Andrew's Two Appointments

I thought it was hot in Boone.  But I was wrong.  It was very hot in Charlotte today.  Thank goodness for great air conditioning.  Andrew and I really appreciated it today.

I told Andrew this morning that we would find a bookstore or two.  He never asks to go anywhere, but he loves to wander around bookstores when he has the chance.  We stopped in Huntersville this morning on our way, since we were making great time.  He went into Barnes & Noble.  I ran into Janie & Jack to look for a gift while talking with my sister-in-law Meg on the phone.  I did not find a gift (well, not in my price range), but I got Sam two pairs of jeans off the clearance rack.  I was happy with my 10 minute to find bargain - which is practical since all he wears to school in the winter is jeans!

Andrew had his first appointment this morning with Dr. Black, the best pulmonologist in the world and one of our very favorite doctors for a lot of reasons.  The reason Andrew can run is Dr. Black.  We appreciate him so much.  That appointment was great.  We talked over a lot of things.  We talked about Andrew's great lung function, his hard work that helps him stay healthy and out of the hospital, and the fact that after all of those years of infections there is no lung damage.  So many things that we can take for granted.  But they were right there out in the open to be thankful for today.  Dr. Black looks at the whole picture.  We are just so thankful for him.

Then we went in search of another bookstore.  Concord Mills!  While Andrew was in Books A Million, I speed walked to a couple of stores.  Vera Bradley was on one end with TJ Maxx on the other.  It was nice and cool there.   Andrew is very fortunate that we got out of there in about 30 minutes.  There were so many places to go.  We went on to South Park Mall and stopped at another Barnes & Noble beside it.  He still did not find a book!  We went on to the mall, because we were starving by that time.  He went into the Apple Store while I ran to a couple of places to check on things I had seen online.  I was waiting in line to pay and saw the woman in front of me must have had about 13 pairs of Hanna Andersson pj's.  They were having a huge sale, but she bought them all for one child, she said!  Oh dear!  They were cute and soft, but 13?  Maybe she will hand them down.

We went on to Dr. Patel's office a little early, but we got out of there pretty late.  They were behind which is a rarity.  I finished my book and almost fell asleep waiting.  That appointment was fine too.  Andrew won't have labs until December when he goes back.  Dr. Patel wears his Bear shirt that Andrew sent him after he ran really well a couple of years ago.  I told him he could tell people he earned that shirt - helping Andrew be able to run.

We came on home and were stopped in traffic twice for a while.  We came home on 85, because we could not even get on 77.  It was so backed up.  We were thankful to have a safe trip.

Right after we pulled in, Will pulled in behind us.  We visited for a while.  He played with Sam, and it was so good to see them playing together.  Peter came out, and they threw the football with Sam (who has quite an arm) and then played dodge ball.  It was so good to see him and get to spend a little bit of time with him.

I have struggled the last few days.  Things are hard.  I am so very tired.  And I want to be willing and trusting and sometimes feel I am sliding backwards rather than marching confidently onward.  I know God is with me.  He is with us.  And I think it's another of those times I need to let myself be carried.  I have a bad attitude towards some people and things, and I need to let all of that go and let my focus be on Him.  I thought of this song the other day.  I keep verses on my computer so I don't have to open a book or try too hard to see them.  And they help greatly.  This song came to mind the other day, and I need to get it in my head and let it play and play.  Thanks for praying for us.  I think I am going to go and buy the new Nichole Nordeman CD this week - if it has come out!  I have missed her new songs!  And "The Unmaking" is a great song when we are at the end of ourselves.  It makes me feel like God is more in control when I am not at all.


