The power of God

Most of you know by now that my Grandma passed away on Saturday afternoon. It was extremely hard and I miss her more than I ever could have imagined. This is a long story, so sit back and relax. The ending is nothing short of amazing though, so it's worth it.



On Friday my Grandma had been having pain 10 times worse than it have ever been before. The dr decided to run some more xrays to try and figure out what was going on. He also put a feeding tube in her nose, because she still wasn't eating anything at all. When they got the results of her xrays there were multiple hip and pelvic fractures that hadn't been there that hadn't been there when they took xrays on Wednesday. Obviously they needed to look into it more, so they had to run even more tests on her. Saturday morning my mom called me at 6 in the morning and said it wasn't good at all. My Grandma was diagnosed with blood cancer that was going through her body and braking all of her bones :( Their options were to keep her on pain meds and since her body can't metabloize it she would go fast, or take her off of the meds and she would suffer but her life would be prolonged. Obviously we aren't heartless, so we chose to keep her on pain meds. She had also started having what they call the death rattle. It just sounds like when you have a rattle and need to cough. I went right away to the hospital with my parents, so I could be with her. When I walked into that room it wasn't my Grandma I was looking at. She was scary thin and yellow. She was moaning in pain and struggling to breath, and she had that ugly tube coming out of her nose. The dr and a nurse came in about a half an hour after we got there, and told us that lab results showed she only had hours left to live. They wanted to know if they could take the tube out of her nose, keep her on pain meds and agitation meds to just keep her comfortable while she went. We agreed that would be best for her, so from there on out that's what they did. We called all our family, so they could come say goodbye. I even called Anth, so that he could get a sitter and come be with me because I knew I couldn't go through it without him. Even though she had been sleeping all day I like to think she felt us there with her. Anyway...all day long she had been struggling to breathe and moaning while she slept. It was really hard to listen to her, but the dr and nurses all said she was comfortable and fine and all of us continued to sit with her all day long. About 4:15 in the afternoon 2 of my cousins husbands came to give her a final blessing. I sat and held her hand as they did and just watched her. You could feel everything get really calm about halfway through the blessing, and my Grandma's breathing even started to calm down and become quieter. Once they finished the blessing I continued to sit with her. I rubbed her hair and told her I loved her, and my mom laid on her and cried. I felt so bad for her. I tried to comfort her, but I knew nothing I said would. My mom and I both looked at my Grandma and one single tear came out of her eye, and then she took her last breath. It was nothing short of amazing! She had been struggling all day, and within minutes of that final blessing she just had that one tear, and then she was gone. I know it's sad, but God was there with us. I don't care how religious you are, or even what religion you practice that was a very spiritual experience. I will miss my Grandma like crazy for as long as I live, but that experience helped comfort me, because she was so peaceful and I know God was there the entire time!

It's really hard

I know right now everyone is trying to be all positive and uplifting, but with the situation at hand I just don't think I can. I'm just going to apologize right now for all my negativeness (if that's even a word). Yes I am thankful for all the great things and people that I have in my life, but one of the most important people in my life is not ok right now so it's taking it's toll on me. My grandma ended up being admitted to the hospital on Wednesday afternoon. They have ran tons of tests and poked and prodded at her nonstop. They took away all of her dignity, and they continue to use her as a pincushion. Her sugars were scary low, and that was what was causing her dilusions. They have to poke her every hour to check her blood sugars. We were told yesterday that she has advanced liver failure. Her liver is dying, and she is too old for a transplant. Unless one of us can donate to her (if it's even an option) then we are losing her. We don't know how fast it's going to be, but she is in pain. Apparently your liver dying is a VERY painful process. Since her liver is dying toxins are being released into her body which is causing her to feel sick. Since she is sick she doesn't want to eat, and since she isn't eating her sugar levels are low. She is dehydrated, and no amount of water is helping. She is retaining water in her legs and hands which just baffles me since she is dehydrated. I'm confused and upset, and I just keep hoping and praying that when the specialist comes in today he can give us good news about one of us being able to donate. As far as I know many of us are willing to. Anth and I have talked about me possibly donating. He was surprised that was something I would do, but my grandma is like my second mom and I can't stand the thought of losing her. Please continue to keep her in your prayers, because really at this point it's all we can do :(

