tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28169560915078309022023-11-16T02:36:45.576-08:00Strnad Family DigestPostings by: Lisa StrnadLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-8156784733169559292009-03-21T10:55:00.001-07:002009-03-21T10:55:51.199-07:00UpdateHello 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-57514735122738826532009-02-20T21:45:00.000-08:002009-02-20T21:52:13.565-08:00Back in the SaddleDave 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 !<br /><br />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.<br /><br />He is doing absolutely wonderfully. We thank God for his healing and for all the friends who prayed for that healing, every night!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-58574146212914853502009-02-13T11:34:00.000-08:002009-02-13T11:36:34.418-08:00Update...FINALLYWow! 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.<br /> <br />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! <br /><br />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!<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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).<br /><br />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! <br /><br />Thank you, again, for all your love and prayers. They have been heard and apparently answered!!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-74862082640448494702009-01-10T09:47:00.000-08:002009-01-10T09:58:10.390-08:00New year and new updatePlease 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!<br /><br />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 17<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> wedding anniversary!<br /><br />He is now going to LA once every other week.<br /><br />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. :)<br /><br />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!!<br /><br />Thank you, once again, for your continued prayers and love.<br /><br />Happy New Year!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-89572945880315415942009-01-08T08:37:00.001-08:002009-01-08T08:38:16.856-08:00Home Schooling StatsI thought this was an interesting article, sent to me by a friend. ....and yes, we are just a little bit "strange". :)<br /><br />More Students Make Themselves at Home<br />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 emailing<a title="mailto:correspondence@frc.org" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12px; COLOR: rgb(51,51,102); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="mailto:correspondence@frc.org">correspondence@frc.org</a>. Additional Resources <a title="http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=" f="WA09A06" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12px; COLOR: rgb(51,51,102); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=LK09A07&f=WA09A06">WorldNetDaily: Homeschooling goes boom in America</a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-39961768645449895542008-12-26T11:27:00.001-08:002008-12-26T11:35:43.954-08:00Clean-shaven<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJdsyfTfImE8B_mB1TNZ_1bTrXS2tx-3KUZgVh5A6R4WrC2-aLN9w2HvOtYhAP3vQisN-j1Opt9koFCHc2urgasNXP08dHg_3N_J-RVWYcc8bMjDTqE9dIuUNzbE-HwaH4_uV-gn89QGP/s1600-h/PC280734.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284183000850178498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJdsyfTfImE8B_mB1TNZ_1bTrXS2tx-3KUZgVh5A6R4WrC2-aLN9w2HvOtYhAP3vQisN-j1Opt9koFCHc2urgasNXP08dHg_3N_J-RVWYcc8bMjDTqE9dIuUNzbE-HwaH4_uV-gn89QGP/s200/PC280734.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><p>After 11 years, and a lot of begging on my part, Dave has given me the gift of a clean <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">shaven</span> 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! </p><p>Needless to say, I love the clean <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">shaven</span> look! The 80's are over and I think my husband is incredibly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">handsome</span>, either way, but I really like seeing his upper lip!</p><p>Dave sent out an email to a bunch of friends, starting an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">improptu</span> poll, as to whether or not he should keep his mustache off. So far the "keep it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">offs</span>" are winning! Of course that means a bit of therapy for the children! :)</p><p>What do you all think? Vote now!</p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-70286447074112260852008-12-24T11:18:00.000-08:002008-12-24T11:21:32.522-08:00Merry ChristmasTo all our friends who have followed our crazy journey these past two years: Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad y prospero Ano Nuevo! We love you!<br /><br />...remember, Jesus is THE GIFT !!<br /><br /><br />(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.”<br /><br />(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!”Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-12628610033814156982008-12-19T21:08:00.000-08:002008-12-19T21:17:52.524-08:00Some pictures...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSYAoMAWHXAzOw_jqwXE3AvLg9mP3LXqSmE5rD0TRDAAt7Osi0DQJ7wFUc_9-mSVnKpkrxNDy89afd2JIKZN1yX8D1GUKX5BTzH5jEVzfd2s8i1hGwMoj1_ADbQ9S330b4pSz-fvwEY0r/s1600-h/PC140707.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281735387573333314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSYAoMAWHXAzOw_jqwXE3AvLg9mP3LXqSmE5rD0TRDAAt7Osi0DQJ7wFUc_9-mSVnKpkrxNDy89afd2JIKZN1yX8D1GUKX5BTzH5jEVzfd2s8i1hGwMoj1_ADbQ9S330b4pSz-fvwEY0r/s200/PC140707.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-xQgtkCJl_kImNCtzaCoZ7fqjrqhrIrCcTZCnOAakiMK34424AQQwGTZYJl49v8J1xiM20Nw3Ew-IqCZ38axYjoOy-D9oiMGjU8gIu9beoFQL7gSSM_xHJndcsAYJb2KJNjNdFTKWe45/s1600-h/PC150721.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281735214406885554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-xQgtkCJl_kImNCtzaCoZ7fqjrqhrIrCcTZCnOAakiMK34424AQQwGTZYJl49v8J1xiM20Nw3Ew-IqCZ38axYjoOy-D9oiMGjU8gIu9beoFQL7gSSM_xHJndcsAYJb2KJNjNdFTKWe45/s200/PC150721.