We made it safely back from Dallas, no worse for the wear. It was a long, exhausting trip...3 different flights to get us there and back. GR to Chicago to KC to Dallas and then the reverse. I had long days of lectures and workshops, etc., but only took two short naps and functioned quite well, I think. Chad had some successful meetings down there too, so it was beneficial for both of us. We had a couple days of sunshine and nice weather, but they it turned chilly and dreary. Nothing like what we came back to...pouring rain and chilly today. Chillier than Dallas, that's for sure. I was able to see lots of old friends and catch up. We had a nice dinner with a business associate of Chad's and his wife which was a lot of fun...always nice to meet someone when you hear so much about them (I hadn't met his wife before). Working lots again this week, but thinking I may have to take the plunge and just go back to fulltime and force myself to handle it. Pray for strength and wisdom! Thank you prayer warriors!
Almost forgot...anyone watch American Idol? Remember the winner 2 years ago...Taylor Hicks...saw him at our hotel and got my pic taken with him...really nice guy. I'll post the pic when I can.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
March Madness
It's all about basketball in this house right now...basketball on both TVs and a husband who can't peel himself away until the last game is over each night. At least with each next round there arent' as many games. The good news is both MSU and KU made it through their first round games...we were both happy about that!
For those of you who don't live in Michigan, we had been having beautiful weather--mid-50's a few days ago, then Thursday it got cold and gloomy again. Yesterday and last night, 4+ inches of snow!! We finally had all the snow in our yard melted, now it's back! I knew there'd probably be at least one more snowfall and here it is.
We had a nice weekend in Kansas City with Chad's family. I was tired, but it was fun. The last 3 weeks I've worked long weeks...maybe a little too much...had to go back to long naps which I had gotten away from, so I think I need to keep working up gradually, which I've been doing. In KC I also got to see one of my best friends from college and an old roommate; that was fun! We went shopping/errand running on Saturday and just hung out like old times (except for her 6month pregnant belly).
Chad and I will be going to Dallas next week for a conference for me. Pray for my stamina because traveling takes it out of me. Chad will have some meetings down there and that is why he is going with me (which I'm very happy about). Pray that his meetings are successful.
That's the update for now, not a lot new. Keep the prayers coming--prayers for peace of mind for my upcoming MRI and for a completely normal result. Thanks all. Love,
Laura
For those of you who don't live in Michigan, we had been having beautiful weather--mid-50's a few days ago, then Thursday it got cold and gloomy again. Yesterday and last night, 4+ inches of snow!! We finally had all the snow in our yard melted, now it's back! I knew there'd probably be at least one more snowfall and here it is.
We had a nice weekend in Kansas City with Chad's family. I was tired, but it was fun. The last 3 weeks I've worked long weeks...maybe a little too much...had to go back to long naps which I had gotten away from, so I think I need to keep working up gradually, which I've been doing. In KC I also got to see one of my best friends from college and an old roommate; that was fun! We went shopping/errand running on Saturday and just hung out like old times (except for her 6month pregnant belly).
Chad and I will be going to Dallas next week for a conference for me. Pray for my stamina because traveling takes it out of me. Chad will have some meetings down there and that is why he is going with me (which I'm very happy about). Pray that his meetings are successful.
That's the update for now, not a lot new. Keep the prayers coming--prayers for peace of mind for my upcoming MRI and for a completely normal result. Thanks all. Love,
Laura
Monday, March 10, 2008
I made it...
I made it through last week...just a little tired, but I have the same schedule this week, so keep the prayers coming! I had a conference in Detroit on Sunday, so that makes it 5 days in a row this week. I didn't enjoy getting up early to make it to the conference after we sprung forward Saturday night. I'm a sleepy girl, but I just woke up from a nice 3 hour nap...what a blessing those naps are! After another long week, Chad and I will be going to Kansas City this weekend to see his family. I think I will be able to see one of my best friends from college too--she's 6 months pregnant and I'm very excited to be able to see her! Hopefully I'll have a picture to put up. I'm sure there will be pics of Chad's family because we will be seeing our nephew, Owen, Chad's sister's little guy. That's it for now. Keep the prayers coming. I'm not 100% yet, but getting better day by day.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Working Girl
Just a quick note to ask for prayers for this week. I will be working Mon, Tues, Wed & Thurs this week...the most I've worked since the surgery! It's a big step. Please keep me in your prayers that I have the energy to sustain me (I know God can and will sustain me) and that I have a good cheerful attitude about being at work. Pray that I get good restful sleep and feel the best I have since surgery. I'm getting there, day by day. I have a praise: This weekend at church was the first time we were able to sit in the service (no sunglasses) and not in the crying baby area outside. That was a big deal. I felt good, too. My friends said I looked better than I have at church in awhile--not glassy-eyed, red-eyed, etc. Very exciting!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Visitor today
I moved my patients from today to yesterday, so I was home today. My friend Heidi and her newborn baby Isabelle came by for a visit and for me to treat Izzy. She's been a little-miss-fussy-pants. Heidi's ready to pull out her hair and I feel so badly for her. I really want to help. All I knew to do was watch the baby, try to get her to sleep, and let Heidi take a short power nap; that is until the crying woke her up. Poor new mamma. Soothing, swaddling, sucking...trying everything. Any advice anyone?
I'm working every week...pushing myself to do a little more each week. Getting more stamina, I think. The artificial lights are the biggest problem. I try to see babies right now in rooms that have windows so I don't have to turn any lights on. I'm not needing as many naps (or not taking as many) and the nausea doesn't seem to be as bad either.
