Stella's Preschool Graduation

Stella graduated from Happy Apple Preschool on May 20th! Her teachers gave her the OK to move on to Kindergarten and now I think my head will explode! She's too little! She's super excited to go though. She loves friends and she loved preschool!

Stella with Teacher Amanda and Teacher Laura

Here's What Happened . . . (Round 2)

I was discharged from the hospital with no one having any idea really what was wrong. They said I was dehydrated, but the dry heaving never stopped. I was unable to do much of anything on Wednesday or Thursday.

Natalie helped me get to Stella's preschool graduation on Wednesday, but every movement was hard because I just wanted to barf . . . with nothing to barf up.

So by Thursday, May 21st, I think both Natalie and Elliot were fed up with it. Natalie had already taken Stella for a day to let me rest, and when she came back and tried to get me to take a vitamin, she used her best motherly voice to tell me that if I couldn't choke down the vitamin than she would insist that I go back to the hospital. I'd already spoken to the on-call doctor and he said either go to the ER or wait until morning.

So without any rest from his long day, Elliot took me back to the hospital Emergency Room in the wee hours of Friday morning and I was admitted later that morning. My barf bucket (which will never be used for popcorn again) was always nearby and it seemed like the retching episodes increased when I got to the hospital. Every time I would move, I'd retch. Every time a nurse came in to take vitals or blood or give medication or ask me if I was peeing, I'd retch. Every time the doctors would come in and flip on the brightest lights in the world, I'd retch.

I think it was Friday that the doctor decided that it might be my gall bladder, so he scheduled an immediate surgery and took out my appendix while he was at it. My gall bladder was irritated and I did have gall stones, but there was nothing wrong with my appendix. I didn't have any pain whatsoever associated with that.

Throughout the next day or two they just did tests, MRI, CT scans, and I'm sure there were other things. It's insulting, but they checked to see if it was a neurological problem. They said there is a vomit section in the brain that may have been triggering it.

Before Elliot took me to the ER, I took a shower, but didn't shave my legs because I was tired and didn't think I'd be in the hospital that long. I had these awesome leg things that sort of massaged my legs to make sure I didn't get blood clots, but I also have restless legs that drive me insane. So the totally hairy legs and being restless was too much for me. Elliot rubbed my legs for such a long time until we decided that I just needed to shave! Luckily the nurse found a razor and some cream and then FINALLY I was able to go to sleep! I think Elliot would say that was the longest night. Poor guy. He had to sleep on that silly couch the whole time too and get woken up every time someone came in. My IV machine would beep so much and it'd take the nurses so long to come in to turn it off, that he finally just watched to see what buttons they pushed and did it himself. He'd also have to help me to the bathroom each time. He's going to be a great caretaker when we're 90 and he has to help wipe my rear.

On Sunday morning I was scheduled for an EGD which is where they stick a scope down your gullet to look around your stomach. My doctor came into my room and informed us that he WAS NOT going to do the EGD and that he was ready to throw his hands up because he didn't know what was going on (plus he was going on vacation the next day).

As he left the room, I felt Elliot grab my hand as he knelt down next to my bed. I felt so bad for him. I don't think it would be an easy thing to see him laying sick in a hospital bed, so I know it was hard for him to see me. Especially because I wasn't in the mood to talk at all either and hadn't really talked to him for 3 days. Not even five minutes after Elliot's prayer, my doctor walked back into the room and informed us that he had now decided to do the EGD. I'm going to have Elliot say all of my prayers from now on.

The doctor found ulcers in my stomach. He started me on a medication to start working on the ulcers, but it was an oral medication. I was always able to keep it down without retching. I still wasn't eating and hadn't eaten for about 5 days.

My doctor was out of town now, so I got tossed around to some other ones who always had to be caught up on what was going on. My sister Lindsay came to sit with me for several hours on a couple of days so that Elliot could go home and shower and then go visit Stella who was staying with his mom. Lindsay is very well-versed in being in hospitals. She asked a lot of questions and I'm sure they put a note on my door warning everyone about her. She wiped my spittle and cleaned out my barf bucket. I love her.

I don't remember what day it was, but I remember Elliot talking on the phone with Stella and trying so hard to make her believe that I WAS NOT DEAD! She was sure that I had died and that she was going to live with Grandma forever. I couldn't talk to her, I wasn't talking to anyone.


To see what Stella did while I was laying in the hospital NOT DEAD, click here, or here, or here.

Our Stake President and his wife happened to stop by one day (can't remember when), but never made it into the room because they heard me retching my guts out. Yes, may I just paint this picture for you, which still won't be accurate until you can actually hear me. I'm not a graceful vomiter. I'm a yeller. The first time Elliot ever heard me throw up, he was seriously frightened. The next time I even thought about throwing up, he made sure he already had a glass of water next to me and that all of the doors between us were closed and sealed so that he wouldn't be able to hear me. It's not pleasant. When pressed, he'll imitate me. So will Stella.

