Good News/ Bad News

The good news is that if it was kidney stones causing the pain it could have been two small ones that I will not have any more problems with. My pain is A LOT better. There is still a twinge today but I might feel comfortable enough to go shopping today! But they don't think this is what caused the pain. I'll get to that in a minute. They don't see anymore stones in my right kidney (CELEBRATE!).

The bad news is actually in two parts. The first part is that there is still a stone in my kidney, but it is in my left kidney. When I say still I mean that when I started I had multiple stones in both kidneys. This stone is old, but there. It is about 4 cm (anything above 5 they operate on), but they don't think it will move for a while... it is at the bottom of my kidney and has to travel up.

There are two parts to this bad news, and the second part is what is probably causing my pain. They found a cyst on my right ovary that might have partially ruptured, causing the pain. I have an appt today to have an ultrasound done to look at it a little closer and find out about it.

What I am thankful about is that this is all being found now, instead of a month from now. On January 12th I start an INSANE semester of school, and they told us up front that we need to have our surgeries and everything taken care of before the semester starts because if we miss more than one day of classes then we will be removed from the classes that semester and would have to retake them. So if any surgery has to happen I will push for it to be done within the next week or two at the most. Lets hope it doesn't come to that.

Continued prayers would be fantastic!

Nothing has changed

Nothing has really changed, except I might feel a little worse than I did yesterday. I hurt when I move, but when I'm sitting still, like right now, I don't hurt. But walking around, shifting my weight, or putting any type of strain or pressure on my right side hurts. Jeff is off work tonight so if it gets worse then at least I have a ride to the ER, but we are really hoping that I just stay this way or get better between now and Monday. If nothing has changed by Monday I will get my CT scan done, (provided the pregnancy tests results came back negative... I still haven't heart, but I'm very doubtful that they would be positive), and then find out what is going on and if it is a stone, then I will probably be scheduling surgery. I'll keep you updated. Please keep me in your prayers. I don't really want to go into the emotions that I'm feeling right now so I'm pushing them away and just concentrating on how I physically feel. If I go into my emotions then I get very upset and angry and cry because this is just a lot to deal with. I've been very angry about this, and angry with God for making me go through this again. I really need prayers for my emotions and my physical state as well.

We had an earthquake!

We had an earthquake last night!!! Actually, the earthquake was in the neighboring county but it was strong enough that we felt it here. It was a 3.3 on the Richter scale. It shook the whole house! The ornaments on the tree were shaking like crazy! The dogs went absolutely NUTS! They were sleeping and when it started they went absolutely crazy. Running around barking, not quite sure at who or where to bark. The news said it was at 12:04am, and it lasted for about 30 seconds. I thought it was a huge truck going by at first, but unless they are delivery trucks, trucks aren't allowed in our neighborhood. then I was thinking that maybe it could have been someone's house blowing up or an oil tank or something, but when it lasted for a while I knew it was an earthquake. This was the first one I actually felt! I've slept through all the other ones we've ever had.

I need prayers

I might have another kidney stone. I was supposed to have dr's appt and CT scan done today but neither happened. Here is why:

I drove down to have the CT scan done and go to my appt, and they didn't want to do the CT scan until they knew for sure whether or not I was pregnant. I went and had bloodwork done and then sat in the waiting room waiting for my results. An hour and a half went by waiting for the results, and by then it was too late to go to the dr's and I had to schedule an appointment for Monday morning. The tech that was waiting for my results so she could take me to do my CT scan came out and told me the machine broke and they had to send my blood over to the hospital to their machine for the test and it would be another hour at least, but that if I was still going to get a CT scan that day, that I would need to go to the hospital also and get it done there because they were closing too and they don't have weekend hours. Well, I am going to go back Monday before my appt and get the CT scan and then go to my appt. So I know nothing. In the meantime, they gave me a pain Rx if I need it, and they said if the pain gets too bad that I should go to the ER.

The thing about my last appointment was that he didn't do a CT or ultrasound or xray to see my kidneys for sure, so he didn't know 100% that I didn't have a stone, but since there were no red blood cells in my urine sample he didn't think I had a stone. Well today I started to feel sore in that area so I am nervous and want it checked out. I think it is a stone, but what throws me is that I really only feel the pain when I am walking or shifting my weight and using that side (my right side). Otherwise, like right now, when I'm sitting still I don't really have pain... and that doesn't seem like a stone because stone pain never goes away. The thing I think is that it might not yet be moving, but it might be in an area that is causing pain if I move around on that side.

