Maybe I can get back to writing on here more often soon. I don't even know if most people are even bothering to check it out anymore!
Steven had surgery on Monday to place the stent. He was hilarious on the drugs! Very amusing. If I had had a video camera with me it would have been great. He is feeling somewhat better as the pressure has been relieved but now he says it feels like he is peeing battery acid. Fun. They were unable to get the stone out when they did the surgery and so he has to wait until they remove the stent in two weeks and then they will go after it again if it has not passed.
The stupid medical bills are killing us.
As far as the kids go, Jenna turned 15 yesterday. I would have loved to do a little slideshow of her but all of the pics from when she was little are in FL. And I could have done a post about how great she is but I think y'all have gathered from past posts that she is pretty awesome! SO, happy bday baby girl.... you rock!!!!
Gotta go for now. I am really goingt ot ry to post mor eoften once things calm down a little.....
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Green Spring Cleaning
Guide to Green Spring Cleaning
This spring, as you begin your tasks of cleaning and reorganizing your home, you may choose to try to go green. Here are some tips to use this spring to be greener as you clean and renew your home.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1453607/guide_to_green_spring_cleaning.html
This spring, as you begin your tasks of cleaning and reorganizing your home, you may choose to try to go green. Here are some tips to use this spring to be greener as you clean and renew your home.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1453607/guide_to_green_spring_cleaning.html
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Update.... again
Steven still has not passed the stone. It has now lodged itself again and is causing blockage of his kidney. Again. But, this time, it has blocked it to such an extent that there is swelling showing on the ultrasound. So, rather than risk permanent damage to the kidney, we have scheduled surgery for Monday morning.
They will be placing a stent which will allow his kidney to drain. No fun. In 10 days - 2 weeks he will go to have it removed. If the stone has still not passed at that point then they will have to go in and get it.
We are stressing somewhat although both of us trust his doctor. Send positive thoughts and I will update after the surgery on Monday. Things have been crazy and weird and busy here. Long stories involving broken down vans and sickness and just stress filled weeks. Maybe we will have some good luck to balance out the bad soon.
They will be placing a stent which will allow his kidney to drain. No fun. In 10 days - 2 weeks he will go to have it removed. If the stone has still not passed at that point then they will have to go in and get it.
We are stressing somewhat although both of us trust his doctor. Send positive thoughts and I will update after the surgery on Monday. Things have been crazy and weird and busy here. Long stories involving broken down vans and sickness and just stress filled weeks. Maybe we will have some good luck to balance out the bad soon.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Arrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's been a rough week or so here at the castle.
Right now I am fighting off flu like symptoms that are rapidly moving into my chest to become bronchitis. Again. Actually, I have not had bronchitis in several years, so I guess it is not that bad. As a smoker, I am over due.
Steven had to go to the emergency room last week. He had kidney stones again. We tried to just let him ride it out and wait for them to pass, but the pain was so extreme that he was vomiting every time he tried to drink anything. Kinda hard to pee if you are not drinking anything. So, we went to the ER. Jenna stayed with the boys and watched them. She can be such a big help when she wants to be.
So, after numerous xrays and a CT scan, yes, he has kidney stones. The worst part is that one of them is 6 mm and that is huge as far as stones go. He CAN pass it, barely, but it is blocking his kidney right now because of where it is. If he does not pass it this week, he will start having kidney damage. We went to the urologist Friday morning and they did xrays again. They wanted to take him to do a procedure right then (a sonic thingy) but it costs $15,000 to do and we have no insurance. So, he is at home with pain killers. He has missed about 4 days of work so far. He is supposed to try to go back today.
He goes back to the urologist on Friday. If he has not passed the stone, they want to do a stint (?) (I think I spelled that right) so that his kidney can drain so he does not get kidney damage. We will have to pay the last office visit fees ($200), the fees for this next visit ($100) and then the fees for the surgery to install the stint (around $250). They are actually going to do the stint for free, all we will have to pay is the anesthesiologist and any materials.
This sucks.
He is drinking lots of water to try to pass the stone before friday.
On another note, Malachai (the 21 month old) has learned to climb out of his crib. I am going crazy. Now I have to get the toddler bed ready and try to get him to sleep in that so he does not kill himslef climbing out of the crib.
Pray for me.
Right now I am fighting off flu like symptoms that are rapidly moving into my chest to become bronchitis. Again. Actually, I have not had bronchitis in several years, so I guess it is not that bad. As a smoker, I am over due.
Steven had to go to the emergency room last week. He had kidney stones again. We tried to just let him ride it out and wait for them to pass, but the pain was so extreme that he was vomiting every time he tried to drink anything. Kinda hard to pee if you are not drinking anything. So, we went to the ER. Jenna stayed with the boys and watched them. She can be such a big help when she wants to be.
So, after numerous xrays and a CT scan, yes, he has kidney stones. The worst part is that one of them is 6 mm and that is huge as far as stones go. He CAN pass it, barely, but it is blocking his kidney right now because of where it is. If he does not pass it this week, he will start having kidney damage. We went to the urologist Friday morning and they did xrays again. They wanted to take him to do a procedure right then (a sonic thingy) but it costs $15,000 to do and we have no insurance. So, he is at home with pain killers. He has missed about 4 days of work so far. He is supposed to try to go back today.
He goes back to the urologist on Friday. If he has not passed the stone, they want to do a stint (?) (I think I spelled that right) so that his kidney can drain so he does not get kidney damage. We will have to pay the last office visit fees ($200), the fees for this next visit ($100) and then the fees for the surgery to install the stint (around $250). They are actually going to do the stint for free, all we will have to pay is the anesthesiologist and any materials.
This sucks.
He is drinking lots of water to try to pass the stone before friday.
On another note, Malachai (the 21 month old) has learned to climb out of his crib. I am going crazy. Now I have to get the toddler bed ready and try to get him to sleep in that so he does not kill himslef climbing out of the crib.
Pray for me.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Food Democracy Now
If you are at all interested in sustainable agriculture and keeping our earth healthy, you need to check out Food Democracy Now. I wrote an article about it but here are some basics:
Excerpt from Seeking Sustainable Agriculture in Obama's America
"Food Democracy Now states that their mission is to advance "the dialogue on food, family farm, environmental and sustainability issues at the legislative and policy level." Many chefs, farmers and foodies have already joined their voices with the group. Many professional chefs and farmers see the issues surrounding the environment and the lack of a sustainable agriculture policy as a sign that a change is needed. With rising obesity and health issues in America, the importance of healthy and organic foods is higher than ever. The need for more farmers and a sustainable energy and food policy is as urgent as the financial crisis for some."
Basically, the group has a petition and are seeking at least 100,000 signatures before the new Secretary of Agriculture is confirmed in office. They have 70,000 so far. Check out the article or go directly to the website for Food Democracy Now to see what it is all about. And then sign the petition!
Excerpt from Seeking Sustainable Agriculture in Obama's America
"Food Democracy Now states that their mission is to advance "the dialogue on food, family farm, environmental and sustainability issues at the legislative and policy level." Many chefs, farmers and foodies have already joined their voices with the group. Many professional chefs and farmers see the issues surrounding the environment and the lack of a sustainable agriculture policy as a sign that a change is needed. With rising obesity and health issues in America, the importance of healthy and organic foods is higher than ever. The need for more farmers and a sustainable energy and food policy is as urgent as the financial crisis for some."
Basically, the group has a petition and are seeking at least 100,000 signatures before the new Secretary of Agriculture is confirmed in office. They have 70,000 so far. Check out the article or go directly to the website for Food Democracy Now to see what it is all about. And then sign the petition!
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