Addison’s Ultrasound Movie

Current mood: ecstatic

Addison’s Ultrasound Movie

The thing we got to transfer from VHS to the computer did this mini file on its own- it somehow picked parts to copy... interesting.
The first thing you see when the movie starts and you see the mouse pointer is the technician pointing at her 'goods'. The middle of the movie stinks as you really can't tell what is what. Towards the end you will see her LONG leg. LOL

Enjoy...

(VIDEO) The BIG Ultrasound!!!

Addison's Nursery!!! (so far)

Current mood: chipper

We bought Addison's crib in Chestnut- not white (that also converts to a toddler bed, day bed and full-size bed) and her bedding (fitted sheet, dust ruffle, bumper, comforter, diaper bag, valance and mobile) today!!!

Ultrasound Today

It's going to be a...

Current mood: indescribable!!!

Doug's 40th Birthday Party!

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Happy 40th Birthday Doug!!!

Cody in His New Bed

Trip to Lansing

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Today I went to Grand Ledge to meet up with Aunt Debbie, Uncle Steve, Aunt Pat, Jim, Erin, Orion, Jennifer and Evan at Cugino's for lunch. We went to the ice cream place afterwards. It was a beautiful day!


James, Erin and Orion


James, Mary and Orion


Aunt Debbie, Uncle Steve and Orion


Aunt Pat and Orion


Jennifer and Orion


Jennifer and Evan


About to get some ice cream!

Bell's Palsy

Bells Palsy

I am a 24 year old, fairly healthy female. Today is my two-year anniversary with right-sided Bell's Palsy. I have been told that spontaneous recovery is not probable for my condition. After a few mobility tests and CT scan results to rule out stroke- I was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy in an Emergency Room in Lansing, Michigan Saturday, April 27, 2002. At which time I was given Prednisone for 5 days. As well as Valtrex- twice a day for 10 days.
I was discharged to home with those prescriptions to take and no advice as to why I got this and how to get rid of it. I was told to follow up with family doctor on Monday as well as consult an Ophthalmologist. Of which both I did Monday, April 29, 2002. My family doctor just told me to let the 'viral infections run its course'. I was into the same doctor the week previous on Tuesday, April 23, 2002 and was diagnosed with an ear, nose and throat viral infection. So both the ER physician and my family doctor chalked my condition up to the infection diagnosed on the 23rd. (But through research of my own I have concluded that an accident that I had in which I fell on my face could be a probable reason as well. The date of that accident was 2-9-02 -- 11 weeks prior, and was on left (unaffected) side of face. Accident was diagnosed as 'head injury- contusion/ concussion.) As well- stress could be a factor.

My visit to the Ophthalmologist concluded that my sight was as normal as could be expected. They were worried about dry eye because the affected right eye would not close on its own. The Ophthalmologist prescribed eye drops-Lacrilube, and recommended getting a patch to wear at night.
Over time I went through several stages. At first my right eye would not close, over several months progress was made to the point I was able to blink normal. Then it got to the point that it was over-blinking. Then to the point at which, I thought it was back to normal, but yet again, not blinking enough. I went through the stages of my eye watering. Often throughout the day I would feel tears drip down my face, only from the right affected eye. For the first year or so I had to use straws to drink fluids. After time I thought that I must have gotten used to the right side of my mouth not functioning. I started slow, drinking out of small holes like bottles, and gradually moved up to drinking out of cups. Still to this day I sometime drip all over my chest. As well, persistent headaches that would last up to and beyond two days.
About a year of suffering and trying to get used to my condition I thought was more than likely permanent. I started doing research of my own, since my family doctor really didn't have any answers for me. I asked my family doctor to refer me to a Neurologist after reading that a lot of Bell's patients go to Neurologist's. I had my first appointment in October 2003. At which time they diagnosed me with Hemifacial Spasms and discussed some methods, one of which being Botox injections. Meanwhile they sent me home with a prescription for Flexeril (muscle relaxer) to get the spasms to calm down as well as the hope that something could be done for my condition. Referring to the possibilities of Botox injections. They mentioned that my facial spasms were in the very corner of my right eye and at the right corner of my mouth. I called these my twitches. Throughout the many stages of my first year with Bell's I would feel these twitches, usually in my eyelid. At first they were very persistent and irritating, over time they went away- or so I thought. I obviously got so used to it I didn't even know it was still going on. After that diagnosis I paid more attention to my facial movements as well as asked friends and family to let me know when something ‘odd’ is happening to my face.
My second appointment was to have a MRI of the brain performed October 21, 2003:MRI of the brain:Indication: Diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy year and half previously. Persistent symptomatology. Also presents with headaches. Question intracranial etiology.
Comparison: none
Findings: Ventricular and cisternal structures are normal. There are no areas of abnormal signal intensity throughout and there is no focal mass or mass effect. Overall brain architecture is within normal limits. No MRI evidence of intra or extra-axial hemorrhage. No extra-axial fluid collections. Visualized vessels demonstrate normal flow void. Paranasal sinuses are clear as are the mastoids. Orbits are unremarkable.
Impression: Unremarkable MRI of the brain with specific attention to the right 7th nerve which does not show appreciable abnormal enhancement or masses along it’s course.

