Adjustments

I woke up to the sounds of motorcycles going by. The lady outside is selling avocado and bananas. I sweat while sitting still. The electricity is out. There isn't water in the kitchen tap. The tile floor seems to be the only respite from the heat. A truck just drove by wanting to buy scrap metal. The horns honking on the road in front of our apt. are endless.

I am back.

Once again, in a matter of hours, I feel like I was beamed from one world to the next! It is still a strange thing travelling between the States and the DR. I get so used to life in each country that being in the other one still comes as a shock at first. Despite all the "quirks" of this country, it is nice to be here again. Nice for everyone to see that I am truly alive, that Ariel does indeed have a wife, and so nice to be back to whatever the "normal" of my life is!

School is set to start on Monday (I think) and I still am trying to figure out what that means for me. I want to be careful in how I adjust back to work and daily routines. I want to go slowly after 3 months of illness and make sure that I take care of myself...after all, I want to be able to take care of others and can't do that well if this happens again! I am looking forward to seeing all the kids bright, shiny eyes and new hair braids and catching up with the staff again.

I ask for your continued prayers in the transitions that I'm going through , in the adjustments and plans that are taking place, in the homesickness that will surely hit soon! I want to live in this time and place for now and not look too far ahead, for this is where I am today...and it is good. Thanks!

At last

I'm back!!! I made it into the DR yesterday to a very excited Ariel. It is so nice to be together again, 2 months is a long, long time to be apart. We are spending every second together now and got to play in the pool this afternoon which was great. So far, so good with my stomach. I'm going to go slowly with everything and not be so adventerous with my food. It is hot and humid like crazy...a bit of a change from Oregon, that's for sure!

From one home to another

So the long-awaited day finally will be here tomorrow...I'm heading back to the Dominican Republic! I have such crazy, mixed emotions as I leave one home to be back in my other home. I am excited like crazy and a little nervous all at the same time to see Ariel (it's been two months!). I've been feeling mostly good with my stomach stuff. I think the preparations and anticipation of it all has made it a little hard to sleep, but hopefully that will pass as I get back! Please keep this next transition in your prayers as I want to be as careful as possible with my stomach and body and adjusting to all the new changes. Thank you again for being so supportive during all these ups and downs.

A quick trip to Phoenix

I got to go to Phoenix this weekend to spend time with my college roommate and best friend Julie! She was trying to make it to Oregon before I left, but couldn't make it work with her schedule, so her mom Eileen offered my her free ticket with Southwest!! It was so amazing to spend time with Julie again...she is so special. We did a lot of talking, visited Grand Canyon University again (which has changed a lot!), saw some movies, played with Lucas, visited her parents, and ate at Ajo Al's twice!! Even if it was a fast trip, I am so thankful to have gone!

Happy Birthday

We celebrated my Grandpa Dixon's 83rd birthday the other night. We went to Mexican food and then back to their place for a bit to continue the party!

Summer Update Letter

The months seem to fly by and already I find myself at the end of summer, looking forward to the start of a new school year. In May we finished strong for the year with a great Mother’s Day program and presentations. I feel like this past school year has been our best yet as I reflect on the progress, growth, and maturing that has taken place. We worked hard with attendance and had almost 20 (not all pictured) kids with perfect attendance this year! For me that is HUGE because these kids mostly have only themselves to push them out the door each day. I am proud like a mother of each one of them and am excited for all that lies ahead this coming school year.

The biggest challenge these last three months has been my never-ending illness. Ariel and I were tested quickly in our marriage on the vow “in sickness and in health”. I became very sick in the DR and after being hospitalized for a week, and then not improving in the week to follow, we decided it was best to seek care in the States. It was one of the hardest decisions to make, but we knew it had to be done. I spent 3 days in the hospital in Oregon and have since been on numerous meds, in and out of doctor’s offices, and after almost two months in the States, I am so happy to say that I am feeling pain free and healthy again! It is still a slow process of getting my stomach strong again, and a little frustrating that no definitive diagnosis was found apart from gastritis, but the important part is I will be back with Ariel soon! This has also been a great time to be cared for by family and friends and a place where I have been able to truly heal.

