Lithotripsy Update

John wrote:

Today Jessica had her lithotripsy to crush the remaining stones in her left kidney. All went well. Stones should be gone and the doctor did not feel that a stint was necessary. Tonight she is staying in the hospital with lots of pain medication and discomfort. The doctor said she should be able to have the catheter removed and possibly come home tomorrow. From here, we just pray and hope that the stone fragments pass without any problems, and then we are done.

Just a cool note. Jessica's nurse all day today is from Lima, Peru. Her name is Milagro (Miracle in english). She has been in Costa Rica going to school for nursing and working for a couple of years. In December she will be moving back to Lima, but first she will be visiting Lima for almost the whole month of August - the same time we arrive. We exchanged contact info with her, and she said she lives only 20 minutes from where we will be. She also offered to contact her family so they can keep an eye out for a house for us, before we even get there. God has already given us a Peruvian friend. We were able to learn and share a lot about Peru and life in Peru.

Thank you so much for praying for Jessica.

In case you were wondering...this is the hotel, I mean hospital, where I will have my surgery tomorrow. So now you don't have to worry about the kind of care I will receive. This place is first class:

http://www.hospitalcima.com/portada.htm

Also, we received two phone calls tonight of people who desired to pray with us before my big day tomorrow. I can't tell you how much it meant to hear from my friend Pam and a pastor from the states, Stephen Jones. Are hearts are comforted to know we have people covering us in prayer. I know tomorrow is not a big deal, but there are still so many unknowns and being away from all of my friends and family in Florida has made me very, very weepy today and more dreadful of tomorrow. But God, in all his goodness, is filling in all the gaps once again.

2 exams in one day

I MADE IT!!!

I completed both of my oral proficiency exams today. My first one at school (that doesn't really count) thumbs down! I did not accurately reflect how I speak and I think my results will not be up to par with my true ability to speak.

The test with my mission! Thumbs UP!!! I accurately represented how I talk in a real-life situation and I think I will be pleased with my results.

Tomorrow I will be admitted into the hospital in the a.m. and then taken to another hospital in the BEverly Hills of Costa Rica. After the surgery, I will be moved back to Clinica Biblica where I will stay for 1 or 2 nights. Thank you for your prayers. I am nervous b/c I have come to DESPISE kidney and bladder pain.

I am just so glad this very long and stressful day is over. :) All the pressure is TRULY gone now. I can sail smoothly the next 2 weeks here.

CHECK IT OUT!

The first day of my new blog about all things Fitness/health/food etc...

http://www.nomoresnickers.blogspot.com/

Let's leave lots of comments, spur on one another, and share tips/advice, successes, failures and anything that will motivate us to live healthier lives for the glory of God. Our body is His!

Help Me Pick A New Name for MY NEW BLOG!

I am ready to start my exercise/fitness/eating well/losing weight/be healthy blog.

BUT I NEED A NAME! And I decided that I am going to solicit names from my blogging buddies. Here are a few names I tried for the blog, but they were already taken:

Get The Skinny (my favorite)
Fit For Life
Beat The Bulge

And how frustrating that these people who own these blog names haven't blogged in like forever.

So, now we have the task of finding a name and I will have my new blog up and running (ASAP). It will be very simple to start with, but hopefully will improve as time goes on.

Ideas, Ideas????

Lima has EVERYTHING I need!

It's 9 p.m. and I am still awake. I didn't actually make it to sleep! Oh well!

BUT LOOK WHAT I FOUND! CAN YOU TELL I AM EXCITED BECAUSE I AM TYPING IN ALL CAPS!

I have looked at least 10 times for a running club in Lima. And now that I can actually speak a little Spanish, I was able to type in the right words and LOOK what I found.

There is a Nike 10K at the end of August. If God will allow it, sign me up! I am so excited to find a club that has races every month. I really need this in my life for motivation.

http://perurunners.peru.com

I probably won't sleep because I am so excited. My dreams will be about the Nike 10K!

