I Won't Forget

I've always loved Memorial Day.

When I was a young girl, we would go to my Grandma's house every year to help her pick flowers.

I mostly remember Iris (or "Flags" as Grandma called them), maybe some lilacs, and peonies if we were lucky enough for them to be in bloom. 

We would put them in metal buckets full of water, and then take them to the cemetery to decorate the graves of family members who had died.

I think I remember the Iris so well, because Grandma would always comment on how much Grandpa hated "Flags", and that he was probably mad at her for putting them at his grave. 

In addition to remembering loved ones who have passed on, it's primarily a day set aside for us to show honor and respect for the brave men and women who have served our country.

This year, I'll be thinking of an online friend, her son was a highly decorated and honorably discharged Green Beret. 

 A few years ago, he suffered a brain injury from a fall.

He was recently murdered.

In addition to remembering those who have passed on,

My thoughts will also turn to;

A friend who's son was recently deployed to Afghanistan.  He is a Combat Marine.

Another friend's son, in the Army National Guard.

My niece's husband...also currently deployed in the Middle East.

A cousin who is currently serving as a Flight Surgeon.

A cousin who proudly wears a Navy Uniform and is stationed in Guam.

Another cousin who teaches at Camp Williams.

But mostly, I'll be thinkin' of my dad.

My dad served in the United States Navy from 1954-1958.

He was an Enlisted Man.

He served first aboard

The USS Lincoln County LST 898

Later, he was transferred to the

USS Hermitage LSD 34

He was a Boatswain's Mate. (Pronounced "Bosun").

He still has a pipe, which looks similar to this one:

Dad currently is serving as the Commander of the American Legion, Post 48 in Payson.

He and his fellow Legion members perform hours of community service. 

Most notably, as Honor Guard for numerous Military funerals throughout the area.

It's always amusing when my dad meets another Veteran.  If they served in different branches of the Military, there is typically some good nature teasing that goes on. But after that, there is always respect and admiration, regardless of branch, or rank, or position.

Thank you dad, for instilling in me a sense of Patriotism, and a love for my country.

Labyrinthitis!!! (Longest, Most Boring Post Ever)

Huh?
Perhaps you've never heard of labyrinthitis...to which I would reply; Good!
I'm sure it sounds all mysterious and exotic, but I am here to tell you, it is neither!!!
What it is however, is miserable and annoying. Yeah, that.

Basically, labyrinthitis is inflammation of the deep inner ear, called the (wait for it...wait for it...)
Labyrinth.  With me so far? 
Here is a fascinating (albeit blurry) picture from the www:

Inflammation of the inner ear can be caused by a variety of different things;

Allergies

A bacterial or viral ear infection that has spread

Head trauma

Or, as in my case...

Viral infection and/or No Known Cause

Symptoms usually resolve in 1-3 weeks, but can linger for months or be recurrent.  Most people recover with no further problems. (That's the one I'm going for). 

Symptoms can include:

Hearing loss and or ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

Other than some strange sounds in my ears, I've had neither of this symptoms, so let's move on, shall we?

Vertigo (I have both subjective, feel like I'm moving or falling; and objective, seems that my surroundings are moving/tilting/swaying/spinning)

Nausea,Vomiting (you're welcome)

Difficulty Standing & Walking

Headache

Disequilibrium

Nystagmus (when the eyes rapidly jerk to one side & then slowly find their way back to the original position, yeah that was a bundle of fun & freaked my kids out!)

Balance Problems,Light Headedness

(Shall I keep going?)

Vision Problems

Difficulty Speaking,Lowered level of Consciousness & Difficulty Concentrating

Alrighty then, I think that about sums it up for my symptoms!!!

So, here's my story...

I began having mild symptoms (which is unusual, onset is typically rapid) on Mother's Day.  Just had a couple of times during the day when I felt lightheaded, but it quickly passed.

On Monday, the incidents became more frequent and lasted a bit longer, and seemed to be brought on my sudden movement of my head (bending over, turning my head while driving).

By Monday evening, I had experienced enough strangeness, that I decided something might be wrong and I should tell Rick...:)  We all went to dinner and a movie (for Mother's Day, not because I was sick) and as long as I wasn't moving my head, I was okay.  By next morning, I was dizzy all the time...so decided I better see the doctor.

A brief exam later (in which I failed my tracking test, which was weird because I really thought I did fine!)

