Hello friends!
Oh how I have missed blogging! While I was writing the book, I didn't have the ability to also write the blog. Then, I started a new job and let the busyness of the day stop me from writing. Now that I am getting settled into my new role, I am looking forward to getting back to writing.
I am also excited to share that www.godsfertileground.com is live! Over the weekend, I will update this site and start blogging from there, soon!
I look forward to our continued conversations on this new site.
Many blessings & much love!
Jenn
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Monday, December 21, 2015
An Everyday Miracle is Published!
I am so very thankful for each and every one of you who have been with us on this journey. You have logged in, you have read the updates, and you have prayed. And, we asked you to pray for so many things this year. Please know how much we appreciate your prayers & support!
God has provided so very much this year:
- Paul is stable. His kidneys found their new normal. While it isn't complete healing, it is good enough for all of us. He will remain in Stage 3 chronic kidney disease. That said, he will manage it with diet, exercise, and a low does ACE-inhibitor. Praise Jesus!
- I continue to be cancer-free! I will go back for my next visit in early January, but for now, there is much to celebrate there!
- The children are all doing well in school and sports (and Sarah looking forward to school next year). They are thankful that we have had the past several months together as a family - with no one sick and no one traveling for work.
- The book is published! I am overwhelmingly thankful for everyone's prayers and support during that process. It was more than just writing a book. This was personal and it was healing. We have been through so very much. Writing this allowed me to see all the blessings we missed during the struggles. Praising God for giving me the courage!
Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/An-Everyday-Miracle-impossible-possible/dp/1491781165
While I am not sure what God has in store for us for 2016, I pray we can continue to be patient in the process and obedient to His Directions.
One thing I do know - this blog will be moving! We are working on an updated site (godsfertileground.com) that should be up early next year. I am thankful for my friend who is helping me with the transition. I look forward to getting back to weekly updates - and possibly adding video blogging (or v-logging) into the mix. I will add another update when that is live.
Until then, from our family to yours - we wish you the most blessed Christmas and a happy & healthy 2016!
God has provided so very much this year:
- Paul is stable. His kidneys found their new normal. While it isn't complete healing, it is good enough for all of us. He will remain in Stage 3 chronic kidney disease. That said, he will manage it with diet, exercise, and a low does ACE-inhibitor. Praise Jesus!
- I continue to be cancer-free! I will go back for my next visit in early January, but for now, there is much to celebrate there!
- The children are all doing well in school and sports (and Sarah looking forward to school next year). They are thankful that we have had the past several months together as a family - with no one sick and no one traveling for work.
- The book is published! I am overwhelmingly thankful for everyone's prayers and support during that process. It was more than just writing a book. This was personal and it was healing. We have been through so very much. Writing this allowed me to see all the blessings we missed during the struggles. Praising God for giving me the courage!
Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/An-Everyday-Miracle-impossible-possible/dp/1491781165
While I am not sure what God has in store for us for 2016, I pray we can continue to be patient in the process and obedient to His Directions.
One thing I do know - this blog will be moving! We are working on an updated site (godsfertileground.com) that should be up early next year. I am thankful for my friend who is helping me with the transition. I look forward to getting back to weekly updates - and possibly adding video blogging (or v-logging) into the mix. I will add another update when that is live.
Until then, from our family to yours - we wish you the most blessed Christmas and a happy & healthy 2016!
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Book is done - An Everyday Miracle!
Hallelujah & Amen! I am so overwhelmingly thankful to be able to share that the book is at the publisher.
Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me along the way. It was more difficult than I anticipated. I took time to process each part of the journey. Some were easier than others. So, while it was difficult, it was also healing. I know I still have some work to do to truly heal from all we have been through. I continue to pray for that. And, I know God will see me / us through this, too!
The book is titled, An Everday Miracle. I still hope it will be out before Christmas. As soon as I know of a launch date, I will post it.
In the book, you will see many of the posts written during the journey - but it is much more than that. The book includes the rest of the story. It will have pictures that were not posted. It includes some of the scariest moments of our lives - the things I wasn't ready to post at the time. It illustrates just how dependent I was on God for every breath. Praise Him!
As we get closer to launch, I will be moving this blog to my own personal website: godsfertileground.com. A friend is helping me build it now. More to come on that soon, too!
Please know how thankful we are for each and every one of you!
Heavenly Father,
I come to You in Thanksgiving today and always! Thank you for providing me this outlet to process what we have been through and share the experience with others! Thank you for giving me the courage to step out on faith to write this book. I do pray this book will glorify You!
Father - please continue to heal our hearts and minds. Please keep our focus on You. I know You have given each of us specific gifts to use for the benefit of Your Work. Please help us to see the work You have planned for us, and give us the courage to be obedient to that calling.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
Thursday, July 2, 2015
July 2nd - 4:13
To most people, today just seems like an ordinary day.
- It's a Thursday - mid week - nothing special
- It's near a holiday, but it's not the holiday
- It's the 2nd day of the month - not the beginning or the end
- It's not a pay-day
To us, today is a very special day for two reasons:
- Today is 4 months & 13 days from the day Paul was admitted to the hospital
- Today is 4 days before our 13 year wedding anniversary
And, you might recall, one of my favorite Bible verses is:
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV):
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Four months & 13 days ago, I had no idea what the next day would hold. All I had was faith, and that was all I needed. I cried out to God and prayed for Him to heal Paul. Each day, I watched monitors and engaged a community through social media to please pray for the healing of my husband. I asked everyone to please pray boldly, to believe that God could and would provide this miracle.
Four months & 13 days ago, I had to rely on that verse because I couldn't breathe, I couldn't stand, I couldn't speak without the Strength of Christ. He was there with me, with Paul, with all of us as we prayed for Paul's healing. I can think of that verse in the opposite - I would not have been able to do anything without Christ who strengthened me throughout that journey.
Each day, God strengthened us by showing us something to keep us hopeful and prayerful. Some might have missed it, but He helped us to see the improvements. He had us focus on what we could see, while He did the work inside. He guided the doctors and nurses to make the right decisions to allow Paul to continue to improve, to continue to heal. He wove this beautiful tapestry of people, medicines, time and prayer in the healing of Paul.
Four months and 13 days later, Paul is here with us. He is close to completely healed (possibly as close as he will be) and back in his rightful place as the head of our family. What a miraculous 4 months & 13 days! Praise God!
In four days, we will celebrate our 13 year anniversary. We have so much very to celebrate, so very much to be thankful for, so very much to thank God for! And, I will pray that we have many more anniversaries together! If we have 4 more 13 year anniversaries (4x13), that will be our 65th! Now, that's something to look forward to!
Father,
By Your Strength and Your Strength alone was I able to even breathe 4 months & 13 days ago. You breathed for me. You made me stand. You gave me the strength to handle all that was in front of me, and provided the people here on Earth to help me through it. I read a t-shirt this week that said it all:
God doesn't give us what we can handle. God helps us handle what we are given.
