Thursday, August 30, 2012

Not admitted

We are back in the swing, with this being the first full week of school.  Everyone is doing well and enjoying school.  We did get Kelsey started on her schooling on Monday and she is already a couple days ahead at this point.  That is great considering where she was last week.  I programmed her lessons to begin this Monday and to end May 24 just in case we do get behind, she can still make it up by the time the others get out of school.  She has really worked hard and I am so proud of her.  Also proud of the other two munchkins with their homework they are doing each night.

On top of it all, every night they have been reviewing their last of the 100 memory verses they have learned.  It's a bit tough with Psalms 63:1-8.  Once they have it down, we will be done with our 100 verses and I think something special is in store for them having learned that many.  How many adults can say even 50?  I will help them choose some new ones to add on her in the next few weeks to start the new goal of another 50.:)   May they always remember them and put them in their hearts.

I have kept busy since Monday, getting the kids all packed with clothes for school and church, got myself packed and house picked up a bit with knowing that the chances were high of me being admitted to Chicago on Wednesday after my appointment.  I got there and asked the nurse about it all and she said no they wouldn't be admitting me since the swelling was all gone.  Glad the swelling is gone, but was ready to have some answers on a few issues going on.  The biopsy is still in the talks with a specialist/surgeon.  They have not come to an agreement on it at this point.  My doctor feels it would be very beneficial to have the information from it, so they know if they can begin with other treatments.  Treatment would be a lifetime commitment and she doesn't want to start it without knowing.

She did take 8 vials of blood with 14 tests.  Some of the vitamins and things, so it will take a bit for those to come back.  I was close to having my j-tube out of the intestines, but I use it to put meds thru and for some of them, that is the only route they are able to give it.  I'll see at the next appointment with her if I it's possible then.  It would be nice to be at least 1 tube less.:)  I am ready for some answers.

I am and will continue to wait patiently for my miracle.  God gives me strength daily and I feel HIS sweet peace surrounding me. I am a Miracle!  Just to think of where I have been- at times wondering if I would  awake.  He has been through all of this every step of the way and I know He is not about to leave me now.  Thank you for all of your prayers and words of encouragement.  Prayer is a powerful thing!!  Nothing is too big or too small for God!  So thankful to be in the hands of the Great Physicians.


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Our Week

We are back in the groove with schooling...sort of.  Kailey and Matthew are at Lincoln and enjoying it.  Kelsey has not started yet due to our mistake.  Back in May, Shane changed the main password to get into the computer and set Kelsey up as a second user with limited access to computer use for schooling to help get rid of any distractions.  Now three months later, neither one of us can remember the password to get into the computer to be able to load her schooling onto it.  There is a man in town who fixes computers and is wonderful, so Shane took it to him tonight to do the works on it.  I don't think Kelsey totally understands that she has to catch up from the days we are behind, but she is ready to start back up again also.

On Monday, we went to Lincoln and took the kids belongings into the class and got to meet the teachers.  Both Kailey's and Matthew's teachers are wonderful and it helps me to know that I'm leaving them in good hands everyday.  They both left that day excited about going to school Tuesday.  Kailey seemed to take Matthew on under her wing and help him a bit with this school all being new to him.

They all woke up Tuesday morning and were ready to face the world!:)   They ate their special breakfast that I had made, then finished final preparations for facing the first day.  Matthew climbed onto my bed and gave me a huge hug, then said, "Mommy, are you still going to pray with us this morning?"  Yes- we indeed did just that as we always do.  We pray for them, for their day, for God to help them to let their lights shine, to be big helpers and peace builders at all times, and for God to keep them and protect them, the school, and teachers.  Hugs and kisses were given and Daddy took them away. :)  As soon as the door shut, the tears flowed.  After some praying and getting myself together, the day flew and it was time to get them from school.  I made it special by getting some ice cream cones at Burger King and eating them there and playing on the playground.  Lots of good hand washing, too! ;)

We found our people who we wanted to help make their day!  Two little boys had come in to play, and had not come to eat, just play as their parents talked and used their phones.  As they left, we gave them money to get cones before leaving.  With smiles on their faces they made they way to the counter and left with cones and BIG smiles.  We also left smiling and we knew the reason why-we made someone's day extra special!:)  Try it on someone sometime you don't know!!:) It just won't make their day, but yours too!!

