Jenny's Jottings

Though I am relieved that I appear to know something about the Bible, since I am a seminary student!

Last week I finished my papers from Fall 2006 semester. I've yet to get my grades, but at least it is done. The next semester starts January 29 (my birthday). I will be taking Introduction to Christian Ethics (3rd time is the charm!), Systematic Theology, and Basic texts of the Mosaic Tradition (I think it focuses on Exodus). I'm sure that will keep me busy. I plan to continue working at the school's library, even though we are doing more transitions (new catalog and new procedures). It's been rough ever since we got a new circulation supervisor. Sigh . . . Plus I may have another job lined up in an area of interest (I'll let you know next week.)

I know I haven't posted much in a while. Let's see what I'll been doing. In December, at the end of the last week of the semester, Molly and I drove up to Frankfort, MI, for Cathy and Mike's wedding. It was just lovely, and we cried. I love northern (LP) Michigan, and I got to show Molly Interlochen, where I worked 2 summers. I think eventually I will have some pictures from that trip. We found the free WIFI in downtown Frankfort to check our email :) It was good to see Cathy's family and friends again. I had gone home with her for Thanksgiving 2004 and met all these nice folks.

Molly and I had a nice quiet Christmas here. We went to North Church for Christmas Eve morning, and Gale's church in Marion for Christmas Eve evening service and dinner. We decorated our little tree and the living room. Molly got me a beautiful necklace that I'd been wanting (you can see the pendant here). I used the money my grandma sent to buy a digital camera, which I had been wanting for some time. You can see some samples of my new photography at flickr. I'm still learning to use the software.

I made a short trip to Iowa over New Years to help celebrate my mom's 60th birthday. I hadn't been back to Iowa since Christmas 2004. Some things change, some things don't. It wasn't a long enough trip to see any of my friends or get to Iowa City or anything -- bummer. I think my mom had a good birthday. We took her out to dinner, and her present finally arrived this week. We got her a gift card to a spa for a massage. We think she'll enjoy it. I also spent some time while in Iowa trying to come out to my grandma. I'm not sure how successful I was, as she was having a bad cold and bronchitis while I was there. She said she has a class reunion the weekend of our Holy Union ceremony (May 26). When I got back to Ohio, Molly's sister Cindy, niece Sierra, and Cindy's partner Val, were here visiting from California. It wasn't a long enough visit, but I hope they'll come again.

I'm still having fun medical adventures, with their lovely accompanying bills. Grrr . . . In December I had another abdominal CT scan (blech!), which showed nothing much but a possible hernia. In January I had a sinus CT scan, which was normal. Now I have to see an Ear Nose Throat specialist in February. Last week, I had a colonoscopy (the clean out and the IV are the worst parts), which was normal. I'm not sure what the next step is in that area to figure out the continuing abdominal pain. The hernia isn't serious enough to do anything. The surgeon says it may be adhesions from last years surgeries or maybe some gynecological problem. Meh! I guess I need to see a gynecologist.

This week we've been working some and cat sitting for Kim and Gale. I've just been hanging out and relaxing a bit before it all starts up again. I'll try to post again sooner, but there are no guarantees. I've been reading LJ daily, just not posting.

On Monday, I had my photo taken for the article for which I was interviewed for the The Chronicle of Higher Education. The photographer, Ken Frick, came to the library at school and took pictures of me there. He wanted a setting that looked like a home office area, so we used the reference office. He took a bazillion pictures of me sitting at the desk looking at my medical bills and insurance statements. Then he took another billion pictures of my insurance claims. The editors at the magazine will have lots to choose from. He was very friendly and easy to work with.

The author of the article, Elizabeth Farrell, called mid-week for a few clarifications and follow up questions. She says the article will be out next week. It will be in the online edition and the paper edition. She says she'll send me some paper copies! Most college libraries get The Chronicle of Higher Education, so we'll hopefully be able to track down copies, and far-flung friends and family will be able to see it, too.

Wednesday Molly and I also met with a very helpful person at school who was willing to look at my medical bills and insurance junk with me. She is even calling some of the providers to see if they would be willing to negotiate about total payments and payment plans. What a Godsend! Molly and I made a spreadsheet of the insurance and bills, so it seems easier to deal with. With the HCAP program, instead of owing something like $124,000, I probably will end up paying somewhere around $9,500. Much better, but still difficult on a student budget. I am much more confident now that things will work out!

This morning we were awakened by four noisy geese honking up and down the river. I'm not sure why they were honking so long and so loud, but it was certainly preferable to the way we were awakened yesterday.

( Yesterday morning, a little after 8, we were awakened by knocking at our door. )

In other news . . .

Sorry I haven't been in touch much lately. Most days I don't have a lot of energy for too much, like answering emails or posting in LJ. My mood is rather
up and down most days, and I have a lot of anxiety. It makes it hard. Some days I get very discouraged and depressed. My medical events have changed a lot of my life, and I am trying to sift through and reconstruct. I dropped all my classes and lost my jobs this semester. I am registered for fall semester though. I am enjoying the time to read the books I want to read for fun! I also got out my spinning wheel again, and I have knitting projects and art supplies.

In health news, we are still waiting to hear when our oncologist appointment will be. We are hopeful that I won't need chemo. It is still very likely that I will need to have a complete hysterectomy, so I need to make decisions about childbearing soon. My incision is healing up quite well. Almost 4 inches at the top and 1 at the bottom are closed. I still have pain from time to time, but nothing too serious. I've been to the ER twice with severe pain since the
surgery, but I seem to be past that now, I hope!!! Molly changes my bandages every day, and the home health nurses discharged me from their care on Wednesday. I see the surgeon again for follow-up on the 24th.

I am getting my strength and energy back, so I am able to enjoy outings more. Molly and I went to The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Monday. It was a nice change of pace and place. ( We saw )

I hope you all are well. I will try to keep in touch a little better, and hopefully there will be updates more often. Happy Spring!!!