Amen! While I know You didn't make any of that happen, You did help us through it. Praise You for all You did to make Paul's healing a reality! What a true miracle!
I love You, I praise You, I thank You!
In Jesus' Name,
Amen!
Paul: June 22nd Labs
Sorry for the delay in sending this. We have had a great deal going on the last 2 weeks, lots of family and friends around. Lots to do with my new adventure. Lots to finish with the book. Regardless, I am truly sorry for not keeping this community up to date on Paul's progress.
We received the lab results back on 6/25. And...they are stable. I know I keep putting my hopes of his kidneys being completely healed into those labs. So, when they come back and are not perfect, I can get deflated.
There should be NO deflated here. NO sadness. NO disappointment.
God has already moved mountains & parted seas in the healing of Paul. He saved him from what most thought was certain death. I sometimes joke with friends and say
"God sneezed and Paul lived. That was how easy it was for Him. Saving Paul was
"An Everyday Miracle" that God provided."
That is the working title for the book - An Everyday Miracle. And, Paul is living proof of the everyday miracles that God continues to provide for all of us to see that He is a Loving-God, a Living-God, an All-Powerful-God.
So, Paul's labs aren't perfect. That's okay, because Paul being here with us is perfect! And, while I will still hope and pray for his kidneys to completely heal, where he is right now is perfect.
And - thank you to all of you for your love, support, and prayers! You are all a part of this healing. I hope you have taken this miracle with you. You witnessed it. You saw it with your own eyes. And, if God can do that, just imagine what He can do in your life...if you let Him.
Heavenly Father,
I am forever grateful for all the blessing You have provided in our lives. While I can see so many, I also know that I miss so many. So many things I take for granted that You have had a hand in making happen for our family, friends, and for me personally.
Father, I thank You for all the healing You have provided for Paul. While I still pray for complete healing, I ask that You help me to be fully thankful for all You have done, and not put my wants / wishes / prayers ahead of Your will. Please help me to always be thankful with what You have already done, and not focused on what is potentially yet to come.
You continue to allow us to witness Your Work, Your Everyday Miracles, so we can truly see that You are an Ever-Living God. I pray You please help me finish the book in a way that honors You, and helps others to see You through Your healing of Paul. Thank You for giving me the opportunity to share it!
In Jesus' Name,
Amen!
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Day One of the Best of My Life
Wow! What a year it has been! There truly aren't words to fully describe what all has happened - and as a writer, that says a lot!
But, here we are. We have made it. Paul has made it. And June 16th was my last official day at Pfizer.
So, now what? What am I going to do? What are we going to do? What's next?
I am happy to share that I have made several very clear decisions that I feel God has guided me to make at this time:
1 - I obviously decided not to stay with Pfizer is 6/16 was my last day. It was a difficult decision as that was all I have known for the past 16+ years. Pfizer took a chance on me when I was right out of college with very little experience, but a lot of potential. They helped me to spread my wings, try new things, and grow both personally and professionally. I have made so many great friends there, and I will forever be grateful for all of them! All that said, I felt like it was time to go. So, while I will no longer be working there, I know I will stay connected with the amazing people I have had the honor & pleasure to work with!
2 - I am nearly done with the book. My hope was to finish it by the end of May, which is now the end of June. I didn't realize just how tough it would be to put all of what happened into words. It has been very helpful for me to deal with a lot of things I had been blocking. I look forward to sharing that with everyone - hopefully by the end of the year. I have decided to self-publish. While I could have gone to a traditional publisher, I wanted at least this first copy to be my words, my experience, my voice. We will see if it goes anywhere else. Either way, I am just thankful for the time to write this out, to deal with the emotions of this year, and to hopefully share this journey with others that might benefit from the experience.
3 - I have also decided to not jump back into full-time Corporate America work right away. I am hoping to take these next 6-9 months to learn, grow and develop myself. I want to work on projects that are meaningful for individuals and organizations. And, I truly feel like God has provided the path to make this happen. So, next week, I will be signing papers to open an LLC, and I have a couple of projects already in the works. While I don't know that this will be a forever job, I am happy that it is a "for now" opportunity.
I am truly thankful for the time I have had to spend with Paul and the itty-bittys. I love our family, and am so grateful for each day we get to spend together. After everything we have been through, we are truly aware that tomorrow is not guaranteed. Praising God for allowing us this great quality time together - and for keeping us focused on each other. We didn't just jump back into old routines, we are creating new ones - more together ones, more loving ones, more thankful ones.
All of this reminds me of a song by Matthew West - Day One:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq2Tp3asLU8
I am starting over. We are starting over as a family. We are keeping the good and adjusting the not so good. We are so very thankful for each moment we get to have together. And, we are excited about the future plans God has for each of us individually and as a family.
Heavenly Father,
My heart and soul are overflowing with thankfulness for all You have provided! You have provided so many miracles in the healing of Paul, in the healing of me, and keeping us focused on You and Your promises.
Jeremiah 29:11 (GNB) - I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.
Father, I pray that You help keep us focused on Your plans for us - individually and as a family. And, when the world tells us we should be doing something different, help us to stay in complete connection with You, Your will, Your plan and Your timing. You have saved us and kept us together for a reason. We know You have a plan. And I look forward to seeing what You have in store for us!
In Jesus' Name,
Amen!
But, here we are. We have made it. Paul has made it. And June 16th was my last official day at Pfizer.
So, now what? What am I going to do? What are we going to do? What's next?
I am happy to share that I have made several very clear decisions that I feel God has guided me to make at this time:
1 - I obviously decided not to stay with Pfizer is 6/16 was my last day. It was a difficult decision as that was all I have known for the past 16+ years. Pfizer took a chance on me when I was right out of college with very little experience, but a lot of potential. They helped me to spread my wings, try new things, and grow both personally and professionally. I have made so many great friends there, and I will forever be grateful for all of them! All that said, I felt like it was time to go. So, while I will no longer be working there, I know I will stay connected with the amazing people I have had the honor & pleasure to work with!
2 - I am nearly done with the book. My hope was to finish it by the end of May, which is now the end of June. I didn't realize just how tough it would be to put all of what happened into words. It has been very helpful for me to deal with a lot of things I had been blocking. I look forward to sharing that with everyone - hopefully by the end of the year. I have decided to self-publish. While I could have gone to a traditional publisher, I wanted at least this first copy to be my words, my experience, my voice. We will see if it goes anywhere else. Either way, I am just thankful for the time to write this out, to deal with the emotions of this year, and to hopefully share this journey with others that might benefit from the experience.
3 - I have also decided to not jump back into full-time Corporate America work right away. I am hoping to take these next 6-9 months to learn, grow and develop myself. I want to work on projects that are meaningful for individuals and organizations. And, I truly feel like God has provided the path to make this happen. So, next week, I will be signing papers to open an LLC, and I have a couple of projects already in the works. While I don't know that this will be a forever job, I am happy that it is a "for now" opportunity.
