Katie had her appointment with the Endocrinologist a few days ago (on Thursday). We left that appointment with more questions than answers. Katie does not appear to have diabetes, and for that we are very glad! However, we still don't know what is going on, and we are not feeling very glad about that. The Endocrinologist has a "theory" that Katie's body is being overloaded by the "massive" amount of steroids she takes each month. His theory is that Katie's adrenal system shuts down during the 5 days (each month) she is on steroids, and her body stops producing its own steroids. He believes that as a result, when Katie goes off the steroids her blood sugar goes too low. The doctor suggested giving Katie additional steroids immediately following her monthly dose, and then slowly weaning her off, in an effort to allow her body to readjust and hopefully avoid these episodes of low blood sugar.
The doctor asked us what we thought about his theory. We told him we had not made a connection between the low blood sugar levels and the steroids. We believe it is regularly (but randomly) happening off and on, and not just when she is coming off of her steroids. I told the doctor I had not been able to find any kind of pattern, or make a correlation to any one thing. However, in saying that, we also had not been keeping a written record of Katie's episodes, because we had been led to believe this was a "normal" reaction to her chemo (which we now know is not the case). The Endocrinologist asked us if we wanted to test out his theory and give Katie the added steroids. Scott and I looked at each other, and we both shook our heads no, and we told the doctor we did not feel comfortable with giving her more steroids based on a "theory." (Thank goodness Scott & I think alike!)
The doctor said there was another option. He said he could give us a prescription to have labs drawn, and then we could try and endues a low blood sugar episode by having Katie fast. If her blood sugar went low, we could take her to the nearest lab and have labs drawn. He then asked us how close we lived to the nearest lab - I told him 10 to 15 minutes. The doctor said he did not feel comfortable with that. He said it was "too dangerous." He did not want Katie's blood sugar to stay low for that long. So, we were at an impasse - then I had a thought. I told the doctor Katie would be fasting anyway on April 3rd, because she was going to the hospital for a spinal tap. He said that would be a perfect day to "test" her, since she would be fasting anyway. The nurses could monitor Katie, and if her blood sugar went low, they could draw the labs while she was there. It is my understanding that if we get the labs done while Katie's blood sugar is low, then we will get some definative answers. I asked the doctor how we would proceed if Katie did not have an "episode" that day (due to fasting). He told me, "That would just reinforce my theory about the steroids, and then we would start her on the additional steroids". He gave us a blood glucose meter, so we could test Katie's blood sugar on the days we thought it was low, and then we left... Like I said, not a lot of answers, but still a lot of questions!
I worried about it the rest of the day. We do not want to give her more steroids unless we have to. I understand the doctor's reasoning, and we would do it, if we knew that was what was needed... But more steroids are the last thing we need, if it really isn't needed! Anyway, after worrying about it all that day, something finally came to me. I checked and double checked. I remembered that Katie had a low blood sugar episode on March 4th, three days before our appointment with our Oncologist, Dr. Dana. Three days before, meaning almost an entire month after her last dose of steroids. That would debunk the Endocrinologist's steroid theory! (I do not have it documented, but I was able to piece events together, and I know for sure she had an episode that day - and that is what prompted me 3 days later to bring it up to Dr. Dana).
Katie has not had any episodes this week... Until today. I started writing this blog post earlier this morning and I was hoping to have it completed before the kids woke up. However, Conner came downstairs and said Katie was crying for me and that she needed help. I knew what that meant! I grabbed the glucose meter and the phone (Scott was already at work). I called Scott and he "walked" me through it. I tested Katie twice. Her blood sugar was 40. It should not be lower than 60.
Conner was very sweet and he helped me take care of Katie until she was better. I gave her juice and a banana. When she was feeling a little better, I took her downstairs and fed her breakfast... So, once again, this seems to debunk the Endocrinologist's steroid theory. Katie's last steroid day was on the 11th - two weeks ago - and this time, it will be documented! Katie's low blood sugar may somehow be connected to the steroids (and all the other meds she takes) but it does not seem to be directly connected to her stopping her monthly 5 day dose. We will keep on keeping track, and see what happens between now and April 3rd, and then go from there. Scott promised me we would not do anything that we do not feel comfortable with, or that we do not feel is right.
