Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Just Breathe.
5:00 p.m.: I'm in the kitchen getting supper ready with Kieran driving his John Deere dump truck through my feet (after I had already told him twice to take it out of the kitchen) and he's proudly blowing his new whistle that he got at preschool. Kiptyn is pulling on my pant legs crying because he wants me to pick him up as I'm trying to drain the hot pasta and then the vegetables start boiling over on the stove!
8:00 p.m.: The boys are bathed and in bed. The kitchen sink is overflowing with dirty dishes and the stove top needs a good scrubbing and I'm taking a moment to. just. breath.
8:00 p.m.: The boys are bathed and in bed. The kitchen sink is overflowing with dirty dishes and the stove top needs a good scrubbing and I'm taking a moment to. just. breath.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Back to the Real World!
The grandma's are gone--or should I say the cooks, maids, playmates, and laundry folders have left the building. Bummer!
Actually, I am feeling very well and ready for work tomorrow and getting back into the swing of things! My mom was here for a few days and then Chuck's mom came out and the boys loved having the grandma's around! They were a huge help--it was nice being able to sit down or lay on the couch, knowing that things were well taken care of!
I saw the immune system doctor/specialist today and they gave me some vaccines, some shots and some instructions. I go back in a few weeks for more labs to see if my immune system is working properly. Another doctor, another appointment..
Grandma Shelia (top) and Grandma Agnes (bottom)
Family Photo after church on SundayThursday, October 21, 2010
Post Surgery
First let me say thank you for all the prayers as I had my 2nd sinus surgery yesterday--they were felt and appreciated! Even the doctor prayed with me before the surgery which was very affirming!
The surgery went well and I am recovering at home. The surgery did last 3 hours but the doctor didn't go as extensive into all of my sinuses that he thought he would. He didn't feel the need to disrupt areas that weren't infected or diseased right now since this flare-up happened after the last surgery in May. We'll watch the healing process and see how it goes and it's kind of a wait and see approach right now. I may or may not need surgery again in the future.
I have had some bleeding, which is to be expected, and I'm on pain medication. I've been sleeping in the recliner or on the couch so I can elevate my head easier. My mom is here helping with the boys and then Chuck's mom will come out on Friday and will be staying until next week. I appreciate their help so much since I can't bend over or lift over 25 lbs. One of my friends from church brought us a meal last night for supper and that was an unexpected blessing! Also, I want to thank Daniel and Rachel for keeping our boys overnight on Tuesday night since we had to be at the hospital early yesterday--that helped so much with my stress level going into the surgery knowing that they were well taken care of.
So, now I heal and see some other doctors. I will be seeing the immune system doctor on Monday and we'll see if we can find an underlying cause as to why my body isn't fighting off infection very well. It is hard to know at this point because of my Crohn's Disease and the Remicade treatments I get. My immune system may just need an extra boost!
Thanks again for your prayers and I'll try to update this blog again when we know more information. And I'll try to get some more pictures posted soon!
The surgery went well and I am recovering at home. The surgery did last 3 hours but the doctor didn't go as extensive into all of my sinuses that he thought he would. He didn't feel the need to disrupt areas that weren't infected or diseased right now since this flare-up happened after the last surgery in May. We'll watch the healing process and see how it goes and it's kind of a wait and see approach right now. I may or may not need surgery again in the future.
I have had some bleeding, which is to be expected, and I'm on pain medication. I've been sleeping in the recliner or on the couch so I can elevate my head easier. My mom is here helping with the boys and then Chuck's mom will come out on Friday and will be staying until next week. I appreciate their help so much since I can't bend over or lift over 25 lbs. One of my friends from church brought us a meal last night for supper and that was an unexpected blessing! Also, I want to thank Daniel and Rachel for keeping our boys overnight on Tuesday night since we had to be at the hospital early yesterday--that helped so much with my stress level going into the surgery knowing that they were well taken care of.
So, now I heal and see some other doctors. I will be seeing the immune system doctor on Monday and we'll see if we can find an underlying cause as to why my body isn't fighting off infection very well. It is hard to know at this point because of my Crohn's Disease and the Remicade treatments I get. My immune system may just need an extra boost!
Thanks again for your prayers and I'll try to update this blog again when we know more information. And I'll try to get some more pictures posted soon!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Preschool Picture Page
Kieran and I worked on a special project for preschool and I think we both had lots of fun doing it! We made a "picture page" about Kieran that he will take back to preschool, his teacher will laminate it and then put it in a book with all his classmates' "picture pages" and then each of the kids will have the chance to bring the book home twice throughout the year. It is a fun way for the kids to learn more about their friends in their class.
We added pictures of Kieran and our family, lots of stickers with things that Kieran likes and then I typed out fun facts about Kieran and his favorite things. Kieran used his scissors to cut out the things I had typed--and it was great practice for him as he learns to use scissors properly.
We added pictures of Kieran and our family, lots of stickers with things that Kieran likes and then I typed out fun facts about Kieran and his favorite things. Kieran used his scissors to cut out the things I had typed--and it was great practice for him as he learns to use scissors properly.
