The Scent of September

I knew as soon as I woke up this morning that this was going to be the day. One of my favorite things in this life is a cool fall day with the sun beaming orange and gold, the house clean and a delicious apple pie scented candle evoking warm feelings flickering in the background. I try not to think of the long winter months that follow. For now, I'm in love with this very day.
Last week was so busy. The first week of school. It seems that this year is going to be even more challenging than the years past. Having Bryan home is wonderful. Thing is, he cannot survive on PB&J's and baby carrots for lunch like the kids can. Now every meal needs to be a 4 star, hungry-man sized spread. Also, I can't do the "cram clean" like I would do when he had a 9-5 job. You know, when I would clean the house at 4:30 just in time for him to arrive home and act like it was clean all day. Yeah, the cat's out of the bag now. The house is a complete mess at 1pm. I admit it. And now someone besides me and the kids knows it.
I love homeschooling these kids and I pray that the Lord has me doing it for years to come. I just hope I can figure out how to be a 4 star chef and a white glove house keeper while still being the best teacher possible for my kids. Only God can work this kind of magic.

Whooping cough-6 months later

Well, it's been 6 months since we first got whooping cough. I can finally say, with confidence, that it's gone!! We went to the ocean last week and I haven't heard a single coughing fit since. THANK YOU LORD!
Ugh. What a year. He has turned my mourning into dancing, and girded me with gladness. This year was filled with trials for all of us. In hindsight, I wouldn't trade it for anything.
There were times when I thought my husband was going off the deep end. He was miserable at his job and his bosses were making his life a living hell. I had moments when I thought I could've lost my daughter and my mother.The kids got whooping cough and I was never more anguished than I was watching them suffer through that awful disease. At the same time I got the call from my dear mother who told me she had breast cancer. All this lead to my own moments of feeling like I was going off the deep end. But my God is faithful. We drew closer to Him than ever before. Praying in earnest everyday, all throughout the day. My kids got to see His abounding love and mercy in full throttle. And suddenly, one day, the blessings started pouring in through the cracks of our sinking ship. Now we are a healthy, cancer-free, pain-free, burden-free, happy family once again. Bryan is working from home so we are all together, everyday. Even though we don't deserve any of it, we are being blessed with time, money, joy, peace and health. All because He loves us more than our hearts can fathom. He held us up through the storm and now we are watching as he makes the flowers grow.
I love my God. And I am so not afraid to say it.

It's Official

It's official. God has given us everything we need right under our noses. As soon as I gave the kids that pine needle tea they were better. And those of us who drank it before we got any symptoms never got the flu at all. Praise God.
As far as whooping cough goes, it has been a long and miserable journey. At this point, even though we still have some bouts at night (especially Leah) we are dealing with it fine since we know we are almost at the absolute end. It has been 7 weeks of a awful time physically (including mom's cancer), but spiritually we have never been on our knees this much.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Tamiflu

I don't want to speak prematurely here, but I wanted to share this information (in case it is as helpful as it seems) with those of you who may be facing the flu.
The main, active ingredient in the antiviral drug that we have all heard about on the news called Tamiflu, is shikimic acid. Supposedly shikimic acid is found in large quantities in most of our backyards! Pine needles have a reportedly high content of vitamin C and shikimic acid. I read that the natives taught the European settlers to use pine needles to keep them from getting scurvy and other illnesses. Needless to say, once I read this I was off like Little Red Riding Hood gathering berries. Excitedly, I skipped through the yard clipping the newest sprouts off my yellow pine. I made a tea and forced it into my newest patients. Evan was almost done anyway with his flu symptoms so it's hard to say if it worked for him, but Kaiya seemed to recover quickly with a much less severe case once she drank the brew. I also had myself and the other children drink up. So far, so good. It has been about 3 days. We'll see how it goes!
NOTE: Do not drink or consume pine needles if you are (or might be) pregnant!!

