Thankful Thursday!

Today's the day!  My internist confirmed that my Polymyalgia Reumatica is either gone or in remission.  While my SED rate is higher than it has been in the past (pre-PMR), it is also in the totally NORMAL range.  Either way, I am done with Prednisone and that makes this one "Thankful Thursday!"

Duh . . .

I went swimming at the Y this morning at 6:30 a.m., not my "normal" time.

Lifeguard 1:  "Why are you here so early?"

Me:  "There's no swimming lessons today and I wanted to have a lane to myself."

Lifeguard 2:  "Why are you here so early?"

Me:  "There's no swimming lessons today and I wanted to have a lane to myself." 

Aquatics Direction:  "Why are you here so early?"

Together we said:  "There's no swimming lessons today . . ."

I guess "Halloween" is a holiday at the Y!  And, yup, I had a lane to myself . . .

Farewell to Sand Creek . . .

With tomorrow's group cancelling on us and me not being able to work this coming Saturday (I'm teaching CPR-PR at the Y), I'm pretty sure today was my last day at Sand Creek for the 2019 season.  As always, it was another great year, filled with all sorts of wonderful, fun-filled memories - except for the mice!  Until next season . . .  

Only at Sand Creek . . .

Today's tip was not what we expected, but before we go there . . .

Ethan and I had a group of six zippers this afternoon who were either attending or had graduated from the University of Minnesota at Mankato or Mankato State (depending on your year of graduation).  I went to Mankato State and Ethan is attending the University of Minnesota at Mankato.  Same place, different name.  We had fun!

It turned out that the oldest male in the group also happened to be the head boy's basketball coach at said college.  Our tip?  Let him know anytime we wanted to go to a game, and he'd get us free tickets.  

Somehow, I think Ethan may get more use out of this tip than I will!  

Unofficially Speaking . . .

After eighteen months on Prednisone for Polymyalgia Rheumatica, I took my last pill on October 15 - I hope!  

I had a blood test yesterday for my SED rate and just got the results back.  If I'm reading them right, my SED rate is NORMAL for someone my age.  Before I do the "happy dance", though, I have to meet with my internist and get his interpretation.

That will be next Thursday.  I'm hoping for a Happy Halloween! 

Only at Sand Creek!

Imagine my delight today when the very first customer to arrive at Sand Creek was a dear friend that I had not seen in twenty-two years!  We had worked together for eight years at Bloomington Schools, then life happened.  It was a wonderful time of reconnecting and sharing pictures and catching up - and letting the guys I work with do the work so we could talk!

It was a downright windy day today so we all "cannonballed" down the first zip.  Sadly, out of sixteen zippers, poor Tim had to rescue two that got stuck. 

Things went much better after lunch.  We had a Prior Lake Girls Hockey Team out for a team build and we had a blast.  Tim and I work well together and things flowed so smoothly.  It was glorious!

We ended the day with two out of five scheduled zippers showing up - which meant we got to go home early!  A rarity at Sand Creek . . . 

Why, O Y?

Some days you just have to wonder - "Why?"  Yesterday we were wondering "why were these kids signed up for swimming lessons?"  We offer seven lessons.  One of my students showed up on the first day only.  I haven't seen him again, not that it was his fault - he's only four.  Two of Ana's kids came the first two days and again on the last day which was yesterday - meaning they missed four weeks in between.  Sadly, we had to ask them their names because we had NO IDEA who they were!

Only at Sand Creek . . . on a Friday!

It was a glorious group at Sand Creek on Friday!  We had a group of eight from a "wellness program" in Eagan.  They were fantastic and worked well together.  We shared a lot of laughs and encouragements!  What made this group especially fun was that a majority of the group was over FIFTY!  Imagine that!

Thankful Thursday!

I tried so hard on Thursday to be thankful for all the interruptions . . . 

• Swimming in one lane with five people;
• Staying late at work to set up the next session;
• Neighbor Chris asking me to stop by for some baking stuff for Micah;
• Stopping at dentist office to pay for my crown with a credit card that didn't work - "I'll be back"; 
• Running into to Neighbors Kent and Tom (at different times) while walking Annie before making supper;
• Finding Neighbor Jana's dog running loose - that's never happened before! - and bringing her home;

. . . While trying to clean the house because I worked the next three days, plus doing laundry . . . 

And I guess that just left me thankful that Thursday was NOT a typical Thursday!

Only at Sand Creek . . . on a Wednesday!

