Monday, December 22, 2008
Leavenworth Christmas
So we went to Leavenworth again this year and met up with my parents. We weren't sure if we would make it this year do to the huge snow fall that Seattle has had (17 inches total today) but we did and had fun. We walked around the shops and ate at this really cool German restaurant with an accordion player who surprised my Dad and played him happy birthday (His birthday was Sunday). We also got to swim and sit in a hot tub which was very nice considering it is so cold out. Unfortunately I started to get a cold while there and am now miserable but overall it was a nice time and I always enjoy seeing my Mom and Dad. Oh and my Dad brought his famous chocolates, yummy!
Thursday, Dec 18
Today my friend was supposed to come over and help me make cookies but it started snowing last night and hasn't stopped. I made cookies by myself for the baskets I am making for David's staff and am pleased with how cute they are.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Angiomyolipomas
As most of you know I have a disease called Tuberous Sclerosis (TS) it has never effected me in the past but I have always been diligent about getting screened. This time I wasn't so lucky. Today I received the results of my ultra sound and they found 4 little (less then 4cm) tumors called angiomyolipomas. My doctor is now going to monito me more carefully. Here is some info from the TS alliance website.
RENAL ANGIOMYOLIPOMAS
Angiomyolipomas are named because they consist of blood vessels ("angio"), smooth muscle ("myo") and fat
("lipoma"). Usually angiomyolipomas are multiple and occur in both kidneys. The presence of fat in angiomyolipomas
often allows them to be distinguished from other renal tumors by CT scan or ultrasound.
Recent studies have given urologists (specialists on the urinary system) and nephrologists (kidney specialists)
insight into the course of renal angiomyolipoma. In this study, two particular factors appear to be somewhat predictive
of the course of the disease. The two factors include the presence or absence of symptoms related to the
angiomyolipoma and the size (less than 4 centimeters or greater than 4 centimeters) of the growth itself.
In their studies, some individuals with tumors less than 4 cm in diameter had no symptoms, while approximately 90
percent of individuals with a tumor greater than or equal to 4 cm appeared to have symptoms. These symptoms
most commonly included abdominal or back pain, nausea and vomiting and fever. For the individual who is nonverbal,
this may be present as irritability and vomiting. However, bleeding or rupture rarely occurred in children;
larger tumors occurred at an older age (greater than 10 years of age). It appears in the limited number of individuals
that they have followed with TSC and angiomyolipoma, in some cases the growths will continue to grow. The
tumors that are larger in size appear to have a greater propensity for growth than the smaller tumors.
Our understanding of the growth of renal angiomyolipoma and TSC is in its infancy and we will have further information
in a few more years. The real danger of a large angiomyolipoma is that it can rupture and bleed. This bleeding
can be significant and occasionally life threatening. Therefore, diagnosis and treatment guidelines have been
proposed to initially identify which individuals have kidney involvement in TSC and then, depending on the extent
(or size) of this involvement, propose either close surveillance or some form of intervention.
It is recommended that individuals with TSC should undergo an initial diagnostic radiologic evaluation with a CT
scan or ultrasound of the kidneys to identify those with kidney involvement. Then, depending on the size of the
involvement (less than 4 cm or greater than or equal to 4 cm), further management can be recommended.
Individuals with TSC and angiomyolipomas less than 4 cm would benefit from examination with either ultrasonography
or CT scanning every six months to one year. If the angiomyolipoma appears to grow or become a source of
symptoms, then some intervention should be entertained. This may include surgically removing the angiomyolipoma
or utilizing the radiologist to perform an embolization of the artery that goes to this growth. In individuals with
TSC and an angiomyolipoma greater than 4 cm, because of the high risk of further growth and the development of
symptoms, consideration should be given to treatment as previously described.
For those who do not want to have any form of intervention, they should be aware of the type of symptoms that are
associated with bleeding from the angiomyolipoma. This includes back or abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and
fever. If these growths involve both kidneys, renal failure is a possibility; however, this is relatively uncommon. If
kidney function became so poor as to not sustain life, then dialysis or transplantation would be indicated.
