Blood Clots

Back in September, I had two blood clots: one in my lung and one in my right ankle. The only reason I found out is that I went to the ER with acid reflux pain; I just wanted a "green cocktail" which takes the pain away from my stomach. For some reason the doc did a blood test, which showed I may have a blood clot, then a cat scan of my lungs, which showed I did have one. I spent the night in the hospital, during which time they did a doplar of my legs and found the other one. All my kids came; they were afraid I was going to die! At the time, I was in denial; but now I realize how serious this was. Anyway, I have been having pain in my left side, under my boob, from time to time. I was thinking it was in my stomach from the gel the pain doc gave me for pain, to rub on my hands and knees. But the pain is actually to the left of my stomach, has been happening every evening, and only goes away when I go to sleep, or sit and relax. When I had the last blood clot it was in my right lung, and that side of my body has pain/numbness from a back surgery I had. I had noticed some additional pain, but wrote it off as being from that surgery. So here I am trying to decided if I should go to the walk in clinic after work today and find out what is going on. Just for my peace of mind I might.

Or piece of mind. It just goes from topic to topic; my children call it a word I cannot remember now. I just don't have time to spend in the hospital right now, and I REALLY DON'T WANT TO GIVE MYSELF SHOTS IN THE STOMACH again, but I will if I have to!!!!!

I have one more present to buy for my step-sons' brother in law; he mows our lawn in the summers sometimes. Next summer, I hope he is home again, we will have him mow more often. That way we can work on some other projects, like cleaning out the garage, upstairs, basement, gutters, etc........

Christmas is in 21 days, yikes!

Christmas is in 21 days, yikes!

Has everyone got their shopping done? We are about half done!
I hope everyone has a nice peaceful Christmas; enjoy all those little ones playing with the wrapping paper, :).

Love,
Aunt Julie

Pain

Pain is a funny thing. Now that my throat hurts, my back is not bothering me as much. Of course, it could be that turning up my pain pump worked! :) For those who do not know, a pain pump is a device full of liquid morphine that is implanted under your skin, with a catheter that takes the morphine (and whatever else the doc puts in there, with a needle) right to your spinal chord. I have had six back surgeries, and have more pain now than before I started. My pain pump also has a form of novocaine in it. Anyway, I have a very sore throat, with a lot of drainage from my nose going down the back of it. This too shall pass, unlike my back pain, which never goes away, unless I am sleeping. As soon as I wake up, and move, the pain is back.

There is a book, Miserable Joy, that has really helped me gain a better attitude towards my pain. It was written by a man named Jason Nelson, who was a year behind me in college. There is some reason I have this pain; God is not punishing me for my sins.

Family History

is very important. I grew up with a small family of my mom, dad and one brother. My brother and I have very different interests; it is hard to believe sometgimes that we grew up in the same house! For example, I love Jesus, He, the FAther and the Holy Spirit watch over me and take care of me! I am in church every Sunday, and other times when worship is offered. Randy does not believe and does not go to church! My parents went every Sunday to early church and RAndy liked to sleep in instead. You know, I don't know why he had to go with us; he could have just gone to late church!

My father, Rudie Hauf, grew up in North Dakota during the Depression. His parents were Julius and Pauline Hauf. He was the second or third of 8 children; the first four were boys! I think they were all about one year apart, too. My poor Grandma, two or three in diapers out on the plains of North Dakota in a sod house! I wish I could talk to her today; she died when I was six, and even then I had never really spoken with her as she understood only German. My mother's (Irene) mother, Erna Broesamle, went through something similar, for she had three children in about three years! I am thinking life in Minneapolis was a little easier than life in North Dakota. My mother's father, Carl Broesamle, left when my mother was little; she was raised by her mom and grandmother, Emma Voss. Of my mom's family, there are only she and her sister in law, Lois Broesamle, left. Of my dad's siblings there are only three left, Otto, Gertrude, and Frieda, and one sister in law, Elsie.

My parents were introduced by mutual friends, Gladyce and John Anderson. They met in April, and were married the next September! Mom always said they were old enough to know what they were looking for in a spouse; she was 25 and Dad was 35 when they married. Dad was 37 when I was born and 41 when Randy was born. Dad played with us when were little; I remember roughhousing on the floor with him. But when we were older we got on his nerves. But we always knew he loved us. Dad died at 62 or cancer; he has been gone thirty one years already. Those have been long years for Mom, w;ho is still coooking right along at 82!