Good Days....

So, today is June 19, and life is still good. Since we received her saliva results, Steff has been pretty much gluten free. Okay, friends/family, I'm not a dumb mom, I know she has a few cheats, so don't feel the need to tell me. LOL (FYI I DO have a friend or 2 that like to correct me) Anyway, overall, she does pretty good. She has been feeling much better & seems to have more tolerance. One evening last week, she was at a friends house, they were hungry & fixed a frozen pizza and indulged. She paid the price BIG time the next day, the day was completely wasted. She had a bad headache, stomach problems ALL day and just overall felt bad. She knew what caused it and wasn't sure it was worth it. SO, life is full of lessons. I believe one was learned ~ however, I'm very surprised it was frozen pizza (prob had a ton of additives as well), b/c she is a BIG Shakespeare Pizza fan. I wouldn't cheat with a frozen ~ I would make it worth my while on a GREAT pizza!! Kids. LOLI'm thinking that in a couple of weeks, I'll have her do the saliva test again, to see if she is making progress w/o gluten. Dr. Marks idea has always been ~heal the gut, then we will deal with the broken brain barrier. Nope, I have NOT given up on his ideas. We're still working with him, but for now are just concentrating on her gut. She still takes 3 liquids ~ B12 is one of them. I am very happy to say she seems like that "pre Gardasil" girl sometimes. I do have to make sure she eats on a regular basis ~ not counting sugar~ I know she's almost 19, but I'm the one that has to put up with her mood if her body is lacking on protein ~ I'm usually the one that gets the blunt of it. We argue over stupid stuff, then I realize she prob needs food, but we are usually WAY into an arguement over "nothing" before my light bulb goes on. I'm getting more tuned in!!So, she graduated and that was a great day. Yep, I shed a couple of tears, but I am SO happy for her. She is attending Mizzou in the Fall, staying in the dorms. I pray that all goes well. Her major is pediatric physical therapy at this point. We'll see. She took most of her basic college courses her Junior & Senior year for dual credits, so she is well on her way. I just hope she gets tuned into her body so all goes well. = )Me? I'm doing good. I'm hardly on the computer anymore, I will say that when I am, I still read stories and posts from moms with sick girls. It will always be in my heart to share and help with our experience all I can. I did purchase shirts from the TruthaboutGardasil.org ~ but I think I did it from Facebook, not sure. Anyway, I bought 3 nice T's with the website in cut out letters on the front of the shirt ~ yep, people ask questions. The shirt itself is nice, small words with a big message.I gave one of her friends one as well, she's going off to college in another city. She's been a big support through all of this. So, back to me. LOL I'm good, we're good and actually, it feels like life is good. I still pray for our girl, but she seems to be doing quite well. It is the small accomplishments in life that make me happy. I don't worry when she drives anymore, I feel okay leaving her at home alone again, I can sleep through the night w/o coming upstairs a couple of times through the night to make sure she's breathing and okay. So, yeah, I pretty much would say, life is good. = ) So, unless things go south, I probably won't feel the need to vent ~ LOL That is how this blog thing got started ~ me letting my feelings out, along with getting information out to friends/family without being on the phone all night. It has helped me more than anyone will ever know ~ this blogging thing. Plus the contacts I have made through moms reading it. So, many thanks to all of you that have helped us through this tough time in our lives... here's to hoping that Life is Good every day.. for all of us!!

Oprah Address for show suggestions!!!!

https://www.oprah.com/ownshow/plug_form.html?plug_id=3749665

This is a connection to Oprah's suggestion page for stories for her final year of shows. I am thinking if all Gardasil Moms or Girls write a suggestion from their hearts.. perhaps it will happen. Please take a moment to share with family/friends, so we can all pour our hearts out and make a difference. Thanks.

Blast from the Past

Okay, so things were going fine. On Wednesday, Steff had an episode at school. It wasn't just the tremors that we have become accustomed to, but more intense. I know she gets tired of doing this medical plan, with all the supplements and the protein drink every night. Who wouldn't?BUT after today, it proves completely that she needs to stay on it.

Leslie (comment on last post). Thank you very much. I am glad she's better, but we still have a long way to go. She has come a long way from Feb 2, 2009, and things are much better than they were then, but things are NOT like they were prior Gardasil. Her memory & thought process is not the same. So, when I say "life is good" don't think we have this all wrapped up, because we know that we still have a long way to go. I do think it is important to recognize that her health has come a long way, she's happier and life is just much easier.
So, everyone, know that it isn't over yet. We are still fighting for her health and doing the best we can. A little set back on Wednesday, that's all.

ONE year ago today.. this blog

ONE year ago today, our journey down this medical road started. I created this blog in the middle of Feb to keep family and friends posted. Today, I'm happy to say, Steff is doing much better. The episodes have calmed down to "tremors" instead of the violent seizure like episodes.
Her body lets her sleep through the night and overall, she has much improved throughout the year. Wasn't sure we would make it ~ stress and all ~ but we have. Here's to hoping and praying that next year at this time, she's off to college doing very well.
So, Life is Good in the Richardson household. = )
Positive thoughts bring positive things.......

