I'll have bacon with my fried thyroid !!!

Hey guys, boy I have missed you all.

Just have not had it in me to blog. I have not been feeling well for about 3 months now, and really just thought it was my RA.


But about 4 weeks ago, I had a huge knot come up on the front of my throat. A girl at work noticed it. I immediately called the dr and made an appointment for the next day. Dr said he thought it was a thyroid nodule (????? I am thinking). Anyway, he took some blood and made me an appoinment to have an ultrasound 2 days afterward (which was on a Friday). I hate having tests on a Friday - you have to worry all weekend.





Anyway, he called me on the next Tues., and said my thyroid blood test levels were WAY high, and he wanted me to have a thyroid scan and see an endocrinologist. Had the scan that Friday and went to see the endocrin. on the next Friday.





We turns out, my thyroid is hyperactive. Which has caused the following: profuse sweating and hot flashes (thought I was starting menopause), jaw pain, insomnia, weight loss (Yeah !! I have lost about 15 pounds), crazy itching, heart beating 90,000 miles an hour, and they said having lots of energy....however that is the only symptom I did not have......I have been very very tired, and felt like I had the flu.





The week I was going to the endocrin. Bear and I both really did get the flu. I was out of work for 2 days and Bear was out 3 (but shoeing horses is a lot harder than sitting at a computer). Got better and went to the drs appt on that Friday.





Dr. said that I was very very hyperactive in my thyroid. Actually that day put me on Beta Blockers because my heart rate and blood pressure were very very high. But only had to take those for 14 days.


Scheduled me to have my thyroid radiated......





So, went day before yesterday to the nuclear medicine dept at the hospital, took a pill of iodine and a small amount of radiation. Went to work.


Went back yesterday and had a scan. They use a formula to determine how much radiation to give you....by this scan and my bloodwork.


Came back an hour later and took a radiation pill........So weird, I had to go in this tiny room, with warning signs on the door, and she took the pill out of a metal cylinder.....oooooooo - scary !!





But was fine, I am kinda quarantine for a little while. I can't sleep with or kiss (or anything else) Bear for 5 days and have to not get too close to pregnant women or children for 30 days. At least not hug or hold them.





But hoping to start feeling better soon.


Sorry I did not post this already, but I sure have asked for my share of prayers this year from you guys, and I knew it would be fine.








On to something good.


Have not really been feeling like sitting down and surfing blogs lately (But I will catch up soon), I did have a sweet message and award from MiKael over at MiKael's Mania - Arabian Horses . I love to read about her Arabian horses and showing.





Thanks MiKael.......Hugs to you (Oh and Happy Belated Birthday)





The award description:


"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

I love it, but really do not feel worthy, especially since I have been gone for a while now, and not been sharing.....but it is going to make me a better blogger......and hopefully I will be feeling better.

Here are my eight picks:

A Cowboys Wife

TrailBoss

MidWest Horse

Laughing Orca Ranch

Pony Girl Rides Again

Cowboys, Kids and Sunsets

Nuzzling Muzzles

Horseshoeing Housewife

All Things Horse

Oh Horsefeathers

OK, I know that is 10, but you guys are my peeps, and I love you all......You check on me, you pray with and for me, and you are all around just great gals......and I love ya......

Show season is starting on March 7th, and I have to participate in at least 8 shows to qualify for state, so hopefully I will have some ribbons to share soon !

Be back soon.......hopefully not glowing from the radiation !!!

Hugs

Jamie

Always a bride's maid - Never a bride ???!!!!???

Well hello there everyone.......trying to get myself back in the swing of things. Thanks again for all your support......please continue to keep my family in your prayers.....Mom and Dad seem to be doing a little better.....day by day....is what I say.

Had a wonderful weekend. Had the show Saturday and then the Horse Fair all weekend, however we only attended Sunday for the Ultimate Trail Horse Competition and it was FANTASTIC !!!!

It is amazing what people can get their horses to do, without even knowing what kind of obstacles they will have. One friend of ours (only 17 years old) taught her spotted saddle horse to sidepass the day of the competition, and he did awesome. Horses amaze me sometimes.....heck most of the time.

