A Hospital Experience - and Other Stuff

Vacation - it seems long ago and far away! I will indeed get back to the travelogue soon. This has been quite a week! I have made a to-do list of things that desperately need to be done. None of them were accomplished this week. I have sat here in this chair every morning, though, to have my devotions and have thanked God for this beautiful tree - so many are now devoid of the fall beauty and have gone into winter mode. This tree is over the roof of my back yard neighbor's house and has given me early morning enjoyment as the sun glowed through its leaves -

Yesterday I splurged on a treat for myself - I needed it and I decided I deserved it -

I love yellow roses and the bouquet was at the grocery store for $10.00. I discovered yesterday morning that my rose bush has produced two more blossoms, so DC cut them and we added them to the beauty - it's supposed to go from unusually warm to more seasonal starting tomorrow, and we didn't want to lose them to frost.

But on to the reason I needed a treat. I should have really bought one for Kristen, too. I know you've all been praying for little sweet Feisty, and we really appreciate it. She was admitted to the hospital after I left that request, and I haven't had a minute to get back and update you. When she went to the ER from the doctor's appointment Wednesday afternoon, she had a temp of 104 F. She was a very sick little girl with many of the symptoms of the usual UTI scenario, with a few extra added in. They admitted her and scheduled her for x-rays and a renal ultrasound, on top of the blood and urine tests. She got way too many "pokeys" for her satisfaction. She was on IV antibiotics and rehydration until Friday afternoon about 3:30, when they released her.

I spent the night at the hospital Thursday so Kristen could be with the other three. Let me assure you - if you haven't been in the hospital, or spent time with someone there - hospitals are not designed for rest - ironically. I ended up holding Feisty until she went to sleep. During the night she spiked a really high temp and was soaking wet - we had to call the nurse and change the bedding. At some point in the night, she wanted me to sleep in her bed with her. Then she wanted me to leave. At all times during the night, her I.V. machines were beeping every few minutes. I had to call the nurses every time to come and adjust something - thank goodness the noise didn't wake up Feisty, but I couldn't sleep through anything. But in the morning, after a tough night, her little cute voice was back - she still had some fever, but was so much better.

I took this picture during the day on Friday before she was released. She got all of these toys from the hospital and visitors. It was wonderful to see her looking so much better.

The doctor who came to visit Friday morning was one we'd never met before, but really liked him. He told us that when they cultured the urine, the bacteria count was only 20% of what would be expected with the symptoms she exhibited. She was on an antibiotic which the doctor prescribed on Wednesday, but it was not the right antibiotic for the bacteria that were present. Ironically, she was getting better in spite of it. So this led him to believe this was not a UTI at all - he deduced that it was a viral infection rather than bacterial, but the origin was unknown. The x-ray and renal ultrasound showed no damage to the kidneys - which was a real answer to prayer. What a relief.

Finally we got to leave. We still don't know exactly what was wrong. We do know that she's better. That is the good news. The bad news is that she still is prone to UTIs. She'll see the pediatric urologist Thursday.

I will leave you with two things that have been sent to me this week.

Top Ten Predictions, No Matter Who Wins This Election (or whatever is going on in your life)

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed teaching and healing.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.

ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CONTROL?!!

It's All About the Ice Cream . . .

This was written by my brother's good friend:

The most eye-opening civics lesson I ever had was while teaching third grade. The presidential election was heating up and some of the children showed an interest. I decided we would have an election for a class president. We would choose our nominees. They would make a campaign speech and the class would vote. To simplify the process, candidates were nominated by other class members. We discussed what kinds of characteristics these students should have. We got many nominations and from those, Jamie and Olivia were picked to run for the top spot. The class had done a great job in their selections. Both candidates were good kids. I thought Jamie might have an advantage because he got lots of parental support. I had never seen Olivia’s mother. The day arrived when they were to make their speeches. Jamie went first. He had specific ideas about how to make our class a better place. He ended by promising to do his very best. Every one applauded. He sat down and Olivia came to the podium. Her speech was concise. She said, “If you will vote for me, I will give you ice cream.” She sat down. The class went wild. “Yes! Yes! We want ice cream." She surely would say more. She did not have to. A discussion followed. How did she plan to pay for the ice cream? She wasn’t sure. Would her parents buy it or would the class pay for it. She didn’t know. The class really didn’t care. All they were thinking about was ice cream. Jamie was forgotten. Olivia won by a land slide.

Every time Barack Obama opens his mouth he offers ice cream, and fifty percent of America reacts like nine year olds. They want ice cream. The other fifty percent know they’re going to have to feed the cow.

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And to end on a lighter note --- the babies with Grandpa - they are really getting around now - rolling and starting to pull themselves along with their elbows. They are much more contented for longer periods of time now that they can be more mobile. It is fun to watch - not so much fun to try to change diapers, get into the car seat, or get them to take a nap! I've decided that before they were born, they had a little chat in utero and decided that they would take turns napping so that they could each have some one-on-one time.