Moved...again!

Yesterday, I finished my first full day in rehab #2. All in all it I thought the transfer went fairly smoothly, and the red tape wasn't too thick to cut while everything worked out for the transfer to the new digs. Of course, David and Mom were the ones having to deal with all the behind scenes stuff- not me (oh, that's so different for me....but- oh-so-nice!). Thankfully, David had off on Thursday when all the leg work of deciding where and what to do about my placement change. So he and mom made countless calls and a couple of visits while super duper Papa D totally took care of Abigail and Audrey An all day. Thank you to all three for making the ball rolling in order for the transfer to happen! Since David had to work Friday, Mom and Dad picked me up from rehab #1 and transferred me directly to rehab #2. Well, actually, we stopped for a quick (???) lunch because I BEGGED them to not go through a drive thru for lunch!! My mental state NEEDED to get out of the car, go in and sit at a restaurant, enjoy a little "happy" (which did include an iced coke!!), and be a semi-normal human being for a few minutes before I started again with four walls closing in on me for who knows how long. Well, I think I gave my parents heart palpitations with that proposal since they were nervous about getting me in/out of the car by themselves! We managed, and this particular Wendy's had bar-type stools in which to sit down; therefore, making it much easier for me to get out of the chair! I think someone placed those chairs in there just for me! Watcha think? They were good sports and let me have my "moment" in the sun, enjoy my spicy chick chick and icey coke! Ok, no more of that now...well, maybe a few cheats every once in awhile... pretty please:-)

You might be wondering why the transferring to rehab #2. #1 had good and kind nursing and tech staff, but I was receiving only about 30 minutes a day of physical therapy (PT) and never was even evaluated by the Occupational Therapy (OT) until the night before my departure. Long story... We have chalked it up to 10 days being there equaled 10 days my body really needed to have more rest so now I can tackle the REAL rehab! I really don't think my body could've handled the required 3-3 1/2 hours of intense rehab when I was initially discharged from the hospital. So, thanks, mom, for reminding us it wasn't a waste of my time. I still needed skilled nursing care, and what man meant for evil (again- loooong story), God can still use for our good.

Place #2 is already so different...like it should be! I've already had PT, OT, speech, nurse, and physician evaluations- all with less than 24 hours of admission. A schedule is in place for my daily therapies, and it started yesterday and even have to report a huge praise! Yesterday was a very busy day with all the evaluation and initial therapies taking place, but I survived! I did more for myself (helped dry own hair and even shaved- no, more like mowed!- my own legs). Again, my range of motion is oh- so- bad. somehow I finagled my way to do those personal care things with assistance- it just took me about an hour and half with the OT and lots of little breaks. I cant raise my arms above my shoulders so all this was done with elbows propped on the wheelchair, but- hey- it's slight improvement! So, no Mrs. Speedy Gonzalez here! Anyway, I told several people last night that I will chalk up my first day here as a good day(and more to come!).

Last Christmas I gave both of the girls "Mommy and Me" journals. We enjoy writing little love notes back and forth to each other, and all three of us enjoy surprising each other with the journal by their nightstand.  I thought it was very interesting that my mom appeared with the girls' journals here two nights ago.  They had both written to me!  They obviously are missing their love notes and find some comfort and security in that. So, I was more than happy to write them back! I got a few more surprises this week, too! My aunt, uncle and grandmother Nini  "came to rehab with me" via the beautiful basket of potted plants/flowers and balloons. Then David called and said, you got a care package at home! A huge basket of wonderful goodies came from many friends from our "old" (as in moved away seven years ago!) bible fellowship class!  Wow... What a blessing!!! I share with you what I told these precious friends...

"Thank you soooo much!  This is such a perfect example and good reminder that a mutual love for The Lord will always bind Believers together...always. That's just how God designed it!  It's a great
testimony of what our class verse was."- Hebrews 10:24-25 "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- all the more so as you seethe Day approaching. "

A Baby, An Explosion, Two Birds and an Energizer Bunny!

