tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87612724454992811552024-02-07T05:37:22.591-06:00Diary of me...Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy...Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-75326585524988060182017-05-04T21:22:00.001-05:002017-05-04T21:25:17.989-05:00Worried for her futureThe House just passed a revised healthcare bill which also allows for the ACA to be withdrawn. Yes, I know this bill needs to be sent to the Senate as well. However, this is one step closer to a very scary reality for many many people, myself included. It also comes with the realization that 217 people have just stated that they are alright with the idea that my daughter and so very many like her could die. I know some of you are saying that this is jumping to extremes. Let me tell you about extremes.<div>
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Extremes is when your first child, the child you tried SO very hard for 5 years to conceive is born with liver disease. This disease attacked your child through no fault of yours or your child's. When she is three days old you are faced with the possibility of having to leave her behind at the hospital because she is too sick to come home with you. Extreme is finding out at just 11weeks of age she will have to go through not just one day of testing, but two and then a lengthy and dangerous surgery. Extreme is finding out that your perfect child was born without a gallbladder so they could not even perform the one last test they wanted to. Extreme is watching your child's belly swell to the size of a basketball due to all of the fluid collecting in her abdominal cavity. And then listening to her scream in pain every time her belly was drained. Being told that your child has developed the very infection most common for that type of surgery right away while you sit and just watch because you can do nothing to take away her pain or make her magically better. Extreme is finally getting to come home after almost 20 days in the hospital only to go back a week later for another infection. Then you get to stay a week, come home a week, go back again for a week and so on. After a few months of this, you are told your child is one of the unlucky 33% who will need a liver transplant sooner rather than later. Extreme is asking complete strangers to volunteer to give your daughter part of their liver so she can live and watching the outpouring of how many people just simply say "Yes". Extreme is getting the call that a liver has been found for your tiny little girl and being told just come to the hospital in the morning, no rush...when you know it should have been a rush, but that means the child you are getting the organ from hasn't been removed from life support yet. Extreme is handing your 5 month old baby over to complete strangers for a surgery that lasts 10 1/2 hours only to be told afterwards that your child might not have made it to Christmas by the surgeon, which was only about a month away, because she was worse than they had originally thought. Extreme is 2 months of isolation and continued life saving medication twice a day every day for the rest. of. her. life. just so she can live. Extreme is watching your beautiful almost 9 year old child be ashamed of the scars she has because she was born with a disease that no one can predict, no one can tell her why she contracted, and no one can cure. Transplant is not a cure. It is simply a treatment.<div>
<br />If this bill goes through, she could be dropped from her insurance along with so many other children with pre-existing conditions. She could be forced to change hospitals or healthcare providers. She could be labeled high risk. All of these things could lead to her eventual death. Just because she was born, someone found it in their heart to save her life when they lost their child, and she lived. That's it. That is all she has done.</div>
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<br />Granted, she could not be dropped from her insurance. They could just raise her deductible and lower her coverage so much that we, as her parents, can no longer afford to pay for her medical care or she is refused from treatment because the Hospital isn't getting paid for her care by the insurance or us.</div>
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<br />Again, all she did was live. Tell me why it's ok for a little over 200 people and the POTUS to say it's ok if she dies. Also, think about this. If you are not ok with abortion but are ok with children (even adults) losing their life because they have a pre-existing condition, you no longer get to call yourself Pro-Life, you just get to call yourself anti-abortion. Plain and simple.</div>
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<br />Edit: For those of you wishing to share, please feel free.<div>
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Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-51933266597801674302012-11-18T17:32:00.000-06:002012-11-18T17:32:14.532-06:00(Copied from Monkey's blog) Four years ago today Monkey received her gift of life. Her liver
transplant came just a few days after her daddy had gone through all of
the testing to become her living donor. In that time, a family was
faced with the choice of letting their little one save other lives and
they said yes. We are very much aware of how important and how
difficult their decision must have been. I cannot sit here and say that
I know how they felt that day, and still feel today on the 4 year
anniversary of their loss, because I do not. I hope to never know what
it is like to lose a child and to be faced with the decision they were
faced with in 2008. I can say that I look at Monkey every day and even
though we know nothing really about her donor, I see him in her every
day. I see the gift that we have been given. I see the time, hope,
love, and happiness we have been given. We have been truly blessed by
our donor angel and his family. We continue to teach Monkey (and her
sister) about love, support, and the true meaning of selflessness. I
have to say, however, that I have learned so very much from Monkey in
these 4 short years. She has taught me the true meaning of compassion.
Her heart is so very big and so very open. She has so much love to
give and gives it freely. It is hard to imagine that she may not be
here today without her new liver. We always try to tell new liver
families that we meet that Monkey is not the typical liver baby. She
really never has been. As I look back over the posts I made in the
weeks leading up to Monkey's diagnosis I am amazed at how much her little
body fought the terrible disease she had. She even responded to
medicines that were not even designed to treat her specific liver
disease. She never really cried or fussed about how uncomfortable she
was. These trends carry through to the little girl she is becoming.
She gets sick, but never complains about it really. She is one of the
strongest little girls I have ever seen. She loves her sister with all
of her heart even if they get on each others nerves. She loves her
grandparents, her dog, her kitty, and misses her Pop more than
anything. All of these things we wouldn't see had it not been for her
donor angel. We love him and truly hope that his family knows exactly
how much we appreciate and love them as well. We honor their loved one
in how we teach Ember to care for and to love others and in how we will
continue to teach her about her gift and the true meaning of sacrifice.
