I wish I could sit here and tell you all that we have fixed Stewart. I really wish that I could. Unfortunately, I can't. All I can tell you is that we know what is happening. How to fix it is another story.
When we were in Minnesota, none of the tests they did showed anything wrong. None of them. We were really discouraged. That's why we haven't written on here very much since. We all had such high hopes that we would be able to figure out what was going on, and when we came home we would have a plan to help. It was really hard to come home and be in the same position we were in before. Really hard.
We were told by the doctor that he didn't know how to find out what was wrong. He talked to our doctor in Salt Lake, and they decided to take his blood pressure a lot. We have a home monitor so, I started to take it when he started to feel sick. On 3 readings within 5 minutes of eachother I got these results (in order) 194/149, 80/43, 117/73. Here is a quote from The American Heart Association "Blood pressure below 120 over 80 mmHg... is considered optimal for adults. A systolic pressure of 120 to 139 mmHg or a diastolic pressure of 80 to 89 mmHg is considered "prehypertension" and needs to be watched carefully. A blood pressure reading of 140 over 90 or higher is considered elevated (high).Optimal blood pressure with respect to cardiovascular risk is less than 120/80 mm Hg... However, unusually low readings should be evaluated to rule out medical causes."
So Stewart's range from dangerously high to dangerously low to normal. What happens is it spikes and he feels really crappy, then it drops and he passes out, then it will either spike really high again and wake him up and repeat the same thing over and over again, or it will go back to normal, leaving him with a horrible headache, but fine.
They started him on blood pressure pills to raise his blood pressure, but decided that that wasn't smart, because it already raised so much on it's own. They don't want to put him on pills to lower it because of the same reasons.
We are waiting to hear back from his doctor in Minnesota tomorrow. Hopefully he will have a plan. He said that this is really rare and they aren't sure how to treat it.
We appreciate everything that everyone has done for us, and we hope to be able to tell you better news next time!
Our Life In A Slideshow!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Mayo Clinic
Well, we're back! We went out to the Mayo Clinic for 8 days, and we are finally all settled in again.
I tried to put more updates on here while we were gone, but the computer I was using didn't want to work very well.
We had a lot of tests done and we found out....
Not much! We are taking Stewart's blood pressure every time he passes out to see how low it drops. It's kind of an art getting the timing just right, and I'm still working on that, but hopefully we'll get some good readings in the next few days and be able to report back to the doctor in Minnesota. They are pretty sure that he has a blood pressure problem on top of some Cardiology problems.
It was a long trip. We learned a lot, and hopefully we are now one step closer to finding out what is wrong with Stewart, and to getting him better.
I tried to put more updates on here while we were gone, but the computer I was using didn't want to work very well.
We had a lot of tests done and we found out....
Not much! We are taking Stewart's blood pressure every time he passes out to see how low it drops. It's kind of an art getting the timing just right, and I'm still working on that, but hopefully we'll get some good readings in the next few days and be able to report back to the doctor in Minnesota. They are pretty sure that he has a blood pressure problem on top of some Cardiology problems.
It was a long trip. We learned a lot, and hopefully we are now one step closer to finding out what is wrong with Stewart, and to getting him better.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Minnesota
So, we've been in Minnesota since Tuesday night. It's been a crazy couple of days, so I haven't had a chance to update anyone, but here ya go! What we've done since we got here:
Tuesday:
The plane rides were good. We spent the whole day getting on and off planes. It was tiring, but Stewart was able to make it through the airports without too many problems. We got to our hotel at about 11:15 pm and decided that we were going to just go to bed, and go to the ER in the morning.
Wednesday:
We got up in the morning and went into St. Mary's Hospital's Emergency Room. (We had to do this so that we could get an appointment with the doctor faster.) We got right in and they took us back to a room. There was a sign on the wall that said that EVERY patient had to get dressed in a gown, so we were expecting someone to come give us one or something. Instead a nurse came in and asked us what was going on. While we were telling her about Stewart, the Doctor came in. We finished telling them what was going on, and they told us to just go over to the Mayo Clinic (which is a separate building) and check to see if there happened to be a missed appointment for the Cardiologist.
We went to the Clinic, got checked in, and sat and waited from 12:30 to just before 4. Stewart was in a wheelchair, because he wasn't feeling well. I had to go to the bathroom, so I asked the lady at the desk to keep an eye on him. When I came back, I found Stewart on the floor with 3 different ladies around him. He had passed out and fell out of his chair! Soon an ambulance came. We decided that since we had waited all day for an appointment and we still hadn't gotten one, that we'd go the the ER again. The ride in the ambulance was uneventful, which was good. The guy that was first on the scene after Stewart passed out, said that he felt Stewart's heart out of rhythm.
When we got to the ER, they did an EKG, chest X-Ray, and gave him an IV. Eventually they decided that they needed to keep him over night to watch him. (You wouldn't believe how HUGE this hospital is! It's seriously a 1/2 mile down a few hallways from the ER to where his room was!) Another doctor came in to talk to us, and we told him the whole story again. He scheduled a bunch of tests, and then released us! It was the shortest hospital stay ever!
Thursday:
We got up early in the morning, and Stewart got a Holter Monitor on. Then, we got blood drawn. Then he had an Echocardiogram done. Then after lunch, we waited in the waiting room at the Neurologist's office to try and get an appointment with one of them. We waited for almost 4 hours there. When they were no longer taking patients, we walked around a little street fair they do on Thursdays and went back to the hotel. You wouldn't think that waiting around is tiring, but it is.
Friday:
I am sitting in an office waiting room at St. Mary's. Stewart is having a Tilt Table Test done. It checks how his blood pressure reacts to changing angles quickly. He's going to be back there for a little bit longer, so I'm just passing the time! This afternoon at 4, we get to meet with a Cardiologist! We are so excited! I hope that we get some answers from him. We're told he's really good. He trained with one of our cardiologist's in UT! Cross your fingers for us!
Tuesday:
The plane rides were good. We spent the whole day getting on and off planes. It was tiring, but Stewart was able to make it through the airports without too many problems. We got to our hotel at about 11:15 pm and decided that we were going to just go to bed, and go to the ER in the morning.
Wednesday:
We got up in the morning and went into St. Mary's Hospital's Emergency Room. (We had to do this so that we could get an appointment with the doctor faster.) We got right in and they took us back to a room. There was a sign on the wall that said that EVERY patient had to get dressed in a gown, so we were expecting someone to come give us one or something. Instead a nurse came in and asked us what was going on. While we were telling her about Stewart, the Doctor came in. We finished telling them what was going on, and they told us to just go over to the Mayo Clinic (which is a separate building) and check to see if there happened to be a missed appointment for the Cardiologist.
