Sickness

Isn't it too early in the fall season for people to be sick?  Seriously though - we've had two rounds of illness in our family (and extended family), and I'm already DONE.  Put a fork in me, ya'll. Last night, between coughing up a lung and me asking him not to move so I wouldn't vomit, Mike declared that we are OVER and DONE with sickness for the entire fall/winter season.  Is that possible?  Lord, let it be!


Last week it was sinus infections and bronchitis, although thankfully it was the adults that had the brunt of it all.  This week it's been the tummy bug, and not just ANY tummy bug . . . this is the tummy bug from heck, causing projectile vomiting from BOTH of my boys (and for the adults, who thankfully have better aim).  I am literally praying, and asking for prayer, that the boys will finally learn to aim, or even make it to the bathroom, folks.  Honestly, I am super thankful that Mike and I were able to clean up after the boys.  Unfortunately, the bug has passed from my mom, to Henry, to Conner, to Poppie (my Dad), to A-Ray (my sister Rachael), and to me.


Our home is absolutely, completely disinfected as of now, as I've been truly obsessive about it.  We just can't let Lucy get the bug or she will be in the hospital for sure.  She's been able to stay out of the house and be well-cared-for at the same time, and I am so grateful that God has provided that for her. I thought that Lucy was the only one who was drastically affected by any "small" illness, but I'm learning that thought is very wrong.  This bug has knocked Henry off his feet, and even though he hasn't vomited since Tuesday, he is pale and has slept all day the last two days (still sleeping now).  It isn't seizure activity, because I keep waking him up and making him talk to me.  It's just sickness and his body being worn out from it.  And you know what?  I've been the same way and as I look back, I've had a hard time get back to my baseline after illness for several years.


I have no doubt that Ellie's death has played a role in my own autoimmune system, and that it's had a hand in my severe endometriosis, intercystial cystitis, IBS, etc.  I can't bounce back quickly anymore.  It says around for days and I cannot get the things done that I need to get done.  For example, I've been trying for a couple of weeks to get my Rodan and Fields business off the ground, and I STILL haven't been able to accomplish the simplest of tasks.  Not just because of my health, but because of Henry's health and behavior, as well as other things that pop up when you are a mommy.  I know that ya'll get it.  It's hard being an adult and trying to accomplish your hopes and expectations while taking care of the precious gifts God has given you.  


My heart, my thoughts, my energy . . . are ON, and WITH and FOR Henry.  He's had to miss so much school already.  He's covered by his IEP, but I still hate that he has to miss being in a classroom, being part of routine and being around other children.  I feel like I'm dragging a giant sled, stacked with heavy flagstone, making my way through heavy snow and then all of a sudden, hitting quick-sand that causes me AND the sleigh and cargo to sink.  Then I have to pull it out and start my treck all over again.


We hate to see our children sick, am I right?  And to not know all of the answers to their illnesses?  That's maddening.  Truthfully, I thought this part, this "medically unknown", was completed for us in the girls.  We've learned to deal with NKH and the strange ups and downs that come with it, sometimes unexpectedly.  We are comfortable with it in every way.  We aren't satisfied and we will ALWAYS push for a cure and for better treatment however, I feel safe now with NKH because we've lived with it for almost ten years now.


But Henry's physical, emotional and mental health is a mystery to ALL of us, and I mean ALL of us.  We met with Lucy's geneticist last week, who was incredibly happy with Lucy's progression, but was so sad and confused to hear about Henry's PANDAS, seizures and other health issues.  We talked about it for quite a while, throwing different thoughts back and forth.  Bottom line, when it comes to Henry, we are still trying to get over the, "What in the world is going on?!".


Henry knows that something is different.  He knows that something is going on inside of him.  He's seen recent Special Olympic commercials and has asked to take part in it all, since he sees himself as "sick" because of PANDAS.  We treat Henry the same as Conner, and yet he's been asking me when he can choose HIS Make-a-Wish trip - it just makes sense to him that he would get to go since his sisters have rare diseases and seizures and have been able to go.  It's heart-wrenching and confusing to hear your beautiful, able-bodied, sarcastically savvy, little man say things like this.  Is he right?  Or will things turn around and be okay?  I don't know, and most of the time I don't even know how to pray for Henry.  I'm just learning to give him up to the Father.


We have some future things we are working on for Henry's treatment, including trying to get to an infectious disease doctor in St. Louis.  Would you pray that our referrals will go through and that they will do so quickly?  Will you pray too that we will get into the doctors here at OU that we need to see, and that the Lord would go ahead of us and give us favor with them?  We need answers so that Henry's life can get better.


I apologize for not leaving you with encouragement from the Word today.  I'm just struggling to put one foot in front of the other, to be honest.  Nevertheless, I appreciate you staying along for the ride and for continuing to encourage us along the way, even when we head into those dark, roller-coaster tunnels of the unknown.

Ryan

Surgery and The New Job

Mike and I are sitting in the waiting room, patiently waiting for our spirited Henry to come out of his oral surgery.  This is of course, a minor procedure, and my fear isn't necessarily with Henry "going under".  We've been through that part so many times that it thankfully isn't as fearful or as intimidating as it once was.  I HAVE worried about Henry's sense of peace and well-being though, especially after the way the last oral surgery went down.

