Cooking and Hiking

Now...
If you know me personally, you know that I love to cook!  I had two of the best teachers in the world--my Mom and Grandma Riley.  I love this photo of my Mom caught making a mess with her absolutely delicious homemade bread!

Yes, that is bread dough on her glasses!

I don't have a picture of my Grandma Riley in action, but she worked in a tiny little kitchen, made the most amazing country meals and always hid the dessert in her pantry/laundry room.  My sister and I would sneak around to get a peek of what was to follow the meal so we would know how to pace our eating.  My personal favorite were the cupcakes with different color frosting.  I don't remember if she used a cake mix or if they were made from scratch, but it didn't really matter when they were topped with the colors of the rainbow!  At only 4'8", my Grandma Riley worked miracles in the kitchen.

Now that I have taken a walk down memory lane, here are the photos I planned to share today.  One of the adjustments that I've had to make on this journey with Lyme Disease is how I cook.  Robin's food allergy tests show that she is allergic to a number of foods that make it a challenge.  But, as the years go by, more and more food companies are developing products for those with food allergies.  We hope this will change as Robin's body heals, but currently she must eat gluten-free, dairy-free, egg free (we cheat of this) and NO mushrooms!  Some of our favorite recipes can be modified and not lose their appeal.  This is one of them - Watergate Salad.

The only substitute needed here is the Truwhip in place of Cool Whip.  Truwhip can be found at Whole Foods and Carly C's IGA in Raleigh.

And Then...
It is time to leave high school behind and move on with my story, but there are some very important events of Robin's senior year that are pertinent to the story.

I was your typical doting mother that year.  My youngest child was preparing to leave home for adventures unknown.  The last year of high school was busier than most as we determined to enjoy EVERY moment.  There were last volleyball games, last basketball games, last choir performances, last vocal competitions, last Junior/Senior Banquets, last chapel services and the list goes on and on! Finally, the end is in sight.  Final exams, Senior trip to NYC and then the one Senior year outing that has changed our lives, possibly, forever.

These three lovely ladies and their dads, went on a Father/Daughter outing.  It was just one night, but Robin was a tick magnet!  She remembers removing as many as twelve ticks after their hike.  We had no reason to panic.  She and David came home, we attended all the "last week of school" events--Baccalaureate, graduation, celebrations with family and friends.

And then, a week after the camping trip, Robin has an emotional and physical breakdown.  There are no rashes--just a low grade fever, pain and fatigue.  I did what any mother of an over-achiever, recent high school graduate would do.  I told Robin to go to bed and rest.  

I will stop here for now.  In my next post I will complete the triangle of events that put us on this journey.  There is one more component that may surprise you.

Testy Veins

Now...
Thanks for all the prayers today!  The IVP took longer than expected because Robin's veins would not cooperate with the nurses to start the IV.  After six attempts, they called in the IV Specialists who got it on the first try.  Next time I will inform them prior to the appointment that she will need the specialists.  Bless her heart!  She had little cotton swabs all over her arms when Ken and I went in to see her.

Her Lyme doctor should have the results of the test tomorrow and we will know for sure if she has kidney stones.

Also tomorrow, Robin begins a parasite protocol.  Her first drug is Biltricide.  She takes this for two days, targeting Schistosomiasis and blood flukes.  Biltricide is an anti-malarial drug.  When she has taken this class of drugs in the past, she's had some pretty severe reactions.  We are preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best!

Robin's spirits were good when I left her today.  She is very tired from today's "outing" and a little nervous about tomorrow, but hopeful that this will be the protocol that gets her over the hump and moving forward to better health.

And Then...
Tonight, I find myself sifting through a multitude of photos, both digital and snapshots.  I want to linger here for a while and remember the good times.  They were such good times!

NYC - Senior Trip

A Quiet Day Remembering Some VERY Busy Days

Now...
We've had a quiet day today.  Robin is prepping for the IVP tomorrow, so no solid food for her.  I usually don't see her on Sundays.  David and I try to give them as much privacy as possible on the week-ends.  But, yesterday, we surprised her with a new desk for the craft room.  She was up and moving around while we were there even though she was in a great deal of pain.  Her special friend, Kristin, was planning to come over for pizza, but Robin cancelled because of her pain level.  

I have to give a shout out to our son-in-law, Ken.  He makes Robin a gluten-free pizza, which is more time consuming than just opening a frozen pizza and throwing it in the oven.  Food preparation for a Lyme patient takes time and money.  Robin has developed food allergies and sensitivities due to the numerous infections and parasites in her body.  Ken goes the extra mile for his bride and does it with such a sweet spirit.  I think we'll keep him!

While they were eating pizza, Robin had a pain attack.  This starts with her eyes going into a blank stare and then she falls out of her chair (Ken is quick to catch her).  Once on the floor her whole body begins to shake and the pain is unbearable.  When the worst has passed, she and Ken lie on the floor and sing one of their favorite Christian songs.  

The first time I witnessed this, I was sobbing by the end of the song.  Worshipping her God, in the midst of her pain, as her mother's heart breaks and melts at the same time.  Some have asked how we hold up watching our child in such pain.  You just hold on and glory in the miracle of seeing that child praise God through her suffering.

Pray for Robin tomorrow.  Her procedure is at 10:00.  

And Then...
I have been reading through my prayer journals from 2006-2007 to help me remember what was happening in our lives during that time.  Our oldest child was testing us on every front and Robin's sports schedule and social calendar kept us hopping. David and I were both serving in several ministries of our church.  We were busy! Most of my written prayer requests concerned our son.  My requests for Robin were that she would seek God's wisdom in choosing a college, for her heart and mind to be open to do God's will no matter where He called her, for safety on the road. 