Christmas Day I was given a "pass" to go home for the day.  It was so wonderful to surprise the girls and be home with David, Abigail, Audrey An and my parents!  The girls (and I!) couldn't have been more excited!  It was a wonderful day, but it was absolutely exhausting for me, too.  Oh well, it was worth it!  In typical family fashion...SOMETHING had to happen to make it an exciting day.  I think every Christmas (or Thanksgiving for that matter!) someone in my family is usually sick- whether it's flu, cold, surgery recovery, allergies...or this year- PT/OT rehab!  We are such a healthy bunch...lol!  This year the excitement began about 15 minutes after all 6 of us were settled in at the dining table (adorned by my beautiful china they had pulled out to make it special!) enjoying the awesome dinner mom had prepared and then...KABOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!  We all sat stunned for a couple of seconds and jerked our heads toward the sound.  That explosion was the SHATERRING of a pyrex dish my favorite strawberry pretzel salad was hangin out in on top of the stove top (what we thought was a cooled off stove top). WOW...so thankful Abigail hadn't gotten up and had reached for the second roll so she didn't get hurt!

David and Dad on strawberry pretzel clean up...shards of glass, and strawberries went everywhere!

Pre or post explosion???  Actually, I think this was brunch...before the explosion!

We took our time opening gifts, eating, celebrating, re-enacting the nativity story, and "shooshing" birds that flew into the house (never a dull moment!)....very lovely day!

So thrilled about her new Barbie and cool ride!

Surprise family photo from this summer when my sis and family were at Destin the same week!

SOOO excited about this gift to David!  It's an exact hand carved duplicate model of the plane he flew in Vietnam.  One of our good pilots friends who;s still flying over there brought it back for me when he was in the States for some additional training (happen that we had to pick it up from him on the way to hospital admission but David didn't know what was in the box!).

Abigail's new polka dots and AA's Ramen Noodles given to her by big sis...awwwww!

My tween gets her OWN flat iron from Aunt Debs. YAY...no more borrowing from me! Isn't she beautiful!?  Growing up...wow!

My sweets!

Abigail gets a snowglobe each year...

and we started Audrey An a Cross collection!

Papa D and new hot chocolate mugs!

Mom gave me a very special gift...can you see our teary eyes??  She made a cd of her senior piano recital from college plus another cd of some sermons of my grandfather Dad-Dad (her dad) preached...what a treasure!

artsy shot taken by Abigiail ;-)

excitement building....

SURPRISE!!!!  BEST expressions of the day...LOVE IT!

All the girls (me included!) were given a beautiful bell from my Nini's bell collection- so special!  I even used mine to "ding" from the other room when I needed help out of the bed.  Perfect timing!

Our annual re=enactment of THE reason for the season!  Audrey An narrated the complete nativity as Mary holding baby Jesus, Abigail tripled as the shepherd, angel and a wise man, while Papa D was the star with his flashlight and Nana as stage manager/director!

NOW...off to celebrate our little energizcer buny's birthday yesterday!  We've got a 8 year old now!

Can you tell what was on her wish list this year???

Now...a bit of a medical update.  I'm must going to share what I basically emailed my family last night.--------
First of all, I am very thankful for my family!   Couldn't be doing ANY of this without all of your prayers and support !!!  Mom, dad, David and I have talked tonight about my care (or lack of rehab) I'm getting at this place. We went with the best information given to us at the time. As you know, things now are not what they seem and probing a bit more, our assessment seems to be now accurate.

Please pray specifically The Lord will continue to go before us, Our decisions of my care (this also includes my long term care--- what do we do if/when I have another flare months down the road or years down the etc).  Please pray that God will show us very specifically who to hire to supplement the home health care providers after rehab. Things need to start falling into place bc David has a job and mom and dad cannot stay here indefinitely!!  They have a life in Texas they need to get back to as well, Nini to care for, as well as their poor health. Please pray that the calls David and mom make tomorrow (now today...right  now, in fact!) will produce timely, efficient answers and character and integrity I which we handle staff/administration here.  Real answers- placement, insurance, peace and understanding.

