A Saturday Excursion

While eating our breakfast this morning, Dad surprised us with his plans of what he thought our family should do today. He exclaimed to us, "Let's all pack into Mom's car and drive on the [Blue Ridge] Parkway until we get to Buchanan. Then, we can stroll along Main Street, visit antique shops, and have lunch at the Soda Fountain."

So instead of mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, or scrubbing the front porches, we went on a family outing. Even Paul Burton joined us, which was a rare treat. We enjoyed Buchanan until 4:00pm, then came home and had naps before accomplishing a few things on our to-do list. Today was another one of those bonus days that I dreamed about while in the hospital. The drive on the Parkway was breathtakingly beautiful. The weather was perfect. The antique stores were a feast for the senses. And the Soda Fountain lunch was delicious. Thank you to Dad for creating some fabulously wonderful memories with our family!

The quaint town of Buchanan, Virginia:

I thought this was a pretty bright but charming roof:

Qavah and I tried out one of the chairs in the Family Furniture Store:

Dad and Qavah sitting on a couch we contemplated purchasing:

Paul Burton's new table and chair set for his apartment re-do:

I absolutely loved the look of this home! Also, any place that has a sign like this one above the front door gets my immediate attention:

The Seasons of God's Creation

It's been such a peaceful and pleasant afternoon. I'm having a nice day admiring God's creation. My bedroom window is open, because the weather is cloudy but cool. There's just enough of a breeze for the trees to praise the Lord with their branches. On a recent trip to Kroger, I took a picture of the hydrangea pots and, just today, I put that photograph on my computer. Like the daffodils that welcome in Springtime, I believe hydrangeas use their blossoms to "wave" goodbye to Summer.

With the beauty of today, it's hard to believe that Fall is just around the corner. In a month, the trees will begin shedding their leaves. Squirrels and other furry friends will search for the perfect home to use during the cold months of Winter. Little girls and boys will wear sweaters when they frolic on the playground. As I reflected on God's creation this afternoon, I was reminded of the Bible verses that say, "For all men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of the Lord stands forever" (1 Peter 1:24-25a).

The earthly examples of God's creation resemble what the Lord does in the lives of those who follow Him. Even though the seasons of our lives change, God's Word stays the same. We can rely on God's Word when the beauty of our present season has changed to the cold unknowns of Winter. If we let Him, God will hide us until the storms have passed. During that dark season, God will "grow" us ever so slowly but consistently. Finally, when the time is right, Springtime will bring forth His new creation in beautiful colors of perseverance, resolve, patience, hope, strength, and joy. While others marvel at the Lord's workmanship, we can simply enjoy another season of rest.

Wednesday's Writings

It's been another busy, but wonderful day! This morning, all of the girls slept in... even Annelise! Once the little ones did wake up, though, they played together joyfully until it was time to meet Jenn at Kroger.

This afternoon, I had my two doctor appointments. At my GI doctor's visit, we discussed the recent pain with my esophagus. I'm supposed to drink some Mylanta a few hours before bedtime to see if it will relieve the symptoms. I'll try this method for the next week, but if it's not successful, then my GI doctor wants to schedule either a barium swallow test or upper endoscopy. The GI doctor said, "I know most test results usually come out in the normal range for you, but we may have no choice but to do more testing than just lab work". He was not happy with how severe and long the esphogus pain had lasted, although he did think it was smart that I had stopped taking the liquid Prednisolone.

After the GI appointment, Mom drove me over to my Hematologist's office. We were forty-five minutes early, but they had time to see me early. That was nice. The Hematologist was very pleased with how well my Hickman scar looked and how much better I appeared to be since last week's Rocephin infusions. Unless something happens, I'm not supposed to visit my Hematologist until November.

Now, I can update a bit more about yesterday's job interview. On my resume, which I had emailed the organization a week prior to the interview, I had mentioned my sign language and braille skills. At one point during the interview, the executive director handed me a sheet of brailled notes. I was asked to read the entire paper. When I was finished, the director said, "Well, you have read everything correctly!" Unbeknownst to me, the director was following along with her printed sheet while I read the brailled paper. The incredible news is that I have not read anything in braille in the last four years! It was definitely the Lord that gave me the ability to immediately recall braille and sign language during that interview. I hope I do get this job, but if not, I can still marvel at how God worked in my life yesterday. He "wowed" me! Now, it's time to go praise Him with my harp.

Tuesday Night: Quick Summary

Today has been quite a busy day for our family. I want to write about the blessings of this Tuesday, but it's almost 11:30. I really need to get to bed; I'm very tired!

Summary of Today:

1. Job Interview: Thank you for the prayers! I think the interview went well and I was impressed with the business/organization. I was interviewed by the executive director and project coordinator. The job would be three days a week. The organization is finishing up interviews this week. The director will make a decision after the Labor Day holiday.

2. Harp Lesson: Grandmom and I had our harp lesson this afternoon. I got two new "pieces" to work on, including one song from Ireland. That was exciting! I definitely need to practice tomorrow before I forget everything I learned today.

3. Company: My cousin Danae has been here since Sunday, while Uncle Dan and Aunt Julie were attending a wedding in Texas. Tonight, we played two games of Parcheesi after supper. I won a game, she won a game.

4. Babysitting: Annelise arrived around dinnertime. I haven't seen her in awhile and I'm amazed at how much she changes from one visit to the next. She'll be here overnight.

5. Telephone: Several "surprise" but wonderful phone calls. We have more company coming in September. I'm looking forward to that!

Looking Ahead to Tomorrow:

1. Danae leaves in the morning.
2. Annelise leaves late morning.
3. Appointment with GI doctor.
4. Appointment with Hematologist.

Sunday Night: The Week Ahead

Since Friday's Rocephin treatment, I've had health issues consistent with too much sodium chloride intake. All of this past week, the IV Rocephin was mixed in a sodium chloride or saline bag. The treatment center- unlike the infusion center where I have the Remicade treatments- was not familiar with my particular saline sensitivity. So, the flushes used to clean out my veins before and after the Rocephin was done was with saline. Add the saline to the extra fluid retention I've had in the recent weeks and it was just too much for my body to handle. Starting yesterday afternoon, I began having labored breathing, accelerated heart rate, headache, fever and blurred vision. It got so bad that Mom and Dad had to give me extra electrolytes and I spent most of yesterday evening on the couch. These symptoms used to occur after surgeries when I was given saline.

For the next two days I am going to drink fluids and try to rid my body of the extra sodium. I remembered when my Mom suspected the sodium chloride was a problem back when I was in the hospital and the saline ran all day. I was sure I was being poisoned by it but one of the doctors said, "It can't be! That's like being allergic to air!" It wasn't until we wrote about it on the blog that other people, some with HPS, began to write and tell me of the same adverse reaction.

Jim and Sandy left early this morning for their trip home to Oklahoma. I think they're actually going to spend some time sightseeing in Olde Salem, North Carolina. I hope their ride home is as enjoyable as it was having them in our home this past week.

This week, I have several doctor appointments. Yesterday, I got a paper in the mail stating that I needed to reschedule my GI appointment for a later time on Wednesday afternoon or for another day. I plan to call my GI doctor in the morning to reschedule. Please pray that I can get an appointment this week. I need to discuss with him my recent esophagus issues. I also meet with my hematologist and endocrinologist this week.

Tuesday morning at 11:30, I have my first job interview. The job is at a local organization that assists people with disabilities or low income to live independently. Actually there are two job openings, both of which are part time. I was recommended by my local Department for the Blind case worker three weeks ago, but I didn't get the call from the human resource department until this past Thursday... actually while I was at the treatment center getting my IV Rocephin. The Lord knew I needed that type of encouragement on that day. If I can be of help to others and serve people in this way, then my prayer of getting this job will be answered. If not, I can wait until the right thing comes along.