There were only eight of them for a team build on Wednesday, full of fourth grade girl ENERGY!!!  They were a Girl Scout Troop that definitely made the energizer bunny look dead!  They were just a blast, but by the time they left, both Duane and I were ready for a nap! 

Interestingly, this troop came out early because they could not join all the Girl Scouts who are coming to the course on November 2 - neither can I as I teach CPR-PR that day.  I mentioned to Duane that I had one spot left in my class if he wanted to take it - then he wouldn't have to do the Girl Scouts again!  He just laughed and said he'd better not!  

They truly were fun . . . 

Crowned.

While I was really hoping my new crown looked a lot more like the one in the photo, reality is it's "White #2" which my dentist says blends in quite nicely with the rest of my teeth.

Only at Sand Creek!

I had an architect from Israel take video of me zipping yesterday.  I was waiting for him to send it to me before I wrote this blog, but alas, it has yet to come so . . .

The fall colors were amazing at Sand Creek and every time slot to zip was packed.  Believe me, as I played "Launch Pad Lucy", sending clients off of each platform, my arms were beyond exhausted!

Just a few highlights . . . 

• We had a Burnsville fireman zipping with with his eighty-three year old grandma.  It was his station's open house that I worked at for the Y, so yesterday was our second time together in less than two weeks!

• We had a neighborhood from Shakopee come zipping simply because they all really like each other and like to do fun things together.  They were great!

And one low light . . . 

• A grandfather had brought his second grade granddaughter to go zipping with a female friend.  When it was the friend's turn to zip, she refused to go.  She took off her stuff and gave it to the grandpa.  Fortunately, it was the right size fit and he zipped down after his granddaughter.  Then said friend came running back up on to the platform with an inside out harness saying she had changed her mind and she was going to zip with them. They had a four year old boy with them.  She was going to leave him up on top (by sheer cliff walls and a drop off) with no adults there.  All staff were out on the course and we don't do babysitting while people zip anyway.  She got mad at me for saying she couldn't zip!  Say, what?  The child was only four!  Some people . . .    

Thankful Thursday!

I'm running a bit late, but I remain forever thankful for what I'm about to share!

I keep thinking it was when one of us was in third grade that Jolene and I met for the first time - I was a year ahead of her in high school.  Our meeting grew into a friendship that has lasted over fifty years.  And the memories we've shared will last a lifetime . . . from playing Barbies on the front step to the day the muskrats chased us in the row boat to the countless pizzas we shared at Godfather's . . . Jolene's visits to Granite, becoming homecoming queen and having four babies! We've done graduations, weddings and combine rides.  Our kids have played with her children, dog, cats, and pigs!  She and Steve have stopped by on the Harley and we've been to the farm.  Every time we're together, the conversation flows and it's all the men can do to get us to "Stop talking!"  I am ever thankful for my dear friend Jolene who became sixty and fabulous this week!

The Gifts I Sent

  

Firsts in Senegal . . .

The following information was sent to us from our friend, Keith Brinkman, who we first met aboard the m/v Africa Mercy in 2007:

Na ngeen def (Hello) from Dakar, Senegal I spent six weeks last year in Senegal as part of our assessment teams and spent many hours working on our plans and preparations and so it is exciting to be here now.  We have already had many firsts in this field service here in the nation of Senegal: First Surgeries - started with maxillofacial, plastics and general surgeries - women's health, pediatric orthopedics and ophthalmic surgeries will start later in the visit.  Our amazing Patient Selection Team are going to all 13 regions plus the region of Dakar and providing consultations with the pre-registered patients by the Ministry of Health.  Some will be given an appointment to come to the ship for diagnostics and surgeon screening, others go on to a wait list and sadly many we have to share that they have not been selected.  Our initial surgical patients have come from those regional capitals we have already visited.  Our goal and agreement with the government is for impact in the interior regions and so 75% of our surgical patients coming from the 13 regions - right now we are 96% from interior and 4% from Dakar.  One of my first patients I visited, Abdou, has already gone home and will return in three months for his second maxillofacial surgery.  On Sunday while visiting the HOPE Center, I sat with Fallou who had his surgery on our very first surgical day and with Mohamed who will have surgery this week.  Together we tried to sing the song 'This is the Day' in the predominant language here - of Wolof - thankfully it is a song that repeats itself alot.   Photo:  An all-crew photo on the dock here in Dakar   First Medical Capacity Building - Courses: Ophthalmic, SAFE Pediatric Anesthesia, Clubfoot and Essential Pain Management for healthcare professionals from 13 of the 14 regions of Senegal.  Mentoring for surgeons, anesthesia providers, nurses, and others have started in our hospital and also in the local hospitals.  Our Safe Surgery team will travel and offer training over 4 to 5 days in each of the regional hospitals of this nation.     First Mercy Ministries - Lere and our two great day crew Sidney and Bertauly have made relationships with new partners for us and have started our Mercy Ministries Visits to two children's homes, HOPE Center and later to the Deaf School and Women's Prison. First Church Visits - opportunities to join the Christian believers here in Dakar at their places of worship - some have English translation and for others I try my best in French.  Our director hosted some of the pastors on board and look forward to more time with them visiting us on board and in their churches. First Reports - for our field service, we have 30 different projects in the Hospital, Medical Capacity Building and Infrastructure areas.  Each with their own project plan and budget.  I have started to publish my first statistical reports on our activities to the local government and partners and to the larger Mercy Ships world.   Photo: Pastor Ndour - he was one of our surgical patients in 1994 and now is a pastor in an Assembly of God church here in town.

