Complete 2009 Udate

Ryan has been doing pretty well, he’s been very helpful and ultra supportive and patient with regards to my healing and nerve damage. Of course, there is nothing like having chronic pain yourself to help you see how debilitating it truly is. I’m in no way saying that I’m glad he’s in the same boat because I wouldn’t wish this on Hitler. You see, Ryan has been having severe pain in his upper back and neck for well over a year now. Nothing seems to give him relief for any mentionable length of time. He’s been to Dr. Ericksen many times and tried various treatment options he’s suggested. Dr. E’s diagnoses? Ryan has an abnormal curvature of his upper back. According to various sites on the net he has the lame man’s term for Hunchback Syndrome. I have my own personal Quasimodo; at least he’s a cute character. …Hehehe.
Money has been tight but not as tight as always, in-spite of that Ryan is still working overtime each weekend. I know he’s looking forward to the nearly two weeks off he gets for Christmas. Between you and me and the rest of the world though, the kids are gonna drive him certifiably mad in 3 days.
He’s also been staying busy at work. He was quite excited to be offered a position as a programmer. He’ll be going to Connecticut for a week to train he’s mentioned that he’s nervous, we’ve never even spent a whole 24 hours away from each other in the 7 years we’ve been together. He just has wait until the 3rd for his flight. I’m sure going to miss him.
As for me, this year has bas been chock full ups & downs. It was discovered that my L5/S1 disc had herniated almost straight back (which is rare). It showed that it was causing significant pressure on my S1 nerve root thus causing wretched pain down both sides of my legs. In May I underwent a microdiscectomy in hopes of relieving that nerve pressure. Surgery went without a hitch; however, Dr. Welling told Ryan that the nerves associated with the herniation were the most swollen he’d ever seen in all the surgeries he’d done. Matter of fact, he scared the crap out of Ryan by coming out of the operating room and stating, “That was bad.” He quickly realized the error of his statement and reassured Ryan the surgery went well. The surgery helped immensely but it’s believed there is permanent nerve damage, this is permanent. I also continue to experience slightly severe pain but some days are worse than others. Dr. Ericksen has been doing all he can to alleviate as much of it as possible. He has me on quite few regimens: I receive regular cortisone injects, Toradol shots about every 10 days, regular back adjustments, wearing a back brace (both for this issue and the slight case of Scoliosis I have), I also have a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (aka a TENS unit). The tens unit is pretty interesting. It literally sends electricity charges into the pain sights to confuse the nerves. There’s a silver lining to grey clouds, I’ve been able to watch our children grow and mature daily due to orders of taking it easy and remaining stress free.
Kieran has finished sixth grade and moved on to bigger and better things-Junior High School. Summers are intended to be carefree and school free but for Kieran they seem to be his greatest time of loss. 3 years ago he lost his dad and this summer he lost his Gramps. I know all this loss has weighed heavily on him and it hasn’t made starting a new school, a new grade system and class load increase any better. One of the great things he’s discovered is his great musical abilities. For reasons his completely tone deaf mom can only credit our Lord he’s somehow able to pass off pieces he’s only practiced during class alone. During a parent, guardian (his Gram) and teacher meeting this teacher was impressed, she assumed he was bringing his kit home and practicing. An amazing proof of his talent, he’s able to convert the music he’s learned on an x-lyphone directly to a piano without having sheet music.
Steff has been learning by large leaps and bounds. She’s been making the change from using a toddler’s mind and verbal skills to a young child’s. This inevitably brings the word, “why” into the mainstream of each and everything she says or you say to her. Oh…the curious mind of a child. Sitting here and thinking about it has brought thoughts of hilarity to it but in the midst of explaining everything is simply enough to drive Job to the brink of hair loss. I know one day this will be a great and wonderfully fond and priceless memory of her younger years.
She’s a little artist also, I call her Michelangelo since she’s ever drawing on every little and big thing(!!!). Nothing is exempt from her desire to redecorate; Sadie and Rexxie included-they often fall victim to having her art taped to them and drawn on them. Sadie thinks it awesome to be colored and Rexxie is nothing shy of stupid and sits there and takes it…My walls are an ever tempting source for her creativity. Another way we’ve found to help her in expressing her right brain is the computer. She plays about 4 or 5 educational games that provide an adequate amount of entertainment for about 10-20 minutes. Ryan is thrilled that his little girl is beginning to use computers; he’s all about the kids learning technology.