In August of 2006, my entries changed.  I was praying for Robin's health - but nothing specific is mentioned.  Her first symptoms were neck pain and stomach problems.  Her book bag weighed a ton, and she played sports with such vigor.  We attributed the neck pain to this and a slight case of scoliosis.  She started seeing our chiropractor, but the pain did not get better.  He adjusted her, x-rayed, adjusted some more, but finally told us there was nothing else he could do for her.  

We took her to see a general practitioner concerning the neck pain and the stomach issues.  This doctor's response, after examining our daughter, was "I can't see anything to be concerned about.  Why don't you try cutting anything white from your diet." By this time, Robin is beginning to feel like no one believes her.  David and I are thinking that she is too busy and just needs to slow down and all these maladies will go away. 

Robin is not a quitter.  Not then and not now.  She saw the bigger picture - graduate from high school, go to college, serve the LORD where ever He calls, never give up, never quit.

Good, Better, Best

Never Let It Rest

Til Your Good

Is Better

And Your Better

Best

This was Robin's attitude as she began her final year of high school.  She would lay aside every weight, and run her race with patience. Her doctors said she was fine.  Her parents said to just slow down.  But Robin knew something wasn't right. Nevertheless, she pressed on.

Fall 2006

I Would Like to Introduce You to Our Daughter

Now...
Before I continue with my story, I want to divide my posts into two sections.  Many of you will want to know how Robin is feeling today--right now.  So, I will give a brief update at the beginning of each post until I complete the background information of our journey.  I am not sure how long it will take for me to catch up to the present, so bear with me, please.

Currently, Robin is preparing for the start of a parasite protocol.  She was to begin this regimen on June 29th, but her doctor called on June 24th to tell her that she had a UTI.  All treatment for Lyme and co-infections are on hold until she finishes the antibiotic to fight the UTI.  She finished this on Friday, so on Monday, we pick up where we left off.  She has an IVP scheduled for Monday morning to check for kidney stones.  On Tuesday, she will begin the parasite protocol.  I will write more about that on Tuesday.

We must have something to focus on other than Lyme Disease.  In April of 2013, Robin and I opened The Rounded Corner.  You will learn more about our Etsy store in future posts, but today I want to share a picture of an order we finished this week.  Creating beautiful cards is good therapy for someone facing long, sleepless nights and never ending pain.

And Then...

As the title of my post promises, I want to introduce you to our daughter, Robin.  For family and long-time friends who may be reading this, I hope you will not think too harshly of me for boasting about the precious gift God gave us on January 28, 1989.  From birth, she has been a joy to our family.  She has been our stabilizer when relationships were unraveling.  She has been our comedian when laughter had escaped our home.  She has been our strength when there were tough jobs to do.  Athlete, musician, leader and friend - Robin's list of qualities goes on and on!  Healthy and strong in mind, body and spirit!

The trip to Honduras that I mentioned in my last post, occurred the summer before Robin's Senior year of high school.  Today I am sharing some photos from her Junior year, before her health started to decline.

Robin is on the right.  Celebrating Kristin's 16th birthday!

Playing with intensity!

Fun with cousins at Christmas!

Vacationing at Myrtle Beach

Helping around the house.

Homecoming Representative for her Junior class.

Marshall for graduation ceremony.

I apologize for so many pictures.  This is going to be harder than I thought.  Going through old photos reminds me of how vibrant and outgoing Robin was before she became ill.  

Chronicles of our Journey with Lyme Disease

Cool photo, huh?  That's my daughter, Robin on the right, hamming it up with her friend Ashley during a missions trip to Honduras back in 2006.  This picture marks the beginning of a long and horrifying journey for Robin.  A carefree, godly young woman started a downward spiral beginning with this day of her life.

After returning from the fun outing of climbing behind the waterfall in order to jump into the pool of water below,  Robin started running a fever and was not able to participate in the evening activities.  She rested and upon waking, discovered a rash on her face and abdomen.  The trip was almost over.  Everyone was tired and ready to come home.  Robin pulled it together, packed up and was ready when their airport transportation arrived.

She had an amazing time while in Honduras.  I wasn't with her, so I can only recount the stories that have been told to me.  I believe these pictures tell the story much better than words--

Sharing the Gospel, playing with the children, participating in the worship services and having fun--Robin loves the LORD and it shows in everything she does.

After this trip, though, her life slowly began to change.  I want--I need--to share her story with everyone I can reach through this blog, Facebook and Pinterest.  I have learned in the last two years, that it is the story of many people.  It must be told so that those who are suffering as she has, can get help before it is too late.

Robin has Chronic Lyme Disease.  In the weeks ahead, I will share our journey.  It is a spiritual journey.  It has been a long, hard journey.  And the journey is far from over!

Looking for Spring

"Old Man Winter" has made another visit to us here in North Carolina.  Cold rain and sleet kept me home yesterday as the roads were covered with black ice. I hope and pray that this was our last blast of winter weather.

Today I want to share my card for the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge.

I used Soho Subway designer series paper from Stampin' Up along with the Clockworks and One in a Million stamp sets.

TGIF!

Yes, it is FRIDAY!  Since September 2013, my days have just run together. Hubby was laid off from his job and we took the time to practice "retirement".  We stayed so busy with household projects that had been put off for way too long.  By January, we were on top of it and wondering what we should do next.  That is when he got the call to return to work!  This week was his first week back in the office.  We have adapted quite well and I must say that it is easier to keep up with what day it is!

So, in keeping with the "challenging" life I have been leading.....I have a challenge card for you today.  This one is from the Card Concept.  My card was done in the Clean and Layering Style.

The challenge was to use a floral theme.  Here are the Stampin' Up products that I used:

Field Flowers Stamp Set

Simply Sketched Stamp Set

Bella Rose Designer Paper

Riding Hood Red Cardstock

Banners Framelits