Update 11 29 2010

Good evening!  It is finally getting cold here again (-20) and I still have plenty to do outside and under the trailer.  Classic Alaskan project timeline of course! I finally got the sheetrock up in Emily's room.  Now to do the finish work. 

We are hanging in there.  My lungs aren't improving much but I have an appointment tomorrow for some tests.  Still have lots to do around the house so I am hoping that my lungs decide to heal. If that's the problem.  Leila isn't showing any real improvement yet and is having nausea in the mornings.  The kids are doing okay.  The great news is that Emily had a couple of really good days!  For a few days last week, the real, bright and shining Emily came out and it was fun for everyone! 

I may have mentioned earlier that people with chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia are subject to having flare-ups and increased symptoms when under stress.  Given the stress we are under, it is a miracle that Leila is able to function at all!  Financial stress is great right now.  Also, the loss of friends over the years due to health issues and the lack of meaningful relationships weighs heavily on Leila.  The losses our kids have experienced, especially Emily and Kevin, are also great. 

In terms of financial stress, we have no idea how we are going to make it through the winter and keep our house except that God promises to be with us.  A few sources of expected money (promised paperwork for reimbursements, etc.) have not materialized or the door has been closed.  Our credit card debt which was already high due to special needs, has doubled and is an unbelievable burden.  Dave Ramsey and others preach elimination of debt and restricted use of credit cards.  Clearly, the Bible teaches use of credit is a bondage and that is exactly what we feel right now but what does one do?  If you don't buy the special foods, someone goes without or eats a toxin.  If we don't buy fuel. our house freezes.  This situation appears to be very common for families with serious health issues, a group to which we have belonged for a long time.  With gas over $3.50 a gallon and heating oil following suit, we are needing to really stretch our dollars!

Leila and I are working to give all this to God and let Him take over.  Unlike promises made by humans that are subject to change, God's promises are always kept!  More importantly, Leila and Emily are particularly susceptible to stress so we need to let things go to help them avoid the negative affects of stress.  I suspect that the stress I've experienced over the years (much related to health stuff) has probably stripped 10 or more years off my life.  I'm sure that we will make it just fine but things will need to be very tight. In light of how specific situations have worked out, we believe that God is truly wanting us to depend fully on Him and that He will provide.  We look forward to what He is going to do. The Bible says our God is a big God.  Well, we get to see Him at work for us this year.

Thanksgiving

For those who aren't in Fairbanks, we have enjoyed a WHOLE week off from school due to an ice storm.  Warm weather plus moisture has created a lot of rain, icy roads, and closed schools.  All of us are enjoying the week off! 

We have a lot to be thankful for!  As I've posted, our biggest relief was for tests to show our air was within normal boundaries. I can't say that we are noticing any real improvements yet but that will take time.  However, we are noticing that a few direct symptoms have been reduced.  For example, since I cleared the mildewed closet shelf out of our bedroom, my headaches have been minor.  I normally get a few headaches with weather changes but I haven't been getting any headaches other than that!  The indirect symptoms of mold toxicity will take time but at least we are on the path to healing. 

We are thankful for Andrea Fabry's website that has been so helpful for Leila.  Leila was just this morning watching a video on healthy cooking related to mold recovery.  There is so much there.

We are thankful for all the people who assisted us in various ways this summer. Thanks to those who helped with our house and in other ways!  Your support has been appreciated.

We are thankful for Arny's job at the University. The position has the flexibility for Arny to be availability to help Leila when she isn't feeling good and when Arny isn't doing well.

We are thankful for our family!  This week has been fun so far and it is a reminder of the blessing of a family.

We are thankful to God for providing for our needs and getting us through this year.  There are many challenges facing us next year and we look forward to how God will deliver us.

Mr. Smiley, the melting snowman.  He was quite cheery but now he is less pleased with the warm weather and rain.  A vacation in Antarctica may be just the thing he needs!

Flooring almost down and few headaches!

Well, I got sheetrock up on about 1/2 of Emily's room this weekend and with cousin Paul's help, most of the flooring down in the hall and living room.  Have about 1/3 of the floor left in the living room.  Thank you Paul!

It feels awesome to be able to breathe and get some chores done!  The doctor put me on a steroid to calm the inflammation and that seems to finally be helping.  Even better, since I removed the moldy stuff out of our bedroom 2 weeks ago, my headaches have been fewer and much less intense!

Erika scored a personnel best in rifle, a score of 450, this weekend.  She has been struggling with weakness this semester so this is exciting. 

Leila has been struggling the last few weeks.  Morning naseau, weakness, etc.  Each day continues to be a struggle but God's grace helps her through.

Emily has up and down days.  Part of chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia is an inability to handle stress and Leila and Emily struggle with that daily.  Emily and Jordan found the heiroglyphics of R2D2 and C3PO in the Raiders of the Lost Ark movie.

The kids love the new floor because it is slick and therefore fun.  Guess I'd better put the emergency room on speed dial...