Matt, I and the kids left our house at 8am on Wednesday, July 6th, to drop them off at John and Jenny's house. John and Jenny will be keeping the kids til July 10. During that time they are even going camping at Lake Emily for the weekend. Lucky ducks! Karen is going to be driving our kids to the camp grounds since there isn't enough room in John and Jenny's van. Then Karen is going to meet my mom and dad in Plover on Sunday and give them the kids who will then spend the rest of the week in Wausau. they have never gotten to do this before and now that my mom is not working it's a great opportunity to be out on the farm. So by the time the kids return on the following Saturday they will have been away for a week and a half! We have never been apart for that long!
Anyway after we dropped of the kids and said our goodbyes laced with behavioral reminders and I love yous, we headed off to the UW hospital in Madison. We had to be there by 9:30am for check in. My first appointment was an EEG at 10am. Basically the doc glued wires to my head and I watch a checked TV screen that moves for a half and hour for each eye. Pretty easy and very boring. When I was all done he used nail polish remover to get the wires and glue off (well most of it). I had glue chunks in my hair the rest of the day. I then checked at the registration desk about where to go for my lab work. They said I didn't have lab. I knew I did so I went up to neurology and asked them. They didn't have record of it. I wasn't convinced so I asked to talk with Val, my doctor's nurse. Well Val was on vacation but her substitute checked Val's notes and sure enough the order for lab was there. It just never got entered in to the computer. If I wouldn't have been persistent, I would've had to drive all the way back to Madison just to do lab work cause someone dropped the ball.
After getting directions for the lab area I got 4 vials of blood drawn and then Matt and I went to eat at the cafeteria. Oh my goodness was the food selection awesome! I was really hungry by that time so I bought more that I should have. Dumb dumb idea. I was full during my spinal tap and very uncomfortable. Well, more uncomfortable than I had to be anyway.
The spinal tap procedure was... Well to be honest, awful! Matt wasn't allowed to be in there with me which sucked. Also, I'm sensitive to lidocaine and if given a lot I tend to get sick. Doctor Seeger said that was going to be a problem because that is usually what they use and any other substitute was a lot like lidocaine and would cause the same problem. Since I'm usually fine with a little, she had me do the spinal tap sitting up so the process would be 10 minutes long and not 20-30 minutes long. I was totally fine with that. However the downside is I had to hunched over my full stomach, blech. After I got injected with the lidocaine I got sick. I felt the urge vomit. Now this might have been because I was nervous about what was coming next. I'm not sure. I did manage to keep it in and after my hair was pinned up I felt a little better. I was told not to move because she marked the area and if I moved she would lose the spot. But I was hunched over for about 10 min and my shoulders and neck where getting very sore and we hadn't even started the spinal tap yet. I told her I was worried I would end up moving because I hurt so bad. I asked for a pillow or something so I could rest on that while I was bent over. She said "Oh you mean I forgot to give you a pillow?! Sorry about that!" Seriously lady? She finally hands me a pillow but I was so tensed up by that point because my neck and shoulders were killing me. I did feel the needle for the spinal tap and I felt it the whole time. There wasn't just pressure like most people say. I think that had to do with the limited lidocaine she gave me. I felt shock bursts go down my right leg several times which made me involuntarily flinch. The last shock was the worst as she was pulling it out. My right side has been sore ever since. I hope I never have to go through that again! She did show me the vials of spinal fluid. It's clear like water.
After she put a bandage on me I had to lay down for 1 hour. Matt was allowed back in the room and we watched TV while I drank caffeinated beverages and ate salty pretzels on a full stomach. Again blech. I had to eat salty things and drink caffeine to help my body replenish and to prevent a migraine. It was about 2pm when we were finally allowed to leave. I was told to lay down as much as possible for the next 24 hours and not do much for a week. Matt took me home and cared for me. I was so hopped up on the caffeine I couldn't sleep so we watched episodes of The Big Bang Theory. I did succeed at not getting a migraine. Yay!
