Well, you look good?!

And yet here I am...the final in the series :)

2011-05-03T17:47:00.000-07:00

Pain. It is almost impossible to describe the pain I was feeling in February 2005. My left eye had a searing pain in it and nothing relieved this pain. When I finally followed the advice of friends and family and saw a rheumatologist, it was determined that I had scleritis in my left eye. It is a thinning of the white part of the eye and it causes much pain. Without treatment, I could lose my sight and ultimately my eye. The doctor put me on 40 mg of prednisone as well as weekly methotrexate, a chemotherapy used for scleritis.

Fifty percent of individuals with scleritis have an underlying disease such as rheumatoid arthritis. Three different rheumatologists tested me for underlying diseases but none were found. PTL! Then, it hit. The F-word. No. Not that one. Fibromyalgia. I had NEVER heard of this disease until I sat in the doctor's office in Nashville. He explained that fibromyalgia was not like arthritis which causes pain and inflammation of the joints. Fibromyalgia causes pain, and at times inflammation, in the muscles. Many have tried to describe the pain of this disease. There are 18 trigger points that the doctor looks at to determine if you have fibromyalgia. My pain is in my neck, shoulders, back, and legs. One person has said to have someone put clothespins on their fingers for 20 minutes and have them continue whatever they would normally do but with the clothespins. The hope is that they may be able to continue their previous actions but were they ever able to forget about the clothespins on their fingers? By far, the best explanation of this disease is "The Spoon Theory." http://butyoudontlooksick.com/navigation/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf I hope the link will work. You may have to copy/paste it. I do not know how to embed it. :/

It took three eye doctors and three rheumatologists before I found the ones I needed to help fight these diseases. My current eye doctor is at John Hopkins Hospital in the Wilmer Eye Institute. She is amazing. My rheumatologist is in Nashville and after seeing one doctor for several years, I was asked if I would consider a NP. I agreed and it was the BEST decision I had ever made. Hands down. She remembers things about me that I have forgotten. She sits in front of you and looks you in the eye. As well as she can without having the disease, she sees your pain. Not only does she see the pain caused by the disease itself but the pain the disease causes to family relationships, friends, work, you name it. She just seems to know. I love her for asking how my father is doing since being diagnosed with invasive bladder cancer. I love her even more for then asking how I am doing with the news of my father's cancer. She is the real deal and the total package. I sure wish it had not taken me more than three years to find her.

There were lots of dates in the other posts so I will tell you a few more for good measure. As I said already, I was diagnosed in February 2005. After careful consideration and many hours in couples therapy, I decided it was time to end my marriage in March 2006. There is no need to go into the pros and cons of each side. In one sentence, it boils down to this....I did NOT want my children to grow up and believe the marriage I had with their father was what they should pattern their own marriages after when they decided to make that commitment. The divorce was final in October 2006.

The kids and I lived in Lewisburg after we left Petersburg. I was fortunate to find a nice house in a good neighborhood and one that I could afford based on my salary at the bank. When our small community bank was bought by a larger community bank, I became a loan officer and loved my job. For six years, I dealt mainly in construction loans. New subdivisions, spec houses, custom houses. All of it. I had many good customers, though, that weren't in construction. The family purchasing their first house. The young person purchasing their first car. It was not always easy to be a loan officer but I tried to always know the answers to questions my superiors would ask.

When I was first diagnosed and the pain was immense, I was given an award by my employer for my determination and persistence with all that had happened to me. Slowly I began getting sicker and missing more days. With the fibromyalgia came debilitating migraines. The HR director advised me to file for FMLA so that my days missed would not go against me. I did this and had my doctor filling out paperwork every 3 months. During 2006 and 2007, things shifted at work. I was no longer the valued employee who was loyal and did my best on every task given. I was the person who looked fine the day before and the day after I missed work. Only then did I realize how awful invisible illness truly is. It is life shattering. The thing is though that it has not only shattered my life but my kids, my parents, the few friends I have left, anyone who is still close to me basically. So, in November 2007, my career in banking ended when I missed 1 day more than allowable under FMLA.

I have not been able to work since then. I have lost much since November 2007. It felt as if I was no longer a contributing member of society. It also felt like what happened at work also happened everywhere else. When asked how I felt, I gave truthful answers. No need to lie or act like I wasn't sick. That is when I would hear "Well, you look good." It was as if looking good meant how could anything be THAT wrong if you don't even look sick. Right there is where I have lost many. I look fine so I must be lazy. Must want attention. Must rather say I was sick than care for my kids. The list goes on and on.

It was brought to my attention on Facebook that people did not like my negativity. They didn't want to hear about my bad circumstances or how I was feeling. They rather not read anything that would bring them down. Seriously?! So, I quit posting to Facebook about my illnesses and my pain. Then a long-time fibro friend invited me to a small private group on Facebook for those who face chronic illness and pain. It is a God send. I don't have to worry about sharing what is wrong with me on a particular day. I don't have to worry about being judged by others because the members all get it. They have been there. They know. There have been times since I joined the group that I have shared medical news. If people don't want to read it, hide, delete, or block me. If that is how they feel, they were never really my friend anyway.

This past May the kids and I moved to a smaller house in Lewisburg. We like our new home and are humbled to have it. While I may not deserve the generosity I have received, I do appreciate all that has been done for me the last four years.

For six years, I have struggled with forgiveness. Struggled with the beliefs I have had my entire life. Struggled with relationships..some I had had all my life. With the diseases I have, struggles are not good. They are just one more burden on already aching shoulders.

This past month I have come to forgive eight men. Men whom I blamed for many, many things. It became clear that continuing to harbor so much strife I would never be able to move on. I sent my apologies and asked for their forgiveness. Two replied and I am grateful for both. One of the two called as soon as he read the email. He did not have to forgive me. He did not have to treat me with respect and dignity the times he dealt with me prior to the email. He also did not have to ask me to forgive him for anything he might have done. His phone call allowed me to see they are just men. Human men, who like me, make mistakes each and every day. It is very clear there was only one perfect individual upon this Earth.

So, if you have read all three parts, you see that my life since college has been filled with many emotions. Not all good but certainly not all bad. Not all happy but not all sad. My family has rejoiced twice as my children have put on Christ. We have cried as we have lost way too many family members but we have known with each passing, we would see them again. We have not forgotten them. I don't think that would be possible. Each day something random happens and it makes you think of the one(s) you have lost.

It is hard to imagine a time when I won't remember the important dates of my past. Each date in these post has shaped me in one way or another. There are still many other dates that have also had a hand in shaping me. It is my turn to decide how I will allow things to shape me in the future.

And yet here I am...Part Two

2011-04-09T18:42:00.000-07:00

The first major change in my life came in August 2002. My sister, Janet, was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma. It is a very rare cancer occurring in about 1 in 4 million people. The day my sister's doctor told us she had cancer might as well be yesterday. I will never forget the room, the doctor's face, the words that came out of his mouth, and the crying and screaming my mother did. She yelled over and over, "I knew it. I just knew it." My sister was thirty-six and had five children ranging in age from two to seventeen. I stayed with my sister that first night after her surgery. My mother wanted to stay but I felt she needed the rest and the kids needed to hear it from my parents. Janet slept most of the night but constantly moaned. She woke at some point in the night and she did not remember anything the doctor had told her after surgery. I had to tell my sister she had cancer and that she had lost half of her bladder during the surgery. Her next question stopped me dead in my tracks. "Am I going to die?" I gently told her no and she drifted back off into fitful sleep.

The next fourteen months seemed like a nightmare. She began treatment with chemo and radiation. Just three short months after learning she had cancer we were told it had metastasized to her lungs and liver. I had already begun working with my local Relay For Life and had immersed myself in the American Cancer Society's website. I knew what it meant when the cancer showed up in her lungs and liver. We didn't have much time left. She began chemo in the hospital. One week in and three weeks out. I was fortunate to spend two nights each time with her in the hospital. We became close and I saw a side of my sister that I had never seen until the cancer. I have to continually ask myself why it took a terminal illness to see what an amazing sister I had.

On September 29, 2003, my mom and I followed the ambulance to Nashville. Janet was in tremendous pain and we had to get her to the hospital fast. Janet never left the hospital again. She had good hours but mostly bad. Because I worked as a pharmacy technician for five years, I knew the different medications Janet was taking and when she needed them. I could tell by how she grunted that she needed X. I knew the dosage schedules. I never left my sister's side except once and that was to travel to Lewisburg and bring her three oldest children to see her.

On October 7, Janet's PA came in and began talking with Melanie, my oldest sister, and me. Janet had not talked to us in two or three days and we knew the time was getting close. As Dana sat there in Janet's room and listened to Melanie and me tell funny stories, she saw my sister take her last breath. Death had come and taken my sister. While she was in the hospital, I had promised my sister I would take care of her children. Just a week or two after she died her oldest three children came to live with my family. Five kids. I still to this day don't know how my sister was able to do it. My sister's three oldest children had considerable baggage....the loss of their mother so young, a new home with extremely different rules, and on and on.

We tried hard to be a family for eight months. Eight hard months. If I had to do it over again, I would. Pain and all. They deserved a chance. They deserved someone in their corner and I was that person until it became clear that I could not help them. I have done many things in my life but standing before a judge and telling him that you can no longer care for your dead sister's children is probably one of the worst. I had failed. Plain and simple. F.A.I.L.E.D. Most tell me that I didn't fail but that I did all I could do for them. It is eight years later and I am still not convinced of that argument. If I had taken them to one more counselor, stood it for one more month, anything but I didn't. I stood before the judge and gave away my rights to help raise those three children.

To this day, I cannot watch Extreme Home Makeover without crying when the storyline leads to a couple who took in their family members and changed their lives. Is it wrong to question why it worked for them but not for my family? While I am questioning, is it wrong to ask why my sister was taken at all? Unfortunately I cannot answer either of those questions. If I could, I wouldn't have the hole in my heart that will remain empty for the rest of my life.

