I see the Doc tomorrow morning. Hopefully they will order a x-ray or scan or something technical like that so that I can get off of the blood thinner.
I'll update after my appointment tomorrow night.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Halloween
I have been so extremely out of it and busy with things that I just haven't had time to post anything like I want to post! Stress is part of it, but not all of it. I meant to update on the Halloween costumes and everything through all this but the truth is I didn't have a camera yet, and I need to get one to make all that happen the right way! So, soon that will be done. If they don't grow out of the costumes too soon! They are growing so fast around here! Up but not out, and I think D needs to grow out some. He's still behind in sizes and that is making me wonder if he's going to suddenly spurt out in height just before winter hits!
Today's Trick or Treat was going to be another pumpkin farm trip, but the one I chose that was the cheapest out of all the pumpkin farm trips, was not open on Halloween. They actually cut time short to avoid Halloween. The other pumpkin farms were way, way too expensive for our taste. A family of five, even with a Military Discount of B getting in free, was still just under $50. That was with coupons! I can not believe the prices of these places! We will not be going back to any pumpkin farm any time soon.
The only one place I would go to do something like that again is called Settlers Pond. They are a small place dedicated to being a shelter for many animals not normally taken at other shelters. Horses included of course, but they also have a kangaroo or two, some exotic cuties, and a rotten donkey who bit my youngest son's fingers, but it was all better in the end with a sucker from one of the ladies there at the farm. Perfect band aid!
They care for the animals and really make sure they have a place to live, not just exist. I enjoy the atmosphere and the purpose behind the program so I think spending half of what we pay at a pumpkin farm for that location is at least going to a good cause and not a commercialized farm dumped on a field. Ahem.
Today's Trick or Treat was going to be another pumpkin farm trip, but the one I chose that was the cheapest out of all the pumpkin farm trips, was not open on Halloween. They actually cut time short to avoid Halloween. The other pumpkin farms were way, way too expensive for our taste. A family of five, even with a Military Discount of B getting in free, was still just under $50. That was with coupons! I can not believe the prices of these places! We will not be going back to any pumpkin farm any time soon.
The only one place I would go to do something like that again is called Settlers Pond. They are a small place dedicated to being a shelter for many animals not normally taken at other shelters. Horses included of course, but they also have a kangaroo or two, some exotic cuties, and a rotten donkey who bit my youngest son's fingers, but it was all better in the end with a sucker from one of the ladies there at the farm. Perfect band aid!
They care for the animals and really make sure they have a place to live, not just exist. I enjoy the atmosphere and the purpose behind the program so I think spending half of what we pay at a pumpkin farm for that location is at least going to a good cause and not a commercialized farm dumped on a field. Ahem.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Feh...Feh....Freezing Vegetables!
So I found a place that shows you how long you can keep food in the freezer. I must say, since I have got back on track with recovery - and trying to get my house back in order because of the bad health before hand - we use the freezer second in line to other food storage. Canned goods are first, freezer second, then refrigerator is third. I was interested in reading the article about storing food because it affects us, and I want to make sure we have fresh items after buying bulk!!!
We have a huge bag of carrots, a huge bag of celery, and several peppers and other things to store and I wanted to put dates on the bags as I placed them in - and the time they should be used. I was very happy to know that most veggies can last quite some time in the freezer if prepared properly. Remember those two words, prepared properly!! There is a wonderful guide on freezing veggies at this location link. It's a great site for a lot of ideas too, so enjoy! Garden Guides
If you would like the direct link for the freezer information here it is: Freezing Veggies Guide. I'm the kind of person who, after glancing over a given link, goes to the main page and sees what else is there while I'm visiting!
I have a large bag of carrots to do, some celery, as I mentioned, some more bell peppers, and a few potatoes this time around. I think learning how to do this will help me plan my meals much more efficiently and it speeds up the production in the food department.
Enjoy the link! May your freezer love you for it!
We have a huge bag of carrots, a huge bag of celery, and several peppers and other things to store and I wanted to put dates on the bags as I placed them in - and the time they should be used. I was very happy to know that most veggies can last quite some time in the freezer if prepared properly. Remember those two words, prepared properly!! There is a wonderful guide on freezing veggies at this location link. It's a great site for a lot of ideas too, so enjoy! Garden Guides
If you would like the direct link for the freezer information here it is: Freezing Veggies Guide. I'm the kind of person who, after glancing over a given link, goes to the main page and sees what else is there while I'm visiting!
I have a large bag of carrots to do, some celery, as I mentioned, some more bell peppers, and a few potatoes this time around. I think learning how to do this will help me plan my meals much more efficiently and it speeds up the production in the food department.
