Tuesday, July 7, 2009

This n That

Caution! This post is going to be all over the board, I'm afraid. I'm sorry I missed Blue Monday. I had to be at the cardiologist's office first thing in the morning and after being there for a bit, seems I came home and slept the day away. So since I'm beginning with that, let me update you. The doctor says what happened with me is an anomoly. The nurse practitioner actually said she has never seen notes like mine written in a diagnostic report before. There was actually 3 things written as possibilities of what could have happened but it really had them all stumped. They have come to this final conclusion: I had 4 arteries that were 100% blocked and they created their own bypass into my heart wall thereby foregoing any surgery the doctors would have to do. Praise the Lord!!! However, I do have some blocked arteries. I did not get this from the initial call from the doctor. It's apparently why I'm still in pain in my chest. The blockages are small and they believe they can maintain them with medicine. They are putting me on 3 medicines right now. One is to lower my bad cholesterol which is great for a person without coronary artery disease (it is 110)...but since I am now diagnosed with this disease they want my goal HDL (I think that's the one) at 70.






They ran an EKG when I was in the office. My heart was sporadic, at best. I could no longer feel it out of rhythm and this becomes a scary thing. I've always known when I was out of rhythm and could tell when to lay down and take an aspirin, etc. So now I have nitroglycerin to take in the event the 'needle' sensation comes back. I kind of laughed and said I would have to be dying because that thing threw me into the most horrific set of migraines in the hospital...but they said I have to have it...so I'm being obedient. I broke down in the office and asked them if the fatigue and the pain in my chest is now normal. I didn't mean to but told them if I knew it was normal, I wouldn't be so scared....but not knowing, had me somewhat frightened. They say it is normal for now but are hoping the medicine will alleviate it and give me periods of rest. So that's it and I'm still clinging to the Psalm that the Lord gave me a while back....I trust Him. He is faithful. I'm resting in Him and He is going to strengthen my heart! Amen!





Now on to other stuff. Good stuff. Oh but first.....thank you, dear sisters for praying for me! I don't want to forget that. Your encouragement has overwhelmed me. Lisa Shaw even had a sister come over who didn't know me while she was away and leave a prayer on my blog...I was so touched I could only praise the Lord all the more! This realm of blog land has created quite an impact in my life. Truly, when I thought I couldn't trust people anymore and sat down at a computer because it was safe and couldn't 'hurt' me...God brought along the most amazing gift in all of you! I am truly humbled by His great love. Oh boy, here come the tears again.




Here is proof!!! Here is my family and two other blogging families loving on each other on the 4th of July. You know what....I love these people. We all love the Lord. They care about me. We all pray together. And although I have tried many a time to hold that Kimmy at arms length, she just keeps on hugging me tight! Our families blend so beautifully together. There is approximately a two hour trek between us that we joyfully make to see each other. Now, ready for our fourth of July funfest?










This is Kelster (my future daughter in law...you know, if Kimmy and I have anything to say about the arrangement! lol) and Josh. Gosh, they are so cute, even if I do say so myself.




This is me and Kelster. They had just gone to the beach. I had just woken up from a happy nap. Can you stand how cute she is?



This is Kimmy @ Homesteaders Heart, Kathy @ Blessed Beyond Imagination and me. The humidity was doing it's best to kill our hairdo....uh, yep, it was winning! lol But it couldn't kill our smiles. Love those girls!





This is Josh and Kelster throwing tomahawks. Yes, tomahawks and knives. I would say it's a 4th of July thing at Kimmy's house but if you saw how proficient she is at throwing those things, you'd know it's up all the time and it's a fairly routine event! lol And that's Jeffrey too. He and Jay were playing croquet. He stays pretty close to Jay and Brody stays pretty close to me when we are there. We love those boys. They are so sweet!




This is Kathy and her beloved, Mike. Me, Josh and Kelster. We thought the tree was lonely. lol WE NEEDED SOME SHADE!






Kelster and Josh laughing at Kimmy and I and how awesome we are??? I don't know what they are laughing at...but I'm sure it was Kimmy and how funny she is...or it may have been when she was being carried off my a mosquito!

