Hello everyone! I have been getting messages from people who are wondering why the blog has not been updated as regularly as it was last year. I really apologize to you all about that! I guess I have been lazy. Also, just enjoying the calm after almost three years of storm. Whatever the reason, we are very pleased that we have friends out there who are interested in Dave’s health and progress.
As I wrote last time, he is back at work. This has been a double-edged sword. On one side, it is great that he is able to work again, and not have to break up his week with 12 hours of dialysis and then sleeping an additional 2-3 hours during the day just because he was so exhausted! But going back to work has been difficult, too. The economy, the financial industry, the uncertainty of everything; it has been very stressful on him. That is something that we HAVE to watch, as stress can re-awaken that auto-immune disease and this time, it could mean an attack on his heart, lungs, or brain. So I spend a lot of my time praying for God to touch his heart with peace and give him wisdom in perspective. I fight with knowing that as much as I want to prevent anything from happening to him, this is an area I cannot control. I must give it back to God and know (and trust) that He will see us through.
Another reason that I have not written in awhile is that I have been following a friend from high school’s blog. He has stage IV metastatic melanoma, which has produced a tumor in his groin and they suspect numerous inoperable tumors throughout his lymph nodes. He has been on a clinical trial at City of Hope, since standard chemo will not work. But sadly, the trial drugs were taking their toll on him, and his quality of life was awful. They took him off the medication, he is feeling so much better, but now must decided whether or not to continue the treatment by this week, or he falls off the trial criteria. His wife is an amazing woman, and it is she who writes the blog. I feel so blessed to be on this side of tragedy. Then I feel guilty for feeling blessed. We know that my friend only has a matter of time left on this earth; a limited time left to watch his 3 year old son play, and hold hands with his wife, and experience whatever it is that gives his spirit pleasure and gladness. Quite honestly, I feel scared that I could have been where she is. So I turn inward and just don’t want to talk about it. Not the best solution, I know.
Please keep my friend, Bill Bartak, and his wife, Jackie in your prayers. Thank you for all the prayers you have lifted up for Dave and our family throughout these past three years. We truly, truly are blessed!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Back in the Saddle
Dave has officially gone back to work. With the economy like it is, I am pretty sure he would have rather had a few more weeks off. What crazy industry he chose to work in !
Please continue to pray for his health. Now is the time that dealing with the stresses of life and business and this yucky economy will put a great deal of stress on his body and his immune system. Obviously we are hopeful that life can stay relatively "normal" without his disease flaring.
He is doing absolutely wonderfully. We thank God for his healing and for all the friends who prayed for that healing, every night!
Please continue to pray for his health. Now is the time that dealing with the stresses of life and business and this yucky economy will put a great deal of stress on his body and his immune system. Obviously we are hopeful that life can stay relatively "normal" without his disease flaring.
He is doing absolutely wonderfully. We thank God for his healing and for all the friends who prayed for that healing, every night!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Update...FINALLY
Wow! I can’t believe it has been such a long time in between my posts. I apologize for my inconsistency during these past couple of months.
I have received some very thoughtful emails wondering how Dave is doing, and I am so pleased to tell you all, that he is doing GREAT!
He is still on the anti-rejection regimen, but they have tapered him down significantly, without it causing his body any ill effects. The kidney seems to be functioning beautifully, and his blood tests are consistently coming back, showing the levels to be NORMAL!! What a beautiful word!
We have really enjoyed the last 13 weeks of Dave’s time off. He has had a chance to rest, recuperate, and spend some real quality time with me and the kids. Time that we haven’t been able to spend with each other for over three years, since when he WAS home; he was feeling so badly all he wanted to do was sleep. What a difference these 13 weeks have been!
Dave has had his fair share of being isolated from the world! He has just been released to return to normal activities, which means he can finally go out in public. Poor guy, what an ordeal to be imprisoned! He has been out every day this week doing something fun. He took Joey and Davey fishing, went shooting twice, and took me out to a real restaurant the other night! (One without a drive-up window…nice).
I am both happy and a little sad that he will be released next Tuesday to return to work full time. I’m sure his clients are thrilled knowing that he is coming back. I, on the other hand, will be watching him to make sure he keeps things in perspective so as not to get sick, again. That’s what he gets for marrying a nurse!
Thank you, again, for all your love and prayers. They have been heard and apparently answered!!
I have received some very thoughtful emails wondering how Dave is doing, and I am so pleased to tell you all, that he is doing GREAT!
He is still on the anti-rejection regimen, but they have tapered him down significantly, without it causing his body any ill effects. The kidney seems to be functioning beautifully, and his blood tests are consistently coming back, showing the levels to be NORMAL!! What a beautiful word!
We have really enjoyed the last 13 weeks of Dave’s time off. He has had a chance to rest, recuperate, and spend some real quality time with me and the kids. Time that we haven’t been able to spend with each other for over three years, since when he WAS home; he was feeling so badly all he wanted to do was sleep. What a difference these 13 weeks have been!
Dave has had his fair share of being isolated from the world! He has just been released to return to normal activities, which means he can finally go out in public. Poor guy, what an ordeal to be imprisoned! He has been out every day this week doing something fun. He took Joey and Davey fishing, went shooting twice, and took me out to a real restaurant the other night! (One without a drive-up window…nice).
I am both happy and a little sad that he will be released next Tuesday to return to work full time. I’m sure his clients are thrilled knowing that he is coming back. I, on the other hand, will be watching him to make sure he keeps things in perspective so as not to get sick, again. That’s what he gets for marrying a nurse!
