Hmmm, they think I might have......

Lupus.
So far I have a few things pointing to Lupus, but my symptoms are never withing the "guidelines". I have been to 6 Drs in 7 days and had my blood drawn at least 5 times within those 7 days, you can see that I ought to be too tired to type at 11pm. Well yes, I am pooped but thought that friends and family might want to know.(Also a touch of laziness and the thought of repeating so much information makes me feel nauseated.)

This means that I will be getting all of my services at Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge since the American hospital has kicked me out.

Now enough said, I am off to a shower and bed.
Keep us in your prayers!

Misty

What's wrong with me- Part 2

I was on my way out of town with my girls and my friends oldest two girls when the cell phone rang. She wanted to let me know that on Monday, she will most likely do a spinal tap. She didn't want me to be alarmed, but informed ahead of time. Also, she wanted to make sure that I knew if I felt funny or ill in any way, to go right in to the ER. Also, Addenbrookes, the BIG hospital in Cambridge would be in on the deal depending on the results.
Okay, I heard that only a few hours ago, so what's the deal? Should I be walking, or eating? Do I need to call my family? Should I move back to the states?
Lord, help me. I think I was fine until I was bombarded with all of these tests and questions. I feel strange because they are giving me things to think about that are strange. You know what I mean?
So I finished talking to her and we ladies had our afternoon tea at Harriotts in Bury St Edmunds, made our rounds at a couple of stores and headed home when the phone rang again. A nurse from family practice wants me to come in on Monday morning before the other appointment.They said after the spinal thing I won't be able to get around for a couple of hours so they had better see me first.
Talk about demand! Not enough me and too many of them! Anyone want to take my place.
The consistent thing about this is that my pregnancy makes this more complicated
than imaginable and they have to work around the poor little baby.
I feel sorry for us both. Let's pray for a good outcome for us all.

What's wrong with me???

It has been a crazy week around here. Being spring break for the children and not being able to go anywhere because, A- Darryls leave was not approved even though he put in for it months ago, B-Darryls passport expired on Tuesday (UNBELIEVABLE!!!), B-Chloe has some strange illness and her eyes are red and watery with cold symptoms, and C- my face is numb and my taste buds are nonexistent.
Hmmm, as much as I love to eat, I have no desire since I can't taste a thing! Life is not fair( can you sniffle with me?)! Oh well, I'll lose a little weight and see if I can endure this. I have been at the neurologist twice this week, OB/GYN once this week and at the lab THREE times. Even the tech at the lab is wondering what is going on and can't they use any of the results from my other tests to figure out what is the problem??? Hey, I'm expecting and my iron is low enough, not to mention my thyroid function and low calcium.
Next week, I am fully booked for 2 appointments on 1 day!
UPDATE!! The neurologist just called and gave me a long list of things. Mainly that my SED rate has gone up extremely higher than it was on Tuesday and the family practice Dr will be calling me to see him on Monday and I have to see the Neurologist at 10 also. AND go get my blood drawn before I see them both. She mentioned going to Addenbrookes to see Neurologists, Infectious Disease and Inflammatory specialists. ALSO if I felt strange or ill in ANY way, go tothe ER immediately.
Well, now that I am on the edge, I am going to go out for tea. What else am I to do?
I have already prayed and given it to the Lord so I KNOW I am in good hands.
Bless you all!

Happy Birthday April!!

Well, my first baby is now older! She turned 17 last weekend and after weeks of pondering,(I wanted to take her to Paris, but the plans fell through-that's another story), and many last minute changes, we came(uhem- I came) up with a great party theme. We had an "Iron Chef" party. Since she didn't want a whole lotta hoopla, there were 6 girls total and that broke it up into 3 groups of 2. Each group had a recipe to fix and had an hour and a half in which to prepare it. Group 1 had a lovely Strawberry Torte. Group 2 had Thai Chicken and Noodle Salad. Group 3 had Wontons to make. My goodness this place was rocking with laughter, conversation and the constant business of cabinet doors opening and closing. The young ladies had a great time and the best part was that I sorta got a tiny break from cooking. The cleanup was appauling, and it took 2 days to REALLY get the kitchen clean, but again, the party was a success and April enjoyed it.
Group 1 won!!!! That cake was the bomb, absolutely delicious!



Strawberry Torte (Found at MarthaStewart.com)

Ingredients

Serves 8 to 10
Unsalted butter, for pan
8 extra-large eggs, room temperature, separated
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup cake flour (not self-rising)
2 teaspoons sifted baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 pint heavy cream
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, plus more for work towel
1 quart strawberries, washed, dried, and hulls removed
Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and line a rimmed 15-by-10-by-1-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper; set aside.
In a large bowl, beat egg yolks and sugar together until light in color, about 1 minute; stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Add cake flour and baking powder; stir until well combined.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into flour mixture.
Pour cake batter in prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Transfer baking sheet to oven and bake until cake springs back when touched, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, set 6 strawberries aside for garnish. Thinly slice remaining strawberries. Place heavy cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; beat on medium speed. Slowly add remaining teaspoon vanilla and 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar. Continue beating until soft peaks form. Set half of the whipped cream aside. Gently fold sliced strawberries into remaining half; set aside.
Lay a clean kitchen towel flat on a work surface with one of the short ends facing you. Generously sprinkle dish towel with confectioners' sugar. Flip cake onto towel, remove baking sheet, and peel off parchment paper. Using the dish towel, roll cake away from you; let cool.
Unroll cake. Evenly spread strawberry whipped-cream mixture over surface of the cake and re-roll. Transfer cake to a serving plate and evenly spread top and sides of cake with reserved whipped cream. Cut reserved whole strawberries in half lengthwise and place on top of cake for garnish.

Happy Anniversary?

Okay folks, it has been a LOOONG 20 years and I have to tell you it has been a challenge at times. Like on Wednesday, I thought 20 would be significant enough to take the day off. NO. No cake, no gift, no flowers, NOTHING. Just a simple, "Happy Anniversary", whispered to me on his way to work. Then a phone call asking me what I wanted for dinner. Yep, I was highly perturbed and it was a hard day for me. I asked the Lord, why? WHY? For 20 years I have put up with his job being first in line for everything- holidays delayed, the majority of non-job related things forgotten, single parenting for 75% of the time. It's unnerving and most people would not put up with it.
So I have learned to be patient beyond patience. I am thankful for the sharp memory that I have (it goes to pieces during pregnancy), thankful for my good children,(except for their bad memory-it came from their father), thankful for being able to organize things on a whim, and thankful for his ability to work because without that, I wouldn't be where I am.
So for now, I will go out and buy my own flowers, make my own cake and buy myself a gift from him. And I will still feel anger, but God will deal with that- he's been working on it for 20 years!