Unfortunately, my body is having some symptoms that Chicago is concerned with.  I am having quiet a bit of abdominal pain and pain around the j-tube with some other stuff and with me being so far away they wanted me to come and admit myself to the the ER.  (For those of you who remember the hospital stay back in December, I had to go through the ER to be admitted and it took 4 days in the ER before I could even be put into a patient room.  It was a very hard time to be in the ER for 1 day, let alone 4!  No windows, 1 bathroom shared with about 25 patients, no privacy curtains much, and the list goes on :/  God was with me every moment of that stay and He made a way that very nite that I broke down crying wanting to leave and I ended up getting into a room about 2-3 in the morning.) Anyways, she wanted me to call this morning to let her know what I decided.  Shane and I felt like it would be best for me to go.  We had told the kids last nite after church and it was very hard on the kids and us.  By this morning I went to get out of bed and could actually move my feet without there being any tightness.  I looked and could see both ankles!  I thought to myself this is going better!:) Thank you, Lord!! I got the kids breakfast ready and got them up and going.  Getting them out the door was rough once again on all of us. After they left, I started packing up their clothes.

Around 9:00 this morning, I called Chicago and gave them a heads up on it all and explained I wasn't trying to get out of coming that I'm planing on coming if they are still wanting me to.  She began by saying she was relieved that the fluid had gone down and it was up to me with me still having some issues and the abdominal pain.  She stated that since I was stable and things are a bit better that we could hold off and wait til next Wednesday to see the doctor in the office and plan on possible admittion thru the ER then.  I was totally for it!  I needed the time to not be throwing everything together for the kids for a week's worth of clothes and getting my things also.  I will be prepared for next week for the kids for whatever is to happen.

Today is the first of many more miracles to come:).  Thank you to all  of you who have been praying for me!  Prayer does make the difference and is the key to opening up the miracle that is about to unfold. ;)  God is so good to me-even if I would have had to go to Chicago.  I am in His hands and He has never left me.  I am a very blessed person! :)

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Crazy Week!!

What a crazy week it has been, to say the least.  I'm so thankful for the Lord and for His strength!

I had an appointment with the orthopedics doctor on Tuesday to follow up with the hip pain and make sure that they are not getting worse.  They are the same as before and not getting any worse, so thank the Lord for that!  For the pain, I will follow up with the Rheumatologist in Chicago.  I see him in September.

On Wednesday, I saw the surgeon at the University of Illinois at Chicago who had put my gastric pacemaker in, all due to a piece of metal that came out of my g-tube (stomach) back on August 9th.  All is well though with the piece of metal.  It was an endo clip that they had put in when I had my scope in May for the J-tube to be put back.  I had a tear in my esophagus and they had used it to help it heal.  AMAZING!  Glad it wasn't a piece of the pacemaker or that the metal clip didn't damage my stomach or my g-tube.  THANK YOU, LORD, for the little and BIG things You do! :)

I had some issues going on Wednesday with some pretty bad stomach cramps, so while I was in Chicago I made a phone call to the he other hospital (University of Chicago), where my GI specialist is, to let them know what was going on.  They suggested I go to their ER or home ER to be checked out and admitted to see what was the problem.  I chose to go back to my hospital.  We had the kiddos with us on this trip since school starts next week and we were wanting to make it an extra special time.  Well....Daddy took care of it being special for them with a trip to Sonic Drive-in  and still got me home as quickly as possible.  We dropped kids off and went to the ER.  I was admitted and the following day had a scope done which revealed I had an intestinal infection. :(  Not fun, but grateful it wasn't anything worse and the symptoms were not worse.  Much to be thankful for and had wonderful care from the staff.

But there is no place like home and I asked Friday morning if it would be possible for me to go home.  I was given the green light and by 6:30 that night I was at home. :)  I am so glad to be back in my own surroundings and with my FAMILY! :)  Miss my kiddos so much when I'm in the hospital.  So grateful for God blessing me with THE BEST HUSBAND!  He had his hands full with trying to be with me and getting kids dispersed and house keeping and his job and the list goes on.  Not once does he complain!  Thankful for some nurses helping him also with making sure he was fed.  Just when he would be getting close to leaving to get a bite of something, they would come with a drink and some food.  I am blessed from God with such a beautiful family!  God is better to me than I ever deserve.  I count my blessings!!!!

I had a special "Mommy Moment" this morning with Kailey.  She came in this morning and cuddled and snuggled with me.  Talk about making your heart melt.  Can't help but take it all in.  What a time it was and we both needed it.

It's coming upon us all to fast - school!  I can't believe it is already here on Tuesday.  We still need to put Kelsey's school work on the laptop though.  It won't be hard to do, just want it ready by Tuesday so she is starting when the others do.  Back packs are ready and I am not. I miss my kids while they are not here. We have made a lot of wonderful memories over the summer and had a lot of fun. I am so thankful I had a chance to be able to be a part of it with them!

