Soap Suds

I actually slept kinda well last night, went to bed with a killer migraine. Took 3 Alieve thankfully it helped me sleep. Woke up with a little migraine left. I drive to Dr. Rhodes, half way there I realized I forgot my machine at the house. Gosh Dang It! I couldn't turn around to get it cause I was already going to be late. I go there and Tamara sent me to room 6. I sat there for like 10 minutes then went up front and was like does anyone even know I'm here? Yeah she never told them I came. My usualy girl came in. I told her about my nasty migraine from the night before and so she went to go to talk to Dr. Rhodes. He put my on a new Protocol where the electrodes mostly go on my fingers.
He stopped by my room and I told him I wanted to talk with him. He sat down and I asked him more about RSD and told him to tell me medically why my pain keep jumping around so much. He said that the RSD goes through the blood meaning our blood goes through our entire body and where I'm experiencing the most pain is where my blood isn't circulating very well. He told me that I really need to make sure I'm eating A LOT of protein. He said to carry walnuts or almonds in my purse and to eat some every single hour. He said that RSD can make you hypoglycemic. He asked if I ever crave sugar and it's because of the RSD. I might eat something sugary and it might help for 10 minutes but then I'll crash. It's because my body is really craving the protein not the sugar. So this is my new venture... LOTS OF PROTEIN! I questioned about when the new machines will be in, he said they can't get here until the volcano in Iceland stops because it's seized all flights in Europe. I had no idea there was even a volcano. Being here I'm so out of the loop about what's going on in the world! (I found this picture later and I googled the volcano. It's my favorite picture I found) I asked my tech if protein shakes are ok (I love smoothies!) She said sure, yeah even beef jerky would be great to keep in my purse. During my testing today she had to test a lot of different frequencies. Finally she got one that had a great reading, she was super stoked! During the testing electrodes are placed in the area where the protocol states and then black things (would look like leg warmers but for your fingers) are placed on my pointer fingers and then a wire that reads temperatures are places touching my fingers is inserted. I have to warm up for 4 minutes before the testing starts. Then she starts setting the machine to different frequencies at4 minute intervals and a mini laptop records that temperature readings. If my body heats up too much or cools down too much then the machine gets a negative reading. You get a positive reading when your body responds well to an average temperature increase. The machine knows what your body needs! Since I forgot my machine they gave me very specific instructions to reset the frequencies myself.
On the way home I stopped and filled up Trisha's car with gas, I knew they'd never take gas money from me, so I figured that was the best way since they could give it back. Then I stopped at Whataburger to pick us up some breakfast. It was so yummy!
Then I started my new protocols, they did help a little today. I had no migraine until 3 PM. I took a nap, then asked Trisha if she could pick me up some Excedrin. I called Kathy to tell her about what Dr. Rhodes had said and to see how Bill was doing. She said his surgery went great! He didn't snap the tendon, it was actually a blood clot in the wrist and he didn't sever the nerve either it was just bruised. It was the best case scenario! Trisha made chicken tacos for dinner, they were really good. I made some cookies to take to the office tomorrow. I love cookies, I could eat them all day, but then I'd gain a ton of weight. I went and took a shower and then talked to Hais and read to her. Kel got on and talked to me too. Hailee tattled and told me how Daddy made bubbles come out of the dish washer. Kel said well there was a pre-wash thing in the dish washer so I put some dish soap in there. It wasn't a lot of soap suds I only used 2 towels to clean it up. Oh goodness! I asked if he missed me. He said yeah I'm excited for you to take back over your wifely duties. I thought me being gone would make him appreciate me more, but to him he thinks it's easy. I tried to explain that I take care of kids all day plus everything else and I'm in horrible pain. He'll never understand unfortunately. I just pray I'm better when I get back. I got to talk to Payton for a few minutes. Kel had told me that every time Payton sees he asks if I'm on the plane. I can't wait, one more week and I can see my family. I miss them. I miss their faces and the funny things they say to me. Well, better go to bed. Have a good night!

