Several of you have let me know that you really want to know, so I'll try to give a general update. 

The girls are great.  We've had a wonderful start to the school year, despite the construction.  The interruptions provide just enough incentive without being too distracting.  We're seeing them become wonderful friends for each other as they've gotten older.  They're still so much fun! 

Construction is going well also.  We had a few weeks of outside work while we waited on a bathtub.  It was well timed and provided the perfect opportunity to regroup.  I'm holding up amazingly well (lost it only once!) - and yes, it's messy.  I've figured out a few temporary systems for staying on top of the essentials and have been able to keep my perspective and patience thus far.  The rest of this week and next will be devoted to drywalling (and cleaning).  When our builder returns, he will finish the lower level, inxlusing the carpet and bath.  At that point, the girls and I will have an entire level of peace and sanity (relative, of course) to ourselves.  I'm just a tad excited about that.  Our builder will finish the main floor and upstairs as time allows, taking a break when the kitchen is ready.  That will be the last big hurdle and as much as I'm not looking forward to it, I'll be glad when it's over.  We knew the kitchen was junk when we bought the house, but somehow our "in five years" was turning into nine.  I *think* I'm glad we're pushing ahead now.  The house is already a mess. 

With construction, time has been moving swiftly, but things are still one day at a time as far as how I'm doing.  I have recovered the strength to do normal tasks, though at a slower pace.  After last winter, I'm very thankful to be washing our dishes!   I completed a bunch of testing a few weeks ago and was given a diagnosis.  We're hoping I can get by without the treatment recommended by my ENT and pulmonologist (tons of steroids and a surgery that would likely need to be repeated several times - um, no thanks).  For those who've asked, I have a symptom set that is called Samter's Triad.  I've probably had this underlying susceptibility throughout my life, but it flared when challenged by the severe upper respiratory illness I picked up at the hospital last winter.  My CT scan showed 100% blockage of all but one of my sinus cavities.  That other one was blocked 96%.  That is likely why I can no longer sing (well), why I can't smell or taste, and why I've had no improvement with medication.  The blockage is supposedly polyps and those polyps cause the breathing problems, which they now believe are asthma.  I noticed last winter that an ibuprofen brought on immediate, severe breathing diffiiculties, so NSAID allergy is likely a factor.   We'll be tackling this from several angles once construction ends.  In the meantime, we're hoping for a calm winter health-wise.  A decrease in sinus pain without surgery would be wonderful.  I want to sing again more than I want to smell or taste, but we'll see... 

Dan had patient appreciation week this week - saw 110 people today (thud!). 

Posted by Anonymous

So sorry to hear about the health issues and woes! No fun at all! Hang in there!!!! God works best in giving strength in our weakness!

Langhaven

Posted by fourjewels

Thank you for the encouragement, Pam. I know you understand. One day at a time with hope and by His grace is my theme right now.

Richest blessings to your week!