Our week so far....

Well, amazingly we made it to AL. Our plane was delayed in TX and therefore Southwest said we might not make our other flight in Dallas so it was a little crazy trying to make the flight so we would not have to spend the night in Dallas. Thankfully the plane wanted a whole 20 minutes just for us so we could get on. (Thank You Southwest!)

We had a long clinic day but Praise the Lord things are looking pretty well. My liver function was high this time which is unusual but they are going to just watch it for now. I did enjoy catching up with some of my friends at UAB. A lot of them got their transplants around the same time I did so it's great to see how they are doing, and for the most part they are doing well. I did have my bronch this morning and it went fine besides the several attempts to put in an IV (this is when a PICC line comes in real handy). They said I had a little inflammation in my lungs, which makes sense since I have been coughing some. We should know a little more about the results tomorrow and more in a few weeks.

It's been fun to see our good friends here though and catch up. It worked out great too because we will get to be apart of our Sunday School Christmas party on Saturday. Thank you for your prayers....

Hope you all are doing well and enjoying the Christmas season. For some crazy reason I have this thing about not listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving because I always feel like it gets passed up so fast. However starting December 1st the music is on and continues all month! =) Ok, I think I'm still a little groggy and drugged so I better stop now before I start talking crazy....=) (wouldn't be too unusual) hehe

Headed to the Ham (Birmingham)

We will be headed back to the south tomorrow (Tuesday) for a transplant check-up on Wednesday and a bronchoscopy on Thursday. Praise the Lord I have been doing well and we just continue to ask the Lord for healing as they check for rejection & infection. As some of you might remember I did not do so good the last bronchoscopy so it makes me a little nervous. The last results showed NO rejection (Praise God) but the bronchoscopy left me very sick the next couple of days.

Jason & Faith will be coming along as well. The great thing about going back is getting to see all our good friends we love! I look forward to hopefully catching up with some of them.

I'll try to keep you all updated throughout the week, we'll see how well I do. =) We continue to ask for your prayers and thank you for keeping up with us and for your support!

*I do also ask for your prayers for my Uncle Tom, who I have mentioned before. He had his stem cell transplant (from my dad, his twin) last week. They had to knock down his immune system (chemo) to nothing so he could receive the "new" stem cells. However, since the chemo was so strong it has left him very tired & sick, as well as dealing with other difficult things. We are praying and believing the stem cells will work and almost be a "cure" for him. Because he received the stem cells from his identical twin brother he will not have to take all the anti-rejection medicines I do. I'm not sure when we will know if the transplant is working but he could use your prayers right now. Thank you!

The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk throug the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:2-3

Catch up time!

Well, once again I'm behind on keeping up with my blog but in some ways that is a good thing because I have the energy to GO GO GO now! I do have a good excuse though and that is that my Internet has been done for 4 days so I have felt very out of touch with everyone through e-mail & blogging. If I skip one day without the computer it seems like it takes forever to catch up on e-mails and reading how everyone else is doing through their blogs. It's almost ridiculous how dependant we become on our computers or cell phones and we wonder what the world ever did without them before! =) Don't get me wrong I think it's a wonderful way to stay in touch with friends and family but I have just realized how much I use them. Anyway, I just got way off the subject so back to what the Mulkey's have been up too......

First Callie's shower was wonderful! She had a great time and was showered with LOTS of amazing gifts. I know she feels so blessed to be at this point in her life and we feel so blessed to have her here. When I mean "here" I really mean ALIVE and well! For those of you who are not familiar with my family, I am not the only one the Lord has given a second chance at life. My sister, Callie, was diagnosed with a brain tumor (cancer) almost 5 years ago. She went through brain surgery and then radiation. It was a very difficult time but through every step good or bad she was QUICK to say," Praise God!" Her love for the Lord is a shining star for all to witness and by God's grace and healing she has been cancer free since then!!! Sometimes Callie and I sit and talk about how there is a very real possibility that we both could not be here now and how much God has blessed us with, not only a "new" life but some wonderful husbands (or to be) and for me a child. So not only do we celebrate Callie and Hayden's upcoming wedding, we also Praise the Lord for her life and that she can become Hayden's beautiful bride!

Mascara........now I forgot where does it go? Eye lashes, cheeks, lips.....Oh Yes, LIPS & NOSE! My daughter was sweet enough to find my mascara and show me where my make-up was really suppose to go. =)

We also ventured out to the corn maze and thanks to my brother in-law, Brandon we were able to find our way out before it got dark! Faith did great for a little bit then we decided her little legs were ready for daddy to carry her.

