A year ago today, this afternoon, I received a call from my neurologist, Dr. Waterhouse. She told me the results of my MRI showed inflamation on my spinal cord and I needed to be admitted to the hospital to receive steroids for 3-4 days. She also planned to do a lumbar puncture, brain MRI, and many more tests. I was frightened but relieved that there may be some help for the strange nerve sensations I'd been dealing with since 2/6/09. I was pleased to have a plan. At least I didn't have to be admitted until the next morning so I could pack my things and help Chris plan for the care of our 2 year old and 8 month old (who was still breastfeeding). I packed that breast pump because I was determined that I was going to chose to wean my baby, they weren't going to chose for me! I remember just crying at my cubicle because I was so fearful about WHAT was wrong with me. Was it a brain tumor? Was it MS? Was it RA? Was it a mystery with no name? I called my parents and shared the news with them, on my dad's birthday. I was so frightened and I'm sure they were too. They had Mom's knee replacement surgery the next day too. So Mom and I were admitted to 2 different hospital on the same day (2/17/09) but we were many miles apart. It was a scary time! And I am in such a different place a year later, thankfully! Mom has gotten 2 new knees since then and is standing TALL...
Happy Birthday Dad! Only good news to share today. :)
After reading that a mother from Richmond Mommies, a mother of 1-year-old twins, just died of a breast cancer on 2/12/10, I'm counting my blessings, again. What a tragedy! CANCER SUCKS! Makes me angry. I'm praying for this mother, her family, and the medical professionals that tried to help her fight this horrible disease.
Count your blessings and don't stop!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Valentine's Day Weekend
We had a busy weekend. Thankfully, all of the Starretts were feeling well finally! Friday night I had dinner at our house with Nichole, Leslie, and Wendy. I really enjoyed our time together! I made a wonderful recipe from the Kraft Foods website.http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/shrimp-tortellini-spinach-107842.aspx. I doubled the recipe so I could enjoy it later and share it with Chris and the kids. I was thankful that Chris was home to help get the kids to bed so I could focus on dinner. Saturday was a busy day! Ian, Ruby, and I went to the AMF bowing alley to pick up gift cards for Taylor and Grayson's birthdays, our youngest nephews on the Starrett side. They had a great time playing in the arcade! We were so happy to have a weekend with no snow that we just had to get out! Plus, Daddy needed some quiet so he could sleep from working overnight. This photo was taken last Sunday during our sledding adventure in the neighborhood. Thanks Pinkaj, great photo! After we put Ruby down for a nap, Ian and I went to Party City to pick up balloons for Taylor and Grayson and then to head to Allen & Christine's house. Ian helped me pick out 2 Transformer balloons for his cousins. He proudly carried them to the car and we set off for Sandston. On the way, Ian decided he was hot and put down his window on I-295. Unfortunately, he'd tied his favorite stuffed animal, Max, to one of the balloons, the one that flew out the window. I was yelling at Ian to catch Max who was about to fly out the window too. Luckily, he acted quickly and saved Max, but we lost one balloon. I lectured Ian about opening the window without asking Mommy. It scared both of us and I'm sure it startled the drivers around us. Then, he said he'd hold on tight to Max and the remaining balloon. When we got to Allen & Christine's house, I was helping him out of the car, he was holding the balloon and then he let go and I didn't catch it in time, so we lost that one too! Sadly, Taylor and Grayson were watching out the window when it floated up to the sky. Here are some photos from the party: http://picasaweb.google.com/emilystarrett/GraysonTaylorSBirthdayParty2010?feat=directlink We had a great time. Daddy and Ruby met us after they woke up from their naps. It was great to see my inlaws, Pop Pop and Mom Mom. Ian and Kyle had matching VA Tech jerseys on and they hung out and watched Sports Center together. It was great to see Christine's parents, Karl and Linda. They've been through a lot with their daughter, Nicole's, battle with ovarian cancer. Please keep Nicole in your prayers! Apparently, she just got a new wig (much darker than her original hair) and she looked good in the photo Christine showed me.
