Friday, January 30, 2009
Songs That Make Me Happy
I have not posted in awhile. I am feeling pretty good since the accident..hardly any pain anymore which is a plus. I burned a CD the other day of songs that I just love to sing along to right now...some old...some new. Don't laugh at me...you know you secretly love some of these too.
Crush - David Archuleta
Who Knew - Pink
Flightless Bird, American Mouth - Iron & Wine
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Everybody's Changing - Keane
Love Story - Taylor Swift
Supermassive Black Hole - Muse
Sexyback - Justin Timberlake
American Girl - Tom Petty
Won't Go Home Without You - Maroon 5
Closer To You - The Wallflowers
Sweet Thing - Keith Urban
And there you have it....these songs put a smile on my face right now! Thank goodness for music!!
Enjoy your weekend everyone!
Crush - David Archuleta
Who Knew - Pink
Flightless Bird, American Mouth - Iron & Wine
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Everybody's Changing - Keane
Love Story - Taylor Swift
Supermassive Black Hole - Muse
Sexyback - Justin Timberlake
American Girl - Tom Petty
Won't Go Home Without You - Maroon 5
Closer To You - The Wallflowers
Sweet Thing - Keith Urban
And there you have it....these songs put a smile on my face right now! Thank goodness for music!!
Enjoy your weekend everyone!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
10 Days Later
I just got back from the doctor's. I am still in pain and needed to go get a check up following the accident. After some poking, prodding and more x rays of my back and legs....I am doing pretty well. The doctor did tell me that it is going to take a while for my legs to fully recover and I need to keep a close eye on them for compartment syndrome.
Compartment syndrome is an acute medical problem following injury, surgery or in most cases repetitive and extensive muscle use, in which increased pressure (usually caused by inflammation) within a confined space (fascial compartment) in the body impairs blood supply. Without prompt treatment, it may lead to nerve damage and muscle death. This condition is most commonly seen in the anterior compartment and posterior compartment of the leg.
Because the connective tissue that defines the compartment does not stretch, a small amount of bleeding into the compartment, or swelling of the muscles within the compartment can cause the pressure to rise greatly. Common causes of compartment syndrome include tibial or forearm fractures, ischemic-reperfusion following injury, hemorrhage, vascular puncture, intravenous drug injection, casts, prolonged limb compression, crush injuries and burns.[1][2] Another possible cause can be from the use of creatine monohydrate. Past use of creatine has been known to cause this condition.[3][4]
When compartment syndrome is caused by repetitive heavy use of the muscles, as in a cyclist, it is known as chronic compartment syndrome (CCS).[5][6] This is usually not an emergency, but the loss of circulation can cause temporary or permanent damage to nearby nerves and muscle.
Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency requiring immediate surgical treatment known as a fasciotomy to allow the pressure to return to normal.[10]
Subacute compartment syndrome, while not quite as much of an emergency, usually requires urgent surgical treatment similar to acute compartment syndrome.
Chronic compartment syndrome in the lower leg can be treated conservatively or surgically. Conservative treatment includes rest, anti-inflammatories, elevation of the limb,manual decompression and some have even reported that acupuncture alleviates their symptoms. In cases where symptoms persist the condition should be treated by a surgical procedure, subcutaneous fasciotomy or open fasciectomy. Without treatment chronic compartment syndrome can develop into the acute syndrome. A possible complication of surgical intervention for chronic compartment syndrome can be chronic venous insufficiency.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been shown to be a useful adjunctive therapy to crush injury, compartment syndrome, and other acute traumatic ischemias by improving wound healing and reducing repetitive surgery.[11][12]
Let's hope it doesn't come to that! Man....my excercise routine is on hold too!
Compartment syndrome is an acute medical problem following injury, surgery or in most cases repetitive and extensive muscle use, in which increased pressure (usually caused by inflammation) within a confined space (fascial compartment) in the body impairs blood supply. Without prompt treatment, it may lead to nerve damage and muscle death. This condition is most commonly seen in the anterior compartment and posterior compartment of the leg.
Because the connective tissue that defines the compartment does not stretch, a small amount of bleeding into the compartment, or swelling of the muscles within the compartment can cause the pressure to rise greatly. Common causes of compartment syndrome include tibial or forearm fractures, ischemic-reperfusion following injury, hemorrhage, vascular puncture, intravenous drug injection, casts, prolonged limb compression, crush injuries and burns.[1][2] Another possible cause can be from the use of creatine monohydrate. Past use of creatine has been known to cause this condition.[3][4]
When compartment syndrome is caused by repetitive heavy use of the muscles, as in a cyclist, it is known as chronic compartment syndrome (CCS).[5][6] This is usually not an emergency, but the loss of circulation can cause temporary or permanent damage to nearby nerves and muscle.
Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency requiring immediate surgical treatment known as a fasciotomy to allow the pressure to return to normal.[10]
Subacute compartment syndrome, while not quite as much of an emergency, usually requires urgent surgical treatment similar to acute compartment syndrome.
Chronic compartment syndrome in the lower leg can be treated conservatively or surgically. Conservative treatment includes rest, anti-inflammatories, elevation of the limb,manual decompression and some have even reported that acupuncture alleviates their symptoms. In cases where symptoms persist the condition should be treated by a surgical procedure, subcutaneous fasciotomy or open fasciectomy. Without treatment chronic compartment syndrome can develop into the acute syndrome. A possible complication of surgical intervention for chronic compartment syndrome can be chronic venous insufficiency.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been shown to be a useful adjunctive therapy to crush injury, compartment syndrome, and other acute traumatic ischemias by improving wound healing and reducing repetitive surgery.[11][12]
Let's hope it doesn't come to that! Man....my excercise routine is on hold too!
Inauguration Day
Today is a big day in history. The first African-American President will be sworn in. It is exciting to be able to witness something so huge. I wish President Obama all the best....he has a tough job ahead of him.
Here's to CHANGE!
Here's to CHANGE!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Just For Fun
I found this on another blog and thought it was kind of neat and fun.
Things you’ve done: bold
Things you want to do: italics
Things you haven’t done and don’t want to do: plain
1. started your own blog (duh)
2. slept under the stars
3. played in a band (5th grade I played the French Horn)
4. visited hawaii
5. watched a meteor shower
6. given more than you can afford to charity
7. been to disneyland/world
8. climbed a mountain (maybe a little one?)
9. held a praying mantis
10. sang a solo
11. bungee jumped
12. visited paris
13. watched a lightning storm at sea
14. taught yourself an art from scratch
15. adopted a child
16. had food poisoning
17. walked to the top of the statue of liberty
18. grown your own vegetables
19. seen the mona lisa in france
20. slept on an overnight train
21. had a pillow fight
22. hitch hiked (I’ve seen enough horror movies to know that’s not a good idea)
23. taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. built a snow fort
25. held a lamb
26. gone skinny dipping
27. run a marathon
28. ridden a gondola in venice
29. seen a total eclipse
30. watched a sunrise or sunset
31. hit a home run
32. been on a cruise
33. seen niagara falls in person
34. visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. seen an amish community
36. taught yourself a new language
37. had enough money to be truly satisfied (I’d be impressed to see anyone who bolds this one)
38. seen the leaning tower of pisa in person
39. gone rock climbing
40. seen michaelangelo’s david in person
41. sung karaoke
42. seen old faithful geyser erupt
43. bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant (does a drink count?)
44. visited africa
45. walked on a beach by moonlight
46. been transported in an ambulance (on 1.10.09)
47. had your portrait painted
48. gone deep sea fishing
49. seen the sistene chapel in person
50. been to the top of the eiffel tower in paris
51. gone scuba diving or snorkelling
52. kissed in the rain
53. played in the mud
54. gone to a drive-in movie
55. been in a movie
56. visited the great wall of china
57. started a business (sort of)
58. taken a martial arts class
59. visited russia
60. served at a soup kitchen
61. sold girl scout cookies
62. gone whale watching
63. gotten flowers for no reason
64. donated blood
65. gone sky diving
66. visited a nazi concentration camp
67. bounced a check
68. flown in a helicopter
69. saved a favorite childhood toy
70. visited the lincoln memorial
71. eaten caviar
72. pieced a quilt
73. stood in times square
74. toured the everglades
75. been fired from a job
76. seen the changing of the guard in london
77. broken a bone
78. been on a speeding motorcycle
79. seen the grand canyon in person
80. published a book
81. visited the vatican
82. bought a brand new car
83. walked in jerusalem
84. had your picture in the newspaper
85. read the entire bible
86. visited the white house
87. killed and prepared an animal for eating (fish)
88. had chickenpox
89. saved someone’s life
90. sat on a jury
91. met someone famous
92. joined a book club
93. lost a loved one
94. had a baby
95. seen the alamo in person
96. swum in the great salt lake
97. been involved in a lawsuit (maybe..we'll see how this pans out)
98. owned a cell phone
99. been stung by a bee
Things you’ve done: bold
Things you want to do: italics
Things you haven’t done and don’t want to do: plain
1. started your own blog (duh)
2. slept under the stars
3. played in a band (5th grade I played the French Horn)
4. visited hawaii
5. watched a meteor shower
6. given more than you can afford to charity
7. been to disneyland/world
8. climbed a mountain (maybe a little one?)
