I can't believe another year has flown by. This has been a very tough year physically for me. I spend most days in bed and read and sleep a lot. I have been saving for a Mac Pro, but think it might go towards a IPad. I can use that in bed. I mostly just read e-mail and do FaceBook. Of course every year I say that I am going to write a book, but I am not saying that this year.
This year, I am very excited and looking forward to having my Spinal Cord Stimulator implanted. I did the trial with excellent results. I mean, I won't be able to do much more than I am, but I won't have so much pain and might be able to get out of bed a little more often than I do now. I am not looking forward to the surgery. They always mess up my pain medication and make me go into withdrawl. So, I am looking forward to a nice short time in the hospital! Our hospital's don't have a very good repuation for nurses getting to you when you need them too. I mean, I know when it's an hour away from meds, too call them and ask them for it. It's ridiculous!
But I don't want to focus on the negative, but the postive. Once I have the Stimulator implanted, I will have some relief and begin to titrate off some of the pain meds that I am on. I am really looking forward to this.
So, it's going to be a good year everyone. I have a wonderful wife, 2 beautiful daughters. 1 in college and doing awesome and one in second grade and also doing awesome. They are beautiful and make me proud! Despite some hard times at work, Cheryl is chugging along. She makes me proud to call her my wife!
Later,
Wendy
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Angry Birds!
My BIL got me addicted to this App on my iPhone called Angry Birds. It's a game where you fling all sorts of birds through the air (and each bird does something different) to kill the pigs that are usually heavily fortified. It's very addicting I have to say. I have to put it down after a while and then I pick it up again and try for a while.
Speaking of addiction, LOL, Gillian is heavily addicted to Epic Mickey for the Wii. She has fought her way through the game and is still going strong. I can't believe all the stuff you have to do to win this game. It's definately a great game for the Wii, but not something that I think my 7 year old can figure out. My 18 year old is having a hard enough time.
Katie has a friend over today and they are playing nicely. I am so glad that she has such nice friends to play with. Oh, and I picked Rules of Deception by Christopher Reich bach up. I picked the book up at a rest stop and then put it back down. I think I could get back into it. I finished the other book mentioned in the last post, but it wasn't anything to write home about!
Well, I am off to read, then we will be dining at Wegman's and then I have to chauffer Gillian to her group meeting at the Q center. After that, I will come home and drop into bed. I do have choir practice, but it's so late at night for me that I just don't think I can make it. We'll have to see.
Later,
Wendy
Speaking of addiction, LOL, Gillian is heavily addicted to Epic Mickey for the Wii. She has fought her way through the game and is still going strong. I can't believe all the stuff you have to do to win this game. It's definately a great game for the Wii, but not something that I think my 7 year old can figure out. My 18 year old is having a hard enough time.
Katie has a friend over today and they are playing nicely. I am so glad that she has such nice friends to play with. Oh, and I picked Rules of Deception by Christopher Reich bach up. I picked the book up at a rest stop and then put it back down. I think I could get back into it. I finished the other book mentioned in the last post, but it wasn't anything to write home about!
Well, I am off to read, then we will be dining at Wegman's and then I have to chauffer Gillian to her group meeting at the Q center. After that, I will come home and drop into bed. I do have choir practice, but it's so late at night for me that I just don't think I can make it. We'll have to see.
Later,
Wendy
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Reading
So, am I the only one who seems to love reading? I mean really love it! I can eat my way through a book in a day or read one on the Kindle in a few hours. I always feel as though I have to have a book either in my Kindle or in a pile next to my bed. And talk about the guilt that I feel when I don't finish a book! I just bought Bill Bryson's book about his house and had to put it down. And I love Bill Bryson. What is it about this book that I just can't read? I have a pile started of books that I have started and can't finish. Maybe when I go back to them I will have renewed energy to read them. They seem like good books.
