Thanksgiving

We went home to Florida to visit my family! We had a blast and are so thankful that we could all be together. I was especially grateful because I was able to see my grandparents who have not been doing well. My grandaddy opened up more than he normally does and was very emotional with all of us sisters (and rest of the family). He told us again that he prays for his family (everyone by name) every single night. He also opened up and told us that he didn't know if he was going to make it to see his grandchildren again. He cried and I cried. My grandaddy has always been such a great father-figure for me and my sisters. I love my grandparents so much and am so thankful for their love for all of us.

Weekend with the Luceros

A little blurry but all four us at their house







Painting Pottery








Our bowls--yay! I painted a rooster and Hannah has a red and yellow design in a black bowl....she messed her's up so ended up painting everything but the design black. ha ha Hannah







Our hunter men!


Josh and I went to visit Mac and Hannah in Lynchburg. The boys planned on hunting and Hannah and I were going to have a day of painting pottery (which is so fun if you have never done it). We had such a good time as always. So Josh and I got there Friday night and we just hung out. Saturday morning Josh and Mac got up bright and early to go hunting. Both of them were stoked to go hunting. Hannah and slept in and then woke up to have breakfast. We were super lazy for a while and laid on the couch and watched "The Devil Wears Prada." Well, when we finally got ready and were leaving around 1pm, low and behold the boys came home. Now we thought that was just strange...and probably not good news. They came inside and were completely bummed because that said they saw not a one deer out in the woods....they even fell asleep in the woods because they must have gotten so sleepy and bored looking for deer. No sight of em' so they came home. Poor boys!

Well, Hannah and I left the boys and went to do our thing...lunch and pottery. We decided to do a large pasta bowl, which ended up taking forever! We watched people come in, paint, and leave as we were there from about 3-9 (I think). We had a ton of fun and I can't wait to see what our pasta bowl look like when they are fired! Ladies, if you have never painted pottery before it is a lot of fun!

Sometimes I forget...

I think most, if not all know that I teach high school Spanish at a great public school in Vienna, VA. There are many days when I simply forget that my students may be struggling in different areas of their lives (i.e. addictions, lonliness, rejection, school stress, peer pressure, abuse, family issues, etc). Yesterday I was brought back to reality and reminded of these issues.

After one of my students received one of her graded assignments I think she realized it was time for her to stay after and speak with me. I could tell she was very stressed and discouraged and she was asking what all she could do to improve her grade. She mentioned she was not doing well in one of her other classes as well.

This particular student is a typical cheerful cheerleader (smiling, laughing, outgoing, etc). Despite her normal cheerful spirt I could tell there was more going on in her life than just grades. I simply asked her if everything was going alright and tears filled her eyes as she began to sob. She stayed for a while through a 30-minute SAP (which is a student assistance period) and through most of her math class. She opened up about her family life (divorced parents, father married new wife and is having a baby). It was clear that she was so very hurt.

I listened to her, but also shared my parents story and my (almost non-existent relationship) with my father. I also shared with her that I thought it was okay if she did not want to be close to her father right now, but may decide to draw closer to him as she heals.

After we finished chatting I just hugged her and hugged her more. She cried again and I just got all teary-eyed because I remember how I felt about my parents divorce (even at 18 yrs old) and the way my dad treated all of us (including my mom).

It was a great reminder to me that I need to remember that these teenagers may be going through so very much and I may never know. As a teacher it is important that I remember that and learn to be a compassionate teacher. I pray that God will give me a compassionate heart for these teens.

Weekend with the Koons

View of the Potomac River looking out of GW's house











Josh, me, Kara, Kurt









Washington's home










Kara and I









Kurt and Kara

This past Wednesday my sister-in-law Kara and her husband Kurt came up to visit. We had a great time! Most of our time was spent eating....ha ha! We toured Mt. Vernon, went downtown
see the National Mall, and relaxed at our house and watched TV and movies. It was nice because we never felt any need to get up early and rush everywhere, which is exactly how I like it!

