Sunday, November 15, 2009

Tennessee in the Fall!

While in TN, Mom and I played tourists! The fall foliage is gorgeous!



Notice all the leaves on the sidewalk. Time to rake!



Brings back happy memories!



Walking through the leaves.


Happy memories of jumping in leaf piles and shuffling through the leaves as you walk.



Would you like to join me for a picnic?



I thought these were pretty buds!



Bench in front of big tree vs. Bench in front of a stump. No tree to sit under, but a concrete bench.



Carter House




I didn't know Douglas MacArthur's (WWII General) father, Arthur MacArthur (Civil War Major) was also a military man.








Cannon with wall built in front of it.



During the Civil War, at the Battle at Franklin aka "The Gettysburg of the West," there is a farm office known as the most bullet-damaged building that remains standing from the Civil War. This is at the Carter House.



The evidence of this battle remains with over 1,000 bullet holes remaining on the farm office.




Front of the Carter House. The brick home was commandeered to be used as the Federal Command Post while the Carter family, Lotz family, and another neighboring family, took refuge in the cellar.







A boot scraper built onto the front porch. I had fun "scraping my boots!"



When the Lotz family awakened on the morning of November 30, they found the main Union Line had been established approximately 100 yards south of their home. Mr. Lotz feared that his family, his wife Margaretha, his sons Paul and Augustus and daughter Matilda would not survive the battle in their “wooden plank house.” They sought refuge in the brick basement of the Carter House, a home across the street.

The Lotz house served as a hospital for the wounded soldiers on both sides until the following summer. To this day, one can step into the Lotz House and see numerous blood stains in all of the rooms.

During the battle a solid shot cannon ball crashed through the roof, smashing into the floor of an upstairs bedroom and down to the first floor. The large repaired patch made by Mr. Lotz remains in the second floor. And on the first floor where the cannonball finally came to rest you can clearly see where the hot lead ball first hit, burning the floor as it rolled.



My Uncle Bert is the Executive Director for Every Nations Ministries. At his church--Bethel World Outreach, they had many flags. I was stoked to see the Ukrainian flag!



Old friends! Traci and I met at Eberwhite Elementary school, in Ann Arbor, MI. Catching up with Traci was fabulous!





Outside of The Factory, Franklin, TN.


Surprisingly, the chair was comfortable.



Big Chair! I wonder if this is what a two year old feels like. And then we give them a phone book to sit on, so everything must be better, right!? I should seriously do a proportion study! I love math!










These are the stoves that The Factory in Franklin, TN, used to produce. It is now a bunch of fun shops, restaurants, and boutiques, including By the Brooke, which Mom's cousin, Brooke, owns.





My understanding is that the Santa Fe Diner in Santa Fe, TN has amazing Catfish Fry on Friday nights. Mom and I went on a lunch date--the food is good and cheap. I discovered that I love a cucumber salad they make, and we have now made it here at home!

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Road Trip!

Last Tuesday, Mom and I took a 15-hour road trip. As some people say, we flew low, on four wheels. I slept a good part of the drive; due to my health, I do not drive. Mom took us straight to Franklin, TN. We left at 5:49 AM, stopped twice for gas, and once for dinner. Arrival time 10:08PM. During our drive we listened to "Crazy Love" and "Screwtape Letters."



Anyone for a picnic? Nashville/Franklin, TN is beautiful!

Vanderbilt University is known for their work in pheochromocytoma. Because the doctors in San Antonio are giving us non-conclusive results, we came to Nashville, TN, to see about a possible pheo. Wednesday, the first appointment, felt like a very LONG interview and then a few things were checked. The doctor ordered blood work, but the lab was not able to run it, on the same day.



I spent time on the 8th floor of the South Tower. This picture is taken in front of a sign for the North Tower--hence there is nothing on the 8th floor.

Thursday morning, back to the 8th floor at Vanderbilt to have two hours of blood work ran. I was given an IV, tubes of blood were drawn and placed on ice, a saline solution was used multiple times to clean out the IV thing, hormones were injected, more blood was drawn, I laid down in a dark room, but could NOT sleep or talk, more blood was drawn, sat around waiting for different time intervals, and more blood was drawn. I am thankful for a wonderful lab tech and that my Mommy was there to hold my hand and talk happy thoughts to me the entire time.



My favourite part about Vanderbilt Medical is the free valet parking. What a smart idea! Now we just need to get UTHSC in the loop!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Another week gone by...

Last Tuesday: The nurse called with very non-conclusive results concerning the I-123 mIBG scan. We are still praying for a clear diagnosis. Please also pray that experienced eyes look at the scans.