We left to go watch Daddy play basketball. Yes, basketball. He's very athletic but I've never seen him play basketball. It was a Kraft Foods supervisor vs. hourly employees basketball game. Ian, Ruby, and I enjoyed watching Daddy play. Ian struggled to stay off the court and they both didn't like the whistling and beeping. We left early to rush to Mechanicsville to CJ's Thumbs Up Ball before it ended. Daddy stayed to finish the game and unfortunately they lost to the hourlys but not by much.
The ride to Mechanicsville was funny. Ian asked me, "How do they make roads?" and "How do you get married?" Big questions that were equally complicated for Mommy to answer. He wondered aloud if "Mechanicsville is where they work on cars?!" Too cute. His brain is constantly working...and he rarely stops talking. :)
Ruby tries every word and says the cutest things. She's so precious and sweet! I've determined that she is quietly mischevious. She is so into Ring Around the Rosey right now and loves to hold my hands and just bounce. She was so intrigued by a gymnastic meet on TV, I think she's a budding gymnist. She definitely felt better this weekend and was more independent and less clingy. :)
The Thumbs Up Ball was awesome! We got there toward the end but got some snacks and chatted with Roger and Rachel some. Our friends, the Suydams were there so we enjoyed seeing them. Of course, Ian's first question to Rachel was, "Where's Charlotte?" Ugh. Rachel handled it beautifully. I'm sure it's not the first time she's been asked that by a little friend. I won a raffle prize. $15 to Jason's Deli. Yum! They then called my number again but I was honest and admitted that I'd already won once. The kids were BUCK WILD by that point. They'd spent all day eating junk and were tired so we headed home.
Valentine's Day was nice. We didn't do much which was welcome after such a busy Saturday. I went on a nice long walk and ran into my friend, Kathy, so I enjoyed chatting with her. Then I came home to Chris on the couch with both children asleep in his arms. My heart melted. All my Valentines on one couch! Ian and Ruby are even more beautiful when they are asleep. Here's a photo.
Meg came over later and Chris and I went out to a fabulous dinner at Bonvenu. Thanks Meg! Bonvenu is a new restaurant in Carytown and we had a wonderful time together and enjoyed an amazing meal. Chris LOVED the chocolate coffee creme brulee. He did not share it very nicely. The 2 bites I had were amazing! My lamb chops were really yummy too.
Happy Birthday to Dad/G'Daddy tomorrow! The card is in the mail. I didn't plan for no postal service due to Sunday and President's Day. We'll give you a call tomorrow.
We hope to head to St. James the Less for a pancake supper tomorrow night. Fat Tuesday!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Snowy Morning
The children are at daycare, I'm at work, and Chris is at home asleep. Everyone is in their places! It was a tough drive to daycare and work this morning. I was praising my Honda Pilot and it's handling in this weather. I had a sigh of relief when the children were safely at daycare and I was alone on I-295 and I-95 to see all of the cars in ditches and on the side of the road. I was worried about Chris since he would be driving the opposite direction in the 1995 Camry (that just hit 190,000 miles, thanks Mom and Dad). I made it to downtown in a little over an hour, which usually takes 20-25 minutes. Then I had a blizzard-like walk for 4 blocks from the parking deck, but I'm here! Chris called me when he got home safely. He said that the drive was easier than it was on the 1/30/10 when he saw probably 50+ vehicles in ditches, including a State Trooper. He was safe in the Pilot.
I'm thinking about Amanda and Chris in D.C. and our NJ and NY family and friends that are being blasted w/ more snow. I hope they are safe...keeping their electricity and the roofs stay strong.
