The Kids are Well, The Parents are falling apart...

Where to start?
Let’s see, Steff just turned the big 5 and she’ll be starting Kindergarten next fall. She’s gonna love school and we’re all looking forward to her having that opportunity. She had a great birthday: her gifts included a couple of swimsuits(always good, since she lives in the water during the summer), various devices and tools for creating art(again, very good…she’s a little artist), she got some clothes and money and her family sprang for a new bike and helmet…I hope no one feels left out if I forgot what they gave her…please forgive me, she does have a large family.
Kieran received his mid-term grades and for the most part, did pretty well. He pulled up most of his grades to passing or better at the last minute but it wasn’t quite enough to get him on the track team. He’s bummed but we had a pep talk about simply doing the work that is assigned each day, even without really trying-I put it much different than that-and I promised him he’d see himself pass his classes without so much stress at the end of the term and from his parents, not to mention the freedom he’d have because he wouldn’t always be stuck in the house doing his missing work. He went to school this morning with a very positive attitude.
Sadie has turned into quite the little talker. She’s really starting to talk but her enunciation needs work. She can carry on a conversation and sing songs but unless you are in the conversation and paying attention all she’s saying is lost. She is getting better by the day and trying hard. She’s not easily discouraged and she’s persistent enough to keep trying.
Ryan is nothing shy of stressed out with work this last couple of weeks. His two direct bosses are out of town and he’s been put in charge of an area that he’s not that familiar with, sheet metal. He knows that had this occurred in his last position he’d be more than up to par but he admits he just doesn’t know enough to be being the boss. He’s really stressed out and to top it off they’ve clearly stated that he’s to get things straightened out while his boss-the person who does know sheet metal-is on vacation. It wasn’t even as if they had said they had faith in him that he’d do a great job and put his best effort into it, they just told him “Get it done.” I don’t think I’ve ever seen him stressed out so much from work before…It’s just insane.
Another issue that has come to light is the results of his MRI: it’s shown that he has a cyst on his knee and hypertrophic facet disease (arthritis) in his C5 vertebrae. The MRI stops at that disc but his pain does not so we both believe the arthritis continues. He’ll be seeing our regular doctor about this on Thursday the 8th and we’ll go from there…More to come.
Things are as they always are for me…Medically nuts. It is now suspected that I may have had heart attack at some point in the paste and I may have a heart arrhythmia. I am having more excruciating back pain and thus I had my 3rd MRI this year-I’m working on an MRI wing dedicated to me at McKay Dee-I spoke to my surgeons PA Wednesday evening and he repetitively kept making the statement that I have lost a “significant amount of disc space” and we’re talking he said it so many times I was about to tell him that, “Yeah, you said that a few times now.” He must feel there is something amiss there because he scheduled the appointment for 8:15 in the morning. Ya know, the funny part is that from the previous Thursday I had been trying to tell them something wasn’t right and that I needed to be seen…I’ve had this back for a while and I’m very confident I’m in tune with when there’s a problem. We’ll see what happens. I may be going in for the fusion that I feel should have been done in February. But, I have to respect Dr. Welling’s professional opinion to not do it then, the prosthetic disc will not hold up the rest of my life and by the time it needs to be replaced I will be too old to make it through the surgery but it looks like that option may be running out. Praying for the best-as always, because that’s all I can do-the Lord holds each of my tears in his hand.

The Last Mohican

So…I decided I hated the comb-over haircut they gave Steffanie and went with a #2 guard with the clippers…it was at least even and I figured it couldn’t get any shorter and it’d also grow out even…boy was I wrong…You see, Ryan shaves his head because he figures his receding hairline is enough in itself and he’s not going to let it get him down. He had just shaved his head and walked away for less than two minutes; which is more than enough time for any child to cause severe mayhem and that is exactly what happened. Steff went into the bathroom-along with Sadie and discovered the still plugged-in clippers. From what I can deduce she attempted to shave Sadie’s head first and got the one little section when Sadie, being the timid child she is-bolted…She then resorted to her own hair…From the picture you can clearly see she looks like an actor from The Last of the Mohicans, we’ve left her hair this way and she’s been quite embarrassed by it and that is justice enough for Ryan and I. Not to mention it absolutely hilarious to walk away and come back to see her all over again with a reverse Mohawk.
Kieran is doing what Kieran does, preparing to drive his parent’s completely insane…I’m thinking it’s a teenage thing and I pray to our Dear Lord he grows out of it. He’s at least trying in school and his lying seems to have taken a curve for the better. I’m not sure if that’s because he’s sick of the discipline or that fact that I can tell when he’s lying and trick him into saying things that implicate himself? It looks like baseball for the Junior High team is out but maybe that will help him see the consequences we all face for our actions. He’s a great kid and super helpful so I pray I’m not painting him a bad light.
Ryan and I are doing much better. He’s been on days and we now have dinner as a family and time together. I can’t believe the improvement.
As for me personally…Well, I’m sure most of you have heard I have again herniated my L5-S1 disc and will be going in for another microdiscectomy. I had an appointment with Dr. Welling on the 8th and he wanted to do the surgery the 10th…I told him that would be great but my husband had to give some advanced notice of his absence. So he scheduled me for the 17th. I’m actually looking forward to this surgery because the nerve down the back of my leg that is being affected is so painful that I have a hard time taking care of myself, let alone my family. I can’t stand for more than a minute without feeling like my leg is going to give out and sitting and lying are not any better. I’m really looking forward to the relief. Welling showed me the MRI of my disc and compared it to the first one, the disc is half the size it was less than a year ago and anymore herniation and it will be bone on bone and I’ll need a fusion. He said he’d just do the fusion now but he really wants to avoid that and for the best since I’m still quite young. Lucky me….

