Diana, I hope you have a good party and it doesn't rain! I hate that your niece is having so much trouble.

Gayle, Mike has regular bone density tests because his Lovenox causes bone loss. So far, so good!

Mike's surgery went fine today. Now we just have to wait until at least Monday for the biopsy report. Gonna be a long weekend!

I would be on pins and needles too. I'm praying for good results.

Janet's not having a good day. The news from the doctor was hard to take and not what she wanted to hear. Keep her in your prayers.

I saw Janet's post on FB. No wonder she's been in so much pain! She is certainly in my prayers. When you get bad news and you are feeling so much pain, it just makes it a million times worse.

Betsi, I'm glad Mike's surgery went well. I know it will be a long wait till Monday!

I'm glad Janet found out what was wrong, even though the news was not the best. I'm hoping the Prednisone and rest will do the trick!

Thanks everyone for the prayers. Diana is right, it was an awful day. When I arrived at the Drs. office I had to fill out more paperwork...same old information, but very painful to sit and try to write.

I was called to a room and then to another to have a couple xrays taken. I was standing for these xrays and just cried. It hurt so bad to have my arm hang down like that. I was only in the patient room a few minutes when the Dr. came in. His name is Dr. Brkaric and very nice. The same Dr. that did Rick's back surgery.

I wish I could show you the xray, but the best way to visually explain it is if my spinal column was a pencil and there were two notches out(pinched)...one right below the other. If I can figure a way to get the xray on here I will, but it will have to be tomorrow or later.

If you click on this link http://www.indianaspinecenter.com/education.html and then click on Surgical Procedures and then Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion it will show how the surgery would be done IF it has to be done. If you then cick on non-surgical procedures and then click on Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection it will show how the injection would be done. He said the injection may not work the first time but can be repeated two more times at two week intervals.

Tomorrow I also have to start taking 6 MethyIPREDNISolone for each two days and then take 5 for two days....etc until down to 0. I also have to make the appt for the injections and then start PT 4 times a week for 2 weeks. I can't drive the bus till my next appointment which is in 3 weeks.

What a mess huh? As long as this pain will go away...I'll do anything.


I sure pray the rest of you and your husbands stay healthy. Maybe we should all pull our money together and build our own nursing home for 4WT ladies and their families. We could all take care of each other... :)

Janet, this is exactly what Gary has, but his is not nearly as bad as yours, at least I don't think so. He can't have an MRI due to his pacemaker so we don't really know, but I don't think his pain is as bad as yours. I'm hoping that you can get relief with the shots. And if it isn't complete relief, maybe you can get enough relief to make it to summer before you have to have surgery. But we won't think about that now! I know you'll do what the doctor says, I just know it! :)

Gary has to go see his electrophysiology (pacemaker) doctor tomorrow. We saw his cardiologist Wed. and she thinks his pacemaker needs to be adjusted. She called the pacemaker doc while we were in her office (thats one good thing about docs having cell ohones). It's a fancy pacemaker with an internal defibrillator and so he has to go to the electrophysiology lab to get it adjusted. They must have thought it needs to be done quickly because I called today and they told us to come in tomorrow. I was going to Houston tomorrow, but I guess I'll wait and go on Sat. if Gary is OK. Abi has a v-ball tourney Sat. and I really want to see her play.

Dear mercy, what a week! Janet, Mike has had epidural injections and they always help him. I hope the pred pack gives you some quick relief.

Glad the doc caught that Gary needs his ticker adjusted and they are doing it quickly. It's kinda scary when they get you in the next day, huh? I hope you still get to go see the kids. I'm trying not to think about the possibility of NOT getting to see mine for a long time... But first things first!

I don't know how you do it Betsi, (wait so long to see your kids) but I guess you just have to. I'm so sorry.

Yes, it is a little scary when they whisk Gary right in the doc's office.

