weekend recap...

i was up pretty darn late friday night/saturday morning working on luke & heather's wedding cake....so once the kiddos got up, curtis took over & let me nap the morning away....i got up in time 2 catch lunch with the kiddos & get ready 2 head out 4 the delivery/assembly of the cake....then, curtis met up with me at the reception venue & handed off the kiddos, so he could head in2 work

after that, i was scheduled 4 my saturday injection....the kiddos were excited 2 watch me get stuck ~lol~

we sat around the treatment center until my blood work confirmed my levels were still too low, they gave me my shot & we left

then we met up with my mom at golden corral 4 dinner....i love eating out with the kiddos these days! now that they're older/taller, they enjoy being able 2 decide on what they'd like & fill up their own plates....oh, & there - they only cost me $2.50/each - at least until jaden turns 9 in july! ;0)

we grabbed dinner in town because jaden's WRE (weekday religious education) class was to perform at the local college that night - along with all the other schools in the county....the turnout was simply AMAZING! just look at this gym!

these r all the elementary school kiddos (6 schools) on the bleachers....jaden & my neice deandra r sitting about 1/3 way down, ALL the way on the far end (left side)....


here's all the parents/family that came out 2 support the kiddos (& this isn't counting the set of bleachers that we were sitting on!)....


AMAZING, right?!

luckily, the new camera i got 4 christmas has super powerful zoom....unfortunately, i wasn't able to steady the camera enough 2 get a good pic - they all kept blurring

jaden is sitting right under that black hand rail....


& deandra is in the white shirt, right under the yellow balloons (she's turned around, looking towards jaden)....


but since their schools were sitting close enough together, i was able to capture both of them in the videos i shot....here's jaden's fav song (& mine!)....jaden is in the upper right hand corner (behind the blonde in blue) & deandra is in the lower left (beside the boy in the bright green shirt)
(i have no idea y the vid looks so grainy/out of focus - it's much better quality on my PC??? darn youtube!)



they both did awesome! but i'm continuously amazed at jaden & the way he's matured & grown lately! he's so much more attentive overall - wanting 2 b involved more in everyday conversation with us, showing more interest in others' opinions & what they have 2 say, paying attention 2 what's going on around him more (aka. eavesdropping on ma & dad's convos ~wink~)....& we're LOVING it!!! u can tell he has come around & become interested in activities at school too (another example - his go fish performace earlier this month)....i remember when he'd stand up there with everyone else, even try 2 pretend 2 sing along occasionally - but he'd really b off in his own world, gazing around at everyone - totally not interested in the performance....but again, this time he was on point with every single song! not only knowing the words & motions, but appearing 2 actually enjoy performing! we're making MAJOR PROGRESS!!!

here he is after saturday's performance - rather pleased with himself ;0) check out the cool necklaces they got too....


his lil sisters also enjoyed the "show"....


that concluded our saturday night....we were all beat, & it was time 2 get ready 4 bed once we got home

sunday morning, the kiddos let us sleep in until 9am!!! then, i was able 2 drive up 2 the hospital 4 my injection on my own....yep, levels still too low - actually dropping if u can believe it! curtis stayed @ home with the kiddos, & got ready 4 work....then as soon as i got home, we hit the park....it was a GORGEOUS (but windy!) day out & we wanted 2 enjoy some daddy time b4 he had 2 leave

her fancy, lift 1 leg move ;0)


all 3 kiddos were standing on the bridge & i saw the perfect pic opportunity....unfortunately, jaden was so not in the mood 4 photos ~lol~


oh well!

sunday afternoon was full of more playing outside (@ home, with neighbor friends)....& even tho the wind made it difficult, i grilled burgers & dogs 4 dinner....the kiddos were majorly pleased - corinn commented several times on how "awesome" dinner was ;0)

after watching the kiddos' fav show of all time (AFV) & getting the bath/bedtime routine out of the way, we hit the sack....yes, all 4 of us! ;0)

we had a busy (& fun) weekend!!!
how was ur's?