My third appointment to the Neurologist was in December 2003. This time they asked how the Flexeril was controlling the spasms. My opinion was that it wasn’t doing anything to help. As mentioned earlier I was paying more attention to my spasms/ twitches, and I noticed, more so at night, that my right eye would twitch- a lot. The Neurologist them prescribed me with a new drug- Clonazepam working my way up from 0.5mg a day up to 3mg a day over a two-week time period. I referred to the Botox and was told that they were reluctant to do that procedure because it has the possibility of doing more damage than good, and that it is only temporary.

After the third appointment I returned in early March and, again, was asked how the Clonazepam was working. This time I told them that I did not want to continue using this drug. I was not sure if it was the Clonazepam or something else, but referenced muscle twitches were all over my body. Several times throughout any given day I would suffer muscle twitches at several areas of my body. It was not persistent to any particular area. It would be in legs, arms, feet, hands- anywhere- up to and beyond 20 times a day. At this time the Neurologists prescribed me with Neurotin. I started off at 300mg at bedtime and worked my way up to 2- 3 times a day, a total of 1800 mg a day, gradually over the four weeks.

My next follow up appointment is the first week of May. I have not seen or felt any progress from any of the prescription methods that they have tried. In whole, I feel worse. Throughout my life I have been fairly healthy and not on any prescriptions other than antibiotics here and there. Now all of a sudden I’m being tried on all these new drugs. Most of these making me feel as if I am ‘drunk’. They keep me down and sleepy. Besides having Bell’s Palsy I have knee problems with both knees, especially the left. So for that I am on Motrin 800mg for inflammation, as well as Vicodin for pain when needed. In late August 2003 I was in the Emergency room with a persistent headache that lasted nearly a week. I didn’t want to chance that it had something to do with the Bell’s Palsy, so at that time they preformed another CT scan- no findings. Two and half weeks ago, 4-9-04 I had to go to the emergency room for severe back pain (in which I did nothing to bring about). I was diagnosed with simply a muscle spasm and was given more Vicodin and more Flexeril to ease the pain and sooth the tightness of the muscle. I have never had a pinched nerve and do not know what it feels like. But if I had to describe the symptoms I have- I would say it feels like a nerve is pinched. The past few weeks have been debilitating. I have since put a hold on my search for employment as well as dropped out of college courses for the time being. I followed up with family doctor on 4-20-04, at this time x-rays were preformed, again, no findings.
I guess I am at a loss. I don’t know why my body is fighting against me. I’m really not convinced that taking all these new prescriptions is working and/or for the best. It almost seems like they are bringing on more conditions. IE- the headache that lasted a week and the back pain that is going on lasting three weeks- neither of which, again, I did nothing to bring on. I am a student and try to work full time as well. At this point I have lost all esteem, energy and motivation to do anything. I took a semester of trying to just go to school and not be employed. I am having a hard time finding concentration to focus on college. Struggling with my schooling, employment and health are not working. I am thinking that I need to find a better resolution to my health than having various medications tried on me. I am at a loss and do not know who to turn to and what might help.

5 Year Bell's Palsy Anniversary

Current mood: sad

Well today is my five year anniversary of Bell's Palsy.

