It's a glorious time of year, isn't it? After all, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back! That's right! Head on down to Starbucks and check out my favorite "comfort" drink. It's just a beautiful thing. Makes me want to turn off the AC and open the windows. Oh wait...it's still South Texas and we can't quite do that yet. But I can still pretend it's fall.
Enough of my Fall-weather-people envy for now! I'm hosting a small group in my home each week which kicks off tomorrow. Twelve sweet ladies will join me in a Becky Tirabassi study called "Let Prayer Change Your Life". Can't wait! Becky will be the guest speaker at the Living the Life Conference and I'm thrilled to get to meet her in person. If you haven't already purchased your ticket, this is an event you won't want to miss. Check out www.livingthelifecc.com for more info or email me.
I hate to admit I'm a little nervous about having 12 women in my home every week. I have friends over for coffee all the time, but I'm not the best housekeeper. Let's face it...with chronic illness you have to pick your battles and keeping a clean house is low on my list. I have clean floors and clean bathrooms. Anything else I need to worry about? We'll be doing the study in my living room, but I'm curious...What's the number one thing you notice when you walk into someone's home? Is it the dust on the furniture, dirty dishes in the sink or do you notice the smell of a great candle or clean mirrors? Help me make my priority list to prepare for my sweet friends. Thanks!
With hope,
Kristen
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Field Trip
In another attempt to organize my life *grin* I came across an old journal entry dated May 7, 2008. Sharing that with you probably tells you how unorganized I really am! Because this journal entry is a reflection of life with chronic illness, I'm posting it here.
May 7, 2008
Field trip today with DiMarco's class to Austin. We had a great time together. He's such a fun, sensitive, loving guy and I just love spending time with him. We started our day at 4 a.m. Makes me nauseous to get up this early. We chartered buses which was nice so we didn't have to drive. Needless to say the bus was filthy and disgusting, but all the parents rode on one bus making it much quieter than riding with noisy fourth graders!
Arrived in Austin. Went to Bob Bullock Museum for my first time. Great museum, but lots of stairs. I mean LOTS of stairs. I started out great, but cratered eventually. Sent DiMarco on with his group and just hung back...couldn't keep up. I was okay though because DiMarco wanted me just to "be" there.
Then off to the Cap. Building...beautiful detail and architecture. More stairs...no really, more stairs than you could possibly imagine. Lagging WAY behind now, getting a little teary-eyed and then DiMarco said, "Hey Mom...come over here and let's stop and take pictures." Did he read my mind? We stopped and took pictures and I don't remember what we started laughing about, but we laughed hysterically until tears were streaming down our cheeks! My exhaustion was a distant memory. Then more stairs, but I just kind of meandered around and went at my own (snail's) pace reminding myself this was all for my son.
We ate lunch on the beautifully manicured grounds outside State Cap. Bldg. Moms brought blankets and spread them on the grass, but I knew if I sat down I wouldn't be able to get back up. How embarrassing that would be. So I ate on a nearby park bench and watched DiMarco and his friends eat and play. All the other moms sat together and for a split second I wondered what they were thinking. Only for a split second. I knew they were probably thinking I was antisocial, but I realized I really didn't care what they thought. I was doing what I had to do to get through this trip and their opinion didn't matter one bit. Truth be told, they didn't have a clue what I was going through. Invisible illness is a blessing and a curse.
DiMarco had a wonderful trip and loved the fact that his Mom was there. I'm exhausted and this will take days to recover from, but I feel such a sense of accomplishment. I certainly don't enjoy this level of exhaustion, but I DO enjoy the fact that despite CIDP, I did it! I made it and was there for my son. As we loaded up for the long trip home, DiMarco went to his bus and I went to mine. Before he did, though he said, "Mom, this was a great day. I'm so glad you came with us." Ahh...music to a mom's ears! A beautiful melody to the ears of a mom with chronic illness.
May 7, 2008
Field trip today with DiMarco's class to Austin. We had a great time together. He's such a fun, sensitive, loving guy and I just love spending time with him. We started our day at 4 a.m. Makes me nauseous to get up this early. We chartered buses which was nice so we didn't have to drive. Needless to say the bus was filthy and disgusting, but all the parents rode on one bus making it much quieter than riding with noisy fourth graders!
