One late night on a walk while Emily and I were dating, Em turned to me and said that she couldn't believe I would love someone that was sick all the time like her. Soon tears kicked in, and the next thing I knew, I was holding my amazing future wife close to me with her mascara running all over the place.
Now before you think this was just a smooth move by yours truly, I was actually very concerned that Em thought this. I mean, first of all, she was--and is--NOT "sick all the time." Even if she is, the rest of us don't know it because she fights so hard to put on a good show. Emily is amazing.
When I get sick, the world stops moving. It's true. You know those tsunamis that happened in Japan a couple of years ago? Strep. Chilean earthquake last year? Stomach flu. In other words, I am a HUGE wuss when it comes to being sick. I moan. I groan. I complain. I make whimpering noises.
Simply put, Emily is my hero. Even though she has a headache every day of her life, she doesn't let that rule her. Heck, I don't even know she has one most of the time. And, on top of all of this, SHE STILL LOOKS BEAUTIFUL even when she feels like a ton of stones have been piled on top of her head. I think I would actually look better if I had a ton of stones on top of my noggin.
For those who know us very well, you know that Emily has chronic migraines. Occasionally they get severe enough that she can hardly do anything at all. It has been a frustrating experience for Emily who, for most of her life, has had to deal with terrible migraine headaches. In the last 6 months or so, things have turned drastically worse. Her migraines, where she used to get maybe 6 or so a month, now has them literally almost everyday. Whenever she stands up, Emily's balance is extremely awful. I used to make fun of her, but then she started to pass out and so that made me shove it! Talk about scary: to hear a large "thud" as your spouse passes out and hits the floor.
But that is all about to change.
On Wednesday, Emily and I traveled to Idaho Falls for a visit with her neurologist. Turns out Emily has been diagnosed with Chiari Malformation Type I, which is a fancy way of saying that part of her brain is growing out of the bottom of her skull with the brain stem and spinal cord. This "brain part" is actually quite long for Chiari Type I standards... it is 1.5 centimeters in length. Due to the amount that has grown down this "big hole" of the skull, there is a lot of pressure being pushed on the brain stem and the whole area of the brain right there. For a fact, the radiologist wrote that the brain tonsils were so pressurized that they appear "peg-like" in appearance. The neurologist is fairly confident that this is the culprit for all of Em's problems: migraines, dizziness, fainting, lack of balance, etc.
We definitely didn't expect to hear the words "brain surgery" after I asked the neurologist what we do to fix this condition, but that is exactly what he said. After we picked our jaws up off the floor, he explained that we would need to go to the University of Utah to have this surgery. He wants us to have this done in the next few weeks.
Obviously there are some nerves floating around our house these days, especially with a move and a family reunion we are in charge of coming up this month as well. But all in all, Emily and I feel good and extremely grateful for what we have found out. From the research we have done so far, it sounds like 87% of those who have this procedure report a "significant improvement" in their overall quality of life. We are ecstatic about this! I asked Emily what it would be like for her to have day after day with no headaches or migraines. She just shook her head and said, "unbelievable."
All in all, we have so many great blessings in our lives. We look forward with anticipation for the future when my hero (Emily) will continue to be my great hero!
The telemarketers may never get our name right, but they always come close.
Friday, June 13, 2014
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Married!
May 23, 2009
We're engaged!
Dave and I had mentioned getting married and we knew that's what we wanted however I was not expecting to have him propose until the spring semester had started and to not be getting married until the beginning of the fall semester.
Dave had other ideas.
December 12 was the last day that Dave and I had before I headed back to New Mexico for Winter Break. For my Christmas Present Dave had told me that he was taking me up North to walk around Temple Square with all of its Christmas lights, and to the church history museum, to see the new Joseph Smith movie, and to take me to dinner anywhere I wanted to eat. He also gave me a gift card to one of my favorite stores, Deseret Book which he also planned to let me roam through while we were up North.
Others had mentioned the possibility of him proposing but I brushed it off knowing that he didn't want to get engaged this semester. I knew I was right when the week of the trip, Jake and a date (Emily Dutson), planned to join us for the trip.
The day we had set to leave, I was a stressed out mess. I had packing to do, and a final to finish. Dave, Jake, and Emily all arrived at my apartment while I was still in my Pajamas finishing the last of my work. I very quickly showered and got dressed (thank goodness my roommates had already picked out my clothing for the occasion). We left town and I slowly de-stressed as we continued the drive. By the time we made it to Salt Lake we were all starving. We stopped and got the soup and sandwich at the Nauvoo Cafe, which was absolutely amazing and incredibly delicous. We then found the times for the Joseph Smith Movie and left to walk through the Church History Museum. On the way there Dave and I realized that his camera had no batteries so Jake and Emily walked through the museum and Dave and I went to buy the batteries. We all made it back in time for the beginning of the Joseph Smith Movie. It was a fantastic movie which also had me crying by the end of it. When the movie finished the lights were all on at Temple Square so we decided to walk around. As we walked Dave began tossing his keys in the air. He dropped them and I stopped to wait for him while he picked them up. It took me a few seconds to realize that he was proposing to me! I said yes and he slipped a beautiful ring on my finger.
