Wednesday. My Mom flew into Knoxville to take care of me. She is so amazing, and I am more grateful to her than anyone can know. It is great.
Thursday began bright and early with of course it starting off with more blood work. They came back to let me know my white blood cells were still low so they would be in to to the BONE MARROW BIOPSY. This is DEFINITELY the WORST test that can be done to a living person. Let me explain. First, they numb the area between your hip bone and your back. Then they make an incision with a razor blade. next, they take a ginormous needle and hammer it and dig it into your bone! OUCH! Then they take a smaller a needle to suck out the marrow in your bone. It is pretty indescribable. I just know that my back is going to hurt for days. Then they sent off the slides and we had to wait.
Then last night they sent me off finally for an MRI of my head. Maybe some headache answers.
Friday, January 30, 2009
The Good news
So now it is Friday. I have received most of my test results back. I don't have MS, Lupus Leukemia, Lymphoma, Rheumatoid Arthritis, infectious diseases, a brain tumor, or anything else life threatening. I only got one answer. They found a small inflammation spot on my brain, but WHY do I have the massive never ending headache and why is my blood count still so low? I have another MRI scheduled for the morning. They are going to look at that spot a little more in depth to determine what to do. Best case scenario they can treat it with steroids and I will be fine. So now I sit the hospital and wait. I will hopefully go home tomorrow and will continue to meet with some doctors just as an outpatient. I guess time will tell, but I am confident they will find an answer.
I would really like to thank all of you who have called, prayed, fasted, made meals, watched kids, cleaned my house, and just plain cared. I am sure I am not even sure what a lot of you have done. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends who love me. This experience more than anything has taught me that I am loved and not alone. My Heavenly Father knows me and is aware of me and will send angels among us to do his will. I am so grateful for all that I have been given. I also now appreciate my life way more. When you are threatened with something that may actually change your life, the little things just don't matter anymore. it is my new outlook to enjoy what I have while I have it.
I would really like to thank all of you who have called, prayed, fasted, made meals, watched kids, cleaned my house, and just plain cared. I am sure I am not even sure what a lot of you have done. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends who love me. This experience more than anything has taught me that I am loved and not alone. My Heavenly Father knows me and is aware of me and will send angels among us to do his will. I am so grateful for all that I have been given. I also now appreciate my life way more. When you are threatened with something that may actually change your life, the little things just don't matter anymore. it is my new outlook to enjoy what I have while I have it.
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