It’s time once again for a Thing Post which means I feature a variety of topics that don’t make up a post by themselves but are still worth sharing.
Let’s get the most recent report from the Duke Doc out of the way. Here’s what he wrote:
Mrs. Smith, after reviewing your x-rays with a musculoskeletal radiologist, we both agree that there are no radiographic findings to suggest rheumatoid arthritis. Moreover, the lack of response to several disease-modifying therapies would be in line with this conclusion. My diagnosis is that you have erosive osteoarthritis.
When your husband comes home from a long work day and jumps right into cleaning the kitchen, then helps with the big kids, and after that takes the baby, that’s still awake, and sends you off to bed…YOU SHOULD KEEP HIM!! Often times he shows me he loves me instead of just telling me. Thanks babe for loving me well.
Andrew, our youngest grandbaby, had to undergo some GI testing recently. Right after he was born he started showing signs of reflux like his three siblings did, even to the point where he stopped breathing a few times. After many appointments, an ER visit, and a visit to a GI specialist, the reflux was confirmed. He will be treated with special formula and medication; thankfully, no surgery is needed right now.
Last week I had to be recertified in CPR in order to continue at the daycare where I work a few hours a week, in addition to my church job.
You probably don’t expect to see a magazine cover on here featuring 50 Hottest Bachelors but . . . here it is!
I haven’t mentioned this beautiful girl lately but I just wanted to say that Summer is such a peaceful, comforting presence in our lives. She doesn’t have the zip or sass of Snowy, but she is incredibly therapeutic and the world’s best snuggler.
Here is Steve giving a bass guitar lesson yesterday afternoon in his office.
And just where is the student? Well, the student is on the computer screen.
We had a singing group of teens and young adults come to the church a few months ago and Steve pulled aside the young bass player after the service and gave him some tips. Ever since then, Steve has met with him through Facetime once a week to continue the lessons. He also teaches guitar to another young man in town and doesn’t charge either one of them.
With sports and screen time taking up so much time for kids, Steve is especially passionate about introducing young people to the joy of making music. It’s just one of the many things I admire about that hubby of mine.
I recently talked on the phone with a dear friend, Carolyn Stephenson. She and Danny and Steve and I have a friendship that goes back about thirty-five years.
They attended the church where Steve and I were on staff when we were newlyweds. And then, when Sarah was diagnosed with cancer, our family attended the church that Danny and Carolyn pastored.
Carolyn is a gifted singer and so the three of us have done some inspiring musical numbers along the way.
We last saw them about 5 years ago.
We had a chance to reminisce a little bit about some of the things we shared over the decades and Steve and I had a chance to thank them, once again, for the way they walked with us through Sarah’s cancer treatment.
Carolyn was there for the actual procedure. (Sarah is holding her own stem cells)
She was there many other times along the way. (Danny came to visit as well; I just couldn’t find any photos.)
I’ll never forget the day this picture was taken. Danny and Carolyn had come to pray with us before sending us off to Duke for Sarah’s bone marrow transplant.
What about you?Are you CPR-certified? Was the process easy for you or challenging?Do you have a friend of many decades? Tell us about her.Are you a musician? If so, did you learn to play when you were a child/teen? What has that gift of music meant to you over the years?
Ann,
Thanks for being such a faithful commenter. I always enjoy hearing from you!
From looking at your FB page, looks like you have a lot going on. Love that you stay so busy in helping other people.
I am glad you were able to do your CPR Training. I received mine over forty years ago and never needed to use it. I have been unable to recertify due to my breathing issues and having two replaced knees. Next to impossible to get on my knees. It is interesting that they are suggesting interstitial lung disease. Due the very nasty case of histoplasmosis I had along with the treatment of amphotericin B, it is just another complication of my lung problems. No matter how hard it becomes the Lord is always faithful in carrying us through each of these journeys. I pray for your comfort and the judgement of the doctors so the right decisions can be made. Your son seems to be a wonderful husband and father. Much like my son and son in law and what I pray for for my granddaughters many years down the road from now. Sarah’s story in it’s own is one of the best stories I have ever heard. She is a remarkable young women who overcome so much with help of our Lord .
Cathie,
So you could definitely relate to my CPR story with the kneeling and the breathing! Glad to know someone else understands so well.
So thankful, as you said, that the Lord is with us on our journeys. Thanks for your prayers and words of encouragement.
What an interesting post!! My CPR/AED certification has been expired for a few years, but I always thought the breathing part of CPR training was hard, and I applaud you for passing!
I’m not sure if I was reading your CaringBridge in 2004 when the People article was published, but that is so VERY cool that Sarah was part of the article on the opening of Victory Junction Gang Camp! As an avid NASCAR fan, I have always admired the Petty family for that ministry (and Kyle’s annual ride to help fund it).
The picture of Nathan and Andrew is such a sweet picture; and I’m not surprised he is such a good husband and father with parents like you and Steve. I’m so happy to hear that Andrew’s reflux can be treated without surgery for now.
Continued prayers for answers on your complex/puzzling medical journey. I look forward each week to your posts – they always make Mondays better!
Sue Ellen,
Making Mondays Better. Love it! That could be the tagline for my blog. Glad to hear that I can add a little sunshine to the beginning of your week.