Now Serving In Senegal!

The m/v Africa Mercy is currently stationed in Dakar, Senegal.  The primary people groups in Senegal are the Wolof, Fulani, Serer, Maninka and Jola.  Wolof is the largest with population of over 6 million people.  Wolof is also the primary language spoken here.  In country briefings on the ship, crew are learning more about the culture, religion, relationships, languages.  The primary religion is Islam, Some unique aspects of Islam here involves brotherhoods and the marabout (spiritual leader) - importance of peace, high mosque attendance, and Touba - a holy city.  The percent of the population who are evangelical Christians is less than 1%.  There are many living, studying, and working here from other countries in West Africa, so in the churches often it is people from elsewhere not from Senegal attending.  There is a great emphasis on peace and you see that from their greetings "How are you?" - "Jaam nga am" - which means "Have you peace?" and your response is "Jaam rek, Yow nag" which means "Peace only and you?"  

During the Africa Mercy’s 10-month stay in the port of Dakar, Republic of Senegal, Mercy Ships plans to provide 1,200 to 1,700 life-changing surgeries (maxillofacial, burns reconstructive, pediatric orthopedics, women's health, general which emphasis on children, and ophthalmic) onboard, to treat over 4,000 at a land-based dental clinic as well as providing healthcare training to 1,000 to 1,500 local health care professionals through mentoring and courses, both in Dakar and in each of the regions.  The ship is partnering with the Ministry of Health and Social Action to reach those from the interior who need the surgical services the ship has planned and can offer.  The first time a Mercy Ship came to Senegal was in 1993/1994 with the m/v Anastasis.

Only at Sand Creek - on a Sunday!

Normally I do not work Sunday afternoons, but . . . 

While I was at my surgeon's last Monday, he mentioned the youth from his church were coming out to Sand Creek to go zipping.  He just didn't know when.  I promised him I would work it - not realizing it was yesterday!  But look - we had fun in spite of the weather!

With Living Christ Lutheran Church on Platform Two . . .

 

Thankful Thursday - Post Two

As I was talking to my supervisor at the Y last night, her day today sounded absolutely overwhelming.  Far too much too do and far too many hours - from 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. with barely a break to breathe. 

So I said, "Barbara, can I take the fire station off your plate?  I can go there tomorrow night and you can have a break."  She said she would think about it and let me know.  Friends, she didn't need to think long.  I got the text at 7:25 a.m. this morning.

In just a few minutes, I'll be leaving for Burnsville Fire Station One to represent the Y at their "Safety Night".  I am thankful that I can do this for Barbara and I am thankful that God is blessing my time there!  I found out that I'll be working it with my dear friend, AmyJo.  We're kind of hoping no one shows up so we'll have more time to talk.  God is good, all the time.  All the time, God is good. 

Thankful Thursday - Post One

I am always thankful when I get to have a "little fun" - l like forking in a friend's front yard or hiding a broken rocking horse on a friend's deck or putting a plastic penguin on the neighbor's roof . . . that kind of fun!

So when I arrived at the pool this morning, my friend, Carla, was already swimming.  In fact, as I sat down on the edge, she was doing the back crawl in.  She had her left hand extended back to touch the wall and I reached down and grabbed it.  I scared her to death!  It was so worth it!

I am also grateful that Carla and I can swim together again BIONICALLY!  Carla has had two knee replacements, two hip replacements and a new wrist.  I've only had two knees replaced, but I got to use her cane every time!

