Update from Hannah

Hello All!

Its me - Hannah! I know Chloe just sent out an update here recently, but I thought I would say Hi to everybody and give you all a peek into my world here in the hospital.

I have been feeling so much better these past couple days. Dialysis has definitely brought down the swelling and is getting my body back to normal. With all the extra pounds of fluid on me it was so hard to walk around or do anything, so with it coming off its been great!

Boy, what an experience its been in the hospital! These past three weeks have been a whirlwind, but God has just been pouring out blessings all over the place...

I have so enjoyed seeing my kiddos everyday. Adonia (almost 3 yrs old) acts like she owns the hospital. When she comes to visit, Daniel says she insists on taking the lead and walks right through the entrance door, through the lobby, elevator (she knows what buttons to press), winds her way through the hallways....straight to my room! Her and I love doing manicures together, so everyday she comes in, hops up on the bed and we get a new nail color on. She had a big growing up moment the other night when she got to paint her toenails by herself for the first time. She did such a good job that I let her paint mine and Chloe's too...but had to draw the line when she asked to paint Daddy and Creed's toenails. :) She is so helpful in kissing all my boo-boo's and praying for me...and she always wants to make sure I get my intake of animal crackers for the day. Creed is my little happy “chunky monkey” (as we call him) and bright smiling sunshine! It seems every time I get to see him he is bigger and bigger. He loves to stick everything in his mouth and I hear he has adjusted well to eating lots of varieties of food since I haven't been able to nurse (because of all the steroids I'm taking).

On to Daniel.....my most AMAZING husband ever! This experience has totally brought us to a whole new amazing level in our marriage. We have bonded like never before. He has been the best support and encouragement to me and has such a servant's heart. He is constantly by my side asking if he can do anything for me, helps keep my room tidy and gets me anything I need. He reads to me, prays for me, and makes me laugh. Its been nice having him able to sleep here at the hospital with me so we get our evening together. Its amazing the little things that mean so much. The other night we were getting settled in together to watch our tv show for the evening, when I had the sudden craving for popcorn...so we sat trying to figure out how we could get some from somewhere. He then suggests he couldn't get me that, but that he could take me on a “date” to the vending machine. I got overly excited at the thought of treats (since I have been on a restricted diet we were actually going to have to sneak it in)....so we walked (or he walked...I waddled) to the vending machine where he spent several bucks getting me whatever I wanted! I was so excited - like a kid at the candy store. He is the best! Another night we had an funny memory together in the bathroom. I really needed to wash my hair and I had to be extra careful, since I can't get my catheter (that's near my neck, in my chest) wet, so I was on my hands and knees on the floor with my head hovered over the shower drain, Daniel was standing next to me with the shower hose, attempting to wash my hair. He got some shampoo and put it in, realized it wasn't enough, and went back for more. He ended up going back to get get shampoo four more times before I said "Daniel, I have a MANE of hair....GLOB IT ON!" We sat there laughing just thinking of how we looked getting my hair washed. I told him we don't have to worry about how we'll do together in our older years , because we are already experiencing it, with him helping me with getting dressed, washing my hair, and taking care of me. :)

I have so enjoyed my beautiful room! I have what I call my "garden" in the long window sill of my room, a row of the flowers you all have sent. With all the cards that you have sent, we have strung and hung them all over my room! Its so beautiful and every time I look at them it makes me smile to think of you all taking the time to pick out, write and mail your love to me! The nurses come in all the time and say "Wow, this is the prettiest room ever!" :) Thanks to all of you!

Speaking of the nurses (and doctors, too). They have all been amazing! Other than the thousands of needle pokes and surgeries that they have administered to me, they have been so sweet and helpful (not like the surgeries weren't helpful, but...). Since being in the hospital for this long I have become super good friends with lots of them and I know will stay in touch.

Sleeping here as been quite a time in itself. I have to get my vital signs checked through the night and get blood drawn in the early morning, so a full nights rest is out of the question here. Also, since I am on steroids I have been feeling pretty awake. Getting a good solid three hours of sleep is great for me and I wake feeling very perky and rested. If I get to bed at midnight, I can be up and wide awake at 3 in the morning ready to go! So God and I have had some wonderful times at those hours in the early morning together. I am reminded of the verse in Psalm 119:148 "My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises." And the steroids have definitely helped for that! :) I am so glad God is available for me 24/7. :)

I can't wait to have my parents and siblings back in the states !!! We are so excited as we make plans and arrangements to get them settled in with us in our house. It will be a full house and a ton of fun going on for sure...and it will be soo wonderful having their help as I get back on my feet in the next months.

I know you all have heard the great news that I will be getting out of here soon, and of God's healing of my body. Yesterday when I got the news my heart was so full of joy and excitement...I was jumping and dancing around my room like crazy, just celebrating what God had done! (and hoping one of the nurses didn't pop in and think I was going out of my mind!) When I was first in the hospital I was so bummed to think that I would be spending my month of August here, feeling like I was stuck and missing out on life. But God has given me one of the greatest months of my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything! I have so grown in my faith and trust in God, I have come to an amazing deeper level in my relationships with my husband and family, I have been so blessed to realize how so many people care and how powerful prayer is, and I have deepened my relationships with some people that I never would have had the opportunity to do if it wouldn't have been for this experience, and made tons of new friendships. Its been an experience I will never forget and would never want to take back. God has given me the best gift ever!

I just want to say thank you for your continued prayers. It was such a great encouragement, especially when everything was really going rough with my intense swelling, pain, surgery recovery, and just feeling very overwhelmed with all the news and diagnosis and information being poured into my little mind. God is teaching me to take everything a day at a time. And He will take care of the rest! I know its going to be a journey ahead adjusting to my condition and changes in lifestyle and just knowing my body can't take as much.... but I am confident in the verse of who God says I am, (Psalm 139:14) "I will give thanks to You for I am *fearfully* and *wonderfully* made. Wonderful are your works: and my soul knows it very well."

I hope I haven't rambled too much...I know my writing skills aren't anywhere near Shakespearean. ;)

I just can't even express how much you all mean to me!

Love you all!

~ Hannah

Isaiah 41:10 "Do not be afraid for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."