I stayed home w/ Ruby yesterday. We had fun, lots of reading books and LOTS of yogurt (for her, not me). She didn't seem to feel too bad but I didn't want to push her to make it through daycare again. And she'd just started Amoxicillan that caused some GI symptoms the last time she took it. She didn't want to nap, so she stayed in her crib and jumped, threw out books and stuffed animals, and screamed. After it was clear that she wasn't going to fall asleep she came downstairs to play more and have more yogurt. By 4pm she was DONE and crying at any little thing. She can be pretty intense! So, off to the crib she went! Her screaming woke up Daddy who rescued her from me for a few minutes, until she changed her mind. Then she fell asleep in my arms. And she slept, and slept, and slept. She did not wake up until I woke her at 7am this morning. I kept thinking that she would wake up in the middle of the night to play but, nothing. Ian did wake me at 2:45am to tell me that he went potty ( I was proud of him using the potty during the night) and I escorted him back to bed w/ a couple songs (the easiest ones, Twinkle Twinkle, and Row Row Row Your Boat). Ruby seemed a bit emotional this morning but she pulled it together and seemed to be happy at school. So we'll see...
I've gotta get crackin' on the valentines. I have to help Ian AND Ruby make them this year. And Ian requested that we make Valentine's cookies. Maybe over the weekend...
I'm thinking about Amanda and Chris in D.C. and our NJ and NY family and friends that are being blasted w/ more snow. I hope they are safe...keeping their electricity and the roofs stay strong.
I stayed home w/ Ruby yesterday. We had fun, lots of reading books and LOTS of yogurt (for her, not me). She didn't seem to feel too bad but I didn't want to push her to make it through daycare again. And she'd just started Amoxicillan that caused some GI symptoms the last time she took it. She didn't want to nap, so she stayed in her crib and jumped, threw out books and stuffed animals, and screamed. After it was clear that she wasn't going to fall asleep she came downstairs to play more and have more yogurt. By 4pm she was DONE and crying at any little thing. She can be pretty intense! So, off to the crib she went! Her screaming woke up Daddy who rescued her from me for a few minutes, until she changed her mind. Then she fell asleep in my arms. And she slept, and slept, and slept. She did not wake up until I woke her at 7am this morning. I kept thinking that she would wake up in the middle of the night to play but, nothing. Ian did wake me at 2:45am to tell me that he went potty ( I was proud of him using the potty during the night) and I escorted him back to bed w/ a couple songs (the easiest ones, Twinkle Twinkle, and Row Row Row Your Boat). Ruby seemed a bit emotional this morning but she pulled it together and seemed to be happy at school. So we'll see...
I've gotta get crackin' on the valentines. I have to help Ian AND Ruby make them this year. And Ian requested that we make Valentine's cookies. Maybe over the weekend...
Monday, February 8, 2010
It Continues...
Miss Ruby now has a documented ear infection. I got the dreaded call from the daycare and her teacher said that she had a 101 degree temperature. I picked her up after her nap and took her downtown to see her pediatrician. She seemed happy on I-95, she was telling me everytime she said a truck. So cute! She's now on Amoxicillan and I hope it will help to make her feel better. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Her pediatrician says she can return to daycare but I need to see if the director agrees. I really need to quit missing work! But I hate to not be with my sick baby (although she didn't get the memo that she's supposed to ACT sick). Ah, the juggling.
I had my appointment with my neurologist, Dr. Waterhouse, this morning. She was very pleased with my progress. She said that my "positive attitude" helped in my good outcome. I find her perspective interesting because I didn't feel that positive, I just kept going. I had some rough days. I will do another round of MRIs in June and then will see her again in August. I am so thankful to be feeling healthy. I am forever changed by this experience. And I hope and pray that I will remain healthy. I can't stop thanking God, my wonderful husband, my children, my sisters, my parents, Chris's parents, my friends, my coworkers, and my physicians. A couple of months ago Chris started telling me about falling asleep on his arm and waking up with an arm that would not wake up. He said that the numbness and tingling felt like it went on forever. He explained that he was thinking the whole time that that must have been the way I felt through those very difficult months. I felt so validated by that, he was trying to imagine what I'd gone through and how frustrating and uncomfortable it must have been. I was so touched by that.
The winter weather continues too. It seems that we're going to get a winter mix tomorrow afternoon that will last through Wednesday morning. Enough already!! Although sledding with my little monkeys has been fun.
Go Saints! I enjoyed the Super Bowl, it was a good game and I really wanted the Saints to win.
