Yet again....the blog is very outdated.

Well, it's been 2 months since I last posted and I think its time to post again.

Posts coming soon.

Waiting to see a NeuroSurgeon

At the beginning of the week, my doctor consulted with a neurosurgeon to find out what they thought would be the best next step.

The neurosurgeon will be contacting me to make an appointment to find out if continuing physical therapy, having a steroid shot or surgery (or something else) may be the next best step.

So, that's what's next on the to do list....visiting the neurosurgeon.

MRI Results...In medical terms

I talked to my doctor today and she will be consulting with a neurosurgeon to find out what they think may be some options for me. We'll find out if PT can or can't help my situation, if a steroid shot will help and/or if I'm a candidate for surgery.

Comparing my 2008 and 2011 MRI's, not much has changed. Fortunately, nothing has gotten worse. Unfortunately, these episodes continue to occur and do not seem like they will heal on their own.

In medical terms, here is what my chart states:

1. Mild diffuse disk bulge at T10-11 without evidence of cord compression or spinal canal stenosis.
2. Prominent right paracentral disk extrusion at the L5-S1 level causing deformity of the thecal sac and compression of the axilla of the right L5 nerve root, with a resultant borderline central spinal canal stenosis. Appearance has not changed significantly since the previous outside study from 07/2008.
3. Central disk protrusion or extrusion at the L5-S1 level, without evidence of cord compression or spinal canal narrowing.

Whoonu?

The last two nights, we broke out a game we haven't played in a long time. It was introduced to us by my cousin back in California and we love it. It's a great ice breaker game that helps you get to know others in the group as well as getting to know the people you're closest too a little better. It was funny...I got last place when Jared was the Whoonu. You learn a lot, laugh a lot and get to know each other better a lot! And....its a game for all ages!

On Tuesday night, we played the game with our good friends from church, the Presseler's. We had a blast. On Wednesday night, I brought it to our Women's bible study group as the format for the night was different because several people were away at a retreat. The group had fun and we got to know each other a little better. It was nice to laugh, chat and then pray.

My back is feeling better!!!

Several of you have asked how my back is doing. Thank God, my back is doing a lot better. My friends, the walker and the cane have been replaced with very comfortable sleep! I'm able to carry the girls, play with them, stand and sit for longer periods of time and get into the car without a huge amount of pain.

My MRI results came back on Monday. I have disc bulge and extraction between L4 and L5 and L5 and S1. There are a couple other things that I've unfortunately forgotten the terms and names of them right now. I have an appointment to talk to my doctor on Friday about next steps.

Physical Therapy last Friday and on Tuesday seemed to have really helped. That along with Prednisone and keeping myself moving were factors too. I've never recovered this quickly before and am very grateful for everything the medical staff has done and for all of my family and friends prayers and well wishes.

Thanks again everyone!

4 Month and 2 year Well Baby and Physical Therapy Appointment

This morning was full of doctor's appointments. Makena had her 4 month Well Baby check up, Adalyn had her 2 year Well Baby check up and I had physical therapy. It was a busy morning, but well worth it.

The doctor says that both girls are doing very well and are on track for their height, weight and head circumference, despite the little bit of weight loss from Makena compared to 10 days ago. They are both following a good pace on their charts and are healthy. His comments were, "they're both tall and skinny." I wish I could say the same, but oh well! :D

Stats:

Makena is 4 1/2 months, weighed in at 12 lbs., 15.7 oz. (23%) and is 25 3/4 inches tall (65%).

Adalyn is 2 years old, weighed in at 23 lbs., 11.2 oz. (13%) and is 35 3/4 inches tall (92%).

Mary Lou is ....yeah right...not ready to reveal those lovely facts!!!

As for me, physical therapy went well as I'm not in as much pain as I was these last 10 days.

Adalyn celebrated her 2nd birthday at Chuck E. Cheese's

Although Chuck E Cheese was a bit large and left her a bit apprehensive, Adalyn had a fun time at his establishment. She enjoyed the driving games but was a little on the shorter side to really see what the other games and rides were all about. She was content to watch Daddy, Mommy, Ahma, Ohpa and her aunties play games while she was tasked with bringing back all the tickets to Ohpa. She ran around looking for him and ran right back for the next hand full of tickets. She was too cute. Also, our friend Dorie joined us and we had a great time catching up.

Between playing games, watching the stage show and hanging out, Adalyn got to eat some cake too. Unfortunately, mommy forgot matches for the candles so we just sang "Happy Birthday" to Adalyn. She enjoyed her cake and even got to eat her first oreo cookie. The day before, she got to eat her first chocolate chip cookie and she was so happy. I think she's expanded her taste buds to a sweeter level!

She got some fun gifts (her own guitar, grocery basket with lots of produce, a t-shirt, some books) from her grandparents and aunties. She was so excited when Ohpa was opening her guitar. And.....mommy, daddy and Makena got to endure the music (noise) of the guitar ALL the way HOME!