Show Saturday was GREAT......Got 2nd again (hence the title of my post here), but that is okay. I, first of all, showed one-handed which is what I will have to do this year if I plan to show in any sanctioned shows, and I have really been sweating it. Rio is not the best neck reiner....she is still learning.....but with the use of my pinkie and my index finger we did great. 2nd of all, the girl that beat me last week, got 3rd after me.....and let me tell you - she is awesome and is the high point leader in that club.....so overall I was proud. Plus, I am just doing this for fun, right? I am starting to feel a little bit competitive. It sure is fun though, and Rio loves the attention.

I have some pictures that my friend Jen took, but I have to get them off her camera, so I will post some pics soon.

Guys, I promise I am going to get back in the swing and get back to visiting with everyone. I really need to spend an entire day catching up on everyone's blogs. But I will do it - I promise.

Callie at MidWest Horse Blog gave me a sweet Lemonade award (well I don't know if the lemonade was sweet or not.....LOL). But it was too sweet of her......it is for those who show a great attitude and it made me feel so good, considering what has just gone on in my life.

Love you Callie....oh and your fishies too....

I am going to lovingly display it here on my blog, so it can remind me to keep a great attitude, no matter what.

I am pretty sure that almost everyone has gotten this award, but feel free to grab it and post it proudly. I don't know anyone in this blogosphere who has a bad attitude, or if they do - I do not read their blog....

Having a tack sale this weekend or my riding club is. I am really looking for some English tack. I am thinking of showing in Ladies Racking and it is only English attire. So gonna start looking. Although I hope I do not have to wear jodhpurs.....my butt is toooooooo BIG !!

Have a great rest of the week.....

Love you all

Jamie

Huge Thanks to Everyone !!!

Just a couple of lines here, to thank each and every one of you for your thoughts, prayers, emails and comments.
It really made each night when I sat down to check my email and blog.

We are all doing okay. Just trying to get by each day, and I am sure each day will get easier. My mom and dad are trying to find things to do, as I am sure you realize, when you have a special needs child - most of your time is doing things for them. When they are gone, you really don't know what to do with your time. Also my 90 year old grandmother lived with them, and she was a huge part of Stevie's life, so all three of them (who were with her every single day) are still in need of prayers and thoughts. So keep it up girls !!!!

There were over 500 people in attendance on Monday night and Tuesday, so she was very very loved. I think we all are. All of my friends came on Monday night and a few on Tuesday. Even a couple of high school friends who I have not seen in 10+ years came by (they read it in the paper).

The services were very nice. My mom's pastor did a wonderful job. One of the guys from my mom's church sang a song he had written and as soon as he makes me a CD I will put it on here for all of you to hear. It is about Jesus coming for us on a white horse, and the title and chorus of the song is "Come ride with me" It was awesome and I cannot wait to share it with all of of my horse loving friends. My mom told me it was Stevie's favorite songs at church (not really a funeral song), but I kinda think it she liked it because she loved my horses and really wanted to be able to ride one.

My comfort comes now knowing that Stevie is no longer in distress, no longer having a hard time walking around, running out of breath, not having to stick those needles in her each day for her diabetes, and knowing that she is riding that white horse with our Lord.

Again, thank you all !!!! It means the world to me knowing I have you all praying for me.

(On an upside.....I did show on Saturday - my parents came, brought me a horse shoe bracelet that my mom bought Stevie at my last show, also a flower from her gravesite. I stuck it in the front of my saddle, so it could be seen. I got 2nd place in Trail Pleasure class. Rio did awesome and I am sure I had my sweet Stevie riding with me.......)

Love you all.
Be back soon !!!
Jamie

Some wonderful words !!

Just a couple of things we got today from friends.
I am doing okay, viewing was today (there were over 300 in attendance) and funeral tomorrow.
Just trying to be strong for my family.
Thanks for all the prayers from you all. I knew I could count on you all for wonderful support, and I promise the prayers are working.