Waiting to go back

(look at those pitiful little eyes and awesome hair)

Last February, Henry had to be forcefully held down by four male nurses/attendants as he was given a shot to knock him out.  They HAD to do it (with my permission, of course).   The tooth was causing a horrible, no-good, very bad flare and in order to stop it from advancing, we needed the infection removed.  Henry woke from that surgery very violent, which is what he does when he is scared.  He even threw the ipad across the room, completely shattering it.  The "shatter-proof" case was NOT made with a "Henry the Hulk" in mind.  


This morning, I am PROUD (and happy) to say that Mr. Henry has done amazingly well and went back to the OR without a fight!  Not a tear was shed, not an ipad thrown, nor a shot needed.  My Little Hobbit walked on back bare-footed, his favorite way to be.  And yes, his barefooted-ness grosses this mommy out (esp since we are in the hospital), but it makes Henry feel free and comfortable, and when he feels free and comfortable, he is at peace. I am astonished at the way God answered our prayers for Henry's peace thus far, and I am praying that the peace and calmness will continue to wash over Henry in waves for the rest of the day (for the rest of his precious life, Lord - let it be!).  Thank you for praying with us and for us!


Today, I am making it known, here on the blog, that  I am a new Consultant for the skin care company, Rodan and Fields! I promise that I won't be blogging further about my new R&F business, and I want to make that clear.  I may post on FB every now and then, but I promise not to bombard anyone with anything.  No one likes those annoying posts that pop up every moment, asking you to buy or sell something and I am super sensitive to that (probably obsessively so).  I just want to share my story with you so that you can pray that God would use this to benefit our family in both physical and spiritual ways.  Of COURSE I would love for you to be interested in purchasing some skin care products from my site, and I wouldn't stop anyone from becoming part of my team!  However, I never want anyone to feel cornered or pressured.  

R&F is a company run by actual dermatologists - the same dermatologists who make ProActive (you may have seen some of the commercials on TV).   This is a giant leap of faith for me and for my family, but we believe the Lord will use it as a tool to help us pay off those last medical bills and help pay for things like upcoming braces for the boys (bless their hearts, they have their momma's teeth). Financial freedom sounds pretty wonderful, don't you think?! 


Life has a way of wearing you out and that can clearly be seen on one's face.  I've recently looked at pictures of myself from even just three years ago, and oh-my-goodness, I have aged SO much! Death, sadness, heartache - they leave their mark; but you know what?  So does laughter!  I've never spent time or money on my skin, or even on my make-up, and now at age of 37, I look worn and tired.  I've decided that I wanted to change and actually TAKE CARE OF MY OWN SKIN (gasp!).  It's good to stop and take care of yourself, Friends.  That is one MAJOR thing that I have learned during our journey.


One afternoon, I received a little R&F facial sample in the mail from my friend, Meredith Ellis.  Meredith and her husband are both in the medical field but more importantly, Meredith and Lee are Believers with three precious kiddos. We've know each other for as long as I can remember (although I am admittedly older;)), and I thoroughly trust Meredith's opinion. Mere was with me when Ellie Kate received her NKH diagnosis at Texas Children's early 2006. Really - who wouldn't want to try out a product endorsed by your doctor-friend?!  I have to tell you - My skin felt so soft, smooth and silky after using the sample that I found myself scraping the little packets, trying to use every last drop.  I LOVED the way my skin felt - and I loved the way it looked - refreshed and renewed. It felt really good to take care of myself in this way, and I thought,  "If my face felt and looked this way after a simple sample pack, how would it look and feel if I actually used the products on a daily basis?"; And so my business has officially begun, under the leadership of Meredith.    


Really, I cannot wait to jump in and help others with their self-confidence - to get their physical "glow" back! I also can't wait to pray over each customer and potential team member, as I know the Lord won't bring them to me by chance.  Please contact me if you'd like more information on these great products, and if you feel comfortable, please send your interested friends and family my way.
More info on our products:  https://rmclaughlinmyrandfcom.myrandf.com/   
More info on joining my team: https://rmclaughlinmyrandfcom.myrandf.biz/



As I'm finishing this post tonight (or this morning, rather), Henry is home and sleeping hard in his own bed.  We continue to stand in awe of the peace and comfort God brought to all of us.  Henry had a very hard time with the anesthesia and has been in a lot of pain.  His little emotions have been jumping all over the place and I think that is due to the medications.  Pray that his heart would settle and that his pain would go away (they actually worked on several teeth).  Thank you, Lord for providing this surgery for Henry and thank you for giving us your peace!

Friends, thank you for letting me share my new R&F business info with you.  Thank you too for praying specifically for Henry and for our family, as we continue to ride the roller coaster!


Learning to Be a Proverbs 31 Woman - 
Ryan

The Woman Who Fears the Lord

10 [d] An excellent wife who can find?
    She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
    and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
    all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
    and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
    she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
    and provides food for her household
    and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
    with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself[e] with strength
    and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
    Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
    and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
    and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
    for all her household are clothed in scarlet.[f]
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
    her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates
    when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
    she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
    and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
    but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
    and let her works praise her in the gates.