We worked on this project on Saturday so we could get it done before my sinus surgery which has been scheduled for this Wednesday the 20th.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
First Conference, Second Surgery
Parent Teacher Conference
I had my first parent teacher conference today with Kieran's preschool teacher. I hope every conference I endure goes as well as this one did! Kieran is right where he needs to be developmentally. It will be fun to see how far he has come by the end of the school year! Of course, there are some things we can practice at home such as knowing our colors (that brown is a tricky one!), properly holding a pencil and practicing using scissors. Kieran loves preschool and I am very pleased with his teachers and his preschool experience so far!
Sinus Doctor--Again!
If you recall, I had sinus surgery back in May and if I was blog literate I would look that post up and put a blue link right here so that you could just click on it and be reminded of this journey. But, that option doesn't seem to work for me when I try it, so I'll give you a quick reminder.
The sinus doctor removed a "turbinate" from my nose on the left and right side back in May. They were "huge" as he put in the report and the surgery was a breeze as well as the recovery. I was out shopping the very next day---can't ask for a better recovery than that right?! Everything seemed to be going good and them BAM--stuffiness, drainage, headaches, congestion--you allergy sufferers know what I'm talking about! The polyps in my nose had gone crazy and were inflamed and causing all sorts of problems.
Begin steroids and antibiotics to try and reduce the swelling and infection again. This went on for 3 months and finally the sinus doctor referred me to a different sinus doctor--and enter Dr. Leight on the scene. After seeing him the first time, trying more antibiotics and nasal medicines, he tells me today that I do need surgery again. So, now I'm going in for more sinus surgery to remove the "crud" in my sinuses--the CT Scan they did today did not look pretty!! I'll also be seeing an allergy doctor and also a doctor that specializes in the immune system to see if I have an underlying problem fighting off infection in my body. Wow!
Ironically enough, the doctor told me that 50% of Crohn's Disease patients have sinus problems. So, we'll see what happens from here on out. Hopefully we'll get some answers and keep my sinuses from getting out of control again. Your prayers would be much appreciated during this long and sometimes frustrating journey!
P.S. At the time of this writing, the surgery date has not been scheduled--most likely it will happen within the next 2 weeks.
I had my first parent teacher conference today with Kieran's preschool teacher. I hope every conference I endure goes as well as this one did! Kieran is right where he needs to be developmentally. It will be fun to see how far he has come by the end of the school year! Of course, there are some things we can practice at home such as knowing our colors (that brown is a tricky one!), properly holding a pencil and practicing using scissors. Kieran loves preschool and I am very pleased with his teachers and his preschool experience so far!
Sinus Doctor--Again!
If you recall, I had sinus surgery back in May and if I was blog literate I would look that post up and put a blue link right here so that you could just click on it and be reminded of this journey. But, that option doesn't seem to work for me when I try it, so I'll give you a quick reminder.
The sinus doctor removed a "turbinate" from my nose on the left and right side back in May. They were "huge" as he put in the report and the surgery was a breeze as well as the recovery. I was out shopping the very next day---can't ask for a better recovery than that right?! Everything seemed to be going good and them BAM--stuffiness, drainage, headaches, congestion--you allergy sufferers know what I'm talking about! The polyps in my nose had gone crazy and were inflamed and causing all sorts of problems.
Begin steroids and antibiotics to try and reduce the swelling and infection again. This went on for 3 months and finally the sinus doctor referred me to a different sinus doctor--and enter Dr. Leight on the scene. After seeing him the first time, trying more antibiotics and nasal medicines, he tells me today that I do need surgery again. So, now I'm going in for more sinus surgery to remove the "crud" in my sinuses--the CT Scan they did today did not look pretty!! I'll also be seeing an allergy doctor and also a doctor that specializes in the immune system to see if I have an underlying problem fighting off infection in my body. Wow!
Ironically enough, the doctor told me that 50% of Crohn's Disease patients have sinus problems. So, we'll see what happens from here on out. Hopefully we'll get some answers and keep my sinuses from getting out of control again. Your prayers would be much appreciated during this long and sometimes frustrating journey!
P.S. At the time of this writing, the surgery date has not been scheduled--most likely it will happen within the next 2 weeks.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Oil Man
Here's my little man helping the big man change the oil in the car:
He has to have his gloves on--which are actually his winter gloves--but they work!
Daddy is getting brave by letting Kieran pour the oil all my himself now! Pretty soon we'll let Kieran go solo with the oil changes :-)Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Omaha Children's Museum
I'm on vacation this week and I've been busy cleaning carpets, doing errands, deep cleaning and all that stuff that needs to get done that I never seem to have time for--and honestly, some of the things on my "to do" list still aren't getting done while I'm off! But, that's okay because I decided I wanted to take some time to relax and also do some fun things with my boys. So, today we went to the Omaha Children's Museum and they both had a great time! It was so fun watching them explore new things!
Kieran loved the ball exhibit!! He got so excited when the balls popped up on their own!
Our friends joined us for some fun too!
Of course, the water table was a huge hit for both of the boys too! We'll definitely be making a return trip to the Museum!
Kieran loved the ball exhibit!! He got so excited when the balls popped up on their own!
Our friends joined us for some fun too!
Of course, the water table was a huge hit for both of the boys too! We'll definitely be making a return trip to the Museum!
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