Health issues continue ...

Well, I had hoped that by now I would have answers to the health issues I have been dealing with ... chest pains/burning sensations and shortness of breath, mostly. Chest feels like there is something sitting in it. Very frustrating. The initial medication they gave me didn't work, so that ruled out (they think) ulcer, esophigitis, and acid reflux.

Had blood and other tests which seemed to have ruled out anything with kidney, liver, etc. Chest x-ray showed clear and this past Monday did a nuclear stress test. Fortunately, that showed that there is no blockage. The problem is, my chest still hurts and I am still having breathing issues. GRRR!!

My cardiologist's nurse called today and they have asked me to come in on Monday for an echocardiogram. She said the doctor wants to make sure that everything in my heart is structually sound, that the valves, etc. are functioning properly, etc. So, yet another test on Monday a.m. I just keep praying and I know that I have many friends who are doing the same thing : )

Monday afternoon Dad is having a complete physical ... it is much over due and I am proud of him for agreeing to have it done.

Whirlwind doctor visits ...

Have been having issues ... chest pains/burning sensation/shortness of breath, etc. Had a physical last week. Cardiologist visit yesterday ... have a stress test and pictures scheduled for Jan. 26. Said it would take a good three hours.

Today I went back to the clinic where my doctor is. She wasn't available so saw the Dr. in the clinic. I was checked out and sent on my way to the hospital for a series of blood tests and a chest x-ray. And a prescription for a medicine that is for ulcers, erosive esophagitis and acid reflux. Hopefully, all my problems are as simple as acid reflux. I feel, however, as if someone has beaten and bruised my chest and ribs. Very frustrating, 'cause I feel good otherwise ... especially can't seem to catch my breath. I have lots of people praying for/with me, so surely the results will help the doctors determine what the problem is and we can figure out how to treat me. I am miserable.

Since I am a singer, I am especially frustrated because it hurts to sing. I can't even hold a phrase and can't seem to hold my notes very well! GRRR!!!! I sang the National Anthem at Mike's game Tuesday night, and he said it wasn't bad, but that he could tell I was struggling for air. How depressing! And I knew he was right. He strongly suggested I stay home from the game tonight and just rest. I took Kristian out to dinner and have been home since watching television. Getting ready to lay on the couch for a bit with my blanket and a book 'til he gets home. So, sweet dreams!!

New "Gadgets" on Blog Site

I'm trying to beef up my blog site by adding links and information that I find encouraging, helpful, interesting or that I have a personal or professional interest in myself. For example, today I have added links to my brother's and my stepdaughter's blogs. You may find them interesting, too, but selfishly I added them so I would remember to check them more frequently!

Other links I've added:
Carlinville Cavaliers Boys Basketball - Hubby's basketball team!
CleanseYourSoul.com ... My friend, Judy, makes bath and body products, tarts, etc. I love her lip balm, tarts and room sprays, especially! I'm sure you can find something, too. Be sure and tell her I sent you ... she doesn't know I've added her as a link! Hope I can send some business her way!
ConnectEDPAIRS.com - friends of mine, Matt & Marilyn, run this business ... its main purpose is relationship coaching. They have a beautiful retreat center ... pictures are included on their Web site. Mike and I attended the Introduction to Pairs so that I could experience what they did personally, as I do their newsletter and assist them in their marketing, etc. So, I can tell you first-hand, it is a great investment!
Joyce Meyer Ministries - great Christian author/speaker ... I just bought four of her books and have been watching her tv broadcasts (1/2 hour programs). She is funny, encouraging, direct ... a super role model ... I aspire to be like her when I grow up! LOL!
MaryByers.com - wonderful Christian author/speaker, as well as a great facilitator of communications and leadership workshops, seminars, etc. She is another woman who I would like to model myself after. She has served as a mentor on one of my writing projects ... very encouraging!!
Association for Women in Communications - I am president of the Springfield Chapter of AWC and serve in a couple of volunteer capacities with the National AWC organization.
Springfield Magazine - I do freelance writing for Springfield Scene!
Illinois Country Living Magazine and Association for Illinois Electric Cooperatives - This is where I spend most of my day hours. I am the Advertising Manager for the magazine, a publication of the association!
DeborahBedfordBooks - She is, hands down, my favorite fiction writer in the Christian genre.

This is all for now, though I plan to continue building and will eventually add my own Web site ... it's in the works, so stay tuned!

Blessings to you and yours in the New Year!
Lisa

Go Cavies!!!

