Category: How Great is Our God

Who Needs Caffeine When You Have Adrenaline?

by ObtainingMercy, posted in How Great is Our God, Isaac Update, What's Happening

By way of review:

Isaac has this inserted into his abdomen. 

button

That little hole in the top goes down through the ballooned part, directly into his stomach, which is attached to the wall of his abdomen. 

Think of it as the earring hole in your ear.  The button fits through the hole.  (We call this hole a stoma.)  After the button is through, we use a syringe filled with distilled water to inflate the balloon.

We attach this tube into the top of the button.

Right angle feeding tube

We insert this syringe into the wide end of the tube (without the plunger),

Syringe

and pour his formula into his tummy. 

This morning, we found this laying at the foot of Isaac's bed!

button

He had pulled it out completely inflated!!!

Lest you think it was no big deal for us, let me tell you, this has NEVER happened before.  It has come out before, during feeding, but not inflated.  Usually, it is because the stomach acids have eroded the material and the water filling the balloon has leaked out, leaving nothing holding it in.  Since we were right there, we could replace it quickly.

If the stoma closes, and you can't get the button in, it mean emergency abdominal surgery.  We have no other way to get medication or nourishment to him.  If we try to give these things by mouth, he can choke or aspirate, leading to pneumonia.

So, you see, it was a true medical emergency.

God has created our bodies to be incredible healing machines.  Isaac's body knows that it isn't supposed to have a button in his stomach.  We have been told the stoma will immediately begin to close up when the button is removed.

We had NO idea how long it had been out. We had no idea how much the stoma had already closed.

We grabbed all of our supplies. (We keep the replacement kit right beside his bed.)  I cleaned off the area and could still see the top of the opening.

I said to Doug, "Pray!"  And he did!  Out loud! That was totally for my own personal benefit, let me tell you!

Praise be to God, that button slid right in…just a little resistence at the end…Isaac jumped, but didn't holler or cry.  I inflated the balloon and we were finished – just like that!

Whew!

And Thank You, Lord!!!

It all took about 2 minutes.

Afterwards, I thought "Who needs caffeine to wake up?  That jolt of adrenaline did just fine!!!"

 

Just a Quick Update

by ObtainingMercy, posted in How Great is Our God, Isaac Update, What's Happening

Doug got sick over the weekend, and by Monday, Isaac was sick too – fever, cough, congestion.  Poor little man!  We are treating the fever and doing asthma treatments for the congestion.  We'll let the fever go for 3 days, then make an appointment with his pediatrician if it continues past that.

Our caregiver started this week.  It is working out wonderfully, and I am so, so thankful to have help.

We are supposed to start Isaac's horseback riding on Monday, IF he is feeling better.

I will be back to blog again, soon, I promise!  :o)

My friend, Gail, who passed away in June had started a grape vine in her backyard quite a while before she got too sick to tend to her yard.  Last season, it only yielded a handful of grapes.  This year, it is bearing lots and lots of fruit.

Gail's Grapes

Gail's Grapes

I think the Lord just blessed this vine this year so that it would bless Gail's husband with sweet remembrances of her.  Isn't that just like our Lord? 🙂

Blessings,

Alesha

I Forgot I Was Grieving

by ObtainingMercy, posted in A Door of Hope, Friendship, How Great is Our God, Just My Thoughts

I am, on balance, a fairly happy person.

I love the Lord, and I love my life.  I feel content in most circumstances.  Even if I get temporarily thrown off my usual stride, I can usually find my equilibrium, so to speak, pretty quickly.

You see, I like peace.  I like to feel peaceful.  I dislike anxiety, fretfulness and worry.

So, I'm learning to focus on my Lord, and to allow His peace to fill me.

That is why I have been extremely frustrated with my self the past month or so. 

I have not felt very peaceful.  I have been quite fretful.  I have been grouchy, cantankerous, and (I say it to my shame) a tad unforgiving lately.

And I don't like being that way!

I have been unhappy with myself that I am feeling unhappy with others and with life in general.

Then, this morning, I was working with Isaac, listening to the music playing in his room, and I just burst into tears.

The song was about Heaven.  I hear songs about Heaven several times every day.  I don't usually break down over them.

