What a SPECIAL Valentine's Day!

This our dear friend Penny Collins. She has been receiving the missionary lessons for the past month or so. She was baptized today by Tim and what a special experience it has been.

Elder Holden, Elder Elkington, Elder Emery, Tim, Penny, Stephanie Anders

I am learning...

So while I am sick I am trying to get some things done. So I am trying to learn how to use the photoshop program I have. So here is my first try. Not bad, but very basic...

They found the problem... surgery will cure it... hopefully!

So that is the reader's digest version... here is a little more detail... For the past 9 years I have been dealing with low potassium. Some times are more difficult than others. I have been to the hospital many times over the past years due to this. The first time it happened, they were sure that I was having a heart attack and sent me up to Salt Lake Regional for a cardio cateterization(sp?). Every test on my heart showed no problems at all and everything fine with my heart! About 3-4 years ago the Dr put me on Aldactone to help regulate my potassium. It did great until recently. About 5 months ago I began struggling on a regular basis with feeling like my potassium was low. To be honest, I tried many things to keep from feeling that way. I would work in my office with the window open a bit so I could have fresh air. I even ordered a Radon kit to test and see if radon was making me sick. I think when you begin to have health problems, you look for anything that may be the answer.

Finally after another visit to the ER, and no signs of heart problems, we went back tot he Dr and he took more blood tests and it showed my aldostrone was twice the normal amount. That generally meant that there was a lump/growth on the adrenal gland. So they took a CT scan last Thursday and sure enough, I have a lump on my left adrenal. It is 1 cm. The solution is to take the left adrenal gland and the lump out. So surgery is set for Feb 20th at the IMC.

We are so excited that a problem has been found and that 95% of the time it will solve the problem of both the potassium problem and the high blood pressure I have had for the past 12 years. We are planning for it to be laprascopic and that I will only have to stay overnight, and that after 2 -3 weeks recovery, I will be a normal healthy person when this is over!!!

I have lived my life with a large supply of potassuim in my purse in case I began to feel sick (low). I have had to decline offers to go places and do things with family and friends because of how I have felt. One of the little miracle I have seen in this is that, things began to get worse AFTER Alex was on his mission. We were very busy and had something to do everyday before he left. I also enjoyed each and every moment we were able to spend together. Then shortly after he was gone, I began to get worse.

For now, I am on a leave of absence from work because every day is a challenge. I have had some good days but look forward to the surgery as a true miracle and blessing from a loving Father in Heaven. Your prayers would be appreciated.

Our Newest Project

So, I talked Tim into painting our master bathroom and when we got to the space with the light we realized that the light looked horrible and needed to be replaced and as we painted there were drips that got tracked all over the floor, so that was a great reason to look for new flooring. So here it is. The walls are kind og taupe-purple, the light is a more modern florescent fixture and the flooring is vinyl tiles that look like tile. We are excited to be getting some home improvements done since we have lived in the house for 13 years and haven't done very many improvements. (by the way, my new favorite channels to watch are HGTVand DIY).