Baby #3 has arrived!!

I am proud to announce the arrival of my blog friend Wendi and her husband JB's baby boy.

Elijah Luke Kitsteiner made his way into the world this morning via C-section. He was 8 pounds and 14 ounces, 21 inches long.

He is welcomed by big brother Isaac.

Congrats Kit family on your new edition!!

Good News Times Two!

Got two pieces of good news to share with you.

1) Grama Connie finally got her results on her MRI she had taken in December. Marked improvement. That is what the doctor said. The tumors are shrinking. Thank you Lord Jesus for this slow, but measurable improvement! Hopefully in July at the next MRI, all will be gone.

2) Baby Wyatt is home and doing well. He has an appointment tomorrow for follow up, but he is eating and pooping like a champ. Still don't know what the infection was, I suspect tomorrow they'll have anwsers. So, thank you Lord Jesus for healing power!

I appreciate all the prayers you have given for these and other situations. Answers to prayer do happen, sometimes not what we like, but we do get answers. Thank you Lord Jesus for good news in these situations.

Not Me Monday 1/26/09

Well, its time for another "Not Me Monday" posting and I thought I better get a posting made for you all to enjoy! MckMama is on vacation this week, but still posting, so check her blog after you read mine and all the rest of us crazy people!

I did not have a smile that lit up the whole of Mayo when I walked away from my hospital room with a waiver for six weeks off of work. I didn't!

I did not order twice from the kitchen in one meal while in the hospital. Nope, my appetite sucked!!

I did not talk my doctor into an extra night in the hospital when he suggested I go home the same day as surgery. Nope, I wanted out of there!

I did not get picked up by my grandparents and promptly fall asleep on the three hour car ride to their house. What could possibly make me that tired!?

The doctors put me on a 10 pound weight restriction for pushing, pulling or lifting and I certainly haven't been ignoring that! Nope, not me!

One week after surgery, I did not drive two 5-hour trip days to be with my family. Nope, I was resting comfortably at home!

I also did not load my car for said trip by taking things out in pieces to stick to my weight limit. Nope, it didn't take me an hour to load the car! And it certainly didn't take me three hours to pack!

I did not jump with joy that two of three babies I am expecting to make an appearance on the planet decided to do just that! Baby Elijah, you are next!!

I did not convince my mom I needed a turkey dinner just weeks after the holidays and suceed in getting one. Nope, not me. I didn't gain a pound either!

I have not spent a small fortune on vitamins and minerals since having gastric bypass and now gallbladder removal surgeries. Nope, I am healthy all by myself!

Well, I think this is enough for you to chew on for this week!

Head on over to MckMama's blog for over 400 other participating "Not Me" postings. Free therapy indeed!

Happy "Not Me" Monday!

Baby Jacob!

Baby #2 has made his appearance!

Jacob Michael Robbins was born January 22nd weighing in at 6 pounds and 15 ounces. He was born at 35 weeks and 4 days, but is absolutely healthy aside from some slight jaundice, which is normal for preemies.

I am showing a picture, but be advised, delivery was rough, he was stuck under Mom's pelvis and he has alot of bruising.



Thanking the Lord for safe delivery and the fact that he got to go home like a normal baby. Jacob is a miracle!! Kudos to the doctors who also helped make him possible!

Prayer Needed

Couple of prayer requests....

Baby Wyatt ~ Yes, the one that was born today. Apparently, he is septic. They helicoptered him down to Sacramento to a Level 1 hospital. I am not sure what all that entails as I don't have significant details. My guess is that they did the C-section because he was dropping his vitals because he pooped inside and I assume he swallowed some of the meconium. I hope to keep you posted to the positive on this soon.

My friend Jared's dad ~ diagnosed this week with pancreatic cancer that has spread to the liver. Typically this is a lethal diagnosis. Pray for Jared's whole family in dealing with this situation.

My Dad's friend Terry ~ had a heart attack this week. He is a big guy and the hospital is saying they can do nothing for him because of it. His option is to eat better and exercise to take off the weight, then, they could maybe do some stenting, but the risk of surgery right now is too great.

