Casey. One More Definitive Diagnosis.

Casey and Punk...

Good Morning Everyone-
We are home.

A long week- a few tests, (blood, and endoscopy); and a meeting with Dr. Datta, a hematologist, in Minnesota, Casey has one more diagnosis.

I will get right to the point...

Casey has an Anastomotic Ulcer in her stomach.
This may be a common side effect of her Roux~en~y~Gastrojejunostomy.
"The chronic inflammation caused by the presence of the suture as a foreign body at the anastomosis may lead to ulcer formation, and also may be implicated in the development of stomal stenosis"

Casey's ulcer was not shown to be bleeding- However, just because the gastroenterologist did not see blood at that point does NOT mean it isn't bleeding from time to time.
Reading further, this type of ulcer is also common after bowel surgery- Perhaps she also has an ulcer in her bowel? (Seems like a good question for the doctor).
We go back in December for more tests and/or repeat testing.

In the meanwhile, she is to double up on her Oprimazole. But stressed those are to be taken at 2 separate times too.
I hope this doubling up might help to heal her ulcers? Or maybe just to not make them worsen.

And with respect to her low blood counts... Dr. Datta (hematologist) is going to contact the clinic here, strongly suggesting that Casey be changed to a drug called "Infed" for her infusions. (This would replace the Ferrlecit she is currently using; perhaps even eliminating some of the side effects she has had to that).

The Infed treatment takes longer at the office when compared to the Ferrlecit. This drug is prefaced with steroids and benedryl, then a small amount of the Infed. If no reaction they wait an hour to repeat the test. Still if no reaction, she can proceed to being treated with/by this drug/method.
Apparently, the results are more immediate and longer lasting. Casey would also need to be infused less often.
We will call her GP with this information tomorrow, as she has her next infusion scheduled for Tuesday.


A few pictures---


Her ponytail in the mirror, it is high on her head, and shows how long her hair is.
Yes, it still falls out by the handful...


Off then, to her endoscopy...

How it works, in a nutshell-


pic from here

Yes, they did take a few biopsies. I am not sure when we will hear back about those.
They also did the tests for Helicobacter pylori infection. (H-Pylori is the bacteria that causes "most" ulcers).

We were given a copies of the gastro's written and pictorial findings.

Warning:
If you get queasy with pics, scroll down past the next 4.


These 2 sets of pictures are Casey's results-

Unfortunately, their copier's toner cartridge needs attention; the pages printed information is of low quality...





this too


The report commented that her "normal esophagus"
It did not comment on the duodenum, even though the picture is included?
__________________________


These 2 pictures are what "normal" should be:

This is a 'normal' duodenum 
(Not sure why it looks so pale- It should be pinker)?


This from here.

This is what a normal GE (Gastro-Esophogeal) Junction will look like.


(This, also taken from a Google search).

__________________________



Back to Casey's endoscopy.

The machine they used...


Showing only a part of the tubing...


And here's the rest of the tubing...





While I know what most of the letters on it represent, I can't for the life of me figure what the dickens "FUD" would be.


FUD?  Isn't that a Bugs Bunny guy?  hehehe


We were to be to her appointment for 11:30. She had confirmed this earlier in the day. The man told her to be there for then.

We got there and waited in the waiting room for 25 minutes. This is OK, and generally how it goes.
Then back for a bit of prep- getting an IV started, and reading and repeating her vitals. This took about 45 minutes...

We were then sent to the little procedure room.
We waited about 45 minutes more.
This gave me ample time to take a few pictures... hehehe


Casey. Waiting.


This is the Benzocaine spray they use to numb her throat- to quell her gag reflex.





I then spied their cupboards.
Those cupboards were all neatly labeled as to what was kept inside.
A good idea for everyone!

But then I got to this cupboard...



I told Casey she had to behave!
- - - After all, they have a six shooter right at their disposal!
Then again, if she wanted to leave, she could just hotwire one of the the 4X4s too. hehehe

Wait!
(Thinking)...
It sure has been a long wait...

