HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACKEE AND MARC

Today is my 2nd daughter Jackee's birthday. Marc is my handsome grandson who was born on her birthday when she was 10. She has always claimed him as her birthday present from Sue and Otis. I won't see either one today but wish them the best day and year ever.

When I delivered Jackee the delivery pains would send me into epileptic seizures since I have epilepsy from a fall down steps and hitting my head. Medicine given to me to stop the seizures, also, stopped the contractions so I had to have a C-section. I am very proud of the woman she has become and every pain was worth it. She has given us 2 beautiful grandchildren. I am, also, proud of the young man that Marc has become. I love both of you madly! I am so blessed to have a great family.

So far, so good with Bill's SCS test. I am so happy about this and naturally so is he. I will keep you informed.

Have a blessed night and sweet dreams!

HEALTH-CARE ASSOCIATED INFECTION

I received a comment on one of my blogs from a lady named Barbara. She evidently is trying to get the information and prevention out about Health-Care Associated Infection. She gave me permission to copy info from the website. However, instead of just cutting and pasting a little here, I am going to give the web address. The site is very informative and I want to thank Barbara.

It's ironic that I read it today because today Bill had a Spinal Cord Stimulation procedure done. Chris took us in their truck because our little car is not comfortable for Bill to ride in. She and Dennis are always there for us if we need them. The procedure he had done is a test run to see if it will help with his chronic pain. We have talked to so many people about it that we are sure it is going to work.It's a lot technical for me to explain here but they threaded a wire up by his spine. There is a cord attached to a "pacemaker" like box that is on the outside. He has a remote control to use with it. After a few days it will be removed. He will then have a permanent one put in and the box will be implanted in his lower area. This isn't very technical so if anyone is interested in finding more info for themselves or someone else in chronic pain I'll give the websites. Bill had a Medronic one put in. It is called Neurostimulation Therapy. The website is

TameThePain.com

Another is from St. Jude medical and their site

poweroveryourpain.com

I will for sure be back to give you the results!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUE!

Today is my oldest daughter's, Sue, birthday. -- years ago today at this time I was on the way to the hospital to deliver her. She has been worth every labor pain I experienced and I would not trade it for anything in this world. I love you, honey, and am so proud of the strong woman and great mother you are. Thank you for such great beautiful grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Well, I guess I shoul thank Otis, too, for his part in your lovely offspring. Have a fantastic day and even greater year. Love you!

DELAYED ROCKETTES REVIEW

I just realized that I promised to tell how the show was and I didn't. I am so very sorry for that. It was a beautiful show which I loved seeing. The settings and costumes were great. And, of course, the dancing was spectacular. If you ever have a chance to see them, do not miss it! Thank you, Chris, for the ticket. Another very good friend of ours, Debbie, drove and we all had a great time.

HEALTH INSURANCE

I am sorry I haven't been on here for awhile, but, my world has been topsy-turvy as usual. However, I just felt compelled to comment on something that I just heard on Good Morning America. Some health care insurance companies are raising their premiums by quite a percentage. One shown was Anthem Blue Cross and was showing a 39 percent increase. While listening to the report the awful thing that hit me was that healthy people are cancelling their insurance to save money! My greatest tip ever is this - IF YOU CAN AFFORD INSURANCE, HAVE IT!!! You might be healthy now, but, any health problem can hit at anytime. I had a healthy nephew in his 20's who developed an awful case of shingles. Right now I have another healthy nephew whose one lung collapsed last week and had to go to the ER. My point is simply this - you might feel healthy, think you are healthy, but some ugly little thing could be developing in your body. My husband, Bill, was always healthy. Then in 2004 he was hit with strokes and we were lucky we carry insurance. He was in his 60's at the time but friends of ours had a healthy son in his 30's have a stroke the year before and he died. Several of my family members were struck with cancer and they thought they were healthy.

Now for the good side of life. My brother, Andy, came from AZ to visit with us for a couple of weeks because he wanted to spend time with Bill at home and not in a hospital or rehab center. It was a great two weeks that went by too, too fast. He did have to spend an extra 2 days because the airports got snowed in. Down South, of all places. Of course, our brother, Ricky, our sister-in-law, Annie, our sister, Marcy, our nephew, Demetrius & our niece, Rikki, were here as often as they could since we all live in the same town. Our nephew, Phil, and his family came from Atlanta and our niece, Tamika, and her family, our sister, Roxy, her son, Jaritte, and my daughter Sue came from Summerville. It was so great to have us all altogher where it was not us getting together for an illness or death. He met my granddaughter's and our niece's respective boyfriends and gave them his okay after his meeting and surreptiously observing them. They passed and he invited them over for pizza and wings which was fun. He helped a lot of things with Bill and I mentally & physically and he is truly missed. Always check his blog or his Ning Network for some informative and insightful info.

I am so blessed to have some awesome siblings. I attribute it to the fact that we had awesome parents. I had 4 brothers and 3 sisters. Sadly, 2 brothers and 1 sister have passed. Except for Andy, the ones of us left live either in the same town or 2 hours apart. Ricky and Annie live here and are so helpful with Bill. They come over to take him to his therapy which he has twice a week when they can. Then they spend time here to help keep his spirits up. And to get a break from me. LOL. Marcy is a CNA and I can call her anytime for help. Plus she comes over when she can. Demetrius is coming over to do our yardwork. Again I say I am blessed with a wonderful family.

I am going to end now, but, must please ask for prayers for my sister-in-law, Annie, and Rick and her family because I just heard from her that one of her sisters passed.

Have a blessed and wonderful week. Stay warm and keep that health care insurance.