Nov. 20, 2008

Six months ago tonight, I was on the flight that saved my life. My how things change in 6 months! Blake is 14 and in the 9th grade @ RHS. Brooke is 12 and in the 7th grade at Elmwood. I am in my 5th year as a Technology Curriculum Specialist, and life is as busy as ever! I ate dinner @ Hot Rod Mike's with Joey and his "tribe" tonight, and we had a blast! Mike and Christina Gall, Joey's brother and sister-in-law, have opened a restaurant in Fayetteville with authentic Chicago-style food. His kids and I wrote everyone's names on napkins and played Hangman, and it made me remember all the fun times Blake, Brooke and I used to have doing all those "kill-the-moment-waiting-for-the-food" things! Kids grow up so fast!! And every day, I am getting older. But that really doesn't bother me. Okay......I have to admit....the grey hair does bother me...the cellulite does bother me...and the tiredness does bother me. But, overall, I'm completely fine!! :) More than anything, I'm so very thankful to be alive! No time that passes will ever take that away.

October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween! Things are going great in our world, and I wanted to share a few things that I haven't gotten to in a while. First, my 40th birthday was a wonderful surprise @ Joey's house. I got there thinking we were on our way to Eureka, so I was totally shocked to see a huge tent (because of all the rain in the forecast) and lots of people waiting to surprise me! We all had a great time! Thank you again, Man Joey, Andrea and Michelle! You all are the best!! :) And thank you to everyone who shared my special day with me!! Several people contributed to the foundation I'd been wanting to start, so we were able to work with Bill Watkins and my Uncle Rocky to get the foundation underway. A basic website can be located at:
http://sites.google.com/site/healinghandsmassageinc/ and more will be posted soon.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Happy Happy Joy Joy! That's really all I can say! I just had my follow-up echocardiogram, and they said everything looks great! Yippee! I knew I had been feeling better and getting stronger every day, but it's always nice to hear you have a clean bill of health from an official person. :) Now I can truly rest easy, know all these medical woes are behind me, and enjoy my 40th birthday on Monday completely. Alot has happened in the past 4 months, and I'm so very thankful to be alive to enjoy each day! Like I said before, "Happy Happy Joy Joy"!!!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Hello! Time has certainly flown since I last posted. I was not planning on posting much more, but several people have asked me to keep this up, so I promise to post things more regularly. I can't imagine that my life would be that interesting, so people must be desperate for cheap entertainment. Ha! :) The most recent news for us is I went back to work on August 1st, and Blake and Brooke started school on August 18th. Blake got his driver's permit this summer, and he has been practicing quite a bit. It's funny to listen to his little sister complain about his driving. Guess she doesn't realize her time is just around the corner. I'll post some pics of the first day of school later. Blake is a Freshman @ Rogers High School, and Brooke is a 7th grader @ Elmwood.

Almost a Week Later---June 10th, 2008

Well, I have been home almost a week, and it feels sooooo good to be here!!! I have been enjoying time with Blake and Brooke, relaxing, and getting my sleep patterns back to normal (noone here pokes and prods me fifteen times a night, so I'm not used to it...ha!). It has been a wonderful time visiting with family, getting caught up with friends (old and new), and just enjoying life. There are so many people that just keep doing random acts of kindness for us. Just when I think it can't be anymore, someone shows up with food, flowers, an e-mail, kind words, running errands for me, cleaning my house, yard, and pool, etc. It's just amazing!! I hope I can return the favors someday!!

Several people have asked if I'm going to keep up the blog. At this time, I have to say I don't think so, but that could change, and I'll let you know if it does. It was a WONDERFUL tool to keep everyone informed, and it was the highlight of my day to be able to post and let everyone know what was going on while I was away. However, I started typing up my whole ordeal from beginning to end, and that is going to take some time. So......if I try to do both, I'll be overwhelmed, and we all know my new motto....take it easy, and don't overload~ha! :) I will let everyone know when my saga is all in print, and for those of you bored or curious enough, you can read it at your leisure. :) I am also really wanting to check into how to start the foundation I was talking about before I go back to work. I have several good leads, and from everything I've heard from others, I'm not alone in believing human touch is one of the the best healers of all. So, I'm anxious about that!!

Please feel free to e-mail me, call or come by. I'm getting more and more strength every day, and if I take it easy, I can handle more and more each day. If I can't, I'll just tell you I'm pooped. Ha! :)

Thank you to each of you who have made a difference in my life!!
Joey :)
P.S. This is on my perpetual calendar for today (not a coincidence, I know), so I'm going to use it in place of my scripture:
" Live for today but hold your hands open to tomorrow. Anticipate the future and its changes with joy. There is a seed of God's love in every event, every circumstance, every unpleasant situation in which you may find yourself."
~Barbara Johnson

Homecoming!!!! June 4, 2008

When I arrived home in Rogers (the best place on earth in my opinion!), this is what I was greeted with! My sweet Blake and Brooke had made this poster, and Nonna (my mom) had brought them over to be here when I walked in the door. I was sooooooo excited to be home and see my Mom, Blake and Brooke!!! I just wanted to do the Happy Dance (still working on stamina, but getting there!!!) There's definitely NO place like home!!! Did I mention I love my kids?!?! :)

Coming Home!!!

