hangin' in there

This leaf is not a quitter! All the other leaves out front are long gone, but this one remains. Day after day, I'm impressed at its tenacity. I wasn't sure if it would make a good photo subject, but the coloring from an evening's sunlight adds a hint of drama.

.

I have remained, as well, but I had to use a whole week's worth of sick pay. I hate being sick. I don't like leaving my coworkers with my burden (but a part of me also hopes that they can't get along without me). My original thought for today's post was to chronicle the events with paragraph headings like, "Monday..., Tuesday..., etc." That would have been tedious and boring. Long story short, my blood pressure was in a scary place, and I had a host of complications. I'm better now.

.

The meds leave me drained before the day even starts and I stay tired until bed time, but that's better than the tension headaches, nervous jitters, and sleepless nights that I had to endure a few days ago.

.

I owe a debt of gratitude to Mrs. Craver, who did a tremendous job of taking care of me morning, noon and night. Thanks be to God that we are using health insurance and not life insurance! I appreciate the prayers of my friends, and every word of encouragement along the way.

caught a bug

[click to enlarge]

.

More than half of us are sick at the Craver household, so we're going to try to drown it out with hot tea and soup. Yes, even in this heat and humidity, we're having hot liquids. When it comes to illness, we don't mess around. Please pray for my wife. She makes great soup, but she also is not feeling well, and instead of resting, has to take care of the rest of us like a resident physician. We did not sleep well last night, and I can tell by the scratchiness in my throat, that this particular bug is going to affect our voices. (Mrs. Craver sings.)

.

This Cicada was between the outer doors at church. I slid a sheet of white paper under it, and after making a mad fuss, it stayed on the white paper for me. Wasn't that nice? I got down on my belly and took its picture before lifting it by the paper and releasing it outside.

fourth of july

Happy Independence Day! It is now past ten o'clock, so please let's all be quiet and get to sleep. This second photo was kinda funky. I must have jiggled the tripod. It was an accident, but I like it anyway.

.

I hope to get an appointment for an ultrasound this week. No, I'm not pregnant! (lol) The doctor can't decide whether I have an ulcer or pancreatitis. I do not expect to know until next week. I'm feeling better now than the past few days. Who knows? ...Maybe it was just food poisoning. I'll keep you updated.

recovering

This week has been no picnic. I have had a constant headache and sore neck and back, as well as the expected tenderness in my abdomen. Who knew how difficult it could be to constantly keep one arm straight for the IV? I appreciate all the kind thoughts and prayers. I hope to be a good student of whatever God teaches me through this event. (In this first picture, you see how I need to hold my head on, so that it does not fall off.) Whenever I "get sick," which is rare, the blood vessels around my eyes make like the Fourth of July, and light up my face. I had a reddish band across my eyes and nose for a week or so. They eventually fade like vanishing crimson freckles.

.

The procedure was done at Bolingbrook's new hospital. The staff and facilities are top notch. Mrs. Craver and I picked out a card, and we want to go back with some chocolates or something in a few days. I made sure to submit comment cards about the people I appreciated the most.

.

(What a miserable portrait, eh?) I won't bore you with all the details, but here are the highlights: My wife is an absolute angel! She stayed with me and spoke soothing words of comfort the whole time. I was visited by my biological and spiritual family. Those visits were fun times for me, and I tried to be a good patient for all of them. They're all a bunch of whacky people, and they are good for bringing a smile to your face.

.

Dilaudid. Wow, that stuff is fantastic! "Mr. Craver, we're going to give you something to take the edge off, okay?" Next thing I knew, I was feeling no pain at all. I have never experienced anything as effective.

.

As I continue seeking relief from the headaches, neckaches, sore gut, and out-of-control blood pressure, I appreciate the kindness that my friends have shown. Please remember me to the Lord in your prayers, as the healing is ultimately from His hand.

sluggish

The weekend was great! There was a lot of good things that I could talk about. But sleeplessness, a woozy stomach, and a headache that won't quit have me feeling a bit tired and sluggish this morning. Let's see if I can get my act together by tomorrow.