I guess with everything else going on I forgot to blog that I can now walk on my foot. Last Friday morning was 4 weeks from my surgery date. That morning Bryan helped me take a few steps. I was nervous because it had been so long and I thought it would hurt. But it really didn't hurt to step on it. The only pain came because my muscles were tight and had to stretch.
Since then, I have been working at getting better at walking. I still limp but that should go away as I relax a bit more with my foot. I'm still tentative but it's getting better. And the incision looks awesome. I'll post a picture later.
So all is well with me. I just have to keep working on loosening up my ankle and muscles and then I will be as good as new.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The Dentist
My kids LOVE their dentist. We have only gone to him twice, but that was enough for them to be won over. And, I have to admit, it's a much better experience than before...not that our old pediatric dentist was bad, this one is just great.
They had appointments yesterday (yeah! they didn't have to miss school). The office is set up like an old west dentist office. The waiting room has a big screen TV and video games. You go through a small, kid-sized door to go into x-rays. Ethan did awesome. Courtney did great after she calmed down from working herself up.
Then they take you into a huge room that has 4 dentist "beds" that are just benches you lay on. Above each "bed" is a flatscreen TV where they put cartoons on for the kids to watch, with headphones for them to listen. And each "bed" can watch a different movie. If a child has to wait in there (like Courtney had to while Ethan was having his teeth cleaned) there are video games, books and toys to play with in the corner.
They both did great with their cleanings. Courtney made sure the hygienist knew what she didn't like (the water squirter) and what she did like (being brushed with a toothbrush and not the "loud twirly thing"). They got to choose their own flavor of toothpaste (both went for orange). The dentist checked them and neither have cavities, although we now know that these are definitely Pack/Hodgson/Oman kids. Courtney is missing her two side teeth and Ethan has one of his side teeth coming in as a "mini tooth." Bryan and I are both missing teeth, so they come by it honestly. Now we get to start saving for braces/veneers/implants. Yeah!!
As a reward for not having any cavities, the dentist gave them each a coupon for a Monster Milkshake at Red Robins, which we used. Job security for the dentist? Absolutely!!
They had appointments yesterday (yeah! they didn't have to miss school). The office is set up like an old west dentist office. The waiting room has a big screen TV and video games. You go through a small, kid-sized door to go into x-rays. Ethan did awesome. Courtney did great after she calmed down from working herself up.
Then they take you into a huge room that has 4 dentist "beds" that are just benches you lay on. Above each "bed" is a flatscreen TV where they put cartoons on for the kids to watch, with headphones for them to listen. And each "bed" can watch a different movie. If a child has to wait in there (like Courtney had to while Ethan was having his teeth cleaned) there are video games, books and toys to play with in the corner.
They both did great with their cleanings. Courtney made sure the hygienist knew what she didn't like (the water squirter) and what she did like (being brushed with a toothbrush and not the "loud twirly thing"). They got to choose their own flavor of toothpaste (both went for orange). The dentist checked them and neither have cavities, although we now know that these are definitely Pack/Hodgson/Oman kids. Courtney is missing her two side teeth and Ethan has one of his side teeth coming in as a "mini tooth." Bryan and I are both missing teeth, so they come by it honestly. Now we get to start saving for braces/veneers/implants. Yeah!!
As a reward for not having any cavities, the dentist gave them each a coupon for a Monster Milkshake at Red Robins, which we used. Job security for the dentist? Absolutely!!
Airplane Ride!
Bryan has a client that offered to take the kids on his airplane. Since they didn't have school on Monday, we figured that was a good time to go. Bryan took them out to the new airport where they went in the backway (to avoid security, hahaha), watched the man get the plane ready, asked tons of questions and then got ready for their ride. Each person had earphones and a microphone (which, you can imagine, was thrilling for Courtney!) so they could talk to each other. They made a big loop around the St. George area (over our house) and then went back to the airport. Courtney and Ethan talked the entire time (well, mostly Courtney) and they had so much fun. It was Courtney's first time on an airplane! When they landed, they stayed at the airport to watch some planes land. They had a blast!
Snow!
It snowed on Sunday morning! The kids were so excited and got on all their snow stuff so they could go out and play in it. Bryan helped Courtney build a snowman and then they had a snowball fight while Ethan got his snow stuff on. Then Ethan and Bryan build a snowman. It snowed through much of Stake Conference but when we came out it was melting. So it was a good thing that the kids played in it early because it was gone early in the afternoon. FUN!!
