I've been taking advantage of the yucky weather to get some more work done on my soon to be daughter-in-laws family tree. I get so caught up in it, I want to share it with her right away. I forget that not all people get so excited about genealogy. Oh, well. So our fun out here has been a small family (herd) of deer that eat in our yard twice a day. On the down side of things, I have been having a hard time healthwise. While I hope this next surgery will help, it's causing a lot of anxiety in me, and Mike is having a real hard time accepting the fact that I will be alright. We will get through this, I have faith that God is with me and will stay with me through it all. Enough said.

Moose came home! I lectured the little guy about scaring mama, but only as a cat can, he only wanted the food dish!

What a day! Went to Siren with Kenna, Sarah, and her mom Barb to find dresses for the wedding. Both Barb and I found one. I so didn't want to look like a "matron". And I will not! Beautiful sparkles on the top, little jacket, and black draped skirt. I told Sarah that I may start crying now, and not stop until September10th!  Definitely had a better day today than yesterday. Mike and I took his mom to Eau Claire for her eye appointment, and I ended up with both a migraine and a horrible Chiari headache. I am so ready for this surgery to hopefully alleviate some of the daily pain. Plans are made to stay at Kathy's House in Milwaukee and trying to figure out what to do with the dogs. Shadow just might have to stay at a kennel, which makes me nervous. He is such a people dog and hates being alone. Either we are with him or Hazel and he are together. Uff da! What to do! And to top that, my Moose is missing! He got out the other night, and we cannot find him anywhere! I hope he is hiding nearby and will come home soon. This weather tonight will scare him. Mike called the neighbor to let them know to watch for him. They lost their cat last fall, so they feel our pain.

I spent Friday with my mother-in-law shopping in Rice Lake. We had lunch with my kids, their girls, my mom, and Mike Magana, who is home on leave from the Marines. He spent a large amount of time with my family while in high school. It was so good to see him before he goes to Afghanistan for a second tour. Mighty proud of that boy! It was a long day, running after an 81 year old who can go faster than me! Tomorrow we leave for Bloomington, MN to attend my dads retirement dinner from AMPI. Should be fun, my brothers will be there and my sister can't make it because she has all those 2nd graders to teach! On the downside of things, my lovely husband gave me his cold! My nose is so raw from blowing it!

Yesterday we had my family over to celebrate March birthdays. All together, there are 6 birthdays in March, plus Moms on February 28th. We had a great time, especially my nieces, Emma & Sarah. Last night, we went to the New Hideaway to celebrate Wes' 22nd birthday. It's hard to believe my little 6'3 boy is that old. Mike had to work at 11, so we came home early. I had a date with my pillow! My headaches aren't getting any better, so I scheduled my surgery for May 16th down in Milwaukee. I'm hoping for at least a 50% reduction in the pain. Maybe. Mike is very worried, but I have great faith that things will go good. There is no cure for Chiari, but surgery can halt the symptoms sometimes.

I am having some quiet time right now. Mike is out ice fishing, hoping for some crappies for supper tomorrow night! I finally called the Chiari Center in Milwaukee to tell them I am ready to have my surgery. It feels like a weight is off my shoulders. I just have to wait for the scheduler to call in the next few days. Dr. Heffez, my neurosurgeon, is great and I have faith in his ability to "redo" my previous decompression. It will require Mike to take two weeks off work, but we'll manage. I'm hoping Kenna can stay at our place to take care of the animals. I've been reading other Chiarians journeys and am feeling less alone with all of this. I know I have my family and husbands support, but unless you actually have the problem, it is hard to know how it really feels.

Spent Thursday night in the ER for a migraine that wouldn't stop. I normally don't have much good to say about our small town ER, but this time they went above and beyond for me. I didn't go home pain free, but almost and that was good enough for me. I have had migraines for 30 years and it doesn't get any easier, especially with my Chiari complications. I go see my Neurologist next week and hopefully find some new ways to prevent and treat the migraines. After that. I need to decide if  I want to have another brain surgery. Or need to I guess. My husband is scared to death about this decision. I don't blame him. My faith in the Lord will see us through this difficult time.