I all goes so fast!

Wednesday was Lizzie's end-of-year preschool program. It was really darling. They sang some songs, we watched a photo-video of their activities through the year, and they each got a little present. There were two kids in the class "graduating" -- Lizzie being one. They got a little cardboard hat and a bag with fun books, markers, treats, etc. The other kids all got a little bag with some little goodies.
In a little while I'm going to Kate's end-of-year 1st grade program. Well, it's really just the presentation of their photo-video of their year. Then they have the school-wide author's party. I don't know exactly what that is, but all the kids except kindergartners do it and it's happening this afternoon, lol. I can't believe how quickly it has all gone by!
Next year Kate will be in 2nd grade. Lizzie will get to finally ride the school bus with Kate as she goes to kindergarten. Sabrina is beyond excited about school too, so we'll have her go to the same preschool Lizzie did this last year since it's convenient. We really loved the one Kate went to way-back-when, but it's just too far away to be reasonable what with more complicated schedules and ever-increasing fuel costs. So she'll go to the one close by instead. It's really wonderful too and has a whole different set of benefits to it.

I was expecting to feel fantastic by now after the lithotripsy. Perhaps I was too optimistic. I'm still feeling pretty icky and there's still quite a bit of blood. I guess it wasn't quite so easy as I'd hoped. Oh well. At least I know that a lot has improved, even if it still isn't better. I guess I'd better keep moving around (as uncomfy as that is) and drinking gallons of water (which I'm getting used to). Hopefully the last bits will finally pass and I can move on to something new to worry about, lol.

Sorry I don't have any pictures yet. I did take pics on Wednesday, but the camera is SO far away right now (probably all the way upstairs, GASP!) so you'll have to wait until later. Besides, I'm just a bit cranky right now cause I can't take any of the pain pills or I coudln't drive to Kate's hoopla. So we're gonna wait until I'm a little more reasonable to expect such things as pictures ;)

So yesterday I got thoroughly beat up and paid a lot for it :P

Yesterday morning was my second lithotripsy (Excorporeal Shockwave Therapy or ESWT). Before being discharged from the hospital they had to make sure I could pee. So I obliged. The nurse took me to the bathroom with the charming task of peeing in the white bucket thingy that goes on the toilet. She offered to strain it for me (aren't you so glad I share too much? lol). So I was escorted back to my room while she did the charming work. When she came back she said that I earned a couple of distinctions. First of all, she'd never seen someone fill the bucket thingy so thoroughly. THey'd pumped so much fluid in to me that I cleared out over 1/2 gallon of fluids in one go (including a great deal of blood too of course). And on top of that, she said that the bottom of the bucket looked like the beach! The doc had been VERY thorough and done the absolute allowable maximum to blast the stubborn stone to tiny bitsies. The particles were so small she couldn't even strain them very efficiently, but she said she'd rarely seen particles pass so soon and certainly no so many!
I'm still not feeling fantastic, but I feel very positive. With two percocet on board I'm still uncomfortable, but I truly believe that the worst has passed. I think that most of the pain is due to the fact that I had some 3,000 shocks sent through my right kidney yesterday and kidneys aren't really happy about that sort of thing :P I'm still pretty drugged, but I have to take some time off today with no drugs so I can drive. So I guess we'll know then how wretched I truly feel, lol.
I just feel SO much better than I did after the last lithotripsy and I feel so incredibly blessed. Even if there is something lingering (which would really surprise me) I'm just not so worried about it. I feel truly blessed by the Lord to be able to handle this again. :)

Mom, I'm a magician!!!

Sabrina was so proud of herself -- she managed to turn a bug into a soccer ball!
Of course it was a roley poley bug and the soccer ball was VERY small, but it was awfully cute :)

It's about time!

Up to Date now...

(Vermont tulips -- aren't the gorgeous! These are in K/L's front yard.)
I keep meaning to do a great post about the trip to Vermont, but it's gonna be a little longer. I have all the pictures sorted and all, I just am lazy :P
I have had several appointments this week to figure out the whole urology issue. Here's the result:
I have a pre-op appointment on Monday and another lithotripsy on Tuesday. I'm really glad I don't have to wait three weeks or more this time. I'm really ready to be done! I would really appreciate any prayers and good wishes since apparently they will only do lithotripsy twice on any given stoning. The last time dissolved 1/3rd of the stone and if this time only does 1/3 again then I'm stuck for the foreseeable future with the pain and bleeding. Not really what I'm hoping for.
This morning I had a cystoscopy. It's not a very nice procedure. But now I've seen what the inside of my bladder looks like! I have signs of classic interstitial cystitis. Since that is diagnosable only through exclusion of anything else, however, that diagnosis will not be certain for a few more months. So for now the diagnosis is chronic cystitis. I have to stop by the urology clinic every time I feel that I have a bladder infection so they can test even though it's fairly likely to be negative. If that diagnosis ends up being accurate then there is an oral treatment that may help. In the mean time I can get a prescription (I have samples now) for a pill that helps basically numb the bladder so it isn't so painful. Basically there's a reason IC is also called Painful Bladder Syndrome or PBS -- though apparently it is in no way affiliated with the Public Broadcasting System so donating during a telethon isn't going to help get rid of it :P
All in all, it's good news -- no tumors or anything really bad like that. And I'm happier knowing what it is even though there is only treatment and no cure available. I always deal better with the known than the unknown.
So anyone wanna watch the girls all morning on Tuesday? ;) I need a sitter tomorrow too so Michael and I can go to a movie together. I really wanna go but I'm getting sittered out :( Doc. appointments really tax the sitter-system. I guess I'd better get back on the phone. Ugh. Just another 6-10 years and it will be so much easier, lol.

