Health Update!

Well, my health is okay. My lupus is ever so active, hence why I am tired so much, have red cheeks, and a low grade fever. But I am used to it. That just means when I have a flare up, I did a little too much the previous weekend. It doesn't take much. I think doing dialysis and then being outside for a brat fry for 5 1/2 or so hours kinds kicked my butt. Plus, I am supposed to avoid sun, which is why in the summer I wear a lot of sunscreen except this past weekend. I just didn't put any on this past weekend, so I got a little sun on my face. Which I felt, and I think that caused me to have a flare up. I am getting better now though. I just have this cough that is producing phlem. The color is off white or clear. It was switching off all day yesterday and early today. Now it is mainly clear. Clear is good.

Also, my dialysis nurse said that she listened to my lungs. Like she does with every dialysis treatment. She said that my lungs are clear, and sounded like nothing was rattling around. She said it sounded good. So that tells me that this is not bronchitis or pneumonia. That it is either viral or a sinus infection. Not sure, but I am starting to feel better. Not coughing as much as I was. Which is nice. Maybe I can sleep at night, and then maybe my headache will also go away.

Other than all this going on. My overall health with the kidney and dialysis is good. All is good on that front. So there is nothing new to report. Until next time.

Jodes

Man can't believe how long it has been?

Sorry I have been lacking on updating my blog. I kinda had life come and bite me in the butt. Literally! Not sure how long, but before Easter I got really sick. I was sick at least for a month, and got worse at time went on. I remember the day I went into the hospital, I looked at myself in the mirror and thought. Holy Crap I look like s$#t! And wow I am pale. My legs were swollen beyond belief. Actually, I think I was swollen all over. I had so much fluid that when they did dialysis in the hospital. I lost in that week about 25lbs. I think it is a mix of fluid and not eating for a month.

The day before Easter my bestie Tanya took me to doctor's office first. The doctor saw me and said you need to go to the ER. She did a quick run through with me, I mean checking me over, and then assisted me into a wheel chair. Then I got wheeled out to Tanya's car, and got sent to AMC's ER. Sitting in the ER room, the doctor came in and did his thing. Once we got some what of a word on what was going on, Tanya called my dad and Ryan. My dad and Ryan came immediately to the ER. Once we new what was going on, and I was getting sent upstairs to a room. Tanya left to go home and spend time with her family.

That night I got a breathing treatment so I could hopefully start to breath better. By the time my dad left, I was having issues. Later that night, on Saturday, I couldn't relax and I was freaking out with what was going on also. So with me not being able to relax, they sent me down to the ICU. Once in the ICU, the doctor told me that if I can't relax, they will have to intibate me. Which is what they did. They knocked me out fully, and put a tube down my throat to help me breath. This way, as the doctor says, I am able to rest and get some sleep. Which I was unable to do before being admitted to the hospital. I slept throught Easter, was out for 12 hours at least. Then started improving slowly. Getting dialysis, and getting everything back to normal.

Now I am doing 100% better than at Easter. I can breath, not swollen, and slowly getting back to normal. My ankle gets swollen, but that is common.

My new weight is 174 and I am loving it. I just need to lose the part on my stomach. My goal is 150. I have 24 to go. I will get their. I also need to start walking more, and working out a little more also. I have dialysis T-Th-Sat at 6:10am for 4 hours. Hopefully sometime this month my dialysis time will get knocked down to a lesser time. Well, that is about all for now. I promise. Until next time! This is my update thus far.

Jodes

Tis the Season......

Well, it is getting to that time of year yet again. And I am trying really hard to soak in every Christmas moment I can. I just need motivation today. I am really not feeling that well, I mean my cold is kicking my butt. My throat is fine. I am just tired, sneezing, and stuffed up. I feel like I can't get a good night sleep. I try, but it isn't working. Ugh! As for the Christmas projects I have yet to finish. I just have to finish cutting strips on my SIL's blanket, thatn that is done. I also have to finish tieing Ryan's blanket, then that is done. Also, another thing I have to do is finish his scrapbook. I am not stressing out about them not being done. I swear I will not stress out.

Other than that, Christmas this year will be good. Ryan left this morning to go to Chicago for Christmas with his mom, sister, and sister's boyfriend. Ryan and his mom will be coming home Saturday in the afternoon. I am hoping either late afternoon or early evening. That way he can come out to me, see my dad, brother, and sissy-in-law. Screw it! She is my sister. Enough of the in-law part.

Tonight I will be going over to my aunt and uncle's house next door for a little family get together. Tomorrow is church, then it is CHRISTMAS!!!

Has it really been almost 2 years?