My Mom's Cancer

None of us ever could've imagined my mom in this position. She's young, beautiful, active and seemingly healthy. Not what you would peg as a "cancer patient'. But I'm seeing that there is no physical characteristics that puts someone into that category. I mean consciously I knew that, but I am realizing that subconsciously I may have thought otherwise. Once again, I'm learning how naive I can be. I find myself looking at everyone around me wondering what type of cancer they have.
But I haven't let the enemy steal my hope completely on this one. I know that it is not an absolute fate of doom. Matthew 19:26. As I understand it, she has a noninvasive form of breast cancer. Which basically means it has not made it into her bloodstream (praise God!). They will obviously still need to do some undesirable procedures (surgery, radiation, tamoxifin), but she is in a good position as far as the "C" word goes. This type of cancer is almost always curable. And my God is ALWAYS good. So what more is there?

Thank You

Home-made meals, groceries, prayers, get-well cards, money, phone calls and emails. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful friends (you know who you are:). As Cody said, "How can we thank them?". We love you guys so very much. Can't wait to see you all.

Flu

Turns out none of us are "out of the woods". Seems we have a flu on top of this whooping cough. Unbelievable, I know. So far Bryan went down, Evan was next, and Kaiya is up at bat right now. She came down with it yesterday for her birthday. Not cool. Hoping I can keep the little ones from getting it. Especially since they are still fighting the whoop. I just hope that if the rest of us are gonna get it, we get it soon. Otherwise, we could be stuck in this house for another 5 weeks.

A Break in the Clouds

After 5 horrible weeks, things are finally looking up. Our friends have prayed us right on through. Bryan is feeling much better. He's not completely out of the woods, but he's able to stand at least. The kids had a great night last night. Not perfect, but good enough. As long as the Lord continues to have mercy on me and keep me protected from this awful illness, then we'll be done with this in no time. Now I just want to know that our friends the Slaughter's are through the toughest part with baby Eden, then there will be a definite break in the clouds.
Kaiya's 11th birthday is on Friday. She has been planning on a trip to the mall on Saturday for shopping and a movie with her and a few of her friends (and me, of course). I'm really hoping we'll be able to do that. I'm not a big mall person, but I'm looking forward to getting out of this 3 bedroom ranch for a few hours.
Tomorrow I go with mom for her MRI. I'm anxious, but hopeful. I am so in love with my God lately that I know that everything is going to be O.K. No matter what the MRI says. I honestly feel confident and peaceful about all this. Somehow.

We're Not Through

Bryan is having a really hard time tonight. Please pray for him. I feel so terrible that he is going through this. He needs some relief. Some peace enough that he can rest.

Too depressing

This blog started off as an attempt to keep friends up on the events in our lives. The kids growing, our businesses growing, our achievements and maybe a few pictures here and there. Right now it's nothing but bad news. Too depressing. So on a good note... the kids all are improving rapidly. Or at least we are on an up swing. Today is Cody's 8th birthday. So, although we are still confined to the house we plan to eat, play and be merry. Lego cake is about to go in the oven. Pictionary board is gonna go up and we're gonna party like we would if times were easy. Today is a good day. I insist.

Huh?

Was I dreaming or did my mom tell me she has breast cancer today.
I'm holding Proverbs 18:10 with white knuckles.
Father please
Mercy

January 13th

Last night was great. Only a few short bouts. One from Leah maybe 2 from Cody. They were short and tolerable in severity (when I say "bouts" I mean coughs with gasping and whooping).Evan and Kaiya are still doing great. Coughing but like Evan says "annoying but tolerable" coughing. I feel we are on the up and up! And it's only been 4 weeks which means we are actually doing much better than most! I know it is because of all of your prayers. Cody said (with tears in his eyes) "But how can we thank them?" I knew exactly what he meant.

January 12th

Leah had a wonderful night! Only 1 bout at around midnight. Unfortunately I can't say the same for Cody. Poor guy. I think I will also have him checked for asthma after this is over with. He seems to have constant breathing restrictions with this illness. And it sounds familiar. He has done this before.