I was able to go to a meeting at Gilda's Club Tuesday night. I enjoyed being able to talk with others going through similar journeys.
Keep praying! For all symptoms to be completely gone and for complete healing. Thanks. Love to all,
Laura
I'm working every week...pushing myself to do a little more each week. Getting more stamina, I think. The artificial lights are the biggest problem. I try to see babies right now in rooms that have windows so I don't have to turn any lights on. I'm not needing as many naps (or not taking as many) and the nausea doesn't seem to be as bad either.
I was able to go to a meeting at Gilda's Club Tuesday night. I enjoyed being able to talk with others going through similar journeys.
Keep praying! For all symptoms to be completely gone and for complete healing. Thanks. Love to all,
Laura
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Working Computer
FINALLY!! I have a new computer! They finally sent me a new one after all the problems I'd had with mine. It'll be nice to have a connection to the world again on days that I'm home. I like to instant message if anyone else does that, it's a good way to communicate.
I finally got over the strep, sinus stuff and reaction to the antibiotic and am feeling as good as I have in awhile. I worked yesterday and today and feel good. Trying to ease my way back in. Treated a friend and her baby at the house today too. I think I'm getting a little more stamina back which is really encouraging. I'm still pretty tired but my naps are fewer and not as long.
I had a great weekend with my friends from medical school. We just hung out, cooked, played games and caught up on each others' lives. It was a blast. I will attempt to attach a video of one of the kids from this weekend who is a fierce dancer. He went on for over a half an hour. Oh to have the energy again!
I still have quite a bit of nausea, but it's manageable. I'd like it to be gone completely, of course. Keep praying. My next MRI ins in April and we want that to show even more healing than the one in January. And of course for there to be no trace of tumor! Thanks for your continued prayers. Life is good. God is good. Love you all,
Laura
I finally got over the strep, sinus stuff and reaction to the antibiotic and am feeling as good as I have in awhile. I worked yesterday and today and feel good. Trying to ease my way back in. Treated a friend and her baby at the house today too. I think I'm getting a little more stamina back which is really encouraging. I'm still pretty tired but my naps are fewer and not as long.
I had a great weekend with my friends from medical school. We just hung out, cooked, played games and caught up on each others' lives. It was a blast. I will attempt to attach a video of one of the kids from this weekend who is a fierce dancer. He went on for over a half an hour. Oh to have the energy again!
I still have quite a bit of nausea, but it's manageable. I'd like it to be gone completely, of course. Keep praying. My next MRI ins in April and we want that to show even more healing than the one in January. And of course for there to be no trace of tumor! Thanks for your continued prayers. Life is good. God is good. Love you all,
Laura
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Six Months
On Wednesday, we celebrated 6 months since Laura's surgery. I can't tell you how strange it is to say that it has been 6 months...for it seems like a few weeks ago being in AR, but at the same time so long ago. What Laura has been through, from the surgery to recovery, radiation to the elation of not having to have her experience chemotherapy, the impact of losing hair, eye brows, etc., and now the numerous side effects of the medications. All said, we are in a great place. God has been faithful, abundant, and full of blessings.
6 months...still having a tough time with that, it just doesn't seem possible, seeming both to have gone so quickly and yet the surgery being so long ago. Laura has definitely grown through this process, though weak at times, always faithful to God. In so many ways, I have too, but struggled many times in many ways. There were times where I had a drink rather than saying a prayer, bottled up what I should have let out, and didn't take my friend Tim's advice to "take care of yourself throughout." Regardless, here we are, with Laura's med school/residency friends coming in to visit this weekend, ecstatic to see her for the first time since the surgery. A good place.
Life is becoming normal again. Some eardrops here, side effects of medicine there...all in all, you wouldn't know if didn't know by looking at Laura. I thank God for my family, as I have grown to appreciate how I was raised so much in that past 6 months. I was taught to focus on moving forward, focus on the positive, and don't let the negatives weigh on your mind too much. Dad, Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, Sarah, Kelly, Doug...thank you...you were always there with what I needed to hear.
On that note, the sun shined today, there is a ton of snow on the ground, so much only the box of our mailbox is showing....I am going to spoil the crap out of some kids this weekend...and probably have a Mount Gay and soda...or two...and a cigar. Sounds like a good weekend to me.
Have a good weekend everone,
Chad
6 months...still having a tough time with that, it just doesn't seem possible, seeming both to have gone so quickly and yet the surgery being so long ago. Laura has definitely grown through this process, though weak at times, always faithful to God. In so many ways, I have too, but struggled many times in many ways. There were times where I had a drink rather than saying a prayer, bottled up what I should have let out, and didn't take my friend Tim's advice to "take care of yourself throughout." Regardless, here we are, with Laura's med school/residency friends coming in to visit this weekend, ecstatic to see her for the first time since the surgery. A good place.
Life is becoming normal again. Some eardrops here, side effects of medicine there...all in all, you wouldn't know if didn't know by looking at Laura. I thank God for my family, as I have grown to appreciate how I was raised so much in that past 6 months. I was taught to focus on moving forward, focus on the positive, and don't let the negatives weigh on your mind too much. Dad, Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, Sarah, Kelly, Doug...thank you...you were always there with what I needed to hear.
On that note, the sun shined today, there is a ton of snow on the ground, so much only the box of our mailbox is showing....I am going to spoil the crap out of some kids this weekend...and probably have a Mount Gay and soda...or two...and a cigar. Sounds like a good weekend to me.
Have a good weekend everone,
Chad
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