Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Tuesday September 29

I had lots of visitors today and received lots of flowers.   It was a nice day.   My friend Kayla came to visit with her beautiful bundle of joy.  And a beautiful bouquet of flowers.  

Josh and Alesha came in with Gage and Charlotte and brought apple sauce bread that was yummy!!!  

Kelly stopped in with Mr. T this morning because Matt was having chest pains and is in the hospital.  Everything seems to be working out ok and he's feeling a little better.  They sent him home so hopefully everything is ok.   I'll keep him in my prayers.   Please add him to your prayer list as well.  

After work today Cyndee stopped in for a few hours.  She sat and chatted with me to try and figure out our plan of attack for the big move.   It's looking like we will be out in Pittsburgh by Friday night.  Fingers crossed everything goes as planned.  

That's all that really happened today.  Not much new.   I'll keep you posted if there's anything else.   Thank you for all the beautiful gifts and flowers and for your constant thoughts and prayers.   XOXO

Monday, September 28, 2015

Monday September 28

It's been a fairly uneventful day today.  I got up and showered.   I took a couple of walks to get me up and moving.  They have inspections going on in the hospital right now so it seems like udder chaos.   I have a lot of calls to make tomorrow so that we aren't missing anything in the way of my meds or my tpn care at all.  That's the top of my list for tomorrow.    For right now the plan is to be discharged on Thursday and drive to Pittsburgh on Friday.   That's really all we know at the moment.   We will try to figure out more.   Until then...have a good evening.   I will try to do the same.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Sunday September 27

Today was a very tough day.  I was sick the majority of the morning.  Later in the morning Shawn and Courtney came to visit and work on the puzzle.  Mom and dad stopped later this afternoon.  

I've just been chilling out today and waiting to see if I start to feel better.  I'm going to try and get over this hurdle... Wish me luck. 

Friday, September 25, 2015

Friday September 25

Still in the hospital.  It's been a rough couple of days.  I'be been throwing up nonstop since yesterday.  The only thing keeping me sane is company.  

Yesterday my friend Todd from work stopped by.  He got a new job and just had back surgery.  We chatted for a little while.   It was nice to see someone new to break up the monotony in my life.   While he was here Amber stopped with Carter and Caden.   They brought me some really pretty flowers.   After they left, Shawn and Courtney stopped.   We hung out for a little bit and Shawn and I scheduled a plan to do a puzzle today.   He was here almost all morning putting a lot of it together.  I got really ill in the afternoon and ended up falling asleep.  He said goodbye and left.   Colin stopped in after his appointment today.  He didn't seem too happy but I let him vent.  We ran to the pharmacy to get toothpaste that isn't hospital grade so that I could really brush my vomit infested teeth.  He went home and Amanda and James stopped in so they could see me before we leave for Pittsburgh next week.  They stayed a couple of hours.  While They were here, Shawn and Courtney came back to tackle the puzzle some more.   It's so peaceful and content watching them concentrate on it.  They are still here concentrating :). It was nice spending almost the whole day with Shawn.   We don't get to do it very often.  



Here they are working hard.  Until tomorrow :). Goodnight

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Wednesday September 23 contd



My ER selfie.  I'm in a room now.  I'm starting to "look" sick.  So many people tell me that I don't look sick.  This picture shows the toll being taken on my body.  The doctor that saw me this evening is saying there's a good chance I'll be in here until I move to UPMC for the transplant.  It's going to be a long road.  My body is in control at the moment and is calling all the shots.  Please keep praying.  We need all the prayers we can get.  😓 I'm going to do my best to stay positive.   

Wednesday September 23

I had an ok morning this morning.  As the day progressed I started to slowly feel worse.  

Colin took me to the bank to get some errands done.  We got home and I started throwing up nonstop again.  

Mom came and picked me up and took me to the park to try to occupy my thoughts.  We went to Longs Park.  While there I threw up about a liter of fluid.  Hopefully the ducks don't get sick.   If they do its all my fault.  I guess time will tell.  

I'm currently in the ER.  Waiting on fluids and meds to get me home bound hopefully.  I'll keep you posted.  

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Tuesday September 22

I was discharged this afternoon.  I am so exhausted.  I'm watching real housewives of Oc and these are my cuddle bugs 

Wyatt is hidden under the covers.  I'm still having a lot of pain and nausea.  It sucks but at least I'm in my own bed.   The only thing I will miss about my hospital bed this time is the view.  


It's beautiful.  Hopefully I can keep myself contained to my current view with my puppies.  Hopefully God will keep me home.  

