My School Pictures . . .

I usually close my eyes when I smile - Karen worked very hard with the photographer to get a good picture with my eyes open. It's been a while since I had a school picture (several years) so we thought we would give it a try this year.

Mom thinks I look pretty grown up in this picture and she thinks the green background looks good with my red hair.

Good job Karen !

Serving the Community with my Friends . . .

I would like you to meet my friend April . . . .

Once a week, Karen & I meet my friend April and her mom, Betty at a Senior Citizen Apartment building in town. We both take public transportation and we have a great time together making new friends, seeing our old friends and serving our community. We find out if there are new residents to welcome to the complex....who is celebrating a birthday or anniversary and we decorate the apartment doors for these special people - sometimes we decorate ALL the doors (150) with seasonal decorations.

Today was a VERY special day because my friend Ellan just moved into this apartment building - Last night was her first night in her new home. We just knew that we had to help Ellan feel welcome. (you may remember Ellan from an earlier posting).

Above is a picture of April and

I decorating Ellan's Door.

To the left is a picture of Ellan, her daughter Ann, Betty (April's Mom) and April. We are all standing in Ellan's new apartment.

Ellan gives me a BIG HUG!!!!

This is such a great place. April and I have been meeting here for several years. It started as a school function but April continues to meet me here even though she no longer attends school. We sometimes meet on non-school days in the summer and I will probably continue to come here after I am too old for school.

We have many friends and continue to meet new ones. This is a great place to find friends!!!

Second Test Complete......

The Modified Barium Swallow test was completed this afternoon. I was very cooperative. I had to eat several types of foods and drink different liquids containing Barium. As I swallowed, a Speech-Language pathologist was watching the process on a TV screen. It was clear that I have a general weakening of the muscles in the back of my throat and in my neck. My parents have noticed over the past year that my neck muscles are weak and that I have trouble holding my head up. We may have to discuss this further with the doctor to see if this is just the progression of Cerebral Palsy, if it is a side effect of one of my meds or what may be causing the weakening.

There are several things that we can do to help with my eating - softer foods - no more fun foods like chips, pretzels, popcorn (boo hoo!!!) Any meat that I eat should be covered in gravy or sauce - foods should be thinned out - add a liquid if possible - slow down while eating and drink between each bite. I was given a list of foods to allow and a list to avoid. Many changes to be made in my eating habits. Hopefully, this will help. There is residue left in my esophagus after eating and drinking because the muscles are too weak to push it down. The hernia may be part of the problem so there needs to be further discussion on the seriousness and possible options regarding the hernia.

Thank you for your prayers - I have periods of fussiness and discomfort - hopefully we can get to the source of discomfort and with the new eating habits, I can re-gain a few pounds!!! Thanks again for your love and prayers.

Able to get a nice picture .......

My test went well today (Esophagram) - I was able to swallow enough Barium (flavored with strawberry syrup) to get a good picture. The doctor and techs were very nice and patient with me. It was determined that there is not narrowing of the Esophagus, no obstruction, no aspiration but I am swallowing a large amount of air. I have a hernia (which we knew about) the liquid was able to get around the bulge in the Esophagus. Nothing from the test would show the cause of the weight loss. Possibly we will learn more tomorrow and hopefully we will get more information from our doctor. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Y
Click here to see a nice picture of me snuggling with my Grandpa!

Appointment Changed

FYI - My appointment for the Modified Barium Swallow on Friday, October 31 has been changed to Tuesday, November 4.

Prayer Request

Today, I was able to see a specialist to help me with my stomach and esophagus problems -this was a direct answer to prayer - I was scheduled for November 19 and several people were praying that the doctor would have a cancellation so that I could be seen before the 19th. Thank you, God, for answering our prayers.

If you could please pray for me about my upcoming appointments, I sure will need it over the next week or so - here are specifics ....

• I will be starting a new medication - higher dose than what I have been taking for 14 years - pray that I will not have the side effects that are possible


• On Friday (10/31), I will be having a Modified Barium Swallow Test -a speech-language pathologist examines the movement of my lips, tongue, palate & larynx while I eat and drink different foods containing Barium - please pray that I am able to eat and drink as requested so that they can get an accurate reading on this test.


• On Monday (11/03), I will be having an Esophagram - While swallowing barium sulfate, an x-ray will be taken to evaluate the function and appearance of my esophagus and assess the swallowing process. I will not be able to eat or drink 12 hours prior to the test.
• I have been losing weight, please pray that I will be able to re-gain the lost pounds
• I get nervous when I have to go to the doctor/hospital - pray that I will be calm and cooperative
• Please pray that the doctor is able to gather enough information to help me with this problem that seems to be getting worse.

Thank you for your prayers - I am thankful that my friends and family go to God on my behalf. I am blessed and God is GOOD all the time!!!!

A Day of Remembrance and A Day of Celebration

102 years ago today this sweet grandma was born. She is my "Great-Grandma". She was 78 years old when I was born and she has been in Heaven for 8 years. She always gave me BIG soft hugs. She was a great cook and a very hard worker when she was able - she was faithful to her family, her job, and her church - her last years were VERY hard - even though we miss her very much, we are so glad that she lives with Jesus now!!! I know that there will be a GRAND birthday celebration today - beyond our comprehension - Who knows...she's probably cookin' up a load of fried chicken and all the yummy foods she enjoyed so much! We miss you GRANDMA D - Have fun Celebrating your birthday with God and Jesus.....

This picture was taken the night before my Aunt married this wonderful man - 11 years ago today!! He is strong but in a gentle way - he is an awesome father to their two children - he has faced life & death with my aunt - he's a faithful provider for his family - he loves the outdoors and finds adventure in it - he introduced "abelskivvers" to our family for breakfast on Christmas morning, he motivates my aunt when she really needs a push to keep going - he loves his God and his family and I am thankful that my Aunt S made such a wonderful choice!!!
Congratulations Uncle J and Aunt S for being a great example of a faithful christian family. Hope you have a fun day - I love you and miss you.

(Click here if you would like to see more of Uncle J & Aunt S's life together)