Tuesday, May 21, 2013
2012 Toledo Crash VS. Toledo Rockets
Hi all,
As I was looking for the April 21, 2013 game video / news piece to post, I found this 2012 video that I personally had never viewed before!
Blessings:-)
Amy
Thursday, May 9, 2013
We're Back!
Hi all,
I don't even know where to start as it has been so long since my past post! Thank you for anyone still reading this for your patience! As you may know if you've read my previous post, I've been ill this past year (actually before that even) and if I am going to be totally honest, it has really been a horrible year with my recovery. Hey, I want to be truthful and not just "put a socially acceptable mask" on what I write. I've always done that in a sense, at least in my personal life, "put a positive face" on (for lots of reasons) and tried to hide the truth about the tough stuff or keep it to myself and with all that has happened, I just have no desire to do that anymore. I want to continue to keep a positive attitude as much as possible, but I'm human. So, here is the update. I am doing a lot better but still working on my recovery. I still have a lot to do physically. I will be on my antibiotics for the rest of this month and then off of them for the first time in a year and have to get blood work every three weeks until the end of the year. I will probably at some time need another back surgery but I hope not anytime soon. Pain-wise, I am in constant pain between my back and Fibromyalgia and the only way my back pain will improve will probably be with surgery but it is not a 100% guarantee per my neurosurgeon and so I am going to try physical therapy and acupuncture which I am starting soon. I still have open wounds on my feet from Hilton Head (June 2011) burns on the beach on my feet, so that has kept me from doing the PT and more before now as well as pain and side effects from meds. I am weaning off of other meds too for pain and seizure meds, etc. but am having a hard time with that too. I am much more alert than I've been since last May when I went into the hospital, and I like that! I hate feeling "drugged up" and sedated. I have decided to go see a counselor/therapist too and am in the process of looking for one. I have no shame in sharing this, nor should I. Let's me honest.....being sick for so long, almost losing my life last May, being in constant pain, having to burden my family and loved ones with taking care of me and everything else (the house, meals, the pets) which makes me feel really guilty and badly and has caused a lot of issues, well, all of this has made me depressed. One more thing I need to deal with and I am going to do just that. I realize that I am not a "super woman" like some women are, I am just human and don't want to be a burden anymore, so I know I need help!! I am actually looking forward to the trying acupuncture, PT when I can, and talking to a counselor or therapist who can help me figure out where to start and go from here! Having shared all of that, these are the reasons I have not written or posted or kept on on Facebook or e-mail for some time now.
Team Hyndman has had a lot of things going on since my last post!!! We have a new addition to our family! Over the holidays/New Years, we got a new puppy, Olive Lou Hyndman. She is now 6 months old and is a Boston Terrier like our Oreo was. She is so fun, full of love, and a spit-fire! We love her and she keeps us busy!! Ozzie and Charger love her too.
Nick just finished his second year at The University of Toledo and is still a business major and wants to minor in Disability Studies. He's been busy this year with The Toledo Crash (wheelchair football team) and they played at Lourdes College and again against The University of Toledo football team and The Crash won and Nick got MVP for the game! They were on the news, which I'll post on here soon. He's been writing more music and recently spoke for a local school district in Findlay, Ohio for a disability awareness expo.
Isabella has been enjoying 7th grade, band and choir at school and she took the year off of dance this year and I'm not sure how she feels about that. I think she is trying to figure out what she wants to do, be social, get good grades, and be a 13 year old girl! She is still even more of an animal lover and such a big help to everyone in the family! She loves to cook, and cooks a lot of meals and bakes a lot. She's always thinking of others, doing things for others, and is not worried (at all) about being "popular" or self-centered like a lot of girls her age seem to be. She's super sensitive, which I think is one of her best qualities, and with maturity and experience, this will serve her and the world very well. It's hard to be so sensitive at her age though. She takes after me so I remember what that was like at that age. (ugh!)