We went to the Clinic, got checked in, and sat and waited from 12:30 to just before 4. Stewart was in a wheelchair, because he wasn't feeling well. I had to go to the bathroom, so I asked the lady at the desk to keep an eye on him. When I came back, I found Stewart on the floor with 3 different ladies around him. He had passed out and fell out of his chair! Soon an ambulance came. We decided that since we had waited all day for an appointment and we still hadn't gotten one, that we'd go the the ER again. The ride in the ambulance was uneventful, which was good. The guy that was first on the scene after Stewart passed out, said that he felt Stewart's heart out of rhythm.
When we got to the ER, they did an EKG, chest X-Ray, and gave him an IV. Eventually they decided that they needed to keep him over night to watch him. (You wouldn't believe how HUGE this hospital is! It's seriously a 1/2 mile down a few hallways from the ER to where his room was!) Another doctor came in to talk to us, and we told him the whole story again. He scheduled a bunch of tests, and then released us! It was the shortest hospital stay ever!
Thursday:
We got up early in the morning, and Stewart got a Holter Monitor on. Then, we got blood drawn. Then he had an Echocardiogram done. Then after lunch, we waited in the waiting room at the Neurologist's office to try and get an appointment with one of them. We waited for almost 4 hours there. When they were no longer taking patients, we walked around a little street fair they do on Thursdays and went back to the hotel. You wouldn't think that waiting around is tiring, but it is.
Friday:
I am sitting in an office waiting room at St. Mary's. Stewart is having a Tilt Table Test done. It checks how his blood pressure reacts to changing angles quickly. He's going to be back there for a little bit longer, so I'm just passing the time! This afternoon at 4, we get to meet with a Cardiologist! We are so excited! I hope that we get some answers from him. We're told he's really good. He trained with one of our cardiologist's in UT! Cross your fingers for us!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Graditude
So I have been thinking a lot about all of the nice things that everyone has done for us. I am so grateful for everyone of you and all you have done we have the best friends and family. I was thinking about it the other day and I was telling Ciera how amazing it is that right now our economy is screwed up, but everyone has gone out of their ways to help us and give us the hope and money that we need to go out to the Mayo Clinic and do everything that we can to fix me. Thank you all so much.
In the past few months, we have had people that we don't know, people that we barely know, and people that we consider family and that are family step up to the plate to help us. The news doesn't show much goodness, but they should. I know that there are more people out there like those around us, and those people deserve some recognition! If the news took one day to tell only uplifting stories, the world would be a better place. I think that we all get caught up in looking at the negative, but everyone that has helped us has showed us all of the positive that surrounds us.
Thank you so much for your prayers, your support, and everything else! We truly love you all!
In the past few months, we have had people that we don't know, people that we barely know, and people that we consider family and that are family step up to the plate to help us. The news doesn't show much goodness, but they should. I know that there are more people out there like those around us, and those people deserve some recognition! If the news took one day to tell only uplifting stories, the world would be a better place. I think that we all get caught up in looking at the negative, but everyone that has helped us has showed us all of the positive that surrounds us.
Thank you so much for your prayers, your support, and everything else! We truly love you all!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Booked Our Stuff!
Minnesota is getting closer! We're going to go in about a week. (I don't know everyone that reads this, so I'm not going to put dates... Our house is going to be watched though!)
It seems surreal that we are going to go so soon! Stewart could get better soon! We have hope. Something that we haven't had in a long time. Our lives right now are surrounded by anticipation. That anticipation brings A LOT of stress with it! I have to wean the baby, because there are too many unknown illnesses at the Mayo Clinic. Stewart called them today to make sure that we could get into see a doctor before we got tickets and everything, and the lady he talked to said that there were three cases of leprosy just recently!
So, we've had a productive day. Stewart is still passing out a lot, it's weird because he just keeps getting worse. We keep hoping that we'll just wake up and he'll be better, but so far the opposite has happened.
I just know that he will get better. We've been through too much for him to not get better!
It seems surreal that we are going to go so soon! Stewart could get better soon! We have hope. Something that we haven't had in a long time. Our lives right now are surrounded by anticipation. That anticipation brings A LOT of stress with it! I have to wean the baby, because there are too many unknown illnesses at the Mayo Clinic. Stewart called them today to make sure that we could get into see a doctor before we got tickets and everything, and the lady he talked to said that there were three cases of leprosy just recently!
So, we've had a productive day. Stewart is still passing out a lot, it's weird because he just keeps getting worse. We keep hoping that we'll just wake up and he'll be better, but so far the opposite has happened.
I just know that he will get better. We've been through too much for him to not get better!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Over 2000 views!
Have any of you scrolled down to the bottom of the page and seen the little numbers down there? Well, those numbers are counting how many people have looked at this blog. Last time I checked it was like 2067 or something like that. I can't believe that in the 3 weeks or so since we started this blog, that it has been looked at that many times! That means that there has to be more than the 12 or so people that have told me they read it, and those that follow! YAY! Thank you for your support, and for continuing to check up on us!
I'm getting the things ready for the on-line auction. So, in the next few days, HOPEFULLY I'll figure out how I want to do it, and the best way to have it set up! Thanks for everything!
I'm getting the things ready for the on-line auction. So, in the next few days, HOPEFULLY I'll figure out how I want to do it, and the best way to have it set up! Thanks for everything!
Safety Concerns
I've been told by a few people, including a comment on my last post, that we need to make sure that Stewart is careful with the kids. I just want everyone to know that we are VERY careful. If Stewart doesn't feel well, he doesn't hold the kids. He stays away from them as much as possible. I have seen Stewart get hurt too many times to put my kids in that situation too. Stewart no longer drives. He doesn't work. He doesn't go anywhere alone. He doesn't do much of anything. Sometimes I will need to leave him home by himself, but that doesn't happen very often either. We have spent almost everyday (only separated because I got sick when he had his last surgery) of the past year together.
When Stewart fell down the stairs, it wasn't because he passed out. It was because he slipped. He missed a step, and lost his balance. He was trying to walk down the stairs with the lights off because Keagan was asleep. He passed out AFTER he fell. I just want people to know that we are being careful.
Can you imagine if everything that you once did for your family was taken away from you? You were told that you couldn't work. You couldn't hold your kids whenever you wanted. You couldn't drive your family around. You couldn't do any of the things that you want and need to do for your family. That's how life is for Stewart. He can't work, because it's a HUGE liability on us and his employer. He can't hold the boys all the time or when he's alone, because if he starts feeling sick, he might not be able to put them down. He can't drive because of the obvious.
He really can't do much. So, what he can do, he does. He helps me as much as possible. Putting the baby in bed, was helping me. I had just has surgery, and couldn't walk up and down the stairs a lot, so he was helping me.
I love my boys. All three of them. I don't want anything bad to happen to them. If I felt AT ALL like one of my baby's was in danger, I wouldn't let Stewart hold them. I don't let him. I know when things are getting bad. You can't be together as much as we have and not know.
Thank you for your concern. I hope that clarifying things helps everyone know a little bit more about what is going on with us.