So we asked when the one nurse had come in...  She told us that the doctor had "an emergency with a patient upstairs" at the hospital, which is completely understandable.

Another nurse came in about half an hour later and told us "the doctor is still at another hospital."  Huh?

Later still, and we were told we had been late, and that the doctor had left.
WHAT?!
See, this is exactly why Casey had called that very morning to confirm her appointment!
Grrr...

At any rate, the doctor did return. Her own explanation was that the nurses had told her to go at noon because we weren't there. (Suffice to say she was not a happy camper when we told her we arrived for 11:30)!

Anyway, I was told this would take about 5 minutes, and they would come and collect me from the waiting room when Casey was done.

I went back to the waiting room.
45 minutes later I asked the receptionist to please check for me?
She called back- Casey was still in the procedure!

An hour later Casey was done.

More, from their findings...

Also stated within those pages was this: "ASA Grade Assessment: III"
Not sure what that means.

Later in the report, it noted "Patient mental status examination: Normal" hehehe

After that, "A patient with severe systemic disease"... I am thinking that this must be referring to her chronic pancreatitis and all that followed? (Will ask her doctor here).



After her endoscopy...


Casey, a wee bit loopy, after the procedure...
It also took a long time for her to waken- She has become tolerant to a lot of the drugs especially those used for conscious sedation. The doctor had needed to use more than they had originally thought they would need.

Suffice to say it was a LONG afternoon for us both.
And for Punk too as she waited in the car in the parking ramp.

Nothing that a little love wouldn't cure...



For them both!

If any part of her ulcer is not gone in December then Casey will be facing more surgeries.

Hope all is well with you-
My love to all!

XOXO
Me

Raven's Site "My 1ST real blog and it's sad and venting."

http://silvercrone.multiply.com/journal/item/10

Please take a moment to click, and to help Miss Marsha- to feel a bit better than she is feeling right now?

Sweet Pea's brother, also is very ill.
Please go here: http://deeannes.multiply.com/journal/item/828
As she says, she welcomes any leftover prayers you may have for her/her brother.

I will blog shortly, but in the meantime, once again to know I am so very thankful for the friends I have on here.

XOXO
Me

Riah's Rainbow *In Memory of Mariah Jean Klein*

Your kindest assistance? Please?

Most of you remember Baby Mariah...


Click for her Caring Bridge Site

Miss Micki (Mariah's Mama) has formed Riah's Rainbow. (For my own entry Click here).

From their site, Micki describes Riah's Rainbow:

"Our mission is to be able to give local hospitals new coloring books, crayons, markers, colored pencils, craft items, etc. to pediatric patients.

Each time they visit they will receive a new coloring book & box of crayons to take home with them.

We also offer alternatives such as puzzles, project bags, or paints.

Often times, cancer patients are offered "community" craft items. With comprised immune systems, the threat is always there that the child may develop an illness. Riah's Rainbow eliminates that fear for parents.

It is our hope that in the future we will be able to provide parents with the resources to take their children out for a day adventure...maybe to the zoo, or dinner and a movie, for the whole family."

Riah's Rainbow is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, established to enrich the lives of children who have to endure any length of stay in the hospital.  There are no salaried employees of Riah's Rainbow, the foundation operates solely through the generous efforts of volunteers.

Riah's Rainbow will be a featured story in Woman's World magazine in the October 11th, 2010 issue in stands on October 4th, 2010!  (Facebook entry says October 11th, 2011?).
Heck- Buy them both!!
Please check it out!




Hospitals that benefit from Riah's Rainbow include:    * St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, WI    * Children's Hospital in Milwaukee, WI    * The Brooklyn Hospital Center in Brooklyn, NY    * Phoenix Children's Hospital in Phoenix, AZ    * Sparrow Health System Lansing, MI    * Univ. of MN Amplatz Children's Hosp Minneapolis, MN    * Children's Memorial Chicago, IL

Contact Information: 
Micki Klein, 920-544-9161,
mickilynn07@yahoo.com
http://www.riahsrainbow.org/id18.html




If you'd like to donate crayons, coloring books, markers, puzzles; or if you'd prefer to mail a check please send to:

Riah's Rainbow, PO Box 253, Suamico, WI 54173-0253

For our Arizona Chapter:
Riah's Rainbow, 24105 W. Hadley Street, Buckeye, AZ  85326








Good Morning!

