Goodbye 2008, Good Riddance

This has been one of those years that I am not sad to see go. It seems like the last couple years have been that way. And on each New Years Eve when the clock strikes midnight I think that the new year just has to be better. I don't know if I can even think about that tonight. Because for some reason I just have a feeling that it isn't going to get any easier.


2008 was filled with lots of bad things, but also some good things. Like:


The Good:
I was blessed with a great job
My beautiful niece Mady entered the world
We were supported by family and friends
The Mayo Clinic
Adding Jack to our family
"Meeting" some new friends
My blog (in my opinion)
Having a snow blower

To tell you the truth, I am having a hard time coming up with the good things. I even asked Rick and he just shook his head.

The Bad:
Samantha broke her arm
I HAD to go back to work
Rick's PSC progressed
Rick had 2 ERCP's
Rick had an ERCP that had some complications
Had to go to Mayo
Rick now has yellow eyes
Because of Gilbert's Syndrome
Worry about the possibility of new diseases, that were eventually ruled out
Testing Rick for lymphoma
Rick had a colonoscopy
Rick has a herniated disc
Rick had to have an epidural steroid injection
The injection didn't go as planned
Nothing really went as planned
Rick's migraines
I started seeing a therapist but had to stop because it was too expensive
Bills, bills, and more medical bills
A dishwasher that keeps breaking
Megan's behavior problems
People that don't get it

I could probably go on but it is getting depressing. And the finale to our great year (can you sense the sarcasm), Rick had a epidural headache all day. The doctor thinks it is a reaction to the dye used and the steroid leaking out of the spine. We were told to keep a watch out for worsening (is that a word) symptoms and if it gets worse to go to the ER. We spent New Years there two years ago, I am not doing that again.

So I think that probably sums up our year. I am having a bad night. I was really worried about Rick while I was at work. And the stress of it all is just coming to a boiling point for me.

But I do want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I really do hope that 2009 brings joy and good health. Even if I do sound pessimistic tonight.

Until next time,
Jaime

All done

The epidural injection is done and Rick is laying on the couch next to me sleeping. The doctor was great! And the facility is really nice too. We got a very informative explanation of how the spine works and what is wrong with Rick. I want to write this all down so just bare with me. There is quite a bit of information.

This doctor said that the MRI was quite impressive. He is amazed that Rick isn't in excruciating pain. There is significant pressure in the spinal canal pressing against the nerve roots. There is a name for it but it was crazy and I can't remember what it is. We were told all this before, but this doctor deals with this everyday and is really amazed at the damage done. Rick's spine curves more than normal down towards L4 and L5. And the L5 disc is bulging badly and causing severe pressure down to the disc below that. So much so that the disc is compressed to half the size it should be.

The doctor really wanted to go at the epidural from a different angle and do two injections to really coat the area with the steroid. But once in the procedure room they started taking live x-rays and it was discovered that the malformation in Rick's back made that impossible. So he had to go at it from a different angle and wasn't able to do the two injections. The cool thing was that I got to go in the procedure room with him. They asked if I was pregnant, which of course I am NOT, and then I had to wear a lead vest. I got to watch the whole thing which was actually pretty cool. They numbed the skin up then placed the epidural needle. After that they took several live x-rays as the epidural needle was carefully moved into place. A dye was injected to make sure the steroid would go where it is supposed to, unfortunately the space is open so some of it leaked out. Which meant that when the steroid was injected not all of it went into the epidural space. So it wasn't the exact outcome the doctor was hoping for in a couple different ways.

The next step is to go back in three weeks and do this again. The doctor also thought that talking to the surgeon might not be a bad idea. There are some surgery options that might be better than the "band aid" that the epidural injection is. So we are back to a wait and see game again. Of course Rick doesn't want surgery, but if this doesn't get better it could cause permanent nerve damage. We don't want that to happen.