He really does answer our Prayers

I just thought I'd catch everyone up on the auction. We didn't have quite the success we wanted or expected from the auction. All the remaining items are going to be placed on Ebay and craiglist or facebook to repay those allowing me to borrow the remaining monwy needed for the treatments. I guess I let my faith waver a little, I felt so strongly that the money would come and it had been. I am so grateful for all those that have shown up at my door step with checks saying they felt impressed to bring me a check. They apologized it wasn't more, but if they only knew the gratitude I felt for them in my heart. Modern Woodmen has been great too, they matched me the $2500 and I should get the check as I'm boarding the airplane. I've been worried still because I only have $5000 and the treatment alone is $6600 not including my plane tickets, housing, car rental, food, etc. I got a phone call last night and it was the family that is letting me stay with them. They are truly an answer to so many prayers. She asked if there was anything I needed while I was there and I told her that I just needed a ride so I could rent a car. She stopped me and said that between her and the other members of Relief Society they would get me to my appointments so I didn't have to rent a car. When we hung up I just thanked my Heavenly Father for this Corpus Christi ward and it's members. These people have no clue who I am, but are so willing to help me. I'm so humbled and grateful for them. I'm going to try to get the remaining items on ebay this week. After the auction I couldn't function for 3 days and slept most of the time because I couldn't walk the pain was so bad. I'm just trying to get everything ready and my children situated. Being gone from them for 20 days is going to be so hard. I am so grateful for the internet though so I can still see their beautiful faces everyday!

Silent Auction Event Details

Please Come and Help Support Ashley to Raise the Funds Needed to Receive Medical Treatments from Dr. Rhodes in Texas!

I feel so grateful and so humbled

Since the accident I haven't given much thought to the auction, but it was always nagging me in the back of my mind. My pain over the last few months has gotten progressively worse and worse to where I was at the point I wake up in the middle of the night crying because I can't get the pain to stop. Being a mother of two young children - I can't call in sick. So often, I feel like a horrible mother because I'm so exhausted from not sleeping that I'm short with the kids or I'm not playing with them like I should because I just want to sleep on the couch while they play. So this morning, I decided that I was going to get dresses and put on makeup and be a mom. I did that, I'm so excited to go to Texas and get these treatments so I can be a good mom to my kids and a good wife to Kelvin.
So today while Payton was taking a nap, I decided to sit down and actually update this blog. I also did a few posting on Facebook asking my friends and family for help. Help to donate items or services. Anything that can help me in having a successful auction to raise the money I need to get to Texas. I did call Dr. Rhodes office again this morning and they did confirm that my insurance will not cover any of my expenses because Dr. Rhodes is out of network. I kept me head up and just kept calling around for people to help. As the day progressed I found myself on my knees over and over again thanking my Heavenly Father for sending people into my life and for their love and support. I have had so many people contact me today offering items and asking how they can help me. Some people I haven't seen since high school. Another a person that doesn't know me except for being a sister in Sorority Life on Facebook. My heart is just truly humbled. It makes me realize that I need to be more of a person like that, a person that will help a complete stranger because that is what Jesus would do and so many times I have turned down the opportunity to help others. I have honestly learned such a great lesson today and am truly humbled by the love and support from those around me.
Also, this morning I tried to contact a bishop for our church that is located in Corpus Christi to see if there would be a family that would allow me to stay in a spare room or would rent me a room for 17 days while I'm in Texas. I was googling all different things. Finally I found a church building 1.45 miles from Dr. Rhodes office. I actually called the mission office and asked if they knew what wards met there. They sent me to http://www.mormon.org to locate a meeting house. from there I was able to see the different wards and able to contact a bishop. As I called the Bishop today, I caught him just before he was leaving for work. I was so grateful for him and his willingness to help and ask a few members he had in mind. He just assured me that the Lord does work miracles and knew that everything would work out and my children would be ok while I'm gone. I've really worried about leaving Hailee and Payton, but know it what I need to do so I can get rest everyday so my body can heal properly from the treatments. I'm so grateful for my mom and the members of my ward who have offered to help take care of them and take Hailee to school everyday while I'm gone. I'm just so grateful.

