We were promised back in December that if we paid our fast offerings we would be blessed beyond reason,, something close to that wording anyways. I have always struggled with fast offerings, never struggled with paying my tithing,, that has always just be the Lord's money as far as I was concerned, fast offerings were a completely different story though. So when we were promised this, the very first thought that popped into my head was,, "great, seriously,, can't pay our bills, but pay $15-20 a month and you'll be blessed,,,,, right!' Not exactly sure why my faith seemed to waiver at that thought, but it did. *sigh*
So we started paying our fast offerings, maybe to prove our Bishop wrong,,, but I did it. Every month since December we have paid our fast offerings. (it's been three months, yea I know, but stay with me here,, the climax of the story is coming I promise!) We pay our tithing every week and on the first sunday of every month we include our fast offerings. The first time I paid it I handed the envelope to our Bishop and said,, "you know this is going on complete faith here right?" He chuckled and said "well how else are you gonna get your blessings?" Ok point noted.
Well since we have started paying this, we have been abundantly blessed. Todd has insurance, which took hold February first... with a $950 deductible,, which we have already paid, *he's awfully expensive to keep around, but I love him*, He is scheduled for a vitrectomy surgery on his eye TOMORROW! and it's 100% covered because we have already met the deductible!!! WOO HOOOO this is a $25,000.00+ surgery! and the dr is hopeful that Todd will regain most of his sight again! YAYAYAYAYAYYA.
He is also scheduled for surgery to place the catheter for dialysis for March 3!!,, and Soon we are meeting with the transplant team.
These are JUST a few of the blessings we have be given. And it actually took a letter from Jake to point them out to me. I just get soo wrapped up in the day to day stuff, that although I know we are being blessed, sometimes I forget to notice. Jake said in his last letter to us,, and yes it was all in caps! EYE SURGERY, DIALYSIS AND A TRANSPLANT,, WOO HOOO WHAT BLESSINGS WE ARE GETTING, although I wish they had come a little sooner lol" This brought tears to my eyes for many reasons,,, 1, HE recognized the Lord's hand in all this, before I did
2. I needed my missionary boy to remind me of just how blessed we are.
And yes we are definitely blessed. Our prayers are being answered. * I love my faith and the strength I get from it*
Although all these things are happening right now, I am so very scared,, ALL THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING RIGHT FREAKING NOW!!! Every time they put my husband under anesthesia there is a threat that his heart will stop, that something could go wrong. I try not to go there. Really I do. It scares me though. I don't know what I would do if he didn't wake up. I'm not done being happily married yet. This is my biggest fear. Rarely do I let Todd see how stressed and worried I am about him and his health. He really doesn't need the stress. BUT, yesterday when we were on our way home from his pre op for the catheter operation, tears just started rolling down my cheeks. He didn't notice, ha he hasn't had his eye surgery yet! ;) As we got through mesquite, I took an exit and parked the car, he looked at me and noticed the tears,, and asked what was wrong telling me I had nothing to worry about, that he was going to be fine. And all I could say was "don't die on me please! " "I need another 20+ years with you!!!!" And he just pulled me into his arms and onto his lap,, which is a little awkward considering I'm no size 2 and I drive a VW Beetle!, but it's something he used to do all the time, before he got sick, and it's something he hasn't been able to do for quite a while. We just sat there, off the exit holding each other, him telling me how much he loved me and that he wasn't going anywhere, and me just hanging on tight. *I totally get the saying "love hurts"*
I know in my heart of hearts that everything will work out the way it should. I know I need to keep my mind from going towards the negative thoughts. Sometimes it's just so completely overwhelming the only thing that will help is a blessing and a good cry. The blessing I'll get tonight!
Kenzie is coming down tonight to spend some time with Levi and help out over the weekend, which is AWESOME!! I miss her. I miss having her help me around the house. I miss seeing her every day, and getting a hug. So yea I'm excited she's coming down, I love having adult children!! Although I have no clue why they all feel the need to leave me!! :)
Thank you for all your love, support and prayers! I will keep you posted on Friday's surgery and how it goes. You can youtube it to watch part of what they are going to do to his eye. Kinda intriguing actually!