Hey you northern gals, read about the Texas version of the groundhog. http://kriv.m0bl.net/w/main/story/53085913/

Another Texas spin on the groundhog's prediction.

http://austin.ynn.com/content/mobile...n-early-spring

Scary things! I am praying for Mike, Betsi, that his biopsy is benign. Praying for Gary that his pacemaker adjustment is a one time thing, and that he gets a nice space of feeling well.

Janet, I am praying for you that the shots work. I know several people who go for the shots, and they do work well. Let's just be positive, and go for that goal! I'm also praying that the prednisone helps the pain quickly go away.

Jessie is supposed to come over today. She has a backpile of medical pills to get reimbursed for, and I am very good at organizing that kind of thing. Mackenzie sang at the talent show last night. She was terrific! The mike was a bit too low for her, and she kept brusing her hair out of her face. Now that she sings so well, the technical things show up to me, I guess. I am so proud of her. She texted a boy that she likes him yesterday! He kept asking her and asking her who she likes, so she finally told him. If he comes up to her nose, I would be surprised! He is a nice boy.

Oh...and I am ready to spit! The dental insurance company wants MORE information! I can see why people give up. I feel like forgetting about it. They just get under your nerves, and after a while, you just want them out of your life!

I think they are hoping you will give up. At least that is what I think they do in these cases. If you give up, they win.

They are checking Gary's pacemaker right now. It stores every heartbeat since it was implanted in 2004. He had some chest pain yesterday at 5:15 PM and his pulse was irregular , so they are checking that time period to see what his heart was doing at that time. He felt fine Wed. when he saw his cardiologist, but he didn't feel good yesterday or today. You know, it's always something. :o he also had an episode last night about 1:00 AM, he felt like he couldn't breathe. Hope they find the perfect answer today!

Most medical technology is amazing! Let us know what they find. I hope they figure out the secret ingredient;) Mike is feeling pretty good today. Not much pain at all:)

Wow....everyone has something going on don't we?

Betsi, I'm glad Mike's surgery went well. Sucks that it will Monday before the results are in.

Gayle...you and Betsi have to be two of the strongest women I know. How you both take care of your husbands medical needs is so inspiring. I hope they can get the information from the pacemaker to let Gary start feeling good again.

Judy.....I think you should get a wagon filled with paperwork a rollaway bed and tell the dentist people you're not leaving till they settle the crap they've put you through. Can you tell them you're file a legal claim or will that not even scare them?

I haven't even gotten dressed today..lol. Haven't done much but nap on and off. Not much I want to do anyway...so napping is good. I really should have ran the paperwork for the PT to town and the Dr. recommendation that I not drive the bus to school, but I will do all that on Monday morning. Trying to give the meds and rest a chance to work.

Janet, I hope you get some much needed rest in the next few weeks - BUT - NO PAINTING OR HOUSE CLEANING. Please rest your neck/arm!!!

Sigh. They decided not to adjust Gary's pacemaker - which is OK - but I missed going to see my kids today to stay here for the appointment. Yes, I could drive down now, but I am so tired (was up a couple of times with Gary in the night- he couldn't breathe) so I'm just going to go tomorrow. They started him back on a medication they had stopped back in October (thinking it might be aggravating his asthma - it wasn't though), and so his heart was acting much better today after only 3 doses, so they decided not to tinker with the pacemaker. I think he will feel bette overall back on this medication, so that is good!

I'm trying to get caught up on some work projects today, but I'm going home SOON to take a NAP! :D

Glad Gary is feeling a bit better. It's such a balancing act with the medicine:rolleyes:

Janet, Mike had a major heart attack 2 months before he was 40. He's now 58, and I'm amazed he's doing as well as he is. He is diabetic, has 11 cardiac stents, and had so many different things wrong with him you wouldn't even believe it! I think Gayle and I handle Mike and Gary much the same...with lots of laughter, positive attitudes, big smiles, and quiet tears.

I think it's just wonderful that you both are able and want to be able to take care of your husbands.