*update on the injections - i went in this morning 4 blood work & my levels r STILL too low! they gave me another injection (that makes #11) & upped my coumadin dosage yet again (i'm up to 15mg a day)....then, they scheduled me 4 another one 2moro....they said they won't even bother checking my level 2moro - they'll just stick me (with #12)....i'll go back on wednesday 2 get my level checked again & we'll go from there (come on 2.something!!!) ~crossing fingers!~

weekend wedding cake...

yesterday, Luke & Heather wed....i've known Luke since we were kiddos (& his sis is my girls' daycare provider)....when he asked me 2 make his wedding cake, i was psyched!

Luke proposed 2 Heather under the Eiffel Tower when they were on a trip 2 Europe last year....so naturally, that was their cake topper ;0)

it's 4 tiers of yellow & chocolate cake, all iced in butter cream....the "ribbon" border is my dark chocolate fondant & i accented the sides with lavender fondant pearls

injections...

that's the skylight at the cancer center....i've gazed up & out that window many times over the last few months! way more than i'd care 2 claim actually

but this week has been quite the doozy!

since we discovered my blood clot on friday, i've been taking Coumadin daily & have had 2 get an injection of Lovenox each & every day (including weekends)....they also draw blood at the same time as my injections - to check my levels & make sure i'm not getting too many blood thinners

they want my level to get to "2.something" & so far, i haven't been able to get above 1.47 (yesterday's level)....actually, 2day they said my level dropped from yesterday! 2day was supposed 2 b my last injection (totaling 8 all together), but since i'm still on the low side, we're going 2 continue on with the injections through this weekend too - yay, NOT!

they've also increased my Coumadin dosage all the way from 5mg (where i started last friday), to now 12.5mg a day....i'm just so ready 2 b done with this crapola! on top of still feeling the effects from monday's chemo, the Coumadin really wipes me out too!

they'll check my levels again on monday & we'll go from there....not sure what the next step will b, but my belly is definitely ready 4 a break from the needles!

ketchup...

ok, really this is a "catch up" post, not a "ketchup" post - but that's one of jaden's favorite jokes, so i couldn't resist! ;0)

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1st, i wanted 2 update u on a little confession i made last month...i had someone ask about how we've been doing with the tardies - & i'm proud 2 announce that we just received jaden's report card this week (more on the actual grades soon), & it shows that he's only had TWO tardies in the last 6 weeks (which means the same 4 the other 2 kiddos too)!
whoo hoo!
i'd say that's progress! ;0)

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next, 4 those of u wondering - the van was considered totaled! yay!
even tho this is what we hoped & prayed for, it actually came at the worst possible time! between my appointments, curtis' work schedule & everything else going on in our busy lives - we haven't had 1 second 2 go looking 4 a new ride!
i really need 1 of these...
& another bummer - since it was totaled & the insurance company made an offer to "buy" it, they no longer had 2 provide us with a rental (so much 4 me trying 2 extend our time with 1)....they still gave us 5 days as a customer service, but i had 2 turn in the rental last night....i'm probably going back 2 get another car 4 the weekend (they have great weekend deals), since curtis works & i just can't survive 2 whole days with 3 kiddos & no car!

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in case any1 was curious, here's what i ended up writing 4 our 1st (revamped) edition of the church newsletter....the lady putting it 2gether was very pleased (glad she didn't regret asking me 2 contribute!)....i also loved the poem & pics she decided 2 include with my ramblings ;0)

(click 2 enlarge)

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lastly, i was given a Kreativ Blogger Award from my friend BC @ Sincerely, B - thx girl!
i'm supposed 2 list 7 things that i love, so here goes...

1. i love spring! yay - it's finally here! & i love finding evidence of it inside & out - like the beautiful flowers that my girls r constantly picking & putting in little cups of water ;0)

2. i'm a fresh fruit nut! & i'm loving the grocery store these days - so many more options 2 chose from! & the fruit stands r opening up! i keep a bag of clementines at my desk at work & have been stocking the fridge at home with all kinds of fun stuff 4 the kiddos & i 2 snack on

3. i adore the beach - i'm longing 4 our yearly trip (that will b somewhat delayed this year, due 2 a certain cancer diagnosis/treatment!)....oh, 2 lay in the sun & watch my kiddos play/swim, with my babe beside me (he'll b properly shaded under a shirt, umbrella & hat of course ~lol~) - now that's the life!

