~ A Very Very Long Year ~
First off Hello to all those who have hung on and kept my blog on follow.
Secondly I'm so sorry for being away for so long and not updating you ..
It's a long read below for those of you who are interested in what happened to me the last year.
If it's more than you are up to reading please know I understand !
It's been quite a year for us.
Where to begin ... Last year 2015 in January we received on our doorstep a letter letting us know we had 60 days to move out of our rental home. Rewind before that and just a quick little reminder that we had been dealing with my dad's chronic anemia for 3 years and the Dr.s unable to find the reason for it. So when we received the note the best way to explain how we felt is "The bottom dropped out" for us. We had not planned on moving ..had no idea what we were going to do and no less all this in 60 days. For myself and my parents it was so very overwhelming. We lived in our rental home for 8yrs, so for us even though it wasn't ours financially it had become home for us.
So we immediately began looking online at real estate seeing what was out there. Prices were way up no matter cost of homes and rents ..we couldn't find rent at the price we were paying everything was alot more. And if we bought a home we could do it but it would leave us virtually without anything in the bank to fall back on for emergency or cost's of upkeep on the house. So we decided it was time to leave the state of CA which had been something we had considered for several years but didn't act on because of my Dad's health. Now we really felt there was no choice.
Beginning of April we set out on the Road to begin our search first off in TX ..we had heard alot of good things about TX and thought it might be a good fit. I won't go into all the particulars from here on or this post would be a small novel. About 1 week after arriving in TX ... I noticed my dad looked very pale ..and mentioned this to my mom. She looked up a Blood Disorder Center to take him to, to get his blood level checked and he was vitually bloodless only at 5.6 .. for those of you who aren't familiar with those #'s ..that's about 1/3 to 1/4 of the blood he should have. So his anemia was bad ..his blood loss was great. So they sent us down to the local hospital for a blood transfusion ...and then a few weeks later an iron infusion and a few weeks later another iron infusion .. So much time passed we were not prepared for. Anyhow we decided that TX might not be the place for us due to their high cost of property taxes. Eveyone would tell us well TX doesn't have state tax ..and yes that is true but for my retiree parents and me being self -employed ..this didn't help ..my parents got refunds in the state of CA and I virtually paid little ....so it just didn't add up what the property taxes were coming too.
So off to our old stomping grounds Springfield, MO... we got to Mo ...and sadly we screwed up .. we got there looked around loved it, but honestly couldn't get over our love of TX .. especially Me. So after a week we headed back to TX to see if we could make it work ..
Long story short .. Dad became anemic again ...and mom had a jury duty notice that came in January that she asked for the delay in serving thinking everything would go smoothly and we would be in a house within a month after leaving. We called telling them of our situation and the girl told us there would be a warrant put out on my mom for not returning for Jury Duty .. so we were scared and didn't know what to do other than to return so she could serve and with my Dad's anemia growing worse again it looked like he needed to get back with a specialist so, what else to do than head back. The drive back to CA wasn't a good one alot of tears were shed.
Upon returning mom was called up to serve on a jury for 2 weeks ..dad went to his specialist who hesitantly took him back ... and found that he had a bleed but they didn't know where.
Fast Forward to today... After every test imaginable done to my dad ..they still cannot find the bleed that caused his anemia or still causes it leaving us with the life -long situation that we may never know and he just will have to watch his blood level and continue with iron infusions for life. But to get all those tests completed and then waiting inbetween them to see where blood levels were took months and months of just sitting and waiting. We considered just staying here in CA ..but over the summer and fall of last year rent costs sky rocketed along with house prices .. in fact my dad just talked to a couple yesterday who said they are trying to buy a house in our old neighborhood and the houses are getting multiple bids and they have yet to be able to get one for themselves.
We decided 3 weeks ago .. that we were going to call ahead get a Dr. in MO for my dad and get on the road be there in 3 days ..and we had about 10 houses mapped on the internet we were interested in purchasing. I got everything in place for us to leave on a Sunday ... and Then ...
Thursday of that week .. Flossie my 3 yr old english springer spaniel ..quit eating and acted funny. Well I thought the flu and at 10 that night got a cold cloth for her belly to bring temp. down if she was feverish. Turned her over and she was yellow ( jaundice). Immediately I took her to the local Pet ER ... and she has been diagnosed with AIHA Auto Immnue Hemolytic Anemia... "Seriously this couldn't be" ..anemia we have dealt with that for 4 years with my dad and now my dog. Well AIHA is a bad disease ..and she was near death. Basicly the body starts seeing the red blood cells as enemies and kills them off ..sometimes there are reasons why and other times not and sometimes the reason is impossible to find. We haven't found a reason for Flossies yet. She was in hospital for 5 days with 2 blood transfusions.. medication etc. She's been home now for 6 ..but is still in chronic condition with anemia. They basicly have to suppress the immune system to get it to stop attacking the red blood cells...and then hope that it will begin making it's own red blood cells again. So we are waiting for her body to kick in but it's going very slowly and the Dr.s are growing concerned for her. They are wanting to do a bone marrow procedure this week and I have a consultation tomorrow to go over all that entails before deciding on that being the right choice.
