Monday, June 29, 2009

It's Monday... end of June!!!

Wow.. time flies! Hard to believe it's almost July. I ordered Steff's Senior Pictures. If we ordered in June, we got 20% off plus 50 free wallets. I'm all about saving $$$. So, how hard do you think it will be for me to keep them until the end of her school year? Yeah, I'm sure I'll put them somewhere safe.... then be looking all over when it's time to pull them out! Yep, that's the way I live. : ) Age, spacey, not sure what causes that, but I've learned to smile about it.
I took Ms. Steff to her orthopedic dr. today. He says she needs surgery to fix that knee. It's called lateral release (?) and he'll clean off the back of the knee cap while he's in there. She goes to cheer camp the middle of July, he told her to and enjoy herself, then we'll do the surgery on the 22nd when she returns. She was scheduled to have her wisdom teeth pulled that next week, but I'm going to cancel it. The knee requires more down time, need to do that before school starts. We could still do the teeth, but with her little medical history..... I think we will do one thing at a time. : ) She has an ultra sound on Wed July 1. Hope that goes well and takes care of itself! She says the pain is still there, but not as intense. We should find something out that day. Some say they dissolve and others have had surgery. We're hoping for the one that "just goes away". : )

On the episode front. I have said several times that it is over. Well, it's really not. HOWEVER, it has come a LONG way from where it started. She now just kind of spaces out, that is how it appears. BUT she said while someone was talking to her, she started zoning out, like her focus was on one thing, and she could feel herself fading out. She said she thought she was going to pass out, but she didn't. I'm not sure if the girl even realized Steff was having trouble. But, it passed and she didn't pass out. I told her today that we need to get back on the "taking care of her body" ~ she really does a good job with the water and rest. We will just have to pay more attention. She promised to report each of these to me, so we can try to figure out what is happening. My plan is to have her healthy before school starts back up! I want her Senior Year to be a good year, and each year after! I know she doesn't like being "that" sick girl.

Other than all that medical news, not much else going on. She's still working at Justice (limited too) and hopesto start at Wet Seal when it opens. She also babysits for a good friend of ours. Her kids are cute and Steff says they are easy to watch. This is good. She's still putting ALL her money in the bank, for college. She still thinks we are a never ending bank. : ) I'm sure that's normal for a 17 year old girl. LOL
I do have to add that she has returned to that sweet, considerate girl that I remember. We went through some rough times before and during the illness. She just did not feel good every day, her joints and muscles hurt. I don't think I realized how bad she did feel until we were in the middle of all this. I am glad to say she is back to helping out around the house, smiling a LOT, and is very pleasant to be around again. Remember me writing that I just want MY GIRL back? Well, she's back and we are loving every minute of it. Gotta Love her. She makes us smile. : )

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

A few shots from Chrystal & Darryl's wedding.....

The 3 little girls> SO CUTE!! And you can even see Courtney > Chelcey is hidden. Below is a pix of Chrystal (my niece) and her new husband! Darryl. Lime green and fuchsia were their colors and it was BEAUTIFUL!! Lots of dancing and laughing> that's what it's all about! : )



Saturday, June 20, 2009

UGH!! It's Saturday and raining.......