When Stewart fell down the stairs, it wasn't because he passed out. It was because he slipped. He missed a step, and lost his balance. He was trying to walk down the stairs with the lights off because Keagan was asleep. He passed out AFTER he fell. I just want people to know that we are being careful.
Can you imagine if everything that you once did for your family was taken away from you? You were told that you couldn't work. You couldn't hold your kids whenever you wanted. You couldn't drive your family around. You couldn't do any of the things that you want and need to do for your family. That's how life is for Stewart. He can't work, because it's a HUGE liability on us and his employer. He can't hold the boys all the time or when he's alone, because if he starts feeling sick, he might not be able to put them down. He can't drive because of the obvious.
He really can't do much. So, what he can do, he does. He helps me as much as possible. Putting the baby in bed, was helping me. I had just has surgery, and couldn't walk up and down the stairs a lot, so he was helping me.
I love my boys. All three of them. I don't want anything bad to happen to them. If I felt AT ALL like one of my baby's was in danger, I wouldn't let Stewart hold them. I don't let him. I know when things are getting bad. You can't be together as much as we have and not know.
Thank you for your concern. I hope that clarifying things helps everyone know a little bit more about what is going on with us.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Stairs and Chairs
Today was an interesting one. Stewart is helping our neighbors by painting around their windows. He has been working on it for a little while now, and today was no exception. We went over there, and he started to actually paint today (instead of just put tape up). He was doing really well, so we decided to leave him alone for a little while and go grab some treats from the dollar store. We weren't gone for more than 5 minutes when I got a call from Stewart because he fell. Again. He passed out and hit his head on a chair, and cracked it open. Not deep enough to need stitches, but enough that we put a butterfly bandage on it.
Tonight, he put Keagan to bed. He carried him upstairs, and on his way down, he missed a step and fell. Down. Half of the stairs. Because he fell, he passed out again. And again after that.
Really? He fell twice in one day? Granted, they were different situations, but still. Twice in one day isn't something we're used to! Let's just say that some tears were shed, and we're both pretty upset about it. I just hope that we can get to Minnesota soon!
Tonight, he put Keagan to bed. He carried him upstairs, and on his way down, he missed a step and fell. Down. Half of the stairs. Because he fell, he passed out again. And again after that.
Really? He fell twice in one day? Granted, they were different situations, but still. Twice in one day isn't something we're used to! Let's just say that some tears were shed, and we're both pretty upset about it. I just hope that we can get to Minnesota soon!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Quick Surgery update
I had my surgery yesterday. It went really well, the medicine they gave me made me sick, but other than that it was good.
They found a "Substantial amount, but mild case" of Endometriosis. They cleaned it all out and hopefully I will start to get better soon!
Thank you for your prayers and concern!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Surgery
It's going to be a busy couple of days ahead of us! I'm having surgery tomorrow. It's outpatient, so I'll only be there for a few hours, but it's still going to be hard. My mom is going to watch Hayden and Keagan during the surgery. Then we'll take Keagan home with us and Hayden is going to go camping with my parents. We'll get him back on Sunday sometime.
I hope that they can find out what is going on with my poor stomach so that we can get Stewart taken care of too!
We're planning on going out to Minnesota either the 16th or the 23rd of this month! It's coming up people!
I hope that they can find out what is going on with my poor stomach so that we can get Stewart taken care of too!
We're planning on going out to Minnesota either the 16th or the 23rd of this month! It's coming up people!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Fundraiser
The fundraiser was last night, and it was a HUGE success! I can't even tell you how awesome it was!
We got there early to help set everything up. Stewart wasn't feeling well, so he tried to help as much as he could, but kept passing out, we eventually made him just sit on a chair with someone by him all the time.
We were putting the final auction items out when people started arriving. It was so cool to see how many people came out! As I walked around talking to people (in between taking care of Stewart and the kids) I met a family that came, just because they heard it on the radio! Really? People actually do that? I couldn't believe it. Then, I met the girls from deMirour Image. They all came because they got a flyer! They also posted about it on their cute blog! They took a picture with Stewart. It was sweet! We really appreciated them.
Our friend's Brent and Lorie brought some people from Lorie's work (AWESOME!). Our Family doctor, and his nurse came with their families. Seriously, we live in THE most AMAZING place! There were a few families that came from my parent's neighborhood (they live an hour and a half away!) AND my Uncle Bruce drove up BY HIMSELF!!! I can't believe the support and response we got from people.
The dinner was DELICIOUS!!! Thanks to everyone that served (Stewart's sisters, mom and dad, and the Young Men and Women). Thanks especially to Firehouse, Old Grist Mill, and Casper's.
The Silent Auction was awesome! Almost everything got sold.
The Live Auction was a BLAST!!! Thank you Brother and Sister Erickson for being the Auctioneers! They got pretty much everything sold too.
Stewart suddenly got a fever last night. He left as the Live Auction was getting started. He passed out a lot while he was there and just felt really bad. He was sad that he couldn't stay longer, but it was best that he went home.
Everyone helped out so much! My parent's donated a bunch of stuff (those caramels I told you about? They're gone! All of them! I didn't even get one!). My sister, my sweet little sister, one of my BEST friends, donated 2 of her prom dresses! (They sold for REALLY cheap! I felt bad, but she was happy she could help.) My parent's neighbor donated some Edgers. Stewart's sisters and mom donated blankets, bags and bows. I couldn't believe it! I made a carseat/ nursing cover.
Thank you most of all to Tiesha and Jessica! Seriously, you two are amazing! Jessica, I truly do believe that you have been our guardian angel! Everything you touch turns to gold. And last night was no exception! Tiesha, thank you for taking the time away from your sick baby to help us. I know how hard it is to have a sick family member and being away from them is hard.
I've got pictures, but unfortunately they are all on my Dad's camera... So, I'll have to post them when I get them!
BUT our GRAND TOTAL from last night (and the money that was collected at the auction) is....
$4,018.51!!!!!!
That makes our total with everything we've been given including last night....
$6,300.51!!!!!!!!
We're almost there! Just a little bit more! Thank you EVERYONE!!! I'm going to try to do my on-line auction as soon as we get the items that weren't sold last night sorted out! Keep checking back for more info and for pictures!
We got there early to help set everything up. Stewart wasn't feeling well, so he tried to help as much as he could, but kept passing out, we eventually made him just sit on a chair with someone by him all the time.
We were putting the final auction items out when people started arriving. It was so cool to see how many people came out! As I walked around talking to people (in between taking care of Stewart and the kids) I met a family that came, just because they heard it on the radio! Really? People actually do that? I couldn't believe it. Then, I met the girls from deMirour Image. They all came because they got a flyer! They also posted about it on their cute blog! They took a picture with Stewart. It was sweet! We really appreciated them.
Our friend's Brent and Lorie brought some people from Lorie's work (AWESOME!). Our Family doctor, and his nurse came with their families. Seriously, we live in THE most AMAZING place! There were a few families that came from my parent's neighborhood (they live an hour and a half away!) AND my Uncle Bruce drove up BY HIMSELF!!! I can't believe the support and response we got from people.
