It's simply amazing.....

I wanted to jot down a quickie blog this morning,letting you all know that I am in the process now of going through 300 of my photos from our Baltic trip. (I have been unsuccessful in uploading 650 more....and I still have some from my "little" camera that have yet to be played with....)

Anyways, I wanted to find a picture of someone surround by a pile of pictures (or something to that effect), and the above picture came up in a related search. Dunno how the search words I put in, resulted in this catastrophe of a picture....but, find it amusing.

I AM going through some of these pics. Will post some here, and will come back (hopefully today) with a link for "pictures in the rough" that I am working on/dealing with. I think one of my issues is the second upload is too large fr shutterfly to handle in one fell swoop....so, I will have to break them down into multiple "books", so to speak. I take a lot of pictures of what I see around me....scattered with a few that contain family members and misc. people in various countries. You MIGHT even find me in a couple of pics! Although, it's almost like playing "Where's Waldo"...lol


I the meantime, got short notice that it looks like we will be hopping on another cruise next month. Looks like we will be going back to Alaska. Briana won't be able to join us, due to school conflicts, so this will be the first time traveling without her. It was bound to start happening sooner or later....just seemed to come awfully fast....and hits rather hard. I keep you updated.

Hope to catch up with you later on today!!

Forgive me, for I have been.....

..........terribly preoccupied.


After trying NUMEROUS times to upload the BAZILLION photos from my trip (Shutterfly HATES me by now...), I have decided that the pics that I took with my Canon Rebel XT was set to take pics in GYNORMOUS sizes....and now, I have to resize all 700 pictures. (OMG!) I have a few uploaded from another disk (about 300). I'll scan through those and see if there's anything worthy of sharing. ;)


Left Friday (later than I had hoped for) evening, and headed for Hollywood.

Lemme back up.


Last Wednesday, Dean was supposed to go o the heart hospital to get his heart shocked back into rhythm. Well, they decided Tuesday night that the hospital would not have proper staffing to do the procedure. (It takes about 6 nurses and a doctor to be there when it happens.) So, they scheduled it for Friday...the day I was to leave for Hollywood for a party. Scheduled it for 12:30, to be exact. The doctor was 2 hours late. Anyhow, I watched Dean go "under" at 2:35, and was escorted out of the room once he was "asleep". I called the girls and my mom from the waiting room to let them know he was under. I couldn't even finish the call with my mom, before the doc came out and said that everything had gone well. It took one shock, and his heart was back to normal pace. They are watching him closely to make sure that it stays in rhythm. Doc seems to think that it will, but, cautioned that if it gets off course again, they may need to consider a pacemaker. That being said, Dean recovered and was sent home about 5pm. I got him situated at home, and he encouraged me to get on the road, that he was doing fine. I had to go out to pick up my mom and sister, and then take them to my aunt's house, as they would be riding down with her the next day.

Took the girls (Alyssa and Dayna to stay at the Renaissance in Hollywood. It's connected to the Hollywood/Highland shopping mall and the Kodak Theater. We got down there LATE on Friday night, but, just in time to enjoy a LUXURIOUS shabu-shabu dinner at my fav Hollywood restaurant. Woke up late the next morning, had the hotel hold our bags while we shopped. Shopped, we did!! And....shopped some more..... Had a late breakfast/early lunch at a crepe place....watched a movie at the Chinese Theater.....and shopped some more. After all of the days festivities, we went to our party. Had a GREAT time there!! The weather was absolutely PERFECT!! Towards the end of the party, I walked the kids down the street and showed them where Morgan Fairchild (WHO?!?) and Keanu Reeves lives. (I should have added....the party was for my great-aunt and uncle, who live in the Hollywood hills, with the backlot of Universal Studios only 5 houses down.) Showed them the backlot, where a movie was being filmed. They had a GREAT time....as did I. :) That night, we drove down to Orange County, got into our hotel room and crashed, as it was LATE.