Goes without saying...healing :-)
"For The Lord gives wisdom". Prov 2:6

love,
Christa

p.s.  Now I'm trying to post some picture to previous posts since I've been hospital!  Give me a few minutes and click the "back key" ;-)

Guest blogger...and doesn't know it!

Christmas Eve service!

after Christmas Ever service...

Mom said it well in our nightly email on Saturday...
------------------------------------
Girls fed, bathed, hair washed, finger polish removed, fingers painted, teeth brushed, clothes picked out for church tomorrow, now asleep....all is well!!!!!!

Christmas dinner fixings purchased,
Possible way to solve Abigail's eye glasses crisis,

Bible study group provided our lunch for tomorrow with leftovers from their Christmas party,

I was blessed to get to play for Audrey An's caroling,

Blessed to see AA sing with the caroling group,

We were all blessed that they came to rehab to see you,

Blessed to have afternoon with my daughter,

Blessed that my daughter had a better day,

Blessed to have fun and spend time with precious granddaughters!

WOW......ALL IS WELL!!!!!!!!!!

nite nite
Love you,
Mom

Making new friends

I made the transfer to the in-patient rehab Tuesday night. I have to be honest, I was glad to be discharged from the hospital but concerned my CPK was way higher upon discharge than David and I preferred. Monday nite it registered  at 7000 and some other labs were elevated. They redid those tests because it seemed to be a false reading. Sure enough, after taking CPK again a few hours later it was 5000. Still not stellar at all but better than 7000. The rheumatologist still holds to the belief of not getting caught up on the number but more in how I feel. Well, I felt YUCKY on Tuesday  so I didn't think I'd be going anywhere!  He feels this is a better placement in order to receive intense PT and OT.  It's wiping me out! My muscles are so weak and so inflamed the littlest bit of exertion is doing me in....but I will press on!  No pain, no gain, right?!

The facility is nice. The staff is very kind. I'm 1 Iof only 9 patients so they are attentive- all huge praises!  It's a tad humbling to be here. Of course, it's not a circumstance I ever dreamed I'd be in, but I'm meeting new friends in the "gym" and had a lunch date with my new friend, Bonnie.  Man,
everyone has a story, and of course, being in a place like this at age 41 was not in my big picture plan, but I'm enjoying reflecting on my blessings and trying to make the best of it. I confess I had a "moment" this morning- soooo missing my girls and hubby, discouraged by my weakness and inability to do normal life, but after a few tears The Lord reminded me to be strong in The Lord and that He hasn't forsaken me!

Tuesday Transfer

Barring nothing bizarro happening through the night or tomorrow the rheumatologist is recommending my discharge here and be transferred to an in-patient rehab facility for 1-2 weeks (Merry Christmas to me ?!). He thinks now this is a better placement for me since the first IVIG treatment is complete and my focus now needs to be on strengthening my very weakened muscles. I'm a bit disappointed that CPK is not lower than it is, but he doesn't want me to get caught up on the number ( kinda hard to do when I've tracked it for 22 months!).  I look forward to seeing what it is after my midnight blood test though!  He's willing to dismiss me since my swallowing has improved (that's another story!).  Difficulty in swallowing and pneumonia are two huge risk factors with this disease- so that's obviously a point of prayer as well.

Okay, well more to come from my happy rehab place!!!  THANK YOU for continued prayers!  Our family has been so blessed by the prayers of the faithful, an anonymous donation today as well as  learning that my rehab is going to be covered this afternoon. God is good! Oh, and did I mention the rehab facility is about 15 minutes from my house-yay!  That wil make it so much more convenient for David and my parents. Yes, Santa's sleigh (mom and dad...yay!) srrived (again!) and Santa Elf  ( Debra) flew back this morning...sniff sniff!).  How grateful I am for the "village"!