On another horrible note....there was an article sent to me yesterday.   It's scared the day lights out of me.  

Take a look and say lots and lots of prayers for these families.   Until tomorrow...goodnight.

Monday September 21

I know I've Been really out of it lately and I'm sorry.   It has been with good reason.  There are been a lot of things to get together and organize before we move and of course my heart and body are going to take the brunt of it. 

We have a pretty tentative system in order.   Seems simple enough :) right.!?! Ha! Should be interesting.! I'm hoping for discharge today or Tomorrow.  I will keep you posted.   Have a good day!

Monday September 22

I know I've Breen really out of it lately and I'm sorry.   It has been with good reason.  There are been a lot of things to get together and organize before we move and of course my heart and body art going to take the brunt of it. 

We have a pretty tentative system in order.   Seems simple enough :) right.!?! Ha! Should be interesting.! I'm hoping for discharge today or Tomorrow.  I will keep you posted.   Have a good day!

Monday, September 21, 2015

September Monday 21

Um still in the hospital.  I'm really groggy.   I've had LOTS of Visitors the past couple of days.   Thank you to everyone for your support and for all the thoughts and prayers.  

I've been in bed most of the day today.  My doctor today said they are going to put me on a full liquid diet so that maybe my recovery will speed up a little bit.   Apparently all the steroids they have me on are swelling me up like a pumpkin.  I think that tomorrow I will try to consolidate items in my head and create a packing list for the apartment.   I don't want to take too much and have to move it back but I want to make sure I have enough to live off of.  Standard story of my life.  Plus the lovely weather change.  I'll go to mom's once or twice this week and get everything in order and pack my clothes from her house a little at a time.  I can't wait to have my life back! 

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Saturday September 19

The past week has been pure hell.  Hopefully after this weekend things can get straightenened out.  the nausea and computing are still uncontrollable.  I'm waiting on some answers.  Keep praying for me to get some answers.

Friday, September 18, 2015

Thursday September 18

Update.   I'm feeling a little better than yesterday but still not feeling well art all.   They have me on the Pittsburgh regimen of medications so we are trying to keep everything the same and chill.   Hopefully everything will be worked out by tomorrow and I can head home.   We will see !    Until then...goodnight

Thursday September 18

I was admitted to LGH for uncontrolled nausea and vomiting again.  Unfortunately they are having issues controlling it.  I'm doing to the best incan to feel better and they are doing what they can to control the symptoms.   I will update when things start to take a turn for the better.   Please pray for me.   

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Wednesday September 16

I'm in the hospital again.   I'm extremely nauseous and vomiting a lot.   I came in last night.   Please say lots of prayers for me.

Monday, September 14, 2015

Monday September 14

Guess what!?!?   I'm on my way home!!!


I was discharged today and am headed home.  I'm feeling so much better and am so happy right now!!!  Colin and I went to look at a couple of apartments today in order to finalize everything.   I really liked one of the ones we looked at.   It's in a very secure area with lots of shopping and restaurants.   It's in an area called The Waterfront.   It's a very large one bedroom but it has a huge living room that we can put a futon or sofa bed in the living room for company.   I'm actually excited about it.   It's really affordable.  

I probably won't be home until about 6 or so.  I will update more tomorrow.   Until then.   Goodnight!

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Sunday September 13

Today was a good day.  Today is my 7th wedding anniversary.   Happy Anniversary to my amazing, thoughtful, loving husband.   The past three years have been absolute hell but you have definitely been there for me through it all and I can't tell you enough how grateful I am.  I may not always show it but I truly love you to death and can't imagine life without you.  You are my cheerleader and my motivator.  Even though you motivation is annoying at times, I do appreciate it.  I love you to the moon and back. 😘


On another note.  Colin brought in donuts for the nursing staff this morning.  They all really appreciated it.  Dr. Cruz came in this morning and said as long as there are no complications today I should be able to go home tomorrow.  So...that's the current plan as long as my body cooperated tonight.  Prayers that it does.  

I was able to "eat" all 3 meals today.  For breakfast- small vanilla pudding and hot chocolate, for lunch -small chocolate pudding and a couple spoons of tomato soup & for dinner - small chocolate pudding and some tomato soup as well.   All in all everything went well.  

I worked on my puzzle this morning and this afternoon but I still have a long way to go as you can see....
Colin and I went for a long walk outside today to get out of the house and because the weather was cooperating.   Now I'm watching Chopped.  I don't know why I torture myself by watching food programs but I do.  Wish me luck tonight.  Hopefully we will be headed home tomorrow.  Until then...sweet dreams!