Click here to watch a presentation I did on Bell's Palsy

I sometimes wonder if, even though it never fully went away, that I might get it again. Pregnant women are three times more likely to get it than non-pregnant women; and they tend to get it in their third trimester or within a week after delivery. So the wait is on until I can find evidence that I can't get it again since I still have it. I have a residual effect called synkinesis and because the nerves regenerated incorrectly- I would have to undergo surgery to repair it. So since the nerves have regenerated incorrectly and incorrect function is still function, the nerves still work, which makes them vulnerable to get another bout with bells- I think. It probably doesn't make sense that I am even worrying about it but I guess it boils down to the fact that my husband has never known me any other way, normal, and my child will not either. When I first got it I was devastated and it took a lot away from me. I just would like to be fortunate enough not to have to go through that all again. I pray.

Baby Names

Current mood: happy

My favorites are bold and red.
What are your favorites?

Girls:
Abigail
Addison
Alaina
Amelia
Aubrey
Aubriella
Gabriella
Grace
Gracelyn
Isabella
Olivia
Sophia

Boys:
Auden
Avery
Braeden
Caden
Camden
Carter
Chase
Conner
Dillon
Hayden
Jackson
Parker

Girls Middle Names:
Kay
Kathryn
Kaythryn

Boys Middle Names:
Aaron
John
Jonathan
Silvio
Francesco
Robert
Gordon

Ultrasound video and other misc. stuff...

Current mood: excited

Doug and I will be going in Friday, May 11th (the day before his birthday) for our 6th ultrasound... However the cool thing about this ultrasound is that we get to record it on VHS!
It is the ultrasound where they will be making sure all the anatomy is doing well and we get to find out the sex of the baby!!!!!!

They will also, every ultrasound I have the rest of the pregnancy; try to capture a 3D image of the baby. The baby has to be in the right position and have enough fluid surrounding it to get a decent picture. So I am pretty confident that we will know FOR SURE what we are having that day!

I'm so excited!!! Daddy too!!!

This pregnancy has been great so far, I can't complain at all! I have only been sick less than a dozen times and only a couple of those were really bad. I am just now starting to show. Just today, all of a sudden I tried a shirt on and asked Doug- "did my belly always stick out like this!?" He laughed and said no. LOL

We are going to be shopping for crib, bedding (pictures of what I want and will probably get is in the photo album 'baby') rocker and stuff soon. We are also getting new living room furniture and fixing up the house as much as possible before delivery.

Anyhow... this incurable appetite lately... gotta eat :-)

Brunch at Clara's

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Mary, Orion & Doug

Baby News

Doug and I will be going in Friday, May 11th (the day before his birthday) for our 6th ultrasound... However the cool thing about this ultrasound is that we get to record it on VHS!It is the ultrasound where they will be making sure all the anatomy is doing well and we get to find out the sex of the baby!!!!!!They will also, every ultrasound I have the rest of the pregnancy; try to capture a 3D image of the baby. The baby has to be in the right position and have enough fluid surrounding it to get a decent picture. So I am pretty confident that we will know FOR SURE what we are having that day!I'm so excited!!! Daddy too!!!This pregnancy has been great so far, I can't complain at all! I have only been sick less than a dozen times and only a couple of those were really bad. I am just now starting to show. Just today, all of a sudden I tried a shirt on and asked Doug- "did me belly always stick out like this!?" He laughed and said no. LOLWe are going to be shopping for crib, bedding (pictures of what I want and will probably get is in the photo album 'baby') rocker and stuff soon. We are also getting new living room furniture and fixing up the house as much as possible before delivery. Anyhow... this incurable appetite lately... gotta eat :-)

Meeting Orion and Aniyah!

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Orion David Ballor was born April 6, 2007 at, weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces, 20 inches long.


It's a boy!


My first time holding Orion


He is sooo precious!


I think he looks just like his daddy!


Jennifer came up to the hospital to visit too.

We hung out with Erin and Orion for a few hours and then I left to pick up Arianna and Nye Nye.

I also met my great niece Aniyah Chanel Brown-McGuire today! Arianna, Nye Nye and I went to Fazoli's for dinner. It was so nice to see my niece all grown up and a mother to such a beautiful baby girl!


My great niece Aniyah and my niece Arianna


She has such an amazing personality!

Ultrasound Today

Ultrasound Today

Ultrasounds

Ultrasound Today

Ultrasounds