I wrote this post yesterday so that I could post it this morning before we left for Duke. Unfortunately, the little bit of flu and cold I had last week (spent a day or two in bed) returned with a vengeance overnight. I can’t speak above a whisper and I can feel whatever I have headed straight to my lungs with some rattling and burning there. Not a good thing.
Of course, I am so disappointed not to be going after waiting so long but there’s no way they are going to do testing on a person who is sick. I’m also disappointed because I had found a hotel (Aloft)l I’ve always wanted to stay at for just $61! (Unfortunately, it’s nonrefundable. Sigh.)
But for now, my main concern is to get into a doctor today because when you have OB, you don’t mess around with any ailment affecting the lungs.
Here’s the original info about the Duke trip, just for context.
Tomorrow is my long-awaited pulmonology appointment at Duke–I’ve waited fourteen weeks for it so I’m rarin’ to go.
I’ll have a full round of pulmonary testing done and then in the afternoon, I’ll meet with the doctor to discuss the results. My main hope for this visit is to get final confirmation on whether I truly do have obstructive bronchiolitis. Since there was so much disagreement between the doctors at the previous place, I am very interested in this doctor giving a definitive yes or no. If on the other hand, HE is confused and doesn’t know for sure what’s going on . . . well, I’ll just throw up my hands and cry. Or scream. Or both.
I also want to find out if there has been any change or progression over the past few months and get his input as to what might be ahead for me.
today is the day when I (finally!) finish all of the family Christmas photos. Thanks for being a patient, appreciative audience; you can count your blessings that I am only showing you a fraction of the ones I took!
I’ve put most of the photos in one album to make viewing easier, but I wanted to highlight a couple of them separately.
The first one is not from our Christmas in Manteo but I just had to show it to you anyway. This is the Christmas present that Sheri, (our grandkids’ other grandma) got from her daughters and sons-in-law. Is this not the most precious photo you have ever seen?
And I absolutely love this one. (Photo by Meagan. Baby by Meagan.)
Another favorite.
I found this note from Noah that Aunt Sarah helped him write which interpreted says, “I am thankful for being at your house.”
This reminds me of a morning when Noah, Madison and I were having breakfast together before everyone else got up. Noah said out of the blue, “Grandma, I am going to say six things that I am thankful for.” And he stopped eating, thought very seriously and went on to enumerate them with very dear earnestness and sincerity. Nathan and Meagan are intentional about teaching their kids to find things to be thankful for and to also say thank you for anything they receive.
A good lesson for all of us. A good lesson for me.
Enjoy the rest of the photos.
What about you?
Looking at Nathan and Sarah and Noah and Madi together makes me wonder:
Did you grow up with brothers and/or sisters?
Did you fight? Get along? Are you close now?
I’m so sorry to hear that you weren’t able to go to your appointment. I pray that you are feeling better! And I pray that you are able to get another appointment soon!
My sister and I are 5.5 years apart in age. We were always in different phases of life most of growing up, but we are pretty close today. And she loves my son- her only nephew!
Prayers for a peaceful week!
Krista,
So glad to know you are close to your sister and that she loves your little guy so much. Something very special about aunties!
Oh, sweet Becky …my heart hurts for you. Believing for a better day, SOON! Thanks for the awesome visit with your family through photos. Such special memories. And yes, that nativity with little Smiths and Hawley’s is priceless!
Prayers and hugs, ?? Cheryl Denton
Cheryl,
Thanks, sweet friend, for taking the time to stop by and leave some hugs.
Oh phooey! I am so sorry you are sick and couldn’t make your appointment. I hope you can get it rescheduled soon, but they sure wouldn’t do the tests and they really don’t want you there infecting them with your “bug. The pictures are so stinkin’ cute. Loved looking at each one, but why oh why would anyone eat green olives? Blech…haha! The messes we get when the kids and grandkids are home are just fantastic in my opinion. Once they leave again, sad face, I have all the time to clean up again, When they are here, I don’t care either what my house looks like cause we are having a great time together making memories. I don’t want my kids or grandkids to think they had a crabby grandma who kept cleaning instead of spending time playing with them. Did Grayson? get on a different diet then? Did pulling some of the wheat products etc, help? I grew up with 6 siblings and oh yes, we could fight with each other, but when push came to shove, we sure had each others backs, whether it be on the bus, out in public or in school. DON”T mess with my brother or sister. 🙂 Hope you’re feeling better now. Wendy
Wendy,
“Phooey” is a great word to describe this week! It’s been full of phooey-ness. 🙂
Yes, the changes in Grayson’s diet are helping. They are hoping to start gradually reintroducing some foods.
And what you said about messes is so true. The mess will still be there tomorrow. Seize the joy today!