A lot has happened with my Mom and Dad since my last post. (PaPa and NaNa Jagel) They just had to put their almost 12 year-old dog, Johnnie, to sleep this past week which was really sad for everyone. He had been my sister's dog, then my Mom and Dad's and he was very sick with cancer. The biggest news is that my Mom is a match for my Dad for a kidney. (I'm not up to writing all of the correct medical terms right now....) They are signed up at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. My Mom is having a tough time as she has to get off of her meds for Fibromyalgia so she's in a great deal of pain and is in the process of getting all of the tests needed to be able to donate her kidney to my Dad. I must admit, I have mixed feeling about it all because I worry about them both, but we are just here to love and support them in any way we can. We could still use prayers for them. My Dad is still on dialysis of course and is still helping Nick out as his home health care aide too. (wow!!!) He's still doing things for other people all the time even while in dialysis! My Mom is taking a leave from work with everything going on and how she's been feeling lately getting off of her meds, etc.
We were also sad that Greg's Granny Luther died this year. The kids called her "Great Granny" and when Bella was little she called her "Aunt Granny":-) It's sad because we think of Granny and PaPa at our wedding almost 23 years ago, Granny's wonderful cooking (her famous sweet potatoes and salads........) Things will never be the same without them but they are now together in heaven.
I believe I've covered the "major" happenings with Team Hyndman since our last post. Again, I hope to post more regularly and get caught up on some pictures soon too. (fingers crossed!)
Blessings:-)
Amy
PaPa Jagel and Nick @ UT vs. Crash Game
I don't even know where to start as it has been so long since my past post! Thank you for anyone still reading this for your patience! As you may know if you've read my previous post, I've been ill this past year (actually before that even) and if I am going to be totally honest, it has really been a horrible year with my recovery. Hey, I want to be truthful and not just "put a socially acceptable mask" on what I write. I've always done that in a sense, at least in my personal life, "put a positive face" on (for lots of reasons) and tried to hide the truth about the tough stuff or keep it to myself and with all that has happened, I just have no desire to do that anymore. I want to continue to keep a positive attitude as much as possible, but I'm human. So, here is the update. I am doing a lot better but still working on my recovery. I still have a lot to do physically. I will be on my antibiotics for the rest of this month and then off of them for the first time in a year and have to get blood work every three weeks until the end of the year. I will probably at some time need another back surgery but I hope not anytime soon. Pain-wise, I am in constant pain between my back and Fibromyalgia and the only way my back pain will improve will probably be with surgery but it is not a 100% guarantee per my neurosurgeon and so I am going to try physical therapy and acupuncture which I am starting soon. I still have open wounds on my feet from Hilton Head (June 2011) burns on the beach on my feet, so that has kept me from doing the PT and more before now as well as pain and side effects from meds. I am weaning off of other meds too for pain and seizure meds, etc. but am having a hard time with that too. I am much more alert than I've been since last May when I went into the hospital, and I like that! I hate feeling "drugged up" and sedated. I have decided to go see a counselor/therapist too and am in the process of looking for one. I have no shame in sharing this, nor should I. Let's me honest.....being sick for so long, almost losing my life last May, being in constant pain, having to burden my family and loved ones with taking care of me and everything else (the house, meals, the pets) which makes me feel really guilty and badly and has caused a lot of issues, well, all of this has made me depressed. One more thing I need to deal with and I am going to do just that. I realize that I am not a "super woman" like some women are, I am just human and don't want to be a burden anymore, so I know I need help!! I am actually looking forward to the trying acupuncture, PT when I can, and talking to a counselor or therapist who can help me figure out where to start and go from here! Having shared all of that, these are the reasons I have not written or posted or kept on on Facebook or e-mail for some time now.
Team Hyndman has had a lot of things going on since my last post!!! We have a new addition to our family! Over the holidays/New Years, we got a new puppy, Olive Lou Hyndman. She is now 6 months old and is a Boston Terrier like our Oreo was. She is so fun, full of love, and a spit-fire! We love her and she keeps us busy!! Ozzie and Charger love her too.