Wednesday: I went to the doctor and had more blood work. I have a nice bruise now.



I spend a lot of time with my Mom. These are a couple pictures of us in our favourite spots (the doctor--hahah!) these days. Notice the binder Mom is holding--that's all my blood work, scans, etc. since 1 Sept 2009! It is important to keep very good records in trying to find a diagnosis!



A typical yummy lunch! Tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, avocado, Wasa, and Laughing Cow!



Boo! My friend, Sara, brought me a special surprise! My favourite cookie, from the bakery! :)

Sunday, October 25, 2009

What is the goal of love?

I was discussing the following quote, with a friend of mine.

"A Father's love crucifies.
A loving son lets himself be crucified.
Crucified love means you cannot be equal."

Otets i syn aka "Father and Son" (2003)

The third part of this statement bothers me; I do not believe that the goal of love is equality.

Random information: mIBG scan is short for metaiodobenzylguanidine scan

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Weekly Update

I figured I would give a weekly update and tell you all about my super fun scans!
  • Monday: I took the Iodine drops (3x/day) and the laxative, and was sure to eat lightly.
  • Tuesday: I continued the Iodine drops and the laxative. At 2PM I went to South TX Radiology in the Christus Santa Rosa building and was injected intravenously with a radiopharmaceutical (radioactive tracer) . I didn't even cry! I must be getting used to all these needles...ha!
  • Wednesday: I continued the Iodine drops (3x/day) and the laxative. At 2PM I went to South TX Radiology in the Christus Santa Rosa building and was scanned PLANAR (head to toe) and SPECT (around the abdomen). When scanning me, my toes were rubber banded, to keep my hips straight, and my arms were placed in a big fabric tube, to keep them at their side. The first time a mistake was made, so I was rescanned. The entire process took about 2 1/2 hours.
  • Thursday: I continued the Iodine drops (3x/day) and the laxative. At 2PM I went to South TX Radiology in the Christus Santa Rosa building and was scanned PLANAR (head to toe) and SPECT (around the abdomen). No mistakes made and this took 1.5 hours. The hardest part was laying still for such a long time! This is much easier than the MRI and required NO IV, NO holding of the breath, and NO time being stuck inside of a huge machine.
  • Friday: I continued the Iodine drops (3x/day). Since, I was feeling pretty good, I went golfing with my Dad!
  • Saturday: I continued the Iodine drops (3x/day). I went with my Mom and friend, Sara, to serve lunch at Habitat for Humanity (HFH)!
  • Sunday: I continued the Iodine drops (3x/day). This is my last day!

    At church, during the sermon, something was said that stuck out to me. The quote had to do with dying. "You cannot say, 'Here I am God, now take Fred.'" How do you think Fred feels about that? Does Fred want to be voluntarily offered instead of you?

    When you offer yourself to God, you cannot say, "Here I am God, now take (someone else)." Offering yourself, means you have offered what is yours to give; your body, your life, your career, etc. I offered myself to Gods service. I did not offer "Fred's."
As far as the I-123 MIBG scans are concerned, the radiologist should be reading them either Friday or Monday, so I should have results this week! Please pray for a clear diagnosis!

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Health Update

On Wednesday afternoon I went to the family doctor. We discussed the next steps. My blood pressure was amazing--118/72, this is unheard of at the doctor!

The first thing Dr. Senger (my family doctor) asked was, "What did the endocrinologist say? I know what my notes say, but I want to know your take." My Mom, my doctor, and I discussed what was said, and then my doctor suggested two different scans. He then went and called a radiologist to confirm which of the two exams would give more conclusive results. The three of us decided that the I-123 MIBG scan should be the next step.

I was positively impressed by a few things Dr. Senger said:
  • "I believe you and I do not think you are making up these symptoms and problems." Reassurance is a plus! (For the most part, usually, I look pretty normal on the outside, but the endocrines are not happy!)
  • "As much as you want this scan (I-123 MIBG scan) to show something, you wish none of this were going on and it was nothing." We are praying for a clear diagnosis.
  • As Dr Senger was leaving the room he said, "the mystery continues!" This made me laugh!

Today, I was able to go down to Christus Santa Rosa and check out the scanning machine and ask questions about the process. The technicians that will be doing my scans next week are fabulous--very friendly and helpful! I was able to ask any questions that I might have, and then they let me practice the scan!

I laid down in the bed and they moved the bed up, the camera around my body, and then moved the camera down inches from my head, like they will be doing on Wednesday and Thursday of next week. I am much more at ease! It's not a big mystery anymore!