Enjoy the link! May your freezer love you for it!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Hospital
Little A is going in to her surgeon today at Rush and they will do a upper endoscopy of her "esophagus" to see what needs to be done for her EA/TEF thus far. We discussed balloon treatment for her scar tissue area that seems to always shrink inward ever so slowly. This blocks her food from swallowing well and just causes a lot of problems. They will go in and balloon that section out some and then maybe check the rest of her throat area to see if she has any bone build up. Now, I'm not sure if this is calcium build up or something else. During the surgical procedure when they made her "esophagus" they cut the area around her collar bone and chest. Her collar bone is free from the chest bone. Her chest bone is also cut down a little on the left side. It's kind of shaped like the top of a triangle, upside down. The point is facing the heart. The wider section is up by her throat. This enables them to fix the "esophagus" easier! It can just be a little strange to see her collar bone sticking out of her neck area when she's got a full "throat" if food is stuck. One of the tell tale signs of "we need to massage her neck" !
We will be learing around 1PM to take her to Rush. E gets in just after 1 PM from school, an early dismissal today due to All Day Testing. ACT stuff and other things. School is so confusing now! Anyway, E will come home and rest. He was up very early to be at the school by 7:30 AM and after testing all day long you know that is going to be a 'worn out' moment! He will be home, but his Uncle D will be here too, so he won't be completely alone. I know he's old enough to be here alone. I know he won't do stupid things, but I still have a better ease about myself when there are people I know around my kids!
I'm hoping Little A will come home tonight and there will be no overnight stay. I'm packing, just in case, for an overnight. I am not going to enjoy that very much! Oh yes, it will be a total Disney girl's night out or something. Egh! I'm not much of a "new" Disney mom. I sort of shy away from things like that. Pre-Teen, Tween, whatever they are called shows like um, see, I'm lost on titles I actually have to think about it. My daughter watches them and loves them and, hey, it's better than some reality show stuff, buuuuut....boy oh boy can it be crazy!
I need to get back to making sure I have everything in my bag. I will be sure to update everything about Little A, and the adventure to Rush, when we get back fully!
We will be learing around 1PM to take her to Rush. E gets in just after 1 PM from school, an early dismissal today due to All Day Testing. ACT stuff and other things. School is so confusing now! Anyway, E will come home and rest. He was up very early to be at the school by 7:30 AM and after testing all day long you know that is going to be a 'worn out' moment! He will be home, but his Uncle D will be here too, so he won't be completely alone. I know he's old enough to be here alone. I know he won't do stupid things, but I still have a better ease about myself when there are people I know around my kids!
I'm hoping Little A will come home tonight and there will be no overnight stay. I'm packing, just in case, for an overnight. I am not going to enjoy that very much! Oh yes, it will be a total Disney girl's night out or something. Egh! I'm not much of a "new" Disney mom. I sort of shy away from things like that. Pre-Teen, Tween, whatever they are called shows like um, see, I'm lost on titles I actually have to think about it. My daughter watches them and loves them and, hey, it's better than some reality show stuff, buuuuut....boy oh boy can it be crazy!
I need to get back to making sure I have everything in my bag. I will be sure to update everything about Little A, and the adventure to Rush, when we get back fully!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Go 'Head and Hate
If I could give you the world on a silver platter
Would it even Matter?
You'd still be mad at me.
If I could find in all this a dozen roses
Which I would give to you, you'd still be miserable
In reality I'm gon' be who I be and I don't feel no faults
For all the lies that you brought
You can try as you may, break me down when I say
That it ain't up to you, gonna do what you do
Hate on me, hater, now or later
'Cause I'm gonna do me, you'll be made, baby
Go 'head and hate on me, hater, I'm not afraid of
What I got I paid for, you can hate on me
Oh, if I gave you peaches outta my own garden
And I made you a peach pie, would you slap me out?
Wonder if I gave you diamonds out of my own woumb
Would you feel the love in that or ask why not the moon?
If I gave you sanity for the whole of humanity
Handed all the solutions for the pain and pollution
No matter where I live, despite the things I give
You'll always be this way, so go 'head and
Hate on me, hater, now or later
'Cause I'm gonna do me, you'll be made, baby
Go 'head and hate on me, hater, I'm not afraid of
What I got I paid for, you can hate on me
You cannot hate on me 'cause my mind is free
Feel my destiny, so shall it be
You can not hate on me 'cause my mind is free
Feel my destiny, so shall it be
Hate on me, hater, now or later
'Cause I'm gonna do me, you'll be made, baby
Go 'head and hate on me, hater, I'm not afraid of
What I got I paid for, you can hate on me
Would it even Matter?
You'd still be mad at me.
If I could find in all this a dozen roses
Which I would give to you, you'd still be miserable
In reality I'm gon' be who I be and I don't feel no faults
For all the lies that you brought
You can try as you may, break me down when I say
That it ain't up to you, gonna do what you do
Hate on me, hater, now or later
'Cause I'm gonna do me, you'll be made, baby
Go 'head and hate on me, hater, I'm not afraid of
What I got I paid for, you can hate on me
Oh, if I gave you peaches outta my own garden
And I made you a peach pie, would you slap me out?
Wonder if I gave you diamonds out of my own woumb
Would you feel the love in that or ask why not the moon?