Jeffrey R. Holland said, "He wishes us to come unto him, to follow him, to be comforted by him. Then he wishes us to give comfort to others. However halting our steps are toward him - though they shouldn't be halting at all - his steps are never halting toward us." ("Come unto Me", Ensign, April 1998)
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Day 497
I called the clinic first thing this morning and spoke to a nurse (who then spoke to Dr. Dana). No one is sure what is going on with Katie at this point with her blood sugar, but they said this is not normal, and it should not be happening. The nurse just called back and said they are trying to get her in with a PCH Endocrinologist. Their "goal" is to get Katie in by the end of the week.
When I brought up this concern to Dr. Dana last week, it wasn't something I had thought about before hand, or had planned on discussing. We have discussed this concern before, with a few different doctors - even the doctors in the hospital - because Katie had an "episode" while she was hospitalized. All the previous doctors acted like it was no big deal, not a big concern, nothing to worry about. So, like I said, we assumed this was a normal part of the chemo process - how would we know any differently? I am so glad I voiced my concern (once again). I know I was prompted by the spirit to say something. I am glad Dr. Dana "heard" me, and I am glad she is our main doctor. I am glad we can get Katie into another doctor to see why this is happening, and to see what can be done about it.
"You and I may cryout, 'No one understands. No one knows.' But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands. He can reach out, touch, and stregthen us." (Elder David A. Bednar)
When I brought up this concern to Dr. Dana last week, it wasn't something I had thought about before hand, or had planned on discussing. We have discussed this concern before, with a few different doctors - even the doctors in the hospital - because Katie had an "episode" while she was hospitalized. All the previous doctors acted like it was no big deal, not a big concern, nothing to worry about. So, like I said, we assumed this was a normal part of the chemo process - how would we know any differently? I am so glad I voiced my concern (once again). I know I was prompted by the spirit to say something. I am glad Dr. Dana "heard" me, and I am glad she is our main doctor. I am glad we can get Katie into another doctor to see why this is happening, and to see what can be done about it.
"You and I may cryout, 'No one understands. No one knows.' But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands. He can reach out, touch, and stregthen us." (Elder David A. Bednar)
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Day 496
It is Spring Break and we have had a fun and busy week! Katie was still down and out on Monday, but by Tuesday morning she was back to herself - and we were glad! We were able to spend time this week with my extended family - it was a much needed "vacation" for us. We were able to go swimming at the hotel where one of my brothers was staying, and we went out to dinner together. (Katie's immunity was up because she was on the steroids and had gotten the IGG infusion).
Katie wasn't able to swim much last year, because of her port. And I can't even begin to describe her level of excitement about being able to go swimming this week. Let me just say, that the first day she went swimming, she laughed and giggled the entire time she was in the pool (2-3 hours!) We all had a great time!
It has been an up and down week with her. She played hard when she could, and rested much when she needed too. Unfortunately, we do have a new concern with her...and it is a pretty big one. Katie might be diabetic. We have mentioned to serveral doctors at PCH that Katie will awake in a cold sweat, clammy to the touch, pale, and shaky. All the doctors we mentioned it to, dismissed it, as if it was normal - "just give her something to eat." However, when I mentioned it to Dr. Dana this last time, she said, "You have never mentioned this to me before... That is not normal, that should not be happening, she should never get that low, that would not due to the chemo." (Once again, this brings out our frustration of not being able to see one doctor consistently!) We had just accepted that when this happens to Katie, that it was just part of process, due to the chemo. Now we find out that is not the case. Dr. Dana wanted to know how often it happens - we couldn't tell her for sure, because we have become so used to it happening - it was "normal" - we thought. Dr. Dana said, "If it happens regularly, we will need to test her for diabetes." I told her we would keep track of when it happens. -- It happened twice this week... When it happened this morning, I put Katie in the car, and drove her to Scott's fire station. Scott tested her blood sugar level, and it was 31, anything lower than 60 is low! So...We will be calling the clinic in the morning to see if we need to get her tested for diabetes. (I can't believe it! But either she has it or she doesn't, there is nothing we can do about it). We will see what they say, and then go from there.
