Cousins

Cousins, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Sisters

DSCN6247, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

I. and J. on J's 16th birthday.

Guitar

DSCN6239, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Daryl, D. and L. have all been learning to play the guitar.

More Before

DSC_0698, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Before

DSCN4119, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Here is a picture of what I looked like prior to surgery.

Updates

Post surgery update: Although they only removed 7 lbs. (3 of breast and 4 of belly)--I guess since the rest of me is thin and it was targeted weight loss it made a huge difference. I am wearing pants 2 sizes smaller than I was! I can wear normal bras and shop at stores like Victoria's Secret for bras now, and even go braless if I want! It was a painful recovery, and I developed an infection in one of the permanent interior abdominal sutures at about 3 weeks post surgery which made it take longer, (I had to take double strength antibiotics for 14 days and even then the surgeon said I had a 50% chance of it going away and a 50% chance he'd have to go in and remove the suture--but it went away!) but now I feel and look great.

Adoption update--We are tentatively/hopefully going to Africa in late June to get our kids! I wish I could post pictures or more details but I can't--once they are ours I will though!

Illness update--I still receive monthly IVIG treatments which keep it under control, but it is not in remission. Remission is no meds/no symptoms. I just began a new drug last week which will hopefully get me at least into a drug remission, which is no symptoms with drugs. I still have the rashes, and I imagine if I discontinued the IV treatments the muscle weakness would return. This drug is an immune suppressant that they give transplant patients, so it will make me slightly more prone to illness, which will hopefully be offset by the IV treatments which are other people's pooled antibodies.

So please pray for complete remission for me and that our adoptions and adjustments at home afterward go really smoothly!

J and M

DSC_0305, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

D and M

DSC_0324, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Prom 2010

DSC_0316, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Siblings going to Prom

DSC_0319, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Not together! D. went with his girlfriend, and J. went with her boyfriend.

J attends her first Prom

DSC_0375, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Beauties

DSC_0346, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

This is our daughter J before prom, with her sisters I, A and T.

We couldn't be prouder.

nhs, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

This is my oldest child, D, speaking at the National Honor Society Convocation last week. He is President, so he gave the opening speech summarizing the group's astonishing list of service activities. Despite his reluctance, he did a great job!

Prayers Needed

Just as I was feeling almost totally back to normal, my abdominal scar became infected. I didn't know that scars could get infected, but I guess all the healing is not complete on the inside. I am taking antibiotics, and the dr. said I should see improvement in 48 hours, which it has almost been, and no change. It both itches and hurts a lot, and is rather swollen. I'm also extremely fatigued. If it doesn't heal soon, I may not be able to go on spring break with my family!

Consoling the Heart of Jesus

That is the title of a book I have read over Lent that has truly changed my life. Written by a priest, Michael Gaitley, it is based on the teachings of St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Faustina. It teaches all about prayer, about having a trusting relationship with Jesus, what he really wants from us, and how to give that to him, in a way that is clear, easy to understand, and not overwhelming. It has changed my life. I can't recommend this book enough.

One Week Post-Op

The first 3-4 days post surgery I felt a little better each day. The next 2 days seemed more painful, as though I was going backwards. I actually cried on day 5. My strategy had been to take as little Vicodin as possible, only when I needed it. As I got better, I thought I needed it less, so I was taking less and letting it wear off in between doses. Then I would be in a lot of pain. I was worried the surgeon would tell me to "suck it up". Daryl said, "He will tell you to quit trying to be tough and take more pain medication" which was exactly what he said. He exact words were, "So, I hear you have been tormenting yourself." Apparently the nurse had shared with him what was happening since I had already told her.

Now I am back to alternating Ibuprofen and Vicodin every 3 hours, which works great. Leaves me slighty fuzzy, but not too bad. Hopefully by the 10-14 day mark I can stop using the narcotics, but until then, drugs are my friend!

How Many Homes Have You Lived In?

I was just thinking about this and decided to add mine up.

During my childhood I lived in 2 homes.
In college, there were 5.
After getting married there have been 9.
Grand total = 16

Leave a comment and post your total.

I survived!

Home now. VERY sore. I lost 3 lbs. of breast and 4 of belly.

Don't Cry Because It's Over. Smile Because It Happened.

I am trying to keep the above quote by Dr. Seuss in mind as I traverse the next phase of parenting, but it isn't easy. As senior year for D. draws to a close, and he gets closer and closer to leaving home, I have very carefully avoided thinking about how it will FEEL to have him gone. Now, however, I have been confronted. Spring break is coming, and D. would rather go to a cabin in northern Michigan with his buddies than on a family trip with us. Since he is almost 18 and has always used good judgement, we are allowing him to do that, but I had no idea how sad it would make me feel. I'm not sure which makes me sadder--that he won't be coming with us, or that he doesn't want to.

This is just a prelude to how I will feel next fall, I imagine. Heartbroken.

News

I have 2 news items to report.

The first is that we have been matched with children, a 2 year old girl and a 3 month old baby boy. We will hopefully travel in May to get them (many things are up in the air right now so it is not definite). I can't give any more details or show photos at this time, but we are all very excited!

The second news item is that I have decided to have a breast reduction and abdominoplasty. My chest size has caused me discomfort my entire life, and they are much larger than they used to be, so now that I am done using my breasts for their intended purpose (my baby is weaned!) I am ready to remedy the problem. As for the abdominoplasty--let's just say that carrying 8 full term babies weighing approximately 10 pounds each leaves you with a drooping flap of skin that no amount of exercise will fix. The surgery is scheduled for Mar. 5, 2010. I am nervous and excited! Please keep me in your prayers that the surgery goes smoothly and that I recover easily.