Our Current Pattern

For the first part of this summer, we seem to be in a tolerable, but not ideal, pattern. Rhonda continues to be able to take care of the kids and do basic household tasks. However, if she has to exert herself in extra ways (e.g., a trip to Fort Worth to renew her permanent resident card, doing more with the kids), she often pays for it. Her leg pain increases and she even has some of the old problems with headaches and strained vision. Fortunately, rest seems to help her body settle back down. We're thankful for the babysitting and meal help we've received, because it helps Rhonda get the rest she needs to get back on track. It's hard to tell right now whether we're making progress, but life certainly feels less stressful than the previous months. We continue to hope and pray. Thanks for all your prayers.

Good news!

We are so thankful that the doctor confirmed today that Perry did not tear anything in his knee. The MRI did show that he has a bone bruise which does not require any intervention other than rest. Hopefully in 6-8 weeks he will be back to normal with no further problems.

The last two weeks have definitely been challenging but we certainly see improvements for both of us. Perry is now walking without crutches and the swelling and stiffness are much better. Last week with the increased activity and stress my pain levels were terrible and the new medication I was trying was not helping. This week my pain levels have been manageable which is so helpful. Having the boys at VBS each morning has allowed me some rest time so that I am able to be more active later.

Despite the craziness we have had a few laughs. Last Sunday at church we were waiting for the elevator to take it up to our Sunday school class seeing that we were both a bit diabled. There were some elderly ladies standing there greeting us. As we were visiting, one of the ladies asked us if we were newleyweds and we started to laugh and said that no we have been married almost 12 years. We joked that the reason we were holding hands was that we were holding each other up ( not really). Well, we take their comment as a compliment and are thankful that through the past year we have grown to appreciate, love and need each other in a deeper way.

Interestingly enough last week we had been talking with the boys about how God is a keeper of promises. I have really been convicted that I need share with them about what God is teaching me and so I was glad to share how God gave me the verse Isaiah 41:10 as a promise back in January. Cody and Bennett were able to pick some promises that I had written on cards. Cody picked "The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid" (He has a great fear of wasps and bees). It was a day later that Perry injured his leg and I realized that we would need that verse as a frequent reminder that week.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers!

Bad timing for a knee injury

One of the things that has helped me the past few months is being able to play basketball again now that my thumb is better. Unfortunately, someone fell into my knee yesterday while I was playing and did some damage. A kind Baylor trainer took an initial look at it and tenatively concluded that he did not think I hurt my ACL and perhaps only tore my meniscus. We'll only know more after further doctors visits and exams (the first starts on Thursday). The current result is that I'm now on crutches. There is never a good time for a knee injury, but it sure feels like this is certainly not the time. We'd appreciate your prayers. PG

Good visit

We are very thankful for a good visit with the neurologist. He was very thorough, patient amidst the complexity and compassionate. I left feeling like he really wanted to help me find the right combination of medications that would help me be more comfortable. Of course this is going to take some time, but we at least have a plan.

It is always amazing to me how over time more pieces of the puzzle come together. The greatest insight I received was understanding why I still have a lot of pain even though my nerve conduction tests are normal. I had not understood the nerve tests only test the heavily myelinated nerves that control movement and strength. This means that there is no clear way to see how the other nerves(ie.those responsible for pain) are functioning. The key then is to manage the symptoms while they heal. Of course, that means that there is no way of determining when the healing process will be complete.

So, I continue to be reminded and reflect on a quote that I found eight months ago.
"Waiting strengthens us by teaching us that our joy and peace and hope don't depend on when our needs and wants are met." Jennifer Rothschild
Rhonda

P.S. I can't forget the answered prayers this week. We have been talking and praying about what we would do this summer. Perry was pretty concerned about how I was going to manage with the boys all the time. God had it all figured out for us and graciously provided us with a friend's daughter to help me. We are so thankful!!

He is able!

Last Friday was quite a day! Do you ever have those days where everything seems to hit at once? That was how I was feeling. Emotionally I was struggling. It wasn’t that I had given up or didn’t feel that God was there or couldn’t work it out. I was just tired. Tired of hurting and tired of trying to figure out what neurologist to go to, as well as tired of trying to accept the fact that I am going to have to be on more powerful medication to address the pain. It didn’t help that Thursday we received two bills from the hospital and Friday we received a significant bill from a lab that we weren’t expecting.

Little did I know that God was planning a surprise for me that afternoon and evening. Not only did I find a local neurologist that was highly recommended to me and who had an opening in 10 days, but we received a unexpected check from an unexpected source to cover almost exactly what we still owe the hospital. Wow! Needless to say I cried. It was so humbling to realize how much God cares for us in the midst of this time. There is absolutely no way that this was a coincidence, but divine intervention by a loving God. He continues to remind us that nothing is impossible with him.

I continue to remember his promise to me: Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Choosing to remember

It is so nice to have Perry safely home and to know this is the last overseas trip he will be making for now. It was wonderful for me to have his parents again with us. This helped a lot and gave me a break from chauffeuring the boys. I needed it. I feel like my leg pain has decreased a little bit as a result. The last few weeks have been challenging in that I have had so much more nerve and muscle pain as well as more headaches. Honestly because of how the last 6-8 weeks have gone I thought that was behind me. It is a constant reminder that the recovery is long indeed. It also is a great reminder of the need for me to keep things simple. Meaning that I have to be very calculative about my activity. I just can't run to Wall-mart for a quick errand if I know that I have something later in the day. When the boys are not here I have to rest or I can't handle the activity later. Because the boys are more active and outside more that is about all I can handle. Quite honestly this hard! I have come to the conclusion that even if I feel fine at the time it doesn't mean I can do it. I still have to limit my activity because of the accumulative affect is not good.
It was so good to be a church on Sunday for Mother's day and one of the worship songs we sang was a great reminder of what God has been teaching me. It said "I will remember, I will remember the gift of God's son...I will remember his faithfulness". God is constantly giving me opportunities to apply what he has taught me. From the very beginning of my illness I feel that God was asking me to make life giving choices. He wanted me to make the choice not to be fearful and anxious but to choose to turn my focus to him and to learn how to trust him. Sometimes I have to admit it meant a moment by moment decision. The result I have to say is amazing. Taking my eyes off myself and focusing them on him has given me joy, peace, and hope that is not temporary or fading.
Very early on I used a journal to write verses that strengthened me. I also used it to put quotes from books I loved and from authors that I considered heroes of the faith. I didn't realize what a treasure this book would become. There was always a quote or verse or something that would point me back to God. I feel like it has helped me apply and helped sustain me through this time. I continue to read parts of it every day and I am continually adding new insights, verses, or quotes. I hope to share some of them in this blog in the near future.
Time to close. My son is calling.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Rhonda

Flare Up

This week we've had a reminder that Rhonda is still going through a recovery that has ups and downs. After getting out a bit more last week, Rhonda has experienced a flare up. Her headaches have come back and her legs are bothering her more. It probably doesn't help that we're in the midst of a busy, stressful times (I'm going to Eastern Europe this Sunday and the kids have quite a few activities). Fortunately, my parents will be here this Friday to help. Overall, we continue to realize that the healing battle is fare from over. Thanks for your prayers.