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Back In The Hospital

Yes, you heard that right. I'm back in the hospital. Thursday afternoon I went back to the doctors office to get my blood checked once again, thinking things were going to be looking up. Turns out the blood clot is so large and has effected so much of my veins that there is complete occlusion of the veins in my leg. The doctor sent me to the emergency room, and i was admitted into the hospital that night.

"An occlusion is a blockage of a vessel. There are two types of occlusions: partial or complete.

An occlusion of an artery in the heart or in another area of the body may be caused by the buildup of atherosclerotic plaque, by plaque that has broken off from one area of a vessel and traveled to another part of the body, or by a blood clot. Partial occlusions limit, but do not completely block, blood flow. On the other hand, complete occlusions completely restrict blood flow.

Occlusions prevent organs and tissues from obtaining the oxygen and nutrients they need to survive. This, in turn, causes tissue death and serious conditions, such as a heart attack or stroke."

In turn this causes an extreme amount of pain, pressure to my entire leg. I am currently on bed rest, although, I can barely stand on my leg anyway. I have never really been a typical patient and usually am far from a textbook case so things don't always appear from the outside as they are on the inside, or vice-versa. It's just one complicated thing after another really. The good part though is, I now have an excellent team of doctors on my case that are all working together, communicating and trying to make the best, wisest and most safe decisions when it comes to my treatment. Apparently, things were not handled well originally when i was in the hospital, and I should not have been discharged as I was. But now, we have moved on and are dealing with the present situation the smartest way possible. As of last night they started me on an iv heparin drip, to help aid in the thinning out of my blood, and speed up the process of breaking up the clot. They have stopped Lovonox and I'm continuing on Coumidin as well. 

Last night a group of my girlfriends came up to the hospital to see me. We hung out in my room, chatted away, and enjoyed each others company. And even had some incredibly scrumptious cupcakes that Melissa brought. Mine was red velvet cake. Heavenly! Thank goodness I was aloud to eat food by then. Hehe! How wonderful it is to have friends who are so loving and caring and took time from their Friday nights to share some laughs with me. I am blessed!!

Logan has come up a couple times to see me, which was awesome. I love that boy so much! And Donny has brought all the kids up, and I got to take turns cuddling with each one in the bed. I'm thankful I got the time I did with them through this week, and got to see their excitement about their new school and all the new things they are experiencing for the first time this year.

Huddy Got His Special Bracelet!!

Hudson had a great appointment at the orthopedic doctor yesterday. He got his leg brace, and it fits perfect! He was such a trooper and did so well wearing it all day, and did not complain. We are so proud of you Huddy! We tried to make it a very special thing, so we told him and his siblings that it is his special bracelet he gets to wear. Of course, the girls are all wanting to know when they are going to get one. Haha! :) I can already tell it is going to be a huge help in his walking and running! Yeppie! 

Blood Clot Update

I have been experiencing a great deal more pain in my leg since I have been home from the hospital. Especially, in the last couple days. To the point where sitting is painful and walking is just plain baaddd. Hard to walk anyway, but the more I'm upright, the more intense the pain is. If I'm laying with my leg propped it helps, but any other position is not fun. I had another ultrasound yesterday, and they found that the clot has gotten worse, and is also up into my abdomen, so only makes sense that the pain has increased and not gotten better.

Thankfully, at this point this change does not mean much, just continue on my blood thinning medicines and shots as I have been. My INR was still way low yesterday, so need that to go up asap, so no other clots form. With my history you just never know. Nothing ever seems to go the way any doctor says should be expected. So pray that the clot begins to dissolve, and the pain lessons, so I can get back to being super mommy. Daddy Donny has been filling in the gaps for me, and am so grateful for how he always steps up and takes charge and takes care of our family so well.

The kids had another great day at school! Logan even got to ride home on his scooter with Daddy. Good times!!