Thanks for your faithfulness.

Baby Wyatt

Well, one baby has made his appearance.

Wyatt Angus Smith was born this morning via C-section weighing in at 7 pounds and 13 ounces, 21 inches long. He is my cousin Melannie and her husband Angus' first born child. He now is a birthday buddy with my brother Mark as well.

I can't wait to see a picture and on Wednesday, I can see him live and in person.

I love babies!!

No news really on Wendi and Michelle. Wendi is back home, false alarm, so still waiting, no news on Michelle at all.

Happy BIRTHday Wyatt!!

Happy Birthday to............

my brother Mark!

He's the ugly one! Just kidding! The one in the tux obviously!

He hits the big 3-0 today. Can't believe it little big brother!

Here is to many more happy years!

Babies!!

In the next few hours, perhaps days, I hope not, three babies will be added to the planet that I know!

Wendi ~ is contracting, dilated to 2, but no new news.
Michelle ~ dilated to 4 and contracting regularly.
Melannie ~ plug fell out.........no new news on regular contracting.

I am so excited for all three, all of which are having boys!

I'll keep you posted!!

Seven More Things

So I thought it was time to do another posting of random things about me you may or may not know.

1. I have now had two surgeries in my lifetime. The first was October 27, 2007, and a day I consider a fresh start on life. It was my gastric bypass surgery. The second was January 12, 2009. I had to have emergency surgery to have my gall bladder removed. What a way to start the year, eh?

2. I broke my first bone in December of 2008. My pinky toe. Who knew such a little bone could cause so much pain?!

3. I was adventurous and tried a piece of venison steak in 2008 while at my parents. Those of you who know me know how much I detest wild game and those of you who try to sneak it past me. But this time, I knowingly took a bite and admitted that this particular steak, did not taste gamey. Not sure I'll try that again. Beef is still my favorite form of steak. No mooing though!

4. I was crazy this holiday season and went way overboard in my love of all things snowmen and purchased well over a dozen different ones to add to my collection. The collection in which I have nowhere to display mind you.

5. My favorite color is green. I like most shades, my favorite being hunter. I do not however, like neon and lime. I also like various shades of purple. Oh and I like cranberry and navy to go with the hunter.

6. It has been 15 months since my kitchen was remodeled and I still haven't finished painting, put up the trim and wainscotting or put up the backsplash. Time to get my behindster in gear me thinks!

7. My favorite restaurant is Outback! Yum-O as Rachael Ray would say! Potato soup, wowzers! Steak, mmmmm! Ok, have to go there now!

Hope you enjoyed this session of random facts; I'll post again some day. Feel free to comment, ask questions, etc.

Happy Birthday to............

my Aunt Lynn!

She's the cute one!

I don't know how old she is, but if I did and revealed it, she'd probably shoot me!

Love you my favorite aunt!! Have a wonderful birthday!

Not Me Monday

**Going to repost this since I wasn't around last Monday to link to MckMama. Enjoy!!
**********************************************
I did not give in to my snowman fettish and buy even more on clearance this week while shopping in the clearance aisle at Fleet Farm. Nope, I resisted!

Two days later, I did not go to my favorite drug store and spend $75 on $300 worth of clearance items, some of which included snowmen.

I did not go to Walmart this week and spend over $150 in groceries. I mean, I was only gone for five weeks, what could I possibly have needed??

I then did not go back the next day and spend $75 in vitamins and supplements. Nope, Walmart doesn't own me!

I did not unload my car after being gone for five weeks from home and leave everything sitting in the kitchen or living room just as it sat. Nope, I unpacked it all! This is how I roll!

I did not actually put away said luggage the day after returning home after being gone for five weeks. I actually let it sit there and lived out of the suitcase, I mean, why put it away?

I did not spend an entire four hours checking email after returning to work after five weeks of leave. Furthermore, I did not spend the entire week catching up on said opened email. Nope, I had real work to do.