I've been watching videos on Netflix or reading my book again today. I still hurt but not too bad. Luckily I have an awesome hubby who is doing everything for me. How blessed am I! Finally got to shower and still can't get all that glue out of my hair. Dr. Seeger said she hopes to get back to me by Monday on the MS test. She said she will call regardless if the test is positive or negative. So I should know by next week if I have MS or not. I have peace about it which only the Lord could provide.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Relapse
So I have been struggling with my vision again in my left eye. Doctors ordered another MRI and when compared to my 2006 MRI there are more lesions (white matter-plaque or scar tissue). They actually look like little light gray spots. The concern of MS came up again so this time I get the joyful experience of a spinal tap. *sarcasm*
I'm very nervous about this procedure. I get weak just thinking about it.
Here is what I will be experiencing on July 6th:
For a lumbar puncture, you lie on your side with your knees drawn up toward your chest. This position helps widen the spaces between the bones of the lower spine so that the needle can be inserted more easily. A numbing medicine (local anesthetic) is put in the skin. Then a long, thin needle is put in the spinal canal to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Your doctor may need to move to another area of your spine if it is hard to get to the spinal fluid. Process takes about 20-30 minutes.
After the procedure, I will have to lay in the supine position for 24 hours, then for 5 days I have to take it easy so the puncture site can heal. Matt is taking the day off for the lumbar puncture and will be caring for me. Jenny has so graciously volunteered to take the kids for a while. Kiki, John, Jenny & boys plan to take the kids camping at Lake Emily too while I'm laid up. Then, my mom is taking the kids up to Wausau just because she wants too. I don't know which day yet she will be bringing them home.
I ordered my 2006 and 2011 MRI images and notes. Seeing ones own brain is very surreal! It took some studying and practice but I think I am now able to discern a lesion or two. The speech area of my brain has some lesions so that explains a lot! Recently I have been having a very difficult time speaking.
Here is a picture of some of my lesions:
Turns out the vision problem is an inflammation of the optic nerve of my left eye. I don't know if this is related to the lesions or not. The doc said to take baby Aspirin and see if that improves my vision. So far, little to no improvement.
Well, that is the skinny on what has been going on with me. I will update when I can.
I'm very nervous about this procedure. I get weak just thinking about it.
Here is what I will be experiencing on July 6th:
Lumbar Puncture
For a lumbar puncture, you lie on your side with your knees drawn up toward your chest. This position helps widen the spaces between the bones of the lower spine so that the needle can be inserted more easily. A numbing medicine (local anesthetic) is put in the skin. Then a long, thin needle is put in the spinal canal to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Your doctor may need to move to another area of your spine if it is hard to get to the spinal fluid. Process takes about 20-30 minutes.
After the procedure, I will have to lay in the supine position for 24 hours, then for 5 days I have to take it easy so the puncture site can heal. Matt is taking the day off for the lumbar puncture and will be caring for me. Jenny has so graciously volunteered to take the kids for a while. Kiki, John, Jenny & boys plan to take the kids camping at Lake Emily too while I'm laid up. Then, my mom is taking the kids up to Wausau just because she wants too. I don't know which day yet she will be bringing them home.
I ordered my 2006 and 2011 MRI images and notes. Seeing ones own brain is very surreal! It took some studying and practice but I think I am now able to discern a lesion or two. The speech area of my brain has some lesions so that explains a lot! Recently I have been having a very difficult time speaking.
Here is a picture of some of my lesions:
Turns out the vision problem is an inflammation of the optic nerve of my left eye. I don't know if this is related to the lesions or not. The doc said to take baby Aspirin and see if that improves my vision. So far, little to no improvement.
Well, that is the skinny on what has been going on with me. I will update when I can.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Kids preform at St Elizabeth
Sam Preforming Through the Woods
Zach preforming Glorify Thy Name.
I don't have the video yet because Blogger won't let me.
Zach preforming Glorify Thy Name.