This disease is genetic and I have been very lucky that I was never effected by it until now. I have always known I have had it but I guess was in denial because I was so healthy. Please keep me in your prayers.
RENAL ANGIOMYOLIPOMAS
Angiomyolipomas are named because they consist of blood vessels ("angio"), smooth muscle ("myo") and fat
("lipoma"). Usually angiomyolipomas are multiple and occur in both kidneys. The presence of fat in angiomyolipomas
often allows them to be distinguished from other renal tumors by CT scan or ultrasound.
Recent studies have given urologists (specialists on the urinary system) and nephrologists (kidney specialists)
insight into the course of renal angiomyolipoma. In this study, two particular factors appear to be somewhat predictive
of the course of the disease. The two factors include the presence or absence of symptoms related to the
angiomyolipoma and the size (less than 4 centimeters or greater than 4 centimeters) of the growth itself.
In their studies, some individuals with tumors less than 4 cm in diameter had no symptoms, while approximately 90
percent of individuals with a tumor greater than or equal to 4 cm appeared to have symptoms. These symptoms
most commonly included abdominal or back pain, nausea and vomiting and fever. For the individual who is nonverbal,
this may be present as irritability and vomiting. However, bleeding or rupture rarely occurred in children;
larger tumors occurred at an older age (greater than 10 years of age). It appears in the limited number of individuals
that they have followed with TSC and angiomyolipoma, in some cases the growths will continue to grow. The
tumors that are larger in size appear to have a greater propensity for growth than the smaller tumors.
Our understanding of the growth of renal angiomyolipoma and TSC is in its infancy and we will have further information
in a few more years. The real danger of a large angiomyolipoma is that it can rupture and bleed. This bleeding
can be significant and occasionally life threatening. Therefore, diagnosis and treatment guidelines have been
proposed to initially identify which individuals have kidney involvement in TSC and then, depending on the extent
(or size) of this involvement, propose either close surveillance or some form of intervention.
It is recommended that individuals with TSC should undergo an initial diagnostic radiologic evaluation with a CT
scan or ultrasound of the kidneys to identify those with kidney involvement. Then, depending on the size of the
involvement (less than 4 cm or greater than or equal to 4 cm), further management can be recommended.
Individuals with TSC and angiomyolipomas less than 4 cm would benefit from examination with either ultrasonography
or CT scanning every six months to one year. If the angiomyolipoma appears to grow or become a source of
symptoms, then some intervention should be entertained. This may include surgically removing the angiomyolipoma
or utilizing the radiologist to perform an embolization of the artery that goes to this growth. In individuals with
TSC and an angiomyolipoma greater than 4 cm, because of the high risk of further growth and the development of
symptoms, consideration should be given to treatment as previously described.
For those who do not want to have any form of intervention, they should be aware of the type of symptoms that are
associated with bleeding from the angiomyolipoma. This includes back or abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and
fever. If these growths involve both kidneys, renal failure is a possibility; however, this is relatively uncommon. If
kidney function became so poor as to not sustain life, then dialysis or transplantation would be indicated.
This disease is genetic and I have been very lucky that I was never effected by it until now. I have always known I have had it but I guess was in denial because I was so healthy. Please keep me in your prayers.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Halloween
This year for Halloween I went out with Rebecca from work and a bunch of other people from work that I didn't know as well. Most of them were Christmas themed characters but 2 of us including myself were cops and one girl was wearing all black with a hose wrapped around her, I don't know what she supposed to be.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Pumpkins
YAY. My mom is here visiting for a couple days! Last night we went and picked up some pumpkins from the local grocery store and carved them and toasted their seeds. It was a lot of fun. Can you guess which one is mine?
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Chocolate Brown
Yes that is right I colored my hair chocolate brown. I am still getting used to it but I think I like it. Let me know what you think. The pictures make it look a little lighter because of the flash.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Seahawks
Over the weekend we went to the Seahawks game and watched themget beat by the GB Packers. It was a disappointment that they lost but still fun to go and watch.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Book list
There are a few new books I want to read so I thought I would share them. No particular order.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Long time no post
Well things have been a little chaotic here so I don't have a whole lot to post.
