Hi Everyone,
Just a quick update and I promise on Sunday that I will try and get some updated pictures posted! I went to the Neurosurgeon on Monday and had an MRI and received a clean bill of health!!! PRAISE THE LORD FOR ANSWERED PRAYERS! I am still having a bit of hip and leg pain, but that is to be expected since the nerve was so severely pinched. The doctor said that within the next couple of weeks and by continuing to push myself to do more, it should get better. I am returning to work on the 28th.
Tomorrow, Darryl, Russell and Isaac will be going to Eastern Kentucky University for Darryl to play his state solo piece. We are so proud of him and his accomplishments. He has also decided to try out for field commander for marching band this year. Rachel and her friend Brittney are baking for our Band Fish Fry tomorrow. So far they have made 3 batches of brownies, a strawberry cake, a confetti cake (reminds me of when my Granny would make me the confetti angel food cake for my birthday), and a marble bundt cake. We have 2 more cakes to go!
I am making dinner tonight as Russell and Isaac are having a night out. They went out for dinner and are seeing Speed Racer at this very moment! Isaac didn't know where they were going, but that they were taking a "road trip". He will come home one very happy little boy. Unfortunately being 7 with a 15 yr. old and an almost 13 yr. old in the house there is not much that is about him, so this was the perfect opportunity.
We will be leaving on Friday the 23rd for Iowa; this is going to be one hard trip. I know why I am going and while I have to be an adult, I want to be a child and say please, I really don't want to go. This is going to be so hard, and leaving will be even harder as I will be saying good-bye to lots of memories and "stuff" that I just can't keep that was such an important part of my life. Plus I have to really face the truth that my daddy is really gone and that this is just not a bad dream. I ask for your prayers for our entire family for the next week and half as I am already very emotional just thinking about why we are going back.
Well, for someone who said this would be short, I guess once again my fingers just kept on moving and the words were flowing, not elegantly, but none the less were flowing.
Until Later......Love,
Tina
Friday, May 16, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
I Really Didn't Fall of the Face of the Earth
Hi Everyone,
This is a very emotional post for me, so please bear with me as I ramble on! I think God is telling me if I write what I am feeling it will help me heal and cope.
After my last post, I once again became every ill and couldn't move (only a week and a half after being home). This time when we called the Neurosurgeon his nurse said that he was on call at Baptist East and I needed to get their immediately! Unfortunately, Russell could not even get me in the van, so it required an ambulance ride (at the tune of $887) at 45 mph as for once this past winter we were getting a pretty heavy snowfall and the roads were very slick so a 45 minute ride turned into almost 2 hours. Getting admitted took forever, I'm glad I wasn't dying (so I thought).
I once again had developed a staph infection and this time is was more serious than the last. There were no warning signs or anything. So they scheduled another MRI to figure out how bad and by now the pain was uncontrollable. I was scheduled for surgery the next day and ended up with drain tubes and was considered "contagious" so I was placed in a private room. While they were dealing with the staph infection I decided to start spiking temperatures of over 103 degrees, which resulted in having a cooling blanket put on my bed and being diagnosed with a "blood infection". Later to be told by the Infectious Disease doctor that it was e-coli....how in the world I got that I don't know. I was in the hospital for a pretty long time and on major pain medication and wasn't a very pleasant person. I came home with a pic-line and IV antibiotics and had home health physical therapy, occupational therapy and a nurse that came every Monday to change the pic-line dressing and draw blood to make sure that the infection was going away. I have now been pic-line free for 4 weeks!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!
