National Jewish Hospital . . .

So I realized at about 4 o'clock this morning that I am not on a vacation . . . being off all my asthma meds has lead to quite a flare-up and then not being able to neb my way through them . . . let's just say I'm glad to have made it to the hospital on my own today in a shuttle - not an ambulance.

The shuttle driver is so friendly and the 20 min drive to the hospital quite pleasant. The air is cold and crisp but, as you can see in the photo, sunny . . . not what we expected. As we came around the corner and could actually see the building we'd be checking out online for months, I can't begin to describe what I felt - it's really happening . . .

We went into the facility and went through the check in process . . . we were then lead to a large waiting room and I was overwhelmed with just how many people are here! Lots of people with coughs and inhalers and oxygen - I found my support group!! I was called back to the second check in process - a few questions, height, weight, blood pressure, oxygen sat level and a spirometry test (blow in a plastic tube and see how long you can hold that - pretty fun and exciting).

I must have passed the first test as I was then escorted into a doctor waiting room. A doctor intern came in and for almost an hour asked me a huge series of questions to get a feel for my case - she had the tiniest handwriting - apparently important for writing an hour long of answers . . . then I got to meet my doctor for the whole time I'm here. Her name is Dr. Gogate and she was fabulous. She is old enough to have done this awhile but young enough to be relevant. She gave an overview of her plan for me while here in Denver and decided to add three more tests and procedures to my already full schedule. She said it is not going to be fun or easy but figured that I didn't come all this way for nothing - she couldn't have said it any better. Although I'm not completley looking forward to some of the tests to come, I am so ready to have some answers and solutions for better managment of this craziness called my life.

From the doctors check in, I was lead over to the lab where they took at least 6 vials of blood . . . good times . . . not painful but definitely left me a little light headed - a hamburger is in my future! I have a nurse for the time I spend here whose name is Sue . . . she is a little like everyone's favorite grandma . . . she is sweet and caring and very informative. She walked me through the schedule with details as to what medication to take when etc. . . then off to a Pulmonary Function Test. For this fun adventure, you sit in what's called a "Body Box" and go through a series of breathing exercises while your nose is plugged and you have your mouth on a snorkel piece. . . more good times. The best part was, however, after the test, they gave me a neb treatment!! I felt so much better!! We exited the hospital for the evening and waited for the shuttle outside in the crisp cold Denver air.

And yes - I successfully wrestled the camera away from my mom to take a picture of her . . . oh the tables have turned . . . for at least one picture.

We rode the shuttle to Burger King, ordered dinner (restoring the lost iron from the blood draw!) and headed back to our hotel . . . I've got another long night without meds and a crazy schedule for tomorrow . . . better think about bed soon . . . I so appreciate all of you - our friends and family back home supporting us through prayers, emails, texts, blog comments and happy thoughts . . . got to talk to the girls tonight and they said they are praying for mommy to have lots of fun at the asthma hospital . . . can you get any more optimistic than that? Love those little ladies - and I'm doing all this crazy stuff for them . . .

The Amazing Race has Begun

Ladies and gentlemen . . . boys and girls . . . we are in DENVER!!

Before I get to far ahead of myself let me take you back. Yesterday afternoon I hugged my sweet little girls and kissed my fabulous husband good bye (definitely not the easiest thing I've done in my life . . . ) and headed down to a hotel in Seattle . . .

My sister dropped us off with a cart full of luggage and we quickly went to sleep anticipating an early morning. We awoke at 4:30 am . . . an incredible feat if you know my mom or I . . . and jumped aboard the hotel shuttle. Upon arrival at Sea Tac, we got our boarding passes, checked our bags (for a meager fee of $20 a piece - what is this world coming to?!), went through security (because my mom has a pace maker, she can't go through the metal detectors so she was treated to a full pat down . . . good times), then sat down for breakfast. It was soon time to head to the boarding gate. On the way, I decided I must have a coffee . . . the Starbucks line was at least 25 people long so I'm sorry to say Melissa (my Starbucks barista sister) I chose the no name coffee stand down the hall that had only two people in line - I love me some Starbucks but am not that snobby - not worth missing a flight for. Anyway - back to the real story - we began the trek to the boarding gate. Feeling quite asthmatic (as they've been tappering medications before the testing) it felt as though we had to cross three county lines to get there. We arrived just in time to board the plane. Our seats were cozy and we settled in for a ride . .

