YAY!!!

We have referrals for Emily, Josh, and Drew to see our neurosurgeon, Dr. Ellenbogen! We may finally get some answers! Brooke also needs to get her yearly MRI done in Feb, so Dr. E's assistant said we'll just schedule all four children for MRIs on the same day. Stu will have to take the day off, so one of us can stay with the boys while they are sedated and the other can go with the girls, who won't need sedation. This will probably all be delayed until February, but since it's been 6 months in the works, I think we can wait a couple more.

Thank you all for the prayers you've already said for us! I'll let you know when we have a date.

Eating my own words...

When I found out the naval hospital had grabbed the referral for my surgery, I was horrified. I have heard so many horror stories about military hospitals and we've had our own horrible encounters with the ER at naval hospital. I know there are some wonderful military doctors, but there are so many that are NOT wonderful by any shape of the imagination, and I don't like the concept of not being able to fire my doctor! I equate it to playing Russion roulette when trusting my family's health to the military health care system.

However... I didn't have an option that was really going to work for us. I could change to a different insurance plan, but that meant big bucks that we really don't have, especially when we're trying to pay off all debt before retirement. I could also just go to a civilian surgeon and stay enrolled in my current insurance plan, but that would mean even more money.

So, being in pain, I made the appointment and got the doctor's name so I could do research on her. I really liked what I read about her education, and looked forward to meeting her. My first appointment with this doctor really helped me relax about what was ahead. The doctor took plenty of time with me, explaining the options we had as far as treatment, and the risks associated with each. She explained how the whole liver/gallbladder/digestion system works to make sure I had the info I needed to make an educated decision. She even released me from the naval hospital so I could go to a civilian physician and be more comfortable with the system.

After meeting her, praying about the right thing to do, and the pain continuing, I decided to go with the naval hospital after all. I'm so glad I did! The care I received there, from the nurse scheduling the appointments and surgery, to the corpsman who wheeled me to the door of the hospital after my stay, was absolutely wonderful, with the exception of only three people. Even the food service was amazing!!

I will continue seeing my civilian physician, and avoiding the naval ER with every bone in my body, but it's nice to know that I can expect wonderful care if I ever have to have another surgery (or... gasp... another child) at Bremerton Naval Hospital!

Home again

I had to be at the hospital bright and early yesterday, then there was a lot of waiting. LOL Wait to be checked in, then wait to be taken to the holding room, then wait for the anesthesia, then I don't remember anything else. LOL Stu, however, spent several hours waiting to hear something while I was in the holding room getting my hands massaged by two young men. They were having a hard time finding a vein in my hands that they wanted to use, so I had a guy on each hand, slapping it, rubbing it, etc. I joked with them that I really needed a pedicure also. For some reason, they just didn't think they'd have the time for that.

They finally found a vein they liked and got the iv set, then in came the anesthesiologist. He put something in my iv and I thought maybe the iv was messed up because I didn't feel anything. Then came the burn, and then I could no longer sit up. I told them I was going to lay down and close my eyes now, and to just let me know if they needed anything. ROFL I remember at some time, somebody put a mask over my face and told me to breathe in deeply so I could fill my lungs with oxygen so I didn't get pneumonia, and the next thing I remember was recovery. I had such a sweet nurse in recovery! He joked with me, didn't mind answering the same question repeatedly, or anything. I remembered asking if they had let my husband know I was okay, but I couldn't remember what he told me. I've decided that men who go into nursing tend to be exceptionally kind, caring people.

Luckily, we'd already planned for me to stay the night, but they would have kept me anyway, because I couldn't stop throwing up. Already having a room waiting, the paperwork filled out, etc. just made things go a little more smoothly.

I'm feeling much better today than I expected to feel. I'm sore, but it's more a muscle soreness than anything. I am so grateful for all the prayers. I know it wasn't a real major surgery, certainly nothing like what Brooke went through a year ago, or what little Riley is dealing with right now, but it was still nerve-wracking and knowing people were praying was very comforting.

Now I'm going to go take a nap. :D

Riley update

Riley's blog says his surgery went very well! They also appreciate all the prayers!

Riley is still in pain. Brooke wanted to badly to go visit him and offer him some encouragement, but there's just no time before my surgery tomorrow. It's a bit strange for me to think of Riley's mom sitting up there at that hospital, when her son just had the same surgery my daughter had a year ago tomorrow. I pray that they have wonderful results like Brooke did.

Guess I spoke too soon!!

Tricare has now cancelled the children's original MRI referrals, including the one for each that was approved. They each now have four NEW MRI referrals, that are completely different from the ones originally ordered/approved. These new referrals are all "pending review", so we're waiting again. I'm okay with the wait now, though, because I've spoken to the radiology scheduler and they can't get us in for at least 3-4 weeks anyway. I was hoping to get it done before my surgery, but that's not a possibility even if the referrals were approved now. Waiting this long only means I will definitely be healed, have an idea of the types of foods I can handle, and have more energy by then. :)

YAY, Tricare!!!

I've been trying to get our PCM to put in referrals for the other three to be tested for Chiari. They all show symptoms, and Dr. Ellenbogen felt like it would be wise to get them checked. All three have severe headaches, in the front and back of their heads. Josh and Emily see spots with their headaches. We know Josh does because the other night, when he was suffering from one of them, he tripped and said, "It's so hard to see with all the blinking lights." Emily and Josh both also suffer from leg pains nearly every day, often waking with them, not just suffering from them after an active day. Emily now also suffers from a tingling, needly feeling on her back/shoulders, and hand/wrist pain. Her pain is very similar to what I feel with my fibro, and she may very well end up having fibro, but if it's Chiari, we need to know NOW, before she ends up with permanent damage of paralysis.

