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Superbowl Party with our Teens

Many of you have been praying for Michael since hearing about his disease.

Michael was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease about 2 1/5 years ago after losing 40 pounds in about 5 months and experiencing extreme fatigue, intense stomach cramps and other unpleasant digestive malfunctions. Since then he has had flare ups here and there, sometimes difficult and very painful. He has been on and off medications, herbs, supplements and vitamins to keep this in remission.

Two weeks ago, Michael experienced the worst flare-ups he has ever had. We were very concerned for a number of reasons (I'll spare you the details). Michael's doctor advised him to go to the ER one night around 11:30 pm- he thought that Michael may have become anemic. We decided to wait and see how things went that night. He improved slightly and so we decided to stay clear of the ER. Although we were satisfied with his doctor in VA Beach we now live over an hour from the office. Some of our friends from church work for a GI Doctor downtown Suffolk. The doctor wasn't supposed to come in at all this week, but our friend informed him about Michael's situation and the doctor came in just to see Michael.

Following a visit before Christmas to his former doctor, he was put on entocort. This was supposed to help (and for over $200 a month, you'd think it would cure whatever ailes you), but it didn't. After trying that for a couple of months, the doctor told him to stop taking it and begin taking prednisone- just to give him some relief from the flare ups. So we have about a month's supply of entocort for sale if anyone wants some :)!

His new doctor was thorough, patient and answered all of our questions. He placed Michael on three meds: prednisone (gradually tapering over the next couple of months), mercaptopurine and pentasa (the same med he took off and on over the past couple of years). Here is what we found out at this visit:

1. Michael is experiencing severe flare-ups. The doc is hopeful that the mercaptopurine will be successful in putting his flare-ups in remission.

2. Michael is sick, but not sick enough to have surgery or even be a candidate for Remacaid (sp?). Remacaid is an treatment done by injection done every 6 weeks and is very expensive. We are thankful that we are not at the point of facing surgery.

3. The doctor scheduled Michael to have a colonoscopy this coming Tuesday. He is specifically concerned because of the internal bleeding- which is not typical with Crohn's, but Ulcerative Colitis. There may be a possibility that Michael also has this disease.

4. The current three medications that Michael has been prescribed have some unpleasant side-effects. Please pray specifically that he will be able to get the rest he needs and that his pain during and after eating will continue to diminish.

5. The doctor told Michael he is free to eat whatever he wants. He is not on a restricted diet. We were both pretty surprised to hear that! In talking to both doctors, we have learned that very very few patients are able to control this disease with diet alone. That was encouraging to us since we cannot afford to buy everything organic and home make everything else! I can assure you that Michael will still be very cautious about what he eats, because he knows what he can handle and what will send him into a flare-up(most of the flare-ups are not induced by eating choices though). This disease is very unpredictable. One day you can eat a steak and have no problems, and the next day you can't even digest chicken noodle soup.

6. Crohn's is a treatable, but uncurable disease. Michael will be on medication for the rest of his life in attempts to keep his disease in remission.

So we will keep you informed because we know that you are praying for us. Remember Michael on Tuesday as he has his colonoscopy!

Through this whole ordeal I've not heard Michael complain. He continues to help with the kids when he can and even do things that are my responsibility. We are trying to live out our trust in the Lord- sometimes easier said than done, especially when it comes to finances. We are thankful for our insurance. Just this month alone, his medication alone billed a total of over $1300(that's without insurance, thankfully!). Our hope is in Him, who has sovereignly ordained every detail in our lives to bring glory to Himself!

On a lighter note, I got new glasses! My old ones were old. Five years old. Upon arriving home, Emma pointed at my new glasses and said "What's that?!" Elliot also thinks they are his new toy. Hence, I paid the extra to have them scratch resistant :)

Michael's glasses in the top picture are also new!

Have I mentioned how much Emma loves being my little shadow? Here she is wearing Mommy's gloves doing her dishes. Isn't she the cutest?

And here the proud little mommy is, showing me her baby wearing a pair of Elliot's shoes that were left out. Note. I've dressed this doll many times and have recently given up this effort.

No picture of the little guy, but he is cutting his two upper front teeth and is still as happy as a lark!!