For a little over two hours we chatted (well . . . I whispered . . ) and enjoyed the flight. Modern technology is incredible as you are now able to access the internet with a wireless connection from the air!! I tried despretly to send a blog entry from the sky but it wouldn't let me enter the site . . . I have proof of trying though . . . and am still beyond impressed it's even possible . . . where are the Jetsons?

The flight was smooth sailing until the final 20 minutes or so of landing when we experienced a roller coaster of a ride with turbulance. It was not the best feeling ride I've been on but am happy to report that the wheels touched the ground. We were super excited to officially be in Denver!! Still dealing with the asthma, I got to neb right as soon as we departed . . . I am sooooo thankful for the portable nebulizer that we purchased (thanks to the generosity of our dear friends at Grace Lutheran Church) . . .

I finished the neb treatment and we started on the next lag of the Amazing Race . . . finding our baggage in the Denver airport. It is no exaggeration to say that we walked a mile, rode on moving sidewalks, took an elevator down, took a train over, rode another escalator up, walked another mile or so and found our bags.

After grabbing our bags, we found a Super Shuttle and bought a round trip travel ticket to our hotel then back to the airport when this journey is over. We waited in the sunshine (is this Denver?) for the Super Shuttle . . . a friendly driver picked us up and away we went . . . I'm still looking for Phil and the clue boxes (Amazing Race reference for those who don't know about the greatest show on TV). On the 45 min ride from the airport to our hotel we chatted (well . . . I whispered) with a man who's friend suffered from severe asthma, traveled to Denver, and found a solution . . . he went on to live a healthy, well managed life to this day. It was so encouraging to hear a real success story.

We arrived at the beautiful Marriott Towne Place Suites (the building used to be a printing press so it has some amazing architecture . . . photos to come later) . . . thank you Brian and all involved for choosing such an incredible place to stay and making this journey possible - I can't begin to express what this means and don't want you to see me cry online so I'll stop for now . . . We were welcomed by the nicest hotel staff ever who were beyond accomidating . . . we found our room, I nebbed, and my mom unpacked.

And yes . . . that's me on the couch . . . it's comfy in case you're wondering. We have a spacious living room, a full kitchen, two large bedrooms, a nice bathroom and even a little table to play games on at night. It is heavenly . . . 10 days in a hotel will not be so bad with so much wonderful space. Because of the full kitchenette, we decided to fill our fridge and cupboards with good healthy food so we can eat most meals at home and pack snacks while we travel back and forth to the hospital over the next week and a half. Our super accommodating hotel offered us a free shuttle ride to the local grocery store.

And yes . . . my mom took my picture in the grocery store in Denver . . . this blog with not lack pictures to follow the stories - that is a gifting my mom has . . .

We rode the shuttle home . . . ok - the hotel but good that I automatically wrote home . . . and I nebbed while my mom put away groceries . . . she's definitely having to earn her keep on this vacation. We are settled in, enjoying some food and here I sit . . . nebbing and blogging . . . so excited to be here . . . can't wait for tomorrow when I get to meet with my team of doctors and begin the testings . . . I'm optimistic, excited and just feel so overwhelmingly blessed to have this opportunity . . . within hours I'll be stepping foot in the number one respiratory hospital in the country . . . YEAH DENVER!!!

A must see . . .

The Marsh family had a fabulous two days of feasting and family . . . first on Wednesday at our house, we hosted my mom and dad, sister and brother in law. My dad brought dinner to throw in the oven to warm - what an incredible treat. We played lots of games, shared lots of laughs and had a great time. On Thursday, we headed down south to spend time with the other grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle and little nephew. Everyone pitched in to cook and the results were the delicious result of many loving hands . . . we started a new tradition (I hope) of a family show - everyone took a turn sharing a talent (Hannah sang a song, Daddy told joke, Mommy wrote and preformed a Thanksgiving felt story and Haley showed her hula hooping skills - on the Wii) . . we were also treated to the musical talents of grandma and grandpa, sewing skills by Aunt Bonnie and a story reading by Uncle Ryan. It was super fun and followed by an old fashioned hymn sing around the piano. . so many beautiful memories packed in two days!!

Today we decided to avoid the shopping mayhem but enjoy an outing. We went to see Tangled - the new Disney movie about Rapunzel . . . and let me tell you, it was FABULOUS!!! We are super conservative as to what we let our kiddos watch on the TV or in movies and new movies in particular have been crass or scary or adult or rude and I have not been that that impressed. The previews have looked virtually tame and we decided to give it a try.

