Romans 5:3-5
"knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us."
As most of you know, Matt was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma a month or so ago. If you did not know, please pray for him and our family. As he has said, "the prognosis is decent, maybe even better considering I am a stubborn SOB." If you know my brother, you would know this is true. (Ha! My Grandpa Blue would have said something similar...)
Hodgkin's has a good prognosis - it is most common in young populations, but the biopsy also revealed another type of rare cancer. We are awaiting results of a second biospy from NIH. Please pray for him as he starts chemo in the next couple of weeks.
Someone asked me the other day, "How do you handle all of this without any family in Texas?"
My answer was quite simple.... "I don't know." However, I do know that my faith has a significant impact on my outlook. After losing my Dad and grandfather in the last couple of years, in addition to the daily challenges of PA school - I know that my faith carries me. It was so awesome having Matt close here in Ft. Worth but he is packing up his apartment and moving this week. Thank goodness I will be going to Austin for 4 weeks for my pediatrics rotation. It will be so nice to be near Jason & surrounded by our awesome family of friends.
In addition to Matt moving back to Nebraska this week (with the help of our wonderful mother), I have my first practicum exam Friday. I have been in a family medicine clinic for 8 weeks. It has been reinforced that I value the sense of community & families. I LOVE family medicine.
I have always had an interest in oncology, ever since Medical Technology school at UNMC in Omaha (where Matt is having chemotherapy). I signed up for an oncology rotation in July here in Ft. Worth. I know that will be hard but I also know that it will be educational to me as Matt goes through treatment. God works in funny ways.....
I hope that all of you are doing well. Please continue your prayers for our family.
Blessings & Love to all of you~
adg
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy St. Valentine's Day!
Do yourself a favor and improve your friendships and all relationships with Dr. Chapman's '5 Love Languages'! I promise you won't regret it. ;) http://www.5lovelanguages.com/
roses from my love...
bosco "smelling the roses".....
We are meeting with Fr. James this Friday and hopefully we will have a wedding date! Then, I will get to see some friends in the evening! There is a PA state conference in San Antonio on Saturday that some of my classmates and I are going to - it should be fun and educational!
Have a great week!
love,
adg
roses from my love...
bosco "smelling the roses".....
We are meeting with Fr. James this Friday and hopefully we will have a wedding date! Then, I will get to see some friends in the evening! There is a PA state conference in San Antonio on Saturday that some of my classmates and I are going to - it should be fun and educational!
Have a great week!
love,
adg
Friday, February 4, 2011
feb. one thru four: snow days!
I have not had school for four days this week! It is a little hard to believe!
We had rain, sleet and then snow on Tuesday night. Since Bosco is a Texas native, she didn't know what to think - like most Texas natives.
I studied (only a little) on Tuesday. We were supposed to have our gastroenterology final exam on Wednesday. That didn't happen. My brother, Matty, and I went grocery shopping and witnessed plenty of Texas natives trying to bare the snow and ice. For as long as I live in Texas, it will be interesting to this "northerner" to witness those who are not used to it. Now, I understand that I talk about this alot, but unless you grew up with this, you don't get it. ;) Much the same way that I still can not stand the grueling Texas heat for months on end. I LOVE Texas and do NOT plan on leaving but again - I speak my mind. :) Most of you know me and know that I tend to speak my mind.
So, here we are at the end of the week. I really need to start studying again. Assuming we have our GI final Monday I probably need to refresh myself on the subject, eh? We have another final exam next Friday in genitourinary/renal (kidney, prostate, etc.) that I also need to start studying. Fun times!
I hope that you are all staying warm! It was barely snowing when I started to type this but it has since stopped. The sun is out and I imagine that some of it will melt today.
The Super Bowl is BIG talk around here, of course. It is quite ironic that there are fans from Pittsburgh and Green Bay in Texas - only to arrive with freezing temps. Here is a video from one of the news stations - it's actually quite funny (and one of my friends is in it). The snow better be gone before the Super Bowl on Sunday! ;)
Have a great weekend!
love & prayers,
adg
We had rain, sleet and then snow on Tuesday night. Since Bosco is a Texas native, she didn't know what to think - like most Texas natives.
