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Friday, September 24, 2010

I can laugh about it now...

I just wanted to share a funny little story that happened yesterday morning.
I woke Bayleigh up for school and went to grab a shirt out of her closet. Now, I will embarassingly admit that when it comes to getting the laundry put away--I am pretty well useless. Our playroom is full of our clean clothes on the table and entertainment stand. Hey, outta sight, outta mind right??? (Ok, not outta mind, but outta sight, so WHO CARES)! LOL! ANYWHO, with Bayleigh being grounded the last 4 days she went up to her room and her dad said, "clean it up while your up there". Much to my delight, Bayleigh cleaned her room better than I have EVER seen her clean her room. I mean, she did great! SO, I open up her closet door to take out a shirt and BAM!!! Her ENTIRE floor of her closet is PILED up passed my knees with toy! Yes, stuffed animals make the majority and they are big, but still. She is proudly saying, "See mommy, I cleaned my room. I put the stuff I don't really play with in here. Wasn't that a good idea"? I said, you WILL be cleaning this mess up. She said, "I know". I was frustrated and in pure shock at first, but now as I reflect on it it makes me giggle because I remember back when I was growing up and I would have to clean my room, I didn't have a closet to pile high, but you bet your bottom that you couldn't cram one more thing under my bed! ;)



Since Bayleigh will be celebrating her birthday in November I think that this weekend will be the PERFECT time for Bayleigh and I to go through her room and get rid of stuff. Look out charity--here we come and Ebayers--get your wallets out. :)

Another funny story....The evening before last I was enjoying my shows on TV and Bayleigh went into the kitchen with Larry. Remember she is grounded and kissing MAJOR Booty and they are rocking out in the kitchen. The song by Sugarland called Stuck Like Glue came on and they both belted that song out like nobody's business! It was so cute. Of course I am biased because they just happen to be my 2 FAVORITE people ever! :) Definately one of my favorite moments in life. :)
Hope you enjoy your weekend as well! Until next blog....
Jenn
**turn your music on to hear the song and then picture Larry and Bayleigh singing this at the top of their lungs!**

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

A Little of This...A Little of That...

Good Wednesday MORNING! Hope you are all doing well! I am going to start off apologizing for no pictures. :( I know, I know, that's the best part, but I sadly don't have any to blog. I have taken your usual crappy cell phone pictures, but that's about it. AND, this is going to be kind of a random blog because the subjects are so all over the place. :)

FIRST and HAPPILY foremost--I am doing WONDERFUL! It's been a week and 2 days now since the surgery and I am healing nicely and already feel so much better. My throat and ears took the longest to get back to normal, but I believe we are there. :) I know that if I get thirsty then my throat seems to hurt more than it normally would have, but it's getting better. I had a pain in my arm that I believe was caused from where the IV was taken out. Not even in the area of the IV, but it was the only thing that had changed so I am blaming that. It, as of 2 days ago, is 100% better now too. The biggest complaint I have had is that after I eat solid food I am very uncomfortable. I am just sore. Not pain, but sore if that makes sense. Last night is the first night I was able to eat dinner and be fine afterwards. I have noticed that even though I had that complaint I could tell with each day it was getting better. I still am not able to lay on my belly or side comfortably to sleep so a goodnights sleep has not happened yet, but I'm not having terrible nights either, so, it's all good! I am VERY thankful that this is all over with and I am well on my way to being normal! ((Normal in my book of course))! ;) It will just be nice to not have to worry when an attack is going to sneak up on me. I will never be able to put into words the pain I was in. Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers! I would say, that with the surgery being so great and recovery as well--God listened! He's pretty cool like that! Thank you to mom, Naomi (neighbor), and Sherri (neighbor), for cooking for us last week. Talk about some GOOD FOOD!

