A timeline... mostly just for me

I FINALLY have all of my medical records from Idaho and my previous Washington Doctors..so now I have dates I was missing from my journal, our journals...or lack thereof. I had been previously trying to construct this timeline and now it's almost complete. 

Big life events...

2006

May 5^th- We were married in the Portland Oregon Temple

May 12^th- Joseph starts work at Broulims

June- Shaylee Works @ Craigos

July – Shaylee teaches swimming lessons @ BYUI
            1^st Pregnancy

August- 1^st Miscarriage

Late August/ Early September- 2^nd pregnancy

Late September- 2^nd miscarriage, Dr. A confirmed

December- 3^rd pregnancy

December 19^th- Miriam & Josh married in Idaho Falls Idaho Temple

2007

January 12^th- 3^rd miscarriage

January 23^rd- Hysteroscopy done in office by Dr. Allred. Hysteroscopy is a diagnostic and surgical procedure that makes examining the inside of the uterus possible without making an abdominal cut (incision).{uterus is filled with fluid & a lighted instrument (hysteroscope)  is inserted} 

February 23^rd- HSG test done at Madison Memorial Hospital  {hysterosalpingogram is an x-ray test that looks at the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes and the area around them. During the procedure dye is put through a thin tube that is put through the vagina and into the uterus. Because the uterus and the fallopian tubes are hooked together, the dye will flow into the fallopian tubes. Pictures are taken using a steady beam of X-ray (fluoroscopy) as the dye passes through the uterus and fallopian tubes.}

April- moved, new ward & called to teach in primary

May 5^th- 1^st wedding anniversary

May ?- Shaylee had surgery- diagnostic laparscopy, hydratubation of fallopian tubes & Dilation and Currettage.

Diagnostic Laparascopy- {A surgeon makes a small cut below the belly button (navel) and inserts a needle into the area. Carbon dioxide gas is passed into the abdomen to expand the area. This gives the surgeon more room to work, and helps the surgeon see the organs more clearly. A tube is placed through the cut in your abdomen. A tiny video camera (laparoscope) goes through this tube and is used to see the inside of your pelvis and abdomen. More small cuts may be made if other instruments are needed to get a better view of certain organs.If you are having gynecologic laparoscopy, dye may be injected into your cervix area so the surgeon can better see your fallopian tubes.After the exam, the gas, laparoscope, and instruments are removed, and the cuts are closed. You will have bandages over those areas.

Hydratebation of Fallopian Tubes: unblocking of tubes, using a technique much like the HSG

Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a brief surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated and a special instrument is used to scrape the uterine lining.

2008

March 28^th- 4^th pregnancy, found out at the school clinic

April 11^th- Jake & Bethany Married Rexburg Idaho Temple

April 16^th- 4^th Baby has no heart beat

April 29^th- 2^nd D&C

May 2^nd- Shaylee had lump in Left Hand removed

May 4^th- Shaylee hospitalized with Gastrointeritis

May 5^th-  2^nd wedding anniversary, Joseph has gastroenteritis

June- We received our adoption paperwork, IUD put in

November 15^th- Alisha & Marc Married in Columbia River Washington Temple

December- Shaylee Graduated BYUI

2009

March- we are approved to adopt

April- Joseph graduates BYUI we walk together at commencement. We move to Kennewick.

May Joseph starts work at Toyota

May 5^th- 3^rd wedding Anniversary

June- Speckles joins our family

July- Joseph has an MS flare up, went to ER to get immediate attention from a neurologist.

August- Shaylee starts work at TCAB

September- Joseph starts seeing new neurologist Dr. Cooke in Spokane WA

October- Joseph MRI in Spokane

November- Shaylee called as 2^nd counselor in Primary Presidency, Joseph diagnosed with Relapse Remitting Multiple sclerosis (he waspreviously diagnosed with primary progressive MS in Feb 2004) Started Rebif

December 22^nd- Joseph diagnosed as legally blind

December 28^th- Joseph lost job at Toyota due to blindness

2010

January 15^th- Victoria Renee Bready is born (Alisha & Marc’s 1st)

February- Working with Washington Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) Joseph starts to use a white cane

May 4^th- Cadence LuRue Mecham born (Jake & Bethany’s 1st)