I am truly thankful for the time I have had to spend with Paul and the itty-bittys. I love our family, and am so grateful for each day we get to spend together. After everything we have been through, we are truly aware that tomorrow is not guaranteed. Praising God for allowing us this great quality time together - and for keeping us focused on each other. We didn't just jump back into old routines, we are creating new ones - more together ones, more loving ones, more thankful ones.
All of this reminds me of a song by Matthew West - Day One:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq2Tp3asLU8
I am starting over. We are starting over as a family. We are keeping the good and adjusting the not so good. We are so very thankful for each moment we get to have together. And, we are excited about the future plans God has for each of us individually and as a family.
Heavenly Father,
My heart and soul are overflowing with thankfulness for all You have provided! You have provided so many miracles in the healing of Paul, in the healing of me, and keeping us focused on You and Your promises.
Jeremiah 29:11 (GNB) - I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.
Father, I pray that You help keep us focused on Your plans for us - individually and as a family. And, when the world tells us we should be doing something different, help us to stay in complete connection with You, Your will, Your plan and Your timing. You have saved us and kept us together for a reason. We know You have a plan. And I look forward to seeing what You have in store for us!
In Jesus' Name,
Amen!
Friday, May 29, 2015
May 29th Update
UPDATE:
Thank you all for your prayers & support these 3 1/2 months. It is hard to believe that it has been that long - and hard to believe that it has only been that long. Please know that we couldn't have done any of this without each one of you!
Here is the update on Paul:
Kidneys - we were so thankful to get the lab report in early May seeing the progression of Paul's kidneys. They were moving in the right direction and we had one of the three labs finally in the normal range. With that in mind, we were prayerful that the labs Paul had done on Tuesday would show he was back in the normal range in either two - or all three labs.
When we received the lab report yesterday, that was not the case. While we haven't seen a dramatic slide, we also didn't see any improvement. Here are the detail:
Creatnine - up slightly from 1.8 to 1.83 (normal is 0.8-1.5)
GFR - down slightly from 46 to 45 (normal is >60)
BUN - up slightly from 24 to 27 (normal is 8-26)
While one lab test does not make a trend, it does help us to realize that Paul's kidneys are not fully healed and he needs to continue to watch his diet and exercise. This will help his kidneys not need to work so hard and allow them more time to heal. His next lab draw is June 22nd. Please keep praying for complete healing of his kidneys.
I also thank you all of your prayers for me. I received my labs back on Wednesday, and my tests were all clear. I will need to go back every 6 months for 3 years before I will be truly considered cured. Just so very thankful for that positive news!
We truly thank you for your prayers & support. Please know how much we love you & appreciate everything!
Friday, May 15, 2015
Soul Spa - Collecting God's Miracles!
I was honored today to be asked to speak at the 2nd
Soul Spa Sisterhood Retreat, and to share God’s story of healing Paul. What is so amazing about the opportunity is
that the verse chosen for Soul Spa is:
Mark 6:31 (NIV):
“…Come with Me by yourself to a quiet place and get some
rest.”
Right after that verse, Jesus performs the miracle of
multiplication – feeding 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish. But the miracle doesn’t stop there. He then asks the disciples to collect the
broken pieces – and those broken pieces fill 12 basketfuls!
Here is how it connects – the disciples were collecting that miracle and taking that with them as a reminder of what had just happened. And, I believe we are meant to collect the
miracles in our lives – to see them, hold them, and share them with
others.
God’s healing of Paul is a miracle! There are no other words to describe what God
did. It is a miracle. And, I just feel so compelled to share His
story – almost like walking through the time of Jesus and seeing the miracles
He performed. People couldn’t keep it
in. He would ask them to not tell
anyone, but how could they do that? How
could they keep this to themselves? They
needed to share it. And, that is exactly
how I feel.
I do not know why God chose us for this. I think about the Francesca Battistelli song
– He Knows My Name. Here is the starting of the song:
“Spent today in a conversation
In the mirror face to face with
Somebody less than perfect
I wouldn’t choose me first if
I was looking for a champion
In fact I’d understand if
You picked everyone before me
But that’s just not my story
True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing.”
The blessing is that I get to share God’s story of healing
Paul. I get to share His words and His
healing. I get to share His story. And, truly, I don’t feel worthy.
As I shared His story today, I am so thankful
He gave me the words to say. He helped
me remember the parts of the story that would be impactful to others. He helped me stay strong, even as I was
sharing the most difficult times of our life so far.
Heavenly Father,
I praise Your glorious
name! I come to You in thanksgiving
today for providing Your words and Your strength for the discussion today at
Soul Spa. I pray that the women that heard
Your story of healing Paul will be able to see both that miracle, and the
additional miracles You have provided in their lives.
While the outcome for
Paul is nearly complete healing, that is not always Your answer to prayer. We know Your greatness is not tied to an
outcome. Your greatness is ALWAYS! You provide miracles each and every day. My prayer today is that we can all see the
miracles You provide and share them and Your words with others, so that we can
multiply the members of Your church.
Father, I am not sure
what You have in store for me next. I
pray for peace in the process. I pray
for my obedience to Your will and Your plan for me and for our family.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen!
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Paul: 5/12 Update
UPDATE:
What a few weeks it has been! We have been away visiting family & friends the last two weekends and watching Paulie play baseball. It has been fun, and has kept us somewhat busy - helping to keep our minds off the next sets of labs.
Paul went in yesterday to get his labs. Praise The Lord - the labs all came back improved!
Kidneys:
Creatnine - down to 1.80 from 2.19 (close to normal of 0.6-1.5)
BUN - 24, which is NORMAL!!!!!
GFR - up to 46 from 36. Normal is above 60, but remember it was 8 in the hospital.
Diet - While all of the labs relating to his diet look good, he has put on 14lbs in the past 6 weeks. The doctor was a bit concerned (as I have been) about the weight gain. While the lab numbers alleviated some of the concern, he told Paul that the extra weight will continue to delay the healing of the kidneys - makes them work harder. He would really like Paul to be closer to 200lbs. The good news is that he is only 219, so that isn't too far to go. And, I know that Paul can & will do it!
Strength - Paul has been back playing basketball 2-3x per week and has golfed the last 2 weekends. He notices that it takes him a little longer to loosen up than before, but once loose, he feels closer to the way he felt before all of this began.
With the travel, we have had the opportunity to see many people who have been praying for Paul through this entire journey. It is an amazing sight to see him looking so good compared to how sick he was. You can see the tears in many people's eyes as they are sharing their joy for his recovery. It is a truly remarkable story of God's healing power! Truly, we cannot thank everyone enough for all you have done to both pray for healing & strength. We have felt so completely surrounded with love & prayers.
As for me...
The book is coming along. I'm still hoping to have the first draft done by the end of the month. Might end up being the first of June. We will see where that goes...