"The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." -Proverbs 16:9

Wonderful Week

I'm done with the IV Rocephin treatments for what I hope will be quite awhile. I got the last infusion today. This is the first evening this week that I felt strengthened and "on the mend". Fortunately, I have a follow-up appointment with my hematologist next week, so he'll be able to determine at that if my health is on the right track. My arms are a bit sore tonight, though. The IV site I tried to save from yesterday's infusion didn't last, so I had to get re-stuck today. Then, halfway through the treatment, I woke up to wetness on my pant leg. The clamp at my IV site had somehow gotten loose and the Rocephin medicine was dripping out, down my arm, and onto my leg. I'm thankful the nurses were so attentive, because they resolved the problem right away. And so even though I didn't get to finish my nap, I did get the rest of my Rocephin treatment.

Despite the daily visits to the hospital for the infusions, Mom, Qavah, and I have had a lovely time with Sandy while her husband Jim has been working with Dad. Actually, you could say Sandy drove all the way here (from Oklahoma) to babysit and carpool! Mom and I were at the hospital Monday when Jim and Sandy arrived. Jim and Dad wanted to get right to work, so they left Sandy to babysit Qavah. Then yesterday, Mom had a dental appointment, so Sandy drove me to the hospital for the Rocephin treatment.

I've really appreciated Sandy's commitment to the Lord and warm personality. She has a flexible, go-with-the-flow attitude that is practical, yet joyful. There are some people that are so secure in the Lord that they're not encumbered or "weighed down" with the cares of this world. Sandy is such a person. I enjoy being around her and I've learned a lot from talking and observing her.

Mom and I have tried to plan some fun outings in the midst of our busy, medical-filled week. Monday night, we took Sandy to our new grocery store to do some "Krogering". Like I told Sandy on the way, "This Kroger is not just any supermarket. This Kroger in an event!" Mom and Sandy both laughed, but once Sandy saw the inside of the store, she agreed that our new Kroger is pretty special. Mom let Qavah "steer" the grocery cart by "driving" the red car attached to the cart. Qavah had so much fun! Even though the deli was closed for the evening, I got some pictures of the interesting edible arrangements. I thought they resembled art sculptures more than food platters. Below are a few pictures of our Kroger event:

Tuesday Night: Antibiotic Treatments

Quick update tonight as it is now bedtime. I took the IV Rocephin yesterday and today. Due to the Rocephin infusion and weekly chemotherapy, I have not felt well all day. I've had on and off chills, headache, strained vision, and just generally feeling rather "yuck". The antibiotic is working, although the infection is still present. Thus, I will be taking the IV Rocephin again in the morning. Based on how I'm doing tomorrow, the doctor will determine whether I need to continue the IV Rocephin for Thursday and Friday.

Please pray the Hickman site totally heals and my lymph glands become less swollen. I would really prefer not to take the Rocephin past Thursday, although I know the necessity of using the antibiotic at this point. Today, I used the IV from yesterday. Then, the nurse completely removed the IV tubes this morning, so my arm could have a break. I get a new IV tomorrow and if I take the Rocephin on Thursday, that means the IV will stay in my arm overnight. If I don't update tomorrow, you'll now know why.

Medical Update: Progress

Thursday, I began the IV Rocephin treatments at my hematologist's office. Since I would need another treatment on Friday afternoon, the nurse left the IV site in my arm. That made for an interesting experience! Not only did I have the IV in the bend of my arm, but it was put in on the right side, so I had to use my left arm for tasks. Fortunately, Mom did help me get dressed on Friday. I ate cheerios for breakfast with the left hand, though. And I only checked my computer once for about ten minutes. I got too frustrated using the mouse with my left hand and the hunt-and-peck method for typing.

Despite the inconvenience, I'm very thankful the Rocephin treatments were started. By Friday, the signs of infection were visibly present. At Thursday's appointment, my hematologist asked me if I wanted to wait to begin the IV treatments. While I was not thrilled with having to begin antibiotics again, I didn't think it wise to delay treatment. I had been feeling strange all week, so I suspected an infection was beginning even before I noticed my Hickman scar on Wednesday night. Looking back, I can now see how God gave me the wisdom to take action and a doctor who was willing to start treatment immediately.

