8/25/08 - I started my classes & clinicals back up - first week was AMAZING. God has been so kind to me and has made the transition very easy in a fast paced and stressful situation. I love my profs and I can't wait to get my hands dirty. I start clinicals next thursday at the hospital (med/surg floor)
8/30/08 - Grace turned 12!
9/9/08 - Mom turns 50! GO MOM!
9/9/08 - 9/18/08 - Amy, Dan and Jack come out for a visit
9/12/08 - Jack (our nephew) turns 1!
10/17/08 - FINALS and fall break!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
God has given me GRACE
Today has been so refreshing to me. I went to church anticipating that the Lord would meet with me during the time of worship and message, and meet me He did. How encouraging is it to know that the Lord is ready to aid us - but do we have faith to ask and anticipate that He will?
The title of today's message was "The Last Day & Perservering Faith Today"
Passage: Hebrews 10: 26-39
Main Point: The passage is here to show us that the last day calls for us to have ongoing perserverence today.
Why? Because we have a better possession in Christ (heaven one day). This alone is worth far more than anything this world has to offer us.
So, how does this pertain to me? Well, within the last year, I would say I have endured a few trials.
* My knee surgery (waiting a year for workman's comp to approve the surgery)
* Waiting to get into nursing school
* Jack (my nephews) diagnosis of a heart defect (Mitral Valve Stenosis) & surgery
* My on-going health issues this summer
* Emily's Diabetes I (juvenile) diagnosis last Sunday
But have I endured these trials with JOY? not always. but I CAN and I SHOULD endure each and every trial with joy, faith and trust in my almighty Savior.
What do I need to start doing? View my trials in light of eternity!
This passage in Hebrews should encourage me to keep trusting in Jesus Christ and motivate me to keep from drifting!
I am encouraged. The Lord has given me such grace today, how my heart wants to sing for joy!
The title of today's message was "The Last Day & Perservering Faith Today"
Passage: Hebrews 10: 26-39
Main Point: The passage is here to show us that the last day calls for us to have ongoing perserverence today.
Why? Because we have a better possession in Christ (heaven one day). This alone is worth far more than anything this world has to offer us.
So, how does this pertain to me? Well, within the last year, I would say I have endured a few trials.
* My knee surgery (waiting a year for workman's comp to approve the surgery)
* Waiting to get into nursing school
* Jack (my nephews) diagnosis of a heart defect (Mitral Valve Stenosis) & surgery
* My on-going health issues this summer
* Emily's Diabetes I (juvenile) diagnosis last Sunday
But have I endured these trials with JOY? not always. but I CAN and I SHOULD endure each and every trial with joy, faith and trust in my almighty Savior.
What do I need to start doing? View my trials in light of eternity!
This passage in Hebrews should encourage me to keep trusting in Jesus Christ and motivate me to keep from drifting!
I am encouraged. The Lord has given me such grace today, how my heart wants to sing for joy!
Friday, August 22, 2008
I lift my eyes up ...
Last sunday (8/17) I was in Ohio at King's Island with a few friends of mine. I had made the trip out to Ohio on Friday to visit them before summer came to an end. After the fun-filled day at the amusement park we headed to the car and I called my mom to see how everyone was doing. She picked up the phone and I could hear in her voice that something was incredibly wrong. She told me that Emily was in the ICU (intensive care unit) and that she had Diabetes I (juvenile).
Earlier that week mom had noticed some unusual things in Emily (excessive thirst and weight loss) and suspected something was wrong. So, earlier that morning at church she had a friend (who is also diabetic) bring his glucose meter (which checks your blood sugar levels) to test emily's blood sugar levels to see if diabetes was a possibility. So away they checked and quickly found out that Emily was in serious trouble. A good blood sugar level should be somewhere around 100, she was at 510. They immediately rushed her to the ER and the doctors quickly sent her to the ICU. I'm so thankful that the Lord gave my mom these hunches, because in most cases you find out that someone has juvenile diabetes when they go into a coma first. God spared Emily and i'm so grateful.
Emily spent Sunday and Monday in the ICU and is now home learning how to cope and adapt.
For those of you that don't know, juvenile diabetes is the most rare and the most serious of cases compared to diabetes II, monogenic diabetes and gestational diabetes. And it's also irreversible unlike diabetes II
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys certain cells in the pancreas, an organ about the size of a hand that is located behind the lower part of the stomach. These cells -- called beta cells -- are contained, along with other types of cells, within small islands of endocrine cells called the pancreatic islets. Beta cells normally produce insulin, a hormone that helps the body move the glucose contained in food into cells throughout the body, which use it for energy. But when the beta cells are destroyed, no insulin can be produced, and the glucose stays in the blood instead, where it can cause serious damage to all the organ systems of the body. For this reason, people with type 1 diabetes must take insulin in order to stay alive. This means undergoing multiple injections daily, or having insulin delivered through an insulin pump, and testing their blood sugar by pricking their fingers for blood six or more times a day.
