Good bye camper

This weekend, we said good bye to our camper. We posted it on Craig's list on Monday or Tuesday night and was sold by Saturday. I love the idea of camping and we have had some great times in the camper, however several negatives made it seem like a good idea to sell. We still plan to camp in our tent, but don't feel as obligated with less of an investment.

Other news:
I wish I would have had my camera, but our neighbors and Eric hit the sand volleyball court yesterday for a tournament to raise money for breast cancer. They did great, coming in second. They were fun to watch, just can hardly wait until I can play with them again. The boys (Zach and Cale) did awesome hanging out all day watching and playing.

I had my fourth blood patch this past Thursday, just hoping and praying to get to 100% again. So far, I think I have improved and just so thankful for a doctor who also wants to help me get completely well.

School's Out

Today was Zach's last day of first grade. Another year under his belt, with lots of growth (physically, academically and emotionally) to show for it. Zach loved his teacher Mrs. Forret and I was also thankful for her. I was so glad that she was honest with us early in the year and guiding us to seek help for Zach and ADHD. With Zach working hard, his teacher, us and medication, Zach had a superior year. Zach is gifted academically, but if he continued down a road where he is told to sit still 50 times a day, I think the giftedness would get hidden.

Most people have an opinion on whether you should medicate or not medicate a child with adhd. My opinion and in Zach's case, I think we would be doing Zach a huge disservice by not helping him with medication. It is obvious that he does not have a choice to sit still, it's a malfunction in his brain, comparable to a child having a seizure. At 7 years of age, he knows that the medicine helps him stay calm and can feel the difference.

I am so proud of him and happy with the successful year he has had at school. Zach is looking forward to the summer and returning to daycare. Mercy daycare provides a school age program which is so much fun for kids. Also, a lot of the kids that Zach has been in daycare with since he was born return there during the summer.

Cale is also looking forward to the summer, because his big brother will be at daycare. Granted they won't see much of each other, but still he is excited. Cale made a transition last week to the "yellow room" which is the last stop before heading to school. They did a preliminary kindergarten readiness eval on Cale and he is ready to start school. Unfortunately, he has to wait a year to be old enough. Cale is always trying to keep up with Zach and his friends, so eager to learn what they know, etc. I anticipate him reading before he starts school, he is well on his way.

He is a talker and story teller. He is growing up so fast. Last summer, when we would be outside, he would just hang by Eric or me, now he is the one that wants to go outside and play with the "boys" of the neighborhood. I see him playing tag or whatever the game is and trying so hard to win- oh yeah he is competitive- just like Eric.

Happy Summer to Everyone!

Getting Back to Life

Cale, Ryan (our neighbor) and Zach enjoying the evening outside.

Friday night, we invited our neighbors over for a bon fire and smores. I think Zach is negotiating with Eric for one more Hersey Chocolate bar :)

Cale and Zach just chillin

I am so thankful I am seeing a normal life again. This past weekend, I was up more than down for the first time in 8 weeks. We packed the 3 day weekend with as much stuff as possible- just like old times. God willing I am planning on going back to work on Thursday- 4 hour days for awhile. I have an appt next Thursday to see if we will do a 4th blood patch- I am not pain free yet, not sure if a blood patch will help me or if it will just take time to be pain free.

Update

Good news, I am sitting up while typing this entry- Praise God!

Sorry, another long story (that I want to remember): Last Wed. I was talking to my boss and she said she needed to talk to me, but was afraid to do so. Earlier she had told me that even when my FMLA (family medical leave) would run at 12 weeks, my job would be safe. We were concerned that I may be off that long since I had been referred to the Mayo Clinic and it took a few months to get into see one of their neurologist. I still couldn't tolerate sitting up for more than an hour or so. Anyway, she talked with our Human Resource department and my boss had understood she didn't have a choice she had to post my position at 12 weeks. That created panic- I really like my job- especially the flexibility, something I am not sure I would find elsewhere in the nursing world. Eric and I talked and made the decision with talking with others just to drive to Rochester and go to their ER. We knew I do not have a life threatening illness, but we were desperate.

