Visitors

Hi everyone! I thought I'd write another post today, since Chad doesn't have as much time as I do to post on the blog. He did such a great job when I couldn't, that I'm going to try now that I can. Things are going well here, all things considering! My headaches are much better controlled on the pain meds, which were changed at my last appointment. My sister has been here with my younger nephew, Jakey, which has been great, only hard because I can't lift him. I have a weight restriction and can't lift more than 10lbs. My friend from college, Jennifer, came to vist for the weekend, which has been great too...it's like we're freshmen in college again, only married! We went for a walk (Dr's orders) this morning through the neighborhood--what a beautiful day! I had an appointment with the oncologist this morning. Still waiting to find out the final pathology so we know whether chemo will be recommended or not. Pray that the pathology is a lower grade, so they won't recommend chemo. We would like to only have to do radiation, but will obviously do whatever gives me the best prognosis and the lowest chance of tumor recurrence! By the way, for those of you that know her, my friend Neethi gave birth last night to an adorable baby boy!

Phone Calls

To all of my friends that wonder why I don't return phone calls...please understand that before I was on anti-seizure meds, too much auditory stimuli would make me have seizures...both too much talking and too much listening. Talking on the phone really seems to bother me, so I stay off as much as possible. Know that it has nothing to do with not wanting to talk, but everything to do with not wanting to ever have another seizure! I hope you understand. As I continue to feel better, I will let you know when it is easier to be on the phone. Thank you for all of the calls and emails...right now, email is the preferred method of communication for me. Getting better each day. Still praying for no more headaches! Also, have many Dr's appointments in the next couple of weeks, please pray for those. The verdict's still out on chemo, but I really don't want to have it! Radiation starts next week. Love to you all,

On that note,

Laura does have an allergy to shellfish, especially shrimp.

If you are wanting to cook...

We have had a number of people ask if they could make a meal for us while Laura recooperates, but are fearful of the gluten allergy...which is understandable. That being said, I love food, and welcome any meals during the work week when I can't be at home to make them as easily myself. Also, Laura doesn't know this, but I had a special request for the Professor to get rid of the part of her brain that made her not want to eat meat...and it seems to have worked! We had filet on Saturday night, steak kabobs for lunch yesterday, and burgers last night! Praise God! That being said, Laura still stays away from anything "farm raised" (fish) due to mercury content. She still eats vegetarian, just not strictly as she seems to crave protein lately. Also, I eat everything, so don't worry about the food going to waste or not being liked.

Here are some websites for gluten-free recipes that might be helpful:
http://www.csaceliacs.org/recipes.php
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~coeliac/det.html
http://www.celiac.com/st_main.html?p_catid=20


Some things that I have learned to avoid since trying to live gluten-free:
distilled vinegar (balsamic and red wine are fine)
maltodextrin
carmel coloring- did you know Coca-Cola has gluten?
artificial vanilla flavoring
"spices"- generalized on labels
wheat-free doesn't mean gluten free (I know, right?)

If you avoid pretty much all salad dressings and marinades, that is usually a good idea. People at stores just don't know or understand gluten-free unless you go to Harvest Health.

Please don't feel that this is necessary, but I wanted to provide some help for those people that "show their love" through food.

Laura's headache is still an issue, though she is now officially "regular" after I threatened another supository Saturday morning. Thank you for all of your prayers, flowers, and support; it has been amazing. Talk to you soon.

Farmers Market

Went to the Farmers Market this morning and to Fresh Market this afternoon. I have been out walking like a good girl getting my exercise! Thanks to everyone for your gift generosity and your time, for those of you who are driving me around! Everything is much aprreciated! You all have sent such beautiful flowers, too! It looks like a florist in here!

My headache is getting better each day, please pray that it goes away completely...I'd like to not have to take anything for pain. I'm sleeping well, which is a huge blessing when trying to heal. I just got off the phone with my dear friend Neethi...we are stuck on opposite sides of the state from each other, and neither of us are allowed to drive to see the other...me because of the driving after having seizures rule, and she because she is 9 months pregnant and could go into labor any time! I told her she just can't have a baby that weighs more than 10 lbs. because I'm not allowed to lift any more than that after surgery. For those of you that know Neethi, that's just funny, because she's petite. She said she'd cry if she has a baby that weighs more than 7lbs, let alone 10. Ohhh, how I wish I could be with her right now!