The dinner was DELICIOUS!!! Thanks to everyone that served (Stewart's sisters, mom and dad, and the Young Men and Women). Thanks especially to Firehouse, Old Grist Mill, and Casper's.
The Silent Auction was awesome! Almost everything got sold.
The Live Auction was a BLAST!!! Thank you Brother and Sister Erickson for being the Auctioneers! They got pretty much everything sold too.
Stewart suddenly got a fever last night. He left as the Live Auction was getting started. He passed out a lot while he was there and just felt really bad. He was sad that he couldn't stay longer, but it was best that he went home.
Everyone helped out so much! My parent's donated a bunch of stuff (those caramels I told you about? They're gone! All of them! I didn't even get one!). My sister, my sweet little sister, one of my BEST friends, donated 2 of her prom dresses! (They sold for REALLY cheap! I felt bad, but she was happy she could help.) My parent's neighbor donated some Edgers. Stewart's sisters and mom donated blankets, bags and bows. I couldn't believe it! I made a carseat/ nursing cover.
Thank you most of all to Tiesha and Jessica! Seriously, you two are amazing! Jessica, I truly do believe that you have been our guardian angel! Everything you touch turns to gold. And last night was no exception! Tiesha, thank you for taking the time away from your sick baby to help us. I know how hard it is to have a sick family member and being away from them is hard.
I've got pictures, but unfortunately they are all on my Dad's camera... So, I'll have to post them when I get them!
BUT our GRAND TOTAL from last night (and the money that was collected at the auction) is....
$4,018.51!!!!!!
That makes our total with everything we've been given including last night....
$6,300.51!!!!!!!!
We're almost there! Just a little bit more! Thank you EVERYONE!!! I'm going to try to do my on-line auction as soon as we get the items that weren't sold last night sorted out! Keep checking back for more info and for pictures!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Another Day
So, Stewart told me that I should write more about what is going on with him, so here ya go.
Tonight, Stewart has passed out 8 times. He'll be okay for a minute, then go out again. It's not very fun. It's weird because the kids can tell when something is wrong. Keagan starts crying, and Hayden will usually help me, but sometimes he gets antsy. Tonight he decided that he was going to help by pouring water out all over Stewart's face, just as he woke up and breathed in. Not a fun experience. Really though. At least he's trying to help. At least he's not purposely getting into trouble while Stewart's sick.
Stewart watched Hayden the other night while I went to the neighbor's house to help (I was supposed to help, but I had Keagan, and he didn't want me to put him down) make bows for the auction. Stewart had Hayden alone just long enough to put him in bed and then walk downstairs, when I got a phone call from him. He told me that he had just passed out and bumped his head. Apparently what happened was this: Stewart took Hayden to bed, said prayers, and left the room. He started walking down the stairs and started to feel sick, so he sat down. He had his legs straight out not propped against the stairs and felt like he was going to pass out, so he sat up a little to fix his feet so he wouldn't slide down the stairs. When he sat up, he passed out and hit his head against one of the rails on the stairs. He got a nasty looking bruise. He sent me a picture. I showed the girls that I was with and left not too long after that.
That was on Sunday. Today is Thursday, and the bruise is gone. (I wish that when I fell and got hurt, my bruises would go away that fast!)
I get phone calls like that everytime I leave Stewart alone. Mostly because he thinks that he can take just ONE MORE STEP. But what am I supposed to do? Not go out? Not take care of the things I have to take care of? I ask him to sit, to stay where he is, and he usually does. It's just he has to use the bathroom, or something like that.
I don't leave very often. I don't leave for very long. And I don't leave him with one of the kids by himself, unless they are going to sleep or already asleep.
Have you ever spent EVERYDAY with your spouse/boyfriend/anyone? It's hard. Sure you love them. But you need a break. You really do. Stewart and I have been married for 3 1/2 years, we've spent over a year of it together 24/7.
Tonight, Stewart has passed out 8 times. He'll be okay for a minute, then go out again. It's not very fun. It's weird because the kids can tell when something is wrong. Keagan starts crying, and Hayden will usually help me, but sometimes he gets antsy. Tonight he decided that he was going to help by pouring water out all over Stewart's face, just as he woke up and breathed in. Not a fun experience. Really though. At least he's trying to help. At least he's not purposely getting into trouble while Stewart's sick.
Stewart watched Hayden the other night while I went to the neighbor's house to help (I was supposed to help, but I had Keagan, and he didn't want me to put him down) make bows for the auction. Stewart had Hayden alone just long enough to put him in bed and then walk downstairs, when I got a phone call from him. He told me that he had just passed out and bumped his head. Apparently what happened was this: Stewart took Hayden to bed, said prayers, and left the room. He started walking down the stairs and started to feel sick, so he sat down. He had his legs straight out not propped against the stairs and felt like he was going to pass out, so he sat up a little to fix his feet so he wouldn't slide down the stairs. When he sat up, he passed out and hit his head against one of the rails on the stairs. He got a nasty looking bruise. He sent me a picture. I showed the girls that I was with and left not too long after that.
That was on Sunday. Today is Thursday, and the bruise is gone. (I wish that when I fell and got hurt, my bruises would go away that fast!)
I get phone calls like that everytime I leave Stewart alone. Mostly because he thinks that he can take just ONE MORE STEP. But what am I supposed to do? Not go out? Not take care of the things I have to take care of? I ask him to sit, to stay where he is, and he usually does. It's just he has to use the bathroom, or something like that.
I don't leave very often. I don't leave for very long. And I don't leave him with one of the kids by himself, unless they are going to sleep or already asleep.
Have you ever spent EVERYDAY with your spouse/boyfriend/anyone? It's hard. Sure you love them. But you need a break. You really do. Stewart and I have been married for 3 1/2 years, we've spent over a year of it together 24/7.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
New Flyer
We have an updated version of the flyer!
So, when you get to the dinner (if you go (I hope you go!)), you'll see a pretty wishing well that will have caramels, cookies and popcorn. You can make a donation by dropping money into the well, and pick an item that you want! (The caramels are HOMEMADE!!! My mom's AMAZING caramels! We seriously hoard these. Like stuff our pockets, our kids pockets, and the diaper bag with the things! They are DELICIOUS!!)
It's amazing all of the things that have been donated and all the work that has gone into it and the fast timeline that it has all taken place in!
So, when you get to the dinner (if you go (I hope you go!)), you'll see a pretty wishing well that will have caramels, cookies and popcorn. You can make a donation by dropping money into the well, and pick an item that you want! (The caramels are HOMEMADE!!! My mom's AMAZING caramels! We seriously hoard these. Like stuff our pockets, our kids pockets, and the diaper bag with the things! They are DELICIOUS!!)
