Hello friends,
It has been weeks and weeks since I wrote anything here, I hope you don't mind.  There just isn't so very much to write about as relates to my medical state.  Generally, I am well.

Reconstruction continues, with a short break here for our trip to Ukraine. (more on that in a minute).  I have been going for weekly injections of saline into the tissue expanders.  We have found a balancing point for managing the pain, so I am thankful.  Initially I think our whole family was caught very much by surprise when I was in so much pain and so "out of it" from the drugs.

Since then, I've begun to use a homeopathic muscle relaxer in place of valium, and I'm also very good friends with Advil and Tylenol.  Today I had an injection again, so it's a little higher on the pain scale than most days... still, maybe a 3 or 4 on the pain scale with 10 as the highest pain.

As I mentioned, we are planning our return trip to Ukraine and will be leaving on Tuesday, the 5th of May.  We'll be back to Minnesota, Lord willing, on Monday, May 18th.  Pray for us as we travel and as we visit... our hearts are torn as we go back to say goodbye to friends in a city and life that we loved so much.

Thank you for sticking with us on this long road... we are so grateful for you all.