Yep, Betsi hit the nail on the head. I am at an advantage because of all my medical training, but sometimes, Gary will tell you it is a curse (for him) because I know what is happening, or what should happen, and he doesn't get to get by with much. Lol!

It is hard sometimes, but then it just becomes part of your everyday life. You can't make it the focus of your life, or you would go crazy. Living with chronic illness is always a balancing act, like Betsi said, and then when there are many illnesses at once, it can get really hectic. You just do the best you can. Gary asked me the other day if I had known he would have all these health problems before I married him, would i have married him. I said, "heck yes, I trained all my life to take care of you" :D

Gosh, hugs to us all! My problems seem less serious now. Love you all.

I had a second chest X-ray and go on the 15th for a CT scan. I didn't get to talk to my NP to hear her reasoning, so I'm being positive and not worrying about it. (BS). Gasto doc wants me to have upper and lower GIs when I get cleared from the pneumonia/lungs. Then, we'll deal with my degenerated neck vertebrae, because I've suffered with my neck and shoulder pain too long.

Actually enjoying my new boss more and being "bossier" with my girls. They've tightened up a good bit and do respect me, just can't let my guard down for a minute. I took the 6 of us out to pappas seafood for lunch today because I was craving crab cakes (on my company card).

Too wet to work in the yard tomorrow, so I hope to go to the trader village indoor flea market tomorrow. The home and garden show is next weekend and I hope to go to it. I'm trying to get out more instead of tooting around the house.

I'm under a flood warning so I'm pulling the covers up and saying nite nite.

You sure did train for it Gayle, lol! I wish I didn't know anything about any of it. Almost any time we come in contact with a new doctor or nurses, they always ask me if I am a nurse. I know a lot about cardiac, strokes (my parents) alzheimers (Mike's mom) diabetes, and I pray I never have to learn about cancer :/

Sandy I pray they don't find anything seriously wrong. You keep us informed. Hope they can get your pain under control too.

I wish I was there to go with you to the flea market and the H & G show.

Ended up in Tulsa for my niece's court date and spent all day there. I missed the party that we had here at the house. I guess we had over 40 people show up and they had a good time. By the time I got home there were only about 12 people left and most of them were my family!!

Today Glen and I are headed to Joplin to pick up his scuba stuff. He ordered it before Christmas and there was a mix up and his stuff was sold to another customer so they had to reorder it. Anyway it will be another day away from the kids and spent with Glen!! So I'll talk to ya' when I get back or tomorrow!! Hugs to all of you!!!

My mom had chronic rheumatic fever and emphysema, diabetes, etc., etc. My dad took such good care of her. He really made sure that I was not involved in her health care. What a great Dad! There were lots of emotional effects, but I grew up. It does become your whole life. When my Dad remarried after my mom died, he was so thrilled that his second wife was so healthy!

Janet, you do sound better. I hope the prednisone is working. That pain knocks you off your heels!

I am waiting for the kids to come to sleep over. They haven't been here in a while, what with this illness and that. I could go out for a couple of hours, but I probably won't. They wear me out, so I think I will just relax, put away the laundry, and empty the dishwasher. I should wash the floor too.

Max was up a lot last night, barking at something on the deck. I bet it was a squirrel. I have been feeding the birds, and there is bird seed all over ther front of the deck. If the squirrels start coming, down come the birdfeeders! I wonder if squirrels are even around in winter????

I'm in north Houston at Abi's volleyball tournament. There are 8 courts in one large warehouse type bldg. With 8 game going simultaneously, and the echo in here, the noise is deafening. They lost their first game but have been winning since then.

Eight games at once:eek: Must be a happening place! I hope she wins!

Sandy, I hope you get straightened out soon and all your tests come out ok.

Mike and I are going out to dinner with my brother Jim and sil Teresa. We always have a good time together, and I love them so much:)

Today Rick and I went to Mom's house to do a few odds and ends. Don't worry, I mostly watched and really kind of enjoyed it... :) Found a leak where the washer was, my brother did a great job (said sarcastically) when he took it out. Rick was able to fix it just fine only to cause another leak. This time we have to call a plumber, so Rick will call them so he can explain it better, I'll just meet them at the house so they can fix it.

