A Halloween to Remember

halloween is one of my most favorite holidays.  i love making costumes for my kids.  this was to probably be our last year of dressing up as all the same thing...'pirates' since everyone is getting older and wants to choose themselves.  i started early and had most of the items made or put together for everyone's costumes back in a basket in my room.  i just had a few last minute touches and a hair band for ellee to make. on sunday nite, my friend camille, came over to take our family pictures.  as she was leaving and ben was heading out for eq visits, i started feeling crazy cold and sick like i had in september after the bsu game.  it was like i all of a sudden, couldn't function.  weird.  i was able to sleep most of the body aches off, but the next day woke up to well...embarrassing but part of this story, the symptoms of herpes.  this had happened

the month prior and i went into my ob.  she was not avail, but her pa told me i had a serious case of an std!  i walked out of there feeling like i had been misdiagnosed and that she was obviously crazy!  the symptoms went away that day, so i didn't think anything of it...until now.  i went with the kids to see planes since they had the day off and it was raining.  ben was finally done and came w us to watch ellee.  we picked up a pizza.  that nite, i finished bridon and emerson's costumes while in major discomfort!! i thought this was happening because of a glitch with my cycle.  i had experienced super, heavy bleeding.  the next day was even worse.  i went to emerson's preschool party in a skirt and when i got back i was feeling body aches as well.  we finally got into the ob! so i took bridon his costume at school and took a picture of him in the parade.  i missed his whole party.  once again at the dr, the diagnosis was herpes until test results could be confirmed.  how could it be?  whatever, i got the anti-viral and started taking it.  that whole issue went away but the body aches did not.  i couldn't sleep that nite or wed.  i couldn't really even move.  ben would have to get up during the nite and try to help me.  we prayed.  i received a blessing.  meanwhile, i was crashing.  i got to the point thursday morning, i couldn't move at all.  ben went to go buy a recliner while we waited for the results of the tests.  ben's mom brought us dinner the nite before and tried a face zone on me.  brad stopped in and had to help me sit up on the couch.  he immediately got ben moving toward the er.  i was at the point i couldn't fight it anymore.  my vt took ellee and emerson and bridon went to dana dorsey's.  the er was a day i never want to relive.  i was so inflamed in all my joints that they had to cut off my clothes.  the er nurse was super frustrated with me and not super nice.  they tried jabbing me 8 times for an iv to start re hydrating me.  finally they had to bring down the ultrasound machine to find a vein.  i ended up with two, iv entrances and a very sore arm and body!  ben was such a support thru all of this.  he is my best friend and my eternal companion.  we have had our struggles, but he was so there for me.  i would have been absolutely unable to do this without him...or our Savior.  i could feel Him.  i knew He cared about me and that come what may, He was in charge and i was not.  i feel much differently now about the literal pain he suffered for mankind....and for me.
of course, all of our family and friends were so awesome!  mom came up to the hospital.  friends and grandma came and got the kids ready for trunk or treat.  they had a great time, despite all of their earrings and swords and things i had gotten ready...missing, and still missing actually!  bentley missed his whole get-up.  i had a jacket for him and special pants.  he wore a tank top and his bogs.  i was the room mom for his party that day and had it organized, but missed the whole thing :(.  bridon and emerson didn't have any of their accessories.  and poor ellee's first halloween was not what i had pictured.  our little babysitter natalie actually brought her home and put her to bed, she had had such a crazy day.  poor baby.  i appreciate every bit of help though, i hope that does not sound like i am ungrateful!!  we have received food and cards and so many calls and nice gestures!!  it is amazing.  i was in the hospital until saturday afternoon.  each nite was rough and still is a bit, for that matter.  ben helped me thru the first nite and lisa came all the way up and stayed the second nite with me.  they gave me 2 norcos that nite.  it made me absolutely crazy and i dreamed about man eating water slides and all sorts of other nutty things.  i woke up able to walk though.  everything made me laugh.  the possible diagnosis of what this is, however, did not.  they think i have an auto immune disease called 'behcets'.  i was released with a prescription for an
anti-inflammatory and a follow up appointment.  i have never been nervous about leaving a dang hospital. usually i have my babies wrapped up, bags packed, waiting for the dr to release us at the door. not this time.  a bit apprehensive about the future.  and the rx, well it cost $400 for a 10 day supply.  even ben had sticker shock!  but, i am home.  i am getting better each day.  as of now, i only have lost movement  in my right shoulder and arm.  after i settled in a bit, i had time to research the disease.  it was daunting.  aunt carolee called and talked to me about it.  my sis in law knows someone with it.  i do not want that disease.  and i kind of freaked out over it, but then i remember the words from the blessing i was given, 'you can be healed!'  i take great comfort in this.  one day at a time, up and up, just like my good friend julie does (she was in a car wreck in sept) with such a good attitude.  i sure didn't see this coming, but we will make it a good thing. there will be sunshine that comes from this, there will.