Auction Date Change

The date for the Auction has been postponed and will be announced in a few days. I was in a really bad car accident a few weeks ago and the ball was dropped on organizing the auction. It will be in the middle of March on a Saturday during the day. Thanks so much for all the love and support!

Gold Canyon Candles Fundraiser

Gold Canyon has so graciously allowed me to do a fundraiser with them. They will donate 40% of all candles sales to help pay for my treatment and related expenses. Candle ordering started February 1, 2010. Below is a list of candles available. If you would like to help out and take candle orders please contact me for a fundraising packet. Thank you so much!
*Please make candle checks payable to Ashley Pugmire.

Candles / Sizes Available (tax and shipping included in prices):
26 oz. $25.25
16 oz. $21.25
8 oz. $16.50

•Apple Spice
•Ginger Lime
•Cinnamon
•Grapefruit Splash
•Cinnamon Vanilla
•Pomegranate
•Clean Sheets
•Rose
•Cotton Splash
•Strawberry Shortcake
•Cranberry Orange
•Sweet Pea
•Cucumber Melon
•Wildflowers
•Fresh Orange

Cash Donations

Cash/ Credit Card Donation will also be accepted. Modern Woodmen of America will also match those donations with the other money raised dollar for dollar up to $2500.

Undertermined Injury

On August 1, 2009, we were having our concrete poured in the backyard so our children would have a place to play. We decided to go to the store to look for some backyard items. Kelvin and I were having a conversation while walking and next thing I knew Hailee and I were on the ground. We had slipped in water, I remember my big toe went to one side of my flip flop and the rest of my ankle rolled. I caught myself with my right hand. Unfortunately for Hailee she landed straight on her forehead resulting in an immediate goose egg that was huge! I picked her up and carried her to a bench. After the ordeal and we got home we decided we should go to the hospital to be checked out. My ankle was super swollen and green and I could barely walk. Hailee kept complaining her head was hurting. They x-rayed the entire right side of my body looking for any breaks. I was hurting all over. They determined I had contusions to pretty much the right side of my body.
A few days later I was sitting in my BNI meeting and was in excruciating pain. So when Kelvin got home from work I went to Urgent Care and they did more x-rays and determined I had severely sprained my ankle. They wrapped it and told me to stay off it.
A few weeks later the pain was still horrible so I went to a Podiatrist who said the reason I couldn't even spread my toes apart was because I didn't want it to hurt. But in reality I was trying the toes weren't moving. He put my in a walking cast for 2 months because they thought I had hairline fractures in my ankle. He finally sent me to get MRI's of my foot and ankle and also to physical therapy. The therapy definitely helped to strengthen the ankle, but they had me in tears almost everyday. My second day of therapy was probably the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life. They were trying to have me pick marbles up with my toes. I got 6 marbles and I was sobbing. After the rest of the exercises, they had me lay on the table to ice my ankle. It hurt when they put the ice on, but the longer it sat there the pain increased and was completely unbearable. Finally my trainer came over because he saw I just had tears streaming down my face and he immediately took off the ice. He tried to do an ultrasound on it and the pain was just as bad.
Finally the podiatrist said he had no clue what was wrong so he send me to an orthopedic surgeon. They finally determined I have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. All he told me was that I had a rare nerve damage injury. He sent me to a neurologist to test the nerves in my foot and leg. Since that visit the pain has now spread to my hip. A good friend of mine suffers from RSD and went to a Dr in Texas who specialized in her disability. He invented a machine that when used at a protocol they set for you can eliminate all the pain. Come to find out Complex Region Pain Syndrome is the new name for RSD. What a miracle that she has one of these machines. On days where it's unbearable I go to her house and use her machine, the thing is I need to have the ability to use this machine twice a day. The adventure now is to raise enough money to see Dr. Rhodes since our insurance changed and now won't pay for my treatments.