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.
Our Life In A Slideshow!
Monday, August 30, 2010
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!
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