God's CONSTANT provision for my desires

I just love the way the blog ticker looks today: 2 weeks and 5 days until Lima. :)

Please continue to keep my family in your prayers. John's dad is still in the hospital (once again) and my step-father (Gary) suffered a heart-attack yesterday. He almost passed away, but the doctor's were able to save him and they performed a surgery (he has no insurance) and right now he is in ICU recovering. Please pray for my mom as she is not good at handling stress and is a little bit beside herself right now. She is wishing I could be there with her! Me TOO!

Okay, so one of the MAIN reasons that I didn't want to have anymore children after Parker and Ally is because I wanted to take nice vacations (especially Disney cruises). I figured if we had more children I could kiss cruises good-bye and seeing the world. Eventually, I gave up this struggle. Through that time, God taught me a lot about trusting Him in this area and one of the ways He has done that is by, over the years (especially since we had our 4th), giving us AMAZING vacations that were super cheap (often times completely free), beautiful and a ton of fun.

We were able to visit NYC a few years back for less than $1,000 for almost 10 days. We flew and took several children. It was one of our best trips.

God provided a trip to Arizona for a week to be with John's family (free).

God provided a 7 day all-expenses (except food) trip to St. Thomas Virgin Islands which was better than anything I would've given myself.

God provided a 1 week trip to Lima, Peru (just John and I).

God provided us with a 7 day cruise to Haiti, Bahamas, Mexico and Grand Cayman.

God has provided us with several opportunities in Costa Rica to take affordable vacations. We have seen waterfalls, volcanoes, rainforests and beautiful beaches.

We get to live in Peru and travel that country as well.

And in January, God is providing an opportunity (all-expenses paid) for us to stay a Yacht Club in Paraguay for our annual general meeting and we are hoping to take a week off and stay with our friends who will be missionaries there. And we will get to tour that country.

And NOW.......God has provided us with a 3 day weekend in AN AMAZING LOCATION for absolutely free. We had NO money (expendable) to go to the beach and there were no rooms available anyway. We have to save every penny to furnish our home in Lima, Peru. I was really feeling that I needed a vacation, but couldn't see how that was going to work out. I just desired to get away and lounge by a pool and watch the kids play. And out of NOWHERE, the day after I realized we would have to spend our 3 day weekend at home, God provided us with a Condo outside of the city on the side of a mountain. It is 4 bedrooms (with each room perfectly suited to the ages and genders of my children), 4 bathrooms, right next to a gorgeous pool and the view of the city is breathtaking. And did I mention there is a dishwasher, 2 bathtubs (I almost cried) and a king-size bed. We feel so rich!

But we are rich indeed - rich in God's love and his constant provision for things we desire (not even needs). I shared all that because for me it all comes down to the time when I was struggling to have more children because of the "vacations" I wanted to take. I'm really serious about that. And now to see how that is an area that God has blessed us in time and time and time again (and I have no doubt he will continue to do so) has made me all the more thankful that I surrendered that issue to Him. What He has given us is much better than what I would've ever given myself. I get to travel the world AND have 4 kids. How blessed am I?

All that said...I'm off to the pool!

Our Day

The plan I posted about last night is a go (so far). The stones are subject to come out next Thursday or Friday. I will post more details as the day gets closer. I will be in the hospital overnight again.

Today I had so much joy and freedom as God is releasing me from the desire to be perfect. I enjoyed my school more and my family and even my extra 7 lbs. I decided curvy is better than flaca (skinny). I am just so thankful for the work he is doing in my life. It has definitely been painful (physically), but much needed.

On to the pictures:

Parker has officially lost his two top teeth and he wanted you to see! He is still precious and so much fun. He also wanted you to know that his hair looks goofy because he was all sweaty from playing soccer. Ally recently lost her two bottom teeth, but the new ones had almost grown completely in by the time the she lost them. Here's her new teeth. She is still adorable and wonderful.
My friends from school have been making me healthy food each night that won't effect my bladder or kidney. One girl (THANK YOU AMY) went out of her way to research what a Kidney Stone patient with Intercystial Cystis can eat. And Boy am I lucky girl. Take a look at the pictures. This food was not only delicious, but extremely healthy. This is the BEST food I have had since I arrived in Costa Rica.