I am reading a Nora Roberts fluff mystery now called Brazen Virtue. It's good and I am almost done but it's not fullfilling. You kind of know how it's going to finish. Then I move to the Kindle where It's Not Me, It's You: Recollections From A Terminally Optomistic Woman.
The difference between the Kindle and having a book in your hands is minor. The only thing that I don't like is that I don't remember what the book in the Kindle is about, but it must be good or I wouldn't have bought it! LOL!
So, Kindle or real live books that you hold in your hand? Speaking of which, I have another box of books to send to Marianne! I still need to read her box!
Later,
Wendy
I am reading a Nora Roberts fluff mystery now called Brazen Virtue. It's good and I am almost done but it's not fullfilling. You kind of know how it's going to finish. Then I move to the Kindle where It's Not Me, It's You: Recollections From A Terminally Optomistic Woman.
The difference between the Kindle and having a book in your hands is minor. The only thing that I don't like is that I don't remember what the book in the Kindle is about, but it must be good or I wouldn't have bought it! LOL!
So, Kindle or real live books that you hold in your hand? Speaking of which, I have another box of books to send to Marianne! I still need to read her box!
Later,
Wendy
Monday, December 27, 2010
Christmas 2010
Whew, it's over! That is all I have to say. The girls got what they wanted for Christmas. Katie's big ticket item this year was Lanie, an American girl doll, with a dress for herself so they can match. She also got doll bunk beds (as she now has 2 AG dolls), an armoir to hold all her doll clothes and some other small things that she wanted. Gillian got a 19" TV (she said to get her a small one because her dorm room is so small, and better yet, a stand to put it on. Back in October she put a 19" regualar TV (you know the kind where the back sticks out and they are HUGE) on the top shelf of her desk where it proceeded to fall right onto the laptop computer we got her last year. What a crisis that was! Anyway, that was her big ticket item. She also got Epic Mickey for the Wii which she and Katie have been playing and LOVE! I love that she actually likes a game where there is no blood shed and killing! Cheryl got an Ice Cream maker and some really cool measuring spoon and cups that should last the rest of her natural born life. She also got the Twilight Series and some other little things that she wanted. I got a lot of cool stuff! A beautiful cross that you hold in your hand, made from Olive wood from the Holy Land. I have been using it when I pray to keep me focused. I got a Haiti Life Is Good shirt where all the proceeds went to the Haiti relief efforts and 100 Markers to use with the Prism and hidden picture coloring books. I love to color! It's so soothing and relaxing. I also got a T-shirt with Books written all over the front and cats laying on the words and books. A $30 Amazon GC to fill up my Kindle, a renewal of my Barnes and Noble membership and a $25 GC to go with it. I still like to read a "real" book sometimes. My MIL got us a knife set which we desperately needed.
All and all it was a really, really nice Christmas. One family fight, but hey, that is always to be expected and I am not going to talk about it here.
I look forward to a New Year. I can't wait to have my new Spinal Cord Stimulator put in (even though it means surgery) and have my pain decrease. I may not be able to work, but I might be able to exist more than just getting in and out of bed!
Well, I am addicted to Angry Birds on my iPhone! I must go annihilate so pigs!
All and all it was a really, really nice Christmas. One family fight, but hey, that is always to be expected and I am not going to talk about it here.
I look forward to a New Year. I can't wait to have my new Spinal Cord Stimulator put in (even though it means surgery) and have my pain decrease. I may not be able to work, but I might be able to exist more than just getting in and out of bed!
Well, I am addicted to Angry Birds on my iPhone! I must go annihilate so pigs!
Later,
Wendy
Monday, December 13, 2010
Bad, Bad Blogger!
I can't believe that it's been so long since I have updated this blog. I know every year I promise to write more and then I don't. This year, it is going to be a mission for me. I need an outlet to get feelings out and since I don't think that anyone is reading this anymore, it's a safe place for me to do so.