I really need prayers, both for my emotional state and my health. I am so frustrated and upset right now for many reason. The biggest reason is that I'm dealing with this AGAIN, and 4 days after I was told I was clear. I am so tired of going through this, both physically and emotionally and I just want to have a normal life. Also because I sat in the waiting room for an hour and a half and found absolutely nothing out because I couldn't have anything done or see the dr.

This is going to be a really long weekend. :(

Merry Christmas!

Ok, I know it is early but I just wanted to say Merry Christmas! I probably won't have a chance to post between now and then. And here is the Christmas picture we sent out to family and friends. I love it!I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas with their family and friends and takes time to step back from the hustle and bustle of the holidays to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Not Me Monday!

Time for my weekly installment of "Not Me Monday"! If you'd like to join, click on the icon above and it will take you to MckMama's blog, where you will find the directions.

Ok-
1. It was not me who threw a balled up newspaper at Jeff yesterday because the Patriots scored a touchdown and I wanted to throw snowballs like all of the fans in the stands were doing after every touchdown! Nope! Definitely not me who threw that! Who would act like that at my age???

2. It was not me who ate McDonald's today to celebrate good news from the Dr's office! No way!

3. It was not me who forgot she told her district she could sub tomorrow and then made plans and had to turn the district down when they called to get her to sub! Woops!

4. It is not me who has to go to physical therapy at 3:30pm, braving the wind to drive a mile to go, haha.

5. It was not me teared up hearing "Christmas Canon" on the radio this morning because it reminded me of walking down the aisle to Pachelbel's Canon.

6. But it definitely WAS me who got good news from the dr's office today!!!

7. And it definitely IS me wishing my Aunt Patti a very happy 50th birthday and my friend Ashlee a very happy 24th birthday!!!

Update on my appointment

My appointment went well! They didn't find any red blood cells in my urine, so that is a decent indicator that I don't have a stone (especially because when I have a stone mine is LOADED with red blood cells). He wants to see me back in 6 months where he'll do an ultrasound to check out my kidneys, and he'll have me do a 24-hour urinalysis (I have to collect my pee for 24 hours! NOT FUN!) to make sure my medicine is effective. He even said two words today that I'm afraid to believe but he thinks I am, and these words are ringing in my ears: "STONE-FREE"!!!!!!! Let's hope!!!

I was even able to stay pretty calm! Last night I was able to fall asleep pretty well, with the help of Edward and Bella (I'm rereading the Twilight series). I was also able to think other thoughts this morning when I was getting ready instead of stress over the appointment, and in the 45 minute drive they played all of my favorite Christmas songs so I concentrated on the music instead my appointment. The only time I really stressed about the appointment was when I was actually there waiting to be seen.

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers. They worked!

Now I can truly enjoy the Christmas season. I am so excited to really get into it, as long as I don't blow away! It is REALLY windy outside! The dogs are barking at the wind because of how loud it is!

Thoughts and Prayers please

I could really use some thoughts and prayers. Tomorrow I have a checkup on my kidneys. I really am so nervous that they will find something and I'll end up needing surgery again. I am not sure I'm physically or emotionally ready to deal with that. I just need prayers for my nerves especially, as at this point I'm not really even able to eat because I am so nervous. I also could use prayers that they don't find anything. This has kinda put a damper on my holiday spirit. Christmas really is my favorite holiday and everyone who knows me knows just how excited I get over the holiday, but having this appointment tomorrow is really killing my excitement because I know I have to get through tomorrow before I can even get to Christmas eve and Christmas Day. Right now they just seem so far away because of the appointment. This is just taking so much out of me having to deal with these stones constantly. I just could really use prayers. My appointment is at 9:30am, and I will be sure to update everyone as soon as I know something.

Website

Here is a link to a website that was set up to follow the progress of the little girl I posted about below.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/hannahgarman

Last night there was a parade for her with 50 police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances. When they got to her they delivered thousands of Christmas cards. This is so touching to see a little girl's last holiday wish come true. It makes me cry to think about it. She shouldn't be thinking about her last holiday wish. She should be wondering which doll she was getting for Christmas, and which toy she wants more. She's been through so much, between the passing of her mother two years ago and now dealing with her cancer and her impending death. It is so sad. It is so nice to see people send cards in droves. Please send one of your own!