We hope that the legacy we leave behind for her donor angel will be
felt and heard by many and everyone who comes into contact with her will
learn from her. Even if it is in a very small way, even at 4 years old
she has so very much to teach us. We are so blessed to have her in our
lives.Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-61194666724929257222012-08-10T09:11:00.000-05:002012-08-10T09:11:46.542-05:00Why I went (somewhat) Rockabilly....<a href="http://vintageclothing.about.com/od/glossary/g/rockabilly.htm" target="_blank"><b>Rockabilly</b></a> began as a music genre, but is now considered a subculture who's style of dress is heavily influenced by the 1950s.<br />
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So, I found this wonderful new way of dressing and I was instantly in love! I would LOVE to be able to say that I dress like this all of the time, but I don't. At least, not right now. I will eventually, when I have gained a much larger wardrobe than the few pieces I have right now. Also, I say somewhat because I know that I am not fully in line with the style yet. It's a learning curve that I am trying to catch up to. So, on to the why..... <br />
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To put it simply, I love it. In the almost 33 years I have been on this earth, I have never found a style that I felt I fit into. I have always been the girl who sticks out like a sore thumb when I try to "get with the times". Then, one day, I found this style and wondered. Now, I actually get up and do my hair and make-up most days. It's actually pretty great! I never thought I would be that girl. So, I went from this:<br />
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To this:<br />
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I basically wear my hair one of two ways right now, though I am trying to learn a third and it fits me. <br />
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I feel pretty and like I actually look good. I know that people stare at me because I look different and this time, it's OK. I actually enjoy it rather than feeling like I am some freak. I feel like I was meant to find this look. I feel better about myself when I dress up like this than I ever have before. For those of you that know me well, know that is HUGE! I feel like I belong. Period. Again, that is HUGE! It is a style that is very easy to dress up while being comfortable. I'm a t-shirt and jeans girl at heart and this style allows me to do that while still being a pretty girl. <br />
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So...Yes, it's different. Yes, I means to do that with my eye make-up. No, it's not going to change. :)<br />
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Here are a few more pics that I love. Oh! And my shoes! LOVE them!<br />
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<br />Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-68127925359450397512011-12-22T08:59:00.000-06:002011-12-22T08:59:21.452-06:00Bad Birthday Mommy!<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am SUCH a bad birthday mommy! I neglected to post about and wish my little Mouse a Happy Birthday...almost a whole month ago! Ugh! So...here goes now! (So sorry Mouse! I love you!)</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">On Nov. 24th, my little Mouse turned 2!!! Can you believe it?! 2!!! It's as if she has grown up over night. She went from being a little baby to this little girl who is <strike>walking</strike> running through our house and chattering away. Sometimes we don't know what she is saying and other times she is popping out 5-6 word sentences! She loves Elmo, her blankey, and her sister. (Even if she acts like she doesn't) </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">I can't believe that she has gone from this:</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To this:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WZhtt6VbW11olYPrqoQReu8exszP_VFEkQwlYk_C7DHetpxY7PWB4dGIRWQxV1UwJDnriBwwB8IKmgKrbPN4izix7lkOcdw53Wz2w86zWhEk8bw_Qhq3fZezouDAIrjVzcY9elpDxlE/s1600/IMG_0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WZhtt6VbW11olYPrqoQReu8exszP_VFEkQwlYk_C7DHetpxY7PWB4dGIRWQxV1UwJDnriBwwB8IKmgKrbPN4izix7lkOcdw53Wz2w86zWhEk8bw_Qhq3fZezouDAIrjVzcY9elpDxlE/s320/IMG_0324.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">in two short years. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">We love you so very much little Mouse and can't wait to see you grow and change.</span>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-82337574414201054382011-11-18T13:57:00.000-06:002011-11-18T13:57:51.038-06:00Happy 3 Year Transplativersary!<span style="color: purple;">My little Monkey received her gift of life three years ago today!!!! Happy transplantiversary! I love you SO much. (So do daddy and sissy) Thank you Donor Angel for letting us have our little girl, we love you!</span><br />
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<a href="http://emberriley.blogspot.com/2011/11/3-years-ago.html">http://emberriley.blogspot.com/2011/11/3-years-ago.html</a>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-3926619824826032602011-08-10T11:18:00.000-05:002011-08-10T11:18:29.737-05:00So many thoughts.....<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">...so little room inside my head! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">That is how I am feeling lately. I have so many things going on inside my head right now that I wish I could just hit the pause button. Most of it revolves around what I am going to do about this whole losing the band issue. A lot of the thoughts aren't even my own, they are everyone else's. It's like I have this pollution of other opinions in my head that I can't seem to shake. Not that other opinions are always a bad thing, it's just a lot right now. Some of the thoughts are about school and wondering if I am even going to make it through this crazy semester. Also wondering if I can even get a good enough grade on the test I have to take to apply for nursing school. Ugh! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">First off, I still don't know what the answer is for the issue of losing my band. Admittedly, I suppose I really shouldn't since it hasn't even been a whole month since it had to come out. I just wish there was an easy answer. I wish I could reassure myself and everyone else that I've got it handled and know what I am doing. The truth is, I have no effing clue! I'm not even back to 100% yet so I suppose I shouldn't worry about it, but I am. I am gaining weight back and it's depressing. I am hearing from everywhere, including my own mom, that I don't need the band. That I can do this on my own. I can absolutely see where everyone is coming from, especially mom, given what I have been through. However, if I didn't need the band and really could do this on my own I wouldn't have gotten it in the first place. Every other tool I have ever used has failed. Or, well, I have failed at using it. This was the only tool that ever worked and worked well for me. On the other hand, no one can guarantee what happened would never happen again. I'm not sure I am ready for a more invasive procedure. I wasn't when I got my band the first time. I just don't know yet. I feel like I don't belong anywhere right now. I mean, I have had WLS, but I don't have my tool anymore, so I technically can't say I belong with the WLS group anymore. Plus, having had WLS, my outlook on certain things is different, and people still don't understand why. Especially now that I don't "have" to follow the rules. So, I really don't belong with the non WLS groups either. *sigh* I am just sad, angry, and confused about this whole mess right now. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">As far as school goes, I am going to trudge through, but I am worried. I have been trying and trying to get prepared for applying for nursing school and something always comes up. I have been trying to apply now for 3.5 years and it still hasn't happened. I have to take a college mandated test and get a certain percent on the math portion in order to even be able to apply. So far, that hasn't happened. *Sigh* This semester is going to be rough as well. I am taking Anatomy & Physiology 1 & 2 at the SAME TIME! Why yes, I am crazy! Thank you for asking! I have to if I want to apply for next years nursing program. I need to re-take A&P 1 to get a better grade and I have to take A&P 2 because it has to be completed by the end of this semester. Never mind the fact that this is my THIRD TIME taking these classes. All schools have a 5 year window on their sciences! Which, imo, is ridiculous! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">The one good note I do have right now is that I have started the C25K program over again and it is going well. I finished Week 2 Day 2 this morning and it was good. I think I am a little slower now than last time, but as I said above I am not completely myself either. I can't wait until I feel better and can get through the day without being so exhausted I can barely keep my eyes open. I am sure my Monkey and Mouse can't wait for mommy to get back to 100% either. </span>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-23194705399035091052011-07-25T14:18:00.000-05:002011-07-25T14:18:55.503-05:00I lost it...<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, a lot has happened since my last post! Unfortunately most of it is actually pretty bad. I did make it through week 5 of the C25K training before the bad stuff happened! Very excited about that! So, I will just kind of lay out timeline for everyone starting on July 10th. Warning, this is kind of long!