This Friday, I am blessed to have the opportunity to share this story at the Soul Spa Sisterhood Retreat. What a blessing it will be to share God's miraculous work in the healing of Paul! I'm nervous & excited. I am praying God gives me the words to share His Story.
As for work, I am finishing up my last few weeks with Pfizer. It has been a true blessing to have worked for such a great organization for the past 16+ years. And, I am thankful to have had the opportunity to effectively transition the projects I had been working on to others who can take the reins. I will also have the opportunity to speak at an upcoming LTEN conference in early June on the coaching platform we launched. It will be wonderful seeing the team again before my official last day. After that, we will see. I am working on my resume and starting to look at opportunities. I am hoping to be somewhere in September, so while I still have some time, I need to get a move on :).
Thank you again for your prayers, love & support!!! Please know we have felt them and we truly know how blessed we are to have each of you in our lives!
What a few weeks it has been! We have been away visiting family & friends the last two weekends and watching Paulie play baseball. It has been fun, and has kept us somewhat busy - helping to keep our minds off the next sets of labs.
Paul went in yesterday to get his labs. Praise The Lord - the labs all came back improved!
Kidneys:
Creatnine - down to 1.80 from 2.19 (close to normal of 0.6-1.5)
BUN - 24, which is NORMAL!!!!!
GFR - up to 46 from 36. Normal is above 60, but remember it was 8 in the hospital.
Diet - While all of the labs relating to his diet look good, he has put on 14lbs in the past 6 weeks. The doctor was a bit concerned (as I have been) about the weight gain. While the lab numbers alleviated some of the concern, he told Paul that the extra weight will continue to delay the healing of the kidneys - makes them work harder. He would really like Paul to be closer to 200lbs. The good news is that he is only 219, so that isn't too far to go. And, I know that Paul can & will do it!
Strength - Paul has been back playing basketball 2-3x per week and has golfed the last 2 weekends. He notices that it takes him a little longer to loosen up than before, but once loose, he feels closer to the way he felt before all of this began.
With the travel, we have had the opportunity to see many people who have been praying for Paul through this entire journey. It is an amazing sight to see him looking so good compared to how sick he was. You can see the tears in many people's eyes as they are sharing their joy for his recovery. It is a truly remarkable story of God's healing power! Truly, we cannot thank everyone enough for all you have done to both pray for healing & strength. We have felt so completely surrounded with love & prayers.
As for me...
The book is coming along. I'm still hoping to have the first draft done by the end of the month. Might end up being the first of June. We will see where that goes...
This Friday, I am blessed to have the opportunity to share this story at the Soul Spa Sisterhood Retreat. What a blessing it will be to share God's miraculous work in the healing of Paul! I'm nervous & excited. I am praying God gives me the words to share His Story.
As for work, I am finishing up my last few weeks with Pfizer. It has been a true blessing to have worked for such a great organization for the past 16+ years. And, I am thankful to have had the opportunity to effectively transition the projects I had been working on to others who can take the reins. I will also have the opportunity to speak at an upcoming LTEN conference in early June on the coaching platform we launched. It will be wonderful seeing the team again before my official last day. After that, we will see. I am working on my resume and starting to look at opportunities. I am hoping to be somewhere in September, so while I still have some time, I need to get a move on :).
Thank you again for your prayers, love & support!!! Please know we have felt them and we truly know how blessed we are to have each of you in our lives!
Paul: April 25th Update (Sorry for the delay)
UPDATE:
Paul saw the nephrologist (kidney doctor) yesterday, and he was pleased with Paul's progress - Hallelujah!!! Here are some of the details:
Paul saw the nephrologist (kidney doctor) yesterday, and he was pleased with Paul's progress - Hallelujah!!! Here are some of the details:
Labs - he said that he would like to see Paul's creatnine come down to about 1 (which is what it was in December). He recommended that Paul get his labs done 1x/month now until we see the numbers back to normal.
This is good because Paul truly does not like giving blood. That said, I do like having the information every week. So, we will need to continue to pray for complete healing of Paul's kidneys and know that God has had this under control the entire time. While I may want the labs, He has got this covered. I just need to "Let God, & let go".
Diet - The doctor said that he didn't think it was necessary for Paul to be strict to the renal diet (which is good because Paul hasn't been too strict with it lately). He did want Paul to watch his sodium intake. And, he said it would be okay for Paul to have "a beer." I want to make that distinction as it wasn't okay to have "beers" just okay to have "a beer".
So, we are going to go out tonight to celebrate! We used to have a date night every couple of weeks (sometimes more). We haven't had a true date night since this all started. We are looking forward to it!
Plus, the kids are looking forward to having a babysitter! They love the sitters in the neighborhood and are looking forward to having some fun, too!
Thank you all for your prayers & support! Much Love!!
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Paul: 4/22 Update
UPDATE:
We have been patiently (or not so patiently) awaiting the results from Paul's lab draw on Monday and praying for more positive improvements in his labs. Praising God for the results we just received!!!
Creatnine - down to 2.19 from 2.4 last week! Hallelujah! The normal range is 0.8-1.5, so he still has a little way to go. That said, this is significant improvement from the 12 & 13 we were seeing at the hospital!!!
BUN - This is also moving in the right direction. It was 33 this week, down from 36 the last two weeks. Normal again is 8-26. We are definitely getting there!
GFR - His GFR is 36, up from 33 last week. The goal here would be above 60, but he was in the single digits in the hospital.
Diet numbers - all still in the normal range. And when I say that Paul has been stretching the limits of the renal diet, that is definitely an understatement. Praise God!!!
Physical Strength - while I give Paul a little grief for his diet, he is really doing a great job. He is in Physical Therapy twice each week and is walking other days. He even made it to basketball on Monday night! While his jumper isn't what it used to be, he will get that back. And, he is working on his golf swing to be in shape for the Berger Open. Watch out boys!
Weight - I am not sure where he is looking to land on his weight. He was 255 in January when he started a diet challenge with his friends. He was around 235 when he went into the hospital. Today, he is 202 - a much healthier 202. Amen!!!
Me - I thought I would just add this in here, because it seems to fit. I have been praying about my next steps - what God's plan is for my journey. What I continue to receive is that I am suppose to write this story - God's story. So, I decided to write a book. I am not sure what God has planned for that book - maybe it's just for us or maybe it's meant for more. I'm not going to worry about any of that right now. Right now, I just want to focus on writing this story. It is truly hard to believe it hasn't even been 9 weeks!
Please know how much we truly love you all and are so very grateful for each & every one of you! Your prayers, love & support helped us to stay strong throughout this journey.
Heavenly Father,
We praise Your Glorious Name for ALL the miracles You provided in the healing of Paul. You made sure all the right decisions were made so that we could prove You are the ultimate healer! Paul is living proof that You continue to provide miracles on Earth!
Please know how much we love You, we thank You, we praise You!
In Jesus' Name - AMEN!