This song, however, was about our friends and loved ones who are already in Heaven, how we miss them, and how happy we will be to see them again.

Then I remembered.

Gail.

I am still grieving over losing Gail.

Don't get me wrong.  I think about Gail every day – usually more than once a day.  I mostly think of things that I want to tell her — then I remember that I can't.  So, I move my thoughts on to something else, and get on with my day.

But grief eventually needs its outlet, doesn't it?

I can't keep just pushing it aside for other things, because that's where the discontent comes from.  That's why I'm so easily frustrated and angered and why I hold on to those feelings longer than usual.

I've pushed aside the grieving to get on with my life, but the sadness just isn't disappearing. 

So, today, when I burst into tears, I should have just let those tears continue until I was finished with the crying.  As usual, I stopped them so that I could go about my business.

I think the next time they start, I'm just going to indulge them for a little while.  Maybe some of the anger, fretfulness, anxiety, unforgiveness with flow away with the tears.

Yeah, so I remembered I'm still grieving.  That's ok.  I think I will just give myself a little break today, and grieve for my sweet friend who I am missing so very much.

Our God is such a great God to create us to feel so many emotions, and then build into our very bodies the outlet for those emotions:  tears, laughter, and the huge array in between the two.

I almost wonder that if I allow myself to cry, I will find that my laughter returns as well.

I just think it might.

A Little Post on a Rainy Afternoon

by ObtainingMercy, posted in Blessings, Florida Weather, How Great is Our God, Isaac Update

I've felt like it's Monday all day today. 

Doug was sick and didn't go into work or take Isaac to therapy, so today was his first day of the week.  I guess that's why I've been 2 days behind!  Poor Doug, though, his cold settled into an eye infection.  A trip to the optometrist and an antibiotic for him today, and prayerfully, he'll be feeling better soon.

Isaac is sick too.  You know, that little cough and a intermittent low-grade fever.  Just doesn't feel good, but isn't sick enough to sleep all day either.  Well, except for last Friday, when he did sleep all day.  I thought the Lord was just giving me a little break, but it turned out that Isaac was getting sick after all.

I have been in the midst of a major pain flare, which hasn't happened in a really long time.  So, it has had me out of commission for the past week or so.  I am feeling some better today, although my back is giving me a little trouble. 

Doug and his boss had a special time of prayer for me today at work.  I didn't know anything about it, but suddenly I knew I was feeling better.  I texted Doug to tell him, and he shared that he and the boss prayed for me today.  How's that for a fast answer?  I was so relieved and thankful and overwhelmed.

We have been having these fantastic electrical thunderstorms quite often lately.  I really love them.  We always turn off the computers and the air conditioner, and just enjoy the show.  It's even better when I am near my bedroom window which opens onto the front porch.  It has an aluminum room, and the rain just sounds phenomenal out there. 

Our church is having a special time of giving this summer.  You know, the dip in the economy doesn't affect the Lord, but it does sometimes affect his children and their charitable giving.  Some folks have lost their jobs, others have had increased living expenses, and some are just too fearful to continue giving during an economic downturn.

Whatever the reason, giving has been somewhat diminished this summer, just like it was last summer.  God showed off for us during last summer's special offering, bringing in far more that our goal.  We are praying that our church members will be sensitive to the Lord's leading again this summer, so that the needs can be met.

With that in mind, I'll tell you what I did – only by way of sharing with you how good the Lord is to me.  We really don't have anything extra to give.  We do well to pay our bills each month.  So I asked the Lord if He would sell some jewelry for me this week.  And guess what!  He did!!!  One of my sweet, repeat customers made a purchase yesterday!!!

So, now, I can give a little something extra, too.  Isn't God good? 

He gives to me so that I can give back to Him!!!  

(I'm asking Him to bless my customer, too, and to meet her needs – whether financial, spiritual or physical.  And because I know her personally, I can pray specifically.)

