Ritenere l'amore!

Italian for “feeling the love” (Italian in honor of my lil’ niece Kaity). My heart is so full, for all of you love, exercise and support! I have had my first four treatments, and they went well. My ears are still adjusting, things sound a little rice-crispyish but that should end during the next week. My vision is starting to change, I will probably become really near sited by the end of next week but that will also correct itself. I had surgery yesterday and it went really well. There was only one time last week I started to feel a little anxious about being in the tube, and I just closed my eyes and started to go through the list of all of you who are shaking your booty for me. It made me feel so happy and as I suspected, I totally calmed down. I really want to talk with each of you, but I am a little confused about blog etiquette so look below for your individual posts (coming today sometime). Love you all and thank you so much for what you are doing for me!!!
Amy
PS. Make sure to click on full screen on the slide show on the right. We get frozen fog here, we have never seen it before, it is amazing.

I swallow my pride. I enter the dark side of blogging.

Hi Family and Friends-

I know, I know, I have told many of you this day would never come, but I was wrong, and here I am using precious time to write something no one may ever read. But with recent events I thought this might be a good way to keep everyone (who is interested) up to date, as I take this strange journey over the next few months.
First of all I want to apologize for those of you I haven't spoken with, honestly I just haven't had it in me. But I am doing better now, I just needed some time to process. So here is what is going on. Many of you have noticed the red spots on my legs before. It is a rare condition called necrobiosis. Over the years I have been to many specialist including The Mayo Clinic and The International Diabetes Center and no one could help me. There is no cure or research (because it is rare). The problem is sometimes those areas can become infected. My leg ulcerated with an infection around Halloween and the strongest antibiotics are doing nothing. I went back to the Doctor a week ago Wednesday and was told I could possibly loose my leg. The good news is, I have three great doctors and they have came up with an aggressive plan and they are certain it will work. In my heart I just know it is going to work. Monday I will start Hyperbaric Treatment for the next 8 weeks (possibly up to 12 weeks) five days a week, 3 hours a day. I will also have surgery next week. The picture above is what it looks like.
So let me tell you a little about the chamber and then let me tell you how you all could help me. Basically the chamber will pressurize and gradually they will take me down where it will equivalent to being 33 feet below sea level. I will need to continually be popping my ears for the first 15 minutes, then I will feel totally normal except my voice will sound like I am sucking helium. Then I just lay there. I can not have anything with me (like paper, cell phone, book) and I can not have any makeup, lotion, hairspray etc, because I will be in 100% oxygen which is very flammable. I can watch a movie on a screen attached to the tube, but as you know, I'm not a huge movie person, and I never sit still for longer than a half an hour. So the goal for me is to stay calm and not get claustrophobic (once the lid is closed, they can not open it till I am done, or it will cause severe lung damage).
Alright so here is what I need from you. A greater purpose to all this craziness. For every hour I lay in the tube (3 a day), I am asking for a donation of 5 minutes of exercise from each of you (Parents, Siblings, in-laws, friends, strangers). I know it seems a little manipulative, but if I start feeling "crazy in the tube" I know I can calm myself thinking of you all exercising. The exercise can be anything you want and as light as it needs to be, just make sure it is healthy for you. It can be a short walk. Lifting small weights (even from the recliner), Tai Chi for those of you in the 60 and older category. Yoga for my high stressed Sister-n-laws, and something neck friendly for my sister. Tim and Rob, two words...Billy Blanks (Ruth will enjoy BB's tight pants). I am also asking my friends to sign up as well. Remember start light, it might be a long 12 weeks. Oh and I will be exercising each day as well. Ever since I had this idea, I have totally calmed down about everything. So think about it and respond to this post if you can help me out. I will send an email out to you all when that is up.
I love you all!
Amy