Monday update

I've now completed my "first" three day IVIG treatment.   Side effects were minimal...slight headache Saturday-Sunday. My CPK rose each day though- Saturday was 3411, Sunday was 3600 and this morning it's 3924. Although I've have already met the team of internists and rheumatology fellow, I will see the rheumatologist later today. It doesn't look like I will be moving to rehab today due to pending official insurance approval/red tape and just the fact my CPK is still high.  Honestly, David and I don't want to be transferred until we see even more of a decrease in CPK.

When I asked if I have permanent muscle damage I was told if there's damage it can' be reversed (continual high CPK).  I told her, "Ha!!! Oh no, I'm going to have a better, new and improved body than ever before. You must watch. I'm praying for my miracle, and I'm going to get it!!!". She just grinned a said, "Well, I hope so. We think you have a good chance of improving and at least getting back to almost where you were."  Again, "Hahahaha!"  I 'm sorry, but MY GOD is wayyyyy more powerful than any these doctors, any of these medicines, and any of man's wisdom!!

Oh, I wish I could post pics from PT/OT. On Saturday, I looked like a marionette puppet!  They had me hooked up to this contraption to work my deltoids, and I looked quite hysterical!  AA thought the rehab gym was pretty nifty and did her own e exercises while waiting on me.  If you saw me doing these exercises you'd probably wonder how any of those simple exercise/stretches could possibly be helping me, but I'm having to start at the basics to increase my strength.  I've been very please with all the therapist and docs (except for one doc who's a bit too big for his britches....ahem).

On a bit more fun note... The girls sang in their Christmas program last night at our church. Of course, I was sad I couldn't be there, but my friend Michelle patched me in via FaceTime....super cool! S, I was kinda there!! So thrilled David and my sister could be there for them.  Debra flew out
this morning, and mom and dad are arriving this afternoon after a two day drive out here.

Claiming these these promises today...(thanks, mom, for sending!)
"The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.  He hears their cry and saves them."  Psalm 145:18-19

"I will lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?  My help,comes from The Lord, the Maker of of heaven and earth."  Psalm 121:1-2

"Cast all your cares cares on Him because He cares for [me]!" 1Peter 5:7

Aunt Debs is a great auntie!

First day of IVIG!

Praises!
*Friday CPK down to 3700!
*Yay for ambien- had a pretty good night's sleep last nite!
*Started IVIG treatment today and had no bad side effects!
*OT evaluation and swallow tests completed today!
*Mom and dad are driving out to help again....wow!
*FaceTime with my baby girl since I didn't get to see them today...love technology!
*Both girls had parties tonight...thankful for diversions for them!
*My sister being her here for moral support, help,with girls and finished my ChristmasYou are for Me shopping...yay for sister elf!
*Brothers-in-law who are quite capable of parenting their kiddoes while their wives (and themselves) graciously offered to come out to help,us when they have families of their own and extremely lives!!!
*Debs will still be here to be the girls' mommy figure at the their Christmas program on Sunday!
*God's provision with David's work schedule!

If all goes well with the treatment and my strength improves by end of this round of IVIG (completed on Sunday) they plan to discharge me on Monday and be immediately transferred to an in-patient rehab facility.  David and Debra visited this hospital's rehab this afternoon and will visit one on Saturday that's about 10 minutes from our house!  I'm praying that the one closest to home will be a good fit because it will much more convenient for family.

Thought I'd share a few of my theme songs. I think I've posted them before over the past two years, but it seems they've been on my constant play list this week while staring at these four walls. Kari Jobe is one of my favorite worship leaders. The words in her songs are powerful and her voice is beautiful. Hope they encourage you, too.  Healer, Beautiful, The More I Seek You , You are for Me  some of my favorites of hers.  While I'm Waiting is another one that has special meaning to me for prior to my illness but certainly applies now as well. If you get an email update because you subscribe to my blog and the links to the songs don't pop up (sometimes that happens!), then just link to the actual blog and you can listen to these songs!

Huge praise!

