Monday, July 23, 2012

Slow down Summer! :)

Wow! Don't know if it is just me, but the summer is flying by QUICKLY!  Kids will be back in school here before too long.  Just the thought makes my heart drop.  I am enjoying the summer with them as much as I am able to this year!  We are trying to keep the house clean.  They are just about finished memorizing 100 scriptures in the Bible and yea they are more than just 'Jesus wept.'  ;)

The library program has been wonderful.  On Friday,  the kids got to eat lunch with some local farmers. They really enjoyed that and got to sit in a tractor and combine afterwards.  They have all met their goal but are continuing to read til the programs over next week.  After that, it will be back to read at least 15 minutes a day.

I am still overwhelmed with the benefit that was done.  Each day brings a new card in the mail box.  Some with monetary gifts, others with well wishes, and what a treasure that is!  I'm blown away by how many people donated, golfed, gave for the auction, came to the dinner, and the list goes on to help us.  I know that a lot were doing it in memory of Jay which is commendable.  The committee that put this together along with Jay's wife, Donna, have worked hard to put this together!!  Along with Matthew's school teacher.  Thank you to everyone!

I had an interesting Wednesday last week.  Went to the Chiropractor and sometimes I get a massage first, sometimes it's the adjustment. Well, I opted for the message first and I went to change into the gown and lo and behold I notice that my G-tube to my stomach is completely out.  No good!!!  The girl came and I explained what happened.  I asked for a quick massage and she got me in for a quick adjustment.  Called the GI Dr in Moline and talked with his nurse.  They scheduled to put it in at 2, so she wanted me there at 1:30.  That gave me enough time to get clothes laid out for church and lunch made for kiddos.  By that time the babysitter came, the timing was perfect.  I got there, sat down, and they called me back.  Tried an IV in my hand since they didn't have heparin to flush my port, and I didn't want to risk it clotting off but the IV blew and killed like crazy going in.  She tried once more and it slid right in and felt much better going in then the first one.  By that time it was shortly after 2 and they took me back.  They gave me a bite block to hold on in my mouth since they used a scope to help put it in and some sleepy medicine to drift off to my dreamland vacation.  Well, as soon as she put that medication through...wowzers!  My arm felt like it was on fire and the vein burned like crazy.  I took the bite block out and told her so she diluted it more.  She kept telling me I'd go to sleep soon so keep the bite block in my mouth before I went out.  I was trying to explain that when I break out in hives that is one of my signs I get is the burning thru the vein, but fast to sleep I went.  I woke up being fine and was out the door and home by 4:30.  I did wake up to a faint rash all over and some itching so I did do benedryl just to be safe.  :)  I guess I like to keep people on their toes:)   The plan is to now change the G-tube out every 3-4 months so this doesn't happen.

Hope to have a quiet and relaxing week.  Not much on the platter for this week besides doing bloodwork.  Hope to hear from Wisconsin regarding an appointment this week.

On August 7th, I go to Chicago for a consult and hope to set a date with the Specialist for the biopsy.  The GI Dr there may try to see me the same day as well so I am not having to make another trip there.  That would be wonderful!

Time to stop for the night and try to get a bit of rest before the morning comes.  God has been so good to me and I can't thank Him enough for His many blessings upon my life.  The strength and peace HE gives and HIS faithfulness to me!


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Blessed

Wow! My heart is overwhelmed by God's blessings-both great and small!  The benefit has been above and beyond what I had expected!  People coming for the dinner, the auction, the wonderful hard working committee, the baked goods, the items donated for silent auction, sponsors for the holes and/or shirts.  The mail has been having a few cards from those that were not able to come due to other commitments or obligations with a monetary gift.  GOD IS GOOD!!!!  The cards with the wording inside is touching enough!!  Like I said to some that were at the dinner, it is a blessing to me more than money just to see the support from the community.  God has blessed me with a small and caring community and I am thankful.  I'll try to see if I can post a few pictures in a few days, but if not, the website of the benefit will have them up and going as a slide show.  Thank you everyone for your support, love, and prayers for not just myself but my husband and kiddos.


I'm hanging  in there from the busy weekend.  I can say for sure I am worn out and trying to recover and get some much needed rest.  I am still fighting severe muscle cramps along with bone pain that hurts terribly-which I have had before.   Madison, WI is saying that I should have my Dr appointment scheduled by the latest-Friday.  They said today that the Dr. is reviewing my chart right now.  


