5 Year Old's ER Visit

WARNING: THIS POST IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.  IT'S A GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF CARTER'S ER VISIT.

This all happened Tuesday evening.  Why do emergencies never happen during the day?  I spent Tuesday at my friend Jenny's house stuffing CD's.  By the time we were done Carter was wrecked tired!  After dinner he started complaining that his stoma hurt.  I figured he was just tired and so I started getting him ready for bed.  I took off his ostomy bag to put a new one on and realized why he was in so much pain.  His stoma had prolapsed.  Basically his stoma (intestines) had come out about 4 inches and it was incredibly swollen.  
I called the surgeon on call and she said to come to the ER.  So we drove to Primary Children's Hospital.  

The surgical team came to look at Carter and tried to "stuff" the stoma back inside his belly.  My heart ached so badly because Carter was in so much pain.  One of the surgeons asked another to grab some sugar.  WHAT???  Seriously?

  So off he ran to the cafeteria to grab some sugar.  They told me that it absorbs the water and helps reduce the swelling.  I really started to freak out!

Because Carter was crying so badly they weren't able to get him to relax enough to push everything back in.  So they sedated him with Ketamine.  He looked dead while he was sedated.

Because they used Ketamine he had to be monitored constantly.  As the surgeons were doing their "thing" Carter threw up.  They quickly turned him on his side and suctioned his mouth out.  

It seemed like it took them forever to get everything back in place.  When all was said and done Carter was covered in vomit and blood.  It was gross and I wanted to vomit myself seeing that.  

While they cleaned him up I ran to the car and grabbed Carter's ostomy supplies.  I also took that chance to move my car since it was parked illegally.  
They admitted him just in case it prolapsed again.  That night was one of the longest of my life.  I didn't have my meds and my restless legs were BAD!  I didn't sleep at all.  

In the morning Carter was able to eat breakfast.  He hardly ate though.  The surgeons rounded and decided he could come home.  So we were discharged and he's been fine ever since.

Want to know the worst part?  It's the part of this story that makes me want to cry.  He missed his Halloween pre-school program.  He's been singing the songs all month long and we missed his program, his very last pre-school Halloween program ever.  I'm not sure why I'm so sad about this part.  I guess I was just looking forward to it so much.  

I'm so glad he's doing so much better.  What a day that was! 

 

Tender Mercies

Yesterday was a no good, horrible day.  I seem to be having these a lot lately.  Somehow in sorrow God is always there for me.  And He is there for you too.  Here's a GREAT quote...

"The tender mercies of the Lord are real and they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Often, the Lord's timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them."

-Elder David A. Bednar

I love this!  I just want to share the tender mercies that I was given yesterday.  I know that Elder Bednar is right, they don't occur randomly!

I wanted to go to the cemetery so I could "visit" with my Grandma.  I know that angels are all around us and I needed to feel her and talk to her.  She had a still born baby in 1936.  Notice the date.  Yesterday was the 6th.  I didn't know that the date was September 6th.

 Anyway, as I was sitting and pondering I felt this overwhelming love from my Grandma and Grandpa Kusch.  And I realized how much they loved me here on Earth and continue to love me from Heaven.  I wasn't sad anymore.  I was so happy!  I remembered what their love felt like and it one of the most comforting feelings I've had.  I was only in 4th grade when my Grandpa died.  I have so many fond memories of him taking us to the coffee shop and showing us off!  He was so proud of us.  And my Grandma Kusch loved me so much!  We had a very special relationship.  She would call every Saturday morning and we'd talk.  We'd also write letters back and forth.  She used a typewriter and I still have every letter!  Tender Mercy 1.

Tender Mercy 2...I have a project that I want to start working on but I needed dandelions for it.  It's not Spring.  You can't find any!  They were all over the cemetery.  They hadn't mowed the lawn that week and I was able to grab all the "wishes" I wanted to!  

Tender Mercy 3...Before I left for the cemetery I had a thought to check the mail.  My friend Steve had mailed me an "ugly" card!  I laughed so hard!  He also sent an amazing CD too!  I BLASTED that all the way to the cemetery.  Thanks Steve!

Tender Mercy 4...Last night we had the opportunity to hear from Jean Keaton.  She's an amazing artist.  Her story was so touching and inspiring.  I needed to hear her stories and see those prints!  This one is one of my favorites.

