Hello, hello bloggy readers!
I am so excited to get back to blogging. So excited, in fact, I don't even know where to start with my long overdue life/chronic illness update.
Let's start with a little health update. I know that most of my family and friends that live out of town read this blog to see how I am doing, what to pray for, etc. That is the primary purpose of this blog; making people I love feel a little closer when we can't be together.
Welp. I wish I had some better news about my health to share. The past few months have been rough. And thats putting it pretty mildly. I have had a couple of surgeries and a few hospital stays. Sigh.
All of these surgeries and issues I have been having are further complications from my original pancreatectomy and islet cell transplant surgery I had in April 2011. We knew going into this surgery that there were many "possible" complications but its definitely different living out the fine print. It is a daily struggle for me not to give way to my natural tendency to be very bitter and angry. And some days, I lose that battle.
I want to be this positive role model and handle this "situation" with grace but sometimes thats just hard to do. Because this "situation" I am in, these cards I have been dealt, SUCK stink. Its not fair that I am in my twenties and I have a portacath, feeding tubes (JG tubes), and now an insulin pump. Its not fair that I was just in the hospital for 5 weeks and now I am homebound while recovering from yet ANOTHER setback. Its not fair that I work so hard in school and I yet again have to play catch up and always feel behind because of my necessary absences. Its not fair that I can't be alone because of the "brittle" nature of my diabetes. Its. NOT. fair.
Some days I straight up feel like throwing a tantrum. A full-blown toddler tantrum.
And some days, I do. In the privacy of my own home, but still. Its a tantrum. God is always so patient and kind with me during these tantrum moments. He never tires of my daily struggles and never gets overwhelmed with my sin.
So thats where I am at with that. I am currently at home recovering from a 5 week stay in 2 different hospitals. It has been so hard. I am not even going to try and sugar coat it or make it seem like "yay, I am so grateful for being sick!" No. I am not grateful for being sick. I am grateful for the perspective God gives me during these times and the growth that I inevitably experience during these hard times....but it doesn't make it easy.
So thats a general summary of my health status as of late. I will go into more detail as I go forward with the blog. On another note...are you ready for this? I have some exciting news....
I AM GRADUATING FROM GRADUATE SCHOOL IN 1 MONTH!!!
It's happening! It's here! I did it! I did it! (almost)
That has been my light at the end of the tunnel. I am excited to be moving into a different chapter. A chapter that does not include any academics. I am over this whole education thing. ;) Education is sooo 2012.
Oh and last but certainly no where near the least, my second niece was born in August of 2012. She is so precious and sweet. For the purposes of the blog, her name is little Em. Little Em has the sweetest demeanor and really is such a good baby. I adore her. Some say laughter is the best medicine but I say babies and laughter are a tie for the best medicine.
And of course pictures....
(above) the day little em was born
Oh and we can't forget little Em's big sister...Miss H!
She is as loving and free-spirited as always and she is so fun to be around. 2.5 is such a fun age. She brightens my world and always knows how to make me smile.
Okay well, thats all for now folks. More pictures, updates, and much more to come! Yay blog! Yay bloggy friends! Yay.
living abundantly,
Dana :)