Hug your kids more, yell less... say I love you ... and mean it.
Showing posts with label diabetes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diabetes. Show all posts
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Stage 5
We were in St George yesterday for Todd's monthly check ups with his dr's. The first appointment was this a rehab therapist that taught me how to massage the lymph nodes in Todd to help them release the fluid that his body seems intent on holding ransom! I'm excited about this because it's one more thing that can help keep his heart healthy and pumping!! YAY!!!
We then met up with our two girls and had lunch with them before our next appointment. We both love that these two will come meet us whenever we are in St George. In fact we tend to get in some serious trouble if we even think of making a quick trip up there without calling them and letting them know.
Every time we go up to see our Nephrologist he has an entire panel of blood work done. These tests tell him how well Todd's kidneys are working and how well he is maintaining and looking after his diabetes. One of these tests is to see the GFR.
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/what-is-gfr-and-why-is-it-so-important-in-kidney-disease-3394266.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ab_paid_12&gclid=COfUj4yBtbwCFeg-MgodVF0A9A
you can just click on the above link, this article explains better than I ever could, what the GFR is.
You want your GFR to be about 120-125 milliliters per minute of fluid intake and output *as I understand it, this is the amount of fluid your kidneys are "cleaning" per minute.I could be wrong,, it's happened before, although I don't believe it was ever documented, so there is no proof! ;-)*
Last month Todd's GFR was at 21,, it needs to be under 20 to be considered for a transplant, so that is what we were hoping for this visit.
Be careful what you wish for!!! 13.. yep his GFR is 13. Which put him in stage 5 kidney failure. I don't think there is a stage 6 people!! NO BUENO!
Dr Leon, who we absolutely love and completely trust, explained it to me like this,,, "we wanted to do it a little slower. Think of it as landing a plane, you want a nice smooth, bump free landing,, instead your kidneys went 'look!! AN AIRSTRIP!' and did a complete nose dive right to the tarmac."
He sent a referal into the Kidney Transplant Team immediately, and we are expecting to hear from them in the next week.
He talked to us last visit about the different options we have for dialysis. There are two main types, there's hemodialysis where you go to a dialysis center and sit for 4 hours, 2-3 days a week and get hooked up to a machine that removes all the blood from your body, cleans and purifies it, and puts it back in,, sounds pleasant doesn't it? This can be really hard on your heart. Here is the internets definition:
blood passes from the patient's body through a filter in the dialysis machine, called a "dialysis membrane." For this procedure, the patient has a specialized plastic tube placed between an artery and a vein in the arm or leg (called a "gortex graft"). Sometimes, a direct connection is made between an artery and a vein in the arm. This procedure is called a "Cimino fistula." Needles are then placed in the graft or fistula, and blood passes to the dialysis machine, through the filter, and back to the patient. In the dialysis machine, a solution on the other side of the filter receives the waste products from the patient.
Then there is Peritoneal dialysis.. which uses the patients own body tissues inside of the belly (abdominal cavity) to act as the filter. The intestines lie in the abdominal cavity, the space between the abdominal wall and the spine. A plastic tube called a "dialysis catheter" is placed through the abdominal wall into the abdominal cavity. A special fluid is then flushed into the abdominal cavity and washes around the intestines. The intestinal walls act as a filter between this fluid and the blood stream. By using different types of solutions, waste products and excess water can be removed from the body through this process.
This second type is done at home, after the catheter is put in and healed, you go in and they teach you how to hook up to a machine and you do this before going to bed at night. You get to sleep through dialysis. You do this every night. This is the option we are doing.
Todd will get a dialysis catheter put in, we are hoping, within the next two weeks, and then after there is a good seal of scar tissue around it, about 4 weeks after the surgery, we go in and get set up with a machine, tubing, and all the equipment we need to do this at home. Scary,,, kind of. HOWEVER, being as our dr's are in St George, and we can't switch dr's in the middle of trying to get disability, this is an excellent option for us. Even Dr Leon said Todd is a prime candidate for this type of dialysis.
So now we are waiting for phone calls from the Transplant team and the surgeon who will place the dialysis catheter in Todd's abdomen.