"Strangely Dim"  Francesca Battistelli

I've got all these plans piled up sky high

A thousand dreams on hold

And I don't know why,

I got a front row seat

To the longest wait

And I just can't see

Past the things I pray

Today

But when I fix my eyes on all that You are

Then every doubt I feel

Deep in my heart

Grows strangely dim

All my worries fade

And fall to the ground

Cause when I seek Your face

And don't look around

Any place I'm in

Grows strangely dim

Sometimes where I stand

On this narrow road

Is in a raging storm

Or a valley low

But oh oh oh oh oh oh

When I fix my eyes on all that You are

Then every doubt I feel

Deep in my heart

Grows strangely dim

All my worries fade

And fall to the ground

Cause when I seek Your face

And don't look around

Any place I'm in

Grows strangely dim

I don't know, I don't know

What tomorrow may hold

But I know, but I know

That You're holding it all

So no matter what may come

I'm gonna fix my eyes on all that You are

'Til every doubt I feel

Deep in my heart

Grows strangely dim

Let all my worries fade

And fall to the ground

I'm gonna seek Your face

And not look around

Til the place I'm in

Grows strangely, strangely, strangely dim.

The Test

The test Pete had today (TEE) was normal.  It has been a long day.  We got up super early to get to the hospital early.  We are thankful for a normal test - no hole in his heart.

We mowed and cleaned, and he even went to work this afternoon for a while.  He is sound asleep.  I am about to be!

Thanks for praying for him and checking on him.

Happy Father's Day!

Tomorrow is a day to honor fathers.  We are so thankful we have the father in our home!  And we praise our Heavenly Father for the healing He has brought to Pete.

He goes Monday for his test.  I don't know when we will get the results.  His heart monitor kept freezing up, so he has another one.  We have not set it up yet - it was just too much for him.  So we will have to do that Monday when we get back.

As of the last two days, he has been able to walk much much better.  He is smoother, and he has made remarkable progress.  I asked him what it was.  He said, "Jesus."  Because he knows it's God healing him.

It's been a tough week trying to get medications and getting through the insurance company.  How quickly I lose my focus when this happens - and it shouldn't happen!  But God has worked in those situations too.  And though I don't have Sam's insulin yet, He is working it all out.  I am thankful for that.

Thanks for praying.  Thanks for checking on Pete.

June 15, 2015

We go Monday for the TEE.  It's in Winston.  We hope it will give good and useful information about Pete's heart - whether there is a problem or not.  His heart monitor kept freezing, so we are getting another one tomorrow.  He is about over wearing something that does not work, so I will pray he will be willing to put it back on when it arrives.

Saturday was hard.  I appreciate those who prayed me through the day.  It was not hard just for obvious reasons but others as well.  I appreciate those who have walked a similar road who share and encourage me and others.

Sam's numbers have been through the roof - with a few lows thrown in just for confusion.  I increased his 24 hour insulin tonight and will check him to see if he continues to climb throughout the night.  I had to postpone his next endo check up, so he could go to ASU Reading Camp.  I am just trying to stay on top of it like the nurses would tell me if I called.  I just wish it was easier sometimes.  I hate to see him feel so badly.

I will post again after Pete's test.  He continues to improve, but he also has overdone some days and can really feel it.  He is tired, but he keeps going.  He is not lazy; that's for sure!  We continue to pray for healing and thank the Lord every day for the healing He has already supplied.

Thanks for praying!

Small Change in Plans - Updated

I talked to my uncle today when he felt compelled to call me.  He talked fast, and I understood what he was saying.  I felt compelled to convince Pete he needed to do another test the doctor had offered.  He had offered a couple of tests, and we chose the heart monitor.  I would have taken all offered, but I felt like we compromised a little and could do the other test later.

But God really pressed it on me that we should go ahead and do the transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE).  Just as He had pressed my uncle to call me this morning.  So I told Pete that, and he reluctantly agreed.  He is not a good patient...at all.  But he did agree - after I followed him around the house for a little while awaiting his answer.  Right after I got a yes, I called the doctor's office; and the nice lady I talked with will talk with the doctor about setting it up.   Sometimes when someone has been through as much as Pete has, they cannot make the best decisions; because they are tired.  So I am thankful he agreed.

