Seven Arrows

New Blog!

2009-11-03T10:50:00.002-06:00

Ok, Seven Arrows is just not going to work anymore. I have transferred most of this blog over to a new blog. I am still working on it and don't have it quite the way I like it yet but feel free to visit over there if you want. If you actually follow this family blog you'll need to make a note that it has moved because I'll be deleting it very soon!

Here is the new link....

http://mamakrodel.blogspot.com/

Surprises!

2009-10-19T15:19:00.004-05:00

Have you ever cleaned out your pocket
And discovered a ten dollar bill?
You really weren't expecting it,
But it gave your heart a thrill!

Have you ever opened the door
And there before your eyes
You saw the flower man standing
With an armful of surprise?

Well a surprise is exactly what's happened
Or serendipity as we prefer to say
It is with great joy that we tell you
Baby #8 is on the way!

I could have told you in person
But it's very important you see
That I only see thoughts and reactions
Of happiness, smiles and glee!

So once you've had time to digest it
And been able to ponder it all
When you have a nice word about all that you've heard,
Feel free to give me a call!

Busy week!

2009-09-28T09:51:00.008-05:00

Well, we had two significant happenings in the Krodel household this past week. First, Gabriel had his first birthday!

It takes the help of a few siblings to blow out the candle.

And....let's dig in!

And here is one of the little guy up and around. He is starting to get this walking thing down pretty well.

As for the second significant happening.... my oldest is now an officially licensed driver. He turned 16 this past January but because of all that was going on in our lives, Scott being ill and having surgery and then moving and everything......Zach had to be patient about taking driver's training and getting his license. But, last Friday he took his test and passed. Congrats Zachary!

He is reluctant to have his picture taken but I found this one in the camera from whenever??? I don't even know who took it. (oh, and that is our lovely cat, Phoebe)

This is what I usually get when I try to take his picture.

HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY HANNAH GRACE!!!

2009-09-05T18:18:00.005-05:00

Yep, my baby girl is a teenager now.

Yes, Hannah, only 3 candles on the cake. Wax candles don't do well in a moving truck. And, I didn't realize my candle stash was running so low that I wouldn't have enough for your birthday. Oops!

Maybe the gift will make up for the lack of candles?

That's an IPod Touch, NOT a cell phone. Not yet dear.

Goofing off!

Happy Birthday! We all love you Hannah! What a beautiful young lady you have become, both inside and out.

Surgery

2009-07-22T12:51:00.003-05:00

A few have asked for some specifics of Scott's surgery. I thought I'd post that here on my blog rather on facebook.

As most of you know, Scott was up at Mayo and and had a temporary ileostomy done back in Feb. He had an internal pouch inside but was struggling to keep it functioning. It was becoming infected and a sinus cavity had formed behind it, lying against his tailbone, that also had become infected and abcessed. The temporary ileostomy was created to allow the entire area to rest and hopefully to heal. We were to return sometime after June to check and see if it had healed. Scott was trying to wait as long as he could.

About a month or so ago his pain started to return. Actually, it never completely went away but it had lessened somewhat. Then just a week or so ago it became intense. He returned to Mayo to have tests. The MRI showed that the cavity behind the pouch had grown 3 times larger and the entire area was abcessed. It had not healed. While Scott was here the pain become even worse and he started to have fevers again. He returned to Mayo just in time. The surgeon said he needed surgery right away. They call the surgery a "take down". That is when everything that they had created before, the pouch, etc, is completely removed and a permanent ileostomy is created. It was a long, complicated surgery.

The surgeon said that cavity was so large and abcessed that it was going to require a muscle graft to be taken from his leg. But, during surgery, he decided not to do that. I have only spoken briefly with the doctor and both Scott and I still have a lot of questions. I am not sure as to why he chose not to do this part. Hopefully, I will get to speak to the doctor soon. This is a very busy place!

So, that is where we are right now. Recovery will take a while. Scott is still in a lot of pain and struggling with nausea. Please remember him in your prayers.

Recovery

2009-07-21T13:26:00.002-05:00

Surgery went well yesterday. Scott is in a lot of pain, obviously, but on the way to recovery. I am just too tired to keep up with the blog right now and I forgot to pack the camera. But I'll post quick updates on Facebook if you want to check there from time to time.

