The GERD, the bad, and the ugly

This is what I have-GERD-in a real bad way. I was diagnosed with this earlier this year after some bad reflux and upper abdomen pain/nausea. It was so bad the other day that I thought I was dying. I didn't know that it was my GERD because it felt unlike anything I'd ever felt before. I mean, it was so awful I had to have my friend call an ambulance to take me to the ER. So the doctors did a ton of tests and labs: EKG--normal, CT scan--no visible problems or blood clots, treadmill stress test--perfect heart rhythm, stamina, and recovery time, blood tests--no heart attack, not pregnant, normal glucose levels, no blood clots, normal, normal, NORMAL! Well, at least I am in good shape for the most part. Anyway, it was a little disconcerting that they could tell me what WASN'T wrong, but they couldn't pinpoint why I was having chest pressure, fatigue, weakness, and dizziness...especially given my recent history of GERD.

Today my regular doctor said that my stomach was just over-producing stomach acid and that it was really doing a number on my insides and causing one or more ulcers. Chest pressure is from my inflamed esophagus. Dizziness and weakness are from the stress my body is going through and the short breaths I am taking since my chest hurts. Bottom line is that I haven't been taking my prescribed acid reducer because it did nothing for me. NOTHING. I may as well have been swallowing skittles. So now, I have been prescribed a drug that will eliminate all acid in my stomach. How will this affect my digestion you may ask? Well, I asked that too. Apparently, I will still be able to absorb nutrients from food, but it may be digested and then passed in a not so friendly way. Hurray! Can't wait to feel the effects from this super med that is supposed to get rid of my reflux, ulcers, chest discomfort, weakness, and basically put a big band-aid on my belly boo-boo. And lucky me, I guess I may have to take this the rest of my life!

Wow. So now I have a pill box and a timer to help me remember to take those pills. At 28, I have somehow become sick and old in the midst of my youth and general good health.

Paul starts kindergarten

Paul started school on Monday. He has really been loving going to school every day this week and has come home bursting with news of what he did and what teacher said and a song they learned. I am soooo happy for him! And I am sooooo happy for me! I have been loving my three and a half hour respite from noise and continual mess-making. Nora naps nearly the whole time Paul is gone and Katie rests and entertains herself...quietly...neatly...aaahhhh yes....

I have felt like I have more energy to make it through the whole day instead of throwing in the towel around 2 pm. What a difference one kid can make. Actually, it's not just him. He was not always this way. He has only started to get restless the last year being at home. School is such a great thing for him right now.

Nora bath

Well, it seems like we've been giving Nora a lot of attention lately. I suppose it's because she's been doing so much! This past week she finally took a step. One step 3 different times. But she hasn't done it in two days. She doesn't really care. She stands up a lot though. Tonight she surprised all of us by saying "bath" very clearly during bath time.

Nora being cute

Nora is just about the cutest thing ever. We really love her a lot. She was so stubborn though and wouldn't say "hat" for anything the other day! She can now say hat, hi, dog, Hi dog!, bye, mama, dada.

Muddy Buddies

These are the dirtiest children in the world. If there is one drop of water on one speck of dirt, they are in it. After a HUGE rainstorm last week where we got more than an inch in like 12 hours, our backyard became a mud wrestling pit for the kids since we had just dug up a ton of trash trees and it left nothing but dirt and holes. And dirt holes+water=Fun dip for kids.

Typical

Nothing extraordinary here. This is just an everyday episode in the Jensen House. I just think it is worth capturing the ordinary sometimes.

5 Years Old

I can't believe that Paul is 5 years old today! He's five! Five! Five! FIVE!!! This really is incredible to me. He turned one, and that was weird, but we moved on. Two and three came, and he was turning into a little boy, but still a baby to me. Four, well, I started to believe that he was a boy instead of a toddler. But, now he is really big! And he's gonna start kindergarten this fall. WOW! He was the sweetest baby and the happiest little toddler. Then as he got bigger, he started to get mischievous. And that curiosity and cheesy-funny antics of his really make him special.

Paul Singing Happy Birthday