12-20-13

8:30am

You would have thought it was Christmas day

due to the kids getting up at 5:30am or earlier!

It's the last day of school before Christmas so

I'm sure it will be a much easier day for them

and then they get to look forward to getting

out a half hour early.

Today should be an easier day for myself as well.

Yesterday I made pumpkin bread.

I originally made just enough for hubby's 

coworkers in his maintenance department

then I found out about the card everyone got us

and had to make much more to include the office

folks at his work to show our thanks to them.

It wasn't much but they always look forward

to me sending in goodies this time of year.

I stayed up late getting the rest of these made.

It's a pumpkin bread done in a mini bundt pans.

They were then drizzled with a maple caramel

and then a cream cheese drizzle and sprinkled

with a little Christmas cheer to make them look festive.

They are about the size of a jumbo cupcake

and I think I made about 17 of them total along

with little gift bags for just the maintenance workers

which included a packet of hot chocolate,

a chocolate dipped marshmallow with mint

and a couple of homemade somoa cookies.

This weekend I will work on some more pumpkin

bread and cookies for neighbors and friends.

Plus I have a 10.31 pound ham I want to start

brining for Christmas dinner.  I've never brined a ham before

and got the idea off tv.  

3 two liter bottles of coke or dr. pepper,

1 1/2 cups kosher salt,

Score the entire surface of the ham in a diamond

pattern just down to the skin.

Submerge ham into the above mixture for 1-4 days.

Remove from brine, rinse and dry before baking.

Then about 30 minutes before done baking

I'll start glazing it with a mixture of

12 ounce jar orange marmalade,

1/2 cup dijon mustard,

6 garlic cloves,

1 cup light brown sugar packed,

1 teaspoon ginger,

1/4 cup orange juice.

Process in food processor

and pour over top of ham.

Here are some photos of when I got out of the

hospital a week ago.  I was pretty bruised up

from all the needles they poked into me.

They did not want to use the same veins twice

so I was poked in several places including the kink of

my elbows, forearms and hands (least favorite).

Then there was two IVs in my right arm.

Well it's only 9:00am and I think I'm gonna go lay

down and take a nap before two weeks

of kids being out of school and almost

a week of hubby being on vacation for Christmas.

Need some quiet down time for now.

I just took a handful of meds and they sometimes

make me feel funny.

Tonight me and hubby are going to his work

to cut up his scrap metal he's been collecting

and get it ready to take to the scrap place tomorrow morning.

Might stop by a thrift store to look for a couple

outfits for the boys for Christmas.

I had thought about using the money on the Walmart

gift card to buy them new clothes but for the price

of one shirt I could get them each a couple of outfits

at the thrift store.

9:10pm


I don't know what the deal was this afternoon
but I felt a little woozy and shaky for the longest time.
I laid down on the couch some after picking the kids
up from the bus stop.
I feel ok at the moment.  Will be glad to sleep in a
little tomorrow morning before heading off
to the scrap metal place.
Can't overdo it and try to pace myself when I can.
But the clock's a ticking and I still have so
much more to do like bake, wrap ALL gifts,
shop for a couple more gifts, and
get my ham brining for Christmas.
I got regular cherry Coke to brine it in.

Oh, hubby said the people 
at his work made this comment today about me
that I thought was funny and made me smile,
"She (me) is the most popular one here at work
and she doesn't even work here"
LOL

12-19-13

12:15pm

I'm baaaack!

I needed some time off the blog.

On December 11th I went back to the ER

and they admitted me for 3 days til 12-13 because I was not

getting any better since my last hospital stay.

That first night or should I say early morning hours

was not pleasant.  My fever got to 103 degrees plus

and for 6-8 hours they worked overtime trying

to get it to come down.  It was a very stubborn

fever that did not want to budge.

They ran IV's full speed and put me on ice packs

along with who knows what medications.

The ice packs were the worst thing.

When you are feeling so cold and shivering

you don't want someone putting something

like ice packs on your bare skin!!