 Tender Mercy 5...When I got home from the activity Auds was at my house.  I love her like a sister!  She is so loving and kind and tell it like it is.  I love that about her.  She and the Hubs helped me a lot last night.  

I felt so blessed as I went to bed last night.  It would have been so easy for me to focus on the negative but look at everything I would have missed out on!  I love God and His Son Jesus Christ.  My life would not be complete without my relationship with them.  

Bohemian Tea Cart...I'm in Love

I stumbled upon Lady Bonin's Tea Parlour through Craft Gawker.  As soon as I saw these pictures I fell in love with everything about this.  If any picture sums up "me" it's this one.  It's eclectic, bright, fun, comfortable, inviting, homey, etc.  I want one too!  I want a roaming tea parlour!  I WILL have a roaming tea parlour just like this one!  I think I just found my life's calling!  Hehehehe!  

I also love her mission...providing a healthy alternative to coffee!

Seriously...I can't find words to describe how perfectly these pictures describe who I am!  I know I'm strange.  But these pictures make me all kinds of happy!

If you know me, you know how much I LOVE herbal teas.  I always have a stocked pantry full of herbal teas.  I love my tea pots too!

Passion Fruit & Orange?  Yes please!

I guess the "real" me is like the caravan itself...bohemian-chic with a hint of modern gypsy.  Now I need to start dressing the part!  Ok...maybe not!

It All Started With A Massage...Luckily!!

Here's how my day started out...

Here's how it ended...

Yes, that's right.  My day started out with a FULL body massage!  It was pure bliss!  I've never had a massage like that.  This now will be something I do on a regular basis.  

The bliss ended with a trip to the ER with my daughter.  She has a MASSIVE infection on her leg.  After school today the spot was huge.  I drew a line around the area and when I saw that it was spreading within a matter of minutes I took her to the ER.

I'm so glad I did.  Who knows what would have happened if I let it go one more day?  Honestly, she probably would have ended up hospitalized.  

So she's on IV antibiotics and oral antibiotics.  We have to go back to the hospital tomorrow for another dose of IV meds.  She left the hospital with her IV.  She's in so much pain.  They gave her some pain meds luckily.  She has to stay home tomorrow and not move!  The Dr. said she can get up to go to the bathroom and to eat.  The infection can spread quickly the more she moves around. 

I can't believe she already has to miss a day of school.  She's not happy about that.  That makes me happy that she's loving school so much already!

Get well quickly sweetheart!

I Have A Confession

I've never eaten or cooked an Artichoke.  I'm eating in a whole new way now and so I'm trying lots of new fruits and vegetables.  These were on sale and so I bought 5 of them.  I'm a little scared, I won't lie.  

Now to look on the internet about how to cook and eat them.

Wish me luck!

Here You Go Producers

This is what I'm handing the producers tomorrow.  Wish me luck!  I KNOW I'm going to make it on the show!  OK, well I don't KNOW but I have an awfully good feeling about everything!  I'll let you know how it goes!

Introducing "The Hubs"

I hope my husband doesn't kill me for posting these pictures.  They were on his facebook account so they were legal of me to steal, right?  

I miss him so much!  How can you not miss these teeth?

Which one is dumber?

This jail is just made of PVC pipe.  I'm thinking of installing one in our basement.

He hated his time out!  But he was being so naughty!

I love the kind of dad he is! 

See what I mean?

Zoom in on this picture!  Look at Carter's face.  This kid could not love this man anymore!

This is my favorite picture of us! 

Do you see my face as I'm helping my son shoot the .22?  We really do love to go shooting.

Playing around at the zoo.

I love my hubby!  I don't care what any one else thinks of us!  I'm so happy.  We've come a long way and I can't wait to go even further!

Love you Hubs!

Hollister Vs. Hollister

I posed this question on facebook today...

Do you think the clothing company Hollister is jealous that there's a colostomy company with the same name? Does that make my son cool because he has on a Hollister bag? You KNOW it does!!

Here's my favorite response:That's what I call a DESIGNER bag :)

I guess that means my son is sporting his colostomy in style!!  Who needs Hollister Surf when you can have Hollister bags?

p.s.  I think it's hilarious that there is a surfing company called Hollister.  Have you been to Hollister?  Do you know how far away from the beach it is?  If you only knew. 

p.p.s.  Hollister colostomy bags ROCK, just in case you were wondering!