I think I forgot to mention that Avery Brooke cut her own bangs about a month ago. Here's the result. And she is doing great being a big girl and doing her thing on the potty. I can't believe how fast she picked it up. She's still having dry nights, dry days and is enjoying doing #2 now. I know you will sleep better knowing that. How cute is she!
Hello! Are you down there?

We have made a plan....

Okay, so everyone in the world seems to think it is absolutely ludicrous that I would wait until we get settled in Peru to have the kidney stones removed (which could be up to 2 or 3 months including the time we have left here).

My tutor and friend, Anna, came over tonight and she gave me some great advice. Tomorrow when I see the general physician, she said I need to get the name and number of the other Urologist who is willing to do the Lithotrypsy to break up the stones before I go to Peru. And then she said I need to high-tale it over to his office tomorrow to see him and set the surgery date ASAP.

So, John and I discussed it and we think this is the best plan since we won't even have a home or anything in Peru and we don't know when we will. We also looked at the calendar and we are hoping that I can see the Urologist tomorrow or Friday, take my two language Evaluation tests next Wednesday and Thursday and then have the operation next Thursday or Friday. I would stay home for the weekend and then return to school the following Monday for my last 2 weeks of school. The procedure would consist of the doctor blasting the stones with a lithotripsy and then inserting a stint into my uretur to ensure that the pieces of the broken stone do not get stuck since my stones are leaning toward the larger size. And then, sometime after I get to Peru I would have the stint removed (which is a very easy procedure).

So, I just wanted to share our plans with you. Please be praying, if you could, that things from here on out would go MUCH smoother and that we would get answers and results we are desiring. We know this is all in the Lord's hands and that we make our plans, but He directs our steps.

Goofy Day at School

Last week we had a backwards, mismatch, opposite day at school. The inner child in me definitely came out. Take a look! It was TOOO much fun!

WOW! Doesn't he clean up nicely?

I'm home

I'm home from the hospital after 3 days and 3 nights in Clinica Biblica. The doctor's believe I passed the stone sometime yesterday morning, but unfortunately I did not have the proper "tools" to catch it with. Unfortunately, I have 3 other stones sitting in my right Kidney waiting to ruin my life. :) The hospital was very kind to keep me drugged up to minimize the pain as much as possible. I am feeling functionable, but definitely not great. I am so happy to be home and am hoping and praying for the rest of the pain to seize quickly. I am on no less than 7 medications. I can't STAND taking medications and I cringe each time I have to swallow them. But I can't stand pain even more, so for now I am following doctor's orders.

So here's the follow up:

The doctor's want to wait to do anything until the inflammation, pain and irritation seize.

I need to have a lithrotripsy to remove the 3 stones, but because of their sizes (they are bigger), there can be complications and they can break up and get stuck in the uretur (spelling). So, we've all agreed that one of the first things I do when I arrive in Lima is get the lithotripsy done.

I also need to have a Colonoscopy done. However, the doctor once again thinks that I have to get past this "renal colic" episode before we do anything that might further irritate me. Both doctor's agree that the major sight of pain was my colon and the tests showed blockage from my kidney to my bladder.

Thank you for your friendship, e-mails, calls and prayers. God is teaching me something - I'm just not sure what yet.

I'll be staying home for a day or two resting and then "LORD WILLING" I will try to re-enter the normal world - whatever normal is - very soon.

Jessica's Kidneys

John wrote:

Jessica was admitted last night from the E.R. to a room. By the way, the biggest private room I have ever seen (probably to accommodate large family visits here in Latin America). She is currently passing one stone in her left kidney, but there are three others sitting high in the left kidney that the doctor wants to eliminate, probably with a lithotripsy. The stone that is passing is blocking her left ureter. The right kidney has hydronephrosis, which means is swollen with fluid and is not draining for some reason. This is common among pregnant ladies because the ureter gets constricted, but not for non-pregnant ladies. So they are concerned about that. Lastly, the urologist believes that Jessica has colitis which is an inflammation of the large intestine, that can lead to abdominal pain and acute infections.

She will be staying in the hospital at least until tomorrow. Thank you so much for praying.

