On this Thanksgiving Eve (is there such a thing?) I am brining the bird, baking the yams and mixing the stuffing. I am also thinking about so many of our wonderful friends and family members who have helped us get through this tough year.
We are so thankful for YOU!! Before we lose sight of what tomorrow really is, I wanted to at least write that down.
Have a wonderful, calorie-laden, high-fat, yummy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
What we've been up to....
Hello to all our friends! Wow, it's been a while since I posted anything here. There's not much going on with Dave, right now. Well, that's not true..there's still a lot going on with Dave right now, but nothing I haven't already covered. He's still in dialysis three times a week, and still waiting to get on the kidney transplant list in January.
There are some really neat things that have happened over the last couple weeks. He was able to finally wear a dress shirt and tie into work last week, for the first time in a year. It was such a wonderful surprise to have him come downstairs, all dressed up, like he used to! Davey was so thrilled! He must have hugged his dad, that morning, for five straight minutes!
With all the mess that has gone on with his health, I am proud to say that he was acknowledged within his branch for having a 20% increase in his business for the last quarter. Ladies and gentlemen.....he's back!!
We had a fun Halloween. David was a soldier, and Joey was Spiderman ( the black costume). They looked so cute! Dave did Davey's camo make-up and he really looked authentic!
Now I am trying to plan Thanksgiving, and figure out the particulars. While I'm no Martha Stewart, I haven't killed anyone (as far as I know) with my cooking. But my mom has started to drop hints that she wants to go out! Go out??? On Thanksgiving? I'm getting a complex!
Oh yes...I turned 40 last week. I know, I don't look a day over 30, right? RIGHT!?!?! This birthday was a tough one for me. But I made it to the other side of the hill; kicking and screaming all the way, and surprisingly, it really isn't all that bad. I got a beautiful necklace from Dave and the one present I REALLY wanted....I was actually carded when buying cough syrup this week! OK, it was done half jokingly....but I don't care, it was awesome!!
Trying to make up for the lack of energy Dave had last year and the inability to put up our outside Christmas lights, I'm afraid we might be giving Clark Griswold a run for his money, this year! Dave has started planning what he is going to do outside, and it either is going to look amazing or we're going to end up with a letter from our homeowner's association! Either way I am just thrilled!
I guess that's it for now. Thanks for the emails. I have taken on a few more responsibilities this year; I am room mom for both boy's classes, doing a Tuesday night Bible study, and Chairing the Drama/ Music Booster club at school. What can I say, life is way better when I am busy!! I hear it keeps you looking young!
There are some really neat things that have happened over the last couple weeks. He was able to finally wear a dress shirt and tie into work last week, for the first time in a year. It was such a wonderful surprise to have him come downstairs, all dressed up, like he used to! Davey was so thrilled! He must have hugged his dad, that morning, for five straight minutes!
With all the mess that has gone on with his health, I am proud to say that he was acknowledged within his branch for having a 20% increase in his business for the last quarter. Ladies and gentlemen.....he's back!!
We had a fun Halloween. David was a soldier, and Joey was Spiderman ( the black costume). They looked so cute! Dave did Davey's camo make-up and he really looked authentic!
Now I am trying to plan Thanksgiving, and figure out the particulars. While I'm no Martha Stewart, I haven't killed anyone (as far as I know) with my cooking. But my mom has started to drop hints that she wants to go out! Go out??? On Thanksgiving? I'm getting a complex!
Oh yes...I turned 40 last week. I know, I don't look a day over 30, right? RIGHT!?!?! This birthday was a tough one for me. But I made it to the other side of the hill; kicking and screaming all the way, and surprisingly, it really isn't all that bad. I got a beautiful necklace from Dave and the one present I REALLY wanted....I was actually carded when buying cough syrup this week! OK, it was done half jokingly....but I don't care, it was awesome!!
Trying to make up for the lack of energy Dave had last year and the inability to put up our outside Christmas lights, I'm afraid we might be giving Clark Griswold a run for his money, this year! Dave has started planning what he is going to do outside, and it either is going to look amazing or we're going to end up with a letter from our homeowner's association! Either way I am just thrilled!
I guess that's it for now. Thanks for the emails. I have taken on a few more responsibilities this year; I am room mom for both boy's classes, doing a Tuesday night Bible study, and Chairing the Drama/ Music Booster club at school. What can I say, life is way better when I am busy!! I hear it keeps you looking young!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Update
It’s been a few weeks since the biopsy, and Dave and I are coming to terms with the fact that no matter what, he needs a kidney transplant. We are now going forward with two different locations; UCLA and Scripps, in San Diego. One of his nephrologists told us that you can be on more than one list, as long as you are in a different “zone”.