We have been patiently (or not so patiently) awaiting the results from Paul's lab draw on Monday and praying for more positive improvements in his labs. Praising God for the results we just received!!!
Creatnine - down to 2.19 from 2.4 last week! Hallelujah! The normal range is 0.8-1.5, so he still has a little way to go. That said, this is significant improvement from the 12 & 13 we were seeing at the hospital!!!
BUN - This is also moving in the right direction. It was 33 this week, down from 36 the last two weeks. Normal again is 8-26. We are definitely getting there!
GFR - His GFR is 36, up from 33 last week. The goal here would be above 60, but he was in the single digits in the hospital.
Diet numbers - all still in the normal range. And when I say that Paul has been stretching the limits of the renal diet, that is definitely an understatement. Praise God!!!
Physical Strength - while I give Paul a little grief for his diet, he is really doing a great job. He is in Physical Therapy twice each week and is walking other days. He even made it to basketball on Monday night! While his jumper isn't what it used to be, he will get that back. And, he is working on his golf swing to be in shape for the Berger Open. Watch out boys!
Weight - I am not sure where he is looking to land on his weight. He was 255 in January when he started a diet challenge with his friends. He was around 235 when he went into the hospital. Today, he is 202 - a much healthier 202. Amen!!!
Me - I thought I would just add this in here, because it seems to fit. I have been praying about my next steps - what God's plan is for my journey. What I continue to receive is that I am suppose to write this story - God's story. So, I decided to write a book. I am not sure what God has planned for that book - maybe it's just for us or maybe it's meant for more. I'm not going to worry about any of that right now. Right now, I just want to focus on writing this story. It is truly hard to believe it hasn't even been 9 weeks!
Please know how much we truly love you all and are so very grateful for each & every one of you! Your prayers, love & support helped us to stay strong throughout this journey.
Heavenly Father,
We praise Your Glorious Name for ALL the miracles You provided in the healing of Paul. You made sure all the right decisions were made so that we could prove You are the ultimate healer! Paul is living proof that You continue to provide miracles on Earth!
Please know how much we love You, we thank You, we praise You!
In Jesus' Name - AMEN!
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Me... What's Next??
Thank you all so very much for your prayers & support for Paul. He is getting better each day, and we praise God for the miracles He has provided. We just learned that Paul's dialysis port will be removed this Friday - Hallelujah!!!
I also appreciate the prayers & concern regarding what's next for me on the job front. With everything going on with Paul, I haven't taken much time to think about my future. I know I have had the time to think about it, but I haven't taken the time to think about it. I have been avoiding it.
Now that Paul is getting better, I need to take the time to think about my future - and that is truly frightening!
For 16+ years, all I have known is Pfizer. I have had eight different positions in that time, and have had the opportunity to do really great work with amazing people. My last two positions were roles that were "pinnacle roles" for me - ones that I thought I might be doing near the end of my career - not in the middle of it.
So, now what?
- Do I stay at Pfizer?
- Do I work somewhere else in healthcare?
- Do I work somewhere else in another industry?
- Do I work for a big company, small company?
- Do I start my own company?
I also appreciate the prayers & concern regarding what's next for me on the job front. With everything going on with Paul, I haven't taken much time to think about my future. I know I have had the time to think about it, but I haven't taken the time to think about it. I have been avoiding it.
Now that Paul is getting better, I need to take the time to think about my future - and that is truly frightening!
For 16+ years, all I have known is Pfizer. I have had eight different positions in that time, and have had the opportunity to do really great work with amazing people. My last two positions were roles that were "pinnacle roles" for me - ones that I thought I might be doing near the end of my career - not in the middle of it.
So, now what?
- Do I stay at Pfizer?
- Do I work somewhere else in healthcare?
- Do I work somewhere else in another industry?
- Do I work for a big company, small company?
- Do I start my own company?
- Do I write a book about all of this?
The irony is, I recently moderated a program on "Making the Most of Your Development Plan." Not only did I moderate this program, but this is the first program in a series titled "Owning Your Own Development" that I worked with our HBA-IN Directors of Programming to create.
Now, here I sit, needing to put together my very own development plan. I need to take the time to identify where I want to go next. More importantly, what are God's plans for my next steps?
I was thinking about a post I wrote on January 30th titled "2015 - The Year of Growth". I wrote this while at a Christian Women's Breakfast called - the Soul Spa Sisterhood (the next one is coming up in May!). The point of this post was my desire to spend this year focusing my eyes on where God wants me to be. Where is He guiding my life? While I don't think God made all of this happen, I do fully believe He will use all of this to grow & strengthen us in preparation for His great plan. And, His plan is greater than I could ever imagine!!
Ephesians 3:20 (GNB):
To him who by means of his power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think of
Jeremiah 29:11 (GNB):
I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for
The irony is, I recently moderated a program on "Making the Most of Your Development Plan." Not only did I moderate this program, but this is the first program in a series titled "Owning Your Own Development" that I worked with our HBA-IN Directors of Programming to create.
Now, here I sit, needing to put together my very own development plan. I need to take the time to identify where I want to go next. More importantly, what are God's plans for my next steps?
I was thinking about a post I wrote on January 30th titled "2015 - The Year of Growth". I wrote this while at a Christian Women's Breakfast called - the Soul Spa Sisterhood (the next one is coming up in May!). The point of this post was my desire to spend this year focusing my eyes on where God wants me to be. Where is He guiding my life? While I don't think God made all of this happen, I do fully believe He will use all of this to grow & strengthen us in preparation for His great plan. And, His plan is greater than I could ever imagine!!
Ephesians 3:20 (GNB):
To him who by means of his power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think of
Jeremiah 29:11 (GNB):
I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for
So, I will take these next few weeks to pray, to seek God's guidance and make some decisions. I am truly thankful that I have the time to do this.
I also offered to continue to work at Pfizer the next 8 weeks to help move the projects we were planning for 2015 forward. While I don't have to do it, I want to set the projects up for success as I truly believe in the work we were doing.
As my next step become clearer, I will definitely share. Until then, thank you all so very much for your prayers & support!!! XOXOX
As my next step become clearer, I will definitely share. Until then, thank you all so very much for your prayers & support!!! XOXOX
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Paul: 4/14 Update
UPDATE: Praise the Lord!!! They will be removing Paul's dialysis port as soon as we can get it scheduled!!!
Paul had his labs drawn yesterday - here are some quick numbers:
Creatnine - down to 2.4 from 2.6 with only one day of dialysis which was last week Monday
GFR is up to 33 which is still really low, but it was 8 at the hospital.
All other diet numbers were looking good - still high side of normal, but that means his kidneys have to be working better because he has been pressing the boundaries of his diet!
We received the information from the doctor's office via e-mail with a note that the doctor wants to schedule a time to pull the port soon! Hallelujah! We sent them some dates and will hopefully get that scheduled within the next week.
