Look who lost another tooth.....

GRAINS of GRATITUDE....

Thank you Christine.......

1. I am thankful to finally get answers for my back pain....it is unbearable lately. I just want to walk with out pain....hoping Friday's injections will do the trick.

2. Last night my neighbor's took Aviva at 4 pm so Spider and I can have an evening alone. We watched the Kentucky Derby. And then we went out for Japanese food to a place called Kamado's. It was very good. Spider lived in Japan for 6 months and just love sushi.

3. I am very proud of Aviva for doing so well on her Accelerated Reader program. She earned the 24 points it takes to spell out JUNGLE and now will get to have a party with the other students in the school. Each book was .5 points, and she read over 25 books.

4. Spider was home this weekend and cleaned the house since the bending and moving hurts to much. He does a much better job then I do anyway. And much faster then me too.

5. I am grateful to my friends who have helped me with Aviva this week, by bringing her home from school when I could not. And to mygood friend who is attending seminar with me on Tuesday.

My Back Pain....

Well, yesterday I went to the Pain Management Clinic to find out what they can do for my back. It is really bad that everytime you walk it throbs.

So I saw the nurse practitioner first. She was great and spent a good amount of time with me. Asking lots of questions and explaining things to me. Then the doctor came in and examined me and asked questions and explained things to me and what they will do to help me with the pain.

SO I am taking Celebrex once a day and going back Friday for injections in my back for the disc and SI joint. She believes it will help. I truly hope it does, because living with this pain is really hell. Now, just nervous the procedure will hurt.

Multicultural Day at Central Park...

SECOND tooth fell out..Monday night...

Blogging Against Disablism Day in 2007.....

I am going back to the early 1990's when I was teaching. I was a speech therapist for students with autism. We were housed on the 5th floor of a public school but we were not in the same District.

I had little boys who were 4.8 years old and so small climbing 5 flights...in the beginning took 40 minutes but they were protesting which who could blame them. But with positive reinforcement and tangible rewards they would get up in 10 minutes if that.

But the main problem at that school was no one explained to the typical children about Autism. Back then it was not known as it is now, most people did not know what autism was.

So my students would be walking up or down the stairs and the typical students would be on the stairs as well. But because of them not knowing anything about autism, they acted like our students had some type of contagious disease.

Part I blame on the teachers and part on the parents. So the other speech therapist and I took it upon ourselves to educate the students as well as their teachers about autism and what it means to be autistic.

After we took the time to explain about our students, the typical students wanted to come help out and volunteer in the class. Each class (we had 6) had gym with an age appropriate class.

Both classes learned from each other so turned out to be a win win situation with just a bit of education to explain differences .

FINALLY some answers....

I went to get the results from my MRI. I was hoping it would show something because I was in such pain walking and standing. I knew it had to be something.

When he Doctor walked in I said please tell me that something is wrong. And he laughed and said yes they found something. Glad it was not all in my head.

He showed us the MRI..and explained to Aviva what she was looking at and she thought it was pretty cool.

Then he explained tome what was going on. I have at the L4-5 a left-sided foraminal disc herniation whih moderately encroaches upon the left neural foramen or basically a herniated disc. And at the L3-4 there is an anteriordisc herniaton, but no posterior disc herniation. And there is a loss of normal lordotic curvature and this may reflect strain. Not sure abot the other stuff.

So the doctor wants to send me for Intervention Pain Management Evaluation to see what they can do for the pain...maybe an epidural or something like that.

So that is it for now! Glad to have some results!

YIPPEE..............it is official.....

and so excited because of where we are staying!!!!!!!!!!

I was able to rent points and we are staying at BEACH CLUB VILLAS from Nov. 26 to Nov 30, 2007 (will be our 4th year in a row going at this time). We are renting a studio...but saving a ton of money by renting the points.

And it will be our 11 anniversary, so now will have to decide where to eat for it!! Will put Aviva in the Sandcastle Club and we will go out, ALONE!!

