FINALLY HAVE AN ANSWER!

So, a few blogs ago, I was mentioning how I was trying to figure out what was wrong with me and was having lots of different tests done.... in the end, my doctor said everything was fine.

SO, even though I was STILL having a low-grade fever, and STILL feeling run down, and STILL having unusual mood-swings (I take a med that helps with that on a regular basis, so it was odd for me to be having them.), the doctor claimed everything was fine and that I was probably just having anxiety issues. So he gave me some anti-anxiety pills and sent me on my way.

A few days of being on the pills, I was not as irritable and not as worried about things.... but was still having a low-grade fever and still feeling run down. My lab results from my blood work came in the mail - and I took a look at them and saw that my white blood cell count was labeled 'high' and in my doctor's own writing, he circled it and wrote 'normal for you'.

NORMAL FOR ME???? Why does he think a high WBC count is normal for me? Keep in mind I have only been seeing him for a little over a year and he doesn't have any other medical records. AND I have not had any other blood work done that included my WBC count. SO - AGAIN, Why is this 'normal' for me???

LIFE GOES ON.... frustration sets in and I start having abnormal bleeding..... OKAY! Time to see a gyno.

Had pregnancy test (urine and blood)- came back negative.
Showed her my recent blood work lab report - so we knew my thyroid was doing great and that there wasn't anything else except for my high WBC count and she read the doctor's writing that it was 'normal' for me and I told her that I was surprised he would write something like that without having anything to base it on.

Did the pelvic exam and found a lump on my right side. So I was sent for an ultrasound to see what it could be.

Went back to the gyno this morning and had one more blood draw to test my prolactin level - which is the hormone that makes your breasts enlarge and begin to lactate - which was another symptom I was having. So we wanted to rule out problems with my pituitary gland which is where your prolactin levels are managed.

She came in after looking at my blood work and ultrasound results and told me I have a recently collapsed ovarian cyst on my right side. She mentioned it probably collapsed during the exam on Tuesday, which explains why I started to have a dull ache there since the exam.

My body will naturally absorb the cyst, but if I begin to have a higher fever or just feel worse than I have been - she would like to see me asap.

So, I have learned a lot from this past month and a half:
1) Trust your instincts when it comes to your body.
2) Just because a doctor tells you you're fine when you don't feel fine - he could be wrong.
3) Find a new family doctor!
and last but not least,
4) My husband is the most wonderful man in the world! (which I have actually known for a very long time, but HAD to comment on this) He has been having to deal with SO MUCH over this time frame (smoking cessation, job stress, business travel stress, not-knowing-what-was-wrong-with-his-daisy stress) and still keeping his cool and being SO SUPPORTIVE AND LOVING! I LOVE YOU MICHAEL!!!!!

