A Quick Health Report

I thought that I would do a quick (??) health post, since even through Facebook, not alot of people knew (or still know) what is going on with me.

First, I do this, not so that I whine the world (I actually don't know if I want to do this..lol), but because I believe that everyone has been very sincere, and asking me how things are going, etc. Also, I don't like repeating myself a bunch of times...lol.

First, right now, I seem to be doing ok, which is great!! But more on that, later:)

First before I do that, I wanted to just quickly update you on our summer "vacation". We took a quick trip to the ranch to camp there this past weekend. It was good, but it was VERY windy, and we really couldn't have much of a fire, so that was kind of sad..lol. I hope next time, we can do more of a fire, and there will no wind. We will probably go one more time for sure this summer. We may be meeting up w/ his sister and her family for a few days the end of August, at my parents place, which will be nice. We may end up going back to Vancouver, and taking in the PNE. It is just so hard to do anything, not so much financially (although, that is part of it), as it is mainly the time he is able to get away, and getting someone to cover his work, if needed. This is mainly at the Dental Office, and any extra jobs (like he has now). Also, he STILL has the morning papers, which I believe we will get rid of. They really don't make enough, and again, they just keep us tied down. 90% of the year, that is fine, but not the 10 percent you want and need to get away. Ok, sorry..back to our weekend. So, we went up to Wells Gray Park, and just hung out. I read alot, which was nice. My cousin and her family were there, and also a family friend w/ her children there, too, so we were able to see all of them. I was also able to see the puppies, which are now 3 months!! I have pictures of them on Facebook:) We even when to the newly opened A&W which opened, in Clearwater on our way home.

Ok, so just a short update on what happened. On the early morning of July 11 at about 1:30, i was having a coughing spell (more on that later), and I started to say something or move my mouth, when, I suddenly couldn't move it. It freaked me out, but I thought "ok, I must have slept on it wrong, or whatever", but I still was really bothered by it. I finally went back to bed at 2:15, feeling a bit better, but still not 100%. So, the next morning, I tried to get up at about 8 or 9, when I suddenly tried to get out of bed using my arm, and I couldn't get out of bed. I tried to call for Anker, but he was on the computer, and I am sure he thought I was putting the drama on. Again, I couldn't talk. I wont go into any more details, but I will tell you that I thought my Bells Palsy was back. That would have been ok...I mean, not the best, but I could have lived with it. I called my mom, and I could hardly speak to her..I immediately gave the phone to Anker. (I just told her that I thought my BP was back). Basically, she told Anker to take me to hospital, and Anker had to finish up things for VBS (set up), so he drove me down to the hospital, and I sat there for about 3 hours, which really wasn't that long. SOOO..they finally took me back about 2:30, and I was worried that the DR wouldn't take me seriously. Thankfully, he did. He did all sorts of tests, and I got a CT/ECG/Blood work done. By this time, I was feeling a bit better, speech-wise. My friend came down for awhile to sit w/ me, and Anker came later, which I was very glad to see...I was missing him!! The thing that the DR was concerned about was that I couldn't move my tongue to both sides of mouth. All the tests came out negative, which was a relief, but they also had a neurologist see me, which again, he did all the tests, and he wanted me to have an MRI. I still don't have FULL speech usage yet, but it is MUCH better than it was. I have my "good" days and "bad" days, and even when we camping, I seemed to have a good weekend. I have a cousin that is a DR, and she said that they may not ever find a diagnosis...blah! I wass suppose to help w/ VBS the next week, and I sadly didn't end up helping, so I just had a relaxing and quiet week.

I followed up w/ my GP, and I asked him to do a Corotid Artery U/S on my neck...I don't know what is up, but it could have something to do w/ that. He again, did all of his tests, and everything was fine, as well.

