High-Low

High- The Doctor said the growth on my nose wasn't a big deal and cut it off. It should heal in a few days and you will never know it had been there.

Low- The new painful "thing" under my arm wasn't so easy. One look and it "had to come off". It had to be checked for abnormal cells and I will know the biopsy results in a few days. (The hypocondriach in me can't help but think its related to The Lesion like on Grey's Anatomy but even I recognize that's being a bit melodramatic.)

High- The lady who returned my call from the free speech clinic was incredibly nice and helpful and got Noah on the waiting list.

Low- The waiting list is 9 to 12 months out.

High- Since we were so close to Shane's store, we took him out to lunch.

Low- On the way home the low spinal fluid headache hit with a vengeance. I had to park in the Costco parking lot and lay down across the front seats for 20 minutes until I could drive home.

High- I feel a bit better now.

Low- Noah won't stop wiping his boogers on my freshly cleaned couch.

High- My O2 concentrator was delivered today so I can see if night time oxygen helps my muscle and joint pain.

Low- It's much louder than I would have hoped for.

High- The weather has been very warm and DRY!

Low- An birthday invitation came in the mail today for Lilly from her favorite preschool friend, Mia. The party is the same day as Noah's party while Grandma and Grandpa are visiting from Idaho.

High- I've done more laundry in the past two days than I have in the past two months.

Low- I've done more laundry in the past two days than I have in the past two months and I still have an insanely large amount to do.


So there it is. My day in all its negativity and it's only 5:30pm.


Be A Hero. Be An Organ Donor.

A Quickie

This will be quick.

Today wasn't just a day *from* hell, because if it had come with a return address that said "Lake Brimstone, Hell 66666" I wouldn't have signed for delivery. Instead it was a day *in* hell.

Yesterday I had a lumbar puncture (aka spinal tap) that didn't go well. While on the mend today I had my carpets cleaned. It took so much product to rid it of puppy deposits that I will need to work over three weeks just to pay the bill (I wish I was joking. Good thing we have food storage).

Noah didn't take even a 5 minute nap and was a complete snotty (as in boogers), messy, dirty screamer all day.

We ran out of toilet paper.

My schedule for the next 2-3 weeks is booked solid with appointment after appointment.

I'm beyond grouchy.

I want to have some girl time but my two best friends have schedules as crazy as mine.

I'm in bed in need of sleep and Noah is in his room crying. The never ending, can't be comforted because I'm overly tired and have no idea what I want sort of cry.

My list of to-do's to get ready for visitors this weekend is getting longer by the minute.

And I'm ending now because I said this would be quick but I could go on and on.

I sure hope tomorrow is a bit kinder to my sanity.


--Crysm
Posted From My iPod Touch

Friday Fun Finds!

It's Friday again. Time for another installment of Friday Fun Finds!


Since the last few Friday Fun Finds have been rather "big ticket" items, I thought I would share an every day I-can-afford-this-between-paydays item.

Ever get those cracks under your toes or on your hands from dry skin or even a paper cut? The burn and burn and they are so hard to heal because they keep getting irritated. Am I right?

Well, I always get a crack under my toes on my damaged foot. The tendons on the top of my foot that normally hold your toes up were destroyed during my car accident so my toes curl under. When I pull them up to try and sit straight so I can wear shoes it tends to tear the scar tissue. Since it's in a very precarious place I can't ever get it to heal. I put an antibiotic ointment with pain relief on it all the time but it's not the greatest.

So the other day I was complaining about it to my mom and being full of wisdom she told me I should use a liquid bandage on it. I agreed that it would be the best course to get it healed but told her I was too much of a baby to use it. I don't know if you have ever used it before but it burns like you dipped your tender wound in a lake of fire and brimstone!!

She told me to grow up.

So I did. I went to the drugstore to invest in the liquid fire. It must have been my lucky day because I found this instead.

Not only is it store brand so it cost UNDER $5, but it has a pain reliever!!

I rushed home, painted it on, and I've had happy feet ever since.

I have also used it on my hang nails (it doesn't smell nearly as strong as other brands), an in-grown toe nail (for the pain relieving properties), and the bottom of my foot (it says to use it to prevent callouses).

I've painted it under my toe several times since I've bought it but I've still used it less than the ointment I was using. It works great and relieving the pain AND it's protecting it so well that I can see the sore is getting better.

Since this is the store brand, I assume you can only get this particular version at Walgreen's. But Walgreen's are almost everywhere so I doubt it will be too hard to track down. If so, you can always buy it online.

