Hellooooooo!



 

Hello, Friends!  Long time, no see!

 

(Frankfurter peeking over the arm of the couch from under his blanket.) 

 

 

It's been a long time since I've been able to update my blog with a lot going on!  Last spring (I know!  Spring!) I started having some stomach issues, getting sick and throwing up from time to time.  I just thought I had some bug, it would go away and I'd get better.  I was tired and didn't feel the greatest, but I was super busy at work and with lots of other things going on, I didn't pay too much attention to it.

 

By July, I couldn't ignore it anymore.  I felt awful!  I went to the doctor and found out that my thyroid levels weren't right.  I thought this explained my constant aches and exhaustion.  We adjusted my medication, and even though it takes time for it to balance again, I just kept getting sicker and sicker. 

 

By August, I couldn't work anymore.  I couldn't eat anything but a few graham crackers a day without getting sick.  I was so weak I could only stay in bed.  I fell when my legs gave out and I couldn't get my arms to move up fast enough to break my fall, giving myself my first big black eye.  I was no longer allowed to drive, after taking myself to the doctor's office when I couldn't find a ride.  Thankfully, my parents arrived on August 21st, and started taking me to different appointments to try and find out what was wrong.

 

My first test, an ultrasound, showed that I had gall stones, however, since I was so sick, the doctors didn't think that's all it could be.  They ran a series of other (expensive!) tests but nothing showed up, except the gall bladder.

 

Finally, on October 9th, I had my gall bladder removed.  Because I had been sick for so long, the symptoms didn't go away like people who have an attack and are okay in a week.  It took another month to finally start feeling better. 

 

In November, I was finally released to go back to work.  Unfortunately, after missing so much time, I had to resign.  This was very hard because I loved my job and the leaders and kids I worked with at church.  It also has caused some setbacks with my sleep and stomach being upset again.

 

As far as my health goes, my thyroid is back in balance.  I have regained most of my strength and just have problems with some nausea.  I have a "Super Power" nose and can smell EVERYTHING so I can't stand to eat in a restaurant yet, although I can eat take out food at home. 

 

My Mom had to go back to Illinois, but my Dad has stayed with me this entire time.  He was going to go back in November, but then he would have just flown back out at Christmas, so that seemed like a waste of money.  Thankfully, they were able to care for me when I was so sick and so weak. 

 

I wasn't able to stamp because it took too much concentration and energy.  However, after surgery, I learned how to knit.  I made a bunch of scarves and put them on etsy.  After all, one girl only needs so many scarves, even if I do get a new job back in the midwest!  My store is called "The Cozy Scarf"  and you can see by clicking on the picture below.  The picture is made with scarves I knitted!  (If you search for it on etsy.com, it's all one word, "thecozyscarf." I don't know why!  :) ) 

 

 

 

I had to learn to do something or I was going to lose my mind being at home all that time!  Here are three of my favorites! 

 

 

 

Now that I'm feeling better, I've been cleaning out and organizing to prepare to move.  Ironically, I still don't seem to have a lot of time for stamping.  I'm hoping to get a job back in the midwest closer to my family.  No more Arizona desert for me!  I've been applying for jobs, putting stuff on ebay, filling the recycling bin, and of course- spending time with Frankfurter!  He has been my faithful companion during all of this.

 

This certainly wasn't how I had expected to spend 2012 and I didn't expect it to end this way either.  But, with my complete trust in God, no matter what happens, Life with a Wiener Dog is still a great life!

 

Angela and Frank

 

 

It's hard work taking care of your Mommy when she doesn't feel good.