When we meet with the transplant team they will give us a list of criteria for potential matches for a kidney. I know I plan on going and getting tested asap. (Please know, we are not asking any one to go out and be tested. I have had several people call me, or come up to me and ask what the criteria is for a match, and I just want to put it out there that I will let them know as soon as I do.)
Our boys, bless their hearts, all said they want to go get tested too. To which I looked at Jake and said, If that is what you really want to do and the dr's say ok you are healthy enough to live with one kidney, then ok. Todd and I both turned to Andrew and Adam and gave a stern "NO FREAKING WAY are you two getting tested!' *these are Todd's two boys from his first marriage*, when they asked why, looking hurt and livid that I would say that, I explained that they are at such a HIGH risk of diabetes,, their father, maternal grandfather, and paternal grandparents, and uncles all have it,, they are going to need both their kidneys!!!
It seriously amazes me how Heavenly Father just gets everything to fall into place at EXACTLY the right time!! I thought these auctions and fundraisers were not going to do much to help, make no mistake, I am beyond grateful for all the hard work, donations, time and effort that went into all the fundraising efforts!! Words can NOT express how grateful we both are.
They ended at just the right time. Todd was able to find health care that is $400 a month, with a $950 deductible, once that deductible is paid, everything else, including prescriptions, and transplant surgery, is covered for the rest of the year. This health care went into affect on February 1 of this year. So 5 days into it, and we have already paid close to $500 of the deductible. After I pick up his insulin prescriptions today, we will be at about $7-800 paid. Do you have any idea what a relief this is, to have that money there, knowing that is what it is for.. I don't have to worry about NV energy coming after us or threatening to shut off our power because I needed to get todd's insulin, or get his to a dr's visit? THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!
So now we wait!
We get up in the morning,, say our prayers, thank our Father in Heaven for another fantastically wonderful day!, we ask that our missionary is protected and doing well, We do what needs to be done through out the day, we seek out opportunities to help those less fortunate than we are, *we are so freaking blessed!*, and we give thanks at the end of our day. And do it all again tomorrow.
We have seen over and over again that our Father in Heaven is taking care of us, He's got this!! *although He seems to leave the cleaning of the house to me! :-( *
Thank you to everyone for all your love and support!! We will keep you posted!
We then met up with our two girls and had lunch with them before our next appointment. We both love that these two will come meet us whenever we are in St George. In fact we tend to get in some serious trouble if we even think of making a quick trip up there without calling them and letting them know.
Every time we go up to see our Nephrologist he has an entire panel of blood work done. These tests tell him how well Todd's kidneys are working and how well he is maintaining and looking after his diabetes. One of these tests is to see the GFR.
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/what-is-gfr-and-why-is-it-so-important-in-kidney-disease-3394266.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ab_paid_12&gclid=COfUj4yBtbwCFeg-MgodVF0A9A
you can just click on the above link, this article explains better than I ever could, what the GFR is.
You want your GFR to be about 120-125 milliliters per minute of fluid intake and output *as I understand it, this is the amount of fluid your kidneys are "cleaning" per minute.I could be wrong,, it's happened before, although I don't believe it was ever documented, so there is no proof! ;-)*
Last month Todd's GFR was at 21,, it needs to be under 20 to be considered for a transplant, so that is what we were hoping for this visit.
Be careful what you wish for!!! 13.. yep his GFR is 13. Which put him in stage 5 kidney failure. I don't think there is a stage 6 people!! NO BUENO!
Dr Leon, who we absolutely love and completely trust, explained it to me like this,,, "we wanted to do it a little slower. Think of it as landing a plane, you want a nice smooth, bump free landing,, instead your kidneys went 'look!! AN AIRSTRIP!' and did a complete nose dive right to the tarmac."
He sent a referal into the Kidney Transplant Team immediately, and we are expecting to hear from them in the next week.