Take Care Everyone,
Daisy
  • tanzarian
    i admire you Michael. I wish I had as much patience as you show.
    by tanzarian at 07/01/05 12:23AM
  • bluegirl
    I'm glad you know what's wrong. Hope you won't have to go back.
    by bluegirl at 07/03/05 3:17PM
  • rejoiceevermore
    You're right about doctors. Anita went to different ones for three years before she was diagnosed with MS. Male doctors especially seem to want to say it's all in your head--instead of listening to you! And, I'm glad you have Michael and that he's been so great through all of this!
    by rejoiceevermore at 07/03/05 4:18PM
  • purpleiris
    Hey, I'm so glad you are okay. Enjoy your getaway and let your body heal itself. BTW, I'm extremely happy my oldest sister has found someone and that all had an opportunity to meet him at thanksgiving.
    by purpleiris at 07/10/05 4:52PM
  • purpleiris
    I pray for them and wish the very best for them in their life together.
    by purpleiris at 07/10/05 4:54PM
  • purpleiris
    Also, let your hubby know we are proud of him and his decision to stop smoking.
    by purpleiris at 07/10/05 4:55PM
  • purpleiris
    Will try to update you all later on the wedding and hopefully Linz or Kara will have some pictures to post for you to see soon after. Wish you could all come!
    by purpleiris at 07/10/05 4:57PM
  • browniegirl
    i'm glad you're getting everything worked out...i'm glad you're doing good
    by browniegirl at 07/12/05 4:34PM
  • browniegirl
    love you daisy
    by browniegirl at 07/12/05 4:35PM
  • bluegirl
    I am realy relieved and happy your all right.
    by bluegirl at 08/04/05 8:00PM
  • purpleiris
    Hey, have you thought of any allergy you might have to say pets or food that might be causing some of your problems. Hope Michael's interview went great (we were praying) :)
    by purpleiris at 08/10/05 6:05PM
  • rejoiceevermore
    Hey! Hope all the testing is going okay. Praying for you!
    by rejoiceevermore at 08/20/05 11:02PM
  • purpleiris
    How was Michael's interview? Are you gonna be TX bound soon?
    by purpleiris at 08/23/05 5:36PM
  • bluegirl
    hey! welcome back to texas!:)
    by bluegirl at 04/30/06 5:30PM
  • bluegirl
    hey! welcome back to texas!:)
    by bluegirl at 04/30/06 5:30PM
  • bluegirl
    oops sorry, i entered twice.
    by bluegirl at 04/30/06 5:30PM
  • greendragon
    ha i typed on your blog!go mom u!
    by greendragon at 07/11/06 3:26PM
  • rejoiceevermore
    Your girls are a delight. Enjoyed having them with us this week.
    by rejoiceevermore at 07/13/06 12:15AM

CLEARING THE AIR

Sometimes life can have unexpected turns and twists.

You may find that you like to live in the lime-light or that you like to be very private about what goes on in your life.

Speculations and assumptions, when countered with truthful information, should dissipate immediately.

With those thoughts in mind, I would like to make a comment about my Mom and her husband Bob.

THEY ARE MARRIED! I am very happy for them and extremely happy that my Mom has FINALLY found the right person. Bob is a wonderful husband and a great man.

Just because announcements were not made, does not mean a marriage did not take place. And they have been married for over a year now.

As most of you know, my Mom has had a couple of very heart-breaking experiences with marriages and when she found Bob, it is almost as if she didn't want to ruin the goodness by making announcements and having a public wedding. There is nothing wrong with that.

My Mom still has her own name - Mrs. Rebekah Darlene Powell.
Bob loves my Mom and respects her feelings about keeping her own name.

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It is sad when the people you love have to have 'proof' before they are willing to accept changes you make to your personal life.

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This blog was inspired by Paul.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13

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I TRULY LOVE ALL OF MY FAMILY UNCONDITIONALLY,
Daisy
  • karabeara
    i'm very happy for darlene and bob! i too am so glad that she has found a man that deserves her love! i noticed this at thanksgiving... he absolutely made a wonderful impression on me about the way he treated your mom! :) anyway, you're right... jumping to conclusions and judging border the same line... remember what Jesus has said Matthew 7:1. love you cousin Daisy!
    by karabeara at 06/28/05 10:16PM
  • daisyjo
    thanks kara.... your comments mean a lot to me - she is the happiest she has EVER been, which is so beautiful!
    by daisyjo at 06/28/05 11:12PM
  • tanzarian
    I have spoke with Bob several times and I feel, personally, that my mother is finally happy. She is so blessed to have such a dedicated gentleman to be her companion. I love you mom.
    by tanzarian at 06/29/05 12:13PM
  • confused_ohsweetpea
    I was so glad to meet Bob at Thanksgiving...he seems like a very happy person which you could see in Darlene, she has found a great man. But I must say, I am very surprised to hear of your assumptions after so many months have passed.
    by confused_ohsweetpea at 07/12/05 9:25PM

FALLING OFF THE GRID

Just an FYI for my loved ones...

Starting July 6th, the girls and I will officially be 'disconnected' from the ominous communications grid that keeps everyone on a leash.

