Standing Up To Scoliosis

Where do I ever begin??

2012-02-02T15:52:00.002-05:00

Great title huh....so much has happened in the last 4 days and I was 'computerless' so will try to remember it all...good luck to me!!
Monday morning began normally....radio blaring at 4:24am, and off to a normal day at work about an hour later. The day continued to be....normal....not a bad thing at all!! When I was about ready to leave work, just a bit after 1, I checked my phone for any texts that may have come my way and there was one....from Libbey....another....normal thing!! This is when things became anything but normal. Her text said she had tripped, hitting where her ileostomy is and it had 'gushed' blood but she thought everything was ok. Hmmmm, I called her right away and she said that all was well...no problem...whew!! When I got home she was a bit unnerved since it was bleeding quite a bit again. I thought we better see a doc to have it checked right away and was told there was 'nothing available' until the evening....I told them....she is bleeding....NOW. They found a spot for us a bit later, but it wasn't long that I told Liz we were going to the ER to be checked....NOW!! She had emptied the ileostomy bag which was full of blood before I got home, and it was rapidly filling again. As we drove to the hospital we laughed and talked and I was even joking about....maybe they will use Lifeflight and take you back to Cleveland....and Lizzey also laughed and said that would be great since she would be 'concious' and could enjoy the ride!! Little did we know......
We were at the hospital by 2 and waited and waited and waited....as her bag continued to grow...huge. I finally told her I was waiting 5 more minutes and I was going to go out and 'squeal' at the counter....she was thrilled!! Luckily, a nurse finally came in and began with all 500 questions that they always ask, and we kept telling her that the 'bag' was going to explode if 'something' wasn't done. The ER doc came in and was great, but admitted that he knew very little about stomas, but lucky for us, a stoma nurse was there and he sent her in to drain the bag and asses the situation....they both were great. I had mentioned to Liz on the way to make sure to let me know if she felt 'funny'...dizzy, or lightheaded since she was losing so much blood, but each time she assured me...no problem. The nurse was pleased with how things were progressing when all the sudden Lib said.....'I feel kinda lightheaded'.....and she was...gone. Well, actually she was laying there....white as a ghost, unresponsive, with her eyes wide open. Then the action really started as the nurse hollered for help, oxygen and who knows what else. Our little room was soon filled with at least 15 people working on her to get some sort of response from her with no luck. Things turned critical as her blood pressure bottomed out, and they could not get a pulse, but the monitor said her heart was beating.....40 beats per minute....not good. I think it was here that I sent Dave a text.....come....now. It seemed forever until he arrived and by the time he walked in, she was not able to breathe on her own and respitory had come down to do the breathing for her. She was moved to the trauma room for more space and they continued to work on her with multiple calls to her surgeon in Cleveland. While we had been waiting earlier, I texted her surgeon a picture of the bulging bag and asked for her thoughts, so she knew that we had gone to the ER, but was unaware, of her critical condition. The ER doc said they were not able to handle what she needed so after multiple calls to Cleveland Clinic and also to Toledo, the decision was made to Lifeflight her to Toledo since it was closer and she could get the help she needed.....faster. Sometime during all of this, she also was intubated, and put on a ventilator to do the breathing for her, since there was still no response, and blood pressure and heart rates were almost non-existant. As they were making arrangements for Lifeflight, I couldn't help but remember the laughter that we had on the way to the hospital talking about 'taking a ride'....and now....it was really happening...how could this be....was this really happening? We were told as they got ready to intubate her that they were giving her meds to paralyze her and that it would also give her no memory of this ordeal. Only later, after Libbey told us about her experiance in that ER did we realize that yes, the drugs had paralyzed her, but she heard....everything, and felt....everything...right down to the intubation tube being shoved down her throat. She said she was trapped in her own body, unable to tell anyone that she was hearing and feeling everything....and she was....scared...to death. How could this have happened??
We soon heard a helicoptor landing and so the moment had arrived and my question was....can I fly too? The thought of watching her leave, alone on a helicoptor was more than I wanted to think about, so I was hoping I would be allowed to fly also. As they worked to stabilize her well enough to fly, I was told that yes, I could go too. The pilot took me out and told me where I would be....next to Liz, and also what to expect during the flight. I had always wanted to go in a helicoptor....but....not like this...no, not like this at all. What seemed like forever, we waited for them to bring her out and load her up....when finally they came out with her all bundled up and all I could see was her face....and the monitor recording her heart rate....which was bad, and her blood pressure which was also....bad. I was told our 'ride time' would be about 12 minutes, and to sum up the ride....amazing...well, for me....I could see, but remember, again, Lizzey was laughing about 'flying' since she would be concious and could enjoy it....no such luck, although she remembers the cold wind on her face as they wheeled her out and also taking off...but, that was...it. We landed on top of Toledo Hospital and she was taken to the MICU where she stayed for the next 2 days. They kept her on the ventilator for about 24 hours before they felt she was able to be weaned off of it...hooray for that!! Since she was unable to talk to us, when she was able, she wrote to us with her first statement being....'don't leave me'.....ummm, this is mom and dad here....leave you...not a chance!!! I was asked soooo many times about her 'fall' with many thinking she had passed out. She also had a hard time convincing anyone, that this was a simple 'trip' and not a flat out fall. While she was in the MICU she saw neuro, critical care, 2 from cardio, had heart sonograms, an EEG, MRI and many, many other tests and visits from other docs. It is hard to pinpoint exactly the cause of all of this. We know it all began with the 'trip' and the bleeding....ohhhh, the bleeding....it was massive and the stoma eventually had to be stitched to stop it. So, we know blood loss played a huge part in this, but testing also pointed out a few things that we need to think about and decide what to do. We got varying advice from different docs which makes it a bit hard...who do you listen to and what is the best route to take. We know we need to go back to cardio so are waiting for a call from there. Neuro, well, we need to talk about all that has happened and then decide what direction to take. We do know one thing....we all need sleep. The last time I was in a bed was Monday morning, before I jumped out at 4:24....I have not been in a bed since, nor has Dave, well, guess he got to lay on a couch last night since we were moved from MICU to a regular room on the floor....but other than that, sleep has come....here and there sitting on a chair....waiting....wondering....hoping....and praying. We have watched Liz endure more 'stabs' than anyone should have to....her veins are small and not great and she has counted over 20 'pokes' in her wrists and arms looking for just the right vein....usually with no success. Finally a PICC line was put in to help with that.
She had great docs and nurses who did everything possible to try to make her comfortable, all trying to find out what happened and how to 'fix' it! So many times this week I had to remember that I wasn't in Cleveland....we were just there...in a hospital, so being in a hospital, again, so soon, well, it felt like Cleveland which was rather funny at times. When we had the TV on and a commercial would come on for something in Toledo, my first thought was.....why are they advertising that....in Cleveland...ooops, wait, I'm in.....Toledo!!
We just got home a few hours ago, unpacked the few things that we had taken...we 'thought' we were taking a quick trip to the ER....wow, were we ever surprised that our quick trip had taken over 3 days, and we had gone from laughter, to annoyance at waiting, to very critical and now back to normal....well, not normal, but at least we are on the way!!!
We thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers....we couldn't do this....alone.

Up....and down....

2012-01-25T20:16:00.003-05:00

Sorry my posts are always so boring....I don't have pictures, well, yes, I do have pictures, but I don't know how to get them on here. That is a lesson I should have learned long ago but have not...so until then, Libbey can be in charge of the pictures and when I write, you will have to use your imagination!!
Up and down....that seems to describe perfectly how Lizzey has been feeling. One time I look at her and think she looks so much better...and then a few hours later I will see her again and I wonder...who is that....she looks white, icky, so tired.....oh, yes, it is....Lizzey!! I know she gets frustrated about feeling so tired and I have to keep reminding her...it has been less than 2 weeks since she had major surgery. She's afraid we will think her 'lazy' since she sleeps in and also takes an afternoon...siesta!! Ummm, no....I want her to sleep in, and I want her to take that siesta so her body can heal!! Eating is not going the best either and that is when I have to remind myself...it has been under 2 weeks...give it..time.
So while we get frustrated about some things we rejoice in the fact that surgery is over, no seizures this time, and recovery has been different than all the spine surgeries in the past. I know we do have to look ahead to another surgery, but until then we need to heal...well, she need to heal and we need to be patient...all of us.
So that's how it is....up....down.....up....down....and down the road...there will be more ups than downs...we just need to remember that....sometimes so hard!!

Pics!!!

2012-01-23T13:44:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the massive Cleveland Clinic!! I had 7 appointments in the two days leading up to surgery!

It was so nice not having a super early surgery time. I had to be there at 8, but that is sleeping in compared to my other surgery times! The previous day I had really, really failed a test which was an indication to my doctor that instead of doing a one step colectomy, I needed to have the two step done, with a temporary ileostomy made to give my body some time to heal, which was needed. I knew that having a bag could be a possibility so I had already prepared myself for that just in case.
Part of my cheering section! It means so much to have my family walk along side me during these surgeries!
I was quite sleepy the next few days but thankfully, had no seizures!!! I was so worried going into this surgery that I'd have some. Maybe a change of hospital and drug combinations was what I needed to prevent them....who knows but I am so grateful!
Just waiting to feel better again.....

2012-01-23T13:34:00.002-05:00

My little visitor!!!
My 7th day in the hospital I finally felt well enough to go for a stroll throughout the hospital.
Molly, the therapy dog, came and gave me a visit which was a huge highlight! She made herself nice and comfortable and kept coming closer. I think she wanted to lay her head on my pillow!
Beautiful sunrise through my window!
Discharge day!! Cheryl was my favorite nurse and I was lucky to have her 3 times! Now I know she had to fight some others but she won in the end!! I found out that she had been in Rome, Italy in October! Out of all places in this world....so neat!

Home!!

2012-01-21T21:55:00.002-05:00

Yup, that's right....we are home, as of about 2:15 this afternoon. We had thought about coming home on Friday since she was discharged on Thursday, but Thursday night....well, barfing started and she felt quite nasty so we decided to wait another day just to make sure that all was well. Friday morning she felt better so we just had a day of doing, well, not much of anything in hopes that there would be no more barfing!! Friday morning I went over to the hospital when I realized that the stoma nurse had not given us the perscription for supplies that Lizzey will be needing in the coming months....it seemed simple enough. I went back to the floor where Lizzey had been, they called the docs office, they talked to the nurse, the nurse then talked to me, she could not come for an hour....great! So, I did much walking all over the place...there is so many places to walk that an hour went by quickly, so I went up to where we were meeting....that also seemed....simple!! The meeting part was...simple...but.....I had to have a doc sign it....I'm thinking....there are tons of docs around here....grab one and sign the durn thing....but that would have been waaaay too easy. Nope, the unit clerk and I had to run over to another building...but it was connected....to find her docs PA....another simple thing....noooooo, the PA was doing a procedure...is this really happening? Finally, one of the nurses asked me if I really 'had' to see the PA and I told her....noooo, I just need a doc to sign the durn perscription....and she says....oh, that is easy, and she disappeared around the corner and came back with a scribble at the bottom and I was all set....gosh, I could have scribbled at the botton like that too!! Crazy, but I was so glad I realized we hadn't gotten it....before we left for home. After snoozing in the afternoon and really not doing much all day, Liz wanted to try going back over to the hospital and going to the top of the one building to the Rooftop Pavillion....and to maybe get something to eat to take up and to enjoy the snow that was just starting to fall. Sounded great, but we knew it would be alot for her. We stopped at the closest place to grab something to eat....something permissable for her to eat....which is quite hard right now!! She was tired and said it was hard to breathe....and she was a bit dizzy, so she and I sat while Dave got the food. We headed to the top of the building and we were the only ones up there....and that never happens. We sat down to enjoy the view and when we looked straight out.....all we saw was the reflection of.....us. There were so many lights on up there that it was hard to see anything...but us....eating.....we had to really laugh at that one. We did get close to the glass so we could look out, but it wasn't quite what we had in mind, but we had a great time anyway. Then it was back to the Guesthouse and soon to bed. We assumed we would be waking up to tons of snow but the sounds of the forecast, but we really didn't get much at all, so it made the trip home much easier than we expected. Lizzey was so tired when we got home that she wanted to lay down for a 'little while'....and it was hours before I saw her again....hmmmm, was the lady tired or what!? She has felt a bit dizzy a few times and I told her...signs of dehydration....drink, drink, drink. I think I mentioned before that her doc said dehydration is a problem with this type of surgery....so if I have a prayer request....it would be that she would be able to avoid that!!

Before and After!

2012-01-20T21:27:00.002-05:00

So the night before surgery I thought I'd take a picture of my stomach. At that point we had just found out that it was very likely I'd need an ileostomy, after failing my test a few hours earlier! The mark above was where the stoma nurse had marked where my ileostomy would go if it was needed.
And this is the after and current look I'm doing for probably about the next 5 months...which is when the reversal surgery will be performed. The drain is thankfully out but that really hurt! I thought it would be like taking a central line out, which is no big deal, but I was really wrong! My nurses often commented that I never grimaced even when being poked and prodded so often, but when this drain came out....I was grimacing, and hope I don't have that for the second part of the surgery!

A little bit.....forwards!!

2012-01-19T16:29:00.002-05:00

Wow, it felt good to write that!! Yesterday was a 'backwards' day and today...not!! As we were waiting for the shuttle bus to come Lizzey texted me that her doc was there....we always seem to miss her even if we leave for just a few minutes!! I texted her back that we were on the way and hoped we could connect, so after we were dropped off at CC we ran to her room....and we made it. She said there was really no reason to keep her in any longer so.....she discharged her. Of course that was at 9am and we finally were 'discharged' at about 4pm so it wasn't a quick process, but it never is!! We spent much time looking out the window as it dumping snow at the moment. This is the Cleveland weather that I was expecting....and it has arrived with snow and a freezing wind. We also spent time talking to Lizzeys favorite nurse, Cheryl. It's amazing how one person can make such a difference in a hospital stay and while all her nurses were great, Cheryl was exceptional and we always hoped in the morning that it would be her coming into the room and we got lucky many times!!

Now we begin the real worrying....you know, that 'thing' that I'm so good at. We were told that dehydration is a major issue with this type of surgery for the first few weeks so were given many instructions for that and things to look for, numbers to call, things to measure, and hopefully not a trip back for readmittance as many have had to do. Eating....another 'fun' thing....Cheryl went through all the things she can't eat....which is a ton....it would have been easier to tell us what she could eat. So....instructions, instructions, instructions!!! Since we have no wifi in our room I have done this in the hospital or down in the lobby....so as Lizzey sleeps upstairs in our room, we are downstairs in the lobby. As I look out the window I'm not sure what the plan is to come home....maybe tomorrow, maybe Saturday, kind of depends on how she feels and what the weather is doing. I'm nervous in a way to leave here. It is very reassuring to always have a nurse nearby at the touch of a call button, and now....we don't. With the distance between here and home that also makes me uneasy, but I need to just plan on all going well, and if there is a problem, we will deal with it. As we look into the future for Lizzey, she is hoping to return to Rome to finish her time with Campus Crusade.....oops, guess it is CRU now!! If recovery goes well and she passes her docs 'inspection' she will return in mid March and then come back home, ohhhh, maybe late May and be looking at another surgery....#9 at the beginning of June. Please continue to pray for her as there are many decisions to be made in the next few months...about Rome, and about plans for after Rome and surgery!

A little bit backwards

2012-01-18T21:29:00.003-05:00

Last night when we left, we were so encouraged by how much better Lizzey looked. This morning when we walked in I had to wonder.....where did Liz go.....there was this 'person' in the bed, but she didn't look like the daughter we left last night. She looked white, dead tired, and was nauseated, so we were all disappointed that she was feeling worse today than yesterday. The morning was spent getting cleaned up, gown changed and hair washed which sounds like a quick thing....if you are at home, in your own surroundings....and not feeling...icky. We get her ready kind of in steps....she does as much as she can, then goes back in bed for awhile. Then when she feels ready, up and in the bathroom again and a little more gets done...then back to bed!! The last step is always washing her hair and by the time we are done with that, she's more than ready to rest!! But rest in a hospital...don't think so!! It was lunch time so it was delivered but not eaten...same as breakfast so are still working with that. We left for a couple of hours so she could sleep, but there was a steady flow of people in and out during that time so she didn't get alot of shut eye. She wanted to get out of her room for awhile so we loaded her in a wheelchair and got some fresh air....well, not outside fresh air, but maybe 'different' air would be more what I wanted to say!! We were rolling around about 40 minutes and then headed back to her room....she was ready, but it was great for her to be outside these 4 walls awhile. Then...the best part of the day...we had requested a visit from one of the CC greeter dogs so at 6 we were visited by Molly, a beautiful golden retriever. She hopped up on Lizzey's bed and snuggled next to her for a good 20 minutes. It was the best medicine she has had since we got here and lets be honest here...best meds for me too because if you know me, you know I am a huge dog person!! We were glad that we got a big dog too...she was kind of worried we would get a small yippy one....and we are a bigger dog family....so a great visit today!! A resident and PA were in today and talked of possible discharge tomorrow. I'm not sure we are ready for that yet with eating and pain issues, and there also is still a drain in...draining...out!!! But....what do we know, if they say we are ready, I guess we will be ready!

Feeling.....less barfy!!

2012-01-17T20:43:00.002-05:00

That felt so good to write that!! It's a good thing I normally write at night and not in the morning, because had I written this morning, I would have had to come up with another title!! I told Lizzey after we got to the hospital that it was a lucky thing that we showed up. The radio went off this morning, then I turned the alarm off on my phone....just in case the radio didn't go off....again. Everything on time...as scheduled....until the next time I looked at the clock and it was a half hour later...huh, how did that happen....I fell back to sleep, about had a heart attack....jumped out of bed and hit the shower. So much for that relaxing shower this morning!! I hate it when the morning starts like that....remember...and 'early' person is writing!!

Lizzey looked just kinda 'ok' when we got there this morning. Her night had been....'ok', but had an infusion of potassium again during the night so that is never a great way to try to sleep....with burning 'stuff' going in your IV!! The morning was filled with various hospital visits from different departments all involved with her care, so it was a busy morning....and all she really wanted to do was wash up and have me wash her hair!! I think it was after lunch before we got to her hair....don't remember for sure right now, but it seemed to be a long process. We were promised a visit from a dog in the morning so that will be the best medicine for her to get....me too...can't wait to see what kind they bring in!! They have lots of 'greeter' dogs around CC so it is fun to see what kind we will run into next. Both Liz and I think that would be the best sort of work to do....train a dog for visiting people....I know anything dog related would be right up my alley!! We have taken numerous walks today and the one we took this morning ended with her in a chair about barfing again so that was not a great ending. The walks we have taken since have gone much better and I am also seeing a bit of a sparkle in her eyes again!! I am hoping for a decent night for her and maybe, just maybe some food to make its way into her mouth tomorrow....and more than just a bite or 2!! All in all, it has been a nice day, but we were inside and it was dumping rain this morning, and then the wind really started so...inside....sounds good to me!!

Feeling Barfy!!

2012-01-16T21:09:00.002-05:00

I suppose I should sound more....ahhh, official and say.....feeling nauseous, but hey, have I ever been official before....didn't think so!!

When we got to the hospital this morning, it didn't take long to see just how Lizzey was feeling....kind of icky, well, barfy! Although she was feeling less than great, she was ready for help in getting spiffied up a bit, so we put the chair in the bathroom and her supplies and she cleaned up a bit while I changed the sheets on the bed for her. She began really feeling icky and finally gave up the fight....and barfed. Remember...abdominal surgery....barfing.....very painful. But, being Lizzey, when she was done, she finished what she was doing and then headed back to bed where I did the finishing touches. Then it was back to the bathroom a bit later and I washed her hair for her. By that time she was sooooo tired, but she stayed sitting in the bathroom while I waited for her and when I asked how she was doing, she commented that she was just sitting there with her eyes closed....I interrupted the power nap in the bathroom!! Soon after she got back to bed, someone from dietary was there to talk about what she was 'allowed' to eat and what was not for the next 4-6 weeks....great woman, but poor Lizzey was about to fall asleep!! The plan was to finally take that nap when the 'stoma' nurse came in for another 'lesson' on ileostomy care etc. Now that was the last thing she wanted to do but a necessary thing so she stayed awake for that....and then.....lunch came. You know how thrilled she was to see food....all liquid, but the last thing she wanted to do!!