SO, things are wonderful for us right now. It is almost the end of the month and I DON'T HAVE A CREDIT CARD PAYMENT!!!! ((mentally picture, balloons, confetti, and poppers)). Things had gotten so tight for us because of that dang bill and not having that financial stress is so awesome!
Speaking of finances--I am losing one of my babies to Kindercare. :( As much as I hate it, I do understand. It just sucks because 1. I miss my babies terribly when they move on, and 2. It is just another indication that my babies are growing up. It's sad. I luckily have had a waiting list from some other parents and so replacing, wait, replacing is NOT the right word because let's just be honest--you NEVER replace someone that is a huge hunk of your heart! SO, filling the position came easily. I am able now to help one of my best and dearest friends that will be going back to work in November. Also, prior to anyone getting here in the morning I have started with neighbor kids. They get here at 5 and leave at 8:55. During that time they are sleeping until 7:30 so that is so easy and I am able to help a neighbor out.
In Larry's work--he's been training a new route driver to replace his position. Due to an illness he is moving up sooner than expected to the service position. This, as he described, is NOT how he wanted to move up in the company. Bad things happen to good people and that my friends is a hard pill to swallow. I am happy for Larry that he is moving out of delivery because that is HARD work, but I agree that this is a sad way for it to happen.
In Bayleigh's line of work-hehehehe! School that is--she is doing GREAT! She absolutely still LOVES it and her work she is bringing home is good!
Bayleigh was cracking me up last night because we have had some struggles with her attitude again. One of her friends came home from school with her and she was just BAD! If I told her not to do something she'd do it twice just to do it and she is sassy! By the time Larry got home I was DONE. D-O-N-E, DONE! She even got into trouble with him. She is grounded for 4 days because of her attitude and sassiness the night before, so they ended up chit chatting--she hates having a chit chat. After that, she was the BEST, and I do mean THE BEST child EVER! I had to chuckle a couple of times during the night because it was SO obvious she was kissing up. "Ok mom", "sure mom", "not a problem mom"! LOL! Words that I am sure won't happen much in teen years. She is 5 and I have to remind myself of that. She has always been so grown up for her age and that is easy to forget.

Let's see....not too much else is going on. I have a couple of photo shoots coming up and I am excited for that. As much as I HATE Fall because it means winter and snow is right around the corner--I can't deny that it IS the best time of year for photos! I have so many ideas and I have been drawing posing ideas so that I don't forget them! I am very critical of my work and just want it to be the best! I now have Adobe Photoshop CS5 and I am excited to get it installed and put my creativity to work!
I am in the midst of semi-making Bayleigh's Tooth Fairy Costume for Halloween. We made her wings last night out of a set of wings she got for her birthday or Christmas last year. They were just blank and you decorate them how you want. I also have her tooth pocket made for the front of her costume. Very cute! You'll see pictures closer to Halloween! ((unless I get it done and decide to take pictures out of excitement before hand)).
SO, that's it. That is what is going on in the Rutherford home. Not too much, but some big changes coming up. I hope the transisition goes well for everyone involved. You know me--I'm not one for change, but I am sure it will all be fine. Sad, but fine. :)
OK! Until next post! Hope you are well! Thanks for checking in!
Love,
Jenn

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

It's Done!

****This blog might contain what you might feel is Too Much Information, so you might want to skip this one. I will just say that I am doing well and thank you so much for your thoughts and your prayers! :)****

Well, Monday, September 13th, 2010 I had ERCP, (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography). I was very nervous going into it. Not because of the surgery, but the thought of being under anestetic that long and not knowing if I was going to have to stay or get to come home. I just wanted to come home.

As soon as we got to the hospital I needed a bathroom. The nerves were that bad. Luckily we arrived 15 mins early so I had time. Then we get down to ECRP and the room was FULL! The receptionist was the only one there and she asked my name and told me to have a seat. Well, anyone that knows me and my germaphobic ways-- I protested and told her I'd be standing in the hallway. I was to be there at 10:30 and at that time I was yet to be signed in. I was nervous. Once I was signed in, they were immediately ready for me so off I went.