School time means summer is getting ready to end,but fall is just around the corner.  I LOVE FALL TIME!  The colors of the trees, s'mores and yummy caramel apples and the smell of apple cider, and snuggling up in comfy sweaters.  No, I don't eat any of the caramel apples, s'mores, or the apple cider, but it helps draw the picture. ;)

I am wanting to do something extra special with the kids on Monday.  I wanted to do it over the summer and I'm sure we have but I want to do it again.  I want to go out of my way with the kids and find a stranger and make their day.  Not sure what we'll do because I want them to put their ideas in on it as well.  Just want to make someone's day a better one! :)   I am so thankful to many of you who have done that over and over for my family.  THANK YOU!!!

I pray that all of you are doing well.

Good night.
 

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Chicago Appt

Yesterday, we went to Chicago to set a date for the surgery for the full thickness biopsy.  The specailist didn't know anything about it.  The GI doctor had not dissused anything with her.  She was unable to contact my GI there with her having to be in procedures.  Long story short, she doesn't feel comfortable doing the procedure and putting me at risk of some major complications that could arise with this being done.  The GI doc feels it is necesary to do in order to make sure that there is not an underlying disorder causing me to have the Gastroparesis.   It was a bit of a wasted trip.  I will need for the 2 of them to really decide if it's worth the risk and then we'll decide from there.  Praying for God's guidance and wisdom on what to do.  But looking on the bright side, I was able to have a date day with my Prince Charming!

I was not able to get in at the University of Wisconsin.  I found this out last Friday, so when talking with the nurse at Chicago yesterday I was able to get in with a Rheumotologist there.  I have an appointment set for September 20th regarding all the bone pain and severe muscle cramps.

In 2 weeks, the kids start back up.  Book bags are ready, Kelsey's program came in and just need to install it in the computer.  Hard to believe that she is already starting 6th grade!  Yikes!  She is growing into a beautiful young lady (QUICKLY).  So thankful for my precious children.  Not planning too much with them this week.  Just relaxing and getting some extra snuggle and cuddle time in.  ;)

So glad I have a Heavenly Father who cares and understands.  He is my peace, joy, strength and my healer. I am greatful that I can call upon HIM anytime, and at the mention of HIS precious name he is right there with me.  What a privilege it is to be a daughter of the King.  He is so good to me.  I am blessed.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

I am back!

What a beautiful, memorable and relaxing trip!  We stayed with my brother and sister and their families at a little vacation cottage in Michigan from Wednesday night through Saturday afternoon.  I loved not having an agenda and being able to take a nap between trips to the beach and trips to town.  We would go to the beach for about 3 hours then I rested before going into town to do some site seeing.

We watched the sun set both Thursday and Friday nights over Lake Michigan and it was breath taking and beautiful.  On Thursday night, we watched the sunset from the light house at South Haven, Michigan and Friday night from St Joseph.  I think between the two I liked South Haven a bit better but both are neat towns.

The kids enjoyed playing with their cousins a lot.  I'd have to say it was a wonderful relaxing time as a family.  I even got to enjoy building a small sandcastle at the beach and guard it till I was done to keep my 2 year old nephew from wanting to smash it right away. :)  It was fun watching the kids play and run in the sand.  It was Kailey and Matthew's first time to a beach and they LOVED it!  The kids would get into the water and venture out little by little, working up the courage to dive in.  And it didn't take too long and they were diving in and picking up rocks and shells off of the the bottom of the lake.

Lunches were always a bit interesting trying to keep them from touching any sand so they could eat their cheese and crackers, chip, cookies, fruit...without getting some sand in with a bite.  They were never too interested in having to stop to eat anyway.

I loved letting the waves rippling to the shoreline and hit my feet, writing our family's name in the sand, and feeling the warmth of the sun embracing my cold body.  Yes, I was chilled, even at the beach.

Our family made lots of  cherished memories this week and I am so blessed I was able to be a part of it with them.  Many thanks to my brother and sister and their families for making it all possible.

I have a doctor appointment with the specialist in Chicago on Tuesday regarding setting up the biopsy surgery.  I will try and update on Tuesday or Wednesday with the information on it.

God is so good and I am so thankful for all of HIS many blessing.  I treasure the small things things in life. I challenge you to one day this week to sit back and watch the sunset and maybe even eat an ice cream cone for me while you do it:)