On that same note, we have a new financial need that hospitals, medicines, and immediate travel have created, on top of regular needs. I thank God for those who continue to give so faithfully and ask that you would pray with us that the monthly support and one-time donations we are in need of would come in, as we trust will happen. If you would like to send support, the address is listed on the bottom. You can also support online through http://www.kidsalive.org/ (follow “Around the World” then “Dominican Republic” to find me)

With much love, Jessi

JNicole228@yahoo.com

Please send financial support noted for Jessi Veras to: Kids Alive , PO Box 2117, Valparaiso IN 46384

Not a Dominican Republic beach!!

Last week, to flee the heat, my brother John and I went with my nephew Josh down to Newport Beach where it was foggy and cool. I wore a sweatshirt the whole time which was a bit of a change from Gresham! We had such a fun time sitting on the beach while Josh dug and dug, then went shopping in Newport and had some tea and hot chocolate. It's been such a blessing to have all this time with family.

Pool time

We got to play in the pool last week with Bethany and her little man and Jenny and her kids. We tried out floaties and Maddie showed off her jumping...it was fun to go to grandma's again like the good old days!

On the mend!

It has been one whole week, 7 glorious nights, of pain-free sleeping around here!!! I am so thankful that (hopefully) those days and nights are gone. I am feeling stronger, less wimpy, and can go a whole day now without napping! I continue to have my meals/snacks every few hours, but that might be for awhile! I got out the other day and picked berries at my parents house...it was nice to actually do something again that makes me feel normal. So if all stays well, as I hope it pray it does, I will probably head back to the DR in another 3 weeks. I am excited to see Ariel again, although I feel like we may have to start with introductions and dating all over because it's been so long! Just kidding, I am so glad to have been in Oregon for this time, to have (and continue) healing and getting stronger, and to have gotten the care that was so needed. So we continue to take it a day at a time and hopefully those days will lead me to full recovery!!

To clear things up

Thought I'd let everyone know what's going on...it's been a few days. I've been to the naturopath a few times now to check up and start some different therapies he has recommended. I really like the diet suggestions he's made and I've started on a few supplements (protein, calcium, and anti-inflammatories). The therapies he says are to help increase circulation and get to my trigger points...but I'm still learning the new language. Since starting the therapies on Thursdays, I've had 2 bad nights and 2 good nights, so I'm not out of the woods yet.

Naturopathy seems to be a bit controversial these days, or maybe I've just never opened up the topic with anyone. My brother works in California as a psychologist with autism and sees bad outcomes because of naturopathy, of people pouring money into endless treatments and no results, or worse. That's my disclaimer. We have gone into this because we had exhausted the treatments with the gastroenterologist, except for starting steroids and another round of antibiotics if it was to get worse. I don't want to approve of ALL naturopathy, just as I don't want to approve of ALL medicine. I want to continue cautiously with the treatments I receive, with my body, with my healing.

But please don't give up your doctors and ultrasounds and prescriptions, that was never my intention. I'm a nurse...I believe in medicine's place in our lives as I believe in supporting other treatments as well. I think our bodies have an amazing capacity of knowing how to heal, and along with the right help (be it herbal or synthetic or whatever), healing will take place. I hope to use a midwife when my babies are born to have less medical intervention, but I know an obstetrician needs to be available in case of complications. I think it's finding a balance of where you are comfortable, not being blind to the realities, understanding options.

So that's the road I'm on. The road to recovery I'm hoping! It has been a long, long time since going a few nights in a row without pain and I am anxious to feel "normal" again. I am anxious to see my husband. I am anxious to live my daily life again. I move forward prayerfully in my decisions, hoping that I take the right steps.

You've got to be kidding.

So to top it all off...my mom and I walked into our house today, and we were broken into. So far, it seems they have taken my laptop, my travel money, my mom's jewelry, and some antique guns my dad had from his granparents. Oh yah, and my Vicodin! Argh. Thankfully we live in the U.S.A. where people carry homeowners insurance, so it should all be covered. In the meantime though, frustrating!! But to be thankful, we are all safe and in all reality, things are just things.

