The Anti-Vacation-It keeps on going........

My oldest child went out of town for about 5 days last week. She went to the beautiful city of Prague on a school trip. Yes, I said "school trip". She went for a Model UN debate and worked hard to get her resolution passed. She just happened to be representing China. Representing China on human rights. I know, everyone thinks that China is the bully of human rights and we can't all agree with what they do or don't do, but you have to walk in their shoes and do the best you can for your people.
Anywho, she went to Prague and had a good time except for someone stealing her phone at airport security. Yes, how ironic is that? I think they did it on purpose, but that's my theory.

So here was her daily schedule.
Breakfast
Touring- walking the city at a high rate of speed.
Lunch.
More touring.
Back to the room for a shower.
Dinner.
Model UN ceremonies.
Debating.
After debate party or get together.
Delegation meeting.
Bedtime.
Repeat for 4 days.
Come home exhausted!

So she came home 3 days ago and has been dragging ever since. her eyes are puffy and she has been getting ready for bed at 7 pm. This morning I asked her what was wrong with her? She laid in bed for an extra 20 minutes and when she finally arose and came down for breakfast, she said she was more tired from staying there versus just getting up and getting started with her day. Why was she so pooped since she just came back from a vacation-holiday???? She turned to me and with her bloodshot eyes said, "This wasn't a vacation! It was an anti-vacation!! They walked us to death and then we had to pull ourselves together after the 5 hours of nonstop walking to fight for our countries! Then we had to talk about it some more! I'm so tired!!"

She stumbled out the door 15 minutes later, late for school.

She's young and semi-resilient.
But hey, hmmm, anti-vacation. I think we have a new word!

A New Year and etc......

Okay, I AM a few weeks late, but I had a good excuse(reason), for not blogging. I was actually trying to rest and recuperate from my last surgery. The second was a lot harder than the first and I feel like a sluggard some days, but people keep telling me that once you get up in age, your body dosen't recover as fast as it used to. I must have aged a bunch in between the first and second surgeries because I'm dragging a lot more now.
The offending mass was sitting in my chest right on my aorta. It was a biggie- the size of a small melon is what the Dr described it as.
I am alive and thank God for it all!
Meanwhile, I look forward to a new year of enjoying the challenges and riches that God has in front of me.

P.S. We started Baby Dear on solids and this look says how she truly feels about new foods.

Oh no, not again!

Mr Thyroid is gone and his cousin Thymus is causing trouble.
Last Friday, before I went to get my stitches out, Old Doc wanted me to do a ct scan. I went early and did it then went home before my appt. I went back to the hospital for the appt and the Doc was downstairs in radiology discussing the findings of the ct scan.
RED FLAG!!!!! Hmmm, it took him a while to get upstairs to me and I could tell he had some news. He is such a sweetheart and I really get a kick out of his bubbly personality. He's the kind of person that you wouldn't mind being stuck in an elevator with because he's humorous and happy, no matter the circumstance.
Anywhoo, He told me that my thymus was enlarged. Mr Thyroid was big,but Cousin Thymus was gigantic and that's probably why they couldn't get the probe down my esophagus. My esophagus was being pushed aside by this gigantic mass and it was sitting on my aorta. It needed to come out and he wasn't the man to do it! Bless him. He knew when to call in reinforcements!!! He emailed another Dr in Cambridge and said that they would be contacting me so that I could be seen soon. We looked at the ct scan and he showed me all the exciting bits so I knew what he was talking about.
Hmmmmmm. Interesting.
The phone at home rang around 3pm and a loverly British accented lady named Beryle told me that I was to come to an appointment on Monday at Nuffield hospital. Now, I've been here many years and have seen that the British healthcare system does not work fast. Weeks and weeks pass and you are still waiting. This was a remarkable event! I was to be seen on Monday! And I was seen on Monday and guess what else? They are to do surgery on Friday! Miracles happen. Apparently this thing, Cousin Thymus, is really awful. As I was describing the new symptoms I have accumulated since the original surgery, the new Dr's eyebrows slowly creeped up his head. He looked quite concerned when I finished speaking to him. He declared that we needed to have surgery quite soon and the soonest he could do it would be Friday. So here we go again.

That's the latest update. Can you believe it?

