Calling all Fireman wives!!!

[slo]

Good morning everyone and TGIF!!!!!

Have you ever felt like you are being tested ??? I'm really feeling that way this month and not only because of my Grandma passing away, Katie having this ear infection, and my in-laws accident, but I'm starting to have some medical problems . I didn't mention anything last week, but last week Wednesday my OBGYN called me and told me that my last Pap Test showed abnormal cells and they want me to have another Pap in July. They told me not to worry, but I can't help buy worry . Then yesterday I went to the doctor for my hands, because I've been having problems with them for many years. This year has been the worse for my hands and my Grandmas ICU nurse told me that I have to have them checked out. So I have Raynauds Syndrome which briefly is:

Raynaud's phenomenon is a condition that results from a reversible decrease in the blood supply to the ends of the fingers. Everyone develops some constriction of the blood vessels going to the fingers after cold exposure as a way for the body to prevent heat loss. In the normal situation, the narrowing of the blood vessels resolves when the exposure to the cold ceases. Persons with Raynaud's phenomenon have an exaggerated sensitivity to decreased temperature that causes severe narrowing of the blood vessels lasting much longer (sometimes hours) than the exposure to the cold temperature. When exposed to the cold, these persons experience spasm of the small blood vessels supplying the tips of the fingers. Because of decreased blood and oxygen, the finger tips turn white and often blue. When the hands are warmed, the skin may turn a dusky red color before returning to normal. During the period of rewarming, the hands may be mildly painful with numbness, tingling or a burning sensation. Not all persons with Raynaud's phenomenon have the classic "triphasic" color change of white to blue to red. Some have only the white or the bluish discoloration. Raynaud's phenomenon is an abnormality of the small blood vessels. The pulsations felt in the large arteries (for example, in the neck or wrists) are normal.

My doctor is concerned with this and is having me go to a Neorologist on April 10th to have this doctor check me out . This scares me quite a bit. Now today I'm going to the Opthomologist to get the results of my Glaucoma test - which I'm praying came out negative.

After this week is over, Stephanie has Spring Break next week and on Tuesday she is having her two tests done for her bladder problems. That is going to be a really bad day !!!! I just hope the tests don't tell me something I don't want to hear.

So this is all why I'm feeling tested and I'm starting to feel like I'm on emotional overload . I called my brother yesterday and told him about me having to go to a neuorologist, and to please not tell our mom because I don't want her to have something else to worry about. Am I right about this ? Or do you think I should tell her because she will have hurt feelings if I don't ? I'm not sure if my good intentions will cause her upsetness in the end.

Well, I better go and start getting ready for work. I have to leave a little earlier so I can go to the Opthomologist before work. I'm sorry I've done nothing but complain, but I just needed to get this out of my system. Have a good Friday everyone!!!!

 

[Idroveallnight]

slo - I am so sorry for you! Is Stephanie having a VCUG? I think you should tell your mom. You have been displaying such a great amount of strength lately & I can't help but think you learned to be such strong person from having a strong mom. I think it would hurt her to not know! I think you need all the support you can get! I know that sometimes I just need my mom!!! My husband is great, my friends are wonderful, but some situations just need mom - no matter how old I am. Don't apologize for needing to share! We are all here to listen (well, read) about what you are going thru! I will keep you in my thoughts & prayers! Let me know how it went at the opthomologist!

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

slo ~ I'm so sorry for all that you're going through!

I agree with Idroveallnight and I do think you should tell your mom. I think she would be hurt to find out after the fact that you went through it alone. You're lucky to have her in your life and be so close with her.

Please don't feel bad about "complaining." You're just talking through your feelings and that's what we're here for because we're all friends here!

 

[slo]

Good Saturday morning everyone!!!

I got some good news at the Opthomologist yesterday - he told me that my eyes are not showing signs of Glaucoma right now He still wants me to come in the end of July for further tests since Glaucoma is in my immediate family. But for right now, my eyes look okay I told him that I was going to see this Neurologist and if there is anything that he should know, he said there was and he will write him a letter. He told me that he would appreciate it if the Neurologist would send him a letter in return because any circulation problems could affect my eyes and he needs to know what to look for - I told him I would relay that message.