Sadie, our little Peanut is quickly losing the infamous “baby look” she’s really looking like a little girl now and yet, we have not quite figured out which of us she resembles most. She’s developed and learned so many amazing things this last year. She started Early Intervention shortly after her 2nd birthday. She had a Speech and Language Pathologist and an Occupational Therapist who visited our home bi-weekly to work with her delays and give us ideas to help her learn more skills. Over the course of the last year she has learned to communicate in the form of sign language. She’s now starting to communicate verbally. Not great, but pretty clear, it’s an exciting start. I’ve always been curious of how her voice would sound since she squawks at pitches the dog just about covers his ears and whines due to it. She’s been known to be dubbed a teradactal. This last October, she began Preschool and has really shown a major improvement in her creativity and verbal skills. Her teachers have made many comments in regards to her intelligence. In spite of her communication delay, she clearly shows her complete understanding of things asked of her and problem solving. One example…she was looking a book of a hyena which her teacher was drawing a blank of the sign for it, so Sadie went and retrieved a book they had been looking at days before and found the page with a dog on it. Her teacher was amazed that she put together that they are a type of dog-parse and how she remembered a specific book and picture that depicted a dog. One of the sweetest things we’ve heard was stated at school was how the other kids told their teachers how they were going to help her learn to talk.
Pease feel free to check our blog at:
http://www.krazyfamily.blogspot.com/
Ryan & I both have emails… kdogg76@comcast.net & tkelstrom@comcast.net

A Mute Point/Surgery Discoveries

Well, I was going to blog about all the new and great things our family has been up to but I read my previous post and it's a mute point since nothings really changed. Only thing new is that indeed I did get my surgery!!! Things went well and I was complemented on my quick recovery from anesthesia...Of course 40 mgs of Morphine sure helps...When the procedure was complete Dr. Welling came to report to Ryan how things went and he informed Ryan that the nerve roots where extremely enflamed, something he has claimed to see very rarely. He made a comment that I must have been in an absolute amount of pain....and ya know, I still am...It's different but just as debilitating. I know it's just a matter of time for it to fade but with the swollen nerves repair rate being so slow, I'll have to deal their mending for up to 6-12 months....Not so fun but I know it will have been worth it down the road...I can begin physical therapy 3 months post op and that I'm really looking forward to....

Thus Far A "GO"

I just wanted to update you all and let you know that so far it's looking like I will actually be getting my surgery done on the 28th. Of course, this could all change very quickly depending on how Dr. Welling's wife is doing. Please keep us all in your prayers. I wouldn't want him to do my surgery unless his head is totally there and not worried about his wife but I'd also like to get it done so I can move forward with my life.
The kids are doing well...Sadie is still using sign language and her usual screechy sounds as a way of communication but she has also added a sound that is close to "da-da" although she doesn't use it for any particular thing-she can just say it when you prompt her-.
Steff is really enjoying the weather and we've had her pool filled up most of the time already. She's made a little friend from across the street but I'm not so sure that's a good thing-she now believes it's okay to cross the street when she wants to. Please keep her in your prayers as well...
Kieran is doing some great things and some not so great things lately. He's doing well in baseball and his coach has given him the opportunity to give pitching a shot. He'll be great at it once he gets his accuracy down a little better. He's also been taking things that he wants...It's like he believes that everything is available for his taking as he sees fit...What's his/hers is mine kind of thinking...\
Ryan is doing great...still working his tail off but we've had to prepare for him to take some time off for my recovery and he's had to work more to make up for that.
Today is our fifth wedding anniversary...And, I'm more in-love with him now than I was the day I married him. I pray it's always that way.
Take care of you,
Tricia