He talked to us last visit about the different options we have for dialysis. There are two main types, there's hemodialysis where you go to a dialysis center and sit for 4 hours, 2-3 days a week and get hooked up to a machine that removes all the blood from your body, cleans and purifies it, and puts it back in,, sounds pleasant doesn't it? This can be really hard on your heart. Here is the internets definition:
blood passes from the patient's body through a filter in the dialysis machine, called a "dialysis membrane." For this procedure, the patient has a specialized plastic tube placed between an artery and a vein in the arm or leg (called a "gortex graft"). Sometimes, a direct connection is made between an artery and a vein in the arm. This procedure is called a "Cimino fistula." Needles are then placed in the graft or fistula, and blood passes to the dialysis machine, through the filter, and back to the patient. In the dialysis machine, a solution on the other side of the filter receives the waste products from the patient.
Then there is Peritoneal dialysis.. which uses the patients own body tissues inside of the belly (abdominal cavity) to act as the filter. The intestines lie in the abdominal cavity, the space between the abdominal wall and the spine. A plastic tube called a "dialysis catheter" is placed through the abdominal wall into the abdominal cavity. A special fluid is then flushed into the abdominal cavity and washes around the intestines. The intestinal walls act as a filter between this fluid and the blood stream. By using different types of solutions, waste products and excess water can be removed from the body through this process.
This second type is done at home, after the catheter is put in and healed, you go in and they teach you how to hook up to a machine and you do this before going to bed at night. You get to sleep through dialysis. You do this every night. This is the option we are doing.
Todd will get a dialysis catheter put in, we are hoping, within the next two weeks, and then after there is a good seal of scar tissue around it, about 4 weeks after the surgery, we go in and get set up with a machine, tubing, and all the equipment we need to do this at home. Scary,,, kind of. HOWEVER, being as our dr's are in St George, and we can't switch dr's in the middle of trying to get disability, this is an excellent option for us. Even Dr Leon said Todd is a prime candidate for this type of dialysis.
So now we are waiting for phone calls from the Transplant team and the surgeon who will place the dialysis catheter in Todd's abdomen.
When we meet with the transplant team they will give us a list of criteria for potential matches for a kidney. I know I plan on going and getting tested asap. (Please know, we are not asking any one to go out and be tested. I have had several people call me, or come up to me and ask what the criteria is for a match, and I just want to put it out there that I will let them know as soon as I do.)
Our boys, bless their hearts, all said they want to go get tested too. To which I looked at Jake and said, If that is what you really want to do and the dr's say ok you are healthy enough to live with one kidney, then ok. Todd and I both turned to Andrew and Adam and gave a stern "NO FREAKING WAY are you two getting tested!' *these are Todd's two boys from his first marriage*, when they asked why, looking hurt and livid that I would say that, I explained that they are at such a HIGH risk of diabetes,, their father, maternal grandfather, and paternal grandparents, and uncles all have it,, they are going to need both their kidneys!!!
It seriously amazes me how Heavenly Father just gets everything to fall into place at EXACTLY the right time!! I thought these auctions and fundraisers were not going to do much to help, make no mistake, I am beyond grateful for all the hard work, donations, time and effort that went into all the fundraising efforts!! Words can NOT express how grateful we both are.
They ended at just the right time. Todd was able to find health care that is $400 a month, with a $950 deductible, once that deductible is paid, everything else, including prescriptions, and transplant surgery, is covered for the rest of the year. This health care went into affect on February 1 of this year. So 5 days into it, and we have already paid close to $500 of the deductible. After I pick up his insulin prescriptions today, we will be at about $7-800 paid. Do you have any idea what a relief this is, to have that money there, knowing that is what it is for.. I don't have to worry about NV energy coming after us or threatening to shut off our power because I needed to get todd's insulin, or get his to a dr's visit? THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!
So now we wait!
We get up in the morning,, say our prayers, thank our Father in Heaven for another fantastically wonderful day!, we ask that our missionary is protected and doing well, We do what needs to be done through out the day, we seek out opportunities to help those less fortunate than we are, *we are so freaking blessed!*, and we give thanks at the end of our day. And do it all again tomorrow.
We have seen over and over again that our Father in Heaven is taking care of us, He's got this!! *although He seems to leave the cleaning of the house to me! :-( *
Thank you to everyone for all your love and support!! We will keep you posted!
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Just another day in the life....