I told my mom yesterday about what is going on, and she took the information well. She told me that we need to support each other, especially now that my Grandma is gone (my Grandma was the one we would confine all our information with) - and she's right!!! I'm glad I told her

I want to thank everyone for their hugs and prayers for me . I felt bad yesterday spilling all this out, I don't want anyone thinking, "here we go again, Sandy is complaining again." The truth is, I've never had this many things go wrong with me personally and my family in one month - it's sorta freaking me out!! I'm really looking forward to getting this month over. Thank you everyone for being there for me - it truly puts my mind at ease and makes me feel like I am not alone .

eeyoresmountainpals - I'm glad you made it home safely from Grandpa's wake and funeral. How were your children when you were there - especially AJ?? That's terrible about the family arguing after the services - I feel bad for Nana

Idroveallnight - How was Sarah's prom last night??? Tell us all about it.

Well, I'm going to get going and jump in the shower. Me and the girls are meeting my mom, brother, and DSIL at my Grandma's house to work on cleaning it out some more. Kevin would really like to come, but he has scuba diving lessons this weekend. Have a good day everyone!!!!

 

[polly p]

Have you ever felt like you are being tested ??? I'm really feeling that way this month and not only because of my Grandma passing away, Katie having this ear infection, and my in-laws accident, but I'm starting to have some medical problems . I didn't mention anything last week, but last week Wednesday my OBGYN called me and told me that my last Pap Test showed abnormal cells and they want me to have another Pap in July. They told me not to worry, but I can't help buy worry . Then yesterday I went to the doctor for my hands, because I've been having problems with them for many years. This year has been the worse for my hands and my Grandmas ICU nurse told me that I have to have them checked out. So I have Raynauds Syndrome which briefly is:

My doctor is concerned with this and is having me go to a Neorologist on April 10th to have this doctor check me out . This scares me quite a bit. Now today I'm going to the Opthomologist to get the results of my Glaucoma test - which I'm praying came out negative. :

Hang in there Slo. You can do this. It sucks, but you can do this. I went through a similar thing last year. It is amazing how you think to yourself "what else." Everyone I know said the body falls apart at age 40. Well forty came and went for me uneventful, but 41 was a nightmare. I have a friend who at 42 had a heartattack and surgery. She is fine and came through everything with no problems, but 6months later when I had chest pains, I was really scared. After a night in the hospital and a lot of test later I learned I had gerd. I too have renaud's syndrome. But that is hereditary in my family. And I too am having a lot of testing done on my eyes, not glaucoma, they don't think I have macular degeneration, but they do not know what it is that is causing my eyesight to diminish. Trust me, you can get through this, God doesn't put more on your plate than you can. You may cry a lot, like me and think why me. But I always think, things could be oh so worse. I am so grateful it is me going through all this and not my kids.
As for telling your kids, I wouldn't. My dd15 knows a lot and it scares her everytime I go for more testing. The other two don't know too much.

Good Luck with all the tests, I hope they are all negative. And just think, you have someone looking out for you from above.

Lori

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Sandy - You posted this on the LTP thread but by the time I finished answering (sorry, long-winded) you had gone. So I wanted to post it here to make sure you saw it. Thanks for asking about them!

Originally Posted by slo

How were your kids last weekend?

Pretty much totally opposite of what we were expecting. A.J. did great. When we walked into the funeral home and he saw Grandpa he leaned over to me and very quietly said "Grandpa sleeping?" I said no, remember we had talked about it and that Grandpa had died and now it was our turn to say goodbye. He went up to the casket and said "Goodbye Grandpa." They had viewing from 3-5 and then again from 7-9 and we stayed the whole time at both. A.J. kept wanting to go up to the casket to talk to Grandpa and one of us would take him. He would always just look and sometimes say goodbye again. He was just so sweet.

We really didn't expect the other kids to have too hard of a time (no more that expected) but Matthew had a very hard time. He refused to go into the room where the casket was. At the church the next morning they had the casket open for the family to say goodbye before the services and we couldn't avoid having to take Matthew in there but we all shielded him so that he wouldn't see Grandpa. Everyone was very understanding and no one pushed him. He dealt with it in his own way.