All Things New

It's really been uneventful since the last time I blogged but there have been a few changes...
For one, I was suppost to being having my microdiscectomy on the Weds. the 13th but Dr. Wellings wife is very sick and he's been out of the office quite a bit I'm sure to be with her. So, they moved my surgery to the 28th of May. I sure hope they don't have to change it again. But, I honestly believe the Lord is in complete control and I most certainly want to make sure his head is in the game(per se) when he does my surgery.
Kieran is doing well in baseball...not that he's doesn't have an exteme talent anyway. He's been pitching this year and he's doing quite well. It's exciting to see his coach give him this opportnity.
Mother's Day was simple and lovely. We went to my dad's for breakfast and when we came home we did yard work. I actually mowed the lawn and despite some sore stomach muscles I faired pretty well. Later in the evening we went to Ryan's mom's for some wonderful pie that Brad and Lindsey has so generously made...I was a wonderful day.
I guess that sums up all I have to really report as of now...Take care and God bless.

Sugery and the Fam...

Hello Again...
I just wanted to take a moment to update everyone on what is the latest with my back...I have surgery on the 13th of May...It's a pretty simple surgery, it's called a microdiscectomy. It only requires a few centimeters of incision and the recovery time is quite short compared to a macrodiscectomy. There are some risks but doesn't everything have risks..? The risks are that my disc could collapse once the herniation is removed but the chances of that are only 1 in 10. I may also suffer from massive headaches for 2 to 3 days should the spinal nerve be ruptured which will ultimately cause my spinal fluid to leak. I'm not sure of the statistics on that but I'm praying the disc hasn't fused to the spinal nerve...
Enough about me...
Kieran is doing quite well...He's been much happier and more productive in the past couple weeks. He can now play soccer and baseball as his foot has healed. He still has a little limp which I suppose is due to having his foot isolated for a few weeks..? It's wonderful to have be happy and the great kid that we all know he is.
Steffanie has been quite the sweetheart this week. She has been being very playful with Sadie and they both laugh at her antics. She's been very loving...today she gave me a few hugs and each time she did she told me she loved me.
Sadie is really picking up sigh language and she uses it all the time. She seems to love learning new signs and it doesn't take her long at all to pick up a new one. We figured she knows about 30 signs that she uses regularly. I'm the only one who really knows what she is saying so I have to translate. It's funny, but, I enjoy being able to talk to her.
Ryan is stressed out as usually. I think he takes on too much of the problems of our family and remains the sole financial support. To me, that's a recipe for disaster. I try to stay very supportive and be a good girl so he doesn't have to worry what his crazy wife is doing. I continually pray for him to have peace and I know the Lord will give it to him...in time.

