I think I might be on the road to recovery....
Today was the first day in 11 days that I did not have any pain, itching, major swelling, uncontrolled redness or new spots on my legs. Praise the Lord!
Seriously - I am so thankful for today and how good I felt! I saw the Doctor again, and we both agreed we have seen improvement, finally! I still have some tenderness and 17 puss bubbles spread over both my calves plus some areas on both thighs and one foot....but I can also see new scabbing and new skin! I'm trying to not over-do-it and still take care of myself. I'm still not sleeping great and I am still on all my medication - but today the medicine did not make me sick and I am thankful!
So - after 11 days, 6 different medications, 5 doctor visits, and 3 doctors....I think I'm on the road to recovery! I know this might be a long road...but at least I'm headed in the right direction!
I just wanted to share some good news with you!
Stay tuned for some more '30 Birthdy Party Posts' including my favorite cards and advice. And if your tired of hearing about my legs or my Birthday - Sorry! Check back in a couple weeks. I might be done with those two topics. Ha!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
My Party!
Here are some highlights from my 30th Birthday Party!!
Nik, creating the Photo Area:
My friend, Michelle and her daughter, Halley helped me setup and decorate so I would not be on my feet too much. Here, they are in the kitchen putting the icing on my home-made cupcakes!
I used the extra printed invitations as a 'banner' decoration...A little funny, but hey, why not!?
Nik put 'Caution: Turning 30' Tape on the entrance doors:
Michelle and I worked on hanging streamers:
The centerpiece for my Birthday Card area:
My first ever home made German Chocolate Cake! Yes, it is lopsided a little. My oven would only hold the 3 cake pans if one was slightly tilted! Ha! Look at all those candles...Yes, there are 30! By the way, my cake came out FANTASTIC!
This is a shot of me, before the party began. Dressed in all black of course (for mourning the end of my 20's) BUT - do you see my 'bling'? I am wearing my '30 Crown' (which has color on it...Kylee) for my 30's!
My Food Table consisted of Peanut Clusters, Cupcakes, Cake, Black Punch, Water and Lemonade.
This is the shot of me in the Photo Area:
After all the guests had arrived I got everyone's attention and said something along these lines: It is time to eat cake! But before we do, everyone has to sing "Happy Birthday" to me. BUT this is how I want it sung to me....because it is my party and this is what I want! Ha! You have to sing very LOUD and OFF KEY and OUT OF TUNE - because that is how I sing! Ha! Everyone can gather around my cake table while I light the candles!
Everyone gathering while I lit the candles on my cake...it took awhile!
Them, singing "Happy Birthday" to me, the way they were instructed! It was awesome!
Finally, blowing out the candles....do you see all the smoke...Ha!
I encouraged everyone there to write a note to me....something to help me embrace the 30's or advice...etc. This is what one person wrote "Make Babies". Ha! We will see....!
Everyone, (some in black, like they were instructed), just hanging out:
I also encouraged everyone....
Side Note - when I say "encouraged" I mean "TOLD". Encouraged just sounds nicer....
So, I encouraged everyone to take a picture at the Photo Area. Here are some of my favorites:
The Palmer Family -
The Huffs -
The Flack Family -
The James Family -
Nik, creating the Photo Area:
My friend, Michelle and her daughter, Halley helped me setup and decorate so I would not be on my feet too much. Here, they are in the kitchen putting the icing on my home-made cupcakes!
I used the extra printed invitations as a 'banner' decoration...A little funny, but hey, why not!?
Nik put 'Caution: Turning 30' Tape on the entrance doors:
Michelle and I worked on hanging streamers:
The centerpiece for my Birthday Card area:
The finished Photo Area!
The tables, decorated with black tablecloths, black bouquet of balloons, and the Advice Buckets:
My first ever home made German Chocolate Cake! Yes, it is lopsided a little. My oven would only hold the 3 cake pans if one was slightly tilted! Ha! Look at all those candles...Yes, there are 30! By the way, my cake came out FANTASTIC!
This is a shot of me, before the party began. Dressed in all black of course (for mourning the end of my 20's) BUT - do you see my 'bling'? I am wearing my '30 Crown' (which has color on it...Kylee) for my 30's!
My Food Table consisted of Peanut Clusters, Cupcakes, Cake, Black Punch, Water and Lemonade.
This is the shot of me in the Photo Area:
After all the guests had arrived I got everyone's attention and said something along these lines: It is time to eat cake! But before we do, everyone has to sing "Happy Birthday" to me. BUT this is how I want it sung to me....because it is my party and this is what I want! Ha! You have to sing very LOUD and OFF KEY and OUT OF TUNE - because that is how I sing! Ha! Everyone can gather around my cake table while I light the candles!
Everyone gathering while I lit the candles on my cake...it took awhile!
