Well everything was going along swimmingly until yesterday about 11:30. Wilson was off work and he was going to get the horses hay. Wilson was moving the truck and he saw Maaco run around the corner and he was screaming and hollering. Then he would run back to the barn – then he would run back over to see if Wilson was following him. Wilson finally went around the corner and saw Guapo standing there and he first noticed his hoof and it was covered in blood. Then he looked up – he had a cut across his chest that was 16 inches long and the skin was just hanging on for dear life. Guapo was screaming like “help me”! Wilson called me at work and I called the vet to meet us out there. The girl that answered the phone said all the vets where in surgery or out on calls and she would call me back in 10 minutes. Well I have to pass the vet’s office on my home so I just stopped in and asked “how much longer”. Dr. Kerrin, our regular vet, pulled in about that time so he came on over. Guapo wouldn’t move at all. Wilson and the vet had to basically drag him to the back yard so he could work on him. He started messing with the flap of skin and Guapo started to get upset so Dr. Kerrin walked over to his truck and got him a tranquilizer shot. Wilson was holding Guapo’s lead rope and said “so how long will it take for this to start affecting him”. About that time Guapos nose dropped to the ground and damn near pulled Wilson down and Dr. Kerrin said “is that quick enough for you?” Poor Guapo he was doing his best to stand there, he was swaying back and forth. His little eyes just kept shutting – he was out of it. The vet got him all stitched up, 64 stitches in all. He has 2 drain plugs and we have to go out there everyday and put Vaseline on his leg (the blood dripping will irritate his skin and cause the hair to fall out). He has pain meds to take twice a day and antibiotics that we have to put in his feed. He has to stay cross pinned in his stall for 2 weeks. His head is tied so he can only look straight forward.
We went out at 5:30 Tuesday morning to check on him and the meds had worn off because he was pissed. I guess he woke up and realized that he can’t move and he was not happy about that. We have to keep him from pulling out those drains and stitches so he is just going to have to be pissed. I have a stool in the barn so I can sit out there with him when I get off work. Yesterday I read an article to him about how to pick the perfect pecan. LOL He has his hay, feed and water right there in front of him but still – that life has got to suck, especially when you are normally free to roam around with your buddy. Maaco is just staying in the stall next to Guapo – he just won’t leave his side. I guess he is worried about his little buddy. The vet said we have to keep Maaco far enough away from Guapo so that he can’t pull on the stitches. He said if Macco discovers it’s the stitches that are hurting Guapo he will help him pull them out. WTH? (What the Hell). I know my horses are not that smart but hey, you never know.
We have no idea what caused this. We don’t know if he rubbed up against something sharp and it cut him. Wilson seems to thinks someone cut him but it’s like the vet said yesterday “a horse will let you cut him for about 2 inches and then he is out of there – this cut is straight for 16 inches so it’s unlikely but I will not rule it out”. I just don’t want to believe that anyone would come into our pasture and do that. Why one and not the other, why our horse and not the neighbors – it just doesn’t make sense.
I think maybe he was running and he got too close to something sharp. My only problem with that theory is we can’t find anything that has hair or blood on it. There is no telling what happened to him. I just hope he recovers quickly, he has no infections, and doesn’t have any after effects.
October is bonus month for both Wilson and I and I had picked out the most beautiful dining room suite. It is beautiful, 5 ft pine wood table, with 4 chairs and a bench with a cute little hutch with it. Well now our bonus’ are still going to something with 4 legs but it’s hairy and doesn’t come with a hutch!!!!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Still waiting.....
I have no real update on the baby front. Still taking the pill every day which seems so counter productive but apparently it's working. This past week when I went for my sonogram they said the cysts were smaller. Yeah!!!!