P.S. Normally I hope to get these posted early Friday morning but work preoccupied me today. Sorry I'm late. Hopefully sharing a really pocket friendly find will help you forgive me.


Be A Hero. Be An Organ Donor.

What a Day

Today was one of those days where you just want to swear and go back to sleep.

Nothing went right, everything backfired, AND to top it all off we
found out my sister has Swine Flu.

Seeing as how it was Noah's birthday and we went out with family and
had them over then went to the zoo with them, it would be safe to say
we have been directly exposed. *follow curse word*

I called one of Noah's transplant coordinators in Denver and she
called in some anti-virals for all of us. Now we are quarantined for
48 hrs to make sure we don't get sick. The scary thing is, Noah felt
warm when he went to bed.

My visiting nephew is also now puking and feverish and from what I've
been told, my sister is really sick.

I am grateful we were able to get the Tamiflu though. The first
pharmacy I went to was all out and they could promise that ordering it
would get them any. I guess with the pandemic, the anti-virals are
being rationed and each pharmacy only gets so many treatments. I ended
up having to drive across town to get it.

Now, I'm off to bed. I'm too pooped to tell you about the rest of my
cruddy day.

But if you could spare a prayer for my sister, nephew Tyler and my
little Noah, I will be deeply indebted to you.
Crysm

--
Sent from my mobile device

Friday Fun Finds!

It's Friday again. Time for another installment of Friday Fun Finds!

I have eczema. I have since I can remember. I have tried creams, ointments, steroid creams and ointments, etc. Nothing ever seems to work very well and usually if it works better than most that also means its thicker and harder to apply than most.

Then about a year ago I learned about something I had never heard of before. It's a new kind of natural skin care called a shielding lotion. Skin MD Natural made promises of moisturized skin that, at the time, I didn't believe. But, I had tried everything else on my scaly, rash looking arms that I figured why not try this.

The texture was as light as water (and as thin as it too). It wasn't oily, greasy or filmy and you know what? It works!! And it works good!

Here is a video to learn a little bit more about shielding lotion, specifically Skin MD Natural. It's a pretty cool demonstration of how it "shields" a bare hand from acid while at the same time the acid burns away at rocks.

One of the things I like best about it, besides the fact that my arms are now smooth with an even skin tone, is that it has natural antimicrobial agents (big words for homeopathic, natural ingredients that help to decrease bacteria). You all know how much I hate germies so how cool is it that my lotion helps get rid of germies and naturally at that?

Okay, so it's not a big surprise that I love this lotion. But it gets even better.

Two words. . . SPF 15!!

Skin MD Natural with SPF 15 is still the fabulous lotion I've used for the past year but it now also protects me from the sun. It really is wonderful. I've been using it for a few months now on the two kiddies as well as myself. Lilly's skin is sensitive but Noah puts us all to shame. The air makes him break out in a rash. It's so dry that sunblock sometimes burns and the thick texture of it is so hard to rub in on him. So I loved using the Skin MD Natural with SPF on the kids even more than I loved using the original version on myself. At that, is nothing short of amazing.

The only downside is that it's not the easiest product to find. It's not sold at most retailers. But when I went to their website and searched for a place to get it I did find out that the mom and pop drug store around the corner carries it. You can also buy it online in small bottles (that last forever, by the way) or even pop for the full size (name the movie). Don't know if you want to buy some yet? Try a free sample. Cool, right? (Click here and scroll down to get yours.)

Alright, so that's my fun find for the week. You really should give it a try. Dry skin or not, it's a great value, lasts a long time and makes your skin feel wonderful. If you end up trying it (or already use it) let me know. I would love to know what you think of it.


Be A Hero. Be An Organ Donor.

Happy Birthday Noah!

My family has a special second verse to the traditional Happy Birthday song.

It all started with my Grandma B. This verse is so much a part of the Happy Birthday tradition that my little sister had no idea that we are the only ones who sing it. It's just our way and always has been.

So when I sang Happy Birthday to Noah through out the day I sang this verse to him every time also. But then, before bed, I realized that a small change could be made so that it fit Noah even more. I changed one word. Instead of "we're" I sang "you're" instead.

So one last time for my little man. . .

Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday, my sweet Noah. Happy Birthday to you.

Love's the reason you're here. Love's the reason you're here. Love's the reason, Love's the reason. Love's the reason you're here.


Be A Hero. Be An Organ Donor.