Conner's blood tests came back earlier this week. He is anemic, but the tests do not indicate it is anything more. We are grateful! We don't understand why he is anemic, he eats very healthy - and should be getting plenty of iron. But we will give him the iron supplement for a month and then have him tested again, and go from there. And just as a side note, the iron supplement is a liquid and it is horrible! It smells and tastes like rusty metal. I put it in some orange juice, because vitamin C helps with the absorption of iron, Conner drank it and said it tasted horrible. So, I tasted it - and I gaged. It was horrible! So now what!? I don't know... experiment with it I guess...different juice, no juice but a drink after, a pill? I don't know...
So, lots of ups and downs. However, we are very glad for the ups! Thank goodness for the ups! Thanks to my family for spending time with us this week. It was a much needed!!! We are grateful.
I recently gave a quote from this talk by President Monson, but today I wanted to add to it. "I would recommend...that you take an inventory of your life and look specifically for the blessings large and small, you have received.
"Reinforced constantly during my own review of the years has been my knowledge that our prayers are heard and answered. We are familiar with the truth found in 2 Nephi in the Book of Mormon: "Men are, that they might have joy." I testify that much of that joy comes as we recognize that we can communicate with our Heavenly Father through prayer and that those prayers will be heard and answered - perhaps not how and when we expected they would be answered, but they will be answered by a Heavenly Father who knows and loves us perfectly and who desires our happiness.
"...My brothers and sisters, the Lord is in all of our lives. He loves us. He wants to bless us. He wants us to seek His help. As He guides us and directs us and as He hears and answers our prayers, we will find the happiness here and now that He desires for us. May we be aware of His blessings in our lives." (Consider the Blessings, Ensign, November 2012).
Katie wasn't able to swim much last year, because of her port. And I can't even begin to describe her level of excitement about being able to go swimming this week. Let me just say, that the first day she went swimming, she laughed and giggled the entire time she was in the pool (2-3 hours!) We all had a great time!
It has been an up and down week with her. She played hard when she could, and rested much when she needed too. Unfortunately, we do have a new concern with her...and it is a pretty big one. Katie might be diabetic. We have mentioned to serveral doctors at PCH that Katie will awake in a cold sweat, clammy to the touch, pale, and shaky. All the doctors we mentioned it to, dismissed it, as if it was normal - "just give her something to eat." However, when I mentioned it to Dr. Dana this last time, she said, "You have never mentioned this to me before... That is not normal, that should not be happening, she should never get that low, that would not due to the chemo." (Once again, this brings out our frustration of not being able to see one doctor consistently!) We had just accepted that when this happens to Katie, that it was just part of process, due to the chemo. Now we find out that is not the case. Dr. Dana wanted to know how often it happens - we couldn't tell her for sure, because we have become so used to it happening - it was "normal" - we thought. Dr. Dana said, "If it happens regularly, we will need to test her for diabetes." I told her we would keep track of when it happens. -- It happened twice this week... When it happened this morning, I put Katie in the car, and drove her to Scott's fire station. Scott tested her blood sugar level, and it was 31, anything lower than 60 is low! So...We will be calling the clinic in the morning to see if we need to get her tested for diabetes. (I can't believe it! But either she has it or she doesn't, there is nothing we can do about it). We will see what they say, and then go from there.
