Random things in March...

Cade's 1st grade performance

Cade was so proud and excited to have his 1st grade performance at Ehrhardt tonight.  He worked very hard to enunciate his words when speaking and sang all the songs loudly and with a huge smile.  We were loving it when he walked in to the cafeteria and saw us taking pictures.  He instantly stopped the line to smile and stand still for the pictures.  Such a kind hearted and talented boy!

I am going home!

After 6 days...I am being discharged from hospital!!! INR levels on blood didn't budge today either (stayed a 1), but the team of doctors agreed I was good to go home on meds and follow up with in office visit (and lots of other orders I will not bore you with). I am so thrilled for a bath and MY own bed tonight. Not to mention all my babies will be under one roof and Charles will be right next to me.  Mom will be staying in town to help out while I am down and it will be nice to have her. I am cannot list all the things that God taught me during these last few days. However, I will say I will cherish EVERY day I am living and I need to practice slowing down in life. "Honey...I'm HOME!"

Another update...

Day 5 complete in the hospital and I have good news finally. My chest X-ray this AM showed no further signs of pneumonia. All other vitals and tests are good. That leaves us with the blood clots in both lungs. I am currently taking Lovenox shots in the belly and Warfarin to try and get the blood thinned to an 2. For the last 4 days it has been a .9-1. So, it is definitely a slow process that forces me to remember that God is in control and I need to be patient.  Overall, I feel great and the spinal fusion is healing perfect. I definitely did not expect this complication with the clots, but I am blessed to be alive, that it is coming to an end, and it was caught in time. Since it could take a while for the blood to reach a 2 (potentially another 5-6 days in hospital) the team of doctors is discussing the possibility of allowing me to go home tomorrow...provided that I continue giving myself the shots and go in for blood tests. So...this is where I would ask for prayers. I would love to be home and in my own bed for recovery.  Despite all the challenges, today I was able to get a portable monitor and go outside! Charles and I walked outside a bit and then we also ate a picnic outside with the kids, Nana, and Bear. Now THAT is a great day!

PS- A huge thank you to Gamee and Grampee for watching the kids and Bear the entire time I have been in the hospital. The love they show and service is just unbelievable. I pray everyone has someone like this they can turn to in times of need. Thank you and we love you!

Update

Thanks to prayers and lots of support, I am feeling better!  The blood clots were likely a result of my spinal surgery. The Doctors believe that I had them in both legs and they likely traveled to my lungs.  However, even though the clots were numerous and in both lungs, they are all small enough to be flushed out over time and with no permanent damage. I was able to sleep for 5 hours and pain continues to get better daily. I still have significant sharp pains in shoulder, clavicle​, and when I take deep breaths. I will likely be in Hospital till Wed while they work to fix everything. For medicine, they have me on pain meds, muscle relaxers, nerve blockers, and of course blood thinners. My Sis came in town yesterday so my spirits are getting better as well.  There is just something about having my Sis here that cheers me up.  My Mom will be coming in town tomorrow so that she can stay with me in hopes that Charles can get rest for work this next week.  Throughout this process I have clung strongly to Joshua 1:9.  God is so good.

Off to the ER

Last night I started feeling terrible and having chest pains.  It became hard for me to lay down or breathe.  I did the usual things I could think of believing it was possibly just sore muscles and tried to sleep the best I could.  At 8am this morning I called and left a message for Dr. Leahy's nurse requesting updated pain meds and wanted to inquire about the pain I was having in my chest.  I was able to speak in short sentences, but my breathing was very labored.  By 1:00 pm I still had not heard from the doctor and I was getting significantly worse.  I called the doc again and was able to speak to the nurse.  By this point, I was only able to say 2-3 words and was wheezing and struggling to keep my breath.  Every breath I took was painful and no positioning helped with the pain.  he nurse suggested I go to the ER.  I hesitated for sure, but finally got Charles to come get me.  We went to the ER and they did a complete battery of assessments.  I was beginning to get frustrated as results from Blood work, chest xray, DVTE testing of legs, and urine testing were coming back normal.  I continued to be in pain despite a morphine drip.  Finally, we got the results from the CT scan of the chest.  Results showed I had numerous Pulmonary Embolisms in my right and left lungs as well as 5 major arteries in my chest.  Needless to say, it was very life threatening and things began to move very quickly.  Doc's prepared me to stay 4-10 days in the hospital and I was started on Warfarin and Lovenox shots asap.  It was a very long and painful night of prayer.  I remember at one point thinking that I was ok with dying and would see Jesus and Daddy very soon.  I do believe as silly as it sounds that I was that close to death.  At one point I even told Charles we need to get paper to do a will.  I have never felt those feelings before and I did not hear any voices or see bright lights as some report.  I just remember a very calm feeling coming over me and my own voice saying in my head that "things are going to be ok and to not be afraid of what might come."  I rested while I could through the pain and waited.

But Mom...I told you I didn't do it!

Twins!

Bear with his stuffed Kong toy is the equivalent of a little girl with her matching American Girl doll...they are twins! 

Beauty and the Beast

I am determined that my babies will still have a great Spring Break even with all the resting and slower pace. With our day adventures, family movie nights, and the kids camping for 5 nights in a tent in the living room, we are gonna be sad when Spring Break is over! To continue the fun, Charles bought tickets to Beauty and the Beast this morning and we had double dates! Cade was my handsome date and even held my hand and open doors for me. Caelin loved having Daddy all to herself and danced with him after the movie! Great movie...tale as old as time...

St. Paddy's Day and the Texas hill country

According to DNA samples through Ancestry..Charles is 34% Irish, my Dad was 80% British Isles (which includes Irish) and my Mom is 10% Bristish Isles. I am not sure what exactly that makes me or the kids...however, we can definitely say we are Irish! So, St. Patrick's Day calls for a celebration. We started breakfast with green milk & omelets, and P96 protein smoothies. Then we decided to go to the country for the day with Bear! We took a drive to Chappel Hill and Independence, TX. We visited a lavender farm and had a picnic including lavender lemon cupcakes and lavender white chocolate ice cream. It was delicious and you could see the lavender in it! Then we went to Independence, TX where we explored the original site of Baylor University in 1845. Lots of good history, bluebonnets, TX hill country views and just family time together. Thank you Lord for a great day of recovery and family time. Happy St.Patrick's Day!