</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">July 10 - </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">I woke up with a slight bit of pain in my chest when I coughed. I had this annoying dry cough for going on 3 weeks now, so I really didn't think much about it other than I would be calling my Dr again on Monday to see what else we could do. We had planned on taking the day to go looking at e-readers and taking the girls to Build-A-Bear to use their yard sale money. We went to Best Buy first and by the time we got there, my pain had gotten a little worse. It was getting a little difficult for me to walk around a lot and the girls were being little heathens so we left after about 30 minutes of looking. We then went to the mall and got the girls to Build-A-Bear. By then I was hurting more when I just tried to take a deep breath. I was concerned that I was having an issue with my band, so I called the surgeons exchange and was given no real decent info other than if it gets worse, go to the ER. Ugh! By the time we got home, the pain was unbearable and we decided to take the girls to my mom's and head up to the ER. We went to the ER at the hospital where I had my band done at just in case it was a band issue. When we got there, I was given blood work, a CT scan, and an EKG (because of the chest pains). They also had me do a Urine test, but I haven't a clue why. They NEVER came and took it to the lab. Also, for half the time I was in the ER, I didn't even have an arm band. I mean, they had no clue who I was with nothing to check it against. Anyway, the CT scan was normal so they said that they thought I had a condition called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleurisy">Pleurisy</a>. They gave me a shot of pain meds and sent me home with an prescription for pain pills and told me to drink lots of fluids. O.k., great. I can do that. Well, while we were waiting at the pharmacy, I took a few drinks of Apple Juice and suddenly got a horrible pain located at the base of my sternum and it shot down to my left lower abdomen. It was horrible. I couldn't get it to stop. I was worried about a UTI and was just going to call the Dr the next day if the pain didn't go away. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">07/11 - The pain didn't go away. In fact, it was worse! So bad that I couldn't move or be touched without screaming out in pain. My mom was here taking care of me and started calling all three of my Dr's. (OB - just in case it was something related, Primary care, and lap-band surgeon) ALL of them said to head back to the ER. I was terrified. It is about a 30 minute car ride and the pain pills were not helping me AT ALL! So, we get back into the car and make the long, horrible drive to the ER again! They did another CT scan, this time of my whole abdomen and chest, drew more blood, and called the Lap-Band interns (or as I call them ducklings) in to see me just in case. They, again, did no urine test. The interns decided to take fluid out of my band to see if that would help at all with my pain. It did slightly with the pain in my chest, but did nothing for the pain in my abdomen. After a long wait, the Dr came in and told me "Well, the CT scan doesn't show anything so we aren't sure what is wrong. We are going to send you home with a medication that helps with Ulcers just in case you have one. Follow up with your surgeon and primary care tomorrow." I asked point blank if the pain could be from a cyst on my left side. He told me, "Well, you have a cyst, but it's on the other side." That was fine. I have known about a cyst on the right side for awhile now, but it's never caused problems. As the Dr. kept talking he confused me by referring to a cyst on the left side too. So, I then asked, "Do I have a cyst on the left and right side?". He said yes, the one on the right was smaller than the one on the left. I was SO confused! I asked to see the CT scan report so I could give it to my OB when I saw him. When I got the CT report I was even more confused and mad. The CT report mentioned NOTHING about a cyst on the left side! So, home we went. All the while, I am in unbearable pain. I cried the entire ride home I hurt so bad. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">07/12 - The huz stayed home with me. I couldn't move at all without yelling out in pain. I called ALL of my Dr's looking for appointments that day so I could get an answer for my pain. No one could see me until Wednesday. I was SO angry. I actually told my primary care's office (<span style="font-size: x-small;">after I got a lecture about going to the ER I went to rather than the one they are associated with)</span> that I felt like I was going to die before someone cared enough to figure out what was wrong with me. So, I spent another day wallowing in pain. The only saving grace I had was that the pain meds would put me to sleep even if they didn't numb the pain. I had three Dr's appointments the next day beginning with my Lap-Band surgeon. And later in the day they called to tell me that I couldn't have anything to eat or drink after midnight. And, oh by the way, no pain meds either! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">07/13 - I was in so much pain, I was reduced to riding in a wheel chair to the Dr's office. I cried on the way to his office in the car, on the wheel chair ride from the car to his office, and while in his office waiting to see him. When I finally saw him, he elected to admit me into the hospital right away. He wanted to do an upper GI to see of there were any ulcers, tears, or erosion in my stomach that would be causing this. NOT what I wanted to do, but I needed answers. And, honestly, after 3 1/2 days of constant pain I was worn out and couldn't really fight anymore. So, we do the GI scope and find NO answers. I was told that the next option would be surgery to put a camera into my abdominal cavity to see what was actually going on. If the band was infected it would have to be removed. So, I go down for surgery and find out that because of the infection my blood sugar is well over 400!!!!!! So, then we start with the insulin on top of the pain meds and anti nausea meds I was taking. After surgery, I wake up to find out the band was removed and I had two drains as well as two open incisions that had to be packed every day! I was told that I had a "female infection" that also affected the band so it had to come out. I was on three IV antibiotics and two different pain meds as well as anti nausea meds. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">7-13 through 7-16 - I endured 4 days of hell in the hospital. VERY not impressed with them. I had no answers and no real care at all. My mom came up on Friday and helped give me a sponge bath because no one at the hospital had offered. Thursday I was left in the bathroom for 30 minutes with no help at all and I only saw my nurse 3 times her entire shift! Any time I asked what the labs were for, I got the answer of "We just need to get some labs". Finally on Saturday I had enough and got my mom to come up to talk to the Dr's. I really felt like either I needed to be transferred to another hospital or be released! It was THAT bad. I also felt like maybe I was just too foggy from the pain meds and making a lot of it up or not remembering I did have answers. Well, it wasn't me and I didn't have answers. Mom didn't really get any either, but I was released. I think it was more because they wanted to get me out of their hair!</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">SO, fast forward a week and I am still feeling bad. My OB is VERY concerned about the care I received and basically offered to completely take over my case even though it really wasn't his issue. He did an exam and ultrasound and really didn't think that I had any "female infection" at all, but couldn't tell unless he saw pictures from my surgery. He was trying to get them, but the hospital wasn't playing nice with him at all. I had called several times and finally got a release from the hospital so he and I can both see my records. I just wanted answers!</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Today I got a few. I saw the surgeon and he sad that he still thought it was some type of female infection that started the whole thing. He also said that it could take up to another month for me to feel completely normal again. That was not news I wanted to hear. He was very concerned about how I felt and that today is my last day of antibiotics. He told me that the cultures they took from my surgery grew gram positive virulent cocci. It is just a type of bacteria that you can get. He is confident that the antibiotics he gave me are treating it, but wants to make sure that I was on them long enough. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">So, for now I still have a sharp pain in my back whenever I move the wrong way or take too deep of a breath. He said that he thought it was muscle or nerve related and it would take time to go away. I got the staples removed so I can try to lift the girls now. Not sure how that is going to go. And I am still out of breath when I do very little activity. However, I am here and progressing. It was very scary not knowing what was wrong with me. I truly thought that I might die. It was to the point where I was going to start writing letters to my girls just in case. It seems overly dramatic now, but I can tell you that nothing I have ever gone through has scared me like this. It still kind of bugs me today when I think about it. Hopefully time will help.</span>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-75487401307397196782011-06-27T08:23:00.000-05:002011-06-27T08:23:48.976-05:00Guilty as charged!<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This post is a little late (considering the incident happened on the 17th!), but better late than never! Let me start off by saying that this journey through weight loss surgery has been rough at times. By rough, I don't mean the, this "diet" is too hard so I will cheat a day type of rough. I mean, changing your entire life, the way you think about food, and getting something literally stuck and having to puke rough. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yes, I did say puke! Because that is what happened to me on the 17th! You are told straight up that it can and will happen. Then you go about your daily life thinking, "Not me. I'm going to be so good and follow the rules so well that I will be fine." (Insert hockey goal horn here) WRONG! Friday morning a friend had surgery and I was trying to get her prescription filled quickly so I could get it back to her. I decided to get something to eat because I was starving. Well, I wasn't paying a bit of attention and started eating like I would have before my surgery. It wasn't until about the 4th bite that I started to notice a horrific pain in my chest. Then I noticed that I could literally feel the food in my throat. It took about 5 minutes for me to get it all back up and, let me tell you, it was the most horrible experience I have EVER had. I've never had a heart attack, but that is what I equated the pain to. Needless to say, I have learned my lesson. Since then I have slowed down and really tried to watch what I eat. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">As a result of that and Support group the other night, I have decided to challenge myself to keep up with the 60g of protein requirement this week. In order to do that, starting yesterday I have been taking pictures of breakfast, lunch, and dinner with the calories and protein content and posting them to facebook. It is a bit of an interactive food journal for me. Yesterday it kept me honest and I didn't try to cheat by not eating as much protein. It's kind of one of those things of "I told my friends I am having this, so I have to!". Plus, I think it is neat to show people what I am eating and how much is an actual serving for me. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Also, as of last week, I am down 22 pound! I have also finished week 3 of the Couch to 5K! excited about that! Hopefully it will stop raining today so I can start on week 4! I am thinking about registering for a 5K on August 13th, but I'm not sure yet. I was going to wait until after this week to see how it goes. If I have to repeat too many weeks, I won't be ready for it. We will see. Here are a few pics that I have posted of the food!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6eIVjKvjbcPM4XFlAF3xPIsZ8RN0-i5MpadVeAUv-IoS116MvWLi0LUu-pvPEYl1Oq-fdmhOWOODCjGe3ONWbKFHR0wZde_cKdu6SMV6Z0PXbtUFsAckgjR69NXCnqCvm3gX8Cp_XqE/s1600/IMG_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6eIVjKvjbcPM4XFlAF3xPIsZ8RN0-i5MpadVeAUv-IoS116MvWLi0LUu-pvPEYl1Oq-fdmhOWOODCjGe3ONWbKFHR0wZde_cKdu6SMV6Z0PXbtUFsAckgjR69NXCnqCvm3gX8Cp_XqE/s320/IMG_0271.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Turkey sausage and 2 scrambled eggs 300c/25P</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWxsjSv65mvBlRej3NMi5t2vz0DWKU_ms-0Wjk_0yfdm5tFzvRy8wuIvyR7hrMTKeAhacFZDnwoMOVtqvGqnhZuTp9sHn40UMru4mL219fDdQGsp-nguQw0Ay2cgfLY0JfI3A4cd6TQc/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWxsjSv65mvBlRej3NMi5t2vz0DWKU_ms-0Wjk_0yfdm5tFzvRy8wuIvyR7hrMTKeAhacFZDnwoMOVtqvGqnhZuTp9sHn40UMru4mL219fDdQGsp-nguQw0Ay2cgfLY0JfI3A4cd6TQc/s320/IMG_0273.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;"><span class="fbPhotoCaptionText">Pita with turkey, roast beef, and Colby jack cheese slice, light mayo, and mustard. With ranch cucumbers. 196.2c/21.17p made it past 60g of protein for the day!!!!</span></span>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-18216281313557971602011-06-14T19:30:00.000-05:002011-06-14T19:30:34.397-05:00Things I've noticed and other news...<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It has been almost 5 weeks since my surgery. Over that time, there are things that I have started to notice. Some of them bother me and some of them I am alright with. These things are:</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">- I have not bitten my fingernails once since my surgery date. They are actually growing!</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">- Some friends do not understand why I had my surgery and it appears that a few of them could care less to try to understand. Thank you to those of you who are trying to understand.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">- The food police are everywhere!</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">- I feel better, healthier.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">- I am still obsessed with stepping on the scale every day!</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">- My life still revolves around food, but in a much better way.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">- I feel like I am actually accomplishing something with my new running/walking program. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">- A lot of family and friends have told me that they notice my 20 pound weight loss (19 according to my Dr's scale. I like my scale better!) just by looking at me, but I can't see it yet.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">- This process is even harder than I thought it was going to be. I mean, I knew it was going to be hard, but I think it's harder.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Now, on to other news. Monday I got my first fill in my band. By special request, I am going to explain that. It seems that I haven't been as good at that as I had thought! You see, when the band was first put in, it wasn't filled at all. If you want to know what the band looks like, go <a href="http://www.lapband.com/en/learn_about_lapband/device_how_it_works/"><span style="color: magenta;">here</span></a>. They do this because of the swelling that happens from the initial placement of the band around the stomach. Typically you go to the dr 4-6 weeks after your surgery for your first fill. A fill means that the dr will take a needle and stick it into the port, which is just under the skin (mine is just above my belly button), and will fill the band with a small amount of saline solution. This is what helps you to feel full quicker and for a longer period of time. Depending on the person, you can have between 4-6 fills before you are at the point that works best for you. I have also been told that a lot of people can't tell that big of a difference with their first fill. Which, so far, has been my case. We will see as I start progressing to ground beef and chicken. That is this coming week! Yay! next fill is July 25th! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Oh! I finally got my salad and it was great!!!! Yum! I also made it through week one of the C25K program! Week 2 started Monday. Let me tell you, this fat <span style="font-size: xx-small;">soon to be skinny</span> girl can barely run for 90 seconds at a time! That is pitiful! But, I am pushing through it. We will see what tomorrow brings with day 2 of week 2. </span>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-2670735290652334042011-06-06T10:05:00.000-05:002011-06-06T10:05:50.766-05:00Week Three and a new start<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, I am three weeks (almost 4) post surgery and I feel good. I am starting to eat real food again (Fish, seafood, pitas, low carb wraps, thinly shaved lunch meat, etc..) and it is going well. I get my first fill in a few weeks and I have to tell you that I can't wait! I am excited about seeing how it changes my weight, how I feel about myself, and my ability to exercise even more. I am also a bit worried about whether it will change the things that I have already gotten to start eating again. I know that I still have a lot to work on with the chewing food up and not drinking while eating. (or for an hour after!) That, I have to say, is the hardest part. I honestly don't miss soda that much, but getting used to not drinking while eating is hard! Very hard. I catch myself reaching for my water all of the time when I am eating. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">By week 6 I will get to start incorporating ground beef again. I can't tell you how happy about this I will be. I want a burger SO bad it's not even funny. There is only one thing I want more than that. A good salad! I have no idea when I can start having that. I think week 5, but I will check with the nutritionist. I know, who wants a salad over a burger?! hehe I am so weird. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">I am supposed to workout for 30 minutes at least 4 times a week. I have not been able to do this previously, but I started getting into it today. My little Mouse started preschool this morning. :( *tears* She is going two days a week so I thought that this would be the perfect time to start something new. So, I started the <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/index.shtml"><span style="color: magenta;">Couch to 5K running program</span></a> this morning. I made it through without stopping, but I wanted to so bad! I know that this week is only 60 seconds of running with 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes, but for me, that is VERY tough! And I am very slow with the running. The C25K site calls me a penguin because of my waddle/run! hehe Though, I made it through 1.2 miles of running/walking today. I never thought that I could do that before. So, in celebration, I added two new tickers! Yay! I am down 18 pounds! SO excited. We will see what the next few weeks bring with this new exercise stuff. </span>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-83228823183511956792011-05-25T11:47:00.000-05:002011-05-25T11:47:49.758-05:00Deja Vu...sort of<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was going to give everyone an update on how I was doing since my surgery, but something more important has come up. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">The huz's cousin, I guess she is my cousin too!, had a new little boy two nights ago. We found out that they learned last night that he has a heart defect and he was being transferred to a different hospital. I cannot tell you how much this makes my heart ache for her family. Even though we haven't actually met since they live on the other side of the US, I feel a close bond with her. When I was preggo with Monkey, she was preggo with her first little one. An adorable little Monkey of her own. She is just too cute! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">I also can't even begin to explain to you how hearing this brought all of the memories from when Monkey was born flooding back. I am not sure how many people I actually told this story to, or how many remember. I remember like it was yesterday. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">The day that I was supposed to be discharged, we were seen by the GI on call to discuss that there might, might be an issue with Monkey's liver. She talked with us for a little while, threw out about a dozen names of diseases that she could have, and then said words that I will never forget. She said, "I am debating on whether to keep her here rather than letting her go home so we can run more tests." I was devastated. It was like someone knocked all of the wind out of me. Shortly after the GI left, I was sitting in my bed just looking at Monkey sleep in her bassinet when my OB walked in. He asked me how I was doing and I immediately started bawling my eyes out. He was the best! He calmed me down and asked me what was wrong. I told him that she might not get to come home with us. He said that he knows that it would be hard, but it is what is best for her. He also said that he and his wife had to leave one of their babies at the hospital for a few days after he was born and it was hard, but it was better for him. Luckily, Monkey got to come home with us and we just brought her back for tests the following Monday. It was the best feeling in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Unfortunately, Ashley and her family do not have this option. Baby boy has already been transferred to a new hospital. We are waiting to hear what they have to say. I can't imagine what she is going through and I am constantly thinking about her and her family. This is one of those situations where I am ready to jump in the car or on a plane and help out if needed. I know she has enough support, but I hope she knows I would be there in a heartbeat! Please take a few moments out of your day to say a prayer, send good thoughts, or just think of their family. I am sure they will appreciate it. I know I do and I did when we were going through everything with Monkey. I will update on myself tomorrow. </span>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-25343431647151809372011-05-16T12:53:00.000-05:002011-05-16T12:53:47.090-05:00On my way<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, Wednesday May 11th was my surgery! It was nerve wracking and a little scary because well, surgery is major. Even if it is something routine, it's surgery people! I can honestly say that of all the surgeries I have had, this has been the worst actually. The day of my surgery, we got to the hospital at 12:30, got signed in, called back into the pre-op area and waited. I hate waiting. It always makes things worse. I don't think I actually got taken back into the OR until around 2ish. When I got out of the OR, I stayed in recovery for awhile. They were apparently waiting for rooms to become available. I was actually really out of it and in a lot of pain so I didn't care about a lot other than wanting to pain to go away. I got into my room around 6 or 6:30p.m. I was glad to see my husband, but was still in pain. The pain killers did a lot for the pain from the surgery, but not a lot for the gas pain in my shoulder joints. It was much worse than anything I have had in the past. I had to get heparin shots about every 12 hours. They were not fun. Especially since I got them in the arms rather than in the belly. The nurses were very nice and were great! I had to get up that night around 10p.m. and walk. Let me tell you, that hurt a lot. It was very slow going as well! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The next day I was still in and out of it thanks to the morphine! :) They told me that I had to take a swallow test before they would let me eat or drink anything. The swallow test is rather simple. You stand in front of n x-ray board and swallow a substance that lights up on the x-rays. They take a bunch of pictures to make sure that nothing has slipped or moved since the surgery. Then you have to wait to see if you passed. Luckily I did and I got to have a Popsicle (sugar free of course), SF Jello, water!, ice chips, and other things that I didn't eat actually. I had to get up and walk to floor much more. It was difficult because I was still very sore and trying to push an IV pole when you can barely hold your arms up is an experience in itself! I got to go home around 4 or 4:30 which was great! My step mother in law came up to the hospital and waited with me until they released me and then took me home. So thankful for her! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Since being home, I have been extremely sore. It seemed to be getting worse and I was a little worried Thursday night because I spiked a little bit of a temperature. It only ever got to 99.8 and I think it was because I was trying to move too much. Since then I have had a normal temp and been progressively getting around better and better. I have 5 incisions and they are all pretty sore. I have yet to wear jeans because two of the incisions are very close to my belly button and I know jeans would just hurt too much right now. So, I have been very grungy the past few days in my sweats and shirts. I went to an all day concert yesterday and walked most of the day actually. I felt MUCH better after doing that. It helped me get the soreness out of the muscles. When we got home last night I looked at myself and it really looks like someone beat me up! I have bruises everywhere. I guess it is because of the heparin shots. I tend to bruise easily, but never this easily! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I think the worst part of this whole thing has been the diet and getting used to a completely new way of thinking. I was on the clear liquid diet from Sunday to Sunday. It was SO very hard. I don't know that I could have done it for much longer. I like Jello and Popsicles and all, but not all day every day! Right now I am on the Full liquid diet. That will last a week as well. It is kind of misleading because I can have applesauce, yogurt, thin mashed potatoes and blended soups as well as all of the liquids I could have before. I really need to start working on taking smaller bites of things now and chewing well. I know that this is going to be one of my biggest struggles. One of the suggestions in the book is that you actually set a timer for two or three minutes between bites. I also need to chew my food to a toothpaste consistency before I swallow it. That way it won't get stuck and I will have less of a chance of having issues of swallowing other foods. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: purple;">Once I get back to eating a more normal meal, which is at about 4 weeks out, I will need to start measuring out my food. I will need to measure out a 1/2 cup of food for my meal. They say that you are always supposed to go for the proteins first to fill you up rather than the carbs. This is also going to be hard because you get used to eating a certain way and it is going to take a lot to get into a new way of thinking about food. A dear friend, and liver mom, said to me on FB the other day "<span data-jsid="text">I guess you really have to change your relationship with food" and she's very right. I have to start thinking about what is going to be best for me, not what sounds good or is quick. I can't eat when I am bored or just because anymore. I have to change everything. I know that in the end it is going to be a good thing, but I am sure it is going to be a struggle to get there. I am very glad that I have been able to have this opportunity. I know that a lot of people don't understand what this is all about and that's alright, but I'd rather they ask than just brush it off. </span></span></span>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-41525687948153948032011-05-08T16:19:00.000-05:002011-05-08T16:19:56.892-05:00Last meal please.....<span style="color: purple;">So, as of this morning I started my liquid diet. Can I tell you that, at just shy of 7 hours, it sucks! More about that later. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Thursday night we had to return a brand new TV that was just over 30 days old! It just stopped working. Wouldn't turn on at all anymore. We were SO not happy. After we went to the store and ended up getting a completely different TV, which was a little more expensive, I was starving!!!! So, I decided that we needed to go to </span><a href="http://www.pfchangs.com/index.aspx"><span style="color: blue;">P.F. Chang's</span></a><span style="color: purple;"> for my last big meal. It was SO good! I figured that since we were in the area, I would have my last big meal for a very long time. Actually for forever since I will only ever be able to eat small portions again after Wednesday. I was very pleased with my "last meal" and figured that yesterday would be a normal day of eating. Well, we ended up going out again last night with the in-laws and I had Crab Legs! YUMMMM! So, I had two very good last meals over the past two days. I can only hope that the thought of these meals will get me through the next few weeks! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">As of today, I have had a lot of Jell-o, a orange sugar free Popsicle, a protein shake that I almost threw up all over my step mother in law and my mother, a better protein shake, a lot of water and some chicken broth. And this will continue for the next two days and then week following my surgery. I know that it will be worth it, but right now I feel like crap. I am hungry and verging on being cranky. I know the cranky part is from my caffeine withdrawal! We will see what tomorrow brings! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Oh yeah! I have a final to take tomorrow too! Yay!</span>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-52248817922804009562011-05-03T09:53:00.000-05:002011-05-03T09:53:58.177-05:00Time for some change...<span style="color: purple;">It's time for some change around here. Not only on the blog <span style="font-size: x-small;">do you like the new background?,</span> but in general. I have a secret that only a select few people know about right now. However, pretty soon everyone will find out anyway so, in the spirit of change, I thought I would just share it with everyone. (I'll get to the spilling of the guts in a minute) </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Let me just say that I understand that not everyone approves of what I am about to say and that's o.k. It's my life, not yours. It's also my decision, not yours. I also understand that some people might have questions. Great! The more you ask me, the more I can explain to you so that you can understand where I am coming from.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">O.k., on with the gut spilling. In the very near future, a week from tomorrow, I am going to be having </span><a href="http://www.lapband.com/en/home/"><span style="color: blue;">Lap-Band</span></a><span style="color: purple;"> surgery. It is something that I have thought very seriously about and have decided that it is the best option for me and my health. I know that a lot of people view this as an easy way out, but let me assure you it is not. This is actually going to be a very long and difficult road with very strict lifestyle changes. I am going to try to start blogging again because I want to chronicle this journey I am about to take so that others understand the risks, benefits, and daily struggles of this type of choice. This is a tool, not a fix all. I am going to have to exercise for at least 30 minutes 4-5 days a week, watch what I eat extremely well, measure out everything that goes into my mouth, and make better choices about what I put on my plate. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">There are also certain things that I will have to give up indefinitely. One of those items is anything carbonated. This includes Soda, Beer - no big loss for me Yick!, Champagne, sparkling water, sparkling ciders, etc. Sweets and other sugary items also have to go. Just because you have this surgery, does not mean that you can't continue to gain weight. I am also going to have to limit my caffeine intake to 1 cup of coffee or tea per day. Also, no more straws. They can cause gas intake which can lead to extreme discomfort. This is the same reason I can't have carbonation any more. I am going to need to take a multivitamin and a calcium chew for the rest of my life. Honestly, this is probably something I should be doing anyway, but now it is more important to make sure I get all of the nutrients I need in a day.