Vials of blood, hospital stay, biopsies and millions of prayers

Sunday night the 4th of October, after Alin's parents left we took the kids to Mooney's Bay to play in the sand.  I had a long maxi dress and hoodie on and laid in the sand for a few minutes than kept sitting while they played.  It was a beautiful night and the kids were excited to be playing.  We also dragged Alin along.  After a while we went home, put kids to bed and while I was lying in Abbie's bed I could feel my leg getting itchy.  After everyone was asleep I got up and went to have a shower, as I hoped out of the shower I noticed I had hives all over my lower right calf, up to my thigh and all across my tummy.  Showed Alin and decided I would call our Dr. in the morning.

Monday morning instead of waiting for the office to open I just drove there and waited to see her by this time there were more and covering more territory.  When she examined me she concluded that it was an allergic reaction and sent me home telling me to get some Benedryl and Reactine. I started on them right away and noticed the itching got a little better but the hives were now traveling up my arms, other legs, back. 

Monday night Josh Dugan and Brother Healge came over to give me a blessing ( In Josh's blessing he said that I would return to health but the doctor and doctors would be able to figure out, I remember thinking Dr.s? I just want to go to one and be fixed)  Wednesday I went back in, it was taking on a different look and was starting to turn purple in the middle of the areas, she thought it was a little different and sent me for a ton of blood tests and then I came home. 

Thursday my legs started swelling, saw her again and had her colleague give a second opinion.  Friday I went again and she took pictures and referred me to Monfort Hospital to see a dermatologist.  Saturday was Abbie's birthday party and I didn't want to cancel it for her so we had a great time and I will post in a separate post about it.  Alin's parents were back again this weekend for Thanksgiving and Abbie's Birthday party. Saturday evening I developed a fever and Dr. Rodrigue had told me if that happened to go to the emergency room.  So Sunday morning found me in the emergency room and a waste of time as they gave me a Rx for steroids but I wasn't supposed to take them till after my biopsy on Tuesday.  Thanksgiving was a right off for us, Alin's parents made it but I just couldn't get into the holiday and I was feeling super stressed and sick.  Alin's parents left on Monday and on Tuesday Alin took off work so I could go to the hospital for the biopsy.  I stopped first at Dr. Rodrigue for her to take another look and collect some info and blood work results to take to Dr. Julie Lacroix.  By this time it's been 9 days since everything started, my body is covered everywhere, except for my face.  So people talk to me and have no idea how awful the rest of me feels because I don't look unwell in my face.  I sat down at the hospital waiting for my visit and laid on the couch, I was exhausted, worried and feeling horrible, my legs are so swollen, red and hot in the thighs and hives have shown up on the palms of my hands, feet and everywhere.  She pulled me into the room, talked to me for a bit and then was thinking they would do a quick biopsy, she then asked me to take off my clothes, put on a robe and then she would come back in.  When she came back in she took one look at me and said "we are admitting you" Words like Steven Johnsons disease, EM major, Em minor, and a plethora of other things were thrown around.  I was shocked I never expected them to admit me right then.  I hadn't even properly kissed the kids and Alin good bye or packed anything.  In fact I had a half eaten apple in Alin's car because I was going to finish it when I got out.  I started to cry, this is not where I was wanting to be.  Called Alin and explained and then waited for a room.  That night they did a chest xray, started me on drugs to shut my immune system down, put a sign over my bed that said Cytoxin and I was overwhelmed, scared, missing my family and worried.  It seems no one knows what it is but are starting at the worse case scenerio's. 

Dan McAteer and Josh Dugan came over to the hospital again to give me another blessing. When Bishop Dan asked me how I was I burst into tears, it's the not knowing that's driving me crazy and being away from my family. Part of the blessing was that I would be calm and return to health that I would trust in the doctors that they would do the best in their expertise. Everyone left soon after that and I could feel myself fall apart. I dislike immensely being alone. I have never liked it. The lady next door called out for a nurse every 5 minutes and I lay there and watched the clock tick by moment by moment. Alin handles stress by doing things and not going to bed. Some of the text messages that night...

