Christmas and Hearing Aids

Right before Christmas, Marian started her Enbrel shots. She had the first two and 10 minutes later was sick as a dog. She stayed sick to her stomach for well over a week so we decided not to give her the shots again until after the holidays...just in case it was the meds and not a stomach bug. So we will start the shots again on January 06.

Christmas was amazing!! It was not stressful, it was not chaotic, it was perfect!!!

We slept in and didn't get up until 6am this year! We're usually up at 3am on Christmas morning and dead tired by 6am, lol

The kids were super happy with their gifts, even though there wasn't a lot and the older girls didn't really get toys this year, they were happy and grateful for what they did get, which made us happy. :) (Thank you to everyone who helped us make their Christmas amazing!)

Aiden did get a big present and so did Kathryn.

Aiden got the Batmobile and Kat got her bike that she had been asking Santa for all year. Aiden and Kathryn's high pitched, happy, excited and surprised squeals made it for me. The looks on their faces were priceless and just made my day. Clara and Mary were happy too but the excitement is not there for them anymore like it used to be. They've reached that age, 11 and 12, where they don't scream and squeal when they see something special sitting out for them on Christmas morning. Now they are just looking for clothes, shoes and electronics and if there's a giftcard in their stocking, that's a major bonus.They're growing up...way too fast.

We had a few days to rest and then today the doctor's appointments started up again. We had to have Clara in to see her ENT bright and early this morning for her fourth hearing test. They "unofficially" diagnosed her with Meniere's disease in both ears. Her hearing loss is mild to moderate in both ears, but it's enough that they referred her for hearing aids and lots more testing. Now we just wait for the phone call that tells us when her MRI is going to be and where, they said something about Vestibular Rehabilitation and some other test that I just cannot remember the name of now. I really wish that she had not had to deal with this disease...ever. This is a horrible disease and there is not a cure for it. No easy fixes. My Grandmother, my Mom and Johnnie (Clara's Daddy and my husband) all have Meniere's. The ringing never stops for Mom, (I'm not sure about Nanny), and the dizziness along with the hearing loss is enough that it has wreaked havoc on my Mom for years. Johnnie's ringing isn't constant, his hearing loss has been significant though, and the dizziness comes and goes for him but not near as often as it does for Mom and now Clara.

So now, hearing aids... and learning sign language for that just in case scenario that could happen down the road for not only Clara but Mom and Johnnie as well.