06-12-12: A Day of Rejoicing!

Qavah's Bone Marrow Transplant took place this afternoon at 1:30pm. Qavah was pre-medicated with anti-nausea medicine. The hospital room was prepared with a crash cart, oxygen, doctors, and nurses.  However, none of the "emergency" equipment was needed.  There were no complications!  My mother said that, even before the BMT infusion began, the hospital room was filled with a peace that came from the Lord Himself.  Now, we pray and wait with "hope and patience" as the new blood marrow assimilates into Qavah's body.  That takes about twenty-one days.

Praise to the Lord the almighty the king of creation! 

Oh my soul praise Him for He is thine help and salvation! 

Let the amen sound from his people again. 

Gladly for aye we adore thee.

A Physical Miracle

Yesterday, I stunned the "pharmacy ladies" (as I like to call them) when I walked into the store to pick up a prescription.  The last time I had been in there was when I was using my walker, or even the wheelchair.  At that time, I was still contemplating whether I even wanted to follow through with hip surgery.  Exactly one month later, I was walking into the store with very little hip pain. 

Looking back to the day of surgery, I definitely think the surgeon was more nervous than I was.  He kept pacing the pre-op room, waiting for the OR to become available.  However, the Lord guided his hands and the surgeon performed the operation well with little complications.  For the first time, I returned home after surgery within the normal, scheduled time-frame (three days).  I began home health care right away with Gentiva Health Services.  While I only had a few sessions of occupational therapy, nurse care and physical therapy have filled up my days these past four weeks.  No complaints from me!  I've actually come to really look forward to seeing those medical professionals.  Everyone has been so kind, understanding, and patient.  Even the physical therapy exercises have been helpful enough that I plan to continue doing them on my own.  Pending any unexpected setbacks, this is my last week using Gentiva.  I will miss the home health team that helped me "get back on my feet"!

Normally, recovery from hip surgery does not go as quickly as my progress has been.  It has truly been a miracle from the Lord.  He has not only preserved my life yet again, but God has done above and beyond what I asked Him.  Before my surgery on May fourth, it had been January since I had walked with ease.  Really, I experienced a semester of continued debilitation.  In a matter of a two-week time span, I went from vacuuming upstairs and downstairs to using a wheelchair and living on one level.  Then, in almost the same span of time, I went from extreme pain to walking again!

Sometime in the future, I plan to write about the spiritual lessons I've learned from this experience.  However, for now, I just want to praise my Heavenly Father.  I was desperate, cried to Him for help, and He healed me (Psalm 30:2).  There has been one Bible verse that I continue to recall as I heal from this hip surgery.  It's a verse that I believe will become reality - in its entirety- in the weeks and months ahead:

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31.

Medical and Misc. Monday

Mom did an excellent job on her website of capturing the weekend, so I'm not going to write much about it tonight. However, I did make some new friendships. At Friday night's Gala dinner, I sat next to a young woman who works in the communications department at MBC, but she used to work in the alumnae office. Anyway, this new friend had a radiant countenance, was articulate, conservative, a Christian, and influential. Every conversation we had together led back to the Lord. God is using this young woman to further His Kingdom among the students and faculty of Mary Baldwin College. Please pray that my new friend, Jenna, will continue to let her light shine for Jesus.

Now that I am home, I'm so amazed that Mom and I were able to take such a trip this weekend. It's been seven weeks since my last Remicade treatment! Currently, I'm able to eat and live my life with relatively low pain. I have the assurance from my GI doctor that I can get an appointment immediately if I should encounter trouble this week. Lord willing, though, I won't get my Remicade treatment until November seventh.

My break from doctor appointmetns is about to end, though. Next week, I have three already scheduled appointments and I should call my hematologist and endocrinologist for follow-up appointemnts and labs. I recently discovered that I can get free transportation to and from doctor appointments using a company that is specialized in providing medical-related services to disabled or elderly Virginians. I actually learned of this company from a co-worker. I'm going to try this service next week to see if it's reliable. For some of the appointments, I have this company taking me from work to the appointment and then driving me from the appointment to home.

On a fun note, thank you for sending the postcards! I really appreciate it. I'm about to remove another state from my list. Yeah! Oh, and Sarah Palin came to Salem tonight. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see her but I plan to catch her speech online. I'm sure somebody will post it sometime soon.

