Blowfish Break Free!!

Michelle here and I am on the phone with Dara! Dara says..." we are at the 5 star local resort named El Kaiser Permanete/Hospital. Believe it or not another miracle! I woke up with no headache, no nausea or throwing up all over the bed (I bet they are happy about that). We are actually trying to break free tomorrow if I remain with no fever tonight. They think I had chemical meningitis form the fat inserted after surgery in the hole in my head. I will be sent home with NO antibiotics, only steroids. New name for me - Blowfish with air holes in my head - She will be on attraction in Houston in July! $5.00 a kiss! (all donations toward my favorite ice-cream) The rash is going away and I am ready to hop on a plane to Colorado next week! I am determined to go!!"

Prayers are answered! xoxox michelle
ps. Thanks Aunt Cathy for the song - you are the best!

Continue to pray!

Well, Dara has been back in the hospital since Monday and has progressively gotten worst. She is very sick and is also seeing double vision. They can't figure out the problem and Art is getting very fustrated (as we all are). He is fighting for her care and they are running more tests. There was talk of sending her back to San Diego, but as of now not sure. Her white blood cell is back up, excrutiating head aches and has trouble moving or she gets very sick. We are believing for a miracle in this hic-cup of recovery. Please also pray for mental/emotional strength as I know she is very tired of feeling so bad. They did up her pain meds and she is able to sleep a lot. She is also still having quite a bit of head pressure. No "Big Bear" this week and it is looking like no sister reunion, but we are being optimistic. Thanks for your prayers, thoughts and notes. If you think about it, please feel free to drop a note of encouragement in the mail. As of now she could use some up-lifting! (oh - the rash is also back....yuck!!!)

Love to all,
Michelle

THANK YOU!

**I am not Done yet, ran out of time-several more to thank

**The next blog is new

I almost did not do this for fear of forgetting anyone.  I want to apologize up front if I did not include your name.  You know who you are and I whole heartily thank you for your thoughts and gestures.  I want to Thank everyone from the bottom of my heart, even those sweet souls that I have never met.  This journey would of been so much harder without all the love. Forgive the misspellings.

Family:

Art, Mommy, Daddy & Di, Michelle & Canon Family, Jules & Garcia family, Pop Syl and Mom Judi, Sis Vanessa, Cliff & Grandpa Holbrook, Aunt Fran and Uncle Arnold, Baker Family, Sis's Teri, Tina, Debbie and their Families,  Cathy & Bill Holbrook, Shane Holbrook, Jarrod Holbrook, Aunt Nancy & Uncle Arthur Kahn, Misty & Trent Khan, Chad Kahn, Aunt Terry, Misty &  Zach, Aunt Cathy Hanson & Family,  Anna & Garcia Family, Charly & Simpson Family, Joanie Simpson & Family, Uncle Chucky, Labella Family, Aunt Janet & Uncle Kenny, Don & Elise Mogill, Bob Mogill, Marlyn & Hester Family, Aunt Clydene, Uncle Marvin, Aunt Edith, Gina &  Christy Calabro, The C's,  Aunt Janet & Uncle Kenny, Malcolm & Rosie, Melissa Rozas & Family, EJ & Pete, Aunt Catherine Bennet & Family, Aunt Stephanie & Family, Dennis & Carolyn Canon, Tommy & Sheila & Family, Trudy & Ken Rozas, 

Friends:   