Okay, so I realize it's just after 4 in the morning but I've had this wonderful if not unnerving epiphany...Here it is...The Lord has given me a couple slaps in the face and it's very obvious that His desire for my life is to quite smoking. You see, I was diagnosed with Reactive Lung Disease just over a year ago and I remember at the time being in shock and then the harsh realization that my habit of smoking was not helping the situation in the least.
We'll things have been pretty bad with my back for about the last 2-3 years. You know, constantly hurting and rarely finding relief...? Which also reminds me that I went in for some spinal root nerve injections two weeks ago and received instant relief from the severe pain that runs along my low back and down into my legs. This, however, did not last longer that 10 to 11 days. And, the bill was just over a grand...And, for what? A week and half of relief..? That works out to be just over $100 dollars a day...Yikes! Especially since I met with a well known Neuro-surgeon in the Ogden area on Monday. He took a very brief look at my MRI and I advised him who my father was because had done a back fusion for him this past June. He basically told me that I was an exact replica of my father in terms of the issues that have been presented in my life. He advised me that the most effect option to get rid of the shooting hip and leg pain was to have a Microdiscectomy. It would be out-patient surgery and the risks of something going wrong with a scope and laser are very minimal. He advised me that if I didn't get this taken care of now that I would eventually turn into a much more complicated case like my dad. He wasn't pressing, he simply told me the facts, answered my questions and told me that I should go home and discuss this opportunity with my husband and should we chose this as an option, to give his office a call and set a date for a surgery.
Dr. Welling also very kindly said that I really should consider quiting smoking which I knew he was going to say something about but I never expected how nice and informative he'd be about it. He said that a lot of attention is given to the heart, lungs and vascular system with regards to very damaging effects of smoking on these vital, life determining organs but what doesn't get said is that the damage your bones and joints suffer is actually just as bad. When you smoke you decrease the level of oxygen in your blood stream and it's particularly bad on the white blood cells in consideration of the fact that are largely made up of oxygen. Your bones and joints severely need white blood cells to maintain their elasticity and pliability and strength. When you take away their main source of "food" they starve and therefor begin degenerating. The difference? You can live life in pain but you can't live without your heart, lungs and vascular system working correctly.
Ryan and I have in the previous months been looking into what could possibly be the evil entity that is the culprit for much of our back issues and time and again smoking is very near the top of the lists. Ryan has been suffering upper back and neck pain pretty regularly without any relief for at least a good year. He only finds relief from pain medication and icy-hot patches. I believe this is due to the decade of his life he spent doing dry-wall. But, I'm not a doctor and we haven't been able to find out the exact reason he's suffered from this for so long. Of course, I believe and MRI would answer a lot of questions but you can't just call the radiology department and schedule your own appointment on a whim.
So, now that you've informed of my latest attempts at getting relief and the new options that have been laid out before me...you'll most likely agree that I disastrously need to quit smoking...This is where your love and continued support comes in...I know God is on my side and that through it all He'll be there to hold me and should I have an accident, He'll pick me back up and put me on my feet after dusting me off. But, the special people in my life can help too...all I ask is that some time in one of your prayer sessions you mention my name along with Ryan's.
The effects of this pain are hard to deal with for one person but it's affecting our whole family. We rarely have days when doing anything more than providing for our children's daily needs is ever possible. We are both still very young and we sincerely desire to play with all of our kids. Kieran is starting baseball soon and he's really wanting to give pitching a shot this year but he needs parents that are capable of playing catch with him and helping him hone his skills. Steffanie is a very active 4 year old who just wants to run and play along with you. Sadie is taking on a new life as a social being and she's gained a love for being outside as well. The weather is soon to be wonderful and we want our kids to remember their parents willingness and ability to play with them. So, I'm sure you see how this is very depressing for us. Having the desire and intentions to do things aren't going to get things done but some days it's all we can do to go through the normal motions of the day....depressing.
On an up note...in spite of all this pain garbage we are doing well. It's seems that our family has found a new pattern for our combined lives and each of us plays their own role uniquely. We feel connected a lot more these days. The kids' health is good. Kieran seems to be getting his emotions under some sort of control...We switched his medication and he's seems to be responding to it quite well. We pray that these next few years as he grows toward adulthood aren't too hard for him and that he's able to stay focused on the things that are important in life and have fun in the meantime.

Okay, so I'm on it...Yeah, here's another blog for you to read...Miracles never cease to exist do they...?
Things have been well in our worlds...If you think potty training a resistent 4 year old, a severely depressed tween and a 2 and half year old that won't talk is well...? You decide.
But, seriously it hasn't been all too bad. Ryan and I are doing well together. Not sure if it's because he's now on medication to control his stress level or if I have been more patient with the way things are but something for the better has definitely changed. Much to my liking of course...
I accomplished a major feat and read the Twilight series in 6 days...Beat that record...Anyone? Of course my house was neglected and the reprocusions are not ideal but I was able to escape the consistent pain I'm in for a few days. And, yes, I fed the kids...although I don't remember when or how but they're still alive so that's a good sign.
I went in last Wednesday for a couple injections into my S1 nerve root (which seriously slowed my reading progress down). I instantly had relief from the pain that ran down the outside of my legs. I wonder though, how long will it last..?
Ryan has been doing his usual thing...working but he seems to have a much better outlook on things than usual. This I like.
Kieran's meds were changed and about a week and a half into the new ones the very thing I'd been hoping wouldn't happen, did. He got more depressed and was actually harming himself physically. Not good. But, I trust the doctor he's in the care of and I know the Lord has some big plans for his life.
Steff is still refusing to potty train....although she turned 4 on the 31st. I can't figure out how she can stand having urine and the other stuck to her body and I certainly can't figure out what is holding her back. If only to be able to get in to her mind for a few minutes.
Sadie's really grasping sign language well and she learns new signs almost immediately after a quick showing of what they are. Her mind is another mystery that I cannot solve.
So, basically we a plugging along and trying to move our lives forward in a better manner. Hey, if life is gonna continue to progress at least we can try to have a good time.
Hope all is well in your worlds...
Tricia