The last six months of 2004 were relatively quiet but still had me pondering the what ifs. I suppose we all do that but I am an MVP when it comes to the what ifs. In February 2005, I woke with pain in my left eye. It was the same eye that in 1996 had a detached retina. Fearing another detachment, we went to my doctor in Memphis THAT Saturday. He said I did not have a detached retina but I did have some thinning of the white layer of my left eye. He could not explain it. We went home without answers. The pain intensified in my eye and then other parts of my body began to hurt. A pain I can't even describe. I would go to work and hurt all day and try my best not to cry. When it was time to go home, the only thing I could do was stay on the couch. I cried in pain many, many nights. Someone, I don't remember who, suggested I see a rheumatologist. I did and so starts the next chapter in my life....part three to come.

And yet here I am....Part One

2011-04-05T21:21:00.000-07:00

When I was a teenager, it felt like becoming an "adult" would never happen. Well, it did. I am an adult plus thirteen years. After high school, I went to college at David Lipscomb University in Nashville. It was approximately one hour from home but the first few nights, I might as well have been in Australia. I went to college for two years and then got married and commuted. After our first year of marriage, we learned we were expecting. Talk about throwing a kink in my senior year plans. I was lucky to be at a small university. I spoke with my advisor immediately after learning of my pregnancy. Classes were shifted and my schedule worked out well for me my senior year. Gabriel was born roughly one month PRIOR to graduation. I missed two classes and then mom, Gabriel, and I headed back to school until graduation. I had classes on Tuesday and Thursday and was nursing Gabriel so he had to go with me. While most of my classmates were going to job fairs and interviews, I was burping a baby and changing dirty diapers. Not exactly what I had planned but it worked out just fine. I graduated in May and we still joke that Gabriel went to college before he even started kindergarten.

From May to August of 1998, I was a stay-at-home mom. It was a nice break from class every day and the "workforce" I was about to join. As a finance/business management major, banking was right up my alley. Fortunate for me, a community bank was hiring and I started at the ground level and worked my way up. In December of 1998, I learned I was expecting our second child. I see you doing the math...17 months and 3 days. After Madison, I joked that I learned what caused that. :) Life went on with it's merry way and settled into a routine for my family and me.

In approximately six years, I had not only become an adult, but I had also graduated high school, graduated college, gotten married, had my first child, began my life as a banker, and had our second child. All of that pretty much SCREAMS adulthood. Tell me again why I wanted so desperately to become an adult and have to do adult things like pay bills, be responsible for other human beings, and have a J-O-B?! I see these same tendencies in my son, Gabriel. He just turned 13. I know it is possible but is it really possible that I have a thirteen year old son?! What is even scarier is that later this year I will a twelve year old daughter.

Things pretty much rocked along from 1998 to 2002. And then my life came to a screeching halt. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. How I long for the days that I used to consider stressful. They were. Don't get me wrong but the stress did not compare to the last eight years of my life......

Part two in the makings.....

Just forget

2011-03-07T16:40:00.000-08:00

It amazes me at how long it has been since my last post....December 2009. Wow!

I was so good at posting to my blog and then came along Facebook. I guess I felt like I was connecting with most people through that social media and didn't realize how little you can convey in a status update. Then, there are also those who don't want "negativity" in their feed and have pretty much told me I need to forget about being sick and not talk about it. Really?! How many of us can forget we are sick...I am not just talking about people who have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome or any other host of diseases. When was the last time you had a cold and forgot you were sick? Stomach bug? Flu? It is pretty hard to FORGET you are sick. Now, let's add-in the daily reminders that do go along with chronic illinesses......daily pain, fatigue, inability to complete tasks because it hurts too bad, inability to hold down a job, the list goes on and on.

You see...it is easy for someone who does not have to face these ailments day-in and day-out to tell "us" to forget about them. I have to wonder why they won't us to forget? We did not do anything wrong. We did not cause these illnesses to come into our lives and yet, we must live with them. Some days are good...others are bad...and still others are so bad you never thought you would see the sun again.

Since my last post to this blog, it has been a hard 13 months for me. Never in my wildest nightmares (not dreams because this is in no way a dream), did I imagine the things that have happened to me. If I look back to February 2005 when I was diagnosed, it seems a century ago but it has only been 5% of a century.

It fills my heart with sadness to know there are days that I just sit and cry because it seems no one understands what I am going through at the moment. How do you explain to your daughter why you missed EVERY soccer game last season because of your health?! They remember the mom who could do anything for them and did. Now it seems they are doing more for me than I am for them and that breaks my heart. I realize life is not fair but this disease not only affects me but my children in so many ways....the missed school plays, Boy Scout functions, team practices....you name it.

I suppose that is why it hurts so much to be told to forget this disease and just go on with my life. How do I forget something that causes me pain when I walk from the living room to the kitchen? Or that keeps me from leaving my house for four weeks? You see this disease is intertwined in my life. If I could forget and "go on" with my life, I would. Believe me. I would! Nothing would make me happier but I can't. It is easy for someone to tell me to forget something because deep down they wonder if it is really there. You can't see the diseases I have. You can't test positive for the diseases I have. So, the next time someone is complaining about things in their lives please don't tell them to just forget. It is easier said than done my friends. I know because I am living proof.

Goodness, I can't believe...

2009-12-28T19:07:00.000-08:00

...how long it has been since I blogged. Things have been so crazy at my house. My illnesses are slowly getting the best of me. It seems I have headaches three times a week at a minimum. I am no closer to getting disability. The process is beyond stressful. If you have any suggestions, please, please do share.

My dad has been very sick. He had a simple in-office procedure and it has caused him to have two major surgeries and have to go to skilled care until his next surgery. The next surgery is scheduled for January 8th. Please pray for him. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Tell me what is new with you.

Goats, Music, and More

2009-10-10T19:21:00.000-07:00

You read it right. Lewisburg is home to the Goats, Music, and More Festival the second weekend of October every year. We have Goat shows of Fainting Goats, Boer Goats, and Nubian Goats. This festival started because Marshall County is the home of the Fainting Goat.

Heeathe and I went today and saw lots of goats. The kids had lots of fun. They helped their dad prepare for the firework show but also were able to walk around with us and enjoy all the vendors.

It was a very dreary day. Cold and rainy but lots and LOTS of people. The festival averages thousands of people from all over the country and sometimes from all over the world.

I haven't posted lately because I have had marathon migraine attacks. Recently one of my headaches lasted six weeks and required two trips to the ER and loads of medicine. It seems that lately I have a headache 2-3times a week and they last anywhere from one to four days on average. Please keep my family in your prayers as this encompasses my family as well as me. Can't wait to hear from all of you!

Don't forget you can look me up on Facebook. When you do, please message me and let me know you read my blog. I normally don't accept friend requests unless I know the person.

Vacation Pictures

2009-09-05T15:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to our vacation pictures. I hope you like them. Can't wait to hear from you.

You can make the pictures bigger by just clicking on them. Then just hit next. There are three pages of pictures and when they are in the big format you can see the caption I typed for each.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=96336&id=667312818

A question for you...

2009-08-02T16:49:00.001-07:00

Are any of you on Facebook? If so, please send me a friend request. Hope to hear from you soon!

Long time away

2009-08-01T13:51:00.000-07:00

It has been FOREVER since I posted last. All is well with the family and lots has happened since my last post. My health has been good and bad. The migraines come and tend to stay. My fibromyalgia has been hurting as well.

We went to Disney World for two days and stayed with Heeathe's "mom" in Kissimmee. I will post pictures very soon. We had all four kids for an entire week together while we were in Florida. We also were able to visit Cocoa Beach, a first for my kids and me. We had never seen the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoyed it immensely. We were out over our heads several times. Didn't see any sharks. ;-) My health was of great concern during our vacation. We were able to get a Guest Assistance Card at Disney World so we didn't have to wait in the long lines but go to a second line which was much, much faster for those in need. Our longest wait was 8-10 minutes. I also rented a scooter to get around on in Disney. This made it possible for me to go to Disney for two days in a row. After the second day, I had to stay in bed all day but we pretty much figured I would have to have a down day. The kids played on the computers and watched TV.

Heeathe and I have Draven and Ghethe this weekend before they start school on Monday. Draven will be in the fifth grade and Ghethe will be starting kindergarten....another milestone for the family. We took them to Chuck-E-Cheese last night. They had a blast!!!! Played all the games and climbed in the tubes. Draven was impressed with the number of tickets we accumulated...almost 400.

We will have Gabriel and Madison on Monday and Tuesday. They start school on Wednesday. It is our plan to take them to Chuck-E-Cheese as well and let them have one last fun day of summer before going to school. Gabriel will be in sixth grade and Madison will be in fourth. It is hard to believe my babies are so getting so old.

Pictures coming soon of vacation and Chuck-E-Cheese.

How have you been? Would love to hear from you.

OH! One request. Please pray for my cousin, Steve, who has been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. Please also pray for his family at this most difficult time and for his medical team.

Is four really greater than two?

2009-07-04T15:32:00.000-07:00

The answer is YES, YES, YES, YES!!!!

Today was quite an experience. I had all four kids on my own. We ventured out to Henry Horton State Park to swim. The pool felt so good but it was hard to keep up with the four heads in that big pool. The kids had a great time.

Here are the three oldest in the pool.

Silly faces.

Ghethe unhappy with me but she had a good time. It was just a battle of wills.

I hope this post finds you all happy and celebrating our country's freedom. It is easy to take our freedom for granted. A special thank you to all service people, past and present, for their sacrifices.

4th of July & Disney

2009-07-02T18:38:00.000-07:00

Our family has been so busy this summer break. I can't believe the kids will be back in school in a month. Yikes!