So our plans for leaving have been canceled for now. She isn't healthy enough to travel it literally could mean death for her..and it may be weeks before she is. So we are once again in waiting mode.
To say that this has been a trying and difficult year for us is an understatement and I have had to constantly remind myself when getting down, depressed, angry, sad, tears flowing, anxiety ridden that in the big scheme of things this is so small compared to what other people are going through in the world. At least I still have my Dad, Mom and Dog .. and we are blessed to have a place to stay that has really went above and beyond to accomodate us, financially it's been a struggle but God has provided, I have alot of good to be thankful for. It's just getting yourself to see the Good when you feel bad. But I'm doing better now.
It's been hard not having my business and work.. I have been blessed though and been able to work for several of my friends doing anything from photography, computer work, manual labor, design work, sewing projects with borrowed machines, and a housekeeping job at a wedding venue. I guess you can say I have been a jack of many trades this last year.
I am aching to get back to work creating and sewing and designing home goods ..my heart aches ..no yearns for it .. but in the Lord's good time... although I wouldn't be honest if I said that was hard to get to my heart and head some days.
Our plan still stands the same as soon as Flossie is well enough ..we will be heading back to MO ..to make it our home ..and business will resume at that time. I only hope it's salvageable and that we can get started again even if slowly ..again that's all in God's hands.
I'll try from now on to get some updates occasionally on here. I'm finally at a point of acceptance .."which has been a long road for me" ..that I feel comfortable sharing our journey this last year. I don't know why but when you're life is turned upside down and you don't have a quote normal living situation you begin to feel embarassed and ashamed as though the world is looking at you shaking it's finger in disdain. I know that's not true but your mind does tell you that. I'm passed that .. and now I'm onto what will be will be.. life's all about changes nothing never stays the same .. no truer words than those from an old Garth Brooks song from the 90's.
Keep us in your prayers ..and if you have a prayer request please share it with me I would love to pray for you too !
You can follow me on FB ... Here I opened a little photography page "Sara Layne Photography" .. I'm an amateur learning ... I work shooting The Vintage Marketplace at Galway Downs, and then I just do some personal stuff. ....but it's an easy way to contact me if you want too.
Sending you all ...
Oh my, you poor dear. What a very trying time you and your parents have had. I understand your dilemma with rent. We live in CA. and rent as well. Although our rent is high it is still better than what other pay and the living space. I hope your sweet girl feels better soon and that your move back to MO goes well. Hugs and prayers to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Christina for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment. It's much appreciated and means a great deal !
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Sara
Whew! I just kept thinking as I was reading that what would you have done without the Lord in your life to help you through? In His timing you will be settled again...He has taken you through and you are about to come out of the other side of it. I will pray for that!
ReplyDeleteOh AnnMarie... Yes I can't imagine life without the Lord .. you are so correct. Thank you for the Encouragement and Uplifting words !!! along with Prayers !
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Sara
Bless your heart! And I thought my life was stressful! Thanks for the update I have missed your posts! Praying for you all that things become easier for all of you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so so much .. I look forward to the day we get back into the swing of things and can resume our normal posts ..thank you for your prayers they are so greatly appreciated !
DeleteHugs and Blessings
Sara
Bless your heart! Have missed your posts! Praying that life gets easier for you all and healing prayers for your Dad!
ReplyDeleteSara, I am so very sorry that you and your family have been going through such hardship. I rarely find time to read blogs or long email forwards, but when I saw yours today, I really wanted to read it. (I've been checking in to your Etsy shop all the while for updates.) I was so sad to learn there have been so many stressful difficulties for you. I will be praying for your whole family... your dear Dad, your precious dog Flossie, and that very soon, God will guide you all to your perfect new home. He will do it. Infinite blessings...
ReplyDeleteOh Ninsuna ... thanks so much for stopping by and taking time to read my post and leaving such an uplifting comment ..! .. We appreciate your prayers .. !
DeleteHave a blessed day ..Sara
Thanks for the update. I have thought about you and your parents many times over the last year. My prayers continue for you. Cant wait for you to start selling your creations again, (I have been wanting to purchase a few items)!
ReplyDeletePrayers and Blessings to you, Candy
Hi Candy ... thanks for your prayers so so very appreciated they are .. I can't wait to get back working too .. I'll be looking forward to offering up some fun new designs as soon as it's possible ..