Arrived in Austin. Went to Bob Bullock Museum for my first time. Great museum, but lots of stairs. I mean LOTS of stairs. I started out great, but cratered eventually. Sent DiMarco on with his group and just hung back...couldn't keep up. I was okay though because DiMarco wanted me just to "be" there.
Then off to the Cap. Building...beautiful detail and architecture. More stairs...no really, more stairs than you could possibly imagine. Lagging WAY behind now, getting a little teary-eyed and then DiMarco said, "Hey Mom...come over here and let's stop and take pictures." Did he read my mind? We stopped and took pictures and I don't remember what we started laughing about, but we laughed hysterically until tears were streaming down our cheeks! My exhaustion was a distant memory. Then more stairs, but I just kind of meandered around and went at my own (snail's) pace reminding myself this was all for my son.
We ate lunch on the beautifully manicured grounds outside State Cap. Bldg. Moms brought blankets and spread them on the grass, but I knew if I sat down I wouldn't be able to get back up. How embarrassing that would be. So I ate on a nearby park bench and watched DiMarco and his friends eat and play. All the other moms sat together and for a split second I wondered what they were thinking. Only for a split second. I knew they were probably thinking I was antisocial, but I realized I really didn't care what they thought. I was doing what I had to do to get through this trip and their opinion didn't matter one bit. Truth be told, they didn't have a clue what I was going through. Invisible illness is a blessing and a curse.
DiMarco had a wonderful trip and loved the fact that his Mom was there. I'm exhausted and this will take days to recover from, but I feel such a sense of accomplishment. I certainly don't enjoy this level of exhaustion, but I DO enjoy the fact that despite CIDP, I did it! I made it and was there for my son. As we loaded up for the long trip home, DiMarco went to his bus and I went to mine. Before he did, though he said, "Mom, this was a great day. I'm so glad you came with us." Ahh...music to a mom's ears! A beautiful melody to the ears of a mom with chronic illness.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Visit Me
Grab a cup of coffee and visit me over at Rest Ministries today. I've been writing to support those with chronic illness/pain and thought I'd start providing a link each time. Enjoy!
http://chronicillnesssupport.typepad.com/dailydevotionals/2008/08/my-hiding-place.html
With hope,
Kristen
http://chronicillnesssupport.typepad.com/dailydevotionals/2008/08/my-hiding-place.html
With hope,
Kristen
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Treatment Day
I was just sitting here thinking that I can honestly say my life is never DULL. I seem to go from one adventure to another and life never gets boring! Today was no exception. **sigh**
My IVIG infusion was scheduled for 9:00 a.m. and Randy was right on time as usual! She's such a doll! Everything went off without a hitch except I completely forgot my premeds. Oops! Not to worry, Randy reminded me. Then while putting the needle in, my vein rolled. That hasn't happened in about ten years! Luckily I didn't feel any pain because the numbness is pretty strong in my arms right now. Did I just say the words "lucky" and "numbness" in the same sentence? Anyway, Randy was a pro and got me hooked up without incident. Luka actually watched this time without saying "Gross!" In fact, she was very brave and patted me on the back through the whole process. She usually isn't interested at all, unlike Ellen when she was Luka's age who watched everything from start to finish and asked a million questions. DiMarco is seriously repulsed by the needle and usually stays occupied in another room. Today was a different story for him. He's been throwing up since early this morning and hasn't had a bite to eat all day. He drank a bit of Sprite, but even that didn't stay down. Bless his heart, now he's dry heaving.
Just think...all this in one day! If you're squeamish, my house is not the place to be right now. Poor Chris! When he gets home, I can promise you he'll run for the hills! Wimp!
Even with the yuck of today I am filled with refreshing hope! I hope you're having a wonderful day!
Kristen
My IVIG infusion was scheduled for 9:00 a.m. and Randy was right on time as usual! She's such a doll! Everything went off without a hitch except I completely forgot my premeds. Oops! Not to worry, Randy reminded me. Then while putting the needle in, my vein rolled. That hasn't happened in about ten years! Luckily I didn't feel any pain because the numbness is pretty strong in my arms right now. Did I just say the words "lucky" and "numbness" in the same sentence? Anyway, Randy was a pro and got me hooked up without incident. Luka actually watched this time without saying "Gross!" In fact, she was very brave and patted me on the back through the whole process. She usually isn't interested at all, unlike Ellen when she was Luka's age who watched everything from start to finish and asked a million questions. DiMarco is seriously repulsed by the needle and usually stays occupied in another room. Today was a different story for him. He's been throwing up since early this morning and hasn't had a bite to eat all day. He drank a bit of Sprite, but even that didn't stay down. Bless his heart, now he's dry heaving.