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">I have learned a few things through this journey already. I have learned that this is something I am committed to. I know what I have to give up and what I am going to put myself through and I am alright with that. I have also learned that apparently when you take a calcium supplement, only 500mg of calcium will absorb into your system at a time. I am a science geek so I thought this was really interesting. So, if you are taking a calcium supplement that is over 500mg, you are missing out on the full benefits. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">So, starting this Sunday, I will be on a liquid diet. It will consist of Three protein shakes a day (bfast, lunch, and dinner), sugar free drinks, sugar free Jello, sugar free Popsicles, ice, sports drinks diluted in water, etc. This is to help shrink the liver as well as empty out the stomach. I will be on this diet for three days before and 1 week after my surgery. I will get into the rest of the diet as that time gets closer.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">So, I have hopeful that this is the tool that I need to help me discover the me I should be. The me I want to be. Only time will tell. I hope this is a good journey for us all. </span>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-82543519326761995112010-12-20T12:01:00.000-06:002010-12-20T12:01:17.474-06:00Prayers and thoughts abound<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I will post later about what has been going on with me since my last post. Today I ask for prayers and thoughts. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My friend Tina is an extraordinary person. She is one of those people that makes you smile just because she is so infectious. I ask for you to pray for <a href="http://theduepners.blogspot.com/">Tina</a>, her family, and especially her Aunt. Tina's aunt has been fighting cancer for some time now. Tina has set up a caring bridge page for her, gone out of state to help care for her Aunt and her cousins, and done an excellent job of keeping everyone informed of her Aunt's progress. Unfortunately, it seems that the time for fighting is coming to an end. Please send your thoughts and prayers that my dear friend's Aunt is able to spend on last holiday with her family. I do not know her family other than thought Tina, but I can tell that she is so very much loved. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">She has been on my thoughts on and off since we learned of her prognosis, but it seems like holidays where friends and family are gathering to celebrate makes me think of her more. In this time where people are rushing to get presents bought, wrapped, and sent there are other things we should really worry about. I admit that I am not a big fan of Christmas because I feel like I can never get a good enough present for everyone. I have absolutely learned my lesson this year. It's not the present. It's the people. Hold your loved ones tight. You never know when you will be asking for thoughts and prayers for them. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">I did a shadow box project for my cousin and MIL/Step-FIL and 3 uncles this year for Christmas that included a poem that I think is beautiful so I would like to share it. </span><br />
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<div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">To Those I Love</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">By: Isla Paschal Richardson</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">If I should ever leave you whom I love</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">To go along the Silent Way, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">grieve not,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">nor speak of me with tears,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">but laugh and talk</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">of me as if I were beside you there.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">(I'd come-I'd come, could I but find a way!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">But would not tears and grief be barriers?)</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">And when you hear a song or</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">see a bird I loved,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">please do not let the thought of me be sad...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">For I am loving you just as I always have...</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">You were so good to me!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">There are so many thing I wanted still</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">to do--</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">so many things to say to you...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Remember that I did not fear--</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">It was just leaving you that was so hard to face...</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">We cannot see Beyond...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">But this I know:</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">I love you so--</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">'twas heaven here with you!</span></div>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-41203876709000962912010-08-26T10:05:00.000-05:002010-08-26T10:05:21.905-05:00School and sickness<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">School started Monday and it is already sucking up a lot of my free time. No more FB, no more blogging, no more StarCraft II. :( Though, I have had a sick baby as well so that has taken up a lot of time too. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Monkey had some kind of virus which was causing her break outs and now it has caused a horrible snotty nose. Mouse now has a snotty nose too and was extremely cranky yesterday. I think that hers is from teething. She turned 9 months old on the 24th and the poor thing only has 4 teeth with 2 more coming in. By this time, I think Monkey had almost a full mouth! She holds her own though and manages to gum pretty much everything to death.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">We are really hoping they get over the snotty noses soon because they really aren't sleeping well at night. And every mom out there knows that the result of that is the fact that YOU don't get to sleep well at night. This hurts me even worse since I don't sleep well at night anyway! Total Zombie land here most days right now. Also, as far as sickness goes, I haven't been feeling the greatest. I have been getting dizzy spells, feeling overly tired (even more so than I should with everything that had been going on), and oddly enough the tip of my tongue would go numb. So, I finally made a Dr's appointment after I decided to check my blood sugar one night and found it to be 277. For those of you that don't know, that is extremely high. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">So, I went and he told me that I have full blown Diabetes now. NOT a happy camper, but I have no one to blame for it but myself. Not even my genes because I knew it was there, lurking in the background like some freak of a stalker, and I have not really done anything to prevent it. So, now is the time to start and hopefully I will have some good news on that front to report soon. We will see. </span>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-43992423613271821732010-08-20T11:47:00.000-05:002010-08-20T11:47:22.314-05:00Now what?<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, the past two days my blogging time has been spent staring intently at Monkey. After I picked her up from preschool (her second day there BTW) and we ate supper, I noticed that she had a little bit of a rash on her skin. Most of the time I am not worried by it because she is kind of a rashy baby. Her skin is somewhat sensitive, so sometimes she has bumps on her skin that aren't red, they are just there. Well, in a matter of 15-20 minutes they started turning red and it start spreading. Within the hour she had developed hives. It took me something like 1 hour and 45 minutes to finally get in touch with someone who knew what to do with her. I actually ended up talking to one of her old GI Dr's who happened to be on call. I told her that I was so sorry to bother her and it was not a GI issue, but she was my last resort. She was absolutely fine with talking to me. She even asked for updates on Monkey since she hadn't seen her in awhile. So, after talking to Dr. H and deciding to do a good dose of Benadryl, Monkey crashed. She was so tired! All the while, I was also on FB talking with a few of my fellow liver moms about their opinions of what to do. LOVE THEM! I also learned a few tidbits of valuable information along to way to bring up with her allergist and other Dr's.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">I was so concerned that she had gotten into peanuts or something else that I made her a pallet to sleep on in the front room while I was still awake so I could keep an eye on her. Then when it was time for bed, I took her to bed with me and (of course) I stayed awake just staring at her hoping that she didn't start having any breathing problems. She slept fine, mommy not so much. In the morning she was fine and just had the non red bumps all over again. I kept giving her the benadryl as directed by her allergist's nurse. Well, yesterday evening she broke out again. No hives this time thanks to the dosing of Benadryl. None the less, I kept a pretty good eye on her last night too even though she slept in her own bed. I slept not so well because of being worried about her. When she woke up this morning, she was fine again so off to school we went. I got called at like 9:30 to come and get her because she was breaking out again. This time she also has horrible diaper rash and it is running down her legs as well. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">So, of course I called everyone involved with her care including her allergists office again. Only this time I wanted an appointment with the allergist because I think it is time to see what else she might be allergic to. I'm not a happy momma right now. The answer I received was "We don't do emergency appointments. We can see her in September. See if you can get her in to see her primary care." Umm....aren't you guys supposed to be the specialists? Isn't he just going to tell me to see you guys anyway? Why do we need to wait for something like this? She needs to be seen sooner rather than later so it doesn't develop into something else. "Well, we don't do emergency appointments. Her primary care should be able to handle this." UGH! So, I called and am getting an appointment for Monday for her since her pediatrician is closed today so he can move his office into a much needed bigger facility. I guess I am going to have to play the guessing game as to what is making her break out over the weekend. If it gets too bad I guess we will see the E.R. again. *sigh* Why can't Monkey ever present with anything easy? Just once? </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">So, sorry for already failing, but it was actually for a good reason this time. Monkey watch! Hope you all have a great weekend. I am sure mine will be...interesting.</span>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-33733163844249272982010-08-17T13:21:00.000-05:002010-08-17T13:21:09.630-05:00Speak to me<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wow...it's been 2 months. I feel like I have been gone so often that the tired old excuses as to why don't matter, so I wont give them. Just know that I will try to keep up once again and more than likely I will fail. It seems to be my motto in life. "I will fail at something, just wait and see."</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Anyway, I have been doing a lot of thinking on the wee hours of the morning when I either can't sleep or when Mouse has decided she needs to stay awake. I have made more than a few decisions about the direction of my life. Some very satisfying and some very needed thought I expect to fail at more than one of them because I always do. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">The thing that started my thinking was the show "So you think you can dance" actually. I love to watch shows like this that showcase real talent in the dancers and choreographers. There are very few and far between routines that actually speak to me in a way that others will never understand. While I love to watch dance, I don't understand it like others do. However when there is a piece that touches me, it's amazing. It got me thinking about the things that really speak to me in a way that not a lot of other's can understand. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">I would say that music can speak to me because it used to. It really did. I used to play the Clarinet and the Bass Clarinet in band and I loved it. Music would tell me about joy, heartache, imagination, and life. It would tell a story that I loved to be a part of. Now, not so much since I haven't picked up an instrument in at least 10 years. Shame on me for letting that go, but it is what it is.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">The things that speak to me now are not so different than they were way back when in some aspects. I have always wanted to be involved in the emergency services in some way shape or form. The interest hit me at about 13 and it has always been there in the back of my mind tugging at me. When I was 14, I was granted a certificate for the first responders program in my area because I did better on the tests than most of the adults I took the test with. You are supposed to be 18 to be a licensed first responder. And that is how it has been ever since. The only problem that happened when I hit college was that all the confidence I had in my abilities left. I lack the confidence in myself to know whether the decision I am making is right or wrong. That is something that just can't happen in emergency medicine. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Anyway, the things that speak to me are being the first person to reach out to someone who has been in an accident. Watching a new little life enter this world and take their first real breath speaks to me. Feeling some one's heart valve close around your finger while you are helping to stop their bleeding speaks to me. Watching children, especially my own, discover new and unexplored things speaks to me. Watching the wonder and excitement cross over their face is just amazing. Watching a liver baby turn from yellow to pink in a matter of days speaks to me. Caring for someone who can't care for themselves speaks to me. Especially when you truly WANT to care for that person. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">For these reasons above and so many more, I have decided that it is time to return to nursing school. I have about a 1.5 year wait, but I am at least on the list. It is time for me to stop doubting myself and the things that I know in my heart are right. Even if it isn't the norm. After caring for Monkey while she was in the hospital and making decisions on the fly as well as with the help of others, I know where I belong. I belong in emergency medicine where my skill, compassion, and heart can speak to others.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Also for these reasons, I have decided that there are no more excuses for losing weight. I have a wonderful friend who has agreed to help me figure some things out for myself and we are going to hit the ground running in a few weeks. It's just something I have to do for myself, my career, and most of all my family. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Along the way there are going to be bumps, falls, and complete derailments, but that's o.k. It's something that I have to deal with. Classes start next week for all my pre-Req's and I know that it is going to help me. As I have gotten older and been taking classes before, it had always gotten easier for me because I knew I had to create a schedule so I could do well in class. This time is no different. I expect excellent work of myself from class and there is no reason I shouldn't expect it in other areas. Anything less is not an option for me when it comes to my grades and that is how it is going to be in other areas as well.</span>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-36039385408581388402010-06-16T12:53:00.000-05:002010-06-16T12:53:25.268-05:00Wordless Wednesday...Father's Day Pic Contest<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_Mj0jMPIjBEkCrWyIIzsIEMUDlA9yrFY6YPx6WgkY7cywlNB62Ns_f6KsBbDFPs3vAUnifLbC4zP8dx0TralPcJc92-763f5j0x1GsaJnEnbTxEC2oovvEEpgxhqDzIXvbwcLTJEMyY/s1600/FATHERSDAYCONTEST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_Mj0jMPIjBEkCrWyIIzsIEMUDlA9yrFY6YPx6WgkY7cywlNB62Ns_f6KsBbDFPs3vAUnifLbC4zP8dx0TralPcJc92-763f5j0x1GsaJnEnbTxEC2oovvEEpgxhqDzIXvbwcLTJEMyY/s320/FATHERSDAYCONTEST.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There is a Father's Day <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">Foto</span> contest going on right now hosted by a few different blogs (Buttons will be at the bottom). I thought that this was a good thing to do for Wordless Wednesday. So, here is my submission of the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">huz</span>. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7BHuGrXo4REdr44vfBxWN9Mkzudun2hU29H0B4eV6fqMOsluLb_2Yai6ucE8KnSGE7dkWmiqIWIoN5TP0CedrF8JA-R-FbL0zklJlMM6YI1Q-6op5CgxI6TMloJ20HQkpz8lT_fqU48/s1600/IMG_0533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7BHuGrXo4REdr44vfBxWN9Mkzudun2hU29H0B4eV6fqMOsluLb_2Yai6ucE8KnSGE7dkWmiqIWIoN5TP0CedrF8JA-R-FbL0zklJlMM6YI1Q-6op5CgxI6TMloJ20HQkpz8lT_fqU48/s320/IMG_0533.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This picture was taken about a month after Monkey's first surgery. She still slept a lot. It was one of the few times when we actually got some downtime and as you can see Daddy and his little Monkey took advantage of the time to get in a quick nap. When I was looking for this picture, I noticed that I did not have a picture of Daddy and both girls. Something that will be corrected VERY soon. So, to not let Mouse feel left out, here is a picture of Daddy and Mouse doing their favorite thing. </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://toothsoap.com/healthy-products.php?af=1154655" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/dperry_2007/toothsoapbutton.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">I have really been wanting to try out this stuff. From what I have heard it is great, but I am not so sure. I mean, soap on your teeth?! Maybe if I win it I won't have an excuse not to try it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Ready to link up? Go to any of the hosts below!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://somanykidssolittletime.com/" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="So Many Kids, So Little Time" src="http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/kimjohnson80/somanysm.png" /></a><a href="http://www.supahmommy.blogspot.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/dperry_2007/animatedcoffeehead.gif" /></a><a border="0" href="http://www.petersonstlouis.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img height="185" src="http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd84/juanitasgirl/archpeterson2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><a href="http://realworldvenusmars.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Venus and Mars" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nB8gLYIkLuM/SgfTi415x7I/AAAAAAAACgI/jCnB92JDFPA/S240/rwvm+button.PNG" /></a>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-60603474408545042622010-06-15T14:12:00.000-05:002010-06-15T14:12:35.296-05:00Post It Note Tuesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://supahmommy.blogspot.com/2009/09/post-it-note-tuesday-what-will-you-say.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/dperry_2007/superstickies-413-1.png" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's once again PINT! Please follow the link above and create your own neat-o posties!</span><br />