As you can see, Courtney went for the overkill look on her snow stuff:
As you can see, Courtney went for the overkill look on her snow stuff:
Ethan's Piano Recital
Ethan had a piano recital last week on Thursday. He was really nervous about it but did a great job playing his song. After all the students had played their songs, the teacher presented awards. At the piano evaluation last week, the judge had chosen winners of the older and younger divisions and there were trophies for those awards. But the teacher had chosen one student to give the "Most Improved Student" award to.
Ethan really wanted the trophy for "Most Improved." All the way over to the recital he kept telling me that he was sure he wouldn't get it because "I never win anything!" I told him to be positive but he was sure he wasn't going to win anything. Well, when it was time for awards he was nervous. He wanted the trophy but didn't think he had a chance. Then....his name was called and he won the trophy for the "Most Improved Student." You should have seen the shock on his face!! His teacher handed him the trophy and then had to pose him because he was in shock and couldn't do anything. The audience members were laughing at how hilarious he was. It was cute and he was so excited.
Ethan and his teacher:
Before the recital:
His trophy:
Playing his song:
Here is Ethan playing "Woodpecker's Peckin' Party":
Ethan really wanted the trophy for "Most Improved." All the way over to the recital he kept telling me that he was sure he wouldn't get it because "I never win anything!" I told him to be positive but he was sure he wasn't going to win anything. Well, when it was time for awards he was nervous. He wanted the trophy but didn't think he had a chance. Then....his name was called and he won the trophy for the "Most Improved Student." You should have seen the shock on his face!! His teacher handed him the trophy and then had to pose him because he was in shock and couldn't do anything. The audience members were laughing at how hilarious he was. It was cute and he was so excited.
Ethan and his teacher:
Before the recital:
His trophy:
Playing his song:
Here is Ethan playing "Woodpecker's Peckin' Party":
Monday, February 14, 2011
Ethan here again...
Today we had Valentine's Day. I got beat up by some girls, as usual. We had a party and then passed out the treats. I passed out pencils. I got an Orange Crush soda. It was cool! We did everything as normal and then the last hour of the day we did the party. We made mailboxes to put all the treats in. I got so many treats that my mailbox actually broke! I have almost eaten all my candy. And that is my Valentine's story.
In Honor of Spring Training...
In honor of the beginning of Spring Training, Ethan and I changed the blog background so it's a baseball theme. We should have tried to find a Giants blog background, but we didn't.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day!
We hope you have a great Valentine's Day!!
This is Courtney's card for her classmates (you have to imagine a lollypop in her hand). They turned out well!
This is Ethan's card for his classmates (you have to imagine a pencil attached). He designed this himself with me on the computer. I had them printed as photos at Costco. Fun!
This is Courtney's card for her classmates (you have to imagine a lollypop in her hand). They turned out well!
This is Ethan's card for his classmates (you have to imagine a pencil attached). He designed this himself with me on the computer. I had them printed as photos at Costco. Fun!
My Powerpoint
Hi, Ethan here. I'm making a Powerpoint on the computer. It's about American Bombers (planes). So far I have made a slide about the B-29 Superfortress and the B-52 Stratofortress. I get to pick how long I have my slides. At my school I am making a Powerpoint called "All About Me." I know how to do this so I can pull pictures off the internet and put them on my Powerpoint. I really like it. I got some good pictures about the Bombers. See ya!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Foot Update Again...
I went to the doctor yesterday (my mom drove me up and the roads weren't too bad, just icy in three spots). I was scheduled to see the PA but the doctor wanted to check my foot so I saw him. The nurse pulled my stitches (which Ethan had asked me to bring home to show him, so I did). The doctor then came in and told me that he was surprised by what he found when he went in with the scope to look at my foot/joint. He used the photos they took during the scope to explain what was going on.
Initially, he was going in to clean out a cyst, bone spur, and arthritis (which he found a lot of in the joint). He was also going to look at the cuboid and calcaneus (the calcaneocuboid joint) to see why I have been having pain in that joint for so long. When he put the scope into the joint (which is a rare joint to have scoped and, he believes, the first time it's been scoped in the state of Utah) what he saw was "alarming." Between the joint, where there should be cartilage, there wasn't any on one of the bones. And it was a considerable size of cartilage missing considering the size of the joint
The joints are like a piston in a car. When it's oiled (with cartilage) it slides back and forth really easily without friction. But when there isn't any oil on one part of the piston (the bone I had without cartilage) then it has friction and causes pain. That is what was happening with my joint.
So, in order to promote re-growth of cartilage, the doctor drilled small holes in the bone. But because it was such a large loss of cartilage, what he did was grind down the part of the bone missing cartilage to a point where it won't rub on the corresponding joint on the other side (the one that does have cartilage). Will this fix the problem? In cases where there is such a loss of cartilage, the hope is to grow back 75% of the missing cartilage. But the doctor believes that a joint fusion is in my future (ugh!). He gives is between 1 and 5 years before the pain is back and I will need something done. I firmly believe I can live with a lot of pain, so we're going to see how long I can go. Bone fusion isn't fun and has a really long recovery (6 months on crutches, etc.).
