Thankful in October

I have not posted in a little while.  It's been so busy, and I think I will be hopping until the end of the month.  But that is okay.  I am so thankful I can do what I do, and I am thankful for what God has already gotten us through this year!

I will start with Pete.  He is doing great.  We are grateful.  We are seeing great blood pressure numbers.  He does so much, too much.  He still walks with a limp and cannot yet run.  But he did go on his trip to Israel and did well despite being very tired - which we totally expected.  But the trip outweighed him being tired, and it did him a lot of good.  There was a little more going on over there this time (in Israel), so that was different; but he and the group were safe.  He still has tingling on his left side.  It has been there since the last stroke, but no doctor seems to address it; since there have been other pressing issues (his right side).  After calling Baptist a few times, I got him in with a PA at the end of the month; and he will still see the neurologist in December.  It's like walking around with his arm and leg feeling like they are trying to wake up from sleep - just like when your foot falls asleep in church and tingles until you can discreetly shake it on awake.  We have to make sure he eats enough, but he has become a better patient.  And we are all thankful for that.

Andrew is great.  He is having a great cross country season.  You can see some of his pictures and his results on www.goasu.com.  He has had a great PR - about 45 seconds.  He ran yesterday in Kernersville and has conference in GA on November 1.  I have made my reservations to go watch that race!  We just have to keep him away from sick people and the flu.  He went to a hematologist in Charlotte last week for possible clotting issues.  Long story short.  We really really liked the doctor.  She was not concerned even though she could not give any guarantees about the future.  But she did not even do labs, which was a good sign.  She requested Pete's records from Baptist to check something that is auto-immune and told me what it was so I can ask in December if that has been checked out.  Over the last 15 years or so, doctors have mentioned sending Andrew to a hematologist; so I am glad we finally went.  And we were so happy to not have a reason to go back!  Andrew's new seizure meds may be another miracle.  We are hoping they are.  He has not had any problems, and we feel good about how he is right now.

Peter is still having a hard time with his shoulder.  He goes to a shoulder doctor next week.  We hope they find what is bothering it soon.  He has gone through a lot of appointments and tests and PT.  Otherwise, he is doing well and still in school and working.

Will is set to finish his last class in December/January.  We are praying that all works out.  God has certainly worked in that situation, and we are so happy to have him home.  He is working with our neighbors and comes home very dirty from very hard work in the dirt.  He has helped me with some projects in the house - a new mantle, fixing Andrew's bed, and other things on my long list.

Sam is good.  He has his endocrinology and eye doctor appointments in the next couple of weeks - on different days of course!  His numbers have been up and down.  He felt sure he had strep, but he suffered through the symptoms and high numbers for a week with no positive strep.  We have had to change and adjust and change back so many times in the last few weeks.  He has had some low lows in the night, so we are changing once again.  He is still very happy and compliant, and we pray he stays that way.  It sure makes all of this easier.

And for me.  I just am so thankful for what we have and where we are.  When I get tired, I remember to be thankful that we are all at home.  No one is in the hospital or away.  The laundry and grocery shopping are a true blessing.  I try to cut off the urge to whine.  And if I need to cry, I cry.  And then God helps me get up and continue on.  I don't do anything alone.  Well, not anything right.

Thanks for checking on us.  Thanks for the prayers.

Love,
Wendi