Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Update

Guess I didn't know what else to title this! Well, I had another Dr appt yesterday and he determined that I still don't look all that great (gee, thanks, huh)...but I knew what he meant! :) He added another medication to my stash, which has me up to 7 different medications/day (13 pills/day total). YIKES! That seems like a lot, but it must be done and we are still trying our very hardest to not open up the doors of chemo again. So, pills it is. The doc also ran some more tests yesterday:
Muscle Enzyme
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
and also testing my Potassium levels again

Right now, the plan is to just keep resting and trying to get my blood work to come down (the inflammation/enzyme) and up (the Vitamin/Mineral levels). It's getting a little frustrating to still be so sick, and yet I find peace. Peace like a river. It's hard to explain, and I think that's because the peace can only come from one source...God.

I will keep you updated as things change. Thanks to everyone for the emails/prayers/phone calls...I love them!

Oh, and on a truly positive note...I got into all of my Dietetics Classes! When I got my Nutrition Degree, there were 4 classes that I was missing to get my Registered Dietetician (therapy/counseling classes). I got into all of the classes through Univ of Northern Colorado. I start May 18th and will be done in August. Then, in January I will begin the Internship Application process and by June of next year I will be in my Dietetic Internship (which should last 6 months). I'm so very excited about this! :)

I would not be able to hang on and do all of this without the support of my wonderful hubby! He truly takes such wonderful care of me. He stays up and takes care of me in the late hours of night, among doing the other countless things to help out (dishes, laundry, yard work). He is truly a wonderful man!! Thank you, honey! I love you so much!!!

Ending with scripture...

Ps 4:8 "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety."

Thankful for the peace,
Amanda

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Fear Not & Hi/Lo Thursday

Oh, how those words (fear not) speak volumes! And so many times those exact words are written in the Bible, yet how often we all feel so "affraid". Affraid of God, life, death, health, people, etc. But mostly affraid of the things to come, the unexpected. My Great-Aunt is a wise woman and has done great things with her life. She's very smart, Godly woman whom I really admire. Lastnight she sent me an email with the following verse:
"Fear thou not; for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yea, I will help you, yea, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Is 41:10

I read the verse and I am reminded of God's love. HE loves each and every one of us and no matter the storm, He will see us through it...we must not be affraid.

Things here are like a roller coaster. Somedays I'm doing really well and then other days where I can barely walk. But in all of this, I really do think the medication is working, which is great news. I'm beginning to wean off the steroids, and the new medication (Lyrica) should be kicking in here soon. I'm sure it will be just a matter of time before I'm feeling really well! :)

It's also hi/lo Thursday! YIPEE! :)
This post is part of "Hi/Lo Thursday" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to read everyone else's "Hi/Lo" posts and get your link on their site.

The Hi of the week:
Well, I just found out yesterday that I got into ALL of my Dietetics Classes! YAY! There are 3 classes I will be taking this summer in 2 6-week sessions! It's going to be a whirlwind, but I am SO excited! After these 3 classes, I will have a semester off and then in January I will begin the process of applying for my Dietetic Internship! I'm SO excited and feel very blessed!

The Lo of the week:
Kirsten (my sister-in-law) had brain surgery yesterday. She did very well, but we were nervous during the surgery. Also, my health has been a continued roller coaster and that can be frustrating at times. Both Lo's are quite serious, but the LORD has been answering prayer and for that we are thankful!

Trying real hard to not be affraid,
Amanda

Saturday, April 18, 2009

And the diagnosis/treatment plan is...

Medication, Rest, Time and Prayers!

WOW...what a week! I finally got my results back on Weds and then spent Thursday and Friday figuring out the best possible treatment. My blood work came back and these are the results:

Sjogren's Anti-bodies= extremely elevated
SED Rate (inflammation)= elevated
Potassium Levels= low

One can look at the above and quickly determine that I am in a flare-up. This is good news b/c that means it's not anything more serious/life threatening. It is a very bad flare-up however, so the time off from work is much needed. SO...basically we spent Thursday and yesterday talking about medication/treatment options and avoiding chemo at all costs. I am going to stay on the steroids (to help the anti-bodies and sed rate levels) and my doc has added another medication for nerve pain. And as far as Potassium...well, there's no reason it should be low (I'm not on any diuretics, kidneys are fine, I certainly do not have an eating disorder), so it must be attributed to all that's going on...but treatment...that's a no brainer for me. I'll just increase my Potassium intake in my diet!

Thanks to all of you again for your thoughts/prayers/emails/phone calls! Even if I can't get back to you right away, I so much appreciate hearing from you! Take care and I'll be sure to keep you updated. I'm just so glad that this is just a Sjogren's thing. It's somewhat familiar territory, so rest, medication, and time should help immensely!

I have posted a song that just so expresses how I feel right now! I encourage you to take a few minutes to listen to it. ;) You'll want to pause my blog music on the right side of my site, first before playing the song below, so you don't have two songs playing at once. :)


May you find yourslef singing for all to hear!!
Love,
Amanda

Sunday, April 12, 2009

CHRIST IS RISEN, HE IS RISEN INDEED!


A VERY Happy and Blessed Easter to everyone! We went to the Easter Vigil lastnight and it was as beautiful as ever. We saw over 20 people baptized and confirmed into the Church (just as my hubby Aaron did 2 years ago), and it's just amazing to see these men, women and children proclaiming their faith! Today is Easter Sunday, and once again I woke up realizing that the fact at hand is...CHRIST DIED FOR US...all of us. Whatever pain/suffering we might be going through, well, is temporary. And, we must go through this suffering on earth to be reunited with Christ in Heaven where we will live Eternally!