Zipper

So yesterday morning at school I was rushing around, getting my coffee, and setting up a couple of students for a test. When I got the two students set up in another room I walked into class, got my students attention and reminded them of their test. As I was explaining a couple of things about their test I noticed a couple of girls snickering and I immediately thought to myself, "Oh dear God, is my zipper undone?" I had a gut feeling it was so I stuck to my gut and as I was holding up a paper I made sure it was covering the zipper region. I quickly finished talking and walked outside the classroom (totally non-nonchalantly) to check my zipper. YEP, it was undone! I knew it dangit!

I walked back into class, sat down at my desk and then whispered to a couple of girls in front of me if they knew my zipper was down and they said no. So I proceeded to ask my class who was the culprit that didn't tell me my zipper was down. They all started laughing but then all denied knowing that my zipper was down. I said, "Look, if my zipper is ever down or if I have a giant booger in my nose then just say 'Dude, Mrs. Walker you got a booger!' or 'Dude, Mrs. Walker your zipper is down!'." They thought it was hysterical and claimed that I should have just kept my mouth shut because no one would have ever known that my zipper was down. ha ha

Come to find out, one of the girls that I asked to begin with said she knew and she noticed I covered my zipper region up with the paper. Oh those days...

Safari with the Luceros

Two weekends ago Josh and I went to Lynchburg, VA to see Mac and Hannah Lucero (one of my best friends growing up and still one of my best friends :-) ). We had a great time there...I even skipped a grad paper to go and still haven't turned it in. I guess I shouldn't really be proud of that! :-) Well, while we were there we went to a safari zoo! Can you believe there is a safari zoo in Virginia? Yep....camels, Vietnamese pigs, deer, ostrich, zebras, bison, llamas, and oh so many more come up to your car and you get to feed them out of the window. We had a blast!

Our New Puppy Sadie

We have a new addition to the Walker family! Josh and I got a puppy named Sadie. She is a sweet little Cockapoo and is now 11 weeks old. We were not planning on getting another dog but were in the Amish country and happen to see a sign for Cockapoos and just couldn't pass up seeing what they looked like! Of course the moment we stopped and saw them there was no turning back! She and Annie have now become best buds and I think feels like she is the mama of baby Sadie. They love to play together and are wearing each other out!

Meet Sadie!

Tennis Shoes

So I went to the doctor on Wednesday and you won't believe it! I am out of my walking boot of a month, and in to my own tennis shoes now! Woot-Woot! I can walk, swim, bike, lay by the pool, and drive! I haven't done any of that in 3 months!

The doctor said things are looking super good at this point. He couldn't believe my range of motion and just how well all of this has healed. I have been a case study at Georgetown University Hospital so I guess that is pretty cool. ha!

Next week I am off to Florida for a week and then off to Atlanta to see my other family (Josh's family). I am very excited about those 2 trips.

We are also trying to find a town home to buy here in D.C. which is SUPER expensive! We are praying for God's guidance in all of this. We have been searching and searching and just haven't had any luck. God knows best and I need to trust in Him.

3 weeks of summer left

So I only have three weeks of summer left and it stinks because all I did this summer was have surgeries and recuperate! Poo! For the last few weeks I decided to fly to Tampa August 13-19 to see my sisters, nieces, brother-in-law, and mom. My mom is driving down for a week so I am going to stroll in town to see her for a few days. I am excited! I am going to try and surprise my nieces and nephew: Adalyn, Emma, Lucas, and Aeva.

After I get back from Tampa, Josh and I are flying to Atlanta to see his family. We are excited about seeing his family since our trips earlier in June didn't pan out due to my chronic illness.

Finally, once I get back from Atlanta I start to school on August 25. Ask me if I am excited? Not in the least bit. :-)

Dinner for the first time in 2 1/2 months

Last night was the first time I made dinner in 2 1/2 months. It was nice to be back in the kitchen. I even used the same knife that cut my foot (that was a little nerve-racking). Josh was delighted for me to cook dinner since he has either been without home-cooked meals during my hospital stay or when I have been at home recuperating, he has been the one cooking in the kitchen. Josh loves cooking, but since he has not gotten any sleep over the past couple of months and still has been working full time, he has just been worn out. He has been so wonderful these past couple of months and I am so thankful and blessed to have a husband like him.

