Pictures of my kids

[Brandon's Mom]

I took these pictures last month when we spent a weekend at a resort in Northern Arizona. Take note, my youngest child (Andrew) is the tallest of the 3 and is even taller than me (I'm 5'6") and he is only 15.

I took these pictures last month when we spent a weekend at a resort in Northern Arizona. Take note, my youngest child (Andrew) is the tallest of the 3 and is even taller than me (I'm 5'6") and he is only 15.

[img]http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d705b3127cce8d72d65435c000000016108IZOWjduxaa

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d705b3127cce8d72e84eb4f500000015108IZOWjduxaa

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d705b3127cce8d72d8eb357800000015108IZOWjduxaa

[jennifer]

Those are very good pictures. How is everyone doing?

[kriserin]

Was the resort in Flagstaff by any chance? What was it called? I grew up in Flagstaff (I live in the Midwest now). I miss it terribly!

Great pictures!
Erin

[kathleenandjoe]

GORGEOUS!!!!

So great to see pics of them . . . and all smiles at that!

Hugs,
Kathleen

[Austinsmom]

Aww, they all look so happy:) Hope you had a wonderful birthday yesterday:D
Love
Deborah

[Nick,Brian,andJon'sMom]

Great pictures.

Thanks for sharing.

Marcie

[Brandon's Mom]

Thank you so much for your kind words. Well- 2 of 3 smile for me - Andrew is too cool to smile being 15 and all. :rolleyes:

Erin, we love Flagstaff too! My brother-in-law used to live there so we went up there often and think it's a great little city. My husband took one semester of college at Northern Arizona University. He never finished his studies but he did complete the around the world trip and get his name on the wall at the Busters restaurant. The around the world trip is drinking one of every kind of beer they have (somewhere around 100- and not done in one visit) and don't ask me how they kept track. UGH! His parents had a cabin up there when I first married Mike that was lovely too.

The resort we were at wasn't in Flagstaff, it was over in the Pinetop/Lakeside area of Arizona, east of Flagstaff.

The kids had a great birthday yesterday. Brittany got herself a present- she invited a young man she likes out (for their college's homecoming) and he accepted. :D Brandon's teacher told him that they were going to try and find time for the class to make him a birthday cake during class today.

I, of course, woke up sick as heck yesterday since I had to bake, wrap presents and had to put together a very time consuming dinner which required lots of standing on my part. UGH!!! My kids are too old and wise to "hide" my illness from anymore (particularly when I am as sick as I've been lately) so I just do my best.

[LIZARD]

I, of course, woke up sick as heck yesterday since I had to bake, wrap presents and had to put together a very time consuming dinner which required lots of standing on my part. UGH!!! My kids are too old and wise to "hide" my illness from anymore (particularly when I am as sick as I've been lately) so I just do my best.

((((((((((((((((((Joy))))))))))))))))))))))). :(

What's the status on your situation with the ACM? Who's checked you out? Any surgery date? Any coping techniques in the meantime?? I can't imagine having to deal with feeling so bad all the time. :(

Hang in, honey. I'm thinkin' of ya.


((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))),

LIZARD :)

[Brandon's Mom]

Lizard~ Since surgery isn't an option while my kids still need me I haven't bothered seeing a neurosurgeon to confirm the ACM diagnosis or do any screening. As you might recall, I am the one who found the ACM and my kids' NS agreed that there is minimal herniation but he's of the school that believes that symptoms only occur with substantial herniation. I will go see a NS here to get confirmation when I feel I am ready to head over to TCI because TCI is the only place I'd trust to have the surgery done anyway. There are plenty of world class neurosurgeon's here in Phoenix, but none of them specialize in ACM so I'll just use them for the diagnosis confirmation before seeing the specialists.

I'm certain the physicians at TCI would consider me a candidate for surgery now because my symptoms have been active for several years now and have been debilitating. My quality of life is so poor that I simply try not to talk about it or think about it too much. I've dealt with depression since I was a kid, and obviously chronic illness is more than enough cause for my depression to get out of hand again so I work with denial instead. :rolleyes: Each day I just do the best I can for my family, and they are all as understanding as I can expect them to be under the circumstances. There are weeks at a time when I don't leave my house and often when I do leave, my husband has to drive me because I am too dizzy and nauseated to drive safely anyway. Brittany and Mike have taken over the majority of the household chores because I wind up sick in bed for a couple of days whenever I do try to do anything.