Conner's blood tests came back earlier this week. He is anemic, but the tests do not indicate it is anything more. We are grateful! We don't understand why he is anemic, he eats very healthy - and should be getting plenty of iron. But we will give him the iron supplement for a month and then have him tested again, and go from there. And just as a side note, the iron supplement is a liquid and it is horrible! It smells and tastes like rusty metal. I put it in some orange juice, because vitamin C helps with the absorption of iron, Conner drank it and said it tasted horrible. So, I tasted it - and I gaged. It was horrible! So now what!? I don't know... experiment with it I guess...different juice, no juice but a drink after, a pill? I don't know...
So, lots of ups and downs. However, we are very glad for the ups! Thank goodness for the ups! Thanks to my family for spending time with us this week. It was a much needed!!! We are grateful.
I recently gave a quote from this talk by President Monson, but today I wanted to add to it. "I would recommend...that you take an inventory of your life and look specifically for the blessings large and small, you have received.
"Reinforced constantly during my own review of the years has been my knowledge that our prayers are heard and answered. We are familiar with the truth found in 2 Nephi in the Book of Mormon: "Men are, that they might have joy." I testify that much of that joy comes as we recognize that we can communicate with our Heavenly Father through prayer and that those prayers will be heard and answered - perhaps not how and when we expected they would be answered, but they will be answered by a Heavenly Father who knows and loves us perfectly and who desires our happiness.
"...My brothers and sisters, the Lord is in all of our lives. He loves us. He wants to bless us. He wants us to seek His help. As He guides us and directs us and as He hears and answers our prayers, we will find the happiness here and now that He desires for us. May we be aware of His blessings in our lives." (Consider the Blessings, Ensign, November 2012).
Monday, March 11, 2013
Day 490
My brother Brent is in town for Spring Break. He and his is family came over yesterday afternoon for about an hour or two. Last night, as I was putting Katie to bed, she said, "I don't think my cousins can come over every day...because I need a few days in between to rest." I assured her we would work it out, and then she said, "Today was really fun!...but I just need time to rest...I just need to rest." This being said on a day when she had taken two naps (2 hours each), and I was putting her to bed early - and her cousins were only here for an hour or two. It was heart wrenching! I assured Katie she could play when she felt like playing and she could rest when she needed to rest - and then she promptly fell asleep.
Today, is Scott's and my, 7th wedding anniversary. It has been an eventful seven years! When we began this journey together, neither of us could have guessed or even imagined the hardships and difficulties ahead - but we made it through it all - together. We are happy together. Our love for each other has grown, and I can't imagine my life without him. He is my best friend. I love him with all of my heart and soul. I am grateful to him for being the faithful, good, and strong man he is. He has been a steady and constant source of strength and love. We are equally yoked. We are "two peas in a pod." I love that we are so much alike, and that we enjoy the same things. Scott has given me my greatest gifts - my children. He is a great husband and a great father. He is a righteous man and he keeps his covenants. He is a master of all trades and I love that about him. He is strong and he is steady. Scott is the love of my life, and I am so glad he found me. I am grateful that he loves me - and I am grateful for the way he loves me - and for how much he loves me. (I love you Scott!)
Today, is Scott's and my, 7th wedding anniversary. It has been an eventful seven years! When we began this journey together, neither of us could have guessed or even imagined the hardships and difficulties ahead - but we made it through it all - together. We are happy together. Our love for each other has grown, and I can't imagine my life without him. He is my best friend. I love him with all of my heart and soul. I am grateful to him for being the faithful, good, and strong man he is. He has been a steady and constant source of strength and love. We are equally yoked. We are "two peas in a pod." I love that we are so much alike, and that we enjoy the same things. Scott has given me my greatest gifts - my children. He is a great husband and a great father. He is a righteous man and he keeps his covenants. He is a master of all trades and I love that about him. He is strong and he is steady. Scott is the love of my life, and I am so glad he found me. I am grateful that he loves me - and I am grateful for the way he loves me - and for how much he loves me. (I love you Scott!)
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Day 489
Katie went to the clinic on Thursday. We expected it to be a short day, but it turned into a long one - 6 hours. Katie's IGG level was low, so she had to get an IGG infusion - and that takes several hours - and costs 10,000 dollars. So, once again, we are glad for insurance! Katie also got her chemo that day as well.