Michelle Foteh & Family, Carol Woodhouse & Family, Arthur & Leah, Matt Matt, Stephanie & D'Nelly Family, Tracie Janaska, Chris Gill, Donna & Pat Elliott, Shannon Ralph & Family, Debbie Sue Rice, Michelle Zagorski & Family, Johnelle & Harry Locher, Nicole Andrews & Family, D'Laine & Family, Michelle Thompson & Family, Judy & Glenn Lilie, KK Jenkins & Family, Cameron Gallagher & Family, Courtney Martin & Family, Gloria & Larry Lowe, Kim Sweeny & Family, CPI Crew, Janet & Frers Family,  Christy & Bart Lafever Family,  Mr & Mrs. Canon, Ger & Diana Beastom, Dana Johnson & Family, Peter Zasuly, Kay & Family, Ernessa & Christian Hibbard, Daryl Blaugnad & Family,  Vonnie Moden & Family, Koochie & Jack Hardig & Family, Jackie Migdal, Lisa Greve & Family. Shelly Lang & Family, Frank & Kim Corredor, Stephanie Spangle & Family, Holly Thompson, Wendy, Tamara Dowling, Cook Family, Norbert Gegner, Nancy Ullman, Paige Royse, Marin & Jeff, Dee Dee, Laura Barbude, Shari-tennis, Anne Hale, Daisy & Dave, LaraB, Kelly Gonzales & Family, Andrea Himmelsehr, Jen, Everyone at Paseo Club, Lori Foster, Lynn Honeycutt, Elizabeth, Kim Molausen, Amy L'Herault, Kelli, Anna Garcia, Kristina Haynes, M. Andrus, Leanna Santos, Teague Family, Jeff, Kelli & Family, John, Kristina Haynes, Allysa, Bates & Family, Jennifer  Garza, Peter Freyer, Elizabeth S, Michelle C, Cathy Clyde, Polaris, Heidi Y, 

Friends from my past & High school:

Vanessa & Garrison Family, Billy & Linda Shaw, Renee & Hale Family, Joe Griffen, David Arbaugh, Brooke Swoboda & Family (loved the pics), Fotorny Family, Tiffany Sharlow & Family, Jamie Lowe & Family, Tommy, his wife &  Zoey Beer,  Deanna Baggett & Family, Keri DeBorde & Family, Shari Curtis-Brown, Melissa & rust Burkett, Karen Riley, Dawn Incerta, Jodi Briand, Kirk Dressendorfer & Family, Sonya Young, Kevin Dorris, 

My wonderful, Bestest Ever Neighbors:

Barbara & Ian Cook, Thompson Family, Dan & Carol Merrill, Perez Family, Haddad Family, Mike and Darlene, Erzulmy Family!

NO more spots, I FEEL GOOD Nana nana nana na!!!

Leah and Arthur-Newly engaged!

She kept her eye!

   

We attended a charity dog festival May 18, 2008 run by our dear friends, Leah and Arthur, that are our producers/employers too.  Leah is about 4 years out from surviving eye cancer.  She had to work hard to keep her eye and finally found a doctor that would attempt to save her eye.  She has a great spirit, courage and strength.  She is always so sweet and calm in a zen way.  She is an inspiration. We had a blast and dogs where everywhere!! Everyone remained breathing with no asthma attacks from the dog dander.  I wanted to adopt about 15 dogs even though were not able to have one.  The  kids and Art have severe allergies and asthma, so no pooches in the Freed casa.  Plus I hate cleaning up the poop.

Hi everyone the itchy rash is gone and I am a happy camper.  I feel good!  I still have the fatigue that may last up to a year, but I am getting stronger every day.  I am also having close to migraine headaches all day.  I have to stay on top of taking my prescription Motrin, then I am fully functional.  I hear (pun intended) that the headaches may or may not improve with time.  I am gonna manifest a headache free life.  A new symptom just started today-I am having intermittent tingling to my right hand.  I will call the doctors on that one. Art is still amazing as always helping with laundry and cooking.  He is working from home again and we get to see each other all day.  His emotional support is priceless and he is constantly reminding me to slow down. Reminding me that I just had my head drilled and Willy scooped out a couple of months ago.  It really feels like it all  happened a year ago.  I still feel so much love and support from everyone.

I can really see that my life has changed:  I am taking my time and enjoying my children more, instead of keeping a perfect house and rushing.  I am not sweating the small stuff realizing what a waste of energy and head space it takes up.  Willy already took up to much space for many years.  My kids, Art and family are healthy and that is truly all that matters.  Together were strong and will get through anything, as I have just experienced.  I have a new found compassion for those with hearing disabilities and want to learn sign language.  I try hard everyday to have an upbeat attitude filled with humor.  I am not so concerned with what others think as long as I know I am being true to my heart and family.  I have a stronger personal relationship with GOD and a stronger faith in prayer.

