These last couple of weeks ...

We have been BUSY these last 2 or 3 weeks! But busy is good ... keeps us out of trouble! LOL ...

Rick had his appointment with Dr Greenwell & the nurses at the dialysis center. Got an excellent report! All his blood numbers and dialysis numbers are good - thank you God! 
The only problem is that his phosphorus is too high. Just about every food there is to eat has some phosphorus in it. And phosphorus is needed by the body. In a person with healthy kidneys, whatever is not used by the body is flushed out by the kidneys. However, in a person with kidney failure - that cannot happen, and therefore, without medication, the phosphorus can build up in the body and turn toxic, very toxic. 
Rick has been on a phosphorus binder for almost 2 years now. The first one, Phos-Lo, seemed to make him feel extra full. He had dealt with that for over a year. Finally discussed it with the dr - and they decided to try Renvela. He didn't have the full feeling - but he got to noticing that he was having more and more gas pains, severe bloating in the "gut" area, cramping so bad that he would double over and was unable to move about. Called the nurses, discussed it - and they said that Renvela does have stronger side effects in some people. (We were not warned, sigh.) So, Rick has gone back to the Phos-Lo for now. Waiting on the newest phosphorus binder to be ordered - Velphoro. 
Please pray with us that this one will not have any major side effects, and that it will indeed lower his phosphorus. He has cut back on most of the high-phosphorus foods, some cutting out all together - but his phosphorus count has continued to climb. Sigh. 

Joshua and Dessie shared Shell & Kyla with us this past week - they brought the grandkids over on Sunday and we took them home yesterday. I miss them so much! LOL ... 
Shell & Kyla went with us to work every day here at the park. Well, Kyla did - Shell worked with Scott, and with Don, and with Brock! 
After lunch every day, P-paw laid down and took a nap during the heat of the day ... and Grannee went to the swimming pool with Shell and Kyla. I sat under an umbrella each time, but I still cooked! If I don't peel, I will be darker after this summer! LOL 
So much laughter and love ... 
Kyla painted Grannee's toenails - neon pink :) ... I told her that with my back giving me such trouble lately I had not been able to cut my nails, nor paint them. She did both! Made me feel special and loved - :) ... 
Shell got to meet Lucky - one of our Warrior Hero's. They seemed to hit it off. Lucky not only let Shell hold his pellet gun - which was "awesome" in itself according to Shell - but Lucky let Shell shoot it! Friends for life now! 

Last Monday night, the meal here at Coffee Creek RV Resort was potluck. I fixed chicken and dumplings, homemade mac & cheese, and pies. There was so much food brought! Everything i tasted was GOOOOOOD!!!!! We had so much fun ... laughing ... eating ... laughing ... cleaning up even ... 
I really look forward to these Monday night meals! 
This coming Monday night is "Breakfast for Dinner" - I love to have breakfast for dinner! 

I am doing ok. Some days better. Some days so-so. Guess part of that is just age ... and the heat of a Texas July. 
God is teaching me some things ... I hope I am learning them. Some of His teachings are like light bulbs that go on in a dark room ... and then some are like a Jethro-slap to the head! So thankful that His grace is greater ... thankful that His love is everlasting!!!!!