Abnormal as usual...

Second consult with Dr. Fry yesterday, and for those of you who are really bored, here's the update (smile).  
Two more ultrasounds yesterday (thought it was just going to be one more)~lying down and standing to record the reflux again.  The standing one was the new one-and weird-and as I have no coordination, I was really just trying not to fall over.  The insurance company needs to know that I have continuous reflux while sitting AND standing, apparently (guess they have to make sure you could quite possibly die if you don't have surgery).  This tech was so much more proactive and got me involved by letting me see the screen (so strange seeing the INSIDE of your body-but so cool too =)), explained everything, let me hear the blood flow and reflux, and answered all questions.  She was amazing.  And the jelly was warm =). 
After all that prodding and pushing we went into the consult room and sat forever waiting for the nurse to come in and ask us the same questions we were asked three months ago.  After MORE waiting, Dry Fry came in and apologized for our long wait (we had been there for two hours at this point), sighed and sat down. 
Gotta love it when the surgeon starts out by saying, "Normally, most people with varicositis and reflux...".  Great, I could only imagine where this was going.  Why is my body always abnormal?  He went on to tell me that most people with the issues I have have one underlying (he used a MUCH bigger word) vein that is working (not refluxing) and one that is refluxing (not working).  In my case BOTH of my leg's main veins (again, much bigger word used) are refluxing.  Sweet.  So, the surgery will be more extensive than he had thought.  The original vein he wanted to strip will still have to be stripped (the word alone makes me cringe a little) but then he said they will have to go underneath that vein and laser the two main refluxing veins as well or I'm just going to have the same problem reoccur somewhere else in my leg.  Recovery time?  Three to four weeks.  Awesome~cause that will totally work with my two boys and my job.  My poor husband!!!  Guess this is payback for football season? (wink)...
Next step, resubmitting all of this new information to our awesome and ever so helpful insurance company (dripping sarcasm) that over half of my pay check goes to each pay period.  We'll get a call from the nurse next week to give us a ball park figure and we'll set up a surgery date.  Because it's more extensive than he originally thought (which makes me feel a little better~I thought I was just being a baby about all this pain), it will more than likely cost more and take more of his time.  Of course.  So, by next week we'll see if we have to take a second mortgage out on the house or not (wink).  And I'll be returning those new boots I just ordered for my cousin's wedding as well. 
Long visit, more questions answered, and I got to see and hear the inside of my body.  He commented that I have the start of reflux happening in my right leg as well, but we'll revisit that later.  I'm in my mid thirties.  Really? 
Marty was a trooper.  So glad he came with me (and he didn't fall asleep during the ultrasounds this time =)).  So now we just sit and wait for that phone call next week while Dr. Fry deals with our insurance company (his direct words, "I'll be fighting for you.  Their 'rules' on this stuff change every week."  Great comfort).  Thanks for all the well wishes and support all!  I appreciate it so much!  And now as my boys are rocking out to 'Back In Black' (ug!), I should probably get off the computer and return to my motherly duties.  I think it's time to bake another batch of chocolate chip cookies!!! =)  God bless!

Happy Thanksgiving

"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts.  No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving."  ~H.U. Westermayer

Sitting here with an absolutely miserable cold and extrememly thankful for a two year old who is willing to entertain himself today~and didn't mind a boring old peanut butter sandwhich for lunch.  Can't breathe to sleep, but have no energy to expend (sitting up seems to be it for me today~and even that hurts). 
The cold has made me slow down, and I've been thinking about all my blessings while going through tissues and OTC meds:  friends, family, home, food, clothing, and so much more.  Thinking about that first Thanksgiving and all the hardships that came before it.  Amazing how the Pilgrims kept such faith in the midst of all of their adversity and dispairing loss.  Quite an inspiring story (and makes this nasty cold seem more like a measely little annoyance than the debilitation it's been to me today).
Wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving and so thankful for the blessings that you all are to me!  God bless!

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These are a few of my favorite things...

The boys are snuggled up on the couch with Daddy watching "Polar Express".  Griffyn is convinced the boy in the movie is Max.  We may be a little early, but the boys love trains and we all love Christmas.  Both of the boys have had their baths and are in clean jammies and will hopefully get sleepy on Daddy and be carried off to bed soon...

