Andrew was so sick for two weeks. He missed his second home meet, and I was pretty upset about that. Two things were going around in Boone, and he caught both illnesses fast and hard. I was really concerned for him. It knocked him down. I just prayed that his seizure record would not be broken - for a lot of reasons. I was upset at our insurance company who twiddled their thumbs while he paid the price for not having his medicine. I thought, from messages I received from their escalation center (Pete said he could not believe they had a whole department for me) that I would be heard. Then I got an email that was the same old stuff. It really gets me. So I emailed them back and told them I would go ahead and file my complaint with the insurance commissioner. And I would decide what to do after that - with my information. I know BCBS got fined for stuff like what they did to my family this year - over $3 million. But the email was the same rhetoric and nothing that would help Andrew - like reassurances that the problems were fixed, etc. With all my resolve to not let them upset me ever again, I am still pretty upset!
So with all of that, I was concerned about Andrew running at Panorama Farms near Charlottesville, VA, yesterday. I have tried to feed him meat and things he does not usually eat much. I have gotten him tons of probiotics. He is taking his asthma meds. I am trying to remind him to keep hydrated with so much medicine in him. And I have prayed above all else. I just wanted him to reach down during that 8K and get what should be there - what he works for so hard.
Sam and I prayed all of the way there. We told God we would give Him ALL the glory if Andrew was okay. We carried extra water in case Andrew needed it.
There was a huge field. In true Andrew fashion, he was probably one of the last 20 after the first 100 meters. He was looking at his watch. I almost missed him the first time we saw them at the 2K. I did miss him the next time he came by until I heard Sam yell for him. He was way above where I thought he would be. It was so hot. It was so dry. Standing there, we just felt that sun beating down. And Andrew had a ways to go still. He probably had two kilometers left after the last time we spotted him. So we headed to the finish. Sam was to just look for Andrew when the runners came out of the trees and started in the straightaway into the finish. And we thought we saw him, but then we did not. But he really was there. I sent Sam to run to the finish to see if he needed help. I stopped my watch, when I thought I saw him stop. It was 25:26. I stayed and yelled for the others. The heat had gotten to a lot of them, and I felt for them. One of them needed his inhaler. Andrew was just smiling. It was truly a miracle. How did those illnesses still not affect him? How did he run in that dry, dusty, very hot place and not have trouble breathing?
It was all God. And Sam and I got to watch. That is a special gift. I told Andrew today that we have to pay attention and keep him well.
I got into the car a little bit later. We had been there a long time, and Sam was so hot. I just cried. They were such happy and thankful tears. I never thought to be proud of Andrew. I was just so thankful that God not only took care of him but gave him a great race.
I will put the link here. http://www.wataugademocrat.com/sports/app-state-notebook-vandenberg-leads-mountaineers-in-k-race/article_58f84a8e-8113-58c7-b554-1451d20b2b76.html Very rarely does our paper acknowledge Andrew or Appalachian cross country. So I sent them the goasu.com link. They usually ignore it, but this time they put it in the paper. I know people look for Andrew, and I want them to be encouraged by his story. Of how God works in his life.
Sam and I went to Charlotte for his rescheduled appointment on Wednesday afternoon. The rioting had calmed down that morning but started again after we left. We were praying for law enforcement and the city and the hearts that need to be changed. Andrew and I parked at the Nascar Hall of Fame last year when one of his doctors got us Panthers tickets. It was unreal to see what went on there and other places. And so sad. Sam's actual appointment was good. His a1c was up like I knew it would be because of malfunctioning insulin pens. But it was better than I thought, and the doctor felt we had gotten things on a good track. We felt okay to go to South Park and the Lego store. The young man who helped us asked if we were there for a doctor visit. He remembered us from months ago - probably about five! He has a friend who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in high school, and he remembered we bought a big Scooby Lego set to celebrate numbers last time. We ran into the best pj store and found some new pj's on sale - that he has hardly taken off. And then we came on home.
Thursday, we took off again for Staunton and stayed at the same hotel as the team. We try not to bother Andrew, but he is always happy to see Sam. And he had forgotten a couple of things, so we were happy to bring them to him!
Friday, we started home soon after the race; since it was about five hours We took a detour to Abingdon to check on someone special and than came on home. I am not able to go and go and go like I used to do!
Our JDRF race/walk is next Saturday. We are excited that we have had over 170 register. We have had over $3400 raised online. We hope and pray this run will bring attention to the warning signs. One story that continues to get me is Kycie Terry (kisses for kycie on FB). She was diagnose with flu or strep or someting that was going around. She had five brothers. She was diagnosed TOO LATE and had a seizure while being flown to another hospital. And then another seizure. She had major brain damage and died after months of rehab - soon after coming home. It's a sad story, and we hope our efforts can save one child/person from tragedy. And JDRF is committed to all of the things that make living with diabetes 24/7 a little safer and a little more bearable. If you go to JDRF.org, you can search for the HIgh Country Type One Strong Race for a Cure in Boone. You can hit register, and it will show you how much we have raised online. Our goal is $5000. We have sponsors who have helped with our t-shirt expenses, so we hope our extra cash donation will put us over the top. It is such a blessing to see those supporters.
Tomorrow, Peter turns 21. Where does the time go?
Best quote of the day after I told Pete that Barbara Daye put on FB that a sports store in the mall was going out of business, and they had things 1/2 price. "I may need a new pair of running shoes." I have tried to get him some new shoes, but he said not until he was running. And he is trying so hard. He did not notice the tears that sprang up. It's a big deal to me. And once again, I whispered, "Thank you."
Thanks for reading this. If you need a new CD, the Hillary Scott and the Scott Family is a great one. I may have already told you.
Thanks for reading this. Thanks for praying.
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