Milestones

Taking a look at the calendar today I realized a couple of things.

It has now been a year since Steve's knee surgery. The surgery that seemed to be the start of the downward health spiral.

It has been exactly one month since Steve has been admitted to a hospital. That's the longest stretch he has had in a very long time. And we plan to keep it that way!

When I look back on this year, especially September, I sit here amazed at where we are. I was pretty sure I would be sitting here a widow by now...or very close. And now to have him alive, well and thriving. There are no words. Other than THANK YOU LORD!

Our lives are very different now. Lots of adjustments and the need to stay very diligent with his medications. But it's ok, he's worth it!

One prayer request though...the edema is horrible. Steve's pulmonologist currently has him on a weeks worth of diuretics for the second time. They work really well but as soon as he stops them it comes right back. I have never seen anything like it. You press on his leg and it leaves an indent so deep you could eat your morning cereal out of it! Problem is you can't take diuretics for long periods and they really need to find the cause and correct that. As far as the cardiologist is concerned his heart is good, pulmonologist says his lungs are good. Those are the two main concerns. So something else is causing it and we need to find out what. It gets so bad he can barely walk. It's frustrating to be able to finally breathe well and not be able to walk because your legs feel like lead filled balloons! His pulmonologist did wonder aloud if this could be from the excessive amounts of steroids he was on. Maybe, all I know is it really needs to stop!

As always thank you for the prayers, love and support!!

For a friend.

When I didn't have hope Jesus led me. There were many times I felt alone, fearful, despair. But He always brought me through that place.

This is for my friend Charis.



Good morning
The night is over and gone
I thought once
This dark would last for so long

Feel the sunlight
On my face
You have brought me
Through this place

Jesus, Jesus You found me
Through the long night you led me
You set me free

Do you see
Just what you've done in my life?
You gave me
More then I hoped for; now I

Feel your sunlight
On my face
You have brought me
Through this place

Jesus, Jesus You found me
Through the long night you led me
You set me free

Feel Your sunlight
On my face
You have brought me
Through this place

Jesus, Jesus You found me
Through the long night you led me
You set me free

Good morning
The night is over and gone

In case you were wondering

I do have to apologize for not updating more often. If you look at it positively that is actually a good thing!

Steve is actually doing very well. Better than I have seen in a very long time. Not only is he breathing but he is sleeping. And sleeping better than he has in years. What a difference a good nights sleep makes! He has so much energy he collapses in exhaustion at night and then sleeps good all night and is ready to go the next morning! He's been spending a lot of time at work catching up and passing the inspections they failed while he was in the hospital. They are very happy to have him back. And then when he gets home he is trying to catch up on all the household stuff he has been unable to do this past year. May take him that long to get it all done!

I, on the other hand have just been dragging. I don't know if I have been fighting off a virus or what but I could use some energy. The gray skies and wet don't help but getting kids back to school and into routine will hopefully help. Everyone around here is busy these days.

And speaking of busy. Steve has taken his paintball gun obsession to a whole new level. I was informed the other day that I had to remove all my clothes from the closet because they were taking up space he needed for his new collection. From the look I gave him he decided to re-think that! I don't know what the fascination is but I don't really mind. It is something he is enjoying and helps with bonding time with his boys {and girl...she can't WAIT to shoot up the Christmas tree in the backyard!} and gives him something to look forward to. He needed that in his life right now so I'll tolerate a stray ball here and there. {yes you read that right...he "accidentally" shot off a few in the shower. Lucky for him they wash right off!}

So here is to a healthy and hospital free 2009! I like the sound of that!

Psalm 71

In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.

Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness;
turn your ear to me and save me.

Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of evil and cruel men.

For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.

From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother's womb.
I will ever praise you.

I have become like a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.

My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.

Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
For my enemies speak against me;

those who wait to kill me conspire together.

They say, "God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no one will rescue him."

Be not far from me, O God;
come quickly, O my God, to help me.

May my accusers perish in shame;
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.

But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.

My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
of your salvation all day long,
though I know not its measure.

I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.

Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come.

Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God,
you who have done great things.
Who, O God, is like you?

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.

You will increase my honor
and comfort me once again.

I will praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.

My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you—
I, whom you have redeemed.

My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
have been put to shame and confusion.