tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77813937545136555002024-02-19T00:45:33.534-08:00I will Give you a new heart. EZ 36:26Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-31551385196569952532012-08-22T21:21:00.003-07:002012-08-22T21:23:45.922-07:00GOD IS GOOD!I can't see how it has already been over a year since my transplant and since I have posted anything on here. <br />
I apologize for the lapse nin time. <br />
I have been blessed more than I can even really comprehend in my human mind. I do not think that I will ever be able to understand the magnitude of the gift that I was given from my donor and from my LORD.<br />
I remember many times praying when it would all end and when I would finally receive "my" heart. Or why this had to happen to me. I have had many pity parties over the past few years especially when I was waiting.<br />
<br />
I know now that I was sinning in doing this. How DARE I question God's will for my life...doesn't his word tell us over and over again that he knows what we need more than we do, and if we would only trust in HIM and His word that we would be rewarded??<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Proverbs 3:5-7</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.</span><br />
<br />
I think that this verse has some added meaning to me than before. I used to stop at the end of verse 6, but why would I do that, if I keep on going it tells me to not try and know it all, do not try and fix it all. Do not be woe is me!!!! Trust in the Lord fear Him..this is what my body needs, it is what is nourishment to my physical and spiritual self.<br />
<br />
I have had a good year, better than many in the past..only a few hospital trips and those were only a day or two at a time. So much better.<br />
I will tell you what made me come to here today and start again, is the slap in the face of reality.....I had a good friend of mine that I met through Facebook while I was sick. She had a heart transplant in May of 2010. Megan was such a loving spirit, any time I had a wuestion or jut needed to be woe is me, she was always there to listen..and offer advice.<br />
We talked very often, she was so excited with me when I was finally placed on the list in 2010. <br />
She and I would chat on Facebook when I would be inthe hospital. (everytime)<br />
<br />
Well yesterday my friend Megan went to be with our Lord. She left behind her very young daughter Audri, and her fiance Al. My heart breaks for them at their loss. I am also heartbroken for my loss. She was such a sweet soul. She will be greatly missed. I know that God had a hand in us meeting on Facebook, and I know that she is with him tonight. <br />
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I know that Megan heard "well done my good and faithful servant".<br />
I WILL SEE MY FRIEND AGAIN! <br />
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I will not let it go another year..I think I need this more than any of the ones reading it does..so until next time..<br />
BrandyBrandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-10443888000965951852011-08-22T12:09:00.000-07:002011-08-22T12:28:54.241-07:001 Month Post Transplant!!!! Praise GOD!!!!<div>So here I am 1 month post Transplant!!! I never thought that the day would come that I would actually get "the call". </div><div> </div><div>But here we are 1 month later, and I cannot tell you how much I am changed <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">because</span> of this gift that I have been given. Not only a gift that I have been given, but my family and friends also!! I think I am a totally new person in and out, literally!! </div><div> </div><div>I am so thankful for my FATHER!!!! My Heavenly FATHER, has always been with me and he HEARS me when I cry to him!!!! I have always known this, however when you go through something as serious and scary as this, I think that it gives you a new outlook on our MAKER!</div><div> </div><div>HE blesses us with so much every day, we don't always see it, but it and HE is always there. </div><div> </div><div>I am looking forward to getting back to my volunteering so that I can do HIS work!! I know that he has blessed me for a reason! I am so excited that he wants ME to so this for HIM! I am not exactly sure yet what he wants of me other than to give others support and love while they are going through what I have went through, and to above all SHOW THEM HIM, AND HIS LOVE!!!!</div><div> </div><div>I am doing really good as I type this, I am still getting stronger every day. I do have to take naps every so often, especially if I have done a lot the day before. </div><div>I have my 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> biopsy this Friday, all the other 3 have turned out great! After this one I get to wait a whole month before I have to have another one. I still have to get my blood done every <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Friday</span> for the next 9 weeks or so, this is to check my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">prograf</span> levels, which is one of my anti-rejection levels. They also check the regular stuff as well.</div><div> </div><div>The kids started school today, and I will tell you that I am enjoying the time of quiet, it is nice to be here at home and be able to focus on GOD, and my readings, and not have kids screaming at me or each other!!!</div><div> </div><div>I am so excited at this new life that is before us, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to have a second chance. I pray that I am able to Honor our LORD!! </div><div> </div><div><strong><em>I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26</em></strong></div><div><strong><em></em></strong> </div><div><strong><em>But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1Peter 3:15</em></strong></div><div> </div><div> </div>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-26342403289002156242011-07-30T14:48:00.001-07:002011-07-30T15:17:58.402-07:00On the other side!!<div>Hello All, </div><div> </div><div>I am sorry that it has been a while since I last posted. It has been kinda chaotic..</div><div> </div><div>If you do not know I have had my transplant!!!! I got the call last Thursday July 21, while I was on my way to church. I was on the phone with Travis and it was poring down rain.. I got another call as we were talking and I noticed that it was a blocked number.. My dr has always called me from private and blocked numbers, so I kinda thought that it might be him. Sure enough it was. He said that they had a heart for me, and wanted me to be at the hospital withinn the next hour. </div><div> </div><div>So Travis met us at the house and we went ahead and took the kids on up to church, our small group and another small group that we have been with for a while all took the kids and prayed for me!!!! I was so thankful to have been able to see all of them before heading down to the hospital.</div><div> </div><div>On the way I think Travis almost had 3 wrecks, I was praying at that moment that we would just make it.