I have to stay off my foot (stay on crutches) until the full 4 weeks after surgery have passed (next Friday). I have to rotate the foot to try and get back my range of motion and I have to massage my scar every night (which is so gross to me for some reason and I think they missed pulling a stitch, ugh). Next Friday, I get to start putting a little pressure on my foot and use one crutch to help me. I will gradually start putting more and more pressure on it and use a cane to help me walk until it gets better. I have another appointment in a month to see the doctor again and he will see if I need physical therapy at that point. I'm hoping I won't need therapy, but we'll see.
It looks like my running days are over. The doctor said I could start running again after 3 months but that it won't help the joint any. So, in order to be able to keep hiking and to prolong the fusion option, I think I'm not going to run, which actually makes me sad. I am really surprised at that because I never got that "runner's high" I just felt exhausted when I ran, but I don't like being told I can't do something even if I only did it to be Bryan's "running buddy." That's probably why I'm sad about it because I did enjoy running with him. But Bryan suggested that I get back swimming (I really need to learn how to swim first) and he wants to buy me a road bike so we can bike together. I'm great with that as long as I can figure out how to swim without drowning and I learn to use the clip-on pedals so I don't fall off the thing.
All in all, I'm glad I had the surgery done so we could see what was wrong with my foot and why I have had pain for so long. But I have also learned a lot in the last few weeks. I didn't realize how many people I interact with in my life. I went to the library on Monday by myself to test out if I could function (in case I had to be on crutches longer, good thing I tested it) and the main librarian-guy who I haven't ever said anything more than "Hi" to, came out from his back office when he saw me to find out what was wrong and wish me well. I have had so many people call to see if there was anything they could do to help. A friend brought a meal in to us, even when we told her we were fine. A man in the ward made me a special crutch (I'm not putting a photo of it on here because I think he should patent it!) that has a ledge to rest my knee on so I only have to use one crutch and have one hand free. He also gave me a cane to use when I get to walk. His wife has brought us loaves of bread, just because. And, when hobbling around Church on Sunday, I had so many people come up and give me hugs and wish me well. But, most of all, I have realized how blessed I am to have Bryan because he has done so much for me and I appreciate him so much. The kids have been great too (fighting over who gets to help me, etc.). I truly am blessed.
Initially, he was going in to clean out a cyst, bone spur, and arthritis (which he found a lot of in the joint). He was also going to look at the cuboid and calcaneus (the calcaneocuboid joint) to see why I have been having pain in that joint for so long. When he put the scope into the joint (which is a rare joint to have scoped and, he believes, the first time it's been scoped in the state of Utah) what he saw was "alarming." Between the joint, where there should be cartilage, there wasn't any on one of the bones. And it was a considerable size of cartilage missing considering the size of the joint
The joints are like a piston in a car. When it's oiled (with cartilage) it slides back and forth really easily without friction. But when there isn't any oil on one part of the piston (the bone I had without cartilage) then it has friction and causes pain. That is what was happening with my joint.
So, in order to promote re-growth of cartilage, the doctor drilled small holes in the bone. But because it was such a large loss of cartilage, what he did was grind down the part of the bone missing cartilage to a point where it won't rub on the corresponding joint on the other side (the one that does have cartilage). Will this fix the problem? In cases where there is such a loss of cartilage, the hope is to grow back 75% of the missing cartilage. But the doctor believes that a joint fusion is in my future (ugh!). He gives is between 1 and 5 years before the pain is back and I will need something done. I firmly believe I can live with a lot of pain, so we're going to see how long I can go. Bone fusion isn't fun and has a really long recovery (6 months on crutches, etc.).
I have to stay off my foot (stay on crutches) until the full 4 weeks after surgery have passed (next Friday). I have to rotate the foot to try and get back my range of motion and I have to massage my scar every night (which is so gross to me for some reason and I think they missed pulling a stitch, ugh). Next Friday, I get to start putting a little pressure on my foot and use one crutch to help me. I will gradually start putting more and more pressure on it and use a cane to help me walk until it gets better. I have another appointment in a month to see the doctor again and he will see if I need physical therapy at that point. I'm hoping I won't need therapy, but we'll see.