During my last stay, I received word that my daddy's cardiologist had suggested that they put in a pacemaker/defibrillator. Daddy called to see what I thought and while I wasn't sure, he was excited and thought this would give him a better shot at a longer life (as they had figured out his heart would beat at 180, go to 70, then go to 30, then stop, and start the cycle all over again). Unfortunately, God decided that it was time for Daddy to come before the surgery could even be performed. We discussed his having the surgery at the beginning of the week and by that Thursday I received a call from the hospital telling me they didn't think that he would make it through the night! I felt horribly guilty that I who having my own crisis couldn't be there with him.....he was not only my Daddy, but my best friend!!!! I was able to talk with him, however he could not even respond to me at this point. I feel very guilty because I asked him to hang in there until I could be with him, unfortunately (or fortunately) God decided that the 23rd of February was his day to be reunited with my Mom whom he had missed for the last 9 years and his father whom he lost 41 years ago. I attempted to plan his funeral while being in a "drugged" state and was unable to attend. I just have to have faith that God knew what he was doing and there was a reason that I was not meant to be there with him or attend the funeral. The grieving processes is so different for me this time, and much harder than when I lost my Mom. On several occasions I have picked up the phone to call, dialed the number only to realize that he is not there. We are going to go back to Iowa over Memorial weekend to go through things and get as much ready for the auction as we can.
I am continuing to get better, but have a long road ahead as the hip and leg pain make sitting for more than 5-10 minutes almost unbearable (thank goodness I have such a wonderful husband who bought us a laptop so I could try and stay in touch with the outside world). I have been able to finally return to church which has helped my disposition very much plus a 72 pound weight loss - not a diet I would recommend, but it has given me the motivation to keep going, I have another 25-30 to take off.
Monday we go see the Neurosurgeon and hopefully get one final MRI and a clean bill of health and something to help with the leg/hip pain so that I can return to work....please pray that all goes well.
Now on to the kids......they are so wonderful. They were all very effected by my being taken in an ambulance the last time. Darryl has been wonderful and been so very helpful when I wasn't able to be there for them. He turned 15 in April and we had a great family party at my Sister-in-law's house with most of his Aunts, Uncles and Cousins there. Darryl made it to state solo/ensemble with his Oboe Solo and performs that next Saturday while Rachel and I (not much working for me) work the major fundraiser for the Band Boosters. Darryl had his best report card since I have been a part of his life....I was so proud of him, he still has a little room for improvement, but he really worked hard and it showed. Rachel's grades continue to be exceptional, she is so driven for almost being 13! She is going to be performing a voice solo during the end of year concert and not only playing 1st chair flute, but has been asked to play with the 7th grade also. She also found out that she is going to be able to be in the color guard for the marching band, so now we not only have one at the tune of $250, but 2, which equals $500, but Russell and I are committed to making sure that they can participate because it is something that is important to both of them, plus Mom is the Treasurer for the Booster Organization. Isaac, well he is still lovable Isaac. Being 7 with a 15 yr. old and almost 13th yr. old isn't easy. In fact this week we finally figured it out that Isaac will still be in grade school when Darryl graduates from high school. He loves to be outside and could really care less about school. He is so much like his Iowa Papa. In fact, I have some pictures of my Daddy as a little boy and with the exception of the clothes he is almost a spitting image of him. Only if we could afford a real John Deere tractor he would be the happiest boy on earth!
I cannot begin to express how much of a wonderful husband I have.....I thank God everyday for leading us together. Without him every that we have been through as a family these past few months would have been impossible. He is the love of my life and even though tomorrow is Mother's Day, for a long time he played both roles and took a college class! He did a fabulous job and feel like tomorrow is just as much about him as it is me, since I wasn't much of a mom for a few months.
Russell, in case you read this I want you to know that I love you with every ounce of my being and feel very lucky that you are my husband and mate for life. Without you I am nothing, plus you have given me a large family that I adore and love with all my heart, and who have accepted me and treat me so well. Your family is very special to me. Plus, you came with a wonderful son whom I just adore and love like he is my very own! I LOVE YOU RUSSELL - Happy Mother's Day, because were both Mom and Dad when I couldn't be.
Sorry this post is so long and seemed to ramble, but it seemed as if the Lord was urging me to put my feelings into words to help me and make me a better Mom and Wife! Also, a huge thank you to all of those who prayed for me and my family.
To all my fellow family, friends and bloggers who read this HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!
Love,
Tina
This is a very emotional post for me, so please bear with me as I ramble on! I think God is telling me if I write what I am feeling it will help me heal and cope.