I should have another sonogram in about 2 or 2 1/2 weeks that will tell me if my tubes are blocked. I thought the test last week was going to tell me that but I was wrong. (I'm getting use to that part). ;-)
I should have another sonogram in about 2 or 2 1/2 weeks that will tell me if my tubes are blocked. I thought the test last week was going to tell me that but I was wrong. (I'm getting use to that part). ;-)
Monday, September 21, 2009
My Trip to Leavenworth, Part 3
On this day we decided that Ron, Linda and Wilson would go in and I would stay out and go with the second set of visitors. We were warned early that Saturday’s are very busy and that there is a possibility that if we didn’t get their early we might not get in. This day is when the 2 hour limit would more than likely come into play. We pulled up to the waiting line around 6:20 or so and sat about the same place in line as the morning before. We were actually surprised their weren’t more visitors. Just wait. About 5 minutes after we pulled in there was a line out to the street. Once again at 7:30 CO Bellar came out and took our ID’s, we found a spot in the visitors parking lot and the wait began again. About 8:30 Bellar came down and took up the first set of visitors. The second set he said would go up at 11:00. So everyone that was down there and had been waiting would now have to wait until 11:00 before they knew if they could get in for that day. Thankfully, Ron, Linda and Wilson got in on that round and there were no worries. I was content to sit down in the parking lot under the awning and wait my turn. If I didn’t get a turn today that would be alright too, at least his parents got to see him. As I waited I noticed more and more people pulling up and asking “has he been down yet for the second group?” They all were seasoned on the visiting rules. As I sat there I got to talking to 2 different wives who were there to see their husbands. This was so educational. To hear what they go though as a spouse of an inmate and mother to children whose father is in the penitentiary was amazing. One lady had been waiting on her husband for more than 8 years. He received a mandatory 10 year sentence and had 2 year to go. She traveled approximately 2 hours each way to see her husband and said she makes the trip about twice a month. The other lady also comes approximately twice a month but travels 4 hours one way. Her husband also received the 10 year mandatory sentence and he has only been in for a year and three months. Both husbands were in for drug charges and apparently the new mandatory minimum is 10 years. The second lady had a new born and this was her first trip to the prison without her son. You can not believe the amount of children that come to that prison. Just about every group that came in had at least one child with them. I just don’t know if I could do that, that a child into that environment. We talked about how they felt bringing their children up here and they simply stated the kids want to see their Daddy and he wants to see his kids. Someone else mentioned that as harsh as this environment may be it might be better than how they saw their Fathers prior. My question is do small kids realize that is their Daddy or is this a guy they come visit every other week? As I said I understand the dilemma these Mother’s are in but I am just not sure what I would do in that situation.
It was amazing talking to them and they were so open about their lives and how they revolved around the prison system. How they would travel from state to state depending on where their husband was transferred. They would describe phone calls where their husband would say “who is that in the background?” “Where are you?” They would discuss everyday things just over the phone instead of in person. As the morning wore on more and more people emerged from the parking lot. They would see CO Bellar coming down the walkway and cars would empty and lines would form to hand in their ID’s hoping they would be next to get inside. Now it is 11:00 and it’s time for the second group to go inside. We make our trek up to the dome shaped entrance and start our paperwork. Since we had done all of this the previous morning we just needed to sign the waivers and go through the metal detectors and we were in. In a perfect world that would be the case, you go in as a group so you wait until everyone that is going in with you has been identified, signed in, and scanned before any gates open.
Linda and I switched out and I got to see Scott again. He was so excited because when they let me take Linda’s place the clock started over for him so he knew he would get at least another 2 hours worth of visitation.
We talked about his decision to go to California when he is released to the half way house. Frankly not many people think this is a good idea. Scott has a daughter in Cali and he feels like he owes it to her to try and make a relationship with her. She will be twenty one, I believe, when he is released to the half way house and frankly she wants to see her Dad. The flip side to that story is Cali is where he got in trouble, this is the breeding ground. Why doesn’t he come to Texas where he knows he has family and a strong support system until he is at least released from the government’s control. Not only does he have to spend the remainder of his sentence in the half way house then he is not allowed to leave the state for 2 years. His parents, brother and sister, would much rather him come here and start a life where he can be surrounded by people who can help him and not strangers.