Larry and I laughed several times during the day because my vitals were taken several times, by serveral different people and EVERY SINGLE person was beyond shocked when everything came back normal! I at one point said right in front of the nurse I didn't like-That I thought it was funny that people come in and obviously assume that because I am this morbidly obesese woman that I am unhealthy. NEWS FLASH!!! I am healthy!
The nurse that I didn't like said, Oh, this gown is going to be border line for fitting you. Would you like a bigger one? WELL YEAH! --Ok skinny people, if you have a person that can squeeze into an XL or that can comfortably fit into an XXL--Give them the 2X! So, she sets my gown on my bed. Asks me to #1 in a cup for a pregnancy test and then come back and "Put this BIG OLE gown on". Thanks witch! I am pretty sure you don't need to say things like that to someone that looks in a mirror everyday and knows how big they are. This wasn't the only reason I didn't like her. She was VERY SLOPPY with her work and VERY UNORGANIZED. She was rushed because the surgeon was ready for me because someone canceled on him just before me and I get that, but you know what??? When you have someone getting ready to go into surgery and they are scared to death....chill out. Calm down. Don't make them more scared than they already are. Her bedside manners, or lack there of, and her sloppiness caused me to lose all faith in her and her ability to do her job.
I will give her this...I told her straight up that if she was not confident in her ability to start an IV that she needed to find someone else that was. I told her that I didn't have a lot to choose from as far as veins go and that they blow easily. She searched a few seconds and immediately called in for an ultrasound to be done of my arm and that lady got it on the first stick AND it didn't even bruise afterwards! YEAH! Once I got back to my room after that and I was telling Larry how great it went, my "wonderful" nurse Tammy starts arguing with us about Major hospital having portable ultrasound machines. Good grief! This woman never stops! We DIDN'T say Major didn't have them, we said Major never used one on me before to start an IV. So then she says, NO, all the hospitals have them we have 3 within 10 feet of each other. WHO CARES! We didn't say they don't have them! LOL!

Ok, enough about nurse Tammy that I clearly didn't like....So, another lady comes in to talk to me about the study that I qualified for that could possibly lower my chances of pancreatitis. She explained that I may or may not get the drug in the study, but that's how it works and I was perfectly fine with that. She also told me that it is a suppository (sp?), the surgeon neglected to tell me that, BUT she explained it would be done while I was still out and so I agreed to go ahead and do it. Then, not long after that Dr. Fogel came in and introduced himself to Larry and we spoke briefly and we were ready to go. :)

They wheeled me down to the surgery room, well just outside the door and I was able to tell Larry goodbye. The anestetic team came and introduced themselves and I LOVED that nurse on that team. She was so kind, and so comforting. As it got closer she could tell I was getting more nervous and called me out on it. :) She assured me that I was in great hands and everything was going to be fine. She was going over my vitals and was telling me that I was very healthy and I was making her job very easy. She said, once I was out that they would move me to the table. I said, PLEASE don't drop me getting me to that table. She promised they wouldn't. Then the mask went over my face and the anestetic went into my IV and that was it. It was just after 12:30 when they started and I woke in recovery at 2:55.

They woke me saying that I had puked everywhere, but not to worry about it they got it all out. Luckily, I had NO clue and quite frankly didn't care. LOL! Not to be rude, but my throat hurt so bad, that was all I could focus on. Right after that I was signed off to go back to my room with Larry. Not long after returning I needed to go to the bathroom and realized that when I got sick in recovery I had peed my pants, or rather my gown since that is all I had on under the covers. LOL! That is so humiliating, but Tammy said that that is very normal and not to worry about it. So, I go into the bathroom and change into my clothes so that I can be comfortable and Tammy changes my bedding and then from then on out I was golden. I was ready to go home. My pain was very minimal. Mostly my throat just hurt. I had to be given a few bags of fluid and wait for the surgeon to come in with my report. My gosh, that took FOREVER!