Time to Move on...

We are progressing quite well with Dr. Mark Flannery. Steff is doing good and seems to be improving. It's still a day by day ordeal, but feel it's time to move on. So, the blogging will be finished for a while. I might check in a on monthly basis, just to document what is happening on Steff's road to recovery. So until then, we're out! and Life is Good.

Back to the Schedule

Holidays are over, back to the schedule, all the way around. Steff is tolerating the chelation very well and things are good. Hoping 2010 is a much better year for us!! = )

Good News!!!

I have good news all the way around. Steff has had a good holiday, health wise. AND she was accepted at Missouri State University in Springfield MO. She was SOOO excited. So, we will have to make a decision ~ University of Missouri, Columbia OR Missouri State. If her health continues to improve, I'm fine with either. I would like to see her get out and experience life away from home. That's my vote. Time will tell.
We had a GREAT Christmas. Hope everyone else did as well.

Saturday All is good

So far, the detox is going smoothly. This is good.
No problems to report.

spoke with Dr. Mark

Spoke with Dr. Mark tonight. Learned the importance of the diet, he stressed what "not sticking" to the diet can do.
Continue with Detox, call and report to him on Thursday PM.
If all is well on Thursday, go to both supplement plans for 2 weeks, minus the MulitMin, then just the supplements from plan one.
Ordered 2 jugs of the Clearvite. Tonight is a detox night~ every other night.

HA! STill Saturday

I was reading on the Gardasil Group on Yahoo. I came across an email from a mom from Missouri. Her daughter is listed in that project we did, with all the girls and their stories. If you are interested in it, let me know and I will get you a copy. It's long, but makes a very big statement. It's sad, to say the least. Anyway, Cassie was not doing too well, her mom has been off the group for the time I've been on. I knew Cassie was seen at the University here in Columbia. SO, her mom gets on the group and writes this email. I'm going to copy and paste it. I know I should prob ask her permission, BUT it makes a big statement about Dr. Mark, which I am SO glad. It's like, you feel you are making the right choice, you see her getting better, but is it that time has passed, or is he making a difference? Here's my answer. Funny that I ran across it today. ~ just the same ~ I'm sharing!!!

Hello to all! Many of you do not know us, it has been awhile since I have participated in the group; however, my daughter is a Gardasil survivor and I wanted to share with you how she has survived. I have noticed that many of you are still struggling with where to go for help, I am here to tell you help is available and as far as I am concerned it is the only chance your daughter has to improve and beat this horrible vaccine. God Bless all of you and know you are not alone there is HELP! Kim S.

There are not enough words for me to be able to fully express my gratitude to Dr. Mark Flannery. It is because of him and the grace of God that I still have my daughter with me today.
Cassie started experiencing side effect from the Gardasil vaccine immediately after the first injection, but because we were told the reaction was completely unrelated to Gardasil she continued with all three shots. It was after the third and final one that she became seriously ill. Cassie was hospitalized, her symptoms consisted of severe abdomen pain, nausea, vomiting, severe headaches with light and sound sensitivity, and extreme nose bleeds. After being in the hospital for 7 weeks the doctors diagnosed Cassie with pancreatitis, polycystic ovian syndrome, and severe intestinal swelling; she was placed on TPN and Lipids (IV nutrition) and had surgery to remove the cysts. Her condition continued to worsen and the doctors had no idea why or how to further help her; Cassie was then flown to yet another hospital. After three more weeks Cassie started having seizures as well as other neurological problems and still no answers. Still on the feeding tube with 5 different IV nausea medications, as well as IV pain medicine we were sent home with Home Health to continue the care of Cassie. Less than one month later Cassie lost feeling in her lower extremities and started experiencing heart problems. Cassie went back into the hospital for another three weeks and then to a rehab facility where Cassie started the process of walking again.
It was at this point when God brought Dr. Flannery into our lives. Cassie spent over 13 weeks in the hospital and another 4 in a rehab facility and yet she was not getting better, she was continuing to get worse. Every week was another symptom and the only thing the medical profession knew to do was symptomatic treatment and that was not helping. Dr. Flannery took over Cassie’s care, treating the dysfunction of her illness rather than the symptoms and with just a few short weeks Cassie began to stabilize. I was very uncertain of Dr. Marks approach; however, we had given western medicine more than enough time to help our daughter and they failed us miserably.
I know had it not been for God leading Dr. Mark Flannery, my daughter Cassie would not be with us today. It has now been a year and Cassie is eating on her own (following a strict diet), walking, and only taking supplement recommended by Dr. Mark. Cassie still has some healing to do, but we are confident with the help of Dr. Mark she will be 100% soon.

Saturday and so far, life is good.