It's been a while since I have blogged, and for that I am truly sorry. Things have been going relatively well since our last dr visit. Alot has happened. I got a new job with Macy's, which is now full time and a 25 minute commute each way. Jacob, our oldest son, got his mission call,, YAY! He is going to the Georgia Macon mission, he reports December 18. He is so ready to go, and kind of feels like he is in limbo right now. And my sweetheart is not in need of new kidneys,,,, yet.
I am so blessed to have the best husband in the entire world! He has transitioned well into a stay at home dad. I come home from work and he gets up to greet me and make me dinner, if it isn't already waiting for me when I come home. He helps out with laundry, and keeps Levi quiet when I have to go to bed early. I came home a few weeks ago from work and Todd offered to make me a salad for dinner, so I sat down at the table and watched him work. (not being sarcastic here, I really enjoy just watching my man!) He reaches into the fridge and I see him stumbling with his hands inside the fridge, I ask him if he's ok and he claims he is... then I watch as he begins to slice a cucumber. Tears fill my eyes, he is using his hands as his eyes. he is gliding the knife down his fingers and using his fingers to measure how big of a slice of cucumber to cut. I mention this and he goes quiet. He doesnt say anything. I quietly get up and grab the cheese for him (it's pregrated), and he says "No, leave it, I can do it, I have to know where things are"
We needed to talk.
My strong, tough guy, all American husband had kept from me how bad his eyesight had gotten. He didn't want to worry me or stress me out any more than necessary. Apparently me waking up in the middle of the night three or four times to make sure he is ok was not a secret. He tells me he can see shadows, that is all. He can make out shapes on good days. I don't know what to do for him or how to fix this. We have seen a retna specialist, and he was getting shots in the eyes every 6 weeks, but at $1000 a pop, that simply can't go on forever. We had stopped doing his right eye about 6 months ago because they were no longer helping it.
People that come over to visit just dont realize how sick he really is. His kidneys are still failing, which makes him excruciatingly tired on an hourly basis. He has days, weeks where he can not keep anything down, where it takes all his energy just to lift his head. Then there are days where he seems perfectly healthy, still using a cane on a daily basis, he goes about his day as if he is healthy,, although he still needs to stop and rest every so often. I watch as he stumbles to the couch because his neck is going to give out. I watch as he gets ever so frustrated that he can't do a simply thing like sort the laundry, or find a utensil in the drawer. I hold him as he cries because he says he has failed me as a husband and a father. I watch as our oldest boy asks his dad if he wants to go on a father/son date.. son's treat, and Jake willingly drives his father anywhere he needs or wants to go. I watch as our youngest son runs and grabs his dad's blood kit so he can test his blood sugars, and I watch as Levi reads to his dad the numbers off the meter, and asks "what insulin dad, and how much?"
I watch as my husband gets sicker and sicker and all I can do is pray.... pray that there is some way we can fix this.. pray that he's not taken from me yet. That is a thought that is the very frontmost part of my thoughts all day long, every day. My daily silent prayer as I leave my house is "Please Heavenly Father,, Let him have a good day!, Let him be ok when I get home"
I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, Todd, the boys and I have all learned so much from all of this. I guess we still have more to learn. I have never once said "why me,, why us,, why now?" I have always thought, "Ok the Lord knows we can handle this,,, let's handle!" and if it's not us, it would be someone else,, and honestly,, I wouldn't wish this on any one of you.
Someone tell me diabetes is an every day disease, and it doesn't kill any more. Someone tell me it's ok, they can take a shot after eating junk. Someone tell me it won't happen to them. someone tell me I DON'T KNOW! Send that Someone to come stay at my house for one week. See what diabetes does when you don't look after it.
I just want someone to tell me everything is going to be ok and soon I will have my handsome healthy husband back.
