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.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, July 14, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
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:
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).
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).
Saturday, July 12, 2008
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!
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!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, July 4, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
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!
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!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
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 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.
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.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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.
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
