What's Next?.....

This has been an eventful week.

Let me bring you up to speed with my Mom. We saw the Neurologist Wednesday. I REALLY liked her. She said, in a lot of ways, Mom does present as someone who's had a stroke. Except. All of her tests have been normal. The CT was normal, the MRI was normal and the Carotid Doppler was normal. Basically, you can see it in person, but you can't prove it on paper. Does that make sense? She's also testing her for Myasthenia Gravis. She said that's also a possibility. Basically, we've had 4 different Doctors give us 4 different opinions. Mom is very frustrated, tired of not feeling well and tired of going to Doctors. It's the not knowing that frustrates me to no end. No matter how bad the problem, just tell me and we will come up with a plan to deal with it. But, here we are, once again, waiting on results.  What's next? Depends on test results. I also took Haley to the Doctor this week. Her hemoglobin and hematocrit were a bit low. Plans are to recheck it in a couple weeksto make sure it's back up where it's suppose to be. Mississippi Cousin came for a visit this week. It was so good to see her and have Dinner together.  We sure have missed her since Cowboy Charlie up and moved her to Mississippi. Yep, all your fault, Charlie! =)  She is happy though, and we do like to see her happy. =) But we do miss her, and are selfish. At least, we admit it. The other Cousin has pneumonia and spent all day in the ER yesterday. She is some better today after getting IV antibiotics, steroids, and breathing treatments. This is the first weekend in FOREVER we have not spent together. Cousin, I am having withdrawals. You have GOT to get better and SOON! While the girls slept in this morning, Hayden and I ran errands. We had a good time just running all over town together. He makes my heart smile. Really big. We, of course, ended up at Walmart. While the Chick checking out in front of us was buying yoga pants, I was in line eating popcorn chicken. What is wrong with that picture? Nothing, if you ask me. =) Let me tell you a funny..... Ok, we recently purchased a piece of property. We had to go to the Attorney's office to sign the paperwork and close the deal. There were 5 of us seated at a conference room table. No shocker, I was at the head of the table. To my right, was the Attorney, Seller A, Seller B, and Hubby, directly on my left. All sitting around a table. All looking at each other. The Attorney told us he needed to make a copy of our drivers license. No problem, I have that right here, in my purse. Let me get it for you. That's what I said. Sounded easy. Right? Wrong. I reached in my purse, and grabbed my wallet to get my license. Well........... I didn't just pull out my wallet. A panty liner, that seemed as big as a pool float, fell out on the table. OMG! Really? Yes, really! Did I tell you I was the only girl in the room? Yeah, I was. What did I do? There were only 2 things I could do..... Pick it up and Laugh. I did both. Oh, there was a 3rd thing..... Call Cousin. I did that, too. =)  I say it all the time, you can't make this stuff up. Such a true statement. Also, a BIG Shoutout to the Texas Cousin for running her 1st 5K today! Congrats, Cousin! =) She's running a 5K and I'm eating popcorn chicken in the line at Walmart. I am in need of an intervention. I am not kidding. Oh, I meant to tell you, if you tried to call me or txt me this week, and I didn't respond, my Blackberry was being contrarya couple days so, there is a good chance I didn't know you needed me.    Love you MUCH!   =],

Some Answers, More Questions.....

We saw the Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor, Dr. C, today to get all of my Mom's test results.

If you'll remember, she was diagnosed,
2 weeks ago, with a paralyzed Left Vocal Cord.

He ordered CTs of the Head, Neck, and Chest, which were done last week.

I'd like to tell you we saw him today and he told us
exactly what was wrong with her and what he is going to do to fix it.

He didn't.

In fact, I left with as many questions as I had when I went.

Maybe more.

The CT of the Chest and Head were both negative for tumors.

The CT of the neck, however, showed a 1/2 inch lesion on the left side of the neck.

The Radiologist said a malignancy could not be ruled out.

Dr. C reviewed the CT images, and just shook his head, saying nothing.

A Nurse brought a TV in the room so Mom and I could watch, and once again, he put the scope up her nose and down her throat to look at the area in question.

He looked.

And he looked.

And he looked.

And he just shook his head.

He said he still didn't see anything. Nothing other than a paralyzed left vocal cord.

He did say it is possible for a lesion to be "hiding."

But. He doesn't think that is the case.

He stands by his original diagnosis.

He thinks she's had a stroke.

Despite a negative CT scan.

They have ordered some additional testing.

She had a MRI of the Head this afternoon.

It will give us some extra details about what is happening in there.

He also referred her to a Neurologist.

He did tell me he would send us to UAB for a 2nd opinion if I wanted him to.

I do, but I don't think there is really any point right now.

Let me clarify, I don't want to go to UAB
because I think Dr. C. doesn't know what he's doing.

I have confidence in Dr. C.

I trust him. I just need answers. CONCRETE answers.

If I could get those answers at UAB, I'd go.

I have some answers; I have more questions.

So, the wait for results has started all over again.

Love you MUCH!

=],

Waiting Room Thoughts.....

