Wow.You are amazing. I will say that families are rarely like Ozzie & Harriet (maybe don't know that show because you are so young.) I am single and lived with my mom until she passed away almost 3 years ago. My brothers and sisters have gone their own ways, and after my mom passed away, the months following were filled with hatred towards me. Right now I think that all are on speaking terms with me J.
I have never been married, and have no children, and I am a Catholic. I have had more than 30 surgeries since I was 23. I had osteomyelitis in my jaw which started because a dentist left some amalgam between my tooth and the gums by accident. I have had bilateral carpal tunnel releases and still have pains in my hands from time to time. I have had six knee surgeries on my left knee - 4 arthroscopic and 2 knee transplants. Then my right shoulder went bad, so they had to remove part of my collar bone and most of the acromium. Just when things seemed to be looking up a little, I was rear-ended on a freeway overpass while I was stopped, and I sustained both lumbar and cervical problems with herniated disks and even bone spurs after I had the injury a long time. That was in May 2002, my first lower back surgery for that was in December 2003 and another in January 2004. In October 2004 I had my first cervical fusion, and then in February of 2005 I had a huge lower back surgery. I was in so much pain after that and I was on my way to get lower back xrays done in April 2005 and stopped at the intersection.the light was originally red; when it turned green there were people crossing in the crosswalk, so I was waiting to turn when the lady behind me rear-ended me. Well.that caused more spinal injuries and more surgery. I had surgery that June and then that November I was in total pain again. I went to a different doctor that time and in August 2006 I had my second cervical fusion and then in December 2006 I had my lumbar/sacral fusion. After a couple of months I was in pain again and thought that there was nothing else that could be done.but the pain got so bad that I had to go to surgery again for the doctor to remove the lamina from four levels of my lower back. Another three months and he removed more bony structures from my lower back. After that I started to have more neck and lower back pain (Jan 2008) and after MRIs showed that I had another herniated cervical disk, I asked my doctor if he thought that taking some time off of work would help.he agreed. So, at this same time, my mom was being diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia and could not be left alone.and God made it possible for me to be there with her while I was trying to lower the spinal pain. Things didn't go too well for my mom.the doctor that diagnosed 'dementia' prescribed meds that are commonly used for Alzheimer's.and it took over a month from that time to have her diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia which causes the person to have bad effects from some of the meds that she had. I believe that this is what sent her in a downward spiral and she ultimately passed away in April 2008. The previous December, I had purchased a home in North Las Vegas, NV because I had severe allergies to mold that could not be relieved due to the amount of mold that was in the air where we were living in Escondido, CA. We went back and forth on weekends until Mom could not do it any more, but I did have a place to move when she passed away. I have been here in North Las Vegas full time since July 2008. My respiratory and allergy problems are greatly relieved. But, after moving here and my neck and back still hurting, I got myself an excellent spine surgeon here. He did xrays and now I had three herniated cervical disks and 3 herniated lumbar disks. He did a cervical fusion (my 3rd) in January 2009, and a hemi-laminotomy in July 2009. With the last surgery I was also leaking spinal fluid which produced such horrible headaches that even my high pain tolerance couldn't help.about 4 days after the first lower back surgery I had to have an emergency blood patch procedure to make blood clot over the tear in the sack that holds the spinal cord and the spinal fluid. That didn't work and I was leaking more spinal fluid that night. Eight days after the first of these surgeries my spine surgeon assembled his entire surgical team for a Saturday surgery and he had to reopen the entire 18 inches from the first surgery and he looked carefully up and down the sack and reinforced the patches he had previously put on the sack and then found one more leak which he patched. Then I had to lay absolutely flat for 3 days and then when I was allowed to sit up and stand up there was no headache.YAY!!! Recovery from that series of surgeries took a very long time. I got Dolly right after moving here in July 2008 and I could sit on the floor and play with her, but with my continuing and worsening spinal problems I was sad for Dolly, so I wanted to get her a sister, but instead I got her a brother (Desi) in October 2009. Dolly was pretty cruel to him in the first months, but they get a long pretty well now. I am now having severe bouts of vertigo which I believe is related to my neck injuries. It made me fall on the living room tile in November and I tore the meniscus in my right (good) knee. It doesn't bother me too much, so no surgery is in the near future on that. The spine surgeon is sending me for another cervical MRI to see if there is a problem visible for this vertigo to be happening and worsening. Well..I think this is all that I am going to write. Now you all know what there is to know! From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Angela Mose Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2011 9:30 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [Chihuahuas] Deanna...and all Thank you so much Deanna for your beautiful and uplifting words. I have such peace right now. It takes courage to share so many personal emotions and challenges with virtual strangers, which tells me that this is a very accepting and loving group of people. I know that I am in the right place, and it took a little dog, which isn't even in my home yet, to lead ME. I know already that God Himself has led me to Greta. I intended to get a different dog, but Greta chose me. I am also getting a second chi, but he/she hasn't let me know which one yet. I too, have been through several storms. I have seven children and three little miscarried saints in heaven. The oldest,Felicia, 22, has been through her own intense struggles and she is currently living about 1 and half from hours us, but light years away from God and the faith. The next oldest daughter,Trisha, 20, is also using her Will to bulldoze through life, but she is still living at home and attending Mass and sometimes participating in family prayer when she is not at work. The next daughter, Kimberly, 17, is a great joy and consulation. She is in her 11th year homeschooling (which I have only been h/s'ing for going on 14 years) and she is so very patient (most of the time) <smile> and helpful. She desires to be a nurse and is determined to pursue her dreams. The next, my only son, Matthew, is 11 and is currently battling asthma and really bad nightmares. He is a delight and eager to learn, if you can get him to sit still for three minutes at a time. He is currently in 5th grade. The next, another girl, Hannah, 9, is a very complacent child. Truly a peace maker. The only issue is she takes after her father and 20 yr old sister, and she hides her emotion, she seldom cries or expresses anger or even disappointment. I wonder if its because I and the 17 yr old cry at the drop of the hat (smile). She learns quickly and she is willing to try anything, she is in 4th and struggles some with reading. Next, 6 yr old spitfire girl! Sarah is not afraid to express her views, no matter what! She is funny and has a belly laugh that shakes the whole house! She has some learning disabilities but she marches on with cheerfulness. Lastly, baby girl Chloe is three. She is certainly the most fearless yet most loving child I ever raised. One second she is trying to fly off of the top bunk, the next she is cuddling in your arms and giving big kisses. She loves, loves, loves, all animals and that is why she will NEVER be left alone with any little chi. She is loved and adored and spoiled by everyone else! I am a catholic convert of 12 years. I was raised by single mother after my parents divorced when I was eight. My father was a child molester but the only one who believes me is my older sister, because she too, was molested. I have a younger brother who has been in and out of mental health hospitals since he had a brain cyst removed six years ago. My older sister has dabbled in withcraft and some voo-doo. My mother claims she believes in God, but has never been baptised and does not attend any church anywhere, I based on her life, I'd say she does not pray. She attacked my family for years once we started homeschooling and then converted. She now understands and even supports homeschooling, most of the time, but even though she has attended some Masses with us, she has no real tolerance for our beliefs. Dear husband is my hero. He is my best friend and soul mate. We almost divorced when I wanted more than three children and again, when I started going to church. Since then, he has had quite a God given change of heart. He is very pro-life. Even though he is 49 and I am 42, he would welcome more children if I was able to have them). He loves God and is learning to trust Him a little more everyday. He is the sole provider for our family and he works very hard, getting up at the crack of 3:00 AM every weekday. That is why he is ready for bed most nights by 7:30 While he isn't a gushy animal lover, he is in full agreement of getting the little chis for his wife. Sorry so long, just a little background info for you all. Oh, husband's side of family are pretty much done with us, since I'm a catholic, homeschooling stay at home mom who has had more than the acceptable two children like they all had. So, without God, my husband, and now, hopefully the liitle dogs, I would be without much support at all. Thank you all so much. I hope I haven't worn out my welcome already.