It takes but a moment to write out a check- and one stamp is still relatively cheap.
Do this please. Miss Micki needs your help!

XOXO
Anne

PS

I have a question for anyone that knows...

With Riah's Rainbow's tax exempt status, doesn't this mean that all of your donations are tax deductible? (If that's the case, then kwitcherbitchin' and donate)!

Pics. Parkinsons. Quotes. "Points To Ponder Before You Vote"

Man with Parkinson's Disease
(Does anyone know his name)?

Good Evening All;
Grab a cup of coffee and get your attitude on. But check the BS at the door.

Do you know anyone with Parkinsons? I do. My Uncle Chum has this awful disease.

Perhaps by now you have already seen this video. It became viral shortly after its release.
If you haven't seen it, please watch it.

Tea Party protesters campaigning against health care reform on Tuesday berated and mocked a pro-reform advocate whose sign indicates that he has Parkinson's disease.

Got Parkinson's? I do and you might. Thanks for your help- as the older man's sign reads.
He wandered over toward the anti-reform teabaggers protesting outside the district office of Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (D-Ohio).
The Tea Party's responses, captured on video by the Columbus Dispatch, were unflinchingly callous and cruel.
"If you're looking for a handout, you're in the wrong part of town. Nothing for free. You have to work for everything you get," one teabagger chided, bending over to get in the face of the seated older man. The next Tea Partier dropped a dollar in his face, saying, "Start a pot, I'll pay for you. I'll decide when to give you money," in a mocking tone of voice.

A class act if I ever saw one. NOT.








A Few Thoughts to Ponder...

First of all, I am more than bored with those of you who cannot stand to have your cowardice exposed.

There have been many recent posts concerning the upward anger of the American voters.
There are posts that think this anger is misplaced.
Oh really?  Because I sure don't think so!

"Oh please stop writing of hate", they cry, "or 'disagreements'"- yada yada yada-
   If you have written any of that, you may now return to your viewing of Billy Jack.
The rest of us have better things to do; and need to leave an impression upon those who are willing to learn.

Newsflash!
In any political field:

• There will be disagreements.
  
  • (You cannot pretty that up).
    
    
• There will be anger-
  
  • (Such is the nature of the human animal).
    
    
• There will be heated discussions.
  
  • "If it's too hot in my kitchen",
    
    • (well, get out of my damn kitchen)!

Still with me here?
As most of you know, I was never political; aside from voting for people I thought could best lead us.  That all changed when Casey got sick, and there was a possibility that she would have to live out her life without basic medical treatment and/or diagnoses.


Back in '08 there were 2 suggested health care options that came from our presidential hopefuls.
One actually had a plan that offered hope for all Americans, sick or healthy.
The other thought that transplants and facelifts warranted the same level of insurance and medical care.
That was enough to get me to vote for # 1.

That there are still so many fallacies, (that means "LIES"), circulating about our HealthCare, is almost laughable- (if it wasn't so damned pathetic). The ones spreading these lies are the ones who HealthCare will benefit the very most! (Yes, that IS ignorance)!

Though not interchangeable, "Stupid is as stupid does" comes to mind.


Ignorance too- about God- or whatever you choose to call Him, -or not...

"We need to invade their countries, kill their leaders, and convert them to Christianity" - Ann Coulter, denouncing Muslim terrorism by advocating Christian terrorism.
Um, what?!





More "stupid is as stupid does"





I salute! Twice.





Thank you Will.


And yet...


Where are YOU?





Where are you now?





Now where do you see yourself?