I bawled thinking, God, what did I do to deserve this?!

It felt like torture to me.  Hubby and mom

felt helpless standing beside me holding my hand

while I was in agony bawling and watching the nurses do their job.

I had never ever felt my stomach that hot before

in my life.  They placed a large ice pack on it

and in no time it would melt leaving my bed soaked.

More ice packs were applied underneath my arms.

I was dehydrated and so thirsty and kept asking

for something to drink.  They would not give me

anything because of tests they were doing.

In the ER alone before going to my room

they took 10 vials of blood.  I'm sure another

10 were taken in my room if not more during my stay.

One time it got to the point they could not

draw blood, it just wouldn't flow into their tubes

after being poked 4 times!

My potassium levels were low and 

my blood pressure was also low.

I had two IV's in my right arm with up to

four bags of fluids and medications pumping into me.

They would also bring in little cups with

pills for me to take orally.  I took advantage of those

at the time because they would give me water

to swallow them.  I wanted water sooo badly and

would drink those cups like I had been stranded 

out in the desert looking for water.  

But of course there was a price to pay.

I threw up constantly, even with the littlest sip of water.

Going to the bathroom constantly with diarrhea

also caused me to throw up as well.

The nurses told me it was because everything was

passing through me so quickly.

When my diarrhea hit I had to go to the bathroom

right now and I let the nurses know that.

I had many accidents, many changes of undies, night gowns,

bedding, you name it.  It wasn't a pleasant site and

would be so embarrassing having to constantly

press the nurses button on my bed for assistance.

At one time there was a doctor who would come visit.

Little did I realize I was also on the surgery floor of the hospital

and this doctor was a surgeon.

I think he was on stand by in case I needed surgery.

He came in to explain that he didn't think I needed surgery

at the moment and they would do everything they

could to avoid it.

Ok, well there went my stress level even more

with just that thought.

I was having horrible sweating episodes every time

I would sleep.  I'd wake up soaked.

They told me that this was caused by the infection

and another way it was trying to escape.

By the second day I was starting to feel better

and the fever broke.  My blood pressure was still running low

though.  I was allowed a clear liquid diet.

Another doctor came in and said they

finally figured out what the problem was.

They ran a C. Diff test and it came back positive.

He said that it was not done back in late October

during my last hospital stay and he doesn't know why.

I kept telling everyone after they released me

in the beginning of November that I still did not feel right,

I still did not feel good.

I don't think anyone knew how bad I really felt 

because I can slap on a smile over top of

my ailing body and look ok on the outside.

I just figured this was how I was supposed to live

my life feeling the way I did and I coped with

it the best I could.

My husband nor my mom knew it was much worse,

only myself.  I'm not one to go running to doctors

or emergency rooms to get treated if I can

just hobble along another day.

I didn't want to bother anyone especially at 

Christmas time, there was things we needed to do.

Well the morning of 12-11 the kids did not have any school

and boy was I glad.  I got up to see hubby off to work

and just went back to bed.  I was hurting, in tears

and so exhausted and sick.  Hubby didn't know any better that

morning.  Mom called that morning and said she was dropping

some Gatorade off.  When she saw me she said,

we're taking you to the ER.  She knew something

was really wrong when I did not resist and climbed right

in their car and away we went.

The kids were ok to be home alone and I didn't

have to worry about them being in school.

There was a little wait in the ER to be seen in triag

and that's when mom called my husband at work.

I kept saying not to call and worry him

but she still called anyway.

It didn't seem like we were back in one

of the ER rooms when I was seen by a doctor

who said I would be staying a couple of days.

Mom called hubby back at work around 10am

and he left work to come be with us.

By the time he got there I was on some

pretty good pain killer and was in and out of sleeping.

I was just upset with myself for being sick

even though I could not have helped it.

It was Wednesday and hubby was taking

Thursday and Friday off work so we could

go Christmas shopping and spend the day together.

And here I was in the ER being admitted to the hospital.

