FYI. Kevin's back in the hospital, this time with blood clots in both his lungs. He'd had a bout of pneumonia, and was still (two weeks later) having fever and sweats, though he thought it was related to the stomach bug he'd caught. Went in for a checkup with his doc on Wed., and they scheduled a CT for early yesterday morning. And when they saw the clots, they admitted him immediately to be put onto blood thinners for 5 days. Then he'll be able to come home again.

I'm looking at the bright side of things in that this is treatable. Though I must admit, I'm tired of looking at doctors.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Hugs and Love,
Ix

Ahhh Hon,

That sucks, like your husband hasn't been through enough already. Well, like you said looking on the bright side, it's also good they caught it.

Keeping you Kevin and the kids in my thoughts and prayers.

You'll be in our thoughts. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery!

daf

Sending my prayers as well! Take care buddy.

Oh,Ceil

I'm so sorry to hear this about Kevin. He has been through so much already.

Sweetie, You too. All that has happened in your's and Kevin's life all through your pregnancy this time has made it that much more difficult as you haven't been able to get the rest you need and take care of yourself as you normally would have. I just feel so bad for both of you. (((HUG)))

You and Kevin are in my prayers. I don't know what to say and I reach for the words to express how I feel, Ceil and all that comes to mind such as "God does not give us more than he knows we can handle" seems so cliche because I know it must seem to you and Kevin at times to be more than you can possibly handle. At least I know I would feel that way.

Bless you both and I pray that this all ends soon and the clouds lift to let the sunshine back into your lives.

Connie

A speedy recovery to him.

Blessings.

I'm glad the clots were found and are being treated. Hugs and health to you both.

Maria

Prayers of healing for Kevin
and prayers for a break in the clouds
for you guys.

Good to know he's being well
cared for now
and hope you are being cared for
as well, Ix.

We're all here for you. {{{}}}

Thank you all so much. I do appreciate every bit of good wishes and prayers, more than I can ever express.

Updated:

yesterday the Oncologist announces that if the broad spectrum antibiotic doesn't fix the fevers and sweats, they'll need to do a bone scan for a return of lymphoma. Apparently the PET scan doesn't check bones, and also he told us that 30% of people who have had lymphoma will have a return of it sometime in their lives in the same tissue it was in before. But they didn't bother to tell us that at the time of the PET scan. If they had, we would have insisted that they check that as well.

I would very much just like a healthy husband so that we can move on with life together. I really think that's not too much to ask for. The worst part is that someone asked Morgen how she was doing today, and she said "Oh my Dad's back in the hospital, but I'm getting used to it." It broke my heart.

Love,
Ix

& prayers for you all lx.

That's a heavy load your little family has got there, IxCiel. I wish there were a way to help. I'm picturing you and your husband soaking in a hot tub, totally relaxing, while kids play nearby. A scene of serenity for you.

May all be well.

Maria

He didn't spike a fever this evening, and sounded much better when we talked on the phone. This gives me hope Thank you all so much. It's the knowing I'm not alone in this, and that people are pulling for us that helps keep me going.

Much love,
Ix

Glad to hear of the good things. Now that I'm feeling better, my little one has a fever. Went to see the chiropractor and we're taking vitamins, including cod liver oil for D, and herbal remedies ... and tea and toast.

Maria

The latest update:

He spiked a fever last night, though it was only 100.3, instead of 105 like the other night. No other blood clots in his body. We are still playing a waiting game as far as knowing what else it could be, and how long he'll be in the hospital. In other news, I am feeling much better and have an uplifted outlook on this situation. Just another bump in the road that we will get through together!

Big Hugs,
Ix

You take care of yourself and that little one too, Maria.

Love,
Ix

Well Kevin is now out of the hospital. This is good. Though on Thursday his largest client dropped him. This is bad. It's because he'd been sick so much. They "couldn't depend on him" Heartless. The other clients he has, will not pay the bills.

We are now contemplating what to do. Kevin is currently looking for full time employment, and wondering if anyone will even hire him at this point. I am contemplating having to put the children into school full time, and go to work at 7 mo. pregnant.

I think I can't take any more.

Amanda {{{*}}}

It's just not possible that the Love in the Universe
would leave you and yours to fend alone.

You will not go to work 7 months pregnant,
and Kevin will not be expected to work
in his frail state.