Then you'll pay for your meal, find a seat, and get your food SERVED to you. No waiting in a buffet line, you GET SERVED!!! Then when you're done eating you'll get dessert! Seriously! Pasta, Salad, Bread, AND a DESSERT for $8? Unheard of!
While you're eating, you can go to a table that has silent auction items. Feel free to bid on the things that are there! There's some awesome stuff! There really is. Gift Cards, Certificates to get free stuff, and MUCH MUCH more!
When dinner is over, we'll all congregate to the LIVE AUCTION!!! (The kids can go play on the bouncy house which will be supervised.) There are some REALLY AMAZING things in the live auction. Let me name a few... Baby Blankets, full sized blankets, car seat cover, holiday decorations, quote sign, bows, and MUCH MUCH MORE! (It's late and I can't think of what else is in it!)
Anyway, as you can see, there are a lot of cool things that are going to be happening. We'd love to see you all there. We'd love to be able to thank you all in person for your support. Seriously, you people are amazing. You have shown us more love than we know what to do with!
We'll make sure to take LOTS of pictures and post them here for those of you that won't be able to make it.
Thank you again! For EVERYTHING!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Getting Closer!
Thanks to all of your help, we are getting closer to our goal! We are so excited! $580 has been donated so far! You guys are seriously amazing. We are so blessed to have such good friends that keep helping us anyway they can! Our family's are awesome too! I really can't believe the support that we have received. Thank you!
Monday, July 26, 2010
QUESTIONS
I was just thinking after writing my last post, that maybe you readers have some questions! So, now is your chance to ask them! Ask what it's like for Stewart to pass out, for me, or for him. Ask what ever you want! We're more than happy to answer your questions! You have until Wednesday night to ask your questions, and I'll try to answer them with my Friday post!
Updates
I guess I should be more informative when I post Old Posts! Stewart read the last one and asked me why I didn't explain anything. So here is an explanation!
When Stewart was sick after his first surgery, we talked with the doctor about what our options would be if the second surgery didn't work. One of the options was a pacemaker. We didn't want to go that route, because in order for them to put a pacemaker on him, they would have to override the whole electrical system of his heart. If they did that, he could become completely pacemaker dependent. If something happened to the pacemaker, then Stewart would die. Obviously that wasn't something that we wanted.
Now, a pacemaker isn't even an option, because the doctor's can't see any irregular heart beats. So to override his electrical system to make it beat right would be completely illogical!
I hope that explains my last post a little bit! If you have more questions, please feel free to ask!
When Stewart was sick after his first surgery, we talked with the doctor about what our options would be if the second surgery didn't work. One of the options was a pacemaker. We didn't want to go that route, because in order for them to put a pacemaker on him, they would have to override the whole electrical system of his heart. If they did that, he could become completely pacemaker dependent. If something happened to the pacemaker, then Stewart would die. Obviously that wasn't something that we wanted.
Now, a pacemaker isn't even an option, because the doctor's can't see any irregular heart beats. So to override his electrical system to make it beat right would be completely illogical!
I hope that explains my last post a little bit! If you have more questions, please feel free to ask!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Old Posts!
I was thinking the other day, that I should update everyone on what has happened since I started blogging. Here is a post that I wrote right before Stewart's second surgery.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2009
Stewart's heart...
Well, on June 15, we are going to have Stewart's heart operated on again...
This time it's for Atrial Tachycardia. Say that 5 times fast! Anyway, it's like A-Fib, but instead of his heart beating abnormally, it's beating too fast at random times. Hopefully this will be the last surgery he has to have. If not he'll probably end up getting a pacemaker. Not fun.
He's doing alright. He is still working and everything, but he doesn't feel as good as he wishes he did.
This time it's for Atrial Tachycardia. Say that 5 times fast! Anyway, it's like A-Fib, but instead of his heart beating abnormally, it's beating too fast at random times. Hopefully this will be the last surgery he has to have. If not he'll probably end up getting a pacemaker. Not fun.
He's doing alright. He is still working and everything, but he doesn't feel as good as he wishes he did.
Long Weekend
We had a pretty good weekend. We visited my family while they were camping. It was a lot of fun. Stewart passed out a few times while we were there. He was able to relax a lot while we were there, so it was really nice.
My parents really love our kids, so do my siblings and their wives. Hayden had a blast playing outside and Keagan was held pretty much the ENTIRE time!
We really appreciate everything that everyone has done for us! Thank you for everything!
My parents really love our kids, so do my siblings and their wives. Hayden had a blast playing outside and Keagan was held pretty much the ENTIRE time!
We really appreciate everything that everyone has done for us! Thank you for everything!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Busy Day
It's been a busy day for us today! We got up and cleaned the house until Stewart's parents got here, then Stewart took me to the Dr to have my Endoscopy. I don't remember much about it, but Stewart said that the doctor told us that everything looks fine. My Esophagus is red and inflamed, but if I take ant-acids it'll be fine. The only problem with that is that I already do take ant-acids. Everyday. Yep, they don't know what is wrong still. Crazy. I'm going to have a pre-op for my Laporoscopy on Aug 2. Then surgery to see if I have Endometriosis on the 4th of August. Hopefully I can get better before we go to The Mayo Clinic!
Oh a positive note... The Old Grist Mill is providing the bread for the dinner! So excited!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Suggestions
I got some good suggestions today! First, we are going to make something to post on the sidebar to tell how much money we've been donated. AND we're going to write up something that will tell what the money is going to. Thanks for those suggestions!
Now, some REALLY AWESOME news! Besides the newspaper and radio stations helping out by announcing the dinner and auction, and running a story, a local restaurant, The Firehouse Pizzeria, is going to cater it! They are only requesting $1 per plate! They are going to do pasta and salad! I can't even believe it! We are so excited. Also, a man found our flyer at another restaurant and called our neighbor and said he wants to do massages for $1 a minute, and he'll give all the money he makes to us! He just found the flyer. SO nice! AND a place that rents out bouncy houses, said that as long as they can find people to run the bouncy house, they're going to come, and all the proceeds will also come to us!
Our city is so awesome! This area that we live in is amazing. I can't even believe how much people are helping us!
Some of our neighbors are also donating 2 airplane rides around the valley for us to auction. That is so awesome! If you are planning on coming, you're in for a real treat! And if you haven't decided if you're going to make it or not, you should try! It's really going to be really cool!
Now, some REALLY AWESOME news! Besides the newspaper and radio stations helping out by announcing the dinner and auction, and running a story, a local restaurant, The Firehouse Pizzeria, is going to cater it! They are only requesting $1 per plate! They are going to do pasta and salad! I can't even believe it! We are so excited. Also, a man found our flyer at another restaurant and called our neighbor and said he wants to do massages for $1 a minute, and he'll give all the money he makes to us! He just found the flyer. SO nice! AND a place that rents out bouncy houses, said that as long as they can find people to run the bouncy house, they're going to come, and all the proceeds will also come to us!
Our city is so awesome! This area that we live in is amazing. I can't even believe how much people are helping us!
