Here's the box!
Princess Castle!!!
Matching Princesses!
Legos!
mae-mae and pa-pa putting the princess castle together!
We LOVE YOU!
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Vorhies Christmas: Part 1
We started off our Christmas celebrations on Saturday 12.22.12, Nate's folks came down from Iowa and stayed until Monday afternoon. We made sugar cookies, Nate and his dad went on a hunting trip Sunday afternoon while we decorated cookies and drank lots of coffee ;) Sunday evening the kids got to open their presents from Mae Mae and Papa!
They had brought down this huge target box and told the kids not to touch it or look inside it all weekend. So, when it was time to open it, they were beyond excited! Mae-mae had moved all the gifts out of the box and hidden them under a blanket so, when they opened the box, it was empty. Avery let out a huge sigh and threw her arms down in exasperation! priceless!!
Here's the box!
Princess Castle!!!
Matching Princesses!
Legos!
mae-mae and pa-pa putting the princess castle together!
We LOVE YOU!
Here's the box!
Princess Castle!!!
Matching Princesses!
Legos!
mae-mae and pa-pa putting the princess castle together!
We LOVE YOU!
Christmas Season 2012
We sent out two different Christmas Cards this year. My cousin Craig and his wife Shelley are trying to build up their photography business so, they took some photos of us for xmas cards. We ended up using the family photo for family cards and then did a cutesy one of the kids for friends.
The kids were so proud of helping with the tree!
Final Product!
I will leave you with my favorite outtake;
The kids were so proud of helping with the tree!
Final Product!
I will leave you with my favorite outtake;
First Snow of Winter 2012!
We had our first snowstorm this year! yay! It melted two days later but, we took advantage while it lasted! Luckily I had gotten both kids snow gear early this year because we are planning a trip to Minnesota in February. For the sole fact of playing in REAL snow! Lots of it!! Having grown up in Minnesota and Nate in Colorado, we definitely love snow and love to play in it! Here's some pics..
It's sad you can still see the grass:(
Ethan cheesin'
Avery trapsing through the snow!
We miss you Snow! Come Back!!
It's sad you can still see the grass:(
Ethan cheesin'
Avery trapsing through the snow!
We miss you Snow! Come Back!!
Thanksgiving Pics
Yes, Thanksgiving is SO a month ago! But, here I am blogging about it! We traveled to Omaha, NE to have dinner with Nathan's family. His Aunt Dee makes a great spread for Turkey Day and we had fun visiting with Nate's folks and Grandma V.
Here is Nate's Mom: Rosanne and Dad: Steve with Grandma: Veva and the kiddos
Ethan and I cuddling
Avery Cheesin'
we drove from there to visit one of Nate's college buddies, Andy. He also lives in Omaha and has twin boys! we never met them, so we dropped in and met his fiancee as well! Avery had fun playing with Cameron and Griffin!
Then onto Iowa to stay with Nate's parents. We brought Hudson with so he could walk the fields with Nathan and his dad. Here they are all dressed up. I think he looks so handsome in his hunting gear ;-) Ethan just happened to be matching!
Here is Nate's Mom: Rosanne and Dad: Steve with Grandma: Veva and the kiddos
Ethan and I cuddling
Avery Cheesin'
we drove from there to visit one of Nate's college buddies, Andy. He also lives in Omaha and has twin boys! we never met them, so we dropped in and met his fiancee as well! Avery had fun playing with Cameron and Griffin!
Then onto Iowa to stay with Nate's parents. We brought Hudson with so he could walk the fields with Nathan and his dad. Here they are all dressed up. I think he looks so handsome in his hunting gear ;-) Ethan just happened to be matching!
Updates and vow to blog more..
Hey All! I have had a handful (or two) of people wonder what is going on? What is the latest on my brain. I just checked out my blog and I guess I did leave people hanging, not on a very positive note either. I am happy to report I am in a much more positive place with it all and shouldn't be a debbie downer this post :-)
About 5 days after my last post (11/12) I made a "note" in my iPhone of all the blessings I had received so, that I might be more grateful. Here is the list..
Blessings received
Texts
Phone Calls
Prayers
Gas Money from family in KC
Monetary gifts from family in KC
Monetary gift from ANONYMOUS
Job at Target (though short lived)
Mother in law- helped me reactivate my 31 consultant status
Commission from 31 sales
Opportunity to sell 31 at my MOPS Holiday Mart
As I said those were a snapshot in time of all the blessings poured out from above, from LOVE. The monetary gifts were soo important at the time because I was going to various doctor appts several times a week. Not to mention the gift of friends who watched one or both kids so I didn't have to drag them with. My husbands flexible job that allowed him to work from home and/or use PTO to fill in. I mean, I counted at one point and just in the month of October I had 20 copays- that's $400! So, I was mainly focusing and freaking out about the financial side of things when this list was written.
