Braustin Nation

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, ...

Austin and I celebrated four years! We kept it low-key this year and went fishing in the Snowy Range (you guys, it's 10,000 feet up there!!), then walked around downtown Laramie. We spent time at our favorite thrift shop, then headed to Mizu Sushi for a wonderful dinner. We split a sushi roll (Rose Roll!) and had vermicelli because the place is actually run by vietnamese people... so you have to get the vietnamese food, it's legit! Big Dipper ice cream is also our favorite ice cream and gelato place, it's pricey but oh my word one scoop is almost too much. Best. Ever. When Austin and I got back from our adventures, we watched How I Met Your Mother and watched the movie Belle. Btw, that is a great period piece based on a true story, I recommend it! Low-key was the best anniversary! I love this guy! Plus we had some more good stuff happen... Many of you don't know because it's just not something you share, but we were struggl...

All of us went fishing today! We invited Austin's parents to go on a fishing trip, and I think I have found my happy place. In the Snowy Range.  We caught a few, and I am going to retry trout as an adult. I'll let you know how that goes haha! We kept a smaller, legal ( > 6in) guy so we could try it.  The altitude was 10,800ft, and I didn't know mosquitos could survive that high (let alone where there is still glaciers and snow) ... so I ended up smelling like deet and wearing a buff all day to keep them from biting my scalp (mine is tasty for whatever reason... must be my shampoo??) The water was so clear from the pure snow run offs, and quartz was everywhere! It seemed like a postcard picture, and it was very different from anything I've seen. Wildflowers were eeeverywhere. I am telling you. This was like the woods off of Disney or something.  So anyway! Nothing much to say here, I do have a lot of photos from our trip! ...