Lake Cleveland

A couple weeks ago Chris and I flew to Boise (yes we flew because we hate taking that long drive)! Chris' mom picked us up and took us to Twin and then we drove my brother-in-law Ron's car to Burley. My brother Kyler and his wife were there and we had fun staying up talking and laughing. The next day we got up and packed up the car and after Kyler and Chris ended up replacing the battery in my mom's van we finally we were off. We went up to a place called Twin Lakes, near Lake Cleveland. I don't know why it's called Twin Lakes, because the only lake I know of is Lake Cleveland, but anyway, when we first got there and got out of the car it was COLD and WINDY! Basically I spent the whole day in my sister's trailer.

Around late afternoon/evening the raining stopped and the wind died down and we ventured outside. We had a yummy dutch oven dinner. The kids were in heaven running around throwing throwing rocks in the water and the cold did not seem to bother them.

 My brother Chad brought a piece of garden hose that was put inside a brass pipe and it made the fire change colors. It was pretty cool. 

 The next morning it was bright and sunny and the weather was finally cooperating. 

 Kyler was up to his old tricks, and according to Landon, it was "amazing."

 We climbed a couple big rocks next to our campsite. 

 I rode my bike for awhile with a couple of my brothers and their kids and my mom. I didn't make it up the hill, so I had to turn around and go back, but I'm blaming it on my bike and the gears not working right (not that I'm not in shape) :)

 Chris and I had to drive to the top of Mount Harrison to get service to make a phone call and of course had to take a picture of this view.

 Kelsi and Jenna were so proud of themselves for getting two people on one bike.

 This girl cracks me up!

 After taking this picture, I realized my twelve year old nephew is taller than me! I can't believe he's twelve!

 Later that afternoon we went to the lake and canoed and rafted. The weather was a little colder then, but it was still fun.

 Chris and I hiked up the side of the hill that was right on the lake. We didn't make it quite to the top because it was too steep, but I was impressed we made it so far. And it was a really pretty view as well. I love Lake Cleveland.

The next morning we got up and packed everything up and went back to my mom's. That afternoon Chris and I went and had dinner with my Dan and Shana and Brock and Kristina went as well. That night I talked everyone into playing a couple games of Bunco which was fun. Chris and I left the next morning back to Twin and went to church in Hansen and saw his friends, cousins, and sister. Then we went to his Grandma's who was having a birthday dinner for his uncle so a lot more of his family came and we were able to see his mom, brother Ryan, and more cousins. Sad we couldn't stay too long but we had to get back to Boise to catch our flight. Chris' dad and stepmom drove us back and we had a nice visit with them. It was so fun being with all my siblings and their families for a few days. In a couple weeks we are driving to the Tetons and camping with Chris' mom and his siblings. We are really excited!

Remicade Update

Well I just wanted to give an update on my Remicade infusions. So far I've had two infusions. I have not experienced any bad side effects or anything like that, but unfortunately I have not felt any better either.  I'm not giving up yet. My doctor came and talked to me during the last infusion and said that it could still take time so not to worry yet. I have read about people who felt like a new person the day after their first infusion, and others who said it took a few weeks or months to tell it was really working.

When I had my first infusion the nurse noted that my face and chest were kind of red. During the last infusion my face, chest, neck, back, stomach and arms were red. The nurse was worried that I was having an allergic reaction. She got the doctor and he agreed. I'm not entirely sure that it was because I felt completely fine. I wasn't having trouble breathing, I wasn't itchy, or anything like that. It could have just been from all the warm blankets I had on me. But they want to be on the safe so that next time it's not worse, so for 3 days before the next infusion I have to take 20 mg of prednisone (steroid) and then they will give solumedrol (IV form of prednisone), wait 30 minutes, and then do the Remicaid infusion. So it will take 2 1/2 hours instead of 2, but that's ok. So much for never taking prednisone again, but taking it for 3 days shouldn't give me any bad side effects. Actually I will probably feel great during those 3 days. :) Here I am, wrapped up in all those blankets!

Also when I had the first infusion, I made a special effort to drink lots the day of and the day before the infusion. It still took the nurse 4 tries to start the IV. The next time she tried first in the same spot and got it on the first try. It is also the same spot they used when I had my exam under anesthesia. It's uncomfortable spot on my wrist, but I guess I've worn out all the other places!

 My doctor wanted me to call him and let him know how I am doing. I called and left a message today, so I am waiting to hear back. I don't know if he will tell me to do anything different, or just wait for the next Remicade infusion. We flew home this weekend and went camping with my mom and all my siblings. We had tons of fun, but last night when we got back, I unpacked, and laid on the bed for awhile. I thought I was just resting, but I fell asleep and was too tired to do anything else. I did get up after awhile and get ready for bed, and went back to sleep before Chris was in bed. There were a couple days when we were gone that I didn't feel great, and I think camping and traveling just wore me out. Today was my day off and I haven't really done anything productive. I need more energy! Haha, don't we all. :) I guess it's ok to have a day to relax and rest every now and then Anyway, I want to document if this medication is helping me or not, so that's why I am writing this. I will keep updating, and I will post about our vacation soon!