I had my appointment with my neurologist, Dr. Waterhouse, this morning. She was very pleased with my progress. She said that my "positive attitude" helped in my good outcome. I find her perspective interesting because I didn't feel that positive, I just kept going. I had some rough days. I will do another round of MRIs in June and then will see her again in August. I am so thankful to be feeling healthy. I am forever changed by this experience. And I hope and pray that I will remain healthy. I can't stop thanking God, my wonderful husband, my children, my sisters, my parents, Chris's parents, my friends, my coworkers, and my physicians. A couple of months ago Chris started telling me about falling asleep on his arm and waking up with an arm that would not wake up. He said that the numbness and tingling felt like it went on forever. He explained that he was thinking the whole time that that must have been the way I felt through those very difficult months. I felt so validated by that, he was trying to imagine what I'd gone through and how frustrating and uncomfortable it must have been. I was so touched by that.
The winter weather continues too. It seems that we're going to get a winter mix tomorrow afternoon that will last through Wednesday morning. Enough already!! Although sledding with my little monkeys has been fun.
Go Saints! I enjoyed the Super Bowl, it was a good game and I really wanted the Saints to win.
Friday, February 5, 2010
My Friday Off
It came around again. My every-other-Friday off was today. I took the kids to daycare and then went to my dentist appt. No cavities!! I stopped in to buy tickets to the Thumb's Up Ball (next Sat. night) that will benefit CJSTUF. Then I bought all of the necessities at Target and went to the library to get new books and DVDs. Ian had requested a Jack & The Beanstalk DVD but that was not available. But I checked out a few Olivia books and 3 books written by Mem Fox. I also picked up a Berenstein Bears DVD for Ian. Libraries are the best! Then I went home and relaxed. I did some laundry and vacuumed but I did some lounging on the couch too. Since the weather was unpredictable with snow falling since 7:30am or so, I didn't know when I needed to pick up the kids and Chris was sleeping. I later learned that I needed to pick them up by 4pm.
I went to pick up Ian and Ruby around 3:30pm and the road conditions and visibility were not good. I was thankful that I didn't have to drive far. Ian and Ruby enjoyed walking around in the slushy snow when they were supposed to be loading and unloading into/out of the car. When we got home we dealt with one incident after another. First, Ian was trying to do some kind of gymnastic trick in the kitchen and bounced off the counter and hit his head in the middle of the kitchen floor. He was crying really loud which is rare for my tough little boy. I consoled him and realized that Ruby had come up and had put her head on Ian's back. She clearly was hurting for her brother. The next thing you know, the 3 of us are having a group hug on the kitchen floor. Ian eventually calmed down and we went on to have a "nack (snack in Ruby talk)". So they had applesauce and then chocolate covered almonds. I had this gut feeling (mother's intuition) that the almond may be too tough for Ruby to chew up and swallow safely. I only gave her 3. The first one she chewed well and swallowed. So, I relaxed some and walked away. Then I hear her coughing/choking from across the kitchen, while I was helping Ian w/ his 3rd snack. I ran to the table and she was choking. I picked her up, swept her mouth w/ my finger, and held her head low and whacked her on the back and she threw up on the floor and coughed and was fine. Both of us were scared but I just cleaned up the throw up, she shed some tears and I thanked God that she was okay. I said, "NO MORE ALMONDS FOR RUBY!" Ian agreed. Later, Ian was drinking something and got choked on the liquid and Ruby was so cute, and said, "Ok Is (her way of saying Ian)? Is, okay? Okay Is?" I couldn't believe that my little Ruby was checking on her brother again. I'm really enjoying watching their relationship develop. Ruby has to have a hug from "Broder" before bed every night. It's become a routine. Very sweet! After Ian's minor choking on liquid episode, he was sitting in the family room and his nose just started bleeding. Geesh, all of these incidents happened within the first hour of them being home. Exhausting.
Luckily, Chris got up and helped me with bath and bedtime. It sounds like Chris may not have to work overtime tomorrow afterall. I'm glad because he needs/deserves a night off.