Then the next day we were visiting and when I looked up he had a few tears in his eyes and just said he hated seeing me like this. I felt bad it's hard for me being sick but it's also super draining for the loved one to watch as well. I had an ultrasound because my liver enzymes were high and they came back saying my spleen was enlarged. Started on prednisone iv and have since graduated to pills. Alins parents ended coming back to watch kids and then left again Friday when I was home. It's still a bit of a guessing game with no one really giving us definite answers.

Frustrating part is some of the blood tests are sent to public health and can take up to 56 days?!?  This morning I had another appt with Dr Julie Lacroix she was pleased with the healing but I need to take it easy and follow up with the spleen. I have prayed a milion prayers for answers and a return to health. I was never so grateful to make lunches, breakfast and laundry in my life. A wake up call. So lots more tests and appts and hopefully soon we can get to the bottom of this. 

School Feast and Family Motto

We decided to have a school feast and have a family motto.  So every September we will have a new motto which we will keep up on the table to remind of things during the year.  I'm also going to try and have some of our Family Home Evenings revolve around the theme as well.  It went well for our first one and for 5,4 and 2 year old attention span.  I also got them ornaments with the theme so that when they leave home and school they have 12 ornaments to hopefully inspire and remember. 

I made them super simple crowns and they were tinkled pink with them. Put fancy dishes on the table with a tablecloth and napkins. Menu was roast beef, roasted vegetables, salad, corn on the cob, sparkling apple cider which they loved...except for the loud pop that surprised them. It was nice and relaxing and we talked about our family motto which is "We can do hard things"

I took this picture and thought it would be perfect for the motto. Some of the meanings for our motto: The mountain above our name represents overcoming trials and obstacles, setting goals, spirituality. The ribbon stands for quality and achievement. The photos of the rocks symbolize stability, strength, steadfastness, and safety. The lighthouse and the ocean typically mean safety, knowledge, beaconing home, and peace/tranquility (harbor after a storm).  I thought this was perfect for so many aspects of our family right now. 

Mont Tremblant for the weekend Sept 11-13

Headed to Mont Tremblant on Friday, mostly because I just wanted our little family to be together without any distractions. It's been harder than I thought to have him go to school and I thought it was going to be hard. It was raining on and off the whole weekend which actually worked in our favour as there was no line ups for the luge.

We alternated with all the kids and they had a blast. We rode the gondola over and over and over and over...did I say over again. The workers laughed when they saw us coming. 

It was quiet and that part was great. The night were a little trying...a lot as Dani and Abbie took turns all night being up and crabby which in turn led to a worn out momma:)

Packing it in for a busy week Sept 1-5

Sept 1.  Calypso 1 parent 3 kids 
 Since we bought a pass and its good for the rest of the season, I felt we needed to get our money's worth.  So today started out looking cloudy but by 10 was hot so I packed the kids up and we headed to the water park.  I was a little nervous it would be so crowded but it turned out amazingly!!!!  No line ups and it was such a fun, dare I say relaxing (as relaxed as it gets at a water park with a 5,4, and 2 year old) we had so much fun and I was so glad I took them. 

Sept 2.  Mooneys Bay

Sept. 3 Pink Lake
We went with Elizabeth and her crew to pink lake

Museum of Nature and learned about owl pellets

AC/DC concert with Alin

Sept 4.   Mason meet the teacher day and practise drop off and pick up
Mooneys bay with McAteers picking up race packets adn going to Menchies

Sept 5 Alin's first triatholon

Sept 6 Church, pirate adventure and Nemeths bbq

Sept 7 Calypso with Azzis

Sept 8 Masons first official day of school
girls and I went ot cholcolate restaurant

Sept 11 We went to farm with amanda 

The Rest of August in a nutshell

We went shopping for school supplies for Mason (kindergarten) I really am not ready to send him and he's nervous about going.

  I just know I'll miss him on all our little excursions.  I feel like I'm somehow being demonted and my responsibility is being taken away from me.  So here's to learning and missing and growing. 

Mooney's bay excursions

Mason loses 2 teeth.