Medical Updates.

I saw my surgeon first yesterday and my new bionic left knee is doing absolutely great EXCEPT . . . you knew that was coming! . . . for this little hole/scab right in the middle of the scar as it runs from top to bottom.  Tad tried to feel a stitch in there, but he couldn't find a thing.  Unfortunately, because it hasn't fully healed THREE months after surgery, I still have to keep it covered while in the pool - for the next month!

The good news?  Bob and Margaret, friends from the Y, just sent me a text.  They ordered 100 tegaderm bandaids for me on Amazon Prime and they'll be here on Thursday!  So if you ever need amazing waterproof bandaids, let me know.  I should have around eighty left . . . if my hole would just heal!

After the surgeon, it was off to the dentist.  I have a temporary crown on the tooth I broke last week along with advice from the dentist, "Don't eat anything sticky like caramel brownies."  Really?  I had two for lunch!  And my temporary is still there.

 

Only at Sand Creek - a Saturday Two-Fer and a Rescue!

Due to today's unpredictable weather, I ended up working a split shift at Sand Creek.  Hence, a two-fer! 

THE SWIM TEAM

 We had a swim team with twenty students come from Hopkins this morning and they didn't care that it was going to be wet!  That's just something they're used to!  God was good.  The rain stopped as they pulled in and we had a blast.  Tim and I did a couple of activities up on top, then took them down the hill.  I had just a pleasant enjoyable time team building with them on the course.  Tim, unfortunately, did not.

THE HIGH ROPES/ZIPS

Duane actually tried to cancel our 3:15 and 4:30 groups today, but they both wanted to come.  Since it was only four customers and it stopped raining, we had a lovely afternoon with a few peeks of sun.

THE RESCUE
We caution people all the time about zipping with their phones.  If the phone is dropped, we have no way of rescuing it.  However, we, as staff, are notorious for zipping with our phones.  It's a rare day that I don't have mine.

This afternoon, I was working with the owner, Duane, and he had just zipped down to Platform 2.  One of our clients said, ""Did you guys see something black fall out of his pocket?"  None of us had, but when we arrived at Platform Two and checked with Duane, sure enough, his phone had fallen out.  

Said client had seen specifically where Duane's phone had fallen.  Duane was able to climb right down the hill and rescue it before I was even able to call him so he could "hear" where it was at!

Only at Sand Creek - on a Friday!

Sad, but true!  Only at Sand Creek can you earn more in tips than you do in salary!  

That happened to me last night when I worked a zip for Anna's in-laws.  I had jokingly asked her before I agreed to work if they were good tippers and she was right - they were! 

Thankful Thursday!

Some days, I think God just delights in the ordinary to bring thanksgiving.  Take today, for instance.  

I was cleaning the kitchen and I heard someone run up the stairs - Matt.  He hid himself in the hall coat closet because he had seen his sister come home.  Sure enough, I heard "honk, honk", the signal that she was locking her car and coming in the house.  She opened the closet door to pack her shoes away and got the surprise of her life.  

They were screaming and chasing each other through the house and all I could think was, "Thank you, God, that they still have fun together."  Someone say "amen".  

The Barbies.

Let me be the first to say it here:  I LIKE BARBIE.  I liked Barbie when I was little.  I loved playing Barbies with Micah.  To me, there is nothing more fun than putting new outfits on Barbie or trying out new hairstyles.  

So when I tell you that I'm in Bible Study with the Barbies, that is in no way a derogatory remark.  I'm just saying the women in my Bible study are young, they're beautiful, and they can pray.

Last week I shared with them that I had been getting up once or twice a night to ice my knee since surgery and I was tired of it.  Would they pray that I would no longer need to ice my knee at night?

I shared my "Glory Story" today.  I have not iced my knee in the middle of the night since a week ago Tuesday.  Someone say, "Amen!"  

Busted. Literally.

Trying to stop the greedy people from eating the last brownie in the fridge BEFORE lunch on Sunday (who wants a fight, anyway?), I ate it.  And found something quite hard it in - like half a molar.

My dentist took a look at my tooth on Monday.  I'm getting a new crown.  But since I got a new knee first, the new crown SHOULD wait until the new knee is three months old to join the family.

Fortunately, my surgeon okayed an early arrival.  Unfortunately, my dentist can't do it until next Monday.  Fortunately, that's one day before my three month mark.  Double fortunately, my tooth doesn't hurt.