Thank you all for your continued prayers and posts! It's so awesome to feel this loved! Chad is making me dinner right now. He's concerned about my getting enough protein to regain my strength, so he's grilling filets, which is not a common occurrence here in our mostly vegetarian home. For those of you that know me well, you won't be suprised by the pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream waiting for me in the freezer...already partially eaten. I know, for those that know me really well, you're suprised it's not a half-gallon!

Again, visitors welcome, as long as I'm home. Love to you all,

Ahhh OMM!!

It's so nice to be home! Patients just don't get good rest in the hospital! I went to one of my clinics today to get treated. Oh, how I needed that! Thanks Laura and Kevin! I feel much better! One of my friends had to drive me around today since I'm not allowed to drive. It's hard to be dependent on people. But boy how it helps to have great friends who will do anything for you! It was great to see everybody today! It was nice to get out of the house. I need to get out more and walk more--Dr's orders. He wants me to walk a couple of miles a day. If I'm not walking enough I have to wear the support hose. I know which I'd rather do!

I have some of my best friends in the world coming to see me in the next couple of weeks and I am so excited!! Thanks you guys! It makes Chad feel better to have someone with me at home...he doesn't like me here by myself, but there's not much we can do about that...and he has to work and I'm not allowed to yet.

For those of you wondering what the next step is...that will be radiation starting the first week of September. The Professor said no chemo...just radiation, that we will be able to do here in Grand Rpids, thankfully. Also, I will remain on seizure medicine for at least 6 months until they start to try to wean me off of that

The headache is continuing to get better; however, I still need quite a bit of pain medicine, which I'd just as soon not take. Thank you for the continued prayers for no more headaches or seizures, for the ucoming radiation--that it gets every last nasty cell that may be lingering in there, for my incision to heal quickly so I can shower and wash my own hair...those little things we take for granted!

Thank you to everyone who has been sending beautiful things to the house--flowers, edible arrangements, etc. It's all wonderful! Keri, Denise gave me a hug from you today! I would welcome visitors anytime...just call first so you know I'm home...though odds are good I will be! Love you all,

Home Sweet Home

To the surprise of many, we landed very easily in GR despite the storm. We immediately went to spend our gift certificate at Bonefish with Bruce (picked us up from airport) to celebrate coming home, while Laura was sporting off her scar. She was very hungry on the plane, as we realized that we hadn't eaten since breakfast and had no time on our layover in Memphis after being delayed sitting on the tar mack in Little Rock in 103 heat with no AC...not cool. I cannot WAIT to hear the story from Nicole as to why the police were in our drive when Bruce stopped by the house to pick up our car to pick us up...and speaking of Nicole, what the heck are you doing mowing our lawn? Thanks, that is too much. Carrie, flowers all over the place (nice touch on the card, how much do I owe you for the rose?) and an immaculate house...we don't even know what to say.

Funny stuff...Laura fell asleep in the plane with some water still in her mouth and woke up when it spilled down her shirt....and then asked me tonight what time I wanted to go to church tomorrow morning...then repeated the question three times as I wasn't sure I was hearing her right. Laura didn't even bother taking off her doctor-recommended white support hose to eat at Bonefish...she was THAT hungry....and a little stoned on meds.

Just to prepare those who visit, Laura's face is a little weak on the left side, so her smile mostly exists on her right side. She can smile symmetrically, but she has to think about it. Nothing to worry about per the Professor, it is the ONLY sign of weakness her entire body has shown, quite a miracle. I think Bruce was having the same issue I have had with her looking like she went off on a vacation and came back with a scar instead of a tattoo.

If people are planning on asking a lot of life question, be prepared for us not having a lot of answers. The fact that two weeks have passed in minutes, and Laura is laying next to me...catching flies with her mouth wide open no less...is a miracle that can only be understood by the big guy Himself. Frankly, neither of us can wrap our heads around it, as none of it seems real...we can't even believe it was two weeks ago today that we were flying out! The one lesson I can say that I hope to learn from is the power of friendship. I can't say I have been a great friend to a lot of people in my life, and you all have shown me what it means to be one. Your love, support, and care you have shown Laura throughout the last month has been awe inspiring. I could only hope to be the kind of friend that so many of you have shown to be to Laura. God bless you all.

By the way, her headache got a lot better today aside from the altitude changes in the plane, so hopefully the body chemistry change after last night took hold.