Living With Scleroderma With a Smile

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Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Our Dogs' Golden Opportunity


In the morning when Ken has gone to work, and Joel has left for school.....our two golden retrievers wait patiently by the door for me to let them in!!!
You see.....it is when everyone is gone that these two "spoiled dogs" know that I will open their door of opportunity!!!! They follow me from place to place as I go from the computer to the kitchen, and sometimes back to bed!!!! Well.....this morning I thought I'd give you a little glimpse of these two pooches....and the "I'll be good"look I get all morning!!!!



"Cash"is waiting by the computer room door

"Zoey" relaxes in the hallway


Quiet as a mouse.....Zoey settles in on the end of the bed
while "Cash" must be content with the floor!!!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

For the Beauty of the Earth!! Welcome Fall



Welcome to the first Fall Color Tour from the back of our property
Today Ken and I took a ride out back to capture the beauty of the beginning of Fall.
The trees all turn colors at such different rates. God has created an amazing color palette for us to look upon and it changes almost daily. The mood was almost serene as we drove around the many trails. Ken's long slender fingers wrapped around my tight, almost fist-like hand. He gently held my hand as I chattered on about this and that......and on occasion gave my tale of woe about what I used to be able to do that I can't do now. Ken softly, with a warmth in his eyes reminded me that worry does not do us any good....and that God is with us 24/7. Whether it be our job, our health, our finances,or anything else.....He loves us and is going to meet our every need as He determines what is best for us! I relaxed.......and found myself comforted once again by Ken, by the awesome God we serve, and by the beauty He has provided all around us.












Thursday, September 25, 2008

Thursdays With Grandma

In an effort to give Emily a break once a week so she can rest up before baby Nichols arrives in November, and to spend some one on one time with Annabelle.....I have offered to take Isaac and Seth every Thursday from now until whenever! so....Today was our second "Thursday" together. We've decided to call it "Thursday with Grandma"....an idea I got from reading "Tuesdays with Morrie". Each Thursday I will have a pictorial review of our day together....and little blips of our adventures!



I hope you enjoy this weekly blog......I know that it is a highlight of my week since I am home everyday! I also want to say I have a deep appreciation for our daughter-in-laws Emily and Heidi as they care for their very small children when dads are at work! It is a huge responsibility and takes an enormous amount of energy, patience, and love. Especially when your consider the ages of their children......they both do an amazing job!!!! You have my deepest respect for what you do every day!!!


Seth started his morning out
playing play dough then took a 2 hour nap!

Isaac played in the bathroom sink
in what he called his water imagination
station! What was equally nice is that when he finished...
he cleaned everything up and made the sink "sparkle"


Grandpa comes home everyday at lunch....
and today he fixed us bologna sandwiches and soupy jello!



So we just had to eat the soupy jello with straws!!!!


Slurpee.....slurp

Just after lunch as we were getting ready to go visit
Uncle Joel's classroom....we found this bird in our garage,
Thankfully Zoey and Cash did not get to it.......and by the
time we got home....it had flown away!!


We surprised Joel at Wex. Missaukee ISD
He loved the visit.....and introduced his nephews to everyone!


Grandma, Joel,Isaac and Seth

After we got home....I took the boys
for a ride on the Rhino (4 X 4) and took a few pics
by the old beech tree way out back.
Then we stopped over to Jane's house....picked her up in the
Rhino and explored her property.....stopping once to pick up
golf balls in the field!


After returning from our adventures....Grandma imposed
what I called a "mandatory rest" for 30 minutes!
Basically.....the rest was for me!!!! but thankfully the
boys went along with the idea.

Isaac wrapped himself up like a cocoon
on our floor. But don't let him fool you....
he was not asleep when I took this picture!