Strength - Paul is continuing his PT and is getting stronger each day. And, he is currently kicking my butt in steps (I think that says more about my laziness than his activity...well, maybe a little bit of both). Paul was also excited to talk with his PT today about getting back onto the golf course. He ended his PT session today with working on the golf swing motion :).
We truly want to thank everyone for all of your prayers & support for Paul and our family! It hasn't been an easy few months, but God is always good and you have all been amazing! We are truly blessed to have such great family & friends!
Amen! Amen! Hallelujah & Amen!!!
Paul had his labs drawn yesterday - here are some quick numbers:
Creatnine - down to 2.4 from 2.6 with only one day of dialysis which was last week Monday
GFR is up to 33 which is still really low, but it was 8 at the hospital.
All other diet numbers were looking good - still high side of normal, but that means his kidneys have to be working better because he has been pressing the boundaries of his diet!
We received the information from the doctor's office via e-mail with a note that the doctor wants to schedule a time to pull the port soon! Hallelujah! We sent them some dates and will hopefully get that scheduled within the next week.
Strength - Paul is continuing his PT and is getting stronger each day. And, he is currently kicking my butt in steps (I think that says more about my laziness than his activity...well, maybe a little bit of both). Paul was also excited to talk with his PT today about getting back onto the golf course. He ended his PT session today with working on the golf swing motion :).
We truly want to thank everyone for all of your prayers & support for Paul and our family! It hasn't been an easy few months, but God is always good and you have all been amazing! We are truly blessed to have such great family & friends!
Amen! Amen! Hallelujah & Amen!!!
Friday, April 10, 2015
#22 - Pfizer, My Next 6 Years...
I am truly thankful for the many who helped in my next 5 years at Pfizer.
Keith O'Briant - thank you for taking a chance on me and hiring me to come back to the Chicago area! I was again so very nervous in the interview. You saw through that nervousness and were able to calm me down a bit. You also helped me to calm my nerves through all additional interviews (well, at least a little bit :)). I wish we could have worked together longer.
Amy Jenner - you were there at my first meeting as our VP. You showed me how important it is to be yourself, your whole self, when you lead. You are smart, strong and confident. You showed the importance of both business and people. I have truly appreciated the opportunities we have had to stay in touch.
All of the members of our first district - thank you for helping me to learn the best lessons of leading people. You all taught me so very much about what it takes to be a true leader. While we weren't together long, please know how very much I learned from you!
Rob Lyons - you were the first manager I didn't interview with for a job. You "inherited" me from the realignment. This was a very new experience for me, but you welcomed me with open arms. I always felt like you chose me for your team. I also learned a great deal from you, especially as a new leader. You also showed me the importance of personal leadership. You ensured I had the skills needed to lead, and then you started to push me to take on new opportunities. You believed in me before I knew to believe in myself. I am truly grateful for our continued friendship!
Michelle Keefe - you had more of an impact on my career than I think you will ever know. I loved watching you on stage - so polished and intelligent, and also willing to share when you didn't know the answer (which wasn't often). One-on-one, you were kind and personal. You would share information about your life that helped me to understand some of the challenges of being a working mom. The biggest impact was learning from others about your belief in my ability. You gave me opportunities to take on assignments and help the organization through challenging times. I truly thank you!
All of the district members throughout those additional 5 years, thank you! We learned a great deal together and had lots of fun. We celebrated many life events together and were there for each other during the difficult times. You each mean so very much to me, and I cannot thank you enough for your friendship!
To all the leadership team members - thank you! I learned so very much from each of you and started many life-long friendships!
Tess Christensen - I would like to specifically say thank you to you!!! I don't tell you often enough how much you mean to me and have meant to me both personally and professionally. You are always there to listen, to share, to give advice, to offer a different perspective, to celebrate successes, and provide a shoulder when needed. We have been through a lot together the past 10 years. I hope you know how much you mean to me!
Keith O'Briant - thank you for taking a chance on me and hiring me to come back to the Chicago area! I was again so very nervous in the interview. You saw through that nervousness and were able to calm me down a bit. You also helped me to calm my nerves through all additional interviews (well, at least a little bit :)). I wish we could have worked together longer.
Amy Jenner - you were there at my first meeting as our VP. You showed me how important it is to be yourself, your whole self, when you lead. You are smart, strong and confident. You showed the importance of both business and people. I have truly appreciated the opportunities we have had to stay in touch.
All of the members of our first district - thank you for helping me to learn the best lessons of leading people. You all taught me so very much about what it takes to be a true leader. While we weren't together long, please know how very much I learned from you!
Rob Lyons - you were the first manager I didn't interview with for a job. You "inherited" me from the realignment. This was a very new experience for me, but you welcomed me with open arms. I always felt like you chose me for your team. I also learned a great deal from you, especially as a new leader. You also showed me the importance of personal leadership. You ensured I had the skills needed to lead, and then you started to push me to take on new opportunities. You believed in me before I knew to believe in myself. I am truly grateful for our continued friendship!
Michelle Keefe - you had more of an impact on my career than I think you will ever know. I loved watching you on stage - so polished and intelligent, and also willing to share when you didn't know the answer (which wasn't often). One-on-one, you were kind and personal. You would share information about your life that helped me to understand some of the challenges of being a working mom. The biggest impact was learning from others about your belief in my ability. You gave me opportunities to take on assignments and help the organization through challenging times. I truly thank you!
All of the district members throughout those additional 5 years, thank you! We learned a great deal together and had lots of fun. We celebrated many life events together and were there for each other during the difficult times. You each mean so very much to me, and I cannot thank you enough for your friendship!
To all the leadership team members - thank you! I learned so very much from each of you and started many life-long friendships!
Tess Christensen - I would like to specifically say thank you to you!!! I don't tell you often enough how much you mean to me and have meant to me both personally and professionally. You are always there to listen, to share, to give advice, to offer a different perspective, to celebrate successes, and provide a shoulder when needed. We have been through a lot together the past 10 years. I hope you know how much you mean to me!
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Paul: 4/7 Report - Off Dialysis!!!!
UPDATE:
Amen! Amen! Hallelujah & Amen!
We just received the call from the dialysis center and Paul's labs have improved enough to stop dialysis!!!! Praise God!!!!!
He will need to get his labs taken the next two Mondays and see the nephrologist (kidney doctor) on 4/24. Until then, he will remain on the renal diet and continue with the doctor orders - but HE IS OFF DIALYSIS!!!
Quick set of numbers:
- Creatnine - down to 2.6
- Diet Labs - all still high side of normal (surprising due to the Easter meal - Yum!)
- White Blood Cells - back up in the normal range (they were down last week, so happy to see this improvement)
We cannot thank everyone enough for your prayers, love & support!! When this all started, no one knew what the outcome would be:
- Would Paul wake up?
- If so, would there be permanent damage?
- And, how long would it take to get back to a "new normal"?
- How would this impact our kids?
- What would life be like?
- And, so many more questions...
What is so amazing about God is that He kept our focus on the positives, the improvements, the next blessing. He didn't allow us to focus on the negatives. He didn't give us time for that - Praise Him!!!
