Oh Happy Day

I just got back from a great doctor's appointment. He confirmed that my MRI showed nothing new. He said he wanted me to come back in 6 months but without a MRI. This is the first follow up appointment that I have ever scheduled without a MRI to go with it since I was diagnosed. I am super excited. I was really glad to be able to share some good news with my mom. She is up at the hospital with my nephew. My sister-in-law was awesome to take me. (And if you remember my post about 6 months ago, I really am starting to think she is my lucky charm.) The little kids came with me since my oldest is at band camp. The kids were really good. Especially since the doctor, like most specialists, was running behind. The only change is I am going to take two of the pills I take for my fatigue during the day instead of just one. So, to celebrate I am going to go register two of my kids for school. Woohoo! I am a party animal! But seriously, praising God for this wonderful news. Thank you to anyone who has been praying for me and my family.

Traffic

Yesterday, just a couple of hours after I made last post about not complaining, I was stuck in traffic with the kids. I just had to laugh when I went ahead and put my car in park because we were stopped so long. I told my oldest that right before we left I had read the verse about doing everything without complaining and arguing. So, instead I prayed for the people involved in the accident and was thankful for our air conditioning. It is hard not to complain, but I am going to work at it.

I got a call this morning from a nurse telling me that my MRI looked good. I actually don't remember them ever calling me before about my MRI. I have called them, but had decided not to this time. It was a pleasant surprise to get that call. My appointment is still in a couple of days. I think he will just say to keep doing what we're doing. I'll let you know later in the week.

Life

Life. How would you describe life? Like a roller coaster? A box of chocolate? Like a highway? I am feeling stressed about some things in my life right now. My life is flying by and I feel like I can't keep up. But then I feel totally guilty for feeling this way. Why? Because I have so many people in my life that are dealing with major issues. My brother and his family are going through so many things with my nephew in the hospital 10 hours away from home waiting for a heart/lung transplant. Someone else in my life is going for a breast biopsy. Which is scary enough, but also her mom is a cancer survivor and her sister died from breast cancer almost two years ago. I have people in my life with chronic health conditions. I rarely hear them complain. They are so full of praises to God almost every time I talk to them. So, I am trying to stop being a baby and focus on praising instead of complaining. A verse I focus on often is Phil. 2:14 "Do everything without complaining or arguing." The key word being everything. Ok, I have complained enough. I went looking for a verse about rejoicing in the Lord. I found a verse but as I kept reading I loved the verses following it, too. One of the things I love most about God is his peace.


Phil. 4:4-9 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

I pray that you can feel God's peace wherever you are in life.

Helping Hands

I had another follow up MRI. My two younger ones came with me because my oldest was at band camp. They brought some books to read and in the waiting room we put on PBS. They were really good. The guy doing my MRI let them "help". (He just let them see the computer.) My boy said, "Your brain looks weird." It's ok, I've seen it before and it does look weird. I'd say that yours looks pretty weird on a MRI scan, too. :) I won't know anything until next week at my appointment. I'll keep you posted.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Flintstones, meet the Flintstones.... My dad kept singing this because, like the movie, my trip to Philly was filled with planes, trains and automobiles. (The song is a part of the movie in case you have never seen it.) The reason for my journey to Philly was to see this little guy.



Like I said in an earlier post, he is my nephew and he is very sick. He is at the children's hospital in Philly. He is on the list for a heart/lung transplant.

I was able to stay with my brother in the Ronald McDonald House. This was the last thing I would see at night before I fell asleep.




The bed I was in was right against this wall. Not my favorite cartoon, but very fun for kids. :)

One afternoon during my nephew's nap, my dad and I went out to find the Liberty Bell. We saw lots of tours including this one.



They were out of tickets to get into see Independence Hall. The space is so small they only give out a certain number. But we walked around it and I got a picture of it. They are doing work on it, so the top part was covered.



The Liberty Bell



On the way back to the car we saw Benjamin Franklin's grave.



And that was my little historical tour of Philly. Most of the time was spent in the hospital or at the Ronald McDonald House. Here is just a cute shot of my other nephew. He is Weston's big brother. He almost always goes with him to the hospital. They are best friends. He is a big helper with Weston.

Me and My Buddy

Special Prayer Request

I went on a trip to Philly to see my nephew. He is a very special boy in my family. He was born with heart problems. He has had 3 open heart surgeries and been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. He is in the cardiac intensive care unit in Philly's children's hospital. He is now on the list awaiting a heart/lung transplant. You can keep up to date about his condition here. If you pray, if you can put Weston on a prayer list, please do. He needs all the help he can get. He is a fighter and we know God has a plan. I just wanted to send out this special request about our special boy that we love so much.