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Saturday September 12

Today was an uneventful day.  The nurses woke me up at 4:00 this morning to start my tests.  They put an amount of cortisol in my iv and then took blood every 15 minutes for two hours to see how my body would react.  Apparently there was no reaction which means that my cortisol level could very well be the culprit in my ongoing symptoms.  They started me on the iv steroids this afternoon so they can get a decent dosage in my system to make sure there are no reactions before they send me home.  

On another note...they started me on a full liquid diet today.  I was able to eat a little chicken noodle soup (puréed)😝 and some pudding.  I ate a little bit of each.  My stomach seems to be having a difficult time digesting.  

Other than that, nothing is really new.  I will update you on more tomorrow.

Friday, September 11, 2015

Friday September 11

Well....The docs came in this morning.   They did bloodwork and my cortisol levels are 1 (normal levels are 30-40). Cortisol is a hormone produced by your adrenal glands.  They have never heard of that before.   They did more bloodwork today and are going to do more tomorrow along with a test that takes about two hours.   If it's still low they think that was the issue all along.   They will put me on long term steroids to fix the issue. 

I'm feeling relieved that they know what has gone wrong at this point.  

That was all I really have to talk about today.  Praying everything works out.  I will update tomorrow.  Goodnight.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Thursday September 10

Today was pretty uneventful.   We played cards, started a massive puzzle and I watched a couple more episodes of One Tree Hill.   At this point I'm slightly obsessed.  The puzzle Colin got is going to be difficult.  It's all black and white.  
As you can see, we got really far.

I got the results of the ct scan and it didn't show anything.  Dr Cruz made some changes to antibiotics for me so hopefully it keeps me on the right track.

Colin and I were walking the hallways today and we were able to see Mary.   She seems anxious for me to be close to Pittsburgh for treatments and to have a better handle on my care.  When we were coming back to the room there was a gorgeous arrangement of flowers sitting on the nurses station.  I commented on them and the nurse at the desk said she hoped I liked them because they are mine.   Shawn and Courtney sent me beautiful flowers. 


On another note....My skin has been really irritated where the dressing is on my PICC line.  It actually started seeping and blistering today.  It's at the point where I want to scratch it but it's too raw.  The iv team came to my room twice today to try and figure out how to cover it without making it worse.  Hopefully they have it figured out.

Amber and the twins Face timed me earlier and Carter serenaded me with the Fight Song.  It was adorable.  Apparently that song is now my anthem.  It's pretty fitting when you listen to the words.  

Not much else happened today.  Hopefully tomorrow is uneventful as well.   Until then....goodnight!

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Wednesday September 9

I had my ct scan today.  It sucked because I had to drink the oral contrast.  That stuff is nasty to begin with but even worse when you are nauseous.  I'm not sure how but I managed to gulp down two cups of it.  

Colin left in the afternoon and looked at a few apartments.  He found one he really likes.  It's so expensive here if you want to be in a safer neighborhood.  We are looking at over 1300.00 for a place monthly.  At this point I'm letting him handle everything and I'm going to focus on getting better and hopefully getting out of here.  The apartment has to be large enough to accommodate my family for when everyone is taking turns to take care of me.

I spent a lot of my day today in bed.  I am horribly nauseous.  I really don't have much more to report.  Have a wonderful night.  I will touch base again tomorrow.  

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Tuesday September 8

The endoscopy went really well today.  It's kind of a bitter sweet type of moment.  I didn't want them to find anything wrong but I wanted answers as to why I'm so sick all the time.   They didn't find anything.   So hopefully tomorrow when I get a ct scan we will have some answers.  

I'm already homesick :(. I'm a crying mess right now.  Hopefully I can pull myself together.  It's difficult having so many unknowns.  I will keep you updated.  Have a good night!

Tuesday September 8

Saw Dr. Cruz this morning.  They are going to do an endoscopy to see if they can find the reason for my nausea and vomiting spells.  If they don't find anything on the scope they are going to do a ct scan with contrast.  Fingers crossed it's nothing serious but that they can do something to make me feel better.  I'm having a really hard time with this hospitalization.  

Monday, September 7, 2015

Monday September 7- Labor Day!

Today has been a difficult day.  My emotions are starting to get the best of me.  I have been crying a lot. The doctors took a bunch of samples to send to the lab to test some different things and to make sure there's no infection anywhere.

