Let the race begin!

So as of right now, we are still planning on moving to Alaska in early May of this year. It just didn't hit me how fast time is moving and how much we have to do between now and then, until I realized Audra was 8 months old last Saturday.

We have so many things to check off our to do list before we even start packing, it's ridiculous. Those of you that are familiar with military moves, this is nothing close to the normal rigmarole that you go through with moving. It's as if a thousand people need to be notified and given a step by step plan on how you're going to get there, what you're taking, who you're taking, where you'll live when you arrive, and so on and so forth. We have to visit all sorts of offices ranging from transportation to EFMP screenings to amending Joe's orders to add Audra and myself on there, it just seems impossible right now. The mountain is way to large to even think about climbing but I know it will all get done... somehow.

As of right now, the things we can accomplish are selling Joe's car, selling extras in a yard sale (old entertainment center, old books, old clothes, etc), getting the taxes filed, and planning the move itself as far as travel plans and Audra's birthday.

AUDRA'S BIRTHDAY. That blows my mind. It feels like it was last week when Audra's birthday was the day that she would first be coming into the world, the first time I would meet my precious baby girl. And now it's a day that we will be celebrating for the rest of our lives as the day she changed our world for the better. My little girl is turning one in 3 months... my sweet, once 9 lbs 5 ounces and 20 and a half inches baby girl. Incredible! We have already started thinking about it and planning it because, well partially because that's just what I do. But mostly because we'll be in the middle of trying to move so we need to plan some kind of party for her before we pack up our lives and head 4000+ miles away. So far the plan is this: we will have a party at a park some where near by, zoo themed (this girl LOVES animals) and will close friends and family. We're going to be making a pit stop in Ohio to see Joe's family, so we'll have another little party for her there too, say between May 12th and 15th. This way everyone will get to participate :)

Audra by the way is crawling! As of about the last week of her 7th month she is working on becoming the master of mobility and doing a fantastic job keeping me on my toes. This girl can go go go! Her little personality (if you can call it little) becomes more pronounced every day. She has started little mimicking games with me and Joe and it's absolutely hilarious. After she's done eating, she'll turn to Joe and wave and laugh, she is definitely going to be a daddy's girl! Zeke and Muffin are being big time tortured by her now since she can move around now. They look at her with this look that Joe calls the "oh crap, it crawls now!" look. Muffin is a big fan of Audra and does just about anything to be near her, and tolerates all the pulling and screeching. Zeke, not so much. He is more of her protector and would rather stand guard or just lay near me. He's 4 years old now, as of January 22nd <3 so he's an old man now!

Speaking of Zeke's birthday, Happy Birthday Zeke Zeke! He is such a big part of our lives, and he is definitely my soul dog. He was my first furbaby and I have a lot of love for my 53 lbs baby! My world would be so different without him, I'm so grateful my mom gave him to me and so grateful he has been my loyal companion these past few years. I insist he live forever.

I've started school, I was apprehensive since we have so much going on right now. I'm only taking two courses though, and one doesn't even require a book! Hooray! There's nothing a college student likes better, except for graduation.

Joe is healing well from his ankle surgery, on Friday they will remove the initial dressing they put on after surgery. He's on strict no weight bearing orders so you can imagine how he's taking that! He's spending most of his time on the couch watching movies, playing xbox, and playing xbox. Baths were a joke in the beginning, but now that he's figured it out they're a little less complicated. I will be glad when he can walk on both feet with at least a cane though! It's been hard keeping things cleaned up around here when he can't really get down on the floor and play with Audra or get his own food. Not that I mind, it's just a lot harder to do all these things with an 8 month old that needs attention too.

For all these challenges and blessings I am grateful though, even though some of them are both! And even though this spring is going to be hectic and super eventful, let the race begin!

Can I Count You In?

This cause is very close to my heart. My grandmother suffers from an illness called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Because of that illness, tons of opportunities have been stolen from her. Since I was 5 years old I have watched her health deteriorate which is so difficult because of the amazing and beautiful woman I know her to be. Please donate to the research that may one day find a cure for her illness. Here is an excerpt from an event I RSVPd to on Facebook, where there are links and explanations for you to follow.
Thanks in advance.

COUNT ME IN

A global event from your own home to WPI

20th of every month
...
Event creators: Maxine Middleton, Vikki Walker, Paul Kayes, Jo Best.

Last month, on 20th December, 4 papers were published in Retrovirology, with a 5th that was a commentary on the other 4, claiming that findings of the retrovirus XMRV were due to contamination by mouse DNA.

The original studies had been in patients with prostate cancer and also Myalgic Encephalomyeltis (also called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in some countries – hence our use of ME/CFS here) and were published after extensive peer-review in the prestigious journal Science in October 2009.

The studies published last month related only to PCR testing – scientists finding XMRV and MLVs had previously warned of the limitations of using only PCR to find XMRV and were already well aware of these risks in research, ensuring that their own results were not affected by contamination.

Greg Towers of The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute stated that XMRV does not cause ME/CFS, a claim that cannot be supported by these “contamination” papers. It was then widely publicised that these papers cast doubt over previous research.

Many of us fear this could have an adverse effect on funds for further biomedical research for ME/CFS and other neuro-immune diseases, and could prevent other scientists from getting involved in this important research, which is of particular interest to patients with ME/CFS, but is also relevant to those with other conditions such as Fibromyalgia, Atypical MS, Autism, Gulf War Syndrome and also some cancers.

The Whittemore Peterson Institute is a non-profit organisation that was set up because the founders' daughter Andrea Whittemore, has Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Their mission is to find a cure for neuro-immune disease and they are leading the way in this cutting edge research.

WPI President, Annette Whittemore, issued the statement here on 4th January 2011 in response to these “contamination papers”: http://www.wpinstitute.org/news/docs/WPI_XMRV_010111.pdf

A retroviral link with ME/CFS was first discovered by Elaine deFreitas 20 years ago but did not gain funding and was dismissed. WPI has itself has been turned down 6 times for research grants from public funds. Many patients are now determined that this will be not be allowed to happen again. We have been left to remain far too sick for far too long and, tragically, many have not lived to see the dawn of this new and exciting avenue of biomedical research.

Patients have had enough of certain researchers and practitioners appearing intent on either ignoring or disputing all research that does not accord with their false belief that ME/CFS is not an organic disease.
ME sufferer Maxine had the idea of using the 20th of each month to donate to the Whittemore Peterson Institute to show our trust and support for the integrity and quality of their ground-breaking scientific research.

We realise that this research may conclude that our disease is not caused by a retrovirus - but until then it is a very plausible explanation for the chronic, on-going nature of the illness and its numerous and varied symptoms, and is not incompatible with other viral involvement in the disease. ME has always been known to be post-infective, hence its alternative name at the World Health Organisation International Classification of Diseases -10 G.93.3 - of Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome (for UK, CFS is annexed to this).

It simply makes sense to us that this vital research continues until definitive answers are found.

Many of us each donating a little each month will add up to a lot and will show how many of us support the work of WPI by helping them to help us.

We believe that this fund-raising campaign will send a powerful message to our governments that we demand high quality biomedical research aimed at confirming - rather than denying - the biological cause of our disease, and will also encourage researchers around the world to go forward with this vital and long-overdue biomedical research.

If you think this campaign is a good idea and would you like to show your support for The Whittemore Peterson Institute for Neuro-Immune Diseases in their mission to find the true cause and a cure for neuro-immune disease then click YES on this event page to say, “COUNT ME IN”.

We are liaising with the WPI for the easiest ways for those of us who wish to make a small monthly donation via credit or debit cards,or PayPal, and we will let you know as soon as the accounting system has been set up and is ready to roll – all donations will be paid directly to the WPI.