This is Brody. He loves to share with me what he is doing. I think he is too precious for words. When it got late and they were so tired he crawled up on my lap and asked me where his cup was and I asked him what color it was and he said 'blue'....so I looked around and only saw a red cup and said "I only see a red one" and his eyes lit up and he ran after it smiling. You would have thought I found the moon for him. Ahhhh....so sweet!

When I was in the hospital, my son came up to the hospital one day and said "Mom, I wrote you a song"....and he played it for me. It was the most beautiful song to me because it came from his heart. With a little bit of coaxing, we got him to play it that night for everyone...he didn't have his guitar so he had to play it on Kelster's pink one. Very few men can pull that off....but Josh is one of them! It was great. Before the night was over, Brad has his guitar, Josh had Kelsters, Kelsey had Jeffreys and Jason had some bongos and we were worshipping our King together. It was awesome!

My friends, thank you for sticking with me through this long post. And thank you for sticking with me through being sporadic in visiting you and getting back with comments. I know you are so merciful and graceful to me. I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed but I'm keeping your comments and bit by bit I'm trying to get back to each one of you! I love you so!

Until I get to you personally......May the Lord bless each of you and shine so brightly upon you! And great big hugs from me to you!

23 comments:

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

Wow those friends sound really great.....oh wait...that's us! LOL. I'm SO glad you all got to come over and let me hug on you and let you relax and have some well deserved fun. We loved hanging out with you guys and I love all the pictures we got of Kelsey and Josh together! LOL. Not that I was trying or anything.
Of course we are still praying for your heart and God's divine timing on everything.
And there is no more keeping me at arms length my friend. I'm here to stay!
Love you sweet sister. Can't wait to see you again real soon.
Hugs.
Kim

Debbie Petras said...

I love that your blogging friends surrounded you and came through in praying. I know what you mean about the internet but the Lord has shown all of us the good that can be done here too. More sisters in Christ!

I LOVE the photo of your son playing on a pink guitar. That is awesome. You ought to join Mcklinky Blog Hop with that one. The theme is favorite photo.

I'm getting to know Kim through her blog and she's such a blessing. How cool that you live within driving distance from one another and that your families all get along so well.

I'm going to email you privately about your heart concerns. I don't know if I can be of help but I hope you know you can always call on me.

GranthamLynn said...

Thanks for updating. I did miss you yesterday I was blue. It was good to see your sweet smile. I will continue to pray that the doctors work out everything and get you really healthy to plan a wedding. Don't wory though when that happens you have the boy less work!
Well have a great day.
Many Blessings,
Sherry

Kathy C. said...

Debra, I'm so happy you got "some" answers from your appt. yesterday! God is amazing, He cleared those arteries for you and I believe He will do more to heal your heart!
I loved meeting you guys, and I guess since my son is marrying someone else, our years of hard work, planning Kels and Cris' wedding is down the drain, so I relinquish her to Josh! :) He's precious!
Um, I just LOVE that photo of me by the tree!!!!!!! Um, do you remember the vanity conversation? LOLOL - oh my friend. :)

Kristi said...

Sweet one, I'm praying for you from Texas today. May the Great Physician continue to do what only He can do and may His favor continually be upon you and your family. You are dearly loved!

Andrea said...

Beautiful pictures! of your time with other bloggy friends. As I have said before...GOD did your by-pass Himself b/c HE has great big plans for you...HE is not done with you, yet!!
GOD BLESS, andrea

luvmy4sons said...

Thank you for taking the time to explain everything and fill us in! His name be praised for His protection upon you. And may that knowledge comfort you in the coming days as you deal with symptoms and medicines and uncertainty! God is for you...who can be against?! I pray that you be comforted and find peace and I pray that wisdom be given to your physicians, knowing that the true Physician, our Lord Jesus Christ, has His touch upon you always.

Loved the pictures...and as always love your joyful spirit! Blessings sweet sister. And great big hugs!

bp said...

Thanks for sharing your medical update and the fun times you had on the 4th. Praying for you. God bless you,
Bethany

April said...

