TGIF

Thank goodness the week is almost over. It has been a rough one. But I try to remember that everyday starts anew and it gives me strength. Gives me hope that today can be a better day.

First off, I have to talk about my little man Brayden. This Oma missed his 1st Bday party last sunday. I was sooooo sad. But, this was the day I had my fall, and I basically caould barely move for two days. Then Ashley had a huge scare and had to call the ambulance to take them to the hospital. Braydens trach tube came out and he turned blue and was unresponsive. Ashley was able to put it back it without a problem, but she wanted to make sure he was okay. He was fine after a bit, and they were able to get him home the same day. Thank you GOD! There is no doubt in my mind that this precious little one has had devine intervention on more than one occasion. Prayers are still needed though! He is doing well aside from having an ear infection, and is growing in leaps and bounds. In fact, the last time I was at their place and had him on my lap I realized just how weak I am. I held onto him for dear life as I really had a hard time holding onto him at first. :-(

As for me, I saw the doc today. She wants me to see an orthopaedic surgeon for my knees. My right one is now completely shot thanks to the RA and it likes to give out on me more and more these days. That's what caused me to fall sunday. I knew this day was coming for a long time. But it would have been nice if it could have waited til the cardiologist got my heart issues worked out, and I was able to start the lyphedema therapy for my legs........ah well. Things don't always work the way we want them to do they? I have been using a walker to help me get around, but it is killing my shoulder (the one I had surgery on for the torn rotator cuff which is once again torn thanks to the RA) and my left hand that also needs surgery. So after a few trips back & forth in the house everything is screaming at me. It has been a loooooooong week to say the least.........

Several of you have asked about my post on FB about the Saving's Angel site, and I have to be honest with you. I have cancelled my membership. Not because it wasn't worth it. It just didn't work for ME. I live in a small town and the only big name store we have that SA "works with" is Walmart. I HATE shopping at Walmart. But that doesn't mean it won't work for you. They have lots of grocery and drugs stores they work with, so just check it out. There are also many blogs that you can get lots of info off of as well. And it doesn't cost you a thing. Later today I will post links here for my fave couponing blogs. Really ladies, you need to check them out.

As many of you know, I have been struggling to get my two websites up and running again. I hate having a website. It's too much damn work. And my brain function with fibrofog isn't real terriffic. One day I can get the downloadable files up without a problem. 24 hours later my brain says are you kidding me?  So there they sit. Two lonely sites.......I am seriously thinking of going the Etsy and Artfire route instead. But then I must have some actual product finished then, don't I? Better get on it Marlene! You ain't gettin any younger! LOL!!

This brings me back to the couponing. The prices in the stores are killing me- as it is everyone these days. I had hoped my wares on the websites would help, but, to many people are doing the same thing! And I don't have control over people buying my stuff. Who's got money for stuff these days? And I think more and more people are not buying- they're making it themselves, just like me! So, after watching extreme couponing on tv several times, I am in ! I can control what I spend. No, I am not going to do 20 different transactions, or buy something I don't need like the crazy woman who got boxes and boxes of cat treats because they were free after coupons but she doesn't own a cat! Hey lady! Send them to me! My cats would love them! Or how about you donate them to an animal shelter????

But I will keep you posted on how I am doing, and the kind of money I save. And now, I must have some coffee. I am sleepy (2 hours of sleep) but have much to do! Have a blessed day! OXOXOXOX

Brayden Update

Had quite the weekend.  Poor little guy was flown to Children's again. Turns out he has a virus but over the last few days he has improved quite a bit. Hopefully will be home in a few days. Unfortunately, they will have to reschedule his surgery that was supposed to take place tomorrow. But, that's okay. It was to fix his cleft palate, so it's not a critical surgery. Please keep him in your prayers.

Happy Friday!

Hello everyone. I hope you all are well. Things around here are calm at the moment. But it has been a bit hectic for me in a way as I am trying to get my online buisnesses straightened out. Most of you know about my candy wrap/ party favor design website, but I now have a floral design one as well. And I'll be honest with you- I hate them. Running a website is NO FUN for me, especially when you have files that get downloaded. It comes so easy to me when I am feeling decent, but when I am in a flare, it damn near impossible for me to even follow the written step-by-step instructions! Anyone who suffers from FM or CFIDS can totally understand what I mean.

I got so frustrated, that I took down both of them. But! Fear not! I have started two new blogs, one for each buisness. And at the present time I will be selling my wares through my blogs. Hopefully in the next few months as my health improves I will get the websites up and running again. I am also looking for someone in the candy wrap buisness who can help me out with photos of finished products. I'll post more about it in a day or two.

Thanks so much for all friendship and support!

Had a little scare 2 days ago.

Okay. So it wasn't a "little" scare. I passed out in the shower. Bent over & picked up the dropped shampoo, started to wash my hair, and next thing I know- I'm laying in the tub. I was home alone. But incredibly, Greg came home for lunch after replacing a truck tire that went flat. And to the hospital we went. I am okay. I had xrays to make sure my pelvis and hip weren't fractured. Also my right shoulder that has the screw in it was killing me, but no broken bones. Had a ct scan of my neck as well. I am bruised and battered, but okay.

Spoke with my regular doc and cardiologist. My Cardiologist put me on a medicine (a steriod called Florinef- if any of you have taken this one can you let me know what your experience was?)) to keep my blood pressure from bottoming out. That is why I keep passing out. He wants me to stay on it until I have had the monitor for 30 days (which I still have NOT recieved) and the other tests (scheduled for april) and then he'll decide what he will do. I guess I will have to be patient- but you all know patience is not one of my best traits. I am extremely frustrated with the whole thing. Especially since now, I am on a dreaded steroid again.