If you feel strongly that you want to start donating straight away, then you can donate via the WPI website or the Cure for ME Causes on Facebook: if using PayPal, put COUNT ME IN under "special instructions".

http://www.wpinstitute.org/help/help_donation.html
(no minimum amount)

http://www.causes.com/causes/399439-cure-4-me?m=97969829
(causes has a $10 minimum amount)

With thanks to Angelina and Kelleen at WPI for their help and advice.

Joe's Surgery and the UCC...

At the very crack of dawn this morning, my husband woke me and my daughter up to get ready to leave for the outpatient center where he would be getting his surgery for his ankle. It was originally supposed to be on Tuesday, but because of the ridiculous amount of snow and the inability to cope with the weather on the part of the city of Columbia (and South Carolina as a whole), it was rescheduled for Friday at 6am. The only difference really: a 30 minute drive to Irmo from our house instead of a 10 minute one to Providence hospital. I'm not complaining though, we were very lucky to get it rescheduled so quickly.

We arrived at 5:57am (on the dot!) and Joe went inside to get checked in. I had packed everything up for Audra; diapers, blankets, toys, and the stroller, so that we could be there to wait it out. We waited about 45 minutes to an hour before they took Joe back. I would have loved to be with him while he was in prep for surgery but they prohibited me from going back there because of Audra. Joe's parents arrived about the time they were taking Joe into surgery so I didn't get to see him, but he wasn't nervous when he went back so it was ok I guess.

Joe's parents and I headed back to their hotel for the continental breakfast, unfortunately we didn't get back in time to get the update from the doctor after Joe got out of surgery. Joe was a little perturbed but I was only about 10 minutes late so he got over it. When the nurse brought me back into the recovery area, poor Joe was covered from head to toe in blankets because he was freezing (a side effect of the anesthesia) and very nauseated (also a side effect of the anesthesia). As the nurse began giving me the run down of what they did to his ankle during surgery, how to take care of it, what to be cautious and aware of, and so on, I held a styrofoam cup of ginger-ale and ice chips up to Joe so he could sip on it for comfort.

Joe's mom drove him home so that he would have enough room to spread out and not be fighting with Audra's car seat, or anything for space. I went straight home, but they stopped to pick up Joe's dad and run to get some food for everyone (Joe especially hadn't eaten for almost 24 hours because of the surgery). After grabbing some Wendy's we all vegged out on the couch for a good while. It had been a turbulent morning and few days for everyone I think between the snow, surgery, and traveling for Joe's mom and dad.

Then the real fun began... I made dinner about 6pm and I made pork chops with some salad. Everybody ate it. At about bed time I started feeling some upset stomachness and took a pepto bismol... bad idea. By 1am I was sick as a dog. Joe was still on pain killers so I was basically handing Audra to him so I could go get sick, then she would scream, but he couldn't do anything for her because he is completely reliant on crutches- it was a nightmare.

Finally, Joe called his mom about 4am and she ran right over from the hotel, God bless that woman. She came and held Audra, entertaining her and soothing her while I tried to keep some/any fluids in my body. After failing at that, we loaded up and headed to Fort Jackson's Urgent Care facility.

After three hours, two liters of IV fluids, and some sore muscles later... I was able to go home at least coherent. Thank goodness for Joe's mom, Patti. She helped us out sooo much by helping with Audra and making sure we all had something to eat and drink. Joe's dad stayed with him while we were in the UCC, and that was a big help also.

So here we are, on Tuesday trying to survive the rest of the few weeks that Joe will be stuck on crutches. Hurry up January 25th, this family is ready to be back to 100%!

So far so good!

Well this year is off to a great start! Although Joe's surgery was cancelled because of the ridiculous amount of snow we received, it has been rescheduled for this Friday morning. His mom and dad will be coming down to visit to help with his recovery and post-op which will be nice. He will be in a cast for 4 weeks and I know it's going to drive him nuts! Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers during his surgery on Friday. Send some good vibes our way!

Audra is doing great! Her schedule has been a bit off since we got back from Florida, she's been staying up until 3am and then sleeping until 11 or 12... so Mama is tired!