There are a few people who have requested to be tested to be his donor. I’m still going to go forward with my plan to donate, if everything checks out with the testing. My brother wants to be used as a last resort, and we have a couple friends who have offered to be tested, too. We are trusting God that something will work out in this area. Thinking of Dave going through dialysis for another 7 years makes my heart break! It’s so hard on him…and doing it three times a week makes him physically exhausted.
He’s been through so much! He has remained so faithful during all these months. He is my hero in so many ways!
My new endeavor is to get word out to everyone we know about becoming an organ donor. It’s so easy, and all it takes (in CA, anyway) is a signature on record with the Dept of Motor Vehicles. There are so many lives that can be saved by just one person!
Also, I have purchased some awareness bracelets that I will be handing out or sending out to all our friends. This is just another way you can outwardly stand with us on this journey of getting through kidney failure and finally finding a matching kidney donor for transplant.
Be looking for those bracelets. :)
There are a few people who have requested to be tested to be his donor. I’m still going to go forward with my plan to donate, if everything checks out with the testing. My brother wants to be used as a last resort, and we have a couple friends who have offered to be tested, too. We are trusting God that something will work out in this area. Thinking of Dave going through dialysis for another 7 years makes my heart break! It’s so hard on him…and doing it three times a week makes him physically exhausted.
He’s been through so much! He has remained so faithful during all these months. He is my hero in so many ways!
My new endeavor is to get word out to everyone we know about becoming an organ donor. It’s so easy, and all it takes (in CA, anyway) is a signature on record with the Dept of Motor Vehicles. There are so many lives that can be saved by just one person!
Also, I have purchased some awareness bracelets that I will be handing out or sending out to all our friends. This is just another way you can outwardly stand with us on this journey of getting through kidney failure and finally finding a matching kidney donor for transplant.
Be looking for those bracelets. :)
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Biopsy
I think most people who actively read this blog have been sent an email, but in case you didn't receive something from me tonight; we did get the biopsy results late this evening. It looks like there is complete loss of the kidneys. No hope in them returning to function on their own. We are very sad, and sort of shocked, to be honest. It's hard to think that Dave will have to go through this awful dialysis until a perfect match is found. We are also praying that the Wegener's doesn't flare while we are waiting.
It's a hard night, and one which we will have to pray our way through. We are extremely thankful for all of our friends and family, and all you prayers.
God will get him and all of us through this.
It's a hard night, and one which we will have to pray our way through. We are extremely thankful for all of our friends and family, and all you prayers.
God will get him and all of us through this.
Had a bad day....
No word yet as to the biopsy results. We knew that it would most likely be late in the week before we heard anything, but we are both a little anxious.
Maybe it’s my Catholic schooling and I still have the embedded need to confess. Maybe I’m just someone who needs to be heard. Either way I wanted to share something that I hope might help others going through difficult times
I have been going through a really confusing time, lately, thinking about the unfairness of Dave having to go through all of this. Ok, the unfairness of me having to go through all of this, too. If you have known me a while, you know that I am essentially a good person. Not without many, many character flaws...but a pretty good person. Sometimes, boringly so.
Well, I sat here the other day and just got really mad at God. Like, “Hey God…I’ve been faithful and righteous and all that stuff. I’ve helped the poor, and I’ve told people about you, and I go to church and I read the Bible, and I try to live my life as an example of Christ’s love. So…why? Why have you turned your back on Dave, and in turn made my life so hard?....” It went on, but just know it never got any deeper than “woe is me.”
What a whiney brat, huh? Well, I was. I was acting the exact way a teenager acts when they get mad at their mom or dad. I was acting like a little, spoiled brat, and what’s worse is I knew it! But I kept going, anyway.
The thoughts ran wild. Like, I never did drugs or fooled around or stole anything. Now, admittedly, I labeled these things, in my mind, as “fun stuff”. Poor Lisa never had an ounce of “fun”. God is punishing ME and Dave…and yet I (“we” but mostly “I”) don’t deserve it. (Appalling behavior, isn’t it?)
The rest of the day pretty much sucked. Then I had lunch with my mom. She listened to my rants, and held my hand, and didn’t judge me. Thank God for our moms! She also said something that I remember her saying when I was little. She said, “No matter how hard things are in our life, there is always someone, somewhere going through even harder times.” Then it hit me. She was right. I have a friend who is a caretaker to her mom, as she goes through breast cancer treatments. Going through the chemo and losing her long, beautiful hair. Not even knowing IF at the end of all the treatments her mom will pull through. We have a friend who just lost a loved one through suicide. The utter despair that he must be going through. It makes our little problems pale in comparison.