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjFBDBcqt-FJiK-OAu1rjgYVTsDV6aNjoh-YSueraOskNOEC6vGvEb_Uz-8Q0MeRRsEt8NjbAMV2nVxmzCVQwVOIqgf2UEbB3PK3NHqwhl6XNVVJIEwbhbiJjrHome9rLSg8GU6K6y3ID/s1600-h/PC110693.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281735612102406690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjFBDBcqt-FJiK-OAu1rjgYVTsDV6aNjoh-YSueraOskNOEC6vGvEb_Uz-8Q0MeRRsEt8NjbAMV2nVxmzCVQwVOIqgf2UEbB3PK3NHqwhl6XNVVJIEwbhbiJjrHome9rLSg8GU6K6y3ID/s200/PC110693.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjFBDBcqt-FJiK-OAu1rjgYVTsDV6aNjoh-YSueraOskNOEC6vGvEb_Uz-8Q0MeRRsEt8NjbAMV2nVxmzCVQwVOIqgf2UEbB3PK3NHqwhl6XNVVJIEwbhbiJjrHome9rLSg8GU6K6y3ID/s1600-h/PC110693.JPG"></a></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>These are just some fun pictures of the last week that I wanted to share. The tree looks prettier than in this picture, if I don't say so myself! But I am not the best photographer...</div><div></div><div>We are looking forward to baking more yummy things this week, and wrapping presents and watching Christmas movies and having hot cocoa!! Good times at Christmas!!</div><div></div><div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-45487847349991105472008-12-09T18:36:00.000-08:002008-12-09T18:41:14.934-08:00Great News!!Dave spent the whole day up at Cedars Sinai getting another <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">IVIG</span> antibody infusion, which is just protocol at this point. But 8 hours later he is tired and HUNGRY. :)<br /><br />While he was there, the transplant coordinator called him to tell him that his labs are stellar! His <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">creatinine</span> is now 0.9, which is completely within normal limits of a person with TWO working <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">kidneys</span>. Praise God!! Plus...get this....they have decreased his anti-rejection <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">meds</span> about 70% from where they initially started him. He was a high risk going in, but he is doing so well now, they can start tapering the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">meds</span>. <br /><br />God is so good. We are humbled by this; yet another example of answered prayer. <br /><br />Thanks for your prayers and support!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-47787981312087676002008-12-03T20:17:00.001-08:002008-12-03T20:28:44.266-08:00Frustrated!After years of trying to figure out how to get back into the medical field, and then deciding on becoming a PA, today was my first orientation at one of the three area universities that has a MS in Physician's Assistants. To my sad surprise, the program is two 27 unit semesters of lecture and classroom studies, and one entire year of clinical rotations. The rotations are awesome. They place you, and it could be as far away as Lake Arrowhead or the inner city. The tricky part is that the rotations are broken into 4 weeks of each major specialty, so your hours are whatever your supervising physician's hours are. <br /><br />I am a mom. I have a household to run. I am a home <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">schooler</span>. How on earth am I going to do this???<br /><br />To top it all off, as I sat there in the lecture hall, toggling somewhere between depression and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">exhilaration</span>, the speaker gives an example of someone who really should re-think their commitment to the program. Are you ready for this? The example he gave was a "...mother of young children, married, who lived farther than 30 minutes from the campus, like Orange County." When he was asked (by another student) how far was too far, his answer was, "...oh probably Mission <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Viejo</span>." <br /><br />Seriously, was this divine intervention or just plain bad luck?? <br /><br />I am praying about this, and hoping God will continue to guide me in all of this career stuff. <br /><br />Tomorrow I will begin checking out more options, and see where I land.<br /><br />Tonight I am going to have a cup of cocoa and take a hot bath....Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-20022379117975341302008-12-01T18:38:00.000-08:002008-12-01T18:53:39.516-08:00Weekly ClinicIt took the better part of three hours (THREE HOURS) to drive up to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hospital</span> today. There must have been accidents galore, or something weird, because what is usually a long two hour trip during rush hour was nearly unbearable. Plus, Dave and I don't like the same music. I love praise music in the morning, but when I am driving in stop and go traffic, I need Creed or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Nickleback</span> or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Daughtry</span> to keep me from zoning out. Dave likes country music. I like a little country, but not a lot. Sort of like Donny and Marie...ha ha! So we end up playing a game of "my turn" with the radio stations. Then it happened. As I am stuck...literally sitting on the 405, my fuel light starts blinking. Oh no!!<br /><br />We finally got up to Cedars Sinai at almost 9:30 AM. That's late, really late. Dave is supposed to have blood work done between 8 AM and 8:30 AM. No way that was happening this morning. But we made it; better late than never. <br /><br />It seemed that everyone we talked to at the transplant clinic had heard about Dave's eventful Friday. It was pretty funny when even the receptionists were asking him if he was planning on staying out of the hospital longer than a week this time. I told them I was convinced that he must have a weird love of green jello, and it just tastes better in one of those adjustable beds!<br /><br />We got his lab results this evening. Good news! Every level looks really good. They are bringing down his rejection medication, which indicates that his body is taking well to the new kidney. His blood sugar has <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">stabilized</span>, which I was pretty concerned about. His <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">creatinine</span> levels are completely normal!! Amazing results!!