Prayers needed again

My Grandma is going downhill fast, and I would really appreciate prayers from anyone who is willing to help. Since her recent diagnosis she has slept for days at a time. She doesn't know what day it is even, and since she doesn't know what day it is she will think she has taken her medication when she really hasn't. My Aunt Jennifer is out here for the week to help her. She just text my mom and told her that my Grandma can no longer be left alone. She is too nauseous to eat and she isn't taking her meds, and she has asked my Aunt multiple times where she is. My family and I are extremely worried about her, and we don't know what is going to happen. When my Aunt leaves on Friday my Grandma is going to have to come stay with my parents, but we are just going to have to play it by ear from there on out.

I want, I want, I want!

Anthony and I have been talking about buying a house a lot lately, and I have been getting online to look at houses available and I WANT one now lol That sounds really bratty of me doesn't it. I would love to stay in Stansbury, but I don't know. Anth wants a house that needs a little work done to it, so that he can fix it up and make it our own. I am ok with that. I would love to take a HUD home (depending on the shape it's in), and fix it up. I found one house on utahrealestate.com. It's a HUD home for only $114,900. It has 5 bedrooms and 1 and 3/4 baths. It needs some work in the yard which is great because Anth really wants to do our landscaping himself, and some definite painting done to it (the kitchen is flourescent green!!!), but other than that it looks great. Anth says to call on it, so we'll just have to see I guess. My friend's uncle actually use to own the house and she says it has a big basement. Sounds perfect for Anth's "man cave" that he wants! Now is such a great time to buy with the first time home buyer tax credit being extended until June too. A lot of things point to it being a great time for us to buy, so we'll just have to do a little more research to make sure we are ready!

Not at all what we were thinking!!!

My Grandma finally went to the dr yesterday to get the results from her CT scan, and to figure out why she is still in so much pain when she pulled her muscle a month and a half ago. They had originally thought she was having problems with her pancreas and that she had a pulled groin muscle, but that's not the case at all! She has a swollen liver from bile stones. She has osteoporosis, and she has a broken bone in her back! No wonder the poor lady can barely move. They won't do surgery on her back, so I don't know what they are going to do for her besides pain meds. They gave her other meds to take care of her other problems, so basically she is a walking pharmacy now.

Today I am thankful for...

*The sweet text messages that I woke up to from my husband.
*Self-control
*Grandparents who are willing to tend, so my hubby and I can have date nights
*Heart-to-heart talks with good friends
*Cuddling with my babies
*All the "spunky" little attitudes in this house that keep me laughing

I love my hubby!!!

I just had to get on here and brag to all of you about what a great husband I have! Anth knows I have been stressed lately about keeping everything perfect for inspection, and he also knows how much I LOVE the Twilight series. So today he calls me on his break to surprise me and tell me that he arranged for his mom to tend (Thanks Cindie!), so that he can take me out to dinner on Saturday and to go see New Moon. I can't wait! I'm sure New Moon will be packed, and we will have to buy our tickets early but I don't even care. I couldn't ask for a more thoughtful husband!

2 down and 3 to go

Syd woke up with a really sore throat today. She has been exposed to swine flu and strep throat, so it could be either or it could be nothing. Obviously I am hoping for nothing, but you never really know. THIS is one reason why I hate the cold seasons. Everyone gets sick, and unfortunately there aren't many ways to avoid it.

Today I am thankful for...