I did not tell my three-year-old niece Kersten that we only read books at bedtime when she asked me to read to her because I wasn't feeling the best, and I was watching the "In the Womb" special on National Geographic. Reading books means bedtime, right?

Well, I think this should get you through another week. Head on over to MckMama's blog for over 400 other participating "Not Me" postings. Free therapy indeed!

National Sanctity of Human Life Day

The White House proudly proclaims today, January 18th, to be the National Sanctity of Human Life Day.

How cool is that!?

I can't think of a better way to go out of office! Good luck in your future endeavers "W".

Scripture of the Day

Scripture of the day is now going to be fed LIVE to my site every day. Please look on the sidebar for this daily and I hope it will help you. There are days when the scripture(s) are dead on for the things I am studying or dwelling on, so I know it speaks to me and I hope it'll do the same for you!

Emergency Surgery

***WARNING: Some content may be too graphic as I discuss sickness and medical stuff.

Well, I posted last Saturday about my disappointment in my doctor to figure me out. Well, let's just say, this Saturday, things are different. No thanks to him however!

After seeing him Friday afternoon(10th) and leaving upset, Friday night I thought I was gonna die. I was cramping and I had both the puking and diarrhea thing activated. I thought I had gotten food poisoning somewhere, but wasn't quite sure what I had ate do it. I tried to recall my last 48 hours of food intake, and nothing seemed to really jive, so I couldn't figure it out. For about three hours I was just miserable and then the last time I puked, I immediately felt better. I went to bed that night feeling fine and woke up Saturday just fine as well.
Laurie and I went to Lolo's in late morning to do some scrapbooking and we then went to Rochester to do a little shopping. While in Rochester, I began to feel like something might be stuck in my stoma area(what is left of my stomach), but it had been awhile since eating, so I was a little confused about it, so I just drank some water, hoping to flush whatever it was out. By evening, we were back at the Peaslee's and I was making homemade pizza for everyone and just didn't feel myself. I did eat and did fine, but that fullness feeling still lingered. I went to bed taking some leftover Tramadol from my broken toe days and slept really well. I woke up and felt normal. During breakfast however, that fullness feeling came back.
We left for church and I did my nursery duties and should have gone up to service, but I didn't feel good, so I just relaxed in a chair and watched the babies play. After church we went home and I decided I was going to skip lunch and take a nap. A nap I took, I woke up around 3:30 and it felt worse. I went to the bathroom and my urine was an amber color. Now, I was beginning to worry about myself.
So I got online and googled my symptoms and there was a few possabilities. One was a urinary tract infection(and there are three different kinds) or the other was my gall bladder. Now, many of you know I had gastric bypass surgery in October of 2007 and having had this surgery meant that eventually, my gall bladder would become a problem. I was worried. I called the Ask Mayo Nurse and she told me to go to the ER. I really dreaded the ER, not because they aren't good doctors and nurses, but because it takes so long and it costs extra.
Well, I decided to go to the ER. I was at the Peaslee's, so it was going to be about a 45 minute drive. I parked in the long term ramp fully expecting to get admitted, but I wasn't sure. I had called both Sara and Susan to tell them about my going to the ER and Sara responded immediately by meeting me there and staying for the duration.
They check me in and a few minutes later I am sent to a room. Not too much time passes before a nurse comes in, and a doctor follows after that. I needed to give a blood sample and a urine sample and they wanted to start an IV of fluids. I gave them my good pumper vein for the IV, so it was up to the rest of my veins to stand the test. Urine, not so much. I had gone prior to coming into the ER and with the amount that I eat or drink, there is no on demand system in place. The IV got things moving eventually and I did get that done. The doctor felt my abdomen looking for the obvious to him I suppose, they wanted to tule out appendix in addition to my two theories and the best way to do that was a CT scan. So I had to drink two glasses of contrast in the next 1.5 hours and while the taste has improved over the years, it is still not my favorite beverage. By the time my CT appointment time rolled around, I had drank one and one-third glasses, which for me is good since I don't have the ability to drink as fast as I used to and with the IV, well, I was very full of fluid. So they roll me off to CT and if you have never had one, not only do you drink contrast, but they inject it too. The injection kind makes you have a warm rush from your head to your toes and I swear, it makes you feel like you are peeing your pants!
I go back to my room after the CT and the doctor is not far behind. He says that my pancreas and liver enzymes are very elevated, to the point they figure my pancreas is the problem, but the CT results didn't show anything wrong with my pancreas, liver or appendix. It was my gall bladder, and it was very distended. He ordered a surgical consult and an ultrasound to see if I still had stones floating around or blocking anything. The surgeon turns out to be someone who has been assissting Sara with her whole leg trauma the past few months, so she is super excited to "know" he will be my surgeon and that I'll be in good hands.
So after a bunch of phone calls, they wheel me off to ultrasound and yep, I have stones, they need to do surgery immediately. And, as it turns out, on Friday when I thought I had food poisoning, it was me passing a stone! Nice!
So a few more phone calls and off to surgery. I remember being wheeled in and them doing a bunch of prep work. I was calm and relaxed. I did cry before leaving for surgery, not because I was scared, but because sometimes, you just need your mommy and this was a time I wished she didn't live so far away.
The next thing I remember is waking up and being wheeled to my room. Sara was still hanging around, such a trouper she is! She stayed with me the rest of the night and went into work a bit late so she could be there when the surgeon did rounds and told us all the details of how things went. No complications, but my gall bladder was much larger than it should have been and they had to make a bigger incision to remove it, but aside from that, all went as planned.
I have four new scars for a total of ten on my abdomen. One is in my belly button, not sure if you'll be able to see that after it heals, it is still swollen at the moment, so can't really tell what you'll see. The big scar is in a fat crease that exists currently, so it should be hidden mostly and hopefully someday when I get to have plastic surgery, it and the others can mostly go away. I didn't have to have a drainage tube this time, so all the scars are relatively flat aside from the fact that they are healing right now, so I expect them to be minimal. The big scar is where my pain is. They cut through my chest muscle there and thus I have bruising and I can't use it very well.
I have six weeks to recover, I got an extension due to the fibromyalgia making it take me longer to heal. I just don't pop back like regular people.
I spent this first week at my grandparents, the Gardner side. They live about three hours from me and graciously came and picked me up and will return me home on Monday. I plan to spend one day with the Peaslee's and then am heading to my Mom's house, but in two segments instead of the whole trip. I'll have a stopover at my Uncle Bryan's or Aunt Karen's house and continue the following day. My Grama Booth is jealous of my time and thus, I will also spend two weeks out in California. She said its her turn to take care of me.