And at the end of the day....the boys wanted to pick
some flowers to take home to "Mommy"
Here's something else that I wanted to share:
With my "scleroderma" disability I am limited in so many things I used
to be able to do. For instance, the mobility is limited so much in my hands that I cannot
pick up anything from from the floor, or do anything that requires fine motor skills.
Well...a blessing about "Thursdays" is that Isaac and Seth are more than happy to do what I can't.
If I drop something, they are right there to pick it up. If I can't open/close/etc. an item, they are happy to oblige! I have noticed a "servant's heart" in our grandchildren....and if one of my purposes in life is to help nurture that gift.......I am blessed by the opportunity!
Every time we went outside, the boys held the door wide open and waited until I was safely through! Seth always insists to help me out of my chair....and even includes a vocal "grunt" as he helps pull me up! Just thought I'd share!!!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

A Bouquet at the End of the Day



A bouquet at the end of the day!!

These are flowers from Ken's hydrangea plant.
Evidently you can let them dry out and they're good for a couple of years!
Cousin Susie said they will become brittle but do not drop their petals!

Me, my music, and my wedding necklace

If you have a moment I would like you to read this beautiful....and very humbling post written by our daughter-in-laws' (Emily) sister Sarah Christenson. Sarah is an incredible writer/author and she has posted this story about me, music, and my wedding necklace. Thank you from the depths of my heart Sarah for this tender tribute. We love you....and have always felt that you, Mike and the girls are a warm part of our extended family!

To read Sarah's post click here:
http://blog.wexfordjewelers.com/articles/2008/09/20/from-canon-in-d-to-a-wedding-necklace

Saturday, September 20, 2008

And this too shall pass.............

Okay......before I even get started on this blog I want you to know that I have Ken's permission to post this blog....and the contents there in !!

In the early hours of the morning Ken woke up in much discomfort which I would refer to as extreme pain and agony! We let a little time pass....but things did not improve....and I was getting a little nervous as to whether to call 911 or drive him to ER myself. Well we decided it wasn't a good idea for me to drive him in....and 911 may have been a little more than he needed....so we did the next best thing and called our neighbors Alan and Diane Cooper. I explained the situation and within minutes Alan was here to pick up my husband to take him to Mercy Hospital's ER. I felt helpless as to what I could do for him....so I went into my "organization mode".

The first thing I did was call the ER and alert them to the fact that my husband was coming in with extreme lower back pain, and that my own medical diagnosis was that it was probably kidney stones (an educated guess based on his symptoms....which I will spare you the rest of the details) The receptionist at the ER desk must have recognized me by name because she responded "Oh hi Mrs. Nichols....let's get started with the registration". So by the time Alan arrived with Ken....they had the door opened waiting for him and took Ken immediately into a room, started an IV and made him comfortable. Wow.....what a blessing!!!!! No waiting in aisle one!!

The next calls I proceeded to make were to our sons and daughter-in-laws so they could pray and be informed as to what their Dad was going through. I am so thankful as a family we can communicate at any hour of the day to be prayer support for one another.!!

Well after a brief stay in ER which included a CT scan, Ken was diagnosed with
kidney stones and was home by 9:00 a.m. with two prescriptions...and to basically "wait it out".
If you are not familiar with the pain of kidney stones.....you could liken it to that of laboring and birthing a baby......or pulling your bottom lip up over your head!!!

Of course.....in any crisis....we have to consider our son Joel and his reaction! He woke up in the early a.m. just before Alan picked Ken up......and had numerous questions....which Ken and I answered calmly as to not stir Joel up more than he was. Well upon Ken's return home....and a brief description of what "kidney stones" were....Joel forthrightly asked Ken if he had eaten or swallowed a rock or pebbles and that's how they got in his kidneys!!!!! I could not control my laughter as I heard the question.....but I was in another room so Ken and Joel could not witness this reaction.

So here we are.......on a beautiful Saturday "waiting it out". I am amazed how Ken continues to carry on his activities despite the suspense!!! My husband doesn't let much get him down....but this morning's episode did "bring him to his knees"......literally speaking.
We would appreciate your prayers for Ken during the next few hours, days, weeks.....that he is not in too much pain and that "this too shall pass". Well actually I should say..."that these two or three shall pass!"