Elliot's dad also stopped by to help him give me another blessing. It was cute how Kent just showed up dressed in his church clothes, ready to serve when asked. I'm so grateful for the sincere prayers of my sweet husband and that he and his father are worthy to use the priesthood.

Seriously though, I'm really glad that Elliot writes in his journal every day, because I was totally out of it most of the time between retching. I'll tell you why in a minute. Monday and Tuesday went by and I can't remember what happened, but Tuesday night they decided to give me a PICC line (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) in my arm (click on it to find out what it's used for and a picture of about how long it is). Elliot and Lindsay got to watch the nurse insert the PICC line which went from my arm all the way close to my heart. They had to wear face masks and fortunately, Elliot didn't pass out. I didn't feel a thing. I wasn't able to eat anything, so the PICC line was used for TPN (Total Parental Nutrition). They put the PICC line in really late on Tuesday night. I absorbed 2 giant bags pretty quickly. By the middle of the night I could already tell a difference. I didn't retch from that moment on. Things were looking up.

It was inserted on the inside of my right arm above my elbow. I know, it looks like a giant leg, but it's my arm folks.

I'm also allergic to plastic tape which is why it looks a little gross. It didn't hurt at all, it was just really, REALLY itchy.

On Wednesday morning I felt like dancing around because I felt so much better. Of course, I was still weak and tired, so I didn't, but I sure felt like it. Elliot made a huge deal about me actually smiling at him, which apparently he hadn't seen for over a week. He was really happy to be able to converse with me again. Isn't that nice? He likes talking to me. I was able to eat a little bit of the food that they brought me and even had a desire to eat it. Elliot and I were able to take walks around the halls without everyone giving me sad looks because I looked so horrific before. And I got to shower. Oh how I loved that shower. I just felt so much better and already wanted to go home!

Whoever the doctor was that day decided that I was a miracle child and said that if I could go the day and night without being hooked up to the TPN bag that he'd think about me going home. Elliot and I were both equally glad to be not hooked up to the machines. He was always my helper every time I needed to get out of bed. He'd unplug all of my machines and make sure my IV pole made it into the bathroom with me. I love him.

Did I mention that the ER nurse tripped over my IV twice (once in front of the doctor) and pulled it out. Just thought I'd throw that in there.

On Thursday I was so ready to go home. I was becoming impatient because I felt so much better. I was eating good meals and seriously didn't feel sick at all. I was still able to sleep a good portion of the day, but I certainly didn't need Elliot to wipe the spittle from my chin anymore, thankfully. His eardrums were able to take a break from my loud retching.

During some of my long sleeping times, Elliot was able to wander the hospital and made his way down to the Meditation Garden. He took me to the garden one day, which was a nice break from my room and bed. We only got to be there for a few minutes though because the doctor was looking for us. He decided that he was going to do his best to get me to go home that day.

I was tired of my bed, so I started taking naps on the couch Elliot was sleeping on. He go to stretch out on my bed to watch TV and almost everyone who came into my room was really confused. When the doctor came in to discuss my discharge from the hospital, Elliot totally turned on me! He told the doctor, and the doctor agreed (silly men), that he thought it would be best to stay one more night in the hospital just to make sure my sudden health wasn't a hoax. So even though I was a little ticked that I had to stay one more night, I trusted my husband because he's way closer to the Spirit than I am.

I spoke to Stella on the phone finally. I tried really hard not to cry, but I failed.

Friday morning I wanted to sprint around the halls in my traction socks to show everyone how much better I was. A full week in the hospital is my limit! It seemed like it took forever to finally get discharged. I just needed a social worker to come and see me because I was going to have a Home Health Nurse come to my house to change the bandage on my PICC line. We sure waited a long time for her 3 second visit, but I'm sure grateful for all of the staff at the hospital for taking such great care of me. I hope I never see them again as a patient.

I was finally discharged and Elliot and I finally got to go home! He stayed with me that whole time. I love him. Grandma brought Stella back home. I tried not to cry, but I failed again. I love her. And she's so big.

Stay tuned for the much more brief documentation of the Post-Op appointment revelation in Round 3.

Here's What Happened . . . (Round 1)

My Mother's Day picture.

Just to set things straight so that no one else thinks that my kidneys were shutting down and that I was near death, here's the story (and I'm an Anderson, so it may or may not be a long one):

I started to lose my appetite and feel a little crappy at the end of April/beginning of May. I don't know why. I sort of stopped eating food and didn't really drink much water. At first I thought it was awesome because when has Whitney EVER lost her appetite . . . NEVER! I can't say that I felt really sick, but I was definitely not energetic or anything close to it. I had a few dizzy spells and production at my house went way down.