On Wednesday, June 4th, 2008, I was released from St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis, MO. I was sooooooo ready to come home, that I woke up early, took a shower, cleaned everything up, put on make-up and fixed my hair (shocker, I know!!!----sorry for the scary photos previously), and twiddled my thumbs until it was time to go!!! I finally got my pick line out (which had been in my arm since May 20th) and signed all my release paperwork, had prescriptions in hand, ready to leave the hospital......and they couldn't find the cart (which had been ordered an hour before) to help carry stuff down!! I'm telling you, by this point, I had ants in my pants and was pacing the room. So, being the typical Joey that I am, I just started picking up stuff and carrying it downstairs. I wanted to get home!!! :) Joey 2 kept saying I was crazy and I needed to let him carry everything. He said, "It's just not right....you were in here on your death bed two weeks ago, and now you're carrying your own stuff down the hallway to leave. This is wrong!" Well, I thought that was such a great plan, but after one trip, I was totally pooped, so I waited downstairs outside for Joey to go get the rest of it. In the meantime, the man with the cart (let's call him "Cart Guy") was out of breath next to me declaring he "found the missing cart that someone else had taken by mistake". He also had the rest of the stuff from the room on the cart, so I text Joey and told him to not make that trek up to the 6th floor. He didn't get the text and saw an empty room when he got up there, so I'm sure he panicked a bit, but you never would've known it! Anyway, we hit the road at about 11:45, stopped for lunch and lots of potty and stretching breaks along the way, and I got to see some of my favorite people on this planet when I got home!!! It's great to be back!! :)

My scripture for yesterday was:

Philippians 4:4-7~ (NKJV)

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

(Other than getting very antsy and in a hurry to leave the hospital, I did pretty well with these verses.) :)

Dr. Brunts

This is Dr. Brunts, my cardiologist in St. Louis. He has the best bedside manner, and and checked on me every single day since my arrival. He is very dedicated to his job, and I just shake his hand as well, and tell him, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" every time I see him!!! I asked him if I could post this picture to my Blog, and he was fine with it (he even knew what a Blog was). My heart is heathly, and I'm a happy girl!!! :)

Another Wonderful Day and More Great News!!!

Happy Happy Joy Joy!!! It's Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008, and what a day it has been!!! :) I was awake off and on again all night with a headache and fever (only happens at night) and ANOTHER storm!!! I'm telling you, between NWA and St. Louis, I've seen enough rain to float my boat for the next several months! :) I set my alarm for 7:00 a.m. to call Blake and Brooke on their way to school. This is the second day in a row I've been able to do that, and it made things seem more normal than they have been in a while. (As a tradition, on the mornings I don't have them, I always call them at 7:00 to wish them a good day, chat for a minute, and just hear their voices. It makes my day go much better!) I sure have missed that the past couple of weeks. It's amazing what creatures of habit we are!!

Anyway....X-ray came and got me at the crack of smack for another chest X-ray (which happened to be even better than yesterday---still just a little bit of fluid at the base of my lungs). After that, I had an Echocardiogram. This is a test of the heart, and the last one I had was in Rogers. As far as I remember, this was the test that showed my heart was swollen three times it's normal size, was beating irregularly, and the left side was only functioning at 45%. I may be wrong on some of the details, but I do remember this test was one of the ones with more scary results. Today, however, it showed I have a strong, beating heart with no long-term damage, and just a little bit of fluid surrounding it. Dr. Brunts (my cardiologist) said I may get winded easily for several weeks as the heart continues to heal. Hey! I can handle a little out-of-breathedness----I'm alive, and it's beating normally.....and that's a HUGE improvement from 2 weeks ago today!!!

After that test, I took a shower (standing up the whole time), and the only issue I had was me cutting my leg with the razor---imagine that---me being an accident waiting to happen~ha! :) I was drying my hair when the massage therapist came in. Remember the awesome massage I bragged about last week? Well, I got another one today to prepare me for the long ride home tomorrow. Kathryn, the massage therapist, came in on her day off to give me a massage! Can you believe that?!?!?! Another random act of kindness!!! We talked alot beforehand, and she is a very special lady who shared alot of wisdom! She was definitley a blessing to me both times she was here. :)

Next, a long-time friend of my parents (she graduated with my mom) came by and visited. Her name is Sandy Cowan, and she was a breath a fresh air!!! She brought "I Love Shea" foot cream (my favorite) and chocolate-covered almonds (which I immediately dove into) from Trader Joe's---another random act of kindness!!!

Finally, I ate lunch, read e-mails and regular mail, and took a nap. I had great plans to walk outside again today, but it seemed like everytime I got ready to, something came up and I got side-tracked. But, I have been working out in my room with my makeshift weights (water bottles), resistance band, and the side of the bed. I'm kind of like "MacGyver-ette" actually...and you can invison me in my hospital gown, hospital-issue pajama bottoms, and fuzzy socks just toodling around the room doing my little routine---pathetic, I know---but hey, it's better than bedsores. I can tell you.....never a dull moment! :)

I'm just so anxious to get home!!!! As a matter of fact, Joey 2 (or Joey 3, as my parents call him; or "Man Joey" as Tena calls him) is enroute to St. Louis as I type this to get ready to BRING ME HOME tomorrow!!!!! All the doctors agree that I am ready to leave, and I'm MORE than ready! I was rushed in here two weeks ago tonight with little to no chance of surviving the night, and I still can't comprehend everything that has transpired over the last 14 days!!! God heard all those prayers and smiled down on little ole' me!!! I have so much to be thankful for!!!