</div><div> </div><div>When we got there they got me admitted right away, and I was in a wheel chair on my way up to 6 Cooley A to wait. </div><div>Dr. Kar came in and told me that everything was still a go, but that they still needed to look at the heart and make sure that it looked as good on the inside as it did on screen. SO we waited....waited... at about midnight they said that there was a false positive of Hepititis B and they had to ask me if I wanted to procede. I told him that I wanted to go forward with the surgery. He had told me that all the other organs had still been accepted and that there were 4 other patients ready to accept this heart if I was not..so I decieded to go ahead.</div><div> </div><div>I think that it was finally about 1:30 0r so when they finally came and got me, I know that I had friends and family that weere there keeping me company. This really helped my mood. </div><div>I remember tellling everyone bye, and then then taking me on in the surgery room. They had given me a Xanex a little earlier so I was a little tired already. I had told Dr. Kar that I wanted to see him before they put me out, so we were waiting on him to come in and talk to me, and I was crying...the anesthesiologist was complaining that Dr. Kar was not there yet, (didn't he know we were on a time crunch), this made me even more nervous so I started ncrying more...I think that they gave me something cause I do not even remember talking to Dr.Kar, but I know that I did. </div><div> </div><div>The next recollection I have was hearing voices talking to me...I knew all of these voices but could not open my eyes, and wanted what ever the heck was in my throat out!!!!!</div><div> </div><div>So I had made it through the surgery! </div><div> </div><div>I found out later that there was another scare that we may not get to go through with it due to the hepititis B, but after about an hour they confirmed that it was ok and it was still a go.</div><div> </div><div>I was pretty out of it for the next day or so, I remember bits and peices of the days. On Sunday they moved me from CVR to the 12th floor, which is where I currently am at. I am doing well, but there are a few things that we are trying to get tweeked. </div><div> </div><div>We are waiting for the reults of the biopsy that I had to have done on the heart yeaterday. I have to have these every week for the first 3 weeks and then every two weeks, and so on, and so on....</div><div>after they are ngative for a year I think that there is a blood test that they use to check for the rejection. </div><div> </div><div>I also have an external pace maker attached, and it has been pacing me every now and then, so the dr is trying to decide whether or not he wants to put one in before I go home. I do not want this. I do not want to have to go through another surgery at all. But I know that he knows best.</div><div> </div><div>So we should know more on Monday. I know that this is a lot of information, but I thought I would just let you all know how it was going. </div><div> </div><div>I want to thank everyone for the prayers!!!!!!!!! This is all that is getting me through right now.</div><div> </div><div>I am sorry if there are a lot of mispellings..</div>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-86738692407627025362011-07-10T13:27:00.001-07:002011-07-10T13:38:49.913-07:00July 9, 2011<div><div>I am continuing to wait for the call, and I am trying to do so with a sense of calm. It gets harder and harder to do day by day.</div><div> </div><div>I was told by the doctors that I am anemic, and they started me on some iron pills this past Wednesday. </div><div> </div><div>I have only had one <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">evening</span> where I felt a little icky, but it passed by morning.</div><div>They changed my pump out to a new pump on Tuesday because last Friday I felt really bad, and by the next day I realized that the pump had not been running for 13 hours and I was not receiving my medicine. No wonder I felt so bad. </div><div>I really honestly do not know how I managed without this medicine. </div><div> </div><div>I am really hoping that we can be done with the transplant before school starts back up for the year. My daughter takes all of this pretty hard, and I really want her to have a good year. She is going into the 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> grade, and the last two years I have been in the hospital at the beginning of school. Hopefully not this year.</div><div> </div><div>I know that all of this is hard on all of my family, but I really worry about the kids and how it is going to affect them in the long run. I know that all of this GOD has control over and it is one of those things that I need to let go of and trust that he loves them more than I ever could. (Even though that is hard to imagine.)</div><div> </div><div>Once again thank you all for the continued prayers. Please keep them coming and ask that I get the call soon! </div><div>Also will you please lift up the donor and his/her family. I pray for them daily, but I wanted to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">enlist</span> some of my prayer warriors on this also! Thank you so much!!</div><div>Love you all!!!!</div></div>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-40507814668683275162011-06-30T14:39:00.000-07:002011-06-30T14:46:04.940-07:00June 30, 2011<div>I had an appointment with one of the Transplant Dr's yesterday. Apparently you have to have an appointment with them all so that they know who you are. Or so that they can meet you.</div><div> </div><div>Anyway it went really well. Dr. Delgado was his name and he was very nice. He told me that he knows that they have been telling me for a while now that it should not be long for my transplant, but that now that I am at a status 1B, that it should be soon.</div><div> </div><div>After my blood work he said that I was a little anemic, and that I was a little malnourished, so we may start me on iron pills tomorrow when I see my regular <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">dr</span>., and that I needed to get some more protein. So I am once again drinking protein shakes.</div><div>He said that nothing was to bad that it would affect me getting the transplant if one came available, but that they want to keep all of my levels as stable as they can, so that I can recover quicker and easier from the surgery.</div><div> </div><div>So please pray that the surgery is soon, however I still want it to be on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">LORD's</span> timing. HE KNOWS BEST!!</div>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-39245383368408989062011-06-22T12:03:00.001-07:002011-06-23T12:59:37.486-07:00June 22, 2011<div>So I need to make a correction, this medicine only increases my status to a 1B, sorry for the wrong information.</div><div> </div><div>I am doing well, I feel like I have a lot more energy in this medication. </div><div>I went to the hospital today to meet with the Heart Exchange for our support group, and I also went to the 14th floor where I was at and visited with my nurses. I love seeing them, and not having to make them work. They were all so amazed to see me up and moving around.