"Obama is a Muslim."
We have ALL heard this allegation. Some even go so far as to pass it on!?

The fact is that he is not a Muslim.
But what if he was?  What is the big damn deal?
You all sound much like others back in the 1960's when JFK was running for President, and he was Catholic! 
Good grief people, wake up!





Hopeful I am, that it is fatal...








Know that there IS a far better rally just around the corner. This one even sounds decent.
CLICK for Info!
Get thee there if you can. hehehe


From here.
Participating in the march will be Midge Hough, who last November was instrumental in pulling back the curtain on the then relatively new Tea Party Movement that was raising a shrill and discordant voice during the healthcare debate taking place at the time. Attending a town hall meeting held by Congressman Dan Lipinski to thank him for his early support of the healthcare legislation then in the House of Representatives, she got up to tell a tragic story of losing her 7 month pregnant daughter-in-law Jenny, and her unborn grandchild due to a lack of health insurance, which effectively blocked adequate access to the primary and critical care she needed when she contracted pneumonia. It was then that she was heckled and derided by the Tea Party Patriots, a group led by a woman named Catherina Wojtowicz. The event was written about in the local newspaper, the Southtown Star and captured on a video that went viral on YouTube:









On Fear...


From Al, or Jim or... Mouse over pic to view link.  Or click here
I found it posted here.  (Great post by the way)!


There are those that sneer at the following picture.
Why?
Is your Creator "better" than someone elses?



No really. What does it say to you?
Is there no room for another point of view?






He got it.
When is your last unemployment check due?
Have you forgotten the reluctance and game playing that abounded in Summer when you had to fight to get a few dollars? Or maybe you are one of the very lucky, and very few whose job and benefits,  have not been adversely affected?


From here: "I've come to believe that almost anything I see in popular communications via the internet is suspect. I say "popular communications" because bloggers and tweeters and facebookies and other users of the generally available venues of internet communication have no real incentive to fact-check or authenticate what is put online. Emails come into my Inbox with revelations about Obama, the Tea Party, this politician or that, and it's almost always hystrical (and false) arm-waving and flame-bait.
Five minutes fact-checking on Google shows how bogus this stuff is, if anyone cares to check.
There is a real world out there, where real people do real things, and it used to be that there was an appreciable lag between the doing and the reporting. That lag is becoming an historical footnote anymore; I'm not sure that we're the better for it."

I wholeheartedly agree.




Use it -or vote indiscriminately at your own peril.


From here, "Boehner and other Republicans would even like to roll back the New Deal and get rid of Barack Obama’s smaller deal health-care law.The issue isn’t just economic.
We’re back to tough love.
The basic idea is force people to live with the consequences of whatever happens to them."
Well, isn't THAT nice?!  What if you were the man with Parkinson's above?

I do not like this Boehner Man,
I do not like his every scam.
I do not like these dirty crooks,
Or how they lie and cook the books.

I do not like when Congress steals,
I do not like their secret deals.
I do not like this dirty man,
I do not like him.

I do not like his fat red nose,
I'm smart; I know where he gets those,
I do not like his smug replies,
When we complain about his lies.
You are trying to kill our hope.
Remove our HealthCare? Nope, nope, nope!

...And I plan to vote, vote, vote!


A few quotes worth repeating...

From our 'Truth and Justice Now' group came these words. "People like to believe in nonsense. It is far easier than thinking."


From your algebra classes, or your other semi-advanced mathematical or political classes remember this: "There is no such thing as unsustainable debt. We cannot pass debt to our children." 
That is not to say we spend frivolously or unwisely. That is not to say this is correct as it reads either: "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer."



"What is dangerous about extremists is not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents."     -Robert F. Kennedy


Sadly, Bobby Kennedy could not have even guessed that this level of intolerance would be rampant among Americans of all races, creeds, or even sexual preferences.
* Bobby Kennedy could not have known what a Freeper is. (Freeper fail English? Unpossible)!
*He would not have known the term 'Astroturf" save for what was fake grass in the 60's.
*He would not have known Tenthers, 14th Repealers, Birthers, Gay bashing, and other not~so~subtle attempts at what essentially is ethnic cleansing.
*He may or may not have seen the level of filibusters that take up time, only hurt people and destroy credibility... 