<br /><br />We will be going back on Friday for another clinic and more blood work. Maybe I will ask Santa for a helicopter this year! That would be a lot easier than driving!! :)Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-50751921107422179592008-11-30T08:11:00.000-08:002008-11-30T08:41:41.293-08:00Back from the hospital....again. Surgery #2 in 10 daysFriday, the day after Thanksgiving, Dave woke up with intense abdominal pain. Nausea and vomiting to the point where I almost called 911. We both thought that he was rejecting the new kidney. <br /><br />I spent two hours back and forth on the phone with the doctors at Cedars. They wanted me to bring him in. But I couldn't get him out of bed, downstairs and into the car. Not to mention the fact that I needed to get someone over here to watch the kids. Dave, who barely complained about pain after any of his procedures, was now yelling and saying his pain was at a 10! <br /><br />When I finally got him downstairs (<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">I'm</span> sure an angel helped me) and into the front seat of the SUV, he was still yelling in pain. How on earth was I going to drive this man to Cedars, which is about 90 minutes away?? <br /><br />By divine intervention, I was given the clarity to skip the freeway, and take him into Mission Hospital, which was a mere 5 minutes away ~ with a full trauma center. <br /><br />After an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">initial</span> evaluation, some preliminary labs, and copious amounts of pain <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">meds</span> and anti-nausea <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">meds</span> we were told that he had an infection but they weren't sure where it was coming from. Then they used words that someone with a little knowledge can freak out about....like "acidosis" and "septic"....holy cow!!! Treatment for that would run the risk of hurting the kidney.<br /><br />They took him down to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">CTScan</span> his abdomen, and the next thing we knew the surgeon was in our room checking him out. Great, a surgeon! Cutters! What now?? <br /><br /><p>The doctor began asking him to pin point the area where the pain was coming from. Then began pushing on different areas. As I saw him feel for Dave's right hip bone, then do a sweeping hand motion and press right on his APPENDIX....Dave nearly jumped off the table. I think I must have given an very loud "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Whoo</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">hoo</span>". Strange reaction by most people, I will admit. But the alternatives to Appendicitis were blood infection or Staph. I would choose an emergency appendectomy <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">any day</span>!! Poor Dave. But...thank God we can fix this!!</p><p>Dave was told he needed surgery ASAP. The surgeon was going to try to do it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">laproscopically</span>, which would mean three small holes to fashionably go with his long scar already on the abdomen. Cool....chicks dig scars! :) </p><p>Dave came through the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">procedure</span> wonderfully. He was in and out within an hour. No rupturing and no perforation. Thank God....all he will need is another oral antibiotic. </p><p>We, once again, see how God is in complete control. Even in what we see as utter chaos, His plan is coming together. The surgeon (who was just an on-call surgeon) has a specialty; <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">appendectomies</span> done <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">laproscopically</span>. Ha! That was pretty amazing! Then we have the issue of should I or shouldn't I have driven up to LA with Dave in such pain. God allowed us to be seen in a reasonable amount of time and Dave was able to get medicine to calm him down so his body wasn't in such agony for hours. God is good. </p><p>Even with an emergency appendectomy (which is in no way tied to the transplant....it is truly a fluke of timing) we are thankful!</p><p>He is home, once again.</p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-87391173949858067102008-11-26T11:21:00.000-08:002008-11-26T14:09:31.956-08:00The Gift of LifeJohn....our hero. This amazing, loving, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">noble</span>, selfless man, who gave Dave back his life. Thank you doesn't even begin to say enough to him, but yet that's all he wanted.<br /><br />In keeping with John's request, we kept mum on who Dave's donor was. There were some friends who we did share this information with, but those were the people who wouldn't <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">accidentally</span> share this news with the dear aunties or other cousins that would set the gossip phone lines on fire. John wanted what he was doing for Dave to be kept private. He wasn't doing this for any glory or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">atta</span>-boy praise from others.<br /><br />The day of the transplant they took John into surgery about 2 1/2 hours prior to Dave. I sat with April, John's brave wife, and we knew what was happening to our two husbands was something that few people will ever experience. We became sisters that day. In a similar way that Dave and John became brothers. There was a new connection between the four of us that would be special from that day forward.<br /><br />When John's surgeon came out to the waiting room to give us the news that John had made it through his portion of the surgery, and most importantly that he was fine; I remember just sobbing in relief. Thank God, he was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ok</span>. Thank you, God that you allowed him to give this gift of life to Dave, without having this action compromise his health in anyway. Thank you, God.