And it's only Tuesday --

Let me start by saying how much i appreciate those that read this blog. It means a lot to me, more than i can ever say in these words. It is an encouragement to me to see the numbers of page views. 
This blog & website is my therapy. As well as the way we have chosen to stay in touch with so many concerning all that we are going thru. 
Thank you ... 

And i thank God for providing this medium to me. I had had websites before, but they were so overwhelming to this East Texas girl, that they didn't last very long. This one tho is such a simple format to use - and Lord knows i need something simple in my life right now! LOL 

God is teaching me some things ... i haven't gotten good at learning them yet. But i thank Him for His patience and longsuffering. I will be sharing some of those things on the various pages of this website. 

If you haven't already, check out the tabs at the top of the page. There are many pages to this website - and all of them are different. I am trying to add to each page. 
Been spending some of this bad weather time working on the website. :-) 

---

And then, my heart is sad and broken tonight. Again. 
Just for the record - I HATE CANCER!!!!! 
A precious friend and sister in the Lord, as well as our cousin - Debbie Griner Eppars - won her battle with cancer Monday evening. Yes, she won - and won it all!!! She is now with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. She waits for us in Heaven, and she rejoices with her Daddy, with her son, and with all those that have gone before her. I have lost, for a moment only tho. Even tho my heart breaks, and my spirit feels crushed. I know that one day i will join her there and we will walk the streets of gold together. I am just sad tonight tho - i miss her talks, i miss her smiles, i miss her love, and i miss her hugs. 
I love you my Sister, my Friend. I miss you!!! Debbie Griner Eppars ... i love you.

---

We finally got back from Tyler ... and the results are -- Rick showed good effort (95%) at doing the functionality test. But, just as his physical therapist here told us - he failed. So we were not surprised. He is rated at an average of "20" - which translated means that he is only able to do "light work, and some extreme light work". His job at Ballard drivers is considered "Medium-Heavy". He talked with the office lady and she said that this means he will NOT be returning to work. He has a few more weeks (possible) of insurance pay (which is 40% of what his salary was). And then? 

We will be talking to a social worker in the next few days, as well as Social Security disability. Not sure what he is eligible for and what he isn't. 

This is not a surprise to us ... but even having mentally expected it, it is totally different when it becomes a reality with the doctor telling you this, and then you hold the paper in your hands and read this report with your name on it. No, the afternoon and evening was NOT a good time for us. We cried, we battled discouragement and depression, we argued, we said some things that were only said out of frustration and weariness. We calmed down, we prayed. We are trusting in the Lord - we are just battle weary and feeling worn out in all of this. 

Please keep us in your prayers as we pray and seek God's wisdom and guidance as to what to do now ... and how. Thank you --

---

We are going to the dialysis center in just a little less than 12 hours. It is Rick's regular check-up with the nurses and Dr Greenwell. Time for blood to be drawn and labs checked. Praying for a good report, and an encouraging visit - Lord knows we could use it this week!!! 


On Thursday afternoon, we go to my doctor in SS. I had blood drawn last Wednesday, so we will see what those lab reports are this time. See if there is to be a change in medication. 


Speaking of having my blood drawn - three months ago when i had it drawn, my arm was sore for about 24 hours. Unusual, but it got better and so i didn't think much of it. This last Wednesday, however, was a different story. 
Blood was drawn on Wednesday, and my arm was sore into Friday morning. By Friday afternoon late, it was swollen - obviously swollen. Below the elbow - which blood was drawn in the bend of the arm. It is not red, nor red-streaked. It is not hot to the touch, either. It IS painful, sore and swollen. Got thru the weekend, and went by the doctor's office on Monday. Kara, my nurse, looked at it - then she talked to the doctor. It doesn't appear to be a blown vein, there is no major discoloration, and it wouldn't have lasted this long. it doesn't appear to be a blood clot, because it isn't red or hot. What could it be? Either she hit a nerve and caused some major inflammation, or she actually nicked a tendon in there. Either way, it will just take some time for it to go down and get better. Take ibuprofen and Tylenol alternating. Use warm compresses. Don't do a lot with the arm, but don't let it freeze up either. If it isn't better by Thursday afternoon, he will take another look at it, and ??? 

---

By the way - this site has been set up for us as a possible way of raising some funds to help us thru all this in our life right now. Money isn't everything, it won't buy the most precious things of life. But sadly, money is a necessity to live this life. I hesitated in allowing this to be done, and i hesitated even more in sharing it. But on the advice of several, and after much thought, many prayers, and all the wrestling with myself -- here is the link to "A little goes a long way".

Guess i had better get off here .. it is 3:27 a.m. - and time to go baby the fires. Seems like they really are babies right now - having to get up and feed them every 2 hours while it is so cold. Any time the outside temp is below 32* and with a north wind? This old house is cold, and makes it easy to know just where all the cracks are! Takes a lot more wood and effort to keep the fires fed. Rick cannot do it at night. He is hooked to the cycler for 8 1/2 hours each night. So, handling wood or being too near a hot fire? Out of the question. He gets the job during the day - and i get to rest some. :-) ... Good night ... or good morning - depending on how your night has been. 

God bless you and yours. Love you - and thank you again for reading. 

---