I studied (only a little) on Tuesday. We were supposed to have our gastroenterology final exam on Wednesday. That didn't happen. My brother, Matty, and I went grocery shopping and witnessed plenty of Texas natives trying to bare the snow and ice. For as long as I live in Texas, it will be interesting to this "northerner" to witness those who are not used to it. Now, I understand that I talk about this alot, but unless you grew up with this, you don't get it. ;) Much the same way that I still can not stand the grueling Texas heat for months on end. I LOVE Texas and do NOT plan on leaving but again - I speak my mind. :) Most of you know me and know that I tend to speak my mind.
So, here we are at the end of the week. I really need to start studying again. Assuming we have our GI final Monday I probably need to refresh myself on the subject, eh? We have another final exam next Friday in genitourinary/renal (kidney, prostate, etc.) that I also need to start studying. Fun times!
I hope that you are all staying warm! It was barely snowing when I started to type this but it has since stopped. The sun is out and I imagine that some of it will melt today.
The Super Bowl is BIG talk around here, of course. It is quite ironic that there are fans from Pittsburgh and Green Bay in Texas - only to arrive with freezing temps. Here is a video from one of the news stations - it's actually quite funny (and one of my friends is in it). The snow better be gone before the Super Bowl on Sunday! ;)
Have a great weekend!
love & prayers,
adg
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Quality.....
I was the quality manager for a large clinic in Austin before PA school. This story touches my heart since it is one of my friend's family members and because I have a wealth of knowledge relating to the subject.
Have you ever heard of "ISO" standards? When you see the logo or hear it mentioned relating to businesses, this means they meet the criteria for a certain level of quality.
Especially as it pertains to our health - this needs to be implemented into the delivery of healthcare.
Click HERE for the article.
Have you ever heard of "ISO" standards? When you see the logo or hear it mentioned relating to businesses, this means they meet the criteria for a certain level of quality.
Especially as it pertains to our health - this needs to be implemented into the delivery of healthcare.
Click HERE for the article.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
The year of 30s....
(above: me saying "yes!") :)
Hola from a cold Fort Worth!
Well, relatively speaking it is not "cold" in Texas compared to my family reading this in Nebraska. ;)
My great friend Sarah is having her 30th b-day in a few weeks. I am having mine in a few months. Time flies! Jason asked me if being engaged before I was thirty was a "goal" - I told him that being married probably would have probably been a better criteria for turning thirty. ;) But, if you know me well (and most of you do) you would know that I am not one of those girls who had her life "planned out" from when she was a little girl. I am a relaxed person and I guess my temperament, etc. never really allowed for deadlines of such milestones. If you would have asked me 5-6 years ago when my life changed after meeting so many amazing friends through my church community in Austin, I would have probably said I would have like to be married by the age of thirty.
Cheers to being blessed with so many God-given gifts by age 30! I have faith, hope, love, wonderful family, a hard-working God-centered fiancée, a network of friends in Austin & Fort Worth and many other gifts!
While we're on the topic of three's....
We have three exams in six days. We have completed midterms in emergency medicine and gastroenterology. Monday is genitourinary. Let's hope that Monday's exam is not as complex as Friday's GI!
We have not set a date yet for the wedding but we are looking at the end of June 2012. It all depends on the calendar of St. Thomas More in Austin, of course. We are gathering planning lists, etc. so that we can get started! The long distance planning will be supported by an amazing & organized fiancée, Jason and also by my time in Austin from April-July for rotations.