<br />April and I just hugged each other tightly. One down, and one to go. We knew that at that moment Dave was in the middle of his transplant. Oh dear Lord, please be with my husband....<br /><br />About two hours later, our surgeon, Dr. Dafoe (yes...he is related to the Green Goblin), walked into the waiting area with news about Dave. He said that the kidney was already functioning. It was a robust kidney, and it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">appeared</span> that Dave's body was taking to it, just fine.<br /><br />Upon hearing this news, I was overjoyed! Again, tears of happiness started streaming down my face, only to be interrupted by the words, "But there may be a problem with his breathing". What did he mean. "his breathing"? Did it have something to do with his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Wegener's</span> flaring? Could there be lung scarring? What exactly was going on???<br /><br />Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Dafoe</span> told me that Dave's O2 saturation was low. Probably in the high 80's. He had fluid <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">in his</span> lungs. He was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">intibated</span> from surgery, and they may have to put him on a respirator. Scary, scary words..."a respirator". He said that he would go back in 10 minutes to check on Dave and see what the recovery team had decided to do. But to be rest assured that they were working on him. Again, my mind went to some vague memory of a code blue being called in the ER....working on him.<br /><br />Amazingly I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">felt</span> peace within this crazy, scary time. I felt as though I was being held by Jesus, himself. I can't say that I knew he would be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">ok</span>. I didn't. I just felt like whatever happened IT would be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">ok</span>. Ten minutes went by excruciatingly slow.<br /><br />Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Dafoe</span> walked back out and told me that they had, indeed, removed the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">intibation</span> tube, and that Dave was now breathing on his own. Praise God!! Thank you, Lord!! His kidney was working and the excess fluid in his lungs was being removed through that robust little kidney!<br /><br />Dave was in recovery for the next six hours.<br /><br />During this time, John was able to go into his suite. A suite at Cedars Sinai is truly that....a suite. They <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">mimic</span> something from the Four Seasons. It is a VIP floor where the rich and famous stay. It is the Club Floor! They graciously treat all organ donors as the 'stars' that they are.<br /><br />As I walked into the room, John was asleep. April, John's mom, his two little girls and John's brother were in there just hanging out. Yes, the room IS that big. John woke up just enough to ask if Dave was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">ok</span>. I held on to his hand, and told him that everything was fine. I thanked him for saving Dave's life. I kissed his hand, which was the only place I could reach! John is a BIG guy...and I am...not. :)<br /><br />The truly amazing thing is the look that John had in his eyes. I recognized that look. When a woman gives birth to her children there is a look in her eyes that God allows us to have. It is the look of life-giving. Life, the most precious of all <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">gifts</span>, is not something that God takes lightly, I assume. John had that glowing, holy, life-giving look in his eyes. It was God's Spirit I saw. He was being blessed, even as his actions blessed us.<br /><br />Thank you, John. Your gift has given Dave his life back. Your gift has given our family another chance to be a family and not have to live around a dialysis machine. Dave will have the energy and will that he once had. He can play with his boys the way he used to play. He can clean out his garage and dabble in some woodworking projects, again. He can paint the bathroom. He can take us on a vacation, and not worry about having to take a four hour nap every day. But most of all, we can have a future. Thank you, John. We are forever grateful to you, April and the girls. We love you all.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-25337768757925911572008-11-24T08:27:00.000-08:002008-11-24T08:48:21.013-08:00You know you are in a hospital in Beverly Hills when...We made it home on Saturday after a very eventful week up in LA. The people at Cedars Sinai were just wonderful! I want to work there when I grow up!! They took such excellent care of Dave, and made sure I had a nice bed beside him on the nights I stayed up there. The nursing staff was top notch! The doctors....well, what can I say...they (with the help of our God) saved my husband's life!<br /><br />I knew I was in LA when, on the day of Dave's surgery, I was waiting in the recovery waiting room with a well known actress ~ who was also waiting to hear about her husband. We ended up becoming good buddies, sharing our novels (although neither of us had enough brain power left to read beyond a 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> grade level that night) and phone numbers. I think the term "networking" sort of fits, as we talked about philanthropy projects we were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">interested</span> in helping, and as I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ended</span> up giving her my card so I could work with her at an event scheduled early next year at the new Ronald Reagan building at UCLA. Too funny!!<br /><br />Reality came back into focus as both of our husbands finally got their rooms, and we hugged as we went on to different units of the hospital. Only in LA, baby!