4. i ♥ milk! actually i probably drink too much milk some days, but at least it's 2%! ;0)

5. taking pics - i won't go as far as 2 call it "photography", cause i have no idea what i'm doing - i just snap what i like & i like a lot of what i snap ;0)

6. my kiddos' teachers - this year has especially shown me, just how important our kiddos' teachers r in their lives! not only r they responsible 4 molding their little brains 4 almost 7 hours a day, but they've also been there as support & a shoulder 2 cry on throughout this whold cancer schmancer stuff! they've shown great patience with me during my forgetful/sick/tired days & have really stepped up & gone above & beyond the call of duty!!!

7. & of course, my darling husband & kiddos - what can i say? i'm truly, truly blessed!!!


& i'd like 2 pass this award on 2 a couple of blogs that i ♥love♥...
G5 Family
lulufish
Dear Trevor
WeSnLani
Livin' la vida Garcia

what r u loving right now???

weekend recap...& chemo #7...

saturday started off with a surprise birthday lunch that we threw 4 my mom! she's quite the private investigator & was hunting around 4 clues 4 at least a week leading up 2 her party! i think she was definitely on 2 us, but couldn't b sure - so we still caught her off guard & it was fun surprising her!

mom & dad's friend, hupp, helped us set her up - here she is, punching him 4 fooling her!

we invited old & current co-workers, family & friends - & we had a great turn out!

mom insisted on a family shot - & i just realized, we lined up in order of age (us kids)....that's me on the left, then comes my brother cj (sam jr.), then ma & dad, then comes my sis kelly, then the baby joe (he drove in from richmond & really surprised mom!)

& of course the grandbabies!
jaden, matthew (cj & katie's son), corinn, gabby, deandra & bryan (my sis' 2 kiddos)

after the party, my dad insisted we bring the kiddos over 2 ride 4-wheelers & go karts & just 2 hang out

i ♥ this pic of matthew!

of course, we had 2 go bottle feed the calves again!

& i guess grandpa just couldn't get enuff of us - cause after church on sunday, he invited us over again....this time, it was much warmer outside - so we grilled hot dogs & had a picnic too!

i picked up this M&M ice cream that the kiddos loved - i enjoyed watching matthew eat his ;0)


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monday, was chemo #7 (of8)....that's right, i'm almost done!

but even tho i can see the light at the end of the tunnel - the more treatments i have, the harder it's getting....especially this time, cause i had 2 have a Picc line put in....because of the blood clot that developed in my right arm, they wanted 2 bypass the veins in my arms all 2gether - & send the meds straight in2 my blood stream, right above my heart

b4 heading 2 the hospital, curtis & i stopped 2 grab some breakfast....as simple as it may b, i really enjoy being able 2 sit in the car, under some beautiful shade & enjoy that time with my hubby


we had 2 go in2 the main part of the hospital 4 the Picc line 2 b put in....it was a lot more serious than i had imagined - i thought it was just an elaborate IV, but they had a sterile room all set up 4 me - curtis wasn't allowed 2 stick around & the nurses got all dressed up in full scrubs....they had 2 use an ultrasound 2 find the deep vein in my upper arm (that's what the purple line is marking in the photo below)....then they used local anthesesia to numb the area first, then put in an "introducer" - it was really just a spacer that held open the line 2 my vein (what an awkward feeling - having it inserted), so the line could be fed in....they measured my chest & determined i'd need 46cm of line....on the end of that line was a tiny magnet - another ultrasound type monitor was placed on my chest so that they could see the magnet & where the end of the line was ending up

of course i had 2 b difficult - it took over an hour 2 get the line fed correctly....it kept wanting 2 go up in2 my jugular vein, rather than down in2 the vein above my heart where they wanted it 2 b....they had me lay down flat, sit up straight, lay on my side with my arm in the air - all while tilting my head/chin down into my chest, trying to block off my jugular - what can i say, i must have a big one! ~lol~ they fed & re-fed the line, till finally it was where it need 2 b


this is what the line looked like after it was fully inserted & all taped up....i was actually able to watch the whole, long procedure (weird, but neat!)....afterward, they took a chest xray too - just 2 b sure it was placed where it should b

the initial plan was 2 leave it in 4 the next 2 weeks, until my last chemotherapy treatment - but the doc was totally against that! because of my increased risk of infection & clotting, the doc insisted it come out & another 1 b put in 4 my last treatment - yay! NOT! that shit hurt! & still does! i can't imagine having 2 do it all over again, but i guess i don't get much say in the matter!