Golfing, Climbing, and Hiking...Oh my!

This last Thursday we both got off work early so we decided the go mini golfing. We were pretty surprised at the end when our scores were tied!

Chris also watched me climb the rock wall. I took a rock climbing class in college and I miss it a lot! I made it to the top on two different sides.

Friday I found out that I only had 3 patients to see on Saturday, so Chris and I thought it would be a good day to go the waterpark at Silverwood (an amusement park in Coer d' Alane which reminds me a lot of Lagoon). We have been planning to go there sometime this summer. I got up early and was ready by 7, only to look out the window and realize it was raining outside! We thought the weather was going to be nice. I still went to work since I was ready and we decided to wait and see if it got better. It was still raining off and on. We had to go to Coer d' Alane anyway to pick up my ring that was being sized down (which ended up still being too big)! So since we were there we decided to find something to do. It was warm enough to be outside, but not quite warm enough to swim because of the wind and scattered rain. We found this hill that has a bunch of trails on it to hike. We saw a couple deer, which was cool. We made it to the top and ate our lunch we had packed (for the water park). I was proud of myself for making it. I was tired and had to stop and rest a few times but other than that I was fine. I look really gross in this pic, but here are, at the top of Tubb's Hill.

Leiser Reunion

Well a couple of weeks ago we were able to go home for a really quick trip. We were able to ride with Chris' aunt and uncle who live in Coeur d' Alane. We left Thursday after work, stayed the night in Butte, Montana, and got there Friday afternoon. We left early Sunday morning. We had a really good time and I think it made us both miss home a lot. Friday afternoon we stopped and visited with my mom for about an hour, and then with my dad for about an hour. My mom drove us back to Twin. Two of Chris' cousins were there, his aunt and uncle, and all of his siblings. Friday night we ate dinner and then mostly visited. Saturday we got up and we all went down to Centennial Park and rented canoes and kayaks and then floated the Snake River from Centennial Park to a place called Pillar Falls, and then back. I think everyone had fun. I love the Snake River Canyon, it was so pretty! 

 The two rocks behind us are the "pillars."

When we got done canoeing we stopped at this waterfall that Chris and I have visited a few times. It's just off the side of the road on the way to the park. You can walk down and walk right under the waterfall. 

After we were done we went home and ate lunch and played on the big blow up slip n' slide that Chris' stepmom ordered. Chris and I also went and said hi to my sister and her family for just a few minutes, and went and visited with his mom. We had a BBQ that night and then watched the guys play basketball. 

Calvry couldn't make it to the end, so he's walking the rest of the way. Which is what I had to do too, haha.

Our nephew Calvry took this pic of us at the end of the day. Love my husband and his family!

In a couple weeks we are flying home for a reunion with my mom and all my siblings. Then in August we are going to go camping at the Tetons with Chris' mom and stepdad. Going home 3 times! It's already a busy summer. :)

Good News!

Well today we got some good news. I had the Exam Under Anesthesia today and the doctors (colorectal surgeon and uro-gynecologist) found the fistula! I was really happy because I was really afraid they wouldn't find anything, and we still wouldn't have an answer to what is going on. :)

We had to be there at 6 am and they finally took me back at about 7:35. The procedure itself was pretty quick. The colorectal surgeon went out and talked to Chris just after 8:00. I didn't really wake up until about 9:00. I stayed in recovery until about 9:50 and then they moved me to where Chris could come back and see me. I don't know why I was there for so long because they told us he could see me 30-45 minutes after it was done. I was pretty nauseated when I woke up, which seems to be pretty typical for me, so they gave me some pain meds and some phenergan. (IV pain medicine makes me nauseated too). I also had a little trouble breathing and had to wear some oxygen for awhile. Once I was feeling better then Chris got to see me. I ate some apple sauce, saltine crackers, and cranberry juice and we were home a little after 11:00 I think. I ate a sandwich when we got home and I went back to bed about 12:30 and slept clear till 4:00! haha. We didn't take any pictures, but I'm ok with that since I wasn't allowed to wear any makeup. Haha, just kidding.

Chris said that the surgeon said the fistula was pretty little, which was good news. She said it is coming from the little bit of rectum that they left after they removed my jpouch last year. This was also good news because we actually suspected it was higher up and this would make it harder to fix. She thinks that it's a good plan to go ahead with the Remicade and see if that will help it heal and come back and see her in 3 months and see where we are at. (We are trying to avoid surgery here).