As far as home life goes we are slowly picking up where we left off.  We plan on trying to tent camp this summer.  California has amazing camping grounds all over the place.  For a test run we camped in the backyard one night.  Right down to somores using the fire pit. The kiddos really got a kick out of it and we got to practice putting up the tent.  I did cheat and used the restroom inside.  Mason flooded the kitchen.  I came downstairs to find him on his stool at the sink in the bathroom.  He had taken an outdoor hose that we have for the kids to play with that has multiple spouts all over the hose.  He so brilliantly put one end of the hose up to the sink spout  and ran water all over our kitchen and laundry room.  20 towels later and a long time out, all was well.  Mason is almost  potty trained.  Thought we were there until he pooped in his Cars undies in T- Mobile today and we had just left from the bathroom.  Now that was fun.  Madeline is doing great!  She is our love child with not an intentional mean bone in her body.  She is out of school for the summer as of today. I got a big surprise when I picked her up from school this week.  Dad had taken her and she dressed herself.  I should of taken a pic of the mismatched outfit, right down to the flip flops she is not allowed to wear.  I couldn't help from laughing.  We are going up to the mountains, Big Bear, next T, W and Th.  We plan on chilling out in the cabin and cooking some great meals.  We were suppose to take the trip when I was in the hospital with meningitis. I will probably have a better trip now that I am feeling stronger. We are craigslist demons putting everything in the garage up for cheap sell.  We want to declutter our lives and keep it simple.  We are going to Colorado June 7th to visit Michelle and the Canon crew.  Jules and her kiddos are coming too and we plan on living it up with all the kids together.  We are going to a resort in long beach that we scored from a timeshare presentation (love those).  In July we are still planning on heading to Texas.  The airfare is outrageous right now and I have to wait for the prices to lower.   I guess it is the gas prices.  Along with some local camping trips (we'll see how that goes) and trips to Sea World, 

that pretty much sums up our summer.  I am just glad to be feeling better.  All those antibiotics really threw me for a loop.  I know all the good vibes and prayers have a huge part in my recovery, keep it coming.  I like to feel the LOVE, even from the sweet families I have never met.  It means a the world.  Love to all, Dara

ITCHY SCRATCHY!!!!!!!!

I found a picture on the web of what my rash looks like.  I couldn't bring myself to be the model.

Hi everyone!  I am up to my old ways of being a sleepless wonder.  This rash is killing me.  I am trying  really hard not to go there, but even with the decadron, claritan, motrin and tons on calamine lotion  I am still itchy.  It is every where-face, neck, chest, arms, back, legs, hands, feet-EVERYWHERE.  Not feeling real sexy right now.  I let loose in the shower last night scratching with one of those puff pads.  10 Minutes of pure Heaven to be followed by a night time of rawness, not a bright idea (pun intended). Art is really great at lathering me down three times a day.  I enjoy it cause he rubs in the lotion and kinda feels like scratching.   I found a great way to itch my butt at the store.  I just put my hands in my back pockets and itched away.  I am sure nobody notices.  I feel like a three year old with Art yelling across the room STOP itching-I think he is psychic cause I am really good at disguising the art of  scratching.  He thinks I may get a staff infection if I break the skin and possibly croak.  I am trying really hard to cut it out, if not for myself, but to relief Arty of any further anxiety.  He deserves that and has been through enough!  My daddy is here and I am enjoying him immensely.  He is throwing a Texas style barbecue on Sat. to celebrate me being out of the hospital.  He started preparing Thur. when he got into town.  He is handy around the house and I am putting him to work on repairs.  I like hanging with him cause he doesn't catch my scratching.  Other than the r***, I feel really really good.  My energy is improving, my speech is clearing, my walking is improving, my mind feels clearer and I am DRIVING!  I feel like a million bucks compared to last week.  My body just did not handle all those IV heavy duty antibiotics.  I will happily take the rash over feeling terrible.  Happy scratching-I mean sleeping!  Love, Dara

HEAR today gone tomorrow!