9. held a praying mantis
10. sang a solo
11. bungee jumped
12. visited paris
13. watched a lightning storm at sea
14. taught yourself an art from scratch
15. adopted a child
16. had food poisoning
17. walked to the top of the statue of liberty
18. grown your own vegetables
19. seen the mona lisa in france
20. slept on an overnight train
21. had a pillow fight
22. hitch hiked (I’ve seen enough horror movies to know that’s not a good idea)
23. taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. built a snow fort
25. held a lamb
26. gone skinny dipping
27. run a marathon
28. ridden a gondola in venice
29. seen a total eclipse
30. watched a sunrise or sunset
31. hit a home run
32. been on a cruise
33. seen niagara falls in person
34. visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. seen an amish community
36. taught yourself a new language
37. had enough money to be truly satisfied (I’d be impressed to see anyone who bolds this one)
38. seen the leaning tower of pisa in person
39. gone rock climbing
40. seen michaelangelo’s david in person
41. sung karaoke
42. seen old faithful geyser erupt
43. bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant (does a drink count?)
44. visited africa
45. walked on a beach by moonlight
46. been transported in an ambulance (on 1.10.09)
47. had your portrait painted
48. gone deep sea fishing
49. seen the sistene chapel in person
50. been to the top of the eiffel tower in paris
51. gone scuba diving or snorkelling
52. kissed in the rain
53. played in the mud
54. gone to a drive-in movie
55. been in a movie
56. visited the great wall of china
57. started a business (sort of)
58. taken a martial arts class
59. visited russia
60. served at a soup kitchen
61. sold girl scout cookies
62. gone whale watching
63. gotten flowers for no reason
64. donated blood
65. gone sky diving
66. visited a nazi concentration camp
67. bounced a check
68. flown in a helicopter
69. saved a favorite childhood toy
70. visited the lincoln memorial
71. eaten caviar
72. pieced a quilt
73. stood in times square
74. toured the everglades
75. been fired from a job
76. seen the changing of the guard in london
77. broken a bone
78. been on a speeding motorcycle
79. seen the grand canyon in person
80. published a book
81. visited the vatican
82. bought a brand new car
83. walked in jerusalem
84. had your picture in the newspaper
85. read the entire bible
86. visited the white house
87. killed and prepared an animal for eating (fish)
88. had chickenpox
89. saved someone’s life
90. sat on a jury
91. met someone famous
92. joined a book club
93. lost a loved one
94. had a baby
95. seen the alamo in person
96. swum in the great salt lake
97. been involved in a lawsuit (maybe..we'll see how this pans out)
98. owned a cell phone
99. been stung by a bee
Memory of My Daughter's Birth
I never want to forget this...so thought I would put it in my blog.
Thursday, August 10 I started contractions at 4am and had them all day. They didn't start becoming painful until about 5pm. They were still rather irratic, so my husband and I went for a walk up and down the street for 45 minutes. That got them coming every 5 minutes and they were quite painful by this time. So we headed to the hospital and arrived at about 9:30pm. I was so scared they would send me home and say I was not dialated enough. They checked me and I was 4 cm...woohoo! So they got us in a room right away.
Once we were settled I asked for an epidural right away. At midnight, the magic man came. I got an epidural and spinal tap (the tap took ALL pain away for 90 minutes) It was heaven and I was able to sleep a bit. By 4 am I was 7 cm and by 7 am I was 10cm. They turned the epidural off and we waited a bit for it to wear off so I could start pushing. Just after 8am I began pushing. After 2 hours I was getting very tired and they kept turning up the pitocin to help with stronger contractions to help get this baby out. I continued to push for another 1.5 hours. Finally a doctor came in and said we would try the vacuum and if that did not work I would need a c-section. I was so tired and frustrated and was crying by this point. They gave me some oxygen. I told myself I was not going to have a c-section after nearly 4 hours of pushing. So I pushed with all my might and it worked.
