Trick or Treat Night

What a wonderful night we had! Addison was with Grandma Jackie today, so after Jack and I ate a quick dinner we went over to their house for trick or treating. I didn't think Addison would wear her hat to her costume (which Grandma Jackie whipped up BY HAND in about a weekend), but after a small fit, she really enjoyed it. We only went to about 5 houses (one because she was really slow and two because mom's back hurt!) I will be lying flat the rest of the weekend after I post this! Uncle Steve flew in from California this evening for the funeral so it was great to spend time with him as well!

This is before we attempted to put her costume on-she was yelling at the other kids trick or treating.

Mom and Addison (before the headpiece)

Still not so sure what she was doing with that crazy outfit on...

The family (my bangs aren't really like that-they look horrible!)

Jackie and Steve

Steve and Addison

Steve and I

Addison and Grandpa

Before we went trick or treating I whipped up a Halloween bandanna for Zippy Angel (isn't it hilarious that she always blinks when I take her picture?)


And FINALLY made a curtain to take the place of the purple pillowcase that we had hanging at the front door. I like the material (its brown and cream if you can't tell), but I think it looks to "kitcheny"-if that is even a word. We'll have to live with it because I'm not doing another one!


Today was way to busy and I'm paying for it with my back. As I said earlier, I'm lying flat the rest of the weekend!!

Addison's at Grandma's

Thursday nights are so much fun for Addison because she gets to stay at her grandma and grandpa Wessel's house. Jackie will watch her tomorrow. Earlier today, Jackie picked me up and we went to Addison's school to get her around 3. Since we had time to kill before dinner, we made a quick trip to Kohls. Jackie of course found lots of stuff, but I only got a pair of tights for Addison's dress she is wearing on Monday to the funeral. We later went back to their house and got Chinese when Jack got off of work.

Thursday nights are also my favorite because our favorite TV shows are on: My Name is Earl, The Office, and 30 Rock (season premiere tonight!) Of course I love Grey's Anatomy too, but I DVR that for another day. Finally got some thread too, so I will be sewing tomorrow (curtains and bandannas for Zippy Angel). I will take some pics of her in her Halloween get-up tomorrow.

Tomorrow night is trick or treat and we are going in the Wessel's neighborhood with Carson. Addison is going to be a lion and I will try to get some good pictures of her. She is not too crazy about the costume, but it is the most adorable thing you have ever seen! Jackie made the entire thing!

These pictures are from last weekend when Addison was at the Wessel's after my surgery.

She just loves Grandpa ("Pa")

I could blog everyday!

Since I'm off with nothing better to do I can blog and post on Facebook! People at work were telling me to have "fun" while I was off work, but this is by no means "fun." I can't do anything! And if anyone knows my OCD side, they know its very hard for me to lie down and "do nothing." I have taped practically every John and Kate Plus 8 on TLC and have been watching them as well as cooking shows on the Food Network. I can't get into the book Jack got me from the library-maybe next week. I would love to sew, but my sewing machine is on the floor and it weighs more than 5 pounds, so I can't pick that up.

Thank goodness my mother in law is going to save me today and pick me up at 2:30 to go get Addison from school. I have been wanting to see Addison's teachers and Jackie has been wanting to see where she goes to school. It will be good to get out of the house for a change. It's absolutely beautiful outside-leaves red and yellow, bright blue sky, and about 60 degrees, which I love! I would love to take my camera out and get some good shots, but I CAN'T DRIVE!
I do feel a lot better though, resting.

Yesterday when Addison got home we went next door to play with Carson. She danced in their living room and they fought over toys. It's nice he is so close and they really enjoy spending time with each other.

So far the wood stove is working. It heats the house up to almost 80 degrees at night, which is way too warm for me, but at least its working. Jack still needs to make a few adjustments and we'll have money falling out of the sky here shortly! Hey, at least I can dream! Jack is going to chop some "good wood" this weekend at his dad's friend's farm near Cowan Lake. Hopefully it will burn past 4 am.