</div><div> </div><div>On another note, it has been so dry everywhere, as you all know. So I wanted to just THANK the LORD for anwered prayers and sending us some much needed rain. GOD is so faithful, I am so thankful to have him in my life. He is an awesome FATHER!!!</div><div> </div><div>Please keep my reiend Sarah in your prayers as she will be having surgery this next Monday!!</div><div>Thank you for all your continued Prayers!</div>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-1176674471291371322011-06-16T20:39:00.000-07:002011-06-22T11:58:05.254-07:00June 16, 2011<div>I got to come home yesterday, and I am so glad to be back. </div><div>I have realized though that as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">humans</span> we are never satisfied no matter what we are asking for. I was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">wanting</span> to be home from the hospital so bad, and now that I am here I find myself complaining because I am at home all day by myself.</div><div> </div><div>Since I can't drive that leaves me stuck.</div><div> </div><div>Why can't we be happy with what little blessings he gives us. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">was</span> praying as was everyone else that I would go home and He made that happen. (Albeit, with an IV pump) but I am home. Yet I still complain.</div><div> </div><div>I think this is because we are meant to be somewhere else, and even though I love my family and friends dearly, and I thank GOD for every day that he allows me to wake up. I am ready to be in that place that I was created for, where I won't want for anything more than to just be in his presence and worship him for eternity.</div><div> </div><div>Thank you for all of the prayers while I was in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">the</span> hospital, I know that they are what got me home..</div><div>Please continue to pray that in his timing (hopefully soon) I will get the call for my transplant.</div><div> </div><div>Love you all!! night</div><div> </div>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-34683345197780272702011-06-15T12:22:00.000-07:002011-06-22T11:58:05.259-07:00June 15, 2011<div>Well the picc line is in. It got put in this morning around 9:30. Was not fun, but it is done and now I get to look forward to going home today.</div><div> </div><div>I was not able to get any meds to help calm my nerves, and while it was being put in I started getting really nervous, so I remembered the verse that I posted on here the other day about Elisha and how he prayed for GOD to open his servants eyes. </div><div>So while I was laying there that is what I asked for, and I can tell you from that point it seemed to be so much easier. I knew that his warriors were here with me, and it gave me a sense of peace.</div><div> </div><div>I should be going home today, just waiting for the discharge papers and the nurse with Critical care to come and train me on how to care for this line.</div><div> </div><div>I will update you all later and let you know when I make it home.</div><div>Thank you for all the prayers and please continue them</div>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-50262852666670333082011-06-14T18:53:00.000-07:002011-06-22T11:58:05.269-07:00June 14, 2011<div>Today is mine and Travis's 14th anniversary...it feels like it was just yesterday and at the same time like we have lived a lifetime of challenges.</div><div> </div><div>The insurance approved me going home on the medicine, so tomorrow they are putting in the pic line, and then they will send me home on the medicine.</div><div> </div><div>This will also increase my status to 1A, so that is one more thing that I am glad about.</div><div>Thank you for all of your prayers, please continue with them, I can always use them.</div><div> </div><div>Thank you all!!!</div>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-44960589584006822902011-06-13T12:21:00.000-07:002011-06-22T11:58:05.276-07:00June 13, 2011<div>I am <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">waiting</span> to see the doctor today, he was supposed to see if the insurance would approve me going home with the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">primacor</span> IV pump. I told me that he would submit it today. </div><div> </div><div>So once again I am just waiting. </div><div> </div><div>I am ready to go home..I know that if they approve it, then I will be here for at least one more day. They will have to place a pic line and then get Home Health set up, and also teach me how to flush the line.</div><div> </div><div>I was also told that if I go home with the medicine then I am not going to be allowed to drive again. So there will be restrictions with this, and also inconveniences, but it makes me feel better, so I think that is what I am looking towards. Remember this is only until I get the call saying that they have a new heart for me.</div><div> </div><div>Please pray for an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">answer</span> to all of this soon, I am so tired of waiting...it seems never ending. </div><div>I will update as soon as I hear something.</div><div>Thanks for all of your prayers.</div>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-6417944912814161642011-06-10T19:10:00.000-07:002011-06-10T19:51:48.016-07:00July 10, 2011<div>Well they took me off of the Primacor yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, and put me back on it this morning.</div><div> </div><div>My Dr. came in a few minutes ago and said that he can clearly see a huge difference in being on the meds and not being on them.</div><div> </div><div>I want him to let me go home on the meds on an IV pump. Dr Kar has hesitations with this. It has been known to cause VT's Ventricular Tachycardia, which is what made me get shocked last summer. So I completely understand his reservations, however I told him that I think I would rather risk going home on the medicine, than to go home and continue to feel bad.</div><div>So he told me that he is going to have them run another test tomorrow, and then present it to the insurance company, and if they approve it, then he will let me go home onit..</div><div> </div><div>If I go home on the IV pump then I have to have home health come in and change the bags of medicine..so they will have to get all of theat set up also.</div><div> </div><div>I had a lady from the church come and see me today and she read to me scripture that I wanted to share, I have read this recently, however it was good to be reminded that even though we can't "see" them, we are surrounded by the LORD's warriors and Angels taking care of us and ready to fight for us when it is time..</div><div> </div><div>2 Kings 6:15-17</div><div> </div><div>When the servent of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. </div><div>"Oh, my LORD, what shall we do?" the servant asked.</div><div>"Don't be afriad," the prophet answered. </div><div>"Those who are with us are more than those who are against us."