I had a GI doctor's appointment on Friday

that I had tried with all my might to make it

to after waiting a month to be seen to avoid the ER.

Whelp I did not make it.  And it didn't matter

anyway if I did.  What I had could not have

been treated by him, only by a hospital.

I was released from the hospital after being able

to eat and drink without getting sick and my vitals

where looking much better late afternoon of 12-13.

And let me tell ya, after getting the right

medications, treatment and what not,

this is the best I have felt it 2 1/2 months.

I am so glad they finally figured out what was wrong with me.

It wasn't Crohn's but Crohn's could have played a part

in it because it makes you have a weak 

immune system which makes you more

prone to infections and illnesses than your 

average person.  They did tell me during my

last hospital stay that I do now have Colitis,

which is inflammation in the colon or large intestines.

Which would make sense because 

C. Diff can cause problems in your colon.

1:00pm

Since the hospitals stays you can imagine

we are trying so hard to play catch up around here

with doing things for Christmas shopping.

We've been spending every evening shopping

for a couple hours looking for the best deals.

When it comes to electronics and gaming

things for kids you know this is not easy.

With little time left before Christmas I think

I've been doing pretty good with not paying

full price for anything on my kids Christmas wish lists.

Last night alone at Gamestop I had to do a little

bitching but it paid off and I ended up saving

anywhere between $60 to $80!

The only money I have to spend for Christmas

was what I was able to save up

in the saving's account throughout the year.

We're talking about $500 to $600 and that

has to be divided up among our family.

Throw in some electronics like a laptop computer,

black Xbox slim 360, recent popular Xbox games 

(Ghost, Battlefield 4, GTA 5, etc and computer games, 

2 Xbox lives for 12 months each along with Xbox accessories

like headphones with mics & wireless rapid fire controllers, steering wheel and pedals for a PC,

DVDs, maybe a clothing outfit for each child

and a few other smaller items,

then you will wonder why I am stressing so bad

at the last minute to find the best deals.

It starts adding up REALLY quick!!

I'm talking like $250 each per child to be spent total!!

I'm trying to work a miracle at the moment.

Then throw in I am still recovering from my illness.

I will be soooo thankful to get through this Christmas

with God's guidance because I don't

know how else I would be able to accomplish all this.

Oh and you can't forget that I am trying so hard

to do all my Christmas baking in on top of all this

so I can get some baked gifts out to all

my neighbors, friends and hubby's coworkers.

Picture Santa's workshop with all his elves.

That is my house right now but I am

the only elf working!!!  AHHHHH!

And everyone tells me I need to slow down and rest.

LMAO, there's no rest for the weary.

This mom has to make a Christmas miracle happen

in record time.

10:45pm


Hubby's work is such a caring place.
Everyone acts like family and is understanding.
They did the most wonderful thing for us
knowing how much we have been through
with our health lately and knowing we are struggling.
Today hubby found in his work cubby a 
Christmas card with a Walmart gift card inside
signed Santa.  Hubby kept it a secret from
me all day and handed the envelope to me
as soon as he got home.
I just bawled my eyes out when I saw 
what was inside!!
They took up a donation from all the employees
to help us out with Christmas.
I have thanked God for some answered prayers at this time.

12-10-13

7:45am

Not sure how long you are supposed to wait

for a bus in snowy weather.
It's 19 degrees out with a 9 degree wind chill.

I left at 6:45 and just now came back home.

The bus didn't show up and traffic is crawling out there.

Roads are slippery.

In a 35 mph zone I don't even think

traffic was moving 25 mph.

I brought the kids back home.

Columbus City Schools called off school

last Friday when I didn't think it was that bad.

Today they should of called school off!


10:15am


I feel a little better today so went ahead and
made two batches of Saltine Toffee.
It's pretty easy and cheap to make.

1.  Line a cookie sheet with saltine crackers.
I put down non-stick aluminum foil underneath
for easier clean up.
2.  In a small saucepan melt 1 1/4 cups butter.
Once melted stir in 1 1/4 cups brown sugar.
Bring to a light boil, then boil for 2 minutes.
3.  Remove saucepan from burner and stir
in 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
Pour mixture over saltine crackers evenly.