Them, singing "Happy Birthday" to me, the way they were instructed! It was awesome!
Finally, blowing out the candles....do you see all the smoke...Ha!
I encouraged everyone there to write a note to me....something to help me embrace the 30's or advice...etc. This is what one person wrote "Make Babies". Ha! We will see....!
Everyone, (some in black, like they were instructed), just hanging out:
I also encouraged everyone....
Side Note - when I say "encouraged" I mean "TOLD". Encouraged just sounds nicer....
So, I encouraged everyone to take a picture at the Photo Area. Here are some of my favorites:
The Palmer Family -
The Huffs -
The Flack Family -
The James Family -
And that was my party! It was a fun, memorable night! I got some great advice and funny cards that I may share with you later on....
****************************
Leg update: After seeing the Doctor again today, he added Prednisone to my list of medications I take daily. No changes. But I see him again tomorrow to check my progress.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Updates
My Birthday Party was fantastic! Many many many thanks to my awesome husband who helped me pull it all off! I will give more details and pictures later - but here is my favorite one of the night:
An update on my legs. It's official now, that I have Impetigo. I have switched medications from 1 antibiotic to 2 different ones, plus Benedryl and Ibuprofen. I feel 'loopy' most of the time now. Focusing (on much of anything) takes real effort. Food does not taste real good. I'm still not sleeping great. And in the last few days, my legs have only gotten worse. This is just the reality right now! However, I am hoping this new medication will kick in and I will start to see some improvement. Please help me pray for healing to occur in my legs. I thank God that it is not anything worse, and that it is in a pretty easy location (instead of on my bottom or my face - which is where it is common)!
What a way to begin my 30's! But I'm embracing them...! Ha!
Off to bed now to get some MUCH NEEDED SLEEP! (Now that I'm older, I require more - Ha!)
An update on my legs. It's official now, that I have Impetigo. I have switched medications from 1 antibiotic to 2 different ones, plus Benedryl and Ibuprofen. I feel 'loopy' most of the time now. Focusing (on much of anything) takes real effort. Food does not taste real good. I'm still not sleeping great. And in the last few days, my legs have only gotten worse. This is just the reality right now! However, I am hoping this new medication will kick in and I will start to see some improvement. Please help me pray for healing to occur in my legs. I thank God that it is not anything worse, and that it is in a pretty easy location (instead of on my bottom or my face - which is where it is common)!
What a way to begin my 30's! But I'm embracing them...! Ha!
Off to bed now to get some MUCH NEEDED SLEEP! (Now that I'm older, I require more - Ha!)
Monday, June 27, 2011
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Me!!!!
Yes, I know it is a little funny making my own 'Birthday Post' to myself...but I'm also the girl who is throwing herself a party! Ha!
Yes, I know it is a little funny making my own 'Birthday Post' to myself...but I'm also the girl who is throwing herself a party! Ha!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Party Planning
The Party must go on....!
Since I have not been doing real well lately, I was not sure if I was going to have to cancel my Party or not. Well, I decided not to! And my cutie husband was super great on Saturday. I gave him a long list of 'Party To Do's'. He (graciously) took care of every single thing on my list (which included going to 4 different stores to get items needed). Not to mention, some last minute (late night) medication and stuff for my legs.
(By the way, I'm not talking about my legs in this post. I'm tired of them and want to focus on my Party!)
Anyways, while Nik was working and running errands for me on Saturday - I did get a few things accomplished for my Party! I made some Peanut Clusters (and then ate two of them) and finished putting some final touches on things for my Party.
The "Embracing the 30's Advice Bucket":
Sunday I baked! What fun! I have been looking forward to baking for many weeks and I was glad I felt up to it. I was tired by the time it was done - but I had such a great time! There is something really relaxing about baking...not sure why, but for me it is!
All the ingredients needed to make a homemade German Chocolate Cake. I have never made one before, but I just followed the recipe...we'll see how it turned out tomorrow!
Nik's brother, Ryan, got this cool 'egg-thing' (I'm sure it has a real name...just don't know what it is) for us last year. It is the greatest little gadget. It cracks open your egg and separates the yolk from the egg whites. Thanks Ryan - I think of you every time I use it!
And I baked some homemade cupcakes:
Tomorrow I will frost the top of my cake and put Cool-Whip on the cupcakes and decorate them!
There is much to be done tomorrow, but I'm really looking forward to a fun-filled day, celebrating my Birthday!
P. S. Nik preached tonight in Church and he did such a great job! I am so proud of him. His message was wonderful and was well received!
Since I have not been doing real well lately, I was not sure if I was going to have to cancel my Party or not. Well, I decided not to! And my cutie husband was super great on Saturday. I gave him a long list of 'Party To Do's'. He (graciously) took care of every single thing on my list (which included going to 4 different stores to get items needed). Not to mention, some last minute (late night) medication and stuff for my legs.