Finally about 1:30....it was naptime....and was she ever ready for that!! We left to give her peace and quiet and we wanted to have some, ummm, fun (?) so we went back to the CC Guesthouse.....and did.....laundry!!! We are such a wild family aren't we!!?? Of course when we went back later on, we found that we had missed seeing her doc...figures. She did tell Lizzey that she would be going 'nowhere' until she was able to eat and also not be feeling so nauseous. She said it is one of those things that varies from person to person and just takes....time!! Hmmm, sounds like 'wait and see' almost!! Tonight we walked the halls a few times but she is still fighting feeling icky so it does take some of the fun of getting out of her room for a short time. She is about ready to crawl into bed for the night....not that she will be getting lots of sleep. Her potassium is low, so she gets that thru her IV....and it normally comes about midnight....it takes 2 hours to be infused....and it burns. Then there are vitals to be taken other IV bags, pain pump to be monitored....and that is her 'peaceful' night at the hospital!!

About the same!!

2012-01-15T19:51:00.002-05:00

About the same....not an exciting title, but the best I could come up with today....and it described the day well also so..... I think I mentioned in the last post how it was dumping snow last night...and just as quickly as it started, it was done...after about an inch of snow. It looked magical out of our window.

This morning, instead of waiting for the bus, we walked to the hospital which is basically across the street. It was a perfect morning, sunny, new snow, and no wind!

As I said, Lizzey was about the same today. It took very little for her to fall asleep again today and I'm beginning to think it must be because we are boring visitors!!!! She again, was nauseous, and a bit dizzy (yes she is blonde). After no 'real' food for many days and also after having abdominal surgery, barfing is not fun, but she did have to do that once today.....no fun going on there. The upside of the day was getting her hair washed. She knew Pastor Brad and his wife were coming for a visit, so she wanted to 'spiffy' up a bit for them. Between Dave and I, a chair, low sink and a bit of shampoo, we got the job done and she felt so much better....well, until she barfed that is!! She was worried that she may not be able to stay awake while they were visiting this afternoon and she did quite well staying awake, ummm, until she fell asleep that is! Dave and I had much fun talking though and were so glad to see them.

Eating, hmmmm, what can I say about eating? That is always slow in happening and it is no different this time either. She has sipped a bit of broth and took about 2 bites of ice cream, but over all nothing sounds good. Well, guess I should take that back since she keeps mentioning foods that sound good that are no longer allowed for the next 6 weeks or so. Maybe that is why they sound good....off limits!! We have just been enjoying the day together.

Not the best day

2012-01-14T22:34:00.002-05:00

The title today came from a comment from Lizzey soon after we arrived at the hospital this morning. I suppose if I start at the beginning of the day, I should say I'm just glad we got to the hospital this morning!! Being somewhat (?) of a worrier, I'm always afraid the radio won't go off in the morning, we will oversleep and the day will start out....late...and I'm an early person!! To make me feel better, I always set my phone alarm a few minutes after Dave sets the clock....so far, I have never had to depend on my phone...until....this morning!! All the sudden my phone is blaring and it about gave me a heart attack and so while turning it off, Dave keeps insisting the radio was turned on.....ummm, then why am I not hearing anything?? Then after we got ready, we went down to the lobby of where we are staying and waited for the CC bus to pick us up....it never is more than a few minutes. Today....we waited and waited with many others and then, finally someone said that we had to call for the bus to come...on weekends. Oh....nice. Finally the bus came and it was different so took a different route....longer...of course. So when we arrived at the hospital, although we had left earlier....we got there....later....and remember...I'm the early person!!!! Guess who will be setting her phone again...tonight??

When Liz was awake today, she was more alert than yesterday, but....she had a hard time staying awake!! So today we had to enjoy the times she was awake, but at times it was hard. It was also a day that she was quite nauseated too. Add to that dizziness, and well, there you have it.....'not the best day'. She has not been able to eat anything either. Each meal broth, hot tea, and today a lemon icee shows up....and each day....just can't do it. Today, she did sip a teeny broth and, um, well, we thought we were going to see it again!! She did get out of bed either 2 or 3 times today and she was more steady on her feet than I thought she would be, so that was a bonus!! She also had her first 'lesson' on some things that she needs to do on her own when she comes home from the hospital. I stayed with her and we 'learned' this together and it does seem quite overwhelming right now, but we have another lesson coming on Monday so I think that will boost the confidence level too. I will mention that after a lesson that lasted almost an hour, I had a hard time not giggling while I was listening to the nurse as I was watching Lizzey's eyes slooooowly shut, then pop open, shut, pop open! I thought if the nurse didn't hurry, the student would, well, umm, fall asleep!! Amusing to say the least! I suppose since today was not the best for her I can keep my fingers crossed that tomorrow will be better for her. She has a huge widnow in her room.....I wish she could look out and see the snow right now.....it is dumping out there right now....guess we are in.....Cleveland!!

A sleepy day!!

2012-01-13T22:35:00.002-05:00

Today was a sleepy day for Libbey which is not unusual for her after surgery. We are always nervous about this since looking back over the years and surgeries, 'waking up' has always been an issue. This morning she did whisper to me that she was scared to fall asleep....afraid that she wouldn't wake up....like in NYC, so I know it is also on her mind as well. She did communicate with us this morning and that was a nice surprise!! After we had been there awhile she did fall asleep so was so glad that she was able to do that, but the funny thing is....that girl has great ears....she told us numerous things that had been said while she was 'sleeping'....her eyes can't stay open, but her ears....never sleep....so funny!! I did get her to sip a little bit of water, but other than that...nothing else has 'gone down the hatch'....which also is not a surprise to me at all.

The spring like weather is also gone too.....we had snow, cold and wind today with more expected to come...well, it was nice while it lasted, but hey, this is Cleveland....it is supposed to be....cold, windy and snowy. Each day it is hard to leave the hospital.....I hate leaving her there...alone, but know she likes a bit of 'alone' time which I understand, but there is just something about seeing her in that strange bed, in that strange room, in a new hospital, in a different city....hmmm, kinda makes me sound like a.....mom, doesn't it?

A loooooong day!!

2012-01-12T22:29:00.003-05:00

Hmmm, where to start on a day like today....so long and I feel so tired, but all I did today was....sit, and sit, and....well, you get the idea!! We got to the hospital on time at 8am and she was taken back to pre-op about 8:20. She has not had surgery at CC before so we didn't know what to expect and it was a pleasant surprise. Private rooms and no limit on people in the room, so along with Dave and I, was also Katie and Annie who had driven in last night. Per usual, as we waited we had much laughter and fun, which I know probably sounds strange, but when we are together we do laugh...and have fun, no matter the circumstances! Normally, she gets 'stuck' so many times for the IV but today the nurse got it on the first try....bonus!! We didn't get to see her doc before she went back so were a bit disappointed in that, but overall, we have been very happy with all we had done here. We had to say good-bye to her about 10:20 and as we came out to the waiting area there was another sister....Rebekah, her son Travon and boyfriend Chris. They left early this morning and just missed seeing Lizzey but were so glad we were all together. Our waiting began so found a nice corner and....well....waited!! Here, they give you pagers that about every 2 hours an update is posted, so we were eager for the updates. Our first update stated that surgery had begun at....11:47....later than what we expected but at least it was started. Time seemed to go a bit slow for some reason, the updates never close enough together, but finally a bit after 5, we were paged to meet with the doc....whoppee!! She was pleased with how surgery went, but said it was a longer surgery than she anticipated due to the large size of her colon, and the small size of....Lizzey!! Due to the results of the testing she had done she did have to be fitted with an ileostomy. I was so hoping that we wouldn't have to go this route, but due to numerous factors, her doc felt this was the best way to go. She will have this for 3 monthes and then...guess what.....we will be back here....again at CC for....another surgery.....#9. This will give her body the time it needs to heal more fully before anymore added stress to her system. She was taken to the PACU about 5:30 and we continued to wait, and finally about 8 we asked why we were not able to get back and see her. We had a feeling it was due to her being ever so slow in 'waking up' and when they finally let us back there she was....snoozin!! I think she knew we were there, but doubt if she remembers it tomorrow. She was then moved to a room on the 7th floor....not the building where her doc hoped she would be, but due to 'overcrowding'....or something, she was put in a room that formally had been used as a....VIP room! It is a private room with a huge window with a great view, really big TV and beautiful woodwork....if she ever opens her eyes, she will be very pleased!! We stayed until the nurses had her comfy and the paperwork done...well, guess it is now computer work!! She did whisper to comb her hair and wipe off her face so know she is 'in there'!! She is hooked to a PCP pain pump and have a feeling it will be used and hope it brings her some comfort. I always hate leaving, but know she hates it when she feels like we are 'staring' at her.....maybe someday she will understand that 'staring' at her.....after a day like today....is wonderful!!

Testing

2012-01-11T21:59:00.002-05:00

I don't have much time right now as it is getting late and we should be thinking about going to bed....the 'big' day is tomorrow. The testing she had done yesterday and this morning didn't come out as we had hoped so it looks as though surgery will go a bit differently than we had hoped also. I won't go into the details since things could change when the actual surgery takes place, but when the doc called and talked to Lizzey this afternoon it sounded as though the 'course' has been set. Please pray for Liz and for the doc and the team that will be taking care of her. Surgery is supposed to be about 5 hours long so....again....we wait.

Balmy Cleveland

2012-01-10T20:42:00.003-05:00

Balmy....not a word I was expecting to write being in Cleveland....in January!! We arrived here last night in spring like weather and today is much of the same....however, by the end of the week, it sounds as though it is to be much colder.

The drive here went well and we were pleasantly surprised at how nice the CC Guesthouse is. The writeups were not good at all so we were all a bit nervous about what we were getting ourselves into!! The hospital is a short walk away if we want to walk, or there are shuttle busses to drop you off at your specific building if you want to go that route. We rode the bus this morning and it was fun....our stop at the Crile Building was the last stop so we had a mini tour of all the the CC buildings....it was fun! Libbey had 5 appointments today and another test thrown in that she was not expecting. We talked to the doc...she is great, talked to the nurse, she was great and we also talked to another nurse about many 'what ifs' etc. and she also was....great. We have a good feel about things at this point. Liz has another 'surprise' test scheduled for in the morning...well, guess it is more 'noonish' so won't have to jump out of bed right away. Hopefully Lizzey can get a decent nights sleep tonight....for some reason she didn't sleep well last night due to much snoring done by Dave....didn't make him too popular!! So....it was a decent day....Lizzey is dead tired so hopefully can sleep tonight!!

Looks are deceiving!!

2012-01-09T08:56:00.002-05:00

It's been awhile since I have posted anything.....I have been enjoying what Lizzey has been posting about her time in Italy. It amazes me how different it was on 'her side of the world'. I think we look around where we live and just 'assume' that is the way it is everywhere, but that is so far from how it really is. It was hard for her to leave early and come home since she has made Rome her 'home' for now, but I do think she was a bit happy to see us too!! She was worried that Lenney may have forgotten her, or even may act like her horse Farah used to when she had been gone. Farah would totally ignore her when she would return after being away and it drove her nuts...she couldn't wait to go out in the pasture to see her....and Farah would ignore her, but then after a day or so, all was back to normal. Well, this wasn't the case for Lenney.....he barely let her in the front door he was so excited to see her...just the reaction she was hoping for....me too!!
As my title says....looks are deceiving. Any of you who have seen Liz think she looks....great...and she does....outwardly!! The 'insides' of her are not good at all, so that is why we are leaving for Cleveland Clinic this afternoon!! Tomorrow she has....5....appointments....even for us, that is a record amount for one day! Hopefully all are on schedule....or we are....doomed!! Wednesday will be pre-op 'stuff' and Thursday will be surgery to remove the colon. We were told on our last visit that it would be about a 5 hour surgery with about a week in the hospital, so will have to see how close we are in that 'prediction'. CC is so big and we are not sureas to where everything is as far as the surgery/recovery/rooms are. I felt better in Toledo and NYC when I could find everything with my eyes shut, but no doubt it won't take long to have it all figured out!!
Where we are staying does not have the Wifi in the rooms so will have to find a place where I can 'compute' and keep things updated on here. I would ask that you keep Lizzey in your prayer....we so appreciate it!!

2011

2011-12-31T14:36:00.005-05:00

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit--fruit that will last!" -John 15:16-

As I look back upon 2011, it has been quite an eventful year!
Let's see, went to the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City three times this past year to have procedures done to help with my back pain, and to follow up with my orthopedic spine surgeon. The last time we went to NYC in August, we flew in the same day the hurricane hit the city so that was quite interesting....and stressful!!!
After many months of proofreading, making many changes, and doing lots of editing....I finally got my book published, which actually happened on my birthday! Pictured above is the big boxes of books that I received! I still have plenty so if you know of anyone who might want one, please let me know:0) Now I'm trying to work on the marketing side of publishing a book, which is proving to be quite difficult since I don't really know what I'm doing! Since it was published soon before I left for Rome, it was difficult to get much marketing done.
I found out that I was accepted into the Campus Crusade for Christ STINT program in.....Rome, Italy! I found this out in the spring so I was a little distracted as I was finishing out my semester at Owen's Community College! The amount of money that I needed to raise was absolutely immense, but with a lot of hard work, and trusting in God's provision, I was able to leave for Rome at 100% FULLY funded! Asking for money is so difficult for me to do, and in order to receive all of my financial support, I had to get a little creative, and did things that were way out of my comfort zone....like speaking at area churches! But I so enjoyed being able to have conversations with so many people, and share my excitement and world vision with them!
Then in September, I packed up my suitcase and flew nearly 5,000 miles away to Rome! As I was on the airplane heading to Rome, I began to wonder what I was thinking moving to a foreign country where I had no idea how to even speak the language! But I knew that God had called me to Rome and many times beforehand I meditated on the verse from Matthew 6:24....Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me!" I just needed to fully trust that God had everything under control!
In November, I had the opportunity to share about my scoliosis journey with the 7th and 8th grade students at the American Overseas School of Rome. I shared my story and then talked about the importance of having scoliosis screenings done. Spine health is of real importance to me so I was so grateful for the wonderful opportunity I had to share with these students....and in a foreign country yet to boot! I hope that by sharing my story with scoliosis, that some of the students I talked with will decide to participate in their school's new scoliosis screening program.

So looking back it has been quite the year, but filled with so many amazing opportunities, that years ago I never would have imagined would really happen! It was not in the original plan for me to come back to the states from Rome this soon, but due to my health, surgery needed to be bumped up a few months, and when I am fully recovered, I will return back to Rome to finish my term. For now I will still be working closely with Campus Crusade's everystudent.com website, answering questions that students may have.

"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands!" -Psalm 63:3-4

Home safely!!

2011-12-25T21:34:00.004-05:00

Wow, does it ever feel good to be able to title this....home safely!! My second oldest daughter, Katie, and her husband went over to visit Libbey for a week in Rome....and what a week it was!! Libbey was so worried about being able to find enough things for them to do and see. She was worried that maybe they would think there was too much....together time, and want to do more on their own...without her, she was worried about how she would be feeling while they were there, she was worried about going to the airport to get them....alone...I think you can get the 'picture' can't you!! I mentioned some of this to Katie before they left and I knew there would be no problem.....I wasn't worried that there would be, I just wanted her to know that Lizzey wanted everything to be....perfect for them. It seemed to be a picture perfect week for all of them and they spent the week as tourists and enjoyed all the sights, sounds and....food of Rome. This really was perfect for Lizzey too. She really hasn't seen alot of the touristy places that she wanted to visit. This week Liz was able to see so many things that we have only heard about or have seen in a book. As our family sat around the table during Christmas dinner...ohhh, the stories we heard about and the fun that was had by all. So the trip to Italy went well, and the trip home on Christmas Eve went well also. By the time Lizzey went to bed last night she had been up.....almost 26 hours. She had planned on wrapping some gifts before she went to bed....but finally decided....she had to go to sleep!! We had a wonderful Christmas with family and am so thankful we were all together as a family. We originally expected to be missing one this Christmas with Lizzey being in Rome, but due to the health issues and upcoming surgery she is home with us. Am I glad for that....yes, so very glad, but yet disappointed for her. Rome has been her 'home' for 3 months, and I know she is not 'finished' with her work there yet....so taking a 'break' in the middle is hard....espcially when you have an 8th surgery looming ahead.
I would ask that you continue to pray for her and to keep her in your thoughts as she feels the effects of jet lag and also for a cold that grabbed her right before she came home, and for the upcoming surgery....it is coming up fast.....

reflection

2011-12-23T15:59:00.004-05:00

They say all roads lead to Rome. Well, tomorrow, my road will lead me back to the United States, back to Ohio to be exact! I can't believe how this past semester here has just flown by! I almost feel as if I just got on the plane headed here! As many of you may know, I am going home to have another surgery done in early January, but if all goes well, plan to be coming back to Rome in mid-March to continue my ministry here in Rome. While at home I will still be involved with a Campus Crusade online ministry and stay connected with my team and students here in Rome. This past semester has been busy, busy, and it has been frustrating on many occasions when my body is just completely physically exhausted and not feeling well, but I have also had soooooo many amazing experiences as well, both with students, and in my own spiritual walk. Tonight as I paused my packing, I came across this beautiful verse in Isaiah.

"Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."-Isaiah 40:26- I love it that God has all the little details figured out in my life. They may be different than what I had planned, but he knows me inside out, better than I know myself, which to me, seems pretty amazing! So as I reflect on my past experiences, and look ahead into the future, I trust that God already has the road paved out for me. Many blessings to you all!

Sweet times!

2011-12-14T04:12:00.003-05:00

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." -Matthew 18:20

Last night was our Christmas aperitivo with students! It was such a fun night filled with laughter, eating, and great conversations with students! I had a great time and talked with so many people that I hadn't even met before!

Pictured above is my team, minus Steve and Alyssa who are currently back in America. Front row is me and Beth Ann. Back row from left is: Taylor, Andy, Lauren, Kimberly, and Sam. I have been blessed with such a wonderful team to work with!
These are the reindeer I made. They are then filled with candy and then we handed them out to students at the aperitivo, which they thought were really cute! All in all, it was a fantastic night!

new experience!

2011-11-28T13:46:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago, I was first contacted by Jan, who is the school nurse at the American Overseas School of Rome about the possibility of doing a talk about scoliosis to the 7th and 8th grade students. I didn't have to think long before I said yes, because it is one of my passions to speak out on, and help people gain an understanding about scoliosis, although I know my case was far from normal! So today, my friend, encourager, and team member, Beth Ann, and I went to the school for the presentation. I did not read the directions to the school right so instead of getting out of the taxi at Via Cassia 811, I said we needed to get off at Via Cassia 118! Quite the difference, and our taxi had driven away after I had realized I made a big mistake! But we made it on time with just a few minutes to spare! Whew!!!
I told the students a condensed version of my scoliosis journey; how i was first diagnosed, and about my surgeries, spoke a little about my book, and where I'm at right now. Above I'm pointing out on the skeleton where I was fused at.
I also was able to dig through the pictures on my computer and found 8 pictures of x-rays I had taken over the years so as you can see in the picture above on the right, it gave the students a clearer picture of what I was talking about, since hearing about scoliosis was pretty new to many of them.
Pictured above is Nurse Jan! She and her husband have been living in Rome for 7 years! I was so honored to be able to speak to the students....and hardly even needed to use my note cards throughout my speech!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2011-11-24T17:25:00.004-05:00

I hope you all have had a wonderful and blessed thanksgiving! Here in Italy, all Agape staff got the day off. Part of us stayed back in Rome and had dinner together, while others went off to Santa Barbara which is about an hour (?) away from here. This morning when I woke up I was not feeling very well, which has been the norm lately it seems, not sure, but I'm thinking this is probably another indication that surgery needs to happen sooner rather than later. I so wanted to be able to meet up for our dinner at 5:30, and luckily as the day went on I felt a little better, just had to be very careful what I ate. I had so much fun eating with my friends, and watching football afterwards! Almost made me feel like I was back in the states!

Things I'm thankful for which could go on and on (in no particular order):

*Eyes to watch the sunrise and sunset

*My faith in an awesome God, and the gift of the Holy Spirit to live within us

*My family which also includes the dog:0)

*Cheddar cheese (I didn't realize I loved it so much until having to go without it here in Rome!)

*A great medical team

*Good friends both here and in the U.S.

