My crazy life

Hello everyone! Sorry so long. Things have been pretty crazy. I have a few family things going on right now which have kept me on the road to and from Long Beach which is about 4 hrs. one way. When we started this blog I told myself I didn't want to write about everything going on with my mom right now. I wanted this to be a light hearted thing and to share pics. of Gabe and stuff. God has been showing me though that I need to share and vent a little. I'll talk about my mom later though. Today I'm going to update you on my brother, Eddie. For the last 3 years Eddie has had some kidney problems. It started with kidney stones, which he went to the ER and took care of. Afterward though, the pain didn't stop and he was peeing blood. He had a pretty good construction job but it didn't have insurance and he didn't qualify for state aid so urologists that he did call, wouldn't see him. Finally, after quite a few trips to the ER, a nurse called a urologist and got him an appointment for only $75. That doctor ran a test and told him that he had a blood vessel that he was born with blocking the output in his right kidney and that he needed surgery. Since the kidney stones, it was inflamed and that was why he was peeing blood. Well, there was no way he could afford the surgery so he changed some of his habits like no caffeine and little sugar. He used to drink energy drinks but he hasn't now in years. Anyway, that has helped a little. When he gets in pain, he goes to the ER and gets the pain meds he needs. He'll save them for when the pain comes back. When they don't help he'll go back in. He ended up losing the construction job and two more because of days he misses due to pain. He's been staying with friends and and int he softball field dugouts lately. The pain has actually been pretty good until about 3 weeks ago. Nothing was working so again, he went into the ER. The doctor told him that he has to have surgery. His right kidney has shrunk and is starting to tear. Eddie again told him he doesn't have insurance so the doctor called a urologist himself. He told Eddie that he told the urologist he doesn't have insurance and can't pay up front but will make payments and the urologist agreed to see him. He didn't say this to Eddie but Eddie thought that meant he would do the surgery. Well, when he went in the next day the urologist looked at the CTscan that Eddie brought him and talked to him for a few minutes. He told Eddie that he needed surgery and possibly the kidney taken out but that he wouldn't do it and that he doesn't work for free. Eddie said he doesn't expect him to work for free but he just said he has to pay the light bill. Then my smart aleck brother asked him what kind of car he drove. It was a BMW. So, Eddie left very disappointed. The only other option the ER doctor gave him was to come up to Seattle next time it was bothering him and go to HarborView (one of the hospitals up here that often treats people without insurance) So, since I was going down to Long Beach anyway, I picked him up and brought him up here with us. Last week he and I went and Praise God, they are going to do it! They said that he needed more tests and the whole things with recover was going to take 6-8 weeks. So, guess who has a house guest for 6-8 weeks! It's actually been nice so far because he has been helpful. This is a very busy time for Eric and it is nice to have someone who can watch Gabe when we need it. We are also gutting our kitchen this week and putting in all new cabinets, countertops, and a dishwasher. So, he'll help with that too. I just wanted to let you know what has been going on and ask you to keep praying for him and us. 8 weeks is a long time no matter how helpful a person is. My prayer is that this will help Eddie get his life back on track and that Eric can be a good role model for him. He's already stopped smoking since being here. Well, that's one update. I'll write more when I have time. Love ya all.
Britt