Update

Some of you have been asking about the results of the blood work from my Rheumatologist. I forgot that I hadn't updated you all. The blood work came back normal except my ANA was elevated but it's supposed to be in someone that has Lupus...so for all diagnostic purposes, things are normal. However, we are not going to begin the fertility medicine again at this point. There are many things going on here that we need to get a handle on first and although I'm not getting any younger, sometimes-it's just not the right time to add more to the already overflowing plate.



XOXO

Present

One of my clients (15yrs old) drew and colored this for me. Isn't it beautiful?! It has the Lupus ribbon and, of course, butterflies.

Summer travel plans

That's right...Ben and I are going to The Price Is Right! Our 5th anniversary is coming up and we wanted to do something special. We fly into L.A. on May 22nd and take our rental car to the Hyatt in Long Beach. While we are there we are going on a day cruise to Catalina Island and then another day we are going to visit the Queen Mary. I'm so excited! On Monday we have to get up early and drive back to L.A. to wait in line for the Price is Right. We have tickets but seating is a first come, first serve basis so we want to get there early. If we get in, it will be for the one o'clock taping and then our flight leaves later that evening.

It also seems that we are all set for Montana in July. It isn't set in stone yet but we are making every effort to go. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

Finally, my friend Becky and I are trying really hard to go to Las Vegas in September. I want to stay at Mandalay Bay and we are so excited to go...now we just need to find decent deals :)


Love you all!

XOXO

Spring break for adults-yaaaaaay!

It's been a while since I've posted anything, I know. Things on our end of the world have been a little hectic and busy feels like an understatement. The results of my cervix stuff came back that they are two cysts and are nothing to worry about. My Rheumatologist saw me on Tuesday and drew a ton of blood to run tests before we begin taking the fertility medicine again next month. I've had it for a while but have been reluctant to take it for a variety of reasons...but I think if these tests come back okay then we will move forward again and hope for the best.





This last weekend, we spent some time with old friends that we hadn't seen in years. It's crazy how time gets away from you. I also hung out with some friends from high school so that was fun. It's been snowy here but this week it's supposed to be much warmer. We are still not sure about going to the family reunion in July. It's something that we have to think about. I also got a new tattoo over my break on my leg. I never thought I would be someone that liked tattoos but the two I have, I just love-maybe it's because they are full of symbolism. Anyway, that's the general update on our end. I'll try to be better about keeping up to date :)

XOXO

Silly cervix

Well for those of you who have been waiting for the follow-up to my dr visit from Monday, here are the results. I have two spots on my cervix. They could be just cysts or they could be two masses. I'm banking on the first. My doctor took more blood and is ordering my charts from my family doctor and Rheumatologist for review. She will call me after that. Then on Tuesday, my Rheumatologist's office called and said they wanted to see me as soon as possible. I told them I was feeling fine and didn't think that was necessary-they did, however. So after rearranging my schedule, I'm going in a little later this month. I vacillated on whether to tell anyone out of fear of their concern...but I'm trying to get better about dealing with issues head on instead of hiding from them-so there ya go.

On a more positive note, my doggies are the cutest things ever. Sometimes I'll find myself longing to be snuggling with them when I'm supposed to be working :) My sister got a guinea pig. His name is Theodore. I have yet to meet him but hear he is adorable.

Life changes a little on Wednesday.

I love Wednesdays. Wednesdays are my day to come home in the middle of the day and spend time with Ben. This week has been exceptionally hard at work (and it's not even close to being over)...so I jumped at the chance to leave today and come home to see Ben and the doggies. It's funny how the simplest things can get us through the hardest times. Growing up, home was the last place I ever wanted to be and now I consider it my sanctuary. I have such a great husband and even though my life feels hard sometimes, I'm grateful for all that I have.

Thankful for employment but can I just get a 'Thank you'?!

I have been so sick lately with random ailments. Many of which are too personal to go into detail here. However, I have an ultrasound scheduled in a little over a week to check on some things and they ran some blood tests when I was at the doctor on Tuesday. I'm not really sure what my OB will be looking for but I'll let you know when I know more. Today I was supposed to be working from home. As always, I love to procrastinate and put that off as long as possible. Ben and I watched Price is Right, played with the doggies, hung out with my neighbors in their new hot tub, etc. Then about two I started feeling so tired I was shaky. I thought a nap was in order. About 4:30 I pulled myself out of bed and felt worse than when I first layed down. I rarely take naps and that is why-I don't feel like they help most of the time. So it's 7pm and I'm writing this blog instead of reports...awesome :) But let's face it, this is much more fun!

Work has been really hard the last few weeks. Both Becky and I are burnt out and it shows. Not to mention, we both have tough caseloads combined with being pulled many different directions because everyone in every department needs help. I'm all about teamwork but it's hard to be excited about helping out when my job isn't getting done because I don't have the time to do it and it feels like the "higher ups" don't see all that we do. I do feel grateful, however, to have a job and sometimes I just have to remind myself how lucky I really am. I also try to keep in mind that in my field, verbal abuse is rampant and none of us are in it for the pay, rather the difference and the impact we can make.

Becky and I have been such close friends for the last four years. In that time we have learned to balance each other out. When I'm having a bad day, she takes the lead and vice versa. Now that we are both burnt out, nobody is taking the lead and the kids feel that...SO we have decided that we needed a girls day. Next Saturday we are going to get our toes done and go to this place that Elizabeth and I discovered last weekend called Bath Junkie. You can custom blend your lotions, body wash, shampoo, etc. I LOVE my lotion and I love the fact that unless someone decides to mix the three scents I mixed together, nobody will smell like me! I know, I find happiness in some of the smallest things :) Nothing lifts my mood like a soft fragrance!

XOXO