I hope that you are all staying warm and doing well as 2011 gets off to a start! God Bless all of you!
prayers & love,
adg
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Big News from a Little Island
1.8.11 – Our Engagement
Jason works in the Education Sales Dept. for Apple Inc. The top performers earn a trip to ‘Sales Club’ each year. This year the trip was in the Cayman Islands – specifically Grand Cayman. We arrived in Grand Cayman around 1 p.m. on Saturday, one day earlier than the rest of the Apple group. Upon exiting the plane, we noticed the immediate change in weather – 80 degrees. We took a taxi to the (five-star) hotel, Grand Cayman Ritz-Carlton, on Seven Mile Beach.
Upon arriving to the Ritz and settling into our room, he asked what I wanted to do and insisted that I go to the hotel spa, Silver Rain, after we eat lunch. He had been here before on Club trips and knew that I would enjoy it, being that it was the nicest spa he had ever been to – and the voted the nicest spa in the Caribbean. He asked what else I wanted to do and I replied that I didn’t want to be in charge since I was on vacation and he could decide what we do (this decision was in his favor, as you will soon read.) After the manicure we would watch the sunset (being one of the top beaches in the world) and then go to dinner.
I of course did not resist going to a world famous spa. He called Silver Rain to get me a massage but the times didn’t work out for same-day appointments. Therefore, he said “Why don’t you get a manicure? When is the last time that you had a manicure?” I replied that it had been a while and agreed. He scheduled my manicure for 3:45 and we then walked a few blocks to eat lunch at a local café, enjoying our first frozen cocktail.
Upon arrival back to the Ritz and Silver Rain, I went to my manicure appointment and he “went shopping for swim trunks since he forgot to pack them (among making other arrangements).” I entered into the amazing spa after changing into my robe. Since it is a five-star hotel, one can expect nothing less of the spa. There was a relaxation room for before and after treatments, a hot tub, and a sauna. The customer service (and food) have set a new standard of excellence for me.
After my manicure, I needed to shower (after getting up at 2:30 a.m. for our flight) and get ready for dinner. He told me that I didn’t have time before sunset. I asked at least three more times and always got the same answer of no and that I would have to wait until after we got back from the beach.
We walked down to the beach and the view was breathtaking. We proceeded to walk to one side of the private property of the Ritz. I took a few pictures of the sunset and we turned around to walk the other way. We got to the other end and he said “Well, this is the end.” I thought to myself, there is about five more miles of beach, why did he say this is the end? He proceeded to hug me and tell me that he loved me. I also stated my love for him and he continued to say that he really loved me, wanted to spend every day with me and every day in heaven with me. He started to tremble and cry when saying these words and I felt him release the hug with one arm and reach into his pocket. I was definitely suspicious now. He again expressed his love and proceeded to get down on one knee. “Will you marry me?” I of course said yes! We embraced one another again and I then asked if someone was taking our picture? Yes, sure enough his friend/coworker Megan was taking pictures since we had stepped foot onto the sand. We walked over to her and said hello and thank you. We continued back to the beach and we were then greeted with champagne and strawberries.
Now, I was able to take a shower and put on makeup. We went to dinner at Reef Grill where we enjoyed our first dinner as an engaged couple and celebrated with a complimentary dessert from the restaurant manager. We reminisced the moment on the beach and Jason said that he knew God was present and shining down on us in the sunset.
As we enjoy being engaged in the upcoming months, we ask for your continued prayers. Jason will be doing most of the planning since he will be in Austin and I will be on clinical rotations, starting in March. Thank you for your support through the years. We look forward to the preparations and starting our life together, as witnessed by God, family and closest friends!
God Bless!
Love,
Amber & Jason
You can see the pictures here!
Jason works in the Education Sales Dept. for Apple Inc. The top performers earn a trip to ‘Sales Club’ each year. This year the trip was in the Cayman Islands – specifically Grand Cayman. We arrived in Grand Cayman around 1 p.m. on Saturday, one day earlier than the rest of the Apple group. Upon exiting the plane, we noticed the immediate change in weather – 80 degrees. We took a taxi to the (five-star) hotel, Grand Cayman Ritz-Carlton, on Seven Mile Beach.