Not much else going on besides the laundry piling up, but that's not bad! I will get some pics of Addison in the leaves this weekend when my mom comes down to help me. There is a really nice nature center down the road we can take her to. Sorry no pics today :(

Getting a little bored

Monday was super fun because my Aunt Julie came down on Sunday night and stayed over to watch Addison the next day. Mom is in San Diego with Dad for a work trip (lucky!) Julie brought down spaghetti bake and chili (for another day), as well as a slew of other goodies. Even a new outfit for Addison, which was adorable! She took such great care of us!!

Before bath on Sunday, Addison noticed Julie was wearing her reading glasses and wanted to try them out....

I just couldn't stop laughing (which was hurting my stitches!)

I was able to take the dressing off of the incision yesterday and let it breathe. Tonight, after I take a shower, Jack can take the steri strips off, which are covering the stitches. Little nervous about that....I don't go back for my first post-opp until November 11, and the surgeon will take the stitches out then and tell me when I can go back to work (which I hope is REALLY soon). It would be a different story if I was off work and could actually do stuff....I just have to lay around at read and watch TV, which is definitely something I don't enjoy doing when I'm not laid up!!

Sad news, Jack's grandmother, Betty, passed away last night after a wonderful, fulfilling 92 years of life. She came into all of our lives and touched us each in a different way (especially Addison) and left very peacefully. Jackie, Jackie's sister and Jack's cousin were able to be at her side when she went to heaven to be an angel. Funeral plans are in the making; we are thinking it will probably be on Saturday. Keep the family in your prayers!

Second Day Post-Opp + Last Year's Halloween

Last night was pretty good. I took my meds at 9 and went to bed about 10:30. I knew I could take more meds at 3am and considered setting my alarm, but didn't. It was so strange because I woke up at 3:03 am!! I went back to bed until about 6 when Zippy Angel got up and Jack ended up feeding her. The rest of the day I've been catching up on my shows and reading...I'm getting bored really quick though!

Jackie and Jim brought Addison over to see us about 11 am and all she said was "Up, Up" and it was so sad because I couldn't pick her up. She ran around like crazy around here and then got tired so they took her back to their house. Jackie also made spaghetti with garlic bread, salad and brownies for us as well as beef barley soup. I just had some spaghetti for lunch and it was wonderful!

Jack and Mike just ran out to Home Depot and Tractor Supply to return some stuff from the stove project. I'm hoping the garage will be cleaned up soon....

Since I haven't gotten any Halloween pictures yet from this year, I thought I'd post a couple cute ones from last year. I highly doubt Addison will let me put her lion headgear on next Friday for trick or treat.

Successful Surgery!

Surgery went very well today! The surgeon was about an hour late...but that just meant that he took his time with the patient before me. Before we left the house this morning at 9:45, I made sure the house was spotless!! You know me! It was nice to come home to a clean house though.

We got there about 10:15 and they registered me quickly and got me into my room. Jack was able to come back about 11 after they had started my IV and all the meds. The surgery center had Wi-Fi internet so we were able to bring the laptop and listen to music, which was really nice.
At 12:15 the OR nurse came to get me an wheeled me into the OR. It was freezing cold and the strangest place I have ever seen! There were about 8 people in the room including the neurosurgeon who had a Notre Dame surgery cap on. At least it wasn't Ohio State or I don't think I would have let him continue. Right before I went under I asked if while he was in my back if he could roll me over and do a little lipo. Everyone laughed! The anesthesiologist was a younger woman, very knowledgeable. I could feel the sleepy meds go into my body and not 5 seconds later (I'm not exaggerating) I was asleep. After I was asleep they rolled me on to my stomach to the operating bed. I'm guessing the surgery was from about 12:30-2ish because I woke up back in the recovery room on my back about 2:20. The nurse got me up into a chair and gave me Percoset for pain and Robaxin for muscle spasms. A medicine they gave me to try out my airways for intubation was horrible and my mouth is STILL dry from it!! I could only eat one cracker because I could hardly swallow it. Soon after that I was alert and walking around, changed clothes and we left!! Got in rush hour traffic of course at 3:30 on a Friday.

