Family Update - We are so blessed

The latest with us is that life is busy! After Doug got out of the Hospital in November, It was really nice to have him home and be able to spend time as a family because we didn’t think that he would be off work for very long. His symptoms progressed and the medical bills increased and despite his requests to go back to work, the doctors refused to release him back to work in fear of him losing his whole colon, which is when we decided that it was necessary for me to go to work. I was able to find a good job doing accounting again for a CPA Firm in January. I am thankful to have a good job at times like now, especially since Doug was laid off due to his illness in February.

It’s frustrating for him not to be able to do everything that he used to be able to and being at home a lot has caused some cabin feaver. It’s hard to see a loved one hurting and not being able to do anything much to help him. We have been going to the best specialist in Utah and have been faithful in trying every treatment they have asked with still no success or definite results. The last time we were at the Doctor’s we did some more testing which was sent to California since it is the only specialized clinic in the US to do this kind of testing and we were able to finally narrow it down to Crohn’s Disease. It is good to finally have the results but at the same time it was hard for Doug to learn that this isn’t something that will go away, but something that we will have to learn to cope with for the rest of our lives. The doctors got him started on treatment Monday and hopefully it will be successful in helping with his symptoms, otherwise we will have to try something else. The good thing is that we have answers and there there are treatments. It affects everybody differently so we are still hoping for the best. His conditions can vary from day to day whether he has the strength and energy to go about a normal day and sometimes can vary from hour to hour.

What is Crohn's disease?
Crohn's disease is a lifelong inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Parts of the digestive system get swollen and have deep sores called ulcers. Crohn’s disease usually is found in the last part of the small intestine and the first part of the large intestine. But it can develop anywhere in the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus.
The main symptoms of Crohn’s disease are Stomach pain, fatigue and diarrhea (sometimes with blood). Some people may have diarrhea 10 to 20 times a day. Losing weight without trying is another common sign. Less common symptoms include mouth sores, bowel blockages, anal tears (fissures), and openings (fistulas) between organs.

Crohn's Disease At A Glance
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines.
The cause of Crohn's disease is unknown.
Crohn's disease can cause ulcers in the small intestine, colon, or both.
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss are symptoms of Crohn's disease.
Crohn's disease of the small intestine may cause obstruction of the intestine.
Crohn's disease can be associated with reddish, tender skin nodules, and inflammation of the joints, spine, eyes, and liver.
The diagnosis of Crohn's disease is made by barium enema, barium x-ray of the small bowel, and colonoscopy.
The choice of treatment for Crohn's disease depends on the location and severity of the disease.
Treatment of Crohn's disease includes drugs for suppressing inflammation or the immune system, antibiotics, and surgery.

In the meantime, we are doing the best that we can. We are doing everything we can to stay happy and positive. We are planning on sending Doug to school this fall to get a degree and work for the State’s Division of Wildlife Reserve which will allow him to still be outside but not doing anything with physical labor. We are hoping that while he is going to school and gaining his strength back so that he can work again, the doctors will be able to get his symptoms under control and get him some medication or treatments for him.

Its tax season for me at work so life is busy for me from the time that I get up and go to work, go home make dinner, clean house take care of my baby and sick husband and go to bed. It definitely has increased my work load which is tiring, but I am grateful that I have been able to do so much and I appreciate Doug’s efforts in doing his best to do all that he can. I know that the lord has a plan for our family and I feel that although times are hard that, I hope that we might be able to endure these trials pleasing unto my father in heaven and I know that we will be blessed if we do so. I know that he can see further down the road for our family and I feel that this really might be a blessing in disciuse once it is all over. We will be better off once Doug goes to school, I will be able to stay at home, we will be able to have more children and hopefully his job will also allow him to be at home more than his other jobs have, and it will be easier on his body. His relationship with our son has grown tremendously since he has had the opportunity to stay home with him and he has a new respect for stay at home moms.

We also teach CTR5 which is 5 year old children. We absolutely love the children in our class. Some days we only have 3 kids and other days as many as 16. They are all so smart and want to do what is right. Stetson is now in nursery. He is a little young but he does really well in there. I feel like my little man is growing up so fast. I’m already posting his colored pictures on the fridge.
We seem to always have a project going. This week is our bathroom remodel and new doors and lighting in the kitchen. We will soon be doing a lot more outside to the yard and garden. We had the chance to spend conference weekend with family. It was so good to be able to sit down and visit with everyone. It had been a long time since I had seen everyone, so it was good. We really appreciate all of the love and support that we have received from family, friends and ward members. I feel as though we are so blessed!