Still moving forward

Hi folks,
Just a short note tonight to let you know we are still progressing. Have spoken with Dr.C today and expect to have an appointment in Bethesda, MD very soon, we are thinking this.

It is amazing to me that in many ways am improved and am better than I was in mid Dec. From the lady who was pretty sure she would never be able to travel anywhere again....I am truly shouting and giving praise to God.

For those who wonder, am I really going to write a book? I am not sure it will be a "real book", but if any of you remember my "detailed outlines"..... there is definitely an outline lurking in this computer. Other wise, no one will belive this story.

Will let you know when I confirm travel plans. (Laura will let you know first)

REmember God is God all the time and all the time time.......God is good.

We love you all.....have a good week. Marlene & Roger

Updating

Hello to everyone. Hope this finds you well and rested after Presents Day.....except for Luke and Linely who had to go to school!!

I continue to improve each day. I can now get up and down PRN from any of the chairs in the house. I have also been given permission to "park" my walker. And yesterday when I went to the Dr I walked the Garage & den up the stairs to the kitchen, alone. For those of you who are unaware, I haven't been able to do that for 8 weeks. Michelle helped me repeat the stair climb this morning, and I believe I am in better shape today than I was in Mid Dec when I went to Bethesda. I have relized that I had been having trouple with my muscles for a couple of weeks. I am trully working hard and very pleased with my progress. I hope to be able to return to Bethesda for reevaluation next week. We will coordinating the doctors at NIH, my doctor in Gate City and the new doctor in Kingsport. Hopefully everything will fall together quickly. I certainly am pleased with all of the doctor's now.....as you may be aware that is very importand to all of us. In addition to the excercise program, I have gone back to a very strict diet rigimene. Low/no carbs and low no fat. They have told me it may not help, because the problem may be the Decadron (I don't have a history of elevation) The elevation could be related to the Pancreatitis. Even if the change in diet doesnt reduce my numbers, I feel I still need to try so root and pray for me!!

Since I told you about my impovement, let me give you a little fun news from the Petters Houshold. Laura came home for her BD this weekend and Roger and I decided to cook for her. We made Home Made cinnaman rolls which were delicious.....(I have been watching too many cooking shows) and I PROMISE NOT to eat anything else now that I am on this diet. HOWEVER Patti, Laura, Roger and I enjoy being at home (the inlaws, including the children had other things to do) and we had a great time cooking Idiot yeast rolls, Red Velvet Cake (Patti's is the best) Dry rubbed spar ribs and Orange Calflower/broccol......We had a great time and I was excited because I was able to stay up all day and enjoy helping....... what a blessing. Please remember that God is Good....All the Time.....and He is still holding my hand. Love to all. Marlenen (and Roger who is makig me another rail for the stairs today

Valentines Day

Hope eveyone has had a good Valentines day with at least a little Chocolate. Roger and I shared a little candy today but I have been told that I must stop with the fat's and sweets (I didn't stay on the diet for very long, but am committed to sticking to it this time. I don't want to have to go on medication for the triglycerides, and that was the treat. I can do it. Threapy is going well and today I actually walked around the house after I got home from the Dr. Hoping to be using the stairs soon.

We are looking forward to Laura coming home tomorrow and celebrating her birthday..... won't tell you which one, but I feel old. Hope everyone had a great week end. Talk to you again in a few days. Rem. that God is Good....All the Time. Love to all. Marlene and Roger

Happy Valentine Day

Keeping the faith

Wishing everyone a good weekend. I continue to show improvement and prayer that I will be able to navigate the stairs by next weekend. We went on the deck and down 3 steps today, so I do have high hope. Even if I am not total able to be "walker free" if I can get out with it, I will be very happy. Never thought I would feel that way. As I said before, I have lost all my pride. I guess I have learned not to be prideful, just thankful.

Just wanted to wish everyone a good weekend, and for your continued prayers.. Hope to see you all soon. (

I am working on my typing, sentice structure etc Please done't grade me I know I have missed some spelling)
God Bless each if you......God is God. All the Time. Love Marlene.

Therapy

Continuing with therapy has been very incouragen. Yesterday the OT helped me with a plan to improve my writing abilit. I know many of you are laughing because you know that it has alway been bad, but you know I live in hope. If you get a card from me this week, you will see that she is making me write on lined paper. It is much easier and I have shown improvement, so bear with me. She also has be wearing a patch on my left eye (that is my good eye) Suprise, I can see with the right one also, and finaly with her suggestion I am able to read better, esp my Bible. I feel like I am back in school again and I love it. Hope all of you are doing well. Keep us in your prayers and remember that God is Good......all the time. Love,
Marlene and Roger

Feb 4

Hi everyone!
Wanted to touch base and let you know how things are going. As I mentioned before, I started therapy last week. I'm happy to report that I can see improvement every day. I can now walk through the house,and get in and out of the tall chairs alone still using the walkes. In other words, I am truly improving. Hope to return to MD in a couple of weeks.

Talked to NIH today and last weeks MRI showed some differences/impovement. some of you will not be surprised. Please continue to pray for the blood flow to be stopped and the vision to continue to be improved. Remember that God is Good all the time, and he walks with us every day!!!! I will try to keep in touch every day or two...it is very encouraging to see improvement each day. I thank your your prayers and encouragement....you are wonderful friends and family......God is Good....All the time. Love Marlene--- Roger!!!

PS....did you all know there is NOTHING to watch on TV excpt the food channel. I can now make frie macarroni, and fried cheese cake and fried lasagna? That's with Paula Dean....queene of fried foods.......les some of you get worried, I am also watching the healthy cooks, may be a gourmet cook when I recover!! Love to all.......