SPOOKY HALLOWEEN

2008 FREED HALLOWEEN

SUGAR PLUM FAIRY DRAGON

AAAARRRHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Halloween 2008 was really awesome.  Some neighbors down the street the Good's and the Freed's really like to do Halloween up spooky.  Lots of ghouls, strobe lights, fog, grave yards, fishing skeletons, and a live scarecrow were all present to scare Medford visitors.  We had a blast.  Hope everyone was safe and scared!!!!  Maddie was a Sugar Plum Fairy Princess and Mase was a Dragon.  We decorated a pumpkin for a contest at Maddie's school- A Princess Pumpkin.  She took first prize for Fantasy Pumpkin and I am kickin myself because I forgot my camera.  We dont have any pics of the pump.  She did however get a trophy which made her so proud.  She is having a little trouble making new friends at school because she is so shy.  So, I think this helped boost her confidence and moral.

Life is GOOD!

Third Street Prominade- 

Santa Monica

Maddie's first day of Kindergarten and Mason's first day of PreSchool!!

Hi everyone!  It has been a long time since my last entry.  I have been getting on with my life and it feels good.  I am back to being a full time mommy, wife, daughter, sister, assistant editor, friend, retired nurse, tennis player, basically the whole Shebang!  I have been feeling fantastic. Almost back to baseline with no visits to the hospital.  When I look back at all that I have been through it is pretty surreal.  I would not let myself believe (along the way) that I had gotten that sick and they weren't sure how to treat me.  Looking back I am so grateful that I kept my focus on getting better.  Art confessed the other day that there were times while I was in the hospital that he was unsure that I would be coming home.  That's pretty scary as an after thought.  I still have mild facial numbness and  tongue numbness, but that still hasn't stopped me from doing my favorite tongue sports (kissing, eating, sticking it out!)  I am  so blessed that I have full facial function especially in regards to smiling and swallowing.  Most of all no reoccurring headaches.  I really beat the odds with the the size of Willy. I am hitting the tennis courts a minimum of 4 days a week.  Yep that's Good!  I am so lucky.  I am hitting in drills, having double matches with my girlfriends and start two leagues next week.  I will post some pics next weeks with my tennis buds.  I still get quite dizzy if I have to run after a ball, swing and switch gears back into hustling after another ball.  I call it Disney Land in my head--at least its a free ride.  My girlfriends at the Paseo club have been very supportive and wonderful.  They are always willing to come pick my butt up off the court if I fall.  I have to say that my balance is improving with more play time.  My main problem is reaction timing.  I used to be very quick on my feet and now my brain doesn't seem to react as quick or sometimes not at all.  I often find myself admiring my opponents great shot.  I just smile and tell em that shot rocked!  My vision also plays games with me as the ball is barreling towards me and I have to make last second adjustments to my shots.  Probably won't be winning Wimbledon anytime soon, but I look pretty cute in my tennis skirts.

I have been taking the kids out to play tennis after school as well (pics to come-Mason has a lesson this Sat).  Maddie is in dance class again with a dance recital in December (pics to come-they are getting so big).  We are basically back to the grind in regards to work.  Art is crazy busy picking up Disney gigs while we are in full swing with the home studio.  I am helping out with some assistant editing and really enjoying it.  I get a little stressed about how I am going to fit everything into a 24 hr day and then I say "It Is Great to BE ALIVE!"  We have a lot of catch up on accumulative bills from my illness.  I seem to not get so caught up in the small daily stuff and I keep an attitude of gratitude that we are all healthy and thriving.  Art continues to be my rock!  He is amazing and I am so lucky to have a life partner that lives life to the fullest and doesn't take things for granted.

Our real estate in AZ is slowly coming to an end one way or another.  I am really looking forward to having those issues resolved, out of our lives and ready to journey forward.  I have had a hard time coping at times as all our savings and hard work dissolves basically into nothing. But, then again we have each other and our health-that is all that really matters.  Were lucky to have a great roof over our head.

We have a big trip coming up in December.  The Freed foursome are going to take a road trip to Colorado to visit the Canons (my sis Michelle and family) over Christmas for some skiing.  This should be a trip.  First time in high altitude and on skis status post Willy!  Michelle suggested I ski in a helmet to keep all brain matter intact and I agreed.  Art and the kiddos have never been on skis.  Art wants to try snowboarding.  Art and I are going to try to take a couple of day trips in CA before we hit the big slopes in CO.  Art bought me some skis and boots for our anniversary.  They are fantastic!!!  I found a smoking deal (yea I'm frugal) on last years model and I did not feel so guilty.  Art is so supportive and makes me feel so loved and special.  He wants me to have everything.  I think he is just happy to see me alive, functioning,  back to being a partner and mommy. 