Please know that whenever your duke apt is rescheduled, I will be praying for you… and of course, willing to help with anything that you need while you are here. The photos of the family are precious… as Abby just turned 21 and the twins turn 13 on Friday, I am realizing that they grow up so quickly!! I have sarah’s photo up at work, so that I remember to pray for her, and also as inspiration in my daily tasks here dealing with cancer all the time. It is nice to see her smiling face and remember all the GOOD things that come out of transplant. I hope you feel better soon, and don’t have to wait too long for your new apt. Just know that you have a friend here willing to help you in any way that I can!! Take care, and I will be checking on you!!
Tiffany,
You are such a dear!
I love the thought of you having Sarah’s photo up at work and that it encourages you and other families going through cancer. So encouraging to know that all of the hard times we went through back then can bring hope to people now.
And I love knowing I have someone to call on at Duke if needed. Blessings to you and those growing up girls of yours!
Dear Becky, I don’t comment often but I do read every post you make. Because I think of you as a friend, a far-off, across the Pond friend who would be a real close coffee-date friend if we weren’t a continent apart, I feel honoured to be given the opportunity to share a little of your family’s life through your blog.. my daughter Juliet (same age more or less as Nathan) fell in love with Sarah many years ago (via her Caringbridge site) and we are just so full of joy to see her so well and so beautiful and things going well for her. HOWever it’s not been so happy to read of your own health issues… and I hope you can feel the biggest, warmest love and positive thoughts we are sending to you and your lovely family, from here in England.
(I still have a small hope we might some day meet.. you never know!)
Teresa Hewitt,
What a lovely comment. I love getting to be an across the Pond friend. 🙂 And if you ever come close to our area of the country, turning into a coffee-date friend would be great!
I appreciate the love and positive thoughts winging their way from England!
I am so sorry you are sicK and were unable to go to Duke. how disappointing for you. I hope you are better soon! The. Christmas pictures are beautiful! Your grandchildren are adorable!
Michele,
Yep. I have to agree. I’ve got some pretty cute grandkids. 🙂
I am so sorry you had to cancel. Just prayed for you that the Lord will minister healing to your whole body. May what you have depart and leave your body. What precious pictures. My youngest grandchild is 19. Our oldest one just got married in April of last year. So am going to be patient and wait for our first great grand child. I have 3 sisters – unfortunately, no brothers. Our mother had miscarried 2, and we know for sure one was a girl. Guess were not to be. So along theses years I have adopted a few guys to be my brothers. Yes, we did fight, but now we appreciate each other more sine our parent have passed away. The youngest is 15 years younger than me and she is 11 years younger than the sister below me. The oldest will be turning 81 next month. We are hoping to get together this summer. My oldest sister and I live here in MN – about 40 min. apart, and the other two live in different states. Will be so glad to see them in a few months. Praying you will get better soon and able to get in to see the doctor. I’m sure the Lord had this happen for a purpose. Don’t you wish you knew what it was?
Sharyn,
Four girls! And the spacing of each of their ages sounds like your parents were maybe surprised by one or two of them? 🙂 So glad to know you are getting together soon. Sisters are such a treasure.
I guess I needed to learn a little more about patience with this canceled appointment. It really was a disappointment.
So sorry you had to cancel your Duke appointment. Hopefully they will be able to get you in quicker than 3 months. My doctor wanted me to see a specialist. They called in October and said for new patients, we’re scheduling in February!
I had two brothers growing up, one 2 years nine months older (R) and the other 8 years 3 months younger (K). And yes, we did fight some . I probably fought more with R than K. My mom had a kindergartner, freshman and senior in high school all the same year. My mom went to work that same year and it was my responsibility to get the two brothers up – R was not a morning person, still isn’t for that matter. Many times I would send K in to jump on R as he wouldn’t get mad at him. I’m not real close to R but feel like I’m pretty close to K. K and I have a lot more in common than I do with R. Both K and I graduated college, R was lucky to make it through high school, not because he wasn’t smart, he just didn’t apply himself.
Phyllis,
I loved your method for getting your brother up in the morning–just send in the other brother to attack him! 🙂 Sounds like it worked well.
It’s incredible how long it takes to get in to see some doctors, isn’t it? A lesson in patience.
So sorry to hear you are feeling poorly. I hope you were able to get in to see a doctor today, it can be tough on these holidays. What a shame for the timing in regards to your Duke visit. Maybe you won’t have to wait so long for your appointment this time.
The Christmas pictures are so great! Everyone is growing so fast, the kids are all so adorable. I’m sure they had a wonderful time with you all. And there is no way to keep a tidy home when there are little feet running about. The best messes, for sure.
Feel better soon!
Lesley,
The best messes. I love that line.
I had to go to Urgent Care yesterday but was only there for 90 minutes which wasn’t too bad of a wait.