I start school on the 20th, although I'm apprehensive about my school workload. I might take only two courses so that the move isn't that stressful and plus Audra will be turning one year old this May! It's insane to think about. My little girl is growing so fast and she is such a blessing and a joy to me.

We took some pics of the snow... here you are! I will leave off on this beautiful note :)

January

So Joe's surgery on the 11th is fast approaching, and this new year of 2011 is already going a mile a minute and too fast for me! He is supposed to go in on January 11th at 5:30am and I am not sure how long the procedure will take. They are going to cut the injured ligaments and shorten them, so that they can be tighter (or at least that's how it was explained to me!). Joe will be in a cast for about 4 weeks with a little bit of physical therapy afterward. Hopefully he'll be running and back in tip top shape in no time!

My Aunt MaryWinn passed away Saturday morning. Please pray for her family- her husband, her 3 children and their spouses and children. She was my grandmother's 2nd oldest sister and fought a long hard battle with her health. Those who were with her said she passed peacefully which is all we can really ask for I think.

Audra is having a great time with Joe since he's been on leave. She's reaching for him, asking for him when he walks into the room "da da!!" and associates him completely with playtime. I'm chopped liver compared to daddy(lol). We're still barely doing solids once a week, since she isn't really into them. We're letting her take her time with them, it's her choice. So she's still almost entirely exclusively breastfeeding, which is still just fine with me :)

I'm starting school here again shortly, however I'll be only part time right now since our big move is in May. Between Audra and planning a move over 4000 miles it's plenty on my plate without school, so I'm taking it easy. Audra is a full time job and I love it!

This Moment: Audra and Daddy playing on New Year's Eve

Shortly before going outside to watch the fireworks, Daddy and Audra are having a fun game of "Make Baby Laugh" which is where Joe and I do whatever it takes to make Audra giggle. She loves this game.

Coming to the end of a GREAT year!

I wish I could reflect on this year in its entirety, but Audra is a demanding attention stealer! (lol) SO I will just pick up sort of where I left off with the last blog...

Audra is now 7 months, so close to crawling I'm beginning to think she's just not crawling because she's satisfied with rolling and scooting everywhere! She repeating sounds now and is very playful. Joe and Audra have their own set of different little games they play, it's adorable. Still not eating solids regularly, but she's is doing great and a super healthy girl. Audra was 20 lbs and 26 inches at her last doctor's appointment. She is still in cloth diapers and still exclusively breastfeeding. I'm raising a "crunchy" organic baby (lol).

Joe has had his last check up after his eye surgery, and the doctor says he doesn't need contacts anymore! His eyesight is now 20/15 and he's wearing the sunglasses less and less. Flashes from cameras, sunlight, and bright lights still bother him a bit but he's doing very well after his surgery. As far as work goes, he's been swamped but hopefully that will change here very soon. January 11th is Joe's ankle surgery where they will fix the injury he has there. The orthopedist said that he's going to shorten the ligaments so that they will be tighter, the problem is that the ligaments stretched out when he injured the ankle. Joe will be in a cast for 4 weeks and then probably have physical therapy thereafter. The good news is that he will be totally healed by the time we have to move (lol)! Joe will begin out-processing in March or April, by May 5th we're planning on being packed up and headed out of South Carolina.

Because we will be moving, we're kind of up in the air about Audra's first birthday. We have decided we will be having a party, just probably not at the house because we'll be a boxed up mess here!

As far as things with me go, I am adoring being a mom to Audra. Every day brings it's challenges but twice the rewards and the joy! I'm trying to find more ways to bring our family into a "greener" place. I finished up my first semester at University of Alaska Fairbanks on December 13th, and I love it! I'm looking forward to graduating soon. Unfortunately it will probably be while Joe is deployed but no big deal. Fortunately he's big around for all the big stuff and we're grateful for that!

That's all for now :) From the Orders' Family have a safe and Happy New Year!