We will post updates as we learn more. In the meantime, thank you, thank you, thank you!!! You have all prayed and seen God, our living-God, provide miracles in the healing of Paul!
Amen! Amen! Hallelujah & Amen!
We just received the call from the dialysis center and Paul's labs have improved enough to stop dialysis!!!! Praise God!!!!!
He will need to get his labs taken the next two Mondays and see the nephrologist (kidney doctor) on 4/24. Until then, he will remain on the renal diet and continue with the doctor orders - but HE IS OFF DIALYSIS!!!
Quick set of numbers:
- Creatnine - down to 2.6
- Diet Labs - all still high side of normal (surprising due to the Easter meal - Yum!)
- White Blood Cells - back up in the normal range (they were down last week, so happy to see this improvement)
We cannot thank everyone enough for your prayers, love & support!! When this all started, no one knew what the outcome would be:
- Would Paul wake up?
- If so, would there be permanent damage?
- And, how long would it take to get back to a "new normal"?
- How would this impact our kids?
- What would life be like?
- And, so many more questions...
What is so amazing about God is that He kept our focus on the positives, the improvements, the next blessing. He didn't allow us to focus on the negatives. He didn't give us time for that - Praise Him!!!
We will post updates as we learn more. In the meantime, thank you, thank you, thank you!!! You have all prayed and seen God, our living-God, provide miracles in the healing of Paul!
Monday, April 6, 2015
Paul: 4/3-4/6 Report
UPDATE:
What a glorious weekend! After dialysis on Friday, we were able to make it up to NW IN to spend the Easter weekend with Paul's family (we are spending next weekend with my family down here in Indy for Easter - we are truly blessed)!
Today, Paul went to dialysis and talked with the doctor. After he took his labs, he told Paul that they will look at the lab results on Wednesday. If the numbers are still trending down, they will stop the dialysis and Paul will not need to come in on Wednesday.
The protocol is to continue with weekly labs for a couple of weeks to ensure the numbers continue to improve before removing the port. The good news is that we are getting so much closer. Truly - we cannot thank everyone enough for all of your prayers & support!!
We are blessed to have a busy few days while waiting for the lab results.
- Paulie has RE tonight (that used to be called CCD, now its RE - Religious Education. I have also heard it called REPS - religious education for public school kids)
- Paul has PT on Tuesday (& Thursday)
- Paulie has baseball practice on Tuesday & Thursday - weather permitting. He has pictures on Saturday & his first game on Sunday
- My family is coming in town, so that means washing sheets, cleaning bathrooms & going grocery shopping
We are so amazingly blessed!
I wanted to share today's Jesus Calling message: April 6
BRING ME THE SACRIFICE of thanksgiving. Take nothing for granted, not even the rising of the sun. Before Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, thankfulness was as natural as breathing. Satan’s temptation involved pointing Eve to the one thing that was forbidden her. The Garden was filled with luscious, desirable fruits, but Eve focused on the one fruit she couldn’t have rather than being thankful for the many good things freely available. This negative focus darkened her mind, and she succumbed to temptation.
When you focus on what you don’t have or on situations that displease you, your mind also becomes darkened. You take for granted life, salvation, sunshine, flowers, and countless other gifts from Me. You look for what is wrong and refuse to enjoy life until that is “fixed.”
When you approach Me with thanksgiving, the Light of My Presence pours into you, transforming you through and through. Walk in the Light with Me by practicing the discipline of thanksgiving.
I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
PSALM 116:17 NKJV”
Excerpt From:
Sarah Young. “Jesus Calling.” iBooks.
We will keep our eyes on the blessings. We have so very many blessings to be thankful for! Praising God for His Amazing Grace!
Here is one of my favorite PJ Anderson songs - Your Grace is Amazing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhxY5shPw8w
What a glorious weekend! After dialysis on Friday, we were able to make it up to NW IN to spend the Easter weekend with Paul's family (we are spending next weekend with my family down here in Indy for Easter - we are truly blessed)!
Today, Paul went to dialysis and talked with the doctor. After he took his labs, he told Paul that they will look at the lab results on Wednesday. If the numbers are still trending down, they will stop the dialysis and Paul will not need to come in on Wednesday.
The protocol is to continue with weekly labs for a couple of weeks to ensure the numbers continue to improve before removing the port. The good news is that we are getting so much closer. Truly - we cannot thank everyone enough for all of your prayers & support!!
We are blessed to have a busy few days while waiting for the lab results.
- Paulie has RE tonight (that used to be called CCD, now its RE - Religious Education. I have also heard it called REPS - religious education for public school kids)
- Paul has PT on Tuesday (& Thursday)
- Paulie has baseball practice on Tuesday & Thursday - weather permitting. He has pictures on Saturday & his first game on Sunday
- My family is coming in town, so that means washing sheets, cleaning bathrooms & going grocery shopping
We are so amazingly blessed!
I wanted to share today's Jesus Calling message: April 6
BRING ME THE SACRIFICE of thanksgiving. Take nothing for granted, not even the rising of the sun. Before Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, thankfulness was as natural as breathing. Satan’s temptation involved pointing Eve to the one thing that was forbidden her. The Garden was filled with luscious, desirable fruits, but Eve focused on the one fruit she couldn’t have rather than being thankful for the many good things freely available. This negative focus darkened her mind, and she succumbed to temptation.
When you focus on what you don’t have or on situations that displease you, your mind also becomes darkened. You take for granted life, salvation, sunshine, flowers, and countless other gifts from Me. You look for what is wrong and refuse to enjoy life until that is “fixed.”
When you approach Me with thanksgiving, the Light of My Presence pours into you, transforming you through and through. Walk in the Light with Me by practicing the discipline of thanksgiving.
I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
PSALM 116:17 NKJV”
Excerpt From:
Sarah Young. “Jesus Calling.” iBooks.
We will keep our eyes on the blessings. We have so very many blessings to be thankful for! Praising God for His Amazing Grace!
Here is one of my favorite PJ Anderson songs - Your Grace is Amazing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhxY5shPw8w
#21 - Pfizer My First 5 Years...
Let's just start by thanking Dick Fetter & Dan McQuiston again for their help in my getting my first job with Pfizer.
I am thankful to Daren Sink & Bruce Fleischmann for taking a chance on a young 22 year old, right out of college, with little experience and lots of energy! Words cannot express my deepest gratitude as I could always see your faith and belief in me! Please know I always give you credit for taking that chance on me and I still want to make you proud of that decision.
I am thankful for Clark Mohar & Kevin Malone for your willingness to take a chance on a still very young 24 year old with lots of energy! It was during those years that I started to transition others belief in me into a faith in myself. Kevin - you also helped me to understand the importance of separating the person from the title. That has helped me a great deal through the years!