Thee... ny thongue ith icky

Got thrush again after that last round of cipro. Not a big surprise, but still not nice. My whole tongue feels burned. I guess that's the best way to describe it.

But, the fun thing is this: I get to go to Vermont!!!! I'm leaving LATE tomorrow night (if we leave 5 minutes late we'll be leaving on Friday morning, lol). I'm so excited to see my sis and her family. The last time I saw them all was a week before Kate was born. Yeah, that's nearly 7 years. I only get to stay until Sunday afternoon, but I'm really excited all the same :) Of course I'll have to take some pictures and all that :)

Tonight Michael brought me some nachos from Betos. I love Betos nachos. Alas, the box tipped and the toppings slid around. Half of the guacamole smeared all over the outside of everything else. Not so lovely actually. Oh well, the rest tastes good.

My belly seems to be improving with the new treatment. A happy belly seems to irritate the kidneys less and I've managed nearly 48 hours without a lortab! I have an appointment with the urologist on Monday so I'm gonna see what we can do about kicking those stones out once and for all.

Don't think I have anything else to say really. I finally have a post for the Tilly's Bowtique blog. I've been such a slacker. Now I'm just gonna find some random picture to add here. I hate not having a picture....

Name this baby:

50 things nobody asks

1. What color is your toothbrush?
white and bright pink

2. Name one person who made you smile today?
Michael (my dearest hubby)

3. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
making waffles

4. What were you doing 45 minutes ago?
checking emails

5. What is your favorite candy bar?
something chocolate. Specifics change from time to time. I'd say... Snickers.

6. Have you ever been to a strip club?
like chicken strips? fabric strips? I didn't know they had clubs for those sorts of things.

7. What is the last thing you said aloud?
Michael, don't forget to log on to Trillian when you get back.

8. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Rocky Road -- with mini marshmallows, not the marshmallow cream.

9. What was the last thing you had to drink?
water. Lots of water

10. Do you like your wallet?
Yup. It's pretty light green leather with classic Winnie The Pooh embossed on the outside and fabric on the inside :)

11. What was the last thing you ate?
Rolos :")

12. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
Yes! Ended up at Sears looking at the clearance items. Got a bunch of nice stuff for $3 each :)

13. The last sporting event you watched?
Ultimate Fighting

14. What is your favorite flavor of popcorn?
Plain, Garlic/Parmesan, Caramel -- pretty much any kind!

15. Who is the last person you sent a text message too?
My bro Joe, I think.

16. Ever go camping?
Used to. Michael doesn't like sleeping anywhere but his own bed, though, so it's been a long time.

17. Do you take vitamins daily?
I take too much other stuff daily to want to swallow vitamins too.

18. Do you go to church every Sunday?
yup

19. Do you have a tan?
I have a tan colored shirt. Does that count?

20. Do you prefer Chinese food over pizza?
Definitely

21. Do you drink your soda with a straw?
Not if it's in a can. That would be silly. Besides, I don't keep straws at home. That's just asking for trouble.

22. What did your last text message say
Gosh, that's personal! Well, maybe not. I think it said "I have no idea, sorry"

23. What are you doing tomorrow?
dishes and laundry. That means I don't have to do them today, right? ;)

24. What sounds are you listening to now?
some disney channel movie and the irritating tickity tock of the cheap clock on the wall above my computer.

25. Look to your left, what do you see?
the bathroom door with a snide note on it.

26. What color is your watch?
black, I guess? it's my phone :P

27. What do you think of when you hear Australia?
Channy! An awesome fellow bow-maker who lives in Sydney.

28. What is your birthstone?
that ugly yellow one... well, it's not always ugly, but it's not my favorite.

29 Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?
rarely go in -- except McDonalds. The only reason to go to McD's is to let the kids play on the play set.

30. What is your favorite number?
Four

31. Who's the last person you talked to on the phone?
Kate -- calling from school to ask me to come pick her up cause she's sick :(

32. Any plans today?
finish video tutorial, take pictures for another tut, fold some laundry, do load of dishes...

33. How many states have you lived in?
2

34. Biggest annoyance right now?
dishes that don't do themselves

35. Last song listened to?
"Love Story" by Taylor Swift

36. Can you say the alphabet backwards?
slowly... maybe

37. Do you have a maid service clean your house?
Every night - in my dreams.

38. Favorite pair of shoes you like to wear all the time?
none (bare feet) -- or flip flops so I can kick them off...

39. Are you jealous of anyone?
nope

40. Is anyone jealous of you?
well, I do have a pretty rockin... uh... hmmm.... doubt it.

41. Do you love anyone?
Of course :)

42. Do any of your friends have children?
You bet.

43. What do you usually do during the day?
survive.

44. Do you hate anyone that you know right now?
that's such a strong word! so, no.

45. Do you use the word 'hello' daily?
I've never counted... but I'm sure I do.

46. What color is your car?
dark blue

47. Do you like cats?
usually

48. Are you thinking about someone right now?
I don't think so.

49. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
Nope

50. How did you get your worst scar?
C-Section