We are planning a fun 4th of July weekend. On Friday, we pick up Draven and Ghethe and then we head to Nashville Shores for their fireworks show and concerts. On Saturday, the four kids and I will be trying to catch some rays in a pool or on a slip-n-slide while Heeathe works. On Sunday, Madison and Gabriel have to go back to their daddy's. So, we will have some Draven and Ghethe time.

The most exciting news for our family is....we are going to Walt Disney World. We leave July 18th and are staying four to five days. Heeathe has our admission taken care of and we will be staying with Heeathe's "mother", Sherry. I have heard so much about her and can't wait to meet her. It will be a strenuous trip but I think we have covered all our bases. I will be renting a scooter each day. I couldn't believe it when I checked on the price...$45 per day. YIKES...but it is medically necessary or I will only be physically able to go one day and then I will be in bed.

As many of you know, money is tight right now and we are trying to be as frugal as possible. Since my disability is still in limbo, money is tight but this was a great opportunity for our family since we didn't have to pay for the most expensive parts of the trip.

Will take lots of pictures and even may start a countdown.

Anyone with helpful advice about Disney...please post.

Relay For Life of Marshall County

2009-06-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

Last night was Relay For Life in Marshall County. This event is a twelve hour event, from 7pm to 7am, which benefits the American Cancer Society. It is a wonderful and meaningful event for anyone who has had cancer or has lost someone to cancer or has just been touched by cancer . Many of you may not know but I lost my sister, Janet, to cancer in 2003. She was 37 years old and had five children. It was a devastating loss for my family.

Our family had a great time and my body allowed me to stay until 5am at which time it officially shut down. I was already in immense pain but pushed through it. I probably should not have done this. The kids had a great time and played many games and ate lots of sweets.

If any of you would like to make a contribution to the Relay, here is a link to website, http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09MS?px=2614977&pg=personal&fr_id=15331

Have a great day!

Fun with LOTS of sun!

2009-06-17T16:02:00.001-07:00

First, Madison is showing off her new swim team shirt and shorts!

Next, the two girls under the Point Mallard Water Park map. The park has a wave pool, Olympic size pool with diving boards and platforms. It also has a waterslide connected to it. Point Mallard also has three waterslides and what they call the space bowl...this one shoots you down a tube and then you go round and round until it drops you in a pool of water. Madison thought it was TOTALLY cool. I just took her word for it. I did get in the wave pool and the Olympic pool.

Chilling in the Olympic size pool. We has lots of fun in the sun BUT our suncreen didn't work. Both adults and girls have red portions on their bodies. We put an entire can of sunscreen but it just didn't work.

Thanks to Sherlock for the fabulous award. I am honored.

Where has the time gone......

2009-06-17T05:58:00.000-07:00

Sorry for my recent absence on the blog. It has been crazy at my house since the kids got out of school. I hope you are all doing great. Madison is competing on our local swim team so I should have some swim team pictures up soon.

My migraines have been just awful lately. Wish I knew what was triggering them. Please pray I will get some relief.

Taking Madison and a friend to Point Mallard water park today. Will post pictures!

So much for fun....

2009-05-28T15:26:00.001-07:00

Well, my fun has ended. A major migraine is back. I have been hurting so bad. Please pray that it will go away soon. :-(

Family Fun Center

2009-05-27T17:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a fun-filled day for us. Madison and Gabriel each brought a friend to the Family Fun Center in Hendersonville. They were able to ride a virtual roller coaster, play laser tag, ice skate, and play video games. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Allison and Madison

Matt and Gabriel

Heeathe bowling one of his 25 games of the day.

His best score was 285 and he averaged in the 250's.

Madison's favorite game. She is pretty good.

The virtual roller coaster

Can you go for an hour and half drive without a PSP, 3 Nintendo DS, 2 portable DVD players, and a video iPod?! Geesh. Talked about spoiled. And we still heard, "Are we there yet?"

Can you say slip-n-slide?

2009-05-25T22:34:00.001-07:00

Sunday afternoon fun...action shots and a posed shot with them close to one another before the fun started. Amazing! Truly, amazing..trust me. ;-)

Happy Memorial Day

2009-05-25T15:54:00.000-07:00

This Memorial Day has been different for me. You see this year I have a Veteran in my life, my boyfriend. I can't imagine the physical and mental training it took for him to be a member of the armed servies and defend his country.

How do you thank someone who gave years of his life for my freedom? Of course, it wasn't just for me....it was for YOU also. I guess I took it for granted especially this morning when I let him leave for work and I didn't thank him in person. For that, I am sorry. He deserved to hear that from my lips and not in a text.

All Veterans deserve to have someone in their life who appreciates him/her not just for folding the laundry, doing the dishes, or fixing the front door but also for the years they dedicated to our great country.

Thank you for all you gave up, all that you endured, and all you protected. I love you!

F-U-N weekend but had to pay the piper

2009-05-18T12:55:00.001-07:00

This past weekend Heeathe and I had all four kids, Gabriel, Draven, Madison, and Ghethe. On Friday, Heeathe, Madison, and I went on Gabriel's field trip to the Adventure Science Center. We had a great time at the moon walk and zero gravity exhibits. After ASC, the four of us went to Opry Mills and walked around and visited Madison's favorite store, Build-A-Bear. Then, we picked up Draven and Ghethe in Gallatin. They were very excited for the weekend to get started.

On Saturday, we all went to the Tennessee Renaissance Festival. It was so much fun. The kids enjoyed the festival and getting to see a real castle. After the castle, we noticed VERY dark clouds. Then the bottom dropped out when we got off the bus from the castle. We were all drenched except Heeathe. He is so proud of that fact. Here is a picture of us in front of the castle after our tour.

All four kids with the knight outside the castle.

I tried to post the pictures of us soaking wet but they wouldn't post for some reason. :-( You would have really enjoyed the before and after looks. After the festival, we came home and all got hot baths after the drenching we received.

On Sunday, my fibromyalgia really reared its ugly head. I knew after Saturday it would be bad but didn't think it would be as bad as it was. Heeathe was a great sport and kept all four kids while I stayed in bed ALL day in immense pain. Nothing seemed to help. I finally got out of bed when it was time to take Draven and Ghethe home. Still in pain but wanted to go with everyone. While I was in bed, the kids used our new slip-n-slide and they got soaked AGAIN but this time on purpose.

All-in-all it was a great weekend. It was worth all the pain but it will take several days before the major aches and pains are gone.

Hope you enjoyed the pics.

Various Things

2009-05-13T20:20:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been so long since I posted. It has been crazy around here.

Tonight my fibromyalgia decided to start flaring in my neck and shoulders. To say the least, I am in pain. Of course, the pain meds are NOT helping. I hope this flare won't last too long.

Tomorrow I will be helping my bff at a horse show in Columbia, TN. Please pray for a great show and that all will go well.

On Friday, Gabriel's class will be going to the Adventure Science Center in Nashville. Heeathe, Madison, and I will be joining him. After that, we will pick up Heeathe's kids, Draven and Ghethe. Not sure what we will do Friday but on Saturday we are going to the Renaissance Festival near Murfreesboro. Let's pray it doesn't rain.

As you can see, it is supposed to be a busy week and the worst time for a flare. I hope my body will heal quickly and I can make all these activities.

A Busy Sunday.....

2009-05-04T18:28:00.001-07:00

.....to say the least!!!

Madison, Heeathe, and Gabriel acting silly in the mall at Dairy Queen

Gabriel playing our favorite game at Chuck-E-Cheese

Allison and Madison showing off how many tickets they won.

Sunday was a busy day for us. First, we had an extra person in the house, Allison. We all went to church and our small group about 40 days of Love. Then the craziness started. Since we ate lunch at the church before our small group started, we headed to Cool Springs for a day of fun. First, we went to Chuck-E-Cheese and the kids had a blast playing games. The place was a zoo. We stayed about an hour and then left and went to Cool Springs Mall to visit Dairy Queen. The kids enjoyed chocolate covered cones while Heeathe had a hot fudge sundae and I had a Pina Colada Julius. Next came an event Heeathe had been waiting to see for quite some time....the movie "Earth." It was a great movie. It was very educational and the kids seemed to enjoy getting to see it and all that nature holds.

Even though I was glad to be with the kids, the day wiped me out. I have had a terrible migraine all day. Maybe it won't last two weeks like my last one.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures of our busy Sunday.............

This and That

2009-05-02T11:49:00.000-07:00

It is wet here in Tennessee. It has poured for two days. Gabriel was supposed to go on a camp out with his Boy Scout Troop but it was raining way too much. There must be something about his camp outs. The last time he was supposed to go on a camp out the temperature was supposed to be 20below that night so it was cancelled.

Tonight I am going to a horse show with my friend, who is an equine photographer. It will be a late, LATE night. Last night she got home at 2AM. YIKES!!! Oh well, guess it is good I am having a lazy Saturday afternoon.

Thanks to Sherlock from Sherlock's stuff, www.stuffhappens1.blogspot.com, for giving me the following award, Premio Dardos Award. This is Italian for Prize Darts. ;-)

Here’s the purpose of the award:The Prémio Dardos is given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing. These stamps were created with the intention of promoting fraternization between bloggers, a way of showing affection and gratitude for work that adds value to the Web.

These are the rules:

1.Accept the award by posting on your blog along with the name of the person that has granted the award and a link to his/her blog.

2.Pass the award to another 10 blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment, remembering to contact each of them to let them know they've been selected for this award.

I am working on my ten and will have them for you soon.............

Hope everyone is having a great Saturday.

My great nieces at Easter

2009-04-20T18:20:00.000-07:00

Lexie trying out the tricycle (still needs to grow some).

She was SO cute hunting eggs!!!

My precious Lexie (Sidenote: She now says baby, bye, momma, daddy, blows kisses, knows her eyes, belly button, and nose-A genius in the making!)