We will be out in the country on an old horse farm, recharging ourselves after such a BUSY schoolyear.

The farm is on 20 acres. No TV. No freeways. No cellphone reception. No crazy schedules.

The girls will have their bikes, fishing poles, a swimming pool, and walkie-talkies! They will also be going on a treasure hunt that I am planning!

My mom and I will be doing some painting and tons of other things that we enjoy!

Anyway, thought everyone would like to know - I may put up one more post before then, but if not... it may be August before I post again!

Love to ALL!!
- Daisy
  • tanzarian
    You.....roughing it?????????? do you get to milk your own cow every day or will the...... uhhhh.... "milkman" stop by to handle that? also dont go into any strange houses or anything and run from the guy with the chainsaw, lol
    by tanzarian at 06/19/05 3:43PM
  • daisyjo
    You made me laugh! We will actually be in a small house that is being renovated - it has electricity, water, washer/dryer - it is sort of like staying in a cabin in the woods. The 20 acres has a fence going all the way around, so there are obvious boundaries. Michael plans to join us on the wknds, but he is also considering 'roughing it' during the week and doubling his commute time to work.
    by daisyjo at 06/19/05 5:08PM
  • karabeara
    "heeeeere's johnny!!!" wow, i'd love to do something like that! sounds great... have tons of fun! :)
    by karabeara at 06/19/05 9:31PM
  • purpleiris
    Oh, get yourselves recharged and wish we could see everyone this summer! luv ya; tell Michael I'm very proud of his stopping smoking and to keep up the good work.
    by purpleiris at 06/20/05 12:50AM
  • browniegirl
    wow...sounds like tons of fun...very relaxing...ya'll enjoy yourselves!
    by browniegirl at 06/21/05 6:45PM
  • rejoiceevermore
    Congratulations to Michael for stopping smoking! Rusty quit sixteen years ago this summer. I remember that because I was pregnant with Bryanna and couldn't go to SC with everyone. He threw away his smokes and lighter and quit "cold turkey". I'm sure The Family will remember that as the "Summer of Mom".
    by rejoiceevermore at 06/22/05 11:20PM
  • karabeara
    unless you were in the car with daddy... it was the summer of pepsi and certs stops... and grumpy old daddies! hehehe, but mom made a great side show!
    by karabeara at 06/22/05 11:34PM
  • rejoiceevermore
    Hehehehehehe! I just remember feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't go, UNTIL I started hearing all of the "Mom" stories!
    by rejoiceevermore at 06/22/05 11:48PM
  • bluegirl
    We'll miss hearing from ya'll! Call us if you find the treasure!HEHE
    by bluegirl at 06/25/05 12:32PM

ABOUT TIME FOR A NEW ENTRY!

So, it seems like just yesterday that we were still in the month of May. AND NOW I look at the calendar and June is practically half over!!!! What happened!?!?!?

Update from our homefront:

Johanna is graduating from Elementary and heading to Middle School in the Fall. She is so excited and nervous - AND (for those of you who read her blogs a few months ago) found out about a 'secret' notebook of cute guys/girls, and she is on the list! So she is pretty thrilled about that!

Jessica is doing great, her meds seem to be in balance and we have taken a different approach with her behavioral therapy and it is working (at least for now!) She was honored with an award of being 'Most Improved' for the year!

Michael has begun his baseball season, so now we have games to attend, and I am the official scorekeeper/videographer. He quit smoking two weeks ago tomorrow and is doing GREAT! He was using a patch for a while and is now doing okay without a patch. He didn't go through too many mood issues - which was awesome, cause the girls and I prepared for the worst! Of course now we have to deal with Homer (my fluffy kitty) who LOVES to go out on the deck with Michael when he was smoking... so now, Michael goes out at least once right before bed, mostly to appease Homer but also because it was in his routine and it helps with the transition.

