Sunday November 23...2:30 pm

Yesterday was a great day. We moved our old washer and dryer OUT and the 'new' set IN. After everything was unhooked and vacuumed and re-hooked and shuffled and settled, I did about 6 loads of laundry. I literally sat and watched at least 3 of them, because the washer is a front loader with a window...it is very entertaining. It tumbles one direction, and then stops and goes the other direction. I marvel at what small amount of water it uses, yet it gets it all very clean. Our water bill should go down. But I learned that it takes lots of extra rinses when you use too much detergent...it says just use a little and it means it! At the end of the cycle it goes into this "fast" spin and I feel like shouting "lift off". It spins clothes so dry you have to peel them off the top of the drum...the first time I looked inside I said where did they go?!? We are so thankful to our generous friends for giving us their extra set. I don't think they had any idea how much entertainment they were providing. Rosanna just called from Nebraska and sounded a little concerned when I told her I was 'watching' my washer :) Best of all we have clean clothes again!
Robert is gearing up to go to work tomorrow...it will take some extra planning and preparing to to get his meals and schedule coordinated. He has noticed that everything takes a bit longer when counting carbs and taking insulin. Please keep praying for his stamina to increase so he can have the energy he will need around those middle school students.
We have so much to be thankful for this week of Thanksgiving. In spite of the trials, obstacles and adjustments, we have many blessings. As I contemplate the action of a washing machine and marvel at it's cleaning ability, it is nothing compared to the marvelous "cleaning" we receive from the precious blood of the Lamb. Just as the dirt and stains of daily life are washed out of the towels and clothes in that machine, we get the dirt and stains of daily life washed off of us...over and over and over, as we sit under His grace. I like clean...clean clothes...clean hearts...clean slates. And we pause and give thanks.

~Jeanette

Friday November 21...5:00 pm

Yippeee! Robert's Dr (surgeon) told him today that his pancreas has made significant improvement! Finally! This is the first time in 11 weeks that we have heard these words. He used terms we didn't exactly understand, but said there is evidence of scar tissue forming (that's good) whereas before there was only evidence of swollen tissue (that's bad). He does not see anything to be concerned about at this point, and he was very pleased with that. He was especially pleased after he learned about the heart episode and the stents, saying, he could not have performed any surgery for at least 6 weeks following the heart procedures Robert had a couple of weeks ago - therefore, it is a very good thing he doesn't need surgery! He ordered another CT scan in 4 weeks to keep tracking the progress.
A double yippeee, because this means Robert is all cleared to return to work next week...he will start on Monday, going half-time - 4 hour days the first couple of weeks. If his stamina continues to improve, he will then go to full days for a couple of weeks before Christmas break. And that is good news. I like good news. :)

~Jeanette

Wednesday November 19...9:00 pm

If you could just see me now. I am sitting with my mouth hanging open - have been all day. I asked for prayer Monday about a tread mill so Robert can start a regular exercise program, and on Tuesday we were offered two. So, on Tuesday I asked you to pray for a washing machine, because, quite frankly we don't have a washing machine fund...we don't have any extra for any purchases right now. To think about buying something on the day after Thanksgiving was just dreaming. But today, this morning, we were told that a friend will bring us a washer / dryer matching set this weekend. It is about 8 or 9 years old but it works! We haven't had a matched pair in our 29 years of marriage. I don't know why God has answered these requests so quickly but I am rejoicing and encouraged. Robert said to ask for prayer for a flat screen TV! I said, sorry, tires for the car and van are next :)
Whoever "you" are who are praying, I am so thankful for you. And please continue to ask the Father to bring Robert complete healing and strength and energy...and for no complications in his pancreas and for the nodule on his prostate to 'disappear'. And for us to learn and grow and to make known things about our God for all to see His goodness.

~Jeanette

Tuesday November 18...7:00 pm

Ask and you will receive. I like that. I asked you to pray for a tread mill yesterday and was offered one today! So now I think I will ask for more specific prayers :)
Please do pray for good changes in Robert's pancreas - he has an ultrasound tomorrow morning, with an appointment with the surgeon on Friday afternoon. Hopefully he will tell us the pancreas is healing without any complications...please pray for that. And while you are at it, we need a new washing machine. Ours has worked off and on for about a month. It has stayed "off" for about a week now and hasn't started even though we have shook it just like before and it would work! It takes quite awhile to bail out a large capacity washer with a cottage cheese carton. We've done it twice now. I just heard on the news tonight that the sales the day after Thanksgiving will be fantastic this year due to retail sales being slow, and even heard that Sears is putting their washer / dryer pair on sale for an incredible price. Perhaps we will need to check it out...I just hope we don't have to be there at 5:00 am to get the great deal.
Thanks for praying with us.

~Jeanette

Monday November 17...2:30 pm

Wow. I see it has been a week since I updated this blog. After Robert came home from the hospital last Monday, I think we both experienced a "setback". We were both tired and drained. We spent the week kind of 'down', both physically and mentally. We were in a bit of a shock with the two unscheduled major heart procedures and hospital stay. We still shake our heads in amazement that a Dr. did a procedure INSIDE Robert's heart Monday morning and then sent him home...and we sat and ate dinner together that evening. Robert found a video animation of the ablation procedure online so we were able to see exactly what they did. What a marvel the human heart is...and we marvel as well at what modern medicine can do. Of course, Robert was 'awake' for this hospitalization, so this is a new leg of the journey for him...facing the procedures and processing the results with all of the information and emotions they bring. We both appreciate so much the continued prayers. Please include on the list that the stents will work and not 'plug up' as they occasionally do. I feel rested after sleeping a lot this weekend, but pray for Robert to regain energy - both physical and mental stamina. He needs that before he returns to work. By taking insulin to manage his diabetes, his life has drastically changed. Now that he knows he has some serious Coronary Heart Disease as well, he must make more changes, primarily in eating and exercise. Think permanent "DIET" and you will get a picture of how depressing it feels some days. The exercise is going to be a big piece of the change, since he is rapidly gaining weight also. Two Dr's have told him it is just part of going on insulin - weight gain is expected and can only be managed by diet and exercise. Come to think of it, would you pray for God to provide a tread mill or elliptical machine? It's not in our budget right now!
Thanks for sticking with our journey,

~Jeanette

Monday November 10...7:00 pm

YEAH!!!
Robert is home.
We only had to pick up 6 prescriptions on the way home. :(
He has to take it a bit easy this week so he won't resume physical therapy until next week. He should sleep well tonight after his very short night with his 'colorful' roommate last night and then his procedure today. He should get caught up quickly though since he only has two appointments this week - the dentist and his endocrinologist.
Thanks for all your prayers.

~Jeanette

Monday November 10...11:30

Robert had his ablation this morning as planned. The Dr was able to locate the exact spot that was causing the flutter and cauterized it. That should prevent it from reoccurring. Whether it is a life-long cure, I don't know yet. Robert is laying flat for several hours and then if everything remains stable he should be discharged late this afternoon. We did learn this morning that his prostate biopsy will be postponed - it can not be done now because of the medications he is taking. It will happen in about 3 months if everything stays on track. So, maybe life will return to normal...or at least our "new" normal :)
Hopefully there will not be any procedures for awhile...oops, he does have an ultrasound of the pancreas next week. In the meantime, we will enjoy the days in between.

~Jeanette