Test results

Test results came in via phone call on Tuesday, but I've been battling the stomach flu all week so I will be keeping this short. I've lost 7 1/2 lbs since Monday afternoon and still struggling with getting very much fluids in, leading to dizziness, high heart rate (150 bpm) and dehydration. Anyway, the test results show venous pooling, bowing of my mitral valve and an autonomic nervous system dysfunction (better than disease). I haven't had a chance to look into what exactly all of that means yet. The nurse said Dr. Fouad wants to increase my atenolol and add midodrine to the mix, not too excited about increasing or adding meds, but if it makes me better I will do it. In-laws have helped greatly with the kids, so they've spent most of the week away from the house and me--everyone else therefore seems to be avoiding the flu. Prayers appreciated that it stays that way and I get better soon. I'm all for weight loss, but not like this.

No results yet, approaching the one-year mark

Test results aren't in yet and next week marks the one year anniversary of getting sick, so I've taken some time this week to ponder life before all of this. It's been very cathartic, and I've really led a blessed life. I've travelled to many great places, have great friends (some of whom I've known for 17 years now, wow!), and have an amazing family. I took the time to go through most of our photo albums and picked a handful of pictures to share with all of you. After all, some of you (including most of our small group) don't even know me outside of this illness. I'm normally an active person...really! While we wait, here's something to look at:

HS youth group missions trip to Portugal; rafting trip with family;

skiing (4 weeks pregnant, oops!) with my cousin, Emily; the best day ever!!

Stonehenge-college trip with TU; Disney World, Ryan's dedication;

my HS tennis partner and I; Scott and I getting ready for prom!!

Boating at the lake; helping Ryan ride a pony;

tubing with friends; showing our muscles after my first (and so far only) 4 mile race

Still No News

Still no test results yet from the hemodynamics tests. I called Dr. Fouad's office yesterday to see if they were done yet and also to ask what I ought to do when I get the sharp chest pains and have trouble breathing like I did over the weekend. They called back and told me the test results weren't in yet and that I need to go to the ER each time that happens...big bummer. I kind of had a feeling they might tell me that (hence my delay in calling them until AFTER I felt better!), but I was hoping they'd have another solution. I suppose I ought to be a good girl and follow their advice, so that will probably mean trips to the ER more frequently...not because I am worse but because I am actually going like they want me to instead of staying at home and being miserable. Thus far, my trips to the ER have been pointless, but maybe they can call Dr. Fouad from the ER and she can tell them what to do?? We will have to wait and see, I suppose. In the mean time, I can rejoice over a new baby in my extended family, the Floor's baby arriving safely this past weekend, another friend's pregnancy, and my "baby" reading an entire Little Critters book to me today! Blessings abound if we truly look for them, and today I am choosing to do so. God is good.

My mom recently gave me a great devotional book called "The God of All Comfort: Devotions of hope for those who chronically suffer." It has been such a great book for me. Yesterday's devotion was so fitting. Here is a small passage from it:
"Pain and weakness are selfish, demanding companions. Sometimes pain reverberates so loudly through my body that I'm unable to pray or read my Bible. As the paralytic needed his friends in order to reach Jesus, I need the friends who bring me before God in prayer. I need the strength of others when my own strength is lacking."

I was really having trouble breathing yesterday, even though I don't recall overdoing it. Such a big bummer when that happens, and it is very tiring. That passage above is so fitting some days. The pain is more localized for me and is more like a struggle to breathe and function, but you get the idea. Thank you for bringing me before God in prayer. There are some days when I know I need to but I just can't. Today it is easier to breathe, so I know someone must have been praying!