He came in and said that they found exactly what they thought they would find. The sphincter of oddi was very tight. He cut it and put a stint in and told me that in two weeks I needed to go to my local hospital for an xray to make sure stint comes out on it's own. If it does not then I will have to schedule an endoscopy with Dr. Mokeba to remove it. ((Let's just hope it comes out)). He said that I did very well during surgery and that everything went as planned.

I didn't sleep well that night. It was 8:45 when we got home that night. I was tired. I am used to sleeping on my belly and side and couldn't do either so needless to say I didn't sleep well.

Yesterday I was good. My throat still hurt very badly, and my stomach felt achy, but not in pain if that makes any sense at all. By the time last night rolled in I was hungry. Larry made me potato soup and I think I might have over done it. I didn't sleep the greatest last night and since I have eaten I have had pain on my right side, but I think it's just my body trying to process that food. All in all I am doing great. I have not had to take any pain meds at all. I probably very easily could have last night, but opted to tough it out. I believe today I am going to go back to the liquid diet just to give me a break because I am so sore this morning. Maybe this evening I will be able to try something with more substance to it.

I would like to take the time to thank all of you for your prayers, your thoughts, and all your well wishes. I could not have gone through this without your support and I appreciate it more than you will know. Thank you for checking in on me again! Hopefully this surgery will do what it needs to do and I will be well on my way to recovery and great health with no more attacks. :)
Love,
Jennifer

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Officially the Day Before.

Well, it is officially Sunday, September 12th. In less than 24 hours from now I will be cut off from food and drink in preparation for my ECRP surgery. I was ready. I was not TOO scared and then Kim texted me and was getting details of Monday and when I texted that the surgery is an hour to an hour and a half it hit me that I will be put under for that long. Makes me nervous. I am not going to lie. I am scared. I am scared to death, but realizing that just fueled my nerves. I KNOW that everything is going to be just fine. My face this past week has been broken out like NO OTHER! It is so gross, but that's stress for ya.
I had been shopping online for a new Bible. I have a Bible that I was given around 20years ago when I was baptized. I wanted a Bible that I could write in. I wanted a Bible that I could highlight in and really just get lost in. I'm not saying that one Bible is better than the other, but I just didn't want to mark in my Bible. When I went to Half Priced Books last weekend I found this Bible immediately that caught my eye. It was called a Friendly Reader Version, and it was only $4.98 with 20% off. I grabbed it and knew that I was purchasing my new "workbook". Tonight, me and my yellow highlighter went to work. It is amazing the calm, and sense of direction, and sense of protection, and security you get from the scriptures. My wonderful friend Jennifer F. pointed out this scripture to me and I knew, after looking it up, that Matthew was my book for today. :)

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Beautiful! I thought, Jennifer, (being me), stop being scared. I wasted my entire week last week with fear. I started my Saturday morning off with fear, and resentment toward a few others. After reading that scripture I was instantly relieved. It was just what I needed, so while I am thinking about it now--Thank you Jenn--I heart you! :)

So, this is how tomorrow will go, I will get up and take Bayleigh to school at 8. Then I will come home and take my shower. I have to be at the hospital at 10:30. My surgery is at 12:30 and will last until 1:30 or 2:00. After that I will go to recovery and will spend a min of 1 hour there. Providing everything goes well, which it will, I will come home. Well, I will stop and pick Bayleigh up, and then come home. I took Tuesday off of work too. If I am in the hospital, Larry will take Bayleigh to school and more than likely get her home and if I am home my wonderful friend above will take her to school and then I will TRY to pick her up at 10:45, if I am unable then Tony will probably go pick her up unless he is unavailable and if he is then I will call someone else. So, here's to hoping for a return trip home on Monday. :) To be honest, not knowing if I am stuck in the hospital or not has been my biggest issue I've had. I want to come home. I want to KNOW what is going to happen so that I can be in control over what needs to be done with Bayleigh and getting her to and from school. I KNOW I need to not worry about it and stop being a control freak, but hey--that's just me. Sorry. Don't hate. :)

