Unfortunate Prediction

Where to even begin? This year has flown by at an alarming rate. We celebrated Cohen's third birthday in April and Henley demolished his first birthday cake about a week ago. Both boys are such a fun age. Cohen keeps us laughing with all he is saying and I am completely addicted to Henley's baby laugh. Cohen continues to be large for his age and Henley is headed in the same direction. I would have to say the phrase we heard most often was, "Oh, he is such a big baby!". Thanks? I think at this time, though, Cohen's face looked so much older. The best part is watching them interact. Cohen is always asking about Henley, comforting him, entertaining him and can't wait to see him after he wakes up. No one can make Henley smile like Cohen can! We love it when Cohen asks Henley for something, turns around and says, "Henley says yes!". Of course, there is also the familiar scene where Henley has Cohen's toy, Co snatches it away, Henley goes after him with all 6 teeth and they both end up in tears. It has already begun! But, for the most part, they adore each other.

Right now Cohen loves Curious George, swimming, going to daddy's softball games and popcorn. Henley loves World Cup soccer, anything he can chew on, talking up a storm and the dogs. Life is full and they keep us on our toes. So much so that I have rarely had time to deal with my health issues. Ever since I had the TIA last February, I have been passed back and forth between my family doctor, a neurologist and cardiologist. The consensus seemed to be I should maybe/maybe not be on blood thinners. The heart surgery to close the flap in my heart would not be beneficial to me since I could form a clot anywhere, anytime, not just in my heart. So, to get a definite opinion, I made an appointment with a hematologist myself. He was waiting on medical records to confirm that I truly met the criteria for having anti phospholipid syndrome and took labs himself. 

Well, I had joked with my parents that since they were leaving on vacation, I would probably end up in the hospital like I had the previous 2 times they were out of town. Does anybody else say things for the sheer reason if you say them out loud you don't think they will come true? About a month ago, the boys and I had gone on a walk around lunch time. We returned and I was preparing their lunch. I was seeing really bright flashes and had a horrible headache. It was really strange and I had the urge to call Chris and tell him, but chided myself not wanting to over react and bother him at work. While I was feeding Henley lunch, this sensation came over me and I could hardly breathe. My jaw locked up. I tried to talk to Cohen and what was coming out was not what I was trying to say. I tried to make some phone calls, but just wasn't making sense. Needless to say, an ambulance, fire truck and police car later, I ended up in the ER. Chris ended up driving me, but he couldn't make it from work for awhile, so sent every emergency responder within a ten mile radius my way.  So, basically I spent the night and had the entire stroke work up again; MRI, CT scan, neck and heart sonogram, speech therapy, occupational therapy and a few more therapies. No permanent damage found. But, my hematologist said there is no doubt in his mind that I need to be on blood thinners. Permanently. The whole ordeal has been overwhelming, but through it all, God has been faithful. There was a moment that day when I wasn't sure if I would ever see my kids again. Instead, I am pretty much back into the swing of things. I am slower at processing things and I really struggle to find words, but hopefully that will improve over time. Here are some pics from the last several months: