A New Subtitle

You may have noticed 2 things: 1.) I'm actually writing a post. 2.) I changed the subtitle to include "all while living with chronic migraines."  I did this because migraines are a huge part of my life right now and they affect every aspect of my life. 

I started seeing a neurologist in May, 2010.  At that point, I began my never-ending search for a migraine preventative, a medication taken every day to decrease or eliminate migraines.  The first medication I tried was Topamax.  I had such high hopes that it was going to work.  It didn't.  The second medication I tried was nortriptyline.  At first, I thought it was working.  My migraines seemed to be less frequent, but then they started right back up as usual.  Then it was time to try a beta-blocker, normally used for high blood pressure.  My blood pressure runs low at baseline, so I was a little nervous that taking this medication, called propranolol, was going to cause me to pass out! I didn't pass out, but it didn't help my migraines either.  Apparently, this drug is used for stage-fright or public speaking anxiety, so if anyone is in a talent show in the near future, get in touch with me...I have a left-over supply.  Next on the list was a calcium-channel blocker called verapamil.  Again, I thought maybe this was "the one."  It seemed to help at first, but again, the migraines came back with the same frequency.  That was a few weeks ago, when I decided to switch doctors.

Last Friday, I saw a new neurologist through Wheaton Franciscan Comprehensive Headache Center.  From my own research, I discovered that there is a difference between a regular neurologist and a migraine specialist.  Not only did I see the migraine specialist, but I also saw a physical therapist, a dietician, and a psychologist.  The neurologist, Dr. Purath, scheduled me to get an MRI this Monday, the 12th, started me on yet another preventative, this time gabapentin, and gave me samples of a needle-less injection called Sumavel.  Check out this crazy contraption!

Somehow the medication gets pushed through the skin by forced air.  It still hurts, and I was still freaked out to administer it to myself.  And for 3 of these puppies, I'll have to shell out over $500.  And guess what?  It didn't work any better than any of the other abortive medications I've tried.  To stop a migraine, you normally take some form of a triptan.  That's what Sumavel is.  But, there are 2 triptans that have a generic form.  Generic=less expensive. Notice I didn't write generic=cheap, as in other types of medications.  For some reason, triptans just cost a lot of money.

I do not get an aura with my migraines.  I usually feel nauseous, I am bothered by loud noises and bright lights, and it feels like someone is stabbing me with a hot poker behind my right eye.  Normally, one dose of a triptan does the trick.  Sometimes an ice-pack and a dark room, plus a little sleep, helps in addition to the triptan.  Other times, like the past two migraines, even two doses of the triptan hasn't knocked it out completely.  So, starting last night, to try and break the migraine cycle, the office called in a prescription of ketorolac, which is an NSAID, like Tylenol, but much stronger, and also prochlorperazine, an anti-nausea medication.  The combination of the two is supposed to break a migaine cycle, or otherwise known as "status migrainosus."

At this present moment, I feel like I have a dull ache where my migraines usually are.  I have one more dose of the combo med, and I really hope I can be pain free...because for those of you who know my children, they haven't changed one bit!  They are still super active, seem to have lost their listening ears, and have a really bad case of sibling rivalry!



7 Years Ago...

On a day very much like today, a winter wonderland, I married a wonderful man. He has become my parenting partner, my teammate, my confidant.  He supports me in everything I do and backs me up when I need it the most.  He is my husband, the one I love with all my heart.

One more thing...

For your listening pleasure...

We will return to your regularly scheduled program in 2011...

until then, here are some pictures of what we've been up to in December.  It's been busy, fun, and exciting.  I can't believe Christmas is next week already!  I just sent out my Christmas cards today...and that is why I won't be blogging regularly until the new year.  Yeah right...even then I probably won't.  Merry Christmas!

Our freshly cut Christmas tree

The stockings were hung...

Ella's preschool concert (she's in the far bottom left)

Cutting down the tree...it was so cold!

Our church Christmas Pagent

I won a free weekend at a local hotel, waterpark included!

I think he looks so funny in this picture!

Kidsclub bowling adventure!

Who knew they had ramps for little kids?  I'd like to use one of those!

Kidsclub Christmas Party, cookie decorating

Ella's creation

Ella did not want to sit on Santa's lap

Surprisingly, Nathan did

Christmas present from my parents...our appliances now all match!

When I won that free hotel weekend, we got free tickets to see "My Son Pinocchio."

Ella's last dance class for the season

Talk to you in 2011!