Far TOO Long

Hello Everyone!!! It's been far too long since I've had the chance and the words to update this...for that, I'm sorry. You see, these last six months have been nothing shy of hectic and crazy. Each one of us has had something or other affect us in some way, shape, or form...but we are all alive and still growning older...much to Ryan and I's dismain of course.
Let's see, who do we start with???
Kieran...he's becoming quite pubecent and thus the girls are somewhat of a hot item for him these days. He played his first year of Junior Jazz Basketball this year and in spite of the saddening fact that his team didn't win a single game-he loved it and learned quite a bit. Ryan really stepped up to the plate...He was only able to attend one game but he was there for practice on Saturday mornings and always giving Kieran pointers. I'm sure this will be a yearly thing for him from now on.
Spring is coming and that means Soccer...I'm really looking forward to that and of course baseball there shortly after...I sometimes wonder if he's getting bored with baseball as he doesn't seem as excited as he once was..? Oh, well...I'll only have to force him to play this one more season and then it's Junior High for him and I figure at that point he should be able to make his own decisions as to what sports he wants to tryout for.
I know Christmas was hard on him last year and I received a quite alarming call from his teacher at one point shortly before the holiday approached. He (Mr. Skeen) stated that he has found Kieran in the coat closet crying for his dad and that his demeanor wasn't well. I had to take into account what his wonderful teacher had to say since it hasn't been long since he and his beautiful wife lost their son in an automobile accident. How could anyone argue with him when he knows exactly the pain Kieran has been dealing with since the loss of his amazing father?
It's been a wonderful and scary journey for Kieran this last 7 months but with the help of all the great people in his life, he'll turn out okay.
Steffanie is approaching her fourth birthday and much to Ryan and I's wonder she is still not potty trained nor will she sleep in her bed. This should be coming to an end soon since we told her that she has until her birthday and that's it...not more diapers and no more sleeping on the couch in front of the television.
She's growing well and she's gained an intrinsic imagination. We are all quite facinated with the things she remembers and the hilarious antics she's always coming up with.
Thus far, we have escaped the cold and flu season without her getting too sick...She now has a slight head cold but nothing that has warranted a doctor's appointment. And, she's never been sicker than when she had the Rotavirus...yuck...wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy...even if I had any.
Sadie...well, what can I say...she doesn't speak any real spoken language except Sadiese...but she has learned quite a few signs for things and she can get her point across quite well with her various screaches of sorts. She really enjoys laughing and making people laugh. She's really coming into her own and starting to lose her "baby" look.
Ryan and I have had a hard time in our marriage but we also had to file a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and the Lord knows that can induce large amounts of stress into a marriage. We are getting better and becoming close once again. Things are looking a little more up in spite of the recent news that I will be having surgery on my back to remove some herniation in my L5/S1 discs.
I can't say I'm extremely excited for the surgery as it appears that everyone I know that has had some sort of back surgery seems to be in more pain than they were before their surgery. I know the Lord has great things in life for all of us but at this juncture in my life I'm still trying to make sense of the purpose for chronic pain. I continue to keep my eyes to the sky for His great plan and a song in my heart that one day I will completely understand the extent of my mission on this planet.
We pray all is well in everyone's worlds and that the Lord is blessing you abundantly.