I see the point his daughter makes and I guess because I am older I feel a bit differently. I would rather my Dad go to where he has the greatest chance of regaining a normal life. At this point I am an adult and can travel to visit him and when he is settled and in a routine he can come to visit me. I know that’s easy to say because it’s not my Dad and I haven’t been without him for 15 years. I certainly understand Scott’s point to want to make it work with her, that is his daughter. We all just hope it is the right decision because there is so much riding on it if it is not. If anything happens while he is at the half way house he goes back to the penitentiary until his final release date of June 31, 2010. That’s a large price to pay. I know it can happen anywhere and I’m not sure why we all think it’s more likely to happen out there than here. Just fear I guess.
Our trip was short and our time with Scott even shorter but I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.
My Trip to Leavenworth, Part 2
Friday morning we woke up at 5 am and if you know me you know it has to be something pretty worthy for me to set the alarm for that hour. We got up and walked across the parking lot to Mickey D’s for our morning substance and shot of caffeine. Around 6:00 we headed to the car wash parking lot. To our surprise there was no one in the car wash, they were lined up outside the visitor’s parking lot. We just got in line and waited – and waited – and waited. About 7:30 Correctional Officer Bellar came out and took our drivers license. This is at the point where we learned that only 3 adults can go into the visiting room, per inmate. We made a decision that myself, Wilson and his Mom would go in first. I pleaded “he wants to see his brother and his parents, not a girl his brother married.” Ron had spoken and I was going in and he was coming in on the second set of visitors. At this time they opened the parking lot and we all found a spot and got comfortable. CO Bellar told us he would be back around 8:10 to bring in the first set of approved visitors. The walk from the visitor’s parking lot is probably 2 football fields long and then you have those steps. Climbing those steps was a bit of a challenge, not physically but mentally. You are going in and they have total control. Once you reach the top of the steps the gate opens automatically, which is when you say to yourself “we are being watched at all times”. Once you get in the first gate you have to sign a waiver that states you have no illegal drugs, guns, ammo, etc. That is when they state you have to be dressed in pants, not shorts – closed toe shoes, no sandals. After you sign your waiver and sign the visitors log you are told that no paper money may pass through the next gate. If you have any money you need to take it back to your car or change it into coins. If you choose to exchange it for coins you must carry that change in a see through bag such as a Ziploc. “Nothing is to go in with you except change in a bag!” Now it’s time for the metal detector. Wilson’s Mom set it off first “take off your watch ma’am”. She did and it light up like Christmas again “take off your shoes ma’am”. Once again – ring, ring. This is when she looked at CO Bellar and said “I am not taking my bra off!”. We all got a good laugh out of it and it helped to break the tension that was in the small room for those of us who were first timers. They wanded and her found out it was her underwire in her bra. Can you believe that? They didn’t make her take it off though. Now it’s Wilson’s turn. He set off the alarm 3 times as well. His culprit was the laces on his boots. Now it’s my turn and I made it through, underwire bra and all.
They inform us that we will step inside the next cell – yes cell and the first door will not open until the door behind us has closed. This is when you hear that colossal bang that you see on TV. At this point I realized I am closer to the Penitentiary than I am the free world. At Leavenworth there is ALWAYS a minimum of 2, and mostly 3, gates that you have to pass through to see freedom. Not one person has access to all the gates. If you are a CO on the inside you do not have access to the outside gate and vice versa.
Once you hear the shock of the slamming gate you realize that the gate in front of you is opening. Thank Goodness. As you wall into the rectangle shape visitors room you realize the years this building has seen. All of the chairs and small tables are plastic. Just like the chairs you may have out on your patio for extra guests. As I looked around I noticed there are chairs pushed up against the wall, then a small plastic table and then a single chair facing the chairs on the wall. The CO Rice tells us where we will be sitting and “do not move your chairs off the wall”. At this point they go out and locate Scott. They do not go and get the inmates until you are firmly in your seat. With a system that holds over two thousand inmates this can be quite a task. You learn this is why you let the inmate know you are coming. If not, they may be out on the yard and not in their cell. If there are a thousand men on the yard your loved one looks like an ant.
