"The Lord gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain."
Elder Richard G. Scott
I had a really great conversation with a good friend of mine last week that really got me thinking about things. Then I found this quote on another blog and I thought it was to perfect to ignore. I guess sometimes I'm a little stubborn and don't always listen the first time.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Success!
Well the surgery was a success and the results are good; no need for further surgery. The pulmonary valve does have some blockage, but not enough to be to concerned about. We'll go back to doing a yearly follow up and hopefully nothing more. I've had enough pointing, prodding, electrodes and monitors to last a life time!
The heart cathaterization is another story. That is something I wouldn't wish upon anyone. It was a little weird being in the cath lab section of the hospital. I guess i always pictured that to be a place were old people go. I even had 2 nurses tell me that I was the youngest patient they'd ever had. I had great nurses, they just had a heck of a time getting my IV going. After several attempts of trying to get the IV into the vein (this included moving the needle in and out of the vein several times and moving it side to side to get the fluids going) I ended up turning white as a ghost and pucking all over. My hand is still sore from that! Being wheeled into the cath lab was very intimidating and a little overwhelming. Not to mention that fact that it was freezing cold!! They had already given me a Valium and benedryl right before they started to help me relax and they gave me something else through the IV that was supposed to be even stronger. Well let me just say it was to little to late because my worst fears came true. Not only did that numbing shot hurt more then anything, but the burning afterwards was horrible. They gave me another dose through the IV but not before they game me 2 more shots. That was just horrible!!! With that many meds in my system I really don't remember much after that. I'm just glad the whole thing is over and i don't have to do this again.
The heart cathaterization is another story. That is something I wouldn't wish upon anyone. It was a little weird being in the cath lab section of the hospital. I guess i always pictured that to be a place were old people go. I even had 2 nurses tell me that I was the youngest patient they'd ever had. I had great nurses, they just had a heck of a time getting my IV going. After several attempts of trying to get the IV into the vein (this included moving the needle in and out of the vein several times and moving it side to side to get the fluids going) I ended up turning white as a ghost and pucking all over. My hand is still sore from that! Being wheeled into the cath lab was very intimidating and a little overwhelming. Not to mention that fact that it was freezing cold!! They had already given me a Valium and benedryl right before they started to help me relax and they gave me something else through the IV that was supposed to be even stronger. Well let me just say it was to little to late because my worst fears came true. Not only did that numbing shot hurt more then anything, but the burning afterwards was horrible. They gave me another dose through the IV but not before they game me 2 more shots. That was just horrible!!! With that many meds in my system I really don't remember much after that. I'm just glad the whole thing is over and i don't have to do this again.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Fun Friday planned for tomorrow
Well, tomorrow's the big day and I have to say that I'm getting a little nervous. I'm not sure what I'm more nervous about; the fact that they'll be sending tubes through the artery in my groin or the fact that they keep you awake through the whole thing. Or the fact I HATE needles more then anything!!!!
This is an exert from the patient pamphlet they gave me:
"The normal points of entry are either the groin area or the forearm. The immediate skin area is numbed with a local anesthetic, administered through a needle. You will feel an initial pin prick as the needle is inserted, and then a burning sensation as the anesthetic is injected. You also may feel pressure when the catheter itself is inserted, and/or exchanged with other catheters during the procedure." I guess they don't like to give you any fluff. Doesn't this sound like fun?!!
This is an exert from the patient pamphlet they gave me:
"The normal points of entry are either the groin area or the forearm. The immediate skin area is numbed with a local anesthetic, administered through a needle. You will feel an initial pin prick as the needle is inserted, and then a burning sensation as the anesthetic is injected. You also may feel pressure when the catheter itself is inserted, and/or exchanged with other catheters during the procedure." I guess they don't like to give you any fluff. Doesn't this sound like fun?!!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Happy Birthday Bryce
Yesterday was my nephew Bryce's 4th birthday. We took Bradley over to see him and had cake and opened presents. I can't believe how big Bryce is getting and how much he's learning. He loves playing Wii and anything that has to do with trains and Transformers. We love having him so close by.