Weekend Wrap-Up

I cannot believe it's bedtime on Sunday night and I'm about to begin another work week in the morning. It has been a busy, but productive weekend! Friday, I had a harp lesson. I think it went well, although I do need to practice more. Whitney gave me a new song though, so that was exciting. Never mind that it has several repeating measures; it's a new song with a nice tune! I'm also learning music theory and sightseeing in addition to playing the harp, so it makes the hour long lesson I have every other week go by quickly.

Friday night, I babysat Qavah and then helped in the apartment once Mom and Dad got home. Saturday was basically deja vu of Friday night. This morning, I went with Paul Burton to church where Colin and Jennifer attend. I will write more about that in another post. I was going to do that tonight, but this post was getting to be too long and involved.

This afternoon, I slept for several hours. I needed the rest, as I've been going non-stop for a week. Tonight, our family worked on.. you guessed it... Paul Burton's apartment. We are making real progress! It's almost time for the finishing touches of decorating and accessorizing the room. That is the fun part!

Health wise, I am hoping it's an uneventful week. I do not have any doctor appointments planned until the beginning of November, however I should have a CBC done soon. My endocrinologist and hematologist prefer I have labs drawn every two to three weeks, but it's been four weeks since labs were drawn. I think that's a new record!

We received our first hard frost last night. Today, the sky was deep blue, crisp, and clear. Now, it really feels like Fall with the night-time temperature being downright cold. Mom made an apple crisp this weekend. My thoughts are turning toward Thanksgiving and cranberries...

Weekend Activities

I may not have gone to work at BRILC the last two days, but it's still been a very busy time!

Yesterday afternoon, I had the ct scan done at Lewis Gale. As far as health tests go, it was relatively easy and painless. The hardest part about the test was how cold the room was where I had to lie down! I won't have the actual ct scan results until I meet with the Pulmonologist in a couple of weeks.

I came home, had lunch, and took a nap. Then last night, Fairlight and I went out for the evening. We shopped at Target where I got some office supplies and a new cd player for work. Then, we stopped at Sonic for a refreshing snack. I got the lime flavored cream drink. It was tart, but deliecious! Fairlight and I saw the 9:25pm showing of Fireproof. Great movie. It was worth the money to see it at the theatre. It has a lot of life lessons that both singles and married couples need to know and apply. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of Fairlight and me, but the time we spent together was very uplifting. I'm blessed to have friends like her.

Today, it was help-around-the-house day. The weather was absolutely gorgeous today with low eighties, clear skies, and plenty of sunshine. I deep cleaned Mom's car inside and out. I really had fun being able to help with a small project like that. I also used the leaf blower on the back porch. I can tell it is Fall because there was a big pile of leaves when I finished and, no, I didn't jump in pile! I haven't done that since I was a little girl. Tonight, I'm going to the Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman concert with Colin and Jenn. From everything I've read, it's supposed to be a neat time of worshiping the Lord.

Never Forget

**My health is holding steady at the moment. I can't believe another week at work is almost over. I have the CT scan on Friday at noon.**

There are many reasons why, I believe, McCain and Palin should be the next leaders of the United States of America. The War on Terror is one of them. I do not want a leader like Obama who associates himself with terrorists. I do not want a leader that even contemplates pulling out of Afghanistan, Iraq, and other similar countries before the job is complete. I want leaders like McCain and Palin who will respect and encourage military personnel, especially those that are putting their lives and families in harms way to keep our Country free.

Have the citizens of the United States of America forgotten the tragedies of September 11, 2001? I hope the story, pictures and video posted below inspire you to vote for a president and vice president who are willing to fight for freedom by continuing the War on Terror with courage and steadfastness. God has blessed the U.S.A. Therefore, let us now go out and be a blessing to others. (Thanks Karen for the information posted below.)

USS New York

It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center. It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions th at include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, "those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence," recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. 'It was a spiritual moment for everybody there.'

Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the "hair on my neck stood up. It had a big meaning to it for all of us," he said. "They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back."

The ship's motto? "Never Forget"

Pulmonary Function Test Results

I tried my best with yesterday's pulmonary tests, but they were difficult and tiring. As I was breathing into the machine, I knew the results would not be good. However, I wasn't quite prepared for what I found out. My pulmonologist was kind, but it was evident he didn't like the tests results. I'm in trouble anytime my doctor starts out by saying, "Well...[long pause]... I have good and bad news."

I'll understand the numbers better at my follow-up appointment, but this is what I did find out. The good news: over-all, my lungs are pretty much the same as last year. The bad news: the amount of air I can get in and out of my lungs (both into my blood stream and for activities like eating, sleeping, walking, and running) has gone downhill considerably in just one year. The lung force volume last year was sixty percent. This year, it's down to forty one.