Mid-May was the scheduled date for the 10-Year Reunion of my sisters Natalie and Lindsay and my cousin Stacy because we all moved to Arizona in 1999. We've been planning this for a while and I was really looking forward to it. My other cousins Chelsey and Christine were planning on joining us as well.

Friday, May 8 - Natalie and Tatem showed up a week early to play with us. We loved having them at our house! Nat was so great to watch Stella ALL day the day after she got here so that Elliot and I could go to our Adoption Academy in Glendale. I remember drinking more water that day, but only because I was trying to stay awake by the end of the 8-hour meeting! I also ate a couple of grapes, a bite of a banana, and a bite of a tuna sandwich, but only the tuna. Not hungry at all! I was exhausted from the long meeting and just had no energy to even chase Tatem around like I wanted to!

Natalie, Tatem, Stella and I went to the Splash Park to play one afternoon and I had zero energy. I tried to play around, but just couldn't. I tried to blame it on the hot day, but it was more.
"Stella! Put Tatem down!" This was heard quite often during the week.

The girl has amazing upper body strength though.


Natalie got to spend Mother's Day with us and watch us all sleep after church. Elliot always cancels all of his meetings after church on Mother's Day.

Tatem absolutely LOVED her Uncle Elliot and he loved her too. So cute. She'd get so excited when he got home!

Thursday, May 14 - My cousins Stacy and Chelsey were flying in that night and I was super excited to see them. However, I was completely worn out and felt too sick to get them at the airport like I'd planned all day. Elliot stepped in for me so that I could get some sleep.

I tried to be energetic the next day even though I still felt like crap. My friend Emily came over early to help set up some stuff for the baby shower we were having the next morning at my house in the back yard. We set up canopies and I was absolutely no help because I could barely lift anything. Thankfully Stacy woke up early to go running and helped Emily set it all up.

We had our big lunch date together as we met out in Peoria at Olive Garden! Apparently Stacy forgot to send out her memo about all of us getting our base tan before the reunion. The rest of us are just pale. I just felt sick. I took a few sips of my soup at lunch and that's all I could handle.

Christine "Teener"
Chelsey

We went back to Lindsay's in-laws home for our swim party. I FINALLY got to meet Brynlee! Hannah wasn't a huge fan of me at first because I just wanted to kiss her cheeks and she was like, "get off me woman!" Lindsay's father-in-law made us so much food that night and I could only nibble at some stuff. I wasn't going to spend the night out there, but I was way too tired to drive back home. I knew I had to be back early though because of the baby shower.



The next morning I got home to the back yard totally set up for the shower and not much for me to do (thankfully). I had to sit down under my ceiling fan in my house for a while after some of the guests arrived, but I was still able to go back outside to take some pictures of the shower. I didn't eat anything, but I was able to drink some cold water.

I tried to help clean up, but just started feeling so dizzy and sick that I had to lay down. I fell asleep immediately. Before the party started I had also started retching a little bit.

I was supposed to meet everyone in Peoria again for our reunion activities, but I felt so sick that I couldn't go. I rested most of the day. When my sisters called to tell me their plans for the evening, I tried my best to strap on my "I'm feeling better" face so that I could be included. I couldn't trick Elliot, but I went anyway. We met in Phoenix to see the comedian Brian Reagan. He is so funny and so is his brother. I thought I was going to start dry-heaving again during the concert, so I had to stand up in the back for a while. I was good though. I also had my barf bucket in the car just in case.

I can't remember if I went to church the next day, but I'm pretty sure I didn't. This is where it all starts to get a little hazy for me. I'm so grateful that Elliot keeps a journal every day, otherwise we'd never know what happened.

Monday, May 18 - I was already sad that I had missed Hannah's #2 birthday celebration last night, and irritated that I still felt so totally disgusting that I couldn't be involved in todays reunion activities either. I made an appointment with my doctor to see what was going on. My barf bucket was near my head all morning until my afternoon appointment finally came. I had to lay down on the bed in the room while I waited for the doctor and and nice nurse got me a cool cloth to put on my head. The doctor saw me for like 2 seconds before he decided to direct admit me to the hospital (to avoid the ER) because I told him that I hadn't eaten anything for a couple of days and couldn't keep it down even if I did.

I drove myself over to the hospital (it wasn't that far) and they put me in my room. Elliot came over immediately (I LOVE HIM), and we both spent the night in the hospital. I'm not sure what we did with Stella, but I'm sure that Elliot took care of it. They gave me IV fluids because I was dehydrated. However, this didn't stop me from dry-heaving and I still had no desire to eat anything. They discharged me on Tuesday, but I don't remember what time of day. I still felt like crap . . . and the reunion was over. :(

Emergency Preparedness

Our family has been working on putting together our 72-hour emergency kits. Elliot's is all done and mine and Stella's still need a few items. However, I don't think we should put any more stuff in Stella's bag. It weighs almost 20 pounds and this video of her trying to carry it around just makes me laugh so hard! I make no excuses for her outfit. She dresses herself now.