Emma Marie at six days old

Bright eyes in Aunt Chelle's lap

See my cute pink bow?

Hope everyone enjoys the pictures.

Sorry for the wait.

Has it been over a week?!

2009-04-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been so long since I posted last. I tried posting the Easter pictures but it wouldn't let me. :-( I will post them as soon as it will allow me. Lexie was so cute hunting Easter eggs for the first time and little Emma was so tiny. She looks like a porcelain baby doll. Her mommy says she just eats and sleeps.

Gabriel and Madison had a good Easter and we had our annual "Easter Mommy" gifts. Since I don't have them every Easter, I started Easter Mommy for them to get gifts from me on years that they aren't with me. Well, this year they decided they would rather Easter Mommy come than the Easter Bunny. Go figure. They received two new games, candy, bubbles, and Crayola 3-D chalk.

Well, the migraine is still sticking around. It will go away at the oddest times and then-BOOM-it is back!!! It is such a pain in the neck but most of you know that.

Heeathe and I are now attending Maury Hills church of Christ and really enjoying it. I have found my new church family and home. It is so exhilarating to have this back. It is my prayer that everyone will be happy that I have this back and not dwell on the fact that this is not a "traditional" church of Christ. Please pray for this as well.

Hope you are having a wonderful Spring day!!!

Still in ugh mode...

2009-04-12T17:44:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, the migraine is still with me and going full blast. I was able to go to Easter service at Maury Hills in Columbia with Heeathe and the kids. The kids had a great Easter from my parents, myself, and the Easter Bunny.

Please pray for the headache to go away and for my back and legs to stop hurting. The stormy weather is playing havoc with my chronic illnesses. I hope you are all doing well. I have new pictures of Lexie and Emma to post. Enjoy. I will post them tonight.

Ugh...another ugh...

2009-04-11T06:08:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, a bad migraine started and it is still going full force. It has been a major problem and it seems like it isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The weather yesterday didn't help any. Please pray the headache will leave soon as we have a busy Easter.

Please pray

2009-04-10T11:52:00.000-07:00

Tennessee is having severe storms today. Murfreesboro, where Heeathe and Amy live, has been hit hard. I also have several friends who live there. Please say a prayer for all of Tennessee and those people who are in harms way. Thank you.

Welcome to the world...

2009-04-07T13:44:00.001-07:00

Meet Emma Marie Davis. She was born April 6th

5lbs. 7oz.

18 1/2 inches

Proud sister, Lexie, will see her for the first time tonight.

I hope to get a picture of that.

Enjoy!!

Just for you to see.........

2009-04-04T07:07:00.000-07:00

April Birthdays

2009-03-31T18:22:00.000-07:00

This Friday my son, Gabriel, will turn eleven. It is also my mom's birthday. Tonight we celebrated early and had a great time with cake, ice cream, pizza, and of course, presents. Enjoy the pictures!

Greetings from Gulf Shores

2009-03-29T18:30:00.000-07:00

On Friday, Heeathe and I left Tennessee for Gulf Shores. The weather was bad on Friday but Saturday and Sunday were great. We had such a great time! We stayed at the Staybridge Suites which was about 3miles from the beach. It was very nice.

Gulf Shores has a Target and we were frequent visitors. Three trips in two days. :-) Yes, I am a Target junkie. On Saturday, we walked the beach, talked, wrote in the sand, got very wet from the wild waves, and even got sunburned. We ate at The Hangout for lunch on Saturday and it was a great restaurant and the best part was it was right on the beach. Sunday on our way home we ate at Lamberts, home of the throwed rolls. If you have never been, you need to go. It is an experience all in itself.

I am glad to be home safe and sound but already planning my next beach trip. The long car trip was hard on the fibromyalgia and on Saturday, I got a migraine. At least, these things did not ruin our trip.

Oh, yeh! I guess I should say...blog meet Heeathe. Heeathe meet blog! Heeathe and I have been dating a little over five weeks. He is a great guy and the kids really like him. So do I! :-)

I STILL can't believe it...

2009-03-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday Heeathe and I took Gabriel and Madison to Circus World in Hendersonville. The kids had so much fun. They could ride bumper cards, ride a virtual roller coaster, play laser tag, go ice skating, or play arcade games. Gabriel's favorite was laser tag by far. Madison, on the other hand, LOVED ice skating. She wasn't sure about it so I thought Heeathe was planning to help her but he had other ideas. He bought tickets for both of us. Yes, me too. I was never good at ice skating and it had been at least twenty years since I had been on the ice. Not certain what came over me but I did get on the ice. I fell once as soon as I got on the ice but Heeathe was very supportive and strong...thank goodness. Everyone tried ice skating but Madison enjoyed it the most.

Am I thankful?

2009-03-17T15:54:00.000-07:00

Today on the Oprah show she interviewed Montel Williams about his MS. She also heard from Scott Hamilton, Fran Drescher, and Magic Johnson about their conditions. All of them said one thing...they were thankful to God for bringing these struggles into their lives.

It made me truly think. Am I thankful God blessed me with my illnesses? At the moment, I must be truthful and so no, I am not thankful. Most days I hurt beyond belief and have a headache that has been with me for days or weeks. It has caused me to be an angry mom and one that yells at everything. It has also kept me from being a better friend, aunt, sister, and daughter. I must learn to deal with these diseases and see them as stepping stones in my relationship with God.

Sunday I took a major step in the right direction. I went to church for the first time in a very long time. The church is located in Columbia and I really, really enjoyed it. It is my prayer that the leaders and members will help in my struggles and see that God truly has a reason for me to be presented with this pain. Until I can accept my crosses, please pray I can do it quickly and with great character.

My Lexie Is One Years Old

2009-03-08T17:07:00.000-07:00

On March 8th, 2008, our family was blessed with a precious baby girl named Alexus Caprice. We call her Lexie. Here are pictures of her birth and the small party that Madison, Gabriel, and I had for her today.

She didn't like her cake Madison made with her easy bake oven. She wouldn't even try it. We sang to her and made her picture, obviously.

She got a new toy from my parents, her great grandparents. Boy did she like it!! She is so smart. She knew how to work it instantly!

After a long day of celebrating, she was out for over an hour in my lap! What a precious angel!

She is walking and talking. She can say momma, daddy, bye, ball, and I am sure many more things. When she started to leave, she lined us up and gave everyone kisses. She is just a precious creature from the Lord. God Bless her and her family.

My brilliant children...

2009-03-05T17:10:00.001-08:00

...I know I am biased. I promised Science Fair pics. Tonight was the county Science fair. Gabriel nor Madison placed but each received a certificate. Above are the pics they didn't want to take but they humored me.

Madison is in 3rd grade and placed 2nd at her school. Her project was "What is the elasticity of gummi worms?" Gabriel is in 5th grade and placed 2nd at his school. His project was "Does Skittles have a dominant color?" There were two brother and sister teams at Oak Grove which I thought was really cool! Enjoy the pics!

Things are warming up in Tennessee. We are supposed to be in the 70s all weekend. I can't wait. Sunday I will have my great niece who turns one on March 8th. I will take pics of her walking and maybe even a video.

It is my pray that you are having a pain free week. I think of my "web" friends. I can't wait to hear from you.

Not much

2009-03-03T16:23:00.000-08:00

...to talk about tonight. Snow is still lingering but school is open tomorrow. Big bummer for the kids. :-) An old wives' tail is that if the snow lingers, it is waiting on another snow. Let's hope not. I am ready for spring. The cold weather has been hard on the fibro symptoms. I've only had two migraines this week. I know only two. The doctor changed my meds again and let's hope it will work. I am afraid the change will make me very groggy every day. Not sure if I will be able to drive.

On another note, things are going great in my personal life. I am trying not to dwell on the medical problems. It is hard not to get down in the dumps but I am doing my best to stay positive which will help me in the overall scheme of things.

Later in the week, I hope to blog on some fibromyalgia issues.

Please pray for us and my disability claim. Times are getting tough with late payments, medical bills, house payments, etc.

SNOW

2009-03-01T16:12:00.000-08:00

You read it right, ladies and gentleman. We had 6-8 inches of snow this morning. It started sleeting last night then the snow began to fall. There were some HUGE snowflakes falling. Six-eight inches of snow in Middle Tennessee is usually more than we get in a total year!!! It was beautiful to see and the kids enjoyed playing in it. It was just right for snow balls and snow persons. :-)

Last week was a hard week for me. I had two headaches that just debilitated me. It is so frustrating knowing that I am sick but the disability insurance companies just give you the same old same old. Their doctors say I am fit to work at a sedentary position. How am I supposed to work when I am in the bed three to six day a week? I don't know of any positions that can be held while heavily medicated and while being horizontal. There are many out there who experience this same thing. I am trying hard not to complain but guess what...I am not doing a very good job! :-(

Please keep me in your prayers and if you would, please pray that I will trust in the Lord to know that he will take care of my kids and me each and everyday.

Love to all my web friends. If we never meet, it is wonderful to hear from you each and every time you post on my blog. It encourages me and brightens my day.

Science Fair & Migraine

2009-02-24T17:55:00.000-08:00

Madison and Gabriel each won 2nd place in the Science Fair for 3rd & 5th grades respectively. They were so excited especially since they won $20. Now they will compete in the county Science Fair next week. I will post pictures later.

Today has been a rough day for migraines. I stayed in bed all day until it was time for the Science Fair. The pain has been been so debilitating. Please pray for me.

Thanks.

Let's go to the movies........

2009-02-22T15:25:00.000-08:00

Does anyone remember that scene in "Annie" when Daddy Warbucks takes Annie to Radio City Music Hall and they sing "Let's go to the Movies?" I have been humming that song all day.

Is anyone watching the Oscars? Who is your favorite actor/actress? Favorite movie? I have to admit I haven't seen any of the nominated movies this year. Just couldn't seem to find the time. I really want to see "Doubt", "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", and "Slumdog Millionaire."

