A Turn In the Road

Today (Feb 19th) I went to U of M for my routine "Scleroderma" check up. My first appointment was a pulmonary function test and the second was an appointment with Dr. Elena Schiopu http://www.med.umich.edu/scleroderma/faculty/index.htm#schiopu who is my new specialist since Dr. Seibold took a new position as Professor and Chief of the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

Dr. Schiopu is a delightful woman who had such a sweet spirit about her. Dr. Seibold had already filled her in about my case (an my personality.LOL..) so she already knew a little about me as she entered the exam room. After reviewing my pft, blood work, and skin, Dr. Shiopu announced that my condition was experiencing a "turn in the road" and along with that, she felt I no longer needed to be on an immune suppressant!!!

I was so excited with that news.....that I cried!! Ken and I just looked at each other and smiled!!! Through my tears I said that God was in control and I knew that every day was a gift from Him! She said that I would be able to go off the meds immediately with no side effects....
Wow.....NO more monthly blood work!!! Yay!!

I can't say that my scleroderma will be completely gone forever....but I can say...it is at a turn in the road.....my skin is improving....I am continuing to have hand therapy and seeing improvements there....and on Monday I will have an evaluation to begin physical therapy for my legs so I might improve my walking/etc. Currently I still have great difficulty getting up from a sitting position and climbing stairs. This will be my next challenge....but I welcome it!!!

After nearly one thousand and ten days since my original symptoms.....I praise God for giving me Hope.....Patience.....and Joy!! I still have alot of life to live.....and I am grateful for the opportunities I have had since my illness, my disability, and my retirement.

My new projects have included editing the Area 32 Special Olympics newsletter, developing and filming a video for the Michigan Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation to be shown at patient education days, and of course "Thursdays" with Grandma!!( or whatever day of the week it turns out to be)

I'd like to rent a billboard that says "never give up"!!
If you suffer in life.....seek the joy in your situation...it is there....Don't give up....let people help you in your need....don't isolate yourself....educate yourself.....and did I mention:) "Don't give up!!!" Cry when you must....laugh when you can...

For me....God is my strength....my refuge! His word, the Bible, is my road map and the Holy Spirit my comfort. My life is far from perfect...but my joy is close to full!!!!

Rick's Pick's http://rickspicksnyc.com/

We do not usually order food online...so when we do....I like to share with you what we find, how it was, and a little bit about the company we ordered from. Check it out!!

Yummy "Bees n Beez"

When I first tasted these they had a little 'tang" to them!!
But after the second bite, I didn't want to stop eating them!!!! Very good!!!

These are the three items we ordered:

Phat Beets http://rickspicksnyc.com/pickles/phat_beets

The People's Pickle http://rickspicksnyc.com/pickles/the_peoples_pickle

(We had these with supper last night and our grandkids ages 6,4, and 2 LOVED the taste!
In fact....they liked it so much they asked for more!!)

Bee "n" beez http://rickspicksnyc.com/pickles/bee_n_beez


Why did we order "Rick's Picks"? Read our story below:)

Recently as we were watching the Fox news with Shepard Smith we saw an interesting segment about a business called "Rick's Pick's". Now being pickle lovers, gardeners, and connoisseurs of "tasty" stuff....this segment caught our attention:) We viewed the segment with great interest and truly admired the story behind the pickles!!! Click here to watch the segment: http://blog.rickspicksnyc.com/?p=485

Within minutes of the broadcast Ken and I searched the internet for ricks picks~~~ http://rickspicksnyc.com/. We perused the many choices and settled on ordering three of their products : Phat Beets aromatic pickled beets (my choice...I LOVE pickled beets:) The People's Pickle, which are crunchy garlic dill pickles, and Bee "n" Beez which are sliced bread and butter pickles. We were very pleased with the product which shipped within 1-3 days and was very well packed and protected.

We were happy to support a business like 'rick's picks" after listening to their story! We appreciate hard working people that don't "give up" just because life changes!!! All of us have burdens, trials, disappointments, and sharp curves in the road to negotiate!!! It's what we do with those trials that counts!!!! It builds character......makes us strong.....keeps us moving forward! May God bless this family business....who dared to dream big!!

When these three jars are empty...this family in Cadillac, Michigan will order again:)

Happy "27th" Birthday to Heidi

Mommy to four precious children:)


Our daughter-in-law Heidi turned 27 today!!!

Happy Birthday to you Heidi!!!!

We want you to know how special you are to our entire family:) And.....what a great Mommy you are and a precious wife to our son Kurt:)

What a celebration these days have been!!! Kurt and Heidi's house sold:) Andrew invited Jesus into his heart on February 1st:) Kurt starts training for his new job with GFS:) and they are in the midst of looking for housing near Kenosha where they will be living:)

Praise God for the wonderful answers to prayer....and for the joy He has given to Kurt and Heidi and their family! Once again.....Happy Birthday Heidi~~~~~With all of our love....K and J

Heidi with niece Madeline