One thing I did forget to mention...Dr. Shein (my Primary Care Physician here) ran some more blood tests today, and there are a couple of numbers that are still elevated (platelets and Alkaline Phosphalase). He wants me to follow up with Dr. Leuders within a couple of weeks of returning home, and I'll definitely do that. But, I just know it's all going to be good though, so no worries!!!!

Here's a scripture I'd like to share before saying good night. It's an extra-special one because it is from a long-time friend who has recently suffered an incredible loss. It's amazing that she is comforting me when she is still grieving herself. What an amazing and selfless friend!
Jeremiah 29:11~ "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future."

I hope you're day has been wonderful, and I hope each of you has made at least one good memory to hold onto. Here's a little something my best buddy, PDHSBR, told me a while ago, and it's very profound (even though he's not technically a philosopher)! He told me this last Fall when I was just going 90 to nothing and couldn't seem to slow down. It rang true then and even more so now...."JJ, stop and smell the roses on the way, but don't rush to smell all the roses that you can."

Love you all~
Joey :)

GREAT NEWS!!!

I was blessed with a WONDERFUL nurse today who really took the ball and ran with it! She got me connected with a Primary Care Physician on this floor, got me ready for X-ray this morning, pushed for me to get the Echocardiogram (which we're still waiting on), and got lots of meds discontinued that I haven't been using off my chart (I'm officially Lidocaine patch-, morphine-, Zanex-, and Ibuprofen-free now!) But, most importantly, she got me outside to walk!!! :) We chatted (imagine that) about life, my illness and recovery, life in general, and how good God is. She will never know how much that meant. I had not been outside (except to walk from the house to the car to the hospital) since Tuesday, May 13th. That was almost 3 weeks ago!! I was starting to feel like those albino creatures in the back of caves (you know, the ones who are blind and have no skin color---lovely visual, I know), and I think she could sense my urgency to breathe a breath of fresh air....yet another thing I will never take for granted again!!! :) Thank you, Karen, for being a blessing today!

On another note, my appetite is back, and I've been able to eat all day! Yea! Never thought
I'd be doing the Happy Dance about that! TeeHee! :)

In closing, I want to share this scripture that seems to fit perfectly with what I've been learning more about the past two weeks.....living by faith.....
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Heb 11:1

Good night, everyone! I'm one day closer to home....and counting!!!!
Joey :)

Dr. Manian

This is Dr. Manian, my Infectious Disease doctor, who saved my life in St. Louis! He is a very gentle man with a sweet spirit, and obviously very intelligent! Everytime I see him, I just tell him, "Thank you for saving my life!" I asked him if I could get a picture with him and post it on my Blog, and he asked, "What's a Blog?" I explained it to him, and he said, "Sure, if you want to." So....here he is. The man who figured out the Dr. House Medical Mystery Girl (who, by the way, is forever grateful)! :)

Monday, June 2nd, 2008

I mentioned that Sunday evening I had some visitors. They were Brian & Jennifer Patneau and their daughter, Emma. I used to babysit Brian and his younger brother, Kyle, when they were little, and they were always two of my favorite boys! Several years ago, Brooke and I were able to ride with his aunt and uncle, Nancy & Jack Donahoe, to Chicago for Brian and Jennifer's wedding. They've since moved to St. Louis, and he has grown into such a respectable and honorable husband and father! He has been visiting and calling me regularly since I've been in St. Louis, and he was the visitor the day of the ever-memorable tornado warning trek to the hallway! Anyway, I was actually able to hold and play with Emma yesterday while we all visited, and it was the very best medicine! Thank you, Brian & Jennifer! And, Doris (Brian & Kyle's mom), my hat is off to you for raising such a wonderful set of sons!!! I know you are proud! :) Here are the pictures we took.

E-mails

Since I'm planning to go home this week (thank goodness....can't wait!), if you'd like to e-mail, you can send it to my home address: joeyhuston@sbcglobal.net

I may not be able to answer you immediately, but I will get it and answer it asap. :) I have been getting all the e-mails to the hospital, and it's been the highlight of my day to read them and hear from everyone! Thanks for taking the time to send them. :)

Lots of News Sunday Afternoon

Wow! After I posted to this yesterday, things just took off!!! I was moved to a new room, I had visitors, I got my catheter out, and I got to walk down to the cafeteria to eat dinner! Woohoo! (But, I did squeeze in a nap, so it was still a day of rest.) :)