When the paneled cover door opens you can get a glimpse of what it is like on the “other side” but only for a brief moment. The inmate walks in, looking like they are ready for their first date. For inmates to come to the visiting room they must be in their penitentiary issued khaki shirt and pants along with their belt and black boots. Anything other than that and you get a one way trip back to your cell. Scott told us later that since he had never had a visitor at this location he had to borrow his cellmate’s boots to come and meet us. This is the part that I actually felt bad for the inmates - When that door opens and they see their loved ones they must walk past them to the CO’s desk and had them their identification card they were given on the other side of the door, after they were stripped searched. Once the CO has the card and gives the inmate permission they can turn around and walk over to where you are waiting. Leavenworth does have a policy where you can hug at the beginning of the visit and at the conclusion of the visit. Since most federal penitentiaries only have visitations through glass with each side on a recorded phone line this is a nice surprise to wives.
Scott opened the door and saw us and that is when I realized he is not a hardened criminal. He is not someone who lives to pump iron and kick ass all day. He is a normal guy. He is clean shaven, clothes are ironed and starched. I am a bit taken aback. This is not what I have been reading about and watching on TV. These guys walking through here were anyone you would pass on the street. I know that Federal Penitentiaries do not have the clientele that state prisons have but still. My view is beginning to change minute by minute.
Scott hugged his Mom so hard I thought I heard her bones crack. He pulled back at one point and said “Sorry Mom but I can’t help it” and hugged her again with just as much vigor. Next he grabbed onto Wilson and that is when the emotions took over. He had not seen his brother in 15 years. Wilson was 14 years old the last time he saw Scott. The last time his Mom had seen him it was through glass and there was no contact. Scott was very emotionally, and rightfully so. We learned that this was his first contact visit since 1999. Can you imagine not touching your family for 10 years? The only people you have contact with are officers and inmates. Not a favorable pool.
We sat there until around 11:00 when Wilson’s Mom decided to go out and let Ron come in. Both Wilson and I volunteered to go out but she protested and I think it had a lot to do with a nicotine habit. We got to speak to Scott for 10 minutes or so and it was so amazing. He was telling me about his crime, telling me stories about the penitentiary itself and how one inmate actually fooled the guards into thinking he was the fire marshall and walked right out the front door. He was later caught of course.
Ron came in and it was the flood of emotions all over again. This was his Dad and you could certainly tell. There was no denying this kid, he is a Wilson. You could watch Scott as he studied his Father’s face like he was trying to burn it into his memory for just one more year. We stayed that day until about 1:45 and loved every minute of it. When we left Ron said “I bet we just made his day. Hell, I bet we just made his year”. I bet we did too.
When we left we decided to drive into Kansas City and see a few sites before heading back to the hotel. That day was exhausting emotionally and physically. I was in bed and asleep by 6 pm. The next morning the alarm went off again at 5 am and we were ready to see what this day brought to us.
They inform us that we will step inside the next cell – yes cell and the first door will not open until the door behind us has closed. This is when you hear that colossal bang that you see on TV. At this point I realized I am closer to the Penitentiary than I am the free world. At Leavenworth there is ALWAYS a minimum of 2, and mostly 3, gates that you have to pass through to see freedom. Not one person has access to all the gates. If you are a CO on the inside you do not have access to the outside gate and vice versa.
Once you hear the shock of the slamming gate you realize that the gate in front of you is opening. Thank Goodness. As you wall into the rectangle shape visitors room you realize the years this building has seen. All of the chairs and small tables are plastic. Just like the chairs you may have out on your patio for extra guests. As I looked around I noticed there are chairs pushed up against the wall, then a small plastic table and then a single chair facing the chairs on the wall. The CO Rice tells us where we will be sitting and “do not move your chairs off the wall”. At this point they go out and locate Scott. They do not go and get the inmates until you are firmly in your seat. With a system that holds over two thousand inmates this can be quite a task. You learn this is why you let the inmate know you are coming. If not, they may be out on the yard and not in their cell. If there are a thousand men on the yard your loved one looks like an ant.