Everyone in the family (mom and dad included) laughed so hard . . . it was wholesome and silly and fun and exciting with a strong female role model (she is no fainting violet!) and a captivating story - with amazing graphics. . . we did not see it in 3D (which is apparently an option) but you must take your family to see this movie - it is worth the cost of a ticket (and of course, the popcorn) . . . it has super fun catchy songs, a hilarious supporting cast of animals and although there is a villain, she is more grouchy then evil - a nice improvement from some Disney villains of the past. I hope Disney continues on in this new direction - we want fun family friendly movies to take our families too . . . two thumbs up - keep up the good work - and we all can't wait to see it again on video! (unless any grandma out there wants to take us to the theater . . . we'd go again?! :)

Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving . . . I have so much to be thankful for and can't even begin to list them here . . . just know, you are a part of that - the friends and family we have surrounding us and holing us up in prayer and support and love - you are appreciated!! Enjoy the weekend . . . and let the Christmas music begin!!!

The Little Things . . .

This afternoon, the kids and I enjoyed a play date at McDonald's with a dear friends. It was so nice. It was easy - there was no clean up for anyone - and for just a few dollars, I even got to enjoy an iced coffee . . . sometimes it's the little things that make a day so great. The kids are happily exhausted from running around in a jumbo sized hamster cage, my soul is happily filled from sweet conversation, my energy is a little higher from the jolt of coffee in my afternoon, and I'm ready to fix dinner for the family and finish the day well. We need the little things in life - and sometimes we need to look for them through the fog of the big things. Now . . . what to fix for dinner . . . can anyone say chicken nuggets?! (Just kidding . . . I think?!)

Brrrr . . .

I've heard a lot of chatter over the last couple weeks and months of how crazy and cold and snowy our winter is going to be. Then we had days and weeks of uncommon warmth around here . . . even up to 71 degrees in the end of September. I put the "crazy winter" comments in the back of my head thinking, we'll see . .

Today, waiting for the school bus with Hannah, I see. I'm sorry all those "crazy winter" people . . . you are right. It's really cold!! Now if only I can get my hubby to build a heated shelter with an espresso machine on the corner to warm us while we wait . . .

Tis the Season . . .

In order to start getting in the mood for the season, I just finished reading a sweet little Christmas story titled "Call me Mrs. Miracle" . . . without giving to much away, it's a story of a single woman in charge of caring for her nephew as her brother is away in the military. A woman named Mrs. Miracle works at a toy store and seems to know a lot about each of the people she interacts with . . . more than an average employee. The store owner and his son have differing opinions on what to sell during the holiday shopping season . . . happenstance brings together the single woman and the store owner's son and . . . well - you just have to read it!

I did some DVR research and found out this cute little story is also a Hallmark channel movie and it airs on November 27th . . . I'm going to tape it and look forward to watching this sweet tale come to life.  I love this time of year!! (and the crazy storm we had last night was a great set up for the crisp, rainy, windy, reading days to come!)

Joy . . .

Based on a friend's recommendation (thanks Michelle), I just finished reading "Champagne for the Soul" . . . and book about a man who challenges himself to live 90 of joy. Each chapter gives a small piece of the puzzle as to what he learned and how to choose to live in joy yourself. . . but I'll let him explain it himself . . .

pg 22 - "The present, after all, is the only time over which we have any control. I can't control the past; it's gone. As for the future, I don't know what will happen. Right now, however, I can chose to rejoice and so transform my life. A decision to rejoice in the present changes not only the present, it also changes my view of the past and ignites my future with hope. Thus, there is power in the present moment and only in the present to transform all of time."

pg. 34 - "Joy is like breathing: it's not enough to breathe in; one must also breathe out. In a word: REJOICE! Let your joy reverberate. Hug someone. Dance. Speak some inspiring words. Write a letter of book. Don't just think about happiness - be happy! Joy yearns to be physically expressed, acted out, lived."

An my favorite . . .

pg. 116 - "Joy need not be sought outside of the lives we already have. No, it lies right under our noses, often in the most extraordinary experiences. If we spent the next year simply enjoying who we are and what we have, we'd be much further ahead than by striving for more. What we need most, more than something dramatically new, is a quiet realization of what already is."

Hopefully, that wet your appetite to read it for yourself . . . what a good lesson on choosing how to approach the day instead of letting the day choose for you. Travis' Nana who lived to be 96 always said whatever the weather, then that was her choice. . . "if there is rain, then rain's my choice . . . if there is wind, then wind's my choice . . . if there is sun, then sun's my choice." Today, joy is my choice . . . and may God help me find it in all the little things today . . .