</div><div>and Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so that he may see," Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>also here is a verse that I have held on to lately, concerning what we see and do not see and still having faith in the unseen.</div><div> </div><div>John 20: 24-29</div><div> </div><div>Now Thomas, one of the twelve, was not wit the disciples when JESUS came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the LORD!"</div><div>But he said, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believeit."</div><div>A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, JESUS came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."</div><div>Thomas said to him, "My LORD and My GOD!"</div><div>Then JESUS told him, "Because you have seen me , you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet they have believed."</div><div> </div><div>Please pray that the right decision is made regarding going home on the meds, I know that I want to, but I do not want it to be the wrong decision. </div><div>Thank you for all of your continued prayers.</div><div> </div>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-46984529420219485562011-06-06T19:23:00.000-07:002011-06-10T19:51:48.021-07:00June 6, 2011<div>My Dr admitted me to the hospital today. </div><div> </div><div>He started me on Milrinone, which is a medicine that helps the heart function. </div><div>He said that this medicine has been known to make someone feel better for about 2-3 weeks after a few days of it. </div><div>So I will be on it for a few days and see how I do, and then possibly go home. If I continue to feel bad, after those weeks then he said that he may put me on the medicine with a pump so that I can be on it at home also. So we will see how all of this plays out.</div><div> </div><div>Thank you for all the prayers. I will keep you all posted.</div>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-767377937400430492011-06-04T16:00:00.000-07:002011-06-10T19:51:48.027-07:00June 4,2011<div>Well hello again. </div><div>I think this is a record, tow posts in a week...wow..maybe I can keep up with it!! We will see.</div><div> </div><div>I went to the doctor yesterday. I had called them on Tuesday letting them know that I was not feeling well, and they had me take extra diuretics on Tuesday and Wednesday. I was still not feeling well by Thursday so they told me to come in on Friday, and I did..</div><div> </div><div>My doctor thinks that I got heat exhaustion this past weekend when I went camping, he said that it takes me longer to get back to feeling better after I feel bad, and that sometimes it may not get any better. So if I still am feeling the same come Monday I have to let them know, and he said that he may admit me into the hospital, and put me on a drip. </div><div> </div><div>Not saying that I want to be in the hospital, but if they are going to put me in there, this would be a good time as my kids finished school this past Wednesday and they are not home with us. So we would not have to have the worry of who is going to watch them while I am in the hospital. Also there is a possibility that the drip he puts me on could increase my status. But we will see.. lets not get ahead of ourselves here.</div><div> </div><div>So I still feel the same as I did this week, if I continue to feel this way I will let him know.</div><div>I went to bed yesterday when I got home at 4 from the dr and did not get up really until this morning around 8:30, you would think all that rest would make a difference, but no...never fails.</div><div> </div><div>I will keep you posted, I will know more on Monday.</div><div>Thanks again for all of the prayers!!</div>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-68987432862607265502011-05-31T22:43:00.000-07:002011-05-31T23:18:07.281-07:00May 31,2011<div>Well we had a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">ggod</span> Memorial Weekend. </div><div>Thank you to all those who make it possible for us to enjoy family and fun.</div><div> </div><div>We were able to go camping this weekend with some of our friends from Travis's work, and a few others that we know. It was wonderful to see everyone!!!!</div><div> </div><div>It went really well. I did have one day, I believe that it was on Saturday that I got to hot. (The main <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">braker</span> to all of our campers kept tripping) so it was hard for me to cool down. I felt like I was going to faint, but one of our friends campers was still cool, so they got me in there and I laid down for a little while and I got better. </div><div>The next day though it just wiped me out from the day before. I slept until noon and then was only up for 2 hours and went back to bed and slept until 5:30, at which point I had enough energy to stay up with everyone until 10. Then I went back to bed for the night.</div><div> </div><div>It always seems that when I have a really bad day the next few days tend to just be non existent, because I sleep them away.</div><div>But all in all it was a good time away for a few days, I am glad that we were able to join everyone!</div><div> </div><div>I told you all in a few posts ago that I was going to be joining the Heart Exchange Group at St.<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lukes</span> Hospital here in Houston. Well tomorrow is the second step in that process. I have to go and have the orientation, and my health screening and then I will be official on Friday!!!!</div><div>I am so excited that I am going to be able to help others!!</div><div> </div><div>I have a friend that is a daughter of a friend, and her name is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jina</span>, and she is great at helping others through her blog ministry. She is the daughter of a friend of mine Jenny <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dunmire</span>, and she used to go to the same church as I did up until she moved.. I really miss her.</div><div>Anyway her daughter <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jina</span> has a blog that is called Meals in the Mail, and she features certain families each <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">mont</span> on her blog. This month she has featured my family and another family in Dallas. The Lord has granted her with a wonderful gift and I am so glad that I have gotten to know her. I hope that she and her family are so blessed by GOD!!!</div><div>If you want to check out her blog here is the website. </div><div><a href="http://www.cookingupfaith.com">www.cookingupfaith.com</a></div><div> </div><div>I hope that you have time to check out her blog. She always has exactly what I need for that day on there..</div><div> </div><div>So as far as my health, everything is still the same, we continue to WAIT..Knowing in FAITH that HE knows when is best for me!!!!</div><div>Please check it out and read the blog that is from Sunday May 29, called The story behind the bowl! I hope that I can try to continue to remember what her pastor is saying ALL the time!!!