My Appendix

O.k. so I had my appendix out on July 10th. I know a lot of you have heard, but thought I'd share the story so if anyone ever has these symptoms they know to go to the ER.

On Thursday July 10th I went to work as normal. Getting out of my car at around 8:15 I noticed a cramp, but being a woman didn't think much of it. At 9am I was sitting in a meeting and turned to a co-worker, Lisa, and told her I didn't feel so well. After that meeting, 9:30ish I tried to sit and work but was in a LOT of pain. I took a few midol, only thing I had, and made a bee-line for the wellness room....a room most people use to pump, but it also for times like these :)

I felt like I couldn't walk and broke out into a sweat and called Bill and told him he had to come get me. Bill didn't even question it, jumped in his car and 25 minutes later he picked me up. By this time my entire stomach hurt, like very, very bad gas pain, only worse. I asked Bill to bring me home and I went and laid down and slept until 2.

When I woke up the pain was much better, but had settled to one spot on my right side. I tried to self-diagnose myself (not a good idea by the way!) and determined I probably had a kidney stone or something. Or really bad gas and the lingering pain was just left over. I called my co-worker Lisa who was skeptical and on her urging and Bill's urging I called my doctor who was able to see me at 4:30. She listed to my symptoms and in 5 minutes flat sent me to the ER.

There they took a CT scan of my belly (after making me drink a huge barium drink that had to sit for 2 hours!). My pain was pretty minimal so I really felt like I was wasting everyone's time and told Bill I just wanted to go home. He talked me into staying and I said I would provided he brought the kids home and put them to bed (no need for everyone to be upset over this whole thing). This whole time I thought it was nothing. At 9:30 the results came back and the doctor came in and told me it was indeed appendicitis and that they had a surgeon there and they would like to operate immediately!

When I asked if I could call my husband, they said of course and then with a worried look they asked, do you want to wait for him before we operate??? I asked if they would recommend that, and they said if you won't go in without him we'll wait, but we don't recommend it. So Bill stayed home w/ the kids and I got wheeled into surgery. Luckily I only remember being wheeled out of my room and then waking up in my recovery room.... so that wasn't bad!

They let me go the next day. I have been home recovering ever since, however yesterday had a few sharp pains and called my doctor who advised me to take it easier. I'm going back to work this Monday, but for 4 more weeks am not allowed to do any type of stressful work out or lift anything over 15lbs, which is hard w/ Brodin :(

Anyway.. that is the scoop. And if you ever notice all-over tummy pain and then it gets much better w/ slight paid on your right side please go to the ER!

Ali

Pictures from Animal Kingdom

Finally... pictures from Disney!!! Animal Kingdom was by far my favorite park and I wish we would have had time to go there two days. I will post pictures from the other parks in a few weeks or so.

Lots of Educational Excitement!!

Keegan started his jump start to kindergarten program on Thursday and he loves his new teacher, Mrs. Martinez. He asks every day if tomorrow is school and jumps up and down with excitement when I say yes. It is Mon through Fri from 8 to noon through the end of July.

I finished my masters and graduated w/ honors. I'm very glad I got my masters but am also very glad I'm done with it!

We are gearing up for fall when Bill starts his nursing clinicals and Keegan starts full-day kindergarten.

The Disney Trip Was Fantastic

We had a great time at Disney World!!!! I will upload all the pics I can soon, but here are two good ones.

Crazy Winter Storm

So here in Milwaukee we are having a crazy winter snow storm. South milwaukee/Racine area, closer to the lake is getting hit the worst, and thats right where we are!!! Its been snowing since last night, schools are closed, our work is closed (BTW- I love snow days!) We've gotten a lot already and another foot projected!!!! Its just crazy!!!

While Brodin was napping Keegan, Bill and I braved the snow to shovel and throw a few snowballs. I had to take pics because the snow drifts were almost higher than our mailbox and Keegan climbed right up. I can't imagine what its going to look like after another 12 inches. Here are some fun pics:

Back from the dead

Yes.... I know its been forever since I posted anything on the blog. Here are some cute pics of the boys to appease everyone! Life has been very busy.... after my last masters class is done I'm hoping I'll have more time for keeping this updated way more often. For now I'm shooting for monthly!

Great News!!!

Keegan's CT Scan today showed that they cyst has resolved by itself. So we have avoided surgery!!!!! My hope is that his shunt lasts for years and years and he needs no surgery for a long, long time.

Our Trip to the Zoo!!!!

Check out this conversation with Keegan,

Me to Keegan "Wow, Keegan look at those boa constrictors, they sure are moving around"

Keegan gets right up to the glass, "Yeah mommy look at them"

Me to Keegan "Aren't you scared they could get you"

Keegan "No"

Me to Keegan "Let me take a picture of you with the snakes"

Keegan "But mom they aren't smiling"

Keegan to the snakes, "Please smile my mom wants to take our picture"

Summer Fun!!!!

Keegan's been having fun pretending to be spider man. Yesterday I brought him to the office and he proceeded to "web" everyone in site. Brodin had smiles for everyone, but refused to leave my arms. The weird thing is that I drove the boys home at around 6, they both fell asleep in the car and slept straight through to this morning. I kept checking on them and finally woke Brodin up at 10 to get him to eat but he went right back to sleep after. So all night it was weird, kind of like, what did I do before kids?? I snuggled with the pup, did the dishes, hung a few pictures, did some work, did some homework, watched a show and did some laundry and still felt like I had time left over that I didn't know what to do with!!!

Anyway, here are some very cute pics taken by Becky from July 4th when we all went swimming. Enjoy!

Hi Annie!!

Annie just arrived from MN, here is a picture of her arrival. (note: Helen and Joe just got wireless high speed internet and commented that I don't update the blog enough so these fun posts are for you!)

Brodin's Army Crawl

This video is already a little dated. It is from May 12th when Brodin was doing his very funny looking army crawl. Brodin is now crawling pretty fast on all fours, cruising nicely on furniture and his new trick (starting just yesterday) is being able to stand by himself for about a minute without falling. I'll try to catch a video of that.

At Brodin's 9 month appointment he was 21 1/2 lbs and 28 inches. Enjoy!

Grandma Sluis with Brodin

Here is a cute picture of Grandma Sluis with Brodin at 7 months!!

Hi Michelle!!!