Not a Mug Shot...Just A Nap

No day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap.  ~Carrie Snow

I LOVE naps!  I took one yesterday and laughed so hard when I saw this amazing hair!  It made me happy.  

So no, this is not my mug shot.  It's my happy to have had a nap look!

We should all strive for this look.  What do you say?

Bucket List Revised

I had a "light bulb" moment last night.  I want to cut my hair.  I had made it a goal to grow it out and donate it to Locks of Love.  I don't want to do it anymore.  I'm miserable.  And then it hit me...a lot of what is on my bucket list are things I want to do so others will be proud of me.  

 

To heck with that!  How sick and wrong was that of me?  All that matters is that I'm proud of me and also that God is proud of me.

So I will now revise this list.  Yep, there will be blank spots for right now.  That's OK.  I'm a constantly changing human being and it's ok to change my mind.  It's ok to stop something if it's making me miserable.  So I'm cutting my hair this week.  I can't wait!!  

Here's my list, incomplete and all just like me.  I will be forever growing and getting better just like my list!

100 Thing I Want to do Before I kick the bucket

1.Build a Home – and make it the house of my dreams

2.TRULY become an organized person.  I am working so hard on this right now.  I have purged so much junk and garbage.  It's feeling GREAT!

3.Complete in the Dirty Dash

4.Visit Ireland

5.Go fishing in Alaska

6.Record on a CD

7.

8.Take the kids to Disneyland

9.Own a very nice camera

10.Go back to San Jose for a visit

11.Attend a couple of musicals on Broadway

12.

13.Complete my Personal Progress again and earn an honor bee or two

14.

15.Eat a baguette and cheese under the Eiffel Tower

16.Read Jesus the Christ

17.

18.

19.Vacation in a colonial style house on the beach

20.Go to my high school 20th reunion (only 2 more years!)

21.Get a tummy tuck/Boob Job

22.Have the guts to audition for a musical

23.Attend a live football game...college or professional

24.Open a little cafe where high school kids can come and hang out, do their homework, stay out of trouble and surf the internet in a safe environment

25.Write a book...I know exactly what I want to write about. Now I just have to go about getting it started

26.Visit the Smithsonian

27.Go skinny dipping in the ocean

28.Write my entire life story – sparing no details

29.Be on a jury for a high profile case

30.Spend the night in a haunted house

31.Go River Rafting

32.Own a canoe and use it

33.Scream in a library

34.Go to Africa and help out an orphanage

35.

36.Visit the graves of some ancestors

37.Learn to ski again

38.Own a Jet Ski

39.Learn to play the guitar

40.Work on my family history

41.Ride in a hot air balloon

42.Ride in a helicopter

43.Go bungee jumping

44.Backpack in Yellowstone

45.Hide some Letterboxes

46.Take a train ride though Europe

47.Go on a safari

48.Go see the Olympics.  Yes, the Special Olympics count!

49.Change a life

50.Get re-married in Vegas by Elvis

51.Vacation on a house boat

52.Go to a demonstration

53.Meet in person some of the people I've met through blogs and the internet

54.

55.

56.Get Lasik surgery

57.

58.

59.Walk on the Great Wall of China

60.

61.Attend Martis Gras.  OK maybe not Martis Gras but definitely New Orleans

62.Volunteer for the Special Olympics

63.Be remembered for good things

64.

65.Start a book club

66.Vacation in a cabin on a lake

67.Go Geocaching

68.Visit Ground Zero

69.Visit the birthplaces of my ancestors

70.Own a moped

71.Go horse back riding

72.Learn balloon tying

73.

74.

75.Re-upholster a piece of furniture

76.

77.See the Statue of Liberty

78.Vacation in a hut over the sea

79.Visit Martin's Cove

80.Have an in ground pool in our backyard.  It has to come with a cute pool boy though

81.Create my own perfume

82.Drive down the entire west coast in a convertible wearing big sunglasses and a scarf on my head

83.Perform a concert

84.Create a singing group

85.

86.Be the ultimate sports fan for a day – face painted and everything

87.Sing the National Anthem at a Jazz game

88.Lose weight and get in shape

89.

90.Learn how to watercolor

91.Fly on a sea plane

92.