May 5^th- Our 4^th wedding anniversary

June- Joseph starts receiving Social Security disability income

September 18^th- Sam & Kaelee married in Idaho Falls Idaho Temple

November- Our adoption paperwork officially closed

2011

January- Shaylee started seeing Dr. O for irregular periods…          

February 24^th- IUD removed

May 5^th – Our 5^th wedding anniversary

May 19^th- Sera Jean Bready born (Alisha & Marc’s 2nd)

August 12^th-  Stella LuRose KimEllen Toy born (Miri & Josh’s 1st)

December 7^th- HORRID appointment with Dr. O, left on table for hours, PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome diagnosis. Left his practice after demanding metformin for cysts rather than birth control

2012

February 20^th- “new” calling 1^st counselor in primary presidency

March 14^th- Shaylee starts going to associated Physicians for Women

March 26^th- HUGE cyst rupture, in ER @ 2am KGH

May 5^th- Our 6^th wedding anniversary

June – Shaylee starts working out at Club 24

June 11^th- Paisley Beth Mecham born (Jake & Bethany’s 2^nd)

September- Joseph breaks his foot

October 13^th- Calvin Scott Mecham born (Sam & Kaelee’s 1^st)

October 28^th- Shaylee called as choir director & Joseph choir president

December 15^th- Joseph’s 1^st 5k in wheelchair, cable bridge run

2013

January 25^th- Sean Robert Bready born (Alisha & Marc’s 3^rd)

February- discovered link between PCOS and Gluten Intolerance, Shaylee goes GF

May 5^th- our 7^th wedding anniversary

June 22^nd- Rylee joins our family

August 16^th- Joseph gets new wheelchair, named Dude

September- Shaylee begins teaching preschool

September 3^rd- Victor Timothy Toy born (Miri & Josh’s 2^nd)

September 15^th – Shaylee called as 2^nd counselor in Relief Society Presidency

December 21^st-  Cable Bridge run

2014

February- 1 year of being gluten free!!
March 9th- Joseph called as a ward Missionary

April 13^th Rylee is 1 year old!
May 5th- Our 8th Wedding anniversary

June 5^th- Joseph gets lofstrand crutches we name Fred & George

July 5^th- Harvey James Mecham born (Sam & Kaelee’s 2^nd)

Spring Break!

April 2nd, 2014

Joseph & I took  our cousins Lauryn and Abrie to Portland Oregon with us. 

We made stops at Multnomah Falls, 

 Voodoo Donuts & The Portland Oregon temple. 

Then we had lunch at Garlic Jims, where we shared an awesome gluten free pizza, ½ Hawaiian ½ pepperoni so everyone was happy. Lastly the main event, we made it to the wooden shoe tulip festival. Where incredibly we ran into Abrie’s friend from school there, kind of crazy because that tulip festival was in the middle of no where. But we loved it so much we will definitely be going there again.

January -March ... I am so behind.

January 3rd, 2014

We went to the temple with the Wiberg cousins. There were about 20 of us: G&G Wiberg, Jodi, Mick, Davis, Kyle & Jake, Jeff Kim, Devin & Ethan, Kim, Shane, Carly Brooke & Macey, and of course Joseph & I.  It was great that I got to be “one of the kids” and do baptisms for the dead with the other cousins. Joseph was busy with my uncles perfoming confirmations, it was so sweet, they let Joseph do most of them. Uncle Mick would read the names to Joseph so he could do it, I was and still am grateful for my uncles, and how sweet kind and understanding they are with Joseph and helping him to be able to serve in the temple.

Josh & Miri came through town and stopped to eat lunch with us, it's always great to see them, even if its just a short stop.

January 5th, 2014

I taught my first lesson in Relief Society, it also happened to be the first lesson of the year, so I had the previledge of introducing the prophet whose teachings we would be studying this year. With about 40 pages of information and 20 minutes to teach we dicussed the life of Joseph Fielding Smith- it was great! I was nervous but also so over prepared, which it made it easy, once I got in front of the women it went fine.

January 15th, 2014
1st five guys, believe it or not this was the 1^st time I had ever had 5 Guys Fries… and it won’t be the last. The food was amazing and the fries are gluten free because that is all they fry there (and fried in peanut oil- YUM!)