Nick just finished his second year at The University of Toledo and is still a business major and wants to minor in Disability Studies. He's been busy this year with The Toledo Crash (wheelchair football team) and they played at Lourdes College and again against The University of Toledo football team and The Crash won and Nick got MVP for the game! They were on the news, which I'll post on here soon. He's been writing more music and recently spoke for a local school district in Findlay, Ohio for a disability awareness expo.
Isabella has been enjoying 7th grade, band and choir at school and she took the year off of dance this year and I'm not sure how she feels about that. I think she is trying to figure out what she wants to do, be social, get good grades, and be a 13 year old girl! She is still even more of an animal lover and such a big help to everyone in the family! She loves to cook, and cooks a lot of meals and bakes a lot. She's always thinking of others, doing things for others, and is not worried (at all) about being "popular" or self-centered like a lot of girls her age seem to be. She's super sensitive, which I think is one of her best qualities, and with maturity and experience, this will serve her and the world very well. It's hard to be so sensitive at her age though. She takes after me so I remember what that was like at that age. (ugh!)
A lot has happened with my Mom and Dad since my last post. (PaPa and NaNa Jagel) They just had to put their almost 12 year-old dog, Johnnie, to sleep this past week which was really sad for everyone. He had been my sister's dog, then my Mom and Dad's and he was very sick with cancer. The biggest news is that my Mom is a match for my Dad for a kidney. (I'm not up to writing all of the correct medical terms right now....) They are signed up at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. My Mom is having a tough time as she has to get off of her meds for Fibromyalgia so she's in a great deal of pain and is in the process of getting all of the tests needed to be able to donate her kidney to my Dad. I must admit, I have mixed feeling about it all because I worry about them both, but we are just here to love and support them in any way we can. We could still use prayers for them. My Dad is still on dialysis of course and is still helping Nick out as his home health care aide too. (wow!!!) He's still doing things for other people all the time even while in dialysis! My Mom is taking a leave from work with everything going on and how she's been feeling lately getting off of her meds, etc.
We were also sad that Greg's Granny Luther died this year. The kids called her "Great Granny" and when Bella was little she called her "Aunt Granny":-) It's sad because we think of Granny and PaPa at our wedding almost 23 years ago, Granny's wonderful cooking (her famous sweet potatoes and salads........) Things will never be the same without them but they are now together in heaven.
I believe I've covered the "major" happenings with Team Hyndman since our last post. Again, I hope to post more regularly and get caught up on some pictures soon too. (fingers crossed!)
Blessings:-)
Amy
Our puppy Olive Lou Hyndman
(I love you Olive Lou)
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Feeling Thankful
Hi all,
We hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! We spent the holiday with family and it had a lot of meaning to us this year. Since my illness and hospitalization this year, every event that happens, I can't help but thinking, "I may not have been here for this" because my doctors told me if I had waited to go to the hospital, I truly may not have survived and it hit us hard. Not to be "gloomy" but when you come close to death, it changes your perspective on everything and I am more aware of what is important to me. MOST important is FAMILY! We just really felt more grateful than ever to be together.
Since my last post, Isabella has had choir and band concerts and Nick has had football. We all went through colds/coughs sickness, as it is that time of year and it always seems to make the rounds in our house. We are missing Oreo so much and are considering getting a rescue dog but are taking our time to make sure we are ready. My Mom and Dad adopted the most perfect dog, Benjamin, from Planned Pethood and he is wonderful and now their other dog Johnnie has a buddy to play with! My Dad is on dialysis three days a week at the dialysis center. We all went together (my Mom, sister, brother, and us) to get him an IPad for his birthday this month to use at dialysis as he is there for so many hours per week, to watch movies, listen to music, read, etc. He has already used it and we just gave it to him last week! We also went with him for his birthday as a family to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (did I spell that right?). It was really an amazing concert! We loved it. The kids are just busy with school and Nick is getting ready for finals in a few weeks and has lots of papers to type.
Nick types all of his papers with one finger due to his CP. This is what works best for him after YEARS of occupational therapy and we even bought Dragon Naturally Speaking software which didn't work because of Nick's speech impediment due to his CP. We've found it takes him much more time to have us write for him as he dictates. It's frustrating for him. So, this is what he does and we are proud of him because it is VERY time consuming and physically exhausting for him to type papers. It takes up all of his time to complete his college work and we're amazed at his determination!
Still no resolution to the lack of a PCA for school and family still goes with him. Still no progress with social life for Nick but we have not been able to work on these issues with him because of my illness and ongoing recovery which has been slow. We feel really overwhelmed and badly as parents that we can't address these issues more right now and hope to be able to work in these issues with Nick, try to find solutions for him and help this next year. We're still in kind of a "do the bare minimum to get through" mode while I'm recovering and the kids and Greg have to concentrate on school and work. Again, I feel so guilty about this but I know they are glad I'm "still around", so it's just what we have to do for now. I feel like screaming "help!" I mean, we need help to make progress or figure these issues out. I cry myself to sleep over Nick's feeling lonely, etc. many nights a week and worry that we haven't done enough to prepare him for independence or what the future holds for him. I am afraid of what the future holds sometimes, yet I know Nick will do great and as a family, we can help him get to where he wants to be but we just don't have all the answers.......and I feel we've been talking about this, worrying about this, trying everything since Jr. High and he's still experiencing this degree of social isolation and lack of "getting out there". Also, Nick just doesn't put himself out there often because he's said he's gotten hurt so many times, made fun of, rejected, etc., that he doesn't put himself out there as a means of protecting himself. This is an ongoing discussion we have with hi, believe me! Well, I guess we'll have to just keep on "keeping on" and as I continue to get better physically, we hope to be able to get back to addressing some of these issues.
One last new development, bathing has been a problem, unsafe for Nick and us who are unable to lift him, We've had bars and a shower chair for years but we still have lots of slips, falls, bruises. So, we are getting a "walk-in tub" this month because we hope it will be a safer option for Nick and easier for anyone helping him when he needs it and he prefers to be as independent as possible with bathing, but still needs help with shaving, etc. So, the bathroom will be under construction for awhile this coming month but we hope this is a good solution for Nick and he'll be able to have a whirlpool tub which will help with his constant muscle soreness and pain. Nick has said always that the only time he's really not in pain is when he's in the water, so he may be able to "soak" his muscles in this tub instead of using a shower chair where he gets cold and then his muscles get "rigid and stiff" and painful. We'll see.............................
Also, thanks to everyone who joins us on Facebook, which we can share a little more info. on. We get several other bloggers with CP who share their blog info. on our FB page. So, check it out if you're on Facebook.
Blessings:-)
Amy
We hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! We spent the holiday with family and it had a lot of meaning to us this year. Since my illness and hospitalization this year, every event that happens, I can't help but thinking, "I may not have been here for this" because my doctors told me if I had waited to go to the hospital, I truly may not have survived and it hit us hard. Not to be "gloomy" but when you come close to death, it changes your perspective on everything and I am more aware of what is important to me. MOST important is FAMILY! We just really felt more grateful than ever to be together.
Since my last post, Isabella has had choir and band concerts and Nick has had football. We all went through colds/coughs sickness, as it is that time of year and it always seems to make the rounds in our house. We are missing Oreo so much and are considering getting a rescue dog but are taking our time to make sure we are ready. My Mom and Dad adopted the most perfect dog, Benjamin, from Planned Pethood and he is wonderful and now their other dog Johnnie has a buddy to play with! My Dad is on dialysis three days a week at the dialysis center. We all went together (my Mom, sister, brother, and us) to get him an IPad for his birthday this month to use at dialysis as he is there for so many hours per week, to watch movies, listen to music, read, etc. He has already used it and we just gave it to him last week! We also went with him for his birthday as a family to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (did I spell that right?). It was really an amazing concert! We loved it. The kids are just busy with school and Nick is getting ready for finals in a few weeks and has lots of papers to type.
