Out three weeks today!

Today has been better. I think the storms are causing me some problems.

Last night I had a third of a hamburger and it went well! That is so encouraging--although a little scary to eat something "new" and not know what will happen. So I am pretty happy about that.

I am still having some pain in or under my right rib. It isn't all the time but I am bothered by it more when I am tired or been up to much. It probably is no big deal but I have a follow up with the general surgeon the 24th and the neurosurgeon on the 20th. I expect a clean bill of health but we'll see what they have to say. The rash that I have mentioned before seemed to be getting a little better, but now I am starting to get new patches of it on my stomach and back. Gr. . . Oh, well. Things continue to improve. I am doing incredibly well for as sick as I was. I have so very much to be thankful for!

Wednesday

I'm still not feeling the best, but a rainstorm came in this afternoon, so I am guessing that might be why.

I am making progress with food. I have eaten fish a couple times and it stayed down. I had a little bit of chicken and that has been ok, too. Progress! I still need to eat smaller portions regularly throughout the day. Yesterday I drove for the first time in a few months--that was rather odd! And I did get my drivers license renewed today. All steps of progress.

Today hasn't been quite as good--who knows why. I am a little headachey--not bad at all but it is always concerning. I walked around outside this afternoon and noticed clouds coming in so could the weather be changing? I really need to watch the weather more closely.

I haven't been taking pain medication since returning from Florida. I really don't like taking it so when I can live without it I generally just skip it. However, I am still taking a sleeping pill. My sleeping isn't so good yet, but hopefully that will improve with time. It usually does.

I don't remember if I have written this already, but I feel like I have an urgency to try to get in as many activities as I possibly can. Even if I am not quite ready, I am pushing to do things. Probably the "just in case" mentality that I just can't shake. I've been up and down so many times and haven't been able to do many normal things for such a long time. So I really want to go out for supper (not sure what I will eat!), go to a movie (it has been a few years), go to a concert (Steve Green is coming to town), and I really wish the kids had activities that I could watch right now while I am doing well. I can't say that I am pessimistic but maybe just realistic after the experiences that we've had. That being said, I really do think/hope/pray that our challenging journey has come to an end and that life will just become more and more normal.

Sabbath

Today I will be able to worship the Lord in church for the first time in a couple months. I am pretty excited!

For those that would like to pray for and keep track of Evan (Chic) Van Ginkel, please look at his caringbridge site. The website name used in Chic. The family would appreciate your prayers!

We finally broke down and rented a wheelchair today. I really can't go out much because I am too weak to walk far at all. I have been opposed to it because I guess I just didn't want to admit that I needed it or maybe hoped I would regain strength faster. Well, today it was clear that it was time. So we got out of the house for a while this afternoon and it was so nice. Now I am pretty tired and will head to bed in a moment. I think I am getting stronger but it is very slow. I think I went backwards for a few days when returning from Florida but that isn't so surprising. I can walk around for a while and do my physical therapy exercises but spend a lot of time sitting and I have to lay down in a quiet area for a few hours a day. But, I am making progress. Patience is a virtue that I need to continue working on.

I always like to look at pictures, so I thought I would add a few of my own. :)

Thursday

Kyle and the kids will be home soon. It has been good for me to have a couple days of quiet time to rest and recover from the trip, etc. I hope I am ready for the busyness of life with a family again.

I am feeling pretty well. My head is very good. I can't say that the headache is gone completely but I would describe it as a dull ache now instead of a headache--very tolerable. I can live this way. I have been able to handle noise pretty well and a lot of movement around me used to be a problem but I can take that as well. My head has been my biggest concern and so far, so good. The rest of it will come. My body is very weak yet, but as time goes by that will improve. I have a rash that started as a few spots on my legs but is getting worse and now is on my face and neck. My doctor believes that it is probably a viral thing, which I am pretty susceptible to because I have been so sick. My right side still hurts, particularly when I am more tired or have been up too long. I continue to use caution in what I eat, but try to eat throughout the day. Sitting down for a few bigger meals just isn't working for me right now.

When I was in the hospital a few of the doctors that visited told me that I had been a very sick woman, and that again has made me realize how serious and sick that I was. If the infection has traveled up the tubing and into my brain, I may not be here right now or mentally may not be the same, so I really do have much to be thankful for.

I am completely bald but I now have "stubble." A few have asked if it bothers me that I don't have hair. It did at first and I am careful to wear hats when I am out of the house. However, after everything that has happened, hair has become a pretty small detail. It will come back. I think I will keep it pretty short so that if I need another surgery and my head is shaved, it isn't such a shock to my kids. They are bothered by my hair being gone the most. My perspective on many things have changed and I have found that having hair just is not that big of a deal.

The Lord has provided so richly for our family through this ordeal. He has given strength in weakness and His grace in adversity. I am so thankful for my faith in Him--I don't think that I could have survived this without Him carrying me and our family through. People have said that I am so strong, but I really am not. I didn't do it on my own and if you would have told me years ago that I would have survived all of this I wouldn't have believed it. God provides for us as we need it and during that time He also used the challenges to strengthen my faith. For that I am very thankful.