After my last post, I once again became every ill and couldn't move (only a week and a half after being home). This time when we called the Neurosurgeon his nurse said that he was on call at Baptist East and I needed to get their immediately! Unfortunately, Russell could not even get me in the van, so it required an ambulance ride (at the tune of $887) at 45 mph as for once this past winter we were getting a pretty heavy snowfall and the roads were very slick so a 45 minute ride turned into almost 2 hours. Getting admitted took forever, I'm glad I wasn't dying (so I thought).
I once again had developed a staph infection and this time is was more serious than the last. There were no warning signs or anything. So they scheduled another MRI to figure out how bad and by now the pain was uncontrollable. I was scheduled for surgery the next day and ended up with drain tubes and was considered "contagious" so I was placed in a private room. While they were dealing with the staph infection I decided to start spiking temperatures of over 103 degrees, which resulted in having a cooling blanket put on my bed and being diagnosed with a "blood infection". Later to be told by the Infectious Disease doctor that it was e-coli....how in the world I got that I don't know. I was in the hospital for a pretty long time and on major pain medication and wasn't a very pleasant person. I came home with a pic-line and IV antibiotics and had home health physical therapy, occupational therapy and a nurse that came every Monday to change the pic-line dressing and draw blood to make sure that the infection was going away. I have now been pic-line free for 4 weeks!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!
During my last stay, I received word that my daddy's cardiologist had suggested that they put in a pacemaker/defibrillator. Daddy called to see what I thought and while I wasn't sure, he was excited and thought this would give him a better shot at a longer life (as they had figured out his heart would beat at 180, go to 70, then go to 30, then stop, and start the cycle all over again). Unfortunately, God decided that it was time for Daddy to come before the surgery could even be performed. We discussed his having the surgery at the beginning of the week and by that Thursday I received a call from the hospital telling me they didn't think that he would make it through the night! I felt horribly guilty that I who having my own crisis couldn't be there with him.....he was not only my Daddy, but my best friend!!!! I was able to talk with him, however he could not even respond to me at this point. I feel very guilty because I asked him to hang in there until I could be with him, unfortunately (or fortunately) God decided that the 23rd of February was his day to be reunited with my Mom whom he had missed for the last 9 years and his father whom he lost 41 years ago. I attempted to plan his funeral while being in a "drugged" state and was unable to attend. I just have to have faith that God knew what he was doing and there was a reason that I was not meant to be there with him or attend the funeral. The grieving processes is so different for me this time, and much harder than when I lost my Mom. On several occasions I have picked up the phone to call, dialed the number only to realize that he is not there. We are going to go back to Iowa over Memorial weekend to go through things and get as much ready for the auction as we can.
I am continuing to get better, but have a long road ahead as the hip and leg pain make sitting for more than 5-10 minutes almost unbearable (thank goodness I have such a wonderful husband who bought us a laptop so I could try and stay in touch with the outside world). I have been able to finally return to church which has helped my disposition very much plus a 72 pound weight loss - not a diet I would recommend, but it has given me the motivation to keep going, I have another 25-30 to take off.
Monday we go see the Neurosurgeon and hopefully get one final MRI and a clean bill of health and something to help with the leg/hip pain so that I can return to work....please pray that all goes well.
Now on to the kids......they are so wonderful. They were all very effected by my being taken in an ambulance the last time. Darryl has been wonderful and been so very helpful when I wasn't able to be there for them. He turned 15 in April and we had a great family party at my Sister-in-law's house with most of his Aunts, Uncles and Cousins there. Darryl made it to state solo/ensemble with his Oboe Solo and performs that next Saturday while Rachel and I (not much working for me) work the major fundraiser for the Band Boosters. Darryl had his best report card since I have been a part of his life....I was so proud of him, he still has a little room for improvement, but he really worked hard and it showed. Rachel's grades continue to be exceptional, she is so driven for almost being 13! She is going to be performing a voice solo during the end of year concert and not only playing 1st chair flute, but has been asked to play with the 7th grade also. She also found out that she is going to be able to be in the color guard for the marching band, so now we not only have one at the tune of $250, but 2, which equals $500, but Russell and I are committed to making sure that they can participate because it is something that is important to both of them, plus Mom is the Treasurer for the Booster Organization. Isaac, well he is still lovable Isaac. Being 7 with a 15 yr. old and almost 13th yr. old isn't easy. In fact this week we finally figured it out that Isaac will still be in grade school when Darryl graduates from high school. He loves to be outside and could really care less about school. He is so much like his Iowa Papa. In fact, I have some pictures of my Daddy as a little boy and with the exception of the clothes he is almost a spitting image of him. Only if we could afford a real John Deere tractor he would be the happiest boy on earth!