4.  Bake 375 degrees for 10 minutes.
5.  Remove cookie sheet from oven
and sprinkle a bag of chocolate chips on top.
Place back in oven for about a minute.

6.  Remove cookie sheet from oven and using
the back of a spoon, spread the melted chips
over the crackers.

7.  Cool in fridge, freezer or in my case I
put them on the back step outside,
til the chocolate hardens.
Break apart before serving.



---

12-9-13

7:50pm

I went to bed last night with my whole body throbbing

and my right hip area starting to hurt.

This morning is no different.

I took some ibuprofen this morning and if that don't work

I'm taking a pain pill.  

That says a lot because I've only taken 

2 pain pills in 6 weeks of being home from the hospital!

I won't take them unless it gets to the point

I can't tolerate pain or throbbing anymore.

I was going to work on baking some cookies today.

I have about 6-7 different kinds to make for gifts.

I've got 5 neighbors to bake for and

a cookie tray for hubby's work for about 20 or so people.

Plus gotta have some for Santa and Christmas dinner.

Well it ain't going to be this morning that's for sure

so we'll see how I feel this afternoon.

I'm ready to go back to bed soon!

God please give me the energy and strength to get

through this holiday season!

Hubby has Thursday and Friday off this week.

Thursday we're going Christmas shopping

and Friday I have my doctor's appointment.

12:30pm

I laid down and took a 2-3 hour nap.

Body's still throbbing so I took a pain pill.

1:30pm

The pain pill kicked in about 12:50pm

and I got dizzy and really hot and had to go lay

back down in front of a fan for a half hour.

It helped the throbbing but I'm still very tired.

1:40pm I threw up.

6:00pm

After I picked the kids up from school I laid down

for another 2 hours til hubby got home.

Not having the best day today.

12-8-13

2:20pm

Between emergency calls today we shopped a few

stores looking for some Christmas gifts.

We stop in Microcenter looking at steering wheels

and pedals for a computer.  

I'm seeing ones that were about $35 to $55 and a sales

associate comes up wanting to assist us with getting one.

Tells us he'll be right back that he thinks he

has another one in the back we might like.

He lost his mind!!  He brought one out that

was $300!!  I said listen here, we are not along

the same track of mind with price.  He says what price are 

you looking at and I say the cheapest you got.

He then takes us over to one that cost $19.99.

Now we're talking I say.

Crazy that these people will try and sell you

the highest dollar items they have.

3:30pm

Got my first load of laundry in the washer.

I'm now ready for a nap!


8:30pm


Last load of laundry in dryer.
Butt has been dragging today.
Let's put it this way my butt has been on the pot
lots more today for some reason.
I just took a anti-diarrheal medicine because
my behind needs a rest!

12-7-13

11:00am

Got up around 7:00am.

About an hour later me and hubby went to his work

and salted the roads then went to the grocery store.

Now are back home and working on getting

the leftover turkey boiled up to make broth

and remove any remaining turkey from the bones.

I plan to make turkey noodle soup with

some of it.  The remaining turkey will

be bagged up and put in the freezer.

The pan is so big I had to turn on two burners

to cook it.

---

12-6-13

5:30am

Columbus City Schools CLOSED!
I just saw that they are predicting 6"+ of snow
for our area of Columbus.

Of course hubby has the on call emergency pager til Monday.
We've been up and down all night checking
the weather conditions.  Hubby got up an hour or so
earlier than normal.  Since the kids don't have school
he'll now be able to take the 4x4 Suburban to work.
I feel better anyways when he drives my truck
when road conditions are going to be bad.
Thank goodness we got the brake lights working
just for situations like this.
I'm sure hubby will be spending most of his
day salting and plowing the roads at work.
They filled up the salt hopper and oiled/greased
up the plows yesterday to prepare for this.
Whelp, I gotta go help hubby get all his
tools out of his car and load them into the truck.