Andrew had a hard time and never went up to the casket but he did see him and said his goodbyes from a distance. It was the first time any of our kids had been to a funeral so I know there's fear associated with it.

Heather had a hard time, too. First time for a funeral, first time to lose anyone that close to her. Grandpa was someone very special to her! She also really had a hard time with the family squabbling. Several times she said to me, "Can't they at least be nice for something like this." With not have any "real" extended family she'd never witnessed anything like that before.

The family was really nice to recognize all of our kids as "grandchildren."

Thanks for asking and thanks for your thoughts and prayers!

 

[slo]

Good morning everyone!!!

We had a very productive day yesterday. We were at Grandmas house all afternoon and we got alot done. It really looks like we are going to meet our personal deadline of June 1st for getting Grandmas house up for sale . Then I told my mom I will have a get together for all of us at my house where we can sit in the pool all day and finally relax - Grandma would like us to relax!!! Speaking of my Grandma, my mom has been going through her drawers and bagging up all her clothes for The Salvation Army. The the very bottom dresser drawer underneath everything there was a nightshirt (not with the other pj's) and when my mom unfolded it to see what it was, it said, "Tell everyone I'm dead!!!" with a smilie face sticking it's tongue out. Grandma had a sense of humor about her dieing someday and she must have put this shirt there because she knew that someday we would be cleaning out her drawers. My mom and I didn't know if we should laugh or cry Most of all, we were confused on where she would have gotten such a thing My mom didn't put that in The Salvation Army bag - maybe she'll put in her drawer for me to find someday

polly p - thank you for your kind words It sounds like you have alot of medical issues too. It'll be nice that we can talk to each other about our medical problems. When you found out that you had Raynauds Syndrome, did you have to go to a Neurologist? Did you have an underlying problem for your Raynaud's like arthritis? I was very nervous about the Neurologist at first, but now I'm very curious on what the doctor is going to tell me.

eeyoresmountainpals - I'm glad that AJ did well at Grandpas services last weekend, he sounds like a very strong young man. I'm sorry that Matthew had a hard time with Grandpas services. It's hard as a parent to watch your child be very emotional and sad about something. You wish you could just make it all go away. That's good that Andrew said goodbye from a distance, he'll be glad in the future that he did. Poor Heather...not only did she have to be sad about Grandpas passing, but also had to hear all that family arguing. I sure hope your children emotionally heal from this past weekend soon and get back to what makes them happy. Many hugs to all your kids for being so strong this past weekend, and for you and DH as well

Well, I gotta run and dye my hair. I can't stand my faded, grey showing hair one more day Then we are all going out to breakfast Have a good day everyone!!!!

 

[polly p]

polly p[/B] - thank you for your kind words It sounds like you have alot of medical issues too. It'll be nice that we can talk to each other about our medical problems. When you found out that you had Raynauds Syndrome, did you have to go to a Neurologist? Did you have an underlying problem for your Raynaud's like arthritis? I was very nervous about the Neurologist at first, but now I'm very curious on what the doctor is going to tell me. :

I did not see a neurologist. The doctor did not recommend it. A different doctor offered to put me on blood pressure meds to help with me symptoms, but I hate taking pills unless I have to, so I just made some changes in my life. I wear gloves when no one else does. I have warm boots. I will definitely move to a warmer climate when I retire. Don't worry about what the MD will say. Do lots of research first. I did. Lots of web info.

We had dd's birthday party today. It was a luau. We had so much fun.

Got to get back to laundry.

Lori

 

[slo]

Good Monday morning everyone!!!

polly p - For your DD:

I posted a thread about me having Raynauds and asked other people if they saw a Neurologist and very little people said they did. It will be interesting to see what this doctor has to say. I agree with you about doing research - Kevin and I both have. I want to have some knowledge about things when I go to the doctors office.

We did a luau birthday for Stephanie when she turned 5yrs old, it was alot of fun too. How old is your DD now?

Well, I gotta run - have a good day!!!!

 

[Idroveallnight]

Good morning everyone!

