Nebraska and an Update :)

     Hey everyone! It's been awhile...I thought I would have time on vacation to write, but you know how that goes! As anticipated, the flights were hard, especially since they were crazy with the amount of turbulence we had.  On the flight to Nebraska (we actually flew into Rapid City, SD as our friends live in Chadron, NE which is only an hour and a half south of there), they never even turned the seatbelt sign off so no one could even go to the bathroom.  At first, Jenn and I started laughing because it was so turbulent it was like being on a roller coaster--talk about maxing out my vestibular system! Then all of a sudden the plane literally jerked and dove to the right--there were screams and a collective gasp--one of those moments where I immediately started praying.  I'm not afraid of dying--I know where I'm going and it is going to be marvelous to see Jesus face to face but the actual process of death doesn't appeal to anyone!  There's a reason God says, "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23)...He rescued us from sin but because of sin we all have to die at some point unless Jesus comes back first.  Anyway, I digress...big surprise! :)  Long story short, I survived the flights, but not without lots of ginger candy and my non-alcoholic Ginger Beer that I got a doctor's note so I could take it on the plane. Jordan teased me that I was the only person he knew that could get a doctor to write a note for me to take "beer" on a plane. ;)  

     We got there in once piece late Friday night and had Tatyana's high school graduation first thing Saturday morning.  Tatyana is the second daughter of Fabian and Amy Leija--dear friends that we met through Sovereign Grace Church in Tucson--we were in the same small group and their kids were the first to call us Aunt and Uncle.  We have such a sweet relationship with them.  It's hard to believe Tyler is 20 and living on his own and Tatyana is headed off to college!  When we met in 2007, Tyler was 12, Tatyana was 10, and Taya was 7.  They have since adopted another child, Trenton who is 6 and will be in first grade this next year!  He didn't remember me as we hadn't seen them in 3 years, but my vest was a quick way into his heart and I got the biggest hug goodbye from him...precious memories were made this week! 

     I made it through the graduation and Tatyana made me cry...there was a point in the ceremony where they played the song, "We're in this together" from the High School Musical and all the graduates gave parents and other's that were a big part of their life a carnation...I was busy taking pictures of her giving her parent's theirs and the next thing I know she's walking over to me and giving me one.  It was a very sweet moment and brought me to tears--even though Jord and I have been unable to have our own children, we have lots of spiritual children and it's so neat to see answered prayers and how God is working in their lives.  Tatyana is going into nursing--she's going to make a phenomenal nurse--I've experienced her love and care as she's helped me bathe and given me massages and stayed at our apartment with us in Phoenix to help us when I've been sick.  I can't wait to see how God's going to use her gifts in the future.  It's a privilege to be a part of their lives and amazing to see the fruit of Fabian and Amy's labor and answers to prayers.  

     You know those friends where you go way too long without talking, but when you pick back up with each other its like you never missed a day of each other's lives? That's Amy for me...Jenn and I had such a sweet time visiting them!  We not only got to be a part of Tatyana's graduation, but we got to see Taya sing a song at her 8th grade showcase...she's been given a beautiful voice by the Lord!  She's also showing a Dairy Heifer this year and it brought back so many 4-H memories as she showed me how she was doing and I was able to give her some tips on training animals.  We also got to go to Mt. Rushmore and see Ft. Robinson in NE which was a military fort in the 1800's during the Indian wars and where Crazy Horse surrendered and died.  We also got to go to Chadron State Park--it's beautiful country and was so fun to see Jordan's home state!  I'm looking forward to going back with Jordan and getting to Lincoln where he actually lived as a child.  Some of my favorite books are written by one of Cathy's (Jord's Mom) good friends in Lincoln that are Christian Historical Fiction and tell all about Nebraska history in the 1800's so one of the books actually involved Ft. Robinson so I could totally imagine what life was like in my head...it was so cool!  If you are interested here is a link to her website. :) My favorite book of hers is called "Karyn's Memory Box".  Here is a link to her books.  

     Chadron got 20 inches of SNOW between Saturday and Sunday so we had lots of fun playing in the snow and making a snowman Sunday morning because church was canceled!  By Tuesday it was all melted and we had 70 degree weather by Wednesday.  Then on Friday when we left, the entire state of Nebraska and lots of other states were under tornado watch!  Talk about crazy weather...but was so fun and I got to wear scarves and discovered the Huskers section at WalMart. ;)  

     I still had tremors and was exhausted and I had to stay home from Taya's awards ceremony because the auditorium with lots of clapping and darkness with bright lights up front caused major issues when we watched her sing.  Thankfully, she was the 5th person on so I was able to handle it to make it through her singing, then Jenn and I headed back to the house.  I rested when I would have liked to be out shopping with Jenn and Tatyana, but I was so grateful to be there and their front from had a fireplace and windows to look out which is where I did my treatments and read, so it wasn't so bad staying home.  :)  We also did lots of talking!  

     I'm thankful I was healthy enough to go and even coming home, I can see a big improvement between two weeks ago and today.  I was exhausted Friday after traveling and had a "PCD hangover/turtle day" on Saturday, but I was able to go to my first ENTIRE church service since everything started yesterday!  I still have to sit in the cry room and i was exhausted, but after resting a bit I was able to help with dinner and walk the dogs.  Today I've gotten laundry done and put away and took the dogs for a walk and been working on some paperwork.  I'm so thankful for the little improvements that really aren't so little! 

