It's a waiting game

My mom and dad arrived back home from Utah late Monday night. The doctor took a lot of tests. The other doctors have her on so many medications it is hard to get some accurate readings so he is taking her off the medications over the next three weeks and then they will be going back down to Utah for some more tests. So for now it is hurry up and wait.
Thanks for your prayers and encouragements. My mom says she can tell so many people are praying for her and is so grateful.

Surprisingly Chicago

And it was just that. I wish I could have described the look on Frank's face when he arrived home to find me, Gary, the best friend, sitting at the kitchen table. Words can't describe it so I have inserted the picture below -- worth a 1000 words. He was so surprised he could barely put two words together. Frank said that he didn't recognize me at first with my longer hair and tan. He said his first thought was "who is this Dominican Baseball player my wife is dating." :) LOL (and I did) After about 10 minutes by himself Frank was able to compose himself and return for some fun. We stayed up until about midnight catching up on everything from new friends, old friends, jobs, ministry, family and the like. Best friends are great for catching up on life.
Day two was the best day for me. We cleared out the guest/office/cat/storage/junk room. While Fonzell went through the boxes and sorted out the junk from treasure, Frank and I began to tape. After the tape was done and the tarp was down the paint came out. It took us about 3 hours to do the room. . . actually about 4 but that included a reward run to Dairy Queen for blizzards 2 1/2 hours in. Hey, painting is hard work and it always helps to have a yummy promise of a goal met. It was so great to be apart of the new baby preparations. It was a high honour for a soon to be "Uncle Gary" to contribute.
Friday and Saturday we spent tooling around Chicago and Geneva. There was a giant kidney bean in Millennium Park, great views from the skyline boat tour. Dinner at the Italian restaurant was great. Geneva was a cool town also. The working windmill was very impressive. But was most impressed me was just being able to hang out with my best friend and his wife. Saturday night completed the days of surprise with a final surprise Birthday party for Frank back at the house. I cooked up a story about seeing his place of work and being able to get pictures on his truck (included, don't I look truck driverish???). After everyone yeld surprise Frank turned to me and without hesitations stated emphatically "You sit on a throne of lies." It was at that point I laughed so hard I snorted.........yeah I snorted and right in front of 20 people I never met. I am great at first impressions.
All-in-all it was a blessed time with great friends and a refreshing relaxing 5 days. I was just sad to see it end. The time was priceless and God was good to allow it to be a time of refreshment and energizing for all of us.

Friendship to me!!! A male perspecitve.

1. When you are sad -- I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on mountain dew.
2. When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you
3. When you smile -- I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.
4. When you are scared -- I will rag on you about it every chance I get.
5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining.
6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.
7. When you are sick -- Stay away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever the heck you have.
8. When you fall -- I will point and laugh at your clumsy butt.
9. This is my oath.....I pledge it to the end. "Why?" you may ask; 'because you are my friend.'

Friendship is like peeeing your pants,

everyone can see it,

But only you can feel the true warmth.

Heading to Utah

I spoke with my mother on the phone today. Though she sounds as if she has been smoking 3 packs a day for 20 year she is in great spirits and actually is feeling better. And by better she means not as horrible as the day before. When you have been sick as long as she has the term "better" is very very relative.
On with the update. My dad will be driving my mom down to the University of Utah on Sunday the 10Th. They are currently not sure what to expect or how long she will be down there. They do know they have and appointment with the specialist at 8 am on Monday morning. I am not sure how long the testing takes to get results but as soon as I know you will know.
Please pray for comfort as they travel and that the skill and wisdom of the doctors would prove profitable. Not knowing for sure if the doctors know what she has has been frustrating and somewhat discouraging. Pray also for a continued heart of hope and joy in His sovereign plan being accomplished and my mother and father go through this trial. Hebrews 12:2

Undeservedly Blessed

I am really taken back by the amount of care and concern is being focused my way concerning my mother and her Churg-Strauss Syndrome. I have people whom I barely know asking after her and letting me know they are praying. Don't get me wrong, this is a great thing, just a bit overwhelming and, I don't know why, but unexpected. I say "I don't know why" because Placerita Baptist Church and those who attend are an amazingly loving and caring family. I have seen them be this way towards so many others. It has just taken me by surprise that the person is now me. I am so thankful to the Lord because of it and humbled by the loving God I serve ministering to me and my family through his church. Enough about me, lets get to the update on my mother.
For the past 3 to 4 years she has had a cough that comes and goes. The doctors have prescribed various medication and they have all been focused on the symptoms, which they have relieved temporarily. Ever since she returned from England in January the cough has come back and with a vengance. Many of you may remember that early last year she was hospitalized becuase of her cough and her current situation has her close to that state again. Even last spring they doctors missed the diagnosis.
So what is the diagnosis? Well after a lung biopsy and some blood tests they feel she has Churg-Strauss syndrom. Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is an extremely rare disease that results from inflammation causing injury to organ systems. The areas most commonly affected by CSS include the nerves, sinuses, skin, joints, lungs, intestinal tract, heart, and kidneys. Almost all people with CSS have increased numbers of “allergic type” blood cells called eosinophils. Eosinophils can be found in elevated numbers in the blood and often in tissue biopsies in people with CSS. Some of the most serious manifestations of CSS are related to the presence of vasculitis. What is vasculitis? Vasculitis is a general term that refers to inflammation of the blood vessels. When blood vessels become inflamed, they can only react in limited ways. When inflamed, the blood vessel may become weakened and stretch in size which can lead to aneurysms, or become so thin that they rupture resulting in bleeding into the tissue. Vasculitis can also cause blood vessel narrowing to the point of closing off the vessel entirely. This can cause organs to become damaged from loss of oxygen and nutrients that were being supplied by the blood. And for my mother the organ of choice is her lungs.
The current therapy of high doses of steriods and now chemo drugs has not been working. God in His providence has my mother working for a medical group that has connections with specialist at the Univeristy of Utah. They are currenlty working on sending her down there to get the help and proper medical attention. At this point my mom is in good spirits and keeping a God center focus. She sees the blessing and hand of God in having her work for doctors with the connections they have as well providing so much help from her own local church body.
Even so this disease is taking its toll on my mother. She is tired and weak and is looking at what things to cut from her schedule. Now for those of you who don't know, my mother is just like me in the number of events and ministries involved in. We both just love to serve the Lord in His local church and it is not easy for us when we realize something has to go.
I would covet your prayers for a continued God centered perspective during this time, for my mothers health to improve and that when she does meet with the doctors they will come up with a successfull treatment.
Again, thank you for your inquiries.................and don't stop asking! I wouldn't trade your love and care for a second.