<br /><br />Oh...there was a Starbucks in the lobby, too. How cool is that? I am still coming down from my skinny vanilla latte' highs of last week. <br /><br />Upon waking from the cloudiness of anesthesia, Dave was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">already</span> looking better than when he went into surgery. Amazing how that little kidney was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">already</span> fast at work cleaning all the gunk out of his bloodstream. When I see how our bodies work, I am always shocked by those who think we just evolved from some slime that crawled out of the water. <br /><br />Although the trip to Beverly Hills was grueling from south Orange County....and I really do get the whole road rage thing, now...I am so happy that God led us to this facility. As a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Christan</span>, my faith is what glues me together. It was not a cross, but rather the Star of David that shone down from the outside wall of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">hospital</span> entrance. Faith abides inside. That gave both of us a a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">huge</span> sense of comfort! Faith in the one true God and His abiding love and power. <br /><br />We have made it home, and Dave is doing great! He continues to lose weight, and his body is functioning again! Praise God!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-11205220234659114242008-11-17T15:36:00.000-08:002008-11-17T15:42:00.352-08:00As I am packing the bags for our little trip up to LA, I wanted to stop long enough to say "thank you" to our friends, and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">family</span>. We have been lifted up in prayer by people all over the country! Both Dave and I are truly humbled at all the love, support, and encouragement that keeps coming our way. When I put a bulletin out that prayer is needed, I get responses almost immediately! We are blessed by you!<br /><br />I probably won't post on the blog until next week. I will be calling people while I am in traffic on the 405 this week, so you might get a call, sometime!<br /><br />Again~ thank you for the prayers and love!! God has brought us this far for some purpose. While we are not sure what that is, we remain faithful to His call and His plan for our lives.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-22541651905314442622008-11-13T10:40:00.001-08:002008-11-14T08:38:14.669-08:00Tuesday is the Transplant!The day of the transplant is quickly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">approaching</span>, and I have so much to do that I feel like I should be wearing roller skates (gee...that dates me!) so I can get it all accomplished.<br /><br />Dave had his final <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">IVIG</span> therapy yesterday, and they took one last blood test to make sure the cross match is good with the donor's, after all of these antibody treatments. We have been told that the results will be in by Friday, and that no news is good news. If we don't hear from them, have our bags packed and ready for Tuesday morning!<br /><br />It was sort of funny the other day, as we sat in the transplant center's examination room talking to the nurse coordinator. She mentioned that Dave would no longer be able to eat anything raw (which is what had already told him....but we won't go there). He realized that "raw" meant sushi! I swear, I thought he was going to get up and say something like, "Thanks, but I'll stay on dialysis". So I promised him a weekend of awesome Japanese food. Ahhh... the sacrifices I make! ;)<br /><br />As I sit here, and try to concentrate on the events of the last two and a half years, I am focusing on the blessings that God has allowed into our lives. Especially the awesome people who have blessed our lives so abundantly through prayer, friendship, service and constant encouragement. Without these trials, we never would have experienced these blessings so fully. So, while the road has been difficult, and while (speaking only for myself) I wish I could have remained in a state of denial most of the time....I have received so many personal blessings. Thank you!<br /><br />I will keep you all updated as best as I can through next week. Most of you have my email or my cell phone, so feel free to contact me, anytime.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-72399428539628617402008-11-06T14:06:00.000-08:002008-11-07T08:07:09.383-08:00Off to AtlantaThis is the weekend I have scheduled to go and visit my brother in the great state of Georgia! Since I have never been to Atlanta, sans the airport on my way to Disneyworld, I am pretty excited.<br /><br />Dave will be here with the boys, and be helped with some wonderful babysitters and my mom. So things should run smoothly for three days. Right??? Why then do I feel so gosh-darn guilty about leaving?<br /><br />So...if you're in the neighborhood, and feeling well (seriously...) please drop by and visit Dave and the boys while I am away. Of course you may find the three of them watching some Godzilla movie, wearing their underware, and eating cake frosting with their fingers! :) It's good to be a guy, or so I hear!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-77779468723053059262008-10-31T13:25:00.000-07:002008-10-31T13:45:10.995-07:00Two down...One to Go..Yesterday was round two of the immune suppressant therapy treatments. Dave had an infusion of chemotherapy that lasted from 9 AM until 5:30 PM! Even though it was a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">loooongg</span> day, he did great! Just a little tired, but no real bad side-effects. Not even nausea.<br /><br /> Being the stubborn man he is (hint...I was ticked), he insisted on driving home in the lovely LA rush-hour traffic. I must have asked him 20 times how he felt, nag that I am! (Note to self: hide blackberry AND car keys after surgery!)