Kidney Problems

John wrote:

This morning around 10:00 am, Jessica started having pain in her bladder area. But she has been having increasingly more Interstitial Cysitis flare-ups lately, and wrote the pain off as normal bladder pain. But when the pain got worse and did not go away, at 4:00 pm, she was pretty sure she was passing a kidney stone. We both have passed stones before. So she went to the hospital and the doctors wanted to admit her, in order to run tests and adminster pain medication. She has three stones that are high in her kidneys and with the other kidney looks abnormal, which concern the doctors.

We humbly ask that you would pray for Jessica.

1 MORE MONTH!

Check out the blog countdown to Peru - exactly 1 month from today.

Excitement is running HIGH!!!!

Motivation is running low!!!!

It's the beginning of the end and the end of the beginning. I cannot wait.

I know I am bad at keeping touch, but please know that I love all of you so much. Sometimes just thinking about your friendship and your blog comments get me through the day (Michelle, Amy, Tammy, Steff, Jeanne, Jonatha, Heather, Kitty, Kerri, Kristi R., Brooke, Pastor Steven Jones, Grannie Raines, Marlene, Layton Family, Jenn). Thanks for taking the time to read. And thanks for going to Costa Rica with us and now to Peru.

And P.S. We do have Hot Water! Just not a hot water heater. We have this little contraption that heats the shower water as it runs through it. It is very unpredictable. The water is either hot or cold and not a lot of in between. But I'm so thankful that we didn't have to shower cold all year.

This One's For the Kids

Enjoy, and be sure to share these with your little ones.

While I was looking for this (hopefully you'll remember it):


I found this:

An Observation

Yesterday we went to a local park. I've been thinking a lot about how many of my new friends in Lima, Peru will probably start from meeting people at the park. But no one EVER talks to us at the park, here. So I told the kids we have to speak Spanish at the park, because we probably don't get spoken to because they think we don't speak their language. I mean, I would't approach someone who was speaking German or Italian in St. Cloud. Would you? Of course, not!

So, we were speaking Spanish to each other at the park yesterday and 2 very sweet ladies (separately) came up to us to ask about the kids and started a conversation. They were super sweet. So...I guess my Spanish theory was absolutely correct. :) At least now, I will definitely be on the hunt for friends in Lima at the parks by our house (assuming there will be some).

Random

Things I have lived without this year that I thought I would die without (and surprise, I haven't died):
a bathtub
a dishwasher
a hot water tank
an airconditioner
a car
caller id/voicemail
a normal sized stove
a normal sized refrigerator
Carpet
Seatbelts
A baby in a car seat in the car
My running Club
Worship and Sermon in English
The Public Library
Seeing my best of friends weekly
Homeschooling my kids
Did I mention my car yet?

Last night the kids and I took a bus to a location. Yes, a public bus called the Periferica. I'm not lying to you when I tell you that the bus driver pulled the bus over in front of a small store/bakery in the middle of the route. We all sat in the bus (which was full) for almost 5 minutes while he went in to purchase his goodies (Orange Juice and condensed canned milk). And actually, it turned out that he bought them for the lady that was sitting behind him. It was the strangest experience. I really was in shock and disblief, but I shouldn't be. How great it was that he served her like that. But we were ready to get off of that bus!

John's dad is still progressing each day.

Avery is enjoying her potty training. She is doing Amazing - dry naps, dry nights, dry days, but we are still working on the #2 issue. But I'm still pleased.

Only 4 weeks and 5 days until we step on the airplane for Lima. Please pray for our children as they prepare to transition yet again. Saying goodbye is never fun. And they are having to get rid of a lot of their clothes and toys again. Although it's great to live so simple, I seriously am ready to own something for longer than 6 months to a year. But God has been so good to us to provide everything we need. Please pray for them and all of the changes they are about to go through as their entire life is completely uprooted once again.