Now it is raining very hard here. It sounds like it's going to go back to snow tomorrow. It's a strange storm. It seems like D.C. may have a record snowfall from this storm. 20 plus inches. I'm thinking of CC, Nander, and Drewbug as they are snowed in.
Ian just woke up, standing at the top of the stairs telling me, "tomorrow, when I'm five (a year plus from now) I'm going to get a skateboard and Landen will get a skateboard too. Mine will have a superhero on it and Landen will have a superhero too." I've got to go tend to getting him back to sleep.
Be careful out there! I'm looking forward to Spring.
I went to pick up Ian and Ruby around 3:30pm and the road conditions and visibility were not good. I was thankful that I didn't have to drive far. Ian and Ruby enjoyed walking around in the slushy snow when they were supposed to be loading and unloading into/out of the car. When we got home we dealt with one incident after another. First, Ian was trying to do some kind of gymnastic trick in the kitchen and bounced off the counter and hit his head in the middle of the kitchen floor. He was crying really loud which is rare for my tough little boy. I consoled him and realized that Ruby had come up and had put her head on Ian's back. She clearly was hurting for her brother. The next thing you know, the 3 of us are having a group hug on the kitchen floor. Ian eventually calmed down and we went on to have a "nack (snack in Ruby talk)". So they had applesauce and then chocolate covered almonds. I had this gut feeling (mother's intuition) that the almond may be too tough for Ruby to chew up and swallow safely. I only gave her 3. The first one she chewed well and swallowed. So, I relaxed some and walked away. Then I hear her coughing/choking from across the kitchen, while I was helping Ian w/ his 3rd snack. I ran to the table and she was choking. I picked her up, swept her mouth w/ my finger, and held her head low and whacked her on the back and she threw up on the floor and coughed and was fine. Both of us were scared but I just cleaned up the throw up, she shed some tears and I thanked God that she was okay. I said, "NO MORE ALMONDS FOR RUBY!" Ian agreed. Later, Ian was drinking something and got choked on the liquid and Ruby was so cute, and said, "Ok Is (her way of saying Ian)? Is, okay? Okay Is?" I couldn't believe that my little Ruby was checking on her brother again. I'm really enjoying watching their relationship develop. Ruby has to have a hug from "Broder" before bed every night. It's become a routine. Very sweet! After Ian's minor choking on liquid episode, he was sitting in the family room and his nose just started bleeding. Geesh, all of these incidents happened within the first hour of them being home. Exhausting.
Luckily, Chris got up and helped me with bath and bedtime. It sounds like Chris may not have to work overtime tomorrow afterall. I'm glad because he needs/deserves a night off.
Now it is raining very hard here. It sounds like it's going to go back to snow tomorrow. It's a strange storm. It seems like D.C. may have a record snowfall from this storm. 20 plus inches. I'm thinking of CC, Nander, and Drewbug as they are snowed in.
Ian just woke up, standing at the top of the stairs telling me, "tomorrow, when I'm five (a year plus from now) I'm going to get a skateboard and Landen will get a skateboard too. Mine will have a superhero on it and Landen will have a superhero too." I've got to go tend to getting him back to sleep.
Be careful out there! I'm looking forward to Spring.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Ruby Seems Better
Ruby made it for the full day at daycare. I gave her a nebulizer treatment before school and one this evening and she seems to be feeling well and not coughing as much. I hope it continues. 
Chris got to sleep 5 hours today since he didn't have a sick toddler to care for. He also went to the gym, made our dinner, and helped with bedtime. It is great to have his help again in the evenings! Ruby is happy to have Daddy putting her to sleep at night. Tonight she repeated every letter in the alphabet. I was amazed! She has been counting steps with me when we go up and down the stairs. She seems to love the number, 9. Ian loved the number, 9, too. They both scream 9 with such enthusiasm. We assume it's the German in the genes. We're so proud of Ruby, she's so smart and cute! I had a CJSTUF Selection Criteria Meeting today. The foundation is moving along nicely. CJSTUF is going to do great things for families who have a child with a chronic, life-threatening illness! I'm proud to be part of the beginning of this foundation.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
I WON THE CONTEST!!!
