My Dysfunctional Veteran

It's been a couple weeks since I somewhat mysteriously disappeared. I mentioned that we had some medical issues to deal with and to be honest, as much as blogging saves my sanity, I just didn't have the energy for it. 

I need to back up.

During the deployment, Joshua's knee crapped out (that's a medical term you may not be aware of but it's totally scientific). So, around the end of July, Joshua went to the VA and the first thing they did was a basic check up including blood tests. Well, that first set of tests came back a little off so they took some more blood and when those results came back, they ordered an abdominal ultrasound which showed some irregularities with his liver.

More blood tests...those were especially fun because when the nurse took them, she was kind enough to share with us that she'd worked as a nurse for 15 years and had never run that particular blood test. 

So reassuring.

The next step, two weeks ago, was a liver biopsy. 

My husband is 31. He's too young to need a biopsy of anything and it was nerve wracking. The results came back (two days after they were supposed to be in but that's another story that ends with me rolling my eyes at the VA) and thankfully it doesn't look like the worst case scenario. We still don't technically have a diagnosis but we're hopeful that the abdominal CT scan Joshua had on Friday will give the doctors enough information to go forward. He has a consultation with the liver specialist next week to go over everything and it can't get here soon enough. 

Meanwhile, all this came from a simple blood test because his knee was hurting. Last week also brought a diagnosis on that front. Patellofemoral with a tear in the medial meniscus. After a quick Google search when Joshua texted me the diagnosis, I was able to translate that to mean torn cartilage and bone on bone pain. He's scheduled to see the ortho specialist in early December. 

Knowing is such a relief. Yes, Joshua will probably have surgery on his knee and possibly on his liver but we have direction. We have some answers so I'm thankful.

Even without answers, I'd be thankful...I have these three hooligans...

(cell phone pic...he saw this hat at the VA while waiting for his liver biopsy and HAD to have it...the print is small but reads "Dysfunctional Veteran Leave Me Alone"...he's classy like that)

Crazy Week Ahead...for all of us.

I won't be able to do this week's Disney post but I wanted to leave you with this image and remind you to vote tomorrow. We're blessed to live in this country and we're tasked with staying informed and electing our leaders.

Our family has some medical issues to deal with this week so if you could also keep us in your prayers and forgive me for not being around, I'll be back as soon as I can. 

Duct Tape and Mittens

I have a confession.

I love politics. 

I know. It's horrible. But I was in debate in high school and it got me hooked. I can't help it. 

As much as I love politics, this little magical blog has been a politics-free zone because over the last few years it seems like politics has gone from what the Brits so cleverly call a battle with the "loyal opposition" to dirty, divisive, vicious attacks...on both sides. And don't get me started on the whole 3rd party shenanigans. 

Anyway, I may love politics but I love my friends and family more. I am (shockingly) conservative...who would have guessed? A stay-at-home/homeschooling mother of two who lives in the middle of Oklahoma and is married to a Soldier...conservative? huh. BUT, I also have family and many friends from college and childhood who are very liberally-minded. They're not anti-military, hippie, communist nuts and we're not greedy, war-loving, hateful crazies but that's what this race has painted both sides to be. Are there anti-military, hippie communists on the left? Absolutely. Are there greedy, war-loving, hateful crazies on the right? Absolutely (although I can't imagine any milwife who loves war).

This race has become so heated. I've become so angry and disillusioned with our President and the way he has treated the military that there are days when I want to go off on facebook and twitter and here and in all caps announce what I really think of this commander in chief...but then I remember that would only fuel the hatred and division. Come Tuesday...or Wednesday...or whenever the final vote is counted (PLEASE GOD, NOT ANOTHER GORE/BUSH FIASCO!), our nation will have a President for four years. Whether that's four more or four new, I honestly have no idea. But in the meantime, I plan to duct tape my mouth shut and put mittens on my hands to keep me sane for the next four days.

National Epilepsy Awareness Month

 

November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month...did you know that? What's more, epilepsy affects more than 65 MILLION people worldwide. In fact, more people live with epilepsy than live with autism, Parkinson's, MS and cerebral palsy combined.

I have a personal connection when it comes to epilepsy because my college roommate (and fellow milwife) Erin, has it. Living with her gave me a perspective and an understanding of the illness that has stayed with me. The frequency and specific physical reaction can vary widely from person to person. In fact, most people who see Erin have a seizure wouldn't even know it was happening. Her lips turn blue but other than that, to someone who didn't know her well, she would almost appear to be daydreaming. The biggest problem was that she would still function mindlessly while having a seizure. In fact, on more than one occasion she would be walking home from class, go into a seizure and come out of it blocks away having no recollection of how she got there. 