<br /><br />So....we are down to one more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">IVIG</span> antibody treatment before the final blood test to determine how well this transplant will take. I found out yesterday that the doctor who is treating Dave for anti-rejection, Dr. Stanley <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Jordin</span>, is the on who treated George Lopez a few years ago. He has this amazing track record, and is really well known <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">throughout</span> the medical industry~ he even did a spot on Oprah! <br /><br />Next on the agenda is the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Pre</span>-Op scheduled for two weeks from now, followed the next day by the last <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">IVIG</span> treatment. <br /><br />Please continue those prayers, that the cross match between Dave and his donor change for the better. Thanks so much!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-57706779515650262672008-10-24T09:21:00.000-07:002008-10-24T09:30:12.455-07:00Yes, We Watched Grey's AnatomyThanks to all our friends who emailed, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">texted</span> and called us last night to tell us about tuning in to Grey's Anatomy. Once we got through all the silly 20-something drama, the storyline was pretty interesting.<br /><br />Johns Hopkins was the actual facility to do this 6-at-once kidney transplant, back in April. It was pretty amazing! It gave a lot of hope to many who have been on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">UNOS</span> list for several years, and who have a potential donor who may not be a good match for them. Medicine is pretty awesome! I have been reading how they are taking a person's own stem cells (no fetus stem cell use) to grow a bladder. Places like Johns Hopkins, The Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic are conducting these mind-blowing clinical trials right now. <br /><br />We go back to Cedars next Thursday for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Rituxan</span> infusion. Things are going well in every other way. Well....except Dave's profession. I mean, could you pick a more stressful job right now? If anyone has any suggestions how I should keep him away from his blackberry, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">MSNBC</span> or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Bloomberg</span> during recovery ~ please let me know. You know, besides duct tape and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">tasers</span>. Those I have! :)<br /><br />I'll write more after next Thursday. God bless~Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-25977655676775919612008-10-20T08:39:00.000-07:002008-10-20T09:09:00.477-07:00One down....We went up to Cedars Sinai last Friday to begin Dave's anti-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">rejection</span> therapy. Amazingly, this is the only place in the Western United States that does this therapy! People come from all over hoping to make it through the program and qualify for this particular antibody treatment. We are so blessed to be not only part of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">program</span> (yes, it is considered a medical trial), but to have the doctor who created this therapy as one of Dave's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">nephrologists</span>. Again, God is blessing us, greatly!<br /><br />We began the day by meeting with one of the research doctors who spoke about statistics to both of of us regarding the trial and success rates, etc. (Like we have an option at this point?!?) She was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">extremely</span> helpful, and explained to us that while Dave's cross match with the donor is not perfect, there's a good chance that they can tweak his immune system enough so as to make the transplant take. Good news! *Stats have not been our friend throughout this adventure, so we would rather rely on God's power of intervention than on science's manipulation, alone. God has gotten Dave this far, so we will trust that He will get us through the rest of this process.<br /><br />Dave received the 'good' antibodies through dialysis. He felt fine, afterwards. No difference, at all. They are synthetic, but there is still a chance for allergic reaction~ so they watched him closely for four hours.<br /><br />The worst part of the day was hitting the 10 FWY at La <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Cienega</span> at 4:30PM, Friday! It took us two hours to get home, going a steady pace of 20mph for much of the trip! Man, I hate LA traffic!<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Myfortic</span> (immune <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">suppressant</span> oral medication) was started this weekend, and he's had no ill effects from that, either. Yay!<br /><br />On October 30, Dave will get an infusion of a Chemo drug to further ring down his immune system. Then one more antibody infusion on November 12, a week before his 'tentative' surgery.<br /><br />Yeah, I said 'tentative'. Because if by some chance his cross match is still positive (which is bad), then we can't do the transplant. <strong>Please join us</strong> in giving this back to God, and trusting that He will allow everything to go forward, enabling Dave's surgery on November 18, as scheduled.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-27793331064582880072008-10-13T09:55:00.001-07:002008-10-13T11:52:54.642-07:00His Grace is SufficientI apologize to everyone for not keeping up with this blog, like I said I would. Between home schooling and completing my own degree PLUS the ministry work I am so busy these days. But enough excuses…Get a cup of tea, because I wrote a mini-novel. :)<br /><br />First, for the update: Dave will begin his anti-rejection therapy this Friday up at Cedars Sinai. They will begin with giving him antibodies that are called “good” antibodies. Since he has a large amount of the “bad” antibodies that will attack the transplanted kidney, he must increase his amount of the good ones. Sounds simple enough.<br /><br />This weekend he will orally begin taking the chemo therapy drug to start bringing down his immune system. In two weeks they will begin giving him infusions of chemotherapy to further bring down his immune system, getting his body ready for the transplant.