I'm singing with my brother at church tonight, so I guess I'd better start getting myself together.  It seems like it takes a little longer these days to "get ready"!  I don't know whether to blame that on old age, or diminished eye sight!!!  Either way, I've got work to do, friends! 🙂

Blessings to you,

Alesha

One…two…three…four…

by ObtainingMercy, posted in Hallelujah Diet, Household, How Great is Our God, Isaac Update, Recipe, What's Happening

…counting my many blessing today.  I thought I'd share my day with you.  I think you will see why I am feeling so blessed today.  Ready, set, here we go!

  • Got up at 6:45 to change Isaac.  Repositioned him in the bed.
  • Drank barley.
  • Read Bible, the book of Exodus, the story of the Red Sea crossing.  Remembered I had an unread email about the subject, and watched the powerpoint presentation which was very interesting.
  • Checked all email accounts, checked Etsy orders, read blog comments, checked Google Analytics and StatCounter for web sites, and check in to Xanga blogs that I follow.
  • Prepared Isaac's feed, juice and meds.  Fed him very quietly because he had fallen asleep (had been up since 4:30 a.m.  I did not get up with him – Doug did!)  Washed up all syringes, tubes and jars.
  • Let Newton out to go potty.

Newton in the sun
 (Newton catchin' some Florida rays)

  • Drank first glass of veggie juice.
  • Rinsed black eyed peas, and put in Crockpot with onion, shallot, salt and Better Than Bouillon.
  • Rinsed chick peas and put in to cook on stove.
  • Checked Facebook, accepted gifts and played games.
  • Rinsed chickpeas, put in fresh water, put back on to finish cooking.
  • Made my way through most of the blogs that I follow – everybody seems to have a lot to say this week. 🙂
  • Made hummus for lunch –  our favorite recipe!
  • Stirred the black eyes peas.
  • Changed Ike who decided to wake up, put in a video, then spent some time talking with my boy whose eyes seem clearer today than they have in some time.
  • Talked to Mama on the phone.  She is feeling better today.  We are still waiting on the results of one more test.  Found out my aunt (my mom's sister) was taken to the hospital on Sunday morning, and tests showed she was having multiple mini strokes.  She is still in the hospital and will probably be released to a nursing home/rehab facility to learn to walk with a walker before she goes back home with my uncle.
  • Took all my vitamins.
  • Chopped up veggies to eat with our hummus.
  • Answered the front door to receive some of Ike's medical supplies.
  • Drank second glass of juice for the day.
  • Prepared Ike's meds, juice and feed.  Fed Isaac.  Changed him, put in a new video.  Washed up.
  • Had lunch with Doug.  Sent veggies and juice with him for an afternoon snack.
  • Gathered veggies and fruit for juicing:  kale, carrots, celery and apples.  Everything was already prepared in baggies, except for the apples.
  • Spent about 30 minutes juicing and cleaning up the mess that it makes. 🙂
  • Stirred the black eyed peas.
  • Checked in with Isaac who needed new toys and some lovin' and repositioning.  We are not able to get him up in his wheelchair yet, because of the shunt.  He still had some stomach issues yesterday due to the pressure, so they said to keep him reclined.  Since I can't get him in and out of the recliner, his bed is the best place to do that.
  • Made afternoon snack:  banana-peach and parsley smoothie.

Green smoothie
 (yes, it's green, and yes, it's very yummy!)

  • Peeled all the bananas and broke them up into a freezer bag for smoothies for the rest of the week.
  • Turned on the radio for Isaac, switched his toys again.  It's exciting to me when he gets bored.
  • Downloaded some pics for this blog post, and figured out how to use a new program to edit them.

I have to tell you, my faithful blog readers, I believe I am finally on the mend!  I seem to be getting stronger and my back has not "gone out" since we got the new mattress.  Thank the Lord for that.  

I can't remember the last time I had the energy to go through a day like this!!!  It is very exciting to me!

Also, considering that I kept this pace the entire week that Doug was gone, then spent 48 hours at the hospital with my mom over the weekend, I am thrilled to be able to do all that I did today.

I know that so many of you pray for me on a daily basis, and I am so thankful for that.  Don't stop praying yet! ;o)  But now you can add a little praise in there that I am doing so well right now.

It's my plan to get ready and go to church tonight.  Afterwards, we will have choir practice and then I will practice for a duet on Sunday with my friend, Mrs. Sandy.  I should be good and tired by the time this day is over.