UGH! I'm sick of the rain. First, it interferes with that husband of mine working & the checkbook, second, it really interferes with the tanning and swimming!! The flowers are looking good though. And the grass is green. : ) and needs to be cut AGAIN.
I finally got my invitation to Chrystal's wedding ON the day of the wedding! She's funny. It was a small, very pretty wedding at the winery. She sent out an email informing each of us that she was late in mailing the invites! I laughed b/c 3 weeks ago, I read on her blog that they were ready to mail. Not sure if they have a Post Office in Louisville Kentucky, but you would think they do. LOL She had a lot of last minute detail, but they pulled it off. It was good to see everyone! Steff had fun!
Speaking of Steff...... I haven't mentioned much in the blog about the pain in her lower stomach. Mostly b/c I kept hoping it would go away! Well, it didn't. She hasn't felt well for 2-3 days, so I gave in and called her OB/GYN. She saw her on Friday. She thinks she has a cyst on her ovary. At least we got an answer, I'm not used to that! She goes in for an ultrasound on July 1. We'll find out more then b/c she sees the DR immediately after the test. She gets light headed and clammy quite a bit lately. I thought it was due to the stomach pain. A friend of ours that works in the Medical field said there is a BAD A.... virus going around. Maybe she has that on top of the belly pain. She just doesn't feel good ...again today. Yeah, I freak out> that's my job. I just hope it goes away... like soon. Nasty rainy day, so we are just being lazy. I am working on wash, Steff's working on getting caught up on the TV shows she watches. Dave's out running around, getting things ready for his dad's dad day! Good guy!!
SO>>>>>>>>>>>>>> let's all hope and pray this next week is a good one around here, then she goes to the knee DR on Monday, OB on Wednesday. If it's a virus, I'm sure she can hold out, if not, well, I hope she still holds out. I am SO over going to the Drs offices and worrying about her!! I'm sure she is pretty sick of it as well. Well, have a good day! Spoil those DADS tomorrow!! Later...................................

Monday, June 15, 2009

Rainy Days & Mondays......

Yep> a rainy, nasty Monday and I took full advantage of it. I laid around all day. I woke with a head ache and called into work. BAD- I know!! We had Carlee's bday here yesterday. The kids all swam and rode the go kart. They had fun. I ordered Pizza Hut and Josh & Emily went to pick it up. Busy busy day! House was empty around 8:45 pm. Funny how you like the laughter of the kids, but enjoy the quiet of the evening. Sound old ~ huh? Seven hours of laughter was enough. : ) YOU know I love them all!!
Steff had PT this morning, then worked 11-3. She went to the movies last night and is heading back again tonight. She had plenty of laying around time today. If they are making progress on that knee, I must say it's going to be slow. The heavy duty blue knee brace doesn't do her stylish look any justice. SO ~ I know her knee hurts, or she would leave the brace behind! It really looks goofy with her dresses, but I just smile. LOL Our relationship is different than it was before. Seems like there is a new found respect, possibly from both of us. I watch Dave with her, he has a LOT more tolerance with her, even when she is trying SO hard to get on his nerves! The boys, well, they still tease her to the MAX, but don't throw her around or wrestle her around anymore. I know they're afraid they'll hurt her. She still doesn't cut them any slack> trust me!
Well, I prob should get a few things done> so I can go to work tomorrow. I know Steff works tomorrow, then babysits tomorrow night. She has become one busy girl. I'm glad. Just the same, I'm outa here> have a good week! : )
Chrystal, I check every single day for our invitation. So far, nothing. : (

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Happy late bday to me : )

Check this out! Char made this last weekend for my bithday for me! COOL ~ huh? Once the plants fill out I'm sure it will look even better... For those of you that don't know> that's Steff's bug. : ) Just wanted to share as I wrap up my evening. Steff and I went to the mall tonight ~ getting the essentials. Needs, not wants. Yeah, like she needed that $9.00 shirt. LOL That was our buy of the day! She likes clothes, but she is a GOOD shopper. I must say, I have taught her well. Clearance is our best friend. : ) I'm out, plan to share this weekend. So far, it's been a GREAT week and it's Thursday. Work....yeah, I almost made a full week.

Monday, June 8, 2009

and NOW it's MonDaY

Nice Mellow weekend. Lots of swimming and laying around the pool. Steff started back to work on Sunday. She said it felt good to go back. So, she is back to everything except cheerleading. We went to the orthopaedic Dr. today. Steff's PT thought he had left some Plica in her knee, b/c Steff says something is still catching on her knee when she walks. As she pulls her knee back, the tissue catches on her knee cap and hurts. Which is similar to what the plica was doing prior to surgery. Today the surgeon said it isn't the plica. He had made a note on her history that while he was removing the plica, that she had cartilage that didn't look good behind her knee. Okay, he used more technical terms, but I can't remember everything. Just the same, he thinks that is what is catching on her cap. SO, there is not a surgery to fix it (Yay!) she will be going to PT to strengthen the muscle above her knee so it can pull that cartilage behind the knee where it belongs. Not sure I explained that so good, but you get the idea. : ) SO, more PT. He seems to think she will be ready to pass her physical for cheer camp by June 29 ~ and he'll do the physical. So, that is all good news to me. It does still hurt her, but it can only get better from here. He did tell her to stay in the brace and to stay on the Aleve 2X a day. I asked about doing acupuncture on it> he was all for it. Can't hurt ~ was his answer. But he also said, if it gets much better, we won't know which fixed it, then he said it didn't matter, as long as she felt better. : )
Yep, I agree. So, I am REALLY hoping she will be able to participate in cheer practice and camp with NO problems. She will, I'm quite sure.