once the Picc line was in place, i headed over 2 the cancer center....chemo started much later than usual, because of having 2 get the line put in - but because i didn't experience any burning in my arms/veins this time, the nurses never had 2 slow down or dilute my treatment - so we got out of there even earlier than normal!

but that didn't come without a price!

i 1st started shivering b4 i even left the cancer center....& by the time i got home, my temp was up to 102.1! curtis was already late 2 work, so i arranged 4 my mom 2 come & take the kiddos 4 an overnight....i knew i had just left the cancer center & all my levels had been checked - so i didn't want 2 call them & have them make me come up there again (don't worry, they got after me 4 that the next day!)....& sure enuff, by around 8pm, my fever broke....i slept on & off & woke up about 3 times throughout the night, completely drenched with sweat & having a little trouble taking a deep breath....but never anything serious enuff 2 scare me (curtis was home by 1am, so i had him there 2 rush me 2 the hospital if need b)

i went in2 the cancer center the next morning 4 my bloodwork & injection, & told them about my night....they explained that i had a slight (yet normal) allergic reaction 2 one of the chemo meds (bleomycin) - i was given a test dose of this med b4 we even began treatment #1 & didn't have any reaction....but since chemo was given more rapidly & straight in2 "the trunk of the tree" (in2 the blood flow above my heart) this time - it hit me harder & faster & more concentrated!

& believe me, i can totally attest 2 that! i'm feeling soooo wiped out & drained this time! u can see it in my face more (dark circles under my eyes) - i just look tired! i only got sick once that 1st night tho....i've been having that blah-i-feel-like-i-could-hurl-feeling since, but i can deal with that....i stayed home from work yesterday 2 rest up & am feeling a tad better 2day - but i'm still dragging ass!

i've still been getting the blood thinner injections every day (u should see my poor bruised belly - i'll have had 8 of them by friday, & i'm gonna look like a pin cushion!)....they draw blood each time too & since now my right arm is off limits, my left arm is a poor bruised mess too (the blood thinners make u bruise more easily)! they want my blood 2 b thinned out 1 a level of 2.something....but until yesterday, it remained at .99....finally yesterday, it was up to 1.nothing (the nurse's words) - but still no where near where it should b, so they keep upping my coumadin dose (that i take in the eve)....i'll probably remain on the coumadin for 4-6 months until the clot is completely dissolved

but even tho my blood isn't thinning out enuff 4 their liking, i still see the clot going down - & the pain in that arm is almost gone completely! so i know it's working & that makes me feel better

soooooo, if i can just make it thru this week (believe it or not, i have a small/simple wedding cake 2 make 4 saturday!), i'll b alright....then hopefully i can make it thru that last Picc line insertion & chemo treatment on april 6th!

as always, keep me in ur prayers!

after that, they'll schedule me for a CT scan (2 check the size of my lymph nodes) & a PET scan (2 see if what, if any, cancer cells r left)....then they'll determine the amount of radiation i'll need 2 zap the rest....right now, they're saying 2-4 weeks....i hear radiation wipes you out, but i won't have all the nausea 2 deal with - hopefully, it'll b a cake walk compared 2 chemo! (crossing fingers!!!)

weekend cakes...

wow, the 1st weekend in a while where i had more than one cake 2 decorate!

the 1st was a fire helmet 4 a friend, 2 give as a surprise 2 her boyfriend...she took it by his station & says all the fire fighters loved it!

it was butter pecan cake (my 1st try at that - smelled & tasted yummy!), iced in butter cream....i molded the helmet from rice krispies & decorated it in fondant, 2 match his helmet (we added the #24 on the back 4 his age)


then came my mom's cake....her fav color is blue, so i decided 2 do something simple & pretty in different shades of blue....the #5 was yellow cake & the #0 was chocolate....all iced in butter cream & i decorated it in a fondant mosaic design


thx 4 looking!

