Sunday, January 31, 2010

This Week Is History, Finally.....

This week will go down in history as one of the worst ever.
Sorry, to start this off on such a positive note but it is what it is.

Tuesday, I had to travel to Montgomery for a meeting. I was able to spend time with Friends I don't normally get to see. I had a really nice time. It was the only good day of the entire week.

I came home late Tuesday night to Hayden throwing up from a 24 hour stomach virus. He was so pitiful. I don't think he has ever thrown up before and he had no idea what was going on.

Wednesday was my birthday. It was terrible and had nothing to do with turning 39. That's all I can say about Wednesday.

State Surveyors came to Love & Care Thursday for a survey. That meant working many long hours Thursday, Friday and yes, even yesterday.

I was SO ready to see the work week come to an end.

Kylee was in a program at Church this morning. It was really, really good. They did an awesome job.

I should update you and tell you that Kylee is doing wonderful with her seizure medication reduction. We have just reduced the dose for the 2nd time. We are moving with baby steps but that is certainly ok with me. Thanks for your continued prayers.

I am already anticipating what will happen the coming week, hoping it will be nothing like the last.

I do have decisions to make in the coming weeks. People I love have decisions to make in the coming weeks. Please pray for wisdom and peace and while you're at it a flashing neon sign would be pretty helpful too. ;)

Just sayin'

I hope you have a wonderful week.

Love you MUCH!

=],

Saturday, January 16, 2010

My Flashing Neon Sign.....

Today is Day 2 in the reduction of Kylee's seizure medicine.

She will take this amount for 2 weeks before going down a little more for 2 weeks, then a little more for 2 weeks, until it is stopped.

Thank you all for your sweet words of encouragement and your prayers. You don't know how much I appreciate each and every one of you.

Honestly, I must admit I am holding my breath praying she doesn't have a seizure. I am on pins and needles all day anticipating the school nurse calling me.

At home, I am constantly looking at her to see if she has "THE" look. I have promised myself I will not hover over her too much.

I don't want her to be held captive by this condition, yet I don't want her held hostage by my anxiety either. Both are equally as bad.

It's now a waiting game.

Waiting to see if she will be ok and the seizures are gone
or
Waiting to see if she has a seizure, meaning the test was a fluke.

I don't like waiting, but there is nothing I can do about it.


A group from our Church will be traveling to Honduras in April for a medical mission trip. If you'll recall in 2006 I went on this same trip. I have been unable to go the last couple years for various reasons.


I had no plans of going this year either until this.....
....a flashing neon sign from God.

Literally in the last week, every door necessary for me to go has opened.


I've had 5 different people this week ask me about going. This will be during softball season. Keep in mind Haley is a Senior, so this is an important year plus it is important for me as a Mom to be at all her games.

There is always a softball tournament in Gulf Shores the same week and I'm a room mother. Well, guess what? Not only is the tournament a different week this year, it is an entirely different month.

How bout that for a flashing neon sign?

Today, I purchased my airline ticket to San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
It is located in the top left corner of the Country close to the border of Guatemala.

I am so excited!

Don't you just love it when God gives you a CLEAR sign like this?

I know I do.

Love you MUCH!

=],


Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Completely Normal.....

We spent the day at Children's Hospital today where they ran some tests to see how, if any, Kylee's Seizure Disorder had progressed. She's not having any new problems, and in fact has not had a seizure since August of 2008.

I must say I am as confused as I've ever been. The EEG was COMPLETELY normal, without one single spike. We have never had a completely normal EEG since this all started in 2006. The last EEG we had was so much worse than the previous one and by far the worst one since the beginning.

That is great news BUT the Pediatric Neurologist, can't tell us if it was normal because the seizure disorder is gone or if the test done today was a "fluke". He said it is quite possible either is true. The seizure disorder could be totally gone. On the other hand, he said it is possible that if he repeated the test tomorrow it may look like the last one, totally abnormal.

So what now?

