My Friend Carol

It is with a heavy heart that I have to tell you our beautiful friend Carol passed away early this morning. Her weak body wasn't able to fight off the infection and she went into cardiac arrest in the wee hours of the morning. This time they weren't able to bring her back.

The details are still sketchy but we do know that Paul, Carol's husband and one of the dearest people on earth, is in route right now from Las Vegas to their home in Long Beach. I'm so worried about Paul and her sons, please continue to keep them in your prayers. Carol was outgoing, vibrant, and the rock that held her family together. This is a devastating loss for so many.

I knew without a doubt that if I asked for prayer, that you, my wonderful blogging friends would be fervently praying on Carol's behalf, and I thank you! Thank you to each and everyone of you that took the time to leave a message saying you were keeping Paul and Carol in your thoughts and prayers. Your comments mean so much! Although our prayers weren't answered as we wanted them to be answered, I truly feel that we'll have all of the answers to all of our questions when we get to heaven, and that's where I'll see my beautiful friend Carol again someday!

As information becomes available, I'll let you know more about what caused all of this. We're all just shocked and devastated.

Urgent Prayer Request

Today we got an unexpected email and telephone call regarding one of our very close camping club friends, Carol. Carol is the pretty woman with the long brown hair...


Carol and her husband Paul were in Lake Havasu and she discovered she had been bitten by something (they think it was a scorpion although it sounds like a brown recluse to me). I guess she let it go for a few days until it was clear that she needed to have it looked at. Paul took her to an urgent care where they said she needed to be taken to the hospital. She was air lifted to a hospital in Las Vegas and is in critical condition right now. She's had to be resuscitated once and her kidneys have shut down. My husband talked to Paul earlier tonight and it doesn't look good at all. If she survives, her foot where she was bitten will be amputated.

Please take a minute and say a prayer for my dear friend Carol. She has 2 grown sons, 2 grandchildren, a loving husband, and is a doting mommy to a dog that she's crazy about. She got Rusty because she saw how much joy Jake brings to me. Carol will be 50 years old this September so she's still got alot of living to do!

It's Been A Rough Week

As you can just imagine, with sweet little Nancie's death on Saturday, this has been one emotional and unforgettable week. I've worked each day so I've been witness to the raw emotions her close friends, coworkers, and patients have displayed. She was a very loved young woman!

Nancie's best friend and coworker (also named Nancy by the way) works directly with me each day and she is just breaking my heart, yet I am so proud of her at the same time. I'm so proud of my coworkers who have been such a support for Nancie's mom and brother. They have been in constant contact Nancie's mom daily, have arranged to bring all of the food to the gathering after the funeral, and even plan on serving the food at the reception. They collected funds for the family and will also be holding a yard sale on Saturday with all of the proceeds going to the family as well. A former coworker of ours gathered pictures and made a 45 minute video montage which will be played at the funeral. What a gift for the family! Our employer and coworkers have helped to lift such burdens for the family at this terrible time. It's truly been a humbling experience and a beautiful thing to see.

I've been amazed at the love and support that Nancie's close friends at work have given. She had a core group of about 8 girls and let me tell you, these girls have taken this task on by storm. They loved their close friend like a sister and they've been there lifting up the family and each other every step of the way. They already had my respect as hard working young girls but they've taken it to a higher level. I stand in awe of the love, support, and honor they've shown their beloved Nancie.

The visitation and Rosary is tonight with the funeral tomorrow morning. If you get the chance, please keep these coworkers of mine in your thoughts and prayers. Everyone is pretty much exhausted, mentally and physically.

Let's Say A Prayer...

Again, as you know, devastation has hit and our prayers are needed. Let us remember those in Chile and keep them in our prayers today.

Also, I'm sure you've read that Marie Osmond's 18 year old son committed suicide Friday night. We need to keep Marie and her family covered in prayer as well. As a mother, what a horrific thing to go through. My heart just breaks for her.

A Christmas Card Idea

I was reading earlier where a fellow blogger asked what people did with their Christmas cards that they receive. I shared with her a little tradition of mine that I did for years and it's a tradition I intend to start back up...this year!

During the holidays, as the Christmas cards were received, I always put them on display. I still do this each and every year. I have a special card display holder that I put all of the photo cards on for people to see and the regular cards get displayed in another card holder. My tradition involves what I would do with the cards after Christmas was over.

After the holidays, I would put the photo cards on our bulletin board in the kitchen and then keep the regular cards in a drawer nearby. Each week I would take one Christmas card and pray for that family during the week. I also tried to send the family a little note letting them know that I had been praying for them all week.

It's something so simple yet meant the world to others. I started this when my kids were small, but for one reason or another, probably busyness I'm sure, my little tradition fell by the wayside. Well writing about it now has spurred me on to start doing this once again.

Sooo, if you sent me a Christmas card this year, just know that you'll be specifically prayed for in the upcoming year...and for a whole week too!

How About Some Updates...

Happy Monday all! Can you believe Christmas is only 11 days away!?! Yikes is all I have to say about that!

We came home at the end of last week with Brandon in tow. He had an 8 day hospital stay and was treated for Pancreatitis. He's doing much much better now and is watching his diet very carefully. He has to be careful to not eat greasy or fatty foods and drink absolutely no alcohol or he could have flair ups from time to time. Trust me, he doesn't want any flair ups, ever!

Macey is improving daily and is a Christmas miracle for sure! She came out of her coma and has her complete memory in tact from what they can tell. She was also extubated recently and is now talking, but in a low, raspy voice. At least 2 surgeries are needed but they we're waiting for her brain pressure to stabilize, and thank goodness it has. Macey's family is so thankful for all of the prayers on her behalf, and say thank you to all. They have literally felt covered in prayer and give all the glory to God for sparing Macey's life. They are so grateful.

Although Macey has shown great improvement, they are praying for signs of movement on her left side. They've seen no movement there at all. She has come so far in such a short time but does exhibit problems associated with right side brain injury. She has a long, difficult road ahead of her but she definitely is our Christmas miracle!

As for me, I'm hobbling right along (with crutches) with the best of them. Believe me, this is such a royal pain but really, what can you do about it. It just makes me appreciate my health all that much more and I'm looking forward to and counting down the weeks until I can walk normally again. I feel like my life has been put on hold but I don't for a minute forget that I'm at least at home and not laying flat on my back in a hospital bed like Macey and so many others out there. My problems pale in comparison and I know it.

So much has transpired since Thanksgiving but there have been highlights, and yesterday was one of them. Do you remember last Christmas when my best friend Cindy moved to Oregon? Well, yesterday I got to see her and spend time with her, along with some other very close friends. I just love these women and spending time with them was great for the soul. It's so true that you don't know what you've got until it's gone because let me tell you, I've missed Cindy (and Kathy!) beyond words.
















(Lee and her grandson, myself, Cindy, Gina, and Kathy)

Cindy, Kathy, and I were the 3 musketeers at work for alot of years. Boy, those were the days! Last year Cindy moved to Oregon, Kathy started doing dialysis in the hospital setting, and would you believe those 2 girls left me high and dry...well not exactly, at least I've still got Lee and Gina!

Take care friends and Happy Monday!
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Update on Macey

First of all, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the outpouring of support you have shown to Macey and her family. I knew the blogging community would band together in prayer, and you certainly have. I'm sure the family can feel the prayers that have been said for them. Thank you so much!

Mckenzie and Courtney made it to the hospital safe and sound at about 1:30am this morning. Mckenzie's longtime boyfriend Tim was already there. He also goes to Arizona State but luckily had been attending a meeting in Los Angeles. He was the first one to get to the hospital. It's still sketchy how anyone was notified of the accident because they don't think Macey had any ID on her. I do know her roommate became worried when she didn't come home and that may have started it.