Thursday morning we took that leap of faith and headed to Rochester. We got into the ER quickly and by 10:30, we were talking to their neurologist. They gave us the recommendations on what they would do if I was their patient and spoke to one of my doctors here. Also, confirmed the diagnosis of a Spontaneous CSF leak (99% sure) and answered are many questions. We came back home and had another blood patch scheduled for Friday with my doctor here. My Mercy doctors are doing fine other than they admittedly don't see this often enough and aren't sure on what to do, so they were open to having some direction. One of the many God parts of this story is that while we were in the ER, my boss was trying to get a hold of me- she had misunderstood Human Resources and she could hold my job for me. It's amazing in the fact that we needed a push otherwise I would still be waiting for appointment and the Mayo Clinic and still be laying down most of the day.

Friday morning- Eric and I attended a life changing prayer meeting at our church. Some amazing people prayed for us and we could feel God's healing hand at work. Then I went back to have my third blood patch. Each one is getting a little more uncomfortable, but if they do the trick it is well worth it.

I rested the rest of Friday. Saturday- when I started getting up I still have some residual headache when I was up, but much better than before. Each day it seems like I can be up longer and starting to feel better every day. Seven weeks of laying around takes a tole on person- so now just trying to get stronger. Also, realizing that I need to change some things in my life and hoping and praying the changes I make will be life long!

Graduation

My beautiful neice Sara graduated from high school yesterday. I was really bummed I didn't get to be there. These are some pictures from her prom.

Rantings

Recent conversations:



Zach and I are talking about something-can't remember what, but I tell him we can do that when my head gets better and Zach tells me, "your headaches are getting annoying" I told him, I couldn't agree more with him



Cale asks me almost everyday, "mom is your head better yet?" I can hardly wait for the day I get to tell him yes!



Tomorrow, it will be 6 weeks when this whole process started. Yesterday it was determined that I need to be seen at the Mayo Clinic. I am starting to have my own pity parties on a daily (maybe even hourly)basis, oh I do drag Eric in on it and whoever else willing to listen. I am just getting so tired of it all and no rapid conclusion in site. (no mom- I am not suicidal- just frustrated) I now have to wait for an approval to be seen and then an appt will be made, of course that process takes several business days. In the meantime, I called up to Mayo neurology as a 'nurse' and checking for a "patient" how far out they are booking appts. July and August- oh dear God please don't make me wait that long!



I could rant about the "lovely" women I talked with this morning from my insurance company. How can people be so rude!` But, I finally calmed down from that. Let's see who else is annoying- the short term disability people- they like talking to me, asking me about every 72 hours on why I am not back to work. I politely explain to them what is going on. But, what I want to say is Get off my back, I like to work, I want to go back to work, I actually can hardly wait until I can go back to work, but until something gets figured out so it doesn't feel like someone is kicking the back of my head every time I am up and the longer I am up, the harder they kick I am stuck at home. I would even put some swear words in there.



Okay, enough complaining, I feel better, do you? Maybe since I typed this it will relieve Eric from having to listen to me AGAIN. On a positive note, I am getting a lot better typing one handed from the floor.

Happy May Day

The boys enjoyed a beautiful May Day. It's been tradition in our neighborhood to do May baskets. The first year living here I was caught off guard, I remember May baskets as kids, but thought it was a lost tradition.

Not very creative, but got the job done!

Ready to be delivered!

Eric and I got some good laughs watching these two characters deliver the baskets. Zach convinced Cale to be the door bell ringer. Cale would sneak up with the baskets, ring the door bell and Zach would start to take off with the wagon and Cale's little legs would run so fast to catch up with his brother and they didn't want to be seen by the receiver of the basket.