Upon arriving to the Ritz and settling into our room, he asked what I wanted to do and insisted that I go to the hotel spa, Silver Rain, after we eat lunch. He had been here before on Club trips and knew that I would enjoy it, being that it was the nicest spa he had ever been to – and the voted the nicest spa in the Caribbean. He asked what else I wanted to do and I replied that I didn’t want to be in charge since I was on vacation and he could decide what we do (this decision was in his favor, as you will soon read.) After the manicure we would watch the sunset (being one of the top beaches in the world) and then go to dinner.
I of course did not resist going to a world famous spa. He called Silver Rain to get me a massage but the times didn’t work out for same-day appointments. Therefore, he said “Why don’t you get a manicure? When is the last time that you had a manicure?” I replied that it had been a while and agreed. He scheduled my manicure for 3:45 and we then walked a few blocks to eat lunch at a local café, enjoying our first frozen cocktail.
Upon arrival back to the Ritz and Silver Rain, I went to my manicure appointment and he “went shopping for swim trunks since he forgot to pack them (among making other arrangements).” I entered into the amazing spa after changing into my robe. Since it is a five-star hotel, one can expect nothing less of the spa. There was a relaxation room for before and after treatments, a hot tub, and a sauna. The customer service (and food) have set a new standard of excellence for me.
After my manicure, I needed to shower (after getting up at 2:30 a.m. for our flight) and get ready for dinner. He told me that I didn’t have time before sunset. I asked at least three more times and always got the same answer of no and that I would have to wait until after we got back from the beach.
We walked down to the beach and the view was breathtaking. We proceeded to walk to one side of the private property of the Ritz. I took a few pictures of the sunset and we turned around to walk the other way. We got to the other end and he said “Well, this is the end.” I thought to myself, there is about five more miles of beach, why did he say this is the end? He proceeded to hug me and tell me that he loved me. I also stated my love for him and he continued to say that he really loved me, wanted to spend every day with me and every day in heaven with me. He started to tremble and cry when saying these words and I felt him release the hug with one arm and reach into his pocket. I was definitely suspicious now. He again expressed his love and proceeded to get down on one knee. “Will you marry me?” I of course said yes! We embraced one another again and I then asked if someone was taking our picture? Yes, sure enough his friend/coworker Megan was taking pictures since we had stepped foot onto the sand. We walked over to her and said hello and thank you. We continued back to the beach and we were then greeted with champagne and strawberries.
Now, I was able to take a shower and put on makeup. We went to dinner at Reef Grill where we enjoyed our first dinner as an engaged couple and celebrated with a complimentary dessert from the restaurant manager. We reminisced the moment on the beach and Jason said that he knew God was present and shining down on us in the sunset.
As we enjoy being engaged in the upcoming months, we ask for your continued prayers. Jason will be doing most of the planning since he will be in Austin and I will be on clinical rotations, starting in March. Thank you for your support through the years. We look forward to the preparations and starting our life together, as witnessed by God, family and closest friends!
God Bless!
Love,
Amber & Jason
You can see the pictures here!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Back to the grind.... and the beach!
We are back to the wonderful world of powerpoints!
10 more weeks of didactics and then rotations! We are currently studying the following blocks: emergency medicine, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, pediatrics and clinical skills. We just completed our FINAL draft the master's paper today. HALLELUJAH!!
I get to study this week (or try and study may be a more accurate description) and then go to Grand Cayman Island next week! I am going with Jason on his "work trip." (Apple Education Sales Club) I am excited to enjoy the beach and relax!
Here is where we are staying if interested!
Have a great week!
love,
adg
10 more weeks of didactics and then rotations! We are currently studying the following blocks: emergency medicine, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, pediatrics and clinical skills. We just completed our FINAL draft the master's paper today. HALLELUJAH!!
I get to study this week (or try and study may be a more accurate description) and then go to Grand Cayman Island next week! I am going with Jason on his "work trip." (Apple Education Sales Club) I am excited to enjoy the beach and relax!
Here is where we are staying if interested!
Have a great week!
love,
adg
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)