Braustin Nation

I made it! It's not a super risky surgery, but it is brain surgery. I say I made it because even though I am a nurse, this stuff freaks me out! Especially because in the medical profession I've learned there is human error. My doctor is leading in the area, and uses calculations and a robot to help place DBS leads. I am so grateful I didn't have to be awake like most DBS patients do. (My doctor is leading in the area and found better results with asleep DBS.) I was half ready to jump out of the bed on operation day and say "just kidding!" because I haaaaaate IVs. I am the world's most difficult stick  and super sensitive to catheters in my veins...and an experienced nurse of 20+ years had to stick my hand and wrist four times, and the day before three times. But, I knew I had to see through it because I am extremely grateful and so SO lucky to have this procedure. No IV fear of mine was gonna stop me. It's silly but I seriously can't do IVs haha

I am on the last little stretch before the surgery! It's amazing how in denial I can still be, thinking that I do not have anything wrong. But then you get a wake up call when your body does funky things you can't stop, and then you fall down the stairs twice. Once I popped my shoulder, and the second I popped a hip and broke my back molar coming down on my side. So I got that tooth fixed ASAP, thank the heavens it didn't damage any roots! At the dentist my mouth was opened for an extended period of time, and needles were involved. Just when you think you have this whole Dystonia thing under control.... another reminder! I got lock jaw while working as a floor nurse! My jaw had increasing pain through the week, and I revisited the dentist. Nothing wrong with my tooth. At work, it sealed shut (and not to be gross) but when you have an intense cramp like that, it causes immense pain. I do in fact throw up sometimes from the pain. Well if your mouth seals... and tons

This was my view of hope! I know that is so tacky, but it was true! When I saw this medical center, I didn't want to go in. I didn't want to know if they could or couldn't. I took my sweet time in the car, and got so nervous I kept having to pee. That's never happened before! At first we thought the neurosurgeon was telling us no, but he was just explaining the research board and the data from my case he would have to give them for movement disorder research. I was a definite yes, and "that is generalized dystonia if I've ever seen it." I said, "Oh yeah, in my left arm and leg and right upper arm." He said, "No, all over, I can see it in your face, and your right leg is turned in. That's not normal." I was also asked about "freezing." I said, "Yeah, when it gets cold it worsens it." "No, freezing, like cramping and locking up."  Apparently I have a kind that freezes rather than spasms a

Reading though my last post in this "journal," I read that I was hoping to be a nurse (LPN) in May. I'm proud to say I'm 6 months into being a nurse! I work in long term care, and care for around 30 patients. I worked both day and night shifts, and found myself loving the night shifts the most! Everyday is an adventure. Older people really just want to talk and have you hold their hands. I love that. Then there are also all those crazy stories.... Such as how I just bought those shoes in the picture, and within 5 minutes someone spit their applesauce-crushed medication all over me and my new shoes --With red-dyed enteric coating nasty all over haha! I've had to ship people to the ER on multiple occasions, and even seen people pass. The best part has been taking care of people who I would check on every 15 minutes I was so worried for their health upon admit (jabbering on about Jesus Pies and how the Bible says I'm going to birth 40 babies and I am blessed

It's been a while! Life has just been moving too fast!  Let me catch you up, and maybe I will be better at keeping this journal of sorts. Austin and I are still loving Wyoming so much. Austin is in his second year of law school, and I am second semester nursing. We feel so blessed to be in a beautiful place, and to be blessed with outstanding education. I know we are in the right place! I've met so many people who I love, and have taught me so much.  Winter has been fun for us --we spent lots of time with family over the Holidays, and each took a much needed work-free break. This is the first (and last) time we will have that time because again, life is progressing so fast! And holy cow, look at that snow... we have some exciting travel stories including blizzards, fun hotel stops, and seeing a bald eagle plus two golden eagles same day!  Juno is doing well and being spoiled by the grandparents. We got lots of time up in Casper this winter, and we