</div><div> </div><div>Well I guess I need to try and go back to bed..early morning. I will update again soon!!</div><div>Thank you for all of your prayers!!</div>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-86640382208320861302011-05-20T19:12:00.000-07:002011-05-31T23:18:07.285-07:00May 20, 2011<div>Well I had another appointment today. </div><div>I had to check in at 7:45, so I left the house this morning at 6:15, so that I could get starbucks for me and Wendy.. That always helps on an early morning right?? </div><div>Anyway it was a really early morning, and Wendy and her son Maddox took me, thank you so much Wendy!!</div><div> </div><div>Everything went well, He said that I am as good as I can be right now. I have not been sleeping well though, and they had told me to take some benadryl to help. I was and now it is not working, so he actually gave me some insomnia medicine!! YAY!!! maybe getting some good sleep will help the way I feel during the day.</div><div> </div><div>I have joined the Heart Exchange group at the hospital, and I love it!!! They have really helped me, and I am now joining the Auxillary at the hospital, and I am going to be on the Board for the Heart Exchange group</div>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-27638148597876995072011-05-09T14:33:00.000-07:002011-05-20T19:40:13.205-07:00May 9, 2011<div><div>I know that it has been a while since I posted anything.. So let me first say that I am sorry once again for the long pause.</div><div> </div><div>I have been doing well!!!! I have had more energy since I got out of the hospital. You would think that, that would result in more frequent posts, however I have stayed busy and really as far as my health has been concerned there have been no changes. We continue to wait for the call that tells us that they have a new heart f0r me, and in the meantime try and keep me feeling as well as I can and hopefully out of the hospital. Right now that is all that they can do.</div><div> </div><div>I was given a pass for the weekend to go (home) to East Texas from my doctor. As long as I kept my pager and phone with me at all times. Well the call did not come, so we were able to spend the weekend with friends and family. It has been 6 months since we have been able to go home, and if you know Travis and I at all you know that that is a LONG TIME!!!!!</div><div> </div><div>We had a great time!!!! During the weekend I KNEW that I needed to stop going and chill for a bit, but I kept on pushing. So today when I had my checkup I got in trouble....I had extra fluid retention, and they could tell that I was run down. I was told to stop, and rest....they were not happy with me today.. they also asked me what I was going to do with the kids during the summer. She said that I needed to make a plan, because they only have 3 full weeks left of school. She said that I could not have the kids here everyday by myself. So even though I am feeling OK at the moment I am having to make arrangements for my kids during the summer.. Most families look forward to having summer vacations, and here I am being told that I can't keep my kids. How sad...right.</div><div> </div><div>On the other hand maybe with the kids taken care of GOD will give us a heart!!!! Even though I have felt a little better, I can feel myself continue to get a little worse. It is hard to explain. I can just tell.</div><div> </div><div>Anyway that is really all that is going on in our household right now.. I love you all and thank you for all of the continued prayers. I go back to the doctor on the 20Th of this month. They have me alternating with the Nurse Practitioner, and my Cardiologist every other week, so I am seen by someone every two weeks... what fun!!! I know that the Lord has a plan in all of this, and I am continuing to trust in HIM!!!!!</div></div>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-26139210960256021102011-04-06T17:18:00.000-07:002011-04-06T18:57:26.302-07:00FREEDOM!!!!!!!Well I got out of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hospital</span> last night on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">April</span> 5, at about 7:45.. Thank goodness, I had been there since the two Fridays before. A total of 11 days. I believe that was enough!! I went in to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hospital</span> because I was having some pain and discomfort in my chest. They wound up keeping me and doing a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Right</span> Heart <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Catheterization</span> on this past Thursday to check to see if my pressures were high bad enough to go ahead and place my status higher on the Transplant list. If you have been following my story you will know that for me this is what I was praying for, because I am tired of feeling the way I have been feeling!! So we had everyone pray that they would say that we could proceed in that way. Well little did I know that that is not what God's plan is for me right now! So let me back up a little before I continue my hospital story. A few weeks ago as you all know I was in a PIT... I was utterly and completely done with the way I have been feeling. I wanted them to call and tell me that it was time for me to go in and have my transplant, I was even <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span> with having to stay at the hospital until it happened. WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!! I was reading some books while I was in the hospital and I came across something that really HIT me like a ton of bricks. "The enemy doubles his efforts when a break through is right around the corner." How true this is, I know now looking back that the enemy was using everything and anything to make me feel depressed, anxiety, mad, overwhelmed and just plain DONE!!! Regardless of what GOD wanted, I wanted what I wanted , when I wanted it!!! So back to the hospital, I was there a total of 11 days, in that time I had a total of 5 room mates. 4 of them were old women, and they all seemed pretty nice, one was just plain loud and obnoxious, but that is not what I wanted to tell you. My fourth roommate came the same day that I had my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Catheterization</span> done. I got back in my room at about 6-6:30. I thought that I would have the room to myself that night, which I was glad for because the night before was when I had the loud <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">roommate</span>, and needless to say I got NO sleep. At around 12:30 that night they brought in a new roommate, I thought ( you have to be kidding me ) I was so tired from the last 3 nights of roommates, but man does GOD work in wonderful and miraculous ways!!! The lady sounded so young, so when everyone left I prayed and GOD gave me the courage to ask through the curtain how old she was. The following was our conversation!! "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Ma am</span> I am sorry to bother you,but do you mind if I ask how old you are?" "sure, I am 31." "Really I am 