Happy Trails, Mr Thyroid

I didn't get to post for Thanksgiving since I was so busy cooking and eating. I didn't post afterwards because I was embarrassed about the lateness of it and also that we had NO guests since the weather made the roads slippery and our other guests had the flumonia that day. The week after began with me preparing for the upcoming thyroid surgery that I had come to grips that I was going to have to have in the next few years. This thyroid issue is something of a family curse just like the generational phrase I heard all of my lifetime in our small community in Texas.(Ohh, look over there. There's one of those Server women!!) Apparently the women in my family were quite the Cleopatra of the neighborhood.
So where was I? Oh yes, back on the thyroid again. So this problem dates three generations and dosen't seem to skip any woman in our family. About 75% have had surgery for this thyroid which enlarges and seems to make ones neck bulge. At least that's what happened to me. I went to the Dr for a new seasonal allergy medication and he felt my lymph nodes, stepped back and declared, "My goodness, we have to get a ct scan on that thyroid of yours!" As soon as he said thyroid, I knew I had a problem. You see, my mother passed away after having her thyroid removed just last year. She had many other complications that led to her death, but the word thyroid strikes fear in my heart. I did eventually see the ear, nose and throat Dr who said that if I began to have problems and I would know what problems they were, then we'd meet again and discuss what to do next.
Fast forward to October. I was having a few problems swallowing and couldn't seem to sleep on one side because of pressure on my throat so I made the call. Well, Old Doc said that we better get another ct scan and see what's going on. The ct scan revealed that it hadn't enlarged much, but was putting pressure on my throat. So what's next? Out he goes! Old Doc and I named this offender "Big Boy" and gave him an eviction date of Dec 2, 2010.
It had taken weeks to prepare for this and Mother Nature messed up my plans for childcare so "The Oldest" hesitantly stayed home from school to help out Mr.with the little ones. I was scheduled to show up at 06:30am for a suspected surgery time of 8:30am. I was running a bit late since we had no heat or hot water, and showed up about 06:50. I check in and waited until about 07:45. I thought they forgot about me and was talking myself into leaving and postponing the whole fiasco when they called my name. I nearly felt as if the executioner was waiting for me. I went back to the preop, dressed in the hospital garb of the day, in went the iv and minutes later, the multiple questionings began. In walks Old Doc with his happy self to mark up my neck with his initials and a diagram of the work to be done(just kidding). He at least had to mark the correct side he was to work on so that I wouldn't wake up with a lawsuit pending. Anywho, the nurse anesthetist and his colleague came and wanted my to suck on this lollipop made of a gauze, tongue depressor and a giant glob of numbing medication. When he asked me to do that, I looked at the colleague and rolled my eyes up heavenward relaying to him how i felt about the suggestion. He kindly spoke the words that I didn't say."I don't think so, buddy! You picked the WRONG person. I don't like lollipops!!!!"
Needless to say, the first fellow whipped out a syringe and pumped something into my IV and the last thing I remember is grabbing the colleagues hand and squeezing it for all it was worth!
Later that day............ I awakened with a really sore throat and could hardly speak. My neck was wrapped up and there seemed to be a constant stream of visitors to check on me. I sipped a bit of water and then some broth but it came back up. Oops! Nevermind, they'll feed me again later.
Old Doc came in and explained to me that there were a few twists during this surgery. They couldn't get this probe in my esophagus. It just wouldn't go down and that's when I grabbed the nurse's hand. He also sent a sample of the thyroid and thymus to the lab for a biopsy. Both samples came back negative for cancer.(Thank God!)
You can go home tomorrow......
I got home and Baby Dear boohooed on me for all she was worth! Oh did she cry! It's as if she was telling me what happened while I was gone, and scolding me for leaving and confessing that she wasn't treated right either! Then she nursed beautifully and has been ever since.
My scar isn't bad looking either. Nice and small and it will blend into the seam of my neck just beautifully!
Sorry I had to shorten this. More news to come later......

6 months old already?

Here's a "Happy Cheer" for Baby Dear who is 6 months old today!!!
I caught her scooting backwards in our bed, heading for mattress' end!
She is also cutting her two top teeth right now which means we have been in a lot of drool lately. She chews everything and soon her precious gummy smile will be changed by the appearance of teeth. She has been and is a beautiful blessing and healing from God.

What's happening?