*For the ability to travel, and have this opportunity to live in Rome

*Hope

*Indoor heat:0)

My Hope Is In You - Aaron Shust

2011-11-22T13:32:00.002-05:00

"And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." -Romans 5:2b-5

*Back in the U.S. I often listen to K-LOVE radio station. I love it that even though I'm here in Italy, I can still stream it live from the internet! This morning, I heard this new song by Aaron Shust and really love it, because my hope is fully in the Lord! I look back on the many conversations I've had with italians these last few weeks since coming here. Many would look at you and say "hope? what hope is there here? no jobs, no money, and no real government." I just can't imagine what life would be like without knowing Christ, without having hope in an eternal future. This is what keeps me going, and should be what keep us all going because there are thousands, and even millions of people all over the world who have either never heard of the gospel, or have never had the gospel explained in a clarifying way to them. We all have work to do! Below I posted the song My Hope Is In You. I hope you'll enjoy it! Have a blessed day:0)*

a lot of food!!

2011-11-19T05:30:00.003-05:00

Every year the Agape Italia staff put on a huge thanksgiving feast for an outreach with our italian students. Yesterday my team got together at 10:30 and cooked until 8 last night! We were in charge of making sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, pumpkin pies, and apple pies for 150 people!!
I did a lot of the pie work, and during the day, only had to run to the grocery store once for some more needed supplies!
Here my team members, Taylor, and Andy, are peeling potatoes. We had to get through 15 bags full, which took quite awhile!

Here are some of the finished pies, and there were still 8 more that needed to be cooked yet! That's right....we made 17 pies! It was a fun day cooking as a team, but I think we were all ready for bed by the time we were done! Our outreach is tonight so pray that all goes well and we have great conversations with the italians!

BRRRRRRRR!!

2011-11-17T10:20:00.002-05:00

How's that for a title....and I'm not even talking about me, because if you know me....I'm always cold!
Today I am asking for your prayers for.....heat....for Libbey and her roommates....they are freezing, and they are not even outside...they are at home, in their apartment in Rome. The longer Libbey is over there the more I see Rome so much differently than what I always thought of it...before. Here, when the temps start going down, we check the furnace, check the gas to see if it is full, and then turn the 'thingy' in the hallway and....wah lah...the furnace begins to run and we are warm. When it really gets cold, we put a fire in the fireplace and again....toasty. She was told a good month ago that in Rome the heat doesn't come on...anywhere...until November 12th. Heating over there is really expensive so that is their reasoning. The buildings are made really for the summer....to keep the heat out, and the coolness in....well, that also seems to be working now, in November, cold outside, cold....inside too. For some reason, the others working for Campus Crusade, who are living in other buildings have had their heat turned on....it is past Nov. 12, but in Liz's building...no heat yet. She talked to a woman from another building who said that their building voted to only have heat from 5pm-10pm due to the cost. She also told Libbey that she has to keep her baby in a snowsuit....all the time. Remember, this is not out in the country somewhere...this is in....Rome...modern (?) Rome. As I was on skype with her the other day, she was telling me of all the layers of clothes she had on....and she was still....freezing, and she also told me it was not just a 'girl thing' either. One of the guys from another team stopped over the other morning and soon after he was there, Lib said he started jumping up and down and acting all 'crazy'. She said they looked at him and said....'what the heck are you doing'....and his response was....'man, it's freezing in here'!!!
So today, I am asking that you send all your warm and fuzzy thoughts to Rome for Lib....and also pray that whoever is supposed to be turning the heat on....does!!

Party Time!!!

2011-11-06T03:25:00.002-05:00

I have been looking forward to our fall festival that we had last night....for weeks! Family Life Ministries, which is a branch of Campus Crusade for Christ, put on a Fall Festival last night for kids and their parents. Many of us, Agape Staff (CCC), helped out with decorating and games. It was a great success!

My main job, since I absolutely LOVE baking.....was making cupcakes! I made 62 of them! I had never made homemade cupcakes before being that in America, we have the luxury of going to the store and buying a cake mix! Not here! I had fun making them and started on Friday night and did another batch on Saturday morning. Then it was on to frosting them all, which was fun!
The booth that I was in charge of was the tic-tac-toe game. Kids had to throw little plastic balls in the inflatable holes and boy was this game harder than it looks! I constantly had red and yellow balls rolling all over!
Here the kids are all in the front of the gym listening to Alan read them a story about a farmer and his pumpkin. Quite cute!
Here the kids were getting instructions on how to do the cake walk....with the prize being....my cupcakes! It was quite amusing seeing how excited both the kids and parents were to eat cupcakes because some of them had never seen or heard of them before!

"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them. The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy!" Psalm 126: 2-3

-Last night all the mouths in the room were filled with laughter and full of smiles! I was so glad that I was able to play a part in putting this fun night together! I am feeling a little stiff today though, since I was chasing balls all over the gym, but it was totally worth it to see the smiles and experience the joy of the children!

just what i needed:)

2011-11-01T15:14:00.003-04:00

The picture above was taken on Saturday night. It is the Vatican in the distance which was beautiful! Well I have to be honest. Today I was just feeling a bit down. I was not feeling very well at all today, which worked out well since today is a national italian holiday, and spent a lot of the day lying in bed. I am counting the weeks until I get to have my surgery and hopefully feel much better again afterwards! Some days it is difficult for me to completely focus on campus ministry when I am so tired or not feeling my greatest, and I have yet to find that "connection" with an italian student yet. Tonight as I was on facebook writing to Chiara, whom I met last week, hoping to find a time to meet up with her again, she was on at the same time so we talked by using instant messaging. We had a great conversation that started out with the talk about money, and how we shouldn't let it control us and instead live by love and kindness to others, and be living examples. Then we got on the topic about hope. Hope is the one thing we can all cling on to whether we have a spiritual background or not. Chiara has a basic understanding about spirituality but it's been a little twisted by living here in Rome. At the end of our conversation about hope, Chiara commented, "I know you have faith in God, and I don't have the same faith as you, but I feel like we are speaking the same language about hope." She said that it is so nice to find a kind english person to talk with, and I'm thinking it is so nice to find an italian student who speaks great english! This was such a little conversation, but it was just what I needed to be more motivated and I look forward to meeting with her again in person! Just thought I would share this little encouragement that I experienced tonight!

2011-10-30T08:49:00.002-04:00

Well it's been awhile since I've posted pictures of Rome, Italy so thought it was about time! My teammate Taylor, and I went down to explore the center last night, which was fun because I've lived here for 6 weeks now, but still haven't seen many of the main touristy sights in Rome!

I never even knew Rome had a real castle that was actually in one piece and not in ruins like many others! This was where the pope stayed hundreds of years ago when the city was under fire from opposing countries. So beautiful. Somehow this is how I picture what Jericho looked like.(the israelites had to march around it)
Last weekend I had the opportunity to see the massive Vatican. It is beautiful but a sad place at the same time. Hundreds of years ago, Rome was undergoing a massive spiritual revival and now, it sadly is the complete opposite.
A week ago we had our team outreach. We had an "American BBQ". My job was to make a side dish, well that was not so easy when so many american ingredients are not found here! I need to start thinking more out of the american box and becoming more creative! We had five italian students come which was fantastic, although two of them spoke only italian, so it was a bit hard for me to communicate with them. Pictured above is Nicholas, who is a new believer, which is so exciting! His english is also nearly perfect which is also a plus for those like me! BethAnn and Kimberly are also pictured, who are my teammates!

All in all life here in Rome has been going pretty great. Yes there are challenges but that is to be expected and is normal. The transportation system here is very frustrating, being that there are often at least one strike every week. Language class is going well although I feel like I am at a standstill in my learning. I am waiting to wake up one morning and having it finally "click" in my brain! Ministry is going fairly good as well. We are trying to build up a network of students right now and this Wednesday, my teammate Taylor and I are starting an english conversation group at the Roma Tre University so hopefully that will give us more opportunities to meet students. Yesterday I served meals through our refugee outreach which was a great experience. Many come from the middle east, and know english quite well so it was interesting and saddening to hear their stories. If I had to choose one food item that I miss about America right now, it would have to be.....cheddar cheese! No orange cheeses here! Our company just came so I guess I better go! Thanks for your prayers and hope you have a blessed day!!

A Change in Plans!!

2011-10-20T14:52:00.002-04:00

Can't believe it....5 weeks have flown by since Libbey has gone to Italy! Many days it seems so much longer than 5 weeks, other days, not so much. I'm not sure how I could stand her being so far away without having e-mail and skype. I had to learn the 'skype thing' and it can be quite amusing when one of us 'freezes' all the sudden for some unknown 'computer' reason and that person stays on the screen with some sort of goofy look on their face!! I always take the camera down to Lenney's height so she can see him with that wagging tail.....I'm sure he wonders how she got 'in there' as she talks to him from the computer! Yes, I know, I've been told....we are kinda....strange!! I did find that Libbey listened to some of that 'mom talk' before she left. I told her that if anything 'weird' happened while she was there, I wanted to hear from her....pronto, so I knew that she was ok. Last week I got a text from her right away when things got violent in Rome....I hadn't even known about it yet.....she's that good.... and the violence was not close to where she is living....boy, did we ever keep an eye on the news though!! She has had some great conversations with students on campus, still in Italian language classes....which she is not thrilled with, and is still learning her way around. She was so quick in learning the ways of NYC last summer that she was very comfortable in going places on her own with no problem....I realize we had also been there many times before, but that was a first, being on her own in NYC. In Rome, she is does not yet feel secure in getting around on her own....she has done it, but doesn't care for it...yet. She knows the city is all new, the metro system is different, but the major thing....everything is in Italian, so if she 'goofs'....how will she find her way back to where she belongs??!! The weather went from very hot to now....not so hot and she is freezing....inside and outside. The way the buildings are made is to keep the inside cooler in the hot times of the year....nice thought, but it also keeps it cool when it is....cold outside too, so she is always cold.....hmmm, must get that from me!
I did title this.....a change in plans, so better let you know what the change is! For anyone who has followed this for any amount of time, you know of all the health problems, surgeries etc. that she has endured over the last 6+ years. You also know of our concern of her going to Italy when her health was not where we thought it would be when she left. She 'was' planning on coming home a bit early next spring for a possible June surgery so she would have the summer to recover. That 'was' the plan, but her health had other ideas so we have made some changes. We were just confirmed for a January 2012 surgery at Cleveland Clinic. She will be having her colon removed due to the nerve damage from the previous surgeries. The plan now is for her to come home on Christmas Eve with her sister, Katie and her hubby, Derek who are going over for a visit. Christmas Eve.....is that perfect timing or what? Her surgery will be Jan. 12th, and we will be staying in Cleveland for a few weeks....the weather should be good and cold and snowy from what I hear about those 'lake effects'. She is hoping surgery and recovery go well, and that she can return to Italy in mid March, and instead of coming home in the spring, she will stay until July, so her time there will be about the same, just with a 'glitch' in the middle. This is our 'plan' for the moment.....we will see what plans her body has in mind, the plans of the doc, but most importantly, lets see what God has in mind.....his planning is the best and the most important, so while we 'think' we have it all figured out, he has it down to...perfection.....wonder if His plans are anything like ours? Continue to keep her in your prayers.....that would be great since I know she can feel those prayers alllll the way over in Italy!

Global unrest...

2011-10-15T17:46:00.001-04:00

As many of you may have heard, today there has been a global day of protests and riots in many major cities of the world that has something to do with the stock exchange. Hundreds of thousands of people got involved in this protest here in Rome, near the Colossium. I attached the article below. Italy is really hurting financially, and there is talk that it is near in following the economic crisis that Greece fell into not to long ago. Italians are really feeling this, and by talking with students on campus, they have told of their fears as well, and don't think there is much hope in their lives, and the lives of Italy. If only many of them knew that there is a hope beyond this world in Jesus Christ. Before coming to Rome, I thought that it was a thriving, rich, and very spiritual city, but I was really wrong. There is a sadness and hopelessness here that is reflected among the people, and the extent of the protests that happened here today, goes on to prove this. Please pray that Italians may be reached with the gospel, and that a spiritual awakening may arise among the rubble and heartache here.

Protests go global, rampage, tear gas in Rome

Roma...

2011-10-10T04:44:00.004-04:00

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8

From October 6-9 there was an all Italian CCC staff fall conference in Pescara, Italy. It was a pretty good conference, but quite exhausting and chilly as well! On Friday morning, after storming for many hours, I walked back up to my room after a session, and the view, pictured above, was absolutely breathtaking! I was so excited to see sunshine and just take in the great goodness of our Heavenly Father. I was reminded that, yes there will be storms in our lives, but God's hope will always shine through....that is why I put my hope in Him!
Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised! Psalm 113:2-3

This was the view from the beach on our last night of the conference, it was so pretty!
This morning I woke up to quite the commotion outside of my apartment window....hmmm by looking at the picture above can you guess why? I opened my blinds to see that there was a press conference in the piazza about....recycling. What a wonderful way to wake up:)
The picture above is the main part of the university I have been working at called La Sapienza. It is the largest and oldest university in Europe, so it holds a variety of students. Now don't be fooled by its appearance....this part looks beautiful but the rest of the campus is not so nice and the buildings are in great need of being painted again, but Italy is dealing with great economic hardship so I don't see that happening in the near future.

3 weeks!!

2011-10-06T19:55:00.002-04:00

Yup, 3 weeks now that Lizzey has been gone and in Italy....hard to believe isn't it? I'm lucky in the fact that we are able to be in contact by texting and also by e-mail....for some reason, that makes Italy seem so much closer, and believe me....that feels great!
She just left this morning for another conference, she had been to one a few days after she arrived in Italy, and now another one. It's fun in the fact that she is able to see more of the countryside etc. but bad in the fact that she is packing, unpacking, and packing again. I think she is looking forward to staying in one spot for awhile when she gets back.
She has had many amusing experiances since she has been there.....funny, I suppose since they are not happening to me. I loved her story of the first time that she had to use an ATM machine....not a big deal you say....well, the first time she used one....was the day she left here...never had used one before....seemed simple enough. Well.....in Italy, the ATM's are in some sort of 'room' or something....there are windows in it, but when you close the door...which you have to do, the door locks...and the first time she used it....she got locked in. She was with 2 Dutch girls and motioned to them for.....HELP....and the man in the bank saw her and started to tell her what to do.....nice man.....but.....he was telling her....in Italian!!!! She finally got out and said she was so scared to do it again, so I told her to just put her foot in the door to keep it open....nope....you have to walk in to get to the ATM, so that wouldn't work. She did finally have to go back and all went well, even though she was worried the whole time!! Let's see, at the first conference she discovered that most Italian meals are served in 5 courses....great for people who are able to eat....not so great for Liz who has many problems yet in this area!! Even worse yet, when the one course arrived.....it was noodles....no problem there....and.....wild boar! I didn't even know people ate wild boar...she didn't either. I asked her later what she ate that night and her response was....'I survived on peas and bread'. Many months before she left, she bought some Italian CD's to learn some words and phrases in Italian. Then many people who had been to Italy said....'oh, no problem, lots of English is spoken there....don't worry about it', so she kind of backed off on her CD's. Now her comment back to me....'I don't know where these people were....maybe in the touristy areas, but where I am.....all Italian'. She so wishes now she would have really worked on it more. She is taking a language class twice a week.....but the durn teacher.....speaks mostly.....Italian! She has learned that if they want to use the oven, they need to turn other things off....can't remember what exactly, but if too many things are 'on' at the same time....no good....nothing works then....another learning experiance!! For now there are 3 girls in her apartment with 3 more on the way, so at this point she has her own room which is kind of nice, but she is really looking forward to the others coming....espcially the one who will be sharing her room. The girls there now are 2nd year, and know more people etc. and at times Liz feels....as she says, like an 'outhouse mouse'. The girl that will be in her room is also first year and she is looking forward to learning the city etc. with another 'newbie'.
This week they were on campus interacting with Italian students....she was nervous about this and also excited.....from what I heard from her, it seems to have gone well, and she was pleased with the students that they were with....the group started with 3 and ended with 12....great start!!
Health wise....things are not going great, but per usual, she is not letting it stop her...slow her down a bit....maybe.....stop her....nope! Please continue to keep her in your prayers....this is such as exciting time for her!

Italy!

2011-09-24T06:05:00.004-04:00

Last weekend was our Nuovo Inizio for Agape Italia. There were interns and staff from four different cities in Italy that came together. (Campus Crusade for Christ is called Agape Italia in Italy) It was a great weekend of worship and guidance as we begin ministry in Italy and gave a vision of what we are to expect both physically and spiritually over the next few months.
The conference was held in a huge farmhouse that is nearly 500 years old and is up in the mountains in Tuscany, in the middle of nowhere! The top two pictures show of the area. It was quite chilly and one night got down to 10 degrees celcius. We could see our breath! The meals contained several courses, that were huge but for the most part fairly decent, unless you count the wild boar and beef liver! "By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible." Hebrews 11:27 This was one of our main verses for the weekend. Ministry can be quite difficult in Italy because most places are spiritually dead, but through perseverance and faithfulness to God we can see great things happen!!
Last night my fellow teammate Taylor, and two of my future teammates from Holland, Myrta and Els, and I, went down to the centre in the evening after a day full of meetings. It was nice for me to see what all Rome is known for in person although I felt like I was really just in a movie scene and it wasn't real, but it was! We saw the Pantheon (pictured above), the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and sat and rested on a bench right outside the Colossium. We did this all in and hour and a half!
And this brings me to this morning. At 7:45 I was awakened to pounding at the front door. My room is right next to the door so I jumped out of bed. Myrta and Els were leaving this morning to fly back home to Holland to raise support. They accidently got the wrong key in the lock and it was jammed. No way to get out of the apartment. We got the screwdriver out and tried everything so called a nearby CCC staff person to try opening the door from the outside. He tried everything he could, but we were still locked in the apartment. After an hour it was decided that we should call the fire department. They brought the truck and four of them came up and tried a hand at unlocking the door for thirty minutes. This key was going nowhere. We live on the third floor, so the firemen went and got their not so sturdy ladder and climbed up to our balcony. After another twenty minutes a cheer rang out as the firemen got the key out and the door opened! What an ordeal that was!
"Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished." 1 Chronicles 28: 20

These past few days we've been faced with unexpected rent and internet expenses that should have been taken care of before we came, there is mold growing in multiple places throughout our apartment, and now we need to have new locks put in our door and six sets of new keys made. This is a little discouraging but God will provide. This morning I was reading through Psalm 63...."because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands!" So true! There have been a few bumps but they are all a part of God's will and remind me that I am indeed not in control! This coming week, my team begins ministry at La Sapienza and Roma Tre Universities, two of the three biggest universities in Italy. I am excited to see how God will work through us! Prayers could be lifted up for boldness....sharing my faith is not an easy thing to do, and walking up to people I don't know is intimidating as well, but I have to trust that God will lead me to the right people! Many blessings:)

She's....in.....Rome!

2011-09-16T22:06:00.002-04:00

Well, she made it to Rome....was it an easy trip....no....was it memorable....yes!! What else would you expect from someone from our family traveling....nothing ever goes smoothly or as planned...why would this be any different?
We took her to Detroit to the airport lugging 2 suitcases and a carry on. She was flying Lufthansa which had a limit on weight for the carry on...but she didn't know that.....and it was overweight. She was going to try to 'stuff' something from the carry on into the suitcase....not sure how she would have done that, but fortunatly, the lady who was checking her in told her to take the laptop out....and it worked....she was still a bit overweight....the carry on, not Lizzey, and she let it pass...whew. Her other suitcases weighed a ton....well, close, but not as bad as we thought...kinda funny. We had a bit of time to wander around and talk which was nice and then...time to say good-bye....no one likes this part and we are no different. Libbey had told me that there would be...no crying and all was well.....until she hugged one of her sisters good-bye...and she started to cry....huh....what...this was not supposed to happen!! Anyway, there were a few more 'moist' eyes, but there was also laughter since 'this' was not supposed to happen!! She went thru security, they dug through her carry on, and finally she was done, walked through, turned and waved...and was gone. What a feeling that was.....glad we don't have to do that too often!!
The next morning as I was getting ready for work, I checked my phone for texts and sure enough...some from Lizzey....not good though. She had tried to eat just a little on the plane and it didn't agree with her and she found herself.....barfing and feeling a bit on the nasty side. She flew into Frankfort and she said she got off the plane and 'pushed people' out of the way to get to the bathroom as she got sick again. Now, if you know Lizzey, she would never 'push' anyone....so I knew it was an emergency!! She was to have a 3 hour layover before flying out to Rome, but their flight was changed and she got to wait about an additional....6 hours...not feeling well, dead tired....and in an airport! They finally arrived in Rome and were taken to the apartment where she will be staying....she loves it there. Today they were out and about a bit, but she texted me that after writing me an e-mail, she lost the connection on the computer so I didn't get it tonight, but maybe will tomorrow, so I will have to wait and see how her day went. She is 6 hours ahead of us time wise so right now, hopefully, she is fast asleep. She needs alot of sleep due to pain making her so fatigued, so hope she is able to get some snoozing in....also to help with jet lag!! So please continue to keep her in your prayers.....safety, health, fun, learning, and helping....she has much to look forward to in the coming months!!