Some of our neighbors are also donating 2 airplane rides around the valley for us to auction. That is so awesome! If you are planning on coming, you're in for a real treat! And if you haven't decided if you're going to make it or not, you should try! It's really going to be really cool!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Sometimes
I just want to cry. You know, when things get so hard? I just want to break down. I'm sure everyone has these moments, I just feel like I have them more often than everyone else!
Today has been an alright day so far. (It's a good thing because a bunch of horrible days in a row isn't fun!) Stewart started helping our neighbor with some simple painting. He has to stop a lot and rest, and he passed out a few times while doing it, but we want to help them, because she is one of the people that is helping us so much! She is doing the dinner and auction for us.
I e-mailed a few blogs that I follow and I have heard back from a few of them. I'm getting a few items together from them to do an auction for everyone! I'm super excited.
I don't know why we call people that we don't know "Strangers". These people that are helping us through the "Blogosphere" don't know us at all. Yet, they are helping us. They are opening their hearts for us. They are donating handmade items to help us. They aren't strangers at all. They are people that we will forever be indebted to!
Thank you.
Today has been an alright day so far. (It's a good thing because a bunch of horrible days in a row isn't fun!) Stewart started helping our neighbor with some simple painting. He has to stop a lot and rest, and he passed out a few times while doing it, but we want to help them, because she is one of the people that is helping us so much! She is doing the dinner and auction for us.
I e-mailed a few blogs that I follow and I have heard back from a few of them. I'm getting a few items together from them to do an auction for everyone! I'm super excited.
I don't know why we call people that we don't know "Strangers". These people that are helping us through the "Blogosphere" don't know us at all. Yet, they are helping us. They are opening their hearts for us. They are donating handmade items to help us. They aren't strangers at all. They are people that we will forever be indebted to!
Thank you.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Callused
So, I didn't realize that I had posted the flyer twice! I really must be losing it! Sorry about that!
One time while we were at the doctor's office (The Cardiologist), he told us that we have become callused to everything that is happening to Stewart. We had just told him that things were getting better, Stewart was only passing out around 6 times a day! He looked at us, shook his head, and said, "What do you think someone else would do if they were passing out that much?" I guess it's true. If someone you loved, or if you were fainting 6 times a day, you would get yourself into the ER and have yourself admitted until they fix what ever is causing it. We on the other hand don't do that. We don't go to the ER, because the few times that we have, nothing happens. We don't get Stewart admitted to the hospital, because if we had done that, we would STILL be there!
BUT I am not callused when Stewart passes out for so long that I have to do CPR on him. I am NOT used to that. In fact up until yesterday, it was something that had never happened. I have been close to calling 911 numerous times. I have been close to getting Stewart in the car and taking him to the ER even more times. I have even thought about doing CPR on him, but he's always come out of it. He's always been just fine. He's always woken up on his own. ALWAYS. Except yesterday.
Yesterday started out like every other day has lately. Stewart passed out a ton before we got out of bed. He wasn't feeling good. We tried to do everything we normally do on Sunday's. Get ready for church and everything, but it just wasn't meant to be.
I've never been so scared. I've never thought that things were coming to an end. An end that I NEVER want to have happen. I really thought that it was the end. Stewart even asked me if he was dying. What am I supposed to say to that? How am I supposed to put on a happy face and tell him that everything is fine? I don't know how to do it. I just do it. Every day. I do it. And until this is over, until Stewart is better, I will continue to do it. I will continue to be the person that he can rely on everyday. The person that he can turn to for help and for reassurance.
Everyday.
One time while we were at the doctor's office (The Cardiologist), he told us that we have become callused to everything that is happening to Stewart. We had just told him that things were getting better, Stewart was only passing out around 6 times a day! He looked at us, shook his head, and said, "What do you think someone else would do if they were passing out that much?" I guess it's true. If someone you loved, or if you were fainting 6 times a day, you would get yourself into the ER and have yourself admitted until they fix what ever is causing it. We on the other hand don't do that. We don't go to the ER, because the few times that we have, nothing happens. We don't get Stewart admitted to the hospital, because if we had done that, we would STILL be there!
BUT I am not callused when Stewart passes out for so long that I have to do CPR on him. I am NOT used to that. In fact up until yesterday, it was something that had never happened. I have been close to calling 911 numerous times. I have been close to getting Stewart in the car and taking him to the ER even more times. I have even thought about doing CPR on him, but he's always come out of it. He's always been just fine. He's always woken up on his own. ALWAYS. Except yesterday.
Yesterday started out like every other day has lately. Stewart passed out a ton before we got out of bed. He wasn't feeling good. We tried to do everything we normally do on Sunday's. Get ready for church and everything, but it just wasn't meant to be.
I've never been so scared. I've never thought that things were coming to an end. An end that I NEVER want to have happen. I really thought that it was the end. Stewart even asked me if he was dying. What am I supposed to say to that? How am I supposed to put on a happy face and tell him that everything is fine? I don't know how to do it. I just do it. Every day. I do it. And until this is over, until Stewart is better, I will continue to do it. I will continue to be the person that he can rely on everyday. The person that he can turn to for help and for reassurance.
Everyday.
Card Donations!
Our sweet friend from Craft Rookie has decided to sell cards and give the proceeds to us! Simply click here and look at the different cards!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Dinner and Auction
Some of our neighbors are setting up a dinner and auction for us on July 31! They are so sweet! Here is the flyer:
Please try to come if you can. I know that there are going to be some AMAZING items up for auction, and the dinner is spaghetti, and who doesn't like that?!
There is also going to be a neighborhood garage sale on August 7. Come look at the stuff, and if there is anything that you'd like to donate, just let me know!
We are truly blessed. Thank you!
Please try to come if you can. I know that there are going to be some AMAZING items up for auction, and the dinner is spaghetti, and who doesn't like that?!
There is also going to be a neighborhood garage sale on August 7. Come look at the stuff, and if there is anything that you'd like to donate, just let me know!
We are truly blessed. Thank you!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Not A Good Day
That last post was written solely by Stewart. It was his very first blog post, and it was really hard for him to write. He's a very personal person and has a hard time sharing his feelings with people. I thought it was really good though, didn't you?
Anyway, we can usually tell in the morning when we first wake up it's going to be a "Good Day" or a "Bad Day". a Good Day is only passing out around 10 times or less, like yesterday. That was a relatively good day. A Bad Day is one like today.
This morning Keagan woke up for the day at 8, which meant that Hayden did too. We like to cuddle and play with the kids in our bed before we get up and get ready for the day, so that they get some one-on-one time before the day gets too hectic or Stewart gets too sick. A day like today doesn't let us have that time. Stewart got Keagan for me this morning because my stomach has been really sore.Then he grabbed Hayden and came back to bed. While we were laying in bed, listening to the radio, Stewart passed out around 6 times. I got up and got ready while Stewart and Keagan took naps, and Hayden chilled in the bathroom with me. Then I got Hayden dressed and Keagan dressed and fed again. By 10:00 this morning, Stewart had passed out around 15 times, the only time that he had even stepped out of bed was to grab the boys.