How lucky am I?!!
I came home on Friday from a very long day to something wonderful...
And that lead to this..
And then to this..
And more of this..
And then this..
And finally to this..
It was a wonderful surprise to come home to a clean house, several dozen roses and even good smelling candles. I'm very grateful to be married to someone like Chris. I also want to take a moment and brag about his flower arranging skills. Back when we were first dating, his mom and I taught him how to arrange flowers himself so he could save money. So know he buys the flowers, ferns and babies breathe and then arranges them in the vases. These flowers turned out beautiful!!
And that lead to this..
And then to this..
And more of this..
And then this..
And finally to this..
It was a wonderful surprise to come home to a clean house, several dozen roses and even good smelling candles. I'm very grateful to be married to someone like Chris. I also want to take a moment and brag about his flower arranging skills. Back when we were first dating, his mom and I taught him how to arrange flowers himself so he could save money. So know he buys the flowers, ferns and babies breathe and then arranges them in the vases. These flowers turned out beautiful!!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
It's a BOY!!
Our newest member of the family arrived yesterday morning. Samuel Andrew Summers came 3 weeks early and weighing in at 4lbs 7oz. Maggie gave us a little scare with her preecclampcia but now both mom and baby are doing great. We're all very excited to welcome him into the family.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Maggie's baby shower
Last week we had a baby shower for Maggie. We had lots of fun and had a pretty good turn out. My sister in law Wendy made her first diaper cake and it turned out soooo cute. Maggie doesn't look like it, but she's due in 3 weeks and we're very excited to meet the newest member of the family.
Here's the ladies; Maggie, Me, Katie, Wendy and Mom
Wendy's diaper cake:
Here's the ladies; Maggie, Me, Katie, Wendy and Mom
Wendy's diaper cake:
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
I'm a lemon
It's official, Chris married a lemon.
The doctor gave me the official diagnosis as pulmonary stenosis. Basically a congenital defect that causes a narrowing of the pulmonary value and restricts blood flow through the heart. This is surprisingly common in kids and most outgrow it by their teenage years. Well, this is where I (the lemon) come in. Mine hasn't gone away, in fact it's actually gotten worse. Now the doctor wants to do a heart catheterization to determine exactly how narrow the valve is. Let me just say that I'm less then thrilled about having another surgery. I guess it's good that we're doing it next week and not putting if off; otherwise I probably wouldn't do it. And now all that money we were saving by not doing fertility treatments these next few months just got reallocated to this.
Poor Chris! Not only am I practically infertile and unable to him kids but now I've also got a defective heart and will probably die at a young age of a heart attack. Like I said, I'm a lemon. I think I should let Chris off the hook and let him find someone that didn't fall from the lemon tree.
The doctor gave me the official diagnosis as pulmonary stenosis. Basically a congenital defect that causes a narrowing of the pulmonary value and restricts blood flow through the heart. This is surprisingly common in kids and most outgrow it by their teenage years. Well, this is where I (the lemon) come in. Mine hasn't gone away, in fact it's actually gotten worse. Now the doctor wants to do a heart catheterization to determine exactly how narrow the valve is. Let me just say that I'm less then thrilled about having another surgery. I guess it's good that we're doing it next week and not putting if off; otherwise I probably wouldn't do it. And now all that money we were saving by not doing fertility treatments these next few months just got reallocated to this.
Poor Chris! Not only am I practically infertile and unable to him kids but now I've also got a defective heart and will probably die at a young age of a heart attack. Like I said, I'm a lemon. I think I should let Chris off the hook and let him find someone that didn't fall from the lemon tree.
Jealous
I got a picture email from Chris the other day that totally made me jealous. It was titled "look who I'm playing with." What a cute kid!! I'm glad to see that Chris puts in a hard days work. =)
This is another cute picture. I can't believe that Bryce turns 4 on Saturday. I have such cute nephews and I can't wait to meet the newest one next month.