Steff started on a new plan on Friday. He lowered her supplements, plus we tried to start back on the chelation last night. So far, all is well. We started it earlier and it caused her to have more seizures, so hopefully, her liver is cleansed and this time it works. She is SO ready to done with this. Dr. Mark sent me an email with his cell phone and told me to keep in touch if things don't go as planned. Although he is in CA, he is more in touch than any local DR we have had. I do have faith that we will get there, it's just going to take time. I'm hoping the chelation goes better this time and we get a lot of the toxins out, the ones that seem to be causing the most trouble for her.

Rough Day

I spoke with Dr. Mark today, he is changing her meds up for this weekend, while she's home. He also said it is MUCH easier with the 14-15 year olds. I'm sure!!
SO, here's the deal. Although I say she is 10 days episode free, that does not necessarily mean life is good for her. She is still dealing with blurry eyes, super sonic ears and overall not feeling well. She did have an episode today at school, so we are back to 0 days w/o and episode.

Two very tired girls on the way home from their
Senior Trip to St. Louis. LOL
It was titled "Best Friends" also could have been
titled "Sisters"

TodAy Is SUnDay....

Steff hasn't had an episode since Thanksgiving night, that I'm aware of. She has been tired all week and the Senior Trip to St. Louis wore her out. She worked Saturday 1-5, and ran with us all day today. She & Dave are kicking it together in the living room now. Chilled. SO, we are 10 days w/o an episode. She is tired, her eyes & ears mess with her, but she's hanging in there. Her ears are SUPER sensitive... she hears everything. ... super sonic hearing.

ALL sMilEs here.....kind of....

She is doing much better on drinking her protein drink, at least we don't fight about it every single time! She still gags and carries on, but who cares as long as it goes into her body. I believe she will be taking these supplements (or some kind) for about six months, then he will recheck her blood and urine. I THINK that's how it works. She takes quite a few with breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Sunday Evening......

What an enjoyable FOUR days! : ) We were 22 days without episodes, until Thanksgiving night. I was surprised, but realizing how much "off the diet" food she ate, I shouldn't have been. Back on the Dr. Mark plan today.

Pictures!!

Steff with Coach Crane, which is also the school nurse that takes care of her!!


Coach Crane with the Fabulous FIVE!



Yep! She's cool...




Kelsey W, Kristi M, Addie, Coach Crane, Courtney, Steffanee, Alexa, & Jordan.
Seven Senior Cheerleaders ~



A few shots from the Sports Awards Ceremony!

Tuesday~All is STILL good. Leaky Gut LInk

Ah. Life is Good. We are on day TWENTY without any episodes, to my knowledge. Everything here is running smooth. Steff was asleep by 9 tonight, should be easy for her to get up for that 1/2 day tomorrow. : )
I received an email from a mom, with a link that expains "leaky gut" ~ it was pretty interesting to me. It seems that that is where the brain fog comes from~ I"ll post the link, if you are interested, read it. It's kind of long, but worth the read. Makes sense.
http://www.drkaslow.com/html/leaky_gut.html I'm going to send her an email to see if she has read anything about the broken brain barrier.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving Everyone ~ Enjoy your families & the feasting!! I'm out.

A good Weekend for Steff

Glad to keep typing that it's another good day. Steff had a good weekend.
These Gardasil Shots have taught me a VERY expensive & stressful lesson. ~ Who knew MY girl would EVER have a reaction to something like this? She did, it's getting better, but not with out completely STRESSING everyone out. It's like, how can you know the choices you make today will make such big changes in your life? I cringed when I heard a mom talking about how well her baby did getting two vaccines. Never EVER thought about it before. Mine all handled all of the vaccines, until Gardasil. I'm not angry, I just wonder WHY a lot. Why would she have a reaction to this one and not all the others? Anyway, just thinking...... wondering...... probably too much.

ALL sMiLes today

What I thought was going to be a terrible day ~ was a good day, so far. When I got home from running errands, Steff was all smiles, and looked pretty cute from her day at school. I was surprised. I waited all day for a phone call. Glad I didn't get it!! She was up at Midnight, telling me she couldn't sleep and how bad she felt ~ her body was shaking inside, her head hurt and behind her eyes was really hurting. That always scares me. She finally fell asleep, but didn't sleep sound at all. I was surprised she got up and made it to school, but glad she did. She seemed like she had a good day. She's off to the movies tonight : ) ~ hope they get in to see the show they were hoping to see. New Moon I think, something from Twilight. LOL
I did get the FMLA leave resolved, but not without MUCH frustration and tears. I'm not a crybaby ~ Trust me ~ BUT I was getting SOOO frustrated and angry with them. Like, hello, it is a FEDERAL law. Besides, I really have enough stuff to worry about w/o you stressing me out. Okay, enough said, it's fixed, I don't have any time against me this year. I was at the final warning and it runs for 2 years or something like that. Anyway, I'm happy, that's all that matters to me. LOL Really, I just wanted to make sure I didn't lose my job while taking care of a sick daughter. That's all. So, it's done.
I'm out, Steff's gone, Dave's in the living room, think we might watch a movie together..... : )
Tomorrow!! MAYBE.........