My pulmonologist also said that my lung tissues appear "restricted," so he has set up a CT scan for next Friday. Both of us don't expect the CT scan to show all that much, but the pulmonologist wants to play it safe, while also getting a baseline for future tests and appointments. Finally, the pulmonologist gave me an Albuterol inhaler to use the next few weeks to see if it helps my breathing. One interesting fact I learned yesterday is that Crohn's can actually affect the lungs. Thus, making the results of next week's CT scan a bit difficult to interpret, albeit necessary.

Last night, I went to bed early and slept for twelve hours straight. How wonderful! Then today, I played with Annelise and Qavah. Mom and I spent the afternoon cleaning Qavah's clothes' closet while Annelise took a nap. Qavah's closet is now ready for the upcoming Fall and Winter months, while Annelise gained a laundry basket full of clothes and shoes! It will be fun to see Annelise "model" the same outfits Qavah enjoyed wearing this year.

It was a quiet evening after a busy two days. I spent tonight finishing paperwork, doing laundry, cleaning my room, and playing my harp. I enjoyed the "dailiness" of tonight after this week's hectic work days. And now I'm turning my thoughts to Sunday with joyful anticipation. I have much to praise the Lord about, as well as many things to petition on behalf of others. May your Sabbath rejuvenate your soul and make you willing and ready to serve the Lord, in spirit and in truth, with your whole heart.

Fall Days

I'm writing this quickly before leaving for work. Even though the first day of Fall is officially September twenty-first, I never feel like Summer is actually finished until October first. Ironically, October is usually a slow and rather boring month. Not this year, though! We have something planned for almost every weekend of this month. Tonight, Mom and I are attending the Blue Ridge Women's Center annual banquet. We are also babysitting Annelise for a couple of days while Colin and Jenn attend a church-related conference.

Health wise, it's been an interesting week. Since the middle of last week, I started not absorbing the Prednisone again. That made for a rough weekend with my adrenal system becoming wacky. After a talk with my endocrinologist and parents, I began spreading out the daily Prednisone dosage. So, now instead of taking Prednisone once in the morning, I take it three times a day. Yesterday was a much better day, because my body was more balanced throughout the day. Tomorrow, I have a pulmonary function test and appointment with the pulmonologist afterwards. As I get acclimated to work, I'm thankful for the break in doctor and hospital visits.

Time to go to work!

Wednesday Evening

It has been another busy but wonderful day! I can't believe tomorrow is my last work day for this week and that Fernando and Rosa will be leaving on Friday morning. I have not gotten to visit with them as much as I would've liked. However, I have enjoyed their cooking! The meals have been delicious and it's been nice to know exactly what I could pack for lunch each day.

My intake this morning went well. I worked with a man who was ninety-six years old and completely paralyzed on one side of his body. During the course of the client intake, I was reminded again of how very blessed I am. The gentleman's wife left him the day he had the stroke that paralyzed him. The wife told her husband, "I don't want to take care of you if you're going to be all sick like this". How very sad; my heart went out to him. I'm realizing everyday in a new way how much others need the Lord just as much I do. Everyone suffers. Everyone needs the Savior.

Tonight, as I was conveying the events of my day to Mom, she asked, "You really do love y our job don't you?" I replied, 'Yes, I really do. It's still a job with stresses of its own, but I'm loving it! The Lord has prepared me so well for this job." Thank you to everyone out those reading this for your prayers. Your prayers and support helped me to hang on during the really awful valleys until these better mountain-top days finally arrived!

I guess I should update one of these days! I have a few pictures to post. Hopefully one night this week I'll have time to write. Work has been fun and is going well, but it's a bit hectic as I get acclimated to everything. Tomorrow morning, I do my first solo "intake" (client meeting). Health is stable right now...

How Many Of Me?

Dad made an observation tonight that sums up my day, "It used to be that Remicade Day was the big "news" [blog] story of the quarter.  Now, it's almost a non-event."  I still report on Remicade Day, though, because I don't want to forget what the Lord has done for me.  I like to brag on the Lord, especially when so much prayer and effort went into making my Remicade treatments possible.  And today's Remicade Day was truly a successful event!  Everything happened as planned with no negative surprises.  I was done by 1:00pm, so the rest of the afternoon was spent running errands with Mom and Qavah. 

When I was in the waiting room before my Remicade treatment began, the receptionist called, "Kathryn".  I replied aloud, "That's me" and stood up.  So did the woman next to me.  We looked at each other and she said, "I'm a Katherine, too".  I smiled back and told her, "Well, nice name!" We ended up sitting next to each other in the Infusion Center, which was fun.   