6:15am


Hubby left for work.
Got the truck loaded up and had to warm up
his car and move it out from behind the truck.
Lots of ice on the windows of the car.
I have cans and bottles of de-icer that works
great to get into locks, doors and ice off windows
much faster than scrapers and defrosters.

During the Winter months you should always have
an emergency bag in your vehicle.
For hubby there is a blanket in the truck
(the kids use it in the mornings.  It's a thick lap blanket, the
brown kind you usually see with animals on them like
deer, lions/tigers, etc),
a bag of extra clothes, flashlight, 
bottles of water to drink & food like granola bars or candy.


6:33am


The township is up and adam already salting the roads.

Isn't it funny how quickly kids can get up
when they find out there is no school!?
They don't get up this fast on a regular school day.
My kids have been up since 5 - 5:30am!
They normally get up 6 - 6:30am on school days.
Hmmm, maybe they'll want a nap or early bed time tonight,
lol, wishful thinking.

Maybe today I'll work on getting my cake pops covered
in chocolate and maybe doing up some
large chocolate covered marshmallows.

Not sure what is up with the emergency vehicles around here.
Last night a neighbor caddy corner behind us
had a cop at their home for the longest time with
flashing lights.  Then when I went to bed and took
one last peek out the window I noticed another
cop at a neighbor's house caddy corner in the front of us.
And lastly this morning there was an ambulance
with flashing lights about 2-3 houses down from us.


9:15am


Here's a few things I have been working on
this morning-

White chocolate dipped large marshmallows
with a starlight mint on top.
These will be paired up with hot chocolate packets.

Butter pecan cake pops dipped in white chocolate
with sprinkles on top.
Might experiment with rolling some
in crushed up granola.

To make the chocolate dry quicker I put
the marshmallows and cake pops in the freezer first
before dipping into chocolate.


9:48am


Now they are saying we could see 8-10 inches of snow
with possibly an inch of snow each hour after lunch time.

I'm ready to lay down and chill for a little bit because
I'm feeling really tired.
I was up at 3:00am running to the potty then
got up around 5am.


2:05pm


This week is Crohn's Awareness week.
If you are on my Facebook page you will have seen
where I have been posting about 
symptoms and complications of Crohn's.
Too often I get asked what is Crohn's and
I don't know where to begin to explain everything
about it within about 5 minutes of someone's attention span.
99% of people don't understand what it is.
For example my in-laws know I have it but I don't
think they know what it involves or what it is exactly.
My mother-in-law says she thinks she may have it
because she has a stomach pain.
You'd know if you had something as serious as this!
She knew I still did not feel well Thanksgiving and was
quick to try and offer me some antacids thinking
that would make me feel better.
While I was grateful she offered and thought about
me not feeling well, she just doesn't understand it!

I was doing some research about how long
it takes to digest your food.
I got the answer of 1-4 days.
That's how long it takes to go from your stomach
to going to the bathroom for one time of eating something.
With Crohn's or people with dehyrdation
I have been finding that it takes my food
as little as 6 hours to go through me!!
This is why those with Crohn's can become
malnourished.  The food doesn't stay very long in
your body to even allow the vitamins or what not
to be absorbed.  Plus when you have diseased
intestines or colon with sores that also
doesn't help.  My food that I eat doesn't always
break down going through digestion either.
Just the other day I had take a fish oil capsule
and about 6 hours or less later I had pooped
it out whole!  Sounds gross but when you have
Crohn's you have to monitor your bodily functions.

People in my house now know when I say
I have to go poop they better hurry up in the bathroom
right now because I can't wait!


4:40pm


Snow is covering the streets.
Hubby just left work at 4:30pm so we'll see how 
long it takes him to get home.
It normally takes him 30 minutes.


5:05pm


Traffic was pretty slow hubby said and roads
were slick but he still managed to get home on time.
Providing the pager doesn't go off
we have to go back to his work at 7:00pm
to plow and salt.