An Invisible Disease

I will be 33 at the end of this month,July 31st, to be exact. I am a loving fiance of almost seven long years. I am a mother of two wonderful kids. But I bet if you had to guess it, you would have never guessed that I to am living with an invisible u diesase. I have osteoporosis of the left hip. Extreme nerve damage in my left leg. Degenerative Disc Disease, nerve damage, and two bulging disc in my lower part of my back/spine. I will give you some history to what has lead me to my official diagnosis over a year ago.

I know some people may know a little bit about  what's been going on with me the last well almost 10 years.   Starting with back story of what lead me to having an invisible disease. 

When I was pregnant with Brayden, my son and youngest,  while developing in the womb especially once he began getting bigger.  (Which he was only 6lbs 7oz if I can remember correctly. Its been almost 11 years since I was prego. So forgive me questioning his weight.) He favored my left hip area and my doctor at every visit would do what he could to get him to move over. Most of the time the baby would move causing such wonderful relief, but hours later Brayden would move back to his comfort spot. Ultimately the last six months being pregnant, losing key nutrients and with his pregnancy I lost a lot of weight, the pressure of him hugging that left hip are damaged my sciatica nerve which in the end damaged the nerves in my left leg.  Over the years even before kids and my first one I had at 20, suffered with back pain which everyone assumed it was caused by none other than I am a heavy chested lady, have been since the sixth grade and of course have always struggled weight wise. Nothing more was ever thought of because was told unless I had a breast reduction the pain would never go away. Knowing what I know now breast reduction or not the pain was gonna happen and get worse as I got older. But why,  Im young right?

After Brayden was born I started having extremely bad pains in my left hip area at 24 they assumed it was ovary issues causing the pain. Because I had a history of ovarian cyst. As well as within the last six months after his birth I was still considered just having a baby. The obgyn  treated me a few years for woman issues they assumed was causing the pain stopped going and to be honest can not remember exactly why besides what they were treating me for was ovarian cyst and they were gone but again its been some years. I had done really well up until the summer of 2014, that puts me almost the age of 29. I dealt with it even mentioned to my doctor considering I seen her every three months for a med refill.  I have an inactive thyroid, high blood pressure, and extremely bad allergies. Nothing then was ever done  Well fast forward to the summer of 2015 we were in St. Louis for Ryleigh annual eye appointment, that trip was a great trip besides the pain in my lower back and left hip like to killed me. My daughter or my mother had to tie my shoes for me because the pain was like a intense fire like intense pain all through my left leg and my spine and at a lot of our stops (we would make it a weekend trip or a few day trip to shop around) I would not go in the stores because by them walking became a chore. That very day on our way home I never will forget my  mother told me I either need to find out what was going on and to get help or she feared Id be paralyzed.

I did go to a doctor a month after my mom saying that to me. I was having a good day, wasn't in distress. Told the  doctor I had everything I had been told over the years. To this day I have never been back because the doctor looked at me and said you aren't even 30 and claim to be in pain. Well I've been a doctor many years and I am sure you just want a pain pill script.  It took me two years to that day to go back to a doctor and I only did because my mother told us we were gonna go eat pizza but first we will find out what is wrong with you. 

I did, and it was a great day to know what was going on with my body. That day I received a  cocktail shot of morphine and valium, I also took it in the arm. Burning and a big ol son of a bitch ouch. 

ADHD and Autism In Children

I have got to looking over some of our blog post and realized I am not sure if I have ever told y'all what Brayden's final diagnosis was, but then again I only looked at the titles. So this may be something you have seen already.

As you already know Brayden was diagnosed almost over a year ago for ADHD, however, he had an un-official diagnosis of Autism. Un-Official only because in the state of missouri and actual psychologist that works strictly in diagnosing Autism has to give him his actual diagnosis.

So, As of January 2017, three months of testing at a local Autistic center, Brayden was diagnosed with Autism. They no longer categorize children as low spectrum, aspergers, or high sprectrum. You are either on the spectrum or you aren't.  Bray's diagnosis was peculiar as the psychologist spoke. His autism only affects one aspect of his life. The only reason they did diagnos him with Autism.  Is the easiest way I can describe it is, he is socially awkard.

Since the diagnosis we have continued with his social therapy, waiting to be seen over the summer for OT. Things are finally falling in place, for him and I. Some things are still rocking with him ( I will get to that in a later post), but as some may know with seasonal depression and finding out your child is specially challenged as I call it. I took a really huge fall into the depression. (Another Post When I am Ready)

Thank You All for wandering how he's doing.

Right now he has a friend over, yes a friend. Watching TV.

Diedra

A 90 year, better bone health than me?

I haven't really had motivation to do much. I have been in so much pain with my back and sciatic nerve. That walking becomes a task at hand.  A few weeks ago, probably going close to a month now.  I cried for hours straight because I felt hopeless, helpless and just hurting. Tired of hurting. My mom decided to come get us to get out of the house and go eat. However, once she really seen how much pain I was in. She took me to a local ER. She said, " I am tired of seeing my daughter,  my baby hurting. Your kids are tired of seeing their mommy hurt."  I  will honestly say that I had the BEST treatment from a doctor and his nurse than I ever have from doctors.  Neither one of them made me feel like I was only there after pain pills like doctors before have. I have been told since I am only 31 years old that my body doesn't hurt like I say it does.  Let me rewind about 8 years. My son when in utero as he got bigger felt more comfortable on my left hip area. In return he laid on my sciatic nerve.  The OB did all he could do to get him to move but he always moved back. Then when having my C-section they had trouble with the spinal. 

       Now eight years later I am paying for it. I have gone years with back pain. It only getting worse over the years.  Finally that day the doctor done a cat scan. It told it all. I have a mass pushing against my left sciatic nerve, two herniated disc, and mild degenerative disc disease.  In which will only get worse over the years. The doctor told me he has seen 90 year old woman have better hips and backs than I do. Not only is a lot of the damage from my pregnancy and just wear and tear over the years. But  I am heavy chested.  Any woman knows after years of babies your boobies go down south. LOL

Love you All

Diedra

He Got In Trouble For Exactly What?

The following  is a Facebook post that I made on September 8th, 2016...

 "After running errands today, I got home to realize Braydens folder was left on the table.  On his calender where we have to initial every night there was a very vague script in the previous days box stating, "missed recess for working ahead". Most of the time I'd have no problem with my child missing recess for something he's done wrong. I am all for you get in trouble, you do your punishment. But what I don't understand is Brayden still got in trouble and missed his recess for working ahead. Meaning they were doing a group worksheet. I may be wrong and forgive me if I am but I thought our children are being taught to be independent and work things out on their own. Anyone knows Brayden knows he's has to be moving or doing something. He is my busy body. Even with his AdHD medicine, he gets bored easily. Even some of their second grade work bores him. I feel he worked ahead because one he already knew the answers on top of it gave him something to do. I mean hell hes damned if he doesn't do it and damned if does!"

Yes, you read that right my child was punished for doing his work ahead. If you are a parent that cares about what goes on at school with your child you would have been heated as well with such a vague script of writing.  I would have understood more if the teacher wrote me a small note stating that she was teaching and kept telling him to pay attention but nothing of that was explained.

Well, Bray's weekly therapist is also his IEP therapist at school. When I got to her house a few days later to drop Brayden off for his weekly session she knew before I had even talked to someone at school about it. She said it was already handled.  Well about a week later the principle caught me there while picking up the kids for 8th hour, that she spoke with his teacher. What happened was they were in group. The leader of the group decided to tell everyone to work ahead. Brayden was following the leaders rules therefor, he worked ahead. The principle explained to the teacher not to punish him for working ahead because last we struggled to even get him to do any of his work.  Therefor, he isn't to be punished if he works ahead as long as he got it right. Basically if he worked ahead and he got them wrong then its the teachers discretion if he gets to do it over.

Before anyone says it, NO Brayden doesn't get special treatment because he has ADHD and a form of Autism. We are just scared that if he starts getting in trouble for doing his work even if it is ahead of the class. That he won't do his work at all. Because in first grade before getting his diagnosis we struggled at school and at home to get him to do anything.

Leave a comment below if you feel that any child should be punished for working ahead.

Love Always,

And Please come back,

Diedra

Are They Here Yet?

It's that time of year again that we will be welcoming our elves, Anna and Harper! Last year we had them out way before Thanksgiving. However, this year we are waiting because I ordered a new Camo one to enter our home with Anna and Harper. Mainly because my kids love all the things to do with the elves.  All the fun things they do.

**WARNING***IF YOU HAVE A CHILD THAT CAN READ AND STILL BELIEVES, PLEASE READ LATER OR AWAY FROM THE CHILD...


However, this year will be a little different. Ryleigh came to my mom around Easter of this year and told us that she knew the truth. That she knew the Easter bunny was us, that she knew the toothfairy was me, that she knew that Dad or I were the ones to move the elves. :( I know it's sad knowing that she isn't little anymore and that she is growing up. She says that she caught on when one night she lost a tooth and if you know my kids they lose teeth when I have no cash on me and can't get to an ATM until the next day. She said she caught on when the night she lost her tooth, I fell asleep in bed with her and I actually forgot to get back up to go get the money out of the bank. But honestly I think my mom told her. Because last year around Christmas my mom said something in front of Ryleigh. My mom thought Ryleigh knew about them all. So after seeing Ryleighs fearful look on her face and look of I am going to smack some sense into ( NOT REALLY ITS MY MOM) instead of shutting up she keeps talking. I finally was like SHUT UP SANTA is real. However, after we got that straightened out it was that spring that she spent the day with my mom getting Easter stuff ready and well when I went to pick Ryleigh up my mom looked at her and said isn't there something you wanna tell your momma.

She said well, mom, I am not stupid and I know the easter bunny, toothfairy and elves are fake. So I think my mother told her. Which is wrong yes, I know.

Did you noticed there is one she didn't mention? That's right my baby still magically believes in Santa. So she says, she told Micki that she didn't believe anymore but when I ask her she says well yeah I still believe in Santa.  Although I do believe when shes in front of her friends that don't believe in any of them that she may say OH  NO I don't believe to look cool.


