Everyone who has seen the movie Fireproof has said it is a "must-see" for Christian couples. We haven't seen it yet, but plan to. I'm writing about it today because by the time we see it, it might not be showing in your area. It has limited distribution, but is showing at one theater near us.
The synopsis of the storyline is here if you want to check it out.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Friday - Heading Home from the Hospital
Miss Teenager's headache is much better following the DHE medication, and we are headed home later today. Most of the time she is pain free, with a little return in the afternoons. They are adjusting medication to help that, and it sounds like she will stay on a migraine preventative medication for a while.
As the adolescent specialist left today, he said that this is the first time he's had to use steroids for a headache, so it must have been atypical, even for a migraine. We are grateful to live near a teaching hospital, with lots of services and specialists available.
Regarding Teenager's math partner from school, she is now her hospital roommate. :-) She is going through the same steps of investigation and treatment, and hopefully she will respond to treatment soon.
Next week - we'll hope to return with more "normal" posting. Medical updates aren't much fun. I much prefer kid stories!
As the adolescent specialist left today, he said that this is the first time he's had to use steroids for a headache, so it must have been atypical, even for a migraine. We are grateful to live near a teaching hospital, with lots of services and specialists available.
Regarding Teenager's math partner from school, she is now her hospital roommate. :-) She is going through the same steps of investigation and treatment, and hopefully she will respond to treatment soon.
Next week - we'll hope to return with more "normal" posting. Medical updates aren't much fun. I much prefer kid stories!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Wednesday Evening
Miss Teenager is on the road to improvement, and we're thanking God for His mercy. Although she still struggles with nausea, she has had some periods without as much headache, and some times when she wants to eat a little. She continues on the DHE medicine for now, and it will be reevaluated tomorrow. We do see a light at the end of the tunnel today, and we are relieved and thankful.
An interesting side note is that we heard today that one of Teenager's classmates, her math partner, is also having a similar headache that has lasted two weeks. There are only 14 high school students, so it would be reasonable to think that it was the same virus that the two girls are dealing with, rather than a coincidence, since neither have had migraine type headaches before.
Today I learned that the virus diagnosis and migraine are not mutually exclusive. Apparently, it could be a virus that triggered the migraine.
Your cards, calls and prayers are appreciated.
An interesting side note is that we heard today that one of Teenager's classmates, her math partner, is also having a similar headache that has lasted two weeks. There are only 14 high school students, so it would be reasonable to think that it was the same virus that the two girls are dealing with, rather than a coincidence, since neither have had migraine type headaches before.
Today I learned that the virus diagnosis and migraine are not mutually exclusive. Apparently, it could be a virus that triggered the migraine.
Your cards, calls and prayers are appreciated.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Tuesday update
God has blessed us with many prayerful and supportive friends during this time, and we are so appreciative. We've had hospital visitors, hospital companions, errand runners, phone callers, emailers and many prayer partners, and each one of you is loved. I thank my God upon each remembrance of you.
All of Teenager's lab and MRI/MRA results are in and show no signs of meningitis, tick bite diseases, or other similar (scary) diagnoses. Once again, we've returned to the possibility that it may be a migraine, even though it doesn't fit typical migraine patterns. It's too early in the IV treatment (DHE, for those pharmacetical types among us) for pain relief, but she does seem to be under less stress this evening, and we're thankful for that. If this specific treatment works, then I believe they will be more sure it is a migraine. Time will tell. It's a 3 day IV, beginning yesterday evening.
Father and I had expected to be away at training today and tomorrow, and those plans were changed, but all is well. Because we'd expected to be gone, Sarah had arranged to be off and available for her girls and Whistle, which made it much easier at home. Thanks, Sarah, and all who are pinch-hitting in my absence.