Lauren Elizabeth arrived at 11:51am on August 11, 2006. She is a peanut. 6 lbs 5 oz and 19.5 inches long. We are so in love with her and she is so sweet!
Thursday, August 10 I started contractions at 4am and had them all day. They didn't start becoming painful until about 5pm. They were still rather irratic, so my husband and I went for a walk up and down the street for 45 minutes. That got them coming every 5 minutes and they were quite painful by this time. So we headed to the hospital and arrived at about 9:30pm. I was so scared they would send me home and say I was not dialated enough. They checked me and I was 4 cm...woohoo! So they got us in a room right away.
Once we were settled I asked for an epidural right away. At midnight, the magic man came. I got an epidural and spinal tap (the tap took ALL pain away for 90 minutes) It was heaven and I was able to sleep a bit. By 4 am I was 7 cm and by 7 am I was 10cm. They turned the epidural off and we waited a bit for it to wear off so I could start pushing. Just after 8am I began pushing. After 2 hours I was getting very tired and they kept turning up the pitocin to help with stronger contractions to help get this baby out. I continued to push for another 1.5 hours. Finally a doctor came in and said we would try the vacuum and if that did not work I would need a c-section. I was so tired and frustrated and was crying by this point. They gave me some oxygen. I told myself I was not going to have a c-section after nearly 4 hours of pushing. So I pushed with all my might and it worked.
Lauren Elizabeth arrived at 11:51am on August 11, 2006. She is a peanut. 6 lbs 5 oz and 19.5 inches long. We are so in love with her and she is so sweet!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
It's Going To Take Awhile
While today is the first day since Saturday that I can walk without too much pain, I know the psychological pain will last well into the future. These bruises and soreness will fade, but will the emotional scars.
Jason drove me to work for a little while yesterday and I was tense, but was doing pretty well until I saw a semi approaching us from the other lane. I broke down bawling...it hit me. All I could see was the semi that hit us 4 days earlier. I am sure that is the picture I will see for many weeks to come.
I have been taking a Vicodin before bed which has helped with the pain and allowed me to relax and sleep. I am afraid that once I stop, the nightmares will start. All the WHAT IF'S....they are haunting me every moment that my mind is not busy with something else. People ask me why I am back at work already....my answer, because it gives me something else to think about for a while.
I found out the poor tow truck driver who saw the whole thing and was the first to help us knows my friend's mother in law's friend. I guess he is completely shaken by the whole thing. He said it was the worst accident he has ever seen. I want to get his name and address and send him a card...thanking him. He was the man who held my hand when I experienced the most horrifying experience of my life. I will never forget his voice or his face.
Jason drove me to work for a little while yesterday and I was tense, but was doing pretty well until I saw a semi approaching us from the other lane. I broke down bawling...it hit me. All I could see was the semi that hit us 4 days earlier. I am sure that is the picture I will see for many weeks to come.
I have been taking a Vicodin before bed which has helped with the pain and allowed me to relax and sleep. I am afraid that once I stop, the nightmares will start. All the WHAT IF'S....they are haunting me every moment that my mind is not busy with something else. People ask me why I am back at work already....my answer, because it gives me something else to think about for a while.
I found out the poor tow truck driver who saw the whole thing and was the first to help us knows my friend's mother in law's friend. I guess he is completely shaken by the whole thing. He said it was the worst accident he has ever seen. I want to get his name and address and send him a card...thanking him. He was the man who held my hand when I experienced the most horrifying experience of my life. I will never forget his voice or his face.
Monday, January 12, 2009
A Miracle
Hi Everyone!
I know word is spreading about the awful accident that my friend, Tara, and I were in on Saturday morning. I thought I would send out one giant email to all of my family and friends letting you all know what happened and how we are doing.
On Saturday morning, Tara and I left to go to IKEA in Schaumburg, IL. The weather was fine when we left, but once we got to Janesville it was snowing and very slippery. Unfortunately, Tara's Ford Explorer hit a patch of ice and we ended up going off the road into the median between the lanes of I90-94. We noticed there were other cars in the ditch farther up the road. We waited about 10 minutes until a State Trooper stopped to let us know he had a tow truck on the way, but it would be a while since we were the 4th car in line.