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</div>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-83971769848406916492010-06-04T01:10:00.002-05:002010-06-04T01:11:47.044-05:00I'm Leaving....<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On a jet plane....<em>err, make that a Ford Edge.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">I don't know when I'll be back again. <em>Wait, yes I do! Saturday June 12th.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Oh, babe, I hate to go. <em>No, really, I don't. I actually can't wait to go!</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Today is Friday so that means that it is time to link up for Friday Follow. If you want the details, click on the link below.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://friday-follow.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="friday-follow" border="0" src="http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo22/iamharriet/ff/button1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I promise to visit and follow any new followers as soon as I get back on the computer. I will be trying to get some sleep tomorrow during the day sans kids so I can drive to New Orleans tomorrow night. I will absolutely let you all know how that goes. I am sure that there will be blog fodder galore with trying to make a 12-14 hour car ride with a 2yo and a 6mo. Am I crazy or what? <span style="font-size: xx-small;">shut it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Also, please visit this <a href="http://www.fibers.com/contests/fathers-day-2010/transplant-dad.D7130">link</a> and vote for the shirt I made for Fibers.com's Father's Day T-Shirt contest. I am currently in first place, but second place is catching up quickly! Please spread the word about Organ Donation because that is really what the shirt is all about! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a great Friday!</span>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-26494625880423687172010-06-03T16:23:00.000-05:002010-06-03T16:23:28.064-05:00Tell the truth Thursday<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let's all Tell the Truth!</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">My shirt is up to 46 votes! I am SO excited. Second place is at 31 votes. Yes, I am begging you to please, please, please go <a href="http://www.fibers.com/contests/fathers-day-2010/transplant-dad.D7130"><span style="color: magenta;">vote</span></a> for it. Share the link with your friends and have them look at it and vote for it. Get the Organ Donation word out there! Please feel free to leave a comment too. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">I have gotten absolutely nothing done for the trip today. I need to get the front room cleaned, do more packing, clean the girls' room, do one last load of laundry, clean the kitchen, and do one last load of dishes. I also have to pack the girls an overnight bag because they are spending the night with "Bob" and Grammy J so I can sleep tomorrow. Why do I need to sleep you ask? <span style="font-size: xx-small;">I know, you really weren't that interested, but I am telling you anyway!</span> We are leaving tomorrow night and since the huz has to work all day, I need to sleep so I can drive.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">I just found out today that I have a mild form of IBS. Why don't Dr's ever believe you when you go to them and tell them that you know you have "Blah"? Ugh. I could have done without all the testing. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">I am SO sick and tired of hearing about this perfect game that got ruined. If you haven't been reading long, I am not so much a fan of baseball because of how highly paid these guys are just to play a sport. Yes, it's sad that the guy was wrong, but that's life! Ugh. You are still getting your billions of dollars so why do you care? Why not give up the paycheck to teachers, EMT's, Paramedics, Nurses, or even firefighters and know what it is like to really complain. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Anyhoo, I also wanted to let everyone know that I am failing miserably at losing weight. Absolutely failing. However, I am not going to beat myself up about it anymore. I think that is part of the problem. I am going to try to just let the one day I mess up on be just that. One day. Rather than beating myself up about it and letting it turn into three days or a week and so on. I am going to start telling myself that it is alright to fail as long as I never quit. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Too bad I didn't use that philosophy in nursing school way back when...I'd be done and not wishing to go back.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">I am So going to eat bad when I am in New Orleans. It is just something that will happen and I accept that. It's a once in a lifetime thing and I will move on. I am still going to try, but I know there will be a few meals that are not the best. And that's o.k.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">I dislike people sometimes. I go through phases of wanting to just be left alone. It's nowhere near as bad as the huz, but it happens. The huz would be a hermit if I let him! Me? Not so much. I just hate the drama sometimes. I think that is why a lot of my IRL friends are guys. They are easier for me to get along with.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Now, off to clean and pack and blargh!</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Do you need to tell the truth?</span>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-87001861861099228562010-06-02T09:51:00.000-05:002010-06-02T09:51:28.353-05:00Wordless Wednesday.....Pour Your Heart Out<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is going to be a mixture of Wordless Wednesday and Pour Your Heart Out hosted by Shell. I guess it should be called wordful Wednesday then huh? I never was any good at following the rules! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">To participate in Pour Your Heart out, just click the button. For WW, you know what to do!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Some of you already know that I have entered a <a href="http://www.fibers.com/contests/fathers-day-2010/transplant-dad.D7130">Fathers Day T-Shirt design contest</a>. I am totally going to pimp it out until June 9th. Yes, it would be nice to win the iPad and other prizes and I wouldn't turn them down. However, there is another reason that I designed a shirt focused on Organ Donation. (Here is where the WW comes in) The reason is the little girl in the pictures below.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My little Monkey wouldn't be here today without <a href="http://www.unos.org/">Organ Donation</a>. She received her Liver transplant on November 18, 2008. Ever since then she has been a completely new baby and now toddler. I can't imagine my life without her. It is difficult to wrap my head around the fact that there was even a possibility that we could have lost her. At the time I didn't realise how very sick she was. She was happy. She seemed to be relatively healthy, aside from her yellow skin. She did sleep a lot, but we thought that we just had a good and very laid back baby. Our world turned upside down when we were told that she did indeed have liver disease. She went through a surgery to try to help her liver, but it failed almost immediately. Then she had surgery to place a central IV line because I was tired of seeing my little baby be tortured just to start an IV. It was one of the best decisions I ever made for her health during that time. Then came her transplant. 6 1/2 hours of sitting and waiting for the phone to ring. Waiting for the nurse from the OR to tell me how my baby was doing. Waiting to see her afterwards. While we did take pictures of her in PICU afterwards, I didn't want pictures taken of her with the ventilator in her mouth. If someone did take them, I don't want to know. I'm weird like that. The other side of transplant is an amazing place.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I can't help but think that if I can get the word out there for people to go at least look at the shirt, if not vote for it, they would start to think about the message it presents. If I can touch all of my followers on here, all of my followers on Twitter, and my friends on FB, then I have done my part for Organ Donation today. </span><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">No one should ever have to lose their loved ones because an organ wasn't available to them. I have witnessed quite a few liver babies pass because of this. It always breaks my heart. We were extremely blessed with Monkey's wait. She waited for 22 days on the transplant list. A family who lost their child gave us the most precious and wonderful gift anyone could have ever given us. Their child now lives on through Monkey. So please, at least go look at the shirt. Consider what it stands for. Please take the time to think about making the decision to become a donor if you aren't already. If you choose to vote for the shirt, I appreciate it. If you choose to become an Organ Donor, you will forever be my Hero. And please, spread the word.</span></div><br />
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</script>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-11445596810651074172010-06-01T13:33:00.000-05:002010-06-01T13:33:51.245-05:00Post It Note Tuesday<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's Post It Note Tuesday hosted by Supah. Go ahead and Link up!</span><br />
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</div>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761272445499281155.post-34991550031245514212010-05-31T12:58:00.000-05:002010-05-31T12:58:00.959-05:00Father's Day Contest...Help Me!<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://thingsicantsay-shell.blogspot.com/2010/05/fathers-day-contest-and-giveaway.html">Shell</a> pointed me towards Fibers.com last night. She is doing a giveaway from them and she also mentioned that they are doing a Father's Day Contest. You design a shirt and then people vote on it. The person with the most votes wins great prizes! Including an iPad!!!!! Well, I couldn't pass this up so I designed a shirt! To view it and VOTE <span style="font-size: xx-small;">please please please</span>, you can go <a href="http://www.fibers.com/contests/fathers-day-2010/transplant-dad.D7130">here</a>. I designed a shirt for the huz that reflects our life trying to promote Organ Donation Awareness. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;">Each person can cast a max on 3 votes per account (no creating duplicate accounts because they log your IP address) so if you create something, let me know and I can vote for you guys too. Right now the highest vote is up to 27 votes. Surely we can beat that!!! </span>Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc..http://www.blogger.com/profile/11628880971314832669noreply@blogger.com2