All of Teenager's lab and MRI/MRA results are in and show no signs of meningitis, tick bite diseases, or other similar (scary) diagnoses. Once again, we've returned to the possibility that it may be a migraine, even though it doesn't fit typical migraine patterns. It's too early in the IV treatment (DHE, for those pharmacetical types among us) for pain relief, but she does seem to be under less stress this evening, and we're thankful for that. If this specific treatment works, then I believe they will be more sure it is a migraine. Time will tell. It's a 3 day IV, beginning yesterday evening.
Father and I had expected to be away at training today and tomorrow, and those plans were changed, but all is well. Because we'd expected to be gone, Sarah had arranged to be off and available for her girls and Whistle, which made it much easier at home. Thanks, Sarah, and all who are pinch-hitting in my absence.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Headache Update
"It's still there," as teenager quietly says. She hasn't lost her sense of humor, though, because she said, "I'm like a vampire -- I only come out in the dark." The headache is the same, but the nausea is gone, because the medication that caused it has been discontinued. The plan is to return to the hospital tomorrow, and begin a 3 day IV treatment for migraine. They also may do other diagnostic tests at the same time.
She appreciates the prayers, thoughts, and contacts, and so do we. I'll try to update here when there is news.
She appreciates the prayers, thoughts, and contacts, and so do we. I'll try to update here when there is news.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
A Mysterious Illness
Teenager is struggling with an illness that hasn't yet been diagnosed, and we'd appreciate your prayers. It started with a headache - just a typical headache, if there is such a thing. That was 12 days ago. She had a daily headache the first week, but was able to go on with her activities. Beginning last Sunday, it was worse, and an Urgent Care doctor diagnosed migraine on Monday. She didn't respond to the injection or oral medication, and saw the adolescent doctor on Wednesday. They admitted her to the hospital for a couple of days, and it doesn't look like bacterial or viral meningitis (although the lab results will eventually let us know for certain about the viral form), and not likely to be a tick-borne illness (awaiting lab results for that one, too). She's home at the moment, but if she doesn't improve over the next few days, she'll return to the hospital for a more thorough work-up. She rates her headache as 6 to 8 out of 10 (at different times), so you know she's uncomfortable. She's also having trouble with nausea with her medication, too.
Please pray with us that she will soon be relieved of this pain, and that it is not anything that will affect her on a long-term basis.
Please pray with us that she will soon be relieved of this pain, and that it is not anything that will affect her on a long-term basis.
Although it doesn't appear to be the same thing -- we are reminded of 4 or 5 years ago when Hugger struggled with his head feeling "funny," and after checking him out, and waiting for it to show itself, he was found to have encephalitis. We do hope and pray this is nothing that serious.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and prayers.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Who's Who
A friend left a comment asking who C. and E. are, and I realized that it's been a while since I've identified the family, and new readers might not know all the players of the Game of Life that goes on at this house. There is now a link to this post at the left if you get confused. I do, so maybe you do, too.
Father: He is the man of the house; a wonderful guy who strives to serve God, his family, his church family and the community, in every way he can. Besides parenting this family, he pastors a Primitive Baptist Church, and works during the week at a community job. He's my best friend.
Other Mother: That would be me, an over 50 mom of 3 kids by birth, 2 kids by adoption (with one on the way), and Other Mother to 160 or more foster kids along the way. I'm a stay-at-home mom who seems to spend a lot of time in the car and elsewhere. Besides parenting, I train new foster parents, write home studies, and other support activities for foster families. I was a room mother for 19 years, and thought I'd retired from that duty when Hugger finished grade school. However, I've still been hanging around school, and with a kindergartner just starting -- it looks like I'll be there for a few more years (if 13 or more is a few), although I'm no longer the Head Room Mother. Enough is enough.
Sarah: Our oldest child, mother of C. and E., who has recently come home again for a while, following her divorce. Her ex is Mike, who still visits in our home spending time with the girls.
Hugger: Child #4, first adopted child, who joined our family at 5 weeks of age, 23 years ago. He's called Hugger because he hugs. Fervently. And Often. He has Down Syndrome, and lives in a supported living apartment about 20 miles from us.