32" "Wow really" "Yes, can I ask why you are here" As you all know being as young as we are we should not be in the cardiology floor!! "I have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cardiomyopathy</span>." "Really, I have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cardiomyopathy</span>!" "OH my goodness, that is weird." So on and on we go! How cool is it that GOD put a young lady in the same room with me that was my same age and also had the same sort of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">disease</span> that I do!!!!!!!! Do you all remember way earlier when I talked about not having anyone to talk to that was going through the same stuff that I was and how it would be nice to have that, she struggles with the same thing!! Any way we became friends and have kept in touch and will continue too!!! She just had a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">defibrillator</span> put in, that was what she had done that day. I am so thankful that GOD has given me another friend to add to my growing list!!! So that was Friday when she left, and I was there until the following Tuesday, because they were trying to get my blood levels <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">therapeutic</span> again....finally I could go home. I am still at a status 2 on the Transplant list, and they added another med to my med list. It has made a pretty big difference in the way that I feel. So that is wonderful. I actually hope that it not be too terribly soon that I have the transplant, cause I am feeling so much better for right now. I am good waiting on GOD!!!!! So that is what I am doing. I have talked to my doctor, and me and my new friend Jill are going to be starting a support group for young adults with Heart Failure, this is something that we both were looking for, and there are support groups out there, but they are all old people, and it is just completely different when there is that much of an age difference. When I mentioned this to my doctor, he was so excited and told me that he would help us!!!! I know that God kept me at the hospital for this reason!!!! I have been thinking and praying about this for a while now, and I am sure that this is what He is pushing me to do. I also know that HE will follow us in this journey!!! Thank you all for the prayers while I was in the hospital!!!! I know the plans I have for you" declares <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">the</span> LORD..plans to give you a hope and a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">future</span>, and not to harm you" Jeremiah 29:11 "I have told you these things, so that in me , you may have peace. In this world you will have troubles, but take heart, I have overcome the World!!!! John 16:33 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight! Proverbs 3:5-6Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-31849158438554359022011-03-27T20:39:00.001-07:002011-03-27T20:56:15.397-07:00March 27, 2011I am sad to report (well not all sad) that I was admitted to the hospital on March 26, at 2:15 am. I was having some chest discomfort and pain, so I called teh on call dr, (who knows me and my case) and he told me to come in to the ER. I got to the ER and they checked me out, they said that they did not see anything specific that would be causing the feelins that I was having. They did tell me that my potassium was a little low.. and that I had a little fluid build up again. They got me a room at about 5 in the morning, and that is where I am currently at. St. Lukes Episcopal Hospital at the Med Center in Houston, TX room 625. I have seen my dr twice, and I have been told that my case is such an unusual case that they may have to play with some numbers to get me to a point so that they can go ahead and increase my status on the list. So we may be having to have a heart cath done at some point so that he can check my pressures and see where we stand. He said that he knows that I am tired all the time.....it shows on my monitor that they have me on all the time..(if I get up to do anything my rate goes way up) they are constantly asking if I am ok. He also said that we need to try and get me transplanted soon. I know that I have told you all that this is what I want. That I am tired of all the ups and downs, and changing of plans, and even as I sit here in the hospital, that has not changed one bit! However I will also say that I am scared. This is a major surgery, and something that one would not think at any point in their life that they would have to go thru. But I know that this is the season, and the path that GOD has chosen for ME. He knew that thru HIM I would be able to handle this, and I know that he has plans for after the surgery to use this season to further HIS KINGDOM!!!!!! I pray that with all of this going on that I am able to continue to let HIS light shine thru me, and that everyone that I come in contact with will see the difference is in me because of a LOVING FATHER that I have!!!!! Thank you all for continuing to follow my story, and I pray for you all as well. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:4-6 I will post more later!!Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-10136776022026517272011-03-21T19:34:00.000-07:002011-03-21T20:21:30.381-07:00March 21, 2011I am sorry that it has taken me until now to update everyone from my appointment that I had on Friday.<br />My friend Dani took me to my check-up that I had in the Woodlands, and while I was there, I talked to the other dr's office and they wanted me to come there as soon as I was done in the Woodlands, due to my fluid levels.<br />Everything went well at the appointment at the Woodlands, and then we trucked down to the Med Center. (while she had her two young kids with her, I felt so sorry for them.)<br />They dropped me off, and then they went to go to the zoo, or do something that would keep the kids occupied.<br />I went in and started with blood work, vitals, and then waited to see the dr.. He came in and after checking me out, he said that he wanted me to take 40mg of my diuretic on Friday and Saturday, and then go back to my regular dose on Sunday. Then he wanted me to call and give them my weight on Monday, and they would decide what to do from there.<br />He said if they could not get the fluid to stay off that they would have to put me on an IV drip, and if they did have to do this that they would be increasing my status.<br /><br />Needless to say I had a lot of different emotions about this. Scared, worried, excited, anxious, etc..<br />Then this morning I call the office and tell them that my weight is still up by 3lbs.<br />The nurse tells me that they are going to increase my diuretic to the 40mg every day. Then I told them that I have mucas in my lungs..to which she said that she thinks that it is from allergies, except I do not have allergies. No sore throat, no runy nose, no cough...but I do have mucas. oh well..<br /><br />So I have been very, very, frustrated. ever since I talked to them. The nurse is supposed to talk to the dr and call me back, (which will probably be tomorrow) because I told them that I wanted to go ahead and be moved up on the list even if that means I have to stay in the hospital.