DeleteHave a Blessed week..Sara
Oh, I am so sorry for all that you and your family have gone through. I pray that you beautiful dog will get better and that you have good news about her. I also pray that your father will find out where the bleed is.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of blood problems also and I know how hard it can be to to keep everything in check.
Good luck to you and your family and will pray for everything to work out.
Enjoyed your post, as I wondered what happen to you. I still love the give away gift I got from you. The t towel is to pretty to use.
Hugs,
Mary
Hi Mary ... So good to see your comment ..! Thank you for your prayers and I'll sure be keeping you in my prayers too with your blood problems.
DeleteSending Hugs and Blessings your way
Sara
Phew.... I know that God doesn't give us more than we can handle but your family surely has had more than it's share of tough goes. I've thought of you often and wondered how things were going, thank you for opening your heart to us. Hope that your journey (when your pup is well enough to travel) to Missouri goes without incident. My husband and I retired a little east of Springfield MO (Houston) and we love it here. Taxes are great and many friendly faces. Prayers of healing for your fad and dog. I wish you nothing but the best and the items that I have purchased from you are some of my favorites!!!
ReplyDeleteHey there Amy ... I know I agree with you about God not giving us more than we can handle .. sometimes I wonder ..then I have to remind myself he know's our strengths. Over the Years I always have to reflect and say.. with each trial or mountain we have climbed it has made us gentler,kinder, more understanding and patient people. So there is always good to find in it all. I know right where Houston, MO is .. we used to live in Mountain Grove East of Springfield years ago. We though of going that way again ..but felt we needed to stick closer in (Nixa ~ Ozark) in order to be close enough to hospitals considering my dads anemia. Once we get there and settle in maybe we can meet in person one day.
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Sara
I understand the being near a hospital thing. My husband had a bad motorcycle accident 4 years ago and it has definitely taken it's toll. He has had 5 surgeries in the last 15 months! I have a booth in Mountain Grove at a cute place called E. Marie's. Ozark is an amazing area, I 💗 it! It would be great to hook up when you get your roots planted! amymurillo@yahoo.com
DeleteThere You Are!! I was just thinking of you & your Dad for the last month. I could not find any new postings on how you all are. And then here you are.
ReplyDeleteI know this sounds weird, but I had the human version of what your pet has. It took 1 month of hospitalization in quarantine and a 21 unit blood transfusion. Then months of steroids. But all is better now.
And I was wondering about your Dad. Sorry for the hard time with his anemia. As much as we expect from medicine, how is this now figured out? But he sounds like a strong man, and I pray for you all.
I first started following you after my first visit to Rainbow/Fallbrook Vintage Market.
I am a regular to Murrieta .
Being selfish I hope you stay in California, but you go where the heart leads you.
By the way, I participate in a Vintage Market on Claremont, very small but a good group, if you'd like to see about joining us. Very cost Effective!!!
Please keep us up to date on all things.
Barbara Ann
Wow BarbaraAnn .. You are an amazing woman .. seriously 21 unit blood transfusion ..Your a whole new gal ! In researching Flossies AIHA we did see it is also a people disease too .. just never met anyone with it until you. You must have been a sick lady. I know our Flossie is right now and it's a helpless feeling when nothing they are doing is working yet. Well I am so glad you made it through and are well now. I will sure keep you in my prayers that God will hold his hand of healing over your body for your lifetime. Medicine is a good thing but yes it has it's limitations too .. Well it's so good to hear from you .. It looks like we are going to be around for some weeks here in CA .. so I will be photographing the vintage market, if you happen to come I'll be there Friday morning so if you see me with my camera stop me and say Hi !
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Sara
Sara, I have often wondered what happened to you and your family, so good to hear from you again. I can't imagine how difficult life has been for you all after what you have been through. You have been through so much heartache, life has to begin getting better for you. I will keep you and your family, especially your dad and Flossie, in my thoughts and prayers and hope you are safely and happily settled in Missouri soon. Take care, Diana
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Diana for stopping by and reading my post ! The prayers are so very appreciated ! Look forward to resuming work and blog posts etc .. and being back soon.
DeleteHave a Blessed week
Sara
Sarah, I would agree sweet lady that you have had a road and a half to travel this season of life. Mercy, oh mercy! All I can is I have no clue how people deal with the un-expectation's of life such as this without Jesus. I just could not make it. It's times like this that is it is so hard to see that He is working all things out for our good and His glory. I have to remind myself at times....HE SEES THE BIG PICTURE AND ALL I CAN SEE IS WHAT IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! One day at a time sweet Sarah...Praying for you now and for your dad. Sarah...one thing I have learned....I could NOT enjoy the mountains if I'd never been in the valley. Praying! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteOh my Cindy ..you are so so right .. I'll admit it's been a struggle to get through with the Lord in the sense of trying to understand and excepting when you can't. Yes it's true I many times can only see the now and feel the now ..when he indeed sees the bigger picture. It's funny no matter how many times you go through things you still struggle to remember it's all going to be fine in the end. Maybe with some changes but nonetheless fine. Thank You for your prayers ! And Yes thank God for the mountains so we can see the beauty of his handiwork.