It's been nearly 2 weeks since I "got busy". I have been living the insane life lately and frankly, I'm tired. I've been going to bed later and later and I'm feeling like an old bowl of oats. Pardon me, but I'm wrecked. This is the first time I can honestly say that I could really use a couple of naps each day. Preschooler isn't napping anymore and whilst Baby Dear is sleeping her way to beauty queen of the year, I am busy doing what most moms do while there is down time-cleaning.
I'm actually on the downside of household decluttering. There has been much improvement in the "I can't believe your drawer is full of clothes that are 2 sizes too small!" When all is said and done, my children might have a limited wardrobe, but their drawers and closets will be nice and neat!
Kitchen stuff is hard for me to get rid of. I just so love my kitcheny things. Who else can truly say, "I just LOVE my cookie sheets and my 5 quart stockpot-Oh it's the BOMB!" Is that sad or what? I have been blessed with many years of refining what works and what dosen't. About 3 weeks ago, our hard working can opener disappeared. No one knows any details about the kidnapping, but Mr has taken it really hard.e has searched every drawer and cabinet in the kitchen, to no avail. He's questioned everyone like we were criminals on "Law and Order". I eventually went out to buy a cheapie one to suffice until my new one comes in from the states. He took one look at cheapie and said, "When is the new one coming, this one stinks!!" That's the news from the kitchen front.
From the vehicular point of view, we found out that our yearly inspection expired on our van- in APRIL!! They don't mail reminders here and this inspection certificate is put away in a filing cabinet where it dosen't exist in my mind until he thinks of it, seven months later.......... Umm, that appointment is going to be made this week.
We have driven multiple runs each day for a variety of reasons. One day, I had to leave at 8 for an 8:15 appt, take Teenager to school, go to another appt for Preschooler, turn around and drive to pick up #3 child from Girl Scouts,go home, make dinner, grab #2 and 3 for karate and go to rehearsal for a play that #1 and I am in. At 9pm, I dragged myself home with 1,2 and 3 in tow, fed Baby Dear, made sure dinner was put up, showered and went to bed. Yes, I was tired and still am. Days like this used to be rare, but lately this has been the norm.
No more will this happen. I am just too tired. I used to deny how I felt, but I think this thyroid has gotten to me. It's probably mental, but I am dragging my bones around. Toting happy leaded Baby dosen't help either, but what's a mom to do?

I am slated to have half of the offending thyroid taken out on the 2nd of December. I'm not supposed to hold anything over 10 lbs for 2-3 weeks. I honestly don't know HOW I can't hold my baby for so long, but I'm thinking she is going to be a bit cranky till this time ends. Any thoughts? I'll take any opinions right now. Help!!!

Well, if I am to get to bed before the sun rises, I'd better get to sleep soon.

Blessings from England,
Misty

Baby wipes, Turtlenecks and the Banana of Doom?

It's Sunday evening and we had a loverly British dinner. Roast Pork with sage stuffing and some garlicky green beans. No dessert since I had made a giant-sized fabulous coffee cake for breakfast this morning and I left it on the counter all afternoon only to find 3 SMALL pieces left when I went in the kitchen to start dinner.
This morning we made it to church late again. This has been an ongoing problem for my family and we have come so far lately but today we dragged our feet again. Pray for us. I really dislike being late and disruptive. The church family is so graceful about it and try to encourage us, but oh, we fail. Nevertheless, we shall pick ourselves up and start over again. Thank God for new beginnings!
So our Sunday afternoon moved along with a quick trip to the bazaar to look for Christmas gifts.
This evening was a bit of a ruckus with the oldest and youngest hosting a sing along for the other children while Mr decided to clean out a kitchen cabinet that was driving him crazy. Every time HE opened it, there was an avalanche of cereal, marshmallows and cake mixes. Every time WE opened it, there wasn't. Seeing this as a conspiracy which should go no further, Mr took it into his own hands to tame this beast. And tame it, he did.
After all this excitement died down, Baby Dear decided that it was bedtime and if it's HER bedtime then Chloe needed to go too. We moseyed upstairs and since it was "that" time of the night, Chloe wanted to take a bath. I didn't feel like bathing her so she decided to lose her mind a nd have a fit. She moaned and groaned, whining all the way until April came upstairs to see what was the deal. I gave her a quick splanation and she did what she does best- calm little people down. Well, this time, she grabbed a plastic toy banana and shoved it in the back of Chloes turtleneck which sent her into a fit of laughter! Baby dear is on the floor watching the proceedings with great joy since her sister is such a source of happiness to her.With Chloe wrestling this banana out of her shirt, all the while twirling and whirling in circles, she manages to get her hand on the banana. She sends it flying through the air at a rapid speed and aimed at an innocent victim, Baby Dear! And do you know what? It hit her right in her plump tummy looking like the stem off the top of a cherry!She had this look on her face as if she was saying, "What was that for?". After calming her down, Chloe decided to get her pajamas on. Her shirt was the first thing to come off of her and since it was a turtleneck there was a bit of wrestling involved. Most of it was nearly off except for her head and when that part snapped off, it went flying through the air. Who was the victim of this clothes whacking? Baby Dear, who was just starting to fall asleep in my lap on the floor! My, my, this was not her night, but she calmed down quickly and fell asleep on the floor where this insane picture was taken.
Baby wipes? Hmmm, now I've forgotten what they had to do with this!