This test will look at the back of his heart and look for a hole.  If he has one, it can be repaired - a mechanical problem.  If he has one, it is letting clots go through; so they are free to travel to his brain.  And he can have more strokes just from this.  If he doesn't have it, then we can continue with his meds and know we are doing what we should - as far as we can know.  Since he has had so many strokes before, I know we need to check further.

So please pray for guidance and good and accurate information with tests.  And a somewhat cooperative patient who will realize that sometimes we are not in a place for the obvious reasons but for a divine reason.

Thanks so much.  We so appreciate the prayers.

We practiced the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul" tonight.  The words are old, but they are so true.  If you don't know the story behind this song, it's worth a google check.  Here are words with extra verses not in my hymnal.  What assurance and peace we can have.  And though this week has been hard (not just Pete), I keep turning it over to God.  And though I may cry and hurt, I know He is in control.  It does not have to be easy, but there is hope and peace that can only come through Him.


"It Is Well With My Soul"  Horatio G. Spafford

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul. Refrain: It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul. My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!— My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live: If Jordan above me shall roll, No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, The sky, not the grave, is our goal; Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord! Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul! And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul. ~~~~~~~~ updated June 13, 2015 Pete will go to have his TEE on Monday, June 22.  We may go down the night before - Father's Day - since we have to be there so early.  We pray we will get answers and good information that will be helpful. Thanks for praying!

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Follow Up Visit to Baptist ~ June 9th

We met a very nice neurologist today - Dr. Reynolds.  We both really liked him.  He was trying so hard to find more reasons for Pete's strokes - to either know we are doing what we need to do or to lower his risk even more.

All of his labs were fine - the clotting ones, rheumatology, and others.  Pete asked him why he (Dr. Reynolds) was so intent on looking further.  He said that the high blood pressure should not do all of that damage to his brain - at least he did not think so.  So he wants to rule out other things, so that he does not see Pete again with a worse stroke and worse outcome.  On his MRI, there are many strokes.  They cannot tell if they are weeks or years old, but there are many.  I felt a little scared but thankful at the same time.  The doctor said Pete's activity level and running have probably helped him a lot over the years.  One of my prayers is that he will run again soon.  He wants to.  I timed a road race yesterday and thought that most of us take walking and running for granted.  I know I do.  And I pray he will be back to running soon.

His right side is still weak.  He still overcompensates to do a lot of things, including walking.  A plastic brace has helped his right leg.  Dr. Reynolds was very impressed with his progress and reminded him that he can improve over months and years.  But he has already come a long way in the little time since we left Baptist and thought he would need a ramp into the house.

So he came home with a heart monitor - for 30 days.  Fortunately, the nurse there and the person I talked to after we got home to activate it were both good at explaining it simply.  I am not a nurse.  We got it on him and activated.  If we want to do any other tests after this, he would have another test to look at the back side of his heart.  But right now, this is what he chose.  And I am thankful he agreed.

The doctor also increased one of his meds.

It was a long day with a lot of information given and received.  At times, I was a little frustrated; because Pete is not a good patient.  But God worked out his reluctance to test further.  And Pete agreed to do this.  So I am tired but thankful.

Thanks for all of the prayers.  We are just so thankful for all of you and all you have done.  I still feel like Moses a lot of days - with others holding up my arms in the battle when I am too tired.

We give God all of the glory for the healing that has taken place and the healing that is to come.  We trust Him and His plan for us.  And while this latest trial has come in a line of trials, we know He is right here with us.  We have no doubts.  It's hard, but we cannot imagine what it would be without Him.  We are turning over what is most precious to Him.

Thanks again!

Love,
Wendi

P.S.  He also preached Sunday.  So please feel free to visit our church near Tweetsie if you want to see this miracle in person!  (Middle Fork Baptist Church, Blowing Rock, NC)