Dog me up homies!

Judy and John :)

The car show :)

After all of Cheryl's hard work it all came together so well. Loads of amazing cars and awesome people came together to raise money to help pay for some of the many medicals bills that we have piled up here in my office. Not only did they raise almost $3,500 they put a massive smile on Emily's face!! We had so much fun LOL I served burgers and hot dogs with some really funny people and Emily's friends came out to support her. Cheryl was amazing, running around like a headless chicken but getting everyone in line. Karen and Jody walked (or danced in Jody's case) around trying to fill a pot with money. Zach, Tom, Josh, Andy, Austin, Aaron and Beth all ran around eating burgers enjoying themselves. Judy and John came to support Emily and I know helped fill the money jar! Several of Emily's teachers came (from her new school) which was really kind.

I've posted some pictures!

We can do this!

Sarah and Laura

Emily was lucky enough to get some new friends this week. Sarah and Laura were given to Emily by Wes and Maria and they're totally adorable! Both around 7 weeks old, one has white socks on her front feet and the other has socks on the back. Emily likes to put them on her head!!

She's been really sick over the last couple of weeks as you can see by her little pale face but these little guys make her smile :) Thank you Wes and Maria!!

More surgery

Emily suddenly started to bleed heavily from her belly button port late last night. I took her to see her urologist today and he confirmed my thoughts, Emily has a granuloma which will need to be surgically removed.
I was sent home with enough medical supplies to keep a hospital running! Emily is still really sick from this bladder infection so it's hoped that if I flush her bladder each night through her port she'll get better faster. Once fit enough she'll go in for surgery.

One minute at a time

Just a tough day. I keep thinking of things I want to tell Steve and I can't because he's gone. Knowing I'll never get to say goodbye is really hard, I'm not ready to lose this wonderful friend from my life.

Emily is just not doing well. The antibiotics are really hard on her body and right now her whole body hurts. I'm taking her off of these nasty drugs and taking her back to the doctors to see what else we can do. She's missed over a week of school and it's going to be hard to recover from that if she doesn't get well soon. This is high pressure. I'll continue to home school in the meantime.

Tomorrow I'm teaching the British metric system, I've got to brush up because it's been a while :) Tomorrow is 9/11 and my grief will be put to one side as I remember all those who lost their lives on that terrible day.

Steve

Today at 3:30 pm I got the call from my friend Steve's sister to say that he passed away late on Friday night. They found my name in his book and knew that I must have been important to him. He was a wonderfully kind man who loved me like a sister and I'm going to miss him so very much. This last year has been difficult beyond words and I knew that Steve was always there if I needed him even when others turned their back. The void he leaves behind in me and in everyone who knew him can never be filled, I just can't imagine my life without him. He was so proud of the things I've achieved this year he made me feel like superwoman.

Don't rest in peace Steve, run free in the wind and drink fine red wine. Dance, sing and be happy my friend and know that you've taught me well. I will NEVER forget you ...

Despair

Emily's bladder infection is severe and she's on antibiotics. Unfortunately she's had a reaction to the new medication and by Monday lunchtime she was in agony. Just when Emily was flying high in her new school and things began to look wonderful for her it hits, reflex sympathetic dystrophy. I was going to capitalize those words but deleted it because that would have suggested that this disease is somehow important, that is can claim us. This week has been one of off the scale pain for Emily, a week of bed rest and frailty that's been absent for a while.

R ... Really
S ... Stupid
D ... Disease

I have a meeting tomorrow at school to declare Emily as special needs and my son recently attended a camp for kids with siblings that are chronically ill. What on earth is going on ...

The first week of school

The first school week is over and I feel that it went well. It's a huge learning curve for all of us but it'll get better. The early mornings were tough!! All in all a fantastic first week for Emily. She tried to hard to stay in school and focus on her classes and I'm very proud. Even with blood leaking from her belly button and a raging bladder infection she made it. This week she did 4 and a half full days with her pain level somewhat under control. She would have made 5 days but she had to see her Urologist.

Tonight I have a house full of children, a celebration that we all made it through a tough week. They have pizza and movies and Sims 2, tired smiley faces, companionship and the contentment that comes only from having a three day weekend.

Me? I'm tired LOL It's been a week full of meetings and anxious pacing.