Today, proved to be another exhausting day due to lack of sleep, PT evaluation and exercise, and speech therapy (yes, I can talk!  She's working with me on my swallowing difficulties- will have swallow study done on Friday).  This afternoon David and I received the confirmation we were praying for in regards to the IVIG treatment.  We received word from the rheumatologist that our insurance approved the treatment, and moments after that I received an email from Dr. M that I should go with the rheumatologist's recommendation with this treatment! So we are going for it!

So tomorrow I will begin the first three day infusion treatment of the IVIG. It will take about eight hours each day. They are also changing the delivery of my steroid so hopefully that will aid in better sleep...instead of every six hours of the IV I'm going to take the loading dose orally first thing in the morning...PLUS they agreed to give some good sleep aid tonight. Yay!  Oh!! Another praise is that CPK continues to decrease.  It  measure 4590 today.  It's basically been cut in 1/2  in three days with the increased steroid (which to my pleasing hasn't been anywhere on the scale of the amount given in Bangkok which is great!) and a constant saline drip which is flushing me out and helping reduce my inflammation.

Pray that this new treatment will prove success and God will use this in my miracle healing!  Pray that my body will respond to it quickly and with NO negative side effects.  The rheumatologist says if after three months (that's one treatment per month) we don't see improvement there would be no reason to continue it.  We are believing and asking God's favor in this!!!

If I were real smart I'd know how to upload my sweet visitors I had tonight from my phone onto my iPad, but.... Not sure how to do that!  Lets just say I had two cutie patooties overtake my hospital bed and their momma some good snuggles!!!

"The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.  He hears their cry and saves them."  Psalm 145:18-19

Wednesday update

Well, I had bit more action today here on the hospital front than yesterday. Unfortunately, I had another rough night as far sleep goes though.  You know this insomniac can't function with multiple days of no sleep.  I did have about two hours so I'm grateful for that since I had none on Monday night.   I had a team meeting this morning with a group of internists, my day nurse, social worker, etc. I had a speech evaluation due to my difficulty swallowing.  My sister arrived from Texas on a flight this morning and happened to get to the hospital while I was having my speech evaluation completed.  Debra is a speech therapist as well so they got to converse as well. I then met with the rheumatologist again.  We discussed the possibility of the IVIG treatment some more.  The team has put a call into Dr. M's office to discuss my situation, and I have a contacted her as well to get opinion on this treatment option.

David and my prayer is that God would give us His wisdom, peace and confirmation from The Lord if this is the direction we are suppose to go.  This treatment is basically a protein plasma replacement.  One treatment is over several days and takes about 6-7 hours of IV infusion.  The rheumy says if after three months of treatment we don't see improvement then it wouldn't be worth continuing.  It has to be pre approved by insurance since its not your normal, everyday treatment.  It very costly so we are praying no issues with approval from insurance.

On a positive note my muscle weakness has improved a very tiny bit today with IV steroid infusions every six hours since 6pm last night (not good for sleep to have a steady of the 'roid, but it shooting down my CPK now to around 5000 (ER admittance was around 8200).. So we are headed in the right direction.  Praise God!

The OT and PT evaluations and neurology consult did not happen again today...bummer. Hoping those take place tomorrow.  David and Debra did their own PT with me...I walked down the hallway dragging my IV pole while they were very close by. You know...I'm a "fall risk"!!! Lol (inside joke!!). David said my legs were stronger because he didn't have to pull on my as hard to get me up from a sitting position. We will take teeny improvements any day!!

Loved these verses today..,
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.". Isaiah 41:10

"Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:10

THANK YOU for all the prayers, texts, prayer pages, calls, emails, carpool help, visits, and Facebook messages.  It  encourages my heart, and I know God hears our prayers!!!!!

Admit it...