Quads go to Pre-K

The quads also had a big day yesterday. They started Pr-K! They go to same school as Logan, except their school day is in the afternoon for three hours. This year they have lots of firsts like eating lunch at school in the big cafeteria. They are riding the bus again this year, so that's fun too.

Logan goes to Kindergarten

Logan started Kindergarten yesterday! That's right, Logan is officially in elementary school. He had a great day and came home very worn out. His teacher said he did very good. :) This should be a fun year.

Logan is all smiles, minus two teeth.

The sign says it all...

We are proud of you Logan!!

Home From The Hospital!

So my procedure for my bile duct turned up to be a big stay in the hospital. That was defiantly not what we had thought or had planned for. If you have kept up with Donny's blog and Facebook status, then you know how crazy this last week in a half has been. Instead of coming home after the first procedure, I ended up, staying for what ended up being a total of nine days in the hospital. 

The procedure itself went very well. However, immediately afterwards I ended up in ICU after having what they concluded as a negative reaction coming out of the anesthesia. I had several (seizure like) episodes, they could not stop, so ended up putting me back under. Later doing all sorts of tests. Scaring the heck out of my husband. All along I was unaware any of this was happening. I still have very little memory of my stay in ICU.

Couple days later, had the second procedure, and all went well. I was then going to be able to go home, but that all changed when it was discovered that I had developed a blood clot in my leg. Thus the treatment to dissolve the blood clot began. 

I'm home now! My stomach has never been better! I was laying in bed tonight, and realized, WOW, my stomach does not hurt. I can't remember the last time I did not have stomach pain. It has been something I have lived with for soooo long. I am not getting around much. My leg is still in pain, and walking is difficult due to the blood clot. Thankfully, we caught it in time before something tragic happened. Overall, I am doing well, all things considered. Thankful to be home in the warmth and comfort of my home!!

My Kids Say The Darndest Things!

I had to share this, it was just too funny. This trip to California was Samantha's first time on an airplane. It was Logan's second time, but the first time old enough for him to remember. So this was all a new experience for the both of them. You know how kids are always saying silly things, or always asking questions? While traveling the first day on the airplane Sam and Logan both were full of cute comments. Here are some of the things that were on their minds the day they went to California.

Logan …

When are we going to blast off?

There’s a restaurant at the airport.

I smell something scrumptious.

Do airplanes have seat belts?

I love you K.

We are in the airplane! I am so excited!

As Logan see the clouds, he says, ” there’s the world.” “We are going into space.”

That man looks like a girl. He has a ponytail.

After Logan lost his first tooth he asked, “How am I going to eat?”

I see mountains K, so we are close to California.

It was a big day today.  (after we get to San Diego)

Where is the Congo K?

Sam…

This is so much fun.

What is in the clouds?  Logan’s response to Sam: “cotton candy”

There are a lot of clouds guys.

I like clouds.

Logan and Sam's Trip To California

Logan and Samantha got the opportunity to go on a vacation to San Diego, California with their grandparents, Frostie and K. They returned home Sunday evening. I'm sure the time went by super fast for them..they were having such a wonderful time. Of course, back home, Hudson, Madison, Candi, D and I were missing them like crazy. But talk about a dramatic difference in the day to day routine with only having three kids. Part of the week Donny went out of town and so it was just me and the three kids. I have never heard the house so quiet. So strange. After almost a week with the threesome, I determined it would be so easy if we only had three kids. Hehe! I know what some of you are thinking? But seriously, adding two more to the mix makes a huge difference. 

They have been telling me all kinds of stories of what they did and saw on the trip. From Sea World, the zoo, the animal shows, roller coasters and rides, and so much more. I know I will be hearing about this trip for days, months and years to come. Afterall, Logan has an amazing memory. 

There are so many pictures from the trip...here are several for a sneak peak of the trip. I'll post more later as I get the chance.