When the paneled cover door opens you can get a glimpse of what it is like on the “other side” but only for a brief moment. The inmate walks in, looking like they are ready for their first date. For inmates to come to the visiting room they must be in their penitentiary issued khaki shirt and pants along with their belt and black boots. Anything other than that and you get a one way trip back to your cell. Scott told us later that since he had never had a visitor at this location he had to borrow his cellmate’s boots to come and meet us. This is the part that I actually felt bad for the inmates - When that door opens and they see their loved ones they must walk past them to the CO’s desk and had them their identification card they were given on the other side of the door, after they were stripped searched. Once the CO has the card and gives the inmate permission they can turn around and walk over to where you are waiting. Leavenworth does have a policy where you can hug at the beginning of the visit and at the conclusion of the visit. Since most federal penitentiaries only have visitations through glass with each side on a recorded phone line this is a nice surprise to wives.
Scott opened the door and saw us and that is when I realized he is not a hardened criminal. He is not someone who lives to pump iron and kick ass all day. He is a normal guy. He is clean shaven, clothes are ironed and starched. I am a bit taken aback. This is not what I have been reading about and watching on TV. These guys walking through here were anyone you would pass on the street. I know that Federal Penitentiaries do not have the clientele that state prisons have but still. My view is beginning to change minute by minute.
Scott hugged his Mom so hard I thought I heard her bones crack. He pulled back at one point and said “Sorry Mom but I can’t help it” and hugged her again with just as much vigor. Next he grabbed onto Wilson and that is when the emotions took over. He had not seen his brother in 15 years. Wilson was 14 years old the last time he saw Scott. The last time his Mom had seen him it was through glass and there was no contact. Scott was very emotionally, and rightfully so. We learned that this was his first contact visit since 1999. Can you imagine not touching your family for 10 years? The only people you have contact with are officers and inmates. Not a favorable pool.
We sat there until around 11:00 when Wilson’s Mom decided to go out and let Ron come in. Both Wilson and I volunteered to go out but she protested and I think it had a lot to do with a nicotine habit. We got to speak to Scott for 10 minutes or so and it was so amazing. He was telling me about his crime, telling me stories about the penitentiary itself and how one inmate actually fooled the guards into thinking he was the fire marshall and walked right out the front door. He was later caught of course.
Ron came in and it was the flood of emotions all over again. This was his Dad and you could certainly tell. There was no denying this kid, he is a Wilson. You could watch Scott as he studied his Father’s face like he was trying to burn it into his memory for just one more year. We stayed that day until about 1:45 and loved every minute of it. When we left Ron said “I bet we just made his day. Hell, I bet we just made his year”. I bet we did too.
When we left we decided to drive into Kansas City and see a few sites before heading back to the hotel. That day was exhausting emotionally and physically. I was in bed and asleep by 6 pm. The next morning the alarm went off again at 5 am and we were ready to see what this day brought to us.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
My Trip to Leavenworth, Part 1
So this last week and this weekend I forged my way to Leavenworth Kansas for the only thing that is there – Prison. As you know I have a brother in law who is currently incarcerated there for a drug charge from 15 years ago. His total sentence is 17 ½ years with 5 years supervision for a total of 22 ½ years he owes the United States for his bad deed.
This is new territory for me. I come from a family of well educated white folks. We go to State Universities, not State Penitentiaries. Before Friday I had never even been to a city jail so as one of the visiting wives said “girl, you started with the big time” and I guess I did. Visiting days are only allowed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. We left my in laws house on Wednesday evening around 6:30 and started North. We knew we needed to get there sometime early afternoon Thursday to check out the city and find out where to be Friday morning.