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

I love rain checks, and other random thoughts

So much to share, so little time. Our internet was not working yesterday, and I am waiting to hear back from CC so I will be making this short (oh the joys of dial-up internet!) No real news to report, so just some randomness to share:
1) I love rain checks and you should too! On Monday, I bought 16 boxes of cereal for $0.27 each! We're talking the good stuff: Multi-grain Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, etc. all because Kroger had a sale six months ago and were out of one kind of GM cereal. Their rain checks never expire and don't have a limit. We were out of cereal, so I went online, printed off a bunch of coupons and Voila! A fully stocked pantry.
2) Several of my friends have asked for the recipes for dishwasher detergent and laundry detergent. This is a great way to cut out chemicals, as well as save a TON of money. I found these online and wish I could give credit to the source, but I don't remember (sorry, brilliant person who is saving my family lots of cash!)
Dishwasher detergent:
1 Tbs borax
1 Tbs super washing soda (NOT baking soda)

That's it! Then put vinegar in your "jet-dry" dispenser so your glasses don't get spotty. Cost: $0.02 per load (That's $7 for the YEAR at our house!) I make a big batch and keep it under the sink.

Laundry detergent:
1/3 fels-naptha or ivory bar, grated
6 cups water
Heat until dissolved
Add 1/2 super washing soda and 1/2 cup borax (both found in laundry aisle). Cook for 15 minutes. Add 5 1/2 quarts of water (that's 22 cups). Shake before each use; regular load use 1/2 cup. One BATCH costs $0.75 (makes about 3 bottles of detergent).

That's about all I can think of right now. I'd better get off the "phone line" in case CC tries to get through. I look forward to the day when we can afford real internet, but not being in debt ALWAYS feels better than having fast internet! :-)

Home Again

We are home again and I seem to be doing better than last time. We didn't do nearly as much walking as last time, which is probably what made the difference. My mother-in-law was quite the trooper, driving there and back, then getting up early this morning to cook for a retreat group at the church camp they manage.
I don't have a ton to report on about my tests or anything; they did change my blood volume test and hemodynamic test to a laying down/sitting up echocardiagrams, as the original tests are radioactive and so is the hyda scan I had in the afternoon. Hopefully, it will still show us what we need to know, but if not they will do them when I go back in April. The most interesting, amazing, and totally God thing that happened occurred in the waiting room a few minutes after we arrived. We were in the electrophysiology waiting room with a man and his mother; he was called back and his mom made a phone call. We started talking to her and I'd overheard her mention that her son was having some of the same tests, so we talked about that. Come to find out, not only is her son dealing with very similar symptoms as I am (and getting very few results as well), but they are all from Fort Wayne too! Can you believe it?? I was called back shortly after that, but Sue and Kathie (the man's mom) talked for quite awhile longer. When Kathie learned that Scott had planned a wonderful surprise party for my 30th birthday at DeBrands that he had to cancel because I was too sick to go, she whipped out her bag and handed over, get this... a box of DeBrands truffles! Apparently, she knows Cathy Brand-Beere and she donated several boxes of chocolates to Kathie and Matt for their trip, telling them to "donate the chocolates to anyone who is nice to you." Isn't that awesome? Anyway, I am hoping to stay in touch with Kathie and/or Matt and his family (married with 2 young kids) as we all go through this similar process. I hope you will join me in praying for them, as they struggle to get a diagnosis as well. Enjoy your weekend! Karin

Road Trip with the MIL

This afternoon, my mother-in-law and I will head out on our first road trip together. For many people, this would be an agonizing experience, but I am extremely fortunate; I've always gotten along very well with my in-laws! I've heard so many horror stories from friends about in-laws, but truly have never experienced it. Thus, I am ready to show Sue what CC is all about! As I wait for the marathon of tests tomorrow, I am trying to relax and just remember Philippians 4:6 "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."

A few random thoughts that don't really fit into this post:
1) Ten years ago today, my best friend proposed to me!! It has been an interesting, exhilarating, and fun decade! We have learned so much and grown so much as a couple. I am so thankful to have him as my husband.
2) Children's Place is having their $3.99 Monster Sale! Between my awesome sister-in-law who alerted me to it and myself, we nearly bought out one of our stores (EIGHT big bags total!) but Katie, Ryan, and her kids are pretty much set for the fall-winter next year. Don't forget to grab your 15% off coupon from the internet before you go!

I won't have a laptop with me, but I will try to post Friday night (unless I collapse from absolute exhaustion...then I will post Saturday AM). Thanks for joining me on this journey; it helps make it less lonely!!