*Warm baths to soak in
*Church for my family to learn
*Plants to bring life and color into our home
*My nephews who, although wild, know how to give us all a good laugh!
*Juice to give my family vitamins to help them get over sickness
*Innocence...it's rare in kids anymore, but I am so glad that my kids still have it

7 stitches later

Anth, being the nice husband that he is, was cleaning the house for me today while I was at my purse party. While he was cleaning a mirror that we have somehow a big chunk broke off, and it sliced his finger! That man is SO accident prone. I swear as soon as he gets over one injury he is on to his next. We took him to the ER, and luckily they weren't too busy. The nurse that cleaned him up and got him ready for stitches wasn't exactly bright though. She didn't numb him before she cleaned the cut, so the poor guy had to deal with the pain of the soap and her scrubbing. Then she couldn't figure out how to wrap it once the dr was done. I really think Tasia could've done a better job wrapping it lol Anyway...the dr said the skin won't make it, so it will eventually shrivel up and fall off. Gross huh! For now it is serving as a protective layer to the exposed tissue underneath until it can heal. The nurse who checked him in said she thought his visit should be free since he was cleaning the house. Wouldn't it be nice if that were really the case???

Swine flu

Yes folks, the swine flu has started it's rounds in the Quintana household. Saturday night we all went to dinner then my oldest sister got it, my little sister got it, her boyfriend got it and now my baby has it :( She has had a horribly high fever that has her laying around doing nothing. It takes motrin and tylenol a full hour to bring the fever down. Once it's down she is ok, but it sure kicks her butt when it is up. Her dr also told us we need to watch for signs on pnuemonia, because she doesn't have a booger nose but she is coughing stuff up (gross I know) which means it is in her lungs. Poor girl doesn't want to eat, but she is drinking fluids and her dr said as long as she is doing that we don't need to worry. We started her on her tamiflu last night, but she is contagious for 7 days!!! I will be VERY shocked if none of the rest of us end up with it.

Today I am thankful for great health insurance! We only paid $15 for 2 prescriptions, and I have a friend who with insurance paid $50 for the Tamiflu alone.

Waking up early really can be productive

I have been up since 5:30, because my mind is going a million miles an hour with all the things I need to get done around here. We have inspection AGAIN, so psycho clean mode HERE I COME! I have already done 2 loads of laundry, cleaned my kitchen and picked up my living room today though and it's only 7:19 in the morning. It's going to be a productive day...if I get myself off the computer lol Just kidding! I would go crazy if I sat on here all day. There is only so much you can do on the computer before you start repeating things and you get bored.

Now for my list of things I am thankful for...

*Good health
*Quiet time in the morning before my kids get up
*Computers and internet to google things I am clueless about!
*Weekend breakfast that my hubby cooks for us
*Making new family traditions with my kids
*Decorating for the holidays to get everyone in the spirit of things

Time to get kids ready for school. Have a great day everyone!

Just call me slacker...

I know I am suppose to be posting everyday about things that I am thankful for, but this weekend was so hectic I never even had a chance to get on the computer. Saturday night we went to Benihana's for my grandpa's birthday dinner. It was SO yummy, but SO expensive!!! Definitely not a dinner you do all the time with a family of 5. I'm glad we got to go though. The kids were amazed at the cool stuff the cooks could do. They were all very good, and I was definitely pleased. So I guess one thing I am thankful for is well mannered children :)



Sunday I decided to go help my mom do all the things she does to help my grandma. My mom goes up every Sunday after church, and takes my grandma grocery shopping for the last few years. Recently my grandma pulled her groin muscle and within 2 weeks pulled it again, so she can barely get around. She is walking with a cane, and since it hurts her to move she doesn't move much and it is causing her muscles to become stiff. She can't clean her house, and laundry is out of the question because it is in the basement and she can't do stairs at all. My poor grandma hasn't left her house in a month, because she can't walk very well. On top of all that she has been having some major stomach problems. Her favorite foods (like milk and cheese) kill her stomach. They think her pancreas is going out, so she has to have a CT scan done on Wednesday.
My uncle Mike will be here today from California, but she was stressed about her house not being clean enough for him so while my mom did all the grocery shopping I did all her cleaning and laundry. I came home feeling like a horrible grandaughter, because I don't get up to Ogden to see her enough and she isn't getting any younger :( Anth and I have decided that we need to make it up there at least once a month. I would hate to lose her and have that regret that I didn't get to spend time with her when I am perfectly capable of getting up there.

My 5 things

I just got done reading Hayley's blog, and she challenged everyone to list 5 things you love. There are stipulations though. It can't be your family, and it has to be something strictly for you. Be a little selfish, because sometimes you need it! So here are my 5 things.....

