Ahhhh! There's No Place Like Home!

The only thing better than a wonderful vacation is being back home, sleeping in my own bed, and back to my regular schedule. My great husband had last week off of work. We spontaneously decided to head out and visit a couple of National Monuments a few hours away. It was lovely. The Lava Beds were incredible and I felt honored to see some petroglyphs in a former lava tube. The kids enjoyed becoming Junior Rangers as they learned about the area. It was a long, hot and exhausting day that we all enjoyed. The next day was more low key as we played putt-putt golf and visited a museum. Both nights the kids completely enjoyed the pool and I was excited to see how well my son is doing in learning to swim. My health keeps me out of the pool for now so I was a bit envious of their fun.
On our way home, we visited Crater Lake and couldn't have had a better day. It was completely clear and sunny and every stop held God-given views of His creation. I'm awed. After we were home, we enjoyed a trip to the fair and an overnight camp out a block away (in our church's back yard) LOL!
My body is exhausted. I had to rest a couple of different days but I'm so glad that the trip and the walking and all didn't make me relapse as it has in the past. I'm definitely getting better and stronger. YEAH!!! 
Today, hubby's back to work. While I miss him and am looking forward to him being home, it's been nice to rest with the kids, doing a few chores, practicing my piano lesson, reading a book and resting. The rest of the week holds our regular events--craft morning with friends, a park playdate, some errands, etc. I look forward to it. Vacation was good and home is good, too.

Healing/Trust update

For those following my illness adventures, I am steadily gaining in energy and am healing. The hernia the doctor found and attempted to repair has reared its ugly head and I'm having to be careful with lifting and such. I met with the surgeon and he recommended wearing some support for the stoma to close the gap in the muscles. I found a temporary fix until I can meet with a nurse for a more formal one. It is helping and I'm in less pain by the end of the day. I was worried I might have to go in for more surgery but the doctor wants to wait. We're hoping it will be solved by the abscess cavity healing and closing up so that the stoma can be reversed. The last thing I need is extra surgery so hopefully we can roll it all together into one. 
In a past post on trust I commented on hubby's job search. He had been contacted by a few companies to apply for various positions. He did and interviewed. He has completed the interviewing process and has a new job. It took a lot of prayer and discussion on whether he should stay in his current position or move to the new one. The day after we decided to move on, his current company announced changes that would have made his job more difficult and set him up for failure. God was definitely working and I'm so grateful for the peace the Holy Spirit brought to help me through the uncertainty.

Summer!

Summer is finally here. For this Pacific NW gal, that means mostly sunny days with highs in the 70's. For those that don't know me, I despise being hot. I get overheated easily--comes from my grandma's genetics. So, this below 90 degree summer is perfect in my mind. I go outside in the evenings and enjoy the wonderfully soothing shade under my huge dogwood tree. Resting, reading, healing...<sigh of complete contentment>

It All Comes Down to Trust

Again I'm worrying. There are decisions to be made, is my son over his pneumonia, my friend's hubby is job hunting, what sorts of things can we do to enjoy time with my FIL, my health, meal planning, etc. A still and small voice whispers to me, "Do you trust me? Can you let go and let me work? Haven't I always worked everything out?"
Yes, Lord. You have. Forgive me again. The peace comes to guard my heart and my mind. My breathing slows and I relax. I'll keep praying but I don't have to pray with anxiety. I can pray with trust. 

Camping and Energy

I'm relieved and content. My body is taking a long time to recover from this illness. I'm still healing and will be for some time. I can live with that now. My energy levels are so much better this past week. We went to our yearly campout with our friends. Last year, my body failed me on the last day and I was so sick afterward. This year, I was able to prepare for camp and be at camp and actually help my hubby with the kids and with everything. I have not crashed and still have enough energy to work on the laundry this evening. Last week I couldn't do everything I did this week and I know that things will just keep improving.
I know that I'm feeling better and stronger and have more reserves. I'm interested in sewing with my DD this week. I want to go pick berries. I want to get planning on new lessons and units for my son in home schooling. I'm excited to start piano lessons in a couple of weeks. I want to cook and back and get in and really clean and declutter my home. All these wants are new ones. Before, I was too overwhelmed and tired to even be interested in wanting any of these. Wow!
That said, I know that I only have a limited number of "spoons" in any given day. I will continue to pace myself and use them as needed so that I monitor my health and don't overdo. (I recently read a blog where a woman with a chronic illness likened energy reserves to holding a certain amount of spoons in your hands. The image has stuck with me).
Thanks, Lord, for healing.

My Folks

My parents left today. I'm sad. I was brave and sent them home knowing it was time. I just miss 'em. I was starting to feel better and stronger and ready to play and they had to leave. We're all missing them. With being in the hospital for two weeks, I'm blessed they came to take care of my home and my hubby and my kids. Life ran more smoothly for us all because of their service.
Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad. You are my heroes. I love you!

The "C" Word

Well, it's been an interesting month. I went in for an outpatient laparoscopic procedure which I kind of expected to be an overnight issue. Well, I spiked a fever and had a high heart rate that wouldn't resolve over the course of a day. The nurse called the surgeon in the evening and he ended up calling in a team to do an emergency surgery--they were worried that something had gone wrong with the other surgery. I was in surgery from midnight to 4 am. They found that somehow I had developed a kink in my small intestine (not involved in the first surgery) and part of it was dying. I had to have a resection. Pretty glad that I was in the hospital and they got in so very quickly.
The next day held the miracle and the "C" word. Everything removed from a person in surgery is tested in the lab at this hospital. The pathologist saw suspicious cells on the portion of intestine removed. My doctor came bounding into the room excited because the cancer would never have been found until it was big and a problem. He was thrilled. I was glad but a little worried. I was finally facing one of my worst fears--cancer--the "C" word. I spent my time in the hospital wondering about future tests and such. Last Thursday I finally got to ask more questions. I guess the cells in question weren't cancer. They were those that could become cancer in the future but aren't yet. So, I'm blessed and praising the Lord for the miracle. Bad cells removed before they could affect my health. Cells only found because of a different issue requiring they be removed. Thank-you, Lord. With all I've been through with my health this year, He has chosen to spare me this. I am blessed. I am loved. Hallelujah!