Thanks for all the prayers!

Here we go again!

2009-07-20T14:20:00.006-05:00

Hello all! Sorry for not updating in a looooong time.

Scott and I are back at Mayo. He came up last Thursday for some tests. We were hoping that he would return home on Friday. But, the doctor said that his condition was not so good. He needed surgery right away. I flew up on Sunday and he just went into surgery an hour or so ago. Surgery is estimated to take 9 hours then he'll be in recovery for a couple more. So....it's gonna be a very long day. My dad and my brother Jason decided to drive up here. They brought Zach and Jake with them. The girls are hanging out with Grandma and Aunt Kim. I have Gabe with me.

I want to apologize to friends and family that I have not called personally. Scott's condition become worse very quickly and everything happened so fast that I haven't had much time to call or email.

I'll will update as I can. And prayers are always appreciated.

BTW, I am also on Facebook and updates are a little easier to post on there so if you want to be my friend send me a "friend request" and I'll add ya! I am Stephanie Krodel.

Evangeline is 2!

2009-06-01T07:14:00.019-05:00

Evie celebrated her birthday a couple of days early so Daddy could be home with us. She turns 2 on the 2nd. We had a pink cake with pink icing and pink sprinkles and pink candles.
She got a pink baby doll, a pink lawn chair just her size, a big pink bucket, a pink back pack, and a big pink bottle of bubbles.
I guess the theme of the party was pink. =)
However, I didn't plan it that way. I waited until she was napping to go to Target to get presents and Hannah made her cake while I was shopping. We have just been so busy. No time for party plans. But all went well and I think Evie enjoyed her day.

And this is how a 2 year old feels when the party is all over and it's time for bed.

Packing and Moving

2009-05-28T06:39:00.002-05:00

Well, I am trying.....to pack and move that is.

Just a little note to let everyone know we are still moving. We closed on the new house in Henryville and plan to move in on the 12th of June. Scott will actually be moving in this coming weekend. We are taking a small U-Haul with a few things on Saturday so he can stay there and call it home. He's been staying in a hotel for the past few weeks. Last week he got to share his hotel with all the contestants in the Miss Kentucky pagent. He shared the HOTEL with them and an occasional elevator ride, but that's it. =) He said pagent contestants look a lot better on TV than in real life. It's the make-up applied with a spatula and a lot of spandex, honey.

So, like I said, I have been trying to pack. Flylady says to pack 5 boxes a day. But it is not going so well. I have 2 babies teething, keeping me up all night and being extremely fussy all day. We will get it done......eventually.

If you know of anyone in the market for a new house, there is a great one in Evansville. Just let me know.

New picture of Gabriel

2009-04-15T16:41:00.002-05:00

Gabriel is growing so fast! I have pictures of all my babies in this pose around this age and today I finally got around to taking one of Gabe. Just wanted to post it on my blog for Grandma to see. =)

We love you Becky and Dennis!

2009-04-10T08:11:00.024-05:00

Scott and I have been going on house hunting trips to Louisville/Southern IN. While we were away this past Wednesday checking out some of the homes, our wonderful friends Dennis and Becky offered to keep the kiddos. They all had a blast. They got to go horseback riding, play with Gordy (the dog), plant flowers at the greenhouse where Becky works, and ride a school bus!

Evie playing with Gordy. Both slept very well that night.

Becky backpacking Evie.

And thank you Mr. Dennis!

My homeschooled kids have always wondered what a school bus ride was like. Now they know!

Here is the bus they got to ride on.

Here is a flower Mary Kate brought home to me from the greenhouse. She said she grew it herself.

And I would like to say a special thank you to my daughter Rachel for being the designated photographer and capturing the day in pictures so Mom and Dad could see all they all the fun they had.

Job Offer

2009-03-14T09:33:00.010-05:00

It has been 15 months since Scott resigned from his postition of CIO at St. Mary's Hospital. He has been working with my brother Jason at Lakeside Design and will continue to do so. They will be going to Market in North Carolina again this spring and everything looks promising. We still feel God's hand at work with Lakeside and expect to see many things happening soon.

However, during this time Scott has also been interviewing for jobs in healthcare IT. This past week he was offered a position at Jewish Hospital/St. Mary's Healthcare in Louisville, KY. He accepted. We will be putting the house up for sale and moving.

We don't know all the details yet, the when we will be moving, where we be moving and how this will all play out with Scott's health issues but we trust that God has it all planned out for us. Scott will have some orientation days starting in April and officially start in May. He has made arrangements to have time off in June for the surgery at Mayo should it be necessary.

Looks like we will be having a busy summer.

In sickness and in health...

2009-03-12T18:40:00.004-05:00

For better, for worse.
For richer, for poorer.
In sickness....

I have been watching Scott for the past couple of weeks. It has been creeping back, the pain I mean. Sometimes he tries to hide it. But, it is back. After the surgery he was able to have some relief. He was back to his old self. Nearly. We were both hopeful that the surgery had worked. And it still may. But there is no denying that the symptoms are returning. So, Scott called Mayo today and talked to the doctor. We may be looking at more tests to see if something has happened since the surgery.

I guess this is the "in sickness" part. It is a constant struggle for me to sit back and watch, helpless to do anything for the man with whom I have been made one under God. Never would I knowingly forsake my vow to him. I vowed to be united with him in sickness and in health. But, I am not experiencing the physical pain that he is. How do I maintain that "oneness" when I cannot know what he is going through? He is suffering alone. I try to walk with him, beside him but ultimately, he walks alone.

So, how do I fulfill my vow? I ask myself this question today....

Updates

2009-03-08T17:01:00.006-05:00

My mom told me a few people have been asking about Scott and wondering where the updates were. So, for those of you who have still been checking my blog, I am sorry. But, like I told everyone, I am not the most consistent blogger. I have not had much time since we returned from Mayo.

Scott is doing well. He still has pain but we do not return to Mayo until June so there is still plenty of time for healing and a miracle, which is what I am praying for. And, you are welcome to join me. =)

The rest of the family is doing ok. We were hit by a nasty bug this past week but are recovering now for the most part, just a bit of coughing here and there. It was rough for a while though. Poor little Evie slept for nearly 2 days straight and I was a little worried. But everyone is on the mend. It has been warmer over the past couple of days so I have been happy to get the kids outside for a little fresh air and I think that helped.

Here is a picture of me and Gabe out on our walk. I finally managed to get that boy, all 19 lbs of him, in a SHBC. Yay! For those of you who don't know babywearing lingo, that's a Secured High Back Carry. I can't get much done carrying him in the front anymore. This works much better.

Home!

2009-02-03T20:21:00.002-06:00

So sorry I have not updated the blog. Scott was discharged and we came home today. I didn't have time up update before we left for the airport and things were, well, crazy when we got home. There were balloons and a cake and a Welcome Home posters. Thanks kids! It was wonderful! Daddy and I and Gabe are thrilled to be back home again.

Scott is doing well but very tired from traveling all day. It is going to be a tough few months for him. We will be going back to Mayo in about 4-6 months. Now, we pray for healing and wait.

Thanks to everyone who prayed for us. We love you. Your prayers were heard. And a big thank you to my wonderful children. You are the best!!

Recovery Day #4

2009-02-02T11:53:00.001-06:00

Hey kids! I hope you are doing your school work and being good for Grandma and Grandpa.

Daddy doesn't like having his picture taken but I was able to sneak this one while he was out walking the halls.

I do have some great news. It looks like we will be able to come home tomorrow! I'll let you know for sure after we see the doctor again this evening.

Oh, and Gabriel really likes Daddy's hospital bed. =)

Recovery Day #3

2009-02-01T11:34:00.000-06:00

Everything is moving right along with Scott's recovery. Today they took out the IV and he was able to shower. He looks and feels much better and it is easier for him to walk around without that IV pole and all those tubes. He is eating now and had Cream of Wheat for breakfast. Yummy! He should be able to come home soon.

Kids, don't forget to watch the Superbowl tonight. We'll be watching here. Gabriel is all ready. =)

Recovery Day #2

2009-01-31T11:02:00.000-06:00

Hey kids! Daddy is doing better today. It must be because of all your prayers. And, he has been reading your comments on the blog. I took the laptop in this morning and he was able to see your snow day pictures.

I gotta go now. Gabriel is fussy but here is a pic of Daddy and Gabe reading all the comments. =)

Recovery Day #1

2009-01-30T12:22:00.000-06:00

It's tough the first day. Scott is pretty uncomfortable to say the least and struggling a bit with nausea. But he did get up and walk this morning.

