Thursday, October 3, 2012, Nashville, Tennessee, 12:08 p.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Louie Sandusky here.  Hope y'all are well; as for me, I have been going crazy.  Between working at the hospital, taking care of family, church duties, and running to and from the hospital to see Enriquesa, well, it's no wonder I am tired.

Enriquesa went into the hospital on Friday but happily she is doing much better; in fact, the pediatrician may be discharging her today if she continues to improve.  She got sick on Wednesday and started vomiting; well, the vomiting got worse and we ended up having to call for an ambulance because her vital signs were increasingly unstable and she was so weak she could barely talk or move.

 She was NP0 f(unable to eat by mouth; only eating via IV fluids) or a few days, then placed on liquids, and now she is eating regular (solid) food and is feeling much more like heself.  She is ready to get back home to her friends and family; Enriquesa has always been a go-getter.  She hates  having to be laid up for whatever reason it may be.

We had a wave of the stomach bug hit Casa Sandusky, but it hit Enriquesa the hardest.  I'm surprised more people didn't get sick to the point of hospitalization!

The weather here is stunning: bright wall to wall sunshine and pristine, cloudless blue skies, and mild to warm temperatures; but come tomorrow (Friday),  temps are expected to plummet and turn sharply colder here in the Nashville metro area.  The trees are starting to change; in a few weeks they will be at peak color and fall is always a gorgeous time here in the Tennessee Valley.  Of course, I will be posting pictures on my Facebook page, for all my friends to see.

We have been busy with church: the choirs and worship teams have been practicing the music for the upcoming Christmas Cantata, so even though it is only October, we are already singing Christmas music.  Not that I mind, though; Christmas has always been my very favorite holiday, espeically when they recognize the REAL Reason for the Season: the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

In a few weeks will also be our Fall Festival and Community Outreach.  So we have that to think about as well.

I have been busy with the adoption group I am in, talking to other parents about the adoption experience and how to get the process started if they are new to the process, so they don't feel overwhelmed.  I have also done a few speaking engagements and book signings, which are always fun and enjoyable.  I still keep in touch with other adoptive parents, but since they know my schedule, they tolerate my lapses in not responding to their letters/messages sooner.  

I'm just glad I have the extra help: Phoebe Pearson, Jane Mulligan, and Kendra Williams have been phenominal in helping me whenever I need it the most; I owe my very life to these three women!  I don't know what I would ever do without them!

Well, I hate to run, but it's about time for me to make some lunch, then run to Nashville Children's, to visit Enriquesa; hopefully she will be discharged today.  If that is the case, then I will be bringing her home and then things can slowly return to normal (and normal is quite rare 'round Casa Sandusky! LOL).  In addition to that, tonight is choir practice, but may have to forgo that if Enriquesa comes home from the hospital; right now, she's more important (she always is; she's my priority; all my kids are, especially if hey have been sick or in the hospital).

Take care and God bless; I will write another day!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Louie Mayrah.  :)