And.....she's off and flying!!

2011-09-14T21:38:00.002-04:00

Well, today was a big day for us all with many changes in the air. Today was the day that Lizzey left for Rome, Italy for the next 8 months or so. When this process began almost a year ago, it seemed like a long way off....it was fun to dream about, talk about, and think about. Then there was the fund raising...wow, that was so much more than we ever thought it would be. As Liz said, she was waaaay out of her comfort zone many times in the last months, but she found she could do many things that she always felt she....couldn't. She got all her funds raised, but was denied her visa which really made us wonder.....now what. Finally that was straightened out and everything was in order. Then there was the packing, packing and more packing....what to take, what to leave....what if, what if, what if!! One thing she would have loved to take but just couldn't fit in the suitcases was.....I know you can guess this one......yup.....80lb. Lenney. I don't know how she will be able to go so long without her Lenney....and he without her....the spoiling will all be up to me now!
Liz left from Detroit and is flying into Frankfort and then into Rome. It is such a long flight for her as even a few hours in a plane to NYC is hard for her to tolerate. She will be in pain, tired and ready for a shower and more than ready for a nice long snooze. She will arrive on Thursday and leave for a conference on Sunday and returning back to Rome later in the week. Please pray for strength for her, safety for her and also for confidence that she will indeed find and make friends, fit in and will enjoy being 'Italian'!! She is excited yet leary about when she begins going on campus to begin her 'work' in Rome. So many new things, and exciting things, so many changes....for all of us....so some prayers thrown our way also would be great. I miss her already, but know 'someone' is watching over her for me!

Remembering....

2011-09-11T23:16:00.004-04:00

On June 16, 2009, the day before my 5th surgery in NYC, my family and I toured a nearby fire station from our apartment. It was fascinating and the firemen were very nice and enjoyed giving a tour of their station. When first walking in, there was a big stained glass window that displayed the NYFD emblem and the names of the 7 firefighters from that station who had died on September 11th. Seeing this made it all more real to me....

Back in April when mom, dad, and I were in NYC, after I had a doctor's appointment, we were eating at our favorite restaurant called Sunny's which has some fantastic Chinese food. There was a woman sitting next to us who overheard something I had said and made a comment. Well that turned into over an hour long conversation with this woman. She is a New Yorker at heart and actually worked in tower 1 of the World Trade Center on the 14th floor. She didn't have to report to work until 8:45 the morning of September 11, 2001. When walking up the street to the WTC, she noticed some debris coming down, but thought that workers were probably just doing some repair work, since she had just come up from the subway. Right when she was nearing the main doors, the first plane slammed into the tower, and one of the planes tires came falling through the air and lucky for her, the security guard saw it and threw this woman into the building, unharmed. She went up to her floor to find out what was going on, only to be told to stay put and help keep others calm. It was then that she felt and heard the plane slam into the other tower. Words couldn't describe the way it sounded to her. By then her boss told her to help get all the employees evacuated. When she was halfway down she realized that she forgot to tell some employees in another room so she headed back up to get them. There one of the chief executives was on the phone with his son who was near the top of tower 2, and dying. She said that was one of the hardest things she ever had to do was to get that man off the phone so that he could save his own life. By that time the stairwells were filled with frantic people and she was trampled. When she got about a block away, the first tower collapsed. The dust and smoke made it impossible to see anything. Because of her injuries, she later needed a total knee replacement and her jaw realigned. Her deep faith was evident in her words and actions. Many have told her that she is so lucky to have made it out alive. She just knows that God has many more plans for her and it was not her time yet! Two days after the attacks she reported back to work in a new location in the Rockefeller Center, and nearly eight months later, with no advanced warning, she was laid off because of the rocky economy. She is a thriving young woman who has surely made "lemonade out of lemons" in the past many years and now runs her own business. She loved to share her story, and told us that she often goes down to the WTC site to see the progress of the construction. She was such a sweet woman and I am so grateful that we had the opportunity to hear her touching story. I've heard so many stories of the survivors of the WTC attacks, but it was always in the news or in a book, and to hear this woman's story first hand was really interesting and more meaningful. Often when I walk the streets in NYC, I have to wonder what the peoples' life story is. We all have a story to tell, and after hearing this woman's story I have to wonder when looking into the faces of those I pass on streets, how many more either knew someone who worked in the WTC or lost someone dear to them in the attacks. I'll never know, but am very grateful for the opportunity to hear one's story.

2011-09-04T16:01:00.003-04:00

Well I finally figured out how to upload pictures from my phone unto the computer!! Here are a few pics taken when we were in NYC last week. Above is the wonderful HSS where I had my injections done.
By looking at this photo would anyone ever guess that a hurricane went through a little over 24 hours earlier? The sky was as blue as could be and the weather was comfortable. The only evidence of hurricane Irene that we could see was when we were walking on the boardwalk next to the river, was that there was a line of trash and dirt where the tide had overflowed unto the sidewalks.
This was a picture of me taken in the recovery room after all the procedure was over with. Now we wait patiently for the results!!

Back home....with no excitement!

2011-08-30T21:42:00.002-04:00

Hmmm, kind of a dull title, but after the trip we had getting to NYC this time, coming home was a piece of cake....go to airport, go through security, wait, get on plane, wait on runway forevvver, take off....and end up in Detroit. It was easy, but a bit boring really!! Sorry I didn't post anything more on here while we were in NYC, but sometimes the internet was a bit 'iffy' in our room, so decided to just wait until....now!!

Our appointment for her procedure was changed from an 8am arrival time to an 11am arrival time which we were more than happy for....it meant jumping out of bed a bit later and getting ready a bit more peaceful....very nice. HSS was a bit quiet on Monday, but due to the busses and subways not having their usual schedules due to Hurricane Irene, I suppose there were many who were not able to get in from different places. We hopped into a cab and had no problems getting there. Since she was getting more done this time than just the injections we knew it would take a bit longer, but time seemed to go by quickly. It was a great feeling to have someone come out and tell me that I was able to go back with her. She did not have to be put 'out' for this, but was given some 'drugs' to help with pain, so we just yakked....and waited. I did get a chance to talk to the doc a few minutes and he said it could take a month to know if this will help at all....and so....we.....wait!!! If this helps and how much it helps should last about a year, so we are so hoping this is more beneficial than just the injections. When they thought she was ready to leave, they had her up and walking and she assured them she was feeling fine and had feeling in her legs, feet etc. So she got ready and we were cleared to leave and began to walk out of the recovery area....we almost made it to the door to the waiting room where Dave was waiting....and her legs buckled under her and she started to go down. Lucky for us one of the 'guys' from the waiting area was right behind us and he grabbed her, sat her down and said....'oh no, you're not going anywhere'. So we had to stay about 45 minutes longer and they just monitored her for a bit longer and then they said we could leave....this time by wheel chair and not by walking as she was doing the first time!! Hmmmm, this kind of changed our plans a bit since Libbey at her heart set on Chinese when we were finished. I thought maybe she would want to wait, but she really wanted to go to Sunny's.....we always go there when we are in the city....so we got in the cab and he took us to....Sunnys! She was in pain...what else is new, but just having Chinese at our favorite place was good medicine for her and we had a great time. We had some fun on the way back to the hotel.....we kept asking if she wanted to take a cab and she kept saying she was 'fine' and wanted to walk so walk we did....but we stopped at numerous stores and just looked, or found a place to sit and just 'watched' people which is lots of fun to do! It was just...nice! Now we continue our wait and see for results. She is leaving for Italy in 2 weeks and to have the pain reduced would be....the best news. We will be missing some NYC appointments in Oct. and Dec. since she will be gone, so it was hard leaving the city today. I love that place and as we flew out this afternoon...I felt....sad. We will be going back when she comes home from Italy but after surgery in Cleveland, probably June-ish of next year, so until then, we keep NYC close to our hearts, the people we have met in NYC, close to our hearts, and when we see something in the paper or on the news about NYC, we look and listen a bit closer to it than we used to....afterall, it has become our 'second' home! Please keep Lizzey in your prayers....for pain relief and for strength as she gets ready for Italy.....change is in the air for all of us....kind of scary, but oh so exciting too!

what a day!!

2011-08-27T21:44:00.002-04:00

I would tell you how our day started, but yesterday never ended so yesterday and today was just all one....big....day!!! I can't remember the last time I had a night that I never went to bed...don't think I want to make a habit of it! We left home about 2:15am this morning for Detroit airport. The best they could do for us was to send us to Washington DC....hope it wasn't cancelled before we left, and then hopefully we could get a bus or train the rest of the way. So we decided about 5am to go with this option so then we had to wait for our flight to leave which was at 8:53am so we had plenty of time to spare in a terminal that was.....empty and dead! We were not cancelled and flew into DC. Dave had contacted his sister who lives in DC and she was there to pick us up and take us to the Amtrak station since we decided that was our better option. It was already rainy and windy there so we were anxious to get out of there quickly and got tickets for a train that was leaving in.....10 minutes! It was a 3 hour ride in a freeeeeeeezing train car. Even the conductor was freezing so for once it wasn't just me being cold! My entertainment when not looking out the window was watching Dave and Lizzey fall asleep, then their heads would bob....wake up.....fall asleep again...and that repeated itself over and over.....too funny! We made it safely to NYC and Penn Station and were thrilled when we found it was hot and humid....ahhhh, no more freezing train car. It was not the NYC we are used to....not many people around, no busses, no subways open....very weird. There is a place we llike to eat so decided to see if it was open....not many things were open due to Hurrican Irene, but we lucked out and Schnippers was....open, so got a bite to eat. Then we walked to the hotel, and believe me, the walk felt great after sitting all day. Once we got into our room we just....did nothing and it felt....great. Tonight after the wind really started and the rain started hitting the window, what did we decide to do....go out for a walk!! How many times do we get the chance to take a walk...in a hurricane!? The weather is supposed to really go down the drain during the next 8-12 hours so don't think we will be going too far tomorrow. So all in all, it has been a long 2 days with no sleep, but....we are in NYC and that was the goal....now we have to wait it out and hope we are able to get Lizzey to the hospital Monday morning for the procedure.....we made it this far....we will get her there!!!!

Nightmare

2011-08-27T01:01:00.002-04:00

Just about as soon as I hit 'publish post' we were cancelled. I thought I would check the flights to make sure all is well....well, all was not well. Our flight from Detroit to Cincinatti was fine, but the Cincinatti to NYC...cancelled. We have been on the phone and on the computer trying to figure out how we can get to NYC. The way it sounds just about everything is going to shut down at noon....we were to arrive at 2...figures. We found we can't book another flight until we can cancel the first one...but can't seem to be able to do that. No matter where we go on here....we can't get rid of our flights. Liz found 4 seats on another airline....but it wouldn't let us book since we were already booked on the other airline....it doesn't seem like it would matter.....but now those seats are sold out. Checked into Amtrak and that was also not an option. Dave was on hold and finally it came on that he would be on hold for......3 hours......Lizzey was on hold with another place and was told she would be on hold for an hour...that was over an hour ago. So......lets see....Dave and I had the radio go off at 4:24am since I worked my usual early day....it is after 1am now...no bed for us tonight....we are getting ready to go to Detroit to the airport to see if we can find someone...anyone to talk to.....the airport opens at 4am....so...wish us luck....this is not the way we had planned this trip.....

Wish tomorrow was.....over!

2011-08-26T22:28:00.002-04:00

Once, just once I wish we could travel....like 'normal' people. We always seem to leave the airport late and have to run to catch our connection, flights have been cancelled the night before we have left, we had the blizzard in December, and now....a....hurricane. C'mon I thought going to NYC in August would be a piece of cake with no weather worries...was I ever wrong. I have spent more time waiting for the girls to text me at work with any weather 'updates' and since I have been home, in between packing, mowing, cleaning, taking Lenney for a walk I keep wandering over to the computer to check flights, weather, times, flights again....weather....again, I tell you it is going to make me.....crazy! I just want it to be tomorrow so we can get the adventure started and hopefully get to NYC before the weather gets too nasty. She is to have a procedure done Monday morning so much depends on us getting there. So please keep us in your prayers for the next numerous days. Pray that we get there, for safety, for her doc, for her espcially. Pray that this procedure works and helps with the pain she endures each and every day. And....if you have time left over, if....we get there....pray that we keep the electricity.....it could be realllly dark and creepy if we lose that!! Thanks!!

The 'churning' begins

2011-08-24T22:16:00.002-04:00

Yup, this is beginning to feel all too familiar.....we have a medical trip planned to NYC....and the weather starts to go....bezerk on us. Remember when we went for her 7th surgery this past December....day after Christmas.....blizzard warnings....flights were delayed....our connecting flight cancelled? Is it all coming back to you....for me, it feels almost like yesterday, but we look back on that trip now with much laughter about the insane trip out there....it....was.....crazy!! Lets see, we are to fly out on Saturday morning for NYC and yesterday there was an earthquake felt there among many other places. We can deal with that right....just an 'odd' thing happening, but no problem for us. Well, now the hurricane is moving up the east coast....what....a hurricane, you have got to be kidding me. The sounds of that makes my stomach go into major 'churn' mode. Lizzey just showed me an article on MSN about all the possibilities and the 'what ifs' a hurricane hits Manhatten....ummm, that is where we stay and where the hospital is that she will be having another procedure done at. Instead of tromping through tons of snow, we may have to rent a boat to get to the hospital.....and I have not seen that yet in all the trips we have made there. The hotel where we stay is 15 or 16 floors high I believe....we have always been up in the higher floors which we love...the view is great....but now I am thinking that I hope we are on a much lower floor....high enough that we don't get flooded, but low enough that we don't blow away!! See....can you tell.....the churning....begins.....I'm not thrilled!

Full of.....hope!!

2011-08-11T22:43:00.002-04:00

Wow, I can finally get on here to make a post....I tried yesterday and for some reason there seemed to be a 'glitch' and there was no gettin' on here. Oh, well, I'm here now....not sure if that is a good thing or not!!
Tuesday afternoon was the day we have been waitnig for....a trip to....Cleveland Clinic. Why was this visit so much different you ask? Well, we were seeing a new doc who we had heard is....great. We also know someone who had a surgery done by her and she told us.....'you will love her'. Of course with these high expectations, I was alos worried about a....let down. So often it seems when we expect so much, too much, we have disappointments, and I so didn't want that to be the case. So about noon on Tuesday, Libbey and I took off for Cleveland. We had memories of our last trip there....remember the flat tire ordeal? We really didn't want a repeat of that trip!! Anyway, we had a gret trip in and arrived in time to make a 'round' on all the walk ways connecting all the buildings....a very nice walk, and it feels good after sitting for a couple of hours! Her appointment was at 4 and she was called back right away. She was debating whether to go back alone, or if I should go along like I usually do....I told her whatever she was comfy with was ok with me. Well, she called her name and she said....'lets go', so I went along with her...which in the end we were both so glad that I did. She has had the nurse before and she took all the current info and we had a nice 'gab session'. She left and the doc soon appeared....this I was so grateful for, since the longer we waited, the more nervous Liz got....pacing in a small room...well, it was making me nervous watching her pace, even though we were laughing and talking and having a good time....nerves were running high. I think...I know, we both went in expecting to hear....'lets try this'.....or 'have you tried this', and then go on to what tests we could do, medications she could try....well, you get the idea. Nope, she walked in, and she seemed to know some of her history already and it was on to the 'what is the best option' part. We have done our homework, and also options have been mentioned at previous appointments with other docs, so were not surprised when talk of surgery came up. The feeling is, that all the spine surgeries have left her with some damaged nerves which is now causing so many intestinal problems. So, we have dealt with one major problem, which obviously is spine and scoliosis, and now are working on the intestinal problems...which have been a problem now for years and they keep getting worse. Right now, the game plan is for her to have surgery to remove the colon for relief. I almost burst out laughing when after the doc said this, Lib's response was.....'I would do it today if I could'....she is so uncomfy and so ready for 'something' to be done. Obviously, with her going to Italy, we are unable to do this until some time early next summer.....or before, if things would get worse. Liz is going to a week long conference close to Chicago next week for the Italy trip, so has lots of things to look into so we can make some plans for....surgery.....again....but this time, any scars will be on the front....and not all over the back. She really is beginning to look like a 'patched quilt' with all the designs on her skin! We were told it is about a 5 hour surgery with about a week in the hospital...both Liz and I rolled our eyes....later....after we left at that one....things always seem to take longer for Lizzey so who knows what this will turn into. Anyway, we left feeling so full of hope...and that is what I told the doc as we left....I told her we came looking for hope, and we were leaving with so much more!

Standing Up to Scoliosis

2011-08-08T16:53:00.004-04:00

CrossBooks Publishing › Book Details

Well here it is!!! After several months of being stressed out and reading and rereading, my book is finally published!!! I am very excited! You can click on the link above to order a book or if you have any questions or thoughts, please e-mail me at: libbey.eicher@gmail.com It is just really strange reading what I've wrote in an actual book. Also if anyone has any good ideas on how I can publicize this more please let me know. I am totally new at this and any of your thoughts are greatly appreciated!! Many Blessings to you!

P.S. Blogger will not let me upload the cover picture so click on the link above to see it!!!

She's......normal!!

2011-08-02T17:11:00.002-04:00

I can't believe it....we finally got the results of the sleep deprived EEG that was done almost.....3 weeks ago. I am constantly amazed at all the wonderful things that the medical community is able to do. When I look back at all 7 of her surgeries, I continue to be awed by the knowledge of all who are involved in every aspect of surgery and recovery. So....please tell me why, oh why is is soooo difficult for someone....anyone, to call us and let us know that her results came back....normal.....30 second call and we can breathe a sigh of relief, but it just never came. We were told to wait a week and if no one called us, we were to call them.....no call came, so we called and were told to wait 3 business days for a return call. We got the call....and a message....to call back....we did and got a machine....again. Finally.....a real person after the last phone call who told us that she had called us 'numerous' times.....uhhhh, we have caller ID and there was.......1 call listed from there, but anyway she said that all was 'normal'. I'm not surprised at the outcome, but still wonder if this is just the way 'it is going to be'.....or not....the next move on this one....not sure. As far as the entire 'picture' here, well, continue to keep Lizzey in your prayers as she has not been feeling the greatest at all. She is the perfect example of....looks are decieving.....to look at her you would think things are going well......but they are not. She continues to look forward to her time in Italy which is coming up fast, but we all had hoped so much that her health issues would be more a 'thing of the past' by now and they are in the very present and it has us all a bit on edge....alot on edge. Cleveland Clinic is next Tuesday....a new doc, a new perspective, maybe a bit of hope?

Missing 4 teeth!!

2011-07-22T20:40:00.002-04:00

Last night before Lizzey went to bed, she checked the calender to make sure of the time of her appointment today....good thing. I have always been thinking that is was scheduled for 8:30.....but it was actually at 8:00. Imagine had we been a half hour late....what....me....late?? I'm early for everything so it would have thrown everything off at the dentist office and I would have felt horrrrible for messing it up....good thing I have a sensible daughter who was smart enough to check the time!! I understand why Liz was so nervous about getting her wisdom teeth out, but what I don't understand is why I was so durn nervous. You would think after all the waiting I have done in various waiting rooms 'waiting' would be a piece of cake, but no such luck today. My stomach churned and churned and my nerves were.....well, nervous!!!! After about an hour and a half, I was told that all went great and to move the Explorer by the back door so she wouldn't have so far to walk. She was very wobbly on the way out and I was glad for help in supporting her on the way out. She was holding ice to her cheeks and it was rather amusing to watch her to continue to fall asleep on the way home....and lose the ice....over and over again. She kept commenting to me...when she was awake, that 'they really kick you outta there in a hurry'...and I heard that over and over again too. When we arrived home, I walked her in the house and back to her room....she was ready for a nap, which also amused me. She went into this thinking she would come home and 'do something'....I kept telling her she would be tired and want to snooze, but she just couldn't see it as being that big of deal.....wrong!! Before I left her room her comment was....'I can't believe how wiped out I am'.....hee hee hee....told ya so!! I didn't see her for hours and hours and when she got up, she said....'I feel like me again'. So far all is going great....pain is not a problem and so far no swelling....but who knows, maybe she will wake up looking like a chipmunk!! She is tired yet and so I know bed will again feel good to her tonight....but.....it is over, done for, in the past....woo hoo....wisdom teeth....out....gone.....no more worrying about them!!! Now we can get back to worrying about pain, gastro....you know...the usual...'stuff'. Thanks so much for keeping her in your prayers!!