Here is a link to a news story that was about the parade and the little girl. I believe there is video in it as well:

http://www.wgal.com/news/18312086/detail.html

Christmas Cards for a Sick Little Girl

Hey everyone... here is one of the few emails I've gotten about this and I really ask that you help make this little girl's last holiday wish come true. It is a true story. My aunt is friends with the family. She is from the area I grew up. There is a picture of her at the end. I'll also post a link to the news article that was run about this.

This is the true story of a 5-yr old Lititz girl, Hannah Garman, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, a rare and incurable brain tumor. She has been given 12 weeks to live and is currently in her 7th week. She was going to be the flower girl at a wedding in May, but was diagnosed a week after we asked her to be the flower girl. This is especially sad because her mother died 2 yrs ago from breast cancer.

Right now she has lost most of her motor skills. She is confined to bed and cannot really do anything or play with the gifts she is getting from people, but she LOVES getting cards - she has gotten so many from people she does not know and just loves to have grandma read about the people who send them and see their pictures and is so proud of all her cards. Her room is just filled with cards.

When asked what she wants for Christmas she said she wants to see how many Christmas cards she can get. Many people have passed this wish along to their churches, prayer groups, friends and family. There are school groups where children are making her cards. People are including pictures so she can see who it is that is sending her the card.

If you would like to help with her wish, you can send a card to her at:
Hannah Garman
704 Orchard Rd
Lititz, PA 17543

THANKS! Feel free to pass this along to your own prayer group, church, school, etc. Let's see if we can have the cards coming in big postal bags for her this Christmas, since it will be her last holiday.



Here is the link to the news article:

http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/231539

Please help make this little girl's wish come true.

Not Me Monday!

I promise to do a real post soon! I just needed to get myself back into the Christmas spirit, and I will hopefully do that today. BUT without further ado... here is Not Me Monday!



1. It was not me who ate a whole box of mini-pierogies yesterday over two different meals and it certainly wasn't me who enjoyed every bite of them.

2. It was not me who considered messing up my husband's haircut as I was cutting his hair because he was being a big grouch.

3. It was not me who ignored housework all last week and weekend.

4. It is not me who is going to be cleaning my house today. (I wish it wasn't going to be me!)

5. It is not me who wants to spend my credit card rewards on something I want, rather than something I need or a gift for someone.

6. It is not me who didn't shower at all yesterday. Nope, not me at all who, after grocery shopping, laid around and watched football all day (happily I might add... Yea Pats!).

7. It is not me who can't think of a thing for number 7.

Breathe in, breathe out

I've been non-existent lately, except for a few downer posts. But I am back! I am happy to say the semester is OVER!!! This was a difficult one for me. The classes were a lot of work and one especially was not very enjoyable. I had all 3 of my finals today. I also got back a HUGE project that I handed in last week and got 100% on it!!! :) I am EXTREMELY happy with that. Now I have a few weeks break, and some subbing, until the next semester. I do need to do some studying for the next semester because the first week I have a bunch of tests. Ack! Apparently next semester, which is my professional block, is the worst of all of the semesters in my department. Fun!

I am so excited for Christmas and the Christmas season. I've bought a lot of gifts already, but still have a lot more to get. I am going to try to knock out most of them tomorrow. We are almost fully decorated, although there is one or two more thing that I need to put up and we need to get the boxes away and then I need to give this house a GOOD cleaning.

Jeff surprised me by starting to paint our built in cabinets in the kitchen today. I am so excited! I can't wait to see what they look like when they are finished! :) Our kitchen will probably look a lot better, although still crappy because it needs new floors, new paint color, and it needs the other part to be closed off and renovated. I think we might be doing that in the summer, but I'm not sure for sure.

Nothing else really is going on right now so I am going to say ciao!

Cool video!

I hope I can get this to post! Otherwise I'll just post the link. Someone posted this on a website I go on a lot and I thought it was really cool. Check it out!

Prayers needed please

My posts haven't been too upbeat lately. I promise to post one that is upbeat soon.

I could really use some thoughts and prayers. Many of you know that I've suffered from kidney stones in the past. My body naturally produces them. I had 3 surgeries for them between Feb. 2006 and Feb. 2007. I am under the care of a specialist and on medicine to flush out my kidneys. I just scheduled my checkup appointment for December 22nd. I am so nervous that something will happen, that they will find another stone and then I will have to go through it all again and I don't know if I'm emotionally or physically ready to go through that again. I could really use thoughts and prayers for my nerves and that there will be no stone.