10-Year Reunion - 05/15/09

I had really hoped to be at the point in my 10-year story where my sister Lindsay and my cousin Stacy made their way into the picture, but that didn't happen until May of 1999, so we have a while. So you'll see these pictures again soon.

However, we weren't postponing our 10-year reunion because I'm behind in my story! We've been planning the reunion of the 4 of us for quite some time and May 2009 was the time!

Here we are after church in 1999. I know, what's going on with my wings?

Lindsay, Natalie, Whitney, and Stacy laying across

And here we are laughing at my Mom after I got married towards the end of 1999. My Mom was peeking behind someone trying to take a picture of us (this picture) and tripped. I know it's horrible that we're laughing, but the peeking and tripping combo was just too much for us!

And here were at lunch in May 2009, all grown up with 9 kids between us!

I know that my sisters have some other pictures. I actually didn't take any of the weekend because I got sick and missed everything. I made it to the lunch, swimming, and sleepover. I also made it to the see Brian Reagan (comedian) on Saturday night, but I missed everything else. I know they had fun and I'm really looking forward to our Mexico reunion!

Tiny Sun Dress - 05/13/09

I took a few pictures of Stella while we were waiting outside to see if we could see Air Force One fly in for the ASU graduation. We never saw it. Stella is wearing Tatem's tiny sun dress as her shirt.

Splash Park - 05/07/09

I Can't Resist This Girl!

Stella's cousin Tatem (which she has lovingly shortened into "Tade") came to visit and stay with us for a week! I haven't seen Tatem in person since her blessing last June.

May I just say that I am in love with this girl! She is so adorable and reminds me so much of Stella when she was smaller! She is a little giggle monkey and always moving and climbing and being adorable! "Hieeeee!" she'd say as she cocks her head to the side . . . oh, I just LOVE HER!

The Baby Boys - 05/02/09

My good friends both had their baby boys on the same day! They were both blessed in church today too.

Greg and Kristen Giles had their baby boy on May 2, 2009. Lincoln weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long. Congratulations Greg, Kristen and big sissy Layni!



Mike and Mari Ashby (our most frequent ball challengers) had their baby boy on May 2, 2009 (all natural . . . my hero!). MAX weighed 8 pounds 10 ounces and was 21 1/2 inches long. Congratulations friends!

I think Max is flipping me off. We're going to be good friends.

I took Stella over to visit baby Max and she was so super excited to hold him. I think she thinks he's her brother! And then I got to take some absolutely adorable pictures of Max which you can see on my photography blog shortly. Not right now, but later.

Ball Challenge - 05/01/09

Here is the start of my attempt at catching up from the month of MAY, which oddly, I don't really remember much of.

We started the month out with some friends and fresh meat for our Ball Challenge.

The Princesses: Stella, Olivia, and Bailey

Malori had a funny tongue-flicking thing she'd do while she was trying to concentrate really hard at balancing.

Jon balanced totally flat for a second before he had a great fall.

I seemed to have gotten a lot of pictures of Marcus falling.

Amy wasn't afraid of changing up the regular rear-seater position.

We're so happy that the Williams family stuck around even though Baer totally barfed all of his dinner and everything he'd eaten in his lifetime all over Brittany and the floor. Jared cleaned that part of my floor and now I need him to come back and clean the rest of the floor because that's the only clean part now!

Baer feeling better after a good vomit.

. . . and then there's Brittany who acted like it wasn't even a challenge at all!

Here's Jared trying to to fall on the barf spot.

And I just got a lot of pictures of Elliot's rear. I just save those for myself.

Cool Guys

Good Men

It was an eventful Easter day as my adorable niece, Miss Brynlee Louise Bangart, was blessed by her father Keith (Lindsay's husband). They live in Indiana, so I didn't get to wear my green shirt and be in the picture.

I love that Hannah always has dandilions in her hands. They are too cute!

Uncle Ryan, Grammy and Grampy Bangart, Hannah, Brynlee, Keith, Lindsay, Grandpa and Grandma Anderson, Uncle Miles, and Tom

And Elliot's niece, Miss Lucille "Lucy" Dibble, was also blessed on Easter day by her father Adam (Elliot's brother). The day before, Adam was also able to baptize his oldest son, Raymond.

Raymond, George, Adam, Anabelle, Lucy, Xan, and Claire

My father was also recently sustained and set apart as the Patriarch in the Weiser Stake in Idaho. I'm so grateful to be surrounded by good men who honor their priesthood.