Prayer

January 11th
I haven't written because I was waiting for some good news. Waiting has not always been an easy task for me. Especially when it involves seeing my kids healthy and happy. We were all like walking zombies yesterday morning. Matt Redman is playing throughout the house. Something is telling me I should go to church. I arrive at church and Rita and Ann pull me aside and pray with me almost before I get through the door. I love those ladies so much. Russ joins us and continues to pray with me. He gives me this scripture which will be what gets us through the night.
Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
I know as soon as he says it that it was all I needed to hear. My babies are safe. Ruth hugs me and lets me cry on her for a few minutes. I am so thankful for all these people. There is something to be said for fellowship and the power of prayer. I don't care what you think you believe. It's real and it's tangible stuff.
So needless to say, we had a better night than the last few. Almost total silence through the house the whole first half of the night. And the episodes that happened after that were short and few. Maybe 3 or 4 between both Leah and Cody. Today they are playing peacefully in their rooms with each other. Barbie's on one side, G.I.'s on the other. Sometimes I like to peek a listen just to bask in there normalness. I have never had so much thankfulness in my life.

January 8th

Well, if I'm being honest ...last night kinda sucked.She had a bout every other hour or so. As well as did Cody. Leah had more blood in her sputum today but I guess it is just broken capillaries in her poor, lil', precious throat. Still nothing a mom wants to see.:(
I can't believe I'm still well. That's gotta be God. Bryan has had a cold for the last week or two (Classic whooping cough is common cold for the first week or two then cough with paroxysmal cough). And now he says he has a little prickly feeling in his chest. Praying for him.

January 7

Last night was a small disappointment but still... I can't complain. Leah had a few whooping episodes. Cody a few. But overall we are definitely improving.It's amazing how you can get used to hearing your child gasp for air. Evan and Kaiya have been doing great. If it weren't for Cody and Leah I would've thought they just had a bad cough or bronchitis or something.I'm posting a LINK to a sound clip of a child with whooping cough but has no "whoop". Just FYI Underneath is a actual sound clip of Leah who has the classic "whoop". It's dreadful.
http://www.whoopingcough.net/Paroxysm.wav



Leah Age 5

January 6th
Last night was very interesting. We have started a few different home treatments. I've read studies about the effects of over saturation of Vitamin C on Pertussis. We are taking between 3-6 grams a day. That is a truck load of vit. C. We're also doing garlic on the feet (goot), Cod liver oil, Probiotics, Wild Cherry Bark and what seems to be the most important part ...
Drosera 30c (homeopathic).
I started Leah on Drosera and Cody on Spongia just to see which one seemed to work with this strain of disease. Drosera is coming out the winner by a landslide. Leah had a bout at about 10 pm and then not another till 6:30 am this morning. Cody on the other hand had about 6 episodes last night.

January 5th

I am amazed. Little Leah who has been the worst all along got through the night with only one episode. This is a 350 degree turn. Unbelievable. My God is so good. Unfortunately her ears are bothering her today. A common complication of whooping cough. So off to the Dr. again . Thankfully we get to see Dr. Malak,our beloved Doctor who we have been waiting for the last 2 1/2 weeks to see. He sat with us for about 20 minutes. Encouraging us. Giving us nutritional and alternative treatment ideas since there is no conventional medicine that can treat Pertussis. He looks in her ears and confirms that they are infected. Back on antibiotics we are.

January 4th

Everyone has been so wonderful. Between support, suggestions and prayer I am feeling optomistic. My pastor was planning on coming down with a bunch of elders to pray over the children. Good thing he called before they came or else the whole congregation could have been sick by Sunday. A darling friend of mine put out a mass email to a few homeschool forums. I can almost hear the prayers going up.

January 3rd 2010

I am just a wave of emotion at this point. My poor babies. Everything I read says this will go one for months. My dear friend Yasmine whose children are also stricken with this disease has a 3 month old baby. I am overwhelmed with concern for her baby as well. I put out a letter and plead for prayers and advice from friends.