I got a call, late yesterday afternoon, from our PCM's nurse, saying she was getting ready to put in the referrals. She put in a referral for a head/neck MRI for each child, as well as a spine MRI for each. Cysts of cerebrospinal fluid are common in Chiari patients, as is tethered cord syndrome. It is so common, they like to check the spine in all Chiari patients to rule out those things. All three head/neck MRIs are approved, and the spinal MRIs are all still being reviewed. I am so relieved!! I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders now that they will finally get these tests!!

Of course I hope the MRIs don't show any issues, but if they do, I want them taken care of while we are stationed here. Dr. Ellenbogen is one of the top doctors in the country for this condition, and we truly feel that God paved the way for us to be stationed here right before Brooke got so sick and was diagnosed. It's almost time for sea duty again, and while we are trying to be stationed here for that, there is no guarantee. So I've been a bit anxious about getting this done in a timely manner.

I know several people have been waiting and praying with us, for these MRIs, so I'll keep you updated on the progress.

Surgery...

I'll be one gallbladder lighter as of Thursday, Nov 6. The doctor is going to have me stay the night in the hospital, even though it will be laproscopic, because she and I both agreed I will probably get more rest, and therefore better healing, if I have that first night without the children. They are wonderful and make me laugh, give me lots of hugs and kisses, etc., but that laughing and hugs/kisses can also be pretty exhausting and... well... painful, when you've just had surgery.

How much weight do you think you lose with a gallbladder removal???

On another note, please remember Riley on Tuesday, Nov 4. He is a 4 year old Chiari patient who is having surgery with the awesome Dr. Ellenbogen. It's a difficult procedure on those children, although ultimately so very helpful, and it is a difficult time for the parents.

It will be the year anniversary of Brooke's surgery on Nov 6, so those feelings are still quite fresh in our minds. I was hoping to be able to be there with Riley's parents, to help get them whatever they need, help them deal with those emotions, etc., but I don't think I'm going to be able to do that with my pre-op stuff. Please pray for some kind soul to help smooth the way for them and make that wait a little less stressful, in whatever ways they need. Please also pray for the doctors.

I have such a burden in my heart for these other Chiari families. So many people read about Chiari and think it's no big deal. They don't realize all the things that go wrong regularly, all the complications that often go along with the condition, or the fact that these children face a risk of paralysis or permanent damage if treatment is held off too long, or they do something as simple as riding a roller coaster, for instance. Many loving, wonderful people that we know, did not realize how serious the condition is until Brooke was granted a Make a Wish, and that family had a house built by Extreme Makeover. Unfortunately, this means these families often don't have the support and understanding that they really need during this difficult time. Even though most of the people who know us didn't not realize how serious the situation was, we were very blessed to have lots of support from friends and family. God is so good!

Now I have to go back to bed. This gallbladder stuff is making me so exhausted! I was worried I'd be up during the night if I didn't make myself get up for a few hours this evening, though. Goodnight!!

A contest!!

A fellow submarine wife is running a contest on her blog: Lovely Yellow Ribbons She's giving away a personalized "family crest" that she and the winner will design together. What a neat prize! You can keep it for yourself, have it designed for one of your children, or give it away as a wedding gift, perhaps! Becca does lovely work, and I sure hope I win... ;) ... but if one of you reading this wins, please share a picture of your crest when it's finished!

If you enter her contest, I'd sure appreciate it if you'd also mention in the comments that you read about it here, so I can get an extra entry. Good luck to all!

DUH moments...

So, I was getting ready to snooze last night. I opened my contact case and panicked when I realized it was empty. The thoughts that quickly ran through my head included:
"Could one of the boys gotten into my contact stuff?"
"Could I have dropped the contact on the floor instead of into the case?"
"Do I have any extras?"
"You idiot, you opened the case to put your contact into it! The contact is still on your eye!!!"

Yeah...

Fess up... you know you've done similar silly stuff! Share with me!

My sonogram...

The doctor found a "quite large" gallstone. I'm sure surgery is in my future. I see my PCM Thursday. I'm in a lot of pain this evening, after the pushed around on my belly with that sonogram wand. I imagine all that prodding irritated my gallbladder even more.

I also take Drew back to the doctor Thursday, for his finger. It's still swollen and the hand is all bruised up. The boy won't leave the tape on his fingers, though, and it keeps getting sat on, or bent backward, etc. I'm hoping the doctor will just put a cast on his hand so his hand will have time to heal properly. I'll have to figure out how to get the doctor to think it's his idea, though, or it'll never happen.

Sonogram tomorrow...

Nope, not for a baby. My doc thinks I may need to have my gall bladder out. So, tomorrow is the sonogram to see how it is working (or not) and then we'll decide if surgery is the right choice. Please pray with me that they will figure out what is wrong and fix it. I don't want to experience the horrible pain that took us to the ER last week, EVER again.

My goal with this new blog...

Being a mom of teen girls and young boys offers numerous opportunities for laughter, wonder, and frustration. I am so very blessed to have these amazing people in my life and I hope this blog will not only give our friends and family a glimpse into the silliness and joy, but will also provide me with a way to count my blessings (and probably some frustrations).

You know that precious old Hymn that says, "Count your blessings name them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God has done." Well, I often forget to do that, and find I've slipped into a routine of just getting through each day intact instead of getting through each day happy and fulfilled as a wife, mom, and child of God.

I hope you find some things to laugh with us about in the coming months/posts, and I invite you to share your own stories, thoughts, and prayers.