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 :)