Hi Debra~
Sure sounds like you have yourself surrounded by many caring and loving friends and family...that's so GREAT! Just exactly what's needed when life throws you a curve ball. I'm so glad to know that your heart is healing. You can bet my prayers are with you...God is listening, sweet friend! Continue to take extra good care of yourself...BIG HUGS!

Jennifer said...

Praise The Lord for His hand upon your heart and life, my sweet sister.

I love the pictures...you all looked like you had a blast.

I can't wait to be in those pictures with you and Kimmy!!!

(((hugs)))

Momto5 RachelJoy Photography said...

cute blog! i enjoyed all the family pics. and Im sorry to hear about all goings on with your heart?!?

hopefully ill be a frequent visitor :)

Beth in NC said...

Oh Sister! I am thankful your heart did a bypass on its own! Hallelujah! Now I pray all of those arteries be clean in the Name of Jesus.

Your pictures are wonderful.

Love,
b

Alleluiabelle said...

My Precious Friend,

I love you special sister! Your post is so encouraging to me at this time as my husband is going in for his heart cath next Wednesday in Burlington, VT. I just posted about that today. God's timiing is alway perfect! Oh His mighty miracles, how wonderful He is to you and to all. Your story and my husband's story are similar and we have connected sweet friend because of Him. Praise the Lord!

I'm so happy that you are doing better and your wonderful testimony thus far...all for His glory! Alleluia! What great blogging friends and sisters-in-Christ you have. The pictures are wonderful and the smile upon your face so beautiful just as you portray on your face and within your heart for Him and others. He has blessed so many of us in crossing our pathways especially at this point in our lives.

I'm continually praying for you sweet friend and always will. I'll be by again very, very soon.

Love you,
Alleluiabele

Kelly said...

Girl... the Lord is truly good and faithful!! Glad you doing a bit better! So glad you got to spend some time with Kim! I am diggin' Josh on the pink guitar!! :o)

Mikki said...

Hey there! So glad all is well and in the hands of the Faithful one concerning your health.

So glad you all had a great time! Looks like it was fun!!

Frizzy said...

Love seeing that smile on your face! Hope all the medicines do the trick and your numbers return to normal. Take care of you! Hugs today and always.

Denise said...

I praise God for taking such good care of you sweetie. You have my love and continued prayers. I enjoyed the pictures.

McCrakensx4 said...

I am glad that you are feeling better, but will continue to pray for your healing. Dealing with heart problems is not fun.

Looks and sounds like lots of fun on the 4th!

((hugs)) Stacey

Samantha said...

Hi Debra,
What great photos and fun !
Precious family, friends and memories, God is so Good !
Praying for more good news, strength and peace for you.
~ Hugs and blessing to you dear one.

Cathy said...

Bless your heart, dear. Those heart problems are so scary, and I know yours is with pain! I have to take a pill to regulate my heartbeat. It goes into a-fib. My doctor says it is common, but it surely does not fell like it! Praying for your healing ~ Your pictures are beautiful.

Sunny Shell said...

Oh beautiful sister Debra,

No need to worry about getting back to us...I know how you feel! ♥

I love you so much and as I looked at all the beautiful photos, wished that I could be in them with all of you!

Do you have a video or a recording of Josh singing that song he wrote for you? Or can you just share the words with us (if Josh doesn't mind, I understand, it might be quite personal).

I love you so much, pray for you and truly hope one day, one of us will be well enough to visit and hug in real life! ♥

Love you sister & always praying for you,
Sunny ♥x♥x♥x

petrii said...

Debra,
I'm so sorry you are still having so many issues with your heart, but God knows those issues and I'm believing He will keep moving in mighty ways in your situation sister.

I just love coming over here and starting with your beautiful header and verse. I read that verse everytime I come and it always ministers to me, especially the, "and does not eat the bread of idleness" part. That one always keeps me putting in that extra load of laundy =)

It looks like you had a lovely fouth.

Hang in there sweet girl,
Dawn

Unknown said...

What precious memories being made!

I loved seeing Josh and Kelsey together. One can pray right???

Love that you live so close to Kim - praise God for how He weaves our lives together so perfectly!

Praying over your heart challenges and trusting that knitting together to Him!

Love and blessings,
Jill

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