After I sincerely asked for forgiveness, I emphatically thanked God for all His blessings. That through this entire ordeal, Dave is improving. He has the real opportunity to remedy his health problems through a kidney transplant. He CAN go to dialysis, and then live a mostly normal life until the transplant. He isn’t dying! We are praying that the biopsy confirms his remission. But all the doctors seem sure of that. He has no lung or heart involvement…that’s such a blessing. As for me…I have my health. I have the love of a wonderful husband and two beautiful kids. I am truly blessed. I’m tired….no doubt, but I am blessed!
The very next day I received a beautiful card from a friend of a friend of a friend. Someone, from across the country, who has been praying for Dave and our entire family. Her words were so thoughtful and encouraging. She said that God has NOT left our side. He is here with us. She said that our emails have encouraged her and strengthened her faith. She said that our testimony, when all of this is over, will be what God uses to bring others closer to Him.
What amazes me is that God knew that I was going to have this meltdown, and then knew the timing of her letter would be perfect! How awesome is that? That letter was like a “burning bush”….a validation that God is God…He loves me inspite of myself, and knows that I needed encouragement at that very moment in time.
I guess part of that testimony my new friend wrote about has to include the hard days; when we are angry with God, and then are allowed to see with new eyes, how very much He has blessed us. I guess that’s why God doesn’t just smack me down (which I totally deserved) when I start acting like a spoiled brat. It’s all part of growing in Christ. And growing is painful sometimes.
Thank you, my friends, for letting me share a very bad day with you. It turned out Ok. I grew in the knowledge, once again, that God IS here. He DOES listen. That He loves me inspite of my foolish behavior, and is here to comfort me when I come back to my senses!
Maybe it’s my Catholic schooling and I still have the embedded need to confess. Maybe I’m just someone who needs to be heard. Either way I wanted to share something that I hope might help others going through difficult times
I have been going through a really confusing time, lately, thinking about the unfairness of Dave having to go through all of this. Ok, the unfairness of me having to go through all of this, too. If you have known me a while, you know that I am essentially a good person. Not without many, many character flaws...but a pretty good person. Sometimes, boringly so.
Well, I sat here the other day and just got really mad at God. Like, “Hey God…I’ve been faithful and righteous and all that stuff. I’ve helped the poor, and I’ve told people about you, and I go to church and I read the Bible, and I try to live my life as an example of Christ’s love. So…why? Why have you turned your back on Dave, and in turn made my life so hard?....” It went on, but just know it never got any deeper than “woe is me.”
What a whiney brat, huh? Well, I was. I was acting the exact way a teenager acts when they get mad at their mom or dad. I was acting like a little, spoiled brat, and what’s worse is I knew it! But I kept going, anyway.
The thoughts ran wild. Like, I never did drugs or fooled around or stole anything. Now, admittedly, I labeled these things, in my mind, as “fun stuff”. Poor Lisa never had an ounce of “fun”. God is punishing ME and Dave…and yet I (“we” but mostly “I”) don’t deserve it. (Appalling behavior, isn’t it?)
The rest of the day pretty much sucked. Then I had lunch with my mom. She listened to my rants, and held my hand, and didn’t judge me. Thank God for our moms! She also said something that I remember her saying when I was little. She said, “No matter how hard things are in our life, there is always someone, somewhere going through even harder times.” Then it hit me. She was right. I have a friend who is a caretaker to her mom, as she goes through breast cancer treatments. Going through the chemo and losing her long, beautiful hair. Not even knowing IF at the end of all the treatments her mom will pull through. We have a friend who just lost a loved one through suicide. The utter despair that he must be going through. It makes our little problems pale in comparison.
After I sincerely asked for forgiveness, I emphatically thanked God for all His blessings. That through this entire ordeal, Dave is improving. He has the real opportunity to remedy his health problems through a kidney transplant. He CAN go to dialysis, and then live a mostly normal life until the transplant. He isn’t dying! We are praying that the biopsy confirms his remission. But all the doctors seem sure of that. He has no lung or heart involvement…that’s such a blessing. As for me…I have my health. I have the love of a wonderful husband and two beautiful kids. I am truly blessed. I’m tired….no doubt, but I am blessed!
The very next day I received a beautiful card from a friend of a friend of a friend. Someone, from across the country, who has been praying for Dave and our entire family. Her words were so thoughtful and encouraging. She said that God has NOT left our side. He is here with us. She said that our emails have encouraged her and strengthened her faith. She said that our testimony, when all of this is over, will be what God uses to bring others closer to Him.