I was talking to a friend of mine about all of this and how I needed an outlet and she suggested I blog... DUH! I'm certainly up early enough. So this will become sort of like a journal for me... for those who want to follow along. And if no body reads it... it will be for me. I need it. I need to let my feelings out without putting more stress on my husband who has to put every ounce of his energy into healing himself. I try not to let him see me cry, I save it for when I'm in the tub, or right now,, while he is sleeping and I'm headed out the door to work. He'll never know. I'll come home with a smile on my face and do all I can to help him. He doesn't need my stress to stress him out. so thank you for letting this be my new outlet. {if any of you tell him what I'm saying on here I may disown ya! ;-)}
I am so blessed to have the best husband in the entire world! He has transitioned well into a stay at home dad. I come home from work and he gets up to greet me and make me dinner, if it isn't already waiting for me when I come home. He helps out with laundry, and keeps Levi quiet when I have to go to bed early. I came home a few weeks ago from work and Todd offered to make me a salad for dinner, so I sat down at the table and watched him work. (not being sarcastic here, I really enjoy just watching my man!) He reaches into the fridge and I see him stumbling with his hands inside the fridge, I ask him if he's ok and he claims he is... then I watch as he begins to slice a cucumber. Tears fill my eyes, he is using his hands as his eyes. he is gliding the knife down his fingers and using his fingers to measure how big of a slice of cucumber to cut. I mention this and he goes quiet. He doesnt say anything. I quietly get up and grab the cheese for him (it's pregrated), and he says "No, leave it, I can do it, I have to know where things are"
We needed to talk.
My strong, tough guy, all American husband had kept from me how bad his eyesight had gotten. He didn't want to worry me or stress me out any more than necessary. Apparently me waking up in the middle of the night three or four times to make sure he is ok was not a secret. He tells me he can see shadows, that is all. He can make out shapes on good days. I don't know what to do for him or how to fix this. We have seen a retna specialist, and he was getting shots in the eyes every 6 weeks, but at $1000 a pop, that simply can't go on forever. We had stopped doing his right eye about 6 months ago because they were no longer helping it.
People that come over to visit just dont realize how sick he really is. His kidneys are still failing, which makes him excruciatingly tired on an hourly basis. He has days, weeks where he can not keep anything down, where it takes all his energy just to lift his head. Then there are days where he seems perfectly healthy, still using a cane on a daily basis, he goes about his day as if he is healthy,, although he still needs to stop and rest every so often. I watch as he stumbles to the couch because his neck is going to give out. I watch as he gets ever so frustrated that he can't do a simply thing like sort the laundry, or find a utensil in the drawer. I hold him as he cries because he says he has failed me as a husband and a father. I watch as our oldest boy asks his dad if he wants to go on a father/son date.. son's treat, and Jake willingly drives his father anywhere he needs or wants to go. I watch as our youngest son runs and grabs his dad's blood kit so he can test his blood sugars, and I watch as Levi reads to his dad the numbers off the meter, and asks "what insulin dad, and how much?"
I watch as my husband gets sicker and sicker and all I can do is pray.... pray that there is some way we can fix this.. pray that he's not taken from me yet. That is a thought that is the very frontmost part of my thoughts all day long, every day. My daily silent prayer as I leave my house is "Please Heavenly Father,, Let him have a good day!, Let him be ok when I get home"
I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, Todd, the boys and I have all learned so much from all of this. I guess we still have more to learn. I have never once said "why me,, why us,, why now?" I have always thought, "Ok the Lord knows we can handle this,,, let's handle!" and if it's not us, it would be someone else,, and honestly,, I wouldn't wish this on any one of you.
Someone tell me diabetes is an every day disease, and it doesn't kill any more. Someone tell me it's ok, they can take a shot after eating junk. Someone tell me it won't happen to them. someone tell me I DON'T KNOW! Send that Someone to come stay at my house for one week. See what diabetes does when you don't look after it.
I just want someone to tell me everything is going to be ok and soon I will have my handsome healthy husband back.
I was talking to a friend of mine about all of this and how I needed an outlet and she suggested I blog... DUH! I'm certainly up early enough. So this will become sort of like a journal for me... for those who want to follow along. And if no body reads it... it will be for me. I need it. I need to let my feelings out without putting more stress on my husband who has to put every ounce of his energy into healing himself. I try not to let him see me cry, I save it for when I'm in the tub, or right now,, while he is sleeping and I'm headed out the door to work. He'll never know. I'll come home with a smile on my face and do all I can to help him. He doesn't need my stress to stress him out. so thank you for letting this be my new outlet. {if any of you tell him what I'm saying on here I may disown ya! ;-)}
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