So, I am taking this drug to help my blood pressure issue. In return, this wonderful drug will strip me of my potassium, raise my blood sugar, and lower my already compromised immune system. So, that means I have to take a potassium supplement (and this liquid  is the most vile stuff you can imagine), I have to monitor my blood sugar and take meds for it. I am not a diabetic, but steroids raise my blood sugar for some reason and I have to take meds to lower it as diet alone won't touch it. And then there's the immune system issue. That means if you have the slightest sniffle, you are banned from visiting me until you are well. I'm sorry about that, but please please PLEASE don't come over if you are sick. I won't be able to fight off the smallest thing and your little sniffle will put me in the hospital.

This also means where ever I go I will have to wear a mask. Boy I just love that. But Greg warned me- if I don't he won't take me out. and doc already said forget about grocery shopping and other non important errands. Poor Greg. Honestly, sometimes I don't know why he puts up with me. But he does. And he does it with a smile. And a kiss. He knows just what to say to bring me up and make me not give up the fight to get well. And those of you that are "sisters in illness" know what a struggle chronic illness is. But I have many things to be well for. My family, my friends, my furbabies, and then there's my newest online venture. But that's another story.  :)

Baked Potato Soup Recipe

Here's the recipe for my baked potato soup. Enjoy!

_4 large baking potatoes
_ 2/3 cup butter
_ 2/3 cup flour
_ 3/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
_ 1/4 teaspoon pepper
_ 6 cups milk
_ 1 cup (8 oz ) sour cream
_ 1/4 cup sliced green onions (1 bunch)
_ 10 bacon strips cooked and crumbled
_ 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Bake potatoes at 350 degrees until tender. (65-75 min). Peel and cube potatoes. In large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for two minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Wisk in sour cream. Add potatoes and green onions. Garnish with bacon and cheese. Makes 10 servings.

Note: I tweaked this recipe a bit to suit our tastes. Instead of all milk, I use 4 cups chicken broth and 2 cups whole milk. I also dice an onion and saute it til soft and and add it in. I also use a hand blender to smooth it out, but you can leave it lumpy if you like. For us, you can never have enough bacon or cheese, so if you're watching calories, you might want to skip it. But we load it on.  :)  I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Precious Little Brayden

New stuff....

Well, as usual, I'm late on updating. I don't know why it's so hard for me. But by the amount of emails I have gotten in the last several days, it sure is nice to know that you guys care.

First thing- Brayden is doing wonderful. Growing like a weed and teething! On my facebook page you can see new photos. What a cutie he is.

The trip to Little Rock to see the other cardiologist was a pain in the butt. I was not happy at the outcome, as I still don't have a real answer to the problem. This cardiologist specializes in the electrical issues of the heart. So we drove 4 hours each way to see Dr. Beau at the Arkansas Heart Hospital. They put us up overnite at the Wingate Hotel (very nice) across the street from the hospital since I had to be there for my tests at 6am and we live so far away.

The first first test scheduled was the tilt table. You lay on the table and it raises to a 60 degree angle so you are almost standing upright on the shelf of the table. You are strapped  to the table so you can't fall off. They monitor what your heart is doing while you are in that position for 1 hour. The reason I had this test is because I am having a hard time getting up from a laying or sitting position or bending over, as I get dizzy and have passed out quite a few times. Many times I catch it in time and am able to sit down before I pass out, but it's still very scarey.

So, this test is supposed to cause you to pass out so they can monitor what your heart is doing- or not doing as the case may be. Four whole minutes into the test I passed out. Four minutes. My blood pressure and heart rate dropped drastically, and I was out cold. I remember the tech asking me if I was feeling okay, and I said no. Next thing I knew she was rubbing my arm and I was laying flat. She said she has never had anyone pass out that fast. She called me an over-achiever. So she talked to Dr. Beau and he came in and said there are several things that can cause that to happen. Heart Disease, and narrowing of the heart valve(s) are two of them. I have heart disease. I have heart valve issues as well. But he said dehydration and circulatory issues can do it as well. Dehydration has been a ongoing battle for me since october. And those of you who know me well know that I have circulatory issues as well. My legs are swollen and painful from lipidema and lymphedema all the time.

I was scheduled for a second test where they go in through the artery in the groin and into the heart. Then they induce an arrhythmia -again to see how the heart reacts. I have an arrhythmia. I was diagnosed with it 5 years ago. An arrhythmia can also cause the symptoms I am having. But, he decided NOT to do the 2nd test. Turns out he didn't have all my info from my regular doc, so rather than take a more aggressive step to fix the issue, he is doing several other things first.
#1- I have to wear special stockings for my legs
#2- I have to wear a heart monitor for 30 days
#3- I have to hydrate more.

He did say that my heart is not pumping strong enough to pump blood back up from my legs back to my heart and brain. So it is pooling in my legs, and the lack of oxygen is causing me to pass out. But with all the heart issues I have, it's still up in the air what the cardiologists will DO to fix it. And that makes me upset. I am very frustrated as it will be at least 2 months from now before I get any kind of an answer.
So there you have it. Have I bored you to death yet?   ;)

Anyway, keep the emails coming. They cheer me up more than you can imagine.   OXOXOXO  Hugs!  M