Katie's ANC level was too high, so her doctor told us to increase the dose of chemo pills we give Katie on Fridays. We upped it from 7 pills to 8 & 1/2 - and it did what I guess it was supposed to do. It brought her down (literally). Katie woke up yesterday and today with a tummy ache and feeling nauseous. She has dark circles under her eyes, and she has been very tired and weak. She has put herself in bed the last two mornings and has taken an extra nap each day. It breaks our hearts to see her like this. She is also on steroids right now as well, and they are doing what they do.... Not fun!
This afternoon Katie asked (begged) to go on a walk, so I took her. About halfway around the block, Katie said, "This is further than what I thought it would be." So, I ended up carrying her the rest of the way. I didn't mind. =) She is very sweet.
Conner went with us to Katie's appointment - because like I said, we weren't expecting to be there very long. But I am glad Conner came with us. He was such a great big brother to Katie. She wanted him to hold her hand when she got her poke with the needle. Conner hugged her, kissed her, stood by her and held her hand through the whole process. I was so proud of him - and it was so sweet!
Later that same afternoon (late afternoon), I took Conner to our regular Pediatrician. I had made an appointment for him, because we have had some concerns about him. I could tell the doctor thought I was being silly or over reactive. He even asked me (somewhat sarcastically), "So you think he has Leukemia too?" I told him, "No, I don't think that, but we do have some concerns. Conner has been pale and something just doesn't seem to be right - and I haven't been able to shake the feeling." The doctor said he wouldn't give Conner a full blood test - like I wanted - but he agreed to at least test him for anemia. I waited there for the results. The doctor came back in the room (with a changed attitude) and told me, "Conner is anemic, and now we will need to do a full blood test!" I took Conner to the lab Friday morning for his blood draw (he was very brave). We hope and pray it is nothing more serious than anemia. (I have been assured that kids can get anemic, take the iron, and then everything is fine).
President Monson said, "I have found that, rather than dwelling on the negative, if we will take a step back and consider the blessings in our lives, including seemingly small, sometimes overlooked blessings, we can find greater happiness." ("Consider the Blessings," Ensign, November 2012)
Katie's ANC level was too high, so her doctor told us to increase the dose of chemo pills we give Katie on Fridays. We upped it from 7 pills to 8 & 1/2 - and it did what I guess it was supposed to do. It brought her down (literally). Katie woke up yesterday and today with a tummy ache and feeling nauseous. She has dark circles under her eyes, and she has been very tired and weak. She has put herself in bed the last two mornings and has taken an extra nap each day. It breaks our hearts to see her like this. She is also on steroids right now as well, and they are doing what they do.... Not fun!
This afternoon Katie asked (begged) to go on a walk, so I took her. About halfway around the block, Katie said, "This is further than what I thought it would be." So, I ended up carrying her the rest of the way. I didn't mind. =) She is very sweet.
Conner went with us to Katie's appointment - because like I said, we weren't expecting to be there very long. But I am glad Conner came with us. He was such a great big brother to Katie. She wanted him to hold her hand when she got her poke with the needle. Conner hugged her, kissed her, stood by her and held her hand through the whole process. I was so proud of him - and it was so sweet!
Later that same afternoon (late afternoon), I took Conner to our regular Pediatrician. I had made an appointment for him, because we have had some concerns about him. I could tell the doctor thought I was being silly or over reactive. He even asked me (somewhat sarcastically), "So you think he has Leukemia too?" I told him, "No, I don't think that, but we do have some concerns. Conner has been pale and something just doesn't seem to be right - and I haven't been able to shake the feeling." The doctor said he wouldn't give Conner a full blood test - like I wanted - but he agreed to at least test him for anemia. I waited there for the results. The doctor came back in the room (with a changed attitude) and told me, "Conner is anemic, and now we will need to do a full blood test!" I took Conner to the lab Friday morning for his blood draw (he was very brave). We hope and pray it is nothing more serious than anemia. (I have been assured that kids can get anemic, take the iron, and then everything is fine).