Here I sit, in the waiting room of our local hospital, with a gazillion other people. My Mom has already been called back. Thank God for small Miracles. They are doing a CT of her brain, neck and chest now. Next is the Modified Barium Swallow. Have I told you how much I hate waiting? I hate waiting. It does give me a lot of time to think though. I just have a lot of random thoughts going on in my head today. Like, here I am, sitting still in this waiting room and my mind is in a whirlwind. It is not a good thing, by any means. I never said it was. But it's the truth. I have a mind full of "What ifs?' I have ran every possible scenerio over in my mind. From the worst to the best, over and over and then over again. Let me just tell you, I have COMPLETE faith in God. Don't mistake my mind wandering for some sort of doubt. It's not. But, I won't lie.  I am worried. I am afraid. BUT...... That is my weakness. My failure. My fault. Not His.  It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. ~Deuteronomy 31:8~  He will not fail us. No matter the situation. No matter the problem. No matter the diagnosis. He will NEVER fail or falter. Let's face it, it's easy to remember that when all is well, and times are good. It's really easy for me to type those words this morning. I just hope and pray I remember them. Thank you for your prayers, Blog Friends.  Love you MUCH!  =],

Good News, Bad News.....

Good News and Bad News at Gracie's house this week....

Bad news first.....

Since my Mom's pneumonia in November she has continued off
and on to be breathless, hoarse, and at times, able only to talk above a whisper.

Of course, we all, including her Doctor, were thinking because
her pneumonia was so bad it was just going to take some time to
get completely over it and this was just lingering after effects of it.

However, since it persisted, he sent her to an Ear Nose and Throat Doctor.

She saw him Tuesday and got some extremely upsetting news.

Her left vocal cord is completely paralyzed, and he thinks she's had a stroke.

She is not to talk, completely resting her voice.

Her vocal prognosis is unknown .

He said her voice may come back and she may be able to
talk somewhat normal again, but she would never be able to sing again.

We are hoping he is not right about the singing part.

Singing is a HUGE part of our family.

She is having a CT of the head, neck and chest, along with a modified barium swallow Monday.

They are looking to see if she has indeed had a stroke, or if
there are any signs of a tumor that may be causing the paralysis.

There is a slight chance it is a virus that has attacked the vocal cord.

To be honest, I just need to know what it is.

I hate not knowing.

It drives me insane.

If you know what the problem is, then you can deal with it.

When you don't know, you feel helpless.

At least, I do.

I am worried, I won't lie, but I am hopeful.

Please say a prayer for my Mom.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we
ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us
~Ephesians 3:20~


Now for the good news.....

My oldest daughter, Haley, received her acceptance letter from Auburn this week.

She will transfer to Auburn this Fall
and will major in Electrical Engineering.

She has such a brilliant mind.

I am so proud of her.

I can't wait to see the plan God has for her.

Without a doubt, it will be amazing.

Last week I was wearing flip-flops everywhere.

Today, we've had snow flurries and are under a hard freeze warning.

Have I ever told you I hate cold weather?

I HATE cold weather.

I'd rather be wearing flip-flops.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.


Love you MUCH!

=],

Dinner and a Show.....

In case you were wondering, I had a fabulous birthday!

Even though I had to work, my amazing co-workers made my day extra special.

I got tons of txts, calls, facebook messages, cards and presents. =)

We celebrated by having Dinner with the Cousins and I had yet another birthday cake.

The Cousins thought it would be funny to use trick candles.

Just picture me trying to get the darn things blown out.

It was not a pretty sight. In fact, the more I tried to blow them out, the bigger the flame got.

Everybody in the restaurant was looking at us, lol.

Cousin's Hubby, BFF, was trying to sprinkle them with water.

Haley was asking where the fire extinguisher was.

Truth is, we really almost needed a fire extinguisher!

Seriously, it looked like a blow torch.  I was trying really hard to blow them out.
 But all I could do was laugh!
 That was the "After"

It was hilarious! I'm sure the folks at the restaurant had no idea they were going to get Dinner and a Show! It was a fun day. Hope your week has been good, Blog Friends. We're only a few hours away from Friday! =) Friday ALWAYS brings a smile to my face. =)  Love you MUCH,  =],

Happy Birthday 2 Me......Tomorrow!

Let me just start by saying, I have THE best daughters, EVER!

They baked me a cake tonight for my birthday, which happens to be tomorrow.

     Isn't it awesome?!?! I was SO impressed. Keep in mind, they are 15 and 20.
Here are the candles from the top. 


They made me laugh! I always told everybody I was 29 until Haley turned 20.

Then I decided I probably needed to add a few years. Ha! =)

They also gave me this.....  Haley's art + Kylees's poem.
I'm sure you can't read it, but this is what is says.....

Happy Birthday Mom!
May every second, minute, hour, day and year of your life
be filled with the kind of comfort, security, and happiness
you give unfaillingly to me.
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Without you, there would be a gaping hole in my life,
an emptiness that only your love can fill.
Thank you for all that you do, for
the extraordinary person you are.
Happy Birthday, Mom!

Yes, I cried.

I love them more than any of you could ever imagine.

I am so blessed to be their Mom.

So, Happy Birthday to me tomorrow!

It has been an amazing 41 years!
Love you MUCH! 
=],

Merry Christmas.....

Merry Christmas
Friends and Family

Love you MUCH!

=],