Mom Update

Just got a call from my Mom.  It was so good to hear her voice and know that there was no vocal cord damage.  She has to stay at the hospital for 4 hours before they release her to the hotel room which is on the hospital campus.  I just am so thankful that it all went well - thank you God for the answered prayer.  A big thank you to all that prayed for her.

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A Prayer for my Mom

My mom is up at MD Anderson - and no - THANK GOD it is NOT CANCER!  I learned that besides our normal thyroids that we have parathyroids.  One of hers is acting up and it causes issues with calcium levels.  She saw docs in SA - but did not like their surgery technique that could ruin your vocal cords.  She did some research and found a place in Florida that highlights the parathyroid and the docs can go right to it with minimal damage.

She was ready to pack her bags and head to Florida.  I asked her to research some place in Texas that could do the same thing.  So - she is at MD Anderson - their technique is close to the one they do in Fl. but not quite as precise.  She still wanted to go to Fl. but I hope I helped convince her to stay a bit closer to home.  Also, my stepfather has moderate to severe Alzheimer's.  He has a niece in Houston - so my mom is comfortable leaving him with her.  My mom is his complete security blanket - he gets more addled and confused if she is not around.  So hopefully the niece will help alleviate some of his tension.

The kids and I said a special prayer for her tonight - and if you read this, please raise a prayer up for her.  She has put this procedure off for months waiting for me to get stable.  When we spoke Sunday night, she was still more worried about me than herself.  She asked me to please take care of myself  - I have being trying to survive a case of deep depression.  She is one of the most amazing, wonderful, loving, helpful and selfless people I know and  I am proud to call her my Mom.

So Dear Lord, please watch over her tomorrow morning and give the surgeons the knowledge and training to make this a successful and smooth procedure.  Please hold her hand as she gets her IV (that is the thing she dislikes the most) and make it as painless as possible.  Please keep your hand on her as she goes through the procedure and guide the surgeons to do as little of damage as they can to her vocal cords.

I should know something around noon tomorrow.  When I get know more tomorrow, I will post an update.

Mom - I love you!  I will be thinking of you every minute until you get to come home.

Another Birthday post on a completely different note

Tomorrow is my birthday - I get to turn 43.  I have lived one year longer than my sister did.  She passed away in July of 2006 of breast cancer.

Cancer is an ugly thing.  You push through the good and bad of it and if you are one of the lucky ones - you get to survive.  My sister was 32 when it was discovered that she had breast cancer.  She went through awful chemo and radiation.  She did ok for 5 years before it metastasized to her bones.  Think arthritis is bad - bone cancer trumps it a thousand times over. 

She had to get a hip replacement because the cancer has eaten up the bone there.  And she soldiered on.  Five years later, the cancer went to her brain and she did not live long after that.  Her birthday - Feb. 23rd is coming up.  She would have been 48.  By the time she passed, it was a blessing.  Her pain and struggle were over and she got to go to a more peaceful place where all pain is gone.

I had a couple of dreams after she passed that still give me great comfort.  One in particular stands out.  I was taking a shower and I turned to get out and my sister was there.  I asked her how she was.  She responded that Heaven is wonderful and had a great smile on her face.  Another one is where I walked into a room and she was standing there.  I called out her name and she turned and we embraced.  We talked about how much we missed each other and I noticed how at peace she was.  I know I will get to see her again.  That is what gives me comfort.

Happy Birthday Karen!  I think of you often and miss you always.

Life is too short.  Don't waste it on the petty things that will be forgotten.  Live each day as if it is your last.  Love on your children and family that are still here and that you get to spend time with.

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T Party

On Thursday, I went to get my teeth cleaned, returned something to Target and got gas.  Thursday night I went to a T Party for one of my dear friends.  It was great to see her and celebrate her birthday with all her friends and coworkers.  I got to see a lot of people I haven't seen in over a year.

I first met Tracey gosh 6-7-8 years ago when she was interviewing for a job where I used to work.  The interview started out normally - all the usual questions.  Then somehow it got all turned around.  By the end of it, we were both crying.  We still laugh about it today.

I only stayed an hour.  I was tired from all the little errands I ran.  But that hour was great!

Here's to you Tracey - one of the kindest, sweetest, smartest and funniest people I know.  Love ya!  Happy Birthday my friend!

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Death and Taxes

So, I finally got all my paperwork together to do my taxes.  So I logged into Turbo Tax and started entering away.  It is always kind of scary about whether you are going to owe money or not.  It was a weird tax year - a lot of numbers flying around.

Want to know what saved me?  Medical bills that I paid out last year - just about $30k. The medical tax deduction was limited due to my earned income - so do I get to carry it over to this year?  I have no idea - I'm just a CPA (I have always hated taxes - so ask me anything more than then the basics and I don't have a clue).

I just know the $30k saved me in more ways than one - I am still alive and doing my taxes didn't kill me!


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Dear Friends - amended!

I got out of the house for something FUN!!!!!   First time in a very long time.  Some of my dearest friends got together this past Friday night.  They are some of the nicest people I used to work with.  Cat and I stay in touch mostly via text.  She recently had a kidney transplant and she looked great and is doing good. She named the kidney Merle (hope I spelled that right- I think that is a hoot).  Cat also organized where, who, what and when.  Best ever friend and organizer!  Cat just sent me a text thanking me for this post and to let me know that another dear friend also helped to organize this get together - love and thanks out to Bird!

I walked in the door and just felt loved - it was awesome.  I got some of the greatest bear hugs ever!  It felt so good to feel alive and able to go out.  It was great to catch up with everyone and just feel the love from each of these great people.  There was lots of laughter and great conversation.

I wish we all had friends like that - that no matter how much time has passed we pick right back up where we left off.  I had a blast!  I love and appreciate each of you.  Thanks for the prayers and love!

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Update

Hi All

Just a note to let you know that my liver enzymes looked good enough to go back on feedbags.  Saw the doc on Tuesday regarding my liver.  Feedbags are tough on livers (add this to the bag labeled "things they don't tell you".  He also took away some of the meds I am on that are also hard on the liver and see how I do without them.

Three things I am grateful for:

1.  That the triplets tri-fold (huge pieces of foam or something like that) biographies presentations are getting done.  One down, two to go.  Just love "family" projects!
2.  That I am back on feedbags.
3.  This hilarious blog I am reading.  Makes me LOL.  http://drgrumpyinthehouse.blogspot.com

Thanks for all the prayers!

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