We just wrapped up the holiday tournament and the Carlinville Cavaliers won their last two games! Boy, did we need that ... the players, the coach, the coaches wife! They were good wins ... the team was playing hard!

One of my favorite things about going to see the Cavies play is the fans! They are excited, enthusiastic and encouraging, whether the team is winning or losing! They are committed and proud of their boys ... I love that!!

I also love watching my husband coach ... he is such an encourager and you can see the passion as he talks to his players ... very simply, he wants them to be better today than they were yesterday ... and that isn't just better basketball players ... he wants them to better young men, better students, better at all they attempt ... and well, being better basketball players doesn't hurt!

Blessings to all as we close out 2008 today!
Lisa

Year in, Year out!

It is absolutely incredible that 2008 has almost come to an end! I will spend the next week reflecting on this past year and all that has transpired ... the good, the bad and the ugly ... as I am sure there is a bit of each!

At the same time, I will begin to set goals for the incoming year. I know there are things that I have yet to accomplish, but still plan on doing ... completing the book about Jane Byram, finishing my novel, "Stormy," and getting the devotion book, "Mums, Raspberries, Roses & Rainbows" underway with Leslie!

I would really like to simplify life in the coming year ... get rid of the clutter in my life, both literally (I am a packrat and need to clear the papers, the folders, the stacks) and figuratively (my mind is full of clutter and needs to be sifted through) so that I can think more clearly, which will allow me to complete some of the things in my life that I've been hanging on to for so long! Here's to 2008 and 2009!

Time flies!

Hard to believe it's almost Christmas! Life had been busy at the Rigoni's ... I'm busily getting ready for the Christmas services and productions at church, while Mike spends his time coaching and scouting! But both are activities we are passionate about!!

Kristian starts taking her finals today and I got to take her to school yesterday and today ... because the weather is so bad! Oh, well ... it's a bit of time to spend together ... though neither of us say too much ... unlike Mike, we are NOT morning people!!

Next week will be fun because all the kids will be home for Christmas! Praying weather between here and Minnesota will be OK for Megan and Brian to travel in!! Kristian, unfortunately, has to work on Christmas Eve! GRRRR!!! She was afraid to tell me, because she knows our Christmas Eve is one of my favorite family days ... sharing our appetizer feast, opening a gift before church, enjoying the Christmas Eve service as a family, then coming back home, eating more, sharing wine and grape juice, opening more gifts and simply sharing in the time together ... us, the kids and Mom and Dad! If Chuck could join us it would be perfect!!

Merry Christmas to all!!
Lisa

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yesterday was Thanksgiving ... a day to count our blessings! I am blessed and have much to be thankful for ... indulge me as I list a few of them:
my Mom ... that her surgery was successful and that she was here to celebrate with us!
my Dad ... that God continues to give him another day in spite of the poor health that I think he is in. What a blessing it would be for him to go see a doctor so we could continue to celebrate life together!
my brother ... who lives to far away and sounds happier and more content than he has in years! I pray life continues to treat him well!
my husband (Mike) ... for the unconditional love that he showers me with every day and for the encourager he is in my life. He actually told someone he works with that I am writing a book ... was explaining "Lesson Plans" (book about Jane) to them!
Kristian ... my beautiful baby at 17 years old. She continues to be cute and beautiful all meshed into one of the smartest young women I know! She knows what she wants in life and I believe she'll get it!
Zach ... my stepson ... continues to impress me in his new job ... just heard again today how much the kids and other teachers love him. He continues to grow up a bit more every day ... he chose to hang out with his Mother's family for Thanksgiving and that's OK. We see him most every day ... and we are thankful that he is close!
Megan ... beautiful, independent, driven ... my stepdaughter! Missed her and Brian being here this year!
Brian ... my son-in-law ... he makes Megan happy and that's all we have ever wanted ... we treasure him for that!
My best friend ... Leslie ... who I connect with in an uncanny way! We know each other's thoughts before we think them it seems ... even with as many hours and miles as there are between us!
My faith "church" family ... those I worship with, sing with, play with, laugh with, cry with, care with, celebrate with, pray with ... those who are near and those who have moved away ... still part of my faith family!
My friends ... those who I get to see every day and those that I haven't seen in days, months, years!
My job(s) ... that I have a regular job and freelance writing opportunities to supplement so that we can provide for our family and have the wherewithall to help others more than we could in the past!
My life ... it's good! Not perfect ... but really, whose is?

Blessings to you and yours this Thanksgiving weekend!!
Lisa