Faith fell asleep while we continued to try to find our way out of the corn maze. I think my back would be permanently damaged if I slept this way.=)

I also just got back from Dallas (by myself). I was able to go to Emily T. baby shower!! It was a good time and I was so glad to be there and share in her excitement! Her and Daniel's little girl will be here sometime the end of February! I can't wait!

We did have a wonderful Thanksgiving with ALL of our family. We have not been with all of the family for the holidays in a long time so that was a true blessing. We have much to be thankful for!

Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. Psalm 95:2

Pictures....are always rough!

I could not ask for a sweeter or cuter little girl and so of course, I want to take pictures to capture the moment. However, my daughter thinks otherwise! She does NOT like taking pictures and it becomes a big deal to get her to even look at the camera. (Let alone smile for it) So someday when she is older and she ask me why I don't have more pictures of her, I will just smile and say," I tried with all my might but you little Missy were not very cooperative." =) Anyway, I take what I can get when it comes to picture taking and my sweet friend took some pictures (or tried) of Faith before we left for TX. Even though it was rough I think we managed to get a couple of good, sweet ones.

Little Angel

Loves those flowers

Better a finger in the mouth than the nose =)

Where are the fish?

Pretty girl

A smile! A smile! Success!

This is a look of I'm done with this! I ain't going to smile!

A mischievous smile =)

Bring everything to Him

Praise God! I was able to come home yesterday. Most of the doctors (I think I had 5 looking after me) wanted to keep me in through Saturday and I told them that was fine but I just needed to be out by 8:00 am in time for the shower. I was getting very frustrated dealing with a different set of doctors who didn't know me nor did I know them. I was about ready to check myself out but then I realized I wasn't focusing on the One who has complete control. God wants us to bring everything to Him in prayer, even the smallest things. I just told the Lord my frustrations and my hope desire to be apart of this special day with Callie. I give Him my situation and trust Him. It was a couple of hours later that the main doctor came in graciously let me go. Thank you Lord, for caring for even the smallest details in my life and not only giving me life again but a opportunity to be apart of my family and friends lives.
All of the tests came back fine, praise the Lord! Although the doctors still think it is some kind of staff infection. My foot is getting better. I can stand and walk (with a little limp) but it's better for me to get out of the hospital where there is more infections for me to catch. I will be on antibiotics for the next week so hopefully that will finish taking care of it. Thank you for your prayers......


"I love the Lord because he hears and answers my prayers. Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath." Psalm 116:1-2

Infection?

Well, I missed the ER experience and being in the hospital so much that I thought it was time for another visit. =) (Just kidding) I am in the hospital again though due to probably an infection. I woke up yesterday morning in a lot of pain in my right ankle. I was not able to stand on my foot due to the pain. The doctors thought at first glance it was a staff infection due to the swelling & redness. Although we are still waiting on some blood work and skin biopsy results to come back, they have started me on some IV antibiotics. I believe the drugs are working because the redness is better and I am able to stand and walk a little.

We are just praying the infection is nothing too serious and that they will be able to treat it effectively. I'm also PRAYING I get out tomorrow because Callie's wedding shower is Saturday morning and I'm helping out with that as well as just wanting to be there. Thanks for your prayers!

Double Blessings!

As I said before, we got here just in time to be apart of the celebration of our 2 new nieces!

Baby Nan (Brandon & Christie) was born October 29! 6lb 8oz

Baby Lily (Dave & Melissa) was born October 30! 6lb 6 oz

They are both as sweet as can be and we are holding, kissing, and loving on them as much as we can! Faith loves them and thinks they are her baby dolls. It's so hard to believe that Faith was even smaller then her cousins. Weighing at 5lb 13 oz she was a little baby doll herself at one time. (Oh! I miss that baby stage) Both Melissa & Christie are doing great as well, just recovery and enjoying their new little blessings.

Quick Health Update~ I had an x-ray done the other day just to check on everything since I was coughing more and Praise the Lord, there is no infection! My doctor's think it is due to allergies. Although my body is still trying to get use to different things I am doing well. I have to remind myself at times I'm only 5 months out. I'm thankful for how far God has brought me, it has been quite a journey so far. I do go back to AL the first of December for a check up and another bronchoscopy. We continue to pray there will be no signs of rejection or infection.

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3

Busy little Bee!

