So the biggish news of the day is that in two weeks, Steve and I will be embarking on a one-month sabbatical. We’ve been planning it with the church board for a few weeks but just announced it to our congregation yesterday so I can finally write about it.
We will mostly be staying in Edenton, NC but will come back to Manteo as needed, like when Nathan and Meagan are here for Sarah’s graduation.
I will write more about it as it all starts to unfold but we are really excited about it!
So that’s the happy news. The not so happy news is that I have been pretty sick for the last few days, even missing church yesterday which I very rarely do.
I had been trying to tough it out and not go to the doctor but on Saturday I finally relented. I developed a terrible cough, started running a fever, was throwing up, and couldn’t stay upright for more than 3 or 4 minutes without getting fatigued and dizzy. Of course, the fact that I have COPD and a weakened immune system makes me take these things a bit more seriously.
Steve was doing a funeral in the afternoon so I called a woman in our church who graciously took me to the Urgent Care Center and waited there two hours until Steve could arrive.
When I got there, my blood pressure was 85/50. They thought they heard something in my chest so did a chest x-ray but thankfully found nothing. Part of the reason I was feeling so awful was that I was dehydrated and needed IV fluids. Unfortunately, when someone is in that condition, getting an IV started is not a fun thing. Three different people made three different (very painful) attempts and each time, the vein collapsed.
They finally achieved success and I got my fluids, which made a huge difference. I got Zofran for nausea, and an antibiotic and now I am at home, resting and coughing and annoying the dog who is trying to nap amidst all the hacking and sputtering.
Happily Sarah came home last night for an unscheduled, one-day visit so I have a nurse/grocery shopper/cook on the premises.
And speaking of Sarah, she had a fun outing last week with Will, her friend from school, going to the Norfolk Botanical Garden.
What made it eve more fun is that they were chauffeured there by Mr. Fred who lives just a few blocks from Regent. We met Fred and his wife through the blog and have visited back and forth a few times. They have season passes to the garden so Sarah and Will were able to get through the gate for free and then they went their separate ways.
Here is Mr. Fred, Chauffeur Extraordinaire.
The gardens weren’t fully at their peak but here is a picture from the website that shows some of their flowering southern glory.
And lastly, we were in Concord, NC last week for our annual minister’s conference. I know you all will be so proud of us because this is all the luggage we took for a 4-day trip.
Pretty impressive, right?
Unfortunately, I ended up not needing hardly any of my planned outfits because I spent over half the time in the hotel room in bed as my illness was just starting to hit.
As we checked out, I did what I always do which is to gather up all our used towels and wash cloths and bundle them for the housekeeper. I read somewhere a long time ago about doing that as a courtesy and have done it ever since.
The hotel we were at was where many of the conference-attenders stayed, including Dr. Doug Clay, the event speaker and overseer of all the churches in America in our denomination. Steve ran into him at breakfast and got to have a brief conversation with him so that was fun.
Since the hotel was just a half hour from Steve’s parent’s house, we stopped by there on our way out of town and had lunch. (I just made sure to keep my distance and not give any hugs so that I didn’t spread my germs.)
When we pulled into the driveway, Ken was sitting out front with Tippi, awaiting our arrival.
We enjoyed getting to sit for an hour and so and chat over lunch before hitting the road back to these beautiful Outer Banks.
Actually, the Zofran is for the nausea caused by the migraines. Rizotriptan is my miracle drug for the actual migraines. Hope you are much better.
Becky,
I hope that by now you have either completely recovered from your illness or are well on the road there. Sarah looks great and so happy to be entertaining her parents in her own place. It is hard to believe that she is graduating from college already. I have been following you since I first “met” you on the internet when Sarah was first diagnosed. I still think Food has special plans for Sarah and the world will be a better place because of her. I am excited that Nathan and Meagan are able to be there for her graduation . . . happy times and happy memories.
Wishing the whole Smith family a very happy and blessed Easter.