From the direction we came into the town of Leavenworth we first passed all the razor wire then inmates out on the “yard”. The facility itself wasn’t over powering to the eye but you could certainly understand that the people there didn’t win an award to get in the gate. I thought to myself “oh this must be it” and since the grounds sprawled out for what seemed to be a mile I thought for sure this was it. What else would it be? Then I saw the sign Lansing Correctional Facility. Formerly known as Kansas State Penitentiary. Apparently there are a total of 4 “correctional” facilities in this city of only 74,000. There is really not much to the city other than an active Army Fort and Prisons. All kinds of prisons: State Prison, Federal Prison and Military Prison.
When we came to the main highway we decided to go ahead and find our hotel room and then find the penitentiary. Once checked in and unloaded we set off to find our way so that at 6 am the next morning there would be no confusion. We were told that the gates for visitors do not open until 7:30 but people tend to line up very early. However if you get there before 7:30 the officers will run you off the property so we were told to wait at the car wash that is directly across the street. As we headed West down Metropolitan Avenue, we saw a huge entrance with cars lined up to get in. Was this it? Was this Leavenworth? No, this was Fort Leavenworth the active military base and military prison. There were large signs warning of no unauthorized personnel beyond this point. We got back onto the road and continued West and then through tree you can see a hint of shine. The shine was from the enormous dome that was at the center of the front wall. We pass the visitors entrance, pass the employee entrance, and head straight into the horse shoe shaped drive. This was not an unassuming building. It was a colossal bolder of steal and rock that kept the free world safe from the demons on the inside. The walls around the building are 40 feet high, and 40 feet below, and they seemed so small compared to the massive building itself. This building was built by inmates at the Camp Leavenworth back in 1895 and made to look like the Capital Building in Washington DC. It did not disappoint. The 43 steps from the ground to the front door is so assuming and arrogant. It’s enough to take your breath away at first site. As we drive closer and steps become larger and the signs stating no unauthorized personnel become superior. At this point I am just in awe but not as much as when my father in law tells Wilson to “stop the car” as to which Wilson says “what”? Ron says “there are some guys over there and they can tell me where we need to go tomorrow morning”. Wilson apprehensively stops the car and Ron gets out and starts walking past the front barriers that clearly are telling him to stay back. When the officer notices Ron walking towards him he left the group he was walking with and made a straight line to Ron. We laughed in the car that they were going to draw their guns on him. He stood there and spoke to this gentleman who clearly was trying to walk him back to the general public side of the walkway. Although not the choice the rest of us would have picked we found out all of the information we needed for the next day.
At this point we decided to drive around and take in what we could of the landmark. The walls are forbidding and nothing much can be seen. This city within a city is certainly self contained and welcomes no intrusion from the outer world.
After talking to Scott we discovered that they can not see outside the windows that make up the façade in the building and at closer inspection they are frosted from outside invasion. Another point to which the world on the inside is drastically different from the world outside.
This is new territory for me. I come from a family of well educated white folks. We go to State Universities, not State Penitentiaries. Before Friday I had never even been to a city jail so as one of the visiting wives said “girl, you started with the big time” and I guess I did. Visiting days are only allowed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. We left my in laws house on Wednesday evening around 6:30 and started North. We knew we needed to get there sometime early afternoon Thursday to check out the city and find out where to be Friday morning.
From the direction we came into the town of Leavenworth we first passed all the razor wire then inmates out on the “yard”. The facility itself wasn’t over powering to the eye but you could certainly understand that the people there didn’t win an award to get in the gate. I thought to myself “oh this must be it” and since the grounds sprawled out for what seemed to be a mile I thought for sure this was it. What else would it be? Then I saw the sign Lansing Correctional Facility. Formerly known as Kansas State Penitentiary. Apparently there are a total of 4 “correctional” facilities in this city of only 74,000. There is really not much to the city other than an active Army Fort and Prisons. All kinds of prisons: State Prison, Federal Prison and Military Prison.
