EMM

Well, I know I promised to talk about Emergency Medical Ministry course that I took out in Texas. And I haven't been pushing it off for any one reason...ok, so maybe I have. A lot of the course was spent asking one another how we felt...about EVERYTHING..."so how does that make you feel" I didn't share my story with the entire class until graduation...when I felt the Lord tugging at my sleeve to share the healing that started to take place while I was at this training. It was hard, and it was fun, my days went like a rollercoaster. I was up one day having a great time, the next I was sad, crying, having physical flash backs (where you feel as though you are really there) back to the day that the chemistry lab had the explosion, I was having intrusive thoughts as well (thats when you sit and your mind just takes over and reminds you of the events that took place.) So that was the first week, I thank God for my parents during this trip. Dad called me daily for a status report, and the day that I broke down as I attempted to visit the burn survivors, Dad was available on the other end to hear me sob, to talk it out, and then even to make me smile again before heading out to dinner. I got calls from extended family checking in on me, and I feel blessed to have such a loving and caring family. Mom came out Monday of week 2 until Wednesday, man it was so awesome to be with her. After getting through such a hard week it was nice to have some Mom and me time. I love you mom...I dont think you'll ever know just how much your presence there meant to me. I did get my trip to SeaWorld...haha I gotta share my story about the Shamu show...we were running late, so we were walking up, and a few of the whales were already in the arena, well I was walking up the stairs behind my new friend Jay, and I saw just the tip of Shamu's chin...and my heart started pounding, my eyes brimmed with tears as I poked him and said "Oh My God, Jay, Its REAL!" lol I didn't think they'd be fake killer whales, but I've never seen one in person, and it completely overtook my body. I laughed all through the show, took a million pictures, and cried, happy tears though. I think John is about the only one who TRULY knows how much killer whales mean to me in respects to my time spent with Aunt Cindi. Its always been a dream of mine to see them in person...how amazing it truly was. So, anyway, I can't possibly spill out my entire adventure here, so next time we're in person, or on the phone, or just chatting feel free to ask about my experiences...I'd love to share. Here's a few pictures of me and a few friends conducting our on call duty hours...btw...my shift instead of 2 seperate ones, was one 21.5 hour shift...in the trauma room...ouch!

Injury update and more!

Hey Everyone!!

Just wanted to give another update on my neck situation. Went to the Augusta Pain Clinic this morning and met with a specialist there. My fears have been confirmed, I will begin steroid injection therapy as of October 3rd. Called mom and told her I wish she was here...I wish I had a hand to hold, I'm scared. They said it'll be 2-3 injections per spot that was sore, that was about 6 of them I believe that he felt. He said he'll use an xray to make the injections. I asked questions about the steroids, he said its very small amounts so it should not make me gain weight, or make my head get big (literally, I guess steriods make your head grow.) He said all I will feel is a little prick, that the needle is small. My prayer is this works, if it does not, the next step is these same injections but instead of "medicine" (as he called it) they will use radiation to burn the spots...(Hey Kandy, do you know anything about this type of procedure? Will it give me cancer or make my hair fall out?) That word is scary...radiation. Please pray for my back. God is doing wonders through the work of my chiropractor, my headaches when I get to see him are relieved almost immediately, along with the stiffness in my neck, however, it doesn't help the pain. But it increases my mobility within my neck. Which, the chiro pointed out, after I skip a week, or when I have a bad week, I lose it and can't turn my head as far to the right :-( I could def. feel it this morning in the dr.'s office attempting to watch a tv that was on the other side of the room on the right. Anywho...so that is the status for now.

On to good news, I'm leaving Sunday to work with some of my most cherished people, no, warriors from this great nation. I will be going to work at Brook Army Medical Center, in San Antonio Texas. I will be learning to minister to Soldiers that are in the midst of an Emergency. In that I will be participating in at least 1-2 24-hour on call duty shifts, responding to Soldiers, and civilians coming into the Emergency Room, or involved in a crises when the regular office hours are not in operation. Along with that, we will be making daily visits to some of the most severly burned Warriors coming back from the war. I am told we will also be making visits to some of the amputees coming back from the war at all. Please if they are not already in your prayers, lift up all of our Wounded Service Members and their families. They risked their life so that we may enjoy this beautiful nation that we call home. And as a result of that risk they came back injured. Also, continue to lift up those Warriors whom have had brain injuries while over there and have yet to realize it. That is becoming a problem in our Army today, I'm sure other branches too, but my training I recently went through only had Army statistics. Regardless, America's sons and daughters are over there, even if they come back to us walking, limping, or any other way, they will never be the same. My heart goes out to all of them as they are there fighting, as they return, and as they adjust. May my Lord and Savior watch over them, pull them in close to his heart, and cradle them in his ever-loving arms.

I love you brothers and sisters...be safe, come home soon!

(Sorry guys, this was meant to be an update on life, and well my heart got pulled and I just couldnt stop. It really is a real issue, our service members are coming back changed for life, and they did that for our freedom...when you see one...(and not me) thank them...seriously, even if your just driving by and you see a service sticker, wave, smile...do something so they know you appreciate them. Thats the most precious present a Soldier or family member can receive...to know that the country they serve, or their family member serves stands behind them and has their back.)