I was honest when I said I was going to write more often. I really did want to. But life has taken some unexpected turns and adventures in the past two months that has made blogging not the top of my list. Really, all I hope to do each day is to just make it through.
Let me tell you about my magical medical mystery tour of the past two months. I started having pain two months ago on my right side, above my hip. It didn't seem muscle related and didn't go away so I went to my doctor and we did an ultrasound to see if it was an ovarian cyst, which I have had before. The ultrasound came back clear and so we decided to see if the pain went away.
It didn't. It spread to under my rib cage on my right side. It felt like a knife was under my ribs or a balloon was inside me and going to burst. Not good. Maybe it was my gallbladder or appendix? I didn't have a fever or any other symptoms aside from pain and fatigue. (Seriously, I have spent a lot of the past two months on the couch with Marshall playing mom and dad. It has been rough. Some days are good and some are bad. We just take them as they come. Somehow I am still able to make it to work at the school. My job has been so good because it has gotten me out of bed and moving each day.) The doctor decided to do a CT Scan to see if that showed anything funky with my abdomen. Since they decided to do it with contrast, I had the pleasure of drinking the nasty citrus milky chalky stuff known as beryllium, praying all the while that I would keep it down. CT scan was done and everything looked great!
Sigh. Next was another ultrasound, but this time on my liver, kidneys, and pancreas. Again, nothing wrong. I was just busy collecting lots of cool pictures of my insides, medical bills, and frustration. The pain continued and grew to be around my belly button as well. I was so tired of being tired and not having the energy and ability to be the mom and wife I normally am. Lots of tears were shed and prayers offered. And also a few blessings from my amazing husband. Through it all I have gained great insight and patience.
Last week I had a colonoscopy done to make sure it was nothing with my colon. Oh my goodness, the prep IS the worst. But after all the other tests I have been through, what was another one?! Again, things looked great. They did find some precancerous polyps, which is a huge blessing since I don't have a history of colon cancer in my family and would not have had a colonoscopy done for another 10-15 years. This would have given those polyps plenty of time to turn to cancer. So it was a blessing in disguise to find those now and know I need to keep on top of those.
By now, the pain had also moved to my arms, often leaving them feeling weak and numb and also to the left side of my abdomen. Seriously?!!!!! This morning Marshall and I were able to meet with my doctor and go over all the test results and find out what they do mean and what they do not mean. We were able to ask questions and share our concerns. My good doctor listened to them all and explained things so well to us. The good news is that I do not have an autoimmune disease like MS or Lupus, no cancer, no endometriosis, etc. But the data shows us that I most likely seem to be having a sensory problem. My brain is telling my body is has problems when it doesn't. We're talking fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. (Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.) The plan for now is to treat it with medication. Once we get my body adjusted we will hopefully see results. I will meet back with my doctor in six weeks to discuss. Hopefully soon I will be able to have more energy and less pain. It has been hard to be limited when I think I am so invincible.
But, there have been many tender mercies and learning experiences along the way. I would rather be healed and not have to deal with this, but all we can do is move forward and hope for the best. There are many other things that are far worse that I could be dealing with. I continue to count my blessings and take it one day at a time.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Over a month!
It's been over a month since I last wrote. Wow! Sorry to my friends who only keep in touch with me via the blog. Life has been busy and I have forgotten to update my blog! But that doesn't mean I have forgotten about you. Let's see if I can bring you up to speed on a few things.
1. School is going great for everyone. No tears this year from Jimmy, which is monumental. Jacob loves Kindergarten and has asked if he could stay all day. Ha! He is taking off in reading and constantly asking us how to spell words. Anna loves 7th grade. She just loves school, which is a foreign idea to her 5th grade sister Rachel. But Rachel, despite wishing she was at home instead, is kicking bootie in 5th grade.
2. I love my job. It keeps me busy, but it is fun to work with kids grades 3rd-5th and help them become better readers. Groups are always changing and challenges arise, but it is so rewarding to work in education.
3. Marshall is surviving Seminary. Ha! He is having fun, actually, and is much more comfortable now that he has a year of teaching it under his belt. If only he could figure a way to cure dumb teenagers who text during class and take away from the Spirit with their lame comments. Ah, teenagers. He still does prosecution for Springdale and La Verkin and teaches two night law classes at the college. Yeah, I don't know how he finds to breathe either.
4. Rachel is busy in soccer and karate. Everyone else, except for Anna occasionally, has given it up. Rachel has actually signed up to be on the Black Belt Team, which allows her to continue on the path to a black belt, get weapons training, and help during classes. I pity the boy who asks Rachel out on a date when she is a teenager. She will be trained in all sorts of deadly weapons. Bwhahahaha!
5. Cub Scouts keep me busy, but I love my boys.
I think I covered the most important stuff! I will try to be more consistent. Halloween is coming and we are all excited.
