Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thankful

I know we aren't supposed to think about thankfulness just on Thanksgiving. But what better time to pause and capture those things we are thankful for on a daily basis. I am a scrapbooker and I love to record the ordinary, everyday stuff. Life is good. Memories are priceless.


I have a little book next to my computer where I have recorded things I am thankful for. Here are some of my thoughts from the little book:


I am thankful. . .
  • for my sister
  • that God blessed me with a daughter
  • for the imagination of my children
  • one-hour photos
  • FREEDOM and for the people who will ensure that
  • for my scrapbook hobby
  • for movement
  • that my hubby takes his role as spiritual leader in our family seriously
  • for church and the Word
  • for good surgeons and patient nurses
  • for FAMILY and getting together
  • for church fellowship
  • for discipline, self-control, and the guidance of the Word
  • that all my needs are met
  • for Mike
  • my husband and his kind and generous heart
  • for Lynn's help
  • for God's free GRACE
  • to be able to give back
  • that God protects our children even when we can't

These are in no particular order and by no means encompass all of my blessings. They are just a few from the list of many - each entry has the date I wrote it and sometimes an explanation of why I wrote it. Fond memories. I am thankful I took the time to do this.


Psalm 103:2 Praise the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all his benefits . . .


It is always a good time to remember all the blessings.


And speaking of blessings. I am so blessed by this little boy. The innocence and wonder of his little mind blesses me. Here he is with the Fleet Farm Toy Catalog. Kept him quiet for over 30 minutes!



I am so blessed!! I am blessed by each and everyone of you. Thank you for the cards and words of encouragement. I am in awe of those of you who reach out to us and help us during this trying time.

Happy Thanksgiving. Blessings to you.

Friday, November 19, 2010

It Packs A PUNCH

Mike got home on Wednesday. He stopped and did some shopping with Missy on the way. He was pretty tired when he got home. We all helped him get his bags up the stairs. Those stairs. . .

He did PFTs on Tuesday. FEV1 was 40%. We are so thankful his numbers have come up. It is hard to swallow that this is his new best. 10% difference is making a big impact on the quality of his life. Mike's spirits are better. He is such a blessing. He is so thankful to be out of the hospital. I know he continues to make the best of his situation. He and Missy went out tonight. He is looking forward to Thanksgiving with his father's family. He is going to Uncle Scotts and hoping he and Uncle Bob will help him with his guitar. Such strength and perseverance. I remain totally inspired by his attitude.

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The results of his test really packed a punch. It is hard to be happy. I am so thankful he got better than he was. I am still praying he will come back up to at least 50%. I remember February when I wondered if he would ever see 40% again. The dips are hard to take. Of course he wants his health back. One of the difficult things for CF patients is that they have to work just as hard if not harder to maintain a lower level of health as the disease progresses.

Let's put it this way. If you had to work just as hard at your job as you do now, or harder and they cut your pay in half - would you be happy? Now in an economy like this, you may still be thankful you have a job and some money to help towards your support but it would probably be difficult to get to happy.

We are content.
We are blessed.
Mike will persevere.
My heart is a little heavy.
God will pick me up - - - he comforts me.

Thanks for reading. Thank you for your support.

Katie did a fund raiser to help raise money for CF. It was in the newspaper. I will try and find a link and post it here. Last night she helped in a benefit called Climb for a Cure. Firefighters and policemen climbed flights of stairs to raise money for CF. God bless you all. Thank you for helping us fight. These men and women raised $60,000. Thanks too for all the volunteers who helped put this event together. We are thankful for each and every one of you.

Love, love, love. Blessings to you.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

I just got back from visiting with Mike. I love that young man. He is having a rough time. Two weeks in a small room, IVs, meds, doctors, nurses, students . . . it is all trying his patience.

He doesn't feel a whole lot better. I pray the numbers come up.

He knows others (family and friends) feel badly that he is sick and not doing well. . . he doesn't like to think he is causing anyone else pain . . . and he knows it is the CF but it is hard for him to separate. He is struggling.

I am praying for him. I hope you are too. He is strong and brave and such an inspiration to me.

Thank you for the prayers and support. Blessings to you. Love, love, love. Truly, deeply . . .

P.S. He asked me to tell Uncle Bob thanks for letting him borrow the guitar.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Jammin

I got to see Mike yesterday thanks to the help of friends. Grandma Nettie told me she and grandma Kristi were bringing supper over tonight so I snuck away yesterday and went to see Mike. Came home today to the smell of supper in the house. YUM! No words to express all the blessings of the past few days. Prayers from members at our church, help in getting to Madison, cookies and brownies for Mike and the boys and supper tonight. We are so blessed by all of you. Thank you, thank you.

Mike was in pretty good spirits. He was playing his guitar when I got there. He had slept most of the morning. He is using his computer to learn to play songs. I love the spirit and courage of this young man. I am in awe of him.

The medicines kind of make him sick. I had to pull it out of him. We thank you for your prayers and support. Mike makes this look easy and it is not. He is still coughing a lot. They are able to do chest PT again. No more hemoptysis. Praise God. Mike said to tell you he is working on a song about CF. He should be done with the lyrics soon. I'm hoping to catch it on our flip and post it on you tube for you. More to come. Miss you already Mike.

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In other news. David took off his shirt tonight and showed me how he learned to make flarpy noises with his arm pit. He is so proud of himself. Really??? Honestly, it made me laugh.

Faith, Courage, Love..........love, love, love.

Blessings to you.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Hemoptysis

Didn't even know how to spell it. Had to look it up. This is not new. Mike has coughed up blood before. It was only slight this time. Streaking really. They held off on his chest PT and IPV for an evening to give him a break. His spirits are good. Missy went to visit him today - I'm sure that has a lot to do with his spirits ;). I may go visit him tomorrow. He forgot his blanket. They don't give him the nice ones anymore so he likes to take his own.

Thanks for the prayers. Thanks grandma Nettie for the cookies and brownies. I'll take some to Mike if I get to go tomorrow.

Blessings to you.

Friday, November 5, 2010

F I G H T

MRSA

It's MRSA that is growing in Mike's lungs. The word fight takes on a whole new meaning. Mike is so brave and he puts things into perspective. The doctors are trying a different medicine to fight the MRSA and we are praying he will be MRSA free after this fight. He is thankful that he still has the option of transplant, despite this news. He is planning to stay inpatient for most or all of this hospitalization. FEV1 is at 26%.

Please keep Mike and our family in your prayers. He will have to fight even harder on this one. He will be on Vancomycin and it runs 4 times a day at 3 hours each. This will be on top of Cipro and Zosyn. Each one of those will run 2 times a day for an hour each. Of course, this is in addition to the insulin and all other CF meds and treatments. Our church is having prayers for him this weekend. He will need strength, patience, and perseverance. I am so blessed that he has such a strong character. I love you Mike, fight, fight, fight.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Blessings to you!

Congratulations to Jeremy! I have a brother-in-law in the State Assembly.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Back IN

Mike is back in the hospital.
Four weeks ago yesterday he got off of IVs.
Today they accessed his port successfully.
The doctor said he is growing something new in his lungs.
Mike couldn't remember what it was.
They are going to try 3 IV medicines this round.
I'm hoping to talk to the doctor tomorrow to find out more.
Mike will have PFTs tomorrow and I will post numbers when I get them.

Keep Mike in your prayers, please. And if you are on facebook - stop by and tell him hi. You can send cards to the address a few blog posts ago. He is going to try and stay inpatient for most of the visit.

Thankful that God is granting me peace. Love to you. Blessings!
Waving to grandma Kristi! Thanks for the note!! Will type more soon :)