I cannot begin to express how much of a wonderful husband I have.....I thank God everyday for leading us together. Without him every that we have been through as a family these past few months would have been impossible. He is the love of my life and even though tomorrow is Mother's Day, for a long time he played both roles and took a college class! He did a fabulous job and feel like tomorrow is just as much about him as it is me, since I wasn't much of a mom for a few months.
Russell, in case you read this I want you to know that I love you with every ounce of my being and feel very lucky that you are my husband and mate for life. Without you I am nothing, plus you have given me a large family that I adore and love with all my heart, and who have accepted me and treat me so well. Your family is very special to me. Plus, you came with a wonderful son whom I just adore and love like he is my very own! I LOVE YOU RUSSELL - Happy Mother's Day, because were both Mom and Dad when I couldn't be.
Sorry this post is so long and seemed to ramble, but it seemed as if the Lord was urging me to put my feelings into words to help me and make me a better Mom and Wife! Also, a huge thank you to all of those who prayed for me and my family.
To all my fellow family, friends and bloggers who read this HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!
Love,
Tina
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Long Overdue Update
Hi Everyone,
I am sorry it has been so long since I last posted. I however have been in the hospital for 7 days. We went for my Neurosurgeon appointment to have the staples removed only have them tell my to go directly to the ER and that I would be admitted, since I had managed to get an infection (guess) I ginxed myself on the last post.
We went to the ER on Tuesday, and it took them several hours to have a bed ready for me. They immediately started drawing blood and doing cultures. Also during this time I had one of the worst headaches I have ever experienced in my life. On Wednesday morning, they came to get me at 7:00 AM to do a quick cat scan of my head to see if they could figure out what was causing the headache and then took me off to surgery. I didn't even have time to call Russell for him to get there. While I was in pre-op, it was the anethesiologist who put the pieces of the puzzle together and identified that my potassium was very low and that could be what was causing my headache, so with potassium therapy my headache started to go away. The Neurosurgeon did a I&D (Incision and Drainage) on my back. Thankfully the infection had not gotten too far in my incision, but unfortunately I had managed to get bacteria into my bloodstream. I now had a Neurosurgeion and an Infectious Disease doctor coordinating my care. On Wednesday after surgery a pic line was put in my left upper arm and I continued to get 2 different IV antibiotics and blood draws on a regular basis (but those went really well since I had the pic line).
On Monday, I was finally discharged, but that took over 4 hours as the nurse had others that were having significant issues so I kept getting pushed down on the list. I am so happy to be home even though we are continuing the IV Therapy here. Once a week I go to the Infusion Therapy office for the dressing to be changed on my pic line and pick up new supplies. I get 3 doses of my IV antibiotic a day ( 7 AM/3 PM/11 PM). I have to continue this therapy for 6 weeks.
Please say a quick prayer that that IV therapy continues to work, as I don't really want to go back to the hospital anytime soon!!!
Russell and the kids are doing great considering all the extra drama I have provided. Russell has been so wonderful through all this and encouraging as my progress previously made, went out the window. They (me included) are just happy that I am back home. I really missed being with my family for those 7 days and being 45 minutes away.
Hope you are all doing well and surviving the weather.
Tina
I am sorry it has been so long since I last posted. I however have been in the hospital for 7 days. We went for my Neurosurgeon appointment to have the staples removed only have them tell my to go directly to the ER and that I would be admitted, since I had managed to get an infection (guess) I ginxed myself on the last post.
We went to the ER on Tuesday, and it took them several hours to have a bed ready for me. They immediately started drawing blood and doing cultures. Also during this time I had one of the worst headaches I have ever experienced in my life. On Wednesday morning, they came to get me at 7:00 AM to do a quick cat scan of my head to see if they could figure out what was causing the headache and then took me off to surgery. I didn't even have time to call Russell for him to get there. While I was in pre-op, it was the anethesiologist who put the pieces of the puzzle together and identified that my potassium was very low and that could be what was causing my headache, so with potassium therapy my headache started to go away. The Neurosurgeon did a I&D (Incision and Drainage) on my back. Thankfully the infection had not gotten too far in my incision, but unfortunately I had managed to get bacteria into my bloodstream. I now had a Neurosurgeion and an Infectious Disease doctor coordinating my care. On Wednesday after surgery a pic line was put in my left upper arm and I continued to get 2 different IV antibiotics and blood draws on a regular basis (but those went really well since I had the pic line).
On Monday, I was finally discharged, but that took over 4 hours as the nurse had others that were having significant issues so I kept getting pushed down on the list. I am so happy to be home even though we are continuing the IV Therapy here. Once a week I go to the Infusion Therapy office for the dressing to be changed on my pic line and pick up new supplies. I get 3 doses of my IV antibiotic a day ( 7 AM/3 PM/11 PM). I have to continue this therapy for 6 weeks.
Please say a quick prayer that that IV therapy continues to work, as I don't really want to go back to the hospital anytime soon!!!
Russell and the kids are doing great considering all the extra drama I have provided. Russell has been so wonderful through all this and encouraging as my progress previously made, went out the window. They (me included) are just happy that I am back home. I really missed being with my family for those 7 days and being 45 minutes away.
Hope you are all doing well and surviving the weather.
Tina
Friday, January 18, 2008
Tina's Surgery Update
I know this one is long overdue and apologize, but it will also be a quick one.
Surgery went well on the Jan. 10th and required a 2 day hospital stay. On a positive note to date there has been no infection (for those that know me well they know this is a major accomplishment, as I am much like my grandmother and seem to get it with no trouble after surgery). The Neurosurgeon said it went really well he performed a discectomy so the L4-L5 and L5-S1 discs. I have about 10-12 staples in my back. I am allowed to sit for 10-15 minutes at a time only and am encouraged to walk. Since it has been so cold, my walking consists of walking around the house. I can't get comfortable in bed and slept on my stomach last night and so today I am not doing so well. I don't think I should have slept on my stomach. We go see the Neurosurgeon on Jan. 22nd and at that time he will remove the staples and let me know how much physical therapy I have to have, when I can drive (YEAH!!!!!) and when I will be going back to work (which I am ready to do, since today I found out my boss resigned and will be gone by the time I get back).
Well, this is all for now, please continue to pray that I heal and can get some good sleep........also, say a prayer for Russell and Darryl as they are at a Boy Scout camping/hiking trip and doing a Klondike tomorrow! I'm just glad it is them and not me!
Stay warm....................:)
Tina
Surgery went well on the Jan. 10th and required a 2 day hospital stay. On a positive note to date there has been no infection (for those that know me well they know this is a major accomplishment, as I am much like my grandmother and seem to get it with no trouble after surgery). The Neurosurgeon said it went really well he performed a discectomy so the L4-L5 and L5-S1 discs. I have about 10-12 staples in my back. I am allowed to sit for 10-15 minutes at a time only and am encouraged to walk. Since it has been so cold, my walking consists of walking around the house. I can't get comfortable in bed and slept on my stomach last night and so today I am not doing so well. I don't think I should have slept on my stomach. We go see the Neurosurgeon on Jan. 22nd and at that time he will remove the staples and let me know how much physical therapy I have to have, when I can drive (YEAH!!!!!) and when I will be going back to work (which I am ready to do, since today I found out my boss resigned and will be gone by the time I get back).
Well, this is all for now, please continue to pray that I heal and can get some good sleep........also, say a prayer for Russell and Darryl as they are at a Boy Scout camping/hiking trip and doing a Klondike tomorrow! I'm just glad it is them and not me!
Stay warm....................:)
Tina
Monday, January 7, 2008
This Week.......
Good Monday Morning.......
