Saturday, December 20, 2008

Update and Cassie's Graduation

So Mel went home from the hospital yesterday (Friday). I took the day off on Friday to spend time with them because Mel had a hard time remembering this the day before, which scared me. I was so glad I did it because it was hard to leave them today. Anywho, she is home and doing SO well. The doctors were very optimistic and couldn't confirm lupus cerebritis, which is a good sign. They didn't find proteins in her spine, which means she didn't have to start the chemo medicine.(Praise the Lord!) I am super proud of how she did, and even though it was an exhausting week, I am thankful for every minute spent with them!

Now for the promised graduation update! Cassie is a 2008 graduate from Cal Poly! She still has 3 months left of student teaching, and then she'll be a teacher, too! It was super fun buying her all sorts of teacher stuff that I wish I had! I had an awesome time visiting with all of our mutual friends and especially with Jon and Noonie. It's always fun to see them, because we just pick up where we left off. I'm super proud of her and am looking forward to watching her grow as a teacher! Enjoy the pictures. :)


So now I am in San Diego enjoying Christmas break with my family. And on the day after Christmas, Cassie and I leave to celebrate her graduation with a trip to Catalina! I am so looking forward to it and I think I deserve the relaxing. :) I got to start the trip off with a visit with my SLO-no-more family. It was SO great to see them, but way too short. Maybe Katie will post some pictures so that I can steal them. :) Hope everyone is doing well!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

The roller coaster...

of emotions has been throwing me off the track this week. I spent Monday and Tuesday all day at the hospital...and I was there after work yesterday, and will be there again. I am tired and emotionally drained. But it has all been worth it. Randy has been super thankful that I've been around for cards and scrabble playing. I was sad to go back to work on Wednesday, but it needed to be done. I missed the kids and they missed me.

Melissa is doing well. Monday she was exhausted and slept pretty much all day. Tuesday she was her normal self and talked all day. On Wednesday she had dialysis, surgery for the dialysis and some new medication, so she was way out of it. Her blood pressure has been coming down, so that's a blessing. It looks like the diagnosis will be lupus cerebritis. This is the swelling of the main "tree trunk" of the vessels in the brain. This is what most likely caused the seizures. Her outlook is good, especially since they started emergency dialysis.

It has been so hard to watch everything happen. This is my first real experience like this with someone I love. Every hour I spend is so worth it, and I know it means the world to her mom and Randy. Thanks to those of you who are praying. Keep it up!
Here some specifics you can pray for:

1) Their 4 year old son Andrew, it's really starting to affect him.

2) That Mel will get to go home tomorrow!

3) That they have a smooth transition the next few weeks.

4) That I will be able to leave for home without worrying too much.

5) That the doctors will be able to treat this with the lowest dose of medication possible. (its a possibility she may have to take some meds that are kind of like chemo)

I'm off to the hospital for my last visit. When I get home this weekend, I promise to update on Cassie's graduation!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Birthdays and other happenings

This was an interesting birthday. I turned 24 today. Doesn't feel any different than 23.

I started the day off with breakfast with the family. It was a fun way to start my birthday! I was with them because we had come to SLO for Cassie's graduation. (more on that in another post) However, about an hour prior to breakfast, I found out my best friend in santa cruz had a seizure. She doesn't have much kidney function left and was about to start dialysis.

Although I know she will be fine and God is in control, this shook me to the core. I was crying every few minutes and my heart just cried out to the Lord. I went up to san jose to see her, for just a few minutes and it was awkward, because what do you say? I just wanted to love on her and tell her how much she means to me...but the room was small and they were exhausted and she looked so weak. I left there feeling even more broken and helpless. She has had other hospital visits, but this one seems much more serious. Part of me (as dumb as it sounds) was heart broken that she couldn't spend this special day with me. She helped planned it, and we've been talking about it for months! I couldn't imagine it without her. But alas, life goes on, and it did.
Along with Melissa and Randy, I am blessed with TONS of other amazing friends in santa cruz. 15-20 of those amazing friends showed up for dinner downtown and games and Candy Cane Cream Pie at my house!(K, we had a whole one left over, too bad it wont make it til next Saturday...)Mike and Brian came down from San Jose and lots of other friends joined. They helped me to enjoy the little amount that was left of my birthday. The boys bought me a game called Loaded Questions and it was amazing. There was SO much laughter. I couldn't help but enjoy myself! It's like that kind of enjoyment that you're having so much fun, but then you remember who's not there to share it, and you feel guilty. But anyways, it was great fun and thank you to all who came, called or facebooked me with birthday wishes!

Thanks for reading, even though their aren't pictures (still working on fixing that.)

And please be in prayer for Melissa and Randy and their 4 year old, Andrew. Thanks. and Mel if you ever get to read this...love ya and am here for you always! :)