Uhhh, a 'mouthful' of prayers!!

2011-07-21T21:36:00.002-04:00

How's that for a title!!?? Tomorrow is a big day for Lizzey....one that has been coming for awhile and one that she has been dreading....majorly. Even she can't understand why she is so scared...just the other day she commented....'I have had 7 major spinal surgeries and I am more scared of 'this' than I was of any of those'. What is 'this' you might ask.....she is having her wisdom teeth removed tomorrow....I can see anyone reading this groan and roll their eyes, maybe remembering when they had their wisdom teeth out, or knowing someone who did!! So that is our 'excitement' for tomorrow....so if you happen to think of Liz tomorrow at about 8:30....please say a prayer for her!!
Also continue to pray for her health overall. She is now under 100lbs. and that is not good.....her weight is moving in the wrong direction here. We see a new doc in August and she has said so many times that she can't wait to see her. She comes highly recommended and we have talked to someone who has seen her and has surgery done by her.....and they....love her! I don't want to wish my summer away, but am excited to see her also....things are going in the wrong direction and hopefully she can help!

And.....we.....wait!!!!

2011-07-15T20:18:00.002-04:00

Can you believe it...us....waiting yet again for some results from testing! It used to really bug me the waiting and all, and still, I would love to know right away what was found....or not found, but after about 6 years of this, what's a bit more waiting.
I was just glad that we were able to go and have the test done. When I posted the last time, Lizzey had not yet gotten up so I 'thought' all was well. Not. When she got up, she told me she had been dry heaving and a bit later barfed. Her stomach is 'off' so much, but on a test day....no, it can't be, but it was. I kept hoping that as she got ready things would improve and at first she thought she felt a bit better after the barf so we left. I didn't tell her that I put a 'barfy bowl' on the floor in the back....just in case!! I could tell that the further we drove the more uncomfortable she was feeling, but we made it down on time. The waiting room had to be 20* below zero....it was soooo durn cold. By the time they called her back, Liz was shaking like crazy, and later she told me that they covered her with 2 blankets....I was jealous!! So I sat, waited, and.....froze. The test took about as hour, and then we bolted out in the sunshine and warmth. So, that was yesterday....and now we wait and they told us to expect a call with results...and if they don't call, we should call them.....hmmm, bet we call them!!
A big thank you to those who supported Lizzey at the Mancino fundraiser, for her mission trip to Rome with Campus Crusade. It was lots of fun, very busy, and we were....pooped when it was over....but oh so much fun...thanks so much.

And we're off to......

2011-07-14T06:27:00.002-04:00

Uhhh, we're off to, ummm, yes, we are going to NYC this morning, wait, no, that isn't until the end of August, today it is Cleveland Clinic, umm, no, that is the beginning of August. Oh, I remember, today we are going to Toledo....I think....yes, today is testing for Lizzey at the Toledo Clinic. Whew, that was hard, seems like the last while here we have been running between 3 cities....no wonder I am always dazed and confused!! As I have said in previous postings, we have had some nueuro concerns so have been having some neuro appointments, so today we are off for a sleep deprived EEG. Liz kind of laughs at this one since she is always tired and always feels sleep deprived anyway, but the idea is to only get a 'taste' of sleep during the night and then have the EEG done to check for any seizure activity in the brain. The part that she doesn't laugh about is the 'sticking' of leads all over her scalp with this 'sticky, gooey' stuff which makes for yucky hair when they all come out!! So, this appointment will be the beginning of our day, and when that is done.....depending how 'nasty' her hair looks....or she 'thinks' it looks, we may have to stop at Kohls on the way home.....I did get a 30% off coupon in the mail, so hate to waste it, and after that, I think ice cream on the way home just might sound good. So....think of Liz this morning as she endures yet another test!!

More crazy 'road trips'

2011-06-28T19:46:00.002-04:00

How does that title sound.....'normal' for us I suppose!! Yesterday we had a normal road trip that took us down to Toledo to see a neurologist that Lizzey has seen before numerous times, but the last time was about 2 years ago. We kind of rated him as 'kinda ok' and that was about it. He was nice, but there were just annoying things about him that we always kind of dreaded going to him. Due to some possible neuro problems 'popping up', we have wanted to get back with neuro, but everyone is booked...solid and the soonest I could get her into CC was in September, only 10 days before she left for Italy, so I took the appointment. Then Liz said to go ahead and call Toledo and just see if I could get her in sooner so last Friday I called, and if luck would have it, someone cancelled and they had a Monday appt. and the next soonest was Dec.....so I grabbed it. So yesterday we went to see him and really, we felt a bit better about him so that was a nice feeling. We had much to talk about and go over and he wants her to have a sleep deprived EEG done to check for seizure activity so we scheduled that in a couple of weeks. He explained some things to us and we left feeling a bit better about things....kind of, but still wondering also.
Today the radio went off at 3:46am this morning....and we were up and running...well, make that up and dragging a bit!! Lib and I left quite early for Cleveland Clinic today, and have never encountered traffic like this morning.....it was bumper to bumper for miles.....and Liz was driving....lucky for me!! This appointment was for multiple gastro type problems that are not getting any better. She is trying another treatment that we hope will help so again we wait and see. We were given a name of a surgeon that she could see down the road depending on this treatment. No one wants to go this route, but if these 'issues' don't improve....who knows. With Italy coming up quickly, we feel like we are scrambling for help and answers....Liz's health is not where we were hoping it would be at this point so.....We had a good visit and felt good about it when we left. The traffic was much lighter on the way home and the first 40 miles went great with Liz again wanting to drive. All the sudden the Explorer started to shake and 'thump' and I said.....'flat tire', get off the road....were we both ever shaking!! After we looked at the tire, we looked at each other and thought.....uhhhh, now what....we are 2 hours from home!! So we did what we always do when something won't work....we called Dave!! We talked and then he said he was going to hang up....and think about what to do!! I made some calls to various places, State Patrol etc. but really didn't get anywhere. The closest officer was 40 minutes away....and 2 hours later still never showed up!! Getting a tow truck was another option, but Dave said no way...way too expensive, so Dave did what he always does...came to fix it!! So Lizzey and I sat, yakked, laughed and talked about all the weird things that seem to happen when we go on road trips. The time went fast as we waited and watched all the cars and trucks whiz by. Dave got to us....but he was going east and we were going west, so he had to go to the next exit and turn around and get back on to be on the same side as we were....kind of funny watching him go by on the other side and such a relief when he pulled in behind us!! We finally made it home.....quite a bit later than planned, but with us....what ever starts out as a 'normal' trip, never seems to end as a 'normal' trip. Please continue to keep Lizzey in your thoughts and prayers for her health issues, pain issues....'issues' in general I do suppose!!

A busy week!!

2011-06-27T08:24:00.002-04:00

It is only Monday and I look at this week and think of how busy it will be....but that's ok....I would rather be busy than....not!! We start today out by going to Toledo for a neuro appointment for Lizzey. I just called on Friday hoping to get in maybe, within the next month. Imagine my surprise when I was told the doc had someone cancel and there was an opening....on Monday morning. I kind of stuttered and stammered, but the receptionist told me that I better take it since the next available appointment was in.....December, so I grabbed it!! Since I called on my way home from work, I didn't know that Lib was calling Cleveland Clinic for another appoinment dealing with the continued gastro problems. She soon texted me asking me if I was in the 'mood' to go to Cleveland....on Tuesday!! That's when my stomach really started to churn....of course I wanted to go.....but I was scheduled to work both Monday....and Tuesday. I had asked to be off on Wednesday due to another appointment. Anyway, when I got home phone calls, e-mailing and figuring how this was all going to work. Fortunatly I work with a great woman who said 'no problem' in switching schedules with me so I could be off for the Mon. and Tues. appointments. I am going to reschedule the Wed. appointment for another time and work then, and the rest of the week. Amazing how things kind of 'work out'....why does my stomach churn so much when really I just need to learn to trust in God more and know that He will work it all out for me?? I worry over every detail and hope and wonder if all will go right.....I need to work on that.....my trusting 'skills' need to be worked on!! Anyway keep us in your thoughts as we do neuro today, gastro tomorrow....we have lots of miles to cover and docs to see. Keep Libbey in your prayers as we continue to search for answers....

Do you need me writing??

2011-06-20T22:21:00.002-04:00

Wow, I just got on here to post a bit and saw Lizzey had some pictures on here already. Someday when I 'grow up' I hope to know how to put pics on here too. 2 years ago when she had to teach me how to do this, I about broke out in hives wondering if I could do it.....I can....pictures, well, not yet...don't know if I want to push my luck asking Liz to show me how...she does it so easily...and me....I have to write it all down....step by step by step....I think I am annoying so don't want to know what she is thinking!!
Anyway, it was a great trip to NYC....as she said....we love this city and do think of it as our second home. It is nice to know where to find things....where the more affordable places are....and they are there, but it takes time to find them!! There are certain things/places we always have to go when we are there, and finding our way around on the subways are no big deal anymore....espcially after Liz lived there for 5 weeks last summer....she is great for finding the way around the city.
Pain injections were on Wed. morning, and the 'shooting' pain that went down her leg was returning since the last injections....is gone so far....again. The back pain is still there, but we need to be patient to see if that improves any...so we wait. We saw her surgeon for a 6 month post-op and he was 'kinda' pleased. She is leaning to the right a bit more than she was in pre-op last December, so that is a bit of a concern. He wants her to have a lift put in her shoe to see if that makes any change in how she is standing/leaning at this point. He also said that if she continues to lean, that he may have to do an osteotomy to correct the lean, but he hopes he won't have to go that route....but we will....wait! He wanted to see her again in 6 months, but since she will be in Italy, we will wait to return until next summer as long as there are no problems that he would need to see her sooner.
Gastro issues are still an issue along with the need to see neuro again. We have a request in at CC again to see neuro, so will see when we may be able to return there. Gastro issues....are very discouraging.....we have gone so many places, seen so many docs, tried so many things and still....things seem to be no better....so we are looking into our options on that one. Fatigue is an issue also, but am sure that all the 'issues' that are going on right now don't help.
I would just ask that you keep her in your prayers.....lately there have been some bright spots, but also some discouragement.....so your thoughts and prayers are so welcome!!

NYC pics:)

2011-06-20T12:55:00.002-04:00

Back to the wonderful Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC! I had some pain injections done last Wednesday morning here by Dr. Richman who is a fantastic doctor. The injections are done by fluoroscopy and the screen was right by my head so I could see exactly what the doctor was doing which was pretty neat! The same joint that I had injected two months ago was looking just as bad when he injected again this time so we'll have to wait and see if this injection might last a little longer.

On thursday morning, we met with my surgeon, Dr. Boachie. When we first walked into the waiting room his nurse came out and came us all a hug, and then later on when Dr. Boachie walked in, he gave me a hug. Everyone at his office knows me just as well as everyone at Dr. Munk's office! These are my newest x-rays that were taken although I forgot to take a picture of what the front view looked like.

Waiting, waiting, waiting....!

The spectacular view from my favorite park in Brooklyn which overlooks the Brooklyn/Manhattan bridges and downtown Manhattan. Absolutely breathtaking! Oh how I love this city. This is seemingly our second home and it shows because we now know where the best places to eat are/and are also affordable, we know where to buy things whether clothes or food, and find our way around the subway system for the most part without a map! What a great feeling!

And we're off.....again!!

2011-06-13T22:58:00.003-04:00

How the heck did it get to be so late? I was running all day trying to get laundry done, mowing done, house cleaned, bills paid, banking done.....you name it....so much to do!! Why did it all have to be done....today you ask? Well, tomorrow will start bright and early with a trip up to Detroit airport and then to.....NYC again. I know, I know, it seems as though we were just there...and we were, in April, just 2 short months ago...didn't I just get the laundry done and the carry-ons put away, and now we are hauling them out again? But as you know, we all love NYC so a trip back there is not a bad thing, but a necessary thing for us. Liz has 2 appointments during this trip with the first one being a procedure being done on Wed. morning. She is having pain injections done once again, as she did in April. The pain that was helped 2 months ago....is back, and the pain that it didn't help....is still there...being a major pain. We hope to see more improvement this time...that will determine our next step as far as injections go. Thursday morning we go for a 6 month post-op appointment with her surgeon for his thoughts on how she is progressing. I tried to pick up a 3rd appointment with the neurologist that saw her 2 years ago when she had post op seizures, but were unable to get one during the time we are in the city. I am thinking we will try to schedule a neuro appt. along with a gastro appt. at Cleveland Clinic when we get home. Why neuro you ask....gee, you ask many questions....since the post op seizures in 09, there were a few things that I have picked up on in Liz that were 'different' but I didn't want to mention it, or point it out....not too long ago, she mentioned something which 'opened the door' for me and we talked about it....so that is why we are looking into neuro again. Never a dull moment around here is there?! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we travel, and espcially for Liz and the docs that she will be seeing this week.....thanks!!

Hmmmm

2011-05-28T21:11:00.003-04:00

Hmmm, I should say....hmmmm, this is annoying. I wrote this a few hours ago and when I hit 'publish post'....all disappeared....where did it go....I have no idea, so I figured I would try it again. Liz saw a new doc more for gastro issues on Wed. and we just were not sure how we felt about the appointment....so I posted...nothing, I guess I needed to think about it a bit! We had another appointment with him again yesterday and we had a much better 'feel' about things so that felt good. Wed. appointment was a good 2 hours long, which in a way, I was expecting since it was a new doc, but yet it felt almost too drawn out....and the doc....well, a bit different than what we have had before. As I said....we didn't know what to think...but after yesterday I am hoping that maybe he will be able to help her. We have another appointment next week so.....as we 'chart some new territory', we will see how it goes. So far, no changes really, but I will be paitent (?) and will 'wait and see'....again!! Ok, I will try to 'publish' again and see what happens.....

A new doc....another one....again!!

2011-05-24T22:06:00.002-04:00

There....how's that for a catchy title? We have been to a boatload of docs over the past 6 years and I really need to sit down again and figure out how many....I know it has to be in the 30's by now and you would think there wouldn't be any left for us to find, let alone go and see!
It's amazing where a simple conversation at work will take you. Without boring you with all the details and the entire conversation, I was just talking to one of my customers who made a comment....and I mentioned something in return...she spoke again, and as she was speaking this giant lightbulb went off in my head and I'm thinking LIZZEY....I have to get more info for.....LIZZEY!! So info and phone numbers began flying, and I couldn't wait to come home and talk to Liz about it. She was interested, so I called for an appointment....and wah lah....the day is finally here....well, almost....tomorrow is almost here....and her appointment!! Although to look at Liz....well, she pretty well has you fooled....outwardly she looks good....on the inside....not good at all....still so many issues....pain issues.....gastro issues....more pain and more gastro. I ask again for your prayers for her. She is planning on leaving with Campus Crusade in September for a year....in Italy.....what an awesome opportunity for her....she has always had a heart for missions so this is such an answer to prayer for her. But....did you hear a 'but' coming? CC was concerned about her health....we are concerned with here health, but if you have been reading this for any amount of time, you know Libbey is not one to sit and complain....she does neither. She sets goals no matter what...the goal now is to get to Italy.....my goal for her.....get her to Italy with less pain....less gastro issues. I want her to feel like 'herself' again....it has been so long and she says the same thing....'I just want to feel like me....I'm always so tired.....' So....tomorrow we see a new doc....please pray for her....pray for the doc.....pray for some results.....please?

Matthew West Strong Enough

2011-05-15T15:01:00.002-04:00

If you watch this video of the song Strong Enough by Matthew West, I hope you can also draw strength from it as I did! As I look back at the past few years of my life, it would have been so easy to give up without my faith. What would have been the point of life without having Him in the center? People always tell you that God won't give you more than you can't handle, and at times it is easy to feel as if you are at your limit and ready to give in, but looking back on past experiences you can see how God has sustained you! Through God we can truly be strong enough! "I can do everything through him who gives me strength!" Philippians 4:13

Focus Rome (short version)

2011-05-11T21:51:00.000-04:00

You may be wondering why I posted this? Many of you already know already but...I am going to Rome, Italy through Campus Crusade for Christ for a year beginning on September 12th! Rome may be the catholic capital of the world but so many people have yet to hear of the gospel there, which if you've watched this video you'll understand! Why Rome of all places?? Well back in November when I began applying to STINT (short term international), there were so many options that I was really open to any place that God had in store for me. Rome was the most expensive of all the choices being that it is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but I was open to any place. Well the day after I opened the newspaper and there was an article about the ruins in Rome. That afternoon I went to bing.com to look for some information for my project at school. The background was of the Colosium in Rome all lit up at night. The day after, I received the Smithsonian magazine in the mail, with the Colosium in Rome also on the front. I felt as if God was leading me there, although Figi sounded like a great option, beaches and warmth all year long, but somehow I think that was me saying that and not Him!! Once again I would look at the cost for Rome, but decided if that was where God was leading me, then He would provide.

In mid April I found out that my official location is Rome, so am very excited to be a part of the ministry team there! Now I begin the overwhelming task of support raising. Well, I began sending letters out last week, so this week is the beginning. It's like a roller-coaster. One minute I am so excited to raise support and see how God will provide, and the next minute I am wondering how I am ever going to meet my goal! Doing all this takes me a few hours each day, but I know it will be worth it! If you would like to donate or know of someone who might, that I could contact, please let me know!! Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Matthew 16:24

Doc Appointment!

2011-05-04T20:05:00.002-04:00

I was trying to come up with a more 'catchy' title, but found myself just sitting and staring at the screen....so...just used the 'boring' title that came to mind!! I'll try to do better on the next post!!
Today we had an appointment in Toledo to see Dr. Munk, Libbey's orthopedic surgeon that performed her first 4 surgeries. We think he is great, and while he began as our 'doc', he grew into a dear friend, so it feels good to be able to sit and talk with him rather than just e-mailing which has become more of our form of communication. While he is very pleased with how Libbey looks, he said she is 'leaning' more than the last time he saw her. He said when she first stands, she leans more, but the longer she is up the more she straightens. I'm not sure if this is anything that we really need to be worried about or not. We have gone through 'straight' times before that turned into 'leaning' times, but she has looked 'straight' for about a year now, so I just can't imagine going back to leaning mode again. He moved, and bent her in all different directions and so much more today than in the past...it was rather funny. He measured her from all directions, had her walk for him....again...and again...and again. She hates that part...it means he is really analyzing her and....she hates to be 'analyzed'. He continues to try to figure out where the source of her pain is coming from....how he wishes he could take that away from her...as we all do! He is still puzzled by a few things such as how her body rotates one way while she is standing, but rotates the opposite way while she lays down. I told him I wouldn't expect anything but 'puzzling' from her....just the way it seems to have been from day one of this journey! What a journey this has been....we found out a bit over 6 years ago that she had 'mild' scoliosis....if you would have told me then.....what we know now....I couldn't have ever imagined it. What a journey it continues to be!

Going....back!!

2011-04-28T17:16:00.002-04:00

Kind of a funny title don't you think? The last post was all about our trip home from NYC and now....going back...huh!!!
I suppose I should update you on how things are going with Lizzey first....nothing earth-shattering, but a bit of improvement has happened. She was getting alot of 'shooting' pain going down her one leg and that....so far is gone. We have to 'wait' and see for how long it stays 'gone' but for now....gone. I'm so thankful for that. As far as the pain in her back....maybe a teeny bit of a change in the pain level but not alot. That is disappointing, but at least there has been an 'up' side to the injections.
I was to call the NYC doc back and let him know how she was doing so....today that was on my 'to do' list. After a bit of phone tag, I was able to speak to the docs nurse, Allie and she then talked to Liz's doc. He is pleased that she did notice some change....so with him being pleased...that makes me....pleased as well. He told us when we were there that she may need another injection later on....so that is where the 'going back' comes in. We have already made plans and appointments to go back in June to see her surgical doc for a 6month post-op check up and I was sooooo hoping I could get an appointment for more injections at the same time. I was lucky and there was an opening, but.....per usual it was for the day...before....we were planning to leave!! Did I say NO to the appointment....heck no....a big YES and thanks was the word of the day!! My next step was to e-mail Janet from the hotel where we always stay to see if she could add on an extra day to our already made reservations....I began holding my breath on this one. But after numerous e-mails all is well and we have a place to stay, appointments to go to....all in the same time frame that we wanted....miracle....yup!! When Lizzey got home, she was on here looking at flights...with fuel prices we know that prices won't be going down anytime soon.....so Liz found a direct flight....both ways....and at a good price....and booked our flights. Has this been
a great day or what?