Also from the mid 60's came this powerful quote. “Racism negates two aspects of man’s life: reason and choice, or mind and morality, replacing them with chemical predestination. ... A genius is a genius, regardless of the number of morons who belong to the same race -- and a moron is a moron, regardless of the number of geniuses who share his racial origin.” -- Ayn Rand

On Lies:  “Lies are a tool: they can be used either for good or--no, wait, I've got a better one. Lies are like children: hard work, but they're worth it because the future depends on them." Dr. Gregory House

On Ignorance: “The wise understand by themselves; fools follow the reports of others”  Tibetan Proverb

On food for thought: "$ometimes it pays to follow the money — $ometimes one hand holding a million dollars is not as valuable as a million hands in a million voting booths."

And the winner is: "I don't want facts because my mind is made already made up!"

__________________________________

I must close for now.
Have much to do before I sleep. hehehe

I do hope that a little bit of this has given you something to think about.

This is not Republican.
This is not Democrat.
This is about you!

Do feel free to pass this on through Multiply or through your emails as well.

XOXO
Me

PS
Special thanks to all whose thoughts and links I might have borrowed.
The pictures are credited, either in the picture itself, or by mousing over.
Those that are not are from emails and google searches.

top photo credit from here

The Mailbox, (mine). The Auction, (theirs). And the Trailer, (Kelli's).

The deer trail, through the field,
And heading straight to my little squash plants!
Grrr...

Good Afternoon All;
I had thought we would be 'on the road again' now.
Such is obviously not the case, (I have a hard time keeping the car on the road while typing). hehehe

I am sick-ish and in pain. This is NO damn way to go through life.
My head was stuffy yesterday and Lordy, it just ached. My back refuses to offer anything but pain.

I already know that I probably shouldn't have even tried to cut the lawns on Sunday, but they needed it so bad. That, combined with no Packer game, (on Sunday anyway), -along with the sunshine -and lack of much wind- made for a great day to mow.
Do not be telling me not to do this. It has to be done. More, I have never paid money to have this done, and I am not about to start now. Lawns are personal. hehehe

Autumn in Flintville- Taken from my mailbox.

Speaking of my mailbox... I have just received word from the USPS that my mailbox has to be raised 8 inches. I am thinking my mailman probably has new wheels. (Perhaps those wheels should be lowered 8 inches)!
All kidding aside, I am going to be checking around to find out how many others on this route have received this same notice. All of our mailboxes seem the same, or close enough. (Those I have asked already have not received this notification).
I will check with a tape measure if I have to.

More... my mailbox is oddly now missing its reflectors, AND its flag! Whoever did this will be caught if they tamper again-  (Helps to be able to record everything via a wonderful program and a wee little camera). Thank you Greg! hehehe

Anyway, yes, it is Fall- And so lovely all around.
Not too chilly yet. (Getting there though).

If you read my last entry you will remember me stating that I wasn't going to go to my uncles auction. (Uncle Frank and my Aunt Patty are now both deceased, and the family was selling the contents of their beautiful home).
Aunt Patty is my birthmother's sister.

They are pictured below-
Aunt Patty on the far right, kneeling; with Uncle's hand on her shoulder.


My grandmother, (the only one I ever knew) is seated middle bottom.
My birthmother, Madonna, is 4th from left, top. (Her hubby Bob is 3rd from left).

Casey called me on Saturday morning- Was I still thinking of going to the auction?
Yes. (But it was a little late). I should have known better... Never say never, (and most especially where Casey is concerned)! hehehe
A little while later, we were on the road down to Appleton!

This is my Aunt Vonnie- with Casey, and Cousin Tom Runnoe



Auntie is so full of sparkling spunk! hehehe  Mr. Muscles, Tom, carried out the locking cabinets I had bought and got them in the back of the car.