So that is my saga for the week..........I'll keep you posted on my recovery. Everyone has computers, but some are slower than others, so I can't promise to be faithful daily, but I'd like to get back to my previous level and have my "Not Me Monday", "Tuesday Funnies" and "Favorite Foto Friday" come back. I will do my best to keep you entertained.

Scripture of the Day

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
John 13:34-35

Scripture of the Day

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds.
Romans 2:5-6

Scripture of the Day

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1 John 4:7

Scripture of the Day

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2

Scripture of the Day

If ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
Luke 6:33

Scripture of the Day

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:2-3

Not Me Monday! 1/12/09

I did not give in to my snowman fettish and buy even more on clearance this week while shopping in the clearance aisle at Fleet Farm. Nope, I resisted!


Two days later, I did not go to my favorite drug store and spend $75 on $300 worth of clearance items, some of which included snowmen.

I did not go to Walmart this week and spend over $150 in groceries. I mean, I was only gone for five weeks, what could I possibly have needed??


I then did not go back the next day and spend $75 in vitamins and supplements. Nope, Walmart doesn't own me!

I did not unload my car after being gone for five weeks from home and leave everything sitting in the kitchen or living room just as it sat. Nope, I unpacked it all! This is how I roll!


I did not actually put away said luggage the day after returning home after being gone for five weeks. I actually let it sit there and lived out of the suitcase, I mean, why put it away?

