I made a YouTube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2_SAbM7xqI

I made a YouTube video if anyone wants to watch it. The link is listed above. Maybe it will help with a little perspective on what really goes on at home. Yes, I may look good with make up and hair done but it takes all my energy to do so. It also hides what is really going on inside my body. I want to be optimistic but here it is at 0330 and I am still awake with body aches, a headache, and nausea. I really hope it gets better. :( A few things are definitely better like my speech and my walking. It's the aches, pains, headaches, migraines, nausea, insomnia, and cognitive function impairment that I'm hoping improves. They keep saying it will and I keep pushing along.

Justin is down with the stomach flu today. I have never seen him so sick. Hopefully it will pass as fast as it came! Things WILL get better....I am sure of it!

Physical therapy/ package for the troops

I have had two sessions of physical therapy now but missed today due to having the stomach flu yesterday. Throwing up with a big gash in your back is NO FUN! However, my second session of physical therapy was awesome. They used a warming pad and stimulation to get me started. Then I did nearly a mile on the stationary bike to warm up my body. Next, they had me doing some very light weights while sitting on the exercise ball. Finally, we did some more stretching and then they iced me to go home. I am really looking forward to building my strength and am excited to get some endurance back. I still get tired just walking 100 feet and have a hard time walking through stores, right now, but it is improving everyday!

Weston and I picked a stocking from the "senior Christmas Angel" tree. I gave him a choice of a child or an elderly person in need. He chose the senior. So we bought them some wood craft sets. I want to teach my kids that no matter how bad you think you have it, someone else has it worse.

I also got an address for a friend that is serving overseas. There is no way that it will make it by Christmas but I want to put a package together to send to him and his fellow troops. I will be using a flat rate boxes. So, if anyone (in the Prescott area) wants to donate anything, write any notes, draw pictures, socks, mints, gum, baby wipes, flavored water packs, etc, please let me know. I will probably be sending it in the next week or so. These men and woman are away from their families for the holidays and are protecting our freedoms. They also LOVE to get mail! It means so much to get a little taste of home.

I hope everyone has been touched by the spirit of the holidays. Remember, even if times are tough, you can always reach out to help others. It is amazing how blessed you will be in doing so!

Gaining ground

This is a view of a tethered cord (The connective tissue at the base of the spine attaches too tight before you are born. It is closely related to spinal bifida.)


I am feeling better and stronger day by day.

Yesterday was the first post-op appointment with my PCP. First off, the girls at the front desk had shock on their faces when I walked in, unassisted! "You look great. That is really amazing!" Then I asked the medical assistant to measure my height. I have gained 1.5 inches back in height. I have gained just over 2 lbs. Which is pretty amazing since almost everything taste better since surgery and I did eat an entire pecan pie, that my mom made, and Thanksgiving was last week. My speach is pretty clear now and my neck has full range of motion. Overall, she was pretty happy with my healing, so far. My next appointment is in two weeks and she said that I may be able to drive then!!!!!!! I don't even know if I remember how. It has been 7 months! I am so excited. Freedom, sweet freedom!

I do still have daily pressure headaches and am still in bed most of the day. I am still taking the medicine for altitude sickness. Hopefully that will continue to work. The fatigue I have is from the surgery and the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. So, that will not be fading completely. I am slowing trying to build up my core muscles by sitting to the side of the bed and sitting up on the couch. Slow but steady. I will start my physical therapy on Tuesday. I am excited to get some endurance back and see what kind of excercise I can do.