He didn't carry this out though...


Casey, seated at Aunt Patti's piano.
When the crowd moved inside, and later to the finished and beautiful basement, we followed.

There were a few items that I would have bought-
Once, to learn belatedly that I was bidding against Aunt Vonnie on one item! (How bad is that)?! I shut up then.

At times the crowd was reluctant to even start the bidding.
When the auctioneer got to Aunt Patty's piano, no one would offer.
This is the piano she bought when she wanted to learn how to play. After a few lessons, she decided that she would give it up as her fingers would not move fast eough. It was only played a few times.

Aw what the heck, $10.00 someone said. That the someone was me is almost beside the point.  ... Well, someone had to say something.
Casey's eyes lit up. 
But of course the auctioneer took it from there continued.

I did stop at Kelli's on the way home to ask if I could borrow the truck and trailer.
Now if only I could find a few good backs...

XOXO
Me

Air Show Tragedy!!!

Rating:
Category:	Other

I have just received this awful news in my email from my Sister Kris.
God have mercy.

XOXO
Anne



Brace yourself before looking at the image below.
Know that a pilot at low level cannot control his aircraft.

WARNING- This is not for the faint of heart.

His aircraft narrowly misses a crowd gathered for the air show, slamming into four buildings.

One can only imagine the horror of the occupants inside those buildings.





















































Thank you SissyKrissiePoo!
I take it you're not going to Uncle Franks auction either then?

XOXO
Me

Casey. The Cabbage. The Corn. And the Crackers.

What beauty hath bloomed?
(All opened overnight on Wednesday)!

Good Morning All;
Casey is OK.

On Tuesday, she began her 2nd set of 6 infusions.



It took a while, but Nick got it running well. (No blown veins either).


Ask Casey what she thinks of having to receive more infusions...


hehehe

She has taken to craving oyster crackers...


LQQKEE LQQKEE!    -"A BIG one!"   

Where did that cracker go?!?


After the infusion was done, Punk got to play fetch for a few minutes.


in Casey's backyard...


I stopped at Kelli and Tim's on my way home...


Thought the moonrise through the old pines was gorgeous... 
Miss Punk played with Kelli's service door in their garage-
Going in and out and in and out......


As you already know, we were gone to see Dr. Sutherland last weekend.

While we were gone, many things disappeared from around here.


Make that many many things... hehehe
A zillion loads of cabbage to still be harvested, but they keep on working-
day in and day out. 
No rest for the weary.
{Which is really 'punny' because it is Wery's that rent out the land}.  hehehe

The sweet corn is all gone too- even the stalks have disappeared; harvested for Fall decorations.

Still, Punk rescued one cob.  Inside that cob was...


An itty bitty baby corncob! All neatly nestled within its Mama's folds-
Everyone say, "Awwwwwwwwww...."


It has been nothing but rain, with 45MPH wind gusts here-  The rain has even found its way to my basement again! What the heck? hehehe
Nothing bad, just 2 little wind~driven 'rain rivers', not any wider than my finger.
(Autumn came in like a lion)!

Those winds are to slowly die down today. Thankfully they have left my roof intact, (though I probably can't say the same thing for the old shed).
Will have to check that out when the sun comes up.
Highs today to be somewhere around 60°, if that.  ( CLICK for GB weather).
Getting a bit chilly. (Time for chili too)!

We were to go to Uncle Frank's auction down in Appleton this morning, but I don't think that'll happen. I need to save the petrol for our return trip for Casey's tests. (I also still need to get that oil changed).


I'll now reply to your comments on yesterdays somewhat religious blog.

I meant no disrespect to anyone, or to their Faith; except perhaps 'Mommalea' who, for whatever silly reason she has, has made it her mission in life to disrespect myself.
Around here, you get what you give.  Pretty simple, that.
(Some people just choose to to learn that the hardest way possible).  *sigh*

My love to all.
May you all have a "wunnaful" weekend!

XOXO
Me