Hi all

Hey all! Someone told me about this webpage and since I've been doing all my blogging and updating on MySpace, I thought I would do it this way so everyone can read. To make is slightly easier on myself, I'm going to post my MySpace blogs so people can get caught up, then I'll do today's update.


Thursday, July 03, 2008

The truth about what’s going on with me
Current mood: annoyed

Considering that I just heard an awesome rumor about me (yes I'm being sarcastic), I figured I would take the time to fill everyone in on what's going on with me. I have a protruding (or bulging) disc in the L-5 of my spine. This is the last disc in your spine so it's at the very bottom. This disc is hitting nerves in my lower back and both hips, therefore causing severe pain and making it hard to do pretty much anything involving lifting, carrying, walking, exercising, sitting, sleeping, etc, etc. On top of that, I have just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is is a non-life-threatening, chronic disorder of the muscles and related soft tissue, including ligaments and tendons. The defining symptoms of fibromyalgia are chronic, widespread pain and tenderness to light touch. Other symptoms can include moderate to severe fatigue, a heightened and painful response to gentle touch, needle-like tingling of the skin, muscle aches, prolonged muscle spasms, weakness in the limbs, nerve pain, functional bowel disturbances, and chronic sleep disturbances. I myself do not have all of these symptoms just a few. The main one being sever muscle spasms. These happen at least once a day and last at least 2 hours. They are so bad that it is hard to breathe. Not fun. So, I am undergoing treatment for my protruding disc that hopefully will also help reduce the muscle spasms. I am also doing treatment to try to manage the fibromyalgia as well. All in all, this has NOT been a very fun first half of the summer. Thankfully though, we caught it now and I'm getting started on treatment before I get fully into cheer and marching band. So, that's what's going on with me. That is why I've been to so many doctors and in so much pain and unhappy at times. This should clear up any rumors that you may or may not have heard. Rather than start rumors about me, if you want to do anything for me, I would appreciate prayers. I know God is healing me but I could still use all the prayers I can get.


Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Update on me
Current mood: miserable


I wanted to update everyone on how I'm doing. I think most of you know about my bulging disc in my lower back (the L-5) but there's been more development's. I went to see a neurologist who scheduled my for an epidural in my lower spine, as this would take care of the lower back pain I've been having. He also said that I may have fibromyalgia, as I've been having severe pain in my arms and legs and severe upper back spasms to the point where I can't breathe. I went for my epidural on Friday, July 11. Not a fun experience. It seemed to help my lower back but I was still in severe pain everywhere else. I ended up in the ER (for the 3rd time in 2 weeks) on saturday evening. I was having severe upper back pain and chest pain to where I couldn't catch my breathe. They took more x-rays and gave me more pain killers and sent me home. I followed up with my family doctor yesterday which brings me to more bad news. On the newest x-ray, they found a compression fracture in my upper spine (the L-2). This is whats been causing me my leg pain and the breathing problems. I have to get another MRI tonight then going to see another specialist on Thursday. Most likely I'll need surgery where they'll put cement in the fracture. I'm a little freaked out, ok I'm seriously scared and in a lot of pain but I could really use everyone's prayers. I've been very thankful that for the past 3 weekends my mom has come down to take care of me as it's very difficult to do a whole lot of anything right now. So, that's the update. I would appreciate all your prayers as I know our awesome God can get me through this.

Oh, and the dr's nor myself have no idea how I got the fracture. I've done nothing for the past 3-4 months due to the disc. I have to get my bone density checked on Friday. Plus, with all the pain that I've been in, I've barely been eating. When they weighed me yesterday, I only weighed 120 pounds, which means I've lost 18 pounds in less than 2 months without even working out. They also drew some blood and found that I have a small infection so I'm on an antibiotic. So, yea.....this has not been fun.


Thursday, July 24, 2008

Home from the hospital...update on me
Current mood: thankful


Hi all,

I my sister updated you on my status but I thought I would update everyone as well.