The I-123 MIBG Scan is a multi-day event.
  • Monday--Start taking Iodine drops, 3/day, start taking a laxative
  • Tuesday--Continue the Iodine drops 3/day, continue the laxative, go into the appt to receive a tracer (radiopharmaceutical) that will be injected into my vein
  • Wednesday--Continue the Iodine drops and laxative, go into the appt to receive an hour to an hour in a half of scans
  • Thursday--Continue the Iodine drops and laxative, go into the appt to receive thirty minutes of scans
  • Friday--Continue the Iodine drops
  • Saturday--Continue the Iodine drops
  • Sunday--Continue the Iodine drops


Please pray for a clear diagnosis.

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Happy Birthday, Levi!

My brother celebrated his 26th birthday yesterday, and I was here to celebrate with the family! I want to share some of the highlights of this special day.
  • My friend Molly prayed over me and with me.
  • My brother wore this super cool shirt I bought for him (about 5 years ago) for absolutely no reason, other than I love him. It says "You're handsome." You can read it in the mirror.
  • My family ate dinner together (Levi's choice, of course!)--Salmon with orange sauce, green beans, wild rice, hot apple cider, and cinnamon rolls and sticky buns for dessert. He opted out on the cake. And to complete the meal, we ate off of the china, used the silver, and the linen napkins! Yay!
  • My brother apparently isn't the only person to receive cards on his birthday, I received a birthday card too. I love my Dad--he's so funny!

  • Levi's not the only person to receive presents on his birthday. I received a birthday present on his birthday too. I've been golfing with Dad recently--and instead of using Men's RH clubs, I now have Ladies LH clubs! :) So, Happy Birthday, Faith, too!

Monday, October 05, 2009

Limbo

When you're little, it's fun to play Limbo. In fact, I played Limbo with my cousins this summer! :) At 28, it's not so much fun when your life feels in limbo, although there is an exciting element of not knowing what the future holds! What great things will Jesus Christ be doing in and through my life?

"The pain you feel in your heart over the desires God has put in you [them being yet unfulfilled] is your gift from Him, because it causes you to wrestle with Him for the fulfillment of those desires." --Corey Russell

The first thing a Christian should do about anything is pray.

"If we were really convinced that prayer often changes the way God acts, and that God does bring about remarkable changes in the world in response to prayer (as Scripture repeatedly teaches that He does), then we would pray much more than we do. If we pray little, it is probably because we do not really believe that prayer accomplishes much at all." --Wayne Grudem

John 15:16--I have been appointed and chosen to bear fruit
Romans 8:28--I am assured that all things work together for good
Ephesians 2:18--I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit
Hebrews 4:16--I can find grace and mercy in time of need

What unfulfilled desires has God placed in your heart? How are you wrestling with those unfulfilled desires?

As I wrestle with unfulfilled desires and pains in my heart, I need to go to Him in prayer--convinced and believing that He will bring about remarkable changes. God is Good!

Sunday, October 04, 2009

Motivation to Succeed!

This video was shared by Dai Wysong, the headmaster at Kiev Christian Academy. I thought it was incredibly motivating--esp. during this time in my life where I have felt knocked down, once again.

"I am not concerned that you have fallen, I am concerned that you arise." Abraham Lincoln
"When you're going through hell, keep going!" Winston Churchill



Below is an email my mother shared with me.

There is a Chinese story of a farmer who used an old horse to till his fields. One day, the horse escaped into the hills and when the farmer's neighbors sympathized with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?"

A week later, the horse returned with a herd of horses from the hills and this time the neighbors congratulated the farmer on his good luck. His reply was, "Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?"

Then, when the farmer's son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone thought this very bad luck. Not the farmer, whose only reaction was, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?"

Some weeks later, the army marched into the village and conscripted every able-bodied youth they found there. When they saw the farmer's son with his broken leg, they let him off. Now was that good luck or bad luck? Who knows?

Everything that seems on the surface to be an evil may be a good in disguise. And everything that seems good on the surface may really be an evil. So we are wise when we leave it to God to decide what is good fortune and what misfortune, and thank him that all things turn out for good with those who love him.

By Anthony de Mello - Sadhana

Even a mistake may turn out to be the one thing necessary to a worthwhile achievement. - Henry Ford

Why do we feel we need to direct everything, judge everything, make all the decisions, and evaluate every consequence to insure the "proper" outcome? Why can't we realize that we don't have the perspective, the overall view, the wisdom to really know whether a consequence is good or bad? We can't know what God knows. We can't determine what is really best, but God can.

Isn't it time that we understood the truth and let God have control over our life?
When we pray doesn't it make more sense to tell God of our concerns, let Him hear our prayers of praise and our confessions, and then pray as Christ taught us---"Father, not my will but thine."