Thumbs up for Naturopathy

So I went to the Naturopathic doctor and didn't find one burning candle, incense stick, and no humming or meditation was required. It was surprisingly FANTASTIC and I am hooked to the end. The doctor was able to explain all the diagnoses that the other doctors gave me and did it in a way that just made sense. He took so much time to understand what I have gone through and to talk about what is still happening.

The exam was fascinating to say the least. As he examined me he kept explaining why things are happening in my body like:

Weird arms: I wake up in the night with what I've called "restless arm syndrome". I feel like they are electric on the inside and if I don't move them they'll explode, so I hug my pillow or stand up and walk around and shake them, etc. He said it is most likely due to a lack of calcium because my body doesn't have the fatty acids to help in that.

Lack of weight gain: Normally I wouldn't complain about this except that it is virtually impossible for me to put on weight. I eat all day and still have issues. Anyhow, he explained that due to the antacids I've been taking, I have decreased digestive enzymes, amongst other things, and so therefore cannot properly break down and digest my food, therefore lack of weight gain.

Pain: Due to all the inflammation in my stomach

He went on to say that my digestive system is obviously my weakest and we are going to work to strengthen it. He wasn't anti-medical anything, in fact, along with giving me a tincture of stuff for pain, he said that if it wasn't working after a certain number of doses, to take the Vicodin I had been prescribed.

Tomorrow I'm off again for the next appointment where we'll talk about more in-depth things I need to do and the treatment plan. I am expecting to be going to the office 2-3 times a week for continued treatments with physiotherapy and hydrotherapy, etc. If you're interested you can check out their website...I'd recommend it.

The hardest part of this whole process is that my ticket says I'm meant to be on the plane back to the DR next Wednesday. That obviously isn't going to be possible with starting new treatments here, so we started thinking of alternate plans so as not to have to be apart from Ariel for 2.5 months. Whether it was to head back to the DR for a week or leaving early, we tried to think through all the options. In the end though, after lots of praying and talking and thinking through it all, we have decided that I'll go ahead and stay here to start treatment immediately so I can hopefully heal faster and more completely, thereby returning healthy and sound, ready to move forward with all that is ahead.

I am a big believer that for everything that happens there is a God-driven purpose, whether we get to find out what the purpose is or not. So I am confident that as Ariel and I continue our days in opposite countries, we will continue stronger because of this, that we will be better and know each other more...as we have already seen happen. I wish I could tell you how truly good to the core Ariel is, how supportive and encouraging he has been, and how grateful I am that he is my husband.

Steps to being better

Well, second biopsy report came back as such: eosinophilic gastritis, CMV in stomach (from previous infection, I guess), and no parasites. The doctor said if the pain is worse, we can do antibiotics for the gastritis (which I've already done once) and steroids (which I don't want!). The biopsy is now off for a 3rd opinion, where they will do further testing to see if there is anything else in there! They also will be presenting my case at the next hospital round table discussions to see if anyone else has seen this or knows what it is.

In the meantime, I still have pain issues during the night. The days are great, I feel perfectly normal and go about my day mostly like anyone else...I just do a bit less and eat really frequently. But I wake up every night for about 2-3 hours with stomach pain, heartburn, spitty, weird stuff. Vicodin still seems to do the trick for it, but I'm anxious to get off the pain medicine.

Well, I'm off today to a highly recommended Naturopathic doctor. I had already researched online some alternatives to going on steroids (for inflammation of the stomach), and started an herb called licorice root, along with probiotics to sort out my guts. Then my dad brought in a reference from a friend at work for this naturopathic doctor, so I've decided to go. Hopefully he can tell me if the herbs I'm taking are right and what else I can be doing. He apparently works a lot with diet based upon your blood type, so I'm interested in what this will do. I go tonight for the first appt and a follow-up appt. on Thurs.