It looks like my running days are over. The doctor said I could start running again after 3 months but that it won't help the joint any. So, in order to be able to keep hiking and to prolong the fusion option, I think I'm not going to run, which actually makes me sad. I am really surprised at that because I never got that "runner's high" I just felt exhausted when I ran, but I don't like being told I can't do something even if I only did it to be Bryan's "running buddy." That's probably why I'm sad about it because I did enjoy running with him. But Bryan suggested that I get back swimming (I really need to learn how to swim first) and he wants to buy me a road bike so we can bike together. I'm great with that as long as I can figure out how to swim without drowning and I learn to use the clip-on pedals so I don't fall off the thing.
All in all, I'm glad I had the surgery done so we could see what was wrong with my foot and why I have had pain for so long. But I have also learned a lot in the last few weeks. I didn't realize how many people I interact with in my life. I went to the library on Monday by myself to test out if I could function (in case I had to be on crutches longer, good thing I tested it) and the main librarian-guy who I haven't ever said anything more than "Hi" to, came out from his back office when he saw me to find out what was wrong and wish me well. I have had so many people call to see if there was anything they could do to help. A friend brought a meal in to us, even when we told her we were fine. A man in the ward made me a special crutch (I'm not putting a photo of it on here because I think he should patent it!) that has a ledge to rest my knee on so I only have to use one crutch and have one hand free. He also gave me a cane to use when I get to walk. His wife has brought us loaves of bread, just because. And, when hobbling around Church on Sunday, I had so many people come up and give me hugs and wish me well. But, most of all, I have realized how blessed I am to have Bryan because he has done so much for me and I appreciate him so much. The kids have been great too (fighting over who gets to help me, etc.). I truly am blessed.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Ethan's Guardian Angels
We have decided that Ethan has a a fleet guardian angels watching out for him. On Saturday Bryan and Ethan biked downtown to get Bryan's car from his work (he left it there when I had surgery and has been using the van). It's a 7 mile bike ride. They were doing great and cruising along at about 15 mph (Bryan's estimate). There were three cars parked on the side of the road, two of them were next to the curb but one was about 4 feet out in the road from the curb. Bryan was in front of Ethan, so he didn't see the entire thing, but Ethan somehow didn't clear the third car. He ran right into it, stayed with his bike and ended up with his foot caught under the bike, face first on the ground with his bike behind him and on top of him with his foot caught. And all he got was a little rash on the inside of an elbow!! It was amazing that he wasn't badly hurt. Ethan's only concern was that he had hurt the car, so he felt better when he saw that there wasn't any damage. A bit of his helmet's visor chipped off and his pedal broke, but he was okay.
They continued on to Bryan's work, got the car and went to eat at a restaurant for lunch (Ethan's reward for saving tokens). Ethan ordered a hotdog and took a HUGE bit of it and choked. He panicked and Bryan could tell that he couldn't breathe. Ethan stood up and it releaved it so by the time Bryan gave him a little stomach thrust, the hotdog came right out.
By the time they got back home after their adventure downtown Ethan was pretty upset. He said it was a terrible day but I explained to him how much worse it could have been and that it was a good day. He agreed. I'm just grateful for his guardian angels.
They continued on to Bryan's work, got the car and went to eat at a restaurant for lunch (Ethan's reward for saving tokens). Ethan ordered a hotdog and took a HUGE bit of it and choked. He panicked and Bryan could tell that he couldn't breathe. Ethan stood up and it releaved it so by the time Bryan gave him a little stomach thrust, the hotdog came right out.
By the time they got back home after their adventure downtown Ethan was pretty upset. He said it was a terrible day but I explained to him how much worse it could have been and that it was a good day. He agreed. I'm just grateful for his guardian angels.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Bragging Rights
Ethan asked me this morning where he can "buy" Bragging Rights and "just what are they anyway?" He wants to wallpaper his room with as many "paper Bragging Rights" he can get.
I thought it was cute!
I thought it was cute!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Foot update
Not much going on. Thanks to everyone who has sent well wishes, called or just thought of me.
My foot is doing well. I still can't walk on it but I get the stitches out (YEAH!) on February 8th and they will tell me then if I can walk on it. I certainly hope so because crutches are driving me nuts! The only sore part of my foot is the part that is still numb, which doesn't include the incision. It's puffy at that part too, which is weird, but they told me that "unless your toe turns black or purple, don't worry about it." Okay.
I would include a photo of the incision but it's not that impressive anymore...and it looks just like the picture I already posted. ;)
My foot is doing well. I still can't walk on it but I get the stitches out (YEAH!) on February 8th and they will tell me then if I can walk on it. I certainly hope so because crutches are driving me nuts! The only sore part of my foot is the part that is still numb, which doesn't include the incision. It's puffy at that part too, which is weird, but they told me that "unless your toe turns black or purple, don't worry about it." Okay.
I would include a photo of the incision but it's not that impressive anymore...and it looks just like the picture I already posted. ;)
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