Hugs,
Linda in Pittsburgh
Linda,
Yes, it was a special moment to have Sarah entertain us in her own place. The first of many such occasions!
I am still a little cough-y and not feeling fabulous, but I was able to be at church this morning and sing so I was grateful.
Hard to believe you have known our family for so long. Thank you for sticking with us through the years; we truly appreciate you. Blessed Easter to you too.
‘m sorry to hear your so sick. Sounds miserable. This has nothing to do with your post and upcoming sabbatical but like you I love thrift stores. On a recent visit I found a flute in good condition and am teaching myself to play it. So far I sound like a winded hippo but am enjoying the learning.. Take care and get lots of rest.
Mary,
A winded hippo! That made me smile.
I tried flute briefly in grade school and blowing it made me so dizzy I gave up. I am impressed that you would see one and even think to buy it, alone learn to play it! Flutey kudos to you.
So sorry you have been sick but glad to hear you are on the mend and getting better. Sabbaticals are the BEST! I have had two of them at my job. My last one, I was out for all three months (we can take 2 mo sabbatical and then 1 mo vacation time). We went on a super long (80+ day) road trip on my last one. It was me, my husband, our adult daughter and our dog. Had a fantastic time. Hope you enjoy your sabbatical.
Love it when you can squeeze in a visit with family or friends you don’t see often, even if it is just for a few minutes. Last weekend, a friend from high school was in the area visiting his family. They were having lunch at Del Taco and I stopped by for about 20 minutes to see him.
Nicole,
Twenty minutes is just long enough to renew old acquaintances and make another memory to take with you into the future!
A three road trip would be so cool and how great that you got to do with the two most important people (and doggie) in your life. We are so grateful to have this opportunity; very much looking forward to it.
Hope you feel better soon, Becky Sue!
And now for something to make you smile. When I first looked at that picture of the conference hotel where you and Steve stayed, I thought it was of a huge modern-art clock high up on wall, with little squares and circles stuck artfully around it. I was trying to figure out what the “hands” of the clock were made of. Imitation carrot for the hour hand? Celery for the minute hand? Red pepper for the second hand? Hmmmm…
Then I read the narrative and looked again. OH! It’s a view looking DOWN from above. Perspective is IMPORTANT!
… so what ARE those bright colored thingies posing as the hands of a clock?
Jenny Jo,
Well, I must say I’ve never been called Becky Sue before but it does have a sort of a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? 🙂
I admit I had to go back and look at the photo again so that I could see it from your perspective because, as you said, perspective IS important. And re-examining it, I actually could see that it could be considered to be clock-esque, especially when you didn’t know the picture was taken from up high. Those bright colored thingies are a modern art exhibit in the middle of the lobby.
I like YOUR idea better than reality, what with the celery, carrots, and red peppers all taking a turn in the spotlight. 🙂
I’m so sorry to hear about your illness!! I hope that it passes soon and you are fully recovered and on the mend before you know it. Your sabbatical sounds really wonderful! I’m sure it will be a very refreshing and renewing month!
Jenna–thank you!
Feeling a little stronger every day although it seems like it’s hanging around a little longer than is absolutely necessary. 🙂
So sorry you’re sick….I hope you recover quickly!
How very exciting that Nathan and Meagan will be able to be there for Sarah’s graduation! Awesome!!
Take care!
LeeAnne,
We–and they–are very excited about it. We are all counting down the days.
So sorry to hear you are sick. Prayers for a speedy recovery. Hope you have a good time on your sabbatical.
My aunt was Doug Clay’s administrative admin for several years when he was General Treasurer. She retired from General Council in 2012 after 47 years of service. My uncle retired the year before with 44 years.
Phyllis,
How cool that your aunt was Doug’s administrative assistant. (And the only reason I call him Doug is that he told us to.) 🙂 We were so impressed with him; what an absolutely great guy.
And your aunt and uncle’s years of service to the General Council is incredible.