An organization called PAWS With A Cause was able to give her more independence and all those who care about her peace of mind by training a beautiful dog as her seizure assistance/response dog...specifically blocking her at every stair case and street curb. He was trained to only move when she gave a verbal command which can only happen when she isn't having a seizure.

Take some time this month to educate yourself and your children about epilepsy (and while you're at it, about service dogs-they're not just for the blind). And check out the Now I Know video campaign at the Epilepsy Foundation for more information and ways you can help. 

For specific information on what to do if you see someone have a seizure, check out the first aid section of the Epilepsy Foundation website.

Happy Halloween!

I love holidays...especially ones that are photographed endlessly and allow us to look back and see how the family has grown.

2008

2009

 2010

 2011

2012

We hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween! 

Phineas and Ferb & YOU: A Brand New Reality...(The Downtown Disney Experience)

At Downtown Disney right now there's a new and limited time experience. Daily from 2pm-930 through December 1st, 2012 (just over a month left to go) Disney is hosting Phineas and Ferb and YOU: A Brand New Reality...an interactive virtual reality experience.

And that, my friends was ALL I could find out about it before we went last month. So, we somewhat hesitantly made our way to Downtown Disney's west side and found the experience located just next to Bongos Cuban Cafe and I'm glad we did. Our four year old (like most four year old boys) LOVES Phineas and Ferb and this was a quick, fun souvenir to come home to. 

Here's what happens...

1. You get in line (as with all things Disney).
2. A cast member will direct your little one (or big one) where to stand and may give you a specific pose to make to correspond with the virtual reality characters.
3. S/he will see themselves on a screen above them WITH Phineas and Ferb characters and enjoy a short video interaction.
4. A snapshot is taken.
5. You're given a card with a special code (you have two weeks to go to www.phineasandferbandyou.com, type in your code number and magically a souvenir photo is available for FREE download) 

Our little man had a great time and because the experience was so quick, we did it twice. Also, the night we went lines were none-existent but I suspect because it's such a quick experience, it wouldn't take long to go through a line of people. 



If you're planning on shopping or eating at Downtown Disney (or if you have a little one who loves to watch Dr Doofenshmirtz be defeated) Phineas and Ferb & You is a fun little extra to any trip.

Still Alive

You may have noticed my totally unannounced hiatus. To be honest, I didn't even know I was going to take a break from the blogging/online world. A few days before our most recent trip to Disney we got swamped and a couple weeks later when we returned, our home internet was down because we had our roof replaced while we were on vacation. 

Good news: we now have a class 4 "hail-proof" roof...yeah, we'll see how hail-proof it is when it experiences an Oklahoma spring but I digress.

Once it was fixed and I could have hopped right back into the online swing of things but after a year of having my phone essentially sewn to my hand and my laptop rarely more than four feet from me (not a small thing since I had to get the extra large laptop so I could see pictures better), having some freedom from all the inter-connectedness was really nice. That said, I'm back because I missed reading the blogs and catching up with everyone...and also, I really missed writing about Disney. I love to help people plan their trips so I'm back. Disney, kids, Army and all. 

Speaking of Disney...here's some necessary picture highlights from this last trip (which we have decided was the best trip yet). 

Our son hit that ever-important 40" mark (check out all the Disney height restrictions HERE) and the first time he got on a "real" roller coaster, he put his hands straight up and never put them down...

Our dinosaur...it's a tradition to get him a dino face paint every trip.

Our princess...tell me a one year old doesn't pose.

The Pirate's League was a BIG hit again... 

Our Peter and Tink had a blast...

Who says a one year doesn't have fun at Disney World?!...

He didn't need a stroller seat of his own but at the end of the day, he appreciated it...

The boy vs Darth Vader...

The girl. Traumatized...

The boy was made a Jr Bell Hop at Tower of Terror. It was the most magical moment for him...before he was iffy on Tower of Terror. It's now his favorite ride...

The ONLY character our Princess wasn't scared of (and she actually was all smiles to see). Meeting Marie...

GG was able to make it again this year...the Princess loves her Great-Grandma

At the Ticket and Transportation Center after leaving Magic Kingdom for the last time this trip, the boy realizes that we're really going home and not just leaving the park for the day. Sad moment.

We had a great time as usual and I enjoyed my little internet hiatus but I'm glad to be back and look forward to posting more.