the unexpected

Three weeks ago hubby threw his back out.  He spent three (THREE) weeks on the couch.   He can't sit up,drive or walk for no longer then 15 or 20 min. before laying down again.  He has been in a lot of pain.  Plus laying on the couch for three weeks is driving him nuts.  On Dec. 14 we made fast plans and decided to head up to Juneau to have a specialist look at his back.  We took the 36 hour ferry ,Taku, up to Juneau. 


The ferry made three stops: Kake, Sitka, Gustdavis and then Juneau.  At 8pm we docked in Sitka for a four hour lay over.  At 8:30 pm Jesse turned very sick.  He had a major headache.  His head was pounding so bad he couldn't talk or really responded to me, asking him what we should do.  He started throwing up (due to his head hurting so bad) and was really sick to his stomach.  Finally at 10:30pm I made the decision to take him to the hospital in Sitka.  Once I got our car off the ferry we headed straight to the hospital on icy roads.  At the hospital we told the doctor that we really wanted to make it back to the ferry and continue our trip to Juneau.   One shot in the butt and an IV later he was good to go.  Turns out he had a really bad migraine headache.  YUCK.  At 11:48 pm we were pulling back on the ferry.  At 12 am the ferry was under way, Seth was back in bed and I was cleaning up the room.  Praise to Lord.    Finally, we made it to Juneau and to the appointment; turns out he has a herniated disc.  Monday he heads in for an epidural to hopefully relax his muscles which should slip his disc back into place.  Thursday (22) we head home on the ferry... this ferry ride will only take 8 hours. YAY. We will get home three days before Christmas.  I have been trying to find things that I'm thankful for about this trip and having hubby injured for so long.

1. For the last three weeks with hubby home he has been able to see Seth grow and discover new things.
2. I'm thankful we won't be in Juneau for Seth's first Christmas.
3. I'm thankful for the staff in Sitka hospital for getting us able to get back on the ferry.  (or we would have been spending Christmas in Juneau.)
4. I'm thankful for the 8 hour ferry ride home and it not being the 36 hour ferry ride.
5. I'm thankful for Costco!  So far I have been there twice and I'm seeing Costco in the future too!
6. I'm thankful that a friend is flying up from home to hang out with us and shop with me! She gets here tomorrow!
7. Seeing how God provides and takes care of us.
8. I'm thankful for this great doctor that we saw here in Juneau; if only the hospital at home could be so lucky!

As frustrating as it is to be up here ... especially being so close to Christmas I have been really focusing on the positives.  I do, however, miss sitting by my Christmas tree in the evenings.  I may have to keep it up longer this year! Prayers for hubby tomorrow as we head to the doctors for his epidural.  (pictures to come later)

About Seth:
Seth turned 11 months today!  Yay.
Here are some of the new things that he's been doing.

1. Turning in circles when standing.  He sure likes doing this:)
2. Unrolling the toilet paper in the bathroom.
3. Learning to clap his hands with momma!