Here is the letter I wrote Noah and posted over on Noah's Adventure:

My Sweet Boy,

Oh how Mommy loves you. It's been two years since you entered my world and it's been the best two years. While times haven't been easy for either of us you have brightened my world and taught me more about being a mother than I ever could have imagined.

You give me loves and hugs and kisses. You have taught me about faith and hope and sacrifice. You make me laugh. Every single day you make me laugh.

You are brave, my little one. Don't ever lose that. Continue to face every challenge in your life as if there was never an option to fail. Remember to find humor in the simple things and you will always be able to keep a smile on your face when times are hard. Most importantly, give thanks to your Heavenly Father every day for the blessings he has blessed you with. You have been a miracle in the lives of many and have been given so many blessings already in your life. If you remember that all that you have been given is a gift of a loving Heavenly Father, he will continue to guide you through your journey on this earth.

These are things that you have helped teach me from the moment you took your first breath. I am a better person because of you. You are my hero, little one.

Never forget that I love you more than words could ever say and I always will.

Happy Birthday my Heart Warrior. Love is the reason you're here.

Your Mommy

The MRI Results

I received a phone call from my Neurologist this evening. Seems the results of my MRI are in. And let's just say I would have been less surprised to hear the MRI technicians had been laughing at me because I kept falling asleep and snoring despite their repeated attempts to try and stay awake so I could hold still. (In my defense, it was 8am and all the medication they have me on makes me really sleepy... Just not at night.)

Yes, I'm stalling.

I have a brain lesion.

This could mean nothing significant.

This could mean everything significant.

Since I'm writing this on my phone, I can't add any links. But if you Google "Brain Lesion" you would find out that it means an area of the brain that appears abnormal. It can be caused by infection, disease, stroke, etc.

Right now the cause of my lesion (that sounds oddly possessive... Maybe I should name it) is unknown. So they are setting up two additional appointments for me.

The first is a Cardiology appointment. This is because the lesion could be the result of a stroke (or in my case a mini stroke) which is ultimately caused by a hole in the heart. I'm just going to go out on a limb here and say that seeing as how my grandma had a hole in her heart, Noah had heart issues, and obviously its in the genes because Beckham has heart issues too, then this probably isn't stretching things too far. And because a Cardiologist is the ONLY specialist I think I haven't seen then it seems this might be even more likely.

The next appointment is for a Spinal Tap. This would be to look for Multiple Sclerosis. Ugh. The good news on this one is that I have one lesion. MS usually presents with many. However, I do have symptoms and one lesion is one more than you want. This test can come back positive, negative, and inconclusive (meaning it has some positives but isn't screaming positive in which case they will send me to the MS center for more testing).

So that's it. Well, I guess there is one other thing.

Before I got the news today (and even after) I had decided to nix all the meds I have been put on. I figure that I'll never figure out what's wrong if I'm all these medications that have side-effects. In all complete honesty, 100% of my symptoms could be side-effects of all the rotten medication I've been put on. The real yucky thing though is that coming off it is going to be hard. And by hard I mean kill-me-now-awful! It's not the kind of stuff you just stop taking. It has to be tapered down and withdrawal is worse than rotten. If I thought things had been rough before I have a feeling the next two months are gonna be a ride.

Alright. I'm done. If you hate reading these "sickly" posts even half as much as I hate writing them then I'm going to have to start bribing you to read my blog.

Thank you for supporting me though. It means more than you know. The love, support, prayers, and outreach of all of you has given me such comfort and strength. I am very grateful and humbled.



Be A Hero. Be An Organ Donor.

Courage and Honor and Decency

This weekend I have been able to watch several movies I have never seen before. Sometimes I am lucky to see one but things just worked out for me to see several this weekend. It was kind of nice.

One movie I got to see was The Tale of Despereaux. A very cute movie about, as Lilly would say, talking mice.

Despereaux is a very small mouse. Not just to humans but even to mice. He reminded me very much of Noah.

To the world, Noah is just a small little guy. But in his own mind, he is a giant.

He's not afraid of anything. He walks into situations that would cause others to cower with his head held high. He doesn't even know that being scared or weak is an option.

Like a valiant prince going into a battle, Noah has courageously fought many physical battles. He has been strong and determined. He is so brave he never considered there was another way.

Today he is a small little guy with an angel heart. He continues to face each new day and each new experience with an innocent hope that I envy.

It's a honor to be his mother. He teaches me so much and yet he also relies on me to guide him and teach him so many things.

In the movie, Despereaux reads a book about a prince who is going to rescue a princess. He was a good man. One of the very few men in the world who had courage, and honor and decency. These are a few of the things I hope Noah brings with him into adulthood. A few traits that he brought into this world when he took his first breath. A few things that I pray he never loses.

He may be small, but its my dream he continues to walk into the unknown with his head held high and curiosity in his eyes.


Be A Hero. Be An Organ Donor.

Today I Was A Good Mom

I guess if you have read my previous post then you know that by saying "Today I was a good mom" I mean today as in a few short hours out of A day. Just wanted to clarify so you would slap a false advertising sticker on me.

But on to my story.

After Lilly was born I realized that my days of going anywhere had just been strangled alive by the diaper bag strap and crushed by the car seat and run over by the stroller..Most days it was just to hard to bring along all the needed stuff and still end up with a screaming child because you brought the wrong treat or the sippy had apple juice not chocolate milk.

So I stayed home. . . A lot.

Then right around the time that Lilly became easier to take places and the diaper bag could be left in the car, I went and did what any other mom (who conceived without trouble SURPRISE!) Would do, I gave birth to my son Noah.

And the entire process begins again.
I stay home a lot. Shane and I do try to take the kids out to eat once a week for "Family Dinner Out Night". (Yes, we made this up. We are very smrt.) But even with the two of us tag teaming the two monkeys we still end up getting worked over. They fight dirty alone but together they can cause complete anarchy within seconds.

And this brings me to why I was a good mom today.

I took my kids to lunch (I meaning just ME! Shane had to work.) at Wendy's and when they asked can we go in, I said yes!!

We skipped the drive thru and went inside. We sat at a table and dipped our fries in little ketchup cups and ate our plain cheese burgers while Noah threw his chicken Nuggets. He finally ate one or two. Lilly ate the rest.

Then, we got back in the car and used some anti bacterial wipes to clean up. Noah likes to pretend to blow his nose (he can do it if he needs to, however, Lilly hasn't figured out the concept.) Well, seeing Noah pretend made Lilly want to try.

"Mom! I did it! WOW! That's a BIG booger. Here hold this mom."

She blew a "BIG booger" out of her nose into a tissue without picking for the first time ever! And it was a big booger, I saw it!

Oh the things that make a mother proud.

But the fun doesn't stop there.

We drove over to Wheeler Farm which is a local full functioning farm and historic museum. Today was vendor day and there was tons of fun stuff to do.

We saw horses, baby horses, sheep, geese, swans, ducks, and a pony (we didn't make it over to the animal part.) Lilly got a pretty red jeweled bracelet, fairy butterfly wings, a princess wand AND she got to see her favorite teacher Miss Nicole. We painted and played games and got treats.

Noah got a wooden hand carved flute (recorder type thing), a prince wand, toys, and treats.

Lilly even got to go inside a Bouncy castle for the first time ever. She had so much fun.

Getting them to the car was tricky but I prevailed. And I did this all without getting stressed out or frustrated.

But any thoughts I had about easier outings now have been squashed.

At dinner we were back to tag teaming/two timing them and they still worked us.
Let's just say this: Lilly bippitee boppitee boo'd several people at the top of her lunch as she "knighted" them with her princess wand.

I'm just glad my kids recognized the sacrifice I was making by giving it a shot because they behaved quite well for the most part. They made it easy to be a good mom.

Good kids do that.


Be A Hero. Be An Organ Donor.

I'm Really Quite Mad At The Moment

I'm mad. Technically I should be mad at Noah. But since he really doesn't know any better (and he's just too cute to stay mad at) I'm just mad in general.

I'm sitting in my back yard. With Noah and the puppy. Lilly is inside sleeping. My watch just signaled its time for Noahs morning dose of immuno-supression med. But I can get inside to give them to him because the turkey shut the door and locked us out.

But I'm getting a head of myself.

The last little while Noah has been waking up really early and refusing to go back to bed. This morning he woke up at 530 am and proceeded to throw every tantrum imaginable. (He wants a bottle, he has a dirty bum, he wants to watch TV, he doesn't like this show, he wants to go outside, he wants to swing, he just likes to yell!)

Shane and I are exhausted and try to tag team him taking turns so Lilly isn't woken up too early like most days. She shouldn't have to suffer too.