Sunday, June 1st, 2008

Happy Sunday!!! This morning as I was forcing myself to eat breakfast (cuz I've gotta get these gangly muscles back to normal!), I was thinking what I would be doing if I were at home today. Blake and Brooke and I would be getting ready for church and planning our afternoon before they go to their dad's house. I haven't really been a Momma to them in almost three weeks, and that was Mother's Day weekend. This has been a whirlwhind.....to say the least! I miss my "babies", and I just don't think I'll quit hugging their necks and kissing them for about 30 minutes (unless you guys run away from me, of course) when I finally get to see them!!! I love you, Blake and Brooke....oodles and oodles and gobs and gobs!!! Hope I'm not embarassing you guys, but remember, I am your mom, and that's kind of an underwritten right that I have! Teehee! :)

I found out a little while ago that I'm finally being moved to a new room (669)....yet another milestone hurdle to get me one step closer to home!! They are anticipating that I will be released on Wed. or Thursday of this week if I continue to improve. Yippee, Skippy!!! I was sick more than half of May, so June is looking more promising already!! I can't wait!! Jessica (one of my wonderful nurses) insisted I get a private room there because I've made such great progress, I'm from Arkansas, and "you never know who's going to pop in to visit"! :) What a jewel she has been!

.....which brings me to my next thought. In my list of "thank yous" yesterday (I told you, I'd leave someone out!), I don't feel like I properly thanked all the doctors, nurses, techs, specialists, etc. who cared for me in Rogers and in St. Louis. I was "thinking it in my mind", but I didn't portray it in my post, and I'm very sad about that! Without them, and God givng them the knowledge and determiniation to treat me and care for me, I would not be here! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I owe you my life! :)

Sunday is a day of rest, and I think I'll adhere to that a lot more when I get home--in fact, I've had lots of time to think about my priorities, spreading myself so thin, and burning it at both ends for such a very long time. I think I figured that I've been going pretty much non-stop since I was 18 years old. I've always been in school, working, going, doing, having babies, running, playing, raising kids, vacationing, more schooling, more working...you get the picture...and I've not really rested. That is something that has come to my attention, and I won't ignore it. I told God thank you again this morning for giving me a second chance at life, I promised Him I wouldn't take it for granted, and I would sllllooooowwwww down and just be. I think He was pretty excited to hear that, and I do believe I heard his voice whisper, "It took alot to get your attention...let's not do that again." :)

Instead of closing with a scripture today, I'm going to copy the lyrics to a song I heard on KLRC online earlier and a link to a video that goes with it. I't s called "Who Am I?" by Casting Crowns, and the words really hit home. I hope you enjoy them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7gfTYyLEHg&feature=related

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours
Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours
I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!
Much Love~
Joey :)

One more thing.....

New pictures I just got today from when my brother, Greg, and cousin, Amy Wolfe, were in St. Louis....

THANK YOUS!!!!

There are sooooooo many people I need to thank for the last 2 1/2 weeks and all the wonderful random acts of kindness you have shown me and my family, but I hesitate to start saying names and unintentionally leave someone out. So, I'm going to do this the best way I know how and hope that each of you who read this will know your contribution and know that I thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart. I would not be here today if it weren't for each and every one of you and the roles you played!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for.....praying; visiting; encouraging; taking care of me (at home and in the hospital); transporting me to St. Louis; flying my family to St. Louis; sending cards, letters, gifts, goodies, and e-mails; starting a BLOG; keeping everyone posted via texts and e-mail; driving to St. Louis to make a delivery full of gifts and love; visiting me in St. Louis; driving my family back and forth to Arkansas; did I mention praying?; bringing Blake and Brooke to see me; cleaning my house; watering my flowers; getting my mail; mowing my lawn; taking care of the pool; picking up, taking care of, feeding, transporting, and LOVING my kids while I was away!!! For these things and so many more that I know I've forgotten. Thank you all so very much!!!!

Shocking, I know, but it's storming AGAIN!!!!, so I'd hate to get electricuted after all this! Here's my closing scripture for the day from a long-time teacher friend and mentor:

Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God; to them who are called according to His purpose."

I hope you've enjoyed your Saturday, and have a wonderful Sunday!!!

Much love~

Joey :)

Visitor from Way Back!

Jill Forga (a friend of mine since 3rd grade) got in around 7:30 Friday evening and we stayed up and giggled and talked til past 11:00. Of course, we would've been in bed early like good girls, but there was ANOTHER storm in St. Louis last night, and it lightninged, thundered, rained, and hailed quite a bit. The power went out, but luckily, there were no middle-of-the-night treks to the hallway....thank goodness!!! Just don't think many of us in ICU step-down really care to "bare it all" for the cause, anymore than we have to!! :) Anyway, it's been a GREAT visit, and she has been a blessing to me!! I got to walk to the elevator, ride downstairs, pick up food in the cafeteria, eat lunch downstairs, and get a break from the room. Yippee!! I'm so glad Jilly was here to help me through that! I kept saying, "It feels like everyone is staring at me." She just smiled and said, "That's because you look pretty!" Okay, for those of you who know Jill (or should I say Christy Brinkley's twin), that meant alot! But, I do have to tell you, she was just being sweet. You see, at that moment, I had a green hue about me, I was struggling to see with these glasses, I had on my fuzzy BRIGHT PINK robe I referenced earlier (which we have strategically tied my foley (catheter) bag into to hide it, and I was lookng around the room like a kid lost in NYC! I was a sight to behold, I'm SURE!! Here are some pics. of us later in the day...I promise I DO get out of this bed, but I'm learning "baby steps", so I rest when I need to.....