Mckenzie, Tim, and Courtney were allowed to go in the room alone to see Macey and of course they just lost it. Macey is in very very bad shape. Stitches, bruises, broken bones, punctured lung, head trauma, tubes coming out of everywhere, and they had to shave off all of her gorgeous long hair. My heart breaks for Mckenzie. It's certainly not a way to see your one and only sibling, and cherished sister. It's heartbreaking for Courtney and Tim too. These 4 kids are like siblings themselves having been best friends for many years.

So right now, this is what we know. No alcohol was involved by the driver. Apparently Macey was wearing all dark colors, jogging when it was dark, and the driver didn't see her. The doctors are saying it can go either way. She is in a drug induced coma due to her head injuries. They did remove part of her skull to relieve pressure on her brain and as of this morning, the swelling had decreased somewhat. Prayers are already being answered!

Again friends, thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray for this family. The doctors say if she pulls through she could be in the hospital for months. It will be a very long haul for all of them.

(You will never hear me say one more word about my measly little broken ankle. Things were suddenly put into perspective when we heard about Macey, and rightfully so!)
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Urgent Prayer Request

~~SECOND POST TODAY~~

Please say an urgent prayer for my daughter's dear friend Macey. Macey is the sister of Mckenzie who is my daughter's longtime best friend and roommate in college. Macey was jogging this evening and was struck by a car. It doesn't look good. She is in surgery now with serious head injuries.

My daughter and Mckenzie are driving from Tempe, AZ down to Long Beach, CA where Macey is a student at Long Beach State. They're calling me every hour to let me know that they're safe on the road. Macey and Mckenzie's mom and grandmother are in transit now as well. Luckily, Howard will be able to go over to the hospital tomorrow to be with these dear friends and our daughter. I might have to pack up Jake and head down south myself. This being out of the loop with Brandon, and now Macey, is killing me.

So much has transpired over this last week that it's unnerving, but broken ankle or not, my knees hit the floor in prayer the minute I got the news. Please keep Macey and her family in your prayers too. I'm sure their Mom Robin would be forever grateful.

Here is a picture of beautiful Macey. She is on the left, her sister Mckenzie is in the middle, and my Courtney is on the right. This was taken in October during Parent's Weekend at Arizona State.

When It Rains It Pours!

We got a phone call last night that our son was at the ER with severe stomach pains. He is no wimp so we knew the pain must have been really bad for him to actually go to the hospital. They did an ultrasound late last night so we're waiting now to hear the results. In the meantime, Howard is on his way to the hospital to be with Brandon, who lives 3 hours away. Needless to say, I'd appreciate it if you'd please keep Brandon in your prayers.

I'm doing ok. I have an appointment today to see the orthopedist and will more than likely get a cast put on. I'm hoping for the big boot instead of a full on cast.

Howard may be gone for a few days with Brandon so I'll need to be independent, broken ankle or not. Again, the timing couldn't be worse. I'm not a crier but I feel like crying right now. I'm feeling just a tad bit overwhelmed!

A Person's Worst Nightmare

Thursday morning my husband mentioned that he thought he heard sirens earlier that morning, around 3:00am or so. Sirens that were REALLY close by. As it turns out, a home in our neighborhood caught on fire. It didn't burn to the ground but I would imagine it's a complete loss. This was a well maintained 4700 sq foot home, with pool and 4 car garage. As you can imagine the loss is devastating. I drove by yesterday to take some pictures and saw the clean up crew busy at work. A gate has been put up around the house to keep people out. I also noticed that they lost 2 cars in the fire, they are still parked in the garage.




This house sits on a large corner lot and has always been known as the "Santa Claus House." Every year the owners decorated big time at Christmas, drawing crowds from all over the city. The owners would dress up as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, hand out candy canes and pose for pictures. They also had 2 trains decorated for Christmas and gave children rides around the neighborhood to see all of the decorations. Our neighborhood has long been known as the place to be during the holidays. At times I'm not even able to back out of my driveway due to traffic. We have limo rides that come through as well as horse drawn carriages giving people rides around the neighborhood to see all of the decorated homes. Christmas in my neighborhood is magical to say the least.