It is just such a pain (pun intended) to have to deal with this on top of everything else. It is really unfair. But I am not starting a pity party right now. Especially because Rick is so stubborn and he always says he is fine. Bull sh**!! He says he doesn't want to worry me by complaining all the time. I told him that I worry more when he says he is fine because I know he is not. I just wish he would be honest with me all the time.

So for today Rick is just taking it easy because his left leg is numb and his back is sore. The doctor said that because his leg is numb he could easily fall since he can't feel where he is placing his foot. He should sleep for a while because he worked all last night. I am going to enjoy the quiet time since the girls are with my mom. Thank you for all of those who pray for us.

Until next time,
Jaime

Let's try this again

Rick is scheduled for his epidural steroid injection in the morning. Two weeks ago we had to cancel because of all the snow. The road conditions aren't really any better but we aren't rescheduling again. So pray that the roads aren't too bad in the morning and that all goes well. I am certain this won't be a comfortable procedure. After all, I have had two epidurals while being in labor, and it is sort of the same thing. Hopefully this will do the trick.

I have started Twitter so you can check back in to the blog and I will send mobile updates via Twitter that are posted in the sidebar of my blog. Or you can join me on Twitter and get text updates. I know it is a bit obsessive but I am trying it out. I will update tomorrow during the morning.

Until next time,
Jaime

HOLY SNOW!!!!! Part 4

It just keeps on snowing, and snowing, and snowing..... Because the snow is getting heavy it is starting to pack down a little bit. We have gotten close to 48" of snow in the past two weeks. Although it is only about 3 feet deep in the back yard. Here are some of the latest pictures of the snow that I took today.

Rick dug a hole all the way to the grass so that we could stand in it to see how deep it really is.


The girls got to play in the six foot high snow berm in between our driveway and the neighbors driveway. Sam built a fort on the top and they were sledding down the side of it into the driveway.

You can see a little bit of the chain link fence sticking through the snow. That fence is about four feet tall, and as you can see the snow goes well above that.

This has been a record breaking snow fall for the month of December. I have not ever seen it snow like this before. The kiddos are loving it!! Rick is not!!!

Until next time,

Jaime

Our Christmas Eve

I had to work on Christmas Eve this year. This was the first time since having kiddos that I had to work on Christmas Eve. It was sad going to work and leaving them at home. I wanted so badly to be at home. But before I knew it, it was time to go home and get them all dressed up for Christmas Eve at Nana and Papa's house. Before we left I took a couple pictures of the girls in front of our Christmas tree.


Then we went to my Mom and Step-Dad's house for Christmas Eve dinner and presents. It was fun and the food was yummy!

We got home really late, but we still made time for our tradition of getting new jammies on Christmas Eve. And then we sat together on the couch and read "The Night Before Christmas" and read about the birth of Jesus in the Bible.
Eventually the girls fell asleep and Santa was able to come and leave presents. Of course he didn't leave without drinking his milk and eating his cookies.

It is always so much fun preparing for Christmas morning. I got everything together for our traditional Christmas morning bubble bread. Rick and I got to bed well after midnight but it was worth it.

As I sit here tonight with the giant mess of presents still scattered on the floor I think about how excited the girls were with everything and it makes all the stress so worth it. I am so grateful for having a close family to be able to spend Christmas with. It gets crazy trying to get together with everyone, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

We still have Christmas with my Dad tomorrow evening. I have to get the house cleaned up and put back together before my Dad and my Sister's family come over. I know it will just be a mess again after they leave but I still have to make the effort. It will be worth it since I don't spend a lot of time with my Dad.

I hope you all had a fun day after Christmas.

Until next time,
Jaime

Christmas Morning

Megan was the first one awake this morning at 7:50 a.m. She was so adorable tip-toeing into our bedroom and then asking "Do you think Santa came?" And then when I said yes she was so excited. The joy that comes from a child at Christmas is so wonderful.

The girls each opened their new pajamas on Christmas Eve. And they looked so adorable in their matching pj's waiting to run into the living room this morning to see what Santa left them.