Nick types all of his papers with one finger due to his CP. This is what works best for him after YEARS of occupational therapy and we even bought Dragon Naturally Speaking software which didn't work because of Nick's speech impediment due to his CP. We've found it takes him much more time to have us write for him as he dictates. It's frustrating for him. So, this is what he does and we are proud of him because it is VERY time consuming and physically exhausting for him to type papers. It takes up all of his time to complete his college work and we're amazed at his determination!
Still no resolution to the lack of a PCA for school and family still goes with him. Still no progress with social life for Nick but we have not been able to work on these issues with him because of my illness and ongoing recovery which has been slow. We feel really overwhelmed and badly as parents that we can't address these issues more right now and hope to be able to work in these issues with Nick, try to find solutions for him and help this next year. We're still in kind of a "do the bare minimum to get through" mode while I'm recovering and the kids and Greg have to concentrate on school and work. Again, I feel so guilty about this but I know they are glad I'm "still around", so it's just what we have to do for now. I feel like screaming "help!" I mean, we need help to make progress or figure these issues out. I cry myself to sleep over Nick's feeling lonely, etc. many nights a week and worry that we haven't done enough to prepare him for independence or what the future holds for him. I am afraid of what the future holds sometimes, yet I know Nick will do great and as a family, we can help him get to where he wants to be but we just don't have all the answers.......and I feel we've been talking about this, worrying about this, trying everything since Jr. High and he's still experiencing this degree of social isolation and lack of "getting out there". Also, Nick just doesn't put himself out there often because he's said he's gotten hurt so many times, made fun of, rejected, etc., that he doesn't put himself out there as a means of protecting himself. This is an ongoing discussion we have with hi, believe me! Well, I guess we'll have to just keep on "keeping on" and as I continue to get better physically, we hope to be able to get back to addressing some of these issues.
One last new development, bathing has been a problem, unsafe for Nick and us who are unable to lift him, We've had bars and a shower chair for years but we still have lots of slips, falls, bruises. So, we are getting a "walk-in tub" this month because we hope it will be a safer option for Nick and easier for anyone helping him when he needs it and he prefers to be as independent as possible with bathing, but still needs help with shaving, etc. So, the bathroom will be under construction for awhile this coming month but we hope this is a good solution for Nick and he'll be able to have a whirlpool tub which will help with his constant muscle soreness and pain. Nick has said always that the only time he's really not in pain is when he's in the water, so he may be able to "soak" his muscles in this tub instead of using a shower chair where he gets cold and then his muscles get "rigid and stiff" and painful. We'll see.............................
Also, thanks to everyone who joins us on Facebook, which we can share a little more info. on. We get several other bloggers with CP who share their blog info. on our FB page. So, check it out if you're on Facebook.
Blessings:-)
Amy
Friday, October 5, 2012
We're Still Here!
Hi all,
It's been almost four months since my last post as I've been concentrating on my recovery and working on getting my health back. (see my last post for details if you don't know what I'm talking about! :-) ) I am slowly and steadily getting better. The doctors said it could take up to a year to get the infection completely out of my spine as it is in the discs. I am no longer having to use a walker unless it is for longer distances, and I now have to work on getting my strength and stamina back! The worst part for me is the side effects of the strong antibiotics and seizure meds, as well as the pain meds I am on. I am not able to drive yet so it's a bit difficult on my family as I have to depend on them for rides, etc. Top be honest, I feel like a burden to them but I am grateful to be alive. I just have to keep my thoughts positive. I am so grateful to my family and friends for their prayers, cards, help, etc.