I won the weight loss challenge!
$100 for losing 9lbs. in a month (since Jan. 4th).
I'm so thankful for this challenge to help get me focused on getting healthy. My coworkers have been so supportive and we are motivating each other. The one year anniversary of my strange illness, Transverse Myelitis, is coming up on 2/6/10. I'm so happy to be feeling good and healthy!
Now I need to figure out what I'm going to do w/ my money. Save for Disney? Spend on a pedicure and new clothes? Pay the housecleaner? I'm not sure...
Chris worked OT on Saturday and Sunday. He risked his life to get there Saturday but the roads were better by Sunday. We are thankful that he made it safely. He started nightshift last night. Ruby was sent home from daycare w/ a 101 degree temperature on Monday afternoon. She saw the pediatrician this morning and he didn't see a sign of any infections but she wasn't moving her air that well. She has a tight cough. She got a nebulizer treatment and we will keep those up over the next few days and hope for improvement. I'm sick of the illness in our house! Ian is congested but seems to feel okay, thankfully.
Happy Birthday to Taylor!!! He is 7 years old today. Geez, time flies. I'll never forget waking in the wee hours of the morning after hosting our engagement party at our house and driving my very hungover husband to be to see our newest nephew. Time flies. Taylor got a snow day for his birthday. That's a great gift!!!
Also, a year ago today Chris started at Kraft after just being laid off from Qimonda at the end of January. We are so blessed that he got that job and only was unemployed for a weekend!
Any updates on that Groundhog? This winter has been a doozy! And the rumor is that we're getting a storm this weekend that may drop 12-20 inches. Yikes! I'll have to make another emergency trip to the library for new books and DVDs. Of course, we can watch the all-day Super Bowl coverage on Sunday. Go Saints!!!
$100 for losing 9lbs. in a month (since Jan. 4th).
I'm so thankful for this challenge to help get me focused on getting healthy. My coworkers have been so supportive and we are motivating each other. The one year anniversary of my strange illness, Transverse Myelitis, is coming up on 2/6/10. I'm so happy to be feeling good and healthy!
Now I need to figure out what I'm going to do w/ my money. Save for Disney? Spend on a pedicure and new clothes? Pay the housecleaner? I'm not sure...
The weight loss challenge for February will just be $5 a person, so the pot will be smaller but I hope to win that one too! :)
Update on the household: Ian, Ruby, Chris and I all went sledding on Sunday. We ended up getting 13 to 14 inches of snow on Sunday. I went down the hill once, Ruby went down twice (w/ Daddy) and Chris and Ian continued for at least an hour. Ruby was done quickly and she and I went to the car. She ate a snack and listened to songs while we watched "Da Da" and "Broder" sled.
Chris worked OT on Saturday and Sunday. He risked his life to get there Saturday but the roads were better by Sunday. We are thankful that he made it safely. He started nightshift last night. Ruby was sent home from daycare w/ a 101 degree temperature on Monday afternoon. She saw the pediatrician this morning and he didn't see a sign of any infections but she wasn't moving her air that well. She has a tight cough. She got a nebulizer treatment and we will keep those up over the next few days and hope for improvement. I'm sick of the illness in our house! Ian is congested but seems to feel okay, thankfully. 
Happy Birthday to Taylor!!! He is 7 years old today. Geez, time flies. I'll never forget waking in the wee hours of the morning after hosting our engagement party at our house and driving my very hungover husband to be to see our newest nephew. Time flies. Taylor got a snow day for his birthday. That's a great gift!!!
Also, a year ago today Chris started at Kraft after just being laid off from Qimonda at the end of January. We are so blessed that he got that job and only was unemployed for a weekend!
Any updates on that Groundhog? This winter has been a doozy! And the rumor is that we're getting a storm this weekend that may drop 12-20 inches. Yikes! I'll have to make another emergency trip to the library for new books and DVDs. Of course, we can watch the all-day Super Bowl coverage on Sunday. Go Saints!!!
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