Because of the weekend, my hematologist decided to try something new. Instead of writing the orders for home health care, my doctor stopped the IV Rocephin treatments for the weekend. I'll resume the treatments on Monday. I know God works all things together for my good. Thus, I'm choosing to believe that delaying the medicine for two days will benefit my health in the end. My only thought is that perhaps taking the IV Rocephin for two days, stopping for two days, and then resuming will give my body a chance to completely absorb the dosages I received on Thursday and Friday.

Medical Update: Prayer Request

I spent forty minutes tonight catching up on emails! It's been such a busy week that I've only turned my computer on a few times since last Saturday. Having Helen here has been a real treat for our family. While I've been healthy enough to visit with Helen, I do have one new medical issue this week that has been troublesome.

Since Sunday, I've been having pain in my lower esophagus all of the way up to my throat. My throat has also been tight (closed up) enough that I've developed a dry, "hacky" cough and I have trouble getting a full and sustained breath. The pain is similar to indigestion but the irritation is from deeper within.

I've taken extra potassium several times this week and that helped relieve the symptoms for awhile but not completely. It almost feels like the pain is coming from my lungs, but I'm not totally sure. Fortunately, I have a pulmonology appointment scheduled for September eighth.

At first, I thought I had bad allergies, because it felt like I was "wheezing" (similar to asthma). Today, I started thinking that perhaps I'm developing an ulcer from the liquid Prednisolone. That particular drug was never intended to be used on a consistent, long-term basis like I'm doing. Thus, I've decided to alternate the days I use liquid Prednisolone and Prednisone pills in hopes of relieving the burning and tightening throat and chest pain. Please pray that either this recent health issue goes away soon or I will find out what is causing it before something more serious occurs. Thank you!

Monday's Musings

Just a quick update to say that things are going well here. The phrase "No news is good news" is true in the Campbell household for today. It's been a very busy weekend and Monday, so that is why I have not updated.

Yesterday, I was able to attend Church and then go out to eat with some college-age friends. Last night, I babysat Qavah while Dad, Mom, and Helen attended Bible study. Today, we ran errands and I had an appointment in the afternoon. This morning, though, Mom and I did our Beth Moore Bible study homework with Helen. Then we prayed together before tackling our "to do" list. Mom and I plan to do Bible study with Helen every day this week, so on Friday, we can watch the video session Beth Moore does to close out the week's homework. The time we spent together digging into God's Word was filled with joy and gave us power to continue with our busy day. It was truly one of the highlights of today! Other highlights include eating at a Chinese restaurant and ending the day by watching a new movie.

Mom, Helen, and Qavah did some shopping while I was at my appointment this afternoon. When Mom picked me up, there was a new water bottle on my seat. I've been scouring Roanoke for a new water bottle to replace my existing one that is old, smelly, and plastic. Mom bought a wonderful one at the Family Christian Store. It has a handle, is stainless steal, is blue, and says, "My hope is in You" on one side of the bottle. On the other side of the bottle is the verse from Isaiah 40:31, "But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint". My prayer is that, by waiting upon the Lord this week, you will have renewed strength to run without weariness past Life's adversities to the joyful blessings and eternal truths God has in store for you.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

It's been a fun day. Mom, Qavah, and I spent the afternoon with Paul Burton since he didn't have to work. That was quite a treat as we don't get to see him that often. Among other places, we shopped at Big Lots. A funny story from our shopping trip to that particular store:

I had found my way to the snack isle (that always happens) and had chosen two packages of fruit-filled cookies. Apricot and boysenberry to be exact. Mom, Qavah and Paul Burton were nearby in another food isle. I had the cookie packages in my hand when I heard Mom exclaim to me, "Kathryn, I found something for you. Come here." Since we had been shopping separately for awhile, I thought that perhaps Mom had found some clothes or decorations before walking to the food isles. So, I go over to where Mom was standing and in her hands were the same packages of fruit cookies I was holding! She looked down to see why I appeared surprised and amused. Then, we both started laughing. Paul Burton and Qavah started laughing once they saw the identical cookie packages. Mom said to Paul Burton, "This happens more often than you might think".