I had a little helper that helped contribute to Samantha being able to receive the trunk for Samantha's American Girl Samantha doll from Santa. She was very surprised. I think they were both really happy with their presents.

I hope you had a great Christmas. This is such a magical time of year and it just makes me happy, even in the hardest of times. I hope you were also enjoying yourselves. I also took some time to reflect on those family members that are no longer with us here on earth, but I know they were celebrating in Heaven. I miss you Grandma Ann, Gramps, and Amanda.

Merry Christmas,
Jaime

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I want to wish all of my wonderful blog readers and friends a very Merry Christmas. Thank you all for being so supportive of us during this difficult year. I hope you have a great time with family and enjoy some wonderful memories.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

With much love and Christmas wishes,
Jaime, Rick, Samantha, and Megan

Christmas Angel

We have a very special Christmas Angel. I just have to say how wonderful it is to have such incredible friends! So whoever helped our Christmas Angel we want to say THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts.

Thank you,
Jaime & Rick

Gingerbread House

We had fun decorating our Gingerbread house together. And of course the girls and Rick just wanted to eat the candy. Kids. I think it turned out pretty cute. This one was much easier than the house we decorated last year. I discovered that the kits that come with the pre-made icing is much better because the icing is much thicker and sticky.

I can't believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I still have presents to wrap. And I haven't even made any cookies. I am going to try to get out to the store today and get a few ingredients so that I can at least make a few tonight with the girls. It seems that every year I have grand plans of things I want to do before Christmas but I always run out of time. Of course this year we do have over 3 feet of snow so that it makes it harder to get out and do things. And yes I just said over 3 feet of snow. It just won't stop snowing.

Do any of you have things you still have to get done? Let me know so that I know I am not the only one.

Until next time,
Jaime

HOLY SNOW!!!!! Part 3

Well it is still snowing here in the Inland Northwest. We have over 28" of snow in our backyard tonight and it is still snowing. And as you can see from the picture below we are expecting more of the same. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

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Last night we had our family Christmas with my Grandma, Aunt, Uncle, Cousins, Sister, and Mom. It was the first of four different family Christmas parties. The girls were excited to finally get to open some presents. Here is a picture of my family with my Grandma.

Until next time,

Jaime

HOLY SNOW!!!!! Part 2

As you can see from the first picture we have 24" of snow in our front yard. We have smashed the record for a 24 hour snow fall accumulation. And as of right now the snow has finally stopped falling after 32 straight hours of snow fall. It is amazing and beautiful but the roads are horrendous!! Rick did drive me to work but we ended up closing early so I only worked for 2 hours. The girls are a little disappointed because school is cancelled tomorrow and they were looking forward to their class parties. And Sam had a project that was due all about her favorite person and she worked hard on gathering things up about her daddy. I am sure they will just do it after winter break. So that means that winter break has officially begun.

My wonderful brother-in-law Corey came over to the clear out our driveway. And a neighbor came over and helped me shovel the walkway. Unfortunately Corey's truck got stuck on our street and I had to help dig him out.

It is winter wonderland here. If you live here please drive carefully.

Until next time,

Jaime

HOLY SNOW!!!!!

Can you say 2 feet? Yes I said 2 feet. It has been steadily snowing for over 24 hours and the entire city is basically shut down. We had to cancel Rick's epidural injection that was scheduled for this afternoon. And unfortunately the soonest it could be rescheduled is not for another two weeks. But the roads are way too dangerous to risk going downtown today. I am going to try to make my way into work, but Rick is going to have to take me in his truck.

I plan on getting outside in a bit to take some pictures. The snow continues to fall and it appears that there is more than 2 feet of snow on the ground here at my house. Poor Jack has to go to the bathroom on the deck because the snow is all the way up to the deck. Which means it is about a foot over his head. He doesn't know what to think.

Stay tuned for a snow update.

Jaime