calves...

my brother has some new additions 2 all the chickens on his poultry farm....he now has 5 calves, including one little longhorn!

cj picked up my kiddos 4 me last evening, since i had 2 work late....i wasn't there 2 witness them meeting/bottle feeding the calves 4 the 1st time, but my mom was & she snapped some pics 4 me....from what i hear, the girls fav part is letting the babes suck on their fingers ~teehee~

blood clot...

boy, i'm having 1 helluva week!

i didn't mention that on tuesday (the same day as the accident), i ended up taking a personal day from work & going in2 the cancer center....i've been experiencing burning/soreness/achiness
in my arms 4 a while now....especially, my right arm - even tho i haven't had chemo in that arm since chemo #4 (a month & 1/2 ago!)....monday & tuesday were almost unbearable - i couldn't get my upper arms 2 relax & there were a couple of tender spots on my right arm....my oncologist took a look & checked my blood levels, but there weren't any visible signs of anything being wrong....she explained that the chemo not only burns ur veins, but also the surrounding nerves....that it was normal 4 me 2 have the soreness, it was just weird that it was sticking around 4 so long

i've been using heat (actually, a shoulder wrap from here that curtis got me like 7yrs ago - it still smells awesome & totally rocks!), & that would give me some relief....it's gotten a little better since then - both arms rn't so sore any more...but 1 of those tender spots on my right arm got worse....it's on the side of my elbow - slowly getting swollen, tight, sore....even feeling hot & getting a little red by the end of each day

here's a pic from this morning....it's my right arm (so on the left in this pic)....u can see how it's protruding/swollen


so i decided 2 b a bug-a-boo & go back 2 the cancer center again 2day....this time, the doc could see the sore spot & even measured my arms....sure enuff, my right is 2cm bigger than my left, so she sends me over 2 get an ultrasound - in case there's a blood clot

the ultrasound was neat....1st, the tech was only a year older than me & named Sharon Marie too - & she was also named after someone that died at a young age in the 70's (me after my mom's sis, her after her dad's 1st wife)....she had me strip from the waist up & lay on a bed....she took an ultrasound, starting at my neck (jugular), all the way down my upper arm - following where the jugular splits into 3 separate veins....she had 2 examine each one & it took quite a while....with the lights dimmed & me laying down on the bed, i darn near fell asleep! ~lol~

after we were done, she sent me back over 2 the cancer center 2 find out the results from my doc....sure enuff, there's a clot!

grrrrr!

but thank God i followed my instincts & went back 2day 2 get it checked! if left untreated, the clot could have potentially traveled up & caused me 2 have a stroke....but since we caught it, we just simply have 2 dissolve it

that means that i immediately go on a prescription blood thinner (coumadin)....but since it takes a little while 2 kick in, i also have 2 get an injection (in the belly) every day for a week (can't remember the name of that drug)....i got my 1st one 2day & i'll go back every single day thru next friday (including 2moro & sunday) 4 them 2 keep giving them 2 me....i have 2 watch my vitamin k intake (dark greens) - i need 2 keep my levels constant, eating the same amount each week, or it will throw off the effects of the blood thinner....& of course now i have 2 b careful not 2 cut myself~ ~lol~

i literally broke down in tears at the cancer center....i just couldn't help it!

the nurses were so sweet....i assured them that i wasn't crazy, that i wasn't crying because i have this clot - it's just been a really, really bad week & i felt it all coming down on me at once

on top of all our already hectic schedule, i've been on the phone a kazillion times this week, sorting out the details with this car crap, plus trying 2 get moving on shopping 4 a new ride....we had gabby's ER scare (& loooong night) & then jaden's jealousy issues 2 deal with (the poor boy was so sad that he didn't get 2 ride in the ambulance too - & even had 2 b picked up early from school on wednesday because he had been in tears the whole morning, totally upset that he was in school & his sister wasn't)....my arms have been aching the entire time i'm at work this week....& i've been feeling this guilt about all the time i've been away from work - i have the personal time 2 cover it, but i have just felt like i'm slacking on pulling my fair share of the load & that more than should b, has been falling on my co-worker's plate....i had a cake order 2 fill last night (that i probably shouldn't have taken on)....& there's 1 more worry that i'm dealing with, that i can't tell u about just yet, but i'll fill u in on it next week....& now this clot! just when i thought i was getting close 2 the chemo finish line, i have 2 deal with this BS?!