Mason and Dani finished their swimming sessions

Grama and Grampa Ivanita visit

Aug 31.  We went to Upper Canada Village and met Elizabeth and her crew there and later Amanda and her crew showed up.  The first thing my little's wanted to do was ride the train around.  It was fun and relaxing to just watch their faces and see how much they enjoyed things.  We saw a log being sawed by the force of water in a working sawmill.  I thought that part was really neat.  We took a barge ride pulled by a horse, played in the kids center, dressed up for the times.  The kids loved this part, they ground wheat, they washed clothes on a washboard, did some nailing and played some old fashioned games.  For the kids another highlight was pigs, 3 of them were running around and getting into mischief and the kids were helping round them up.  Then the pigs started sniffing and following my stroller trying to get our lunch out, which made the kids giggle.  We must have been asked about 3 or more times if we were a daycare to which the reply "no they are all ours" was often met with gasps and disbelief, and I only have 3.  Wagon ride, we bought lunch there which was  a small fortune and no one ate.  Then I took the kids on one more train ride, this time I took Temple and Ela with me, while Amanda fed the twins.  Then it was time for my crew to head home...a little too late because Daniela had a complete meltdown about a cookie.  On our way home they all fell asleep and all in all a great day. 

The Gedny's arrive!!!

Trina and the girls arrived Saturday and as we waited for them to get off the plane it seemed as if it was taking a lot longer than it should, only to find out that poor Torrance was busy getting sick. We were so excited to finally see them

When we got home, we had pizza and then I took them downtown where we saw the Lac Leamy fireworks from the parliament backyard then around to the front to watch the Lights of Parliament show, which was AWESOME!!!

SUNDAY- went to church and Torrance went with Dani and Lexi went with Abbie. As I looked down the pew in Sacrament and saw my girls snuggled into my sister, my heart was so happy that they were here and sad that we live so far away.  After church headed downtown to show them Alin's Lansdowne office, and then to Mooney's Bay to play in the water and the sand.  After supper we picked the boys up from the airport and then the whole Gedny clan was here.  

The girls

MONDAY- We headed to Calypso today and it was AMAZINGLY FUN.  We spent the whole day there from 10-7 in the sun and water and it was perfect.  Packed but perfect, the kids had a ball and Trina's crew was having a great time on all the slides.  The Congo lazy river is my favorite and near the end of the day I even got to go down a slide as well:)  Brent thought today was great!

TUESDAY- We went to Byward Market and it was a scorcher.  It's been hot all week but today was intense.  Trina and Torrance got their long awaited cherry turnover and they we walked to Parliament but the tickets for the tower were all gone which was super disappointing.  Looked at the locks and then we went to Dows Lake to kayak, and SUP.  First time and just for a few minutes but I love it, just need to work on my balance (I kayaked for the rest of the time).  Later the boys went to a show and the girls watched a show at home after the kids were in bed

WEDNESDAY- We hiked around Pink Lake and things are sure fun with cousins around.  Mason rocked the hike today.  Then we napped our kiddos, played mini golf and then Brent barbequed for us (steak and chicken) after picked up Alin and headed to the Lac Leamy International Firework Competition.  Which was Fantastic. We reserved seats which was nice and less stressful and it was at the Museum of Civilization this year.  Best fireworks ever.  

THURSDAY-  Today we headed to Old Montreal, another scorcher.  Poutine and Smoked meat, bouncy castles and the Basilica of Notre Dame, were all on the menu today

FRIDAY- We went to Mooney's Bay for the morning and relaxed while the kids played in the water, it was great.  Then went to the Works and Suzy Q and then went home.  Everyone showered and then we sat on the couch and visited until the dreaded departure time.  My least favorite time!!!! Bon voyage Gedny's we love and miss you

PEI

AUG. 7- We left in the afternoon on Friday after Alin got home.  I had packed the truck, gassed up and ready to leave but there are always those last minute phone calls and things that come up.  I was so happy to get on the way.  I have been looking forward to our PEI excursion for a long time.  The kids traveled great to our first stop in Edmundson, New Brunswick where we stayed at the Four Point Sheraton.  At this point they were ready for bed.