1-Reading a book in the bath. I love reading period, but to be able to shut the door and just relax and get lost in a book while in the bath is completely different.

2-Going dancing. Yes I know the only place to do that is a bar or club, but I love getting on the dance floor with my sister and my friends and having a good time. My legs aren't always so happy with me the next day, but it's worth it.

3-Watching my shows uninterrupted. It doesn't happen often, but I love when I can focus my attention on it and not miss something because I had to go take care of something else.

4-Purses!!! I LOVE purses!!! They don't have to be designer. I don't care if they are from Walmart as long as they are cute. Anth says I have too many purses, but I think I need more (Guess that's why I am having another purse party in 2 weeks lol)

5-Shoes. I think shoes make an outfit. I wish I had more money to spend on shoes for myself, because I definitely would. I prefer high heels of any type (boots, sandals, heels etc.). I don't know why since Anth is only about 3 inches taller than me, but I think heels can dress up just about anything.

I hope all of you will list your 5 things too, so I can read them!

Today I am thankful for....

*Inspections, because they keep our townhomes in great shape (We have another one coming, so I have to keep reminding myself of this since I stress so much!)
*Parents who give me a break when it is very much needed
*In-laws...without them I wouldn't have the great husband that I do
*Movies...to bring our family together for a nice, relaxing night
*Mr Clean Magic Erasers...They seriously take everything off!
*Recipe books and blogs...So I can learn new things when my family and I get sick of the same meals all the time
*Social networking sites....It's great to reconnect with people that I haven't talked to in years!
*Naptime...My quiet time!

There are lots of things I am thankful for, but we have a whole month left still so I will stop there. Did any of you see my grandpa in the Tooele paper the other night? It's going to be his 85th birthday on the 9th, so my dad and aunt put his picture in there. I hope that when I am 85 I am in half as good shape as he is! That man still goes golfing constantly and even dancing. He is also an avid visitor at the senior center for all of their events. I think just last year he was their president. He probably has more of a social life than I do lol I only have 2 grandparents left (him and my mom's mom), so I am thankful that they are both in fairly good health. I am so glad that my kids get the chance to know them, because that isn't always the case. I lost all but 1 of my other grandparents before Syd was even born, so she never knew any of them. My great grandma passed away when Syd was almost 2, so Syd doesn't remember her. She used to always say that she loved Syd's little spunky attitude. She thought kids who listened were too boring lol, but kids that rebelled were fun to her. Not your general point of view from an adult, especially from an older generation :)

Positive, Positive, Positive

I have been having a hard time thinking positive lately. I have been kind of overwhelmed with trying to get things done, and dealing with Syd's hormones and my own lol So I have decided to jump on the bandwagon of listing things I am thankful for this month in hopes that it will help me to remember to be positive even when things are a little tough.

For today I am thankful for.....

*A roof over our heads
*Wild children....because it means they are healthy and happy
*Clorox wipes
*Amazing and supportive family members
*Good friends to talk to
*A husband who works hard, and is a great father to our kids!
*Random strangers who brighten your day by giving you a smile and saying hello for no good reason :)

Halloween pics

We had a great Halloween! We started by painting pumpkins, playing the doughnut game (where you eat the doughnut off the string with no hands), having cupcakes and munchies. Then we went trick-or-treating in Overlake for a bit with my sis, and had dinner at my parents. My mom and I took the kids out trick-or-treating a little longer while Anth and my dad watched baseball. It was a long, but fun day!


Tasia didn't want to walk anymore, so she hung from Havyn's stroller and let Stephy push her lol
I threw this pic in, so you could see my extensions from the back. HUGE difference from my short hair!

Syd and Dom playing the doughnut game

Dom and Gabe

Havyn...him and Tasia had a little help since they are younger

Tasia...she gave up after a while, and said she didn't want to do it anymore because she thought everyone was laughing at her. My poor sensitive baby :(

All the kids before we left

Tasia and Havyn painting their pumpkins

Dom and Gabe