The Wilderness (which will come to describe several topics in this post)

Last weekend we ventured as a family to the Wilderness Territory in the Wisconsin Dells.  This place was incredible, and a bit overwhelming.  We got a great deal for a two-night stay, which included passes to the several indoor waterparks located right at the resort.  The kids had a great time, but weren't as adventurous as they were when we went to Blue Harbor with my parents.  Probably because this place was ten times bigger and over-stimulating for them!  We all slept in one hotel room, which proved to be a bit challenging, and Nathan got sick on our last night...high fever and vomitting.  But as you can see, fun was had by all!

Last Monday, we hosted an event for our Newcomers Kidsclub.  This is the 2nd topic that I will call a "wilderness."  We had probably 20 kids under the age of 6 running around our house, and around 10 adults.  It was chaos, but it went surprisingly well!  The kids drew on templates which I sent in to a company, and in a few weeks will magically be returned as plates.  We use a company called Makit.  We had to open up our sunporch, which is definately NOT a 4 seasons room, but we had some heaters going...otherwise, I'm not sure that we would've had enough space.  The kids had a blast on the trampoline, so it was probably a good thing that we did open up the sun porch!

And finally, our 3rd "wilderness" adventure...we had our two nephews over for a sleepover this past weekend, and it was just that...WILD!  The cousins always have a blast playing together, and Nathan wants so badly to be a part of the action.  We attempted to have him sleep with the "big kids" but it didn't last long.  Oh well, maybe next time.



The Dietrichs 2010 Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Is it too late to blog about Halloween???

It happened again...a blogging rut.  I'm digging my way out...slowly but surely.  This will be short and sweet, just to get my feet wet again. 

We have been busy!  So many Halloween festivities!  My Kidsclub partner-in-crime, Anne, and I planned and executed a Halloween party for the Newcomers group that we belong to.  Look at all the kids that came!

It was chaotic, but that was to be expected!  All the kids had a blast.  It definitely helps that Anne is an elementary teacher by background.  She has the best ideas for crafts!  Here's a picture of Nathan and Anne's daughter Addison...Nathan wasn't quite ready to get into his costume yet.  Love the look...don't you?

Now that the Halloween party is done, we are now in the beginning stages of planning the Kidsclub Christmas party...and, since I'm the Vice President of Newcomers, I also have the responsibility of planning the adult Christmas party.  Luckily, I have a lot of people stepping up to form a planning committee with me.  I have met so many great people in this club.  I really enjoy being a part of it!

Round two of Halloween...

Ella was "Silver Mist" from the Tinkerbell movies.  I wouldn't have known that.  I only hear parts of movies while I drive in the van...I never actually see what my kids are watching.  Is that bad???  We went trick-or-treating with our friends Jodi and Matt and their two boys who also live in New Berlin.  This was the first year that we actually went out with other people and the first year that Ella really seemed to get into it.  And Joe and I have enjoyed the candy.  Thank you Ella!  Nathan mostly sat in the wagon and ate suckers.  He got out a few times and went up to some houses with me.

Halloween weekend was also special because my Auntie Anne and Uncle Bob came for a visit from Michigan.  They stayed with my parents and got to see their house, and our house, for the first time!  My cousin Ben drove in with them and we were able to visit with him for a few hours before a local friend of his picked up him and they both drove to Chicago.  I was so happy to see Ben since he'll be on his way to South Korea to teach English for a year.  He's such an adventurous person.  Ella had a great time playing Barbies with my Uncle Bob. :)

Ella is no longer at Miss Linda's for daycare.  She was the only "big kid" there, since all of her friends left for Kindergarten in September.  She just wasn't adjusting well, so we made the decision to move her to the childcare at the church where she attends preschool on Mondays and Wednesday afternoons.  So far, she seems to like it.  And Nathan is doing great at Miss Linda's without Ella also.  He's able to interact more with the other kids.  With Ella there, she was constantly pulling him away and only wanting to play with him.  Hopefully this will be a good change for everyone!

Nathan is becoming so independent.  His favorite new phrase is, "I do it."  He wants to do everything that Ella does and repeats everything that we say.  (Gotta be careful!)

I'm in the process of finding a medication to help prevent migraines.  I've been on one called Topamax since May, which wasn't helping at all, so just this week I started an additional medication called Nortriptyline, to be taken as well as the Topamax.  I'm just hoping that something will work.  It's getting so frustrating and I'm very discouraged at times.  Ugh.  I just want to be migraine-free!

Well, that about sums it up for now.  We have so many fun and exciting things coming up and I'll be sure to keep everyone updated.