What amazes me is that God knew that I was going to have this meltdown, and then knew the timing of her letter would be perfect! How awesome is that? That letter was like a “burning bush”….a validation that God is God…He loves me inspite of myself, and knows that I needed encouragement at that very moment in time.
I guess part of that testimony my new friend wrote about has to include the hard days; when we are angry with God, and then are allowed to see with new eyes, how very much He has blessed us. I guess that’s why God doesn’t just smack me down (which I totally deserved) when I start acting like a spoiled brat. It’s all part of growing in Christ. And growing is painful sometimes.
Thank you, my friends, for letting me share a very bad day with you. It turned out Ok. I grew in the knowledge, once again, that God IS here. He DOES listen. That He loves me inspite of my foolish behavior, and is here to comfort me when I come back to my senses!
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Toxic Toys???
Those words should never be uttered together…ever! As a parent I am angry that the toy industry allowed this to happen. As a consumer I am angry that a few cents appear to be more valuable than a child’s health and wellness. I am just plain angry! This should not have happened. Not here.
In an age where more and more children are being diagnosed with neurological disorders than ever before, I am convinced that there is something, probably fixable, that is causing this to happen. I wonder if chewing on some lead-based paint might have caused some of these conditions to manifest in our children.
There has been a strong belief among several educated people, not affiliated with the pharmaceutical industry, that mercury found in our children’s immunizations could have had an adverse effect on neurological development. There should be a study on the ever increasing amount of lead being digested by our toddlers!
The toy industry will have to earn my trust again. I’m fortunate in that my kids are past the “oral” stages of putting everything in their mouths. But chances are very high that this has been going on for a long time. So, it’s a real probability that my kids chewed on their share of lead, too.
We need guarantees that the toys our children play with are safe. In every way! Until then, maybe moms should go back to giving their little ones wooden spoons, Tupperware and pots and pans to play with. At least those items shouldn’t adversely affect brain development. Let the toy industry feel the pain in what appears to be the only place that matters....their bottom line.
In an age where more and more children are being diagnosed with neurological disorders than ever before, I am convinced that there is something, probably fixable, that is causing this to happen. I wonder if chewing on some lead-based paint might have caused some of these conditions to manifest in our children.
There has been a strong belief among several educated people, not affiliated with the pharmaceutical industry, that mercury found in our children’s immunizations could have had an adverse effect on neurological development. There should be a study on the ever increasing amount of lead being digested by our toddlers!
The toy industry will have to earn my trust again. I’m fortunate in that my kids are past the “oral” stages of putting everything in their mouths. But chances are very high that this has been going on for a long time. So, it’s a real probability that my kids chewed on their share of lead, too.
We need guarantees that the toys our children play with are safe. In every way! Until then, maybe moms should go back to giving their little ones wooden spoons, Tupperware and pots and pans to play with. At least those items shouldn’t adversely affect brain development. Let the toy industry feel the pain in what appears to be the only place that matters....their bottom line.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Update on Dave
We just got word that Dave is scheduled for another kidney biopsy, next Friday, September 7. Please keep him in your prayers.
We have to leave it in God’s hands now more than ever…we don’t even know what to pray for this time around! If they find more disease, he will have to go back on chemo. But he will also have another shot at getting his own kidneys to function again. If they find that his kidneys are just too scarred to ever return to normal function, then we will just continue on with the transplant process. Dialysis remains the constant, either way.
Obviously we need prayers that there are no complications with the surgery. It would also be nice to not get anymore surprises, this time around.
The surgery will be at Mission Hospital, and he should be home that night. From our last experience, I think it takes about a week to get pathology reports back.
It’s been a tough road. Thanks for all the prayers and all your calls and emails. Knowing you guys are there is very comforting for both of us!
***A special thank you to our new friends from Illinois! Kim has been so awesome at getting our prayer requests out there! Thanks for the cards, and all your kind words of encouragement!
We have to leave it in God’s hands now more than ever…we don’t even know what to pray for this time around! If they find more disease, he will have to go back on chemo. But he will also have another shot at getting his own kidneys to function again. If they find that his kidneys are just too scarred to ever return to normal function, then we will just continue on with the transplant process. Dialysis remains the constant, either way.
Obviously we need prayers that there are no complications with the surgery. It would also be nice to not get anymore surprises, this time around.
The surgery will be at Mission Hospital, and he should be home that night. From our last experience, I think it takes about a week to get pathology reports back.
It’s been a tough road. Thanks for all the prayers and all your calls and emails. Knowing you guys are there is very comforting for both of us!
***A special thank you to our new friends from Illinois! Kim has been so awesome at getting our prayer requests out there! Thanks for the cards, and all your kind words of encouragement!
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