And it has been a good weekend. I am feeling good, with very few episodes of chest pain since my last hospital stay (April 7-8). I am going in on Tuesday to finally address my hearing issues, and need to get contact with my orthopedic surgeon about an "oil change" on my right knee (more lubricating shots will be in order soon). But, all of those things are only hiccups, and they can be fixed :)
Josh's first overnight basketball tournament in this weekend in the Chicago area. On the way up, I had a chance to catch up with a dear friend who I miss having in my daily life, and did a little shopping. Though, it was more just walking than shopping. The people watching at the mall was good too ;)
Last night, both the 6th and 7th grade teams won! Josh had 6 points, as a result of 2-three point shots. I think that wrist has healed.
Jake's concert band made it to Superstate, meaning that in May he will be performing at Krannert in the Great Hall. I cannot wait to see them perform in that venue. They will look so small in that big auditorium. Tuesday they are having all day clinics to prepare.
A happy, proud momma sits here, enjoying the sunshine, with a smile on my face.
Josh's first 3-pointer of the night
and the second....
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Happy Easter!
What an incredible morning! The sun is shining, my tummy is full from a yummy lunch (if I do say so myself), and I got to spend my morning praising Jesus. Life is good!
I thought I would have some pictures today from church to share--but my little photographer does not exactly seem to know what the word "focus" means ;) Either way, it was a glorious service, full of praise music and a great message--"Jesus didn't need Peter to die for him; Peter needed Jesus to die for HIM." -Randy Boltinghouse. Are we ready to let Jesus break our chains of the past and move forward--serving His people along the way?
Never fails, leaving a service like that, I have to examine my life and how I am spending it. So...some contemplating things today.
Also, some rest is in order. I was able to do my part in serving this morning by interpreting the service, as I do on a very regular basis. Interpreting something that high energy is a good cardio workout. I can proudly say that I got through an hour and a half, in addition to over an hour of rehearsal, without problems. However, why I ever thought it was a good idea to interpret that much, then come home to peel potatoes is beyond me ;)
Happy Easter everyone! He is Risen....He is Risen indeed!
I thought I would have some pictures today from church to share--but my little photographer does not exactly seem to know what the word "focus" means ;) Either way, it was a glorious service, full of praise music and a great message--"Jesus didn't need Peter to die for him; Peter needed Jesus to die for HIM." -Randy Boltinghouse. Are we ready to let Jesus break our chains of the past and move forward--serving His people along the way?
Never fails, leaving a service like that, I have to examine my life and how I am spending it. So...some contemplating things today.
Also, some rest is in order. I was able to do my part in serving this morning by interpreting the service, as I do on a very regular basis. Interpreting something that high energy is a good cardio workout. I can proudly say that I got through an hour and a half, in addition to over an hour of rehearsal, without problems. However, why I ever thought it was a good idea to interpret that much, then come home to peel potatoes is beyond me ;)
Happy Easter everyone! He is Risen....He is Risen indeed!
Friday, April 02, 2010
Basketball in the spring...
One of the signs of spring is heading the thump, thump, thump of Josh's basketball out front. The first thing to be done in terms of outside "maintenance" in the spring at our house is DH hauling the basketball hoop out to the street. I remember that on the back patio of the old house, lowered as far as it would go, and little Josh spending hours shooting hoops.
Now, it is set at regulation height. Josh is no longer little--he recently measured in at 5'4"...only one inch shorter than me. And his practice is no longer random shooting for fun. It is scheduled, regimented, intentional practice to help improve his game.
He finished out the last season in middle school basketball, his team loosing in the first game of the regionals. The broken wrist really impacted the season, long after the cast was off. He was timid on the court, shying away from physical contact and driving to the hoop. Then, seeing his teammate receive a life-altering injury on the court made him even more timid.
So, after the season was over, he enrolled in a local training facility for an Athleticism class, with the goal of increasing confidence, endurance, and strength. His birthday brought a weight system to allow him to continue practicing what he had learned once class was over. Now, in the midst of March Madness, he has joined an AAU basketball team that will go into the summer. AAU is the Amateur Athletic Union, http://www.aauboysbasketball.org/ . Their first game was last night. They won 62-34, which was very impressive. Even more impressive, however, was how well the team played--quick, accurate passes, communicating, and overall good athleticism.
And....Josh looked good out there. He was in the game, in the mix, passing, dribbling and shooting. He didn't look scared or timid any more. He looked....ready. Game on.
Now, it is set at regulation height. Josh is no longer little--he recently measured in at 5'4"...only one inch shorter than me. And his practice is no longer random shooting for fun. It is scheduled, regimented, intentional practice to help improve his game.