February 2nd, 2014

We went and watched the Super Bowl at Grandma & Grandpa Wiberg’s house, we went there after church and since they have DVR we could watch it at our convienience we could fast forward or pause. We had lots of great food & it was fun to watch together but the game was a little bit of a let down, because the Seahawks KILLED the other team…its like they didn’t even show up. (Please excuse me in the pic, I had a headache!!)

February 7th, 2014

Snow day for preschool, due to a 2 hour delay, which was fine with me Michelle was in California at Disneyland with her family. So jealous!

February 14th, 2014 

Valentines day date at costa vida, yea its romantic… haha. But when you work all the time you do what you can.

February 16th, 2014

Church is cancelled due to snow, so naturally Dustin & I get busy shoveling snow for our neighbors and the elderly ladies in our ward.

February 25th, 2014

Got "valentine" pregnancy announcement from Sam, Kaelee & Calvin. Baby boy is due 7/11/14, very cute picture of Calvin! We kind of suspected that was what was in the envelope, Calvin turns 2 this year.

March 8th, 2014

Kennewick East Stake blood drive, Joseph's 1 time donating blood!!  We both donated, and we had a great time visiting with others in our stake.

March 15th, 2014

TOFW in Spokane with mom, Michelle & her Mother-in-law. We drove to Spokane after an eventful morning in which my bathroom flooded, we made perfect time and even got a great parking space a couple of blocks from the convention center…

March 16th, 2014 

A sweet little girl that I befriended while in the Primary Presidency sometimes likes to come and sit with me… I was really tired after being out of town the day before and we had a boring speaker, it makes me feel guilty writing this but it’s true, he was super boring…anyway I was totally zoned out- not sleeping, and I am suddenly “awakened” by a tap on my foot. It was B, she joined us and colored with me. I later found out that she had been standing there in front of me for a long time and I never looked up, hence the toe tap. Seriously, she scared the crap out of me.

March 23rd, 2014

Finally a beautiful sunny day so Joseph, Rylee & I enjoyed Sunday walk/ roll in the sunshine.

More to come, later :)

It's always there, but not always present.

My struggle with infertility is always there, but not always present.

Here's a conversation that took place recently: (M= female student 8 yrs. old, S= me, Shaylee)

April 18th, 2014

M: Do you have any children?

S: Nope, just hasn't worked out yet. 

M: Have you asked God? 

S: Yes 

M: I'll ask God for you too, in my prayers. 

S: Thanks M, that's really sweet of you. 

M: Have you asked a doctor? 

S: yes 

M: oh 

The very next week-

M: so...have you seen a doctor yet?

S: actually, yes. 

M: Good, cause I've prayed for you to have babies every day. 

December Catch up

December 7th: Saturday started early with our ward Christmas party where there was a hot chocolate bar at each table. It was awesome, until I "got glutened" then we went home. (stupid egg casserole with mushrooms and a sauce- which is where the gluten was.) All I had was one bite, I was doing everything I could to be a good sport, because that afternoon we took Grandma Swanger to the sing-along messiah. I survived that & then spent the remainder of the weekend sick in bed. So sick and miserable that Joseph gave me 2 benedryls instead of 1 on Sunday, so I slept for hours & hours.

December 11th: We got to tour the Nutcracker stage as a Preschool, a tour with demonstrations of the growing tree, fire place, Mother Ginger and a look at the back stage areas & costumes. Miss Michelle read the Nutcracker story and Clara came and danced with us. It was magical.

December 14th: This was a busy busy Saturday we spent entirely together. We caught a Matinee of The Hobbit. Joseph wasn't feeling too well, so he missed some of it...

After the movie we went to Red Robin for our free birthday burgers. Red Robin is another place that has gluten free options & a dedicated french fry frier (no risk of cross-contamination) Then once we were sufficiently stuffed, we went home and got all dressed up to go to the Nutcracker. 

We went to the Nutcracker at Richland High school,  it was put on by Mid-Columbia Ballet and Mid-Columbia Symphony.  I had the opportunity/ challenge of "cutting" the score for the director, prior to the symphony rehearsals, using the recordings I marked the cuts and order of songs, tempo changes and curtain openings etc. Previous to this, I was only mildly acquainted with the Nutcracker music. For a couple of afternoons I locked myself away in my studio, cranked up the boom box, and really listened and read the musical score. It was an amazing and fun musical exercise and experience for me...anyway it was beautiful  & we enjoyed our long day together.