I hope you feel better soon and will be able to get another appointment very quickly! The pictures are adorable; I especially love the one of Noah with his arm around Madi as she reaches up to hold his hand. (I am sure that you and Meagan have already thought of this, but that would be a great photo to re-create on each of their graduation/wedding days.) Again, prayers that you recover quickly!
Angela,
That’s one of my favorite photos as well. Even though the two of them can squabble, they are the best of friends. And that IS a great idea to bring that photo out again for some of their big days down the road.
Oh shoot Becky, so very sorry that you’re sick and will have to miss your appointment. I hope that you feel better soon and that Duke can get you back into the schedule without too much delay.
Love your pictures! Those little Smiths are just precious, every one! 🙂
I grew up with one older brother. We always got along, never fought and he always looked out for me. Mom and dad say he was super protective from the day I came home from the hospital. We are close in heart and soul but distance keeps us from seeing each other as often as we’d like.
I like your new header too. Did you design it?
LeeAnne,
Yes, I did design the header. Thanks for mentioning it!
Isn’t it awful when miles separate us from the ones we love? But better to be close in heart and separated by miles than be separated in heart and close in miles. You are truly blessed!
Oh Becky, I’m so very sorry to hear you are sick…especially the timing of it causing you to postpone your Duke appointment. Prayers for quick healing and easy breathing. Sorry your reservation is non-refundable. I hope you are able to get a good deal for there in the future.
The manger scene picture Sherri received is beyond precious! And all of your pictures are so sweet. (By the way thanks for keeping it real and letting us know your house is not always perfect; sure makes me feel better.) Your photos always bring smiles to my face.
Again, prayers for your health…
Sue Ellen,
Yeah, we definitely kept it real during that week. We did some cleaning but it never lasted long! 🙂
Thanks for your sweet words about the canceled appointment. I’m hoping it won’t take as long to get back in. They’re closed for MLK Day so can’t start investigating till tomorrow.
Hi Becky, I had just prayed for you this morning before I decided to check in on the computer. BOO for feeling too puny to keep that appointment. Will pray they’ll get you in quickly once you’re back “in the pink.” You might just try calling that outfit you booked the hotel with (I’m guessing it’s not the hotel itself). IF you can reach a real, live person (not likely, I know) and explain the situation, they MIGHT take pity on you and not charge you for the room.
If that doesn’t work… do you know anyone else nearer Duke who’d enjoy a night at Aloft?
Jenny Jo T,
I’d also thought about passing the reservation along but the statement said cannot be canceled or transferred. Oh well!
Thanks so much for your prayers for us. I was actually thinking about driving over there anyway but when I went to local doctor, I found out I have fever and there is gunk in my upper lodes. So much for that idea!
These are some great pictures. You and Steve will always remember this trip at Christmas.
Jim,
Glad you enjoyed the pictures. And yes, that will be a Christmas to remember!
I guess I will be the second to mention the new header. I just love it, reminds me of inviting a girlfriend over to sit and visit awhile. So very sorry you are sick and not able to keep your appointment. I am sure you want to receive the final results as to what is going on. Noah and Madi remind me so much Nathan and Sarah. As we all know Nathan took exceptional care of Sarah annd the other two seem to get along so well. I had an older brother who was four years older than me. We got along well, but unfortunately he passed away.
Hooray for Second Mentioners! 🙂
I am so sorry about your brother passing away. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to lose a sibling. Beyond words.
So sorry you are sick. Prayers daily for your healing and medical team that you will soon have answers. What joyful Christmas memories!! Yes, I grew up with two brothers and one sister me being the oldest. We sometimes fought. Usually I did it verbally because I knew physically I would get hurt. We are much closer today and as of April we will all be in our 70s. Difficult to believe! So happy all nine Smiths got to experience time together and even time with Vernie and Ken. God bless all and keep us posted on Duke appointment. You and Steve are a blessing to us. ????
Ann,
Yes, brothers and sisters are definitely known to squabble from time to time. I always say it’s a good prep for being married and learning to work out disagreements.
So happy to hear you and your sibs are still close all these years later. What a blessing!
Hugs to you and Jim; stay warm.
I don’t like to hear that. So sorry you can’t go to your appointment after waiting so long. Hope they can re-schedule you quickly.
Is there any way for you to go stay in your hotel room just as a fun night away? Or do you not feel well enough?
Loved the pictures of all you disgustingly photogenic Smiths! ? Such a lovely group of people whom I dearly love!
Hey, I like your new header here on the blog–looks great!
Alrighty then, off for more fun and games. You take care of yourself!
Love, Deb
Thanks, Deb. You’re the first person to mention my new header!
I thought about just going to the room but it’s 8 hours round trip and neither Steve or I are up to the drive. Oh well. Some other time.
I am hoping they will take pity on me and not make me wait another 3 months before fitting me back in. We’ll see!