I guess I am rare

UPDATE ON ME:

Ok. I know a few of you have contacted me for updates and I haven't gotten back to you. So here is my update for all.

I had an MRI, Spinal Tap, Bloodwork and X-Rays and all came back normal. No sign of Guillian-Barre Syndrome (GBS). West Nile Virus = negative. The doc tells me that in rare cases a person can have GBS and it won't show up in the Spinal Tap.

So, next the doc wanted me to come in today for a 2 hour nerve/muscle test. It involved putting electrodes on my hands, arms, legs and feet and then shocking me to see how my nerves responded. Sorta like static electricity shocks - some much stronger. Then, he stuck me with accupuncture needles and tested my muscles. He would stick the needle into my calf muscle and then make me flex it. He did this all over my arms and legs. It was more painful then the nerve test, but not the worst pain I have ever endured.

Guess what? The tests came back normal. He says my nerves and muscles are responding as any 33 year old's would. He said, the good news is every test has come back normal. The bad news is that he doesn't know what I have. He said in rare cases a person can have such a mild case that no tests can confirm that it is GBS.

The last 3 days I have actually felt better and feel like I am getting better. I can walk a little easier and have a bit more energy and a little less numbness. A little more motor skill control. More feeling in my hands.

The verdict: My doc believes I have GBS and that my body is recovering already. He has decided to not treat me and give me two weeks to see if my body continues to heal itself. Basically my immune system revved up after my upper respitory infection and kidney stone and started to attack my nerves. Treatment would just reverse my immune system so it calms down. He (and I) believe it is starting to reverse itself already.

So what if I don't get better in two weeks? I asked that. He said, he will have to punt and send me to one of the top 10 neurologists in the country who happens to be at LSU and happens to be whom he trained under.

We are both hoping we don't get that far. I am hoping that every day I get a little stronger and by Christmas I am 90% recovered and can fully enjoy the holiday with my family that are all flying in to celebrate with us.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts, phone calls and prayers. I have felt and appreciate your support and apologize for not responding to everyone. Things have been a little crazy the last two weeks.

Well, that is it. Happy December!

And now this . . .

If you are a regular reader you are probably wondering why I haven't posted in so long. Well, there is good reason. I was suffering a kidney stone last Thursday and Friday and then when that passed I was back in the ER again on Sunday with numb hands and feet and difficulty walking. On Tuesday, I visited a neurologist and he thinks I have Guillian-Barre Syndrome. I spent all day Wednesday at the hospital getting a spinal tap, bloodwork, x-rays and an hour long MRI. I spent the next 24 hours lying flat.

I can walk, but my balance suffers and I tire easily. My fine motor skills suffer. I am typing this, but making many mistakes along the way.

Amazing how one day you are fine and then you wake up one morning and can't walk very well to your son's crib and once you get there you can't lift him out.

I should find out this week if GBS is the firm diagnosis. If so, I hope to start treatment quickly.

Three family movies I recommend.

Looking for a good family movie to purchase as a gift this holiday? Here are three I recommend.

1. My Louisiana Sky

2.Dreamer - Inspired By a True Story (Widescreen Edition)

3. Because of Winn Dixie

Monday Jambalaya

- My BF Jen drives a Chrysler Pacifica and it is my second favorite car (behind the 2001 Saab Sport Wagon I used to drive) Anyway, Chrysler announced they are no longer going to make that vehicle anymore! I thought it was one of their best!Oh well.

- My friend Greta is organizing Operation Mardi Gras 2008. For more info go to: soldiersangelsla.org.

- If you haven't heard about it already there is a search engine out there that is powered by people. It is called Mahalo.com. Check it out.

- My husband said the recipe for never being lonely as a mom is having two kids. He couldn't have nailed it on the head any better!

- My daughter got shy around an older boy this weekend and it was weird. She literally hid from him and would not go in the same room he was in. He is 13. She is only 4! Oh lord . . . he we go.

- My 16 month old knows how to throw his sippy cup in the sink when he is done and to pick up lint, dog hair, string, paper, etc from the floor and put it in the garbage. Teach 'em to clean early! (It wasn't intentional.)

- I am mentally preparing for the holiday craziness creeping up on us. Now, if I can just find time to undecorate from Halloween and get those decoration put away. Ugh.

Starbucks and iTunes

For the first time and oh say . . . since I've had kids I actually walked into a Starbucks to get my coffee instead of driving thru. I saw a promotion to ask the barista about the free iTunes song of the day. So I did. I was handed a card (similar to a gift card, but paper) and it had the artist and song of the day with a picture of the artist and a code to download the song for free.

So I get home to check it out and I find this page that tells me all about this incredible marketing partnership between Starbucks and iTunes. Basically, if you have any type of iPod, iPhone or computer with iTunes software on it you can download any song you hear playing while in Starbucks. Very cool! Not available everywhere yet, but will be by 2008!

Apple you rock! Starbucks, well you know how i feel. You take my money often.

Side Note: I don't own an apple computer anymore, but I will say my first was an apple (PowerMac 6400) I loved her so . . . But, my hubby and work have taken me to the dark side with bad product design.

And my four year old says . . .

Hubby and I were joking in the car tonight . . .

I said, "That's not funny. You are being insulting!"
He said, "Seriously, I am joking. I am NOT being insulting."
4 year old says, "Daddy, it's okay. You're not salty."

I am going to help you with your holiday shopping!

I have compiled a list of toys I recommend (because they have been tried and tested by my own kids) as well as books that we love to read. Find the links on the right over there. Also, I have compiled a list of New Orleans based businesses that you can support by shopping online at their websites this holiday season.

I will be adding to all the lists as I think of more so keep checking it!

Now, get shopping!

Rebuilding New Orleans Cartoon

I received this in an email and thought it was worthy of posting here. Sorry to whomever deserves the credit line. I can't read it!

For complete description of materials and how to build it please refer to Genesis Chapter 6:14-16