When I was at the School for the Blind during ninth and tenth grade, Mom and I would sometimes try to call each other at the same time. Both of us would get fast, busy signals on the telephone. It wasn't until a future conversation when one of us called back that we would realize what had happened. Likewise, I frequently have strangers exclaim to me, "Oh you look just like your mother!" Mom and I then smile and I usually say, "Well actually... I'm adopted". Sometimes, I'm then able to share my testimony of how the Lord redeemed my life through adoption.

I'm constantly amazed when I observe families how the Lord hand picks each person's family. Sometimes our family members are given through birth. Other times it's through adoption or marriage. However the method, the Lord puts families together with the utmost care and attention to detail. Our family members, whether they are good or evil, teach us about the Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ. So, even though Qavah does not physically resemble Mom like I do, her adoption into our family was intentionally orchestrated by the Lord for her greatest good as well as ours.

Thursday's This and That

Last night, on the main Blogger help site, I saw there was an apology for the Blogger websites that were marked as "spam" last week. I had two friends that couldn't post updates because of it, so I'm glad the spam issue has been fixed. There's a lot to keeping these websites up and running. I'm thankful I don't work for Google (the company that established the Blogger sites). Those employees have a difficult and tedious job!

It's been a good week health wise. The Prednisolone taper continues on a slow schedule. I'm trying not to upset my body too much. It is in a stable holding pattern, however, I think that anything out of the ordinary may cause a flare up. Perhaps it's experience. Perhaps it's just intuition. Either way, I just have the sense that a flare up could easily begin at anytime. Strangely, it actually takes work to just enjoy the days as they come instead of waiting or "looking for" a flare up or health crisis around the corner. I'm so used to health issues that it's extraordinary to have several normal days in a row, much less a week or two. I praise the Lord for the days of reprieve, though.

I recently received this devotional book as a gift. The neat thing is that I've been wanting The Valley of Vision for some time, but the friends who gave it to me didn't know that. It was just one of those blessings that God orchestrated. The version I received is especially easy to read with dark, bold lettering on a very white background. It's also a beautiful book to hold with its bonded leather and gold leaf edging (I now have three gold-leaf books in my library collection). For those not familiar with The Valley of Vision, here is the summary from Christian Book Distributors:

"Draw upon the inspiration of the elegant prayers of such Puritans as John Bunyan, Isaac Watts, David Brainerd, Augustus Toplady, and Charles Spurgeon, The Valley of Vision has been prepared not to simply supply Christians with prayers, but to prompt and encourage them as they walk upon the path of others who've gone before them. You'll relish the elegance of these writings as they transport you to the heavenly throne of grace. Topics include redemption and reconciliation, holy aspirations, penitence, and more."

The prayers in The Valley of Vision devotional are carefully written with each word having significant and precise meaning. Thus, I feel like I'm reading intentional and sincere conversations with the Lord rather than man's thoughts jotted down in a quick and wordy fashion. The prayers these men wrote came from lives filled with earthly sorrow, but hearts overflowing with God's strength, joy, and hope.

Wordless Wednesday

Below are the other pictures from Sunday's Birthday celebration.

Grandmom opening her present:

Paul Burton showing Grandmom how to use the digital photo frame. Aunt Jacquelyn and cousin David look on with interest:

Boys and their toys! Three generations of Campbell men studying Granddaddy's new "toy" (miniature wood sander that's made to use in hard-to-reach corners.):

Colin and Granddaddy trying out the new sander. Don't worry, they are using a cutting board and not Grandmom's counter top:

This is one of my favorite pictures from Sunday's celebration. Cousin John Paul with Qavah and Annelise:

Birthday Gift Adventure

I love celebrating birthdays! Of course, it's fun to celebrate my own, but I actually enjoy the festivities of others' birthdays better. I like the before-hand preparations that I get to be "in on". Yesterday's celebration for Grandmom and Granddaddy was no exception. The before-hand preparations of the watermelon whale we made Saturday turned into a joyful surprise for me! I saw it completed just before the meal was served on Grandmom's counter top. Mom said she's created the whale in previous years, but we figured it must have been before I joined the family or else I was too small to remember it. At any rate, the whale we made for yesterday's celebration was so fun to get ready! I thought it should go down in culinary history as "coolest edible birthday-themed dish".