It has been a crazy weekend. I came down with a virus on Friday and it is still holding me back but today has been science fair day at our house. Madison's project is titled "What is the Elasticity of Gummi Worms?" Gabriel's is "Colored Candies." He is trying to see if Skittles have a dominant color in each package. Let's hope he gets a good grade. Madison is just entering for the prize money. :-) Truthfully, only the fifth grade had to participate for a grade and it was voluntary for everyone else.

Will I stay single forever?

2009-02-21T12:56:00.000-08:00

In 2006, my divorce was final after a ten year marriage. Not only was it hard on the kids, but it was also emotionally hard on me. My diseases caused me great trouble but they were not the reason we divorced. Many other circumstances.

Since my divorce, I have not dated anyone. Mainly, I haven't dated because I didn't think my children were ready.

So, will I be single forever or can I find someone who loves me for me and can handle the chronic illnesses I bring to the table?

Have any of you experienced this and if so, what is your story?

Terrible Virus

2009-02-20T12:35:00.000-08:00

Imagine my surprise when I woke in the middle of the night and realized I had a bad virus. Luckily, the kids weren't here. They are staying with their dad tonight so I can rest up for tomorrow. Gabriel mentioned on Tuesday that a bug was going around school and the medicine for my scleritis causes my immune system to be comprimised. They can bring things home and never get sick but I do.

Let's hope tonight will do the trick and I will be better by Saturday. Madison is selling cookies with her Girl Scout troop and I am one of the mom's in charge.

Whenever another illness hits me, it always makes the fibromyalgia go crazy. Please pray that it will calm down and I will be able to be mommy tomorrow.

Here's a recap

2009-02-18T12:05:00.000-08:00

My illnesses began in 2005 with a diagnosis of scleritis which is an autoimmune disease of the eye. The disease attacks the white layer of the eye and eats away at it. I have been on three different medications for the scleritis. My first medication was an oral form of chemotherapy that made me extremely sick. Next they tried an IV medication that I couldn't take due to the fact that it made my heart race. Now, I am Cellcept and it has kept the disease at bay since 2006. My doctor for this disease is at Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute where they have a total department dedicated to autoimmune diseases of the eye.

Shortly after the diagnosis of scleritis, I began hurting in my shoulders, neck, hips, and legs. That is when I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It has been a long battle with this disease. It took three rheumatologists before I found the BEST doctor in the world at Vanderbilt Medical Center. I battle this disease daily with pain, fatigue, fibro fog, and many other symptoms.

My third diagnosis, migraines, had been occurring for over ten years but when the scleritis and fibromyalgia began the migraines began full steam ahead. Currently, I average 2-4 migraines a week and they can last anywhere from 2-14 days. You could say I am considered a frequent flyer at the emergency room. In the past two years, I have been over twenty times and was hospitalized for three days in 2008.

2008 brought another autoimmune disease into my life, Hoshimoto's disease. Hoshimoto's is a thyroid disease. My body is again attacking itself. I am on medication to keep my thyroid levels at a normal range but so far, it is too early to tell. This is a fairly new diagnosis for me and I am dealing with the symptoms as best I can.

Last year I turned thirty-three. My son is ten almost eleven and my daughter is nine. My children have suffered so much from my diseases. I am not the mommy I used to be. We can't make plans days in advance because I never know what the future may bring. The kids try to understand but it is difficult for them to truly understand how sick mommy is. They want the mommy who used to take them to the movies, Chuck-E-Cheese, the park, just about anywhere and acted as young as they did. That mommy could do anything. She was invincible. Now my children come home from school and usually the first words out of their mouths are "Mommy, are you sick today?" They know the signs of feeling well and feeling bad. If my hair is fixed and makeup on, they want to know where we are going because it is rare I am able to do this. I can't go to the grocery store, the pharmacy, school, anywhere I suppose.

For almost ten years, I worked at a bank. For seven of those years, I was a loan officer. When I began getting sick, my bosses were behind me 100%. As the years went on, I was accused of lying about being sick, accused of being sick but actually being at the mall just because my car was in the garage and a drive-by was done by bank officials and the house looked empty. It was in my favor that I was covered by the Family Medical Leave Act. Then in 2007, I missed one day over the allowance in the law and was put on thirty days suspension for my attendance record. By putting me on suspension, it guaranteed them I would not be eligible for FMLA in 2008. On December 17, 2007, one month after my suspension, I met with my bosses. My doctors' reports could not tell them I was better because of the one month suspension (which the bosses said was to help me get better, yeah right) so I was let go. I received disability from a private insurance company but that has just run out. Currently, I am appealing this decision and waiting to hear from my social security disability application. Things are getting very tough and the added stress of finances just causes all the illnesses to go full steam ahead.

I am very fortunate to have wonderful friends and family. Some go to the grocery store for me, hold my hand at the ER, even become Santa for my kids. My family worries about me and does not understand the full extent of my diseases and how debilitating they are. As I said in an earlier post, when you look good everyone thinks you are fine. Most of you know that is not the case.

Please pray for my family and my many diseases. Pray that the Lord will give me the strength to be a good mother, handle my diseases, and all that life has to throw at me.

Sorry the post is so long but I wanted to give a quick recap for my new readers.

Welcome Prof S readers

2009-02-17T13:10:00.001-08:00

It is so nice to have you. I am working on a blog about my conditions, the job I used to have, and lots of other facts about me. :-)

Fibromyalgia Television Ads

2009-02-17T06:15:00.000-08:00

How many of you have seen the TV commercials for Lyrica, a medication to treat Fibromyalgia? I have and they anger me in many ways. Most of them start with a women talking about the symptoms and then saying fibromyalgia will not stop them from doing what they want. In comes Lyrica for them. If you have fibromyalgia, you know there is NOT a miracle drug out there and that most of us don't just stop our lives and give up. We go on but we go on with pain each and everyday. This commercial does not represent most fibromyalgia patients. Why can't we have a truthful representation of our illness?

Tough times

2009-02-16T17:40:00.000-08:00

It has been a rough week. Migraines, fibromyalgia flares, you name it. These diseases are SO discrimated against. If I was crippled, no one would ever question my aches and pains; but since all my illnesses are undetactable based on looks, people always assume I am lying about feeling bad. It would be nice to know how to solve this problem.

Have any of you experienced this and if so, how did you handle it?

It's been awhile

2009-02-13T14:48:00.000-08:00

Sorry it's been awhile since I posted. At the moment, I am in the middle of a major fibromyalgia flare AND a terrible migraine. The flare started on Tuesday when the front came through Middle Tennessee. The doctors changed my medicine in hopes that the flare will stop soon. It has been very debilitating. Since Tuesday, I have been in the bed pretty much all day.

It is hard to describe this pain to those who don't experience it. The best description of this flare is a burning and aching in my legs from top to bottom. It hurts to move. With the migraine, it pretty much hurts to do anything.

Please pray for me and my health.

Lost count

2009-02-04T16:15:00.000-08:00

I have lost count on how many days this headache has been raging. If it is not some better by 8pm tonight, I am going to the ER. Please pray it will get better. My parents had to keep the kids tonight because I was too sick.

Clarification on House episode post

2009-01-26T13:06:00.000-08:00

This morning when I checked my email I had a new comment on the blog from Lisa Copen. She put my entire post as well as the about me portion on her website, http://www.invisibleillnessblog.com/. This site had so much information on it. I had no idea there was an invisible illness week in September. We need to shed more light on this great cause.

However, I need to clarify somethings about my post on the House TV Episode. The episode did end with the patient being cured and leaving to live a life free of pain. Oh, how I wish for that day. Even though his outcome was able to be resolved and he did not have a chronic illness, I still am happy that chronic illness made it to prime time television. He had been to seven specialists in three years. How many of us have experienced that? I have. I went through three rheumatologists before finding the right fit. This doesn't take into account the neurologists, endocrinologists, and family doctors.

To me, this episode showed how chronic pain can wear on the nerves of the patients and families. Please know that I do not want to kill myself but being at your wits end is different for everyone. Maybe someday chronic illness will be depicted in a manner we all can be proud.

The TV Show House

2009-01-23T13:11:00.000-08:00

On Monday's episode of House, the patient had chronic pain and had been to seven specialists in three years. The whole episode hit very close to home. I wish I could put this episode on a DVD and hand it out to everyone who tells me...well, you look good. It is hard each and everyday and most days the pain is not visible. Please keep my family in your prayers, especially my kids. My illness is just as hard on them as it is on me.

Lucky them

2009-01-16T07:44:00.000-08:00

The kids are out of school today because of the weather. They are also out on Monday so they are getting a four day weekend.

Please pray for Gabriel today and tonight. He is going on a camping trip with the boy scouts in this severe weather. This mom is not in favor of the trip but it is out of my hands. Please pray he stays warm and understands how to keep himself safe in this cold, cold, COLD weather.

Update on Chris Anne and her mom, Angie

2009-01-12T15:54:00.001-08:00

My dear friend, Angie, gave birth to a wonderful bundle of joy on January 1st as I posted earlier. Chris Anne had some issues with jaundice after going home from the hospital but they were able to take care of it without going back in for treatment. My friend, Angie, was not so lucky. She developed Toxemia AFTER the birth which is rare. She had experienced high blood pressures with both her other pregnancies but never Toxemia. She had to go back into the hospital for three days (last Thursday to Saturday) for treatment of the Toxemia, terrible headaches, and neck pain. She is still sore in her neck and has to be on blood pressure medicine for now.

I saw Chris Anne and Angie today and the baby has grown. It was such a treat to hold her AND feed her. Angie is still not feeling well but everyone is glad to be home. Chris Anne is not yet ready to be here as she just sleeps, eats, and goes to the bathroom until today when she stayed awake for an hour just looking around the room. Her big sister, Masie, says, "I love her." Masie gave me a tour of the baby's room which used to be her's. She is now living with her big sister, Kayla. Are you confused yet?! :-)

Please pray for this young family.

