Just when I think...

... that I am enough on top of things that I can pick up daily blogging again, life throws me another curve ball! Typically Lent is always an especially difficult time for us, a time when our family starts out with great resolve to make this Lent a particularly good one. And invariably we always feel that we have failed. This Lent has fared a little better than usual despite the continued battle with the influenza that has had us in its arm hold since January.

I can not tell you the number of times we have had children sent for tests that left us almost dizzy with worry as we awaited the results. One year our son Noah, now 11, had to wear a Holten heart monitor for a period of time to determine is he had heart problems as he was often disturbed by palpitations of the heart. Thankfully, his heart checked out just fine.

This Monday, I dropped my 20 year old son off for a physical and when I greeted him after the appointment he nonchalantly handed me some doctors orders - one with a cardiologist for a sonogram of his heart.
"Why this?" I asked.

"Well, you know how I have been short of breath for so long, well, the Doctor doesn't think it's asthma and wants to check out my heart for abnormalities."

"Oh", I said, "Take care not to lose the paper work then."

We got in the van and headed back home and talked news, politics, music and just the norm. It was not even until the day before the test, that I even thought to ask others to pray about it. I was so calm. I wondered at the calm I felt. I guess because he is 20 years old, six four and 200 lbs and always in good health until recently, I just thought him indestructible. Somehow - having a 4 year old sent to a cardiologist is more frightening than a twenty year old because such a young child does not yet have a proven record of health - anything could be lurking about, waiting to jump out and catch you off guard. But a twenty year old, who has never been sick more than the typical cold or stomach flu, can't be hiding a heart condition, can he?

This exam was this morning and from the Cardiologists, we headed to the hospital for x-rays of my son's lungs. By noon we were finished with all of the tests and Miguel was exhausted as he had been up all night ill to his stomach. Possible diagnosis for these latest symptoms - salmonella food poisoning. remember those Peter Pan and Great Value Peanut butter jars recalled... well we had three jars, all half eaten, in our cupboards. By 4pm, we were back at the family physician's office because Miguel's symptoms had us all just a little worried. A friend of his in college has mono and the possibility of spleen problems weighed on my mind.

When we left the office at 6 pm, an hour past closing time, we had in hand a four week supply of heart medications. My son has developed viral myocarditis - a viral infection of the heart. We are still waiting for the results of his mono test, and he must begin a round of antibiotics to treat the sinus infection he is battling on top of everything else. He is too ill yet to start his heart meds. Monday, if all goes well he starts them. In the meantime, I would like to ask you all keep us in your prayers! Most especially, please pray for Miguel and thank you in advance for your prayers. We will need them to persevere through this Lent as the health problems continue to mount against us. I have not even touched on my husband's pain levels from dental issues that keep taking a back seat and tomorrow I suspect I will be making the medical rounds again, this time with one of my asthmatics! Read more!

LOOK!

"LOOK!" Emma bellowed in my ear!
Her bellows became a whimper as she pointed to her arm.
"LOOK what Tanny did to me!"

I stared at the elbow proffered for inspection.

"Oh," I murmered sympathetically. "What did Tanny do to you?"

Emma's face went blank. "Ummmm, Tanny - what did you do to me again?"

Tanny Paul hurried over and scrutinized her elbow and then helpfully pointed out a small, nay, miniscule week old bruise.

"Here - I did dis!" he said with a flourish. Emma, relieved at the rediscovery of her wound, whimpered once more - "YES! See, see what he did!"

"Ahhh, I'm sorry!" I replied trying unsuccessfully to hide my grin. However, satisfied that her tale of woe had been acknowledged Emma happily left... with Tanny Paul cheerfully in tow.

All I can say is that they clearly have memories like an elephant! Read more!