We can't let Stewart being sick stop us from living, so we ran to do our errands. We all piled in the car and spent a few hours in town doing various things. It required some walking around, but we stopped a lot and let Stewart rest when he needed it.
tewart's parent's came into town to see his brother's son perform in the Youth Extravaganza or something, so we spent a little time with them at our house. While they were here, Stewart laid on the couch and passed out a few more times. When they left, I stuck dinner in the oven (a delicious pasta casserole our neighbor gave to us!) and made some yummy cauliflower and cheese. Stewart cleaned a bunch of viruses off of our computer, before he passed out on the floor.
I know that the day isn't over, but I'm not looking forward to the rest of it! I know that it's not going to get any better! I'm just crossing my fingers that tomorrow will!
PS Here's something that some of our AMAZING neighbors are doing for us! Please attend if you can, and if you can't send the flyer on to your family and friends!
Anyway, we can usually tell in the morning when we first wake up it's going to be a "Good Day" or a "Bad Day". a Good Day is only passing out around 10 times or less, like yesterday. That was a relatively good day. A Bad Day is one like today.
This morning Keagan woke up for the day at 8, which meant that Hayden did too. We like to cuddle and play with the kids in our bed before we get up and get ready for the day, so that they get some one-on-one time before the day gets too hectic or Stewart gets too sick. A day like today doesn't let us have that time. Stewart got Keagan for me this morning because my stomach has been really sore.Then he grabbed Hayden and came back to bed. While we were laying in bed, listening to the radio, Stewart passed out around 6 times. I got up and got ready while Stewart and Keagan took naps, and Hayden chilled in the bathroom with me. Then I got Hayden dressed and Keagan dressed and fed again. By 10:00 this morning, Stewart had passed out around 15 times, the only time that he had even stepped out of bed was to grab the boys.
We can't let Stewart being sick stop us from living, so we ran to do our errands. We all piled in the car and spent a few hours in town doing various things. It required some walking around, but we stopped a lot and let Stewart rest when he needed it.
tewart's parent's came into town to see his brother's son perform in the Youth Extravaganza or something, so we spent a little time with them at our house. While they were here, Stewart laid on the couch and passed out a few more times. When they left, I stuck dinner in the oven (a delicious pasta casserole our neighbor gave to us!) and made some yummy cauliflower and cheese. Stewart cleaned a bunch of viruses off of our computer, before he passed out on the floor.
I know that the day isn't over, but I'm not looking forward to the rest of it! I know that it's not going to get any better! I'm just crossing my fingers that tomorrow will!
PS Here's something that some of our AMAZING neighbors are doing for us! Please attend if you can, and if you can't send the flyer on to your family and friends!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Emotions!
So today has been a pretty emotional day. We woke up early to take Hayden to the Primary Children's Hospital. He is such an amazing little boy. He was acting up in the car, but as soon as we got into the hospital he was so strong. He did everything that the doctors wanted him to. We found out that he has a small hernia right above his belly button, but that is noting to worry about until he is about four. That was such a relief to Ciera and I. I was so greatful to be able to be there for my family. I passed out 8 times today, but I was able to do everything that we had to today so I am so greatful for that. We have been praying so hard to know what to do. Last night we felt like everything was going to be ok. We are trying to have faith and rely on our Heavenly Father, with the knowledge that everything will work out the way that it is suppose to. I have been sick for so long that I don't know what it is like to feel god anymore, but I know that there is someone that can help me to get better. At the start of today I felt as is there were no way to make it to Minnesota, but after seeing all of the love and the out pouring by our family and all of our friends, I know that there is a way. I am so greatful for all that everyone is doing for us. So any poeple are making sacrifices for us. I have the hardest time asking for poeple to help me. I never thought that there would be this kind of support for me or for my family. Thank you all so much. I truly do not know what we would do without you all. Thanks again. We love you all!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Primary Children's
I know this blog is about Stewart, but we're going to take a small detour to tell you about our son, Hayden. He is going to be 2 next month! We can't even believe that it's been that long! He is quite the character, and I'm sure you'll hear a lot about him while you read this blog. Right now his right arm is in a cast, because his wrist dislocates around 6 times a day. It should help his ligaments to get stronger and he shouldn't have anymore problems with it after we get the cast off in 3 weeks. Tomorrow we are taking him to Primary Children's Hospital for a hernia he has in his stomach. Hopefully we find out what we need to do with it then and we can make sure that he is okay. We are hoping that Stewart will be okay during the trip and that we won't have any problems with him passing out during the day!
We'll let you know what happens when we get home!
We'll let you know what happens when we get home!
Welcome! And Thank You in Advance!
Hello! We are the Stout's! Stewart and I have been married for almost 3 ½ years. We have 2 little boys, Hayden who is almost 2, and Keagan who is 4 months old.
Since Stewart and I met, he has been sick. We didn’t know how serious it was until just over 2 years ago, when he was sent from work to the ER in an ambulance. I was 4 months pregnant with Hayden at the time. We found out that what had been making Stewart so sick was Atrial Fibrillation. We saw 2 Cardiologists in Cache Valley, where we live, before we were sent to Salt Lake and the Intermountain Medical Center. We saw Dr. John Day and he immediately said that Stewart needed a Radio-Frequency Ablation. On June 26, 2008, Stewart had his surgery. I was 6 months pregnant at the time. Everything went really well with the surgery! They found not only Atrial Fibrillation, but they also found Atrial Flutter. They were able to fix the spots that they found and we were certain that he would be better.
The week after Stewart’s surgery, I went into Pre-term labor. We were able to hold off having the baby until I made it to 38 weeks. Hayden was born on Aug 19, 2008, weighed 9 lbs 3 oz and was 22 inches long. He was perfect! Stewart felt better and a month after Hayden was born was able to return to work.
We enjoyed almost a year of Stewart feeling better, until I got another call telling me that he was once again in an ambulance on his way to the ER. On June 23, 2009, Stewart had his 2nd Ablation. This time they found that he has AV Nodal Re-Entry Tachycardia. It’s something that most people are born with and causes abnormal rhythms. They fixed what they saw and we crossed our fingers that this would be the last one.
We celebrated Hayden’s 1st birthday and found out we were expecting again in August. Stewart wasn’t feeling any better, and we decided to try one more ablation. On August 25, 2009, Stewart had his 3rd Ablation. Although he didn’t feel 100% better, he went back to work in January of 2010. By February 5, 2010, he was back home. He went to his doctor again and we decided to have another doctor perform ANOTHER ablation. We hoped that having a new set of eyes on the situation would help solve the problem. In February, he had his 4th ablation.