I pray your day has been productive, and that you can lay down tonight and count your many blessings.

I know I certainly will!

Happy ike2
(a little blurry because he is in constant motion…) 

All pics were added for Dani – my photo-graphical inspiration! 🙂

Alesha

Continuing to Trust His Heart

by ObtainingMercy, posted in Blessings, How Great is Our God, Isaac Update, Prayer Request, What's Happening

The weekend has been incredibly busy for us, and it was not because we were celebrating the birthday of this great country of ours, unfortunately.

On Saturday, we realized that Isaac's shunt need to be re-adjusted.  He started trying to vomit after sitting upright in his chair for just a little while.  We made an appointment for him to be seen on Sunday at the children's hospital by the neurosurgeon.

They did x-rays and a CAT scan just to check everything out.  The shunt is fine, as is the tubing leading from it.  However, the shunt had been pulling so much fluid from his brain that his ventricles had completely collapsed!  His test, however, looked ok.

I've done some research this morning on over drainage, and it can apparently lead to a subdermal hematoma, so we are really grateful that did not happen.  

I asked him this morning if his head felt better, and he smiled for me.  That was really good to see!

Also, on Saturday, my mom gave us quite a scare.  She was fixing lunch, and suddenly felt the room going dark, and her jaws began to hurt.  She managed to call out to my dad, and sit on a stool in the kitchen.  He was able to hold her up there, but she was completely unresponsive for a little while.  He called us for Doug to come over, then they called 911.

By the time the EMTs got there, she had come to, but was obviously a little confused and very upset.  The EKG they did at the house showed no problems, but of course she went to the hospital.

They did every test known to man, I think.  Several EKGs, echocardiagram, CAT scan on brain, chest x-ray, ultrasound of neck, MRI of brain, tons of blood work and blood pressure checks – laying, sitting and standing.

They found nothing wrong.

Incredible, yes?

They "suspect" she had a TIA or mini-stroke, which they said was completely self-healing, which is why they feel they could find no evidence of it.  She will follow up with her doctor later, because, of course, he was out of town for the holidays.

So, I headed home last night, and she came home this afternoon.  She is feeling much better today, although she is still having problems with vertigo.  She has been having issues with that for several weeks, and had already been to her doctor where they had done extensive blood work the week before last.

Of course, this rattled us all pretty thoroughly – my dad especially.  Although she is feeling better, I know we are all wondering if everything is really ok.  We'll see what her doctor says.

Also on Saturday, Doug's mom had to call 911 for his grandma.  She was feeling very poorly. (Remember she just came home last Monday after having open heart surgery.)  They felt she was ok, and did not feel the need to take her to the hospital.  She was feeling better when Doug talked to her yesterday.

I am so thankful for those who were praying for us…I was able to get a status up on Facebook, but only had my phone, so could not manage to blog.  If the Lord lays our family on your heart, we would really appreciate continued prayer for her recovery, for Doug's grandma's complete recovery and that Isaac's shunt would do it's job properly so that he is feeling much better soon.

It's really been a time around here…maybe we can all get a little rest this afternoon.  I am SO SO thankful that Doug was home before all of this happened.  Even the timing of the "bad" things is in the hand of the Lord, and we continue to trust Him.

Blessings,

Alesha

Please Continue to Pray for Gail

by ObtainingMercy, posted in How Great is Our God, Prayer Request

I have a new post over at A Door of Hope:  The Privilege of Prayer.  

In it I share a wonderful answer to prayer that our church experienced yesterday.

While we are talking of prayer, I would like to continue to ask your prayer for my friend Gail and her husband Mike.

Gail has been under heavy sedation, and non-responsive, since being put on the ventilator last Saturday.  Her oxygen levels are not getting better, and her liver seems to be completely non-functioning.

Within the next week or so, Mike will be needing to make some difficult decisions about Gail.

We know that our God is a God of miracles and can do whatever He wants, regardless of what the medical team might expect. 

We just want this time to be one of perfect peace and clarity for Mike, and that Gail can remain pain-free at all times.

Thank you for taking the time to carry them to the Father again.  I know they appreciate it very much.

Alesha