President Monson said, "I have found that, rather than dwelling on the negative, if we will take a step back and consider the blessings in our lives, including seemingly small, sometimes overlooked blessings, we can find greater happiness." ("Consider the Blessings," Ensign, November 2012)
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Day 482
There are lots of ups and downs each week with Katie, depending on her medications. Sometimes Katie is weak, sometimes she is strong, sometimes her tummy hurts, and sometimes she is nauseous, and other times she feels fine. Sometimes she gets really thirsty at night time...she gets night sweats, cold and clammy...hot...etc... Sometimes she is very pale and shaky in the mornings... We just take each day as it comes. Lately she has been saying she is having "hard days." Mostly, I think it is because she still has a yucky nose and cough, and because of it she can't go out much.
Katie loves to play hide-and-go-seek. She loves to play tag, jump on the trampoline (which she doesn't really jump because she isn't supposed too, but she runs around the trampoline and plays ring-around-the-rosie). Katie loves to swing on the swings and slide on the slide. When her immune system is up, she loves to dig in the dirt (she can't dig in the dirt when her immune system is down because she might get a fungus or mold). Katie loves to "play" the piano, to dance, and dress up, and play make believe. She loves playing with her Barbies and her baby dolls. Katie loves to color, cut, tape, paint, and glue. She especially loves to make pictures for her friends and to put it in their mailboxes - and to make pictures for Daddy, or Grandma, Conner, Mommy, etc... Katie loves to cook and clean in her little play kitchen.
Speaking of her little kitchen set, that brings me to the funny story of the week. Last Sunday, our little puppy, Peaches, went missing (mid-afternoon). I searched the house and yard for her, and then I had Scott search the house and yard. No Peaches. I asked Katie and Conner if they had seen her...locked her up somewhere...or let her out front. The answers were all no. We then had Nathan search the house, as Scott went door to door in our neighborhood asking if anyone had seen our dog. I spent a couple of hours driving around looking for her. As it was getting dusk, I came home and made missing puppy posters. We drove around for another hour putting posters up on every stop sign, on every street, all around us - and looking, looking, looking. Still no Peaches. Peaches doesn't bark at all, and she rarely whines, so all we could do was look. It was now dark. I tried calling the Pound, Animal Rescue, etc... but none were open. So we said another prayer (one of many) and then I set about making us a late dinner. After dinner, I called my mom and told her our dog was missing. As I was talking with her, I looked down and there Peaches was at my feet!!! I said, "She is here, she is here! Where did she come from!?" I picked her up and she wasn't cold at all, so I knew she hadn't been outside. I said again, "Where was she? Where did she come from!?" Scott, Conner, and Nathan all looked dumbfounded...and then Katie came into the room with a sheepish look on her face. I asked her if she knew where Peaches had come from. Katie replied, "Upstairs." I couldn't believe it! Scott, Nathan and I had all searched upstairs (and everywhere in the house and yard several times - closets, under beds, behind chairs...everywhere - we thought). I asked Katie how she found her and she said, "I was putting on my pajamas and Peaches was crying." I asked Katie to show me where she had found her. Katie took me up to her bedroom, and pointed to the microwave on her play kitchen set!!! Peaches had been inside the play microwave! Apparently, Katie had put Peaches in there and had forgotten!
I know some animal lovers will not find any humor in that, but the microwave is about the same size as Peaches' kennel, and she wasn't in there overnight or anything - AND we have had several long talks with Katie about how she can't do things like that to Peaches.... But it is funny...We looked for hours for that dog! We even had kind neighbors who went out looking for her. Scott went door to door! And the next morning, I had to spend another hour driving around, taking down all of the missing puppy posters! Probably the funniest thing though, was the next day when Conner went around telling people that "We thought our puppy was missing, but she wasn't...she was in the microwave!" - That raised a few eyebrows!!! =) We are glad Peaches was found safe and sound. She has brought much joy, love and laughter into our home and family. We love our silly Peaches.