Monday - ugh!! The weekend never lasts long enough.

pollyp - I'm glad ya'll had a great party!

eeyore - how is your family doing now?

mad4mickey - how is your husband?

slo - I'm glad ya'll got alot done this weekend. When is your appointment? WHen are your daughter's tests? How did your hair turn out?

I hope everyone has a great week! James has a 7:30 game tonite so we won't be home till late.

 

[slo]

Good morning everyone!!!

Well, the raccoon saga continues at my house. For over a week now the pest control company haven't caught anything in the outdoor traps . We can still here the critter inside and Sunday morning (like 4am) it was knocking stuff over in the attic and making alot of noise (I thought something was going to come through the ceiling) . Kevin called the company and told them they have to go inside and get this thing. So they came last night and went in the attic and they saw the raccoon. They think it's a female nesting and preparing to have it's babies . The one pest control guy sat in the attic for about an hour with a tranquilizer gun, but he could never get a good shot . So they set 3 traps up - one in the attic, and two outside. Hopefully, she'll be good and hungry (she's been up there for over a week now) and go in the trap to eat a meal. I want her out of there so we can get our Easter decorations out, especially the girls Easter baskets. So we'll see what happens

slo - I'm glad ya'll got alot done this weekend. When is your appointment? WHen are your daughter's tests? How did your hair turn out?

My appointment is April 10th or sooner. They put me on a cancellation list so if anyone cancels they will call me right away. Stephanie's tests are today and she's already very nervous. I just told her they were taking pictures today, which isn't a lie, I just didn't give her all the details . She'll soon know all the details in a couple of hours when I have to put a numbing ointment on her private area - she's going to want to know why I'm doing that. My hair turned out well - it really need to be colored. The grey in my roots were really depressing me . How was James game last night? Did his team do well?

Well, I gotta run - I hope you all have a good day today!!!!

 

[Idroveallnight]

slo - so is she having a VCUG? At least they gave you numbing medicine!
I'm glad your hair turned out well! So, your one raccoon could turn into a family!! eewww!
James' team won, but the team we played was not very good. They called the game in the 4th inning because we were so fa ahead. It got fun after that because the coaches switch them around & let them play different positions & that is always fun to watch! He did hit another home run on Saturday, but not last night. Sarah & Emily have one cheer competition left in a couple of weeks. It's at the beach in Destin, so that should be nice!
Let me know how Stephanie's tests turn out!

Have a great day!

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Good Morning everyone!

slo- How did Stephanie's test go? And how did she hold up for it? I thought about her so many times yesterday!

Any news on the raccoon? Did you talk to Kevin about doing the cleaning yourself? I talked with my DH about cleaning it up to make sure there wasn't something special about raccoons and he said the same thing I did. And he said that it should be easy enough for your to spot what you need to clean up, it looks similar to rabbit pellets! He also asked me if anyone had actually seen the raccoon and, if not, how they knew it was a raccoon. I couldn't remember if anyone had seen it or not. DH said that it's pretty unusual for a raccoon to nest in an attic or anywhere near humans. His vote was for a squirrel! Do you have possums around there? We had one of those get into our basement one time.

Idroveallnight - I thought of you Monday when I was at work! We got in some new Easter merchandise and we got some of the cutest bunnies (about 18" tall when they're sitting). We got one that has a cheerleading outfit on and she's holding pom-poms, and one's dressed as a baseball player holding a baseball, and one's dressed as a football player holding a football and I think there's a soccer player. They are just so cute, especially the cheerleaders!

Tell James congratulations on his home run.

Well, I'm going to go back to bed for a little while. I had to have Matthew and DH to the school at 5 this morning. They are on their way to Huntsville, AL to Space Camp. This is DH's first time chaperoning a trip like this. Should be interesting! Matthew is soooooo excited!

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday!

 

[slo]

Good morning everyone!!!

The raccoon saga should hopefully coming to an end. We woke up at 5:30 this morning to the sound of a screaming raccoon - she finally went into the trap The girls were scared to death because the trap was right over their rooms and this raccoon was making alot of noise So I rushed them into my room and now they are sleeping in my bed. Hopefully the raccoon didn't have any babies that we don't know about - the pest guys can determine that by looking at the raccoon when they take her out of the attic.