Thank you, again, for all your love and prayers. They have been heard and apparently answered!!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
New year and new update
Please forgive me for not posting on this blog as regularly as I should. I must admit, I was having a great time celebrating Christmas and the New year with my family, and just got lazy. But things have returned to normal, the kids are back in school and all the sparkling Christmas lights and decorations are put away for another year; as are all the calorie-laden candy and cookies, hopefully!
Dave has been making a weekly trek to Cedars Sinai, and we are ecstatic to report that all is going extremely well. He saw Dr. Stanley Jordan last week, who is the head of the transplant program and the pioneer of the anti-rejection method used on Dave prior to surgery. A genius of a man! His take was that most organ rejections occur during the first two months after surgery. Dave's official two month marker will be 1.18, and ironically that will also be our 17th wedding anniversary!
He is now going to LA once every other week.
Dave has been enjoying his time off to recouperate. I have had to restrain myself from giving him a list of projects these last two weeks, since he is looking and acting so well, again. I have a verrrryyyy long list. :)
While we are so blessed to live in an age where there are so many medical advancements, we do give all credit and glory to our heavenly Father! He has blessed us so greatly!!
Thank you, once again, for your continued prayers and love.
Happy New Year!
Dave has been making a weekly trek to Cedars Sinai, and we are ecstatic to report that all is going extremely well. He saw Dr. Stanley Jordan last week, who is the head of the transplant program and the pioneer of the anti-rejection method used on Dave prior to surgery. A genius of a man! His take was that most organ rejections occur during the first two months after surgery. Dave's official two month marker will be 1.18, and ironically that will also be our 17th wedding anniversary!
He is now going to LA once every other week.
Dave has been enjoying his time off to recouperate. I have had to restrain myself from giving him a list of projects these last two weeks, since he is looking and acting so well, again. I have a verrrryyyy long list. :)
While we are so blessed to live in an age where there are so many medical advancements, we do give all credit and glory to our heavenly Father! He has blessed us so greatly!!
Thank you, once again, for your continued prayers and love.
Happy New Year!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Home Schooling Stats
I thought this was an interesting article, sent to me by a friend. ....and yes, we are just a little bit "strange". :)
More Students Make Themselves at Home
A new report from the Department of Education's National Center for Statistics says that homeschooling is growing so quickly that it can hardly be called an exception to the educational rule. Since 1999, the number of students taught at home has increased by a whopping 74 percent! As the population of homeschoolers swells, so too do the positive results. According to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), homeschoolers continue to earn higher marks than their public school peers. Dr. Brian Ray of NHERI found that on average, children who learn at home score at least 15 percent higher-and in some instances 30 percent higher-than the K-12 public school average. But academic achievement isn't the only reason families favor homeschooling. The most popular motive for educating children at home, according to the DOE's survey, was concern for the negative influence of public school. Eighty-three percent of parents also cited "a desire to provide religious or moral instruction." As a homeschooling parent myself, I understand the desire to give children an environment that affirms traditional values. The government has eliminated God from the classroom and too often replaced Him with an anti-life, anti-family curriculum that misses life's deepest meaning. Also, more and more parents are finding that homeschooling better suits the educational needs of their children. It's low-cost, time-efficient, flexible, and conducive to creativity. FRC is considering the possibility of providing online seminars for homeschooling families. If this would be a helpful tool for your family, please let us know by emailingcorrespondence@frc.org. Additional Resources WorldNetDaily: Homeschooling goes boom in America
More Students Make Themselves at Home
A new report from the Department of Education's National Center for Statistics says that homeschooling is growing so quickly that it can hardly be called an exception to the educational rule. Since 1999, the number of students taught at home has increased by a whopping 74 percent! As the population of homeschoolers swells, so too do the positive results. According to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), homeschoolers continue to earn higher marks than their public school peers. Dr. Brian Ray of NHERI found that on average, children who learn at home score at least 15 percent higher-and in some instances 30 percent higher-than the K-12 public school average. But academic achievement isn't the only reason families favor homeschooling. The most popular motive for educating children at home, according to the DOE's survey, was concern for the negative influence of public school. Eighty-three percent of parents also cited "a desire to provide religious or moral instruction." As a homeschooling parent myself, I understand the desire to give children an environment that affirms traditional values. The government has eliminated God from the classroom and too often replaced Him with an anti-life, anti-family curriculum that misses life's deepest meaning. Also, more and more parents are finding that homeschooling better suits the educational needs of their children. It's low-cost, time-efficient, flexible, and conducive to creativity. FRC is considering the possibility of providing online seminars for homeschooling families. If this would be a helpful tool for your family, please let us know by emailingcorrespondence@frc.org. Additional Resources WorldNetDaily: Homeschooling goes boom in America
Friday, December 26, 2008
Clean-shaven
After 11 years, and a lot of begging on my part, Dave has given me the gift of a clean shaven face! Alas, as he walked down the stairs and into the kitchen to "surprise" me, he was met with traumatized expressions from both boys! Davey started to cry and Joey told him (quite sternly) to go get into his car, and find a new mustache!
Needless to say, I love the clean shaven look! The 80's are over and I think my husband is incredibly handsome, either way, but I really like seeing his upper lip!
Dave sent out an email to a bunch of friends, starting an improptu poll, as to whether or not he should keep his mustache off. So far the "keep it offs" are winning! Of course that means a bit of therapy for the children! :)
What do you all think? Vote now!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas
To all our friends who have followed our crazy journey these past two years: Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad y prospero Ano Nuevo! We love you!
...remember, Jesus is THE GIFT !!
(Luke 2:9-12)And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. (10) And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (12) And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
(Luke 2:13-14)And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, (14) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
...remember, Jesus is THE GIFT !!
(Luke 2:9-12)And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. (10) And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (12) And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
(Luke 2:13-14)And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, (14) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
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