We met with the couple (have a 9 month old girl) who we have picked to rent the house to ask a few more questions. The are very nice and we really like them. We will meet this week to sign the lease agreement and give them the keys. They are going to do the painting for me since I can't and we are taking money off the deposit. When I checked them out...everyone had great things to say about them. So I am pleased and confident that they will pay the rent and take care of the house.

I then met my friend Diane and her mother for lunch at Arni's. It's a pizza place, but has other great food too. They even had some warm pecan pie...my favorite and it just so happened to be her mother's favorite too. Since she can't eat a whole lot, she ate half her big salad and then I ordered a piece of pie cut in half for she and I. It was such a nice visit. I then headed for home. Driving, even in the van is very painful so I was glad to get home.

Rick must be feeling bad for me...lol, because he has been getting stuff done around here that's needed done for years...such as new door bells. Ours hasn't worked in probably 15 years..lol. So we have the wireless kind now. The front rings like a regular ding dong bell and the back door rings like the doorbell on the Adams Family...remember when Lurch would answer the door? I know...I just thought it was good for a laugh....LOLOL Now if Rick doesn't quit playing with them I'm afraid he won't live much longer!!! I'm trying to find my ball bat!!!

I let the cat in for awhile...she likes being in. The dogs seem to get along fine with her, but she wants to play and they are not sure how to play with a cat...lol. She'll take a swipe at Joey in play and he doesn't like it.

Outside of the pain...it's been a productive (for Rick) and a very nice day.

Well, I made it home - 5 hours on the road, 6 hours at the volleyball games. :eek: It was fun though and so much fun to see Emma and Abi. Emma and I got to visit and play a lot when Abi wasn't playing games (they played 2 games, then were off for awhile and played again, for a total of 6 games. They lost their first two games and just looked awful. Then they stormed back and won their next 4 games, playing really well. After the games, we went to eat Mexican food and then I headed home.

Here are some pictures from today.

1. That is a pic of Abigail (in the pink) with a friend on another team
1. Abi and Emma
3. Abi getting ready to serve

What great pictures Gayle....your granddaughters are really pretty and look like a lot of fun to be around. The have such beautiful smiles!

Abi looks like you, Gayle! What beautiful girls! Sounds like fun.

My 3 are here now. Mackenzie is taking a long bath, Brandon is watching TV in here with me and Kass is playing something on the ipod.

Steve fixed a bunch of electrical problems when they brought the kids. I never know how long it will take for him to get to fixing stuff. He is really good t what he does, I have to say. And, I don't pay him anymore. I shouldn't have to anyway.

Kass is up to my nose already!

LOL! I bet you never thought you would say, "I let the cat in". LOL! I bet she is a nice kitty. The dogs will eventually learn how to play with her!

I really don't think she likes being in for very long. She'll walk around, then go from chair to chair to couch and just stretch and then trys to swipe at the dogs to get them to play. Then she''s usually ready to go back out. I honestly never thought I'd care so much for a cat...I've always been a dog person. She really is a sweetheart.

They're sweet.

Judy, my parents have such problems with squirrels in the bird feeders at the lake! My dad has a couple of bird feeders on posts, and he has put big ice cream container lids under the bird feeder so the squirrels can't climb up the pole and onto the feeder... when they get to that lid, there's nothing more they can do!

Yesterday was pretty busy! We took Layla to the vet in the morning because Scott noticed mucus in her urine. Good thing we did. She has a little bit of infection still, but beyond that, she has crystals like crazy in her urine! She has had none every other check, and now she has tons. The vet said we need to switch her food immediately, so we bought some from there. She said the risk for Layla getting a kidney or bladder stone is just too great. If she has to operate on her bladder, we couldn't express her with her bladder stitched up. She would have to use a catheter. It's just too problematic. So hopefully this food works!

