Visiting Family in Columbus, Georgia

Dear Family and Friends,

I apologize for going so long without updating the blog. I have been existing without a computer, much less the internet. My son is doing better. I spent last week cleaning out two rooms in our basement and cleaning out closets. When Chuck and I return to Ecuador we will be renting out our house for the next couple of years. This means we have to have all the furniture out of the main part of the house. After living there for 25 years the amount of junk, uh treasures is incredible.

While Chuck is on a business trip to Germany, I am taking this time to visit family. At this moment I am in transit to Georgia. Next week I will go to visit my mother and brother in Dallas, TX. As you know, Chuck and I became residents of Ecuador in February. One rule we have to follow is that during the first two years of residency we are not allowed out of Ecuador over 90 days each year. Since I came home a month before I had planned, I am well on my way to using up my time out of Ecuador. This is why I am visiting family while I am in the U.S.

I will have access to the internet over the next couple of weeks and promise to keep you updated on what is going on.

Nancy

My other identity is MIMI

Dear Family and Friends,

I am at our house in Richland, WA. Before we left for Ecuador, we discontinued our phone service, our internet service and shut off the water to the house.

I arrived in Richland last week to find Michael doing very well and responding beautifully to the antibiotics being fed to him through the IV's.


Here I am with him before he left the hospital.

I have been mothering my grandchildren this past week. This made it much easier for their mother and for Michael to come home from the hospital and get the rest he needed to continue to get well.

These two grandkids are ages 8 and 5. They have grown up in the world of modern technology. They watch DVD's, play games on X box or whatever they call the gaming systems, watch cable TV programs and on and on for entertainment.

Well, at Mimi's house (that's me Mimi) there was no TV, no DVD player, no internet, not even a computer. We dug out the Lego set from years gone by and I bought some childrens books and coloring books and crayons and we had a wonderful time excisting in the world of make believe.



I turned my livingroom into the playroom and did not worry about stepping over half completed Lego objects. We had a wonderful week together and now that they are back with their Mom and Dad, I miss them terribly.

Thanks to Skype, Chuck and I talk daily or several times a day via phone. He is in Ecuador for now but has a business trip to Germany towards the end of this month.

In order to save money, I will just stay here until he arrives around the first of April. I do hope to make a few trips before he comes and I will share those trips with you.

I am using my friend's computer to post to the blog. Since I am now living low tech, it is a little more difficult to keep it updated, but I will try to keep it updated at least weekly.

Again, thank you so much for your emails, words of encouragement and your prayers.

Nancy

My Son is Much Improved

Dear Family and Friends,

First of all I want to report that my son Michael is much improved. His body has responded to the antibiotics and he is better.

Secondly, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you for the prayers and emails.

The first of the week was a very difficult time for us. We found out on Sunday night that Michael was in the hospital. He was diagnosed with Cellulitus. His right leg was red and swollen all the way to his hip. The doctors did tests to determine what the source of the infection was. The concern was that the bacteria would get into his blood stream and infect his internal organs.

I flew out Monday night for home. I arrived in Richland about 2:00 pm on Wednesday and went straight to the hospital. I found that he was responding well and that he had been moved out of critical care.

He is now at home recovering.

I am keeping my grandchildren with me so he can have quiet time. His wife, Kathie, needs time to recoup also. She had a rough week, shuffling children, work and a critically ill husband.

Again, thank you so much for all the love and prayers.

Love,

Nancy

In Need of Your Prayer

Dear Family and Friends,

This is a short post. Our son, Michael, is in the hospital in Washington state. He has a very serious infection and is in the critical care unit.

I am flying from Cuenca this evening and will be by his side by Thursday afternoon.

Please remember our family in prayer, especially Michael.

I will update you on his condition after I get back to the U.S.

Thank you,

Nancy and Chuck