A 'bumpy' trip home!!

2011-04-21T22:18:00.003-04:00

C'mon...would you expect a 'normal' title from me...didn't think so. We woke up to a beautiful NYC morning...the sun was out, no drizzling, no wind...it was perfect....of course it was perfect...we were coming home!! It was fun standing out on the balcony looking out over the city...it is a great sight with the Empire State Building almost in our 'backyard'. It is so different there as it is...here. It is hard to explain the feel we all have for that city....after coming and going so many times over the past couple of years, it has become a second home...and that feels good. We got up and ready this morning and then went the 2 blocks to Grand Central Station to pick up some 'goodies' to bring home. Actually, if we didn't bring the 'goodies' home, we probably would not be let into our own home!! We walked in the room and Liz's phone rang...she didn't pick up since it was an 888 number...figured it was....nothing. Then Dave's phone rang....he picked up...this is when the day began to get....bumpy. It was the airline calling to say our flight out of NYC was....cancelled!! Yup, traveling with the Eichers is never smooth, normal or easy, nope not us!! Fortunatly, Dave was able to get flights worked out since we were to make connections in Philly today. Oh, the reason for the cancellation....the plane was down due to maintenance....duh, we booked this flight months ago....and they decided....today....to work on the plane....did they know we had tickets or what?? Anyway, we left NYC a bit later, so had to run a bit faster at Philly to make our connection, but we did it. We were on a prop plane from NYC to Philly which I am not crazy about, and today I was even less crazy about it. We had much turbulance which made our day even more full of bumps....and being up that high...with bumps....I can do without that part!! Even the flight attendent never left her seat because of all the 'bumps' so it was not just me thinking it was a bit of a rocky ride!
Now we are home and tomorrow after work the washer will be getting a good workout...oh goody...something to look forward to!!! We are feeling hopeful about the outcome of this trip, but per usual we have to......wait!!! I have to almost laugh when I write the word....wait....isn't that what we have done the last, ohhhh, about 6 years now...wait!! I told Liz tonight that I am not going to keep asking her....how do you feel.....do things feel 'different'....do things feel better...do things feel worse..the same.....well, you get the picture. I hate to 'bug' her, but I too, want to know how the injections are working. She is still sore from the injections, so we need to wait for that to heal and I guess the next few days will tell us a bit more. If things improve, then we have to....wait some more to see how long they stay....improved!! I am so hoping that things are going to improve for her.....as she keeps me posted....I will keep you posted too. Lets hope there is lots of good things to pass on!

A hopeful day!

2011-04-20T21:19:00.002-04:00

I tried to post last night, but for some reason I could not get on this silly thing....kept trying and I could almost hear it saying.....NO....so I gave up! Yesterday was cool and drizzly/rainy, but we had a nice day anyway. We didn't hurry in the morning which felt good since on most 'normal' days, the radio goes off and we jump out of bed running from start to finish....so a non-hurry morning...ahhhhh, so nice! We had the doc consult and were pleased with the appointment, but also surprised in a few things. The main thing being the length of time between injections which we thought would be much further apart...provided it works. We left feeling good and went out for Chinese at our favorite place when the appt. was finished and enjoyed the rest of the day together. Today was a 'normal' day...the radio went off and I jumped out of bed and into the shower....oh well, yesterday was nice not having to hurry!! We went to HSS and Libbey was in back about 2 hours for the injections. When we got together she was feeling quite hopeful, but we won't know how much they have helped for a few days. She said it was quite painful as the doc did the injections, but he was pleased with that....meant he was in the right area....yippee. So now we do what we do best.....wait!!! Again, spent the rest of the day resting and then going to China Town and Little Italy. The weather was perfect so we enjoyed every minute of it. Continue to keep Liz in your prayers as we wait and wait and.......

Only us!!

2011-04-18T22:29:00.002-04:00

Well, the day began before 4am today and it has been a nice day. You would think at where we are in April weather would not be a problem, but as we got to Detroit it was....snowing....and really snowing...only us!! But after we were de-iced we flew into DC...on time and had a bit of time to look around, but only about an hour so it was a nice break. We left DC on time only to get out to the runway and find out....we were delayed by 45 minutes....so....we sat and waited and marveled at how empty the plane was....I have never been on a plane so....empty...it was almost creepy. It is really green there and the flowering trees are all....flowering! All went well as we arrived in NYC and found the hotel that we always stay....love this place. Today I even got to meet and talk to the woman who I always make our reservations with...I already felt like I knew her, so when I went to her office, we had no problem talking....and talking and....well, you get it! Tonight we went out for dinner and then did some walking since it was so nice out and rain is expected later so wanted to get out tonight. Then we headed 'home' which is on the 15th floor this time....one of 3 rooms with a balcony. The 3 of us went outside to enjoy the view and the fresh air....we never had a balcony before....and I doubt if we ever get this room again!! Ummm, when we went out on the balcony....we locked ourselves out of the room...talk about a sinking feeling. Lucky for us Dave had his cell on him....and the key holder with the number of the hotel on it....so we called the front desk to come and rescue us. Only then I realized I had bolted and chained the door shut. But lucky for us....our favorite doorman was still here....and he figured it out....and rescued us....as I said....only us!!!!

And we are off.....again!

2011-04-17T22:01:00.002-04:00

Seems like forever since I have written and guess it has been numerous weeks. I suppose I could have written about how we passed around the flu....between 3 households and 10 people....wait, make that 9 people who had the flu. My mom is the only one tough enough to have not been 'blessed' with it and I'm sure she is very disappointed to have been left out! As of this posting, all seems to be well, but hey, that could change as soon as I hit 'publish post' but I hope not. I was told that Detroit is expecting 2-3 inches of snow by morning....I almost....almost could laugh....isn't this April....isn't it done snowing? It just figures....we are flying to NYC in the morning....from Detroit. Remember our last time going to NYC...blizzard in the city, flights cancelled, Amtrak used...crazy trip from start to finish?? I don't think we have to worry about that much snow, but does the weather always have to go crazy when we travel? Lizzey has a doc consultation on Tuesday with the pain doc we saw last October...and we were very pleased with him....very nice, easy to talk to, but best of all....he gave her....hope, that he could help with her pain. Then on Wednesday morning, she is scheduled for injections...again...but this is a new doc, with new ideas. Please let the outcome be....better. Everything we have tried....and many things have been tried...including injections, have not helped with her pain.....but we keep looking, researching, hoping....and praying, that maybe, just maybe we have found the right doc, with the right ideas, right solution to help her. She is scheduled for Wed. morning at 10am....we need to be there by 9.....so please keep her in your prayers.....for relief, sweet relief from this relentless pain.

A very large.....YAWWWWWN!!

2011-03-26T22:19:00.002-04:00

I had intentions of filling you in on our Cleveland appointment on....Thursday night....but sometimes good intentions just don't happen. Well, I guess they happened in my mind, but over the last 3 days life here was full of craziness....and no sleep....well, a few hours a night, but that is just about it.
My radio started blaring at 3.07am Thursday morning...but...no snow or ice....all was clear....I was so happy that it looked to be a good day. Lizzey got up shortly after I did and we both got ready and left for Cleveland about 4.30am. For some 'strange' reason, we didn't encounter too much traffic at that time! The truck stops were over flowing so maybe that is why the roads were about 'ours'. We had a quick trip in and were there in just the right time. We were pleased by the doc and felt good about the visit. She told us that she feels much of the GI issues are going to be something that she is going to be dealing with....for a long time....that part didn't thrill me at all. She also feels it is a surgery related problem that we are dealing with. That has always been my feeling also....she was 'normal' before surgery and since....major GI problems. At this point she is putting her on about 4 types of meds....all natural meds. She used the word 'tweek' quite often in how Liz manages the meds and if it helps her at all. She is to try certain things for about 3 weeks and decide if things seem better/worse/or the same. That decided, we 'tweek' and change things for a few more weeks and again decide how things are going....and then we are to get back with CC and decide what is the next best option for her. Hopefully we can get this 'tweeking' thing figured out! The tests that she was scheduled for....didn't happen, and Lizzey was not disappointed by that at all.....we just did much talking. Since there were no tests, we were done early. Liz had a test scheduled for that day that she had to just 'skip' and take an F for a grade...but.....we got done early at CC so we flew back and she got to Owens in time for the test...and I got to wait in the car....and try to stay awake....which was no easy thing to do!! When she was finished we came home....for awhile and then from Thursday night thru Saturday night....crazy. Much time was spent in the ER in Wauseon with another daughter and her almost 10 month old 'lil man' who was sick. That was Thursday night....I got home from the hospital about 11pm....after getting up at 3.07 that morning.....yawn! Then Friday it was in to work, so the radio was blaring at the usual 4.24am. Friday afternoon 'lil man' had gone backwards and was back in the ER in Wauseon, and then ambulance transferred to Toledo Childrens Hospital. He was admitted, and I came home a bit after 11pm.....yawn....again. Saturday morning.....in to work....radio....4.24am....work....down to hospital.....lil man still is not 'right' but they sent him home with orders to 'watch'. So do you notice....no time....in the door.....out the door....in...out...in, well, that is why....no posting on Thursday. So, to sum up our CC visit....nice doc, things to try....tweeking to do....hopeful for improvement....guess what.....we wait....again!!!

Keep us in your thoughts!!

2011-03-23T20:32:00.002-04:00

I was going to title this....'Yawwwwn', but thought maybe that would be better for the next post!! Last week when Lizzey's appointments were over at Cleveland Clinic, they made the appointments for her next visit. She was to see a surgeon, and also have 2 different tests done....we figured it would be a few weeks out. Imagine our surprise to have them only one week off...which makes it...tomorrow. Liz was the one back in the appointment area and was equally surprised at the speed that she got back in, so really didn't think too much about the first appointment being at....8am. No problem....first appointment of the day....no waiting...yippee. Ummmm, but we have to get there first right?? Of course all day I have been hearing 'rumblings' of snow, sleet, rain etc. that could be coming tonight...great....typical traveling weather for us!! So....if you happen to think of Lizzey and I....say a prayer for us.....hope the roads are great, hope we don't get lost....we shouldn't we've been there enough...but.... hope we are there on time. But most of all, pray that the tests go well, meeting the new doc will go well, and hope....and pray that maybe this will be a step in the right direction in helping her to feel a bit better!! Thanks!

Cleveland

2011-03-17T21:13:00.002-04:00

Gosh, what a boring title, but couldn't think of anything exciting....probably when I post this something will 'hit' me!! We had a nice trip out to Cleveland...we even had to squint which meant the sun was shining! If we used our imagination, you could see places where it appeared the grass was getting a teeny bit....green....I'm so excited. But I suppose you really don't want to know that now do you...sorry! Lizzey's appointment went well and we were pleased with both docs that we saw....both very nice, easy to talk to, and fun to kid with a bit....the kind we like. They both seem to feel that she has had muscle/nerve damage done during a surgery which is causing so much of the GI problems. Many things were suggested for her to try/do.....but guess what....she has already tried/done them....and no help!! They feel that she needs to see a surgeon, but stressed that any surgery would be a last resort sort of thing. He said that they have lots of 'tricks up their sleeves' so would like for her to have some testing done and an appt. to see a surgeon. We assumed it would take some time to get her scheduled but....we go back....in one week for all of this....what a great surprise. Of course her first appt. is at 8am so it will be an early day, but we are so thankful that they were able to get her in so quickly. Per usual we had a fun time together.....and we got home much earlier than expected....we didn't have to wait long at all....which is really weird....so we were basically in.....and back out....and pleased with the docs, their thoughts, and more appointments...so quickly. So pray that maybe with testing and more docs and more thoughts we can get things figured out for Liz!

Back to Cleveland!!

2011-03-15T21:00:00.002-04:00

Seems like forever since I have written anything on here, but as I look back it hasn't been as long as I thought! Life has been fairly 'normal' I suppose. We spent much of the last month looking out the windows, looking at the snow, the sleet, seeing the snow swirl because of the wind, and watching the temperature....brrrr, we had so many cold days! I'm sure you all know how much I hate the cold, and I can complain quite nicely when I'm cold....which I always seem to be. But...over the last few days I have decided I need to stop whining about the weather so much. All I need to do is look at the paper or turn on the radio and listen to the events happening in Japan, and I could kick myself.....I have everything I need, and so many of the Japanese now have....nothing. Do I feel guilty of my 'whining'....you bet, I have nothing to whine about and will try to do better!! Geez, this is not what I was planning on writing....just look at the title....Back to Cleveland....has nothing to do with weather does it!!?? Tomorrow we are on our way back to see a new doc...gastro doc for any explanations, ideas, help, for the GI problems that Liz has been having now...for years. We have a late appointment which means it will be late coming home tomorrow night....it will be a long day, but hopefully we will feel like we made a bit of progress....and I hope we feel comfy with the doc. I would say something about hoping the weather will be good....but remember....no whining from me!!!! So if you happen to think of Liz tomorrow....whisper a prayer for her!!

Good news!!

2011-02-22T15:32:00.002-05:00

Hey, how is that for a title....you don't see that on here too often do you!!?? Thought I had to put a bit of good news on here for a change....just for something different!! I wish I could tell you the good news is health related and the pain is gone, Liz is eating and everything is back to 'normal'...but that isn't the good news....the pain is still just as unrelenting as it has been and the gastro issues are still....issues....rats. Anyway, some of you know that Lizzey is going to Owens and is studying to be a surgical tech....I know, that is 'old' news! She was told the soonest she could get into the actual program was 2013.....that is the bad news. Ok, now for the good news....last week she got a letter from Owens saying they bumped up her start date to September of.......2012....now that is.....good news...no...great news!! At this point, Liz is planning on a year of mission work with Campus Crusade for Christ.....so she needs lots of prayers with the health issues as CCC is concerned with that as we are also. If all goes as planned, she will be away from Aug. 2011-July 2012.....then she would have a bit of 'off' time and then back to school in September....as Liz said when she got the letter and thought of how everything seemed to be falling into place.......'it has to be a God thing'.....what do you think??

We have an......appointment!!

2011-02-07T21:34:00.002-05:00

Can you believe it....it has been about 2 weeks now that I have been trying to get a 'simple' appointment....well, it seemed like calling for an appointment would be simple....I will never think that....again!! After work, I came home, kind of looked at the phone, and the calender....and felt like rolling my eyes. Seriously, I just had a feeling I would come away with nothing....again. Shows how much faith I have....or don't have I suppose. Anyway, I called, talked to 3 different people, was put on hold...forevvvvver 3 different times...but who cares. When I hung up the phone I had not one, but two appointments!! Am I good or....what...better not answer that one!! The first time frame I had picked out...the doc was out of town, but they found a place to put her...in April. April seems like a long way off....espcially when I look outside at all the mounds of snow. I am thinking by the time we book flights, hotel etc. the time will fly by. I hate to wish my days away, but when it comes to thinking of possible relief from pain for Lizzey.....wish the days away...quickly!! Now that NYC is set up, it is time to get to work and finalize some other appointments for around here....well, not around here exactly, but closer anyway!! There are 3 that need to be looked into, but I really wanted NYC to be on the calender first....and it is...finally. I feel soooo much better!!

If I wasn't so annoyed....I'd laugh!

2011-02-04T21:08:00.002-05:00

This is crazy, and as the title says....if this whole situation wasn't so annoying....it would be....funny. Lets see, I've been trying for 2 weeks now to make a 'simple' appt. to the pain doc in NYC....it seemed very simple. 2 weeks later...still no appt. While I was at work, they called Liz and said we would need to come first for a 'followup' visit. Liz had some questions, but said they acted 'confused' when she asked so just let it go. So when I got home, I called and got someone different than I have been talking to. I told her what I needed etc. and what she told me was completely opposite as what the first person told me....huh? She finally suggested that I e-mail the doc and find out exactly what he is thinking. Ha....is anyone thinking clearly by now? I sent him the e-mail, and was amazed that I got one back...in 15 minutes. Great you might say.....it was a one sentence e-mail...and I know no more than I did before. Soooo, Monday I'm calling and making an appointment.....I don't care who I talk to, I'm not hanging up until I have a date to write on my calender. At this point, I don't know....it could be one trip out for this....or 2.....or possibly 3....if we could just all be on the same page, it would make it sooo much easier.
The up-side on all of this.....we really liked the doc when we saw him last Oct. so really want to get back to him. Also, everyone I have spoken with....is great...nice, helpful....I enjoy talking to them.....the down-side....no one tells me the same thing!! Guess I need to take the 'upside' with the 'downside'.....stay tuned!!!!

Still waiting....

2011-02-03T20:07:00.002-05:00

Not much to update on tonight....just feeling frustrated at the moment. How long have I been trying to connect with our NYC pain doc to see what he feels can be done etc.....too long. I called twice today....once leaving a message and the second time I called back because I was afraid the office would close before I had any answers. I talked to the nurse, and she finally recieved the op notes...but the doc had not yet seen them. She was going to try to have him look them over in between patients and call me back....if he didn't see them, she would call me back....Monday. Did I hear back....nope.....guess I will wait....until Monday....and try to keep from.....screaming!!

Hurry up....and wait....again.

2011-01-31T21:48:00.002-05:00

I have waited for today to come since last week. This was the day i was to call back to NYC to the pain doc to find out what sort of help he felt he could do for Lizzey. I ran in the door after work, grabbed my 'stuff', laid it all out in front of me on the counter....and called. Yippee....got right through, waited for the nurse to come on....another yippee...no waiting there either! Looking good for me....until....she tells me that she has not recieved any op-notes from the surgeons office....huh, how can that be...they were sent....for the second time....last week. Ally wanted to set up a consult appt. but I decided to wait until the doc has the chance to look over the op-notes. NYC is a long way to go for a consult....and then go back again for the actual treatment...don't you think? I am hoping that since he saw her in October....which the nurse says was such a loooong time ago, that most likely we will have to do another consult....great. So......we are back to waiting a few more days....again. In the meantime, I contacted the surgeons office who told me they will send the op-notes....again...for the 3rd time. I don't know what is going on, or where these notes are going....but please...take a second to pray for them to arrive in the pain docs hands....tomorrow and let the next few days go quickly so we can figure out some sort of pain 'plan' for Lizzey....as I have said before....pain is a real......pain!

I give up....no....I....won't!!

2011-01-26T21:57:00.002-05:00

This is crazy....Monday, too late calling, Tuesday, the nurse I wanted to speak with was not there. That brings me to Wednesday. I left this morning for work about 5:45, and by the time I was done at work, made a couple of quick stops and then got my hair trimmed, I was finally on my way home about 3:00....a bit earlier than I was expecting....I was thrilled! So per usual, I got all my paperwork out on the counter so I would have it in front of me while I called....deep breath....in....out....punch in the numbers of the doc in NYC.....it's ringing....yippee....I got through and put on hold to wait for the nurse. My day was going just as planned....until I talked with Ally...the nurse. I've never met her face to face, but really enjoy talking with her on the phone...nice person and does what she says she is going to do. Anyway, I told her why I was calling and needed to know what our next step would be after the doc went over the post operative notes. I could tell she was on her computer....and then she said those dreaded words....'we have not gotten any post op notes'. WHAT, that can't be....our surgeons office sent those out.....weeks ago, they have to have them...don't they? They had the op notes from June of 2009, but not the ones from Dec. 2010. She said to contact the surgeons office....stat, and call her back on Monday. I can't believe this...how can this be...third times a charm....right....wrong. So, on the computer I went to contact Lindy at the surgeons office. She too is a great woman who normally is so 'on top of things'. She e-mailed right back and said there were many corrections to be made to the notes....so she sent them out....today.....again. So....no more calling....until Monday....when I will call....again.... but have to wait until after work, so I can worry all day wondering if I will get any information....or not.
This makes me think of a saying I heard maybe 1-2 years ago on a 20/20 type program and I thought soooo fitting for me.....for Liz and her health issues....I won't go into the story that was told and how this quote came about....but I loved it and Lizzey made me a picture drawing with the saying on it.....I look at it multiple times a day....and I looked at it.....multiple times again....today, and I still love it, and it is still so true, so here it is.....