Just think...all this in one day! If you're squeamish, my house is not the place to be right now. Poor Chris! When he gets home, I can promise you he'll run for the hills! Wimp!
Even with the yuck of today I am filled with refreshing hope! I hope you're having a wonderful day!
Kristen
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Snaps For Me!
Today I scheduled my next IVIG. Snaps for me! I didn't wait until the last minute this month. I took the hint when both the pharmacy and my home health nurse called and left me a reminder. Hmm...Ya think they know me pretty well? Anyway, my shipment should arrive on Friday and I'll have the infusion later next week. Hopefully the treatment will lessen my nerve and joint pain.
Today I felt a ridiculous amount of joint pain, especially in my wrists and ankles. I guess wearing heels is out of the question for a few days. Oh well, I guess it's flip flops for me!
I found out today I will be able to attend the GBS-CIDP Foundation International Symposium in November and I can't wait. I've never been to one of these before and I've heard they're very informative and encouraging. I can't wait to meet people I've come to know online. If you're planning to attend, would you email me at let me know you're going? I'd love to see you there.
Tonight I'm filled with refreshing hope,
Kristen
Today I felt a ridiculous amount of joint pain, especially in my wrists and ankles. I guess wearing heels is out of the question for a few days. Oh well, I guess it's flip flops for me!
I found out today I will be able to attend the GBS-CIDP Foundation International Symposium in November and I can't wait. I've never been to one of these before and I've heard they're very informative and encouraging. I can't wait to meet people I've come to know online. If you're planning to attend, would you email me at let me know you're going? I'd love to see you there.
Tonight I'm filled with refreshing hope,
Kristen
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Fat Lip
I'm desperately trying to get caught up on some writing while my younger two are getting louder and louder playing next to me. They're not doing anything wrong...it's me...trying to accomplish something when I should just be enjoying my kids.
Ten minutes later...
Funny I would post the above because right in the middle of my thought process on what to write, my youngest starts screaming and I turned around to see her mouth covered in blood. It seems she wanted what my son had and just thought she would TAKE it. She found out the hard way that doesn't work out too well. The toy slipped right out of my son's hands and hit her smack in the mouth, splitting her top lip.
So now she's on the couch with a wet rag on her already fat lip and my son is dancing in front of her trying to get her to laugh and forget about the pain. Time to go be a mommy...I wouldn't trade these days for anything!
What's going on around your home today? Fat lip anyone?
With HOPE,
Kristen
Ten minutes later...
Funny I would post the above because right in the middle of my thought process on what to write, my youngest starts screaming and I turned around to see her mouth covered in blood. It seems she wanted what my son had and just thought she would TAKE it. She found out the hard way that doesn't work out too well. The toy slipped right out of my son's hands and hit her smack in the mouth, splitting her top lip.
So now she's on the couch with a wet rag on her already fat lip and my son is dancing in front of her trying to get her to laugh and forget about the pain. Time to go be a mommy...I wouldn't trade these days for anything!
What's going on around your home today? Fat lip anyone?
With HOPE,
Kristen
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
It's Been A While
It's been awhile since I last posted...not sure why. Busy working on a couple of projects for one thing, but also I think I'm in that familiar "funk" of just getting by. I'm definitely not depressed or anything, just frustrated with CIDP. I'm sure you've been there. I'm sure we've all been in that place where we have to just put one foot in front of the other, not showing any emotion or the flood gates will open. Been there? Welcome to chronic illness! **smile**
Even in the "funk", I have HOPE. Tremendous HOPE! I'm sure this will pass and I'll be dealing with my body better in a few days. Like everyone else, I just get frustrated at not being able to do what I want my body to do. Grrr! Don't know what works for you, but what works for me is spending some alone time with God. I have some work to do this morning, but my afternoon belongs to Him!
Hope you have a great day filled with refreshing hope!
Kristen
Even in the "funk", I have HOPE. Tremendous HOPE! I'm sure this will pass and I'll be dealing with my body better in a few days. Like everyone else, I just get frustrated at not being able to do what I want my body to do. Grrr! Don't know what works for you, but what works for me is spending some alone time with God. I have some work to do this morning, but my afternoon belongs to Him!
Hope you have a great day filled with refreshing hope!
Kristen
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