(Oh: and yes......he is drinking alot of water from now on:)

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Birthday Fun!!!

Yesterday was my 53'rd birthday! What a great day I had!My morning started out with a beautiful card from Ken, followed by phone calls and emails from family and friends during the day. In the afternoon I was invited by Corie Brown (my long-term sub) to come and visit the last hour choir (Chorale) where I was able to participate and sing, chat a little bit, and enjoy cupcakes, cake, and fruit salad provided by Corie and the choir! What a special surprise that was.

At lunch Ken gave me my gift "my wedding necklace". Since I can no longer wear my wedding ring, we had the diamonds placed into a necklace custom designed by Wexford Jewelry http://www.wexfordjewelers.com/. It is absolutely gorgeous! Check out the pic below!
For supper, Ken grilled some yummy pork steaks, sided with peas and baked potatoes. We topped the meal off with a cake baked my our friends Billy and Mandy!

I praise God for another wonderful year of life despite my physical setbacks! He has blessed me and surrounded me with a loving family and dear friends. I anxiously await what God has in store for me this coming year....and looking forward to the ways in which He allows me to serve Him.


Choir Students and me
Kayla, me, Bryanna

Todd, Judy, Jen



Megan O., Judy. Michele L.
I was presented with a "Princess Crown" from the choir

Jeri, Lynn, Caroline, and Judy
"My office buddies"
I am so thankful for the friendship of these three women...
and how much they encourage me when we are together!!
And.....how many laughs we have together!!!!!!


Cake at home.....Ken and Joel sang very beautifully to me

My wedding necklace

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Family Time.....lots and lots of pics!!


On Saturday we had the family together for a day of visiting,
playing and great memory making!
As always.....we ate lots of food....took lots of pics....and had lots of fun!
My parents, Dale and Lois Hopkins came to see everyone too....
which made the day even more special! After supper we enjoyed birthday cake
(made by Emily) and I was sung to by a very nice group of singers....our family!
It's not significant that I turn another year older........but it is significant that I am able to spend time with our wonderful family and have the strength and stamina to enjoy the day!
However on Sunday.....after church...I did enjoy a two hour nap!!!
Grandma and Rachelle
Grandpa and Kirsten
Rachelle and Heidi

Annabelle and Jon

Emily reading to Seth and Isaac
Baby #4 is due Nov. 6th
Kirsten

Annabelle

Jon

Andrew and Seth
Rachelle and Kirsten are crawling now...
and love to sit up and watch all the action!!
Uncle Kurt and Annabelle

Jason and Isaac

Judy, Heidi, and Emily in the computer room
playing "Word Challenge". Thanks for bumping up
my score girls!!!! Wow...can Heidi type fast!!!!

Kurt.....trying his best to "up" his Word Challenge score!!
We're rooting for ya Kurt!!!!


This is me getting in Ken's top drawer to get some candy for the kids!
We call it "Grandpa's Stash".....and the boys knew exactly where it was!!

Waiting patiently on our bed....

Woo Hoo!!! Now don't get me wrong here.....we didn't let the boys eat a whole
box of candy!! I just had them each hold a box for a photo opp!
Wait a minute....Andrew..."what are you digging for???""You're
supposed to be looking at the camera!!!"
Cheek to cheek with Grandpa and Seth while
Kirsten looks at the camera
Great grandpa Hopkins holding Rachelle
Grandpa and Grandpa Hopkins
I'm so glad my parents came to visit on Saturday
so they could see their grand-kids.....and their
great grand-children!
Lois and Dale with an armful of kids!!

Uncle Joel with Kurt and Heidi's children
Opening a gift..with the help
of Isaac and Seth


Me and my birthday cake!
My birthday's the 17th, but we celebrated early.