 First thing Monday morning I had another appointment with the nurse practitioner at Dr.  M's office. I told her my condition continued to worsen over the weekend and they nor I had heard back from two separate neurologists. She recommended I go to the ER at one of our leading research/teaching hospitals to get my foot in the door quicker to see a neurologist. That was confirmation enough for me as this was also suggested by a sweet friend of mine last Friday, but we didn't want to go on the weekend thinking we might not see the specific doc who was being recommended.  So. We hopped in the car, dropped off David's sister at the airport (Deborah flew in to help us last thursday-monday!) and made our way to the ER. Although we arrived about 1pm and got checked in quickly and some prelim tests were completed, david, my sweet friend Michelle who volunteered to hang with us, and I hung out in the ER hallway until about 9pm....long day, but Michelle kept us company and gave us some much needed company and laughter!! AND it was her wedding anniversary!!! How romantic to be hanging with friends in the ER on your anniversary-ha!!!  

So, this is my second night here and struggling to sleep and finally got my phone to let me post. Yesterday was fairly uneventful. Had an echo done on my heart due to a cardiac enzyme that was elevated. All is well with my heart- nothing in which to be concerned. Met with the attending rheumatologist who spent over an hour with me. It took that long for me to debrief him all the details of my initial diagnoses, treatment if 22months, answer tons of questions, examine me, and begin to discuss a game plan. While I was in the ER Monday had an iv steroid- not the huge dosage I had in Bangkok but it began to bring my CPK down. He is continuing iv steroid which I'm getting every six hours. His goal is to get me back around 1000 CPK prior to discharge which will be quite a reduction from 8200 when I was admitted. We also discussed "options". One being a treatment called IVIG. To be quite honest, David have read a little about it, but have always dismissed because it's VERY expensive and not quarantined to work. Theirs rheumy thought it might be a good option for me sense I continue to flare and gave tried several standard and nonstandard treatments. So, we will discuss and research more-especially with insurance and side effects. The last topic of conversation was possible in-patient rehab after discharge here due to the severity of my disability now. I'm not even sure at this point I'm strong enough to fo rehab since I've got mini. Yes, that's correct. Mono on top of everything else. So that's giving me a triple whammy, too!
Lots to pray about and issues to work out. One of prayers for today is that the team here will consult with Dr. M's office plus I'll be seen by a neurologist today. 

My sister flies here in a few hours and so grateful for David and my sisters willingness to be here to help out!

To be continued....

Patience...oh, give me some

After three solid days with a cumulative of about 18 hours at Dr. M's office this week it landed me visits with med students, one doc, one nurse practitioner, about seven different techs, a home healthcare asseessment, a sonogram, eight vials of blood, cold laser treatments on my back, jaw, neck and thighs and some new lab results.  Of those results I learned my CPK has again risen to 7948, have contracted two more bacterial infections PLUS mono.  Wow... am I a healthy chic or what!?!

Although its been one of my hardest weeks physically my blessings have been overflowing!  David had to leave on a four day trip, and God just went before us and totally took care of me!  Listen to all of my praises!
*friend spent night with me on Monday!
*meals were brought from four different friends!
*two friends came to clean my house!
*friend came and did laundry and even gave me a pedicure!
*five different friends got me to doctor appointments and girls to/from school!
*homeschool group from our church surprised me on Wednesday and raked tons of leaves and blew off our roof and gutters!
*after a very reluctant appointment with the nurse practitioner on Monday and Tuesday (because I didn't want to hash out my very complictEd case with someone new...ugh!)...it ended up being SUCH a blessing because she asked if she could pray for me and is the one who discovered I have mono!
*friend surprised me with taking pics of the girls and printed Christmas cards for us!
*my neighbor was home when I called to rescue me from not being able to get out of my chair...lol!
*home healthcare assessment completed and will start net week!
*Deborah, my sis-n-law, flew out on Thursday nite for a long weekend to help out!
*friend stopped by doc's office for a word of encouragement and prayer!
*located a hospital bed and it was delivered by three men in out church!
*Audrey An decorated my new room with Christmas ornaments!

Prayer requests:
*continued wisdom and insight for Dr. M and team as well as direction for any needed referrals and if/when I should go stay with my parents
*body would not digress anymore...need increased muscle strength!
*God's protection of our entire family- spiritually, physically, mentally
*insurance coverage of home health and equipment needed
*stay focused on God's blessings and not the difficult circumstances...patience :-)

David and his little sis, Deborah!  THANKS for ALL you have done to help out this weekend!