I also turn the big 40 in November.  Myself and some high school friends are all going to Vegas mid Nov. to have a mass 40 celebration.  I am counting down the days and really excited to spend some time with my old friends that came back into my life due to my illness.  

Looking back this year has been a DOOZY.  I am hosting Thanksgiving at my house and I find it very fitting.   I am going to try and update my blog once a month to start a memoir of my family.  I have really had so much joy in expressing my thoughts and feelings with this blog and can't believe all the love and support it generated.  Feel free to keep updated on our lives, with always remembering what a special part you took in my life during this time.  Love to all, Dara 

Clowning Around! (7-16-08)

Off to the circus we go!!  I have had circus tickets for a few months and I could not believe the day was finally here.  I think I was more excited than the kids.  I remember my mom and dad taking me, Michelle and Jules to the circus.  The clowns always scared the hell out of me with all the canons and guns they shot off.  I warned the kids about the bombs and we were on full alert.  I was really impressed with all the acts.  It was a magical night and the kids were in awe.  Mason loved the tigers, horses and elephants (especially when they pooped) and Maddie was in hysterics with this one particular clown.   She giggled so much that everyone sitting near us turned around and started laughing with her all evening.  Art and I loved the death defying motorcycle act where they rode around in a metal ball (way SCARY and COOL).  We lucked out and the modern day clowns don't shoot off canons (they blow bubbles) and we were happy campers.  It was the perfect evening except for paying $12 buckaroos for a bag of cotton candy.  That's crazy, but it sure tasted good! Mimi introduced Mason to cotton candy and he is now a CC addict.

For the next couple of days we are hanging at the house getting ready for our Texas adventure.  I am giving birth to a beautiful fever blister on my lower lip.  That's a sign to chill out a bit. That's what I get for slamming in a Lego Land trip and the circus days apart.  So, if your going to make it to Juanitos I will be the chica eating queso with the big fat red lip.  No worries I will get my own bowl.  We are all so excited about the trip home and cant wait to see our family and friends.  Art is still scheduled to come in for about six days.  We are still planning on meeting at Juanitos (in Pearland on Grand st), Wed the 23rd from 6-8:30pm, for anyone who can make it.  I know of some friends coming in that I have not seen in 10-20 yrs.  I will be sure to take some pics and look forward to seeing everyone.  I am just so thrilled about being well enough to make the trip.  On that note I am doing grrrrrreat!  The remaining side effects from the whole Willy ordeal consist of minor right facial numbness and tingling, mild metallic taste (not stopping me from munching), minor slurred speech, deaf in the right ear and mild fatigue.  I was thinking today about how much better I really do feel and how nice it is to look over my right shoulder and not feel the world spinning.  Now maybe I will hit some of those overheads I kept missing in tennis.  I plan on hitting some tennis balls with Michelle when I go home.   So many good times ahead.  Hope to see you soon!! love, Dara

Hear Arty ROAR!!

Well we are definitely going balls to the wall with fun activities with the kiddos.  On Monday Art did not have any work going on (not so good news), so we decided to make the best of the day and headed towards San Diego to Lego Land (great news!!).  First trip that way with no hospital visit.  We made a pact to live each day to the fullest and Arty is helping to make sure we adhere.  Lego town was awesome!!  Tons of cool animals, people and things all made of legos, millions and millions of legos.  I could not believe all these little pieces came out to be such master pieces.  I just imagined myself walking around my house stepping on all the pieces the kids  left out.  Or I could just suck them up in the vacuum.  I have a history of trying to pick up large items with the hose.  I am now on my third vacuum in four years with most of them going in for repair once or twice.  Its quite the challenge to see if the bulky item pickups make it or not.  I get excited when they do (one less time to bend over) and cringe when I hear the vacuum in distress.  The repair guys love me!  Back to the Legos, it was an incredible experience with a hugh water area as well.  I would recommend the park if your in the area.  It caters to younger children til about 13 years old.  Maddie and I were in a boat behind Art and Mason tooting around.  Art has been wanting a boat for about 3 years since we moved by the lake.  I took this opportunity to harass him that this will be the only boat he will be driving for a little while.   We are recovering financially from my medical expenses and the real estate downfall.  All is good and we will bounce back.  I am just glad to be alive and smiling for these pictures.  Love, Dara

Juanitos Here We Come!!!