Chicago also called regarding the biopsy surgery.  I am to see the specialist/surgeon on August 14.  She will then schedule it while I am there hopefully.  I have been waiting for this to be done since I was there in the hospital in December.  It's been talked and discussed and hanging over my head and I am ready when they are to get the show on the road and get it over.  I honestly was thinking it would be done before the benefit but it didn't happen-maybe there's a reason.  Just wanted it done before kiddos started school up but it would only be a week away after August 14.  God cares and understands and I know whatever the timing of it, it will all work out.  I have placed it in the hands of the Lord.  That is where I want my life to be always.  HE  means more to me than I could ever put in words.  I want to keep my life in HIS hands and let HIM do the work in my life that HE wants to.  I want to be a vessel used by HIM and molded and made in HIS image.  When people look at me, I want them to be able to say I see God in her.  I do love HIM and never want to fail to give HIM all the glory and honor!


We have added 2 new friends to our home as of last Thursday-Flip and Flop.  They are two albino frogs.  I love watching them eat.  They are fun and entertaining for the kids...and maybe Mom and Dad too. :)


Also, we have a peach tree out in our back yard.  In June it was FULL of peaches that were growing and little by little the squirrels have been eating them clean.  They are cute watching them eat the peach, but what theives they are!!!  They can't stop eating them.  In the past 2 weeks they have grown to be bigger and beautiful.  The kids have been excited about picking them.  :)  Well today I looked at the peach tree and it looked pretty sad.  Leaves were all full and green- but very few peaches throughout the tree.  So... I thought I'd look over at the tree near by that has a squirel stand.  What did I see with my eyes- a lot of peach seeds at the bottom of the trunk of the tree.  The squirels have taken the peaches over to the tree and eating them.  I thought I'd count and see how many were there-close to 50 seeds!!!  I thought I'd go ahead with Kailey and pick the rest of the peaches on the peach tree so they didn't get anymore.  We picked 15.  Lesson learned-squirrels may be cute but watch out:) they are thieves.  


I also was quickened in a spirtial lesson- satan is like a squirel and little by little robs us of things in our lives like-joy, peace, patience,love  until we just have a little bit left.  Reminds me of a children's song-  read your BIBLE pray everyday and you'll grow, grow, grow.  If you don't read your BIBLE and pray everyday then you'll shrink, shrink, shrink.  Not physically, but spititually in your walk with God.  I want grow in HIM.


I had a wonderful surprise on Friday afternoon while resting in my bedroom.  My Mother in law, Aunt and 8 year old cousin came and surprised me -from Texas.  They wanted to be here for the benefit.  They came in on a train.  Shane and Kelsey kept it a surprise from me.  Thank you for coming!  Lots of memories were made the 4 days you were here!


It has taken me a bit to get this typed between not feeling good and things but things could be much worse and so I should not complain.  Last summer I was in and out of the hospital so much and unable to enjoy my kiddos.  Each morning I am enjoying some sweet snuggle time and through out the day.  I am blessed.  :)



Thursday, July 5, 2012

Visit to the ER

Hello!  I received a phone call this morning from University of Chicago to say my labs from Tuesday showed that I was a bit dehydrated and that my potassium was low again.  She had me do some liquid potassium into my j-tube and do a bag of IV fluids with my TPN going also.  I also had to go to the ER for a check up since my heart was racing this morning.  I would have just gone to my primary care doc, but he was out of town.  Thank the Lord that the blood work showed everything is back on track though.  Chicago is going to add more potassium into the TPN for a while to see if it levels out.

Just a bit worn out from the crazy day, so taking it easy tonight.  As much as I can in this heat anyway!
Hope everyone is staying cool!  It is hot out for sure and the humidity is no fun.  We have had to wait each evening for the temp to drop just a bit so that the kids can go play outside and play in the sprinkler.  The younger two especially can overheat so easily.  They come in after being out for 10 minutes and are drenched in sweat.  They keep busy doing stuff in the house all day, but watch out when that time comes for them to go out.  It's a bee line for the back door. Ha!

Amazing that it is already July.  Wow!  Half the year is over and before long school will be starting.  I am NOT ready for that to happen.  I so enjoy the kids being here with me.  Kailey is ready to go back, but I don't think Matthew misses it one bit.  So thankful for my children!  I am truly blessed from God with these joys in my life.  I love them and so glad to be there Mama.  MY heart melts.  I love to hear them pray, sing, giggle,laugh, read, play (and play together):)  Thank you Lord!