Crutchless and IV-less Woman

My mother-in-law left this past Saturday. She was such a help and we were really able to enjoy ourselves and do some shopping and eating out together. Funny enough, one day while we were shopping she accidentally drove off with my crutches leaning on the car. When we went back to get them about 30 minutes later that evening, they were gone! ha ha We went back the next day and what'd ya know...the security "vice" folks picked them up out of the parking lot so I wasn't "crutchless".

Today I got my pick line taking out so I am officially done with IV antibiotics. I have been on IV antibiotics for 2 1/2 months now and I am SO stinkin' happy I am done with it!

Staples and Stitches Out

My mother-in-law Brenda came this past Saturday to stay for 2 weeks. She has been a great help as she has been taking me to doctors appointments, helping cook and clean, and taking me out to the mall, etc. It's been fun!

I went to the doctor and they said my wounds look great! They took out my stitches and staples in both my arm and foot. They told me I could get them wet in the shower (but not soak them) which was music to my ears.

I start physical therapy next week on both my foot and arm, which means I can put weight on my foot next week. I also went to the Infectious Disease doc and he wants me to stay on IV antibiotics for at least 2 more weeks to be sure we get the infection cleared out.

I am excited about physical therapy (although it will hurt)! :-)

Only One Good Arm

Hannah in my wheel chair!




My leg has atrophied and there is a shot of my foot.
I'll spare you pics of my arm! They are disgusting!
Well my foot is not pleasant either but my arm is much worse!


Hey guys! I am sorry that I have not kept up my blog...I only have one good arm right now and can only type with that one arm.

My surgery was exactly 2 weeks and a day ago and I am doing much better. After my surgery I begged them to let me go home soon (obviously when they felt it was best)...I went home Thursday, June 19th. When the nurses told me that the doctors wrote the discharge papers that was music to my ears!

I have a splint on my left arm (donor area), stitches on my upper leg (skin graft for my wrist), splint on my right leg, and an IV running in my right arm (IV antibiotics 3x/day)....all 4 limbs have something going on! I have a wheel chair (for longer distances) and a Roll-About (to get along in my home). I have an IV home care nurse that comes once a week to draw blood and a wound care nurse that has been coming 1-2 times per week to check and change the dressings 0n my wounds. When she doesn't come Josh changes them. They are to be changed everyday.

One of my best friends, Hannah Lucero, and her husband Mac, came to visit/help June 21-23. They live in Lynchburg, VA which is about 3 hours away. The boys went to the NRA to shoot and me and Hannah watched a chick flick (Fool's Gold--not that great!) We had a great time with them!

This past Friday I had a friend/co-worker, Cathy Cody come to visit...she brought flowers and yummy parfaits for me and Josh. We chatted and caught up on school news and life. Then that evening our dear friends, Paul and Barb Wert from church, came to visit and brought dinner from Famous Dave's (bbq). It was delicious! We really enjoyed visiting with them and greatly appreciated the dinner!

Finally, my mother-in-law Brenda, flew in today for 2 weeks to help out. Josh are thankful that she could come. My mom came 2 different times to help and it was wonderful so I know this will be great too!


I'll write more later!

Surgery Tomorrow

Hey everyone! I just wanted to let you all know that I am having surgery tomorrow morning at 7:30am. They will come and get me at about 6:30am...so early!

I am excited about starting my recovery process. I am also nervous about waking up with all sorts of parts on my body hurting....no so thrilled about that!

I got final word that I will be in ICU for 48 hours and then hopefully back to a private room where I can get back to emailing and updating my blog.

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Much love to you all!

Greasy Hair, Pain Killers, No Surgery Today

Greasy Hair:
Josh was so sweet last night! After a long day of working and staying up late the night before, Josh came prepared to the hospital with shampoo, conditioner, hair dryer, and my absolute favorite...the Chi (my hair straightener). I am itching to give you an analogy of just how greasy my hair was, but I will spare you the details. Needless to say, my hair had not been looking so hot and I had had enough! I wanted to feel remotely clean when I went to surgery the next morning. We both squeezed into my tiny hospital bathroom (which is in no way handicap accessible and we are not the smallest people... you know), and he lathered up my hair and helped me shampoo and condition it! You have no idea how good it felt! I finally got it dried and straightened and was ready for bed.