It is TIME

2009-01-06T18:05:00.000-08:00

As the new year begins, many of us will make resolutions for 2009. This year I have decided NOT to make any resolutions but rather to make lifestyle changes.

With my health worsening, it is time for some major changes. Less fried foods, ice cream, and fast foods. More fresh vegetables, fruits, and most importantly, Exercise!!!

Please pray that I can embrace these new lifestyle changes and that they will have a positive impact on my health.

Meet Chris Anne Richter

2009-01-03T16:22:00.000-08:00

My friends Chris and Angie Richter are the proud parents of a baby girl. Chris Anne was born January 1st at 4:38am. She is 19 inches long and weighs 6lbs 2oz. She has two proud big sisters, Kayla, 10 and Masie, 4. Chris Anne was the first baby of the new year in Marshall and Maury counties.

More family pictures

2008-12-29T18:05:00.001-08:00

As a Christmas present for my parents, we had a photoshoot at my house of everyone who could come. All grandchildren but three were able to make it. Enjoy the pictures.

Gabriel, me, Madison

Lexie

Tamara and her fiance, Chris

Kaitlyn and her daughter, Lexie

Amy and Libby

Christmas pictures

2008-12-28T15:12:00.000-08:00

Our family had a good Christmas. Gabriel and Madison have enough new toys to play non-stop for a month. As many of you know, this was Lexie's first Christmas. She was so much fun to watch. She got tons of presents and like most babies, played with the boxes. :-) My pictures are out of order. Sorry. I included a before and after of our tree.

Santa Claus is coming to town...

2008-12-24T11:50:00.000-08:00

It is Christmas Eve and hopefully you are ready for Christmas day. My family is. We have baked the cookies for Santa, have the milk, even made him a card. Now, we are just waiting to see what the big guy will bring us on Christmas morning. Madison is hoping for a Pixos Super Studio and Gabriel is hoping for Lego Castle set or the Nerf gun for Wii. We know Santa won't disappoint because well, he IS Santa and we have been good all year long (mostly). :-)

Tonight we are celebrating my birthday with mom and dad. Thirty-three years ago they brought me home in a huge Christmas Stocking from Baptist hospital. My sisters were NOT happy with me being born on Christmas Eve. They didn't get to open any of their presents until my mom came home from the hospital. Talk about getting off on the wrong foot. I am pretty sure we have mended that fence, though.

Wishing each of you a Merry Christmas and stress-free day. Hope you have plenty to eat, lots of presents, and fun with your families.

One week and counting

2008-12-18T18:15:00.000-08:00

Christmas is only a week...A WEEK...away. It seems like this year has flown by and I am still not completely ready for the holidays. Maybe soon. We have a dentist appointment tomorrow and hope to finish the rest of my shopping.

I have had a migraine for eight straight days. Today a trip to the ER was required but I am sad to report my headache is back. Ugh. It is so frustrating.

Christmas

2008-12-08T12:48:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it is already December 8th?! Where has the year gone?

We still need to put up our Christmas tree. I am running late this year with that task. Hopefully I will get it done this week.

So, are you ready for Christmas? Besides the tree, I am pretty much prepared.

Would love to hear your Christmas family traditions....

Before or after

2008-12-02T19:54:00.000-08:00

Do you put your tree up before or after Thanksgiving? This year I have noticed more Christmas decorations up before, well before, Thanksgiving.

So, what is your opinion...

A guest blogger...

2008-11-28T17:37:00.000-08:00

Do you like books?

BY
MADISON HEAD

Do you like books, I do. There are many different kinds. Like Joody moody, Junie b. Jones, Magic tree house,and other books. My favorite is Joody Moody. What is yours. I love reading. Do you. I also like to take tests over them. I like to make 100’s. Do you. I like to look at the pictures,because it tell’s you what’s happening. Chapter books don’t have pictures, but it dosen’t mater what tipe of books you read. Even if there small, or big. It justs maters if you have a book ,and if you don’t like to read , it dosen’tmater.

Enjoy these pics from our "family" photographer

2008-11-27T17:27:00.000-08:00

Lexie at almost 9 mos
Gabriel, 10; Madison, 9

Sniff, Happy, Sniff again, Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T17:22:00.000-08:00

Hope you all have had a Happy Thanksgiving. It has definitely been a memorable day for my family. A Pyrex dish EXPLODED at my mom's and ruined all the food except the meat and desserts. I felt so sorry for her. She had been cooking for three days and we had to rake the majority of the food into trash. However, we do have something to be thankful for this year. Madison and Lexie were playing near the dish when it exploded and neither of them were hurt.

I am also thankful for my daughter, son, parents, and extended family and friends. Happy Turkey Day to you all!

A person's medals

2008-11-23T13:57:00.001-08:00

As children, we all had field days. The winners in each race or activity would receive a medal (or ribbon). When you are little, that medal means the world to you. Madison received a medal from the swim league championships this year and she was so excited. It was HER medal; and it represented all the practices, meets, drills, and coachings she had received which allowed her to win the medal.

Another situation that I will always think of concerning medals are the survivor medals given at all Relay For Life events. This medal is VERY symbolic of the journey each cancer person goes through but when presented to one survivor, it becomes their journey. It is their victory over a dreaded disease and all that encompasses such as doctor visits, treatments, hospital stays, and dependance on others during the process.

As adults we don't normally receive medals but I think many people should. The couple who adopts a needy family for Christmas should get a medal. They allow the magic of Christmas to continue for a family that would have had a dreary day. The best friends who do anything asked. ANYTHING from babysitting, cooking, driving, groceries, to holding your hand at the doctor and ER. The family member and friends who pray for a multitude of people for many different reasons. Last but not least, the niece who texts during a favorite show just to make her aunt feel better and more loved.

All these people deserve medals in my book. Not just one medal but one medal for each selfless act. You all stand on a podium with medals in hand. My champions!!!

Food for thought...

2008-11-21T19:43:00.000-08:00

...as we approach Thanksgiving.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Migraine, migraine go away

2008-11-20T17:19:00.000-08:00

It has been four days since my migraine started. No trip to the ER yet but I probably should go. Please pray the headache will soon go away.

Ten days and counting...

2008-11-09T12:40:00.000-08:00

It has been ten days since my last migraine started. This has been one of the worst ones and I don't know how to get rid of it. Two trips to the ER, heavy doses of steroids, you name it. I have tried it.

Please pray it will soon subside. It has been a miserable ten days. :-(

migraine, Migraine, MIGRAINE

2008-11-06T18:55:00.000-08:00

It has been a rough week. My migraine started last Friday night and I have been in immense pain everyday. So far, the migraine has required two trips to the ER.

Please pray for me. I want to be better while I have the kids the weekend.

Don't forget

2008-11-03T15:14:00.000-08:00

As most know, Tuesday is election day. Even though many are already reporting the winner, every vote is important. If you haven't voted, please take the time to go tomorrow. For those who voted early, thank you!

Happy Halloween...

2008-10-29T18:16:00.001-07:00

...from my great neice, Libby. :-)

I KNOW

2008-10-25T08:55:00.000-07:00

The group that sang "Amazing Grace" is Il divo. You can read about them at ildivo.com.

PLEASE HELP ME

2008-10-24T14:21:00.001-07:00

What is the name of the group who sang "Amazing Grace" on Oprah Friday, October 24th????!!!

Go the dentist, rinse and repeat

2008-10-24T12:31:00.000-07:00

Apparently, I had an abscessed tooth two weeks ago instead of a deep cavity. It has been a VERY long two weeks but today the dentist did a root canal and made it all better. I hope...I am still numb.

Things have been about the same around here. Madison is having a friend over tonight. She will be excited. Gabriel and I will probably just hang out and watch movies.

A happy belated birthday to my dad, October 22.

Greetings from Tampa

2008-10-18T08:58:00.000-07:00

I am in Tampa this weekend for the Florida Walking & Racking Horse Championship. It has been a fun experience. My good friend is making curtain shots and I am the "assistant" which is funny because I know NOTHING about horses. I did hold the reins on one the other day which amazed many.

We are going to Pensacola and Andalusia, AL to make pictures on the way home. I may even get a few hours at the beach but not much.

My new great niece..

2008-10-13T16:47:00.000-07:00

I mean great puppy, Libby. My niece, Amy, got her on Saturday. She is a miniature Dachshund.

Please pray for me. Going to the dentist tomorrow for a root canal. :-(

A WHAT?!

2008-10-12T14:17:00.000-07:00

Just what everyone dreads...the dentist. I do not like to go to the dentist and on Friday, I found out I had an abscessed tooth. It is killing me to say the least. Did I mention I don't like the dentist? Now I have to have a root canal and cap. YUCK!

MIA

2008-10-05T18:52:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been missing in action for awhile. It has been a crazy time. Still trying to get into the groove with the kids and school.

Also, trying to get the entire family eating healthier and exercising. We all have a reason to try and improve our lives whether it is learning to eat new foods or learning to turn down others. We also HAVE to get more active to help us lose weight and gain mobility. Please pray our family can handle all these new changes.

Miss you all!!

That time

2008-09-27T19:29:00.000-07:00

It is time for my quarterly check-up at John Hopkins for my eye. I will be flying to Baltimore on Monday for my appointment at 12:15pm and then flying back to Nashville at 5:30pm. Thanks to my bff and another close friend, I won't have to drive to/from the airport. It is such a long day and with the meds I am on, it makes it a hard day for me to drive and make the round trip. I appreciate all the sacrifices my friends are making to help me. They are very dear to me. Love you both!

More news to come after the appointment...

