OK, so it's been way too long since I updated the site. So let me review the last few months...
In April, I left my job at the City to serve as Campaign Manager for Eli's dad. The Duncan Bremer for Congress campaign consumed all my spare time from April through August. The six-way primary was intense, and at times pretty nasty. I am proud to say that we were regarded as the classiest campaign, and we ran on integrity as the main issue. When asked in a television interview, each of the other candidates said Duncan would be their first choice if they had not been running. Unfortunately, we didn't fare so well on election day. But I gained a ton of professional and management experience and I wouldn't trade those short 5 months for anything!
Throughout the campaign, I did not feel entirely healthy and didn't know why. I would sporadically loose function in my right arm. The loss of motor skills was often coupled with severe pain. Add that to the fact that we could not seem to get my blood pressure under control, and I was pretty much miserable just trying to get through my normal routine. My hands were so stiff in the mornings that I could not open the blinds in our bedroom. The blood pressure issue had reared its ugly head several years ago and the medicine they put me on at that time was unable to control the spike that got much worse in about January. Several frustrating months of doctors and specialists galore (8, to be exact) and one mini-stroke later, I think we have a diagnosis. Fibromuscular dysplasia of the renal, carotid, cerebral and brachial arteries seems to be the culprit. I will undergo angioplasty and possible stenting in the coming weeks, and we hope to see things turn up from there.
Meanwhile, the experience has been a faith-building one for me. It wasn't until I began to share my medical prayer requests with our small group and other friends, that the 'system' began working and Tri-Care began approving my referrals. Since the time when I myself had enough faith to share, things have really been moving along quite nicely. All of you reading this who have prayed for me are greatly appreciated. I feel the prayers from across the US, and I know God is answering them as you read this.
After the campaign, I went back to the City temporarily until the position I vacated in April could be filled. While I loved my work (and my coworkers), it became apparent that it was time for me to move on. The temporary position lasted just over a month and was a true financial blessing, as I have been able to "take a break" between jobs to give my body time to recover (and not to mention attend at least 3 Dr's appointments a week).
During that time, Mom and Marianne also came out for a visit. The weekend was short, but wonderful, with Marianne getting a riding lesson from Eli. The weather was yucky that weekend, so we didn't get to do anything outside, but it was great to have them see our house, go to our church and just hang out with us.
So moving on for me now means recovery and medical appointments. I'm applying for jobs, but don't plan to go back to work until after the first of the year. It's been a fun few weeks of
catching up on those "hotspots" in the house, hanging out with family (Eli's extended family was in town), catching up with some ladies lunch dates, painting a few rooms in the house, and actually getting the Christmas decorations up in November. With the blood pressure under control (thanks to 3 different drugs), I am back into a workout routine, swimming daily again and it feels GREAT!
Meanwhile, Eli had a WONDERFUL pentathlon season and was 2nd in the world rankings list for most of the year. He is currently at World Championships in Guatemala, where he didn't do very well, but is encouraged from having a very 'solid' year. He won nationals handily in front of a hometown crowd here in the Springs just a few weeks ago. We plan to both recover this week and get a few days of skiing in before my procedures lay me up for awhile.
Oh, and I almost forgot! We got two kittens! Their names are Itchy and Scratchy (can you tell Eli named them?) and they are SOOO much fun. I've always been pretty allergic to cats, but my allergies seem to have gone away altogether out here. I'm still pretty cautious with it, meaning the poor cats get baths at least once a week, they get terrorized by the vacuum quite a bit, and they're not allowed in our bed. They are pretty much the highlight of our lives (yes, even Eli's). They're also a bit of trouble right now, especially with the Christmas tree, but they make it so FUN to just be at home relaxing (AND they make it easier on me for Eli to be gone).
And since politics is in my blood now, I couldn't stay away for too long after the primary. I worked really hard to get the Marriage Amendment passed in Colorado. I also had the opportunity to work with Vice President Cheney's traveling press pool when he was here. Local leadership was impressed with my media work during the campaign and asked me to fill the role of press secretary while he was in town.
So hopefully this posting has brought you all up to date...I'll be much better about posting now that life is not so hectic and campaign season is over. Toodles!