And so here I am. On the day we should have been celebrating Noah's birthday. That got pushed back because Shane had no choice but to work (its a BIG day in the world of cell phones today). So he's working. Lilly is sleeping, Noah is swinging, the puppy is playing, and I'm sitting outside, hungry, cold, tired, irritated, and mad.

I should have listened to myself a few days ago when I thought about putting out a hide-a-key. Why do I always procrastinate everything??

Ahhhh!! Lilly just came to our rescue!!

Maybe things are looking up after all!



Be A Hero. Be An Organ Donor.

It's Quite The Deal

I found something very kewl just now.

Remember my recent post about Revitalash and how absolutely awesome it is? Yah, well I realize that it's super expensive and most people won't be able to give it a try.

Well, I just found it for 52% OFF the retail price. So it's still a very pretty penny. But, this I can promise you. For $72 it's a STEAL! I also just found it for $68!! Holy Cow!

If you decide to invest in some long and thick lashes, let me know. Not only will it swell my head for bringing you such a helpful review (totally joking... sort of) but I also want to know how you end up loving your lashes.

Note: I just wanted to remind you that I write my Friday Fun Finds posts and other review posts such as this one because I love the products I write about. I haven't been paid or even contacted by the companies and products I am writing about. Although, if someone wants to give me some Revitalash, I won't say no.


Be A Hero. Be An Organ Donor.

Friday Fun Finds!

It's Friday again and time for me to share something I love so maybe you can love it too. It's time for Friday Fun Finds!

Today I want to tell you about a new (to me) product line that I am now in ♥LOVE♥ with. It's called Pevonia Botanica. It's a skin care line that has saved me from a face full of horror.

I've always had sensitive skin or so I thought. The last six months has changed my perception of what sensitive skin really is.

Before, my face was needy. If I used something with too much moisture, I would break out. If it wasn't hydrating enough my face would get flakey and red. No matter what product I used to clean, my skin would always feel tight and shiney afterwards. But if I didn't use something that cleaned enough, it was a sure bet I would be a walking pimple.

I tried products like Proactive but it made my face hurt so bad I had to stop. When I finally found Mary Kay it seemed my face had been saved. I loved the Timewise products so much I decided to become a Consultant so I could offer these fantastic products to my friends and family.

Then, within the last year or so my face slowly started changing. I figure it must have something to do with all the other crazy things I have going on. Whatever the cause, my face skin got so bad it was one big rash. I tried everything to get it to clear up (it wasn't just blemishes but an actual rash) including steriod creams and cortizone cream.

Then I found Pevonia. The cleanser is so gentle you would swear it wasn't actually cleaning anything let alone remove make up and sweaty grime (yes, I did just admit to having a sweaty, grimey face). But it cleans better than most products I have tried. How do I know? Two ways: 1. I haven't broken out since I started using it and 2. When I used a cotton pad to apply the toner afterwards nothing comes off. The pad is just as clean afterwards as it was before I used it. Finally, I don't even use a lotion anymore. I use an oil. Can you believe it? I put an oil on my face. They have lotions (my personal favorite being the oil control cream which I do use occasionaly) but my skin feels better and my makeup applys better when I use the oil.

Not only is it gentle (I use the sensitive line but they do have several options including an anti-aging line to choose from) but it's easier to use than regular skin regimines. Here's why. Most of the time you have to get your face wet, apply the cleanser, then rinse it off. For me this would always result in a wet mirror and bathroom counter. With Pevonia you apply it dry or with just wet hands. Rub it over your face, avoiding your eyes (Mary Kay Oil Free Eye-Makeup Remover is still the king of kings when it comes to eye makeup remover). Then, either wipe it off with a wet wash cloth or get your hands wet and rub your face one or twice. I mean, barely have to get it wet. Since it doesn't suds up it just melts off. Then, you can either use a cotton pad to apply the tonor to balance out your skins PH or since it comes in a spray/mist bottle, you can spray it directly on your face. Then, one or two quirts of oil rubbed in (again, avoiding your eye area) and your done. I even put the oil over my lips because it feels so good.

I've been using it for almost two months now and my face has never looked or felt better. The best part? It's not insanely expensive. The sensitive line is one of the lower priced ones out of all the selections but the others aren't over priced considering what you get. You can get Pevonia online at several different websites or a local spa might sell it. I've gotten mine both at my spa and from an online retailer.

Out of 5 Diamonds I am giving it the FULL 5 DIAMONDS!! For the ease of use, results, and price.

Rating:

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

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I ♥ Faces

Visit i♥faces for more entries.

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