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Sara
Boy, you have had a lot of stress! Missouri has a lot of snow and regular floods near an water. My aunt lost all of her belongings twice from river floods before she died. I have relatives in various towns in MO. and I was born there. I do hope if you make it your home you stay away from bodies of water! My aunt thought she was safe the second time but the water rose way high! I know how bad anemia can be as I almost died from it due to lack of good care from Kaiser as I had bled for a year (period like) and when changed insurance at beginning of next year I got help (1998). I was so anemic then that I had no red blood cell count. It turned out I had over 20 tumors in my uterus that caused it and had to have immediate surgery that doctor did not think I would survive! Kaiser then "lost" my records!! I do hope they find out what your fathers problem is so he can become healthy again, and will pray for you all.
ReplyDeleteHi Rose .. well sounds like your a tride and true MO gal .. we are headed down south where the snow is more minimal and the floods are not so common as they are in the east. We'll be living in the Ozarks area more mountainous region. Well it sounds like you have had your share of health problems too .. I'm glad you finally got help and that you made it through and we are blessed with you here today. Thank You so much for your prayers ! I'll keep you in mine too.
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Sara
Oh dear friend, I read every word and will pray that God will heal your Dad and your Pup! I have missed you and think about you as I see your beautiful work all around my house! When you get back to creating, let me know! I will pray for ALL of you that the plans will work out! HUGS!
ReplyDeleteHi Theresa ... Or should I say Ganky ... Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment it's so good to hear from you ! Thank You so much for your prayers they are so appreciated .. !!!! Looking forward to getting in a home and getting back to work again .. most of all looking forward to some good healthy days ahead for my family and Flossie.
DeleteHugs and Blessings
Sara
Hi Theresa ... Or should I say Ganky ... Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment it's so good to hear from you ! Thank You so much for your prayers they are so appreciated .. !!!! Looking forward to getting in a home and getting back to work again .. most of all looking forward to some good healthy days ahead for my family and Flossie.
ReplyDeleteHugs and Blessings
Sara
Hi Sara - blessings and hugs from the uk, for you, your parents, and that precious dog. Don't worry about being MIA for a long time - I updated my blog yesterday,back from Feb '15 xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Chrysalis ..!!!
DeleteGood morning to you sweet Sara. Looks like you posted this on May 3, but surprisingly, Google just sent me an email update for your blog today; May 12th! I was excited to receive it because I had expected to be reading an update on how you are all settled in and selling your wares from another state, etc. etc. But, holy cow!, did life throw you some serious curve balls!!! Oh, btw, in case you do not remember me, I am the gal who lives on your oooooold street in Corona, CA :)
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that you are having to deal with so very much, but I am also thankful you have the Lord to lean on during these trying times (He will never leave you or forsake you.). Obviously this is all not yet complete, but just remember - you are building your testimony -. People will look at you and see how you deal with these trials, and wonder where you draw your strength from. Those who don't know Christ, may be touched by your response to these times. Those who do, may be encouraged in their own walks of faith. These are things that have gotten me through trials in my own life (divorce, moving out, starting over, etc.). Of course I broke down many times, but I tried so very hard to represent Christ well. Opening up to other Christians, truly helps, because together we all build a giant wall of prayer against the enemy, so I am so glad you have posted here and we can each add a brick to your wall today! If I may, I'd like to pray here and now for you:
Dear Heavenly Father, please bless Sara with the desires of her heart concerning her father, her sweet Flossie, her home, and her business. Please give her a comfort like no other, that washes over her, and her mom and dad today. Continue to guide them, and give them wisdom and direction for the future. May they represent You well as they move forward, and fall into Your arms daily, for support to carry them through. We are so thankful that You love us Lord and although we may feel broken, we know we have hope. We give You all the praise and glory today. In Jesus name, amen.
God bless you Sara! ~Heather Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth .. Yes I do remember you .. Maybe the delay in e-mailing my post to you was that it had been so long since I last blogged that blogger was shocked ..LOL!
DeleteSo good to hear from you thanks for the words of encouragement and the beautiful Prayer !
I hope all is well with you .. and you're still enjoying your sweet little house in Corona.
Hugs and Blessings being sent your way ..Sara
Oh goodness, you've been through the wringer. I just saw one of your beautiful hand towels on Instagram and was reminded that I hadn't seen you on any of my social media for quite some time. I knew you were forced to move but had lost track of how long you were gone. I'll say a prayer for you, that God will lead and provide, and I'll be checking for you to come back!
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