Dave had other ideas.
December 12 was the last day that Dave and I had before I headed back to New Mexico for Winter Break. For my Christmas Present Dave had told me that he was taking me up North to walk around Temple Square with all of its Christmas lights, and to the church history museum, to see the new Joseph Smith movie, and to take me to dinner anywhere I wanted to eat. He also gave me a gift card to one of my favorite stores, Deseret Book which he also planned to let me roam through while we were up North.
Others had mentioned the possibility of him proposing but I brushed it off knowing that he didn't want to get engaged this semester. I knew I was right when the week of the trip, Jake and a date (Emily Dutson), planned to join us for the trip.
The day we had set to leave, I was a stressed out mess. I had packing to do, and a final to finish. Dave, Jake, and Emily all arrived at my apartment while I was still in my Pajamas finishing the last of my work. I very quickly showered and got dressed (thank goodness my roommates had already picked out my clothing for the occasion). We left town and I slowly de-stressed as we continued the drive. By the time we made it to Salt Lake we were all starving. We stopped and got the soup and sandwich at the Nauvoo Cafe, which was absolutely amazing and incredibly delicous. We then found the times for the Joseph Smith Movie and left to walk through the Church History Museum. On the way there Dave and I realized that his camera had no batteries so Jake and Emily walked through the museum and Dave and I went to buy the batteries. We all made it back in time for the beginning of the Joseph Smith Movie. It was a fantastic movie which also had me crying by the end of it. When the movie finished the lights were all on at Temple Square so we decided to walk around. As we walked Dave began tossing his keys in the air. He dropped them and I stopped to wait for him while he picked them up. It took me a few seconds to realize that he was proposing to me! I said yes and he slipped a beautiful ring on my finger.
Engaged!
I know this picture isn't the best quality but this is right after Dave proposed to me and was putting the ring on my finger!
How We Met/First Date
Dave and I first met when he and his best friend Jacob Thomas ( a fellow resident on Castilleja Dorm like myself) decided to decorate Duke Dance's apartment before he returned home from his honeymoon. At the time they claimed that they needed help knowing how to decorate it and therefore were looking for the help of a few girls. They roamed the hallways until they found a room of about 6 girls (including myself). We agreed to help and set up a time for later in the week. Later that week we all met up and made a trip to Walmart to get the needed decorations. While there Dave and I ended up separated from the rest of the group. Dave and I talked while we looked for the right decorations...he asked what brought me to Snow and I answered honestly. "The Lord. This is where he wanted me and there is no other explanation for it." He claims this impressed him...and I think I believe him. The next Friday, I had the apartment to myself for one hour before my next class. I had just succeeded in splattering miracle whip all over after dropping the bottle on the floor when someone knocked on the door. Lo and Behold it was Dave. He came and we talked for the next hour. He invited me and my roommate Marsha to go on a hike the next day. I thought carefully and decided it would be fun. I was almost late for my next class which I just happened to have with Jake. Jake and I started talking and the plans changed so that we ended up turning the night into a double date and doing the hike that night rather than the next day. Sadly enough I am not much of a hiker and I gave a little over halfway through the hike. Dave, ever the gentleman stopped with me and we again talked for the next hour while Jake and Marsha finished the hike and came back to us. The men had brought with the makings for a sandwich which we all ate while watching the sunset. Afterwards we headed back to the car and went back to Duke Dance's apartment to watch the Emperor's New Groove and Mountains of Ephraim (most of you won't know this one..it's a home video Dave and Jake made before their mission) and enjoying a bowl of ice cream. Before ending the night Marsha and I invited them to join us for the rodeo in Manti the next night. They agreed and that concluded our first date!
7 comments:
Oh Em. Tears flowing and happiness and sadness at the same time. Please, Dave, let us know when we can all come together with a family fast for Em. Taylor's from AK will be sending out much love and prayers. What a blessing to find a way free of her pain, but how scary for your family to go through. We love you and your beautiful family.
By the way, this is Patrese, Maddie must have taken my computer and signed in her name. (AmberWriter).
Please let me know if I can do anything titans your family. She is a strong woman. And you are strong man. Let God lead and bless you both. Please keep us updated. And if you need someone to watch your kids if I am not working. Or someone to just come and visit.
Ah, Em! I'm so glad Dave updated this. It has been far too long since we have talked. I am scared for you, but also so relieved! I can't imagine the pressure that's gone from just knowing what is causing all of this, and that you won't have to live with it for the rest of your life. Please keep us updated with when the surgery is happening, so I can make sure and say extra prayers for you that day. Love you, girl!
Keep me posted on when and such! I can help watch the kiddos or anything you need! I will be praying for you and 'significant improvement'! I love you girl! - Terynn
I will definitely keep her in my prayers. Thank you for sharing!
We love you guys! Thanks for writing this so well Dave. Good luck to you Emily! Sad that you have to have a surgery, but glad that you have finally received an answer after all these years of pain. I'm excited for you to feel well again!
Love, Linnea
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