Griffyn and I spent the day doing the unpleasant task of cleaning the house (which warranted a much needed bubble bath and glass of wine tonight~thank you, Marty).  The dusting is done, the laundry complete, the dishes put away, the birthday gifts wrapped (still need to have the boys make a few cards) and all set for our parties this weekend, and I began looking at the renewal process for our family's insurance policy (it's that time of year).  Griffyn and I managed to have some fun time too.  We made pumpkin bars for G'ma and G'pa Mitchell's visit tomorrow and for Griffyn and Max's special time with aunt Jen while Mommy and Daddy go to an engagement party.  This got me to thinking of all of my 'favorite things'.  Life's special little moments that make it so savory.

(the beginnings of pumpkin bars)

Baking is definitely one of my favorite things (especially this time of year), and my boys have always loved to help.  I'm not necessarily very good at it, but there is something so immensely satisfying about adding a variety of ingredients together and creating a delicious outcome--the comforting smells and tastes that evolve.  The entire process is a nurturing and delicious one.  It makes me feel like I am taking care of my family and friends.  It does not, however, help my waste line as I have a ridiculous sweet tooth and tend to bake when I am stressed~which seems to be often ;). 

Then there are the previously mentioned bubble baths.  Although they may not be as long as I would like (or happen quite as often as I may want), I savor them all the same.  They most likely begin and end with my two year old banging on the door and wanting "Mommy", but I will take what ever I can get in the form of "me" time.  I love the relaxing scent of lavender--few things calm me like the smell of lavender.  My favorite product is Philosophy's "Silent Night" (which is only sold during the holidays).  It's like taking a nap in a lavender field with the warm sun shining on your face.  Pure bliss!

(heavenly lavender bubbles!)

Clean sheets and snuggling in with the boys on a chilly evening (even if it means having to sit through an episode of "Wonder Pets" or the "Backyardigans").  Sleep doesn't come often as there's much to do and I have a husband who aggressively snores and children who get up frequently (and I'm one of those people who once woken has a very hard time getting back to sleep) so it is treasured.  Comfy pj's and lots of cozy blankets with soft, fluffy pillows.  If I could take a day just to myself--to do absolutely nothing--I would stay in bed and rest all day.  What a lovely dream :).

(my cuddle bugs!)

Time to join my boys on the couch and get the box of tissue.  I never get tired of this movie.  It too is one of my favorite things!  Please tell me some of yours!

November is here!

(my little Mario brothers)

November is here!  I've been waiting with much anticipation for this month to arrive for a very long time (what feels like FOREVER)!  My sister, Erin, and her boyfriend, Harold, are flying home from Brooklyn for Thanksgiving!  We haven't ALL been together for so long, and I can NOT wait!!!  I don't care about turkey, stuffing, or mashed potatoes~~I just want to soak up some sibling time and let the boys soak in as much Auntie and Uncle time as possible as well.  I just may lock everyone in and not let anyone leave once we're all finally together in one room ;)!

Halloween was a smashing success!  Such beautiful weather.  Aside from Griffyn wanting his Mommy (and only Mommy) to carry him most of the way, it was delightful.  All of our neighbors were out and it was a lovely chance to say "hello" to everyone (and rake in lots of candy--which I must admit I am noshing on with my green tea ;)).  The boys were the cutest Mario and Luigi, of course, and we only saw one other Mario all night~and originality is always key with me :).

Our yard is finally done!!!  Hallelujah!!!  The window wells have solid and very tight retaining walls built around them, the yard is regraded and built up all around the house, the hose thingy (please don't be intimidated by my technical jargon ;)) is buried in the yard in pipe form and coming out at the bottom so none of the water settles in our yard, and the slope of the side yard curved to insure the rain fall does indeed roll down and not make a swimming pool out of our back yard!  Between our brand spanking newly regraded and sodded yard, retaining walls, sump pump and back up, we should be set for what ever mother nature has in store for us next year.  Merry Christmas (and every other upcoming holiday for the next year of so :)) to Marty and I!  It sure feels good to have it all taken care of~despite the bill :).  Some people vacation to Disney World for the holidays with their children.  We get a flood proof backyard and windows :).