Then we came home and worked on wedding stuff. In the afternoon, we headed into the city and I went to the spa to use up the gift certificate Scott gave me for my birthday two years ago (oops)!!! I chose a different package than usual, and I got a mud wrap which I've never had before! It was interesting... She slathered my body with mud from the Dead Sea, then wrapped me in plastic, then wrapped me in blankets, and let me lay there for half an hour. She warned that it would feel tingly and maybe a bit itchy. Well a few parts (my upper back, chest, and behind my left knee) started burning and then itching really bad, and I couldn't move! It was uncomfortable. Finally, I could get up and go into the hydrotherapy tub. I started wiping off the mud, and noticed that those spots were still burning. My chest was becoming red and rash-like where it was burning. I wonder if it was an allergy? Anyways, then I got a relaxation massage and a manicure. I have a bit of money left on my card, but I'll probably use it to buy some spa products for my bridesmaids.

After that, Scott picked me up and we went out for Chinese food. Then we went to the book store to use up the gift certificate he gave me for Christmas :) I read Wicked a few years ago and loved it, so I bought the next 3 books after it. I'm excited to read them!

Then we went to visit my grandma for an hour, and she was excited to see us. We don't see her every day now that we're not taking Layla, and she misses us. So it was nice to see her and she was so happy we stopped by!

Finally, we headed to a comedy show. We are renting all of our wedding stuff from one place, and the husband of the owner is a comedian. They wrote on their facebook page a couple of weeks ago that he was headlining at the comedy club, and if any of their brides bought tickets, they'd give the bride and her fiance complimentary first drinks and a plate of nachos! The comedian was filming his next DVD so he wanted a full house. Well we took advantage of that! We walked in and found out we were sitting at a two-person private table right beside the stage!!! I hope we didn't get on camera, stuffing our faces with nachos lol!!! It was really funny though, and it was Scott's first time going to the comedy club (I used to go quite often before we were together) so hopefully he'll want to take me on more dates there :)

Today, I have to work. I brought my laptop home to get some stuff done before Monday. It's okay though, I'm trying to bank up enough time to be able to take an extra week off this year. It would help a lot for our honeymoon!

Judy, yes Abi does look like me - but if you could see her dad, she has his eyes, so that makes her look a lot like him too. They both have these gorgeous eyes, his are blue and hers are gray green (depending on what she is wearing). Me, I just have nondescript brown eyes :rolleyes:.

Here's some pics that show Abi's eyes, which look just like her dad's and are what make her look so much like him, rather than me

I enjoyed the super bowl and I'm glad the Giants won. I'm not much of a Patriots fan. I enjoyed watching the commercials although I didn't think they were as good as some in the past. I also enjoyed Madonna. Yeah, the sets were cheesy, but she looked like she was really having fun and enjoying entertaining the audience. I liked that.

Gayle, I'm so glad that you made it to the v-ball game. I know how much you enjoy watching them. I love v-ball too!! Wish I was there with ya'!! I'm not very quiet when I watch either!!! I get very involved!! The girls are growing......especially little Emma!!! Thanks for the pictures!!

I'm pleased to hear that Gary's alright. I'm sure you were worried when they got you in the next day to check his pacemaker. My FIL had one and had to go in ofen to get "tuned up"!! He usually felt better afterwards.

Betsi, My fingers are crossed for good news tomorrow on Mike. I know that you're worried.

The two of you, Gayle and Betsi, amaze me at what you go through with your husbands. There should be a special award for women (and men) who go above and beyond what they have to deal with!! Both of you are soooo special!!!

Janet, It sounds like you found some good people and have checked thme out thoroughly. You came up with a good plan to get the house painted without having to do it yourself!! I hope they are as good as your expectations of them are!! How special that they are a young family. I can picture your Mom smiling at the thought of her little house being filled with children's voices and activities!!!

Abi is so beautiful, Gayle! You are so right about her big gorgeous eyes! How old is she now?