     Tomorrow is a big day doctor wise--I have three appointments in Phoenix.  Vestibular rehab and then my first rheumatology appointment and my follow up neurology appointment to get the results of all those tests I had two weeks ago.  I should have a better idea of what's causing the tremors, how long it will take for that to heal, if it will be more long term, when I can drive etc.  On Friday, I see a otoneurologist who is someone that specializes more in vestibular/balance/dizzy type stuff so after this week I should have a lot better picture on what the long term recovery time looks like.  

     Also, something that is a HUGE answer to prayer and that has been kept under wraps is that tomorrow Jordan starts a new job--with AMAZING health insurance benefits!!!!!!!  He will be an Engineering Technician at a local company here in town.  He really didn't want to leave Vroom, but unfortunately they just don't have the health insurance that we so desperately needed.  Between this new plan and my Medicare plan as secondary insurance, our medical bills will be reduced from thousands upon thousands of dollars to minimal!!!!!!  We are so thankful and I'm excited for Jordan.  He really wants to find a place and work there for 30 years and retire, so we are hoping this is it!  We'll see how God leads in the future, but it is very obvious between our church, the support system we have here, and now this job, we are right where God wants us to be.  :) 

     I think that's about it...here are some pictures to enjoy!  
In the Love of the Lamb,
Rachelle :) 

Graduation day! Tatyana is on the left and Taya on the right :) 

Funny faces!

It's Narnia! Oh wait, just Nebraska! 

Huskered out!

Nani is driving now!!!!

Group photo at Mt. Rushmore

Jenn's idea to re-create Mt. Rushmore :) 

Taya and her Dairy Heifer, "T-bone"

Trenton and me hanging out watching Taya

Of course I found a horse to do a selfie with...this is Stretch :) 

Group photos before we left

Trenton's finger got in the way... ;) 

Turtle day at home with my puppies on Saturday morning. :) 

  

     

     

Little Victories

     It's the little things in life that become the big things.  When you are dealing with a chronic illness where you never feel good even on your best days, you learn to appreciate the little things.  Since starting this long recovery road, there have been lots of little victories along the way.  Two big items for the weekend were the fact that I was able to bathe/shower by myself for the first time in almost two months and I made it to an entire church service today!  I used a shower chair and soaked in the tub for bouts of time in between washing hair etc, but I was able to do it myself.  I felt like singing the pullups jingle, "Mommy wow! I'm a big kid now!" :) 

     I was weak and a bit "tremory" at the end of church but it was nice to actually hear the entire sermon and get to hear some of the worship.  I still have to sit in the cry room as its quieter and the lighting in the sanctuary really messes with my eyes and thus gets my vertigo and nausea going.  I should mention that it took drinking three Ginger Beer's to get through the morning vest treatment, church service, then lunch at Baggins afterwards...and that is non-alcoholic "beer" that is made of ginger and sweetened with honey, pineapple, and lime juice.  Super yummy and has helped me make it through lots of vertigo filled moments.  

     This week I would love prayers for several things.  First, I'm having the neurological tests (EMG of upper and lower extremities and EEG and MRI of head, neck, and knee...the knee is to assess ligament/tendon/meniscus issues in the knees.) and those will stimulate the muscles with electrical impulses which I know will lead to tremors.  When I was maxed with the vestibular test this last week and pushed past the point of tremors the next day I was in bed with my eyes completely covered being so sensitive to light I couldn't even keep my eyes open.  Please pray that the testing gives the doctor the information that is needed for how to proceed but that it doesn't set me back.  

     Secondly, I STILL have not gotten the inhaled antibiotic for my lungs or sinuses...the lung inhaled antibiotic has been in process since the beginning of March so it is beyond frustrating at this point.  I have multiple people helping me make follow up calls to the assistance program and the doctor's office but still to no avail.  I finally was able to talk to the ENT over the phone and figured out a sinus inhaled antibiotic to do late Friday night so pray that comes quickly and doesn't cost too much.  

     Also, please pray that I will be able to lay as still as I need to for the MRI...I'm sound sensitive and loud or unexpected sounds can cause the tremors so for all of you that have had an MRI you know that is going to be a challenge.  I also have a problem laying completely flat due to my lungs so pray I'm able to use the wedge and that I don't have any cough attacks.  

     I think that about sums up the major prayer items for the week.  It's going to go by fast with back to back tests in Phoenix Monday and Tuesday and then the MRI, the home health nurse, and my massage Wednesday.  Then Thursday I have to get ready and Lord willing, I will be flying to Nebraska to be at my niece's high school graduation.  I was cleared by rehab to go so pray extra hard the testing doesn't trigger a response that would cause me to have to cancel the trip.  

     We also got enough t-shirts sold to have them printed so we should all be getting those in the next couple of weeks!  Thank you for all of your continued love and support! 

In the Love of the Lamb,
Rachelle :) 

Me and my brother, Justin, on Thursday :) 

Jordan copying Hunter's "picture"face :) 

Beautiful view of rain on the mountains tonight!