Where do we go from here?

In all things give thanks!

Blogger slacker again...sorry.  Lots been going on since last post so let me get everyone back up to speed.  Mom and and Dad flew out to help and stayed for two weeks.  I truly couldn't have made it without them with David flying. I was a week delayed getting all my amalgams removed due to dentist having an emergency.  I think that was a blessing that we had to break up the time.  It about sent me over the edge for him to work on me- sore jaw and weak neck don't make for a very comfortable dental visit. My condition has worsened, and we are all quite puzzled to say the least.  I'm not able to drive, prepare meals, or open my water bottle without help.  We've had to move to the downstairs guest room due to me not able to conquer the stairs at this point.  I'm thankful for some medical equipment I've been able to borrow from a church friend and am currently on the hunt for a hospital bed since I can't pull myself up from bed when David's out of town.  You know you are getting old when you get excited about an elevated potty chair!!!

I'm glad mom and dad got to meet Dr. M.  They were here for two appointments and had the pleasure of experiencing a six hour visit accompanied by the infusion room and shutting down the office..literally.  Got me some keeper parents, ya know!  That day we found out my CPK had risen to 6640 (way higher than when we left Vietnam and about 1500 below when I was first diagnosed 21 months ago)..  I've had CPK taken again plus some other tests and hope to get those results back at my Monday appointment.

David and I are in the middle of having to make some more decisions...again.  What's our next step?  What do we do?  Do we go to another doctor or clinic? Do I go live with my parents for awhile since I have a traveling husband?  What do we do with the girls' schooling if that happens?  Can we make it work until at least Christmas break then get to Texas? Do we continue to wait this out here?  God, please give us your wisdom. We know you already have the answers.

Praises!
*Celebrated thanksgiving with David early due to him working in "the" day!
*Sweet daughters and mom who got out all my pretties for thanksgiving dinner!
*Friends providing meals!
*Friend coming to stay with me overnight this week!
*Friends coming on Wednesday to clean our house and a back up lady after that!
*Loving husband who's juggling lots of life right now and loving me through this!
*Prayer pager ministry through my church...who would have a little beep letting me know I've just been prayed for would encourage my heart so!
*David, the girls and my dad finding us a new Christmas tree!
*Biblical counselor who called to check on me because I wasn't able to get to my appointment!
*Texts and emails from friends and family!
*Online sermons and music!
*Elevated potty chair!
*Mom who sends me scripture  daily!
*Dad who spends his day researching and shopping for me an electric chair thingy-ma-jig!
*Prayer groups from all over lifting up not only me but my entire family!
*Picnic by the lake with my husband... Beautiful Fall weather!
*God's provision through David's schedule this week when mom and dad had to leave!
*Friend going to the farmers market for me...really trying to change my diet and eats tons of anti inflammatory foods!
*Redbox movies!
*God's promises and patience towards me!
*Doctor who is a detective!

Grandparents Day at school unexpected blessing!

Abigail's first band concert!

Calling All Prayer Warriors

I would so covet your prayers this week.  Tuesday I will be going back to the dentist to have the remaining amalgam fillings removed from my mouth.  As I've stated before, my doctor thinks bacterial infection stemming from cracked and old silver fillings is greatly contributing to my illness.

Specifically, pray that no metals would get into my bloodstream and the dentist would get all material out and infection in mouth would heal completely ASAP.  When this procedure is complete David and I will have done everything possible environmentally in order for me to get well (mold remediation of the basement and teeth). 

My parents will be coming again from Texas to help, but my mom is in poor health herself so please pray for her healing as well.  Lastly, please continue to pray for David and the girls. The tarrying of this illness is really taking a toll on the entire family.  Physically, I'm back to where I was when we decided to move on back to the States...not good.  I've had a change in medication which has made me very nauseated this week.  I've been in bed for a week due to that and the muscle weakness.  I kinda would like to see the outside world!