So.....Gillian has continued to give me gray hair. I should back up and say that she is at UMass Amherst now, as a Freshman. Wait! Am I old enough to have a child in college? Oh, that's right, I was young when I had her....or else I am really old now. You choose. Gillian had her large intestine removed. If you so desire, you can read further and come to the place where it all happens. Because she has no large intestine, a flu bug most likely will put her in the hospital with dehyration. Never fails. This is what happend this past week, but not only did she need fluids, she needed blood too. She was severly anemic and had to have 2 blood transfusions. I am working with the hemotologist/oncologist here in Syracuse to get her an appointment to be seen when she gets home. Now, you might be wondering why we would even know a hemotologist/oncologist. Back when Gillian had Ulcerative Colitis, she was on medication that gave her eosinophilia, basically made her red cells look funny. Again, I wrote more about this back in '08 when it was going on. So, the MD at the hospital in MA wants her to have a bone marrow biopsy. I asked him if he gave her the blood, could she see the hemotologist here in Syracuse when she came home this week? He was fine with that and I am trying to arrange that.
But let's talk about how shitty it feels to be 250 miles away from your sick child shall we. It feels really, really shitty. Guilt doesn't even cover it. And of course this has to happen the week before finals when she should be reviewing. But, I have to believe that all things happen for a reason. This week while she is taking finals, she feels good and that is what counts. Cheryl and I will be taking a whirlwind trip down there on Thursday to pick her up and turn around and bring her home. I think I will be able to breathe then!
One good thing that came out of this is that an angel appeared to us! Gillian went to University Health Services (UHS) without her cell phone charger or computer. So, after her phone went dead, she had to call me collect. After the first time of doing this, we devised a system where she would call me, I would deny the charges and call her back. But she really needed her phone. To text, access the internet and make calls. So, I got online and sent out and SOS to my Queer Moms and lo and behold! Someone who lives in Northampton e-mailed me and asked what they could do. She ran out at 9PM at night after conferencing a phone call between Gillian and I with her and got her a phone charger! Once she met Gillian and found out she was pre-med, she went back out and brought her back some reading material! Gillian was so happy! And I was very relieved. And I had an extra pair of eyes! Thank you so much to our angel!
Katie is busy in second grade. We had a great parent - teacher conference where we learned that she is starting a third grade reading level. Her wonderfully nurturing and experienced teacher has been working hard to challenge Katie to work hard and do her personal best. It's no suprise that she likes to read as I am always with a book in hand. But, one thing that does escape me is the fashion diva that she has become. She can only wear certain brands.....seriously! So, my days of buying expensive clothing are pretty much over. I still order custom outfits that she pics out, but other than basic Mini Boden and Hanna Andersson, we are a Justice, 77 Kids and P.S. household. I just took a HUGE bin of clothing to a high end consignment store and am looking forward to a nice big check in January! I used to justify my spending lots of money on clothes for her by selling on e-bay, but sadly, e-bay has become so hard for sellers to make any money that I decided that this check with go towards a vacation!
I have great news about my back and leg! I finally caved in and tried the Spinal Neurostimulator trial! It was like a miracle! The first night I was sore from the procedure, but the second night, I slept 6 consecutive hours for the first time in 10 years. I woke up more refreshed than I have in a long, long time. I went to Church on Sunday and SAT for the entire service (standing up and sitting down caused a lot of pain because the leads were still on the outside) with no pain! What a miracle! I am scheduled to have a permanent system implanted sometime in the next 2-3 months. I can't wait!
We are eagerly looking forward to Christmas and all that it brings with it. I love that Katie looks forward to Santa coming and going to church and the magic that comes with the coming of the Christ Child. We are singing the Messiah this coming Sunday in Choir and I am looking forward to it. It really helps to bring in the Christmas spirit.
Well, that is the update for now. I have been reading a lot of books and should update you about the good ones and not so good ones. Maybe the next blog, will be about that!
Well, I need to get Katie to bed. I promise to write more and write it sooner. Actually, maybe I will throw some pictures your way!