This "Kathryn" event reminded me of a an email I received the other day from my friends Candice and Crystal.  The email was a link to find out how many other people in the United States shared my name. Below is what I discovered.  Interesting side note, there was a different answer for "Kathryn" than for "Katherine," so spelling matters.  If you visit the site, please let me know "how many of you" there exists!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 532 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Wonderful Wednesday

It's the day before Remicade and I spent this afternoon visiting with my friend, Kristin. Amazing, isn't it?? Kristin is a Stampin Up(!) demonstrator, so she brought a few of her supplies and how-to tips.  I provided the stamps and light refreshments. We stamped and chatted from 1:00 to 5:30pm!  

Kristin stamped three cards and looked through my scrapbooks.  I completed two pages of my United States' scrapbook and made two cards.  We discussed everything from stamping to coooking to Bible studies and prayer requests.  Kristin's scrapbook of her trip to Prince Edward Island was beautiful.  It has me inspired to finish my Arizona scrapbook.  Kristin said she enjoyed the oppportunity to stamp for pure fun and not for a class or upcoming demonstration.  I used her stamping markers and I'm seriously considering purchasing a set.  They make stamping so quick, easy and less messy!  At the end of our visit, we both agreed that we needed to plan another stamping afternoon in the near future.

Tonight, I'm going to practice my harp and pack my Remicade bag for tomorrow's treatment. At yesterday's GI appointment, my doctor stated that he wanted to see if I could go eight weeks instead of six weeks between Remicade infusions.  A recent blood test he conducted showed that, theoritically, I have enough Remicade in my system to last eight weeks.  My GI doctor stated to me, "Of course, your body functions differently than what the tests show, but at least we can try it".  He committed to getting me an infusion appointment right away should I have any trouble. I asked my GI doctor if he wanted me to delay tomorrow's appointment, but he said I shouldn't with beginning a new job next week.  He thought it best to wait unitl next time.  I was impressed with that answer.

Medical Musings

Time for a medical update.  Yesterday, I went to the pulmonologist for the first time.  In a way, going to this appointment was sad.  I had a quick pulmonology function test right before my hysterectomy in June of 2007, but that's all of the treatment I've gotten for my lungs since being diagnosed with Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome.  I've known from the being that pulmonary fibrosis is a part of HPS, however, the GI issues have consumed my time, energy, and attention the last few years.  And honestly, I just did not want to face the pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis. It's a nasty and complicated symptom of HPS.    

So, I finally went to yesterday's appointment with some apprehension.  And I'm glad everything went well, relatively speaking.  The pulmonologist appears experienced and personable.  I did have one test with the nurse before the doctor entered the room, though. She held a round tube that measured my lung force as I blew into the tube.  In other words, I was supposed to take a deep breath, hold the breath, and then blow as hard as possible into the tube.  I tried the test three different times and then the nurse recorded the best score.  The normal range for this particular lung force test is anywhere from three hundred to six hundred.  My best score was three hundred and fifty, but that was blowing with all of my might.  I have a follow-up appointment the first week of October, where I'll have new PFTs conducted and another consult with the pulmonologist.

Today, I went to the gastroenterologist before my harp lesson.  I'm so thasnkful for a GI doctor that listens, asks pertinent questions, is willing to think outside of the box, and consults me before deciding the best cousrse of treatment.  After hearing additional information regarding the on-going esophogus and throat pain, the GI doctor sent me home with samples of a "brand new" drug that is supposed to work quicker and better than Nexium.  

At one point, my GI doctor said, "Tell me how your throat really feels inside.  Is the pain smooth, thick, sharp, or dull?"  I told him that the "pain" was thick, similar to the feeling you have in your throat just before coughing.  Another way to describe is the feeling you have in your throat after eating or drinking dairy products like a milkshake. Only, I have that thick feeling so much of the time that it's difficult to swallow.  I used to take my morning medications with just a few swallows of liquid. Recently, I've needed one to two cups of liquid, and even then, I'm not totally sure the medicines are going to stay down.  

So after conveying all of this infomration, the GI doctor recommended an "out of the box" treament in addition to the new drug.  He said, "Drink warm decaiffenated herbal tea just before eating".  He said the tea should "break up" the mucus as well as loosen my throat and esophogus muscles.  My GI doctor believes the mucus is a combination of allergies, reflux, and ceroid (a waxy-like substance known to exist in humans with HPS).  I'm supposed to try these new treatments for ten days before following up with my gastroenterologist.  

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.

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.