This is going to be one crazy week. Darryl has play practice Monday, Tuesday and Thursday of this week. Rachel has basketball practice on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Isaac has Cub Scouts on Monday and Darryl has Boy Scouts on Thursday. Russell and I have our monthly Band Booster meeting on Tuesday (of which I am the Treasurer, but haven't been able to attend), Rachel also has chorus on Wednesday and lastly Isaac has basketball on Friday. Poor Russell has his fair share of running to do today. Here is how today really pans out, Rachel has to be at the Middle School for basketball at 5:30; Darryl has to be picked up from play practice at 5:30, Isaac has Cub Scouts from 6:30-7:30 and lastly Rachel has to be picked up at 7:00. I know he is so looking forward to my being able to help run kids again.
On another note, Russell starts classes in a couple of weeks. It is official.....on Friday, he went and registered so before long he will be able to sub for not only our school district but for any of the other 3 school districts that surround us.
Okay, I have a huge favor for all my blogger friends and family....I could really use the power of prayer on Thursday. This Thursday I have to be at Norton Suburban hospital for my back surgery. I have to be there at 2:00, and surgery is scheduled for 4:00. I doubt that I will be able to get an update posted to the blog before I come home, but I'm hoping that Russell will be able to bring the laptop with him on one of his visits and I can update you all. If not, you can consider no news good news. I know of one friend that has a blog, Leslie Clark, so maybe when Russell calls her to let her know that I did okay, she can put a quick note on her blog for me (Les, could I please ask a huge favor for you to put a quick note on your blog until I can update mine?? - you are the best!). Surgery is suppose to be routine and will last up to 3 hours. The Neurosurgeon will be removing the scar tissue from my past surgery back in '88 from a car accident, so with that comes a bit more of a risk.
I also ask that you pray for Russell and the children while I'm in the hospital (it should be no more than a couple of days). I want to send a huge thank you to my brother-in-law, Brad and sister-in-law Glenda for coming down on Thursday to stay with the kids so Russell can stay at the hospital until I am out of recovery. I have told Russell that I don't want him to feel like he has to stay forever with me that, I would much rather he be home with the kids. Besides I will be pretty out of it from surgery and will feel more up to having visitors on Friday.
Both Russell and I are very happy today.....the kids have been out of school since 3:30 on the 21st of December and returning back to school TODAY!!!!!!!!!!! We are so ready for them to be back in school, and from the moods this morning, we can tell Rachel and Isaac are excited about going back, however Darryl is not quite as excited as the others.
Well, I'm out of here to go back and lay down for a little while. I sure hope you all have a great day!
Love,
Tina
This is going to be one crazy week. Darryl has play practice Monday, Tuesday and Thursday of this week. Rachel has basketball practice on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Isaac has Cub Scouts on Monday and Darryl has Boy Scouts on Thursday. Russell and I have our monthly Band Booster meeting on Tuesday (of which I am the Treasurer, but haven't been able to attend), Rachel also has chorus on Wednesday and lastly Isaac has basketball on Friday. Poor Russell has his fair share of running to do today. Here is how today really pans out, Rachel has to be at the Middle School for basketball at 5:30; Darryl has to be picked up from play practice at 5:30, Isaac has Cub Scouts from 6:30-7:30 and lastly Rachel has to be picked up at 7:00. I know he is so looking forward to my being able to help run kids again.
On another note, Russell starts classes in a couple of weeks. It is official.....on Friday, he went and registered so before long he will be able to sub for not only our school district but for any of the other 3 school districts that surround us.
Okay, I have a huge favor for all my blogger friends and family....I could really use the power of prayer on Thursday. This Thursday I have to be at Norton Suburban hospital for my back surgery. I have to be there at 2:00, and surgery is scheduled for 4:00. I doubt that I will be able to get an update posted to the blog before I come home, but I'm hoping that Russell will be able to bring the laptop with him on one of his visits and I can update you all. If not, you can consider no news good news. I know of one friend that has a blog, Leslie Clark, so maybe when Russell calls her to let her know that I did okay, she can put a quick note on her blog for me (Les, could I please ask a huge favor for you to put a quick note on your blog until I can update mine?? - you are the best!). Surgery is suppose to be routine and will last up to 3 hours. The Neurosurgeon will be removing the scar tissue from my past surgery back in '88 from a car accident, so with that comes a bit more of a risk.
