Hi everybody, even though I read daily you've probably noticed that I don't
post much anymore. It doesn't mean I don't love you, but life has been
rather hectic around here for a while.

My RA is not too bad right now, but seems to be loving my left sacro joint
and I've been getting random, burning pains in my left thigh from time to
time. Also my right thumb, where it joins my wrist, is really irritated. The
ANP at the RD's office says my osteo in that joint has gone inflammatory.
Sweeet. Hurts a lot of the time and now the thumb and first two fingers want
to be numb all the time. I think I'll ask for an injection when I'm in on
Monday.

Rachel is doing okay. She's still having seizures about once every 1-2
weeks, but they're not the big tonic-clonics. Still, she has a scary aura
and we don't like it. Her neuro recommended a VNS implant and we will be
seeing the neurosurgeon on May 17th. The implant will be done on June 5th.
Please pray with us that this will help Rachel get back so much of what
she's lost. She hates not being allowed to ride her bike or play on the
monkey bars at school.:(

My Mom is organizing a giant rummage sale to help us raise funds for the
surgery and after care. The surgery and doctors' fees alone will be about
$4500 after insurance, then we see the neuro several times over the summer
to make adjustments, etc. Also, I won't be working so it'll be tight.

That's right...I'm quitting my job to be a stay-at-home Mom for the first
time in my life. Scary. We've done everything we can to prepare and have
pared down our debt to the house, utilities and medical bills. It's the
medical stuff that will be the most unpredictable. We decided that Rachel
will need me more in her teen years than she did as a little kid, plus I'm
wearing down and it's getting harder for me to keep up with everything at
home.

Brett's working nights, in 12-13 hour shifts, but we're all together so life
is still good. That's us in a nutshell!

Kelly C.