A Week In Review (Brain Eating Bacteria VOL. 2)

Okay, so it has been about a week since I last posted, no? I feel like I could sit here and write a whole book...and maybe one day I will, but for now I realize that this is a blog so I will keep this as short & sweet as possible. My favorite word to describe this week has been "doozie" as in "It's A Doozie!" I have felt so many emotions: sad, pitiful, sore, pained, happy, hopeful, miraculous, depressed, so-so, joyful, silly, blaaah, and I have watched my husband and family feel quite the same.

Here is a picture of me when I had my picc line just put in and my 2nd IV about to be taken out



I am really happy in this picture because I just felt so brave with all those pokes and not a single tear to show for it! I credit all of my strength to the Lord, because we all know I'm definitely not that brave!

And, for those who get a little weak in the knees, this next picture may be a little up close & too personal:



(The green circle is a Medi-Patch. It keeps me from catching infections. The white thing is the catheter going into the arm. The bruising? Is awesome! Look up other pictures online...It could have been A LOT worse)



Anyway, the doctors visits of this past week didn't have such great news. Apparently I'm not getting any better so I have been sent to a tertiary doctor: a neurotologist. Basically, a doctor who deals with crazy intense ear problems. This could possibly and probably mean months of a Picc line and antibiotics and/or surgery.

Through all of this though, we have been very well taken care of. A friend, Melinda, made us a tasty casserole to help out with the challenge of daily living this week, and another friend Angie and her husband (ths pastor that married us), blessed us with some delicous soup, breakfast foods, and GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!

In other sweet news, Matthew and I sign a lease to our very own apartment tomorrow afternoon! Offical move in date, 3/11/11. Cannot wait to have our very own home!!! We do feel so very grown up I think. On our own, taking care of each other, truly learning to depend on our God and then eachother. If nothing else, this surely is a lesson in perseverance and of course, FAITH.

Brain Eating Bacteria!

I may have failed to mention the phone call that was left for me on our honeymoon. My ENT (ear specialist) without my knowing, sent my labwork to a doctor who could help me. Apparently my ear infection was no longer under his control. Yes, my ear infection had literally outsmarted my doctor. Instead of being fixed by the ear drops and antibiotics he had been prescribing me, it began to feed off of, and prosper because of them! The infection got smart!

This new doctor told me that if we didn't take action...well, like yesterday, my hearing and the right wall of my ear would be damaged permanently, as well move into my brain. Yes, my ear infection was getting smart enough to want my brain too!

Anyway, he suggested surgery (and a new ENT), but he also prescribed me two weeks of antibiotics, thru an IV that will be in me at all times. Yes, I am now the proud owner of a fanny pack, which holds my IV and this nifty little computer that controls and monitors this new antibiotic.


(Nifty little computer monitior. As seen thru the awesome window of my awesome fanny pack.)




I must say, I feel pretty horrible for my husband. 17 days into our marriage and I am now almost completely dependent on him. My IV is in my RIGHT hand by my wrist. I'm practically useless. He is so wonderful, and caring. And insist that I do nothing. I'm getting a little more acclamated to the IV today and am not quite as sore and uesless as yesterday! The worst part of this all though? I'm more sure I saw Matt's heart break while he could do nothing but watch me get poked and re-poked, and the pain of multiple sticks from trying to get the IV in correctly. He is so sweet.

But anyway, my brain eating infection is under control and next move? Hang the fanny pack from my waist, get a PICC line in on Tuesday at the hospital, and sit pretty for two weeks until I get better. Prayers? Yes, please!


(My I.V.'d wrist)

Rehearsals, Weddings, Honeymoons, LIFE!

Well, we did it! We rehearsed, we got married, and we went on our honeymoon! Time flew by and now whadda ya know...we are just back to normal life, and it's AMAZING!

This is a picture from our dress rehearsal



A lovely snapshot from the wedding ceremony



and from the SUPER AMAZING, CRAZY FUN, TOTALLY AWESOME honeymoon!



The wedding was perfect! So much fun and all the people we love the most! And the honeymoon was spectacular! We did end up going to Vegas and checked off everything from my list of Must-Do's! Well, except the Lion King play because I accidentally bought us our tickets for the same day as the wedding! Oops! But we made up for missing one show by getting from row tickets for the Jabawokeez AND the Blue Man Group! And now...two weeks later, we are back to reality. It's wonderful, and fun, and hectic! We just got a new apartment, so we can have our own place. We move into our place in March. It's great! Great location, really nice inside, clean, and puppy friendly! Mo will even have his very own patio to play in!

Matt and I did chores today. Found our new apartment, laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning. So fun! Everything is new, and exciting and awesome with my wonderful husband! Not to mention, he is incredibly handsome. I cannot wait for every new day so I can love him and have fun with him! I know it's corny, but it's the truth. Being married is amazing. I'm so excited to post all of our adventures on here! It'll be interesting to see where the Lord leads us!