I also ask that you pray for Russell and the children while I'm in the hospital (it should be no more than a couple of days). I want to send a huge thank you to my brother-in-law, Brad and sister-in-law Glenda for coming down on Thursday to stay with the kids so Russell can stay at the hospital until I am out of recovery. I have told Russell that I don't want him to feel like he has to stay forever with me that, I would much rather he be home with the kids. Besides I will be pretty out of it from surgery and will feel more up to having visitors on Friday.
Both Russell and I are very happy today.....the kids have been out of school since 3:30 on the 21st of December and returning back to school TODAY!!!!!!!!!!! We are so ready for them to be back in school, and from the moods this morning, we can tell Rachel and Isaac are excited about going back, however Darryl is not quite as excited as the others.
Well, I'm out of here to go back and lay down for a little while. I sure hope you all have a great day!
Love,
Tina
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Holiday Update
I am sure that by now you are all thinking where has this woman been..........I will be honest with you and share that I've had a hard time staying positive and just getting out of bed, this whole ordeal with my back has taken a toll on me. I am starting to bounce back after these long 4 months and finally some positive news from the new neurosurgeon. He has determined that my condition has gotten worse since the MRI that was taken on 8/29 and will be doing surgery on January 10th at 4:00 PM at Norton Suburban Hospital in Louisville. I should only be in the hospital for a couple of days and back home to recuperate. After a couple of weeks then I will start therapy so that we can try and get some of the strength back in my left leg.
Now onto other notes......Christmas has come and gone for another year. I think all the kids were pretty happy with their gifts. Santa brought Darryl a reed kit (it will allow him to trim his reeds and hopefully they will last a bit longer) and a metronome. Rachel received a portable DVD player and iPod Shuffle, while Isaac received a Harely Davidson remote controlled truck and a "humongo" remote controlled John Deere tractor - complete with turn signals, headlights and a variety of sounds! Rachel and Darryl received a variety of other gifts, school hoodie sweatshirts, pajamas and miscellaneous clothes items. Isaac received a wide variety of John Deere tractors and implements to go with them. He has decided that he wants to move up to "bigger" tractors. Up until recently he had been receiving smaller tractors. The one gift that did not come, thanks to a horrible experience with Best Buy (and it will be a long time before I visit their store or make an online purchase), is a keyboard. We are also getting Rachel and Darryl piano lessons. We really want to get a true piano, but right now that is just not possible. Right now Isaac has absolutely no interest in sitting still long enough to learn how to play. We are hoping that it will come in another year. He is way too happy to be outside and "working".
Both Darryl and Rachel continue to excel with their musical talents. Darryl has more natural talent when it comes to playing an instrument, while Rachel has more natural talent when it comes to singing.
Russell is registering for college this week in order to get all of his credits transferred and take a couple of classes. His goal is be able to start substitute teaching once I get better (6-8 weeks after surgery). Not only is our school district having a hard time getting enough subs, but so are a couple of other counties within 10-15 minutes of us. We are really thrilled that Russell will be able to sub and it will be enough to help us get some major improvement projects completed and allow him to be home with the kids in the summer and when they are on breaks from school.
Darryl tried out for All-District Band and made 1st Chair Oboe and made the 1st cut for All-State. Unfortunately, he did not make All-State, but like we told him it is an honor to make it to the 2nd round for a freshman. Rachel has had several opportunities to sing the National Anthem at the Middle School Boys Basketball games and then she and the Middle School Choir sang for light up Bedford.
Both Darryl and Rachel had their holiday concerts and they went really well. Rachel sang a solo and played a solo on her flute. The concerts were nicely done and well attended by not only parents but the community.
We hope that you all had a joyous and happy holiday!