Work? I made it today, minus 2 1/2 hours. BUT I made it! Looks like I might make it full days the rest of the week! Look out!! Seriously, I am looking forward to getting a paycheck on Friday.

I'll call about getting her wisdom teeth pulled tomorrow. I'll check what kind of schedule they have, then look at hers and make a decision. She really should be in TIP TOP SHAPE before school starts her Senior year! I hope and pray that her Senior year is a good one> health wise!
Okay, Life Is Still Good. Enjoy your day/week and we'll check back in around Friday. : )

Friday, June 5, 2009

YESSSS! It's Friday.

Yep> Another picture of Steff. Like you don't already know
what she looks like! Happy to share those smiling eyes!!
Thanks for the pic Sandra> fine job!!


Well> I did make it all 5 days. Was tired as a dog today though, think I need to adjust my sleep habits. I hate to go to bed and I hate to get up with an alarm! Waking up around 7:30 was working for me~ then I went back to work. 5:15 AM comes early when you stay up until midnight. Yeah, I'll work on that next week. LOL

Steffanee is really coming back! AND in full force, I might add. SMILE! I am glad > now, if we get that knee looked at and fixed, maybe again, she should be 100% . We get that looked at on Monday. She's laying out in the pool with friends today. Yeah, she's working on her sun damage. : ) Oh, and those free high lights for her hair. Just thought I would drop in and share our smiles. Can't say enough to everyone for all their prayers and support! We would have had a much tougher time getting through this without each of you! Know that!


Karen, I didn't realize you were keeping up with my blog. Made me smile to read your name and comments. It's a little too close to home, isn't it? I share our story with as many as I can too. I realize everyone has to make their own decisions, but it's good to make an informed one. Hope all is well with your crew!! Good to hear from you.


New York> Thanks for the support while we were at Mayo. You made me smile! I was glad to hear from you as well. Take care and know that we will take good care of this girl. Her walk is much much better now! : )


Everyone else> keep smiling!! : ) Life Is Good.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Things are getting back to NORMAL!

I do believe things are getting back to normal around here. Steff was driving me crazy tonight. Poking all over my body and laughing b/c it was aggravating me, then she moved onto Dave. I smiled, yep, I do believe she's back. Ahhhh. Then I realized I should be smiling instead of getting aggravated. She's like me, she likes to push, and push, laughing the entire time, knowing darn well that you're getting on their nerves!! The happiness is back in our household! : ) I'm SOOOO glad.
I went back to work. Some might say, part time. BUT I'm there! I took her to the dentist yesterday, and sure enough, those wisdom teeth need to come out. Might as well, they've done everything else to her!! LOL Not sure yet when we want to get that done. She has cheer camp in July, and I want her healthy for that! I took her to see the rheumotologist (sp) today. She cleared her, but wants her to see a genetic DR. ~ can't get in to see him until March 2010! I'm thinking what the heck ~ he's really in demand. All her tests were normal, of course. BUT the sleep study is not back yet. She said she'll call. And no, they don't tie them down to stop the tossing and turning, they give them meds. Yeah, I figured as much. She has acupuncture on Friday, then the Orthopedic for her knee on Monday. I did hear her today tell the DR and the nurse that she didn't have any pain in her back. THIS IS PROGRESS!!! I will give that credit to the acupuncture. He's working on her hips now too, so I'm hoping for more good results.
She's out running around now. My little homebody is spreading her wings ~ she's been gone 4 out of 5 evenings. She IS almost 18. I'm just glad to see her smiling and joking around. It feels good to be able to just relax ~ emotionally and physically! Life Is Good.