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Halfway Point

June 20, 2016 by Joel Potter

It’s the summer solstice…already!? Well then, here’s the latest updates from the Potter5.

Caution to the Wind?

Almost. We let you know last week that we were at the Mayo clinic for our second round of appointments with the specialists there. They went well and like the first time, we did end up there overnight, which was a good/God-thing.

This time around we saw an Immunologist regarding Bethany’s rashes and she ruled out some of the possibilities that we came across in our own research as well as educated us a bit about what exactly might and might not be happening to Bethany. Overall, she wasn’t able to give us any indicator of what was going on, except she insisted that a biopsy of tissue when Bethany is breaking out, would be key to moving forward. While we were disappointed to have some strong possible candidates as far as diagnosis’ went, we were reminded by God that this journey would be a journey and not a short 5k where we quickly sprint to restored health.

With that done, we amazingly were able to get the authorization and space in the sleep center for Bethany to take a sleep test. So she wired up and slept under close observation for the night and we consulted with the physician the next morning. He was thankfully able to rule out sleep apnea as the cause of Bethany’s pervasive fatigue throughout this journey. The sleep issues are likely “just” another symptom of the root issues.

And speaking of the root issues, later the second day, we consulted with a dapper, bow-tied, experienced Dermatologist who was incredibly sensitive and validating (in a good way). After a thorough examination as well as a review of photos of Bethany’s various skin issues that she documented (good girl!), he concurred with the Immunologist’s conclusion about a few possibilities and also insisted that we come back as soon as Bethany breaks out in a rash again, in order to biopsy the tissue and do more blood-work.

That’s where throwing caution to the wind comes in. Bethany’s not taking all the precautions she has been for the last year when it comes to covering up and avoiding the sun…and I think she’s kind of enjoying it too. But the end goal is breaking out in a painful rash again, so there will be a price to pay. It’s just a matter of when; when will she break out again? So for the time being, we’re waiting on the biopsy and will circle back with the Internist who’s coordinating this symphony of medical specialties as we try to give Bethany a better quality of life. We’re so grateful for the pervasive prayer we know is present when we’ve been up at the Mayo Clinic!

Summer Time…

Summer is in full effect and Bethany is facing the expanded time with the kids with some cool plans. They’re riding trains downtown to Orlando to take advantage of the big library, the kids are in a few summer camp type events and Kate’s taking a mini gymnastics camp…cue even more tumbling around the house (and bumps and bruises).

 

 

 

 

 

 

All six of us (including Lynn) had the chance to start the summer with some time away up in Florida’s panhandle with some of our closest friends. We have a few other trips planned, including a road trip near the end of the summer, up to Pennsylvania to speak at NTM’s “Enrichment” conference. This is a week-long event designed to encourage and refresh missionaries coming back to the US on their home assignment. I’ll be speaking a few times to them about communication tools and best practices and hopefully encouraging them along the way.

Always up for something!

 

 

Thumbs up Dad. Don’t drop your camera!

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Florida, Kids, Personal

More Posts:

« Time to stop and smell the…
Late Summer Fun »

The Potters…

are missionaries helping every people group around the world have the chance to understand the gospel and have access to a thriving church. We are serving with the International Ministries Office as it assists Ethnos360 and its Global Partners.

joeldpotter

We just posted a big Year in Review post on our bl We just posted a big Year in Review post on our blog and to the email list. As you know, a whole lot of life happened in 2022 and it's likely that 2023 will be no different. We'd love to fill you in. 

Take a look at it on the blog OR you can listen to it. Listening is a super-simple way to keep up with us when you can't read. Like while you're taking the kids to school or walking your pup. 

You can find links to LISTEN or READ at my profile site.
______
#thepottermission 
#yearinreview
A couple of weeks of running and riding. Grateful A couple of weeks of running and riding. Grateful for the ability and opportunity. 
—
#getourandrun
#getoutandride 
#stravacycling 
#ridewithstrava 
#runwithstrava
#sanfordflorida 
#floridarunner 
@strava
To “tend a loved one in decline” - part 2 The To “tend a loved one in decline” - part 2

The beautiful thing is how the light breaks through the fog. If the responsibility, the challenges, the emotional heaviness is the fog, the grace of the gracious high-priest, Jesus, is that light that for now makes the fog glow with incredible beauty and will one day burn off the fog. 

And for now, the wise words of Douglas McKelvey are a comfort:

“Love is wearying in this way, and even we who deeply love the ones we serve, need grace upon grace upon grace lest we despair. For in our giving, we are ever drained and so often depleted. We long for what we are too long without: respite and refreshment. So be our rest, O Christ, when there is no other rest to find.” 

#caregiving #longtermcaregiving #caregiver #alzheimerscaregiver #everymomentholy
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