I liked this quote that my niece, Tebbanie, sent me by Victor Frankl: "What is to give light must endure burning." Tebbanie said: "Through adversity we are being refined so that someday, someway, our "light" may shine on in a more fantastic way." (I get it now too Tebb...) It does take some burning in order for our lights to grow.
Katie loves to play hide-and-go-seek. She loves to play tag, jump on the trampoline (which she doesn't really jump because she isn't supposed too, but she runs around the trampoline and plays ring-around-the-rosie). Katie loves to swing on the swings and slide on the slide. When her immune system is up, she loves to dig in the dirt (she can't dig in the dirt when her immune system is down because she might get a fungus or mold). Katie loves to "play" the piano, to dance, and dress up, and play make believe. She loves playing with her Barbies and her baby dolls. Katie loves to color, cut, tape, paint, and glue. She especially loves to make pictures for her friends and to put it in their mailboxes - and to make pictures for Daddy, or Grandma, Conner, Mommy, etc... Katie loves to cook and clean in her little play kitchen.
Speaking of her little kitchen set, that brings me to the funny story of the week. Last Sunday, our little puppy, Peaches, went missing (mid-afternoon). I searched the house and yard for her, and then I had Scott search the house and yard. No Peaches. I asked Katie and Conner if they had seen her...locked her up somewhere...or let her out front. The answers were all no. We then had Nathan search the house, as Scott went door to door in our neighborhood asking if anyone had seen our dog. I spent a couple of hours driving around looking for her. As it was getting dusk, I came home and made missing puppy posters. We drove around for another hour putting posters up on every stop sign, on every street, all around us - and looking, looking, looking. Still no Peaches. Peaches doesn't bark at all, and she rarely whines, so all we could do was look. It was now dark. I tried calling the Pound, Animal Rescue, etc... but none were open. So we said another prayer (one of many) and then I set about making us a late dinner. After dinner, I called my mom and told her our dog was missing. As I was talking with her, I looked down and there Peaches was at my feet!!! I said, "She is here, she is here! Where did she come from!?" I picked her up and she wasn't cold at all, so I knew she hadn't been outside. I said again, "Where was she? Where did she come from!?" Scott, Conner, and Nathan all looked dumbfounded...and then Katie came into the room with a sheepish look on her face. I asked her if she knew where Peaches had come from. Katie replied, "Upstairs." I couldn't believe it! Scott, Nathan and I had all searched upstairs (and everywhere in the house and yard several times - closets, under beds, behind chairs...everywhere - we thought). I asked Katie how she found her and she said, "I was putting on my pajamas and Peaches was crying." I asked Katie to show me where she had found her. Katie took me up to her bedroom, and pointed to the microwave on her play kitchen set!!! Peaches had been inside the play microwave! Apparently, Katie had put Peaches in there and had forgotten!
I know some animal lovers will not find any humor in that, but the microwave is about the same size as Peaches' kennel, and she wasn't in there overnight or anything - AND we have had several long talks with Katie about how she can't do things like that to Peaches.... But it is funny...We looked for hours for that dog! We even had kind neighbors who went out looking for her. Scott went door to door! And the next morning, I had to spend another hour driving around, taking down all of the missing puppy posters! Probably the funniest thing though, was the next day when Conner went around telling people that "We thought our puppy was missing, but she wasn't...she was in the microwave!" - That raised a few eyebrows!!! =) We are glad Peaches was found safe and sound. She has brought much joy, love and laughter into our home and family. We love our silly Peaches.
I liked this quote that my niece, Tebbanie, sent me by Victor Frankl: "What is to give light must endure burning." Tebbanie said: "Through adversity we are being refined so that someday, someway, our "light" may shine on in a more fantastic way." (I get it now too Tebb...) It does take some burning in order for our lights to grow.
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