Woke up late the next day, and went into Disneyland and had lunch, straight away. The crowds were MINIMAL...which was perfect! The girls had me in a rental wheelchair, so we got front access to most lines. We were next to board on Indiana Jones...and it broke down. So, they wrote out a Fast Pass that granted immediate boarding to any ride (except Nemo or the new Toy Story ride in California Adventures). So, that was basically of no use to us, unless we left the park. Most Disneyland rides are set up to benefit those who are in wheelchairs/disabled (as long as things are running smoothly...you get on MUCH quicker than standing in line), whereas ALL of the ride lines at California Adventures are "wheelchair accessible"...so, an immediate boarding pass for rides over there is a GREAT "plus". Anyways...on with our day at Disneyland. We had a nice time riding various rides, and then hopped on Splash Mountain. We waited a LONG time in the disabled line for this ride, which is vary unusual. We rode the ride....got SOAKING wet, and then turned the corner to disembark....and the ride broke down before we could get to the "dock". We were stuck in a position where there was nowhere to step off, except into rushing waters. They evacuate the ENTIRE mountain, and we were stuck there for about another hour, before they were able to get the log moved up onto the ramp. Yet another hand-written Fast Pass....lol. After battling that, I was pretty pooped out, and we had reservations at Blue Bayou. Unfortunately, they couldn't get us in for dinner until 9:50pm. It was now about 7:30pm. I went up to the front host and explained how I was exhausted, and wondering if they might be able to get us into dinner earlier than anticipated. He checked with the Lead, and they had us seated within 5 minutes. Had a FABULOUS dinner, and headed to the tram to get to our car. We were getting ready to hop on a tram, when we were told that the particular station we were boarding at, was closed, and we would need to move to the next station, which was VERY packed with people waiting for a tram. So, like cattle, we MOOved ((enter chuckle)) down to the other station. We were standing there (me with a terribly aching back), and I watch people start boarding the tram we were just asked to leave. I walked to the Supervisor who had just moved us, and explained the situation, and my frustration. She apologized, stating that she had been trying to close that station, and the Transportation Team was not listening. She asked how many were in my party, and if I had any small children with me. Then told me to hold one moment, and she started talking on her earpiece. Before I knew it, there was a gentleman in front of us, escorting us through the crowd to a private SUV. He drove us all of the way TO my car! I mean....RIGHT to it in the parking structure! Talked to us the whole time...and it was not only FUN...but, enlightening, also. Of course, all of the people we walked past in the tram line were wondering who the heck WE were!! lol Good times....

Too much fun. The girls and I made an Executive Decision, and decided to stay an extra night. :)


Next day, up late, and went shopping at The Block in Orange. I should say, more specifically, the girls and I had a great time shopping at Off 5th!! Then headed in to California Adventures and ate in the "Backlot". Had some hot dogs and I had a beer. It was GREAT! Rode Monsters, Inc....(pass on it)....then was talked into riding Tower of Terror (for the first time). I had been on the one in Florida....YEARS ago....and swore that was enough for me. But, I felt it was time to face my fear and get it over with! IT WAS GREAT!! Can't do it twice in a row like the kids do...but, I am looking forward to doing it again! Bought the picture, just to prove that I DID IT!! Ended the evening, and headed back to the room to sleep.


This morning....slept in AGAIN...lol....and had another late breakfast/lunch at a great little restaurant called Cowgirl Cafe. Sounds more like it belongs in Clovis than Costa Mesa!! They had great french toast and sirloin patty! :)

So....here I am, back at home, catching up on everything, and scheming for my next trip down south!!

I think the girls took a TON of pics and videos on our trip....I'm SURE Dayna will upload them to YouTube. You can find her videos under her YouTube screen name "dkumpe".

Catch ya soon!!

xoxo

My two twirps in Copenhagen airport...

Home again, home again....jiggity-jig

I'm home. Got home last night at 11pm. I am EXHAUSTED. I have a RIP-ROARING sinus infection from the plane rides....so, I am trying to get that under control.

Besides that, I have a BAZILLION pictures to upload for your viewing pleasure.

Maybe even a few stories to tell.... ;)

I hope you are all doing well!!

Wonders never cease...and miracles DO happen!!

Utter amazement.....



What happened TODAY:



I had an 11:15 appointment with my general surgeon. He took a look at my wound/incision and said that it was almost completely closed up. He felt that by the end of the week, it would be completely CLOSED....which was the stipulation that my doctor gave to me in order to travel. HOWEVER, my doctor thought it would take about a MONTH for it to close up. MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!! He had a LENGTHY discussion with my primary doc last night. Our trip is back ON!! We now have 36 hours to pack and get outta here!! So....as of right now, there appears to be NO INFECTION left at the site.....it is almost completely healed closed....and the surgeon felt that the possibility of it opening up and recurring, is VERY slim.



So......we leave for Denmark at 10am on Friday morning.



How's THAT for a story?!?!



Thank you for ALL of your prayers, as I am TRULY considering this a MIRACLE, as is my family. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!!

So confused and blue...

Well, our trip is off. And our schedule is up in the air for at least a couple of weeks. My doc says that it will probably take my wound 4 weeks to completely heal...as long as it doesn't have another flare-up. Dean is on a mission to find us another international cruise to take...but we have a small window of time to work with...and we have Lee's work schedule to consider. Tough having this happen, and have to replan for 6 people.

I stayed in bed today, in my night gown, until 2:30 this afternoon...running a fever. I don't really feel there's much that they can do about the fever, as I am already on a BUTTLOAD of antibiotics of different shapes, colors and dosages. If the fever goes on too long, I can take some Motrin IB...but, no Tylenol, 'cause I'm already on Vicodin. I see the General Surgeon tomorrow at 11:15am.