I ordered our tickets for the "Santa Express" train ride in Boone for the beginning of December.  Yay!  Such magical fun.  The boys actually still believe we are riding the hour and 15 minutes to the North Pole.  The grand illusion is made even more complete by all the lights and North Pole like decorations we see out of our windows!  Going over the amazingly high bridge still makes our tummy's feel funny, but the hot coco and cookies help calm it down a bit.  Santa gets on the train and greats all the children (and children at heart) once we finally reach the North Pole-and gives each child a silver bell from his sleigh (just like in the classic children's book "The Polar Express").  Such a fantastic night for all of us and well worth the ticket price!  What price can you put on being a kid all over again anyway? :)

Hope you and your families are all doing well!  I know the cold season is upon us (and Griffyn is on his nebulizer treatments again and battling the crud after catching it from his Momma).  Time for lots of vitamin C and hot tea!  Making sure the kids get their vitamins every morning, are drinking lots of juice, and looking into getting some gummy C's for them as an added measure of precaution.  Take care, God bless, and happy November :)!!!

My latest adventure~Compression Stockings!

I went in for my compression fitting at "Fittings Unlimited" this past Saturday as directed by my surgeon.  What a morning!  Who knew the process would take an entire hour and send my blood pressure soaring to new heights?  The 'boutique' owner was very chatty and how shall I say~in your face?  She was VERY informative and thorough, which in most cases in a good thing, but I just wanted to get in and out of there.   I didn't need to know how many dogs, cats, etc. she had, her favorite color, or look at photos of people who had just had surgery and were swollen from one end to the other.  Really, didn't need all that...
I filled out lots of paperwork and she took a copy of my insurance card (which, in the end, really seemed like a giant waste of time as well as all of the paperwork I had to fill out).  She collected all of my info./paper work and put it into a file folder (which she coordinated with the shirt I was wearing, she informed me), took my prescription from Dr. Fry, and took me back into one of the little fitting rooms to be measured. 
I'm not much for complete strangers touching me--let alone seeing me half naked, so the whole ordeal was a bit stressful for me.  I learned all kinds of new and interesting things, however.  Did you know that apparently EVERYONE's legs are different sizes?  One of my legs is bigger than the other--ankle on up.  Didn't realize this was the norm.  Took my weight and height and then went to get my custom fit garment.  "NO RETURNS ON ITEMS" signs were emblazoned on all the walls.  Hmmmmmmmm.  Couldn't miss them.  They were everywhere.  No warm fuzzies there...
She then began to show me how to put my sassy new compression thigh highs on.  It was quite the ordeal, let me tell ya.  I was actually sweating by the end of it.  Gonna have to wake up an extra 15 minutes every morning just to get these suckers on--I'm being completely serious.  She told me NOT to wear them to bed.  They can become a tourniquet on your legs.  They have tights you can wear to bed, of course. 
That was all of 45 minutes--I spared you some of the most boring details involving dish washing gloves, laundry detergent lists, lotion precautions, washing and drying instructions, etc. etc. etc...
Going to the counter, I was thinking this would all be over soon and cost me around 50 to 60$.  My mom's insurance completely covered hers, but I wasn't banking on that.  I had a prescription from my specialist, so like any other prescription, insurance would cover SOME of it, right?  Nope.  Not only that, the darn things cost $130.00 A PAIR.  Are you kidding me?  I started to get angry.  My insurance was mandating that I wear these suckers for 3 months.  If I don't, they won't cover any part of the surgery I need.  They're making me buy them, but not paying for a single cent.  Let me reiterate once more how much I hate insurance companies.  I thought Obama was supposed to do something about that...
Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday, and any other holiday to me, I guess.  The good news is they are awesome and I feel like I have completely new legs when I have them on.  Monday was the first time I have been leg pain free for months and months.  I'm just hoping one pair will last three months.  I sure as heck can't afford 2 pairs (although my personal consultant told me that my doctor wrote the script for two pairs so my insurance would approve 2~~why did I have to see a specialist to get a prescription for medical grade compression stockings and have a flipping script to begin with again?  This insurance game is one I clearly do not understand).
So, stocking--heaven.  Price tag--not so much.  But, I'm thankful to have them and that Marty was willing to pay for them.  When Max saw the price tag on the box he said, "But Mom, they're just SOCKS!".  Bright child.  It's not like they're a new Wii game or anything, for goodness sakes (smile).
I may attempt to file a claim with our wonderful insurance company (ironically it's Principle, which isn't doing insurance for much longer) regardless.  It can't hurt.  It's just my time, energy, and patience.  I would again like to thank my husband for his support, financially and emotionally (again, smile) through this whole ordeal.  It's been very frustrating for me. 
At least I know what to ask Santa for Christmas this year--just one more pair of JOBST thigh high compression stockings, 20-30mmHG with the silicone dot band (heaven in a box~~a very, very expensive box)...

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