Diagnosis!

Dr. Manian, the Infectious Disease dr. that has been working my case in St. Louis came in Friday afternoon and gave a much-anticipated diagnosis: Coxackie B. It is a very serious virus associated with the flu that attacked my body full-force. (To say the least!) I aksed him about my immune system and if it was just worn down and that's why I got so sick. He assured me I had a wonderful immune system, and I wouldn't be here if I didn't, so that was nice to hear! He also mentoned that sometimes we can have what's known as an over-active immune system that kicks in to work double-time and never really lets you know your sick. He said he truly felt like that was the case with me. That was music to my ears because I have been trying to be healthy for so long, and it just seemed to backfire in my face. It's very difficult to lay in a hospital bed, practically breathing your last breath, and feel on trial for every natural herb, vitamin, food, or drink you've ever injested. I know the doctors and nurses were completely doing their jobs, but I do hope and pray that someday the medical world and natural world of care will work together as a collective group to make us a healthier people....not constantly pull against each other, leaving patients in the middle. This brings me to the Kombucha Tea (that "kooky" tea I drink) that everyone has been talking about. Originally, they thought it had something to do with my illness. I was surprised because I've been drinking it regularly for over a year now, and it actually made me have more energy, feel better, etc. I could see where making my own could have caused an issue, but I know several people who do that on a regular basis and are fine. I did have an excessive amount of yeast in my body which probably came from the tea, but I did want to squelch the rumor that the "kooky" tea is what caused all this illnes in my body. Okay, enough of my soapbox. :) My sissy-friend, Jill Forga, came up last night, and she's spending the weekend with me, so I'll post more later about some of our shenanigans last night.....never a dull moment in Room 454! :)

Before closing, here's a scripture sent to me by a great couple friend I've had for years. It's a promise from God. :)
Jeremiah 29:12
"Then you will call upon me and go and pray to me and I will listen to you."

Have a wonderful Saturday!!! I'm one day closer to being home.....woohoo!!! :)

My Kids- Blake and Brooke

As I finished up the last post, I looked up at the pictures that have kept me going the past week....those of my precious kiddos, Blake and Brooke!!! :) I have been able to talk to them off and on the past week and a half, but it is not the same as having them with me!!! I have been so busy rambling about me and all that's going on in my "neck of the woods", that I have failed to talk about them and what a blessing they are in my life!!! B&B both helped me decorate my new room last Saturday, so everywhere I look, I catch a glimpse of them! They had to wear masks, and I was on oxygen, so I know they must have been petrified, but they are such strong kids!!! i am counting down the minutes to see them, hug them, kiss them, and hold them (I know, guys, sorry...but it's true....you'll always be my "babies"!). They are staying with Mom and Dad this weekend, so I know they will have tons of fun! They have also gotten to see their Nana and Papa from Florida and their Aunt Betty and Uncle Paul this week, so that's been a special treat! I want to personally thank their Dad, Doug Huston, and his wife, Sharee, for making a VERY long drive in the rain to bring Blake and Brooke to see me last weekend!!! I didn't get to see Brianna, (their baby sister), but I heard she was quite entertaining in the waiting room. :) I truly believe seeing B&B shortened my recovery by at least a week or two!!! They are so full of life and so loving..I thank God everyday for them (now more than ever)! I also want to thank everyone who checked on them and talked with them (counselors and teachers at school), and everyone who picked them up, took them to school, let them spend the night, and made them feel at home. I can't express enough thank yous for that!!!! Here are a few pictures that happened to be on my camera when I looked at it yesterday. They were from Tuesday, May 13th, at Brooke's Orchestra Concert where she played violin and her dad played guitar for one song. Ironically enough, that's the afternoon I was first sick, and that night was the first of many incessant coughing nights ahead. But, I look how happy we all are, and I have to believe we'll have many happy days ahead!!!! Blake and Brooke, your momma loves you.....up and down, and all around the town. I love you backward and forward, and inside out!!! :)

Oxygen-Free!!!!

Good afternoon! It's 1:15 on Friday, May 30, 2008 (TGIF!!!), and I have been WITHOUT oxygen since I woke up at 7:00 this morning!!! Woohoo!!! What a relief to have the freedom, strength, and energy to breathe on my own!!! I have learned a few tricks to keep my oxygen level in the 90's (thanks to my great friend and personal ICU nurse, Andrea Fair), but sometimes it goes a little down. When it does, I have this contraption called an Incentive Spirometer (which I've nicknamed the ball toy) that helps me take deeper breaths. To give you an idea of how much healthier and stronger my lungs are now, I could barely get it to level 250 in ICU, and now I'm regularly getting it to 750. I still have a lot of work to do, as my goal is 1000. But, I'm getting there. I don't think (no, I know) I'll never take another breath for granted ever again!!! :)

Lunch was a little rough today. A few days ago, I had such a great appetite, but I had those ulcers in my mouth. Then I had a great appetite, but I had thrush in my mouth. Then I had a great appetite and couldn't eat very much. Today, sad to say, I had no appetite at all, and I had to force myself to eat. I really need to eat for nutrition purposes, so I hope that changes soon! (Can you imagine me, the girl who plans her days around her next meal, begging for an appetite?!?!? Ha!) I'm going to try a Boost because the Ensure have just about made me gag the last two times I choked them down. Now....I want everyone to remind me of this 6 months from now when I'm complaining about that "extra 10 lbs I can't seem to lose"! TeeHee! :)

I think it's appropriate to share this now that I'm for sure going to make it (might have been a bit much a week and a half ago), but it's always been one of my favorite poems, and now that it's been put to music and images, it's even better. Some of you may know it, it's called "The Dash", and this is the link: http://www.thedashmovie.com/
It gives us ALL something to think about for sure....make your dash count! :)

In closing, this scripture has rung very true the past few days, and it was sent to me by a life-long friend, so it made it even more special. Thank you, Mrs. Soo! :)
Isaiah 41:30
"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Have a wonderful Friday afternoon!
I wish I was in Rogers with my family and friends, but it's just not time yet. Soon, though, very soon! (I hope!!!)
Love you all~
Joey :)

Catch-up from Thursday

Well, I have tried to post this two times, and it keeps timing me out, so hopefully, the third time will be the charm! I was supposed to go to Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy at 9:30 Thursday morning, but they were running behind. You see, there's this thing called "Hospital Time" that doesn't necessarily coincide with "Joey Time" (Imagine that!), so I'm learning that just because it's written down or scheduled, it doesn't mean the world will stop if it doesn't happen. Hmmm...perhaps a lesson I need to learn?!? :) Well, went to OT and PT @ 11:00, but I was groggy from napping. I was so worried that I would flunk out, and they would send me back. But God decided to go with me (He seems to be doing an awful lot of that lately.), and I perked right up in the frigid therapy room! I had to do several tasks like dress and undress myself, put clothes in the hamper, sit on a regular level toilet (fully-clothed, so don't gross out), step up and down from a platform, lift weights, do several exercises, and walk, walk, walk! The main trick was I had to do it without oxygen! Yikes!!! When all that was done, I went back to my room with a list of things to practice and work on. When I asked when I'd see them again, they said I'd graduated with flying colors!!!! I couldn't believe it!!! All I could say is, "God is good!"

At 12:30 Thursday, I had the most awesome massage of my life! Now, I've had some pretty great massages before, but this one was the best for several different reasons...I was alive to get it, I was stressed from being so sick, and my muscles were in a zillion knots. She was sweet and gentle and kind and good....and I fell asleep! Yep, she left at 1:30, and I was out until 3:00. What a much-needed rest! Which brings me back to the foundation I want to start in the future. Massage therapy is a saving grace! And, Teresa, we might even be able to combine it with some pet therapy!!!! Oh, the wheels are turning.......

Last night before I went to bed, they put me in (or I sould say bound me in) these sharp white leggings (actually thigh-highs) that are so tight, it feels as if your legs might pop. But, they are supposed to get rid of the swelling, along with the dieuretic, so I'm all for anything that will make the job of shaving my legs and putting on lotion easier. So, there I laid in these "muffin top thigh thingys" and noone to laugh at me with me. I almost took a picture, but thought better of it....some things are just better left unseen! :)

A special scripture that a sweet friend sent helped me alot on Thursday, and I'd like to share it:
Joshua 1:9
"Have I not told you? Be strong and have strength of heart! Do not be afraid or lose faith. For the Lord your God is with you anywhere you go."

Good night (belated from last night)
Sweet dreams~
Joey :)

A few more pics right before Mom and Dad headed back to Arkansas to take care of Blake and Brooke this weekend---I love them!!!!!

OOOps!!! Good Night, May 29, 2008

I had a whole long post about the rest of my day, but I failed to hit publish before previewing. So..... I lost it all. Yikes! Will redo tomorrow. Silly me.....scary that I work for the Technology Dept, huh? :)

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Good morning, good morning, good morning, it's time to rise and shine!!!! Now, how many of you secretly wanted me singing that to you at 5:30 this morning when I was getting round 945,000 of antibiotics, IV fluids, pills, blood drawn, temperature and blood pressure taken, and being stuck with a needle?!?!? Well......good thing they keep me kinda tied up and busy with all all that, or I would have---because I KNOW how all my friends and family enjoy that wonderful song at the crack of smack! Ha! No, really, nights still seem to be my roughest times. I usually get a really bad headache followed by a fever, then yucky sweats.....nothing like laying in a bed that is not my own, miles from home, drenched in wet, just praying I could flit right back to Rogers and be in my own bed. (I'd still hate the night sweats, but they might be more bearable there~teehee!)

It's 8:50 a.m. now, and I've had my breakfast (yes, I can eat much better now, thank God in Heaven above!) The mouth ulcers (I think I counted like 40 in my mouth, and there were more down my throat) and the thrush (from all the yeast in my body) are really clearing up. I LOVE food, as you all well know, so it's been a treat to eat. I took care of business (I know, TMI, but they get really excited about that around here, so I feel compelled to share my accomplishment!), and am sitting in a chair waiting for Physical Therapy. Yippee!!!! CAN'T WAIT for these legs and body to do what I've always taken for granted before....walk, sit, stand, move, kick, etc....properly. It's a strange sensation to lose that ability, and I'm up for the challenge to get back to 100%!

After PT, I'm TAKING A SHOWER!!!!!!! Oh, just the word makes me so Happy Happy Joy Joy!!! Running water over my hair and back (of course I'm sitting on a stoool in the shower but, hey, no biggy). I jst pretend I'm in one of those commercials for Hawaii where they're under the waterfall. I can actually convince myself I'm there! Amazing! I'm SURE it has nothing to do with the morphine! TeeHee! :)

The highlight of my day today is at 12:30.......I GET TO HAVE A MASSAGE!!!!! WOOHOO!!! Mom, Dad, Greg, Andrea, and Joey spoiled me by rubbing my weary and knotty muscles when they were all here, but now I've started cramping up again, so I get to have one. Guess my pouty face worked. :) The Dr. said, "Now I can order it, but you'll have to pay for it." I was like, "No problem. I'll give my fat right thigh for it," He giggled! And in the back of my mind I'm thinking, "I'm in an awesome hospital that is somewhere between $40 and $50 thousand dollars a day, and he's worried about me paying for a massage?!?" I have to admit, I had my own little giggle- to-self on that one!!! :) Speaking of massages, I have been thinking about this since I was @ St. Mary's in Rogers. I really am impressed with medicine and what it can do to save your life, but the touch of the human hand is worth sooooooo much more! So, I've come up with a little plan I'd like to start, a foundation of sorts. I'll tell more about it later, but the name is going to be, "Healing Hands of Mercy Massage", and the mission statement is going to be, "Medicine is wonderful for saving people's lives, but it takes the touch of the human hand to heal." After you hear my whole story (and I'll get to it in bits and pieces, I promise), you will understand what I mean........and I just KNOW you will want to make a tax-deductible donation to our charitable cause. :) I just don't ever quit thinking, do I?!?!!? Well, that's just me, so like it or leave it! :) Sorry, I'm getting a little sassy.....2 1/2 weeks of being sick kinda does that to ya! :)

My sweet momma, Donna Vantine, has been here nearly the whole time. She ran (well, rode, home with Jennifer Little) on Sat. with my Dad, and and came back Sunday with Amy Wolfe. She has been in the room with me, trying to get caught up on sleep, and spoiling me rotten----I know you can't even imagine that!! :) She gave me an hour-long foot rub/massage last night, and it was heavenly! She may be returning with my Dad to Rogers today or Friday so she can help with Blake and Brooke over the weekend, so please keep them and safe travels in your prayers. They are both exhausted!!! I would also like to thank my mom; my dad, Joey Vantine; my brother, Greg Vantine; Andrea Fair, and Joey Gall for being in Rogers and St. Louis with me during the worst part of my journey. They each contributed a crucial role in my recovery, and I couldn't have asked for a better team on my side. They knew what to say, when to be quiet, when to hold my hand, when to enourage, when to fight for me when I was too weak, when to let me cry, when to pray, and when to be still. God put each of them with me for a specific purpose, and to all of them I say "Thank You, and I am eternally grateful". I owe each them my life in one way or another. I wouldn't have made it without God and them....of that, I'm sure.

I'm going to close with a scripture a dear friend sent in an e-mail. It has helped me each and every day. I hope it helps you now or in a time of need as well....believe me, we never know what tomorrow holds, so enjoy each and every moment you are given....and that's an order!!!! :)

Deut. 31:8 "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you.He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged."

Have a great day!
Until later, much love~
Joey :)

P.S.

Just one more thing (imagine that!!!) TeeHee! My cell phone has technically died, and we can't find the charger. Believe it or not, I'm actually not hyperventillating (my, how I've matured!), but I do want to let you know in case you are calling or texting. I have not been getting them. So.....I'm not ignoring you! What did people do before technology?!? Things that make you go, "HHmmmmm..."!
J :)

WOOHOO!!! "Just Joey" is on the mend...

It's dinnertime, and this is my first attempt to post something to the blog, so it's going to be short and sweet. Since I am definitely going to live (thank the good Lord in Heaven above), and I know Teenski (Tena Reese) and Dombr (Jeff Dombrowski) have gone above and beyond the past week to keep texts flying and blogs posting to keep everyone updated with factual information (thanks to my mom, dad, brother, Andrea and Joey), I will relieve them of this duty and take over the best I can. Thanks guys......from the bottom of my still-beating heart....for taking care of this while I was away!!!! Like I said, it's dinner time, but I can't eat until I let each and every one of you reading this know how much I THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! so very much for your prayers, faith, thoughts, e-mails, cards, goodies, and well wishes! All of those things have kept me going, and I am eternally grateful to each of you! I assure you it will never be forgotten, and I also assure you that the power of prayer is real. I am living proof, and that is not a mellowdramatic, overreactive comment coming from a sick girl (okay, woman.....I am turning 40 this year, so I guess I'm not technically a girl! Ha!) I promise to post when I can, and you know I will.........because I want you to feel like you are HERE!!! HA!
Much love and thanks,
Joey :)

I wanted to walk to halls but ...

Joey writes about an interesting experience she had today. A little background knowledge might help. She has some extra fluid and some of it has settled around her mid section and thighs. (A story all too familiar to some of us but ours probably isn't "fluid"- At least mine isn't. :) But I'm keeping you from her story, she writes...

"Ok, here's a funny 4 u-I've got company 2day, and all of a sudden we have 2 evacuate 2 the hallway because a level 2 tornado has been sited. So they throw on my robe, put my 20 lb catheter bag in my pocket while I shuffle my thunder thighs and saddlebag butt to the hallway. What I site I was!"

Well, as Joey says, she never does anything half way... ;)

Walking the Halls

Joey is no longer in isolation, she gets to walk the halls and take a shower. She is almost weened off oxygen and all counts are looking WAY better! She says, "Woohoo! THANK YOU FOR ALL THE EMAILS AND CONTINUED PRAYERS- I FEEL THEM ALL! I love you guys now more than ever! Just Joey's on the mend! ;-)

Baby Steps

Joey is doing really well. It was wonderful to hear her voice. She has a long road in front of her but her spirits are high and she is thankful to everyone for their prayers and knows God has been with her throughout her experience.

All of her organs are continuing to return to normal. She continues to grow stronger but is still quite weak overall. She did take a few baby steps today! Although she isn't getting winded as bad, talking for too long is taxing. (We all know that will be a little hard for our Joey to pace herself when it comes to talking but she seems to be doing a good job so far. :-)

I gave Joey the blog information tonight so she might start posting soon. I think she has quite a story to tell and I pray for the day she can join us again. In the mean time, don't forget she LOVES the emails. Tell her about what's going on, where you went, what movie you saw, something funny that happened, where you ate, who you ate with, what you did over the weekend... O.K. you get the picture. You know what she wants....Life! (And praise the Lord she has it!)

With Much Care

Happy Memorial Day Everyone!

The following msg(s) are from Joey: Happy Memorial Day everyone! Thank you SO much for all your prayers, cards, emails, & gifts! I am overwhelmed & humbled more than I can express! I have a very serious viral infection that has not been identified. They all laugh & say I'm a Dr. House mystery case-ha! I can't do anything half-way! Teehee! I am very blessed with wonderful family & friends, & your kindnesses will never be forgotten! I am feeling much better, & improve everyday. But I still have lots of work ahead of me. I took several steps today, & my goal for tomorrow is to take a shower-woohoo! I know...TMI! :) I'll be here this week, but not sure after that. Love u! Joey

News we have been waiting for ...

Joey has made some big improvements. She is in her new room. Her kidney and liver functions are about back to normal. Her lung capacity improving; she isn't getting as winded when she talks. Her white blood count is still slightly elevated but steady. She will begin physical therapy today or tomorrow. I know Joey is hoping to start posting to her blog soon but for now it is still by proxy. Remember prayer and email are both great!

Emails.. Great

Joey is still maintaining. There hasn't been any significant improvement. However, as was posted in the last post, they are moving to a step down unit which is a good sign.

Joey has gotten to see a few more freinds and family this weekend. She still really enjoys reading the emails and feeling like she is a part of what is going on in Rogers. She told everyone to have fun at the lake this weekend. She wants to thank everyone for their cards, emails and prayers.

*Thank you for your thoughtfulness but please don't send flowers. Although the they are beautiful, she is still short of breath and can't have flowers in her room. Perhaps you might send a card or email.

A Little Bit of Rogers

Good News! When a bed is available, Joey will be moved to a Step Down ICU room. Her kids were just walking in at the time of this update. She was sitting up in her chair with her hair braided ready for her kids when they came in! Joey loves reading the emails that are being sent and has asked that you "tell her about what's going on with your life." She wants to "feel like she has a little part of Rogers in her room."

Friday pm

So far so good. Joey continues to be stable. There is no change in her vitals which is good as she is still off the blood pressure meds. Her spirits are improved, sitting up, and eating. Please keep sending those emails to the hospital.

Still Holding Steady - Friday am

Joey is still holding steady. She is off blood pressure meds. Everything is still the same as yesterday which is good. They still don't know the cause but they are seeing improvements. She enjoys seeing the emails so keep them coming. ;)

Thursday pm

Good News! Joey's liver enzymes decreased by half. She was able to sit up in a chair and eat something other than ice chips. She was also off blood pressure meds for a time too. Joey's team of doctors include an infectious disease specialist and a cardiologist. This is is good news as well since there are very limited infectious disease doctors in Arkansas. They have been going over all the tests and information and continue to search for the cause.

Joey has been in good spirits today and has been reading the email messages that people have sent that the hospital have printed for her.

Welcome to ... The Joey Blog

As you know, our dear Joey has been quite sick for the past few days. This blog has been created to help keep family and friends informed with updates and prayer needs. More information will be coming shortly. One thing Joey wanted everyone to know is that they can send email through the St. John's website. The messages are printed and delivered to her room. The hospital website is http://www.stjohnsmercy.org/

More updates will be on the way!