This is another cute picture. I can't believe that Bryce turns 4 on Saturday. I have such cute nephews and I can't wait to meet the newest one next month.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Quick update
I finally had my cardiac MRI today. I didn't realize how hard it can keep to hold perfectly still for 1.5 hours. Luckily the only uncomfortable part was laying there with my arms over my head and battling the tingling sensation when they fell asleep. I have my follow-up with the cardiologist in a few hours, so I'll know the results soon.
We finally started work on our new deck that we've been talking about for months. Last night Tom and Chris ripped up the old deck and I can't believe how many bugs, lizards and other disgusting things were living under there!! I'm hoping we can work on it every day this week and have it done by Saturday.
We finally started work on our new deck that we've been talking about for months. Last night Tom and Chris ripped up the old deck and I can't believe how many bugs, lizards and other disgusting things were living under there!! I'm hoping we can work on it every day this week and have it done by Saturday.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Yummm BBQ!!
The Salt Lick BBQ is hands down the best BBQ around!! The food is sooooo good and it just melts in your mouth. We decided to try out the new one in Round Rock this weekend and oh my goodness, was it delicious!! I was a little worried it wouldn't have the same feel or taste as the original, but it was just as good. Lucky for us we don't have to drive all the way out to Driftwood and now we can have BBQ every weekend.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
A little more discretion please....
Sometimes I think doctors should use a little more discretion when talking about patients while they're sitting in the patient rooms. I heard all my results and next steps before the Dr. even entered the room to tell me. It probably didn't help that I'm incredibly nosey by nature and when I heard the Dr. on the phone I immediately tuned my ears into what he was saying and quickly picked up on the fact that he was talking about me. Regardless, drs. should be a little more careful about what they say and who they say it to when patients are around.
For those that are left wanting more information; here's a little back ground on what I'm talking about. I found out I had a heart murmur when I was in middle school and saw a cardiologist every year until I was 18. At 18 I moved onto an adult cardiologist and I was cleared to go every 2 years. (The Dr. wasn't to concerned because most kids out grow their murmurs as they get older.) Well life got in the way and it's been about 8 years since I've gone. My fertility Dr gave me a little nudge to go back again and I agreed, but mostly because I've noticed over the last few years I get short of breathe over simple things that an active 28 yr old shouldn't get short of breathe for. So I went 2 weeks ago and the Dr. was surprised at how loud and how noticeable the murmur had gotten. He schedule me for an echo cardiogram and I had that done last week. I won't go into detail, but man are those fun!! (Just picture an ultrasound probe being mashed into your ribs and chest for 45 mins) Today I had the follow-up and this is why I posted the above comment. The Dr wasn't to thrilled about the results from the echo. He said they were inconclusive and it didn't really give him the insight he wanted on what was really causing the murmur to have gotten stronger over the last several years. So now it's onto a Cardiac MRI. I should be getting a call from the hospital to schedule that tomorrow. For now, we do the usual waiting game.
For those that are left wanting more information; here's a little back ground on what I'm talking about. I found out I had a heart murmur when I was in middle school and saw a cardiologist every year until I was 18. At 18 I moved onto an adult cardiologist and I was cleared to go every 2 years. (The Dr. wasn't to concerned because most kids out grow their murmurs as they get older.) Well life got in the way and it's been about 8 years since I've gone. My fertility Dr gave me a little nudge to go back again and I agreed, but mostly because I've noticed over the last few years I get short of breathe over simple things that an active 28 yr old shouldn't get short of breathe for. So I went 2 weeks ago and the Dr. was surprised at how loud and how noticeable the murmur had gotten. He schedule me for an echo cardiogram and I had that done last week. I won't go into detail, but man are those fun!! (Just picture an ultrasound probe being mashed into your ribs and chest for 45 mins) Today I had the follow-up and this is why I posted the above comment. The Dr wasn't to thrilled about the results from the echo. He said they were inconclusive and it didn't really give him the insight he wanted on what was really causing the murmur to have gotten stronger over the last several years. So now it's onto a Cardiac MRI. I should be getting a call from the hospital to schedule that tomorrow. For now, we do the usual waiting game.
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