MIMI

Hi everyone!  My scalp is still intact with no brains oozing out and my head is a healin.  My headaches are off and on every couple of days, which is no big deal.  My face still a tingling, but that thats ok it means I am still kicken.  We finally got our arrangements for Texas and my play dates are July 19 to Aug 2.  We are going to hang out at Juanitos in Pearland at 3412 Broadway St, Pearland TX , on July 23- Wed  at 6:00-8:30. Would love to see anybody that can swing by for queso, margaritas and toast to freeing Willy. Feel free to have dinner as well we have their back room reserved to hang and bring the kiddos.   I am so blessed to be so prayed over and cared about and I would love to hug each and everyone of you.  So far Art is planning on being there unless something major turns up for work. This last Sat. Art surprised me, Mason and Mimi and drove us to Santa Barbara for the day.  Maddie is on a train trip with her Freed Grandparents to the Grand Canyon.  We hear they are having a blast and she got a little overwhelmed when she saw the canyon.  I can only imagine being so small and seeing something so vast and amazing.  We had a great time in SB with the temperature being about 20 degrees cooler.  We had lunch on the pier, walked through an art show, saw this amazing tribute to the war on the beach supporting ending the war, and had dinner.  The war display had 3000 crosses on the beach with each soldier's name that had lost their life and the actual count is in the 4000's.  It was a very touching moment for all of us and my heart went out to all the families of the lost ones.  Tearing up happened and I wished the war would end realizing myself again how lucky and grateful I am to be alive.  We also walked around downtown and enjoyed the beautiful day.   It was a perfect day and we made a pact to try and experience life to the fullest.  Be in the moment, have a great week and be sure to smile a lot cause I am!!  Love Dara

Staples are gone-I can blow dry my hair now!!

Hi everyone!!!  I am doing great with a trip to San Diego this week on Tuesday for a check up with my staples removed.  The incision is healing well with no swelling at the site like last go round.  We packed up the family including Mimi (my mommy-Lynda) and headed down Tuesday.  We had lunch at our favorite Mexican food restaurant that we ate the night before my very first surgery.  A little bit of Dejavu.  I figured why not celebrate the first and hopefully last visit to the hospital eating the same good eats.  It was a beautiful day and we walked around ole town.  The visit went great and the staples were removed effortlessly.  The docs were thrilled that I was doing so well.  I think they were really concerned about me or a possible lawsuit.  I am definitely headed on the road to a complete recovery.  I can feel it!!  I don't have to go back for one year to get a follow up MRI unless problems arise. We spent the night in San Diego and took the kiddos and Mimirs to Sea World the next day.  I did really good and made it through the day with periodic breaks of sitting down.  The shows were really awesome and the kids had a blast.  Maddie wants to live with the dolphins, Mimi wants to ride Shamu and Mason was a mad man at the giant jungle gym.  What a great trip!  Mimi is graciously staying another week to visit and help with the kids.  We are playing scrabble  and I am getting back to word combat mode. I am now just today off the steroids and hoping that my appetite will take a hike.  I am tired of eating, but always so damn hungry.  Everything still taste a little metallic, but improving with time.  I have gained about 13 lbs due to the steroids and not being able to work out.  I can not wait to get back on the tennis court, but have to wait an additional 2 months.  Don't want to blow another gasket. But I CAN SMILE-and eat evidently yahoo!!  I still need about a 2 hr nap in the afternoons and I am only on motrin for headache pain.  I feel really blessed to not have nonstop headaches like some post op acoustic neuromas.

I am heading back to Houston July 19-Aug 2.  I cant wait to see everyone.  I miss my family and friends.  We are still trying to get Arty's plane ticket, so we have not planned a date for a reunion at Juanitos.  We will keep everybody posted.  I want to thank the prayer group and Mrs. Gloria Mills in Pearland.  They knitted a beautiful shaw and bookmark heart for me.  I just love them!  So much thought and care went into making it.  It is getting really hot already and was 107 today.  We thought about moving to Arizona last year and I was asking myself what were we thinking.  The heat is unbearable especially after being in cool San Diego.  I will download a pic of Sea world soon as I get a hold of Art's camera.  Art is doing fantastic and back into the full swing of work mode.  He really loves what he does and I am really lucky to be able to stay home with the kids.  Pics to come soon-Lots of love to everyone and thank you for all the love and prayers, Dara  

Brooke S.

