It has been awhile, I know. Bing and Maddox made it back to me in one piece. They left on a Tuesday and came home last Monday. It was almost a whole week, and I was very lonely. I have learned that I don't like to be left alone for that long!
Bing was able to be in Washington for the benefit at the Eagles. Kidco rocked the house and fun was had by all. It was a great turnout and Bing's fellow harborites blessed us immensely...once again.
We have spent the last week setting up appointments and doing some research on continuing Bing's education. It is looking as though Bing will be going back to school, either to get his Bachelor of Science in Nursing or his Teaching Certificate in Special Education. I'll let you know when it is official. Either way, there are programs to pay for his schooling, woohoo!
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Testing continues and surgery is uncertain. Basically, because we have no insurance, and no way to pay for a new valve, they will probably wait until it is a life or death situation, or, we miraculously get some sort of coverage.
Bing's cardiologist wants to explore some sort of anti-depressant, on the chance that his symptoms are a result of situational depression. Cardiologists can't prescribe that medication so we have to see yet another doctor.
Bing still isn't sleeping well, he has palpitations quite often, shortness of breath, fatigue etc. My biggest stress right now is watching Bing's misery day in and day out, and then leaving him with a baby while I go to work. I do well 90% of the time and then I break and have a day of crying and lamenting. We discussed all of that last night, Bing and I, and we agree that something wonderfully amazing is going to come of this. We don't know what that looks like, but we will celebrate this trial in the end.
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On a much happier note, Maddox will be 1 year old on Saturday! So much has happened in the last year that it just flew by; we should really make a movie of our life.
I don't have many pictures, but I'll pick up the pace!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Travelers
Bing and Maddox are road tripping to the Harbor. There is a wonderful benefit, in Bing's honor, and his dad's band is reuniting. Kidco was a big deal back in the
80's and they haven't played together in over a decade, maybe two decades. I have to work, which is why I can't go and why Bing is taking Maddox. They left today at about 1:00 pm and are stopping over in Spokane. Pray for their safety and that this visit will lift Binger's spirits and provide some encouragement (although I'm the one who appears to need the encouragement).
80's and they haven't played together in over a decade, maybe two decades. I have to work, which is why I can't go and why Bing is taking Maddox. They left today at about 1:00 pm and are stopping over in Spokane. Pray for their safety and that this visit will lift Binger's spirits and provide some encouragement (although I'm the one who appears to need the encouragement).
The Lord seems to be going before us and scheduling doctors appointments, cause no one gets this lucky. Bing was scheduled for the sleep study to be done August 21, they called us back the next day and asked if he could come in that night! Then he was supposed to schedule an appointment with his cardiologist, Dr. Ford, who was out of her office for two weeks and doing a rotation at the hospital, he couldn't get in for 6 weeks. Her nurse called us right back and said that Dr. Ford wanted to see Bing on Monday.
Monday, we met with the pulmonary doc to discuss the sleep study and while we were there, Dr. Ford joined in the meeting! Bing does not have sleep apnea, in fact, he has a very normal sleep pattern, when he sleeps.
Monday, before the meeting with our Docs, Bing had an echo cardiogram and then they also did an EKG right before the meeting. The problem isn't cut and dry and Dr. Ford is as frustrated as we are that we can't pinpoint a specific cause. Obviously, Bing's heart is leaky, but why the sudden decline and health problems when his heart doesn't "look that bad".
We are pressing for the valve replacement, the sooner, the better. Bing would have it done tomorrow if they would let him. We are praying constantly that God would open doors and make things happen in His time. He knows Bing's heart better than anybody, he created it.
We were denied Medicaid, my job is almost worthless, and we continue to have Dr. visit after Dr. visit.
I believe that all of this is happening for a purpose and that much good will come of it, but sometimes it is hard to remember that in the moment and see the light at the end of the tunnel.
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. Jeremiah 29:11
We trust. And now we wait.
Monday, we met with the pulmonary doc to discuss the sleep study and while we were there, Dr. Ford joined in the meeting! Bing does not have sleep apnea, in fact, he has a very normal sleep pattern, when he sleeps.
Monday, before the meeting with our Docs, Bing had an echo cardiogram and then they also did an EKG right before the meeting. The problem isn't cut and dry and Dr. Ford is as frustrated as we are that we can't pinpoint a specific cause. Obviously, Bing's heart is leaky, but why the sudden decline and health problems when his heart doesn't "look that bad".
We are pressing for the valve replacement, the sooner, the better. Bing would have it done tomorrow if they would let him. We are praying constantly that God would open doors and make things happen in His time. He knows Bing's heart better than anybody, he created it.
We were denied Medicaid, my job is almost worthless, and we continue to have Dr. visit after Dr. visit.
I believe that all of this is happening for a purpose and that much good will come of it, but sometimes it is hard to remember that in the moment and see the light at the end of the tunnel.
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. Jeremiah 29:11
We trust. And now we wait.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Randomness
Maddox enjoying his morning bottle. Apparently he was feeling squirmy.
Self-feeding a banana
Mom, why did you let me get so messy?
Oh no... it's everywhere!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Latest
Bing continues to have palpitations and shortness of breath on a daily basis. The shortness of breath in nearly constant and has made working almost impossible. He sleeps very little, even with ambien, he only gets a couple of hours each night and then attempts to work half days in the mornings.
Bing has an appointment on Wednesday morning with a pulmonologist to run tests on his lungs. They are trying to rule out any other causes for his shortness of breath, high resting heart rate and fatigue. Bing's normal resting heart rate is in the 50-60 range, lately it has been 80-100. He has asked that they consider moving the valve replacement to October or sometime soon. He is, understandably, tired of feeling awful and wants to move on with life. The sooner they do the surgery the sooner he can recover.
Ok. I started to post and didn't finish so here is the rest. We saw the pulmonologist this morning and he wants to do a sleep study on Bing. He believes that Bing suffers from sleep apnea, which isn't super serious but could be contributing to Bing's fatigue and isn't particularly great for your heart. The study is scheduled for next Thursday.
Also, I now am suffering from...... shingles! Shingles is stress induced, in the same family as chicken pox, painful and suuuuuper itchy. It gets worse before it gets better, although valtrex and hydrocodone are helping me cope. I still want to scratch the skin off of my right thigh ( that is where the outbreak is).
Maddox is still healthy and getting taller and funnier by the day. I have lots to update on and will do my best to catch you all up on our lives. Love you all!
P.S. Happy "27th " Birthday Tiff!
Bing has an appointment on Wednesday morning with a pulmonologist to run tests on his lungs. They are trying to rule out any other causes for his shortness of breath, high resting heart rate and fatigue. Bing's normal resting heart rate is in the 50-60 range, lately it has been 80-100. He has asked that they consider moving the valve replacement to October or sometime soon. He is, understandably, tired of feeling awful and wants to move on with life. The sooner they do the surgery the sooner he can recover.
Ok. I started to post and didn't finish so here is the rest. We saw the pulmonologist this morning and he wants to do a sleep study on Bing. He believes that Bing suffers from sleep apnea, which isn't super serious but could be contributing to Bing's fatigue and isn't particularly great for your heart. The study is scheduled for next Thursday.
Also, I now am suffering from...... shingles! Shingles is stress induced, in the same family as chicken pox, painful and suuuuuper itchy. It gets worse before it gets better, although valtrex and hydrocodone are helping me cope. I still want to scratch the skin off of my right thigh ( that is where the outbreak is).
Maddox is still healthy and getting taller and funnier by the day. I have lots to update on and will do my best to catch you all up on our lives. Love you all!
P.S. Happy "27th " Birthday Tiff!
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