My MRI was yesterday, and other than my freaking out before-hand, it went ok. I will know the results next week. I am finding, though, that you really have to stay "on top of them", so they don't lose you in the system. Even my cousin was surprised that they didn't do the U/S in the hospital. I am really missing the Calgary Health System right now. I remember when you could get a minor test in a few days.

The OTHER thing that I have, is an Hiatus Hernia. It's the protrusion (or herniation) of the upper part of the stomach into the thorax through a tear or weakness in the diaphragm. (Yes, that is the Wikipedia's version..lol). I am having problems eating/sleeping. I am basically learning how to eat again..as far as eating only a little at a time, and not drinking as much (not alcohol..lol) I am on meds, but I really just want to lose weight, so that is (again) my plan...do a few pounds at a time, and no crazy diet, BUT really try to just eat as healthy as I can. Right now, though, I am having a tough time..I won't go through it all, but it really just gets me down, and I am tired, and it is hard for me to do much excerising, b/c w/ HH, it feels like someone is sitting on top of you, and/you feel like you have just had a big turkey dinner. I also have a hard time sleeping at night, and I was doing ok, before we went away, and I am doing a bit better now, sleep-wise. I also cough quite alot, (esp at night, when I lay down) which is frustrating. When we went camping, I had to sleep out in the car, so I didn't disturb Anker. I didn't have enough pillows, I guess. BUT I am determined to lose a bit of this weight, and I hope that it will go away. Yes, it could be also a b/c of what happened when I was baby, and all the stuff that went on there, and abdominal problems, when they put it all back in.

Well, that's enough about me....

Anker is STILL having problems w/ his knee and sees a specialist (and orthopedist, I think) in August. So, yes, we are quite the pair.

On a good note, Anker has gotten another contract for 6 weeks (once/wk) for the summer, so that should help a bit. I am not even THINKING of looking for work...at least until my speech is normal a few days in a row, and until I get my MRI results back. If it is all normal, then I will have to go "great guns" in trying to get a job. The one thing that I find VERY frustrating, is that I don't have any current education, and with my disabilities (not being on my feet for along time, having problems with retail cash transactions), makes things difficult. Hopefully, things will look up in September, or even before.

Well, I guess that does it for me tonight. TWO entries in one MONTH..SHOCKING!!

We are celebrating 2 years of wedding bliss on July 27:)

A long over-due update

Just a short update to let you know that we are still alive!! I am TERRIBLE at keeping up a blog, I am finding. I think it is mainly because I really have no clue who is reading it, and if it is being read.
Because it has been over 3 months since I updated, I think I will do this in point form, also, b/c I'm lazy....

First, I hope everyone is having a great summer! I really can't say it has been a SUPER summer, but it hasn't been all that bad...I mean, we are alive, have food, shelter, and of course, have had some lovely weather! I went for my first swim yesterday in the North/South Thompson River..VERY cold!

So, in semi-chronological order, here is our life in a nut-shell...

-End of April, went back to help my family at the end of lambing for a few days. One of the guard dogs had 12 (one died, sadly, after she laid on it) puppies. They are keeping 4, and I get to name one. They have sold most of the others.

-Enjoyed a lovely weekend at our (CCC's) Ladies Retreat, which was on Mother's Day Weekend. It was at Sunnybrae Bible Camp, which was really fun. I think they are going back next year. It was a weekend full of lots of fun, food, and fellowship, and I also experienced lots of love and prayer from my friends:)

-Just before the May long weekend, I went to Calgary (well, first I went to home the day before..b/c they wanted to go the North route..soo, I got to see the puppies) for my brother Luke's Graduation from ACAD. He has a Bachelor of Art, Photography. It was a short trip..Just me and the fam (Anker stayed home..he had to work), and it was a bit of a crazy trip, but nice to see family, and to support my brother. We also got to meet his girlfriend:) The trip, the south way this time, was a bit more relaxing. Dad showed the kids the the Banff springs hotel, and we stopped a few more places.

