Where I've been all week.......

Well this picture describes where I have been all week.  I started getting sick on Tuesday and it has been an up and down all week.  I caved and actually got antibiotics on Tuesday.  I had one really okay day on Wednesday and then I crashed on Thursday.  During the night on Wednesday I spiked a fever that simply refused to come down.  At one point I was sure that I would have to go to the hospital.  When you have a fever of 102 you are not thinking straight and sure don't feel well.   Thankfully, around noon on Thursday, my fever broke and it has stayed down since.  I actually went to work today and felt moderately well.  I would guess I was about 80%.  The cough with this bronchitis has just about done me in. 

A couple of interesting things about this week's experiences.   First, I was "treated" by a doctor on our new insurance plan called "MDLive".  You actually just call and they call you back.  Sometimes that includes a "video chat", but in my case, all he needed to do was hear me cough and listen to the sequence of events to know that I have bronchitis.  The advantage to this kind of sick visit was amazing.  I didn't need to leave my house.   And I got my antibiotics in less than 3 hours.   And the most amazing thing was the cost.  On our insurance plan the maximum charge may be $38 but will most likely be ZERO!   Did you get that???  ZERO for a doctor visit and medicine prescribed.   At first I was thinking this was just a bunch of quackery and a ploy from the insurance company.  But quite frankly, I was really happy with this service.  It actually reminded me of a time when I could call my doctor and they would send a prescription without seeing me.   I thought those days were gone.  

I am convinced that while the antibiotics helped with my healing,  it was the prayers of so many good friends that helped me turn that corner.  I could FEEL all the people praying for me.  And it was warm and comforting.   I just love that Jesus put us in community so that we would know that we can not do it alone.   I am so blessed by the many people who missed these blogs and messaged me to find out what was wrong.  I love that it was noticed that I had not blogged!  I feel very connected and cared for. 

Jesus, thank you that you are the healer.  Thank you for all the people who stand with us and pray for us when we are in need.  Holy Spirit, thank you for reminding people to stop and pray when a person or situation comes into their mind.   Thank you for new programs that actually work well.   Forgive me for assuming the worst about this new insurance program.  Thank you for the doctors and nurses who man this program.   Amen

Birthday from the past....filled with gratitude

Today we celebrated Ellie's 5th birthday.  She had a wonderful party at a gymnastics and jump place with all of her friends.   It was so fun watching all of the kids running through the activities.  Zeke was certainly the most brave of all of the kids.  Even though he is only 2 years old, he climbed on the rope and swung out over the pit of foam blocks and let go!  Neither Lia or Ellie would do this!  Zeke is most assuredly all boy.  When I watched Ellie blow our her candles, I couldn't help but flash back to the day in this picture.  Because Doug and Ellie share a birthday, I suppose that is why I was thinking about this picture from Doug's 5th birthday in 1987.  (Yep, that's right, my "baby" is 32!)

If you look at the picture you will notice that Doug is in a hospital bed.  In fact, this was the last time that he was ever hospitalized.  In addition to his "normal" urinary problems, he had a severe case of scarlet fever.  During this hospital stay they "desensitized" him to a brand new medicine by giving him very small amounts gradually through his IV.  This long process, along with this "formulary" drug (which Doug took for the next 18 months) played a part in Doug's road to health.  Doug claims to not have any memory of this day, but Gwen remembers it well.  For me, the memory of this day is mostly that it was his LAST hospital stay! 

I am feeling so thankful tonight.  I know that Jesus is the one that brought Doug to total health.  While the medicine played a part in the process, it was ultimately Jesus that protected and worked in Doug.  When I look at my children and grandchildren, I am filled with gratitude.   What a blessing it is to see our kids and grand kids walking out their destiny.  As I have been doing this blog, I have looked at my ancestors.  I have seen how their prayers, their choices and their faith have impacted my life.  And today I was thinking about my future generations.  It is a privilege to know that my prayers can have an effect in the future.  What a powerful reminder to speak life into our family - present and future.  

Jesus, thank you for birthday celebrations, for good health, for family and friends.  Thank you for working in our generations.   Bless Ellie and Doug as they begin another new year of life.   Let them both draw closer to you in the next year.  Thank you for my past generations that sowed seeds of faith and life.  Bless my children, grandchildren and all my future generations with your presence and your peace.  Amen

A very, very quiet day................

So last night around dinner time, in the middle of a very big snowstorm, I simply lost my voice.  I went from talking normally one minute, to not having a voice the next!  This  has never happened to me before.  I have total laryngitis.  This morning I didn't even have a croak for a voice. 

The first thing I did was to check the internet to get information about laryngitis.  There were no surprises.  Nothing that you can do to shorten the attack except not talk! There is no medicine or treatment that does any good at all.  So I stayed home and rested my voice.  I turned on the humidifier, I drank tea with honey, I didn't talk.  I am sucking on cough drops to keep my throat moist.  I have been sipping liquids.  Sadly, tonight I still just have a croak for a voice.  But I intend to go to work tomorrow.  I will just have to NOT talk! 

Now this is sure to be a difficult task.  If there is one thing that anyone who works with children will tell you, it is that they TALK ALL DAY!  At least we have a 2 hour nap time when I should be able to be totally quiet.   So a challenge is ahead for me.  Never did I think that it would be my voice that kept me home.  I figured it would be some bad flu or a stomach virus (we have had lots of kids throwing up) or a bad cough.  Or I even thought it might just be my body that gave out.  My knees or feet or back.  I was just joking with one of the directors that I get my daily exercise when I carry the dishes and food back to the kitchen after lunch.  Let me tell you that those 25 or 30 glass plates are HEAVY! And hoisting those cots around is also something.  But it was a common little virus that knocked me down. 

I don't quiet know what tomorrow will bring.  I don't know if I will feel much worse when I finally get home, or if my voice will improve over the day.  I will be praying for total restoration and healing......and would appreciate your prayers as well!

This reminds me of all those who are really knocked down by something much more serious than just a little lost voice.  Those that have cancer or other diseases that have much more pain and disability.  My heart goes out to each of them.  This day off has given me a chance to consider just how fortunate I am.  And to pray for all those that are in the midst of a battle for their health. 

Jesus, bring that total healing and restoring to my voice.  Protect all of the teachers and kids from sickness and keep all of those germs at bay.  Give courage and strength to all who are in the midst of a struggle with illness or disease.  Holy Spirit, remind us to stand with each other and hold each other up in prayer.   Jesus, thank you that you are the healer and the provider!  Amen