Thanks kids for all the prayers. Continue to pray for Daddy to get up and walk, walk, walk....it hurts but the more he walks the better he will feel. He has a pretty large incision and so it's tough to move around. I'll take some pictures of him walking soon. We didn't get any today cause his hair was too messy and I left his brush in the hotel room. LOL!

And, it is official. My cell phone is dead. The charger was broken in our luggage during the flight so.....if you need me call the hotel.

Gabriel is doing great. He made a friend. Her name is Leah and she is also 4 months old. We see her everyday. =)

Be back for updates soon!

Back from surgery.

2009-01-29T18:20:00.000-06:00

Well, Scott is finally in his room. Gabe and I were able to visit for a bit. He is having some pain but in good spirits. I still have not been able to speak to the surgeon but assuming all went well. Hopefully I be able to catch up with him tomorrow to find out all the details.

Hey kids, Dad says he loves you too. Don't worry, he is doing just fine. We will be home in no time. I told him all about your snow day and he can't wait to see the pictures. We love you!

Recovery....

2009-01-29T14:00:00.000-06:00

Scott is in recovery now. I don't know any details yet. The nurse couldn't tell me much. I'll talk to the doctor later. I am off to wait in the hospital room now. Be back this evening.

Snow Day!

2009-01-29T13:02:00.000-06:00

Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Jason have been keeping the kids busy while Daddy is in the hospital. Looks like a lot of fun!

Can you tell who is who?

All warm inside after the fun is done!

surgery day

2009-01-29T07:25:00.000-06:00

Scott is getting prepped for surgery right now. I will join him after I eat a bite of breakfast. Surgery should be within an hour or so. I'll be back to post more soon.....

Test Results

2009-01-28T14:03:00.000-06:00

We spoke to the surgeon this morning after some testing. Everything went as expected. They are recommending surgery for a temporary ileostomy and will also try to repair the infected part of the pouch. Scott has some pre-op tests scheduled for this afternoon then later on this evening we will find out what time surgery is tomorrow. I'll let everyone know. Thanks for the prayers. Keep them coming.

Kids we miss you. Be good for Grandma and Grandpa. I'll take some pictures tomorrow of daddy in the hospital. I am sorry to hear that you got so much ice and snow and are stuck inside. I hope the power stays on now. Guess with all that ice and snow school was cancelled....oh wait....we homeschool. So, get off your computers and get to work!

Brrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!

2009-01-28T07:51:00.000-06:00

It's cold. Who turned off the heat?! I know we are in MN but this is just crazy!

We are off to the clinic today for tests. I'll update this evening....

Edited to add...I found out why I was so cold this morning. The heat in our room was not working. It was freezing! But it is fixed now and we are nice and toasty.

And yes my dear children, I am reading all of your comments. =)

We are at Mayo!

2009-01-27T17:49:00.000-06:00

Scott set up the internet for me. Thanks Sweetie! I'll post updates every evening so, kids, don't forget to check!

Gabriel is happy. He didn't cry a bit today on the plane. I am so thankful. He seems to like our hotel.

And here you go kids...a picture to remember your folks. Don't forget us while we are gone. Love ya!

What's been going on with the Krodel's Part II

2009-01-25T21:54:00.001-06:00

So, what happened in June? Scott got sick...really sick. He started having some intense pain. Doctors said it was inflammation and infection in his "pouch". It is fairly common and called Pouchitis. This was not the first time my dear husband had suffered from a bout of pouchitis. However, in the past, the infection had responded well to antibiotics. Not this time.

This time Scott went through months of antibiotics but the infection did not get better. In fact, it was getting worse and new symptoms seemed to be popping up every day. He saw more doctors and had more tests....

In all, Scott was seeing 5 doctors at the same time. He saw his gastroenterologist, colorectal surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, infectious disease specialist and a chiropractor. We were told he had a severe case of pouchitis, a dislocated tailbone, a fistula and an infection in his tailbone.

My poor husband was getting sicker and we had no answers as to what to do about it. He had 2 MRI's, 2 CT Scans, and a bone marrow biopsy yet the doctors were not in agreement about what to do for him. So, all the test results were sent to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Doctors there reviewed his case and talked to doctors here and finally decided upon a plan of treatment.