While we waited numerous cars hit the ice and we saw 2 more go off the road into the ditch on the other side. The trooper left to go turn around and come back to check on the other 2 cars. So we continued to wait with our seat belts on. We mentioned to each other that we were nervous about someone hitting us since the cars, trucks and semis were still driving by pretty fast. I decided to call Jason on my cell to let him know we were stuck, but a tow truck was on the way. This was about 9:15am. Tara noticed a tow truck arriving on the northbound lane. Our truck was facing northwest toward the traffic coming south. While I was talking to Jason I happened to look up towards the oncoming traffic and saw a semi lose control and it was heading straight for us. I just remember thinking we were going to die and I was never going to see my loved ones again. I closed my eyes and waited for the impact. Tara and I screamed when the semi hit us and I remember rolling several times with glass and snow everywhere. We finally came to rest on the drivers side door. It lasted maybe 30 seconds. Witnesses told us that the semi trailer also rolled over our truck.
I opened my eyes and realized I was still alive and conscious. Tara and I both started crying when we knew we were still alive. Tara had some chest pain from the steering wheel and air bag. My right arm took the first blow of the impact and my legs were pinned under the dashboard and they hurt a lot so I thought they may be broken. Tara managed to call 911, but we were no help as we had no idea where we were or anything, but they had numerous calls coming in about the accident anyway. I asked Tara to call Jason since I was sure he thought we were dead having heard us scream. He knew we were alive cause my cell phone was still on...he had heard the entire thing. We heard someone outside the truck and I reached my arm through the passenger window and he grabbed my hand and told me help was on the way. He couldn't believe we were alive. It was the tow truck driver who was coming to get us out. The State Trooper who had stopped before was the next to arrive. About 10 minutes later the fire and paramedics came and the ripped off the sunroof. The cut Tara's seat belt and got her out. A fireman had to climb back in the truck to help get me out since I was pinned and couldn't get my seatbelt off.
They finally got me out and we were both carried to the ambulance and put on backboards and neck braces and taken to Mercy Hospital in Janesville. After many x-rays and tests, Tara and I were both released. Thankfully, we both came away with lots of bruises, cuts and sore muscles. No one can believe we had no broken bones, internal injuries or worse yet died....including us. While our physical injuries will heal in a few days, the emotional scars will take a lot longer. We are so thankful to be alive and so thankful that Lauren and Aubrey were not with us at the time. We definitely had someone watching over us. Please ALWAYS wear your seatbelts and stay safe!!
Much Love,
Pam
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Daddy Daycare
After much discussion, Jas and I decided that we need to pull Lauren from full time daycare until he gets a job. So, starting next week, Jas will become a stay at home dad. Lauren will still go to daycare 2 days a week as it has been good for her to be around other kids and she is learning so much.
It will be interesting to see how things go. I have no doubt he will do great, but I fear for his sanity. I worked full time at my job and took care of Lauren for 19 months and IT WAS HARD WORK!! He will definately have a new appreciation for moms.
This arrangement will save us nearly $430 a month, so it was definately the smart move to make for now.
It will be interesting to see how things go. I have no doubt he will do great, but I fear for his sanity. I worked full time at my job and took care of Lauren for 19 months and IT WAS HARD WORK!! He will definately have a new appreciation for moms.
This arrangement will save us nearly $430 a month, so it was definately the smart move to make for now.
IKEA
So on Saturday, my friend and I are making the pilgrimage to IKEA in Illinois. I really wish they would build one here in WI. Anyway, I have not been to IKEA since before I was married....over 5 years!! So, I was making a list of some things I want to check out while I am there.
These plates, cups and bowls will be perfect for Lauren
We are in dire need of new dinnerware and glassware. The things we have now are mostly from our college days. So sad I know! Time to grow up and get something nice. So these are what I plan to take a look at.
And with the great prices at IKEA, it won't break the bank. Can't beat that. Let's hope it is a successful trip!
These plates, cups and bowls will be perfect for Lauren
We are in dire need of new dinnerware and glassware. The things we have now are mostly from our college days. So sad I know! Time to grow up and get something nice. So these are what I plan to take a look at.
And with the great prices at IKEA, it won't break the bank. Can't beat that. Let's hope it is a successful trip!Monday, January 5, 2009
Out With The Old...In With The New!
My brother, sister in law and niece, Lyla with the three of us.
My parents with Lauren and Lyla.
Lauren and Lyla....best buds!
Lauren getting down with her friend, Aubrey.
Dancing Queens!
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