February - had my gallbladder removed on the 1st, was told on the 6th that Penny was being put on life support due to pneumonia, gathered as a family on the 7th to speak with doctors about her chances at making it, gathered again as a family on the 10th to remove her from life support and she passed away, record snowfall on the 11-12, no school on the 12th, funeral on the 13. The rest of the month is just a blurr.
March- adjusting to life without Penny, and dealing with blackouts and migraines.
April- Lousiana boys came to visit the Saturday before Easter (just for the day), woke up Easter Sunday with the worst migraine ever. After multiple hospital and doctors visits, we found out it was vascultitis, and could be deadly. I was put on steroids, and stayed home from work most days. My kids prepared for TAKS without me, and I slowly spiraled into a deep depression.
May- MRIs, MRAs, CT scans, spinal taps, and more testing was done. First ride in an ambulance on Cinco De Mayo, after blacking out and not breathing for close to a minute at a time. I returned to work towards the end of May, but my class had been split, so I went to see my kids in other rooms.
June - The school year ended, but not the hospital and doctor visits. At the end of June I had another spinal tap, followed by a blood patch for a spinal headache, and spent my 28th birthday in the hospital. Our oldest nephew turned 8, hard to believe!
July-My birthday "party" at the horse races was ended early, when we left and were admitted into the hospital, just 2 days after my birthday. I spent Fourth Of July weekend at Baylor, and tried to, once again, get the same migraine under control. I felt better on our anniversary, the 9th, so we went back to the races, but they ended early due to the weather. The rest of July was spent resting, gearing up for my return to school.
August - Back to school was on my mind, and we had a few trainings. I got my classroom ready, and had a successful first day back. I loved teaching second grade, but my second day back was not as successful. Blackout in the hallway had me going home in the morning of the second day.
September-Not a good month, at all. Two car accidents in one week, I was placed on disability, and had two hospital stays. However, some new medicine was somewhat effective, so I guess that's positive! :) Maverick had emergency surgery for his bladder blockage, we have some expensive pets!
October- our youngest nephew turns 5, was told my original 4 weeks on disability was now 12 weeks, so I was determined to just be thankful for supportive co-workers, husband, and family. My pancreatitis came back, and that had me back in the hospital as well.
November-first Thanksgiving without Penny, her birthday, and Russell's birthday. Pretty rough month. Did the majority of my Christmas shopping in the middle of the night the moring after Thanksgiving, since I blacked out in Toys R Us at about 1:00 the morning after. My sweet husband turned 29, and I'm so thankful his loving parents raised him so well.
December- was told we couldn't have kids of our own, due to the blackouts, lupus, vascultitis, etc. That was pretty devestating. Returned to work on the 9th, and made it each day until the break, huge success!! Enjoyed lots of time with family and friends during Christmas festivities. Formally asked to be Kennie and Sarah's God-parents, and we were thrilled.
It wasn't an easy year, but I'm blessed I had Russell to hold my hand through the hard times, and laugh with me during the good times. My family never fails me, and we have true friends that are there for us in a heartbeat. And of course, we have a God that is ever present, even in the darkness, so we are never alone. We never went without, we never hit rock bottom, and we always knew the next day brought new beginnings. Hoping 2011 brings healthier days, more laughs, and fewer hopsital visits. :)