I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been so sick. Zofran is a lifesaver (I keep it on hand for migraines). I hope your meds are kicking in and you are starting to feel better – I’m sure Sarah’s surprise appearance helped a lot!! And how cool that friends you’ve made through the blog are so close and could take her and her friend to that beautiful garden. How nice you and Steve were able to get in a quick visit with his parents – I loved the picture of his dad waiting out in the yard for your arrival. I can’t wait to hear about your sabbatical – and of course Sarah’s graduation! Rest and take care of yourself..sending hugs and prayers your way…
Sue Ellen,
Sarah used to take Zofran a lot during her treatment. It really is a miracle drug. Didn’t realize it’s also used for migraines; so glad you’ve gotten help from it!
I loved that picture of Steve’s dad, too. So sweet!
That virus sounds rough, so glad you are on the mend. Love the pics of Sarah, she looks so tiny lol and very happy. Looking forward to hearing about your sabbatical.
Lesley,
Yeah, she is a tiny little thing! 🙂
Feeling a bit better each day. I am ready to get out and enjoy some spring-timing!
Oh, dearest Becky. So sorry to hear you were so ill. Especially since you are the Pastor’s wife and have to attend and when you feel so bad and can’t even enjoy your stay in the room, except to cough and be miserable. I think my mom hid her maladies very well, which I’m sure you did as well as you could. We do have spring here, but nothing in the way of those beautiful flowers. I could almost spell the blossoms. Praying that you will feel better soon and that the Lord will heal you from the top of your head to the soles of your feet and that the Sabbatical will encourage and enrich you and Steve. Thankfully Sarah is so close that she could come home and be of help.
Sharyn,
Thanks for your words of encouragement and your prayers. I am excited FOR you that spring will be headed your way next. I think you guys appreciate it way more than we do because you have to wait longer.
Prayers for complete medical recovery and being well during your month of retreat.
Thank you Jim. Hugs and blessings to you and Ann!
Oh Becky. I’m so sorry you are feeling so icky! And, I thank you for blogging even n your sickness. I do love to read this blog every Monday! I pray that you are up and at ’em soon!
That garden Sarah was in is beautiful. Here in Grand Forks, we still have dead trees and bushes. Even some snow on the ground. It was almost gone and then we had a storm on Thursday/Friday and it added more. Luckily, the nice weekend melted a lot of it. I think we are getting warmer weather this week, too, so I hope it will be ALL gone!
I look forward to hearing what you will be doing on your sabbatical in Edenton, NC.
Also…that photo of Mr. Smith and Tippi? Adorable…I love it!!
Have a blessed week!
Krista,
Mr. Smith and Tippi. That sounds like a title for a children’s book, doesn’t it? 🙂
I know you must be sick of snow by this point in the season. Don’t lose hope. Spring is putting your location in her GPS!
Hope you start feeling better soon!! The garden pictures are lovely. Enjoy the time off, everyone needs that sometimes!!
Donna,
Yes, time off is a good thing.
And I am feeling a little stronger every day, thankfully!
Really happy about your sabbatical? but really sad about your illness. ☹️ That sounds like a doozy. I’m so sorry. Sending extra prayers and love for your quick recovery. ❤️. And 3 cheers for Sarah being there to take care of you for the day!
Her outing with Will looked so nice. I love gardens. And NC in the Spring is glorious.
Great to see Ken! He and Vernie are two of our very favorites! 🙂
Alrighty then. Much love to you all.
Love, Deb
Deb,
Always nice to see a Mantik-ism show up in the comments. Yes, we sort of like Ken and Vernie just a little, too!
Prayers for your recovery. Know how that illness is as mine was similar last month. Anxious to hear about your month’s leave. May you both get rest and relaxation.
Ann,
Yes, I remember you had quite a bout with illness and how careful you have to be with your immune system. I hope you are feeling much, much better these days. I know for sure you are enjoying springtime in Roanoke Rapids.