Grandmom's gift from my family was also fun to put together. I helped Mom research Grandmom's present, which was a 3.5 digital photo frame. Basically, Grandmom can insert a memory card into the side of the frame, which is only the size of a small wallet. The front of the frame will then display the photographs that are on the memory card in a slide show format. Mom called it a "digital brag book," similar to the bulkier photo books grandmothers or mothers carry in their purses. The reason that the digital photo frame is so nice is that the pictures can be easily changed whenever a new occasion comes along. On my Grandmom's new digital photo frame, I put a slide show of pictures from my cousin Heather's wedding. However before we left for home we added pictures of the birthday party that had just taken place. My grandmother can now show her friends how her eightieth birthday was celebrated with a viewable, digital slide show.

Now that you know what we got my Grandmom, I can share why it was so fun to help research her gift. I looked online for the digital frame Dad and Mom wanted to purchase. Then, I called local stores to check availability. While explaining to the sales person what I wanted, I said something like, "I'm looking for a compact digital photo frame for my Grandmom's 80th Birthday". I then had the pleasure of hearing the exclamations of disbelief and awe that my Grandmom could handle the new technology at eighty years of age. I overheard one salesman tell his co-worker, "I have some lady on the phone that wants a digital photo frame for her eighty year old grandmother. And that's not all, this grandmother knows how to use a computer and she even asked her husband for a digital camera for her birthday. I don't believe this lady, but she swears it's true!"

Meanwhile, I thought, "Too bad they don't give senior discounts for technology-savvy grandparents at Radio Shack like they do at Kroger on Tuesdays!" Another sales person asked me if my grandmother was really eighty. She then asked if I lived near my grandmother so I could help her in case she got "stuck with the users manual". She was a bit surprised to learn there are grandparents who are not too old to learn new things. I guess I know more grandparents with technology skills than she does. The entire birthday gift research process was a neat experience, though. It made me realize and appreciate how much my grandparents still exemplify the phrase, "Life-long learning".

I have a few more pictures of yesterday's birthday celebration, but unfortunately, I'm not able to upload them tonight. Maybe I'll post them later in the week for Wordless Wednesday.

Monday

I'll write more later, as I have some more pictures to post of this weekend. It was such a joyful day yesterday! I was so thankful for the opportunity to see extended family and celebrate my grandparents' Birthdays. Mom, Qavah, and I are about to head out for the afternoon. We need to check Qavah's blood levels and I have an appointment. However, I just wanted to say:

Happy Birthday to Aunt Julie!

My dear Aunt Julie (and Uncle Dan) have helped my family time and time again these past two years. Often, when Mom and Dad were just too exhausted to stay at the hospital any longer, it was Aunt Julie who came to the rescue. Even before that, though, I have wonderful memories of visiting Aunt Julie, Uncle Dan, and Danae. Aunt Julie has a quiet, but compassionate spirit. Her obvious love for the Lord is seen in how she treats those around her with such mercy. She also is a diligent prayer warrior.

Celebrating "Josiah"

Mom and I attended a baby shower for a couple in our church who's expecting a little boy, affectionately named Josiah. The baby shower was in Lizi's beautiful, Georgian styled home. Whenever I'm in Lizi's home, I feel like I've been transported to an elegant art museum. I love to "stare" at Lizi's paintings and decor.

Of course, the food was tastefully displayed and absolutely delicious. Last week at church, Lizi told Mom and me to come hungry. Today, I saw why she said that! Below are some pictures of the baby shower.

Here is Lizi, wearing a pretty green dress. I feel bad I didn't get a better picture of her:

Lizi's beautiful Living Room:

The decorated food table:

Congratulations to Rebekah, the expectant mother:

One of the games we played was to guess the current size of Rebekah's belly using ribbon. Pictured below is Jess and Mom holding up her guess:

The gift table:

This gift was very clever! It's a wreath made out of diapers:

Rebekah and her husband, Dan, have decorated the nursery in a nautical theme. So one of the women in our church quilted this for Josiah's new room. The bright colors are perfect for a baby's visual development and imagination: