Goodbye!

I've loved this chance to keep you updated on my family, but I think it's time to let things go. I realize that every person has their own dramas and things to deal with, and perhaps my family would like a break from seeing their personal lives here on a daily basis. So feel free to e-mail or call if you'd like like. I'll be glad to keep you updated that way. But it's time to put this baby to bed. Thanks for the prayers. We appreciate you all so much.

It's flu season!

Well, yesterday sure didn't turn out like we expected. Bethany woke up violently ill around 3am and didn't stop throwing up all day. When she was curled up in pain and crying at 1pm, we decided to make sure it wasn't something worse than the flu and I called urgent care and the Dr's office...both were too busy to see her. So we headed to the ER ("her" ER--the one where she works on Saturdays.) We were stuck in the waiting room for about 45 minutes waiting for triage when someone she works with recognized her. She said, "there ought to be some perks for volunteering here" and she got us right into a trauma room--totally bypassed triage! Of course Bethany was treated like a VIP! The biggest concern was that it might be her appendix, so they did a CAT scan. Turns out it's just a nasty viral infection that has to run its course. After 2 liters of saline, morphine, tylenol, anti-nausea medicine x 2, they finally released us with 3 prescriptions to fill. She's hungry, but afraid to eat. I'm hungry, too, but if I'm gonna get this, I sure don't want much in my stomach. We'll just lay low today and see how it goes. For once, I'm glad Brian isn't here. Hopefully the worst will be behind us by the time he gets back from Korea on Saturday.

We have such awesome friends/neighbors/family who rallied around us and it was a comfort to know I had options if we needed additional help. But as I told Brian, we've handled far more than the flu and we just deal with whatever life brings. It's not like we have a choice, is it?! To those of you who knew what was going on, thanks for the prayers. To my sweet friends whose son's funeral I missed yesterday, my thoughts were with you. I'll hug on you when I see you the next time.

Love to all....we're blessed!

After lots of phone tag with Amy's local primary care doctor and the Mayo Clinic, I'm a bit frustrated to say that things aren't looking good for a December visit with pain management. Evidently the only thing we can sign Amy up for is a 3 week "how to live with pain" clinic. Seriously? They won't schedule a pain consultation, which I don't understand at all. We were really hoping someone there could tell us whether or not we'd exhausted our options as far as pain treatments go. Our PCM said they'd be very specific and ask for a consult, but it's been several days and I haven't heard anything else from Mayo. Recently Brian brought home a 5280 magazine (a Denver magazine) and it listed the top Dr's in the Denver area. There were 3 pain mgmt ones, so perhaps that's where we should try next. I find it hard to believe that Amy's pain is getting so much worse and there's not a darn thing that can be done about it. For goodness sakes, she's only 19 years old and has her whole life ahead of her!

On November 1st Amy will meet with administrators, the head chef, and the disability office lady, Jean, to see if the school will approve a different kind of internship for her. The normal requirement is 35-40 hours weekly in a kitchen, but there's just no way Amy would be able to do that. So she's asked to be approved for a food writing one instead with minimal kitchen time. Whatever they decide to do here will set a precedent, so they're taking their time and thinking it all thru. I'm not holding my breath, but then again, I am. If they approve the adjustment, she'll be allowed to graduate (assuming she makes it thru labs.) If they tell her no, then she won't be able to graduate with a culinary degree. So we're hoping and praying they'll see what an asset she can be to the culinary world despite her challenges...that it would make them look good to have her graduate. That's my prayer for our girl.

The other news for the Anderson family is that it appears we'll be moving to Utah next summer shortly after Laura & Ian's wedding. The company Brian works for asked him to be the site director for a new division they want to stand up at Hill AFB in Salt Lake City. He loves new challenges and he's excited about the possibilities. We'll all rally around him and this great opportunity. Timing will be a bit nerve-wracking, but we'll make the best of it. In the springtime we'll be planning the wedding, going to bridal showers, going to graduation at Mines and JWU, putting the house on the market, and having a wedding. Shortly afterward Laura & Ian will head to places unknown, and we'll head south so Bethany can start her senior year in a new place. We're hoping to take Amy with us so she can look for a job there and possibly work on some English classes at Weber State University. So many changes! If I think about the details too much, I don't sleep too well at night. I'm learning to do my best praying in the middle of the night!

And there you have it...the many crazy things going on in our lives. Never a dull moment, eh?!!

Laura

Ok, usually Laura hates it when I mention her or brag on her in my blog, but I think it's time. This week she was notified that she is one of the top 50 female student leaders in construction and engineering and was selected to attend the 3rd Annual Women's Construction Leadership Seminar sponsored by Kiewit Corporation, the organization she worked for during the summer. And did I mention they already made her an offer for AFTER graduation? (Sorry, Laura...I had to brag a little.) Yes, my sweet, quiet little Laura is going to be working in construction and she can hardly wait! So about 3 weeks after her wedding, she and Ian will be headed to parts unknown (but possibly New Orleans) to begin their life together. Remember how exciting it was to be a young newlywed and just starting out life together? I sure do! Coming up on 26 years ago, as a matter of fact.