'Every morning I wake up and think.....is today the day I'm going to give up? And the answer is always the same....not today'.

Give up....on the docs...no, on my daughter, not a chance. Will I fret and stew a bit (alot), yes, but I always come back to this quote...will I give up....not today....or tomorrow......or......

Is this a sign??

2011-01-25T21:22:00.002-05:00

This day....I really don't want to repeat this one, but will not go into all the reasons why! My 'job' for the day....calling the pain doc in NYC to find out if the op notes have been read, and what is our next step going to be....sounds so simple, right....wrong. Yesterday, this early person was....late....just a few minutes, but late enough not to get through to the doc's office. Today I called right away, got through right away, got put on hold right away....and then....nothing. So I hung up and called back.....got right through and got the same nice woman I had the first time. Nice woman, not nice news....the nurse I needed to talk to was....off...today....you...have....got...to...be...kidding....me! I suppose I could have talked to someone else...but I didn't want to. I talked to Ally last time and she was great and I really wanted to 'connect' with her again....today....but it didn't happen....again. Tomorrow I will be leaving the house by 5.45am and will be lucky to be home by 3.30 which gives me a half an hour to get on the phone to NYC, so I will be nervous all day hoping I will make it home in time. So if you happen to see a crazed lady speeding home tomorrow afternoon.....stay out of the way!!!!

Too Late....

2011-01-24T22:14:00.002-05:00

What a title.....I am an early person....I am early....everywhere...all the time. It makes my family crazy since they are more 'on time' or a 'bit late' sort of people...which makes me....crazy!! It was an early day since I went to work this morning....early, of course!!! By the time I left work, made a few stops and came home, the day was slipping away quicker than I wanted it to. Finally about 4:03, I picked up the phone to call the pain doc in NYC....I got a recording...the office closed at......4:00. C'mon, someone had to be sitting there....but not answering the phone! Can't believe it, this early person was....late. The office opens tomorrow at 9....guess who will be on the phone....at 9:01!!??

Hmmm, can't think of one!!!

2011-01-23T21:35:00.002-05:00

Is that title pathetic or what....I am sitting here trying to come up with something different, or catchy....but...nothing. Maybe it should be something 'cold' related...it has been so cold lately and you know I hate the cold, but then that might sound whiny so decided against that one!!
I don't have really any different to report on....things are about the same really. The one thing that Liz really enjoys is not hitting that one rod when she sits back...great for when she is at school, so that has been great for her. As far as the other pain goes, really not alot of change in that, so that is disappointing. I don't know how many of you have facebook, but she made a comment about pain that she re-read later and said that it came out totally wrong...kind of like pain was gone....when it is not....she meant the pain from hitting the rod was gone....but the rest...still there. Today was one of those days that she woke up and just didn't feel the best, but unfortunatly has gotten used to having those days...
I just ask that you wish me luck in the next few days as I am planning on making some calls to the pain doc in NYC to get his feelings on what he feels he can do for her. We last saw him in October and he wanted to go over the post-op reports and then decide on what or if he can help her. I am anxious to call, but am not a 'phone' person, so I hate the calling, sometimes I have to leave a message, and then hang around the phone waiting for a return call....I hate waiting and wondering....I know, I know, I should be good at it!!! So, off to work in the morning and then when I get home.....let the calling begin!!

BRRRRRRRRR!!

2011-01-21T22:08:00.003-05:00

How is that for a title...that is all I can think of at the moment....I'm cold. I don't care that the fireplace has been chugging out the heat...I'm.....cold! I have a feeling when I walk out the door to work tomorrow at 5.45am....it will really be...cold. Can you tell...I hate cold weather!!
The question that I have heard over and over again is....how is Libbey's pain? It has been a hard question, for me to answer....and also for Lizzey to answer. We have been waiting for the post-op pain to be 'gone' so we could tell if surgery helped eliminate the pain....or not. Usually when I ask how her pain is, or how is she feeling, I have been getting a 'I dunno'. It makes me crazy to hear this. I mean I can tell alot just by living here, but sometimes it is nice to hear how things are going/feeling by actually hearing the words!! The last few days we have talked a bit on 'how things are going' and depressing as it sounds....I don't think there is alot of change in the pain level. The great part is that she can lean back and not hit the rod anymore, so she loves that....but pain....still there. Eating continues to be a problem and she said she has lost about 15 pounds in about the last few months....and if you know her, she doesn't have 15 pounds to lose. So.....time to work on our next move.....on to that next week I do believe....hopefully, I can do the things I need to do, talk to the people I need to talk to, and hopefully get some plans made to see if we can begin winning this war on pain.....it is a real.....pain!!

No ice today!!

2011-01-18T22:09:00.002-05:00

How many days have we been hearing about all the ice we would see today?? Lib has been worried about it for days wondering why the bad weather always seems to come on a day when she is driving to school. So naturally this morning, the first thing I did was look outside to see all the ice....or....not!! Even the weather advisory had been cancelled...why do we listen to the weather, get all worked up....and nothing ever seems to happen. Well, I guess we got in on the blizzard in NYC, so maybe their forecasters are better than ours. Anyway, I was glad that she had a good drive there and home today...thanks for the prayers!
Today found me with still many thing swirling around in my mind....all the sudden it seems there are many things on my mind that just kind of are 'stuck' in my head, and as I said last night, it makes for a heavy heart. Today was my day 'off' but I went in to work to begin training for some different responsibilities in the coming weeks....I have been quite nervous about this, but actually had quite a good time today in the process of learning some new things....thanks to a great teacher (thanks Sally!). So it felt good to have a fun morning and discover that maybe at least one thing that has occupied much space in my thoughts will be OK. Now....on to the next 'thing' on my mind....guess I better pick which one that will be.
Libbey looked 'off' tonight....not in sickness or anything like that, but in the way she was standing...some days it is much more noticible....or is 'it' getting worse again?? Anyway, the 'off' I'm talking about was in how she was standing, her posture etc.....please continue to lift her up in prayer.....

Heavy heart

2011-01-17T21:28:00.002-05:00

I have not posted anything for a couple of days and was tempted to 'skip it' tonight again, but don't want you to think I have turned into a lazy bum or something!! I guess the best way to sum up the last few days is to say that I have had a very heavy heart about some things....numerous things, but I won't go into it....I will just leave it at that....a heavy heart. I would ask for your prayers espcially for Lizzey tomorrow as she drives to Owens....rain, sleet, snow, slippery roads, you name it....sounds like that is the way it is going to be tomorrow. She hates to drive in weather like that, and I hate to see her have to drive that far in it....so keep her safety in your prayers!

Yakking!!

2011-01-14T19:12:00.002-05:00

Geez, I sat here and just looked at the 'title' box and didn't know what to put in it....a new one for me...usually I can come up with one right away and today, well, didn't. I guess one of the best part of today was coming home from work, walking in the door...and sniffing. Ahhhh, Liz was in a cooking mood so she was working away in the kitchen. Our only (still) working oven is in the basement and it doesn't hold the temperature well, so it is a constant run up and down thing. You never know if it is going to be 200* or 450*....even if it is set at 350*....you just never know!! When I got home, she was working on making sweet and sour chicken...which I lovvvvve. She had the chicken cut, batter made and was in the process of deep frying it...had made the red sauce, needed to chop onions and green peppers....as she was doing this I was thinking that I had to wait until supper to eat it...but when supper came....yummy. Then there was the apple/bread pudding for dessert....she has problems eating....but no problems cooking. Anyway, during all this cooking time, and since I had just gotten home from work, we spent much time.....yakking. Yakking is something we do quite well together and we enjoy it. I have not asked alot of questions like....'how are you feeling'.....'how is your pain'......things like that....it kind of makes me the 'pain' if I ask too many questions all the time, so I try not to. Of course I can tell alot just by not saying a thing too. Anyway, we did talk a bit and she said the up side is sitting in the desks at Owens....she can now sit all the way back and not hit the rods anymore.....very good, but it is hard to get used to. She said she is so used to leaning forward, that she forgets to try to sit 'normal'. The down side is that she feels like she is 'rotating', or twisting...this did show up on a previous x-ray, but today was the first time that she mentioned feeling 'off' and like her shoulders were uneven etc. I told her I had noticed the same thing, but didn't say anything since I was waiting for surgical pain to lessen, thinking maybe it was a pain 'thing'. So while it is great to hear she can lean back, it's not great that she is feeling 'off'....as in how she is standing etc. What does this mean....not sure right now....but I hope there are some prayers coming in her direction tonight!!

The 'tired' family

2011-01-13T20:54:00.002-05:00

Well, last night was better as far as screaming goes, but the fatigue seems to linger on just a bit!! Lizzey had classes today, so was up and getting ready right away. Her comment was.....'I just didn't think I could get out of bed this morning....I had to keep telling myself that, yes, I could do it'!! Maybe we will get caught up on our sleep...tonight...hopefully. When Lib got home from school, she was just dying to try a new recipe she had found on here....Challah Bread. We discovered it in NYC the summer that we stayed there and it is....wonderful. So along with supper tonight we had warm bread and it was great. The only downside is the oven upstairs is 'dead' so have to use the one downstairs and the temp on that one is not reliable, so it is constant running up and down checking whatever is in that oven...good exercise, but a real pain. I just wish she could eat as well as she can cook.....because she can really cook, bake...you name it!

The 'dead' family!!

2011-01-12T21:53:00.002-05:00

How is that for a title that just grabs your attention? It is so fitting for today though....we were all.....soooo.....tired. I don't know if I have mentioned before or not, but recently our oldest daughter moved back home with us. She is living in our basement which is all fixed up, so she can have her own 'space'. She did come with some extras.....first, a cat, which you might think is no big deal. I guess it isn't.....if....you don't have a dog that thinks that the reason there are cats is to chase them and scare the heck out of them. Therefore, we have to be verrrrry careful to make sure the basement door is always shut....and a few times we have forgotten to latch it with results that make the cat.....very unhappy and annoyed, and Lenney.....thrilled for the 'chase' around the basement....it keeps life interesting....espcially when the cat sits behind the door and tortures Lenney since they both know it is only a door separating them....you can almost hear the cat laughing....and see Lenney, drooling! The second 'thing' that arrived with Rebekah was.....a baby, named Travon. Travon is great fun, adorable, and easy to have around. Well, except for last night. For some reason that even Rebekah has yet to figure out, Travon was up screaming and shrieking last night....alot. The way our house is set up, usually Annie and Liz hear alot more of the 'happenings' in the basement, but last night in our room it was.....loud and clear also!! We are all thankful that he is very adorable, and also this occurance doesn't happen often....we were all, even Rebekah, ready to sell him....very cheap last night...but no takers!! So as each one of us appeared this morning....it was obvious as to what tonights title to the post would be....'the dead family'!! I put him to bed a bit ago, and Bec will be home from work soon.....hopefully tomorrows post will be something more like 'what an energy filled day'!!

Is the day done yet?

2011-01-11T23:16:00.002-05:00

This day just keeps on going....lets see, that durn alarm went off about 19 hours ago....and here I sit....still awake, but not feeling really tired right now....probably will tomorrow, but not now. It figured that Libbey had to go back to school today....tons of snow. She has been stressed out about classes beginning in January, well, since she started there this past fall. Worry seems to be genetic here and I am to blame....I am so good at it, and it seems to be passed on in various ways...rats! I told her that if the snow was really bad, I would drive down after work, when she was done and we could drive home together...besides, Lenney would have lovvved the ride too. We texted back and forth numerous times and finally she said she was going to start home. So I waited...and waited....and waited.....and then...the front door popped open and there she was....yippee. It was quite the drive home, with cars crawling, but the semis were flying right by her which was scary. Classes went well, but she said she was so tired during the first one....math. Yeck....I think I would try to sleep through that one....might have put me out of my misery when it was me taking the math!! Hard to tell though what the classes will bring...she says she has heard the teachers she has are good....so time will tell. She was wiped out tonight and so ready for bed. Will have to see how this 'school thing' is going to work!

Stress!

2011-01-10T22:08:00.002-05:00

Yup, today it was back to the 'real' world again....back to the alarm going off at 4:24am, leaping in the shower, getting ready, and then running out the door. We had many early mornings in the last 2 weeks, but also many mornings of getting up and getting ready without constantly looking at the clock to make sure I am on schedule. I am a real 'schedule' person....I know what time I am doing what, when I am getting ready, and if I am a minute behind....oh, no, so this morning I was watching the clock like a hawk to make sure my timing was right on....and it was. There was fun in the day, but there was also much stress in the day too....yes, back in the real world again. We continue to wait and wonder....and wait.....and wonder and that is also stressful. I want to get on here and say....all is well, all is perfect, all is healed...but I can't do that either. I can say that Lizzey looks tired, feels tired, and still feels pain, but in all that she amazes me yet. While I was at work she was also busy....making things easier for me. I got home late and was feeling very stressed out....she...feeling tired, looking tired and feeling that pain, had made supper for all and it was in the frig...waiting to be put in the oven. Everything tasted delicious to all of us, well not to Lizzey, she couldn't eat any of the main course and just a few bites of the rest. I feel guilty enjoying such a wonderfull dinner as she....nibbles at so little. Does she ever complain, feel sorry for herself....never...not a chance....she is so strong and so faithful....I wish I could be as strong and faithful as she is.
Tomorrow please pray extra hard for her. She begins classes again at Owens....long commute, classes close together with hardly any break between them....she is tired....it will be hard for her, but she won't say a word about that!! The weather is supposed to be snowy tomorrow....she hates driving in the snow....so is nervous about that....I'm nervous about that for her. Please pray for her safety, for her confidence as she drives, and for a great day back at school. She really isn't looking forward to going back...she would like school to be done and to be on with her life.....patience, patience....so hard.

I keep forgetting!!

2011-01-09T21:57:00.003-05:00

Like that title? I have thought of this so many times and always when I am not sitting here writing....I thought of it again this morning...and it would have been perfect to put into last nights post....but, duh, I forgot....again!! I forgot to tell you about a funny sight that we saw while we were in the city....totally unexpected I might add too!!
It would have been on Saturday...the day after Liz got out of the hospital, and she wanted to go out and take a walk and get some exercise...and also, to get out of the hotel room for awhile!! We headed out with no particular place in mind, but just happened to be by Radio City Music Hall. As we approached, we noticed, parked, on the other side of the street a huge white trailor marked 'horses' on the back. Well, that got us interested...not that we haven't seen a horse before, but you don't see too many in NYC.....and my love for dogs....well, is Liz's love for horses. So of course we had to hurry a bit and dash across the street. As we went, we had to laugh....we looked funny hurrying over to see the 'horses'....like we had never seen one....we looked like many of the other people scurrying over also to see them. As we got by the trailor, we saw the sidewalk had been blocked off so they could get the 'horses' out of Radio City....we assumed they used them in a show that had been there. But wait....as Liz approached the trailor to see the 'horse' that had been already loaded, her comment was.....'hey, that's no horse', and as we leaned through the crowd to see better....what was looking back at us........a huge, huge......camel. The next thing we knew, another camel was being led out and also put in the trailor. Those were huge animals....and right in the middle of the city. We just had to laugh...thought we were going to see some horses....but saw 2 very large camels instead....and they were large too! Did I get a picture....of course not, I was too busy looking like I had never seen a camel before....well, I suppose it was the first time I had seen one....in NYC!! How did I keep forgetting to post that story....who knows!
Many are asking how Lizzey is doing and we keep saying about the same thing....we are waiting for surgical pain to disappear so we can see if this surgery helped with pain related issues....so we are doing what we seem to do best.....wait, and wait, and...........wait!!

Random thoughts!!

2011-01-08T22:09:00.002-05:00

Liz just went to bed and my comment to her was....just think, 2 weeks ago we were just about ready to leave for NYC....amazing what can happen in just 2 weeks time!! I have so many thoughts running through my head, and keep thinking of all that went on, things we did or saw, people we met, and of course the reason we were there...surgery...again.
We had to wonder from the start what kind of journey this was going to be....predictions of a blizzard....we were stressed out days before departure wondering if all would go smoothly...would we make it there....what if we didn't..then what. I couldn't imagine re-booking everything again...surgery, hotel, flights, work schedules....we....were....stressed out...and we hadn't even left yet! 6am Sunday morning....we left on roads full of sleety snow and saw lots of accidents on the way to Detroit. Then the hour delay due to de-icing of the plane, but hey, we were on our way...yippee! We were late coming into Baltimore...new airport for us, so had to run while figuring out where the new terminal was....we made it, but...after about an hour of worry, the flight was cancelled. Everything was seemingly going wrong...from the start. Well, maybe not. After a frantic search for our one checked bag and finding a bus leading 'somewhere', we ended up at the Amtrak Station...small and crowded....we had a 3 hour wait, and then a 3 hour train ride....but...we had tickets and we were going to make it. Then....an annoucement....we held our breath....the train was cancelling....all stops....after....NYC...could our hearts beat any faster out of fear? We made it to Penn Station and it was packed with other travelers some thrilled to be in NYC, others saddened....stuck in NYC. We hopped on the subway for Grand Central Station and then had about a 3 block walk to the hotel....easy walk you might say. Usually a very nice walk...but not on that night. The wind was awful, the snow was dumping, the sidewalks were not cleared....Dave carried 2 pieces of luggage and I had the other 2. Liz wanted to help with them, but I said....no...way. We couldn't roll them, we had to carry them....she was not going to carry...anything! So, we were about 8 hours late arriving, tripping through the snow, and it was crazy and hard and 3 blocks seemed like an eternity, but what were we doing through all of this....laughing....and laughing....and....laughing. What else could we do...it was an insanely long day, it wasn't done yet...but we made it....we were in NYC...in a blizzard...what an accomplishment! Appointments for the next day were easy....no one else was nuts enough to come out for them....we did. Doggone it, we came from Ohio for this, no snowstorm was going to stop us from pre-op appointments....we even got in to some....early...unheard of!! Everyone had their own story on how they got to work, or how long they were going to be 'stuck' there, unable to go home. It was almost a 'festive' day....strange sounding I know. The city was quiet, people were 'commuting' on the streets since they were easier to walk in rather than some sidewalks. Very few vehicles out....made us think of 9/11 in so many ways. The quiet made it almost creepy...no horns honking, no sounds of footsteps on the pavement....just the quiet of nuts like us going to appointments! By evening, a bit of 'normal' was returning...it made us feel better.
Subways....what would we do without them...confusing is an understatement, but again, what would we do without them? Sometimes I feel very sure of where I am going and what train to get on, other times...am I going 'uptown' or 'downtown'....I have to think which direction is which. I know it sounds crazy, but one of the the most fun things for me to do while waiting for the subway train to arrive is to.....look for....rats!! Yes, I said rats....mice don't bother me...rats....just a big mouse right? Sometimes you just get a glimpse of movement out of the corner of your eye, and then....you spot it, scurrying along the tracks, looking for a yummy tidbit that someone has dropped. The best night, we were leaving the hospital and got lucky.....spotted 3 rats in the same station and the one was huge...very healthy looking too! I told you I was nuts...but don't knock it until you try it....or count them...much fun!
NYC is such a big city....and it is full of great people. I'm sure there are some not so nice ones too, but I don't think we have met any yet. When we first started going to NYC and were unsure of directions, all we had to do, unknowingly I might add, is to look dense, lost or whatever, and someone always stopped and asked us what we were looking for and would point us in the right direction. The staff in the hotel where we always stay....great people from the front desk to the ladies who tidy up the rooms. Some speak great English, others, listen and smile alot and I never quite know how much they understood, but the smile speaks volumes to me! Our favorite 'doorman' was there when we arrived covered in snow and his face lit up when he saw us and we did the same to him....familiar faces are always a bonus! I always make reservations on line with Janet....she left a little special 'something' at the front desk for us when we arrived. We have yet to meet....planned on it this time, but we were gone the first week with surgery, she was out sick the second week. We continue to e-mail like 'friends' do, but still have not met....next time!!
I have been thinking about the homeless alot too lately. We saw quite a few during this trip, on the streets, in the subway stations, in doorways out of the wind. Who are they, where did they come from, what happened to them that they are now....homeless. About the last morning we were there, the story broke about the homeless man from Columbus with the awesome radio voice. He is now getting a second chance in life. The 'before' pictures and 'after' pictures of him are amazing...he looks so different....and good! He is getting his second chance. What about all the other homeless people we saw? My heart breaks for them....I would love to know the stories behind them. I would be surprised if they really aren't too much different than I am....our roads of travel just took another way....I am in my warm hotel, they are....not. I feel guilty not knowing what to do to help them. You know my love for dogs....one man I saw on a snowy street, was tucking a warm coat around his dog as he slept....he made sure maybe his one and only friend was cared for.
I think I could just go on and on tonight, but I probably have put most of you to sleep by now, so will stop! Thoughts just keep coming tonight....well, they started long before tonight...can you tell....I love that city and the people....I can't wait to go back.