I came home last night from a 5 day stint at the hospital and I am here to stay.  I feel really good except for the entire body rash that itches like hell.  I put about 10 layers calamine lotion on at a time and I feel like a pink taco (One of our fav mex. food rest.).  My doc called me his little lobster.  So,  for the third and final round this is how it went down.  Art took me to the ER Fri.  afternoon.  I was spiking a fever through the current big gun antibiotics that I  was giving myself Iv and my neck was swollen with rock hard lymph nodes.  The ER doc took me a little more seriously than last Fri trip to the ER.  In his eyes I was somewhat a rock star for all that I had endured the past couple of months.  This I liked!  They pulled my beloved PICC line ( I was sad to see it go cause I knew it was not the source of infection), took labs, started three IVS (kept missing-unheard of in ER-my luck), stuck a needle in my back to take out some more spinal fluid to test, stabbed me in the neck about 6 times to try and extract fluid they could test,  and another CT of my smart noggin.  Maybe I shouldn't have been so excited about my rock star status-look what it got me.  They admitted me and changed up my antibiotics.  I had an infectious disease doc, a med doc, a neurosurgeon doc,  an ENT doc and great nurses trying to figure me out (few have).  I spiked through the new antibiotics with fever, but my neck swelling of the lymph nodes got smaller by the day.  All the blood, picc, and spinal fluid cultures were coming back negative for bacteria growth.  So they discontinued everything and observed me for 24 hours.  In this  period I had no fever-must of been having reaction to antibiotics.  They chalked up the neck swelling to a viral something.  The radiant rash blessed me on the day I was leaving (again antibiotic reaction).  So basically no real answers, a medical mystery, but I am feeling more like myself since post surgery.  I came home on no medications with a new attitude- Feisty, sexy and sassy!  I was very Zen  at first, letting God and prayers heal me with a real peace about the whole scenario.  That really got me through the surgery wonderfully and I was blessed a million times over. I am now pissed and in fight mode to get myself back.  My energy and spirits are high.   Don't get me wrong.   I am still pulling the brain tumor card now that I am paying the late bills to get the late fee waived.  I earned it!  I am a fighter that is looking forward to Mother's Day.  Happy Mothers Day to all the wonderful mothers I know and love.  To all the husbands out there remember how special your wives are and how one's health could change on a dime-treat each other amazing every day.  My Dad is coming today for 4 days and I am hooking up with my sisters very soon.  Mom is almost done with school and she will be here for a few weeks.  Life is Good!  God is Good!

Dara Update!

Hi! Today is Monday and Dara will hopefully be leaving the hosptial after another stay. They ran more tests, drained fluid from her neck, did another spinal tap and hooked her up to IV antibiotics. They did remove the "pic" line, but she will be going home with another line in her. They were projecting she would get to leave on Monday. We are gearing up for some more family visits and can't wait to spend the time together! Dara has been so strong through all of this! Thank you for your thoughts!
michelle and family

Still in recovery!!

Hi there - many have asked about Dara and how she is doing! She has had an ok week and as of tonight (friday night) she is back in the hospital and they are going to go ahead and let some drainage out, below her incision site. Please continue to pray for a complete recovery and for her spirits to be lifted. Thank you Papa Syl for being with the kids!! Art you are amazing and thank you for taking her in the ER. She had a slight rise of the fever, but they think it may be due to the excessive amount of antibiotics she is receiving! (go figure??)

We appreicate your thoughts and prayers for our Dara!! We love her so!
michelle

Maddie and Mason

I forgot tell ya Madeline and Mason are holding up well.  They are really careful with my picc line and help mommy with her infusions.  Some cute stories -when I was in the hospital I spoke to Mason on the phone and he said "where you liven now mom"  I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.  Madeline was told I went to the doctors because I was afraid the word hospital would scare her.  She got on the phone and asked where I was sleeping because the doctors office didn't have beds.  Those two are to smart.  I am feeling better today.  The Home Health nurse was by for a dressing change and labs.  My Picc line was not extracting blood, so another needle stick for today.  I am trying to tackle the mound of mail and all the bills today yuck!  I am turning a corner I can tell. I am  feeling well enough to talk on the phone, which is an improvement.  I also got a phone call from Wyndham Resorts about a time share 90 presentation with a gift of a vegas trip and two flights.  That perked me up.  I am a presentation junkie.  I love going to those presentations and getting all the free gifts.  I have made an art out of it and that is how we travel so much. Its Great!  I am ready for an awesome summer its getting so hot already.

Menigittis-Not so much fun!!