When I first found out that Emily was in the ICU my heart stopped, tears poured and I asked God three things. WHY diabetes Lord? WHY am I here in Ohio and not home with her? WHY are you giving me another challenge?
Even though I don't understand at times why the Lord chooses to do things, there are a few things that I do know and understand at my God.
My God is sovereignly in control. God loves Emily. My God does all things to bring himself glory. And if God wants to use this situation to bring himself glory, then glory I shall give Him.
It's been a hard week, i'm not going to lie. But in the midst of cloud that seems to hover over my head, the Lord shines through and is giving all of us faith, hope and trust. For now and for Emily's life in the future.
I finally came home on wednesday, mom picked me up at the airport. As I walked out I caught mom's eyes and started bawling. Mom said, "Stop, Emily doesn't want you to cry." So, I cried the whole ride home from midway, and composed myself before getting out of the car. I can't tell you how bitter-sweet it felt to be home, I dropped my luggage and went up to Emily's room, sat on her bed (she was asleep) and held her hand and told her how much I loved her and how much I missed her. God has blessed me with such an amazing set of parents and such lovely sisters that I adore.
The Lord is going to do great things through this challenge and I am going to wait and readily expect them. God is good.
Earlier that week mom had noticed some unusual things in Emily (excessive thirst and weight loss) and suspected something was wrong. So, earlier that morning at church she had a friend (who is also diabetic) bring his glucose meter (which checks your blood sugar levels) to test emily's blood sugar levels to see if diabetes was a possibility. So away they checked and quickly found out that Emily was in serious trouble. A good blood sugar level should be somewhere around 100, she was at 510. They immediately rushed her to the ER and the doctors quickly sent her to the ICU. I'm so thankful that the Lord gave my mom these hunches, because in most cases you find out that someone has juvenile diabetes when they go into a coma first. God spared Emily and i'm so grateful.
Emily spent Sunday and Monday in the ICU and is now home learning how to cope and adapt.
For those of you that don't know, juvenile diabetes is the most rare and the most serious of cases compared to diabetes II, monogenic diabetes and gestational diabetes. And it's also irreversible unlike diabetes II
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys certain cells in the pancreas, an organ about the size of a hand that is located behind the lower part of the stomach. These cells -- called beta cells -- are contained, along with other types of cells, within small islands of endocrine cells called the pancreatic islets. Beta cells normally produce insulin, a hormone that helps the body move the glucose contained in food into cells throughout the body, which use it for energy. But when the beta cells are destroyed, no insulin can be produced, and the glucose stays in the blood instead, where it can cause serious damage to all the organ systems of the body. For this reason, people with type 1 diabetes must take insulin in order to stay alive. This means undergoing multiple injections daily, or having insulin delivered through an insulin pump, and testing their blood sugar by pricking their fingers for blood six or more times a day.
When I first found out that Emily was in the ICU my heart stopped, tears poured and I asked God three things. WHY diabetes Lord? WHY am I here in Ohio and not home with her? WHY are you giving me another challenge?
Even though I don't understand at times why the Lord chooses to do things, there are a few things that I do know and understand at my God.
My God is sovereignly in control. God loves Emily. My God does all things to bring himself glory. And if God wants to use this situation to bring himself glory, then glory I shall give Him.
It's been a hard week, i'm not going to lie. But in the midst of cloud that seems to hover over my head, the Lord shines through and is giving all of us faith, hope and trust. For now and for Emily's life in the future.
I finally came home on wednesday, mom picked me up at the airport. As I walked out I caught mom's eyes and started bawling. Mom said, "Stop, Emily doesn't want you to cry." So, I cried the whole ride home from midway, and composed myself before getting out of the car. I can't tell you how bitter-sweet it felt to be home, I dropped my luggage and went up to Emily's room, sat on her bed (she was asleep) and held her hand and told her how much I loved her and how much I missed her. God has blessed me with such an amazing set of parents and such lovely sisters that I adore.
The Lord is going to do great things through this challenge and I am going to wait and readily expect them. God is good.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Amitriptyline - not an antidepressant
In reference to my post earlier this afternoon, I just want to clear up any confussion that I might have made. I mentioned that I am currently taking amitriptyline for my migraines - well if any of you type that word into google you'll quickly see that it's used as an antidepressant. When my doctor first prescribed to me this medication he was quick to mention that even though it was first marketed as an antidepressant it is no longer being used for that purpose because it wasn't working for depression and was rather solving migraine/headache problems. He didn't want me worrying thinking that he had put me on antidepressants. So no i'm not on any type of antidepressants - just wanted to clear that up in case any of you were curious. :-)
At last I have some relief
Sorry it's taken me a good week to post an update. Last friday I went to see my doctor, and we both agreed not to pursue any invassive treatments, atleast not for right now. I've had an excellent week - nearly pain free. I'm currently taking Prilosec & pro-biotics every morning for my "undiscovered" GI troubles. I'll be taking it for 28 days, then off of it for a week, and if my symptoms come back, then and only then will we pursue invassive procedures. In the evenings I take another round of pro-biotics and amitriptaline for my migraines. It's a preventive medicine that I take at night, hoping to "prevent" them from ever coming. My last migraine was Saturday and I haven't even come close to one in the past four days.