Sinead and the Grades

Where to start…? Well, it has been absolutely wonderful having Ryan on day shift. He has been getting out of bed easier and over-all he seems happier. I personally couldn’t be more thrilled-unless he where to get his truck registered so I could have my van back…but all in good time and if that is the only thing I have to sacrifice to have him home in the evenings it’s well worth it.

Kieran has really made progress in school. He’s pulled most of his F’s to C’s. My brother, Travis has been staying with us and he’s given Kieran great direction on the right way to get his assignments done. I know that raising his grades has really helped raise his self-confidence to heights it hasn’t been since his dad passed away 3 years ago. I’m really proud of him and more pleased to see him be proud of himself.

Steff pulled one of the more devastating stunts of her near 5 years on this planet. You see, she found or hid some scissors and decided she wanted to be a hair stylist and who needs to go to school -right? She not only butchered her hair but she also did a number on Sadie’s as well. I seriously just wanted to cry, instead I called Ryan and informed him I needed to take the girls to Great Clips in hopes that they could salvage anything or at the very least even it all out. Thus, Sadie has a boy haircut and it’s been discovered she looks like her brother. Steff’s didn’t turn out so well. The lady that cut it did a horrible job and I’m so completely dissatisfied that I will be taking her back in for it to be fixed-let’s put it this way…she has a mullet with a bald spot on the right side of her head. I’ve tried styling it but her bald spot is so obvious she probably looked more ridiculous than she would have if I hadn’t done anything. Sadie looked very much like a little boy until I put a cute headband in her hair.

9-1-1 Good or Bad?

So, yesterday I have a doctors appointment and decided to shower, who doesn't want to be clean for a visit to the doctor? So I jumped in the shower with my brother Travis and my son Kieran to hold down the fort-or better yet keep the house standing. Steff and Sadie discovered Kieran's cell phone and thought they'd call the only number they know know(read Steffanie)...Yep, 9-1-1! While I'm in the shower Steff's being extremely persistent about getting my attention( I lock the door so I don't have to worry what they are in to). She does this a good 5 times. Once I shut the water off I hear her telling me someone is on the phone. Thinking they dialed a wrong number or possibly out of the US I come flying out dripping wet...
Just as Steff informs it's 9-1-1 my heart sinks and I want to crawl in a hole. I got on with the dispatcher and she informed me that Steff was banging on the door so much at her direction and that Steff has informed her there is a fire. None of which is true but I have to appologize in saucy amounts to this lady and advise her that she had plenty of supervision available although they had fallen back to sleep. She was nice and shortly let me go but that was an experiencd I'll never forget.
I've always wondered if Steff knew how to dial for emergency services. I have to say that I'm proud of her but admitt the timing was less than ideal.

Excitement with a Challenge

Ryan has left us...He's taken a flight to Hartford CT and we dearly miss him. It's only been one day but everyone feels the impact. We can't wait til the week is over so that we can see him again. Did I get ya there fo a second?
Ryan went to Hartford to train to be a programer at JD Machine. Something he's really excited about. We all are actually ecstatic because this means he'll be home in the evenings to help with the kids and spend more time with them, not mention it's a step up in the company.
Exciting things...
As for the challenging stuff, it's just a little more work without him home...But, short term pain for long term gain.
He said his first day went well. It was over before he knew it and he was eshausted as well. I'm praying the whole week flies by the same way. If you'd like to talk to him you can still reach him by his phone and I'm sure he'd love to hear from anyone.

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.