From a friend of my mom's, a poem she wrote for Stevie

Through The Eyes of A Child

For You my child, the Good Lord said, I have a special gift

So, please my child understand why I gave you this

You will always see life in a different view than everyone

You will see the good in all and make sadness into fun

You will touch the lives of so many and make their problems seem so mild

You my child will always see through the eyes of a child

There is one thing I must ask, I need you in heaven soon

For angels like you are very far between & few

I know your loved ones here on earth will miss you greatly my dear

But they will find great comfort in knowing you are here

And until you meet again with them here above

You should know my child that you left behind great love

Written by: Kelli Thomason for Stevie01-12-09

This next is a letter type eulogy. Stevie was in a hospital for about 13 weeks a couple of years ago, for Prader Willi Syndrome kids. This letter is from one of the other patient's moms.

I believe, if we are lucky enough in life, we will meet only a few people who are destined to make a positive difference in our lives. Purely out of chance, we were blessed to meet a unique young woman, Stevie Marie Glass, who we will never forget.

We met Stevie at the Pittsburgh Children’s Institute in November, 2005. Our youngest child, Alex, was a participant in the Prader Willi program along with Stevie. During our first week-end visit, two weeks after Alex had begun this journey, Stevie had just arrived. Much like Alex, Stevie was unhappy being there as she missed her family immensely. One evening, at the beginning of the meal, a nurse announced that Stevie Glass would be joining everyone for dinner. It was the first time since her arrival that Stevie would be joining everyone without the assistance of her wheel chair. Those who were there for Prader Willi weight loss and management , as well as the staff, gave Stevie a standing ovation, clapping and cheering her on. My daughter Amy and I, both choked up, joined in and cheered for Stevie also.

Stevie was on her journey, losing weight, and understood her unique needs in order to attain a healthy lifestyle. From the moment we were introduced to Stevie, we knew that we would have a lasting friendship. We continued our relationship through telephone calls and occasional letters after Stevie and Alex returned home. Stevie had a lifetime of physical and medical challenges. She never dwelled on herself and was always cheerful and optimistic. She loved talking not about herself, but about her amazing family that she felt so blessed to have: her mother Mary, her father, Donald, her sister, her nieces, her little dog, and boasted most about her Grandma Sarah who she spent much her time with. She always wanted to know how her friend, Alex was doing. She was interested in how Alex’s older sisters, Amy and Aryel were doing, as she had met both. She wanted to be certain that my husband and I were healthy and was very happy to know that both married daughters had “provided” Alex with a new baby niece and nephew! Although Stevie had never met our older son, she would ask about Aaron and his wife. Stevie often told me that when she regained her strength after being in the hospital, she was looking forward to eventually becoming a nursery school assistant; she would have been an asset working with young children! Stevie exuberated unconditional love to everyone she met!

She had no preconceived opinions or prejudices. She had an aura of goodness, pureness, and innocence. Although she lived a short life, her mere existence made our world a better place. Stevie believed in a kind and loving God; she expressed this through her words and actions.

Each year on the anniversary of her death, our family will light a candle for her called a “Yahrzeit Candle”. We will light a candle for her annually in Stevie’s memory and will recite the Mourner’s Kaddish. The Mourner’s Kaddish is one of the unique Jewish responses to bereavement. Although saying Kaddish is not a theological pronouncement, it is the traditional Jewish way of responding to death. It is an ancient prayer praising God for the world he has given to us. The words of the Kaddish(which we say in Hebrew) would seem to have the mourner saying, “Even at a time and place like this, we are grateful for the world and all the good things with which our lives are blessed”…..and our family believes that our lives have been enriched by knowing Stevie.

We will remember you Stevie as one with warmth and kindness. We will always remember your soft sweet voice, your laughter and your grace. Your untimely death leaves a gaping hole in our hearts. We take comfort knowing that you are now at peace and free of pain.

God Bless you,Your friends, Anita, Bob, Alex Ashe and extended family

I just thought these things kinda give you an idea of what kind of person she was, or should I say what kind of angel she was.

She truly touched many many lives, and to see the 300 people coming in that funeral home, was a true statement of that.

Love you all

Jamie