Yes, since you’re a NASCAR fan, you have definitely heard of Victory Junction. It’s so great to see people who use their resources and influence to make a difference in the lives of others–especially our precious children.
Am not CPR certified, but have watched videos on how it is done. But don’t think I could do it unless it was a dire emergency. Have continued to pray for you and as you went to the doctor. Hard to understand how diagnosis like you had could be sooo wrong, but then again, when there are little things that go along side of something, guess it is easier to misdiagnose. Can any of your problems be reversed? I too have osteoarthritis. It is in my wrists – more so the left wrist because I don’t use it very often. The pain comes and goes. I did take piano lessons when I was about 6 or 7, teacher’s name was Mrs. Kisner. She wore thick glasses and then wore thicker clip on glasses. Think I quit after one year, just didn’t like it. Now when I hear great pianists, I wish I had gone on further. Love the picture of you three singing – especially Steve’s wonderful smile – so glad he got his teeth fixed :-). So enjoy seeing the pictures from the past and seeing what the Lord has done.
Sharyn,
“So glad he got his teeth fixed.” That made me laugh!
I don’t know if lungs will get better after infusions are stopped. That’s one of those “wait and see” things. I can always hope!
A year is a long time to stick with piano lessons when you’re so young. You can’t say you didn’t try!
Wow, I just remembered that I do have a friend that I have known since I lived in KC in the 80’s and 90’s. She retired and moved to Arkansas, I moved to Bolivar, Springfield, Louisville, Tampa and then back to KC area. After her husband died several years ago, she moved back to the KC area as she has a son that lives here. When I was preparing to move to KC, she helped by referring me to her realtor, a friend of her son’s. Also, she let me stay with her for several weeks while my loan was being approved, house closed on, etc. I was born the year she graduated from high school so she’s basically old enough to be my mother. She introduced me to her church, which is mine now too.
Phyllis,
That sounds like a true friend who refers a realtor, lets you stay with her for several weeks, AND introduces you to the church that has become your church home. You’re blessed!
I am not CPR certified.
I have a friend that I’ve known since moving to Tampa in 2001 – so not quite decades yet. Even though she lived in Daytona and I lived in Tampa, we became pretty good friends when I lived there. In fact, we took a weekend trip to Maine and New Hampshire when I turned 50. Now that I’m in Kansas, we still are good friends, we text almost every day. She and her husband, they weren’t married until almost 5 years ago, came up three years ago last month and we went to the NASCAR races here. Then in January I spent 5 days with them on my Florida “reunion trip”. We share the same interests – both love to read and both worked in Finance/Accounting. Even though she’s 8 years younger than me, we get along great.
I am not a musician even though I took several years of piano lessons when I was a kid. I didn’t start quite as young as my niece did, she started at 4. My cousin and I had the same teacher and come recital time, our teacher always had us play a duet. Sadly, I’m not even good at reading music any more.
Hope the new medicine and formula will help Andrew. And also hope that you will get some answers at your pulmonologist appointment!
Phyllis,
That’s the kind of friend you want to hold on to for the rest of your life. It’s so easy for friendships to gradually fade; it’s great that the two of you intentionally continue to work on nurturing your friendship.
How fun to take piano lessons with your cousin and play together for recitals. Nice to have those kinds of memories!
Glad you are being thankful in the midst of life’s trials–admire that in you so much.. Ruth
Ruth,
Thank. I have a good example of that in Mom. And in you and Deb, too.
I am not CPR certified. It would be a great thing to know but I just have never taken the initiative to do it.
I learned to play the accordion when I was about 7. Then I took piano lessons for several years. I used to play quite often but now my piano just gathers dust. When my mom was alive, she and I would play duets together. Great memories! (Mom was quite the pianist and even took lessons as an adult to learn how to play by ear. She was marvelous and such an inspiration to me!) I have always loved music and sang in the high school girls show choir. Now I sing in the church choir and I dearly love it!
Lee Anne,
An accordion player! You don’t meet one of those every day!
I actually played a little accordion, too, when I was younger, copying my mom. In fact, my parents found a child-sized accordion for me and I just adored it. Wish I had kept it.
Singing in a choir is a rare treat that so few people get to experience any more. Enjoy every moment!
Those Duke doctors are the best. I am glad that you have the correct diagnosis finally. The damage done to your lungs, will it reverse over time since the medicine causes the problem? I Was beginning to worry about Steve. First I see him in the weird get up and playing a guitar followed by him playing later. Thought he had lost it, but you brought my attention to the laptop on facebook. All your family are very special people, doing so much for so many.
Jim,
Yes, the doctors at Duke are truly terrific. I am excited about getting to rheumatology and pulmonology transferred there.
I don’t know if the damage to lungs will be reversed or not. Will find out as I go along.
Yes, Steve was definitely in a weird getup,wasn’t he? He loves any chance he has to ham it up.
So glad for Sarah’s progress over the years and that God allowed us to meet the family and travel this road together. Thankful for Steve’s visit and prayer when I was diagnosed with breast cancer June 2017. God is so good to us. Enjoyed your post. Happy the doctors are getting your treatment plan for the right diagnosis and prayerfully you will be getting better soon. You are a great encourager to so many of us. May God continue blessings. I have issues doing CPR. Passed one time but never renewed. Have a fantastic week. ????