It's no way to live, but I don't have much choice in the matter so I just do what I have to do.

Thank you for your concern and for asking about my health, I just wish I had better news to share with you.

[LIZARD]

((((((((((((((((((Joy))))))))))))))))))))))))). :( Sweetie, I am scared for you!! I am really afraid that you can't go on like this. If you get worse, you won't be able to do for Brandon (or anyone else). :( Please impress upon hubby that TCI should see you ASAP. I know it's a long trip, but I am so afraid for you. Even a surg date will likely be a couple of months away. The sooner you start, the better, but if you don't, you'll probably keep getting worse. Please, hon', call them and get into their book. (As for any other opinions you've had, don't the kids see Rekate?? I can't believe he doesn't know better! :mad: :eek: )

God bless, my friend. :( I am praying for you!


((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))),

LIZARD :(

[Austinsmom]

I am sorry Joy you're in such an awful place health wise :( {{{Hugs}}}This must suck beyond belief!
I do agree, as I am sure you too agree, that if you get worse, you won't be able to do anything for your family. I hope you will be able to deal with this soon, 'cause from the sounds of it, you are going to have to get some relief fairly soon no matter what:rolleyes:
(don't float on my river to long :D)
Please take care.
All of us here and your beloved family need you.
Love,
Deborah

[Brandon's Mom]

LOL, I can certainly understand why you assumed my kids see Dr. Rekate, being that he is right here in town and I have referred patients to him from out of state. Nope, my kids do not see Dr. Rekate because I learned about their NS before I was internet savvy and really researched Hydro. Once we were with Dr. M, I realized he was more than competent and since we've only had one problem with him in all these years, I never considered switching my kids over to Dr. Rekate. Actually, my kids have had a relatively stable time with their Hydro other than those couple of years in middle school that Brittany was in and out with revisions. If the LP shunt had not worked, I would have switched her over to Dr. Rekate and let him have a shot at helping her with the slit vents because she would have then become an official "tough case". I don't see my kids as difficult cases so I'd rather not take up a Dr. Rekate slot that could be used by a child that needs his expertise more than my own. Obviouly if I didn't believe that the NS they have was one of the best, I wouldn't hesistate to switch over.

While Dr. Rekate is the Hydro guru, as far as I'm concerned, Dr. M had far more experience with epilepsy surgeries which is another reason we stayed with him (for Brandon).

I know Dr. Rekate and respect him and he is who I will be conferring with, or someone else from his hospital which is loaded with world reknown neurosurgeons (Barrow's Neurological Institute). I e-mailed him a long time ago (after Denese bugged me to do so for months, hehehe) and he told me the specific type of MRI that I need to get done to confirm the diagnosis and also told me that he'd be willing to see me in his office after I get the MRI.

On an interesting/scary sidebar, I was watching Dr. G Medical Examiner last night there was a case in which the cause of death turned out to be ACM so I pulled out the MRIs I have here at the house. I'm not completely convinced that Brandon and Brittany don't have the condition after reviewing several of their MRIs. Not much herniation for them either, but certainly some, and only Brittany has shown any symptoms which could be related. I will be taking the scans and both kids to Brandon's next NS appt.

Never a dull moment.:rolleyes:

[laurensmom]

Oh Joyous One....please, please, take care of yourself!!! I am worried about you, you need to be well to take care of your family as you should.....you are amazing and have amazing kids, but you need to be well to get on with your life!!!!

Hugs,

Debi

[Nikki_Poohs Mom]

OMG...BEAUTIFUL pictures of the kids. Been busy with the little one lately, I have looked, but haven't found time to post until today.

Thanks for sharing them with us. I just love seeing pictures of our kids. It's almost like watching them grow. And over the past 3 years that I've been a member, they have all grown so much, too fast!

Joy ~ As other's have said....PLEASE take care of yourself, too. As Debi said, "You need to be well to take care of the others" If you don't take care of you, who will take care of them? You're an amazing Mom, an inspiratoin, but now is the time for you ;)

Hugs,

Nina

[CoolAngel28]

Adorable kids..both of them...

Seriously though,Joy..Nina's right,hon..You need to take care of yourself,so you can be there for your kids if necessary.We want you to stick around too.

Kristin