93.Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef

94.Learn how to dance contemporary style

95.Leave a $100 tip for amazing service at a restaurant

96.Teach my kids to be self sufficient

97.Teach my kids to love others and to serve others

98.Start and run a charity for victims of crimes

99.See the good in EVERYTHING and EVERYONE

100. Help in the discovery of what causes Hirschsprung's Disease – the very rare disease that BOTH of my boys have

I'm Sorry

I have not been blessed with the gift for writing.  Sometimes a picture says it better than I could say it myself.  I have said some things about how hurt I've been over this last week.  Feelings were hurt more on each part.  I will own my mistakes.  I will own what I have done wrong.  I will ask for forgiveness.  I will keep this blog uplifting.  I am sorry.

I pray that forgiveness will come in this lifetime.  I pray that hearts will be softened.  I pray for Christ-like love towards others.  Amen.

Blessings

I rarely post videos on my blog but this one deserves to be shared.

Today I am overwhelmed with the amount of blessings that are being poured out on me.  

I need money for the upcoming trip to the Netherlands.  We are going there as a singing group to perform and I know that there will be opportunities for missionary work.  My friends are helping me come up with ideas on how I can raise the money.  They are amazing!

Today I checked my email and learned of an opportunity to make some money.  

God is good to those that are faithful.  I am NOT perfect!  But God knows our hearts and our intentions.  He loves us.

I love music!  I love uplifting music.  It doesn't have to be performed by an LDS artist to be uplifting.  I am just discovering how amazing Christian music can be also.  Here is one of the most amazing songs ever!

Poopy! Where's Mike Rowe?

My 4 year old has had his colostomy for 3 weeks exactly!  It hasn't been bad until he woke up with a poopy pull-up!  WHAT??  Are you kidding me?  Please tell me this is some kind of nightmare that I'll wake up from.  I have to not only change poopy bags but poopy undies too?  Where's Mike Roe when I need him?  This is definitely a dirty job!

Until you've had a kid with serious health issues you won't understand.  Poop is nothing to me.  I can talk about it anywhere to anyone.  It's hilarious now that there are some who are so grossed out by it.  Well, not this girl!  

I just hope someday I won't be obsessed about it.  I'd like to just let my kid run around and never have to worry about his pooping habits again!  Sadly, this won't happen for a long, long time!

I know what I'm going to do!  I'm taping a picture of Mike Rowe to his ostomy supplies cabinet!  Yes, that will make this MUCH easier to deal with!

 Mike - Will you come help me with this dirty job?  I didn't think so!

Simple Living...My NEW Project

I can even begin to tell you how stressed out I am about all the crap stuff we have in our house.  When we moved into our house that we live in now we downsized in house space but not in the things we own.  It's been almost 2 years since we've lived here and I just can't take it anymore.  So, starting this weekend, we are simplifying our lives in a MAJOR way.  I can't wait to show you the before and after pictures.  

Last Sunday I taught a lesson in Young Women about making our homes spiritual places to be.  Honestly, mine isn't a place where the Spirit can dwell here on a permanent basis.  We have so much stuff that doesn't have a "home" because we don't have room for it.  So it just ends up in piles everywhere.  I want my home to be a refuge from the world.  I want it to be the kind of a place where people walk in and can feel the love that we have for one another.  I want them to feel the Spirit of the Lord too.  It's so important to me.  

I know that this process will not happen in one weekend.  We will be making SEVERAL trips to the dump and to our local thrift store.  There are some things though that I will either sell or giveaway on my blog.  I've got some pretty cool scrapbooking items and cooking items that I haven't ever used.  I'd love to see them go to those I love and care for!  So stay tuned.  I really do have a lot to give away. 

Today I was watching a show on TV about Amish weddings.  I am fascinated by their lifestyle.  When I was 15 my parents took us on a Church History tour back east.  When we were in Ohio (I think) we stopped at an Amish bakery.  We also got to ride in a buggy.  I remember being so impressed with their lifestyle and wanting to live that way too.  I'd give anything to live a simple life.  And now I can and will! 

I know that I will never truly live an Amish lifestyle and that my kitchen will have the comforts of modern times but isn't this kitchen amazing?  If I could go back in time and live in another time period I'd go back to the early 1800's.

Need a Laugh? Savage Chickens to the Rescue!

I first saw a Savage Chickens cartoon at a conference I went to a few months back. Today it the first time I actually went to his website and read more. I laughed so hard. Here are just a few of the ones I found. I'll share more later! Enjoy the laughs! There are a ton so scroll down, down, down!