Cardiologists, Treadmills & Ultrasound...Update.

There are so many people who have been praying with me for all of the tests and Cardiology appointments I've been doing. I thought the blog would be a great way to "update" everyone, beyond what the Facebook Status updates would let me do!

Yesterday was a day that I had been looking forward to since my time in the ER. I had a treadmill stress test done, the type where they hook up an EKG machine and make me look like a person who is getting transformed into a super hero while I climb the incline and the treadmill gets faster and faster! lol I looked forward to this test because I wanted to be able to work out hard and NOT have an episode. I wanted to be told I could push my body with out fear of an episode. Well, I did the test, I didn't turn into a super hero...but I also didn't have an episode! The Dr. told me that the test went perfectly...which is what I had prayed for, before going in.

Then, I moved on to a heart ultrasound. I laid on my side in a dim room with a fan noise in the background and just about fell asleep as she studied my heart. I watched for a few minutes, but I really didn't understand what I was seeing or what she was studying. I was told I would get a call from the Dr in a week to give me the results.

I went home, believing for great things and a comfort in my heart that I can exercise with out fear.

Today, I got the call. The Dr. She started out great, "Your treadmill stress test went very well, and your ultrasound all looks normal." Then, the conversation took a turn for the annoying and discouraging. I had brought a form with me to clear me for physical activity. My health coach asked that it be signed, so he could know what he can ask me to do physically. She said, "Nicole, I can't sign that form you gave me." She went on to explain that just because I didn't have an episode on the treadmill, it does not mean that I wouldn't have one the next time, and that it is just a matter of time before another episode occurs. She is urging me to go to an Electrophysiology Cardiologist... aka: Electrical system of the heart specialist. 

*sigh*

She told me she does not want me to do more than walking with my kids and playing with my kids... No regimented exercise routine, etc. ***WHAT???*** That is exactly the opposite of what I wanted to hear and feel confidence in when I left that appointment. Now, our bills have gotten to about $3500 between the ER and the Cardiologist with her tests... and she wants me to go to a specialist. (I had JUST changed our insurance to a high deductible because we were never in the Dr! Of Course!)

I'm stuck in a tough spot. I was prayed for and have been believing for my healing on my heart. The tests all came back normal, but the cardiologist thinks, "It's a matter of time before you have another episode."  So, the struggle in my heart (no pun intended) is that I want to just LIVE my life normally and know that my God has His hand on my heart and I am fine.... But, then the voice of the cardiologist, "Nothing beyond walking and playing with your kids, and be ready because they can happen any time." She said she didn't want to cause me undo fear, but she felt she owed it to me to urge me to go to the specialist because you just never know where you will be when the next episode happens (didn't want to cause me undo fear??? lol... BUT, on a side note...even if I were driving in Timbuktu and it happened, I can pull the car over and call 911 from just about anywhere... AND, I was still able to walk, talk, think while my heart was going crazy...it was just uncomfortable!)

*sigh again*

I'm going to end this now... but, I just know there are so many people who have wanted an update. Thank you for praying for "PERFECT" results with me... we got what we prayed for, all the results were fine... Now, I just have to believe that it is NOT a coincidence as the Cardiologist seems to think, but a touch from God and all will be well.  I will live my life as normal, and I'll believe for no more episodes, and if things doing go that way... God will still be with me there too. :) That's where I have to find my peace. Whether I'm healed or not, He's still God and He'll still be with me (and our bank account) no matter what happens! He's good... and I'm good with that. :)

Memories of a tiny guy.

When I woke him the other morning, I had fun seeing him stretch just like he used to when he was a newborn. :)

Puttum UP!!

Meet the nameless cowboy. I asked him his name, but he hadn't decided on one yet. :) We were going out to dinner with some friends, and this is the outfit he chose. I was excited to let him wear it, until he walked in the other room and his hit brother with the gun! (Oh Boys!) So, the outfit didn't make it to dinner, but he made it in my heart. :)

Looking for the eye in the back of my head...

(I let them look as often as they want... it's a nice head massage!)

Ha ha ha!

Olay!

Joe walked in, and said, "Here is Matthew's Olay, Mama." HA HA HA HA... "Olay" (Should be Lei)... He cracks me up! I LOVE IT when he says things "wrong" now because it's so few and far between!!... Love you buddy!

"We are making soup!"

They got to pick this watermelon at the Tanaka Farms in Irvine. I cut it in half, thinking they'd like to eat it "like a bowl." Well, they quickly turned to "making soup." Now, we are making a smoothie with it, but I wanted to come make note of Joe's comment: "Mama, I want to hurry up and drink my smoothie because I think God would like it, so it needs to get inside of me with Him." .... Awwww. :)

The joys of raising boys...

Matthew, dressed in his "Dada Shirt," is such a boy. So sweetly such a little boy still, but... SUCH a boy. I say that in preface of sharing some boy moments I just had with him!

He was sitting in the playroom relaxing, and felt the need to notify me that he had tooted. (Boy move #1). Then, he felt the need to let me know, "Actually Mama, my tooter smells like the swimming lesson's water." (Boy move #2)  THEN, he found himself in the potty and needed me to wipe him. When I walked in, he puts his face between his knees (while sitting on the toilet) and says, "Smell right here!" LOL... I said, "No thanks, sicko!" (Boy move #3!)

Life would be pretty boring around here with out the joys of raising boys!

I'm not even kidding...

Imagine my embarrassed grin as we walk into a barn full of "Ag People" and cows to hear my son say, "Awww, Look at the pigs!"... We need to take a few more trips to a few more farms! Ha ha ha!

My Purple People Eater...

There was silence in this house this morning, until I heard a scream... I opened my eyes to see:

The PURPLE PEOPLE EATER was coming close to me... I was scared until I heard him say, "It's OK Mama, it's just me, Maffew."

Beware of the Purple People Eater, he loves to rub cheeks, do butterfly kisses, and snuggle up as long as you'll hold him. :)

"Do I look like a Caveman?"

Joe came into the office with his "Dada shirt" like this. He said, "Hey Mama, do I look like a Caveman?" I laughed and said yes...and told him he must stand there while I get my camera (which feels like a victory to him because he knows I think it's a memorable moment! lol). He said, "They'd have a scary face like this." Then he said, "OH WAIT, where's the bat?"

He was SO excited to look like an authentic Caveman... but then, "Oh wait, this isn't what their face would look like."

"Ok, THIS is IT.... Now, I am JUST like a Caveman!"