Because she has done so well, seizure free since August 2008, he wants to rapidly titrate her off her seizure medicine. This TERRIFIES me. It was a terrible experience when she was first diagnosed and we were trying to get her seizures under control. I ♥ seizure medicine as it has given her a somewhat normal life.

Good news is, if she has a seizure after she comes off her medicine he has plenty of time to regulate her before it's time to get her drivers permit.

Soooo, starting in the morning we will start a dose reduction and in 6 weeks she will be totally off her seizure medication. In 4 months we will repeat the EEG and see how it looks.

Of course, I am ecstatic at the thought of this terrible condition being gone yet filled with MUCH anxiety at the uncertainty of the diagnosis and the coming days.

There is a part of me that wishes the test had not been normal today. That may sound crazy to some of you and believe me I have received my share of criticism for saying that. See, she has been doing so well on this current regimen of medicine. She hasn't had a seizure since August of 2008. If the test had been the slightest bit abnormal he would not have even thought of taking her off her medicine. We could have continued to smoothly sail right along.

Did I tell you I am a nervous wreck?

I am.

Just sayin'

I'll keep you posted, Friends.

Love you MUCH!

=],


Friday, January 1, 2010

The Best and The Worst.....

Can you believe it has been 10 years since Y2k?

2009 has come and gone, really fast.

I must say 2009 has been one of the worst years of my life.

Sorry, 2009, nothing personal, just all the stuff you brought with you; difficulties, tragedy, sickness, disappointments, heartbreak, not to mention this MASSIVE storm that continues to loom with no end in sight.

At the same time though, it has been one of the best.

How is that possible?

God has blessed me with 2 amazing children. I am in awe that He entrusted them to ME and picked me to be their Mom.

It has been amazing to watch Haley as she transforms in to a young woman. She turned 18 and is forming her own opinions of things. She can vote! She is enjoying her Senior year in High School and is praying over college decisions. She has been looked at by 2 Junior College Softball Coaches so we are waiting to see what doors, if any, are opened there.

Kylee has had a great year. She accepted Christ and got baptized. She turned 13 and became a teenager this year. Oooh, hormones are raging. =) She has remained seizure free, yes SEIZURE FREE, all of 2009. I am so thankful for that. We do have to go back to the Pediatric Neurologist January 13th. They will be repeating her EEG to see how and if her Seizure Disorder has changed.

I am Aunnie to the most amazing 4 year old ever. He is by far the cutest little boy. This year he started preschool and is learning so much. 2009 brought potty training. WooHoo!! Thank God for potty training. I thought it would never come. It also brought a new found fascination with Policemen. Gotta love those Men in Blue that keep us safe. =) He is always "arresting" Aunnie and writing me tickets. I love that little one, as if he was my own.

My Mom had her knee replacement and survived bilateral blood clots in her lungs. She is doing fabulous. Through her illness, I was taught, to be appreciative and that it's really people in your life that matter, not things.

My Dad recovered nicely from his detached retina. God used my Grandfather's illness and death to bring my Dad and I closer.

I went to Virginia and fell in love with a beautiful little girl. She taught me that a little love goes a long way and that it doesn't take much to make a difference in someones life.

I got my braces off. =)

I witnessed God work in so many ways this year.

He created a new meaning for the words "simple" and "perfect".

He blessed me immeasurably.

I was taught everything happens for a reason, there is no such thing as chance and God has a specific purpose for placing each and every person in our lives.

I've learned His mercies are new every morning.

I've learned that even when I can't see Him or feel Him, He knows where I am and that is really all that matters.

I've learned that God has a plan and a purpose for my life even though it may not necessarily be in accordance to my timeline.

I have been blessed with some amazing friendships, new and old. I have told you all before that I do not trust easily but God has brought some amazing people in my life that love me and is teaching me to trust again.

Goodbye, 2009

A whirlwind of a year.

The best and the worst.

All rolled in one.

Hello, 2010

A New Year with endless possibilities.

I cannot wait to see what 2010 has in store, and where it takes us.

Happy New Year!

Love you MUCH!


=],