February News

Hi everyone,


I have news. My diagnosis of polymyositis is incorrect. All of my blood results were excellent. We will be starting from square one with a rheumatologist this month. I will be going for my first visit on the 23rd. I am beginning to consider whatever this condition to be as my "new normal". It is not fun, walking for any sort of distance becomes very difficult and it starts in my lower back with tightness and spreads to my legs making them tight and very hard to move. They are also swollen and sensitive. The heaviness in my arms is still there, the numbness in my hands and feetand the sensitivity in my elbows are returning and the shortness of breath has been attributed to my asthma not being under control. The stress test came back normal, praise the Lord. I will be trying to find another general practitioner in the next few months. I cannot continue to go to a doctor who does not have my complete trust. Please pray that the rheumatologist will find out what's wrong and that my search for a new doctor will find just the right one. I have a new normal but I am still finding God's blessings in my life. He is right by my side.


David is doing well and continues to work for Winn Dixie. I am thankful that he has a job in this ever flaky economy. We just had news this week that one of the plants that provide employment for a major part of this small town of ours will be closing down for 2 years. Please pray that he will continue being able to provide for our family and also for the trials he is going through with my health. He is such a wonderful man and I am blessed to have him in my life and loving me. He has jumped in with both feet and hands and is taking care of some of the things I took for granted that I could do on my own before.


Heather will be going for surgery to finally have her tonsils removed on February 25th. Please pray for her that the surgery will go well without any complications. It is supposed to be a one day thing so we are expecting her to be home quickly. Please also continue to pray for her hubby. We are expecting him home soon but are not yet sure of the day. Military plans as always rely on the whims of the military, but we can't wait to see him. Oh, and son-in-law, look out when you come home she is bound to be really hyper!


Tiffany is enjoying her truck very much. We were going for a little while where we saw her very little but she's starting to hang around the house more again. I've missed her. She, Chris, Rochelle and Chris's cousin C.J. played games on the playstation yesterday for a long time after chruch. The laughs rang through the house and I just loved hearing them. They played Monopoly and some game called Little Big Planet. It is one of the cutest games I've ever seen.


Rochelle is doing well with her lessons. She has been printing them out more often than working on the computer with them. She says she can do them better that way. She does them on paper and then loads them onto the program. She is in a stand still kind of with her art. She has several people currently awaiting their left eye. For some reason no matter who she is drawing, they will have the left eye done last. Rochelle also needs your prayers as she was diagnosed with scoliosis and also is having residual effects from the Bell's Palsey she suffered when she was 13. It seems the paralysis that remained caused her facial muscles, over time, to weaken and they no longer hold her jaw in place.


My dad is having some more health problems as well. They found 50% blockage in both legs and 60% blockage on the left of his neck and 100% blockage on the right side of his neck. He is at risk for a stroke and will need to be evaluated every 6 months from now on for his neck. He will be having surgery for his legs on the 20th of February. Mom says that the blockage in his neck is directly related to the fact that he used to smoke. Please pray for him and my mom.


Our friend Julian who had the double transplant is having a rough time they had to drain fluid from his stomach and he also fell and broke his hip in the hospital. Please continue to pray for him and his wife.


We lost the neighbor who lived behind us this past month. She was 97 years old. It will seem odd to not see her anymore. She always loved to ask David what we had planted in the garden and he always brought her some of her favorites. She used to worry when she didn't see him. Please pray for her family.


Please also continue to pray for my cousin Shirley as she undergoes chemotherapy treaments for her sinus cancer, and my friend Karen's husband who had another operation in an attempt to save his leg after an accident he had at work 7 months ago.


Our church is still looking for a new pastor. It has been 8 months since our much loved pastor and his wife left due to health reasons. We have a really nice interim pastor but we need to find a permanent pastor who can bring structure and growth to the church. Please continue to pray for our church. We are a small church but we are a family.


That's about it for our family news this time around. I hope this update finds everyone happy, healthy and safe. Take care and God bless.