I got soup from Panera for dinner and we dropped my prescriptions off at Walgreens. I also got some hot tamales, my fave!!! Right now I'm tired and only really in pain every four hours when the meds begin to wear off. I can't completely feel my foot and leg, but I can tell a difference. The excruciating pain in my left calf is GONE. I can't tell if my back hurts, because its the incision that hurts right now. I'm going to wait until 10:30 to take more pain meds and go to bed. I have 3 follow up appointments and I'm not sure if I will have to do PT. I am walking without a limp now, which is awesome.

I found out yesterday while I was at work I will be off for 6-8 weeks. I have no clue what I was thinking with 3-5 DAYS? I must have been in shock after the doc said I had to have surgery. My return to work date is 12/8-my birthday!! I'm hoping to go back before that, but we'll see.

No pictures....although Jack did take two HORRIBLE ones on his camera phone that better not end up on here! My scar will be visible-its above my underwear line and you'll be able to see it with a swimsuit on, but its only about an inch.

On another note, Jackie and Mike came over last night (very unexpectedly) and brought the BEST potato soup and salad over for dinner. I thought it was very strange that they both came over, but then realized why they did when Jackie pulled out an ultrasound of her baby!!!! I was in complete shock since they both had everyone fooled about when they were having kids. I screamed and hugged her and Jack I don't think knew what was going on. She is 6 weeks along and had the U/S so the OB could get a good due date--June 17th. What a great month. We are so excited for them!!!!

The add on furnace stove is completed and working. It warmed up the house within a hour and its actually HOT in here and we don't even have our heat on!! $$$$ I'm seeing dollar signs. I will have Jack take pics tomorrow for another posting. Addison is still at the Wessel's. Jack needs to concentrate on me and Addison just has a great time over there. She will come home either tomorrow after noon or Sunday morning. Aunt Julie is coming down Sunday to help me and watch Addison on Monday, so we are all really excited about that and her spaghetti bake she's bringing for dinner.

Like Mother, Like Daughter & Oktoberfest

I feel like a blog slacker! Jack always forgets to bring his laptop inside after work and I'm too lazy to boot up the old desktop....so I'm just now getting around to downloading some weekend pictures. These pictures are from Friday night, right before bath. I had just finished vacuuming (I'm not supposed to vacuum with my back, but who else is going to do it)? Addison decided she wanted to help...




And then of course Zippy Angel wanted her picture taken.

Saturday morning Addison and I went to the mall to see if I could find some winter clothes. Of course I couldn't, but I did find some cute brown boots and Bath and Body Works sucked Addison in with their little lambs they were giving away. Well, not "giving away," but that's what Jack thinks. I had to buy $15 worth of stuff so Addison could get the cutest little sheep (see below!) I was strolling her by the store and she was screaming "Baa! Baa!" How could you resist that?

The Downings came over in the afternoon and Jackie hung out with Addison and I and Mike helped Jack with the stove installation. I made two yummy pumpkin breads, one for us and one for mom and dad. That afternoon we drove up to Centerville for the Siebenthaler Oktoberfest Party. Addison stayed with mom and dad and Jack and I took our favorite German beer and wine to Robert and Britton's. They went all out with German music, decorations and great food--pretzels and beer cheese, sauerkraut and sausage, pork chops, etc! It was very festive, as you can see in these pics...There are none of me because I don't trust anyone with my camera (especially when they are drinking!)

This is Katie and Britton Siebenthaler (sister-in-laws).

Robert Siebenthaler (Britton's husband) and Friend
Mike Coughlin (Katie's BF) AKA the Jagermeister Deer!
"Heidi" the Siebenthaler's adorable dogThat night we stayed at my parent's house and came home Sunday. Sunday was a very nice day. Jack worked on the stove again and Addison and took long naps, trying to catch up from the night before. Mom came down about 4 and took me to the grocery and to Chipotle for dinner. Thanks mom!!