He finished out the last season in middle school basketball, his team loosing in the first game of the regionals. The broken wrist really impacted the season, long after the cast was off. He was timid on the court, shying away from physical contact and driving to the hoop. Then, seeing his teammate receive a life-altering injury on the court made him even more timid.
So, after the season was over, he enrolled in a local training facility for an Athleticism class, with the goal of increasing confidence, endurance, and strength. His birthday brought a weight system to allow him to continue practicing what he had learned once class was over. Now, in the midst of March Madness, he has joined an AAU basketball team that will go into the summer. AAU is the Amateur Athletic Union, http://www.aauboysbasketball.org/ . Their first game was last night. They won 62-34, which was very impressive. Even more impressive, however, was how well the team played--quick, accurate passes, communicating, and overall good athleticism.
And....Josh looked good out there. He was in the game, in the mix, passing, dribbling and shooting. He didn't look scared or timid any more. He looked....ready. Game on.
Thursday, April 01, 2010
It has been a while
I haven't updated in so long because I have been busy living life. A few calls to the doctor here, an office visit there, and I am still here. It has been three months...three long months. I have learned more about coronary artery spasms than I ever thought I would need to. I follow my blood pressure daily. I take more meds than I am honestly comfortable with. I have memorized the list, the dosages, the purposes of each, and the side effects as well. I carry nitroglycerine with me at all times, and use it more than I would like to admit. I have finally come to accept the fact that this is my life. My "new normal", as the nurse puts it. The doctor had me on the highest dose of meds that he felt was appropriate, then he increased them by 50%, with the statement, "You are one of my most intelligent patients. You know what these meds will do to you. You know your body and what to watch for. Try this dose for a week and let me know how it goes."
That made me stop and think. Who is running the show here? For the last three months, my chest pain and medications have been in charge. I have been a slave to both. But I cannot continue to really "live" unless I get back in control. Prinzmetal’s angina, you are not the boss of me. I am the boss of you!
No, that does not mean I don't follow my doctor's recommendations. No, that does not mean I don't still have chest pain. No, it does not mean that I am "better". I will never be "better". There is no cure. But I will manage this, it will not manage me.
Now, I am not so into my newly-found position as "boss of me" to forget who really is in charge. God had a plan that night, and clearly He thinks my work here is not done, because I am still here. So, now to continue the work I have begun, and pay attention to His gentle nudges as to what else this life will hold for me.
On my many times in the car today, to go to the many places my busy life takes me, I heard the song "A More Beautiful You" by Jonny Diaz twice. I have liked this song since its release, and have heard it probably hundreds of times (I should check my iPod account). Today though, a few of the lyrics hit me hard. "You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do/ So there could never be a more beautiful you." I was made to fill a purpose...yes, I was. And God decided to that I am not done fulfilling that purpose, so I continue to live. And that's what I plan to do....live. Upcoming posts will again be about kids, church, school, life....
For those interested, here is a link to Jonny's song....
Jonny Diaz- A More Beautiful You
And here are links to a couple of interesting (yawn...) articles on my condition....
http://www.hearthealthywomen.org/index.php?view=article&id=74&Itemid=1&option=com_content
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000159.htm
Now....back to regularly scheduled programming.....
That made me stop and think. Who is running the show here? For the last three months, my chest pain and medications have been in charge. I have been a slave to both. But I cannot continue to really "live" unless I get back in control. Prinzmetal’s angina, you are not the boss of me. I am the boss of you!
No, that does not mean I don't follow my doctor's recommendations. No, that does not mean I don't still have chest pain. No, it does not mean that I am "better". I will never be "better". There is no cure. But I will manage this, it will not manage me.
Now, I am not so into my newly-found position as "boss of me" to forget who really is in charge. God had a plan that night, and clearly He thinks my work here is not done, because I am still here. So, now to continue the work I have begun, and pay attention to His gentle nudges as to what else this life will hold for me.
On my many times in the car today, to go to the many places my busy life takes me, I heard the song "A More Beautiful You" by Jonny Diaz twice. I have liked this song since its release, and have heard it probably hundreds of times (I should check my iPod account). Today though, a few of the lyrics hit me hard. "You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do/ So there could never be a more beautiful you." I was made to fill a purpose...yes, I was. And God decided to that I am not done fulfilling that purpose, so I continue to live. And that's what I plan to do....live. Upcoming posts will again be about kids, church, school, life....
For those interested, here is a link to Jonny's song....
Jonny Diaz- A More Beautiful You
And here are links to a couple of interesting (yawn...) articles on my condition....
http://www.hearthealthywomen.org/index.php?view=article&id=74&Itemid=1&option=com_content
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000159.htm
Now....back to regularly scheduled programming.....
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