it's just been a really, really bad week!

but as a friend reminded me 2day - God won't give me anything i can't handle! i just need to breathe & let go of the reins....i constantly struggle with taking on too much - thinking i can handle it all on my own....not wanting 2 ask 4, or accept help....but i'm working on it!

i don't stress it if the kiddos can't always make it 2 all their activities any more....if we can't finish every bit of homework 1 night, i just let the teacher know....i try not 2 feel guilty about feeding the kiddos hot dogs or chicken nuggets 4 dinner if i'm having a rough day (or 2, or 3)....i'm learning 2 let go & let God

we r so truly blessed! God's arms r always around us, holding us close - keeping us safe....He shows us his merciful love each & every day!

& i'm thankful!

RIP ford windstar...

b4 curtis drove me in2 work this morning, we swung by the towing/storage place 2 snap a pic of the damage 2 the van....i couldn't believe that the old lady's bumper was still stuck in my hood! ~lol~ it looks like my van was hungry & just took a bite!

my hubby has always joked that the van could see a check coming from the mailbox, in2 the house....he'd say every time we'd get a tax return, some kind of work bonus, or extra funds would come in, the van would start coughing or complaining it's feet hurt ~lol~ cause sure enuff, as soon as we'd come in2 some extra dough, the van would need new brakes, or something would stop working & it would need repair, or i'd get a flat tire....it never failed!

so, curtis said that the windstar went out just like it should have...

-we poured almost $400 in2 repairs last week (that didn't even fix the problem)
-we just put 4 new tires on it about a month ago
-i had just filled up my gas tank the very same day as the accident

~lol~

RIP ford windstar - u did us good & went out in style!

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here's what i'm pimping now...

it's a 08 saturn aura & it's nice! not a minivan, but a big enuff car 2 keep us comfortable 4 the next couple of weeks....our insurance has a $600 cap on the rental & a minivan costs $50 more a day than a car - so i went with the full sized car 2 extend the time we can keep it....i've gotta admit, it's weird driving a car again - but i like it! ;0)

still no official word that the van is considered 2 b totaled, but the insurance guy is pretty confident it is....he said replacing the air bag alone costs a couple thousand dollars, so it's safe 2 say it's a total loss! (yay!) let's just say i'm already car shopping online! ;0)

st. patty's day accident...

yesterday evening, i took the girls 2 corinn's tap class & curtis took jaden 2 martial arts practice....on our way home, the girls & i were headed to get some dinner....we were traveling on a road not far from our home - it's a 2 lane road, with a 55mph speed limit....i was following behind a 77yr old lady, driving little black honda accord....suddenly, she slams on her brakes for a dog that ran out in front of her....i also slammed mine, but did not have enough time to stop....i crashed in2 her rear-end, totally embedding her bumper in2 my hood, deploying my air bags & completely crushing the front end of my van!

gabby immediately started screaming in a panic....both girls had been sitting in the middle row of seats & their seat belts totally did their job! gabby's worked so well that she had a nasty scrape across her belly & she was screaming that it hurt....corinn was also crying & had a red mark across her left shoulder, but she wasn't in pain or panicked

the air bag deploying freaked me out - i'd always heard horror stories about the burns they can give....the smoke from the air bag had filled the van 2 the point that i couldn't see out my windshield 2 tell whether we were safe 2 get out or not

i turned on my flashers & slowly got out - i needed 2 get 2 gabby who was freaking out....the accident had forced my van in2 the middle of the 2 lane road, so i was blocking traffic both ways....about 5 or 6 vehicles stopped 2 help - they were 1st concerned with me & the girls, then started helping to direct traffic by, 1 lane at a time

i got the girls out of the van & we found our way safely 2 the side of the road....corinn was still in her dance clothes & neither had their jackets on....it was a rather warm day, but with the excitement, we were all shaking & cold....i sat them down, far far off the road & went back 2 the van 2 get their jackets & corinn's pants

there was fluid pouring out of my van & covering the road - it was quite a sight....the old lady that i had hit walked up 2 me at this point with the weirdest grin on her face....i said "are u the one i hit?" & she nodded...i asked "are u alright?!"....she shrugs & says very nonchalantly "yeah, a dog ran out in front of me"

i admit, once i knew she was ok - i really wasn't concerned with her....& her attitude kind of pissed me off....not apologetic at all, didn't really act concerned - i know it wasn't her fault, i probably would have braked 4 the dog too, but dang!