I don't have the video yet because Blogger won't let me.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Matt the sewing king
Matt made both of these stuffed toys. Zach created/made up this character, Scorpio, years ago and is still his favorite. So Matt made this stuffed version for Zach to have. So not to leave Samantha out, Matt made her the Tenth Doctor from Doctor Who. Ladies and gentlemen SCORPIO AND THE DOCTOR!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Zach's mental math
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Why collective bargaining for government workers is a problem.
Unions at one time were needed in America. They improved work conditions and gave workers a voice. Fast-forward, we now have laws in place that protect the rights of all workers - union and nonunion. So the union entity is almost irrelevant and has become a cartel that can bully it's agenda in the political arena.
In Wisconsin the biggest complaint from state workers is Governor Walker taking away most collective bargaining rights. They scream: "unfair, your are taking away my rights! My voice!" However, that is fundamentally untrue. As it is right now, state employees get to bargain on both sides of the table. As tax payers and as union members. Sure, they pay taxes like the rest of nonunion Americans, but here is the kicker, they get their taxes back in their pay check. It's like taking money out of one pocket and putting it in the other. Plus, they get payed from the tax payers. Sweet deal right?! For nonunion people they get payed from their private sector employer (who also pays state and federal taxes), taxes are taken out and given to the government to pay the employees. That is why government should never make more money than the private sector. This is basic economics that even my kids understand.
Now, back to collective bargaining. Here is a basic definition.
"Collective bargaining is a type of negotiation used by employees to work with their employers. During a collective bargaining period, workers' representatives approach the employer and attempt to negotiate a contract which both sides can agree with. Typical issues covered are hours, wages, benefits, working conditions, and the rules of the workplace. Once both sides have reached a contract that they find agreeable, it is signed and kept in place for a set period of time. The final contract is called a collective bargaining agreement." - Wisegeek.com As is clear, the collective bargaining "rights" are only held under the contract agreement. And the agreement is for a set period of time. It is not a right under state or federal constitutions.
With that definition in mind understand that the tax payers are the employer and the state workers are both employer and employee - since they both pay and receive tax money. So, government-tax-paying-employees who knows they will get their taxes back in their pay check will, of course, rally for higher taxes (usually on the "rich") at the bargaining table and rally for better benefits, wages, etc. at the bargaining table. That is double representation during collective bargaining negotiations.
In Wisconsin the biggest complaint from state workers is Governor Walker taking away most collective bargaining rights. They scream: "unfair, your are taking away my rights! My voice!" However, that is fundamentally untrue. As it is right now, state employees get to bargain on both sides of the table. As tax payers and as union members. Sure, they pay taxes like the rest of nonunion Americans, but here is the kicker, they get their taxes back in their pay check. It's like taking money out of one pocket and putting it in the other. Plus, they get payed from the tax payers. Sweet deal right?! For nonunion people they get payed from their private sector employer (who also pays state and federal taxes), taxes are taken out and given to the government to pay the employees. That is why government should never make more money than the private sector. This is basic economics that even my kids understand.
Now, back to collective bargaining. Here is a basic definition.
"Collective bargaining is a type of negotiation used by employees to work with their employers. During a collective bargaining period, workers' representatives approach the employer and attempt to negotiate a contract which both sides can agree with. Typical issues covered are hours, wages, benefits, working conditions, and the rules of the workplace. Once both sides have reached a contract that they find agreeable, it is signed and kept in place for a set period of time. The final contract is called a collective bargaining agreement." - Wisegeek.com As is clear, the collective bargaining "rights" are only held under the contract agreement. And the agreement is for a set period of time. It is not a right under state or federal constitutions.
With that definition in mind understand that the tax payers are the employer and the state workers are both employer and employee - since they both pay and receive tax money. So, government-tax-paying-employees who knows they will get their taxes back in their pay check will, of course, rally for higher taxes (usually on the "rich") at the bargaining table and rally for better benefits, wages, etc. at the bargaining table. That is double representation during collective bargaining negotiations.
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