I really should write more than once a month or so because when I sit down to write, I can never remember what I'm supposed to be writing about! Let me try to remember what has happened since the last time I wrote to you...
Let's start with something really fun. I have been to two, count them, two, Packers/Vikings games! In October some friends and I went to the Metrodome. We painted our faces, sprayed our hair green and were surrounded by thousands of screaming fans. It was amazing! Last week my dad and I went to the game at the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Before you get too concerned about how cold I might have gotten I'll let you in on a little secret. We got to sit inside! We had a great view of the field, amazing food (two words: dessert cart!), I met some great people and of course, the Packers won! Two completely different experiences, yet both amazing!
Glory Displayed is doing great! I had several craft fairs recently. My 2012 calendars turned out great and are selling well. I have had several special orders and those are always fun. There is still time to order a unique, custom gift for Christmas (hint, hint)! We had our first snowfall just the other day. I was able to get out and take a few pictures before my hands went numb and one of them was featured on the local news. A Squirrel's Eye View blog is doing well. People seem to enjoy it and someone told me I should turn it into a children's book. That was encouraging because that has been the plan all along!
I did have one discouraging thing with my business earlier this month. When I do a craft fair I try to bring someone along to help me out. Earlier this month, all of the people who would normally help me were not able to and I went alone. My roommate helped me load up the Jeep bright and early (thanks Kristi!) and off I went with the attitude, "I can do this!" I got there and started unloading. Thankfully the location had some carts that we were able to use to haul our things and that was very helpful. As I was climbing towards the backseat of the Jeep trying to get a few things on the other side I completely lost my balance and fell over into the front seat. (Have I mentioned I get dizzy a lot?!) As entertaining as I'm sure I looked, I don't think anyone saw me! I recovered and hauled the rest of my things in. I got the table all set up and had a great day at the event. When it was over I packed my things up and stacked everything in a nice little pile on the floor next to my table. And then it hit me. I was exhausted and really weak. I had no idea how I was going to get that table back to the Jeep...and all the carts were being used. I was standing there staring at this pile of things wondering what in the world I was going to do when my dear friend Jenny stopped by and and said she was done packing her stuff up asked me if I needed some help. She carried my table out for me and when we came back in there was a cart available. Thanks Jenny! I know that may seem like such a little thing, but it was a HUGE blessing to me! I packed up, went home, unloaded all of my things and crashed. Lesson learned: don't do craft fairs by yourself. I hate that I need to ask for help, but I do.Thanks mom for helping me at a couple of the events this month, it is always so much fun. It will be even more fun when you make some things to sell too :-)
So...health stuff. Blah! I went to Mayo in Rochester last month. The foot pain turned out to be plantar fasciitis. That was a quick fix, I got some insoles for my shoes and my feet feel so much better! My doctor didn't think that the disease was becoming more active, he thought that I was starting to react to the medications I am taking. I had to stop taking the plaquenil for three weeks and then call him to report any changes. I called last Friday to let his nurse know that things aren't all that different. I finally got a call back today. The nurse told me that they will be making me an appointment to see a dermatologist about the rashes, itching and hair loss. In the meantime, I need to continue to stay off the plaquenil and I also have to stop taking the methotrexate until I see the dermatologist back in Rochester. I know, I just threw out a bunch of big words that probably don't make sense to most of you. Basically, plaquenil and methotrexate are the two medications that allow me to function. My other medication address the side effects from these two drugs, for the most part. I have already been having more bad days with winter arriving. Last Tuesday when the front was coming through it took me out. I was in bed most of the day and in a lot of pain. The thought of stopping both of these medications is not happy.
With that said, I have a couple of prayer requests for you. Please pray that I would be able to get an appointment in the very near future. Pray for wisdom for the doctor(s) I will see and wisdom for my rheumatologist as he decides which concoction of drugs he wants to put me on next. Pray that I have not acquired a skin disease. The reason my doctor took me off the plaquenil in the first place was because of the itching and rashes. He thought it may be an allergic reaction to the drug. If that is the case and I continue on it, I could develop a skin disease. Pray that has not happened! Please pray that God will sustain me and allow me to function these next days/weeks. It's amazing how quickly things can go downhill.
Ugh, so that's my update for the month. You have all heard the saying "one day at a time" right? Well, my motto has become one moment at a time! Sometimes that's all I can get through. This has once again been an emotional roller coaster of a month. However, Thanksgiving is just a couple of days away and I'm thankful for so many things. Here are 11 things I'm thankful for in 2011:
1. I'm thankful for JESUS who will never leave me or forsake me.
2. I'm thankful that I'm alive, most days. (Those of you with chronic pain will understand)
3. I'm thankful for the level of health that I do have.
4. I'm thankful for friends who still love me when I have to cancel on them, yet again.
5. I'm thankful for a growing business that is so much fun.
6. I'm thankful for a good job that allows me to have a flexible schedule.
7. I'm thankful for amazing parents that love me and are Jesus with skin on in my life.
8. I'm thankful for my big brother who knows how to fix my Jeep when I break it.
9. I'm thankful for Quigley who just plain loves me to pieces.
10. I'm thankful for roommates who "get me" and laugh with me instead of at me.
11. I'm thankful for YOU, who pray for me and encourage me and help keep me going.
Happy Thanksgiving!