I keep asking myself that. I can't believe that it has been almost 2 years since my mom has died. I was thinking yesterday when I was at church, that going to Colony Oaks with Pastor, Ryan, and the youth was going to be hard. Well, it was actually good. I did okay! I did better than I thought I would. I helped the kids get comfortable around them. Since Ryan and I have had ample experience with that part. Thank you mom! So when we were singing Christmas Carols, there was this lady in the front row, that I swear reminded me of my mom. She just starred at me, and smiled. Really all I had to was when they looked at me, I smiled, and they smiled. We so brightened up their days. It made me feel good. Many said Merry Christmas to us. And loved seeing the kids there. We, mine and Ryan's group, raided the lunch room. Then walked down the hall we were assigned. I swear we get the same hall every year. But that is okay. We gave a card to those who weren't in the lunch room. And wow was it HOT in there. I had my coat on and my sweater. Ugh I thought I was going to pass out. It felt good to be outside. But I understand why they keep it so warm.

Now back on track. I am actually doing pretty good. I am just concerned about my dad. I could tell last night he was not in a good mood. See yesterday 2 years ago to the date, she went into the hospital. I only cried mildly thinking of that lady at Colony Oaks. But Ryan has no clue I had tears in my eyes. My dad is better today though. I am slowly decorating the tree with the ornaments that HAVE to go on the tree every year. Man we have a lot of ornaments. At least I was smart enough last year to put the ones that we always use, in one box. I am smart.

Christmas I think will be better this year. I hope. I am better than last year. Way too much went down last year. Ryan leaves Thursday in the morning to go to Milwaukee, get his mom, then head they head to Chicago for Christmas with his sister Renee. He will be coming home Christmas Day sometime, so hopefully I can see him that day. If not we will see each other at church the following day, then have Bible Study, have our Christmas, and then go to my grandma's for Christmas at her place with all my family. My BIG family. I have a new baby second cousin I can't wait to meet, and then another one on the way. His name is Isaiah. My other cousin is having a little girl. I can't wait to meet her also. I mean I can wait, I don't want her to go in labor early. I think she is due in March. Oh! And a friend of mine is having another baby also. She is due in January. Can't wait to meet that little one also. A new year with 2 new little people. What more can a person ask for?

I am really doing okay though! I just want to say Merry Christmas everyone! Hugs and kisses to all my amazing freinds and family. I love you all! And thank you all for always being there when I need it.

Love,
Jodes

Are you still there?

Who is all still blogging? I know Becky and I seem to be catching back up with that. But who else is doing it? So that is my question for all of you, and I can't think of anything else to say right now.

Jodes

Christmas......

here is my gift to myself onsale for $70 from $160. I am so proud of myself. I have not had a new coat in like 9+ years or has it been longer. Not quite sure. It has been a long time. I think since my mom used to live at home, and that was a long time ago.



I am so happy that I get a hood. Woo hoo! It is the simple things in life that make me happy. And I get to pick this us at the store later today or tomorrow. I think it will be tomorrow when I am in the area of the mall tomorrow. I am getting this in time for our road trip to Milwaukee on Saturday. Now I will stay warm. I get a chick coat. My Columbia coat will be retired, and that is a guy coat. Yes, when I zip it fully, it doesn't fit well accross the chest. I wonder why? ;) Stay tuned for future pics of my home-made gifts once they are done. I have 2 blankets and a scrapbook to finish. Oh and a blanket for January, but that fabric isn't bought yet. January is my bro's birthday and he is getting a blanket also. His wife is getting one for Christmas and so is Ryan. Ryan also gets a scrapbook also.

Tis the Season for Christmas!

I am happy to report that this year my Christmas spirit is coming back. I am so thankful. I mean I will remember what happened 2 years ago the weekend before Christmas for the rest of my life. That will live with me, my dad, my brother, my sister-in-law, and Ryan forever. But as a family we are getting through it. My dad and I aren't as close as I would like, but we are a little closer. He can read me like a book when something is wrong. I think my mom has instilled that in him. And my brother and sissy-in-law rock! And I can't forget the love of my life, Ryan. He has been through a lot with my family and I.

I know this is off the subject. But this just came to light for me this past weekend. Ryan told me that when my mom was alive, he would stop in by her and check on her. Now, can I tell you something. That brought tears to my eyes. My dad or mom didn't say anything to me about this. It touched me so much that I told him thank you and that he has no clue how much that means to me. I feel so blessed now! Just telling my girls that, brings tears to my eyes. He truly is AWESOME! Knowing that made me realize how much he loves me, my family, and makes me love him that much more if that is possible. I can't litterally put into words what that means to me that he did that.

Now back to Christmas. I long for the days that Ryan and I will actually spend Christmas day together. I mean going to Christmas Eve service together, and then Christmas Day together. That will have to wait I guess. I will be with my family this year, and he will be with his. Which is okay.

Honestly, my Christmas spirit is slowly coming back to me. I am looking forward to my family and loved ones opening their gifts. I am looking forward to seeing family, spending time with friends, and the Christmas Music. Also, this means our annual Christmas Tree picture will be taken. I am hoping that the tree is up this week at church, so we can have our picture taken in front of it. Then boom! Christmas card baby!

I swear I am done rambling. I have had caffiene so bare with me. Stay tuned for the next blog.

Love to all!
Jodes