<br /><br />We have begun what I jokingly refer to as our "quarantine" period, where the kids can have one friend over at a time, as long as that friend is <em>healthy</em>. Not a lot of visitors at once can come over and as of next week, Dave will have to work mostly from the house. It’s really important to minimize germs in our home right now, so his body doesn’t have to fight anything off with a compromised immune system. This becomes even more important AFTER the transplant.<br /><br />Honestly, if I don’t already have OCD, I am sure I will by January!<br /><br />Many of you are fellow believers, so hopefully you will understand what it is I am about to say. We are scared. We are thrilled. We are anxious. We feel blessed in so many ways. I guess we feel all of that and more at once. AND that’s OK.<br /><br />Sometimes there is a political correctness about being a Christian, where we don’t want to express our true fears and our true doubts. I have issues with faith. There, I said it. I love the Lord so much, and I trust Him as much as is humanly possible….most of the time. But there are times that I feel so weak and so abandoned. It is these times when God sends a friend my way to give me renewed strength. He always does this!<br /><br />Case in point, we have had a really bad weekend with stress and fear. You can imagine what poor Dave has gone through at work these past couple weeks. Add that to the stress of his health, and you can see what a mess things can become…and they did. I had a paper due on Sunday for one of my classes, which I was just not able to complete. If you know me, I am never late with assignments. No, not perfect, but a bit obsessed with being on time. However, this weekend I just couldn’t complete it. We needed to be there for each other this weekend. To get into God’s word; to pray and seek out the Comforter. To be a family.<br /><br />I wrote to my instructor to ask for an extension on this paper. Long story short…I got an email this morning with not only a huge extension, but a beautiful <strong>prayer </strong>attached. She is a Christian!! She ended up calling me this morning and we talked and cried (silly girls!!) and we shared our hearts over the phone…miles apart... and we prayed together. What a blessing God gave me. Unexpected and truly perfect! God knew that I would need this woman in my life way before I even signed up to go back to school! Our Father is amazingly wonderful. His love is so abundant.<br /><br />While I am ashamed that I have moments where I lack faith, those moments do exist. I am so grateful that His Grace is sufficient, because I am so weak.<br /><br />Thank you to all my friends who have blessed me and my family throughout these couple of years. I honestly am humbled by your love and your generosity! My faith, while not perfect, has been strengthed by so many of you.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-76730468089809256982008-10-03T09:09:00.000-07:002008-10-03T09:31:57.898-07:00The Richard Nixon Presidential Library<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJB5IFZxZDE2ez3qPJ6prfTqko01f92M3mg4i7H-27sEgKyF_gV-AkHdJbFHwUdAbB1UvgMVsx14rYqm324d0mmjer9Dxmd9WYApv6yTBtKBAqNBb7CqD8dogdCDhXuR7g9HGMuIGDwrl/s1600-h/P1010538.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252965263409938882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJB5IFZxZDE2ez3qPJ6prfTqko01f92M3mg4i7H-27sEgKyF_gV-AkHdJbFHwUdAbB1UvgMVsx14rYqm324d0mmjer9Dxmd9WYApv6yTBtKBAqNBb7CqD8dogdCDhXuR7g9HGMuIGDwrl/s200/P1010538.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252964589998520546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6Akd7GQldgiHDeAet67viMvhh4SwO8IO7yfEeEyuviFZd-MFKgriXun0SBRqg3LlYvbrGo59Fmz3C2I08rY0Ssi5mYy7rf22MUYQHzNsEIbCZBNwhB2BkJIk_7jrQkxBN2LJ-WSsDpNw/s200/P1010548.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu36mPG9mEJql2rVo209LgOwZapoTF7Jlsr6-9wQbffnfD4exHwEqEbRoCNGFAMgGvvVOtT0ay04k0ly2njHuiqbalAHaM9YWv-8RctWCLO_kmszT0XUrDnq5RaD1OkkZX3MTD-e9jLUbG/s1600-h/P1010544.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252961389121225794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu36mPG9mEJql2rVo209LgOwZapoTF7Jlsr6-9wQbffnfD4exHwEqEbRoCNGFAMgGvvVOtT0ay04k0ly2njHuiqbalAHaM9YWv-8RctWCLO_kmszT0XUrDnq5RaD1OkkZX3MTD-e9jLUbG/s200/P1010544.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQVG7SrlOI_iXwAYt9w8WWVQ0AKzAjTCl5xQYPVMSj1zbwcf3Nx0kv4sC6ELwr0exgeiFKwqHoD5yFx6jsDFMuspKULKPiEfIrUUzT_dISQ_2_e4hVVqIMEFjBsZ341TbEMXT9prU8pR1/s1600-h/P1010555.JPG"></a><br /><div>We took the kids to the Richard Nixon <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Presidential</span> Library for a field trip this week. The library is in Northern Orange County, in the city of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Yorba</span> Linda. That's about 30 minutes from where we live. What a great time we had browsing the many interactive displays that they had. </div><br /><div>One of the most awesome things we saw was a piece (rather large) of the Berlin Wall. David is standing beside it in the pictures I have uploaded. Amazing piece of history! We also got to see Marine One, the helicopter that was used for Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford. There were displays on the Space program, and the famous China visit that the Nixon's made. </div><br /><div>I really found that this trip was highly educational not only for the kids, but for me and Dave, as well. We will definitely be going back~ especially for those research projects that will be coming up in Spring! </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-12978754297308097742008-10-03T09:06:00.000-07:002008-10-03T09:09:41.822-07:00Apologies.....I have to apologize to many of you who became concerned when I wrote that our insurance coverage was ending in December. I should have used the word "changing". We will have insurance. We just aren't sure what carrier, and what coverage we will be getting. Luckily Dave's surgery will have been in November, so we are still covered at a reasonable rate for that. <br /><br />Sorry if I worried anyone. It was really unintentional.