Wendy
So.....Gillian has continued to give me gray hair. I should back up and say that she is at UMass Amherst now, as a Freshman. Wait! Am I old enough to have a child in college? Oh, that's right, I was young when I had her....or else I am really old now. You choose. Gillian had her large intestine removed. If you so desire, you can read further and come to the place where it all happens. Because she has no large intestine, a flu bug most likely will put her in the hospital with dehyration. Never fails. This is what happend this past week, but not only did she need fluids, she needed blood too. She was severly anemic and had to have 2 blood transfusions. I am working with the hemotologist/oncologist here in Syracuse to get her an appointment to be seen when she gets home. Now, you might be wondering why we would even know a hemotologist/oncologist. Back when Gillian had Ulcerative Colitis, she was on medication that gave her eosinophilia, basically made her red cells look funny. Again, I wrote more about this back in '08 when it was going on. So, the MD at the hospital in MA wants her to have a bone marrow biopsy. I asked him if he gave her the blood, could she see the hemotologist here in Syracuse when she came home this week? He was fine with that and I am trying to arrange that.
But let's talk about how shitty it feels to be 250 miles away from your sick child shall we. It feels really, really shitty. Guilt doesn't even cover it. And of course this has to happen the week before finals when she should be reviewing. But, I have to believe that all things happen for a reason. This week while she is taking finals, she feels good and that is what counts. Cheryl and I will be taking a whirlwind trip down there on Thursday to pick her up and turn around and bring her home. I think I will be able to breathe then!
One good thing that came out of this is that an angel appeared to us! Gillian went to University Health Services (UHS) without her cell phone charger or computer. So, after her phone went dead, she had to call me collect. After the first time of doing this, we devised a system where she would call me, I would deny the charges and call her back. But she really needed her phone. To text, access the internet and make calls. So, I got online and sent out and SOS to my Queer Moms and lo and behold! Someone who lives in Northampton e-mailed me and asked what they could do. She ran out at 9PM at night after conferencing a phone call between Gillian and I with her and got her a phone charger! Once she met Gillian and found out she was pre-med, she went back out and brought her back some reading material! Gillian was so happy! And I was very relieved. And I had an extra pair of eyes! Thank you so much to our angel!
Katie is busy in second grade. We had a great parent - teacher conference where we learned that she is starting a third grade reading level. Her wonderfully nurturing and experienced teacher has been working hard to challenge Katie to work hard and do her personal best. It's no suprise that she likes to read as I am always with a book in hand. But, one thing that does escape me is the fashion diva that she has become. She can only wear certain brands.....seriously! So, my days of buying expensive clothing are pretty much over. I still order custom outfits that she pics out, but other than basic Mini Boden and Hanna Andersson, we are a Justice, 77 Kids and P.S. household. I just took a HUGE bin of clothing to a high end consignment store and am looking forward to a nice big check in January! I used to justify my spending lots of money on clothes for her by selling on e-bay, but sadly, e-bay has become so hard for sellers to make any money that I decided that this check with go towards a vacation!
I have great news about my back and leg! I finally caved in and tried the Spinal Neurostimulator trial! It was like a miracle! The first night I was sore from the procedure, but the second night, I slept 6 consecutive hours for the first time in 10 years. I woke up more refreshed than I have in a long, long time. I went to Church on Sunday and SAT for the entire service (standing up and sitting down caused a lot of pain because the leads were still on the outside) with no pain! What a miracle! I am scheduled to have a permanent system implanted sometime in the next 2-3 months. I can't wait!
We are eagerly looking forward to Christmas and all that it brings with it. I love that Katie looks forward to Santa coming and going to church and the magic that comes with the coming of the Christ Child. We are singing the Messiah this coming Sunday in Choir and I am looking forward to it. It really helps to bring in the Christmas spirit.
Well, that is the update for now. I have been reading a lot of books and should update you about the good ones and not so good ones. Maybe the next blog, will be about that!
Well, I need to get Katie to bed. I promise to write more and write it sooner. Actually, maybe I will throw some pictures your way!
Wendy
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