A Letter from Emilie

Hello family and friends! It has been another eventful week! (I'm ready for uneventful!) I guess it gives me plenty to write about???  This week I have been feeling so good. I got on some new gut healing medication and it has been very helpful in keeping my bowels moving. Still having lower back problems. I am meeting with the pain doc tomorrow and I am hopeful to find a solution.  I have been working hard on getting ready for Christmas. I am ready early this year.. and it feels so good! It has been nice to have energy and feel good enough to get some things done.  Friday, I got to got to the temple in the morning with some YW and awesome return missionaries. It was amazing!!!   We also made plans to go the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square Christmas concert. We got picked in the lottery and got four tickets. We decided to take Abby with us and then pick up Camille from her apartment in Salt Lake and take her along as well. We were pretty excited to get to go! A...

Dear Family,  First of all, Have you seen this video of NY Light the World at Times Square? Amazing!! It is so beautiful!  https://youtu.be/INse1lhgZGA?si=Y0JtEpP9y_eDncH3 My last post was full of complaints. I wrote it and it made me feel better, but I really struggled to know if I should post it. I know it is different that my usual optimistic posts. It explains part of my struggle lately, so I decided to post it. It made me feel better that I could follow with some better news.  Things have improved a bit since I posted last. I had a colonoscopy and an upper GI scope. They did not find anything but gastritis, and the colon is looking good. For the first time in forever, I did not have any odd growths in my colon. That was exciting! The good news is that the colonoscopy has almost resolved the stomach problems. It has been a lot better. I guess I just needed a good clean out! I am still having some problems, but not as severe.  I also have been trying to get to the...

  Dear Family, I have really been struggling lately. It just seems like I finally get to take a step forward, then I fall eight steps back. This time it actually was eight steps! (Give or take- I should go count them!) Literally. I fell down some stairs. UGH.  I decided to miss the top step in the back alcove at the play. It has been two weeks on Tuesday and I am still really suffering. If I am honest,  This has been a very discouraging setback. My back keeps spasming. I have some bruised ribs. I have a sprained finger. The bruises on my face and side ARE are starting to fade a bit. (I am grateful that I don't look quite so abused now!)                                                     Here are my wounds on my chin and my ribs! It is difficult to get into a comfortable position at night. I surround myself with pillows and ...