When we came to the main highway we decided to go ahead and find our hotel room and then find the penitentiary. Once checked in and unloaded we set off to find our way so that at 6 am the next morning there would be no confusion. We were told that the gates for visitors do not open until 7:30 but people tend to line up very early. However if you get there before 7:30 the officers will run you off the property so we were told to wait at the car wash that is directly across the street. As we headed West down Metropolitan Avenue, we saw a huge entrance with cars lined up to get in. Was this it? Was this Leavenworth? No, this was Fort Leavenworth the active military base and military prison. There were large signs warning of no unauthorized personnel beyond this point. We got back onto the road and continued West and then through tree you can see a hint of shine. The shine was from the enormous dome that was at the center of the front wall. We pass the visitors entrance, pass the employee entrance, and head straight into the horse shoe shaped drive. This was not an unassuming building. It was a colossal bolder of steal and rock that kept the free world safe from the demons on the inside. The walls around the building are 40 feet high, and 40 feet below, and they seemed so small compared to the massive building itself. This building was built by inmates at the Camp Leavenworth back in 1895 and made to look like the Capital Building in Washington DC. It did not disappoint. The 43 steps from the ground to the front door is so assuming and arrogant. It’s enough to take your breath away at first site. As we drive closer and steps become larger and the signs stating no unauthorized personnel become superior. At this point I am just in awe but not as much as when my father in law tells Wilson to “stop the car” as to which Wilson says “what”? Ron says “there are some guys over there and they can tell me where we need to go tomorrow morning”. Wilson apprehensively stops the car and Ron gets out and starts walking past the front barriers that clearly are telling him to stay back. When the officer notices Ron walking towards him he left the group he was walking with and made a straight line to Ron. We laughed in the car that they were going to draw their guns on him. He stood there and spoke to this gentleman who clearly was trying to walk him back to the general public side of the walkway. Although not the choice the rest of us would have picked we found out all of the information we needed for the next day.
At this point we decided to drive around and take in what we could of the landmark. The walls are forbidding and nothing much can be seen. This city within a city is certainly self contained and welcomes no intrusion from the outer world.
After talking to Scott we discovered that they can not see outside the windows that make up the façade in the building and at closer inspection they are frosted from outside invasion. Another point to which the world on the inside is drastically different from the world outside.
Cross Your Fingers
Tomorrow at 11:30 I have an appointment with Dr. Rodriguez for a saline sonogram. They are going to look at my uterus and make sure everything is alright. They are also going to inject die and make sure my tubes are clear. This is the part that worries me a bit. This is the same problem my Mother had 36 years ago. Wilson says it's all going to be alright and I sure hope he is right!!!!
I don't know how long it will take for the results, I'm hoping they know right then!!! Either way, I'll let you know!
Cross Your Fingers!
I don't know how long it will take for the results, I'm hoping they know right then!!! Either way, I'll let you know!
Cross Your Fingers!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Hurry Up........and wait
Wednesday 9-2-09 update:
Tuesday was our doctors appointment. It went really good. I have ovulatory dysfunction. I knew I was dysfunctional but I never thought that area would be the area of diagnosis.
I have to do blood tests and a sonogram Wednesday at 1:00. Then Wilson is getting his swimmers tested Thursday at 10:30.
I really feel good about this guy. We talk to the nurse first and she gets our info and then we go into the Dr.’s office and wait for him. While we are in there Wilson said “You did good picking this guy”. I said “How do you know – we haven’t even seen him yet”. He said “Tonya, read his card he is the Director of Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technologies for all of Presbyterian Hospital!”. I was like “are you serious”. So we got the top guy.
We told him about Dr. Salter and him doing NOTHING. He was writing his name down and asking what city and hospital he was out of and then he looked up and said “why do I care who he is – he didn’t do a damn thing for you – that’s why you’re here!” Like I said, I like him. He gave me the name and number of an OBGYN and Wilson said “so is this guy that you are referring us to – is he going to be more aggressive than Dr. Salter?” and Dr. Rodriguez said “No. This is for after I get you pregnant so you will be seeing him soon”.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed!!!!!
Thursday 9-3-09 update:
Well the initial consultation went good but it’s been downhill since then.