A lot has happened in the past four months. A few highlights:
Finally, my Dad, "PaPa Jagel" to the kids, has been struggling with kidney failure and is beginning dialysis and is on the list for a kidney transplant. He has been Nick's home health care aide for years not which has been good for him and for us. He's still doing it but we are just taking that week by week too. The most important thing is his health and we are aware we may have to make other arrangements if/when he is not able to do it, but we don't know when or if that will be and we just want him to be healthy and well! So, we are asking for prayers for my Dad, Jim Jagel, and are greatly appreciative for the prayers he's been receiving from our friends and family! Please continue to pray for him and his good health! Thank you! :-)
That is it for now. I'm sure I probably left something out but I've hit the "major" developments with Team Hyndman since my last post. I probably won't be posting as much as I used to for awhile, while I am continuing to get better and I am starting physical therapy soon. I will make an effort to post as much as I can though and not let so much time go by. There are so many "disability" issues with Nick I'd like to touch on that we are facing with him in college, trying to get his social security benefits straightened out (such a mess since I've been sick and was unable to deal with it like I should have!-UGH!!!!!!), etc. I will write about those things when I can. Also, Nick has a new song he put together on YouTube, which I'll have to get the info. for a post it. He still loves to write songs and express himself through music.
If anyone is actually still reading this blog, thank you for hanging in there with us! We appreciate the support!
Blessings:-)
Amy
It's been almost four months since my last post as I've been concentrating on my recovery and working on getting my health back. (see my last post for details if you don't know what I'm talking about! :-) ) I am slowly and steadily getting better. The doctors said it could take up to a year to get the infection completely out of my spine as it is in the discs. I am no longer having to use a walker unless it is for longer distances, and I now have to work on getting my strength and stamina back! The worst part for me is the side effects of the strong antibiotics and seizure meds, as well as the pain meds I am on. I am not able to drive yet so it's a bit difficult on my family as I have to depend on them for rides, etc. Top be honest, I feel like a burden to them but I am grateful to be alive. I just have to keep my thoughts positive. I am so grateful to my family and friends for their prayers, cards, help, etc.
A lot has happened in the past four months. A few highlights:
- Nick turned 19 in August and is in his second year of college at the University of Toledo. He is thinking about changing his major (more on that later) and we are struggling with needing a personal care assistant to help him with physical tasks at school that he is unable to do on his own. So far, no luck. We are taking it, literally, week by week and basically my husband, Greg, my Dad and Greg's Mom have taken him and taken notes, etc. for him. It's stressful for us but he's worth it. We have no idea yet how this will be resolved, if it will at all. Nick is playing wheelchair football again with the Toledo Crash.
- Isabella turned 13 in September and is in 7th grade. She is still in band and several other activities at school. She decided to take this year off of dance. We are a bit sad about it as she has been dancing for the past 7 years and she loves it but she feels it's too much with her school activities and homework and to be honest, we are having trouble getting her there as I cannot drive yet and Nick is in school and we rely on us and family to be with him when he is. Isabella made the decision though, having nothing to do with that. We hope she'll decide to pick it up again next year and if not, finds something else she is passionate about. She's a bit of a perfectionist and we are working on this with her. She wants to do everything perfectly and this puts a lot of pressure on her. We went to Kalahari Resort (a local indoor water park we've been to many times before and we just love) this past weekend to celebrate her "13th" birthday (we went up to Lake Michigan for Nick's 13th) and we had a blast. It was a much needed time away as family without stress. I couldn't do a lot of the things I would normally do but I did the wave pool and lazy river and was "there" with them. Greg and the kids were a little more adventurous and had so much fun. I was able to get a lot of rest. It was just a really nice time. I kept thinking to myself, as I do often now, I came close to not being here for "this" and was so grateful just to be there with Greg and the kids. I have many moments like that now.
- Sadly, our 11 year-old boston terrier (our first family dog), got very sick with cushings disease and the medications we tried for his treatment didn't work. He went downhill very quickly and it was painful to watch, so we had to put him to sleep in August. We were (still are to be honest) heart broken. It was so hard to watch the kids go through that as well as our two other dogs really miss him.