Improvement

2011-01-07T22:30:00.003-05:00

All I had to do is look at Lizzey this morning and I knew it was going to be a better day than yesterday. She was not glowing white, and had a bit of pink in her cheeks. I asked her if she felt like maybe today would be worthwhile living and it took no time at all to reply....oh, yeah. I am still checking incisions which tends to annoy her because she says they look 'fine'....duh, you are not a pretzal....how can you turn around to really see back there?! The steri-strips should have been on longer, things look quite red, and the one was seeping a bit this morning....sorry, Liz....I'm still checking on them!!! When I say they are 'fine'....they will be....fine!!! Eating....yup, you guessed it, is not going well....again. I so wish we could figure out what happened at the beginning of these surgeries to completly mess up her gastric system. I want to look into it a bit more again, she thinks this is just the way it is going to be forever, and maybe so, but, I don't wish that for her. I want her to be able to eat, and to enjoy eating and not continue the way it has been...now for years. I won't push the issue...yet....we need to heal from this first before we move on to anything else. As I e-mailed to a friend tonight and I think it sums up Lizzey pretty durn well.....she is taking the 'lemons' that life has dealt her, and is making some very good lemonade out of them!! Continue to pray....incisions, healing, eating, pain........thanks!

Someday I will figure it out!!

2011-01-06T22:39:00.002-05:00

Yup, someday I will know how to put pictures on here like Lizzey does. It was stressful enough for her to show me how to do the blog back when we went to NYC for the surgeries #5 and 6....maybe she thinks I am hopeless and is scared to try to show me...who knows, I'm just glad she got these posted...they are awesome.
Libbey didn't have a great day at all today...she was up by 4:30am not feeling well at all....when I saw her about an hour later, she was as white as a ghost...even whiter....I told her we didn't need any lights....she about glowed white....do you get the point....she...was....white!! She was up a few hours and then went back to bed for a bit before getting up...again. She was 'off' all day, so it was not the best of days at all. Some is just post-op 'stuff' that she deals with, the rest...I'm not sure. I did chase her around with a thermometer checking for fever....with the incisions she has, you never know about infections so am watching closely for that. Tonight was a bit better, so am hoping a good nights sleep will make her look more like my daughter in the morning!! Keep her in your prayers!!

Part 1...

2011-01-06T13:13:00.002-05:00

Oh what an adventure did we have. A blizzard in NYC.....quite an experience! The picture above was what our street looked like on Monday morning, the morning I started my round of doctors visits at 9 am. We took the subway and then had a few streets to walk through. Sidewalks or streets weren't cleared yet at all which made for a treacherous walk. We did have a good chuckle though because what are the chances of being in NYC when there is a blizzard?

This is what the cars on the streets looked like. None of them were going anywhere for quite awhile. It was so strange how quiet the city was because no one was driving so no horns, everyone was walking to work. I will probably never experience that again, so am glad I got to experience both sides of NYC!

This was taken in pre-op the morning of surgery. Who would have thought that I would be having surgery #7? This surgery was small in comparison to the others but still comes with pain and other unpleasant side effects.

This was my wonderful physical therapist. She was so nice, and was also the one who discovered me unresponsive, which she told me really unnerved her. That was scary and I felt trapped in my own body. I could vaguely hear people. I know they pinched my legs, rubbed my chest, put ammonia in front of my nose to breathe in, and the anesthisiologist grabbed my jaw and pulled forward. These are all things that when awake would be extremely painful, but did I feel a thing...nope.

Sitting in my hospital room which had the awesome river view, and patiently waiting!

Part 2...

2011-01-06T12:48:00.002-05:00

The picture above was the site that I saw out my hospital window at night which was beautiful!

These are the two incision sites. No new scars. All the incisions were made at the sites of previous surgeries. If we only knew how many surgeries I would have on my back, we would have requested a zipper be put in during the first surgery! It would have made things so much easier for the surgeons!

We were able to get out and about the city which was fantastic! These huge lights were near the Rockefeller Center and were cool. I'd never seen lights so big!

This is the Rockefeller tree. I've seen many pictures of it on TV, so it was neat to see it in person, and was it gigantic!

In the airplane coming home. What a beaufiul site it is looking out the window when flying, as long as my eyes are open!

We are....home!!

2011-01-05T21:04:00.002-05:00

Hmmm, which home you might ask....could be our NYC home, or it could be our 'middle of a cornfield' home. What's your guess?? Yup, you are right....back to the cornfields!! We left our NYC home this morning....we actually had to get up and 'move' this morning....no sloooowly getting ready like we have been lately!! We took a bit of a walk before we grabbed a cab and took off for LaGuardia Airport. The weather was quite different leaving as when we came in....during the blizzard. Today was sunny, not much of a breeze, cold...but not too cold....just right cold....if there is such a thing!! Our cabbie was a great guy and we had fun discussing how when he works, he wants rain and 'icky' weather. Days like today, people walk instead so his money making is much less...hmm, makes sense to me. He would like it to rain all day, then have the sun pop out at 5 when he is done....great guy. When he dropped us off, instead of telling him to have a nice day, I told him....I hope it rains later today!!! We have met so many great people at NYC....great people.
Our flight was listed as 'on time' so we were happy. It was also exciting to watch the planes take off and even saw the Indianapolis Colts plane taxi by....wasn't hard to tell who was in the plane either by the way the plane was decorated. Then it was time to board our plane....then it passed time....we waited....we thought of our time in Philly....one hour...slipping away. Then it was announced that we had mechanical problems and would have to 'wait'....duh, that's what we were doing!! They told us....no one will miss connecting flights.....well, if we are not there...we will miss it!! Then after an hour, they said they were putting us on another plane....we thought we all got on another plane....but it must have just been the ones who were going to miss our connecting flights! This was a prop plane....and loud...really loud. By the time we got to Philly, we had time to jump off our plane, get on the shuttle bus, get dropped at the next terminal, and bolt to the plane....I think we were the last 3 on the plane....but...we made it!! We had a nice flight to Detroit and then home...to the cornfields. Again, much different than the trip up to Detroit when we left..it was icy, snowy, and there were accidents...everywhere! Tonight....we are all ready for bed...it has been a long day, but a good one. We are home...in this home, but yet....our 'home' in NYC is...well, in NYC. We know we will be going back, but until we do....Lizzey and I espcially will really miss it. Thanks for all your prayers for us...they have helped us so much in the last 5 years and I hope you continue to pray for Lizzey....things are not 'perfect' yet....and doubt if they ever will be, but we continue to look, research and decide what the next move is going to be....what the best thing will be, what her best options are....I could go on and on...but won't...don't want to put you to sleep...maybe you already are by now!!! I will keep you 'posted'!!

A day not quite as good!

2011-01-04T22:52:00.002-05:00

I tried coming up with a better title, but that is all I could come up with....kinda dull, but that is the way it was for Lizzey today....not quite as good. We had the usual morning of getting ready, but not being in a hurry to do so. We asked her what she would like to do/see today since this is our last day here for awhile...boo hoo!! She really wanted to go to Central Park and show us John Lennons home and also Strawberry Fields dedicated to him, so we headed in that direction. It was again cold out, but not the wind of yesterday, so it felt better out there!! The last time we were in Central Park it was green and beautiful and today it was gray and leafless and still quite a bit of ice on the sidewalks where we were, but nice anyway. The last few times we were here, she has also expressed desire to go the Museum of Natural History. Since that is on the west side of Central Park, along with Lennons home it was perfect, so walked to the museum. Lizzey just didn't have the 'spring' to her step this morning and I didn't bring it up right away, but finally couldn't not say anything either. She did admit that she just was 'off' today and that her hips were 'killing' her. At the museum, we kept finding benches to sit on to rest which was fun to people watch, but I was so wishing that she felt better since she had so wanted to visit the museum. Finally I asked her if she was ready to go back to the hotel and rest...and she said.....yes, she wanted to go back. If you know Liz, you know it has to be pretty bad for her to admit that she needs to go and rest!! The bright spot in this was we walked past a Crumbs Bake Shop.....again, and stopped in.....again, for 2 cupcakes to share between us....again. They make the best cupcakes and they are huge and there are so many different kinds it takes forevvvver to pick just 2 of them. Of course each time we go we get different kinds so we can sample them all...well, not all, but at least get a good idea about them.....totally....yummy. We had those when we got back and then it was rest time. If I would have been 'smart' I would have started packing, but I was not smart and decided it could wait...until later!! After a snooze, she felt a bit better, but still not where she was in the last few days. Tonight we walked a bit and went out for supper and then came back here and...oh joy....packed....see, I should have done it this afternoon!! Tomorrow we are flying out of NYC, going to Philly and then on to Detroit. It will be a long day, but hopefully not quite as eventful as the trip out was!! Please pray for us as we travel tomorrow....back to the cornfields again.....I know Liz and I will miss it here, but it will feel good to also be home again!!

Brrrr, spring is gone!!

2011-01-03T22:17:00.002-05:00

How many times have I commented how the last few days it has felt 'spring like'....well, I'm not going to say that today!! Although it was a beautiful day, and the sun was out.....someone turned the heat down a bit...brrrr. Not bad in the sun, but when we were in a breeze....uhhh, cold. It has been nice since Lizzey has been released....we get up fairly early in the morning, but don't hurry getting ready which is so nice. We are used to the radio going off, leaping out of bed, and hitting the shower and running out the door. It will be a shock to be back in the 'real' world again. This morning, Libbey thought it would be fun to go down to China Town, so headed in that direction in the subway. It dropped us off right in China town so that was perfect. It is a place full of little restaurants, open fish markets, (yeck), lots of people, and tons of little shops. I don't like to be rude, but it doesn't take long to begin 'ignoring' people. The 'people' I mean are the Chinese men or women who run after you saying...Prada, Guggi, Rolex....no, I don't want any of that....I don't care if you call my daughter 'pretty lady'....I am not going to buy something because you are chasing me down the street!! So that is when the ignoring and feeling rude comes in...keep walking and pretend you don't hear....I hate doing that, but....I hate getting chased more!! We were about frozen, so froze a bit more and went over by the World Trade site construction area. Our first trip to NYC was in Jan. of 2009, so it has been fun watching the progress....and again, much change. We were frozen when we got there, but we are able to go in the financial buildings and sit and just watch out the huge glass windows....and thaw out too. By now Liz was ready for a break, so headed back to the hotel for 'rest time'. Hmmm, but on the way back, we passed a Crumbs Bakery, so got a couple of cupcakes to share....oh, sooo yummy!! After a nice afternoon break, we went out looking for someplace for supper and found a nice little diner. It was quite close to the Empire State Building, so walked past that and headed home. It was a nice day....cold, but nice.....and the healing....continues.

You've got to be kidding me!!

2011-01-02T21:48:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I am just amazed at how many times during one trip that things can go wrong....or as we say at our house...there is a 'bump in the road'. Today we had another bump in the road, but I better start at the beginning of the day and not the middle!! Since today is Sunday Libbey suggested that we go to the church that she attended last summer when she was here with Campus Crusade. It is not your 'traditional' church either.....it isn't even a church....well, in a church building anyway. We hopped on the subway this morning....oh, better back up....we wanted to hop on the subway, but our metro passes had expired so had to get to the machine and get 3 new ones....we were in a hurry at this point and machines, well, they don't hurry like we want them too and this was not different. Finally got that done, and got on the green 6 train to Hunter College. The church is located in the auditorium there....and it was packed. We really enjoyed it and it was fun to go to a different service. It was fun for Liz to go back again since she was there so much last summer. When we stepped out after the service there was a bit of rain falling so we opened the new umbrella that we bought a few days ago when we heard rain was predicted. An umbrella is one thing I didn't pack....I mean...this is winter...right!!?? We were close to the neighborhood where we lived during the summer of 2009, so it was fun walking through there....on the way to Sunnys....a wonderful Chinese restaurant where we had our lunch....sweet and sour chicken...nothing better. By now it was time for a break for Lizzey so headed home....seemed simple right....wrong!! The trip home on the subway was fine, going up the elevator, no problem, getting into our room, piece of cake, flipping on the light.......problem. We though maybe the bulb had burned out so turned on another one....uhhhh, no light again. As we stood there thinking.....ummm, it's kinda dark in here!! As we stood there, a woman from the hotel came around the corner telling us....no power in our room along with numerous other rooms and wondered if we would be willing to change rooms since they had to call in the engineer from Jersey to figure out the problem....could be 6-8 hours before it is fixed.....well, don't have much of a choice do we?? Initially we were moving down 2 floors, so Liz and Dave took a load while I stayed to literally 'dump' things in the suitcases. Then the hotel woman comes back and says she has a nicer room.....on the same floor, only on the other side...she took me to look at it....great! So as I was going back to the original room, Dave and Liz got off the elevator and I told them.....go back to 12 and get the stuff you just took down, bring it back up and to the new room. The woman from the hotel is horrified by this time making us move anyway, but us....we just kept laughing and laughing thinking about all the 'bumps in the road' we have had this trip....and it struck us...funny....so we kept laughing. This woman said she would help us move and we kept telling her she had enough to do without helping us and she did look relieved, but still a bit....horrified!! Well, we are all moved in....again and put everything away...again, but hey, we are home again. By now, Liz was really pooped so watched a bit of TV...some with her eyes open, and some....well, with her eyes closed!! It felt good to just sit and 'veg out' a bit after all of that. Tonight, we took a walk again....it still feels like spring out there, but assume our luck will run out maybe tomorrow as colder weather is on the way. Lizzey is feeling decent, but of course not 100% at all yet. This surgery was so much less invasive than the previous 6, but there is still recovery time, and she is bouncing back like the typical Lizzey. Pain wise, she said if the 'normal' person had this surgery they would think the pain was horrible, but since this is surgery #7 for her and she has 6 others to compare it to, she says the pain is....well, painful, but not like the previous times. We just booked a flight home for Wednesday. We wanted her to have some recovery time here before having to fly home and make connections....and run (hopefully not) from one end of an airport to the other!! So as she recovers, we walk, we sightsee, we rest, we eat Chinese.....and we change hotel rooms....that was not our choice though....but laugh along with us ok?

Is this still NYC??

2011-01-01T22:19:00.002-05:00

How can we still be in NYC....it feels like spring out there and just 5 days ago it was freezing, windy and loaded with snow....everywhere! The last few days have been nice, but today....as I said it felt like spring....please say it really is....I would be so excited to put the winter behind us...for good! Somehow I think I'm not going to win on this one!

You could certainly hear when it was midnight last night by all the honking horns around us. We stayed away from Times Square, but did see a bit of it on TV last night. It was fun looking at it on the TV and thinking....wow, we just walked there a few days ago! We were all tucked into our warm beds at midnight, but as the horns started to honk....well, we knew what time it was!! Warmth has not been a problem at the hotel....our room is realllllly warm. As you know, I love warm, but this has been crazy warm...uhh, hot. We have our big window open a bit most of the time to keep from melting. But....if I have to pick....freezing or melting....well, let me melt!!

We were all up by 7:30 this morning and just took our time showering and getting ready which was really nice. We had some fruit etc. here in the room, so had breakfast here and then decided to venture out for a bit. We walked, sat to rest for Liz, walked, and sat again. Not sure which I enjoyed more....I love to walk, but sitting, well, I love to sit and watch people. I think the main focus for Lizzey and I were looking at all the different boots everyone had on...not too many alike. I had to wonder if all those boots leak like Liz's and mine do....slimy feet each day, dry boots in the morning....one bonus for having the 'melting' room. Then it was time to head back to the room so Liz would get a snooze in....but she said she wasn't tired...but the funny thing is....none of us were tired...but we all fell asleep....hmmm, maybe our week is catching up and maybe, just maybe we were a bit tired!! Then it was out for a walk again and finding something for supper. I think it felt warmer tonight than this afternoon, so there was no complaining from me at this. We walked, had supper and then headed back here....home...for now!! Then it was on to the really 'fun' stuff....me.....washing undies etc. in the sink and then hanging everything all over the bathroom....looks....amusing in there at the moment!! So...that was our day, nice, spring like and fun....and we were together.....great!!

Sitting and waiting....sitting and waiting.......

2010-12-31T17:13:00.002-05:00

That is exactly what we did alllll day today....sit and wait....it....was....crazy!!!! At HSS, discharging begins at 11...we were there at 10.30....again. Liz's roommates parents said they were 'shipping' them out right and left and filling the rooms as fast as they emptied out. That was great to hear...they would get Liz out so they could fill the room again.....wrong. We were patient and waited for her nurse to come so the IV lines could be removed and discharge papers signed....takes a short time....no problem. Well, shouldn't have been a problem, but trying to actually get her nurse in the room....problem. Liz hadn't had vitals or anything else done since 4am, and had not seen the nurse since. We did see her going back and forth in the hallway....but never stopping in. Lizzey was crawling the walls....and watching her crawl the walls were making me....nutz. I asked her one time....how could we have yakked, walked, she napped, we read, and then yakked some more...yesterday, and had so much fun.....and today....well, not so much fun. Her response was that she knew she got to go home so she wanted to get out of there!!! We asked 3 people about discharge and each time said they would send Regina...'right in'.....never saw her. Her room mates family were really laughing at the whole deal by now...by then we were all crawling the walls waiting!! Then a miracle happened....she came in and Liz signed the paperwork and Regina said she was ready to go....duh.....unhook the IV's please!! So that was done and she said she would go and 'find' a wheelchair to take her downstairs....we all stood there in coats, ready to go....no wheelchair, so finally, shhhhh, don't tell, we went around the back hallway.....to the elevators....and left....without the wheelchair ride. Liz is sure that it won't be long until you see our pictures on Americas Most Wanted!! We had to walk up the block to get a taxi, and the first one that stopped said NO when we said where we were going....huh...aren't they supposed to take you where you want to be?? Maybe he knew that we just had 'escaped' from the hospital or something!!! There was another cab right behind him and he stopped and loaded us in...we were his last customers of the day....he was really nice, and took us right where we needed to be! Bet you can't what Lizzey is doing right now....in the shower, not getting her back wet and.....yup, washing her hair....she is tired of feeling ugly and wants to spruce up a bit! So, tonight we are together once again. When I think of all that has happened in the last few days I can't believe it....so many things....bad....good......but tonight, we are going to be together....in New York City on New Years Eve. A new year is just a few hours away....wonder what it will bring?? Guess we have to wait and find out!!

The day got better!!

2010-12-30T23:09:00.002-05:00

Well, Liz's day didn't start out very well with the barfing, but the problem soon disappeared and who knows what caused it...not us!! As the day went on, she just kept looking so much better and it was just such a good feeling to watch that. Someone had physical therapy twice today and all went well with that. We took her on numerous walks around the floor for some exercise and that felt good to her also. It is amazing how many people who see us, remember us from last year when she had the previous 2 surgeries. They are excited to see us and come to talk like we are long lost friends....such a great feeling to see them all again....and remember us, as we also remember them too! Her surgeon stopped in this afternoon and was also very pleased at her progress from yesterday and said she should plan on going home tomorrow which was music to her ears for sure. Overall, a very nice day....it will be nice to be 'home' together tomorrow....well, home in NYC anyway!

Barfing

2010-12-30T09:05:00.002-05:00

Doesn't that title just grab your attention!!?? Liz is up on the floor which is good....we can't get up there until 10.30....that is bad! We have always called the 'guy' at the desk....no matter who it is, a bulldog...they don't let you up early....they seem to 'sniff' you out when you try....we have seen them chase people down in the elevator too....and I don't want that to be me!!!

Anyway, I just go a text from Lizzey saying she has been barfing, and they have put her on med #2 to try to get it stopped....why...don't know. I texted her back, and have heard nothing from her, so am feeling a bit unnerved by that.....so how about starting your day with....thoughts of barfing....well, I mean, prayers that Liz will stop barfing...guess that sounds better!!