Today I went for my pre-opp appointment with my family doctor. It took forever because they had to do another EKG and a slew of other tests to make sure I'm "healthy" enough for surgery.

I also found out that my friend Audrey had her baby!! She had Brady Lewis Campbell at about 7:30 am this morning with NO EPIDURAL!!! I was so amazed that she didn't have drugs I forgot to ask how much he weighed and his length. I called her about noon today not knowing if she was still in labor, but she was very giggly and excited to say that she was holding her new baby boy. Both Rob and Audrey are very blessed with their new one!! We can't wait to see pictures!! Congrats!

Happy Halloween!

Today on my lunch hour I ran to Wal-Mart to get some items to make some Halloween gifts for Addison's teachers. I had so much fun with these!! The little card I made on the computer is attached to a pumpkin straw if you can't see it.

I also bought some cute little Halloween window clings for Addison. She loved them and put them all over the front storm door.

I'm feeling pretty much the same today...just can't wait to feel better!!

Here's Addison in the bath tonight. She was refusing to sit down for some reason. Jack now has to give her a bath because I can't lean over the tub. It's fun to play photographer!

Another Back Update

The Mayfield Clinic/Spine Institute called me yesterday for an "emergency" appointment. Apparently they got my MRI films yesterday (Monday) and wanted to see me today. I drove all the way downtown to Christ Hospital and waited an HOUR, yes and HOUR, to see Dr. Tobler. I asked the nurse if that was normal to wait that long and she said an hour was good!! They also double booked me because they had to get me in.

3 neurosurgeons did "physicals" on me today and determined that I have to have back surgery immediately or my left leg will become paralyzed because of the extensive nerve damage from the herniated disk. It's not just "bulging," it is completely herniated which means the tough outer layer of the disk has torn apart and there are disk fragments floating around in my back. The disk has also partially severed my sciatic nerve and that is the main reason he is doing surgery. Once the disk particles have been cleared out and the disk "pushed back into place," my nerves in my back and leg will slowly regenerate and I will be able to feel it again. You know those tests where they "knock" on your knee to see your reflexes? Well my left leg has no reflexes or strength.

The dumb naproxen I was taking for pain was not doing a darn thing, so Dr. Tobler prescribed more Vicodin. I just hate taking it because I have had multiple clients at work who have been/are addicted to narcotics! It is very scary, but it is the only thing that will reduce the pain! Recovery for surgery is quick. It is outpatient and I will be able to walk once the anesthesia wears off. I can't lift anything (even Addison!) or drive for 3-5 days. Dr. Tobler wanted to schedule me for this Friday, but I chickened out and made it for next Friday, the 24th. SO, that is the update in a nutshell. I'm scared, but relieved at the same time because I will be able to walk again and work out. It sucks just laying around (seriously!) No pictures today....I'm hoping Jack can bring the camera and take some of me in surgery! haha!

On a good note, Jack's wood burning stove for the garage came today. He is hooking it up to our HVAC system so we can heat with wood this winter since we have an abundance. I'm really looking forward to lower electric bills! After dinner the neighbors came over too and Carson played with Addison. They have so much fun together and he wears her out so she can sleep good. I guess I should be thankful for the health that I do have and my family and friends who support me! Love you all! :)

A Day on the Farm

What a fun weekend we have had so far! Friday evening/night we had a big bonfire with the Sizemores. Carson and Addison played and played. Jen even made some yummy halloween cookies for the occasion.

This morning I had PT...I feel like I'm taking steps backwards because my pain is now in the right side of my back (it has been in the left and left leg). I am currently laying down. It's kinda hard to type laying down!!! After Addison's nap, we went out to John's farm near Cowan Lake. Addison had the best time. The goats even ate right out of her hand!!

The calf still drinks milk from a big bottle. Here she is...

Here is the only pic of Addison and I. I'm still teaching Jack how to use the camera...Besides the pigs, goats, and cows, they had ducks and a pony!Addison was very tired this evening and went to bed at 7pm!! Jack and I are now watching football...