-May 30th, we (CCC) had our annual Church picnic. It was a great time, and although not very hot at times (it clouded over for awhile), it was a great afternoon. We also ended up hiking into Margurite Falls, which is spectacular!! You could almost go underneath the falls, and you can definately feel it splashing on your face. We went to Harold Park, in the Shuswap, about an hour and a half away.

-We sadly missed the annual Aveley Ranch picnic. I think it was b/c Anker had to work...but I was very sad we missed it. Next Year, I hope!!

-On June 1st, Anker and I started w/ 6 paper routes (daily papers, and also weekly ones), but we are now down to three, b/c it is just too much, and also, it isn't worth all the gas we were using.

-June 2nd, my friend and I, along w/ her child and dog went and spent a couple of hours at Paul Lake. I love it up there..sooo nice! I hope to go back, as that was only my second time in going..EVER!!

-June 5th, spent a lovely evening w/ some ladies on our church enjoying an outside picnic supper together, and a rousing game of Croquet..again..I think that was the first time I have played it.

-My bday was June 9, and my sister ended up coming to stay w/ me for a few days. On my actual birthday, I had some meetings to go to, and a friend came over for a late dinner. (lamb, of course!!) I scored some nice gifts, and it was a nice day. The next day, she and I went down to Riverside Park, and got KFC meals, and read and relaxed, which was totally fun.

-July 1st, we went down to Riverside Park and enjoyed the Canada Day festivities. It was a VERY hot day, so we found a tree, and got some food, and just enjoyed people watching. We also wandered around to all the booths, etc. We stayed until the fireworks, which were great this year.

-Had some nice dates w/Anker..A movie date (he watched one, I watched another..I was NOT going to sit through Transformers..lol), some time at Riverside park...getting ice cream, and going for a walk..and listening to whomever is playing at the band shell that night.

-My brother Joseph, and his wife, Cadence came a few weeks ago, on a Sunday afternoon..we went to Riverside Park (yes, that is pretty much the ONLY place to go near water), and hung out and relaxed...went to Mino's for supper..YUM!

-My other brother, Adam, and his wife, Krystle, came on Saturday (late) and spent the night, and we all went to church together, which was really nice. Grabbed some food for a picnic in the park (yes, Riverside..AGAIN), and we went swimming (cold), and visited.

-I also started Volunteering once a week at a Seniors' home. Mainly, to get me doing something else, but mainly, to have something on my resume that is current. I have only done it twice (I hope to go this week), but I really like it. If I don't have a job in September, I may go twice/week.

I think that about covers the events. We haven't been home (the ranch) in two months..Actually, I think Anker hasn't been there since Easter, and our plans are to go camping there this weekend. It will be the only time that we can get away....unless we go to the PNE, which we aren't sure yet if we are going. It will be good to go and see the family for a few days.

I was suppose to help w/ VBS this week, and although I may do a bit, I won't be able to do what I wanted...I am sure you heard what happened, through Facebook..but basically, I woke up this past Saturday (and also, in the middle of the night on Saturday) not being able to talk. It was a very scary experience, and I spent all day in ER on Saturday, trying to figure out what happened. I saw my GP today, and it could be a number of things..but they are doing a few more tests to rule anything else out. If you can remember, please pray!

I am still looking (if you can call it that) for work...I really would love to get training, but A) I really don't even know what I want to..combined w/ can we do schooling here, etc, B) Where I am going for work search Counselling, they don't seem to want to train me. I think the Lord wants me to just not worry about it...but I worry...b/c we never seem to have enough..and i don't mean for wants..I mean for needs.

One final thing...Anker finally got his bike up and running. He is very happy about it. It looks great. Not sure if you would get me on it, though!!

Hope to maybe go on a couple of days' holiday w/ Anker's sister, and her family. Not sure what it will entail. Maybe even just meeting at my our parents' place for a few days.

I think that is about it for now...So much for being short...could you please..if you read this..leave a comment? I would love to know if anyone is reading this..thanks:)