News from the doctors Feb 18, 2011

We’ve been asking questions, seeing Doctors over the years and wondering how to understand why my balance and other physical disabilities are progressively going downhill at the same time that the MRI images of the tumor continue to show no significant changes. We go the answer in the form of choices: take some drugs for side effects for the rest of your life, radiation of the tumor (with risks of making some physical symptoms worse, but possibly stabilizing symptoms and killing some of the tumor ), or do nothing and there will be the continued gradual decline in performance.

Also put into the mix that Melinda and I have been talking about being proactive on the home front. There is going to be a likely need (plan for a year my physical therapist says. I take the time line with a grain of salt), regardless of time line, best to be ready and then a transition to wheel chair if needed, is not such a crisis. It has major implications that have large price tags. Finances are probably going to be an issue and tension.

Some things to think about:

• Home- Need to be in an ADA wheelchair accessible home.
  • Bathroom that is accessible
  • Entrance and doors that are wheelchair accessible
  • Room for small office and one for foster care as well as one on main level for us
• Transportation- Move from scooter to power wheel chair and eventually have a vehicle with a ramp or hitch on back.

   

listening

Lord here I sit listening.

So much time is taken in focusing on my life,

My needs,

My wants and desires for my life.

 

The treasures of this world are Like a cheap sparkling necklace dangled in front of me.

But that’s not what life is about.

You cut through the roar that so easily distracts me.

How easily I lose my focus

On the splendor of your majesty,

On that which is eternal, awesome and beautiful, noble and lovely.

 

Lord God I come with empty hands.

I want to hear your voice.

2010: Looking back

They say hindsight is 20/20. Who are “they” anyway? Sometimes there are only more questions about our experiences and events. I feel unsure of myself and question, but then there I not time for that of I am to be ready for the next crisis needing action. Matt reminded me that when he is out in the wilderness and there is an emergency or something that needs to be done, you must tack action and not stop to second guess. I feel like I am paralyzed by indecision many times. Lord have mercy! I know it drives Melinda crazy and has not been good for us as a family.

With much excitement and anticipation, Wilo joined our family Oct. 13, 2009. Then in the New Year Melinda and I decided that we were ready to make the next step and have a second youth join us. Benjamin followed suit in February 2010. We started the time off by going on a road trip to Portland. We eventually enrolled him at Garfield HS. Soccer in the spring was great- We went to multiple games a week. Then there was summer school for them both. Wilo waking up and leaving around 5:30 am till after 4- That was brutal for all of us- lots of sleepless nights and less than cheerful.

Summer highlights include:

• The World Cup hosted by South Africa. We even ordered Dish TV to watch/record all the games.
• Wilo visiting family in Boise. BK in Everett.
• Melinda BK and I go camping with Andy, Helen and Marigold.
• O2-camping and activities for Wilo and BK.
• Sleeping in.

The Fall:

• Badgers soccer team culminating in winning the City Championship for U-19.
• BK energetically tries American football for while. Coach sounds promising, but doesn’t get played and everything dissolves when the coach gets canned for violation of ineligible players.
• Melinda is a Loaned Executive to United Way. Helps raise over $90 Mil.
• We all travel to Chicago and Iowa for Christmas break. Wilo gets John Deer T-shirt, BK- “It’s not good, you have to wear the same jacket every day.” Gets bling earings and is happy.
• Roller coaster rides in the Mall of America.

Fostering w/ LCS

I’m really excited about starting our family!  Praying hard these days…

thinking of you bro

hi Matt- It is great to hear about the Moringa, planting the garden and leadership.

8/29/06

Matt’s at Mawe Hai (the ag project) today putting the final ‘touches’ on the solar dryer he made. Then he will begin testing it to see if it actually dries fruit.

andersons hx

family.