(By the way, I'm not talking about my legs in this post. I'm tired of them and want to focus on my Party!)
Anyways, while Nik was working and running errands for me on Saturday - I did get a few things accomplished for my Party! I made some Peanut Clusters (and then ate two of them) and finished putting some final touches on things for my Party.
The "Embracing the 30's Advice Bucket":
These will be placed on each table for people to share their words of wisdom, advice, stories...etc. to help me embrace the 30's.
I also decorated my cupcake holder and got my fork/napkin holder ready:
I finished stringing my "RIP 20's Tombstone" so we could hang it and got most things put together so I can take on Monday to decorate.
Sunday I baked! What fun! I have been looking forward to baking for many weeks and I was glad I felt up to it. I was tired by the time it was done - but I had such a great time! There is something really relaxing about baking...not sure why, but for me it is!
All the ingredients needed to make a homemade German Chocolate Cake. I have never made one before, but I just followed the recipe...we'll see how it turned out tomorrow!
Nik's brother, Ryan, got this cool 'egg-thing' (I'm sure it has a real name...just don't know what it is) for us last year. It is the greatest little gadget. It cracks open your egg and separates the yolk from the egg whites. Thanks Ryan - I think of you every time I use it!
And I baked some homemade cupcakes:
Tomorrow I will frost the top of my cake and put Cool-Whip on the cupcakes and decorate them!
There is much to be done tomorrow, but I'm really looking forward to a fun-filled day, celebrating my Birthday!
P. S. Nik preached tonight in Church and he did such a great job! I am so proud of him. His message was wonderful and was well received!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
My Day Friday
My day on Friday looked a lot like this:
With a little of this involved:
Yes, that is my legs, propped up on the couch (with a towel under me). That is how I spent Thursday night and most of Friday. I made it at work for about 2 hours and then my legs were just getting to swollen and red. Time to elevate them.
And I may or may not be a little bitter about this. Yes, I want my legs to heal (by Monday) and I will, and am doing whatever it takes, but there is a little part of me that Does. Not. Like. This. I am not one to sit at home on the couch (by myself) and do nothing. Yes, occasionally that is what I do, and I love it...but overall, I am a 'do-er'. Laying on the couch with my legs up is not so much of the doing. I like projects, I like to clean, I like to DO SOMETHING!
I'm trying to make the best of this situation.
I picked up my 'June' flower bouquet on the way home from work. (I needed a little something nice). It is beautiful!
I placed it where I can see it from where I lay on the couch.
After I got home and elevated my legs for 30 minutes, I got my 'rest area' ready. This includes putting stuff I can do, within arms reach where I don't have to be up and down:
This includes: my party planning notebook and pen; 2 books to read, my current purse and the one I am switching to; medicine, camera, left-over Easter Starburst candy; my phone; my Ipod; my summer water cup; and a stack of mail/paperwork I need to go through.
After I got my 'rest area' ready, I 'purged' (because I'm still not done purging my house) my laundry area. It took all of 4 minutes. But it felt nice to be productive. Then I elevated again. I went through my stack of mail/paperwork (while elevating). I ate lunch, took medicine, elevated. Watched a movie. Cleaned out and switched purses from brown to black (in theme of my Birthday - coming up in 3 days):
Then I elevated and took a nap. Kind of a long nap. This was a guilt-free nap because it's not like I can do much else....not bitter! Ha! I finally got up to fix dinner. At least that is something productive I can do! I fixed one of our all time favorites - Sausage & Potatoes! The ingredients are: sausage, potatoes, olive oil and Cavendars Greek Seasoning:
You can't really go wrong with those ingredients, right? While it was in the oven I applied more medicine and elevated. Dinner was done just in time for Nik to come home. We ate, I took medicine and then guess what?! Elevated.
Nik worked all day then showed "Cars" in the Youth Room and went to watch "Cars 2" with our teens - Fun!
When he got home we ate dinner, hung out, talked, relaxed and elevated!
Here's to Saturday, and more elevating - while Nik finishes the Party Planning!
With a little of this involved:
Yes, that is my legs, propped up on the couch (with a towel under me). That is how I spent Thursday night and most of Friday. I made it at work for about 2 hours and then my legs were just getting to swollen and red. Time to elevate them.
And I may or may not be a little bitter about this. Yes, I want my legs to heal (by Monday) and I will, and am doing whatever it takes, but there is a little part of me that Does. Not. Like. This. I am not one to sit at home on the couch (by myself) and do nothing. Yes, occasionally that is what I do, and I love it...but overall, I am a 'do-er'. Laying on the couch with my legs up is not so much of the doing. I like projects, I like to clean, I like to DO SOMETHING!
I'm trying to make the best of this situation.