I did not spend an entire four hours checking email after returning to work after five weeks of leave. Furthermore, I did not spend the entire week catching up on said opened email. Nope, I had real work to do.


I did not tell my three-year-old niece Kersten that we only read books at bedtime when she asked me to read to her because I wasn't feeling the best, and I was watching the "In the Womb" special on National Geographic. Reading books means bedtime, right?


Well, I think this should get you through another week.
Head on over to MckMama's blog for over 400 other participating "Not Me" postings. Free therapy indeed!

Scripture of the Day

1 Peter 1:15-16 (King James Version)
15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Scripture of the Day

Ephesians 5:1-2
1Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Surgical Consult Update

So my doctor is a complete idiot. Why do people spend money on degrees?
I walk in there and he thinks my pain is not scar tissue. He thinks I am irregular in my bowel habits and that if I went daily, the pain would go away.
UHHHHHH, news flash. I wasn't regular prior to surgery, and now that I eat less food, do you really think I will be now??
That was the best he could come up with. I cried.

I have been living with this pain for nearly 15 months now. I have done an MRI, a CT scan and an ultrasound. If I were obstructed, don't you think one of them would have showed something?
So what good is the degree?
I mean, yeah, who WANTS to have surgery, but seriously, we have exhausted all the options and now he comes up with this crap? Excuse the pun.

So, I am going to give it two weeks. Two weeks is my limit. If it isn't better, am going for a second opinion. I really think it won't change anything. However, this is the hoop I have to jump through for now.

Scripture of the Day

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
James 1:22

Scripture of the Day

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Proverbs 3:11-12

Happy Birthday to..........

My Dad Mike! Today he is 49!

Hope you have a Blessed Birthday!

Surgery?

Has anyone ever had a laparotomy or laparoscopy?

I will be having one or the other, won't know until my consult on Friday.

I am just curious about what to expect and recovery time, etc.



Post a comment if you have an experience you can relate to me.


THANKS!

Scripture of the Day

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
Isaiah 40:28

Scripture of the Day

Titus 2:14 (King James Version)
14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Scripture of the Day

Proverbs 2:1-5 (King James Version)
1My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

Not Me Monday

I did not drive 45 miles through completely ice covered roads and continuing downpour of freezing rain last night. I was not that far from home, I wanted to be home. I then did not give up and get a hotel room. I just didn't.

I did not go to White Castle four times in the past month to get my craving satisfied. I can't get these close to home, but I didn't give in to the craving. Nope! Not me!

I did not buy more than a dozen snowmen in several shapes and sizes this holiday season. I do not like them at all you see. I couldn't possibly house any more! Definitely not me! *PS, I got them all on sale though!*

I did not go to Walmart nearly every day of the past two weeks. Nope, no way!

I am not disappointed that my favorite pretzels are no longer available at Longs, the only place that still sold them. I did not nearly yell at the cashier about this either. I mean, how could she do this to me?

I did not eat a pound of banana runt candies over the course of three days. Nope, not me!

I did not drink McDonald's sweet tea every single day for a week. You know you can't get this in my neck of the woods, so I have to travel for it. But I did not do it. Nope!



I think this is enough for this week, I should have more for you next week.

Head over to MckMama's blog for more "Not Me Monday" posts, they are a blast!!

Back in Minnesota

Well, after an exhausting trip, details of which I'll write about later, I am finally back in Minnesota and HOME.
I have doctor appointments tomorrow and return to work on Tuesday if all goes as planned.
I'll also return to blogging. So stay tuned, I have several stories to relate, but I'll probably only post one a day so as not to overwhelm all of you and to space things out a little bit as I never know if I will have something one day or ten things.
I am hoping to get in a "Not Me Monday" post tomorrow as well.

Missed everyone!

Scripture of the Day

Micah 6:8 (King James Version)
8He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Scripture of the Day

James 2:8 (King James Version)
8If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

Scripture of the Day

Philippians 4:9 (King James Version)
9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Scripture of the Day

Matthew 6:33 (King James Version)
33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.