GRAINS of GRATITUDE.....

This week needed to be looked back at it has been a tough week for me....Thanks Christine....

1. I am so happy in how well Aviva is doing in school. She is at the top of her class for reading and scored the highest on the tests....my preemie has come a long way, hasn't she! She is also the assistant for the accelerated reader program. According to her teacher...she sets up the computer for the other students..finds there name, the book they are reading and starts them.

2. Aviva is doing amazing with riding a 2-wheeler, even has the bumps and scrapes to show for it. And she has become a fish in the water. She loves the water.

3. Finally I go tomorrow for my MRI results and truly hope it is something because why would I have this pain.

4. Aviva decided she wanted her birthday at Disney and she wanted Grandpa to come...so she typed an email to him herself (well, some guidance with a little spelling), and invited him to come with us in January and he said yes!!

5. I am very thankful to SPIDER...for being here and helping and cleaning the house. He has been the most understanding!

I am in tears....

from the pain in my lower back. I left Aviva and Spider at the pool and I went to Publix to pick up my Nexium and a few groceries. I was halfway done and ready to cry from the pain. I can not even do grocery shopping with out being in agony and just happy to get to my car to sit. When I sit it feels a lot better.

Spider has been very understanding and helping out a lot when home. Even standing and cutting vegetables or washing Aviva's hair is very hard for me now. I am sick of it.

I am praying the MRI shows something. I will find out Monday. There has to be a reason for this pain. I cannot keep taking pills.

I just want to feel better and be able to walk through Target and not be in pain.

Check out my budding star with her class performing....

singing the Many Ways to Say Hello......


Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Long over due UPDATE...

It has been a while...I have been suffering in pain from my back. I finally go back to the doctor Mondayto find out results of my MRI. I truly hope it shows something. Because I am suffering so when I walk.

Went to the endocrinologist yesterday. Was hoping we can talk about the insulin pump. He said he does not think it is right for me. Will bring it up again at another appointment. Then forgot to ask for a scropt for needles so called them back an hour after I eft asking if they will fax an order to the DME company. Well it has been 24 hours and still not done. Will call tomorrow.

So add another pill to the group...he put me on metformin...to help with my diabetes and weight loss. And changed one insulin and kept the other. And now testing 3 times a day.

Aviva is doing really well. Had her parent teacher conference last week. She is reading at 2nd grade level and scored the highest on the reading tests in her class. And at the highest level in her reading program which is 10 and most children go into first grade between 4 and 5. Look at my preemie now! Her handwriting has gotten so much better what a difference from the beginning of the year. She has also become more assertive and a bit bossy.

Tomorrow is her muliticultural fair at school and her class is performing!!!!

MORE good news.......

Had my follow-up with the cardiologist today....all good news. I am down 10 lbs since the last visit. Blood pressure was down to 140/80, he would like the top number down to 120. So he put my on a new pill Micardis which is good for diabetics. And also added a cholesterol pill-Crestor. Put he gave me samples which is always a good thing.

More good news...my heart is ticking just fine. The stress test came back normal.

So hoping as I lose weight and get myself healthy blood pressure will go down and no more pills!

So I will follow up with his brother who is my internal medicine doctor (May 2nd).

I have my MRI on Fri. I go to the endocrinologist April 25th.

What Year Do You Belong In?

Thanks Wilma for sharing this....

You Belong in 1966

If you scored... 1950 - 1959: You're fun loving, romantic, and more than a little innocent. See you at the drive in! 1960 - 1969: You are a free spirit with a huge heart. Love, peace, and happiness rule - oh, and drugs too. 1970 - 1979: Bold and brash, you take life by the horns. Whether you're partying or protesting, you give it your all! 1980 - 1989: Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day. 1990 - 1999: With you anything goes! You're grunge one day, ghetto fabulous the next. It's all good!

What Year Do You Belong In?

GRAINS of GRATITUDE...