The following day, 11/13 I got a phone call from my Opthamologist. She was concerned because at my follow up appt I had told them my Neurologist said I had psuedo tumor cerebri and had to lose 100 lbs ASAP! My optho disagreed with this diagnosis and wanted a second opinion. Since the only way you can actually diagnose pseudo tumor is by doing a spinal tap! yowch! She called my Neuro office and they got me in the following day 11/14. I had two Neuro P.A's look at me and examine and pour over my scans. They ended up dropping the diagnosis and taking me off the glaucoma medicine! Hallelujah! They BOTH said if they hadn't known my history and why I was in the office they would not see anything. They were going to request an eye MRI but, said if my Optho rejected it they would not press it.. I have never heard back on scheduling that MRI. : )
So, that brings us to now.. I am currently taking Cabergoline twice a week, when I remember.. eek.. and to be honest, I DREAD it. It completely wipes me out for about 1-2 days following my dose. So, in a given week I have 2 normal days to get stuff done. It sucks! This is also the reason why I wasn't able to continue working at Target. I loved it there but, physically standing for 5-8 hour shifts combined with my medicine affects was unbearable. Coupled with the children being unhappy on my departure.. I decided the best thing for the family and MYSELF was to quit..That's another thing I have had to do is really listen to my body and take care of myself . I know before this it would be so easy to curse myself for being a whimp and trudge on, but now I KNOW the difference between feeling down and feeling like I need a break, its all a journey!...Overall I have heard from close friends that my demeanor is more cheerful so, I guess that is a positive too!
I go back for check-ups every 3 months for bloodwork with my endocrinologist and opthomologist and neuro. Although, I am in need of a new neurologist. I am not to impressed with my experience thus far.. I did request to push my MRI's to every 6 months instead of every 3. Since I despise being enclosed! My first bloodwork check is Feb 21. So, I will update more then.
I do want to use this blog more to post fun family stuff too so, I hope to be doing more of that in the new year! Thanks for all your prayers! I believe they really worked!!
About 5 days after my last post (11/12) I made a "note" in my iPhone of all the blessings I had received so, that I might be more grateful. Here is the list..
Blessings received
Texts
Phone Calls
Prayers
Gas Money from family in KC
Monetary gifts from family in KC
Monetary gift from ANONYMOUS
Job at Target (though short lived)
Mother in law- helped me reactivate my 31 consultant status
Commission from 31 sales
Opportunity to sell 31 at my MOPS Holiday Mart
As I said those were a snapshot in time of all the blessings poured out from above, from LOVE. The monetary gifts were soo important at the time because I was going to various doctor appts several times a week. Not to mention the gift of friends who watched one or both kids so I didn't have to drag them with. My husbands flexible job that allowed him to work from home and/or use PTO to fill in. I mean, I counted at one point and just in the month of October I had 20 copays- that's $400! So, I was mainly focusing and freaking out about the financial side of things when this list was written.
The following day, 11/13 I got a phone call from my Opthamologist. She was concerned because at my follow up appt I had told them my Neurologist said I had psuedo tumor cerebri and had to lose 100 lbs ASAP! My optho disagreed with this diagnosis and wanted a second opinion. Since the only way you can actually diagnose pseudo tumor is by doing a spinal tap! yowch! She called my Neuro office and they got me in the following day 11/14. I had two Neuro P.A's look at me and examine and pour over my scans. They ended up dropping the diagnosis and taking me off the glaucoma medicine! Hallelujah! They BOTH said if they hadn't known my history and why I was in the office they would not see anything. They were going to request an eye MRI but, said if my Optho rejected it they would not press it.. I have never heard back on scheduling that MRI. : )
So, that brings us to now.. I am currently taking Cabergoline twice a week, when I remember.. eek.. and to be honest, I DREAD it. It completely wipes me out for about 1-2 days following my dose. So, in a given week I have 2 normal days to get stuff done. It sucks! This is also the reason why I wasn't able to continue working at Target. I loved it there but, physically standing for 5-8 hour shifts combined with my medicine affects was unbearable. Coupled with the children being unhappy on my departure.. I decided the best thing for the family and MYSELF was to quit..That's another thing I have had to do is really listen to my body and take care of myself . I know before this it would be so easy to curse myself for being a whimp and trudge on, but now I KNOW the difference between feeling down and feeling like I need a break, its all a journey!...Overall I have heard from close friends that my demeanor is more cheerful so, I guess that is a positive too!
I go back for check-ups every 3 months for bloodwork with my endocrinologist and opthomologist and neuro. Although, I am in need of a new neurologist. I am not to impressed with my experience thus far.. I did request to push my MRI's to every 6 months instead of every 3. Since I despise being enclosed! My first bloodwork check is Feb 21. So, I will update more then.
I do want to use this blog more to post fun family stuff too so, I hope to be doing more of that in the new year! Thanks for all your prayers! I believe they really worked!!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Treatment Plan
I went to my endocrinologist today for a follow up on some bloodwork. Since he had no records because he's in a different hospital system. He said my prolactin is still elevated but my other hormones look fine, including my cortisol.
Then he told me he thinks my tumor is non-active. Meaning its not secreting anything and I have what's know as Stalk Syndrome. Basically the channel your hormones run back and forth on are being blocked by this tumor. Which is causing the prolactin levels to rise and the dopamine levels to plummet. It's good that none of my other hormones are wacky. I'm kinda confused by this news but, he said with this medicine I am going to take if the tumor was secreting it would shrink it. But he doesn't think that's the case.