The owners of the Santa Claus house sold it recently due to health issues. It was too large of a home for them to care for any longer. The new owners have only been in this house for a year or so. They have done some remodeling and updating and were really showing pride of ownership. Having your home burn down is every person's nightmare so my heart just breaks for them.

If you get the chance, please keep these people in your thoughts and prayers. I'm sure they would appreciate it.

Will The Tears Ever Stop!?!

This has been such an emotional day for me. I've often told friends and co-workers that if anything ever happens to my Jake, I'll have to take a leave of absence from work to recover. I haven't taken that leave of absence and I am going to work tomorrow but I wonder if I'll be sent home...I.CAN'T.STOP.CRYING!

Jake's recouperation, rehabilitation, and new life ahead of him are in God's hands and as a christian I am well aware that I needn't worry, yet I do.

What is it going to be like when I bring Jake home next week and he can no longer walk? Will he just be sitting around all day, unless I'm carrying him which of course I will be happy to do.

What will it be like for Jake not to be able to go to the bathroom by himself. I'll have to press on his bladder every so often to empty his bladder for him.

Will he be depressed? Will he eat?

My questions go on and on and my heart is so heavy.

I'm hoping that it's just tremendously hard right now because of the fact that Jake is in a Vet hospital 3 hours away...3 hours away from his mommy! (My sister lives not far from this vet hospital so she will be visiting Jake tomorrow. I'll go back down south on Friday, Howard will go on Saturday while I work, etc.)

I went and saw him today before we left to come home. He was sedated and laying quietly until he heard me talking to the vet tech. He turned his head and looked up at me. I got down on my hands and knees and gave him a kiss on the lips and told him I love him. Friends, it broke my heart because he started crying and moaning. I had to leave because I was crying so badly. This dog had some very serious, and expensive, surgery this morning and I didn't want to disturb him anymore. It broke my heart.

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

I'll tell you more about it later today hopefully but for right now I am asking for urgent prayer for my little dog Jake...he is the dog in my header.

After stepping off the plane yesterday in Burbank, we received a call from the Vet's office where Jake was being boarded while we were away in AZ. She indicated that she thought Jake was suffering from a ruptured disc and needed immediate attention. We rushed to the Vet's office and from there drove 3 hours away so that he could been seen by a Vet that specializes in neurology.

Jake had emergency spinal cord surgery this morning and will be in the hospital for about a week. He did have a ruptured disc, some slight bleeding into the spinal cord area, and will only have a slight chance of ever walking again or being able to urinate on his own.

If you know me you will know that I cannot hardly write this as I'm crying so hard. This dog is my heart. Please pray for his recovery and that he will indeed be able to walk again. I would appreciate your prayers for my little guy. The vet stated honestly that he would put the dog to sleep if it were his dog. This was out of the question...Jake is everything to us and just the thought of it literally breaks my heart.

We're heading back home right now as we haven't even been home yet. We stayed in a hotel last night. It is going to be so hard to walk into my house without him there. If you will, please pray for me too...I'm having a very very difficult time. I'm feeling so guilty for having been away and not being there for Jake when he was in pain and scared. I know many of you are prayer warriors so please keep Jake in your thoughts and prayers. It would be so appreciated.

Remember Them in Prayer

Steven Curtis Chapman is a talented christian singer/songwriter whose family was hit with a devastating tragedy last week. Maria, his 5 year old adopted daughter from China was accidently killed. Steven and his wife have 3 older children and 3 young adopted girls from China. This beautiful song was inspired by his little girls. Take a listen to Steven's interview after he sings this song...but be prepared to shed a few tears.



Please keep this family in your prayers.