<br />I am so tired of all of this up and down with meds, and back and forth with decisions. I know that this is a season, but at this moment I am not able to say that it is ok. I feel like I am at my limit...I do not know how much more of all of this I can take..please pray that I have the strength to get out of my poor little me pit!!!!<br /><br />This past Sunday our sermon was about changing lives, and how we should be different from what we were before we accepted Christ.<br />Tommy also talked about how we always say that we are different when we come to church and worship and listen to the sermon, and then on Monday when we get back to our normal life we tend to inch our way back to that old person that we used to be. Well today I feel more like the person before, because of my lack of strength to handle this. I know that I have only been on the list for almost 5 months, but I have been dealing with this disease since July of 2008, and I am just pure tired.<br />So as I type this I am trying to come back to the ME that I know I am through CHRIST, and trust him that his timing is better than mine.<br /><br />I was texting my dear friend Wendy today when I was more upset, and this is what she told me.<br />"It is so much better in God's timing , sweet friend. I have learned that it is better to let it happen organically. I am praying that you have peace with your current situation and acceptance of this place that the Lord has you in. It is tough, but he chose you!! You have the strength, because He has gifted it to you!! Hang in there and fight the good fight!"<br /><br />I am asking that you all pray this for me, as I need it. I know that God gave my sweet friend these words, because they definately helped me at that moment.. I love you Wendy!!! Praise GOD for you!! He has answered my prayer far beyond what I ever thought I could have through your friendship!!<br /><br />Until I know more, thank you for the prayers!!!Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-51285147852350220382011-03-17T11:32:00.000-07:002011-03-17T11:42:20.591-07:00March 17, 2011So it is Spring Break at the Parker house, and that means that it is quiet, and lonely!!!! The kids are gone to the grandparents houses for their break, they have not been there since the beginning of Decemer, so they were wanting to go up there and visit everyone!!<br /><br />I am thankful to not have to worry about them this week, however with Travis at work everyday, it is, like I said really quiet and londely!!<br /><br />I have still been playing yoyo with my diuretic meds, and I am still talking to my nurses daily to see how much I weigh and how I am feeling. I am waiting on a call back today to tell me if they want to change anything or keep it the same. I can't seem to get all of the fluid off, I flucuate between 3-5lbs over my actual weight. I am going tomorrow to a regular check-up with my dr that inplanted my defibrilator. They will check to make sure that all of the leads are still in place, and they will interrogate the device so that they can see what all my heart has been doing.<br />This appointment is in the woodlands, and I have to be there at 9, so my friend Dani is picking me up at 7:45 to head over that way.<br /><br />I will update when I know more, for now not much has changed.<br />Thank you all for your prayers, and constant support while we continue to WAIT!!!!!Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-52010967137753710172011-03-07T11:09:00.000-08:002011-03-07T11:23:27.102-08:00March 7, 2011I went to the dr last Friday, and they said that the new diuretic that they had me take is helping with getting the fluid to come off. The new diuretic is Tursomide, it is like the lasix that I was already taken just more potent. So they discontinued my lasix<br /><br /><br /><br />When I called them on Thursday, I was up by about 4 & 1/2 lbs, by friday morning I had lost almost 6.<br /><br />So this was good.. We need to try and keep it off.<br /><br />My Dr said that (as you all know) he has been hesitant with me because of my age and going ahead with the transplant. But obviously we had to make a choice this past fall and th only allowed to me after testing was a transplant. I could not get the pump due to a leaking valve.<br /><br />As of Friday he has said that with me continuing to retain fluid, he is ready for a good heart to come so that we can move forward!!!! This is nice to hear..even though I know that I am on the list and waiting, hearingmy dr say that he also is now at a point that he feels he is ready is a good thing to me.<br /><br />Today the nurse called to check on my weight and see how I am doing, and I am up by 3lbs. So she talked with my other nurse and then called me back and told me to take 20mg of this medicine and call her tomorrow to let her know how my weight is and how I am feeling. She said that they really want to keep an eye on me due to the fact that this medicine is more potent.<br /><br />So that is the update as of now. I will continue to let you know when and what changes.<br />Thank you again for the prayers.Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-18088976411232523422011-03-03T12:00:00.000-08:002011-03-03T12:33:02.900-08:00March 3, 2011We have a busy weekend ahead of us, well the kids and Travis do anyway...I am sure that I will be pretty still..<br />My mom was supposed to come in tomorrow, because Travis is going to be going with a freind of ours to their river house to install all of their wiring. However she called this morning and one of her friends passed away this morning and she said that she would be going to Iowa.<br /><br />In the meantime I was trying to make sure that I had someone that I could stay with, and somewhere for the kids to be, so the kids have sleepovers both nights. I will be staying with my friend Vicki...<br /><br />SOOOO...then my dr calls me and tells me that they want me to go ahead and come in tomorrow for my visit, instead of waiting until next Friday. They are also calling in some different diuretics for me to take tonight before I go in tomorrow. So I think it will be a long night of restroom breaks!!!! <br /><br />I believe that my mother will be going ahead and coming in to town to do our laundry and all, she said since they are making me go ahead and come in she wanted to go ahead and come down here. What a day of decisions it has been.<br /><br />I will update everyone on what the Dr. says tomorrow.<br />Until then please pray that I have the strength to continue with all of these ups and downs!!!! <br />Thanks in advance for your continued prayers!!Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-58731133014646503162011-02-26T08:39:00.000-08:002011-02-26T09:12:10.907-08:00Another ChangeAs I right this blog I am sitting on the couch in my house all by myself. Today is Travis' birthday and he had to WORK.....I really did not want him to, but his company bought out another company and they are having to do inventory on all their stuff.