I was admitted to Lutheran Hospital on Friday the 18th with a severe compression fracture in my L2, abnormalities in L3&4, and bulging disc between L5 & S1. They gave me IV's for pain meds as well as pills to take as well. When I first got there, I was immediately taken for another MRI for my up spine. After that, I had to prep for a CT scan. Which for that, you have to drink this stuff that tasts like bathroom cleaner...no joke it was nasty. They also drew blood for blood tests. The MRI came back with more abnormalities in my upper spine, CT came back fine and blood tests came back as slightly anemic. The dr was able to determine that all the abnormalities in my spine are from malnutrition. I've lost 18 pounds in less that 2 months.....I weigh 120...not good. So, I have to start eating more and healthier. So, on Monday, I had a bone scan done which was very painful. They take a needle, well more like a screwdrive to chip bone off your spine. Very uncomfortable. After that, I have the procedure know as vertioplasty done on the fracure. This is where they place cement in it to heal it and set it back into place. Not the greatest expierience either. So, I was able to be sent home Tuesday but had to stay with my parents for a couple nights as the dr didn't want me staying alone. It was a rough couple of days. My back is good for the most part, it's now my legs. They're so weak, they get very sore after trying to walk on them. But, I'm getting better each day. Thank you for all your thoughts, prayers, well wishes, and flowers. I appreciate it so much. If God brings you to it, He'll bring you through it and that is just what He did.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Not much more I can take
Current mood: optimistic


UPDATE:



I won't be on here much anymore as I will be stuck in the hospital for awhile. I wanted tp update everyone on my status. I have been diagnosed with one of two different types of lymphoma. I will find out what kind in a couple of days where they will then start chemo. Please, please, PLEASE KEEP ME IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AND THEY MUST BE POSITIVE THOUGHTS!!!!!! I know God will get me through this and I WILL KICK THIS THINGS BUTT I PROMISE YOU!!! I'm at Ft. Wayne Lutheran. You can call for my room number.


Well, I just wanted to let everyone know that they have found another compression fracture in my upper spine, in the T-7. That means theres only one disc between the old fracture and the new. So, another surgery and more tests to try and figure out why this is happening. I'm trying to be brave and strong with God by my side but it's hard so please pray for me........



Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Another update.......staying positive
Current mood: optimistic


Hi all,

Just a quick update since the last update said I had a chance of 2 different kinds. I have Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or ALL for short. I had my first round of therapy today and so far, I'm feeling ok, just tired which is an every day thing. The littlest things get my tired but I get through it. I am strong and am going to kick this things ass so far away it won't ever come back. I plan on being ready to head to work by Sept. So, keep praying because I know God's listening. He is an awesome God and will help me fight this to to end.

Today, Weds. Aug, 6th I'm doing ok. I woke up this morning feeling still prety tired. I got the hick ups pretty bad right away which let me tell you how bad they feel when you have a sore back. I fell back to sleep til 12 where I remained nauseated the entire day and exhausted but all in all, not to bad, Thank the Lord. I'll try to get on here every day to update everyone on how I'm doing and feeling. I have treatments about every 7-8 days. I'm staying positive and praying and saying I will be OUT of this hospital and back at home and back to work at school with my kids, WHO I MISS!!! by September. I miss band and cheer and do not want to miss anything so I will be back by September. GO CAVS!!! Thank you for all you coninued support and prayers. Please keep them coming! I love you all!


And, finally, today, August 7th, I woke up again feeling heavily nauseated. The nurses gave me some drugs which helped and I was able to go back to sleep. It wasn't to bad of a day. I had some visitors (I get some every day which I LOVE! Come visit!) and ended up with the hick-ups AGAIN! Not sure where these are coming from but I hope they stop!! The Dr's said this morning that things already look really good. All my counts/levels look very good which is great news. They started me on Physical Therapy today for upper body and tomorrow for my lower. I'm still sticking to my guns and have full in tenti0ns on being out of here by September and back to my kids. I miss them and don't want to miss a thing of school or football season!!! So, keep those prayers coming and remember-POSITIVE THINKING!!!!