So, these are my thoughts for tonight. I am not sure that I will be on to blog again before surgery--more than likely not. I am not sure how I will feel either as far as updates go. I will have my cell at the hospital, but reception there SUCKS! If you have Larry's cell feel free to text him if you want, but I can't promise he will have reception either. Please pray for a fast and easy recovery. Please pray for me. Please pray for my surgeon and his team to take great care of me. PLEASE PRAY I DON't END UP WITH PANCREATITIS. Pancreatitis will land me in the hospital until it's gone and the surgeon said that has lasted up to 6 days before....Oh my gosh. I can't do that. Thanks for checking in again. Hope all is well with all of you!
Much love, and hugs too!
Love Always and forever and ever and ever!
Jennifer xoxoxoxo

***I LOVE YOU Larry E and Bayleigh LizMarie Rutherford! xoxoxoxoxoxo! I love you mom!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Labor Day Weekend Pictures

Here are some pictures from our Labor Day weekend. Bayleigh thinks she is big in Grammy's robe and drinking milk from a coffee cup! Sorry for quality, all are off the cell phone.




9.8.10 School picture day

As I mentioned in my previous post, today is school picture day! This is the big one--year book material! :) Saddest thing-the A/C is broken at the school. :( Those poor kids and staff. However, it is chilly this morning so hopefully the school is not too hot at this time and they can get the pictures in before everyone is a sweaty mess. I told Bayleigh we had to wake early to do her hair. 5 minutes earlier than our normal time is NOT early, but we got it done and got our pictures in before Melanie pulled up without a second to spare. Enough chat--here are the pics! Enjoy your day!
Love,
Jenn




Monday, September 6, 2010

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day weekend everyone! And a BEA-U-TI-FUL one it was! :) The weather was absolutely amazing! Amazing doesn't even describe the cool temps well enough. I think Indiana residents will agree! :) Friday night, mom took Larry, Bayleigh, and me to Cracker Barrel to dinner. It was nice! Then we did our Wal-Mart shopping. That was interesting to say the least. Larry hit the sporting goods section, mom took off with Bayleigh, and I got the chance to do my shopping in peace. It was very peaceful until this "thug" decided to laugh in my face and say, "Big Momma! I found you!" Laugh in my face and Proceed to say, "Just look at you"! Yeah, my trip was immediately shot. I was ready to head to the comfort of my own home instead of being rediculed (sp?) in the only store in town to shop. What a jerk!
Saturday, mom, Bayleigh, and I headed into Greenwood while Larry helped his dad fix his truck. We hit Half Priced Books--one of my most FAVORITE stores ever! Then we headed to Target so that I could get some Christmas shopping done, and then we headed home to light the fire pit and enjoy the cool night air. Kim, Josh, and Kaitlynn joined us for this. Mom, Larry, Bayleigh, and I enjoyed roasted hot dogs as well.
Sunday, I laugh because it was such a waste of a day. I slept until 1 PM, yes, PM as in AFTER NOON! Then at 4 PM Bayleigh and I layed back down and slept until 8 PM. I must say, it was nice. :) I know that I was back in bed and asleep for the night by midnight as well. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
Monday, Labor Day, today, Larry and I had planned to take Bayleigh to the Indy Zoo. She had gotten a HUGE compliment from Mrs. Dalley and we are so proud of her and thought a zoo trip would be a great reward for her academic accomplishments! She woke up vomiting and we thought we were going to have to call off the trip. She ended up feeling some better after a couple doses of anti-nausia medicine and we went. It was the perfect day! We had so much fun! After, we hit the mall so that she could bounce on the trampolines that take you soaring in the air. She LOVED it. My phone is dying as of now, but I'll try to upload that video soon.
Today marks the official count down to surgery. 1 week from today. I am a nervous wreck. My face is broken out like a 12 year old, but it's all good. Once it is over, it's over and I'll feel better and will have nothing to worry about after that.
Hope your weekend was a perfect as mine. Thank you for checking in on us! School pictures are Wednesday so look forward to that post soon!
Love,
Jennifer