Teenager: Child #5, who joined our family almost 6 years ago, and became a permanent family member 3 years ago. She attends a Christian school, plays the piano, and works as a companion to an elderly church friend on occasion. She has 2 birth siblings with whom she's still in contact.
Whistle: Legally a foster child, but he's permanently in our hearts. His case is moving toward permanency with our family, and we will adopt at the appropriate time. He's been with us since he was a tiny, frail and fragile 1 year old. At 6 years old, he's still small, but far from frail and fragile. He has medical and cognitive difficulties from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, but may be headed to a job with the Harlem Globetrotters with his basketball skills. He also has several birth siblings in his circle of friends.
The others: Children #2 and 3 and their spouses; Ben and Julie, and Liz and George. H. and A. are Ben and Julie's young daughters, and Liz and George are having their first baby in January (a girl, of course!). In this case . . . And one more makes . . . 5 granddaughters! Yippee! These kids all live about 2 1/2 hours away in the larger city. I could write about where they work and all that, but if you know them, you know what they do; and if you don't know them, I'm sure you don't care. Just trust me. They're all -- from the oldest to the youngest -- great people. Just ask me. I'll tell you about them. And did I tell you about my 5 granddaughters?
That's it at the moment. Because of our specialty foster care license, we are limited to 4 children at home, and the agency is counting our granddaughters, even though their mother is here as well. So - we're taking a break from considering additional kiddos right now.
Father: He is the man of the house; a wonderful guy who strives to serve God, his family, his church family and the community, in every way he can. Besides parenting this family, he pastors a Primitive Baptist Church, and works during the week at a community job. He's my best friend.
Other Mother: That would be me, an over 50 mom of 3 kids by birth, 2 kids by adoption (with one on the way), and Other Mother to 160 or more foster kids along the way. I'm a stay-at-home mom who seems to spend a lot of time in the car and elsewhere. Besides parenting, I train new foster parents, write home studies, and other support activities for foster families. I was a room mother for 19 years, and thought I'd retired from that duty when Hugger finished grade school. However, I've still been hanging around school, and with a kindergartner just starting -- it looks like I'll be there for a few more years (if 13 or more is a few), although I'm no longer the Head Room Mother. Enough is enough.
Sarah: Our oldest child, mother of C. and E., who has recently come home again for a while, following her divorce. Her ex is Mike, who still visits in our home spending time with the girls.
Hugger: Child #4, first adopted child, who joined our family at 5 weeks of age, 23 years ago. He's called Hugger because he hugs. Fervently. And Often. He has Down Syndrome, and lives in a supported living apartment about 20 miles from us.
Teenager: Child #5, who joined our family almost 6 years ago, and became a permanent family member 3 years ago. She attends a Christian school, plays the piano, and works as a companion to an elderly church friend on occasion. She has 2 birth siblings with whom she's still in contact.
Whistle: Legally a foster child, but he's permanently in our hearts. His case is moving toward permanency with our family, and we will adopt at the appropriate time. He's been with us since he was a tiny, frail and fragile 1 year old. At 6 years old, he's still small, but far from frail and fragile. He has medical and cognitive difficulties from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, but may be headed to a job with the Harlem Globetrotters with his basketball skills. He also has several birth siblings in his circle of friends.
The others: Children #2 and 3 and their spouses; Ben and Julie, and Liz and George. H. and A. are Ben and Julie's young daughters, and Liz and George are having their first baby in January (a girl, of course!). In this case . . . And one more makes . . . 5 granddaughters! Yippee! These kids all live about 2 1/2 hours away in the larger city. I could write about where they work and all that, but if you know them, you know what they do; and if you don't know them, I'm sure you don't care. Just trust me. They're all -- from the oldest to the youngest -- great people. Just ask me. I'll tell you about them. And did I tell you about my 5 granddaughters?
That's it at the moment. Because of our specialty foster care license, we are limited to 4 children at home, and the agency is counting our granddaughters, even though their mother is here as well. So - we're taking a break from considering additional kiddos right now.
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