The week before Christmas Santa & Mrs Claus came to TCAB. It was awesome & fun to see all the kids excitement when they saw them. The 3-day Preschool was lucky enough to meet Santa & I snapped pictures which we were able to print and send home with the kids. 

My little preschool class and their Santa craft. When they lined up for the picture they all started saying "Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas!" spontaneously.

December 21st: Cable Bridge Run 2013, a family tradition for the last few years. It was FREEZING and a little icy at the start of the race!!!!!!! I bundled up with lots of layers, Joseph rocked it especially in the ultralight wheelchair. The race organizers made special accommodations for us so we could park at the start, instead of getting bused from the fair grounds, we really appreciated that! They also added a wheelchair category for the 1st time, Joseph was 1 of 2 people participating in that category. Looking forward to next year, I'm going to have to train to keep up with Joseph, he's really fast & strong! 

December 22nd: On Sunday we thought it would be fun to go out looking at Christmas lights. So we picked up Grandma Swanger & took her with us, so we had Mom, Dad, Val, Gma, Joseph, Rylee & I packed into the car. We had too much fun, but the best was the Senske Lawn Care light show.

Rylee watching the lights.

December 24th:  In keeping with our tradition, we went to a movie, we saw Frozen with Mom, Val, Michelle kids & friend. We go to the movies on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day each year, this was the 5th year in a row for us, it started when Joseph was diagnosed legally blind & we've continued it each year since - no matter where we've been for Christmas. Later that evening we went to Grandma Swanger's for dinner and games. Santa made a visit while we were there!

Swanger Cousins (some of us)

A little snuggle with Santa, before he went out to deliver presents of course.

December 25th: It was a fairly calm & quiet Christmas. Dustin & his friend stayed overnight. We enjoyed breakfast & opened presents, then prepared lunch, and Grandma & Grandpa Wiberg joined us for lunch. 

It looked and tasted like Christmas!

All dressed up for Christmas (on Sunday, the 23rd)

Opening presents 

Rylee really got into the presents. 

Our furry babies decided to get along on Christmas, how sweet.

We framed our snowflakes that were handmade by my Great Grandma. 

Rylee was pooped after all the Christmas excitement! 

December 26th: We watched the Hobbit again, Joseph didn't really get to watch it the 1st time. This time we got to enjoy it together & I understood it better too - I haven't read the book. Later this evening Kim, Shane and kids made it to Grandma's house & we were there to see them and to meet Easton- our youngest cousin. 

Look how Easton is signing "I Love you" 

December 28th: Paige was baptized and Easton was blessed. It was special because it was only family & so many family members were able to come. After the baptism/ blessing we went to Aunt Jodi's house for pizza & present exchange.

Paige & Easton

December 31st: We went to Aunt Diana & Matt's for a new years eve bonfire, it was so fun to just sit around the fire and visit with the Swanger side of the family. We left early so we could spend some time with the Wiberg side too, Joseph & I enjoyed sitting around chatting and getting our snuggle on with Easton again. 

Our Birthday

We are lucky enough to share a birthday, and 2013's was the 8th birthday that we have celebrated together. We started the morning off by sleeping in and then going to Denny's for our free birthday slams, I got a sub for preschool so we could spend the morning together. After breakfast we just hung out until I had to go. I donated blood on our birthday, I know it seems a little weird but a friend from the gym hosts a blood drive at her church every other month and this time it landed on my birthday. I thought why not give back on my birthday, I wore a tiara.. 

I took this screenshot of my phone, it was a little creepy that it "knows" so much. Haha

"Graffiti" from a co-worker on my white board

GF brownies from a student! Delicious!! 

Inside a birthday card from a student.

Birthday drawing on a student's iPad. 

On December 9th, we got to go out with Grandma & Grandpa Wiberg for a birthday lunch, just the 4 of us. A fun new tradition, we luck out being local we had the choice of a gift card or a lunch date. So we went out to Bob's Burgers and Brew, they have a pretty good Gluten Free menu, and so I enjoyed my first GF burger at a restaurant.