Crohn's and Colitis Walk

As many of you know, up until last year, I had a condition called Ulcerative Colitis. I was diagnosed in 2006, and tried to control the disease with medicine. Each type of medicine only worked for a few months, at best. Eventually, I got to a point when I had to start having IV treatments for the disease. After a few times, those also stopped working. At that point the only thing left to try was a drug study for medicine that had been approved by the FDA for similar diseases, but not colitis. During this time, I was often too sick to work, and Robert had to be the man and the woman of the house. (At least he can't claim he doesn't know how to do any chores now. :)) After nearly a year's worth of weekly shots, the doctor's determined that nothing was helping and it was time for surgery.

Last March, I had the first of 3 surgeries to remove my colon, and the disease, from my body. This first surgery lasted close to 8 hours. I spent a week in the hospital and 4 weeks at my parents and home to recover. In June, I had the second surgery, which was similar in time and recovery to the first. Finally, in October, I had the last surgery. Thankfully, it was much shorter and easier to recover from than the first ones.

Now, I am doing well and pretty much back to normal. Robert and I went to Zion's last month and we're going to Peru in June. I never would have made either of those trips prior to surgery. I'm so excited to be able to live a normal life again!

Now, I am also walking (because I can now) in the Crohn's and Colitis Walk next month to help raise awareness and money for research on these diseases. I have friends who are still living with Crohn's and I want to help find a way to make their lives better. Without the research on these diseases, I doubt I would have ever had a chance to return to a normal life.

Please help me by donating to my team at www.cctakesteps.org. Just search for my name and pick the one from Utah! You can also find a link on my facebook profile. Thanks for helping me with this!

What d'ya know?

My sister got married. About two months ago...

They had a backyard reception with lots of dancing. We had a great time.

Congratulations!

In Memory

Good bye for now Grandpa.
It is hard for me, but I know it is better for you.

Enjoy your reunion with your family.
Tell them I’m looking forward to seeing them too.

Watch over the little ones until they come.
Then let them remind me of you.

Watch over me.
Help me live a life you will be proud of.

Save me a seat.
Better yet, make me the best seat in the house.

I will keep track of Grandma for you.
I will hold her hand whenever we are walking together.

I will help keep your girls in line.
You taught all of us how to give them a hard time.

I will always have your chair.
No one will ever sit in it though.

I will keep a garden full of peas and zucchini.
I will make a loaf of bread for you.

I’m looking forward to racing you again,
but until then I’m missing you.

Good bye for now Grandpa.
It is hard for me, but I know it is better for you.

Summer 2009

We haven't been able to do much this summer...that's why it all fits in one post. But, next summer is going to rock!

For those of you who have read Emily's post about our trip to Denver, I would like you to know that this picture sums up the whole trip. And, I'm sure she'll agree with me. Ha ha.

And, here's the rest of the summer:

Come to Peru!!

Next summer, Robert and I are going to Peru and you're all invited! Robert's dad wanted to go to Machu Picchu for his 50th birthday. So, we found a tour group and signed up. It's a pretty good deal with airfare included. Below is an information flyer, if you are interested. The price on the flyer is good through Sept. 15th, with a down payment of $150. (The balance is due later.) If you are interested, send an email to peru.trip.2010@gmail.com and I'll send you some more information.

Round 2

Well, I had my second surgery about a week and a half ago. There was a lot of speculation as to whether it would be easier or harder than the first. Last time I was way unhealthy going in, making it harder to recover. But, this time the surgery was more intense, also presenting the opportunity of it being harder to recover.

Luckily for me, the fact that I was healthier this time won out. It was much easier for me to recover while I was in the hospital this time. And, my stay was actually shorter. Unfortunately, it's been a little bit harder since I've been home. Apparently my body doesn't like having all of its insides rearranged without putting up a bit of a fuss. Overall, I think this one was easier, and the next will be the easiest! Hopefully, that one should happen in about a month and I can forget this summer like a bad dream.

Finally, I have lots of things to post about, but they are just going to have to wait for right now. I'm back in school part-time because I'm working on getting some additional endorsements for my teaching license. Next year I'll be teaching English and math, but only if I get caught up on the homework I missed while I was at the hospital!

May 2009

Let's try posting once a month... :)

I was dying to go 4-wheeling because I finally feel good! Robert took me on Memorial day. Here are some pictures we took. If you look close, you can see the temple behind us.

We went to the cemetaries, like usual, but our family is soooo into kayaking now, we had to go see the river afterwards. Don't worry that they've already gone twice, but Robert hasn't been able to go yet. (That's because he was busy taking me 4-wheeling.) Robert was trying to show off his freestyle walking skills, so Abbey, Sophia, and I had to try too. And, Sheree and Nick needed some pictures to put in their wedding video. :) Congrats to them!

Finally, we got free tickets to some motorcross show. It was combined with a Hoobastank concert. Funny. The best part was the motorcycles, but Robert has been threatened to never try this stuff!