If I gave you sanity for the whole of humanity
Handed all the solutions for the pain and pollution
No matter where I live, despite the things I give
You'll always be this way, so go 'head and
Hate on me, hater, now or later
'Cause I'm gonna do me, you'll be made, baby
Go 'head and hate on me, hater, I'm not afraid of
What I got I paid for, you can hate on me
You cannot hate on me 'cause my mind is free
Feel my destiny, so shall it be
You can not hate on me 'cause my mind is free
Feel my destiny, so shall it be
Hate on me, hater, now or later
'Cause I'm gonna do me, you'll be made, baby
Go 'head and hate on me, hater, I'm not afraid of
What I got I paid for, you can hate on me
September 20th Menu
This crazy week's menu. We are having a wild funky week so it is a bit unusual to look at. Or maybe it is just unusual to me. Fend for yourself days are when it's just go into the kitchen and make yourself something. My boys (the males in the family) all know how to do that just fine. The baby boy will be fed by them because he is just as pushy as his Mamma. So I know all will go well if they have a stocked fridge.
On a side note: I actually got a HTML table created. Woot! I haven't done one in so long I was proud!
Go me, go me, go me....cabbage patch....go me...go me...!
September 20 - September 25
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese | Spaghetti & Garlic Bread | Baked Potatoes & Toppings | Surgery Day. Fend for yourself! | Hospital Day. Fend for yourself! | Unknown Day. Fend for yourself! |
On a side note: I actually got a HTML table created. Woot! I haven't done one in so long I was proud!
Go me, go me, go me....cabbage patch....go me...go me...!
Surgery Coming Part 3: Little A's Roller Coaster
The only problem with children is they grow. Sometimes quickly. Little A is now 8 years old. Her homemade esophagus is a roller coaster inside her body. Where we see a normal esophagus under x-ray with ourselves her esophagus looks like the mine ride in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, minus the big gap part they had to jump! (That video is just...crazy...I laughed at the coin sounds..) She also has stricture problems, sometimes, because she does not chew food properly when she is extremely hungry. Which lately is all the time. (Watches her eating chicken nuggets and shakes her head with a grin.) So, problems occur.
A stricture happens when the scar tissue where her homemade esophagus is attached at the throat, and somewhere down by her tummy, grow inward and make the holes too narrow to get food through properly. She has several areas that can show stricture. The throat, the stomach, and down in the colon. So far the throat has been the one that has had the most trouble. We even massage that area so that food pops! through the hole if it gets stuck. Weird, but hey, you get used to it. I can even feel out the spot to help navigate the food for her. That...sounds odd, but it works for us until we can see her doctor.
This week her Surgeon (a new surgeon since Dr. Bass moved on and we gained her replacement) Dr. Mark Holterman is going to go in for a look-see. He just wants to extend her neck area again with one of these because the scar tissue has narrowed: partay balloons in Little A's throat! but he also wants to check out that roller coaster ride of a esophagus and see what, or if something, needs done. Like a pull. The pull would mean that they yank out all the excess "esophagus" (colon) that has grown over the years to make it decently straight for her to have a direct line from mouth to stomach. If he feels it is necessary to do a pull he will call from the O.R. and let us know while she is under.
A pull at this age is a short term relief. In about six years she will need another pull done. That colon piece will be growing as she grows, and in it's natural state, like a colon. If a pull is done now, she will have a few years to go and another surgery will be necessary. We can only do this one appointment at a time. One month at a time. Things could change at any time. It can be an unbearable and heavy weight on you if you contemplate it too much or too often, though. I get happy for normal, crazy days. The alternative to those sucks!
Here we come Thursday. You better be ready for us!
A stricture happens when the scar tissue where her homemade esophagus is attached at the throat, and somewhere down by her tummy, grow inward and make the holes too narrow to get food through properly. She has several areas that can show stricture. The throat, the stomach, and down in the colon. So far the throat has been the one that has had the most trouble. We even massage that area so that food pops! through the hole if it gets stuck. Weird, but hey, you get used to it. I can even feel out the spot to help navigate the food for her. That...sounds odd, but it works for us until we can see her doctor.
This week her Surgeon (a new surgeon since Dr. Bass moved on and we gained her replacement) Dr. Mark Holterman is going to go in for a look-see. He just wants to extend her neck area again with one of these because the scar tissue has narrowed: partay balloons in Little A's throat! but he also wants to check out that roller coaster ride of a esophagus and see what, or if something, needs done. Like a pull. The pull would mean that they yank out all the excess "esophagus" (colon) that has grown over the years to make it decently straight for her to have a direct line from mouth to stomach. If he feels it is necessary to do a pull he will call from the O.R. and let us know while she is under.
A pull at this age is a short term relief. In about six years she will need another pull done. That colon piece will be growing as she grows, and in it's natural state, like a colon. If a pull is done now, she will have a few years to go and another surgery will be necessary. We can only do this one appointment at a time. One month at a time. Things could change at any time. It can be an unbearable and heavy weight on you if you contemplate it too much or too often, though. I get happy for normal, crazy days. The alternative to those sucks!
Here we come Thursday. You better be ready for us!
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