AUG.8- We had breakfast and headed out where we ended up at Hopewell Rocks which is one of my new favorite places.  It was beautiful and I could have spent another day there, in the visiting area, kayaking and exploring.  The rough part of this day was Mr. M was being a little turkey, complaining about everything, crying and making it a little tough to enjoy the experience completely, then he starts to play and have a great time and it's time to leave and it's starts all over because we are leaving.  Sometimes this mom gets frustrated and exhausted of dealing with emotions.  Each situation is different and so it would be a lot handier if each of you little's came with a manual.  So I write this so when you kids have kids you will know that we have been there.  As you all have your moments.  My cousin Tracy was also in Moncton but we missed seeing her and I was extremely disappointed. (Due to cell phone batteries)  Then off to cross the Confederation Bridge into PEI.  That night as we pulled into the cottage I was very glad to not be driving anymore.

Eloise, Daniela, Evie and Mason

AUG.9- Sunday.  We went to church in a little branch in Summerside where Dan and Kate's family go.  His brother in law is the branch president, and who's cottage we are staying at.  Super nice family.  Church was interesting as Kate and I went to young women's where their were only 2 (which were her nieces) we had a lesson on the importance of temple marriage.  Kids had a great time in their classes and then we went back to the cottage, explored along the shore and saw a lot of jellyfish washed up.  The red sand is just how I imagined it would be. They also had blueberry bushes which my girls loved and gobbled up while the mosquitoes were gobbling them.

AUG 10- Today we went and visited Meister's and explored  their bed and   breakfast. Jenny was also super excited to show, and tell us all about her jewellery auction finds. She is amazingly nice and Ken  is super nice as well. After visiting we went to the wharf, fish and chips on the menu.

After lunch we went to "West Point" I liked this beach, the kids had lots of fun and Alin and Dan tried out their wet suits. We spent the rest of the afternoon here

AUG 11- Today we headed out to Cavendish which is the area of  Anne of green gables,were we went on a little tour but our kids were hot and hungry so then we ended up going to another area, grabbing grilled cheese, raspberry cordial (which by the way is amazingly delicious) and having "Cow" ice cream.  Then heading to the Cavendish beach were we spent the rest of the day.  Alin found Dani a crab (that was eternally sleeping) and she carried that around in her hand or in her little bucket for the whole day.  The kids had tons of fun playing in the sand, and jumping in the waves

AUG 12- Today was raining so we decided to go to the potato museum, which Alin thought was really quite interesting.  He busied himself with taking pictures and reading the boards and teaching me a few things he learned along the way.  They had tiny little potato coffins with potatoes inside decorated with the diseases they were taking about.  After we went to the little cafe hoping to get some hot potato soup, but just as we reached the front of the line they ran out.  After the potato museum we hit up a quilt shop and was instantly reminded that I am an old person now:)The Meisters and a few of their kids came out and babysat all the kids so Dan,Kate and Alin and I could go out for dinner which was nice.  Had my first fish taco and loved it.  It's actually been really fun in the evenings because after we've put the kids to bed we've stayed up and visited and played games like boggle and pictionary which have been hilarious.  Another great thing about tonight was that they had a bunch of wood dropped off and we decided to stack it for them, the kids got involved and I was so proud of how hard they worked and till the very end helping us put it all up.  It was a good 1-2 hr undertaking and they didn't complain once.  It was such a fun little work project and I think families need to do things like that.  I really enjoyed it

AUG 13- We went to a place called Thunder cove and it quickly became my favorite beach. Getting there was like you were driving down someone's lane then all of a sudden you just park and there it is.  It was hot and sunny and the water gradually got deeper and hardly any rocks on the beach.  As you walked along the beach one end turned into this amazing red rock with little caves and at the point was beautiful.  I took Mason and Daniela down to the end and they played around and loved the area, calling it their pirate ship.  Later on I also walked down with Kate and Arthur and Abbie.  It was a really beautiful place and I was feeling bad that Alin never walked to the end as he hurt his back building a huge sandcastle with the kiddo's and was resting in our shade tent.  Went in the water and it was a little chilly but felt great after you were in.  I was sad to leave this beach.  When we got home we decide to have a bonfire and roast some smore's which I always love doing but the mosquitoes were huge and hungry.  So we didn't last to long outside. We also saw a fox that was really comfortable with all 10 of us.  He would come really close and was quite a beautiful little creature.  Dani was a little unnerved by him and was concerned at bedtime. 

AUG 14- headed home, stayed in levis