Coming Home October 2008

Hi Everyone,
As all of you know, I have been quite ill the last year & 1/2 with the aspergillus in my lungs and allergy to it. The details are so many, it just feels like peeling an onion---you know----too many layers to go in to in one e-mail. Anyway, the bottom line is this. I continue to experience serious anaphylaxis from aspergillus exposure here. It is the highest in the Pacific Northwest in the fall in the environment. I cannot take more steroids than I am on. I am currently maxxed out on all medications. I am also taking a drug to kill the residual aspergillus in my lungs ( basically fungal chemotherapy). As recently as yesterday I went into respiratory arrest. After being released from the hospital, the decision has been made to remove me and the boys from this area until the first of Dec. when the aspergillus counts fall. I also have to taper down of the prednisone due to an ulceration in my stomach. So, I am coming to Indiana to heal and hopefully recover some of my health. I will be arriving the end of Oct. and we are staying at Rex & Lorraine's providing their forced air system tests negative for aspergillus. I plan on doing 4 days of school per week because I cannot miss 6 + weeks of school, but then would like to spend 3 day weekends visiting. Mike is taking off work and driving across country with us. He will then fly back and help me drive back to WA in Dec. We were offered a new motorcoach today from a family at church to drive across country. They were present yesterday when I went into respiratory arrest and the EMT's were working on me. It is a huge blessing to be given this, as aspergillus is harbored in forced air systems in homes, hospitals, & schools or hotels; so staying in a hotels driving across country was out of the question. I also need to bring the dogs in case Mike gets deployed--which is likely. God is working everything single thing out. So, I'm hoping for some good visit time with you guys. It would be wonderful to have thanksgiving with both sides of the family--but I don't know who gets together and when. I also will seriously enjoy getting healthy!!!....and losing my prednisone moon face!

I realize that this all sounds a bit confussing. You would probably understand better what I have by just googleing my diagnosis: ABPA "Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergellosis". When Mike and I get there, we can explain so much more in person to you.

Aaron's 9th birthday is Nov. 2nd, and I would love to have a party for him. I'm still working on the details, but I hope you all can come. I'm trying to work on a central location; which isn't easy since you guys are spread 2 hours apart!