My ticket back to the DR says I should be leaving here on the 29th...next Wednesday. I am unsure at this point what I am supposed to do. I want so badly to be with Ariel, he is just so, so far away. But at the same time, I know I have made this trip to Oregon to get better, and so far, I'm not all the way better. I'm trying to figure out if I'm going to extend my ticket and be away from Ariel longer, or go back as scheduled and hope for the best with my stomach. I'm just a bit nervous to head back with a weak stomach to face more potential for getting something like a parasite which could do me in! Thank you for praying with me about this to make the best decision, for my body, for our marriage, for the long-term results. Ariel is telling me to stay in Oregon, that I need to get better and come back 100% healed...but that is the way he is, completely self-sacraficing and loving to the end. I want to love him too and care for him, but maybe that means healing in Oregon first so I can be the best wife I can be when I get back. These are hard choices I'm hoping the doctor today will help us figure out as he talks about treatments and options. I'll let you know!

Noah is 1!

My high school friend Jenny just had a bday party for her little boy, Noah, who turns one this week. It was great to be able to be at one of these events...normally I'm so far away. Happy Birthday, Noah!

Cousins and kids

We were once again, at my grandparents the other day for a get-together with my cousins. My oldest cousin, David, has 4 kids, plus 4 more kidswere there, so it was an active place! It was nice to catch up with my cousins, see their families, and play in the pool again!

A little behind

I'm a little late, but wanted to put a couple of the 4th of July up before August rolled around. My brother John and his family came up, we BBQ'd and swam at my grandparents then did another BBQ and fireworks at my parents house.

Better yet?

The doctor called today and it seems that everything is negative!! Hooray! He said something about my blood cells staining red, but he has a bit of a heavy accent and I didn't understand the word. Anyhow, he wanted a second opinion on the pathology test so he's sending the biopsies to another pathologist to be sure...that should be back in another week. He said my stomach was so bad that he wants to double check everything. He talked about putting me on steriods, but we discussed this and decided to hold off because of the side effects and that I've been improving.

The great news is that I am feeling mostly well. I don't want to get my hopes up too soon (as has happened before) but I have had 2 good days in a row without pain and nausea. It is GOOD to feel good!! I have started going out more in the daytime and eating more adventerous food, "testing" my stomach. I want to be sure I am truly well before heading back to the DR.

At the moment, I am set to leave for the DR on the 29th, just 2 weeks from now. I am anxious to see Ariel and hopeful that my stomach agrees with me being better and able to return. That being said, I am not looking forward to the Dominican August heat. It is hot, hot, hot! But it will be nice, nice, nice to be with Ariel again, so I'll put up with the heat. I just want to be 100% sure I am healed before adding in the extra stressors of different food and water, heat, etc.

Thanks for all the encouragement you have sent through emails, calls, Facebook...it is great having such support. Here's hoping and praying for more good days, full (and permanent!) healing of my stomach, and my family to move to the DR with me (you can always hope, right??!!)

Growing up

One of my high school friends came over yesterday too to introduce me to her new little man, Quinn. He's 4 months old and one of the worst parts of being away is missing all of these little guys growing up! It was really nice to see Bethany again, catch up on being married and parenting and our lives these days. Hard to believe we're old enough to be having kids and be "real" grown-ups!

Sandy Mountain Days

My afternoons and evenings continue to be the best time of day for me. I'm able to get out and do "normal" things and feel pretty good. The other night I was in the Sandy Mountain Days parade with my grandparents and aunt and uncle for their printshop. I got to ride in a car the whole time, so that made it even easier. Unfortunately, we had to wear parrot hats and shake pom-poms, but it was nice to be out and doing something.

Testing, testing

So I went in for the endoscopic ultrasound yesterday and...no change to my stomach. All my other organs are fine except my stomach, which continues to be very inflamed and unhappy. The doctors are stumped as to what is going on and so we are waiting for the biopsy results that he took from my stomach, which will be in on Tuesday hopefully. I still get pain off and on but I think that is getting to be less and less. Nausea comes and goes, along with feeling tired and like a slug. I'm getting the best mom-care ever, which I'm sure has lead to me getting better.

I miss Ariel like crazy and wish he could be here, it's hard to be away for so long...especially sick. He is a super laundry washer and informed me that he washed ALL the white clothes I have at home and they are now all yellow-armpit-stain free (I've got a problem with that, so??!) He is a good, good man. I want to share Oregon, the U.S., these things with him. But all in good time, all in good time.

So we continue to wait and hope and pray for good results...and answers to where this is all coming from!