All day I wanted to take a shower, but I am SCARED TO DEATH to have an open wound in the shower!! The surgeon says it will be fine...but, he is the only one of SIX doctors who has felt that way. I'M SO CONFUSED!!!

Unfortunately, my doctor also stated that I have burns on my skin from allergic reaction from the adhesive on the tape and bandages that we have been using. Pretty bad burns, from what I gather. All I know is that it burns, stings and itches. He doesn't want to prescribe cortisone cream, due to the fact that I sill have an open wound.

***sigh***

This too, shall pass. Right?



On the funny side, after cancelling our trip last night, I got THIS email in my box this afternoon:



You've Won a Spot in the Toy Story Mania! Annual Passholder Sneak Peek
Congratulations michelle kumpe! Get your spring-action shooter loaded and ready for fun!

You have been selected to participate in the Toy Story Mania! Annual Passholder Sneak Peek at Disney's California Adventure® Park. Here are the details of your time slot:

Date: June 12, 2008
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Total Party Size: 6
Annual Passport Barcode Number: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Please print this e-mail and present it - along with a valid Disneyland® Resort Annual Passport for each member of your party - to the West Information Booth at least 30 minutes before your time slot. The West Information Booth is located between the Picnic Area and La Brea Bakery Cafe, on the Downtown Disney® District side of the Disneyland® Main Entry Plaza.

We look forward to seeing you on June 12, 2008!

Your Pals at Disneyland® Resort



What are the chances that Dean will let me go to such an awesome event?

I guess I entered the sweepstakes awhile back...and forgot about it.


Talk about suck timing.....

It is finished.....

ARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

I have spoken with a total of SIX medical professionals over the course of a week........from ER Nurse Practitioners, to a General Surgeon. NO ONE has the same thought or idea on what's wrong with my back/shoulder. My original culture from last Saturday in the ER (where this all started), came back after a 3-day cook time, as negative/no growth. At all. So, as far as any testing goes, there was NO bacterial infection involved......which ALL six docs have disagreed with. So.....we know the culture was bad. Therefore, on Wednesday, when I had to go BACK in to ER, they decided to treat it as MRSA.....even though they had no medical PROOF.

So....fine......that's how I have been getting care.....as if I had MRSA. I was getting my incision repacked everyday, as per ER on Wednesday. This weekend, my doctor was not in, so my friend has a cousin who is a local doctor. I went to his house, and he cared for me by repacking my incision..........and draining the wound on Saturday. Said he got over an ounce of "stuff" from it. Gave me 2 Rx's, and an Rx for my family to start putting up their nose, as that's where the bacteria lives. I more than doubled up on my antibiotics.

Saw my doctor this morning. He took one look and said "Cancel the trip". He felt that the wound was doing much better, and looked like it had been completely drained. However, he is still of the belief that the wound needs to be repacked daily. He then agreed to the diagnosis that the weekend doc gave, which was to get a General Surgeon involved. He called two surgeons while we were in the room, waiting to see who would answer first, because he wanted me seen today. Got an appointment to see the General Surgeon at 1:30. Called my travel agent and cancelled the trip.

Dean took me out to a nice lunch at Yoshino's, and then we headed to the Surgeon's office for a consultation. I didn't end up seeing the doctor that MY doctor had thought that I would be seeing. THIS doctor, COMPLETELY disagreed with my doctor, and said that we should go on our trip. Also said that "packing" a wound was a VERY controversial thing in the medical field, and as far as he was concerned, the wound should NOT be packed. We called our travel agent back (quickly) and told her NOT to cancel the trip yet...

***sigh***

Two, ENTIRELY different messages within a couple of hours. So, he took the packing out of my shoulder, concurred that it was a deep wound, and told me to come back on Wednesday, so that he could see how the area was reacting. I put in a call to my doctor, because he wanted to know how the appointment went today with the surgeon. Waiting to tell him the IMMENSE difference between HIS diagnosis, and the diagnosis that the surgeon gave me. Regardless, I am supposed to go back after 6 weeks of healing, and have the initial cyst removed, so that it won't cause damage/infection again. I don't know if I will be going to THAT surgeon though, as he was NOT my doctor OR my first choice.


My primary doc called tonight just before 7, and I went through the whole run-down of what all the surgeon said. He was flabberghasted. He agreed to have the packing out until Wednesday....that was fine. Not what he would have chosen...but, fine. HOWEVER.....he INSISTED that the trip be cancelled. Dean was not happy and wants to wait until Wednesday to see if the wound heals up. I'm sure it won't....and I hate to disappoint....but, there's no WAY I am going to go against my doctor when he is INSISTING on us not traveling.


Long.....day.