 

 

 

Thank you K and Frostie for taking such great care of Sammy and Logan while you were away. They had a blast!! :)

Getting Lost In The Lord

Worship is a passion of mine. God, I believe, has placed it in all our hearts to be extraordinary worshipers. Worship is not always about the music...the song, the choir, the band, or the leaders. Worship is about turning our hearts to God letting Him transform us and lead us. It's about losing ourself in God and loving our God.

In the book "Extravagant Worship," Darlene Zshech speaks of worship in such true fashion. "Although music is a wonderful expression of worship, it is not itself the essence of it. The core of worship is when one's heart and soul, and all that is within, adores and connects with the Spirit of God." It is hard for me to remember that it is not always about the music, since I feel such an emotional connection to it. It's not about getting lost in the music, worship is about getting lost in the Lord.

Darlene Zshech goes on to say, Even if you are part of a worship team, your most glorious moments of worship would be off the platform when you are alone with God" Sure we are not all a part of a worship team, but what she is saying is true for all. As followers of Christ, we need to have some of most intimate moments with God, in worship, when we are alone with Him. We cannot forget our relationship with God and get caught up in a show we put on Sunday mornings. Worship is a lifestyle. It's a constant thing. It should never stop. "Worship involves the giving of ourselves totally to the Lord. Worship is a movement of our hearts, our thoughts, and our wills towards God's heart, thoughts, and will."

GI Procedure

Next Tuesday, I will be having a endoscopic procedure. The doctor will be placing a stent in my bile duct. If successful the following week I will go back in, and he will remove the stent. At that time he will correct the problem fully. If the stent does not correct the problem, the doctor will remove the stent the following week and leave everything be. We are hoping and praying that this will be our answer.

"The ERCP procedure involves passing a flexible tube (endoscope) through the mouth, esophagus, and stomach into the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum) where the drainage opening for the bile and pancreatic ducts is located.  The doctor then passes a small plastic tube (catheter) through a channel in the endoscope and out into view in the duodenum and inserts it into this small opening.  A contrast solution (dye) is then injected through the catheter into the bile and pancreatic duct system(s), and x-rays are taken. These can be viewed immediately so that the doctor can make a diagnosis.

The doctor may take specimen samples for analysis if the x-rays (and any previous tests) suggest the possibility of cancer.  Tiny wire brushes are used to scrape the duct lining and retrieve cells for microscopic examination.  Small pinching biopsy forceps can be used to take larger pieces of tissue.  Bile or pancreatic juice can be retrieved and sent to the laboratory to check whether there is any infection or to look for disturbance of the normal digestive constituents."

These are the treatments that will be used for this ERCP...

• Papillary stenosis and sphincter dysfunction. "Sphincterotomy (of the bile duct and/or pancreatic orifice) is used also when there is scarring of the papilla (papillary stenosis) or evidence of overactivity (spasm) of the muscular valve. This is called sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Sphincterotomy is more hazardous in this context than when used for stones.
  
• Duct dilatation and stenting. ERCP x-rays may show partial blockage or narrowing of the bile duct or pancreatic duct. This narrowing can be stretched (dilated) using a sausage shaped balloon catheter. Often a small tube (stent) is left behind to maintain the stretch, and allows the duct to drain more easily." (www.digestivehealthnetwork.com)

Tooth Fairy Is Coming Again!

Logan lost ANOTHER tooth. I can't believe he lost his first two teeth all in one week. Hard to think that he is already five years old. My first born is growing up sooo fast! Congrats Logan!!

Look Mommy, I lost a tooth!

Logan lost his first tooth on the airplane to California. He was biting into a cookie and says it was too hard and made his tooth come out. I did not even know he had a lose tooth. Guess who got a visit from the tooth fairy?!!

The Dixon Quadruplets & Big Brother

The kids have been having a great summer! I took these pics of the kids a while back but never posted any of them here. Check out those t-shirts that Daddy found while he was on business trip in Florida! It always get peoples attention when we take the quads out in these shirts. They are too cute!!