I will probably have to have this rectal stump removed eventually, but it is a pretty big surgery so we won't do that yet. I feel much better about things now that we know what is wrong, and we have a plan to fix it. Chris and I fasted yesterday that this procedure would yield some answers and my mom told me she fasted for me as well. Yesterday our Relief Society lesson was on Elder Uchdorf's talk on Forget-Me-Nots, and we talked about "Forget not that the Lord loves you." I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and is answering my prayers. I start the Remicade on June 18 and am praying it will work!

The Wonders of Prednisone

For the last week and a half or so I have felt great! Unfortunately I think it is because of prednisone. It's a wonder drug. Too bad it has so many bad side effects. A couple weeks ago I saw my GI doctor. That day I had started having pain around my ribs similar to what I had had a few months ago. He said it was the costochondritis flaring. He said to put heat on it 3 times a day and if it didn't get better that he could give me some prednisone. Every time I get off prednisone I swear that I will never take it again. My face gets poofy, I crave junk food, I can't sleep, and the longer I'm on it the grumpier I get. After 3 days it was so bad I couldn't even take a deep breath, so I gave in and asked for the prednisone. It worked instantly. And not only did it help my rib pain, but everything else too. It was amazing. The pain that I'd had for for weeks and weeks was gone. Everything I ate was not running straight through me anymore. Oh it was glorious. But it was only a 12 day course so I took the last one on Monday night..... And the pain started again Monday morning. It was nice while it lasted. :)

The day I saw my GI doctor we decided to start Remicade. I've had this discussion so many times over the years and never started it, so it's kind of weird to actually be going through with it now. The hope is that it will help any inflammation that we are not seeing (and I'm convinced that there is some because I felt so good while on the prednisone), and help a fistula heal if in fact there is one. I was hesitant because I thought you shouldn't take it if you want to get pregnant, but after talking to the nurse more and reading some material that she sent me, I am not worried anymore. They have a lot of patients who take Remicade during their pregnancy.

I also had an appointment scheduled with the colorectal surgeon a few days later, to see if they can find the fistula and know how to treat it. The surgeon I saw said that I very well could have one, but she is not positive. She is going to do something called an Exam Under Anesthesia. I had this done last year when I was in the hospital in Salt Lake. Basically they put you all the way under so they can do all the looking around they want to. She said that she suspects it would take a big surgery to find and fix it, so it is probably best to try the Remicade first in an attempt to avoid surgery. But we are still going ahead with the EUA to see what she can find. I am having it done this coming Monday, as an outpatient procedure. I shouldn't have pain or anything afterwards and should be able to go to work the next day.

So we are just crossing our fingers that this procedure will be beneficial and that the Remicade will work. I start the Remicade on June 18. I will have 3 infusions 2 weeks apart, and then every 8 weeks after that. Each infusion takes just 2-3 hours. So I finally feel like we are on the right track and that I will hopefully be feeling better soon!

On a different note we had a nice Memorial Day together. I was a little sad being away from family and not being able to visit loved one's graves like I have almost every Memorial Day of my life, but Chris and I had fun together. We had a picnic, played some tennis, and went on a little hike on some trails along the side of the big hill we live on. It's my goal to get out more this summer and build up some endurance and strength!

My Mama!!

Last weekend my mom was able to fly from Boise to Spokane and come visit us for a few days!! It was so fun having her here and being able to show her around Spokane and let her see where I live. The weather and my stomach cooperated and we did lots of fun things!

I picked her up Friday morning and Chris was at work so we went shopping! That afternoon/evening we just hung out and went out to eat at The Old Spaghetti Factory-we really liked it when we went there with Chris' mom. Saturday we spent the day touring Manito Park and Riverfront Park. It was a little sad that not all the flowers were out at Manito Park, but it is still a beautiful place. My mom loved the Conservatory we showed her. Last weekend there was an 11k race that has over 50,000 runners, so Riverfront Park was full of people and vendors. We rode the ride over the Spokane Falls, rode the train around the park, rode the Carousel (you're never too old to ride the Carousel), and rode the slide down the Big Red Wagon. Then we went home and had dinner and of course, watched some Psych. The next day we went to church and just had a nice relaxing day. Monday Chris went to work again and my mom and I did a little more last minute shopping and lunch at Red Robin before I had to take her to the airport around 3:00 pm.

With Mother's Day yesterday I just want to say that I love my mom so much. She truly has always been my best friend and such a great example to me. I have seen her go through many hard things and she always stays strong and faithful. Lots of times when I make a craft, sew something, or cook something, Chris will say, "Where did you learn how to do that?" And I always respond with, "my mom taught me!" My mom is loved by many people, including several of my friends growing up. When I see them they always ask how my mom is. Now don't be jealous of me because I have the cool mom. :) My mom took care of me when I was sick and had my colon removed before I was married. My mom and no one else. She is just amazing and I am so blessed to call her my mom!