John comes back tomorrow. I missed him TERRIBLY. God really gave me so much patience, peace and grace this week. I know that staying home and holding down the fort is what God has designed me to do and I had so much pleasure doing it and knowing that God Created Me to Be His Help Meet ( a great book by Debbie Pearle). Originally, I was going to be the one going on the trip, but through conviction and scheduling issues (I couldn't miss anymore school), God showed me that His desire was for me to be home with the children while John went out. I am so glad that I obeyed because there was so much blessing for me. Don't get me wrong, there were moments like this morning (that I was praying for him to get home soon). Anyway, I mean, I could've actually missed Avery's first potty experience. It could've been John or her teacher that was there, but Praise God, it was me. Anyway, I'm rambling. I am just very happy to feel God's hand on this past week. He is so good - ALL THE TIME!

Avery and her BIG day of firsts

I'm going against my word of getting on the computer but I just HAD to post this and I know you will sleep better.

Today, AVERY went number #1 in the potty. Yes, on her own for the very first time (not including the time it happened on accident). Then she proceeded to go 10 more times throughout the day, at will, and was very successful in wearing underwears. She had a dry nap (1.5 hours) and she even told me she had to do a #2 and she did it. Although it was not much at all. I haven't been working with her for the last 3 months with the potty. I just gave up and decided I would return to it when we moved to Peru. I just can't believe the progress she made in 1 day. WOW!!! I just wanted to share this because sometimes it feels lonely here, but sharing small, important details like this make us feel more connected. I get to stay home from school again tomorrow because of 2 sick boys, so I will keep her home with me and continue to work on her potty skills.

Gotta Flush

John wrote:

Three full days, this week, the city turned off the water for repairs. This morning marks 48 hours since we have showered. We store water for drinking and flushing, but with 5 toilet users, the flushing water runs out quick. What do you do? Take advantage of the rain and collect it from the gutter downspout.

Here are the boys working, because we gotta flush somehow.

Computer will be OFF!

HI! NOT POSTING OR E-MAILING UNTIL SUNDAY, JULY 13th. THE COMPUTER WON'T EVEN BE ON! TO CONTACT US, call 3217664043 from the states or 22266380 in Costa Rica.

the stuff of life

No water all day yesterday. We were prepared. No water today! We were not prepared! We have 8,000 sticky dishes piled up in the kitchen, 4 VERY stinky kids and a pile of nasty clothes from our trip to the park today - all of which I can do nothing about. And I didn't mention the toilet situation. :) You'll be glad I didn't. I told John if we don't have water when he leaves tomorrow night for his mission trip, we are going to go to the beach for a few days where there is plenty of water. He thinks I'm joking. I'm really not!

John's dad:

He has an infection in his heart.

He was diagnosed with Lupus (on top of Addison's disease and diabetes).

He has a valve leakage in his heart that needs to be repaired. He is a high risk for a stroke or other complications. He can't have the surgery b/c of his platelet count and other health issues.

His blood infections are cleared for now and so is the pneumonia.

Our brother in-law who is a nephrologist told us today that the longer dad stays in the hospital the longer he will stay in the hospital.

There is no sign right now that he will be leaving anytime soon. Please continue to pray.

On a lighter note, we spent the 4th with some other families from school. We went to a park on the side of a mountain. The kids swam, ran around and we enjoyed a nice packed lunch. We had our good missionary friends, Paul and David and Ezzie (Avery's future husband) over for supper tonight. We had a blast eating tacos (with U.S. bought seasoning) and the most delicious banana bread. I will post the recipe. Seriously, it is the BEST I have EVER had. A guy in my class made it and I bummed the recipe. It is first class.

We miss you all! We miss the fireworks! We miss U.S.A. and we miss all the 4th of July food. :)

Oh yeh, I will NOT be posting from tomorrow until the following Sunday or Monday unless there is an emergency with John's dad. I will need to focus on the kids so I will not have time. I will not be checking e-mails either, so if you need to talk to me, please call me 3217664043.

God!

The weather here today was fall-like. Like October/November in Florida. I just love it! Tomorrow is the 4th of July and a huge group of us from school/IMB are taking a bus to a park in the mountains. There is a swimming pool and trails to hike. We are soooo excited. This will be our first ever 4th of July in which we were NOT in America. Kind of sad! I will definitely miss all the fun at the St. Cloud Lakefront. That was a huge highlight of our year. Please enjoy it for us if you will be going.