i went back 2 the girls & we prayed - thanking God 4 keeping us & the lady we hit safe....asking God 2 help gabby's belly feel better & that she's ok....& yes, even thanking God 4 letting the little doggy live

several witnesses had called 911 & came over 2 check on us....2 gentlemen on motorcycles said they couldn't believe the way the lady had braked 4 the dog....they were coming in the opposite direction & saw the whole thing

the firetrucks & ambulances arrived....the paramedics checked us out....because gabby (who by now, had calmed down quite a bit) complained of a sore neck & that the inside of her belly hurt too, they wanted 2 transport us 2 the hospital....i went back 2 the van again, 2 gather my purse & the girls' backpacks & we hopped in2 the rig


both girls were quiet during the ride - still shaken up, i'm sure....i had 2 give the paramedics all the info they needed & they checked gabby's vitals....it turned out that i graduated high school with the driver & one of the other paramedic's daughter is in preK with corinn....they were all very friendly & did a great job of making the girls feel comfortable & relaxed

(4 those of u that went 2 bway too - the guy pulling gabby out is brian huffman!)

meanwhile, i had already called curtis from the side of the road & he had pulled jaden out of martial arts & headed 2 the hospital....he was waiting in the ER when we arrived....once we got in2 a room & the doc came in2 see us, it was already almost 8pm (the accident happened at about 6:30)....none of the kiddos had eaten yet (remember, we were on our way 2 pick up dinner?), so curtis & jaden ran out 2 get some mcdonald's

gabby ended up needing a CT scan 2 check her belly & spine....& 3 xrays 2 look at her middle back (apparently, it's hard 2 read a child's CT scan 4 that area)....the CT scan required she have an IV, which was not fun - but other than that, she really seemed 2 enjoy the attention....she's my little hypocondriac & has always enjoyed taking medicine & going 2 the doctor....she was super brave & patient! i honestly think this girl might b a doctor 1 day - she's so fascinated by the scans (she was familiar with the process since i've had some done & have told her about them - she was anxious 2 experience it herself), machines & even her IV (at the end of the night, she was actually examining her IV 2 see if she could take it out herself! ~lol~)


i ended up sending curtis & the other 2 kiddos home after they'd all eaten & we knew we'd b in the ER 4 a while (at 9pm, the doc said it would probably b another hour & a half)....waiting 4 the CT scan & those results took forever (scan confirmed that everything was ok)! then, we were told that since radiology had already closed, gabby's xrays would b sent to australia (that's right, the country down under!) 2 b read??? then they'd send the results back


finally, at 12:30am!!! the results were back...a few bruised ribs, but she was fine!

i had asked my mom 2 come & get us (instead of having curtis drag the other 2 kiddos out of bed)....she came up & sat with us 4 the last few hours & really made the time go by faster - she & gabby were giggling like crazy....i think gabby was just delerious from being so tired - she passed out almost instantly on the car ride home! thx so much ma!!! 4 yet again, always being there 4 us!!!

2day, gabby is resting at home with daddy....she slept in till 10am & woke up saying she felt just fine....we expected her 2 b sore 2day, but she says nothing hurts - kids r so resiliant!

now, 4 the silver lining maybe?

i know what u're all thinking - & yes, i totally thought about it too!
just last week, i was complaining here about my van & how it's on it's last leg....we're praying hard that it's considered totaled (completely smashed front end, air bags deployed, totally not drivable - crossing fingers!) - that sure will make getting a new one a whole lot easier! ;0)

ps. i'm sorry, i didn't think 2 get any pics of the van (the others above were snapped with my cell)...but i'll get a shot when we go 2 get our stuff out of it soon