Update

Hello everyone!  Sorry I don't update this as frequently as I would like.  It has been a bit crazy around here since we have been home and trying to catch up on things.  It's always good to get away but hard to get back into the daily routine once we are home.   

I signed the kids up this week for the summer reading program.  This is something that they look forward to every summer.  

 I did have a follow up appointment regarding the ER visit/hospital stay that I had over last weekend.  I have been and continue to fight these severe muscle cramps/spasms.  I feel like I am fighting my own body and they wear me out, especially when I am up till 2am-5am trying my best to sleep instead of jumping out of the bed when they are in my feet and legs.  I am no going to see a specialist at the University of Wisconsin.  They are working on getting me an appointment.  Hopefully soon.  They feel that it is something autoimmune.  They are also working with another doctor regarding the full thickness biopsy.  I think it will be sometime in July, but we'll see.

I have some awesome news some of you know about, some may not.  I want to share with you my wonderful news!  I was chosen to be this years recipient for the Jay Braida Memorial Benefit!  If you live around the area, it is JULY 14.  There is a golf outing, 50/50, silent auction, and dinner. If you have any questions at all, please email me or leave me a comment.   If you go to www.jaybraidamemorialopen.com you can read a bit about it and there is also about 20 pictures that you can view as a slide show.  They are of my beautiful family that I am so blessed with.  The greatest husband and 3 beautiful, wonderful, miracles from God!  I am so excited to have been chosen and it was a total surprise when I was told that I was the one.  God knows our needs and cares about each and everyone of us!  No matter what the need, HE is always there and is our Provider.  I want to keep leaning on HIM and trusting in HIM.  HE will see me through.

  

As I type this post, I hear the sound of thunder.  Earlier tonight, it was raining with some marble size hail.  The kids and I stood at the door as it began to rain and the scent of the rain was so refreshing.  The rain is something we have been needing.  Just as the we stood there at the door way, I couldn't help but think about the spiritual aspect of our lives.  We are always in need of times of refreshing in our lives.  Just relaxing in HIS presence and drawing close to HIM.  What a wonderful feeling.  May He rain upon our lives and fill us with HIS sweet presence.  

 Thank you for your love and prayers!  They are very much appreciated!  Good Night to all.

Almost Home

For the past few months, I've fought some severe muscle cramps, which keep getting worse little by little.  I had extra bags of fluids with to see if extra IV fluid would help it.  It made no difference and Chicago wanted me to go to get checked at a local hospital in Dallas to check blood work and electrolytes as well.

On Wednesday, I went to the doctor's office that my in-laws go to.  I met with a very nice doctor who did 12 test and 7 units of blood.  By the time 5 was being drawn, I was feeling it.  Little did I know that I wouldn't get the results until yesterday (Friday).  Results showed my Potasuim, B 12, Vitamin D were all low, and Anemia.  I was told by both Chicago and Dallas to go to the ER.  Well, we were in St. Louis at that time and I explained to them that I would wait and go to Dixon as soon as we got in.

Faxed the lab work from Dallas to my Primary doctor's nurse who then let Dixon ER know what was going on.  Once I got to the ER and had blood drawn again, they said that my Potassium was 3.8, which is considered good.  So now back to not sure what the muscle cramping is about.  I did stay overnite at the hospital as they too were thinking it was nutritional.  Everything this morning shows all labs are pretty good.  I'm to follow up with my Dr and he can take it from there of why I'm dealing with them.  

We left out from Dallas on Thursday morning and would have made it home Thursday night, but there was an accident on Interstate 40, between Little Rock and Memphis, which caused us to be stopped in traffic for 4 hours.  We only moved about 10 miles in that 4 hours!  And it was 102 degrees outside!  Due to sitting in the heat and running the A/C, the vehicle began to get hot so we turned air off and rolled down windows and as long as we weren't parked next to a semi, there was a bit of a breeze.  A lot of people would get out of their car and walk around and we got to meet a semi driver hauling cars on a trailer.  Found out he lives in Chicago and his wife works as a RN at the University of Chicago hospital! What a small world!

So glad I was able to make the trip and have some "R&R".  Enjoyed some crushed ice from Braums and slush from Bahama Bucks. YUMMMMMY! It was a good time and lots of wonderful memories. The kids enjoyed getting soaked at the spray ground. They also met some new friends at the park across the street from Mom and Dad Pennington's.  And met some more at Chick Fil A!  That was their favorite spot to eat, especially with the indoor playground.  They also had fun playing with their cousins (and their new baby cousin).

Now, trying to get everything put away and the house back in order.  With me being in the hospital last night after just getting home, Shane and the kids had put a lot of the clothes away.  So not too much was left.  Little by little, it's coming back together.  I was able to get a good rest in while Shane and the kids left for a while this afternoon too.

Time for me to go to bed for the night, now that I can take my last meds for the evening.  Thank you for all your prayers and checking in on me!  Good night.

SURPRISE

It was very busy last week to say the least.  On Wednesday, I had a Dr's appointment in Chicago for a follow up with the hematoma.  It was my choice with the hematoma if I wanted it to be drained or let it just absorb into the body.  I chose to have it drained.  Since then it is doing much better and has gone down a lot just in the past few days.  While I was in the waiting room that day, I met a sweet lady who has Gastroparesis.  We exchanged information so we can keep in contact with each other.

My sister-in-law and I did a garage sale on Thursday and Friday.  It was HOT and my body does not handle the heat well at all!  It's nice to have extra IV fluids that I can have at home to fill me back up with some hydration.

On Saturday, I went to a family reunion.  It was outside at a park and it was a beautiful day.  It was just right, especially with the breeze. Enjoyed seeing everyone.  The kids enjoyed the water balloons.  It was fun watching the adults play games too.

On Monday, we left at 2 am for the Lone Star State.  We drove straight through and did a BIG surprise of showing up at Shane's parents house.  We shocked them both and they were so excited to see us.  We were welcomed to Texas by 105 degree weather.:)  Enjoying relaxing kicking back and taking it easy.(In the air conditioning)

Today, my baby turned 7. Times sure flies by quickly.  It was 7 years ago today that I was in the hospital and had by this time a brown headed boy (which now is blonde).  I love my little boy,my snuggle bug, and so glad we were blessed with a boy to carry on the family name.  My prayer is that HE loves God with all his heart and falls in love with this Truth and serves the Lord all the days of his life.

And one year ago today I was in Cardiac ICU in Chicago.  God is so good and I can't thank HIM enough for his blessings both great and small.