Finally, my Dad, "PaPa Jagel" to the kids, has been struggling with kidney failure and is beginning dialysis and is on the list for a kidney transplant. He has been Nick's home health care aide for years not which has been good for him and for us. He's still doing it but we are just taking that week by week too. The most important thing is his health and we are aware we may have to make other arrangements if/when he is not able to do it, but we don't know when or if that will be and we just want him to be healthy and well! So, we are asking for prayers for my Dad, Jim Jagel, and are greatly appreciative for the prayers he's been receiving from our friends and family! Please continue to pray for him and his good health! Thank you! :-)
That is it for now. I'm sure I probably left something out but I've hit the "major" developments with Team Hyndman since my last post. I probably won't be posting as much as I used to for awhile, while I am continuing to get better and I am starting physical therapy soon. I will make an effort to post as much as I can though and not let so much time go by. There are so many "disability" issues with Nick I'd like to touch on that we are facing with him in college, trying to get his social security benefits straightened out (such a mess since I've been sick and was unable to deal with it like I should have!-UGH!!!!!!), etc. I will write about those things when I can. Also, Nick has a new song he put together on YouTube, which I'll have to get the info. for a post it. He still loves to write songs and express himself through music.
If anyone is actually still reading this blog, thank you for hanging in there with us! We appreciate the support!
Blessings:-)
Amy
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Thank You Everyone
Hi all,
I (Amy) am home from Toledo Hospital as of yesterday. I was there for 20 days, in the ICU and then a step-down ICU. I want to thank everyone, my family and friends, for all of your support, prayers, cards, visits, etc. I can tell you that is what helped me get through this so far and I have so much love and gratitude for all of you! I want to tell you that I have learned something FOR SURE. I can say that I am 100% sure that whenever a bad thing happens to you in life, a challenge, whatever, there is always a lesson and/or gift that comes with it. I actually learned this a long time ago. Most of the time, you don't always see it or understand it until much later, but in my case this time, I already see it and am so grateful all of this happened to me. According to my doctors, I may not be there to tell you this if this hadn't happened and we didn't find out about this infection in my body. When I went in 20 days ago, I had injured my back ( a common thing with me) and I had sepsis, a staph infection in my spine and blood stream. They operated on my spine and found the staph infection in my discs of my spine and there was an area, mass that was hardened, gel-like, which indicated the infection had probably been there a long time and was spreading. It did spread to several other areas in my spine but they got a lot out during surgery. To back up a little, when I was 14 on a youth group trip, I dove into a sandbar and cracked my spine in several areas, just something I've lived with, "no big deal". It became a degenerative condition and over each decade seemed to get worse, the back pain and ease of injuring my back. I was used to it and often just dismissed it. The day I went into the hospital, I was lifting something and thought I pulled a muscle in my back as I had done so many times before, but the pain was greater than anything I had EVER experienced (from back pain or natural childbirth, nothing was as bad as this!) and I went to the ER. Within 2 hours, my fever was 102 and they transferred my to ICU and the tests began and found the infection and led to the surgery, etc. The doctors (infectious disease dr., neurosurgeon, neurologist) feel the infection was probably there for a long time, either from 2 years ago when I broke my ankle and had surgery or last year in June when I burned the bottoms of my feet, second degree burns, which are still not healed as of today. ( I have not felt the bottom of my feet for over ten years due to my spinal injury from that dive at 14) They feel we won't know but it was likely one of those two events when this infection entered my body and landed on my spine, in the discs. So, had this not happened, we may not have caught this in time and the outcome could have been much worse AND with the surgery they did to release the nerves and discs (to be able to clean out the infection in my discs!), I will likely have a great deal of relief in my back pain for the first time in a very long time if all goes as they feel it will over the next year. I have a nurse coming to the house daily to give me my antibiotics and other meds through my PICC line and to take care of my PICC line for 8 weeks and then after that, I'll be on antibiotics for the next year to make sure we get rid of this infection. I have to follow up with my doctors in the next 2-4 weeks and another MRI next month to monitor the infection, etc. At some point, I'll have PT too. So, it will be a journey over the next year to heal but I don't mind at all! I am just so happy to have this opportunity to finally feel better and heal. It's been a bit frustrating over the past 2 years, being sick and not knowing exactly what was causing all of it, kind of attributing it to this or that, nothing helping. Now, I finally know what as going on and can heal my feet, my back, my body overall! So, when I say I'm grateful, I REALLY MEAN IT from the bottom of my heart! I can see God's hand in this and the love and support I've received from everyone just reaffirms for me what is most important in my life. I am going to work hard to heal and again, thank you!