So, I will be taking a pill 2x's a week to get my hormones back in balance and this will be long term.. As in Year to 3 years.. With 3 month check ins and bloodwork and MRI's to monitor
it all.
The medicine may be expensive he warned and if you know how stressed about $$ I've been. Well, it tipped me over the scale of stress. Coupled with
This new blessing of a job coming up.. I have nothing to wear to it and everyone wants or needs money. It's getting overwhelming. Trying to trust God but, it's hard when your spending hundreds of dollars on medical stuff and the emotional side of this whole thing is just crushing. One thing I hadn't shared is that I have to choose to have any more kids or treat my tumor. So basically this f'ing tumor is taking that choice from me! It's hard for me.. I try to be grateful for the two I have and so on but, I am angry about it stealing something from me. I also have to lose 100 lbs! On my own, it's just too much and my eye thing with my glaucoma medicine is just awful I should stop writing.. Getting more depressed. I am going to my third interview at Target and see how much this medicine is. :-(( I know there's good in here but it's just so much.. Bear with me while I process. Thanks!
Then he told me he thinks my tumor is non-active. Meaning its not secreting anything and I have what's know as Stalk Syndrome. Basically the channel your hormones run back and forth on are being blocked by this tumor. Which is causing the prolactin levels to rise and the dopamine levels to plummet. It's good that none of my other hormones are wacky. I'm kinda confused by this news but, he said with this medicine I am going to take if the tumor was secreting it would shrink it. But he doesn't think that's the case.
So, I will be taking a pill 2x's a week to get my hormones back in balance and this will be long term.. As in Year to 3 years.. With 3 month check ins and bloodwork and MRI's to monitor
it all.
The medicine may be expensive he warned and if you know how stressed about $$ I've been. Well, it tipped me over the scale of stress. Coupled with
This new blessing of a job coming up.. I have nothing to wear to it and everyone wants or needs money. It's getting overwhelming. Trying to trust God but, it's hard when your spending hundreds of dollars on medical stuff and the emotional side of this whole thing is just crushing. One thing I hadn't shared is that I have to choose to have any more kids or treat my tumor. So basically this f'ing tumor is taking that choice from me! It's hard for me.. I try to be grateful for the two I have and so on but, I am angry about it stealing something from me. I also have to lose 100 lbs! On my own, it's just too much and my eye thing with my glaucoma medicine is just awful I should stop writing.. Getting more depressed. I am going to my third interview at Target and see how much this medicine is. :-(( I know there's good in here but it's just so much.. Bear with me while I process. Thanks!
Saturday, November 3, 2012
It's all in my head, literally
It's been a while since I updated. I went to my Neuro last week and did some field sobriety tests -- as I am familiar with them.. (Walking a straight line, touching your nose etc) turns out that she thinks based on my papilledema diagnosis that I have what is called Pseudo Tumor Cerebri. This is confusing to some, so let me break it down.. Basically, my brain has a lot of pressure surrounding it which is causing my optic nerves to swell and that in turn causes headaches. Pseudo Tumor just means I am having tumor related symptoms with my eyes without a tumor. This is NOT related to my actual tumor on my pituitary gland.
This PTC is common in obese women of my childbearing age. So, in that sense it's related to my Pit Tumor ( which makes it hard to lose weight) I was advised to lose A LOT of weight to help lower the pressure in my head. For now I am on glaucoma medicine which is essentially a diuretic. It does help but, makes me very absentminded and forgetful.. It's frustrating for me. I talked to my nurse and she said it is a side effect although not the most common one to have.. Go figure! :)
My eye doc did a vision test and then said to stay on the meds and maybe even increase the dosage since I'm on the smallest dose. Apparently my GP wasn't comfortable prescribing this medicine for me so he gave me a low dose. I will do a follow up with them both in January and made need a spinal tap to check how high the pressure is. That freaks me out!!
So, this week I have one appt with my endocrinologist on Wed and hopefully with my current blood work he will be ready with a plan of action for shrinking this tumor (and my body) :-)
Thanks for keeping up with me! It's great to know people care! <3
This PTC is common in obese women of my childbearing age. So, in that sense it's related to my Pit Tumor ( which makes it hard to lose weight) I was advised to lose A LOT of weight to help lower the pressure in my head. For now I am on glaucoma medicine which is essentially a diuretic. It does help but, makes me very absentminded and forgetful.. It's frustrating for me. I talked to my nurse and she said it is a side effect although not the most common one to have.. Go figure! :)
My eye doc did a vision test and then said to stay on the meds and maybe even increase the dosage since I'm on the smallest dose. Apparently my GP wasn't comfortable prescribing this medicine for me so he gave me a low dose. I will do a follow up with them both in January and made need a spinal tap to check how high the pressure is. That freaks me out!!
So, this week I have one appt with my endocrinologist on Wed and hopefully with my current blood work he will be ready with a plan of action for shrinking this tumor (and my body) :-)
Thanks for keeping up with me! It's great to know people care! <3
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