COOL! I put up the pictures from the Redwings Opening Day. I think I managed to get some really great shots. When you view them keep in mind that I was sitting in my seat the entire time and we were behind the netting directly behind home plate. Comments are welcome.

In other news... I've been learning Linux at work. For those of you that don't speak geek...Linux is an operating system (like Windows) that is used primarily for server applications. It is based on the Unix operating system and is used in server applications due to it's stability and customizability. It's much more complicated than what most people are used to as the most basic and advanced functions of the OS are handled through the command line (no pictures to click on). It's the biggest gap in my computer knowledge and I plan on closing that gap. That and it's really fun!

Anyway...enough geek talk. Have fun and spread the love!

- Jeremy

Hope everyone is well. I haven't made any updates this past week simply because I've had no time. Fear not...it has been a good week. A very good week.

I'm sure that the question you all want answered is "how is Erin?". Simply put she's pretty much back to normal and both of us couldn't be happier. By the time last Sunday came around she was feeling much better. Her eyesight had returned to normal and the headaches had pretty much stopped. We went to the follow up appointment on Tuesday morning and they were very surprised (and pleased) with her progress. Her optic nerves are still a little swollen and that will still take some time to heal. So, everything is returning to normal and life is the way it's supposed to be. She is back to work and I've been able to not only have my first full week back to work since this odyssey started, but I was also able to pick up some over-time this week. Very cool.

What else has been going on? Let me think...

I was privileged to watch a horrible movie this week! Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter. Yes, you read that correctly and yes, it is as strange as it sounds. Did I mention that it's a musical? It's one of those films that's so bad it's good. Besides, any movie that features a talking bowl of ice cream and a musical number has got to have some merit, right?

I went to the Redwings home opener with my father-in-law today. Great time and great game. I had lots fun and you know me...I'm not the biggest sports fan. There is just something about going to the ballpark that brings back great memories. It's something that I look forward to doing with my own kids someday. I haven't had much chance to go to many ball games in the past couple of years so this was fun. I was able to get some great pictures and I'll be posting them soon.

Ooh...one more thing. We've decided to hold off on the house thing. We're going to put our tax money in the bank and build on it so we have more for a down payment. That and we've only got two months to find and close on a house before our lease is up. Nearly impossible!

Peace and love!

- Jeremy

Erin's still asleep so I'll make this entry to update you all with what's going on.

A good portion of Monday was spent at the neurologist's office. We did not have the spinal tap that day. They were very surprised at just how swollen her optic nerves were and they immediately scheduled her for an MRI to check for a tumor. That was for two reasons. One, they need to be sure that there is no tumor before they do the tap, because if you do a tap with a tumor it can be very fatal (very bad). Two, if they find a tumor then their approach to treatment completely changes. We were nervous to say the least. Tuesday Erin went in for the MRI. Thankfully nothing was found except swollen optic nerves and excess cranial pressure due to an over abundance of spinal fluid. She met with the doctor and they scheduled the tap.

Wednesday morning we went in for the spinal tap procedure. It went very quickly and the doctor was pleased with the result. He was concerned however, because her spinal fluid pressure was extremely high. 200 is normal and she was at 458. He said that there shouldn't be much to worry about from here. Things will get progressively better now that much of the pressure has been relieved. Regardless, we still have quite a road ahead of us.

I got her home and put her flat on the couch and with the exception of getting up to go to the bathroom, that is where she has been for the past two days. She has noticed some general improvement with her vision, though its still not 100%, and the pressure she was experiencing in her head is gone. Everything else will get better with time. The doctor told us that it could take up to three months for her vision to completely recover and she will likely be on the diuretics for up to six months.

Today she'll be up and moving around a little and we'll see what happens. I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks to all who have sent their well wishes and thanks to those who have stopped by to help cheer Erin up. We both greatly appreciate it.

Peace, love and warm fuzzies!

- Jeremy

Ok, so here's the scoop. Most of you that know me know that Erin has been pretty sick these past three weeks. Thankfully we finally have a diagnosis; bilateral papilledema. In other words, her optic nerves are swollen. The symptoms of this condition mirror that of an inner ear infection which explains why she was having the dizziness, the nausea, and the headaches.

Here's a quick recap. First she came down with bronchitis (three weeks ago). After that cleared up we thought that she had an ear infection...hence a scheduled appointment with an ENT specialist (now cancelled). Once the pressure in her ears cleared up the only thing that was left was the headaches, dizziness, nausea and pressure behind her eyes...she couldn't see straight. This past Friday morning we went for a CT scan and that found nothing; good news and bad news rolled into one. Our doctor immediately scheduled her for an appointment with an ophthalmologist to have her eyes looked at. Low and behold - he found the problem! Erin's a little more relaxed today. I think she's just happy to know what is wrong and what they can do for it (I'm getting to that part). I'm just happy that she's happy. Now I can get some much needed sleep.

As for what they will be doing to fix this whole deal. We have an appointment on Monday morning with a neurologist to have fluid drained from her spine...yes, her spine. The excess fluid is what is causing the optic nerves to swell. They're not sure what caused this build up of fluid, but I'm sure that the doctor will be able to tell us more on Monday.

So, it looks like this little ordeal is coming to an end. Once this is over we can get back to the other task at hand...makin' babies!

Peace, love and warm fuzzies,

- Jeremy

WHEW! Finally! I was able to get the photo galleries up. I'm hoping to get the remainder of the images up within the next couple of weeks. There isn't much else to report.

OOH! One thing... Erin and I have decided to use our tax refund and some of our savings to buy a house this summer. The lease on our apartment is up at the end of May and we really cannot find a reason to stay here when we have enough money for a down payment on a house. We're not looking for anything huge or expensive. Just something to start a family in.

This is sooo EXCITING! I'll be sure to post more when I know more.

- Jeremy