Here are some pics from her special day ------> Adalyn's 2nd birthday

We can't believe it's TRUE...Adalyn turns TWO!!!

(This picture is of Adalyn on the day she was born)

Two years ago today, Adalyn Grace Lumiqued Koopman was born. It was an amazing blessing to have Adalyn grace us with her presence. It was that day that we became a family of 3!!!

For the last two years, Adalyn has been so much fun to watch grow and mature. Now, she's a wonderful big sister to Makena Joy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Adalyn! Mommy, Daddy and Makena LOVE YOU!!!

Adalyn woke up to 250 new balls for in the living room....She was sooooooooooo excited!

250 balls to play with!!!

Yellow balls!I see you!

MRI should stand for: Millions of Random Instances of NOISE

As I opened my eyes this morning, all I could think of was, “What does MRI stand for?” I had completely forgotten as the excruciating pain I felt from my lower back to my toes took over and almost made me stumble while maneuvering myself into a position where I can get myself out of bed. Yes, I took it for granted, but there are 3 things that cause me the most pain: 1) Getting into a seated position in a car, the lower the seat, the worse the pain. 2) Getting into bed and finding a comfortable position. My back hasn’t been flat on the bed for the last 8 days. 3) Sitting down on a chair until I maneuver some how into a comfy position. Sometimes its instant, sometimes it takes forever to find that sweet spot. Anyways….I finally remembered, MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Oh yes, now I remember the process. I lay down on my back for about 20 minutes (note #2 of my most pain causing positions), arms crossed, try not to move or make noises and do my best to relax. Several things cross my mind and the first is trying to get onto the table, lay down and then get back up again. The least of my worries was surviving the actual MRI procedure. I now look back at how someone who may be claustrophobic could have major problems in this very small tube that you get squished into. Thank God I’m okay in small spaces.

As soon as the MRI tech places pillows under my leg to help me feel more comfortable and not have to feel pain for 20 minutes…we were on our way. Ah yes, don’t forget the ear plugs! Those are a MUST HAVE. A few seconds into the procedure I felt like I was on a construction site listening to jack hammers splitting concrete and workers hammering in nails into steel poles. Then we moved onto cross fire. It felt like I was in combat listening to gun shots coming from every direction that lead into less frequent shots to all and all out battle. Afterward, sounds of thousands of woodpeckers filled the air in a forest full of very tall trees. By this time, my imagination was getting the best of me as all I could look at was the 3-4 inches of space between my nose and the top of the white MRI cavity. This is when I finally decided to relax, close my eyes, enjoy the vibration of the table beneath me that felt like a massage and savor the constant air conditioning that helped me feel like I was enjoying a day full of fresh air breezes from the Colorado Mountains.

Okay, okay…enough about that.

The MRI went well and we should find out the results when the radiologists and my doctor look at the picture files (no more film in this technologically advanced world). Then my Physical Therapist will take a look and will devise a plan for treatment.

After today’s experience, I think MRI should stand for: Millions of Random Instances of NOISE

Thanks for reading!

Comparing Adalyn and Makena at 4 Months old

I can't believe it's been 4 months since Makena was born. Time flying by way too fast.

As I've gotten back to blogging (hopefully this lasts), I was starting to reminisce about what Adalyn looked like and what she was doing when she was 4 months old.

Here are some links to pics of Adalyn at 4 months old back in California:

https://picasaweb.google.com/111995282770927443632/AdalynS1stSJSharksGame120909?authkey=Gv1sRgCJLPo87tg5CiaQ&feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/111995282770927443632/NapaSonomaDec2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCP_NleuOgMPw3QE&feat=directlink

I look at these pictures and remember how little Adalyn was. In just a few days, Adalyn turns 2 years old. Again....I can't believe how time has flown by.

Back pain....please GO AWAY...FOREVER.

One week ago, my lower back issues reared its ugly head. Although the pain hasn't been excruciating, 24/7 (Thank God), the pain is such a nuisance, especially when I want to play and hold my two cute little girls.

I talked to my doctor last week and we decided that it would be best to treat with prednisone for 9 days to help with inflammation and schedule an MRI to try and find out what's going on and how to best move forward in trying to fix the problem.

This past week has been hard, but I'm looking forward to working with my doctor on coming up with some options to make things better. Jared and I will be heading out to Exempla Good Samaritan tomorrow morning so that I can have an MRI on my lower back. Following my MRI, I'll start physical therapy Kaiser's Rock Creek Medical Center (just next door).

Hopefully, sometime next week, my doctor will have been able to analyze the MRI results and possibly have some options to start thinking about.

Well, thanks for reading....MRI, here I come!

This blog is a bit outdated

perhaps we should update it soon!