I went back yesterday to get my sonogram and blood work done. My blood would not cooperate so I will probably have to go back again. Holy S I just looked down and I have the biggest freakin bruise on my arm from where she tried to take blood. My sister said she must have “blew the vein”.
So the bad news, or potentially bad news is, that I have ovarian cysts. I don’t think that it is all that big of a deal but I’m not really a doctor – I just play one on the internet. They said they won’t have my blood work back until probably Friday morning and then they are closed at noon on Friday so it will probably be Tuesday before I know anything.
I know I have 2 cysts on one side and 1 cyst on the other side. The nurse did say that they are not large enough to be worried about so that is good. I have been doing some reading in my medical text book (aka the internet) and they say unless they are a certain type of cyst it does not interfere with fertility. Crossing my fingers.
Wilson had his little swimmers tested this morning and they are suppose to be sending those findings over right now. I’m sure we will just find out everything when we go back in. I still have to wait until I start again before I can do the dye test to check and see if my tubes are blocked. That has to be done day 6-10 after you start so now it’s just a waiting game, again.
The nurse did tell me yesterday that they will probably put me on the pill for a little while. She was telling me because she didn’t want me to freak out when I come back and they say that I need to go on the pill. It just seems so counter productive.
I want to start Chlomid TODAY but it doesn’t look like they are going to let me. I guess since they are the professionals I will do as I am told.
Tuesday was our doctors appointment. It went really good. I have ovulatory dysfunction. I knew I was dysfunctional but I never thought that area would be the area of diagnosis.
I have to do blood tests and a sonogram Wednesday at 1:00. Then Wilson is getting his swimmers tested Thursday at 10:30.
I really feel good about this guy. We talk to the nurse first and she gets our info and then we go into the Dr.’s office and wait for him. While we are in there Wilson said “You did good picking this guy”. I said “How do you know – we haven’t even seen him yet”. He said “Tonya, read his card he is the Director of Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technologies for all of Presbyterian Hospital!”. I was like “are you serious”. So we got the top guy.
We told him about Dr. Salter and him doing NOTHING. He was writing his name down and asking what city and hospital he was out of and then he looked up and said “why do I care who he is – he didn’t do a damn thing for you – that’s why you’re here!” Like I said, I like him. He gave me the name and number of an OBGYN and Wilson said “so is this guy that you are referring us to – is he going to be more aggressive than Dr. Salter?” and Dr. Rodriguez said “No. This is for after I get you pregnant so you will be seeing him soon”.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed!!!!!
Thursday 9-3-09 update:
Well the initial consultation went good but it’s been downhill since then.
I went back yesterday to get my sonogram and blood work done. My blood would not cooperate so I will probably have to go back again. Holy S I just looked down and I have the biggest freakin bruise on my arm from where she tried to take blood. My sister said she must have “blew the vein”.
So the bad news, or potentially bad news is, that I have ovarian cysts. I don’t think that it is all that big of a deal but I’m not really a doctor – I just play one on the internet. They said they won’t have my blood work back until probably Friday morning and then they are closed at noon on Friday so it will probably be Tuesday before I know anything.
I know I have 2 cysts on one side and 1 cyst on the other side. The nurse did say that they are not large enough to be worried about so that is good. I have been doing some reading in my medical text book (aka the internet) and they say unless they are a certain type of cyst it does not interfere with fertility. Crossing my fingers.
Wilson had his little swimmers tested this morning and they are suppose to be sending those findings over right now. I’m sure we will just find out everything when we go back in. I still have to wait until I start again before I can do the dye test to check and see if my tubes are blocked. That has to be done day 6-10 after you start so now it’s just a waiting game, again.
The nurse did tell me yesterday that they will probably put me on the pill for a little while. She was telling me because she didn’t want me to freak out when I come back and they say that I need to go on the pill. It just seems so counter productive.
I want to start Chlomid TODAY but it doesn’t look like they are going to let me. I guess since they are the professionals I will do as I am told.
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