Love,
Tina, Russell, Darryl, Rachel & Isaac
Now onto other notes......Christmas has come and gone for another year. I think all the kids were pretty happy with their gifts. Santa brought Darryl a reed kit (it will allow him to trim his reeds and hopefully they will last a bit longer) and a metronome. Rachel received a portable DVD player and iPod Shuffle, while Isaac received a Harely Davidson remote controlled truck and a "humongo" remote controlled John Deere tractor - complete with turn signals, headlights and a variety of sounds! Rachel and Darryl received a variety of other gifts, school hoodie sweatshirts, pajamas and miscellaneous clothes items. Isaac received a wide variety of John Deere tractors and implements to go with them. He has decided that he wants to move up to "bigger" tractors. Up until recently he had been receiving smaller tractors. The one gift that did not come, thanks to a horrible experience with Best Buy (and it will be a long time before I visit their store or make an online purchase), is a keyboard. We are also getting Rachel and Darryl piano lessons. We really want to get a true piano, but right now that is just not possible. Right now Isaac has absolutely no interest in sitting still long enough to learn how to play. We are hoping that it will come in another year. He is way too happy to be outside and "working".
Both Darryl and Rachel continue to excel with their musical talents. Darryl has more natural talent when it comes to playing an instrument, while Rachel has more natural talent when it comes to singing.
Russell is registering for college this week in order to get all of his credits transferred and take a couple of classes. His goal is be able to start substitute teaching once I get better (6-8 weeks after surgery). Not only is our school district having a hard time getting enough subs, but so are a couple of other counties within 10-15 minutes of us. We are really thrilled that Russell will be able to sub and it will be enough to help us get some major improvement projects completed and allow him to be home with the kids in the summer and when they are on breaks from school.
Darryl tried out for All-District Band and made 1st Chair Oboe and made the 1st cut for All-State. Unfortunately, he did not make All-State, but like we told him it is an honor to make it to the 2nd round for a freshman. Rachel has had several opportunities to sing the National Anthem at the Middle School Boys Basketball games and then she and the Middle School Choir sang for light up Bedford.
Both Darryl and Rachel had their holiday concerts and they went really well. Rachel sang a solo and played a solo on her flute. The concerts were nicely done and well attended by not only parents but the community.
We hope that you all had a joyous and happy holiday!
Love,
Tina, Russell, Darryl, Rachel & Isaac
Thursday, November 22, 2007
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Things that we are thankful for.........
- We are thankful for our families both near and far! They continue to be there when we need them the most and love us no matter what!!
- We are thankful for healthy/happy children that are capable of doing so many things
- We are thankful for each other....several years ago I never thought I could ever be this happy, little lone give my heart away and take a chance on love again. I managed to find a wonderful mate for life, who also brought me the gift of another child (Darryl). I also managed to get an awesome step-dad for Rachel and Isaac.
- We are thankful for Rachel's great report card. She brought home her mid-term on Tuesday and of course once again it was awesome.
- We are thankful for Darryl's music talent. He made the All District Band - First Chair Oboe and was also recommended for All State Band. Not bad for a freshman! Now keep the prayers coming about the academic side of things!
- We are thankful for Isaac's ability to always be happy. He is the only one of our 3 children that can go to bed happy (even if he is not happy about having to go to bed) and wake up happy.
- We are thankful for doctors (I never thought I would say that). This week proved to gain us ground in finding out what is wrong with me. The nerve study on Tuesday proved that I do have nerve impairment on nerve L5 and S1. The L5 nerve damage appears to be chronic pain (the doctor feels I have just learned to live with this pain and have actually blocked it out). The S1 nerve damage is new and was the final breaking point for my body. By adding more pain, it was more than my body and mind could handle. With this finding, a recent trip to the ER, that did not help relieve any of the pain and a follow-up appointment with our family doctor - we were able to get the Neurosurgeon appointment for January 30th moved up to December 10th.
- We are thankful that the rheumatology tests all came back negative! Praise God for no auto immune system issues!!
- We are thankful that Christ died on the cross for us and that our Saviors birth is fast approaching.
- We are thankful for our soldiers that are doing what they do best, protecting our country and fighting hard to give another country their freedom. We deeply appreciate the sacrifices that they give up that we might carry-on like nothing is different
HAPPY THANKSGIVING to our many friends and family that we will not be able to be with at this time. Every night I thank God for the wonderful blessings that you all bring to our lives and how you are all very special in your own unique way. We love you all!
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