Love,
Amy (and Team Hyndman)
I (Amy) am home from Toledo Hospital as of yesterday. I was there for 20 days, in the ICU and then a step-down ICU. I want to thank everyone, my family and friends, for all of your support, prayers, cards, visits, etc. I can tell you that is what helped me get through this so far and I have so much love and gratitude for all of you! I want to tell you that I have learned something FOR SURE. I can say that I am 100% sure that whenever a bad thing happens to you in life, a challenge, whatever, there is always a lesson and/or gift that comes with it. I actually learned this a long time ago. Most of the time, you don't always see it or understand it until much later, but in my case this time, I already see it and am so grateful all of this happened to me. According to my doctors, I may not be there to tell you this if this hadn't happened and we didn't find out about this infection in my body. When I went in 20 days ago, I had injured my back ( a common thing with me) and I had sepsis, a staph infection in my spine and blood stream. They operated on my spine and found the staph infection in my discs of my spine and there was an area, mass that was hardened, gel-like, which indicated the infection had probably been there a long time and was spreading. It did spread to several other areas in my spine but they got a lot out during surgery. To back up a little, when I was 14 on a youth group trip, I dove into a sandbar and cracked my spine in several areas, just something I've lived with, "no big deal". It became a degenerative condition and over each decade seemed to get worse, the back pain and ease of injuring my back. I was used to it and often just dismissed it. The day I went into the hospital, I was lifting something and thought I pulled a muscle in my back as I had done so many times before, but the pain was greater than anything I had EVER experienced (from back pain or natural childbirth, nothing was as bad as this!) and I went to the ER. Within 2 hours, my fever was 102 and they transferred my to ICU and the tests began and found the infection and led to the surgery, etc. The doctors (infectious disease dr., neurosurgeon, neurologist) feel the infection was probably there for a long time, either from 2 years ago when I broke my ankle and had surgery or last year in June when I burned the bottoms of my feet, second degree burns, which are still not healed as of today. ( I have not felt the bottom of my feet for over ten years due to my spinal injury from that dive at 14) They feel we won't know but it was likely one of those two events when this infection entered my body and landed on my spine, in the discs. So, had this not happened, we may not have caught this in time and the outcome could have been much worse AND with the surgery they did to release the nerves and discs (to be able to clean out the infection in my discs!), I will likely have a great deal of relief in my back pain for the first time in a very long time if all goes as they feel it will over the next year. I have a nurse coming to the house daily to give me my antibiotics and other meds through my PICC line and to take care of my PICC line for 8 weeks and then after that, I'll be on antibiotics for the next year to make sure we get rid of this infection. I have to follow up with my doctors in the next 2-4 weeks and another MRI next month to monitor the infection, etc. At some point, I'll have PT too. So, it will be a journey over the next year to heal but I don't mind at all! I am just so happy to have this opportunity to finally feel better and heal. It's been a bit frustrating over the past 2 years, being sick and not knowing exactly what was causing all of it, kind of attributing it to this or that, nothing helping. Now, I finally know what as going on and can heal my feet, my back, my body overall! So, when I say I'm grateful, I REALLY MEAN IT from the bottom of my heart! I can see God's hand in this and the love and support I've received from everyone just reaffirms for me what is most important in my life. I am going to work hard to heal and again, thank you!
Love,
Amy (and Team Hyndman)
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