In April, I left my job at the City to serve as Campaign Manager for Eli's dad. The Duncan Bremer for Congress campaign consumed all my spare time from April through August. The six-way primary was intense, and at times pretty nasty. I am proud to say that we were regarded as the classiest campaign, and we ran on integrity as the main issue. When asked in a television interview, each of the other candidates said Duncan would be their first choice if they had not been running. Unfortunately, we didn't fare so well on election day. But I gained a ton of professional and management experience and I wouldn't trade those short 5 months for anything!Throughout the campaign, I did not feel entirely healthy and didn't know why. I would sporadically loose function in my right arm. The loss of motor skills was often coupled with severe pain. Add that to the fact that we could not seem to get my blood pressure under control, and I was pretty much miserable just trying to get through my normal routine. My hands were so stiff in the mornings that I could not open the blinds in our bedroom. The blood pressure issue had reared its ugly head several years ago and the medicine they put me on at that time was unable to control the spike that got much worse in about January. Several frustrating months of doctors and specialists galore (8, to be exact) and one mini-stroke later, I think we have a diagnosis. Fibromuscular dysplasia of the renal, carotid, cerebral and brachial arteries seems to be the culprit. I will undergo angioplasty and possible stenting in the coming weeks, and we hope to see things turn up from there.
Meanwhile, the experience has been a faith-building one for me. It wasn't until I began to share my medical prayer requests with our small group and other friends, that the 'system' began working and Tri-Care began approving my referrals. Since the time when I myself had enough faith to share, things have really been moving along quite nicely. All of you reading this who have prayed for me are greatly appreciated. I feel the prayers from across the US, and I know God is answering them as you read this.
After the campaign, I went back to the City temporarily until the position I vacated in April could be filled. While I loved my work (and my coworkers), it became apparent that it was time for me to move on. The temporary position lasted just over a month and was a true financial blessing, as I have been able to "take a break" between jobs to give my body time to recover (and not to mention attend at least 3 Dr's appointments a week).
During that time, Mom and Marianne also came out for a visit. The weekend was short, but wonderful, with Marianne getting a riding lesson from Eli. The weather was yucky that weekend, so we didn't get to do anything outside, but it was great to have them see our house, go to our church and just hang out with us.So moving on for me now means recovery and medical appointments. I'm applying for jobs, but don't plan to go back to work until after the first of the year. It's been a fun few weeks of
catching up on those "hotspots" in the house, hanging out with family (Eli's extended family was in town), catching up with some ladies lunch dates, painting a few rooms in the house, and actually getting the Christmas decorations up in November. With the blood pressure under control (thanks to 3 different drugs), I am back into a workout routine, swimming daily again and it feels GREAT!
Meanwhile, Eli had a WONDERFUL pentathlon season and was 2nd in the world rankings list for most of the year. He is currently at World Championships in Guatemala, where he didn't do very well, but is encouraged from having a very 'solid' year. He won nationals handily in front of a hometown crowd here in the Springs just a few weeks ago. We plan to both recover this week and get a few days of skiing in before my procedures lay me up for awhile.
Oh, and I almost forgot! We got two kittens! Their names are Itchy and Scratchy (can you tell Eli named them?) and they are SOOO much fun. I've always been pretty allergic to cats, but my allergies seem to have gone away altogether out here. I'm still pretty cautious with it, meaning the poor cats get baths at least once a week, they get terrorized by the vacuum quite a bit, and they're not allowed in our bed. They are pretty much the highlight of our lives (yes, even Eli's). They're also a bit of trouble right now, especially with the Christmas tree, but they make it so FUN to just be at home relaxing (AND they make it easier on me for Eli to be gone).
And since politics is in my blood now, I couldn't stay away for too long after the primary. I worked really hard to get the Marriage Amendment passed in Colorado. I also had the opportunity to work with Vice President Cheney's traveling press pool when he was here. Local leadership was impressed with my media work during the campaign and asked me to fill the role of press secretary while he was in town.So hopefully this posting has brought you all up to date...I'll be much better about posting now that life is not so hectic and campaign season is over. Toodles!