All that's occured has been beyond you both.
Many do care immensly
and love will magically come through
to support you.

We're here to carry each other,
when the weight becomes too heavy,
to burden alone.
Especially when the option to carry
is taken from us.

I feel you teetering on that fine and so weary
line.

If I could give you one sign,
one glimpse of relief...
please know I'm crying with you,
for your struggles pain my heart.

Please try your earnest not to lose Hope.

Sometimes it takes reaching
the most fragile breaking point
of surrender...
I don't know why.
Somehow such delicate vulnerability
always leaves us open
for God's mysterious confirming
presence to enter our lives.
Just when we've given up.


You are very much loved,

in my prayers,
in my heart,

Lisa

The blood clots are a folic acid issue. Apparently Kevin has some sort of genetic disorder that causes this. Fortunately, this is not passed on to the children. And no return of Lymphoma either! The landlords are willing to work with us, so that we will not have to move AGAIN. Kevin has heard from Coach House, and they might have some work for him, and will find out tomorrow. He has also applied for jobs here in Ames, at the Tribune, and also the University, and some others. He is supposed to hear from a recruiter about possibilities soon.

Thank you so much to all who have been thinking of us, praying for us, etc. Truly I don't know what we'd have done without you all and the endless support you have shown us.

Plus the weather is nice here, and the sun is shining today, and the birds are singing Spring songs!

Much Love to you all!
Ix

God Bless you all.

Dear IxCiel,

It is a pleasure to meet you and have you join us at CE. I am sorry to read of Kevin's health problems, but it does look like a spring is coming with the birds singing especially joyfully.

Love,

Ciel, is Kevin in advertising?

Bah, on the heartless client!

Hooray for spring bird songs.

Maria

lx,

I am so happy to hear of your good news!

I'm enjoying those bird songs myself. They are quite busy little buggers right now. Oh how I love this time of year!

Hello beautiful souls!

Today he had an ultrasound, because his liver is doing wierd things. So find out tomorrow about that. Let's see....He's had a friend he's done work for in the last few years, let him know of a couple of network engineer positions, so that's a possibility.

Oh he's in computers WriteOn. Web design, programming, and application development, network/systems engineering type of things.

I saw my first chipmunk of the year this morning So cute!!

Sorrry I have't been on much. just keeping busy.

Love and Hugs,
Ix

Love your way, Amanda.

Dear IxCiel,

Prayers and best wishes for health and work too.

I love chipmunks! Do you have stones or a stone wall?

Love,

We have a brick house, and they climb up the back wall and sit outside the kitchen nook window, and they also sit on top of the banister on the front porch They're so cute

Will let you know the results of the biopsy, we get preliminary results this morning.

I hope you each had a wonderful Easter, and that you enjoyed time with people you care about.

Take care angels,
IxCiel

The diagnosis is this: No Lymphoma! He has fatty liver disease, due to the weight gain from all the steroids, and the amount of different medications he's been on from the past 2 months. So the oncologist has scheduled him to see a GI doc, her favorite one she said, and what it will take is change in diet and more exercise and time. This may be added to after we hear what Dr. Hussain has to say.

Huzzah!

Oh, frabjous day!
Calloo callay!
He chortled in his joy!

Excellent news. Now onward to get that liver the support it needs.



Maria

Excellent news IxCiel Here's to hoping and praying that the news from all the other doctors continues to be good. Best of luck to Kevin on the job search. Please do continue to keep us posted. Light and prayers continue to be sent your way.



PS I love those backyard critters too. We get a lot of squirrels, blue jays and robins. They are a joy to watch.

Many thanks dear people. I think we've hatched. I feel like now life will go forward again. Finances will smooth themselves out, Kevin will heal completely. I just feel like we've exited the crysalis or the womb. Like something has birthed that is going to turn into good.

Life is beautiful.

yay! So glad for the good news.

it's all in magical movement, Dear Heart.
Your feelings are most beautiful of all.

Excellent news lx, I'm so happy for you all!

Now everyone will be in the right frame of mind to anticipate the next birth in your family. How much longer before the baby arrives?

Two months from yesterday. Though Morgen insists that is "a terribly long time Mom" I tend to disagree myself...though she said when I did so "well it is a long time for someone who's only 8 you know."

Out of the mouths of babes huh?

I hope that each of you are enjoying this day wherever you might be.

Blessings,
IxCiel