Anyways, that is what is up with the elves. As soon as they make their grand entrance and welcome Landing. I will most definitely take pictures for you!

Love Always,
Happy Upcoming Holidays, Thanksgiving is in 5 more days!

Diedra

Thanksgiving Prep/ Black Friday Thoughts

Our family for Thanksgiving doesn't have huge family dinners. I mean we don't have a huge family on either one of my parents side but we have a decent size but we just have never gotten together for Thanksgiving. This will be the first year in Ken and I's five year relationship that we are going to visit his family around Thanksgiving.  It will be sometime in or around that week. But then again due to finances we may not be able to. We are hoping that Micki can pull it off with her work and parents to use her car.  Which by the way is her parents car. But then again they may Ok it but her work might not let her switch a day.  My family (My Parents, Sister, Her Boyfriend, Ken and I, and Our Kids) we really just meet over at the parents house and eat. Just depends really, I love Thanksgiving and the Family time we share together. But sometimes it's just another day because during the summers before at least every other weekend/Sunday we'd meet for Family dinner.  My mom mainly but I am sure my dad and maybe my sister is going to watch the kids for us around about 4.

CAN YOU GUESS WHY?

If you guessed, Black Friday (Thursday) you are absolutely right! This set of parents are going at 4 p.m on Turkey Day because that is when a lot of sales are starting. One sale in particular is they are suppose to. Hoping they do get them and the factory can supply them with Hatchimals. I am hoping more than just 10 and if that is all they will have then make it a guarantee item or something. I am not sure what your children have asked for but Brayden has asked OVER and OVER for one of those egg thingies. The hard part is EVERYWHERE even in other states have been completely SOLD OUT! I mean COMPLETELY none in sight. A man over at Kentucky told me it was they are high demand and the company isn't producing enough to withhold the demand of them. That and the saddest part of it all is when they do get them in and even the guy at the Toys-R-Us in Kentucky told us that the minute that they stock them on the shelf the person there to get them grabs them and RUNS and buys them all. They then go keep the one they need or two and sale the rest on Amazon, Ebay, or Facebook at a ridiculous price. These things at most retail stores are 45-50 dollars. I have seen people mark them up to 300 dollars. That is one Price Gouging and you can get in trouble for it but not sure unless you are a company doing it. Most Importantly they are Greedy! Jesus don't like Greedy People.  Done with the hatchimal rant.

Before going I will say my thoughts on company's and retailers being open on Thanksgiving and doing Black Friday.  For one yes Thanksgiving is an important holiday. Two, most of the retailers such as Walmart have a lot of their younger employees working, who want to work to get the triple overtime or holiday pay or sometimes both. Makes for an awesome paycheck. Now my sisters boyfriend is older well not anciently older but older. He's worked for Walmart for many years as a parttime/almost fulltime second job. As for him working, I feel that he may not chose to work but he's experienced for the Chaos.  I do feel that if the employees that have been there for years should have first dibs on if they want to work as well as if they work this year, then the following year they are off. Again, I don't get all riled up over people working Thanksgiving. I understand both insights on it as well. The one holiday though I do have strong opinions about working is Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. That in itself is a huge rant, don't have a lot of time to rant tonight about that.

Anyways, guys stay tuned for Christmas Planner, Christmas Prep, & Anna and Harper arrive yet?

Love Always,
Diedra

Remember we do have a VLOGGING Channel. I haven't gotten to post lately due to my Movie Maker that was on my computer NO LONGER WORKS why, we haven't figured it out. I am possibly going to reset my computer after I save everything to a dropbox or external HardDrive

Go find us, TheEichhorstFamily

Pre-Teen Already?!

Yes, I have a pre-teen on my hands. I know I am way behind with updating you guys on Ryleigh, with everything going on with Brayden. Thought I'd give ya'll a good update on my pre-teenager daughter. 

October 10th of this year my babygirl turned 11. ELEVEN, what in the world? I feel like it was just yesterday she was starting the kindergarten, hell even third grade. But no my baby is in the fifth grade.  I mean its kind of surreal how next year my daughter will be one year away from being thirteen years old. But she starts middle school next year. WHAT?   

We have got to start planning better, because we didn't get to throw her a party due to some unseen BULLSHIT (sorry for the language) with our electric company. Anyways, every year as far as I can remember, she has always been out of school either due to the weekend or the schools Fall break.  That doesn't stop these parents from surprising their baby girl. Usually the Thursday before they get out for Fall Break, I run to town go by dollar tree and grab two or three balloons, gather a basket of goodies, and WALLAH you have you a group of birthday balloons.  As well as we order her whole class cupcakes. Needless to say the cupcakes this year is the last year because next year they switch classes.  AHHHHH. 

However, for fifth grade graduation they do put together a dance. UGH, not sure I am looking forward to all this.  Guess, I will have to be huh? 

Anyways, theres a mini update on Ryleigh.

Hope To Hear From You All Soon, 

Diedra