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Life Happens….

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  Who knew that Dunkin’ Donuts had the best life phrase out there? So so much has happened in our lives this last few months. My daughter and I just both started new amazing jobs. And then the first week, she developed a kidney infection with a vengeance which resulted in bacteria in her bloodstream. So into the hospital she went for a couple of days of IV antibiotics. Which left Leilani with me. I don’t mind having her all to myself, but preferably not under these circumstances. She didn’t understand why her mommy was gone and why she couldn’t see her. We went to the bench outside the hospital and we both sat, crying and hugging each other until the sting went away. Then we went home. It’s been a rough month, health problems, job changes and emotional things have plagued our family. I can’t even begin to thank everyone who lifts my family up in prayer, but just know they are all appreciated and heard! God’s hearing you! How do I know you ask? Because He’s answering prayers. Prayers fo
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Changing my life to save my life....

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I’ve debated over the last 7.5 months about when, if and how I would share my latest journey.  Early on,  I shared with one friend ,  who I knew was familiar with this journey, about my decision. S he totally blasted me and only had bad things to say about it.  I was hurt and it made me NOT want to share with anyone. But  I think it’s important to share trials, triumphs and things like that because you might just help ONE person. And if so, then it’s all worth it.  That is the main reason I am sharing my story. I am not looking for Atta girl! Kudos or any other sort of affirmation from anyone, s o just know, if you come at me with the least  bit of  negative comments, I will toss you out like a dirty diaper.   But I digress…. I’ve had issues with my knees since around 2008. I tore the meniscus in my left one first, dancing at Vacation Bible School one night (yes Christians CAN dance  J  ). Then, as I was waiting to have that one repaired, the stress on my other “good” kne e caused that
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Behind The Wheel #1-Band of Brothers

Some of you may or may not know I drive for a rideshare company in my free time. It’s fun money, and since I work from home, it gets me out where I can meet people face to face. I meet lots of interesting people, and hear lots of interesting stories. Some funny, some serious and some that really make an impression on me. I swear my car is better than a beauty shop. Sometimes a rider will get in, and by the time we’ve reached their destination, they’ve told me their whole life story, asked my advice or just needed someone to listen.  I’m glad that people feel comfortable enough to share their lives with me, even if only for 10, 20 or 30 minutes.  Some stories impact me so much, I’ve decided to share them with you. I will never reveal their names, or where they came from or went to. But there are lessons to be learned in every part of life, at least I think so.  I hope you can take something helpful away from these stories or some of them bring a smile to your face!   Not that long ago I
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Go ahead, take the picture!

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People sometimes ask me when I developed a love of photography, or when I started taking pictures.  I can't tell you. Not because I don't want to, but because I don't know, honestly.  I've always love pictures, taking them and looking at them. My first very vivid memories are of my Dad using his little box camera, and how he would stand and look down into the viewfinder. I loved that "pose".  And I loved what it captured. And I can't even tell you how it made me feel when he actually let ME do it. He would stand behind me and help me hold it steady, and I got to press the shutter down. I didn't know all the workings of the camera, and how or why it did the things it did, it didn't matter. I only knew that something great would come out of it. And the wait for the film to be sent off, developed and sent back to us was always torturous.  To this day, pressing down that shutter still gives me butterflies and excitement.  I read a blog from a mom once
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Sister Act

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My sister was here this past week. Finally, from Colorado. I saw her Thanksgiving 2017, and then I hadn't seen her since February of this year. She came to visit just before I was hospitalized and a couple of the days I felt so bad I was forced to stay home and in the bed. And while I am sad I didn't get to adventure with her those days, almost better is the fact that she and my daughter spent those days together. They filled their water flasks at random gas stations (because as my sister says, "water is free!"), went to the beach, hunted sharks teeth, hunted shells, climbed a lighthouse, ate Mexican food, laughed and probably cried too, and just spent time loving on each other. My adult daughter has an amazing bond with my sister. A relationship I've prayed for.  Because my sister loves her like ,e.. But better. She's a caregiver at heart, and couldn't love my own daughter more if she had borne her herself.  And now, she loves my granddaughter, her great
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MS BS

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So, maybe they make you wait so long to give you a "definitive" diagnosis, so you have time to get used to the fact you have it. The neurologists told me prior to being discharged that only time, and how much of the sensation in my left side returned would confirm my diagnosis and the type of MS I might have. But they wrote it in my chart. All of it. Transverse Myelitis. Left Sided Numbness. Neuropathic Pain. and MS. Fast forward from my discharge to my follow-up in the MS clinic, where I saw a colleague of the doctors who not only saw me inpatient, but also diagnosed me. He says he doesn't think I have MS, he's not concerned with the old lesions on my brain, but very concerned with the active one on my spine. He wants me to see the neuro-immunologist here in Charleston (like the only one in SC, and apparently the MS expert), and his soonest opening is early October. WTF?!??!?!  My appointment has since been moved to early August due to a cancellation. Meanwhile,
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Mothers

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I was going to make some long profound Mother's Day blog post, but honestly I don't think it's necessary. I will say that in my 56 years of being blessed on this earth, I have seen the very best. My own mom-who showed me who God is, and who loved everyone unconditionally, even when we didn't deserve it. My sister-who has shown me what a Godly sister is-she is not just a sister, but also a best friend. A dear friend who sacrificed her heart so her sweet baby could have the very best life possible. An act so unselfish that it brings me to tears every time I remember seeing them together. And my own daughter. I don't know where she learned it from, but when she needed it most, God led her to be the MOST amazing mother to her critically ill baby boy. A baby so sick sometimes it was hour to hour, but then also he had good days, where he smiled and started cooing ever so slightly.  A mom who had her heart ripped out when her baby
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