Thanks to Christine, I can look back at my week:

1. I am happy to say another successful visit with my SIL Marie. She got all her shopping done....and let me tell you she can shop. Spent almost 7 hours at the mall Thursday. And then more shopping Fri and Sat. Now hopping she will come back in July so we can take her on our trip to Disney.

2. I am so happy to say my liver tests were just about normal as well as the U/S.

3. I am very happy that I have a very understanding professor who gave me a week extension on my paper. She is really great.

4. Aviva had a great week....she did really well in school this week. Earned two awards for her work. And a free meal at Roadhouse Grill. We all went for dinner Friday night.

5. I am just happy that I have such a great husband and daughter. They are always there for me and what more can I ask for.

Take the Vocabulary Quiz....

Found this on Christine's blog.

Your Vocabulary Score: B

You have a zealous love for the English language, and many find your vocabulary edifying.Don't fret that you didn't get every word right, your vocabulary can be easily ameliorated!

How's" Your Vocabulary?

GOOD NEWS and my test today......

liver tests they were worried about,,,, one was high is now normal the other was very high now almost normal. The liver U/S was normal.

Now for the stress test today...they hooked me up and gave me an IV. Before starting test blood pressure..was not bad 140/70. Then thy push this med through that makes your heart thinks it was exercising...hated how I felt but was for only 6 minutes. Half way through, blood pressure was 120/50. And they injected dye. Once stopped I felt better, drank water and waited 30 minutes for them to take pics of the heart. Took a bit of time and go back tomorrow at 8 am to finish up.

Thanks for all the prayers.

Some family time at the park today.....

Having fun with friends

Mom and daughter

Enjoying the water

The gang

Lots of love between friends

Going on an egg hunt

Aviva and Baby Lyra...

She asked all day to hold Lyra...she was so happy

Just being cute

Pictures from Fri and Sat...

Ready for Girls Night Out

Upclose and Personnal

Aviva and Butterscotch

Not sure if she liked coloring eggs or not

Passover......

Building pyramids in Egypt

The parting of the Red Sea

An old Persian custom

Seder Plate

GRAINS of GRATITUDE....

What a week it has been..sorry have not been around...I have not been feeling two well.

1. I am thankful that the results of my echocardiogram came back normal. That is a big relief.

2. What a night Aviva and I had on Friday. We went to dinner at Applebee's and then finally got to surprise her with Disney on Ice: Disneyland Adventure. She was so excited, did not tell her till we got to the arena. And then she read the tickets. She was jumping up and down and hugging me. She loved it. They did a great show. Aviva was on her feet almost the whole time. She got a bit spoiled but so worth it.

3. What a great day we had today as well. Started off with an Easter egg hunt my neighbor did. Then we went up to Boca for an Easter festival but most of all to meet our good friends from Minnesota. We all hung out there and then we went back to their hotel and Aviva got to swim with all the kids and the adults got to chat. It was just a really nice family day that was well deserved.

4. We got to see Auntie Marie yesterday. And cannot wait till she comes here Thursday to spend time with us till she has to go home to Jamaica.

5. I am glad to have an MRI scheduled for Saturday to find out what is going on with my back. It is has been painful lately and just want it to go away.

The Cardio's office just called and said the echocardiogram was normal. But still wants me to go for the test on April 10th, the stress test with the dye and no treadmill.

Took blood pressure at Target today not sure how accurate the machine is but was 141 over 71 so lower there then it has been. Not sure how accurate the machine was. Still retaining water but not as bad.

Had the Liver U/S this morning went fine. Not sure results yet.

Went to the orthopedist today for my back and now he wants an MRI to see what is going on in there. The past 3 mornings waking up in pain. And changed the pain meds from Vicodin to Darvacet.

Finally got the results of my certification exam...which I knew I did not do well on. Well, you needed 200 to pass and I got a 197...UGH so very close. Will take it again in July when offered.

Happy Passover!!!

Tonight at sundown the Jewish holiday of Passover starts. And we celebrate it for 8 days.

We are going to our friend's house this evening for a Seder.