1. School is going great for everyone. No tears this year from Jimmy, which is monumental. Jacob loves Kindergarten and has asked if he could stay all day. Ha! He is taking off in reading and constantly asking us how to spell words. Anna loves 7th grade. She just loves school, which is a foreign idea to her 5th grade sister Rachel. But Rachel, despite wishing she was at home instead, is kicking bootie in 5th grade.
2. I love my job. It keeps me busy, but it is fun to work with kids grades 3rd-5th and help them become better readers. Groups are always changing and challenges arise, but it is so rewarding to work in education.
3. Marshall is surviving Seminary. Ha! He is having fun, actually, and is much more comfortable now that he has a year of teaching it under his belt. If only he could figure a way to cure dumb teenagers who text during class and take away from the Spirit with their lame comments. Ah, teenagers. He still does prosecution for Springdale and La Verkin and teaches two night law classes at the college. Yeah, I don't know how he finds to breathe either.
4. Rachel is busy in soccer and karate. Everyone else, except for Anna occasionally, has given it up. Rachel has actually signed up to be on the Black Belt Team, which allows her to continue on the path to a black belt, get weapons training, and help during classes. I pity the boy who asks Rachel out on a date when she is a teenager. She will be trained in all sorts of deadly weapons. Bwhahahaha!
5. Cub Scouts keep me busy, but I love my boys.
I think I covered the most important stuff! I will try to be more consistent. Halloween is coming and we are all excited.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Kindergarten!!!!
Today my baby started Kindergarten. I was sure I was going to be a nervous wreck, but I did pretty well. I was sad that I wasn't there to meet him after school as he got off of the bus because I was at work. But Darci, who is as good as me, was there so Jacob was happy.
Jacob has declared that he loves Kindergarten. All of my other kids wanted me to drive them the first day of school. And now that I work at the school, the kids get a ride with me in the morning. Not Jacob. He insisted on riding the bus. He has watched his siblings go on it enough years that he was more than ready for his turn. Jimmy was kind enough to ride with him. I met them at the school and Jacob could have cared less if I was there. He wished me "goodbye" and headed on his way. I even ended up helping in his class for a little, in case the teacher needed assistance with any crying children, and Jacob did fine with me there.
Jacob has been hyper all afternoon and excited to tell everyone about his day. And he is anxious to learn Chinese, as he is in the dual-immersion program. I am so glad he had a great first day. And kind of sad that my baby is school age. That is why I work at the school. At least I can be near my kids!
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Jacob has declared that he loves Kindergarten. All of my other kids wanted me to drive them the first day of school. And now that I work at the school, the kids get a ride with me in the morning. Not Jacob. He insisted on riding the bus. He has watched his siblings go on it enough years that he was more than ready for his turn. Jimmy was kind enough to ride with him. I met them at the school and Jacob could have cared less if I was there. He wished me "goodbye" and headed on his way. I even ended up helping in his class for a little, in case the teacher needed assistance with any crying children, and Jacob did fine with me there.
Jacob has been hyper all afternoon and excited to tell everyone about his day. And he is anxious to learn Chinese, as he is in the dual-immersion program. I am so glad he had a great first day. And kind of sad that my baby is school age. That is why I work at the school. At least I can be near my kids!
Monday, August 11, 2014
First Day of School AND Work
Somehow the first day of school came. I am really not sure how it happened, but with our busy summer we were all ready for it. Well, I was at least. The kids all did a great job heading off to school. Anna is starting 7 th grade, Rachel 5th, and Jimmy 3rd. In another week Jacob starts Kindergarten. That is just plain crazy!
Marshall started back at Seminary and said this first day was a lot better than last year's because he knows what to expect now. He is excited for the year. And I started my first day as a paraprofessional. I still am learning what I am supposed to be doing. It is hard because my job doesn't pick up until the teachers have tested all their students to see who needs my help. But I do get to cover classes next week while the teachers test next week.
The best part of the day is that Jimmy DID NOT cry, which is huge. He also told me he likes 3rd grade a lot more than 2nd. That boy is so tender, but gave me such trauma last year with all his tears and wanting to come home. I am hopeful 3rd grade really will be better.
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Anna
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Rachel
Marshall started back at Seminary and said this first day was a lot better than last year's because he knows what to expect now. He is excited for the year. And I started my first day as a paraprofessional. I still am learning what I am supposed to be doing. It is hard because my job doesn't pick up until the teachers have tested all their students to see who needs my help. But I do get to cover classes next week while the teachers test next week.
The best part of the day is that Jimmy DID NOT cry, which is huge. He also told me he likes 3rd grade a lot more than 2nd. That boy is so tender, but gave me such trauma last year with all his tears and wanting to come home. I am hopeful 3rd grade really will be better.
Anna
Jimmy
Rachel
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