I tried to email you back and it got kicked back--thank you for all the yummy receipes.  My appetite is in full swing.  I have so enjoyed all the correspondence and pics of us and your family.  You still look 18 girl!  I will keep everyone posted on Pearland trip-would love to see everyone-gonna set up Gringos or Juanitos.  I just wanted to let you know I got your sweet email. love to you, dara

All SMILES!! Home sweet Home!!!

Its Sunday and I arrived home from the hospital after my second crainiotomy on Wednesday night.  I can really say that I see a light at the end of the tunnel after this second ( and last) surgery.  I feel in my heart and body that the correct healing is taking place and my body is reacting more accordingly.  I spoke to my surgeon yesterday and all the cultures that were taken during the second surgery are negative.  Which is a hugh hugh plus for me-not fighting infection, less chance of meningitis again, less chance of leak and so on and so on.  

I woke up at 4am on Sat and cut my head dressing off.  I looked like a bulldog with constant look of worry, throbbing and sharp pains circulating in my noggin.  I felt like a million bucks when I took it off-the small things like seeing straight.  I showed Art, who was up working, and we had a celebratory Popsicle and stayed up talking and taking pictures of the site until 6:30am.  I am starting back at square one in regards to precautions and recovery: No driving, sleeping in the recliner, no tennis for 3 months, working on my walking, getting my taste buds back in shape and SMILING LIKE NO TOMORROW!!! I am eating well and starting to wean myself of the pain meds and steroids now that the pressure dressing is removed.  I don't regret anything that I have been through.  I am getting stronger physically, mentally and emotionally with each day.  I am quite the princess over here not sure what to do with myself.  Lots of resting is being demanded and I am being a better patient this time around.  My sis Jules and niece Isabella are here and it is so wonderful to have their company.  She is incredible with entertaining the kids, grocery shopping and stocking up my freezer again.  My goal is to get strong enough to still make my visit back to Pearland in mid July.  I am so missing home and craving Mexican food like you wouldn't believe.  No queso in California.  Our other travel plans for the summer are being put on hold for now and we will pick up next summer.  Mom is out of school and I cant wait to have that angel in the house.  I see a game of scrabble in our near future.

I feel stronger this second time around and really thrive on all your love and support.  I am constantly reading all my blog responses, emails and cards.  It is so lovely to feel such love.  I have learned how important reaching out means and all we really have is each other.  Love to everyone and cherish the day.  Ill keep ya posted-peaceful and slow moving over here, but in a great place!!!

"There's No Place Like Home"

Thank you for all of your thoughts, notes, phone calls and mostly prayers! Dara got home Wednesday from the hospital and Aunt Cathy and Uncle Bill have been holding down the fort! Thanks to her great neighbors for having the kids over. j

She feels good - some pain from head dressing - and some discomfort. She will hopefully be able to take the beautiful head piece off on Saturday. She is taking it VERY slow and easy. She has been able to eat and it was so great to hear her voice!

Julie and Bella are on their way on the plane right now! Bella just gradutated "Kindergarten" and lost her first tooth and gets to go to California to see her cousins. It's a big week for her.

I am sure Dara will be blogging soon - her notes are so much more fun.
love, michelle

Round 10...Goes to Dara!!

As of this morning she is out of ICU and recovering without near as much sickness as last time. The doctor said it was a mess in her head when he went in. We are confident he has removed all that is needed and she has come out a champ! Best news of all....she has a SMILE!

There is talk of her going home tomorrow, Amazing! She will be home and need to really take it easy and build her immunity for recovery. They think she got the meningitis bc Dara doesn't have a spleen and has a "naturally" low immunity. Please pray for her body to recover without any more problems.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
Michelle and Family

Out of surgery!

It took 3 hours and right after I posted the last note, my Dad called to say she was out! She is in ICU and we will see how she is tomorrow. THank you.

She's in surgery!

Hi there! Dara went in to surgery about 6pm California time. Art said she was in the "zone" which means she was ready to go and fight for her recovery! She is such a strong and amazing person. So far she has been in the surgery for almost 3 hours and we are anxiously awaiting her arrival to ICU. We will let everyone know when she is out of surgery. All our love, michelle