After each surgery, we can tell if it has worked within about a week. See, Stewart faints anywhere from 4-40 times a day. He will be sitting and talking to you, and then say, “I’m going to pass out.” Then he’s gone. He doesn’t breath while he’s unconscious. And sometimes when he wakes up he still can’t breath. It’s very scary and happens over and over again. If he passes out less often, then the surgery was successful, but if nothing has changed then it didn’t.
During his 4th surgery, they didn’t find anything new. Instead they treated the same areas that they had previously treated. Because instead of Stewart’s heart scarring, it healed. It was supposed to scar to help it beat right.
This time, we weren’t too hopeful, we had gotten our hopes up too many times before. I was having a difficult pregnancy. I went into Pre-term labor at 25 weeks and wasn’t supposed to be under much stress, but I had to take care of Stewart and Hayden.
Keagan was born on March 23, 2010, 4 weeks pre-term. He weighed 7 lbs 5 oz and was 20 inches long. He couldn’t breath when he was born and spent 1 ½ days in the NICU. It was a miracle he got to come home with us just 2 ½ days after he was born.
Stewart was fainting more than ever, so we went back to our doctor that performed the last surgery. He suggested another ablation, but this time Stewart would be awake. He said that it was the LAST thing they could do. We scheduled the surgery.
Stewart hadn’t been able to work for almost a year. We were at risk of losing our health benefits, so we hoped that this final surgery would fix all of our problems.
On June 21, 2010, we had Stewart’s 5th surgery. I got the flu the night before and couldn’t go, but they said that they found a spot that was sending false signals. We truly prayed that this one worked.
Today it is July 14, 2010, and Stewart isn’t any better. We went to Stewart’s doctor yesterday to find out what our options are. He told us that there isn’t anything else that he can do.
He referred us to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
Our insurance is going to end sometime soon. We don’t know when. The Mayo Clinic is Out-Of-Network. We can’t afford to pay for COBRA. And we have to go to Minnesota. This is our last chance to get Stewart better.
We don’t make enough money to send ourselves out there. We are trying to raise $10,000 on this blog and through friends and family to pay for our travel expenses and our hospital bills. If you would like to donate to our cause and help us out, you can do so by clicking on the paypal "Donate" button on the right hand side of our screen.
Normally this isn’t something that we would do. We don’t like to ask for help. We would prefer to help everyone else. But this isn’t something that we can do by ourselves. If you can help us, we would be so grateful!
In lieu of monetary donations, we would like to hold an auction here on this blog of items donated by you! If you have an item that you would like to donate, please e-mail me at cieranm2 (at) yahoo (dot) com.
Thank you so much!
Since Stewart and I met, he has been sick. We didn’t know how serious it was until just over 2 years ago, when he was sent from work to the ER in an ambulance. I was 4 months pregnant with Hayden at the time. We found out that what had been making Stewart so sick was Atrial Fibrillation. We saw 2 Cardiologists in Cache Valley, where we live, before we were sent to Salt Lake and the Intermountain Medical Center. We saw Dr. John Day and he immediately said that Stewart needed a Radio-Frequency Ablation. On June 26, 2008, Stewart had his surgery. I was 6 months pregnant at the time. Everything went really well with the surgery! They found not only Atrial Fibrillation, but they also found Atrial Flutter. They were able to fix the spots that they found and we were certain that he would be better.
The week after Stewart’s surgery, I went into Pre-term labor. We were able to hold off having the baby until I made it to 38 weeks. Hayden was born on Aug 19, 2008, weighed 9 lbs 3 oz and was 22 inches long. He was perfect! Stewart felt better and a month after Hayden was born was able to return to work.
We enjoyed almost a year of Stewart feeling better, until I got another call telling me that he was once again in an ambulance on his way to the ER. On June 23, 2009, Stewart had his 2nd Ablation. This time they found that he has AV Nodal Re-Entry Tachycardia. It’s something that most people are born with and causes abnormal rhythms. They fixed what they saw and we crossed our fingers that this would be the last one.
We celebrated Hayden’s 1st birthday and found out we were expecting again in August. Stewart wasn’t feeling any better, and we decided to try one more ablation. On August 25, 2009, Stewart had his 3rd Ablation. Although he didn’t feel 100% better, he went back to work in January of 2010. By February 5, 2010, he was back home. He went to his doctor again and we decided to have another doctor perform ANOTHER ablation. We hoped that having a new set of eyes on the situation would help solve the problem. In February, he had his 4th ablation.
After each surgery, we can tell if it has worked within about a week. See, Stewart faints anywhere from 4-40 times a day. He will be sitting and talking to you, and then say, “I’m going to pass out.” Then he’s gone. He doesn’t breath while he’s unconscious. And sometimes when he wakes up he still can’t breath. It’s very scary and happens over and over again. If he passes out less often, then the surgery was successful, but if nothing has changed then it didn’t.
During his 4th surgery, they didn’t find anything new. Instead they treated the same areas that they had previously treated. Because instead of Stewart’s heart scarring, it healed. It was supposed to scar to help it beat right.
This time, we weren’t too hopeful, we had gotten our hopes up too many times before. I was having a difficult pregnancy. I went into Pre-term labor at 25 weeks and wasn’t supposed to be under much stress, but I had to take care of Stewart and Hayden.
Keagan was born on March 23, 2010, 4 weeks pre-term. He weighed 7 lbs 5 oz and was 20 inches long. He couldn’t breath when he was born and spent 1 ½ days in the NICU. It was a miracle he got to come home with us just 2 ½ days after he was born.
Stewart was fainting more than ever, so we went back to our doctor that performed the last surgery. He suggested another ablation, but this time Stewart would be awake. He said that it was the LAST thing they could do. We scheduled the surgery.
Stewart hadn’t been able to work for almost a year. We were at risk of losing our health benefits, so we hoped that this final surgery would fix all of our problems.
On June 21, 2010, we had Stewart’s 5th surgery. I got the flu the night before and couldn’t go, but they said that they found a spot that was sending false signals. We truly prayed that this one worked.
Today it is July 14, 2010, and Stewart isn’t any better. We went to Stewart’s doctor yesterday to find out what our options are. He told us that there isn’t anything else that he can do.
He referred us to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
Our insurance is going to end sometime soon. We don’t know when. The Mayo Clinic is Out-Of-Network. We can’t afford to pay for COBRA. And we have to go to Minnesota. This is our last chance to get Stewart better.
We don’t make enough money to send ourselves out there. We are trying to raise $10,000 on this blog and through friends and family to pay for our travel expenses and our hospital bills. If you would like to donate to our cause and help us out, you can do so by clicking on the paypal "Donate" button on the right hand side of our screen.
Normally this isn’t something that we would do. We don’t like to ask for help. We would prefer to help everyone else. But this isn’t something that we can do by ourselves. If you can help us, we would be so grateful!
In lieu of monetary donations, we would like to hold an auction here on this blog of items donated by you! If you have an item that you would like to donate, please e-mail me at cieranm2 (at) yahoo (dot) com.
Thank you so much!
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