I picked up my 'June' flower bouquet on the way home from work. (I needed a little something nice). It is beautiful!
I placed it where I can see it from where I lay on the couch.
After I got home and elevated my legs for 30 minutes, I got my 'rest area' ready. This includes putting stuff I can do, within arms reach where I don't have to be up and down:
This includes: my party planning notebook and pen; 2 books to read, my current purse and the one I am switching to; medicine, camera, left-over Easter Starburst candy; my phone; my Ipod; my summer water cup; and a stack of mail/paperwork I need to go through.
After I got my 'rest area' ready, I 'purged' (because I'm still not done purging my house) my laundry area. It took all of 4 minutes. But it felt nice to be productive. Then I elevated again. I went through my stack of mail/paperwork (while elevating). I ate lunch, took medicine, elevated. Watched a movie. Cleaned out and switched purses from brown to black (in theme of my Birthday - coming up in 3 days):
Then I elevated and took a nap. Kind of a long nap. This was a guilt-free nap because it's not like I can do much else....not bitter! Ha! I finally got up to fix dinner. At least that is something productive I can do! I fixed one of our all time favorites - Sausage & Potatoes! The ingredients are: sausage, potatoes, olive oil and Cavendars Greek Seasoning:
You can't really go wrong with those ingredients, right? While it was in the oven I applied more medicine and elevated. Dinner was done just in time for Nik to come home. We ate, I took medicine and then guess what?! Elevated.
Nik worked all day then showed "Cars" in the Youth Room and went to watch "Cars 2" with our teens - Fun!
When he got home we ate dinner, hung out, talked, relaxed and elevated!
Here's to Saturday, and more elevating - while Nik finishes the Party Planning!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Infection
My 'bites' got worse. I woke up Wednesday morning with 18 'bites' on my left leg, and my right leg was still swollen, red, and had yellow puss. My work ladies and I decided it was time to go to the doctor. I made an appointment and was at the Doctor's by 8:30 that morning. She told me they were not bites and that I had a bad skin infection. She thought it was a form of 'staph' or possibly 'impetigo'. She put me on antibiotics and a cream. I started taking all the medication, and was doing okay Wednesday evening.
Today (Thursday), the day started pretty well. My legs were not bad swollen, and the coloring was better. But by noon when I went to apply more medicine, my legs were really bad again. Major swelling and redness outside the 'circle'. I went ahead and applied/took my medicine, but by 2pm they were still getting worse. I called my doctor, but just had to leave a message. I left 2. So I went home to lay down. By the time Nik got home around 4, I still had not heard from my doctor and I was getting really uncomfortable. So we went to the Urgent Care Clinic.
The nice doctor at the Urgent Care Clinic told me my legs looked okay so far - and to give my antibiotics 48 hours to start working. She said unless my whole leg is red, or if my temp is above 100.4 then I am okay. Other than that - I need to keep my legs elevated, and keep on my meds.
So that is what I am doing. Mostly laying on the couch with my legs up. Oh by the way, since I'm contagious Nik and I are sleeping in different beds. I have the air mattress aired up, next to our bed (where Nik is sleeping). It's kinda funny to have 2 beds in one room!
Hopefully tomorrow (Friday) I will be feeling better.
I need to be feeling better...I have a party coming up! I wanted to celebrate my last couple of days of 29 in style. Not laid up in the house, infected and contagious....that is not fun. I have big plans for the weekend!
Goodbye to my 20's....in 4 more days I will be a 30 something.... It is coming - ready or not!
Today (Thursday), the day started pretty well. My legs were not bad swollen, and the coloring was better. But by noon when I went to apply more medicine, my legs were really bad again. Major swelling and redness outside the 'circle'. I went ahead and applied/took my medicine, but by 2pm they were still getting worse. I called my doctor, but just had to leave a message. I left 2. So I went home to lay down. By the time Nik got home around 4, I still had not heard from my doctor and I was getting really uncomfortable. So we went to the Urgent Care Clinic.
The nice doctor at the Urgent Care Clinic told me my legs looked okay so far - and to give my antibiotics 48 hours to start working. She said unless my whole leg is red, or if my temp is above 100.4 then I am okay. Other than that - I need to keep my legs elevated, and keep on my meds.
So that is what I am doing. Mostly laying on the couch with my legs up. Oh by the way, since I'm contagious Nik and I are sleeping in different beds. I have the air mattress aired up, next to our bed (where Nik is sleeping). It's kinda funny to have 2 beds in one room!
Hopefully tomorrow (Friday) I will be feeling better.
I need to be feeling better...I have a party coming up! I wanted to celebrate my last couple of days of 29 in style. Not laid up in the house, infected and contagious....that is not fun. I have big plans for the weekend!
Goodbye to my 20's....in 4 more days I will be a 30 something.... It is coming - ready or not!
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