I did not fall asleep until about 3:40 this morning (that was the last time I looked at the clock, anyway). My legs were in a great deal of pain as was the rest of my body. And as I was trying so hard to fall asleep, I caught myself talking to Jesus. Thanking HIM for blessing my life with this illness. God is not surprised that I am feeling sick, and HE has a plan for me going through this. So...yes, I tried very hard to get to sleep, but at the same time prayed and talked to God while I was awake in the wee hours of the morning. I thanked HIM for the Cross, for HIS never ending LOVE and great GRACE and MERCY.


A VERY Happy and Blessed Easter to you ALL! May God enrich your lives and may you be reminded of the very reason you are meeting with family/friends today to eat all the wonderful food and socialize! :)


It's time for me to set the table and get ready for the festivities. We are hosting Easter Dinner at our place today. My only job was to cook a ham which consisted of throwing in the crock pot. Everyone else is bringing a dish to complete the meal...my mouth is watering! :) OK...blessings to all!


Col 3:1-4
Since you have been raised up to be with Christ, you must look for the things that are above, where Christ is, sitting at God's right hand. Let your thoughts be on things above, not on the things that are on the earth, because you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God. But when Christ is revealed -- and he is your life-you, too, will be revealed with him in glory.


Happy Easter,

Amanda

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Pray for Me/Pray for Others

Hello everyone,
Pray for MeWe participate in "Pray for Me... Pray for Others" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to add your prayer request. Join a community of friends who care about you, and hope you will care about them.

It's time to do Pray for Me/Pray for Others. I ask you to check out the blog that started pray for me/others. Pray for their 4 year old daughter Abby who is battling Leukemia right now.

Pray for me:
Please pray for me. I was put on 5 weeks of medical leave today. I am terribly sick right now. My doc thinks this might be a flare-up of my sjogren's, but is running a panel of tests to see if there is anything else. I pray that whatever is found can be treated so I can get back to feeling better and get back to work.

Pray for Others:
Please pray for a young man's family. His name is Nathan Rosenquist. He is 24 years old and passed away after a 5 year battle with cancer and leaves behind a wife of only 6 months. The funeral is tomorrow morning. Please keep this family in your prayers, and especially his young, brand new bride.

God Bless you all on this very Holy Week.
Amanda

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Holy Week/Palm Sunday


Is 50:4-7 And I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let him confront me. See, the Lord GOD is my help; who will prove me wrong? Lo, they will all wear out like cloth, the moth will eat them up. Who among you fears the LORD, heeds his servant's voice, And walks in darkness without any light, Trusting in the name of the LORD and relying on his God? All of you kindle flames and carry about you fiery darts; Walk by the light of your own fire and by the flares you have burnt! This is your fate from my hand: you shall lie down in a place of pain.

Phil 2:6-11Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. So then, my beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

Mk 14:1-15
It was now two days before the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth, and kill him; for they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be a tumult of the people." And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. But there were some who said to themselves indignantly, "Why was the ointment thus wasted? For this ointment might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor." And they reproached her. But Jesus said, "Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you will, you can do good to them; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burying. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. And when they heard it they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him. And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the passover lamb, his disciples said to him, "Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the passover?" And he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the householder, `The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I am to eat the passover with my disciples?' And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us."

Greetings All!
A very blessed Holy Week to all of you. I can't believe it is already Palm Sunday and in 7 days we will be celebrating in glory our RISEN CHRIST!

This Lenten journey has been an eye opener for me this year. With the economy, my current job situation, health, and so on, I am reminded during this Lent what life is really to be about. It is about preparation of the 2nd coming of our LORD. Remebering...A job is just a J-O-B. As tough as it is to get through each day, I had time to reflect over Lent this year that I am just thankful that I have a paycheck unlike so many who do not have one right now. I am also reminded during this Lenten season that our LORD is a MIGHTY GOD and SAVIOR! These times of dificulty have made me yearn for heaven and eternal life with Jesus. My bouts of bad health have been comforted by knowing that this is not an eternal thing. Further, as I reflect on N. Korea and the threats they have been making, I am reminded that this life on earth is not eternal. Heaven IS eternal, and we must suffer on earth, obey God's commands, work hard and repent our sins so that we can live in eternal life in Heaven. This life on earth...it's just temporary. We must keep praying. Praying for others, strangers, family and friends and seeking forgiveness for our sins.


Someday, all because GOD LOVES US, suffering/pain/hardship will cease to exist. It's hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that someday, there will be a time where I will have no idea what it's like to be in pain (physical, emotional, etc) and that in and of itself is worth working towards.

I am also reminded that Jesus suffered so greatly, too as he was crucified for US...YOU and ME. HE suffered for the love of all of us sinners on earth so that when HE comes again in Glory, we might all be saved as well and spend eternity in Heaven with HIM. And in this eternity and Heaven-filled life, there will be no pain, no suffering, no wars, no fear. It will be an eternal life filled with Joy and the ever presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

May you all have a wonderful, purpose-filled Holy Week as you prepare for Good Friday, but most of all for Easter Sunday where you will be reminded of God's promise for you! Blessings to you all!










Happy Easter,
Amanda