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-68503968431598419202008-09-26T09:42:00.000-07:002008-09-28T17:15:08.101-07:00Life, Fear and FaithWhen I started writing this blog, several months ago, I never imagined that we would be dealing with anything more scary than Dave's health. But in the last few weeks we have seen our economy take a hit. Personally, we have friends who have lost their jobs, virtually all their savings, their company's compensation -stock packages and some major individual assets. Crazy, crazy days!<br /><br />Today we found out that our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">own health</span> insurance will be canceled at the end of the year. That would be a scary thing if I had just a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">regular</span> need for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pediatricians</span> and the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">occasional</span> doctor visit for Dave and I. But with a major <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">surgery</span> looming before us, as well as covering all the donor's care...I'm a little worried, I won't lie. We will be getting insurance....it's just we aren't sure who will be the carrier.<br /><br />I try to fall back on my faith, again. I know that as a child of God, He will not leave me, <em>ever</em>. My needs will be met and my family will be taken care of. I rest on that truth. It becomes even more evident, in this life-journey I am on, that I sometimes fall into believing that it's Dave who meets our needs ~ not God. That is really mixed up thinking on my part, for sure.<br /><br />Today I find myself looking deeper into what it is I truly believe. Who will take care of my boys if something happens to their dad? If something happens to me? There is no financial institution or stock/retirement package or medical insurance that will meet their/our needs. It is through God alone that our needs are met. From whom our real blessings are given.<br /><br />Faith is tough. It is not tangible, but it is measurable.<br /><br />I pray for all whose lives have been touched by the current turn of events in our economy. All our friends and friends of friends who have lost so much and who are trying to hold it together for their own <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">families</span>. Maybe it's time we simplify our lives or at least re-prioritize them. It certainly is the time to re-evaluate from where (or from WHOM) our true security comes.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816956091507830902.post-87641631248416703862008-09-23T15:35:00.000-07:002008-09-23T16:03:06.330-07:00Trip to LA and down Memory LaneLast week was quite a week! Dave, being in the investment industry, went for a rather eventful ride on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">rollercoaster</span> of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">DJIA</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">NASDQ</span>. Man, I think everyone was happy when Friday finally rolled around. There was a story in Christianity Today last week that talked about the people on Wall Street praying more these days than ever before. Yeah, no doubt!<br /><br />On Saturday the family took a car trip up to Beverly Hills to map out the hospital and surrounding areas. We still can't find a decent place to stay that is less than $400 a night. It's pretty sad when you can get a cheaper room in Hawaii than the mid-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">whilshire</span> district!<br /><br />Cedars Sinai is a pretty impressive complex. Beautiful, and big, and somewhat immaculate for a hospital. In fact, in the years since getting out of medicine it has always surprised me how dirty a lot of the better hospitals are kept. Cleveland Clinic and UCLA are prime examples of hospitals with great reputations that are just so impacted that there is never any time to clean before a new patient gets plugged into an open room. No wonder <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">MRSA</span> is on the rise in our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">health care</span> facilities!<br /><br />Across the street from Cedars is the Beverly Center, a very upscale shopping mall. We took advantage of the fact that the kids were needing a break from the car, ad walked around this multi-level, shoppers dream. We have a lot of the same stores down in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">OC</span>, so I wasn't blown away. Then, my son David saw <strong>it</strong>....the place he had only dreamed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">existed</span>. The Ferrari Store! Seriously, there is a Ferrari Store in Beverly Hills.<br /><br />I guess it's the place where you can get dad that cool Ferrari cap to wear as he drives the family minivan! No, really...there was everything "Ferrari"; to include a Ferrari LEGO <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">playset</span>. My boys live, breathe and almost eat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">LEGOS</span>. We <em>had</em> to get one. We got the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">playset</span> and a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">die cast</span> Ferrari and spent way too much money and got our huge testosterone rush. Then went back to the car (not a Ferrari) to make our way back home. My son, still wearing a huge smile on his face after visiting boy-Mecca.<br /><br />On the way back we decided to take a detour and head through Hacienda Heights, where both Dave and I grew up. Fun, fun, fun walking down memory lane! We showed the kids the houses we grew up in, and the church we attended and Dave's high school. We even showed them our <em>cool</em> mall...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">ok</span>, it wasn't that cool....but the movie "Back to the Future" was filmed there, so it was our idea of cool for most of the 80's.<br /><br />When we finally got home we were officially pooped! But had a pretty fun day.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03337605326457095405noreply@blogger.com0