Shelby's class

I had class today with Shelby. It wasn't easy, being 7 days out of surgery. Thank goodness for wheels! My head and arm are exhausted but thankfully Shelby was a great lil girl today. By the end of the hour she not only mastered today's commands but also the ones from last week that we missed. She is one sharp cookie!

Miss Shelby in her new vest:

Post-Op Update, awareness items vs the economy

Later this week I'll be 2 months post-op from the artery surgery.

In terms of surgical healing, it's going pretty well. The incision is closed and looking good. The left side of my neck, jaw, shoulder, that entire region just aches all the time. It's not anything that is concerning and I'm sure will continue to improve, given adequate time with the Ehlers-Danlos.

My pain issues, artery region aside, have not changed. I am taking more measures immediately after I get off work at 10 a.m. to try to prevent the pain from becoming completely over the edge by evening since it always worsens as the day goes by.

I am due to have an MRI next month to check on the growth that's pushing in my cerebellum and shoving it back down my spine. It can't be done any earlier since I'm not far enough out of surgery to get a real accurate look.

For the last two months or so, I have really noticed the impact the economy is having on my Chiari/SM awareness items sales. My CURE CHIARI awareness embossed wristbands sales are definitely low. The website sales (Chiari, Chiari 0 (zero) Herniation, and Syringomyelia awareness items) are low as well BUT things are still moving, just at a snail's pace. I know things will pick up at some point but I feel badly for not being able to donate as much to the American Syringomyelia Alliance Project and Wishes & Rainbows. It will get better though!

DS's Babette blanket is coming along well. Today I began work on Panel 9 so if I round up any amount of self-discipline, the rest of the squares should be completed in about two weeks. The contest is going well too; as of now I'm in the top 10 (out of 307) for vote ranking, though not quite as high in the page view rating. I just keep thinking of all the preemie and newborn caps I could make for little NICU babies with a prize gift card from the yarn manufacturer! Thank you to everyone who has voted so far! The contest goes until February 25 or so.

I'm attaching some pictures I've taken the last few days, just thought I'd share.

Appendix update, and countdown to New York

I saw the appendectomy surgeon Monday. My sutures are out, the three incisions look pretty good, and by some miracle they are all still closed. The surgeon said no one in the anesthesia department wanted to take my case when they found out how many brain and spine surgeries I've had, but it being an emergency surgery, they knew someone had to jump in there but she said it went really well. I had to laugh when she said if I ever need a general surgeon again to let her know because she would be glad to operate on me again. I couldn't help but giggle and thank her for what she did but that to be honest, I hope to never see her again!

At this time next week I'll be in New York, anxious for news the next day will bring. I pray for God to help me keep my thoughts straight so I can make the best possible decisions. DH isn't talking about it, and my children are too young still to really understand. I hope whatever choices I make, they will come to understand as they grow and mature.