PRAYERS ANSWERED

2008-09-17T10:21:00.000-07:00

With the bank, I had long-term disability policy. In November, papers were filed and processes started to begin long-term disability. It has been a long ten months.

The claim was denied once BUT has now been approved for a one year term. This will help a great deal.

Please continue to pray for both the disability insurance claim and the Social Security claim. It is an uphill battle but one worth fighting since my family's livelihood hangs in the balance.

Thank you for your thoughts and all the prayers on our behalf.

THOSE WORDS

2008-09-15T12:22:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday I heard THE words...well, you look good. It was hard not to scream at the person and tell them all my aches and pain. I think I will quit doing my hair and makeup so people will tell me how awful I look. At least it will match how I feel on the inside. Geesh! Is it just me?!

Here is my four...what's yours?

2008-09-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

Four places I have worked

Domino's Pizza
H&S Pharmacy No. 2
Bank of Belfast
First National Bank

Four places I have lived

Lewisburg
different location in Lewisburg
Fanning dorm at Lipscomb University
Petersburg

Four TV shows I love to watch

Grey's Anatomy
Survivor (I know, I know)
Army Wives
ER

Four favorite memories of all time

Birth of Gabriel & Madison
Gabriel's baptism
Childhood trips to summer camp
Birth of my great niece, Lexie

Four Places I would like to visit

New York City
Bahamas
Disney World with kids
Gulf Shores with kids

Can't wait to "see" your responses!

Hold on to your seats...

2008-09-10T07:06:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, my best friend loves horses. I do NOT! Our friendship is not based on my love of the four legged animal but on Monday a monumental event occurred. I held a horse. I know, I know it doesn't sound like much but trust me..IT IS! I held the horse so the mother of a young girl could position her for a picture. Someone or something must have possessed me when I volunteered to hold this beast, yes, beast.

Stop laughing at me.

Well, unfortunately, I don't have any photographic evidence but do have eye witnesses. Next time maybe I will hold one for longer than two minutes. :-)

Have a good day!

Medicine

2008-09-09T18:06:00.000-07:00

We will see in a couple months if the thyroid medicine is helping the issue with my thyroid. So far, I am still REALLY tired all the time. Maybe this will improve. Please pray that it does. I can wake up and have to go back to bed a couple hours later. Once asleep I am in bed for at least three hours. I didn't realize how bad the "tiredness" was until I had to start taking morning and afternoon naps.

Happy Birthday to my favorite daughter in the whole wide world! :-) Happy Birthday, one day early, to my niece. Love you both.

A Chuck-E-Cheese Birthday

2008-09-06T12:47:00.000-07:00

Everyone had a great time, well, maybe not everyone! :-)

Hope you enjoyed the pictures.

Birth & Death

2008-09-05T06:11:00.000-07:00

September is a month filled with wonderful memories as well as hard ones.

On September 5, 1966, my sister, Janet was born. She died on October 7, 2003 from terminal cancer. She was a wonderful sister, daughter, aunt but most of all mother who was taken all too soon from her family.

Peggy Wamble was born on August 22nd. She died on September 10, 2005, after complications from what doctors termed "routine" open-heart surgery. I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Peggy on several occasions but one stands out in my mind more than any other. On May 10, 2005, a surprise birthday party was organized for Pj. Mr. Burton, Ms. Peggy, and Dotty all made the trip from Georgia. I will never forget the look on Pj's face when she saw her family. That trip was the last Ms. Peggy made to Tennessee. A place where she had many good times...the Celebration, seeing her daughter's first house, helping build the barn, and you can't forget her first horse ride made in the rolling hills of Tennessee one fine New Year's day. It was a pleasure and privilege to know Ms. Peggy. You are missed.

September 9, 1999, my daughter was born and is now turning 9. She is very excited. Her big day will be here before we know it and we are celebrating this weekend with a party at Chuck-E-Cheese. Talk about excited. She has been counting down for days. It seems just like yesterday I was holding my hours old daughter in my arms. I have watched her joyous firsts and not so joyous firsts. I love you, sissy girl!

My first niece, Amy, was born on September, 10, 1985. She was a beautiful baby and has become an outstanding young woman. I wish her the best on her 23rd birthday. Alabama will always be her home but for now, Tennessee is her home complete with new job. Have a great birthday and I love you so much!

We are not promised a certain number of days on this earth. Please tell those you love how much they mean to you the next time you see them!

It is LATE...

2008-09-02T21:08:00.001-07:00

...and I am still awake. It is Tuesday night at 11pm and I tried to go to bed at 9:30 but my body wouldn't let me. It seems my body is trying to have a terrible fibromyalgia flare. I don't have time for this but do I really ever have time for one?! The aches and pain are horrible. My legs, back, and shoulders feel like someone hit them with a baseball bat. The only way to get minimal relief is to take pain meds and just sleep it off.

Please pray that this flare will not last long.

Stand UP to cancer

2008-09-01T15:49:00.000-07:00

This Friday, Sept. 5th, three major networks will work hand-in-hand to raise money for cancer research. Here is a link to their website: http://su2c.standup2cancer.org/. The three major networks are ABC, CBS, and NBC.

All of you know, I am a major advocate of the American Cancer Society. As the networks begin in the fight against cancer, I ask you to get involved in the fight. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with the ACS and know that ninety-four cents of every dollar goes toward research, advocacy, education, and patient services. You can reach a representative 24 hours/seven days a week. They do not provide monetary help to patients but have a network in place to link those who need help to those who will provide it.

When I learned of the networks plan, I didn't know the date of the event. I do now. September 5th. My sister's, Janet, birthday. She would have been 42 and the mother of five and grandmother of one. This disease splinters so many families. Please help us keep families together so they can create memories each and every day.

Janet, I love you and know you would beam with joy at seeing Lexie. She is sitting up, laughing, rolling over, and recognizing faces and voices. I can NEVER replace you but will love her for the both of us. Your family misses you.

Add one MORE illness...

2008-08-31T17:10:00.000-07:00

...yes, I have another autoimmune disease. The doctors have diagnosed me with hyperthyroidism. This means my thyroid does not produce enough of whatever a thyroid produces. Nice explanation, huh? :-) The name of the disease is Hashimoto's disease. It adds another pill to the morning regimen. Even with insurance, the copays on my medicines are unreal.

Please pray that the new medicine will help the thyroid condition.

TOUGH DECISIONS

2008-08-28T18:33:00.000-07:00

This post is a "support" post for someone I love and cherish very much. She recently had to make a tough decision about her future. I can't imagine how hard it was for her but she is SO special to me and I just wanted her to know how much I love her and how much I admire her courage.

You will be fine and everything will work out as God has planned. I know he will use you in many great ways for years and years to come. I've watched you grow from an infant to an amazing young lady. It is an honor and privilege to know, love, and be related to you. As always, I am proud of you!

And on a side note, congrats on your new washer and dryer! :-)

I found this on the internet and wanted to share

2008-08-25T12:23:00.000-07:00

A Letter for Doubters of Fibromyalgia

A wonderful woman who I have had the privellege of getting to know over these past few weeks wrote a beautiful letter that I would like all of you to take the time to read. As a fellow medical professional with this same disease, I feel it’s important that the message get out…
I am a 44 year old registered nurse. I want to share a few things about my experience with fibromyalgia and add a few known facts about this illness.

I never ever desired to become ill. I have always been a worker and have worked since the age of 18 years old. I use to consider myself healthy. I hadthe ambitions of becoming a nurse and fulfilled that ambition. It is not the easy way out to earn a degree. As a matter of fact many that enter nursingschool fail or quit because of the constant stress and knowledge it requires to graduate. I graduated with a 3.8 GPA with honors in 1992. I went to workas a nurse and have continued until this day. (I tell you this because if you think that most of us are “do nothings” and are lazy or crazy… you arewrong).

During my course of study, I never had the word “fibromyalgia” mentioned. It still falls short of the curriculum in most nursing schools now. However,the American Medical Association has just recently added fibromyalgia to the medical school curriculum. So, I did not make this illness up and never just decided one day to become a lunatic or a lazy hypochondriac to “get out of life’s” responsibilities. I also am NOT a druggie. I had ONE prescription drug until the age of 39.

This illness is very real. It is stigmatized worse than AIDS ever was. We, (the approximately 10-15 million Americans with this illness), are laughed at,gossiped about, and are made the subject of skepticism. So, fibromyalgia would not be the diagnosis one would make up if they wanted any sympathy. Thinkto yourself…WOULD you want this diagnosis? I suspect not. Many of us affected by this illness would rather not even tell about it because we know thatat least half the people we discuss this with will label us, ostracize us, doubt us, and just plain not believe us. I would make up something else ifI wanted to lie about being ill. I would make up something that people would believe if it was all a big hoax.

From a young age I noticed I required more sleep than others. I just brushed this off and paid no attention to it. I went to my doctor in my early twentiesabout “being tired” all the time. He just told me to “exercise more”. I did that. It made no difference. (Tired has now progressed to chronic exhaustion).

This illness was mild back then. I also developed numbness and tingling in my fingers that would come and go. I ignored this too. I would experiencetimes when I would ache everywhere and would just say “I must have a virus”. I never once thought I had a chronic life altering disease.
This illness affects people with different levels of severity. Mine progressed. They say it won’t, but it does. In my late 30’s while I was stillworking just like now, I became very ill with a “flare”. I had no idea what was going on. I felt like I was going to die. I had pain in my hands thatlasted for about 4 weeks — so severe I would cry. The numbness and tingling I had for years turned to burning pain. I was more than tired. “Tired” wouldnot describe the exhaustion no matter how much I slept or how little I slept. My knees began to hurt to the point I could not get in and out of a tubwithout help. I was hurting all over to some extent. The stiffness of fibromyalgia also sat in about that time. Stiffness all over to the point I couldnot get out of bed without help. “Fibromyalgia” was a word I had NEVER heard. But I was diagnosed by my family practice physician a few weeks later.