Update
For labor day we went to a friends vacation home on the Peninsula and went crabbing and I caught a shark fishing. We took a lot of pics but with someone else's camera who hasn't emailed me them yet. My mom was just here for a week and that was nice because I haven't seen her in a while and we spent some quality time together. I still go to the gym often but no more work out blogs, now I just to it because it makes me feel good. Daisjurr got 4 teeth pulled last week for braces that will be going on next month, ouch!. Can you believe braces cost $6,340.00 and insurance covers non of it, big financial ouch! I am planning on getting a second job to save money and pay off some debts. Hopefully I can get hired as a server or get a job somewhere completely different then the hospital. I love my job at the hospital but can't handle it 12 hours 6 days a week,I want a change of pace for a second job. Well I don't know if anyone reads this anymore becuase its been so long but this was just a brief update.
Update
For labor day we went to a friends vacation home on the Peninsula and went crabbing and I caught a shark fishing. We took a lot of pics but with someone else's camera who hasn't emailed me them yet. My mom was just here for a week and that was nice because I haven't seen her in a while and we spent some quality time together. I still go to the gym often but no more work out blogs, now I just to it because it makes me feel good. Daisjurr got 4 teeth pulled last week for braces that will be going on next month, ouch!. Can you believe braces cost $6,340.00 and insurance covers non of it, big financial ouch! I am planning on getting a second job to save money and pay off some debts. Hopefully I can get hired as a server or get a job somewhere completely different then the hospital. I love my job at the hospital but can't handle it 12 hours 6 days a week,I want a change of pace for a second job. Well I don't know if anyone reads this anymore becuase its been so long but this was just a brief update.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Tag I am it
Four random things I love about my husband :
1. He can fix the things I can't.
2. He is funny sometimes.
3. Motivated at his job.
4. ???
Four jobs I’ve had:
1. McDonalds
2. Mt. St. Joseph
3. University house of Wallingford
4. Virginia Mason Hospital
Four movies I have watched more than once:
1. Dirty Dancing.
2. The notebook
3. Sleepless in Seattle
4. Mary Poppins.
Four TV shows I watch
1. Desperate Housewives
2. So you think you can dance
3. Jon and Kate plus eight
4. House.
Four random places I have been:
1. Mexico
2. Germany
3. Disneyland.
4. Haiti
Four of my favorite foods:
1. Cheese.
2. Enchiladas
3. Bread
4. Salad
Four places I would like to visit:
1. Australia
2. Italy
3. Spain
4. Africa
Four things I am looking forward to in the coming year:
1. Advancing my career
2. Moving
3. Travel
4. ???
Sorry my survey isn't very good, I am having a hard day!
1. He can fix the things I can't.
2. He is funny sometimes.
3. Motivated at his job.
4. ???
Four jobs I’ve had:
1. McDonalds
2. Mt. St. Joseph
3. University house of Wallingford
4. Virginia Mason Hospital
Four movies I have watched more than once:
1. Dirty Dancing.
2. The notebook
3. Sleepless in Seattle
4. Mary Poppins.
Four TV shows I watch
1. Desperate Housewives
2. So you think you can dance
3. Jon and Kate plus eight
4. House.
Four random places I have been:
1. Mexico
2. Germany
3. Disneyland.
4. Haiti
Four of my favorite foods:
1. Cheese.
2. Enchiladas
3. Bread
4. Salad
Four places I would like to visit:
1. Australia
2. Italy
3. Spain
4. Africa
Four things I am looking forward to in the coming year:
1. Advancing my career
2. Moving
3. Travel
4. ???
Sorry my survey isn't very good, I am having a hard day!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Seafair
This past weekend was Seafair here in Seattle. This means a busy weekend watching hydroplane racing, air shows, eating and soaking up what sun we had. Also David knows a guy that has a huge house on the water, he invited us over on Sunday for a picnic and we had a blast.
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