Well, Faith's costume this year fit perfectly with her season of life.......busy little bee! She was a very cute bee, of course and all that was lacking was a little stinger in the back to match the toddler attitude sometimes. =)

Sweet as Honey!

Faith enjoyed Treat-or-Treating with her cousins
Lot's of GREAT costumes!

Faith & Sissy have become good buddies and now that they are on the same team I'm afraid they may use their toddler power to their advantage. =)

Our crazy couple of weeks!

Well, crazy could describe our past couple of weeks and also the reason I haven't got around to blogging. We made it to TX and have really enjoyed being with family again. It seems almost strange to have all of our family close by (living away from them for so long) but a wonderful blessing. Faith has transitioned very well, which I'm so thankful for. She has enjoyed playing with her cousins and being reunited with Callie's dog, Annie. Although much to my dismay and disgust I found her on all fours, head down, drinking Annie's water!!! I guess to a toddler whatever a dog eats or drinks must be tasty for them too. =)
Jason started back to work on Thursday and so far things are going well. He is enjoying being back and just trying to get the swing of things again. I'm doing well, it's been a big couple of weeks and at times have been a little overwhelming. I've been coughing more so we are going to call my local doctor and see if we can figure out the problem. We feel like we have been through a whirl wind yet through the craziness I have had to stop and reflect on what an amazing God we serve. It's a huge miracle and blessing for me to be where I am and to be doing the things I am able to do now. It's easy for me to get caught up in the silly details of life and forget to stop and say, "thank you" to the Lord! There is much to be thankful for though! I thought I would just share some videos and pictures of the activities that have kept us a little occupied.

I guess the best place to start would be the great moment of firing up the truck!


Here it ROAR! from Emily Mulkey on Vimeo.

Faith loves to "help" daddy with his truck and if she could drive it she would!


We had a fun good-bye party with our great Sunday school class, which we pretty much consider them family! They have been through so much with us and we feel so blessed to have them has friends! WE LOVE YOU ALL!!!


Faith is just lounging around in daddy's shoes watching TV! (Look relaxing, huh?)


Saying good-bye to our house


Of course, our big adventure was heading out to TX and like all moves and road trips there are always "bumps" and delays that go along with it (or at least on our trips there are). =)

Are we there yet? from Emily Mulkey on Vimeo.

The unloading of the truck!!


We are very excited as we WELCOME 2 new nieces this week! Christie, Brandon's wife (Jason's brother) will have her c-section on Wednesday (Baby Nan)! And....Melissa (Jason's sister) will be induced on Thursday (Baby Lily)! So, we got here just in time for all the excitement!

Pumpkin Patch

I really should be packing right now instead of posting on my blog but I know things will be crazy with the move and I'll never get these pictures up if I don't do it NOW! I never grew up going to a pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin (we just went to the store) but since we have lived here I have loved going to the "Great Pumpkin Patch". It's so much fun for the kids (& adults) to ride the wagon to the pumpkin patch and pick your favorite pumpkin in the midst of hundreds! It's also a great time to take fall pictures!
At the "Great Pumpkin Patch" they offer more then just pumpkins. There is pony rides, petting zoo, inflatable park & much more! Faith loves horses so she was thrilled to ride a pony! She wasn't afraid at all, in fact she pointed to which one she wanted to ride and ran up to it, ready for someone to put her on it. I guess she gets her love for horses from her mama. =)




Which one to choose? from Emily Mulkey on Vimeo.


My first pony ride! from Emily Mulkey on Vimeo.












Moving/Health Update~
Praise the Lord, my sweet mother in-law, Mitzi, came to help me pack! It is so great to have her here since she is quite an expert in packing/moving. Our house has not sold yet but we need to go ahead and move but we continue to pray that it will sell soon! Since my mom got married and has moved into her new house, we will be able to move into my old house and rent it while we wait for our house to sell. It will also give us time to figure out where we want to live.

Yea!!! Jason got his truck up and running! It was a great moment and we were barely able to get it out of the garage without deflating the tires. Maybe I'll be able to share the footage of the "beast" coming to life! I'm very proud of Jay and the awesome work he has done! It's going to be a fun truck!

I'm feeling pretty well these days. My feet and ankles tend to stay swollen and it gets worse as the day progresses, so I have to take breaks to rest my feet. I have some other not so fun side effects but I am so thankful I can breath and have no rejection right now.

Prayer for us~
*Please pray we will get everything done this week and safe travel
*I'll stay healthy and strong through all the changes
*Pray for Jason as he gets back into work and Faith with the new changes
*That our house will sell soon