Colin spent the day with me.  We played cards for a little bit but I have been sleeping off and on most of the day.   Everything in my body feels like it needs a break.  

I'm really exhausted and really don't have anything new to report.  Please pray that I have the strength to get through this.  Have a good night.

Sunday September 6

I was extremely ill yesterday and was throwing up nonstop.  I went in to the ER in Lancaster for fluids and nausea meds.  I was there about four hours but wasn't feeling any better.  We made a decision to pack our bags and head to Pittsburgh.  Colin and I packed the car.  I spend most of the ride throwing up or sleeping.   We unloaded the car at the hotel and headed straight for the ER at the hospital.   They ended up admitting me so I'm currently laying in a hospital bed in Pittsburgh.   They are pumping me with antibiotics in case there's an underlying infection.  They are also giving me fluids and pain meds.  Hopefully I will be feeling better quickly.   Mary Roberts, my transplant coordinator is coming to see me tomorrow since today is a holiday.   Fingers crossed 

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Saturday September 6

Yesterday was a very hard day.   Coming to grips with the fact that I'm heading to Pittsburgh this weekend possibly for good is killing me.  Not to mention the fact that I am extremely sick.  I'm sitting in the ER right now trying to get fluids and nausea meds that will be enough to get me through my ride to Pittsburgh.  Once we are in Pittsburgh I am probably staying.  

I had lots of visitors throughout the day yesterday.  Brynn stopped at the house to say hello.  After she left Mehgan and Carly stopped at the house for a couple hours.  We were just catching up.  Amber stopped over and helped me pack to get through the week.  This is really turning into a whirwind weekend.  More to come.

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Friday September 4

I was discharged from the hospital yesterday but was exhausted by the time Colin got me home.  I laid down around 4 and fell asleep.  I'm not feeling well today.  I'm basically laying around the house.  I will post later this evening.   Just wanted to let you know I'm home.

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Thursday September 3

Today has been extremely difficult.  I am off of all my pain meds with the exception of Tylenol and my fentnyl patch.  I have been dealing with excrutiating pain all day today.  It's not a good day. 

I had a surprise visit from Jody today which was nice.  I haven't seen her in weeks.  She left and I tried to nap.  My poor body is so exhausted.  I'm hoping I am exhausted enough to get a good nights sleep tonight.

After dinner Amber stopped with Carter and Caden.  They laid in bed with me and we watched the Lego Movie for a little bit.  They left and went home and Mom and Dad stopped.  They stayed for a few minutes to see how I was doing.  They left for the evening and I'm just trying to calm myself enough to hopefully get some sleep.  

My favorite nurse Katy is my nurse tonight so I know she will do whatever she can to make me comfortable. I think everything is starting to sink in.  Hopefully they can shut off my brain for a little so I can be well rested
tomorrow.  They are planning on discharging me tomorrow.  I just ask for prayers to keep me strong.  I will update tomorrow.  Sweet dreams!

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Wednesday September 2

Just wanted to put a quick note in about today.  Colin was in bright and early.  He was here long enough to meet with the doctors and hear what they had to say.  I think everyone is on the same page.  I need to be discharged from LGH so that I can get my things together and move to Pittsburgh.  There are so many unknowns but we are doing everything we can to make it work for us as a family in the whole.  

Tuesday they are going to review everything and come up with a new plan of care.  

Mom stopped in this evening and brought me some gum and lollipops.  It's about all I can eat these days but it does make me feel a little better.  She left to go home and let Ringo out.  I'm going to watch a couple of One Tree Hill episodes and going to sleep.  Goodnight!  Sweet Dreams!

Wednesday September 2

Look who came to surprise me yesterday!!




Thank you Colin for bringing in my babies!  It really made my day.  We couldn't bring them in to the hospital but I was able walk partially around the block.

After Colin left, Amber stopped with the twins.  They were fun.  We played a game and then they played their Nintendo.  After they all left I read a little from my book and watched more episodes of One Tree Hill.  I went to bed.

I slept fairly decent last night.  

I woke up this morning around 8.  The pain docs are switching some more meds but I am ok with them so far.   I am going to try to nap.  I will wright more tomorrow.  Goodnight 

Wednesday September 2

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while and that some of my posts make no sense at all.  The doctors are evaluating and changing my meds around and it has really been tough on my body.  We are hoping to have enough time and strength to be ready for the transplant when the day comes.  I'm preparing myself as best as I can.  It's been a difficult road and there have been some potholes along the way but we can do this!!!