It is good to be back in the world of the living.  I came home from my last visit to the hospital on last Wed. April 23.  It was a long stay of 8 days of unexpected pokes, prods, MRI's, CT's, PICC line and antibiotics.  I know Michelle was great in relaying my status, thanks girly!  I never imagined when we took off to San Diego that a couple of hours later I would have my doctor putting a syringe into my incision site and pulling out 3 syringes of fluid.  I kinda figured we were in trouble at that point.  I was told to get some lunch (Mexican of course) and then come back to get admitted to the hospital.  The lumbar drain was the hardest.  I was so sick.  I was in so much pain and could not keep any food down.  Vomiting while your head feels like 100 pounds gives all new meaning to the sport of throwing up.  My eyelids even hurt to open.  Art was a trooper staying by my side holding my vomit pan and stroking my hair.  I am sure it was tough on him to see me suffer.  He was an amazing advocate making sure I was taken care of while sleeping in a chair that barely reclined.  Mom Judi and Sylvan came for a visit although I barely remember seeing them I was so sick.  My friend Stephanie, who is also a nurse, came to relieve Art for a night.  She was like nighten Gail and was there to see some of the worst of it.  I was given a PICC line to administer IV antibiotics for 3 weeks at home after the doctors figured out which antibiotics were working.  I got the big guns Vancomycin and Merrem.  Two of the strongest out there.  I give my self 5 infusions a day which is old hat because of the nursing gig.  I kinda like doing my own IVs. Art learned for back up and is really good too.  A home health nurse came by the day after I got home.  He was a nice,  young male nurse which reminded me I will be BIG 40 in November.  So, I was home for three days and started to spike a fever of 102.1.  Which I found impossible on the antibiotics I was on.  So, off to the ER we go for a Saturday visit.  At this time I am pretty much besides myself and crying while we head to the hospital.  I get there and the Infectious disease doctor said that my white count was normal,  thank God,  and he thought I was having reactions to the heavy duty antibiotics.  That I could live with, although my incision site had a little increased fluid build up again.  I now take tylenol and benadryl before each dose, so I am basically a walking zombie all day.  But at least I am home and can smile.  My appetite is good, putting on more weight than I probably should.  But I need the nutrition to heal (sounds justifiable to me).  Fatigue of course is a battle and I am noticing a ringing in the deaf ear.  I may have to live with the irritating ringing-cant get that song "ring my bell" out of my friggin head.  The kids are great!  Mom Judi and Sylvan kept the kiddos on a minutes notice for 8 days.  Judi kept up with the laundry and cooked a homemade meat loaf when I got home.  What angels! Thank you everyone for the continued support.  Art read me all the blog responses while I was in the hospital and they really gave me strength.  I had beautiful flowers sent from the Haddad's, meals by mail (really cool and really good) from Lara B. and a darling little dress from Kim S.  I can not believe all the love that this whole experience has brought into my life.  I did not realize I meant so much.  I go back to San Diego on the 6th to see my surgeons and the infectious disease doctor.  I really hope to be able to close this chapter of my life soon and give back to my family and others.  All we really have is God, today, love, family and friends.  I am feeling an abundance of all 5 right now.

She's going home!

We received great news yesterday evening that Dara was being released and she sounded stronger than before she went in! She will be going home with a "pick" line in her arm that will administer antibiotics for the next 2 weeks. She said now she gets to practice "nursing" on herself!

We can't thank you enough for your prayers and kind words. She is on the road to recovery and we are grateful. I know she is ready to go home after being gone almost 10 days and hug and kiss those sweet babies!

Eatin Chicken!

Dara is still in the hospital and was able to get up and walk around and get down some chicken! They do not want to release her yet until they are sure she is on her way to recovery. (we are glad about this) They found a spot on her lung during the x-ray and think she may have pneumonia. She feels great though! They were waiting to hear the latest test results, they weren't sure if it was a great x-ray previously because she was so sick.

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and messages! We are blessed to have such great friends! Thank you Stephanie for coming to the hospital to take care of her for the evening and so Art could get some shut-eye! It has been so great re-connecting with friends and hearing from everyone! Thank you!

Continue to pray for a complete healing!
-michelle and family