Each time that I have been very discouraged about my Spanish, God shows me to take heart. Today, I shared the God's message of Christ at the House of Restoration using the Roman Road and bad Spanish. I hemmed and hawed when I first found out I had to learn it in Spanish. Now I am praising God for it b/c this is the second time God has used it to bring someone to Him. A woman at the house prayed to receive the gift that Christ offers us. And she wanted to do it in front of everyone. I was so nervous to pray in front of all these nationals, but somehow God gave me the words. A few times today I said words I didn't even know I knew (that is the work of the Holy Spirit). We rejoice in Wilma's decision today. She has not been drinking for only 3 days. She is such a baby in Christ and knows NOTHING - except that God loves her and has a plan to heal her and change her. Please continue to pray for her.

What a GREAT DAY!!!!

God just showed me that He WANTS to use me even if I am far from perfect in the language department. Praise Him!

Prayer Requests

Tomorrow during my Bible study at the house of restoration, I will be sharing the full gospel which is God's greatest gift to us. Please pray that the woman would be open and willing to accept Jesus and begin a beautiful relationship of love and abundancy with Him. I am really coveting prayers on this one. I know God will give me the words - His words.

John will elave on his mission trip on Saturday afternoon for translation and ministry for 9 days. Please pray for me as I have 4 kids solo and language school. Thank God for the empleada - Louisa or I wouldn't be able to do it.

Also, a woman at our school started an after school aerobics class for 1 hour 2 times a week. We did it in the chapel to a video on the HUGE screen. It was sooooo wonderful! I praise God for this nice blessing that I want to enjoy while I can.

John's Daddy

Here is a letter from John's sister. It is very specific as to how is dad is doing. LOTS of prayers are needed still!

Hi everyone!

Dad is very tired and weak today. He's still talking when he is awake but is sleeping a lot. His butt is getting worse since he is having so much diarrhea 4-5 today. They are ordering a rectal tube to keep the stool off of his sores. His sugars are stable. The most important issue that he is facing right now is battling all the infections in his body. His attending doctor, Dr. Dang came in and actually spent about 15 minutes talking to dad, tata and myself.

Dr. Dang has given us the option to transfer dad to UCI, a teaching hospital about 15 minute from dad's house. It is a higher level medical center that can better address all of his problems. They have done all that they could here and dad is still not getting better. He will still undergo the TEE (trans-esophageal-echocardiogram) tomorrow morning to rule out endocarditis or any other anatomical problems. We will await the result of the test and pray that it is not endocarditis as it is very difficult to treat.

They still don't know the reason why his platelets keep dropping. These are the possible causes: Lupus, infection, body's reaction to all the blood transfusions, immunosuppression from the steroids, or bone cancer.

The doctors think that with all the problems that we are facing right now the highest problem on the priority list is the infections which may be affecting the heart. He is having more and more episodes fo atrial fibs. They inserted a central line yesterday because they are suspecting infection in the PICC line. A culture was sent to see if the tip of the PICC line was infected.

I have to go to help the nurse insert the rectal tube right now. Bye for now.

John's dad update #1,000

I'm not a nurse, so pardon my inability to communicate technical medical stuff. But John's dad was suppose to have his heart scope today. However, they couldn't do it because his platelet count is 26. Normally, the count should range from 150,000 - 400,000. You can read about it (if you have an interest) here: http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/platelet/test.html

His gums are bleeding. He is weak and is having to have blood transfusions.

His lungs are better though!

Please keep praying.

Perk up, Jess!

Today was a low day! Probably one of the lowest since December. You know I am kind of in a slump when I stop exercising. I haven't done much in the last two weeks and all I have motivation to do is sleep! UGH! Life is really fine, but I am just tired from a long year of language school and am feeling a little down (probably from transition or something). I desire to finish strong these last 6 weeks, but I am more than ready to be DONE! I am finding Spanish to be increasingly more difficult everyday and my language to be less and less everyday. Isn't it suppose to be the opposite? Oh well! On the home front, things with the kids have improved 100%. This morning I dropped the ice from the freezer and all the kids ran over to pick it up and help me out. I just kept saying, "we have the best family." That will be my focus as I seek to perk up!