Yesterday went alot better than I expected Stephanie really enjoyed her ultrasound. The ultrasound technician was so good with her and she gave Stephanie pictures of her kidneys to take home, and let Stephanie do an ultrasound on her (the technicians) arm. It was a real learning experience for Stephanie The voiding cystogram was a different story - Stephanie didn't like that at all She was very upset when they had to insert the cathedar, but after that she did great!!! I'm so proud of her!!!! Now.....hopefully the results will not be anything bad. I also want to thank everyone for keeping Stephanie in their thoughts yesterday - it means alot to me!!!

Idroveallnight - Tell James congratulations on his 2nd homerun Sounds like his season is off to a great start!!!!!

eeyoresmountainpals - Thanks for talking to your DH about this. The pest guys did see the raccoon the other night, she was camping out in the eve. It's funny you mentioned squirrels, because the pest guys found traces of squirrels in the attic too. They said we had those first and the raccoon probably chased them away. When it rains it pours!!!!

Well, I better run and check on the girls - Kevin just told me they are not sleeping Silly girls!!!! Have a good day everyone!!!

 

[slo]

Here I am at home in the afternoon - why you ask ????? Because last night I noticed spots on my abdomen (just like Katie's a couple of months ago) and I have a bad cold. I went to the doctor today and I have strep - unbelievable !!! I didn't go back to work because I just can't be bothered to go and stay for only 3 hours. So the doctor put me on an antibiotic and told me to soke in a tub to help with the spots. I gotta tell you guys - I'm pretty crabby right now

Well, I gotta run and find myself some lunch - talk to you all later!!!!

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Sandy - You poor thing. You've had a terrible March. At least March is almost over! Take care of yourself and get some rest!

 

[slo]

Good Thursday morning everyone!!!!

I just love the fact that there's daylight at 5:40am It makes getting up to DIS even easier

The pest guy came yesterday and looked in the attic - no raccoon . So he went outside and looked on the roof and there it was - dead in the trap . The only thing is, we don't know if that was the one in the attic, or a new one trying to get in . So, he left the trap in the attic, and Kevin is going to try and get the thermal imagining camera from the fire dept. to see if we can find anything in the attic that way. So.....the saga continues

eeyoresmountainpals - Unfortunately, no rest today I made an appt. months ago to take Stephanie to the dentist today - that's at 9:30 am. Then my doctor this early afternoon. Maybe after I come home, me and Stephanie can play some games and I will relax that way.

Well, I gotta run - have a good day everyone!!!

 

[Idroveallnight]

sandy - hang in there - March is almost over! The raccoon was dead? Eww! I hope she hadn't had babies! The camera should help!

Today is my day off. I have to go to try out a new job for a couple of hours. It's a home nurse thing giving synagis shots to premature babies. I would only do it on my day off, but it could help us out! Then I have to shop for Emily's birthday! Her party is tomorrow night!

Have a great day everyone!

 

[slo]

Good morning and TGIF!!!!!

Yesterday was so beautiful here in the Chicago area It was so nice to be outside with Stephanie for awhile and get some fresh air. Fresh air so good for the soul!!!

Idroveallnight - how was the new job??? I hope it went well.
For Emily:

EMILY!!!!!

I hope you have a great party tonight!!!!!


Well, I gotta run - have a good day everyone!!!!

 

[Idroveallnight]

slo - I'm glad you had some fun yesterday! Emily enjoyed her Haprry Birthday. My mom's bday is today, Jim is tomorrow & Emily is Tuesday. That means lots of cake, right? She is excited about the party - boy/girl! We are having it at The Mug. It's a coffee shop here, they have a party room with 6 PS2, 6 Xbox, pool, air hockey, foos ball and a dance floor. It seems like it will be very fun!
The new job was good. This will be a home health thing - only on my off day. I hope they have lots to do! I don't want to give up my off day, but I am having serious guilt about Jim working 7 days a week! If this helps then I may be able to stay where I am - I really like my fulltime job. If it doesn't help then I may have to change - it just doesn't pay much!

Have a great day everyone!