I am thankful for Dennis Green & Jake Friedman for your willingness to take a chance on a very nervous 26 year old. Dennis - That was truly a pivotal time in my career as that started my passion for training & development. I was also able to truly connect with the many new faces of Pfizer. I will forever be grateful for that opportunity. You encouraged me to take on new opportunities, and supported me through the successes and the challenges.
Jake - I thank you for teaching me the importance of having a sponsor (even if you don't know you have one). You also had such a positive impact on me with your desire to connect with each person, individually. I have made many great friends throughout the years trying to follow in your footsteps - and will forever be grateful to you for that example!
I am thankful for our Directors of Leadership Development - Michelle Gile, Jenner Marcucci & Mike Edge! What I have come to realize is how important the skills you taught us are - and how many people did not have the fortune of working with great trainers like yourselves to gain those skills! I am a better leader today because of the trainings and the coaching you provided!
I am also thankful for the many people I worked with during these years! While there are too many to mention by name, please know how grateful I am for your friendship!
I am thankful to Daren Sink & Bruce Fleischmann for taking a chance on a young 22 year old, right out of college, with little experience and lots of energy! Words cannot express my deepest gratitude as I could always see your faith and belief in me! Please know I always give you credit for taking that chance on me and I still want to make you proud of that decision.
I am thankful for Clark Mohar & Kevin Malone for your willingness to take a chance on a still very young 24 year old with lots of energy! It was during those years that I started to transition others belief in me into a faith in myself. Kevin - you also helped me to understand the importance of separating the person from the title. That has helped me a great deal through the years!
I am thankful for Dennis Green & Jake Friedman for your willingness to take a chance on a very nervous 26 year old. Dennis - That was truly a pivotal time in my career as that started my passion for training & development. I was also able to truly connect with the many new faces of Pfizer. I will forever be grateful for that opportunity. You encouraged me to take on new opportunities, and supported me through the successes and the challenges.
Jake - I thank you for teaching me the importance of having a sponsor (even if you don't know you have one). You also had such a positive impact on me with your desire to connect with each person, individually. I have made many great friends throughout the years trying to follow in your footsteps - and will forever be grateful to you for that example!
I am thankful for our Directors of Leadership Development - Michelle Gile, Jenner Marcucci & Mike Edge! What I have come to realize is how important the skills you taught us are - and how many people did not have the fortune of working with great trainers like yourselves to gain those skills! I am a better leader today because of the trainings and the coaching you provided!
I am also thankful for the many people I worked with during these years! While there are too many to mention by name, please know how grateful I am for your friendship!
#20 - Butler & Alpha Phi (AMAZING WOMEN)
Butler Friends - I am truly grateful that I chose Butler (or Butler chose me). I am so very thankful for all of the friendships that started at Butler and continuing through the years. Again, I am so very thankful for FaceBook and LinkedIn to help us stay connected!
Alpha Phi Sisters - I am truly grateful that Alpha Phi chose me! I have seen our Alpha Phi family come together so many times during the years when a sister needed help / support. We may not live right next door, but we are always close at heart! I love you all so very much, and will forever be thankful for each and every one of you! Many thanks for my bordeaux blanket, book and bracelet - plus the notes, cards, gift cards and many, many prayers!
Alpha Phi Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI) - I have had the privilege to spend time with many Alpha Phi collegians and alumnae through the years at ELI, and was honored to spend a week last Summer with 50 collegians and 8 alumnae who put on the program. I am so very grateful for that week! The women were all amazing (not surprising - they are all Alpha Phis!) and I was able to reconnect with the vision & values of our fraternity. Truly an honor I will forever be grateful for - and will look to do again soon!
Alpha Phi Sisters - I am truly grateful that Alpha Phi chose me! I have seen our Alpha Phi family come together so many times during the years when a sister needed help / support. We may not live right next door, but we are always close at heart! I love you all so very much, and will forever be thankful for each and every one of you! Many thanks for my bordeaux blanket, book and bracelet - plus the notes, cards, gift cards and many, many prayers!
Alpha Phi Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI) - I have had the privilege to spend time with many Alpha Phi collegians and alumnae through the years at ELI, and was honored to spend a week last Summer with 50 collegians and 8 alumnae who put on the program. I am so very grateful for that week! The women were all amazing (not surprising - they are all Alpha Phis!) and I was able to reconnect with the vision & values of our fraternity. Truly an honor I will forever be grateful for - and will look to do again soon!
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Paul: 3/31-4/2 Report
UPDATE:
Paul has had a really good couple of days!
Paul has had a really good couple of days!
Tuesday - Paul went to PT and really likes the PT. He was really weak on his left side. The PT was able to shift his hips and Paul felt a little stronger. While he is still weaker than he would like to be, he was impressed by what the PT was able to do!
Wednesday - Paul had dialysis and received his labs. We were very excited to see more improvement - Praising God!!!!
Creatnine down from 4.9 to 3.5! Of course Paul was hoping for it to be below 2, but we were very excited to again see a decreasing number! Normal is 0.6-1.3, so we have a little way to go - but moving in the right direction.
His BUN was also down from 45 to 33! Again, normal is 6-19, but moving in the right direction - Hallelujah!!!
All of his numbers relating to his diet (sodium, potassium, phosphorus) all in the normal range. Still on the high side of normal, but with the great food we have been getting - it is definitely understandable. Truly - thank you all for all you have done for our family! We are so very grateful!
Today - we had a very busy day.
Paul had PT again today and continues to get stronger.
We were blessed to attend Holy Thursday mass where Paul walked up the Oil of the Sick. We were so thankful he was feeling well enough to participate in the mass. And, Paul & the kiddos looked so very cute! We will be in the same outfits for Easter Sunday mass, so we will take pictures & post then smile emoticon.
We were blessed to attend Holy Thursday mass where Paul walked up the Oil of the Sick. We were so thankful he was feeling well enough to participate in the mass. And, Paul & the kiddos looked so very cute! We will be in the same outfits for Easter Sunday mass, so we will take pictures & post then smile emoticon.
We hope you all have a wonderful & blessed Easter season! And, if you haven't read my last post, please take a look. We have started a #PH413challenge - doing 13 Random Acts of Kindness in 4 days and Sharing the Challenge with 13 other people - based on the Philippians 4:13 verse:
I can do all things, through Christ who gives me strength.
I can do all things, through Christ who gives me strength.
Many blessings to you & yours!
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
CHALLENGE: #PH413
UPDATE: CHALLENGE #PH413
I will send an update later today with Paul's lab results and any updates from the doctors. I would like to use this post for a different purpose.
We have only 4 "sleeps" until Easter (at least that is how we count it here).
One of my favorite Bible verses is Philippians 4:13:
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength"
So, how about a Holy Week Challenge?
- Do 13 Random Acts of Kindness in the next 4 Days
- Share this post with 13 People
- Add #PH413
God has been so very good to us and all of you have helped with your prayers in the process. Let's use the next four days to truly exercise our "Religious Freedom" and show the Love of Jesus to others.
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