For me, I am trying to keep the house running - found out I am NOT dying!!! WOOHOO! Seriously thought I probably was and was very upset that the doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with me - which really helped me feel a lot better.... NOT! So after taking some anti-anxiety pills I am fine... all my tests came back GREAT - those included CT scans, ENT exams, and blood work. So I am just dealing with what some people deal with when they find out about the harmful effects of DHMO and try to figure out how to avoid it! Had to add that in here! Couldn't resist!!!

^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V

WE WILL START FINE TUNING OUR 2006 REUNION HERE SOON, SO DO YOUR RESEARCH ON THE DIFFERENT CITIES.

LET'S PLAN ON HAVING THE ACTUAL REUNION ON A SPECIFIC DAY, PREFERABLY OVER A WEEKEND SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A HIGHER TURN-OUT.

AND OF COURSE WE CAN MAKE PLANS FOR THINGS TO DO BEFORE AND AFTER THE ACTUAL REUNION DAY - JUST WANTED TO NARROW DOWN ONE SPECIFIC DAY FOR ANYONE WHO HAS MAJOR HECTIC SCHEDULES BUT WOULD STILL LIKE TO ATTEND.

ALSO.... WHICHEVER SATURDAY WE CHOOSE TO HAVE THE REUNION DAY ON, WE NEED TO CHOOSE A CHURCH TO ATTEND ON SUNDAY AND I CAN MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR 'RESERVED' SEATING AND MAYBE EVEN HAVE THE CHILDREN'S TEACHERS PREPARED WITH EXTRA MATERIALS.

^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V

Love to Everyone!
Daisy
  • karabeara
    thanks for the update... glad everyone is doing alright! glad to hear michael quit smoking too! :)
    by karabeara at 06/15/05 9:39AM
  • browniegirl
    wow...looks like you've been busy...have a great summer ya'll
    by browniegirl at 06/17/05 10:27PM
  • tanzarian
    I feel for you Michael I had to quit cold turkey which has become one of the hardest things to do so now I only smoke socially usually about once or twice a month
    by tanzarian at 06/18/05 2:01AM

MAY 31st WAS AWESOME!!!

May 30th, Michael and the girls had me open 3 presents - they were birthday buttons that I 'had' to wear ALL day on May 31st!

May 31st, before Michael went to work and the girls went to school, they had me open the rest of my presents - an ice cream maker!!! and of course, my favorite Bath & Body items!

Once I was alone, I went to Target and then to the mall - found some cool earrings!

Headed home - made sure to pick up items to make home-made ice cream!

Girls came home and we got dressed up to go out to dinner. We picked up Michael at the bus stop and headed to the restaurant. The waitress leads us to the area we would be sitting and says 'last table on the right'. I look down the aisle and don't see an empty table at 'the last table on the right', so look back at the waitress and then look right back at that very table and can't believe what I see!

My Mom and Bob are sitting at the table smiling and laughing and Michael is standing behind me grinning ear to ear! The girls run over and give them a big hug as I am trying not to cry!

IT WAS SOOOO COOL! Had NO IDEA about this - Michael had to keep this secret for a week! It was the best surprise I have ever had!

So, we ate a wonderful dinner at one of my favorite restaurants on a pier by Puget Sound and watched the sun set over the mountains as we left to go home for cake and ice cream.

My Mom and I stayed up until 1 A.M. watching a DVD I recently made and had a great conversation about current events.

It was a wonderful birthday! Still can't believe how old I am though!

  • tanzarian
    Happy Birthday Daisy I love you
    by tanzarian at 06/03/05 12:57PM
  • chicken_scratch
    i love surprises! happy birthday!!! :O)
    by chicken_scratch at 06/04/05 1:23AM
  • bluegirl
    Happy Birthday! Sorry I didn't call.
    by bluegirl at 06/04/05 6:44PM
  • browniegirl
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!! you forgot to mention your killer conversation con mi. but it is forgiven
    by browniegirl at 06/04/05 9:48PM