<br />What a birthday right?? Happy Birthday to Travis!!!!<br />I am so thankful that 34 years ago today this world was blessed with your presence and that God knew I would need YOU to help me through life! I love you more than you know!!!!<br /><br />Any way, I had my appointment yesterday, and it went well. As I told you I have been having headaches, pain, tightness....etc.. <br />The Dr. said that I have fluid build up again and that we need to get it off. So he is increasing my lasix and Aldactone to double, and then he is wanting me to increase my Coureg on Monday, hoping that this will help my headaches.<br />If I continue to feel bad or if I get worse I have to call him..as of right now I have lost about 1/2 a pound of the 4 1/2 that I had extra as of yesterday. Until then I continue with the meds, and I go back to see him in 2 weeks.<br /><br /><div align="justify">So there is another change in meds, and we continue to wait for the call with the new heart. Does that not sound strange to you?? It does to me... I never in a million years would have thought that I would be praying for a new heart when I was 32. God sure has a way of using the weirdest of circumstances to give Glory to Him!!! Which I am so thankful for!!!</div><div align="justify">I could not handle all of my (changes) and waiting for the new heart if I were not trusting in HIS WILL and TIMING!!!!!!</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Thank you again for all of the prayers!!!</div>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-54558752542354377652011-02-24T14:03:00.000-08:002011-02-24T14:51:38.519-08:00Up coming Dr. app!Well I will be going to the dr. tomorrow if I can stay out of the hospital until then!!!! <br />My dr. has been out of town this past week. I do not know about any of you who have dr's that you see on a regular basis, but for me I do not like seeing anyone but MY dr. I am not sure why this is, but I prefer to see him and my normal nurses!!<br />Maybe it is because they know me and my situation better than the others, and I know them. I just know that it is much more of a comfort to me to see Dr. Kar, and Maria....versus someone else..<br />Anyway as I told you in my last post I have not felt so great this week. I talked to my nurse yeaterday, because my as my weight had come down by 2lbs, I still had 2 extra lbs I needed to get rid of, so they had me take an extra of my lasix and of my other diuretic. As of yesterday around 4 in the afternoon I started having a feeling of tightness in my chest, it was not pain per say, but like someone was sqeezing me when I would take a deep breath. So I called them back and told them this. They told me that I should have started feeling better from taking the medicine, and to keep an eye on the pain. If it got worse to go to the ER, if it did not get worse and went away then just to call and let them know how my weight was today.<br />I got up around 11:30 today, and my weight was down an extra 1/2lb, so I still have about a lb and a 1/2 that is still there. They told me not to take any more of the extra meds, and to go in tomorrow, which I am already scheduled for.<br /><br />Once again it is the eve before another app. For some reason I get a little anxious before I go to my apps. This all has been, and I am sure will continue to be a roller coaster of emotions!!!<br />Being the one that has to indure all of the pokes and tests, and whatever else that they decide to do, is hard.<br />But on the other hand I can not imagine what my kids and my husband and family and friends are feeling being on the other side of all of this.<br />I am sure that it is hard especially when you want to help and do not know what to do... I can understand that!!!! I have been there before!!!<br /><br />So I for myself meditate on the scripture below!!<br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">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. Phillipians 4:6-7</span><br /><br />And for my kids, Travis, family, and friends this is the verse for you all!!<br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Prais be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God!!!! 2 Corinthians 1:3-4</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">I hope and pray that the comfort that the Lord has shown me through all of you I am able to return it in some way!!!</span><br />I will let you know how the appointment goes!!!<br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781393754513655500.post-49300170643144991972011-02-22T18:49:00.000-08:002011-02-22T19:17:20.680-08:00I have had a not so great week as far as how I have been feeling. I have had a great week with all of my friends that faithfully support me, emotionally and physically. They all selflessly give of their time to sit with me, whether it be here at my house or with them at theirs.<br />I can not, and do not kow if there are even enough words to express what this means to me. I just pray and ask that some day you are all shown the same kindness and love that you have all shown to me!!!!<br /><br />I got in trouble the other day from Travis. I had told him that my headaches have returned. He asked me if I had contacted the dr and told him of this and I told him no I had not. Well that was not what he wanted to hear. So the next morning (Monday) I called the office and talked to the nurse. They told me to continue taking tylenol, and to let her know if my weight goes up or anything else changes....so last night after I tried for the first time in 2 months to go to Bunco, I got home and I was having a pain when I would take deep breaths. Needless to say this morning when I weighed myself I was up 4lbs from yesterday. So once again that prompts another call to the dr office. My dr is out of town until Thursday, however the nurse is going to talk to the other dr that will be in, in the morning and call me back...I really get so tired of having to say that something else has changed, calling the dr, and just going through the whole process.<br /><br />On another note, I have been reading Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman. WOW what a heart wrenching, but Amazing book!!!!!! It is awesome to see how they were wonderful stewards of the LOVE of CHRIST during the circumstances that Satan tried to use to tear them apart.<br />I can only pray that this is somehow what my circumstances will bring about. I pray daily that I continue to look to HIS face, and not be drawn in by all of the "changes" that I have going on. <br />This is not something that is easily done, but it is something that I choose to do daily. I know that with GOD helping me his light will shine through at least some of the time!!!<br /><br />I will leave with a few verses thatI read in the book.<br /><br />Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.<br />1 Corinthians 4:2<br /><br />The theif comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10<br /><br />I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world! John 16:33Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09997452702131224351noreply@blogger.com1