Praises!
*David and I met with our pastor last week for prayer.  8 more people in church leadership met with us in his office and gathered for prayer...it was such a blessing!

*I had three different families help get the girls to/from church for me on Sunday!

*A friend volunteered to come clean my house this Wednesday!

*Abigail had an unexpected sleepover with a friend Friday night and AA had a friend over Saturday night...blessing for them and me!!

*Friend brought over dinner Friday nite unexpectedly!

*My parents have graciously agreed to drop everything and fly back out here to help us...can't wait!

A little mommy/daughter bonding

I won't share everything, but 6 hours together at Dr. M's office and 3 of those hours included sitting next to each other with our IV poles is some of the "togetherness" we shared today. We both had follow up appointments for Friday, but I called and begged for them to take us this morning since Abigail had a horrible sore throat since Saturday night and I could barely get out of bed this weekend due to muscle weakness and muscle aches (hadn't had the ache since I first got sick). Dr. M feels inflammation again on one said of my jaw and feels "100%" certain that I still have a major bacterial infection coming from my mouth so off to the dentist I go again.  I'll be returning to my new dentist on Thursday in order for him to check out more inflammation and consult with him about the removal of even more silver fillings.  Dr. M is recommending ALL my silver fillings come out.  She assumed they were all taken out a couple of months ago, but she assumed wrong and apologized and apologized.  The metal in my body is causing a problem with the absorption of my meds and foods.  She keeps telling me that my case is complicated and we've not hit that "one" specific thing to zap this illness...but we're getting there.  There are too many layers of the onion to peel back...but we're getting there.  She promises.  I'm holding her to it :-)

Not the ideal bonding experience, but at least we were together!  I think she kinda liked missing school, eating granola bars and drinking juice boxes while cuddled up with a furry blanket and fluffy pillows!

Abs getting "juiced" up for the first time.

The remediation on our basement is almost complete and has been quite a process!  It almost makes me sick (more sick!) just looking at what all they've pulled out of there.  I'm sure our home is the cleanest and most mold free home on the block just about now!  I'm grateful for all their hard work, but I certainly wouldn't want to do that job everyday...uggh.  So...I'm hoping with the completion of the remediation and when the whole dentist thing gets resolved I'm going to see significant improvement. And, of course...lots of prayer!  If not...we'll, well, we'll go from there.

One of our martian men...

Well, it used to be a finished basement

We hang our workers out back when they finish for the day ;-)

Praises!
*Abigail started feeling better immediately after her infusion!
*I started feeling better fairly quickly after my infusion (and I don't normally)!
*My neighbors brought us dinner last night and did some grocery shopping for me last night to tide me over until my man gets home!
*Thankful for my lunch bunch buddy...you know who you are- she's kept my sane lately!
* We're celebrating both girls spiritual birthdays this week!  Abigail is 6 and Audrey An is 2!
* Audrey An continues to bless me with her sweet little prayer life and excitement for the Lord.  She asked her teacher today with MUCH excitement if she could tell her class on Thursday that is was her spiritual birthday.  She prayed this week for God to "heal mommy and Abby because I know you can!" and "thank you, Jesus for giving me just the right mommy and just the right daddy.  Please help me know one day why my birth mommy left me on the side of the road." ugggggggh....deep, but gives me SUCH insight into her heart!

Early celebration of the girls' spiritual birthday when Nana and Papa D were here last week.  mom made her famous angel food cake (the cake I had EVERY year growing up on my birthday!)

Should have added these in last post...oh well.  Abigail after her winning serve!

Abigail with sweet friends at Dannah Gresh's Pure Freedom conference at our church.

It was fun to meet Dannah Gresh after Abigail and I read her book, Secret Keeper Girl!

Trunk or Treat meets Audrey An...the ballerina, gymnast, cowgirl with really big earmuffs because we thought it was going to be really cold outside girl!

Abigail wins the prize for most creative...she's a....SIXTH GRADER!