It's Muller Time

What would the Muller household be without a little stress and excitement? I think we wouldn’t know what to do. On Monday, Tim and I went to the ER as there was something seriously and neurologically wrong with T’s back. He was losing motor and feeling to his left leg and even control of his bladder. He got an MRI but the Dr. said there was nothing remarkable about the film that couldn’t be taken care of at the clinic. The ER doctor I think was still concerned about Tims neurological symptoms and asked us if we wanted a second opinion. Thankfully my future sister in law works for the Neurology clinic at the University of New Mexico hospital and recommended one of the Dr.’s she works with. The ER doctor spoke with her that night and she said to send him over to UNMH. The ER doctor agreed and told us he would start the process for the transfer. Well I think it was a problem politically since the ER we were at was not affiliated with the University Hospital so the process stalled. We sat in the ER with Tim on a hospital gurney for 25 hours. Tim had to get his back doctor involved to get him transferred. After telling us that “he was not high priority”, they finally had him transferred by ambulance to the University Hospital. The neurosurgeon met him at the ER, and before I even got to the new hospital, she had him prepped and IN SURGERY. She told my brother in law that “she hoped that she got in there in time to not have permanent nerve damage”. She said the disc fragment that she pulled from his spine was a “10″ if she was to rate it 1 to 10. She is pleased with how things are progressing and it looks like there will be minimal residual weakness (if any) of the nerves that were being crushed. We are so thankful for the doctors at UNMH. We are SO thankful for Beth for pulling strings for the best surgeons to work on Tim (as they were not on duty when he arrived). They both stayed after their shift to perform the surgery. PRAISE GOD! He said it is like night and day on how he is feeling. Posturally he is standing and walking so well compared to a few days ago. The pain is now more surgically related vs a pain related to nerve impingement. In a couple of hours, we will be discharged home to recouperate!!! All’s well that ends well.

Gosh! Have we been busy. Josh has made it to his third State Competition for History Day as most of you know, with years before, and as most of you parents know. When a child has a big homework project. Mom and Dad have a big homework project. We must say though that we are very proud of Josh this year, because the only work that the parents have really had to do is minor editing here and there. But with him not having his license yet, most of the “bus” work falls on Nancy. We love the gas friendly car she has now with Soccer, Library and other after school runs she does. In the midst of this busy life, we had a great distraction [all too short one though] with Nancy’s aunt and uncle from Canada. Aunt Allison and Uncle Larry. We had such a wonderful visit with them. They stayed the night in Albuquerque passing through on their way back to Canada from Arizona. Our visit even included some of our busy runs. They tried to endure the NASTY Albuquerque “Spring” weather to watch Ashlea play soccer. What troopers! After that the kids visited their hotel pool for a dip and then we enjoyed a late night dinner. It was a GREAT distraction from our regular schedule.

We had such a wonderful time and loved our visit with them. We can’t wait to see them again. Thanks for the fun and detour!