Thanks to all of you, Andrea, Katie, Lauren, Hannah & Lindsay, who have been so faithful to pray for me, and to instill hope in me when I so greatly lacked it. Thank you just as much for feeding the gospel to me, and preaching truth about who God is and what He has done for me, during this trial.
Well, I look back over the last 10 weeks and i'm literally shocked that summer is almost over and that i'm starting clinicals back up in less than two weeks. AH! I got my books in the mail today, thanks to amazon, and started thumbing through them. All I have to say is YIKES, i'm in for a treat! Even though I've been told that this semester will be twice as hard as the last, somehow I feel more prepared and ready for the challenge. Through some of the hard obstacles I had to hurdle around concerning my health, I know that the Lord was strengthening my heart even though my physical body was everything but strong. And even though I was frustrated and weary during all of it, once again I look back and thank the Lord for what He did, and trust that His almighty hand was in complete control even when I felt like things were completely out of control. How sweet it is to know that my Savior has so much control over my life - and if the Lord wanted to use me and challenge me in my faith by means of making my physical body weak and sick, then all I can do is thank the Lord and pray that He was glorified in some way during the whole process.
Now that I'm on a road to recovery, i'm excited to see how the Lord is going to use me this fall in my clinicals - my greatest prayer is that I can be a light to my patients and that they will see Christ at work in my life even while i'm sticking them with needles. Anyone want to volunteer? I'm going to need lots of practice!
Thanks to all of you, Andrea, Katie, Lauren, Hannah & Lindsay, who have been so faithful to pray for me, and to instill hope in me when I so greatly lacked it. Thank you just as much for feeding the gospel to me, and preaching truth about who God is and what He has done for me, during this trial.
Well, I look back over the last 10 weeks and i'm literally shocked that summer is almost over and that i'm starting clinicals back up in less than two weeks. AH! I got my books in the mail today, thanks to amazon, and started thumbing through them. All I have to say is YIKES, i'm in for a treat! Even though I've been told that this semester will be twice as hard as the last, somehow I feel more prepared and ready for the challenge. Through some of the hard obstacles I had to hurdle around concerning my health, I know that the Lord was strengthening my heart even though my physical body was everything but strong. And even though I was frustrated and weary during all of it, once again I look back and thank the Lord for what He did, and trust that His almighty hand was in complete control even when I felt like things were completely out of control. How sweet it is to know that my Savior has so much control over my life - and if the Lord wanted to use me and challenge me in my faith by means of making my physical body weak and sick, then all I can do is thank the Lord and pray that He was glorified in some way during the whole process.
Now that I'm on a road to recovery, i'm excited to see how the Lord is going to use me this fall in my clinicals - my greatest prayer is that I can be a light to my patients and that they will see Christ at work in my life even while i'm sticking them with needles. Anyone want to volunteer? I'm going to need lots of practice!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
just an update ...
At my last doctor's appointment (July 28th) my doctor ran a bunch of tests on me to see if my liver & kidney & thyroid function were up to par, and then if I was having issues with blood-sugar. I also had other samples sent into the lab to see if I had bacteria/infection in my small/larger intestine (h-pylori) etc. All of the tests came back negative as of yesterday. So, since "IT" (whatever I have) was not related to any of the tests that were done, I have another doctor's appointment this Friday at 4:10 p.m. to begin more invassive procedures - not exactly sure what that will end up looking like, could be a barium test (fun chalky drink that makes my insides glow) and maybe an endoscopy (tubular optical instrument to view my stomach with and a biopsy (removal of tissue) of my stomach to be sent into the lab for further testing). My doctor is pretty sure that I have cysts; the barium test will prove that to be true or not.
I've also recently taken wheat and dairy out of my diet, my body seems to re-act strongly against wheat and dairy products causing stronger abdominal pains so i'm doing whatever I can to reduce my symptoms.
I'll keep all of you updated! Thank again for your prayers - I really feel the Lord's presence even during this trial - He is continually give me grace and mercy for each day and strengthening my love and faith in Him.
I've also recently taken wheat and dairy out of my diet, my body seems to re-act strongly against wheat and dairy products causing stronger abdominal pains so i'm doing whatever I can to reduce my symptoms.
I'll keep all of you updated! Thank again for your prayers - I really feel the Lord's presence even during this trial - He is continually give me grace and mercy for each day and strengthening my love and faith in Him.
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