Pain Killers:
I could not get comfortable last night for multiple reasons: the hospital sheets have got to be 25 count sheets or less, I lay all day, and my hands/fingers/legs/feet/entire body were aching! I finally asked for a little assistance....Benadryl and my fav, Dilaudid! I slept from 12am-5am with no problems or bathroom breaks! It was fantastic!

No surgery today:
Basically, the doctors came in at 8:15 this morning to examine my foot and decide whether or not I needed surgery (debridement) today and also to discuss the different scenarios for my re-constructive foot surgery on Friday. Survey said: No surgery today. I was thrilled! The wound looked good and the cultures still came back negative. On the other hand, if the biopsy does not come back tomorrow with good news, then my Friday surgery will be turned into a debridement and re-constructive surgery will be pushed back. Also, I found out that I am anemic (likely due to my chronic illness), so they had to give me a blood transfusion today (2 units) to be sure that I had enough blood for the planned surgery on Friday.

Please continue to pray and specifically that God will grant the doctors wisdom as they are searching and analyzing the best scenario for the re-constructive surgery on my foot. The micro-surgeon explained that he has done hundreds of surgeries similar, however my wound is smaller than most, but more complicated because of where it is located on my foot.

Debridements of the bone are painful!

I have gotta tell all of you...cleaning, scraping, cutting the bone is extremely painful! Yesterday, I had a surgery where they did just that...a debridement. When I woke up after surgery I was in excruciating pain! They gave me some kind of pain medication...nothing happened....then Morphine...nothing happened. Finally, I asked them for Dilaudid (which is a little bit stronger than Morphine) and that, in combination with Vicodin, did the job!

When I got back from surgery my dept. chair, Kathy Flinn, was here to visit. It was so nice to see her and we got to chat it up a little. It is hard being here at the hospital all day alone. I suppose this is a great time to draw near to God....it is just hard though.

Well, tomorrow (Wed.) I am having another surgery (debridement). I am not looking forward to it at all. My body is extremely exhausted! I have to remember that God says He will not give me more than I can handle. I feel like I cannot handle much more. I need to trust Him.

Georgetown Hospital

I can't believe I started a blog but I felt it would be easier for people to keep up that way. Just a disclaimer: I am not the world's most talented writer so don't be alarmed!

Most people know that I have been having a lot of problems with my foot. How? Well, it all started with Josh throwing knives at me when I made him angry! :-) No really, I dropped a clean Henkels knife on my foot, cutting the tendon that runs to the dominant toe, completely in half.

I have now had a total of 7 surgeries since May 1. (I will spare the details unless you ask). It has been very crazy to say the least! I am currently at Georgetown Hospital and at this point it is simply a "waiting game" and we are going day by day. I had surgery (bone biopsy) this past Friday, which was originally supposed to be an outpatient surgery. When I woke up in the Post-Op room the doctors informed me that I would be staying for a bit due to a serious infection in my bone! Basically, the surface of my bone was rotting. They cut the bone and got rid of the erosion (rotting). Furthermore, my tendon was completely shot and was rotting away as well. Needless to say they took out the tendon so I currently have NO tendon!

I will have a series of debridements (debridement is a medical term referring to the removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue to improve the healing potential of the remaining healthy tissue), which will be done in the OR room. SHOCKER! After the bone is clean and the doctors feel ready and confident, I will have "re-constructive" surgery on my foot. The plan is to take the tendon and artery from my wrist (each person has an extra tendon and artery in his wrist), bone from hip, and skin from thigh, and plug it all into my foot. This process is a 7-8 hour surgery!

Tomorrow I have another surgery (a debridement). Please keep me and Josh in your prayers as all of this has been very difficult, not just for me, but also for Josh. :-)

I never ever thought I would start a blog...Here goes!