I am one of the lucky ones in that I have a doctor who knows that fibromyalgia is real. Many suffer this without anyone to help them.

I have never been the same since that flare that lasted about 6 weeks. I still work with much difficulty and have to support two young kids that came latein my life. Believe me, if I could quit work, I would. I push my body beyond its limits. I suffer pain now on some days that is probably equal to thatof a cancer patient. I look like I have a hangover at work most days. (I do not drink). And believe me, these symptoms were all there before I everwent on any medication. The balance and coordination problems were there. The concentration problems were there. But without medication, I would notbe able to work. Not because I enjoy paying for all the meds and doctor appointments out of pocket with no insurance. Not because I am “addicted” topills. But if not for the medications, I would be bedbound now. The meds do not get me “high” and they actually help me to function with this disease.

So, just because you cannot see this disease does not mean it is not real. Research is putting pieces of the puzzle together now. There are facts outthere which are documented by research. The whole picture has not been put together yet. But it is a disease of the Central Nervous System. FIBROMYALGIAis REAL.

Sleep studies show that fibromyalgia patients never reach the deepest level of sleep. Stage 4 sleep is absent. Studies also have shown images of the brainin people with this disease. Those images prove that even light touch or pressure on our body IS interpreted by the brain as PAIN. They have also provenby brain imaging that every stimulus such as light, sound, touch, and smell are magnified in people with fibromyalgia. It is described as the “volumebeing turned up” in our central nervous system. Studies also show that something called “substance P” in the spinal fluid is present in higher amountsthan “normal” people. Substance P is a chemical that has to do with processing pain in the central nervous system.

I would urge you to please, out of humanity, read some facts about this illness before you assume your co-worker, friend, or family member is a hypochondriac.And please consider also that most of us do not fit the mold for being a liar or lazy. Many many of us have educations, have had or have businesses thatare lucrative, and have worked all our lives. Many of us have burned the candle at both ends for years. We were not sitting on the couch eating bon bons.
Also, many I have talked to the past 5 years have lost homes, relationships, and careers because of fibromyalgia. None of us enjoy losing life asit once was so we can “make up” an illness that you cannot see but WE certainly can feel.

I do not enjoy the inability to participate in my children’s lives as they grow up. I have to stay home and rest while I miss countless activities in theirlives due to severe pain and exhaustion. All I can do is work to make the living and come home and collapse most days. I do not enjoy handing all theresponsibilities over to my husband because I am too damn sick to take care of my kids after working. I am not a hypochondriac, a liar, a “drug seeker”,or an attention seeker. I am a victim of a disease called “fibromyalgia”. I get no sympathy. I carry the same load at work that any other nurse does.

I get no assistance from the government and CANNOT even apply for disability. No one can apply for disability while they are required to keep PUSHINGtheir body to work. So what do I gain from this illness? Nothing but the risk of skepticism and ridicule.

Debra van ness,R.N.

Are you ready for some...

2008-08-23T17:15:00.000-07:00

...horses?! Yes, the Celebration has started in nearby Shelbyville, TN. If you have never been, I encourage you to go! It is fun and my kids love it.

I can't wait to go next Saturday night and see our new World Grand Champion.

Tomorrow I am going to help with the Celebration's Dog Show. It will be a lot of work but can't wait to see all the different dogs.

My health is about the same. I had a rough start this morning but took a very long nap and feel some better. Please continue to pray for my family and our daily journey with chronic illnesses.

Ear infections

2008-08-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

School has been in session for less than two weeks and both my kids are already sick. Madison was out yesterday and today with an ear infection. The doctor said she has a REALLY bad case of swimmer's ear. She is in so much pain. Gabriel missed today because of an ear infection. I will be taking him to the doctor later today.

Please pray their ears get better soon!

Please pray

2008-08-14T05:43:00.001-07:00

...because this week the disability insurance company is working on my appeal for a disabled status. This is not Social Security but a private policy I had through the bank. It takes forever when dealing with them and they are not quick with their decisions. I sent fifty-seven pages this week to make sure they had all information they needed to make a favorable decision. The insurance company said they didn't have a majority of the information BUT they did.

This would help my family so much. It has been such a struggle since leaving the bank in November. There have been more "sick" days than well days. Just this past week, I have had a migraine since Monday. The migraine in turn triggers more fibromyalgia pain. It seems to be a never ending process.

Thank you for your prayers.

First day of school

2008-08-07T16:49:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe Tuesday was Gabriel's first day of 5th and Madison's first day of 3rd grade. It is a family tradition to take "First Day of School" pictures every year.

As you can see, we are dressed in our new school shirts and both have a shiny new backpack.

Gabriel chose UT orange backpack which is extra sturdy. He went through 3 backpacks last year. He has been told the new orange backpack is his only one for the whole school year.

Madison chose a pink backpack because the store didn't have a purple one. She is my little Relayer. Purple, purple, purple. This backpack is a BIG milestone for her. At Oak Grove Elementary, you can't have a roller backpack until 3rd. She has talked about a roller backpack ALL summer. Yesterday we added key chains on the side so it would be easy to find. She have a total of six on there-four of which she made.

It seems like just yesterday we were bringing each one of them home from the hospital. Please pray we have a wonderful school year.

Speaking of bringing babies home from hospital, here is a picture of Lexie playing at my house. She will be four months old tomorrow. She is such a joy to my life and the kids love to have her at our house. They feed her, change her, and play with her until I have to make them give her a break.

My baby...

2008-08-04T15:38:00.000-07:00

...is sitting up! Well, she is not really my baby but as close as I will come to a 3rd one. Anyway, Saturday I received a flix message, a short film, which showed Lexi sitting up for 14 seconds. She is SO adorable. Just wanted to share.

One more thing to share. I have a guardian Angel, two actually. On Sunday, I got all my mail since Thursday; and in it, I found a very thick card. Inside was a gift card and a check. These two Angels have been Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny for my family. To me, they are the best friends and so thoughtful. I wanted them to know how much they mean to me and my family. You always know when my family needs just a little extra and are willing to help. Love you!!!!

It's AUGUST!!!!

2008-08-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

Good grief! I can't believe it is already August. Where did the summer go?! The kids go back to school on Tuesday. This is good, though. The kids will have structured activities again and our schedule will get back to normal.

Congrats to my niece on her new apartment! She has had a busy month but it has paid off. Love you!

Health is about the same. Migraines. Fibro. You name it. :-(

Again, again, again...

2008-07-22T17:19:00.000-07:00

You guessed it. Another migraine. It started on Wednesday night and is some better today. The doctor prescribed steroids for two days and it seems to have worked. The doctor has increased my daily preventative meds. Let's hope it helps.

While I was in hospital, they ran a test and my thyroid level was abnormal. This can cause migraines. I have an appointment with a specialist on August 1st to learn the results and what can be done.

Summer is slipping away. Next week is parent orientation at Gabriel and Madison's school. Then the next week is a half day and first full day.

Slowly...

2008-07-13T19:25:00.001-07:00

Recuperating from the hospital is taking lots longer than I had hoped. Slowly I am getting my strength back.

Summer is almost over for the kids. I can't believe they really only have about two more full weeks. Seems like summer keeps getting shorter and shorter. Soon our family will have a 3rd and 5th grade student.

Please keep praying for our family as we go through health issues, a new school year, and daily stresses.

Trip to hospital

2008-07-10T16:51:00.000-07:00

...yes, I have been in the hospital. I started a migraine on Tuesday, July 1st and it continued until the wee morning hours today. To get rid of the headache, it took two trips to our local ER and one to the Vanderbilt ER. Friday & Sunday were the Lewisburg trips and Monday night was the Vanderbilt trip. We thought the headache was gone when we left Tuesday morning at 7am but after sleeping for three hours, it came back. I spoke to my neurologist and he decided it was time to admit me to Vanderbilt.

Tuesday night was AWFUL with a capital A. I would actually describe it in a different manner but I am trying to be nice. :-) It was a very, very long night of pain, pain, and more pain. We arrived so late it was after 10pm before they even began checking me into the hospital because they scheduled an MRI as soon as we arrived. It has been a VERY LONG ten days. Hopefully the migraines will stay away as the doctor changed some of my meds.

Just wanted to let you know why I hadn't blogged lately.

I am getting worse...

2008-06-30T16:00:00.000-07:00

...at posting weekly updates. It was my hope when I started this blog to post daily or at least every other day. Well, I haven't done that. For those of you who check the blog daily, please forgive me. I will try to do better.

As far as my health, it is about the same. The pain is not any better. Wish I could report it was. The worst thing about the pain is that the pain doctor was helping but it isn't any longer. :-(

The kids are enjoying a fun summer. Swimming, swim team, trips to Aunt Melanie's, day trips with Aunt Pj, and much, much more. Some days it is hard to keep up with them but I try to use any good days and make them the best possible. The simplest thing is hard for me these days and the kids recognize that. It is my fear their childhood memories of me will be that I was always sick and couldn't do with them what I wanted.

Miss you all! Special hello to the "Easter Bunny" and to my niece who is getting old because she has a real job. :-) Love you both so much!

Relay For Life of Marshall County

2008-06-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

This past Friday-Saturday Marshall County held its annual Relay For Life. Gabriel, Madison, and I had a team this year for the first time. We raised $1,026.75. I am so proud of the kids. They had a great time at the Relay until about the last hour and then they were ready to go to bed. For those of you who aren't familiar with Relay, it is an overnight event.

This year's Relay was a great success! We even surpassed our goal of $70,000. The final total was $77,062.29!! Way to go teams, individuals, and community!

It was a hard event physically on everyone. It took most of Saturday and Sunday to get over the Relay. I took it easy most of the night but it takes a toll on you physically even when you try and take it easy.

Again, way to go Marshall County Relay!!!!