I was diagnosed with (say it with me) Labyrinthitis.  There basically is no treatment, (unless complications occur), other than Rest and motion sickness pills that can help alleviate symptoms...or not.  In my case it was the "or not".

*Note to drug manufacturers:

Chewables? Really?

And...I don't know what raspberries you've been eating, but the ones I have tasted DO NOT taste like a mixture of rubber and ear wax.  Please do not try to fool me by promising a pleasant raspberry flavor.  And while I realize that rubbery earwax flavor is not a viable marketing option...perhaps you could just say "mild medicinal flavor"...I'm just sayin'!!!

Moving on...

By Wednesday, I was sick, sick, sick...and spent the better part of a week on bed rest.  Any movement resulted in extreme nausea (which resulted in, well...extreme vomiting, sorry!) and meant I had to haul myself out of bed and lurch my way to the bathroom. This Was. Not. Fun. 

Thankfully the worst of it only lasted about 3 days. I couldn't even watch TV!  Or read!  (sorry Eclipse, I know you are waiting for me.) Or even (gasp) blog!!!  (or read blogs, it was terrible I tell ya!)

Once I could watch TV, I spent a lot of time watching Food Network (Deep Fried Network, according to Spencer), and "Say Yes to the Dress" on TLC...oh and "Toddlers and Tiaras"...and of course

SERIES FINALE OF 24!!!

(Good thing I was able to get up a bit by then!)

I am currently making a (much slower than I would like) recovery.  Still have some mild dizziness, as well as a few other mild to moderate symptoms... and I can't drive yet...which is a total pain! At least I can ride in the car now with only mild car sickness...:) I'm hoping I'll be 100% better in a few days.  Gonna try reading (more than just a little at a time) again tomorrow! Wish me luck. 

And, just for clarification, if you have seen me, spoken to me, or if I have emailed you or commented on your blog...I do not have a drinking or drug problem, just a bad case of vertigo!!!  I'm sorry if I caused alarm.  I do realize I may have seemed a little "off" and/or not very coherent...my apologies! :)

One funny story:

I went Visiting Teaching this week.  I love my neighbor that I go teaching with.  She is sweet and compassionate, also very prim and proper. When the sister we were visiting opened the door, my neighbor quickly proclaimed that I had not been drinking.  It was hilarious!  I busted up laughing (and so did everyone else) and thanked her for clearing that up.  She is such a delightful lady, but I think that's the first time I've ever heard her tell a joke!

And a tender story:

My kids (and husband) have been a little worried and stressed about me being down sick for so long.  Shane has been having trouble sleeping.  The first week when I was the sickest, he came in and stood by my bed and quietly asked me, "Mom, is your hair going to fall out too?"  (Amy lost her hair a few weeks ago, because of her radiation treatments).  Dang it! Sometimes life is just hard.

With that, I am done...and off to see if there are any ice cream bars left in the freezer, I've been craving them since I got sick!  :)

Hope For Amy Silicone Bracelets

My son, Curtis, designed this bracelet and is selling them as a fundraiser for his Aunt Amy.

They are $5.00 each and are availabe in two sizes;

Medium: 7 inches

Large: 8 inches

They are lavender (not pink).

Shoot me an email if you are interested in ordering.

allthepiecesofme(at)live(dot)com

What My Mother Taught Me

To Value A Job Well Done
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

Time Travel
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

Logic
"Because I said so, that's why."

Foresight
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

Irony
"Keep crying and I'll give you something to cry about."

Osmosis
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

Stamina
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

Weather
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

Hypocrisy
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

Circle Of Life
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

Behavior Modification
"Stop acting like your father!"

Envy
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

Anticipation
"Just wait until we get home."

Receiving
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

Medical Science
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

How To Become An Adult
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

Genetics
"You're just like your father."

Wisdom
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

Justice
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you"

(Author Unknown)

Have a wonderful weekend, and Happy Mother's Day!

Making A Difference

Camille has written a beatiful article about Amy that is being featured on Todays Mama/Utah Mama.
She took a lot of emotional, dramatic words that I just spewed out, and wrote a very sweet and tender post.

You can read it here:  A Community Pulls Together

Thanks Camille!

Kisses For Amy

I have started a blog for my sister-in-law, Amy.
You can find it at Kisses For Amy or click on the picture to the right.
Please feel free to spread the love! (And the Awareness)
I will post updates as well as information about fundraising efforts.