This is where we are today and one of the reasons behind this feeble attempt at blogging. Scott and I will be traveling up to Mayo Clinic. We leave on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Scott will be undergoing some more tests to confirm the diagnosis then he will have surgery. First, the doctors will drain the infection from the pouch then they will be giving him a temporary ileostomy to divert stool from the infected area. This will allow the pouch to rest and, hopefully, to heal. He will have the ileostomy for approximately 6 months.

I'll be posting pictures and updating this blog from Mayo when I am able. I mainly want to do this so my kiddos can see Daddy and know what's going on and not worry so much. But, I want to share updates with family and friends as well.

Please remember Scott and our family in your prayers.

So, what has been going on in the Krodel Family?

2009-01-18T15:25:00.000-06:00

Hello All! I started this blog back in June and as you can see...I haven't kept up with it. Guess I am not the most consistent blogger. But, I have been busy. Our lives have been very full over the past months. Then it occured to me. Our lives have been very full over the past months...

Maybe I should be sharing some if what's going on with my family and friends. =)

So, here goes.

In the past 6 months two major things have occured in my life. First, I gave birth to our 7th child, Gabriel James. He has been such a huge blessing in my life. And when I say huge, I mean huge. He is a BIG BOY (pictures to come).

Second, my husband Scott has been ill. I have found that nothing can affect a family more profoundly than the birth of a new baby or serious illness of a loved one .

Scott has always had health issues. He suffered from Ulcerative Colitis for many years and eventually had a colectomy (removal of his entire colon/large intestine). He had a ileostomy for a while but the surgeon who removed his colon did a wonderful thing. He realized that Scott was a good candidate for a relatively new procedure called Ileoanal-Anastomosis. During the surgery he left Scott's rectum and sphincter muscles intact thus enabling him to have this new procedure done in the future. In a just a few months we were scheduled to go to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and have the operation. Actually, it required two operations, two phases so to speak.

During the first procedure, the surgeon takes about 3 feet of small intestine and constructs an internal pouch which will serve to replace the external ileostomy. The pouch is connected to the rectum. Then a temporary "loop" ileostomy is created to divert stool until everything inside is healed. During the second procedure, the loop ileostomy is reversed. This allows a person to, well, to go to the bathroom like a normal person would.

Scott had this all done 18 years ago. He has had a few complications over the years, suffered some other setbacks in his health as well, even had to have a kidney removed, but overall we would say the operation at Mayo was a success and has enabled him to have a much better quality of life than had he not had the procedure done. That is, up until this past June when everything took a turn for the worse.....Part 2 to come soon......

practice posting.....

2009-01-18T11:45:00.001-06:00

I am checking out the different layouts for my blog. This is our Evangeline. She is helping me.

Meet Sammy!

2009-01-18T11:31:00.000-06:00

Our neigbor's nurse gave my daughter Hannah a late Christmas present. Yes, I let her keep it.

Krodel Christmas 2008!

2009-01-18T10:25:00.000-06:00

Mary Kate got a guitar! My future Rock Star!

I guess she learned from her big brother Zach.

Introduction

2008-06-17T19:04:00.000-05:00

My name is Stephanie. I have been a help meet to Scott for 18 years. We have 6 children and baby #7 will be arriving at the end of the summer. My children's ages are 15 (boy), 11 (girl), 10 (boy), 8 (girl), 4 (girl) and 1 (girl). "Arrow" number seven is a boy. We are a homeschooling family. Yes, it is a tough job somedays but I wouldn't have it any other way, really. I love homeschooling and being a stay at home mom and I know it is best for my family. I think it is so important for moms to be the primary nurturers and caregivers for their children. Sometimes with so many children at such varying ages our home somewhat resembles a zoo. It can get pretty wild! But we have a lot of fun and enjoy simply being with each other. These years when our children are home with us go by so quickly. Ask me how I know. I will have a son old enough to drive soon! Yikes! It seems like yesterday he was in diapers. I want to spend this precious time together as a family, growing together, learning together, playing together, praying together and building relationships that will last a lifetime.

My First Blog!

2008-06-17T15:41:00.000-05:00

I have officially joined the wonderful world of blogging! Yay!