Update on Rachel's health

Last week we met with a specialist and we were very pleased to hear what he had to say. He answered a lot of questions we had regarding my health. I'm am happy to say I have been feeling wonderful! My body has finally gone into remission thanks to the steroids I'm on. The goal is to be taken off the steroids and let a maintenance drug take over. The challenge is finding the right medication my body will respond to since the one I was on previously was making me nauseous and led to dehydration. The doctor said the illness is chronic and I will have it for the rest of my life, so this maintenance medication will be one I take everyday for the rest of my life. He also said it was very common for women to experience a flare up as I did after a pregnancy. Future pregnancies will be tricky, but hopefully with the help of the right drug, the ulcerative colitis will be under control and won't flare up again. God has been faithful in healing my body and I am extremely grateful. Brian and I are so happy to be getting our lives back to "normal" and truly enjoying life!

Having Fun Again!

Yesterday some of our friends came to visit and we spent the day apple picking. We all had a blast walking around outside enjoying the crisp fall air. Abby even got to pick her first apple. Now we can make some apple sauce and freeze it so she can enjoy it in a few more months.



















What a good daddy!

Staying Strong

God has definitely continued to answer your prayers. It's amazing how much better I am feeling each day. I can't tell you how wonderful it is! I'm still trying to regain my strength after being in bed for so long. It's crazy how quickly your muscles die when you haven't used them. Walking up stairs is my biggest challenge and the Colitis has given me arthritis in my knees, but that seems to be getting better too. I'm just so thankful to see some progress and to not be in pain anymore. God is faithful, so keep praying He's not finished with me yet!

A Landmark Day

Yesterday was an amazing day I had been praying for. It was our annual church picnic and baptism. I was really hoping to be well enough to make the 45 minute drive to the camp I grew up going to as well as watch Brian baptize some of his students for the first time. Of course as faithful as God is, he gave me the strength to not only make it up there, but have a really relaxing time. It was absolutely beautiful outside!! A day I will never forget!















Abby didn't enjoy herself as much as I did, but it was good for her to get out and get some fresh air too.















What a cutie!

Happy Abby

Praises to the Lord!

It's been a long, rocky road we've been traveling here at the Henderson household, but with the Lord's strength we are making it each step of the way. On August 3 I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. We didn't know much about the disease at the time, but since then we are now well aware of how serious it can be. After spending 8 days in the hospital due to severe dehydration and lack of response to medication, I am now home and remain in bed. I'm taking it a day at a time as no two are alike. At times I start to feel better and then almost as if a switch has been turned off, I'm doubled over in pain with a fever. I have no one to praise but the Lord as he has carried me through this very trying process, being completely dependent on friends and family around me. It has not been easy being incapable of getting food, walking up and down stairs or being able to take care of our 3 1/2 month old daughter.

God has been so faithful, as always, and continues to amaze me each day with His incredible comfort and peace. Brian's mom has been with us for a total of almost three weeks taking care of Abby. I am humbled by her care and patience as she has taken the time from work and putting her needs aside to be here for ours. I couldn't have asked for a more amazing husband either. Brian has served me in so many ways throughout this illness and I wonder if I will ever be able to return the favor in such a way. He stayed right by my side each night in the hospital sleeping on a cot (more like a human hot dog bun) just to be with me. Even though I know he is ready for me to get better, during the last 7 weeks, I have not heard him complain once about me being ill, or dealing with my demands and requests. He has been completely selfless and here again, I find myself humbled by it all. I praise God for allowing me to experience this side of marriage and what it is truly about. It is one of the most amazing gifts the Lord has given me.

As the days come and go I realize what a gift each one is. I long to be well again and be able to step outside to take a deep breath of fresh air. If you are able to do that today please enjoy it, at least for me. Don't take it for granted as I know I have done many times. I have never appreciated good health more than this and when I finally recover, which I realize won't be for awhile, I hope and pray that I will never forget what a blessing good health really is. I don't want to forget all the Lord has been teaching me during this time, because if I do, then these past 7 weeks and many more to come will have been wasted.

Keep checking back for more updates and photos. I'm dying to do another Abby photo shoot! When you see all the pictures you know I will have turned another corner!!!

Growing baby!

I can't believe how quickly this summer has gone by. It seems crazy that it is the middle of August already. Brian is back home for good and things are slowly turning into normal, but what is normal anyway? I have started back to work; photographed a wedding last weekend, a bachelorettte party to photograph coming up, putting together albums and doing some freelance photo editing. In the meantime, our little girl is getting bigger, laughing and developing quite a personality. Just when we think we are getting into a routine or schedule somehow everything seems to change. Whoever said it first was absolutely correct, "babies change everything!"















































Abby's favorite toy.