Sick And Tired Of Being Sick And TIred

It has been nearly 3 weeks since the last post. Would you believe there isn't much to report? Actually there is, but some things of interest to us might not be of interest to anyone else. 

Sister van Hoff and I have been extremely sick these past six days. It is believed that we have the flu even though many of our symptoms as different.  The one constant for both of us is weakness. Let me share with you how bad it got.

A couple of days ago I was talking to my sister and I told her that we were just going to hole up in our apartment and tough it out. She immediately called our younger sister who is a nurse. It wasn't long until she had me on the phone. She insisted that we go to the doctor. She began telling me how people are dying from this influenza in America; not just babies and aged, but teenagers and young adults. Well, that was enough to worry me. Besides, when Diane and I were caregivers to my folks, my sister would be our medical advisor and she was never wrong. She was right about this, too.

I made arrangements to take us to the doctor that evening. Up to that point I didn't realize how bad off Diane was. As we got ready to go, she informed me that she didn't feel she could make it to the elevator and out to the car on her own. She asked me to get her a wheelchair.

Between that request and what my sister had told me, I was really worried. There is a wheelchair at the Europe Area Office building, but I felt too weak to walk over there myself. Elder Nelson, one of the missionary doctors, was kind enough to bring it over.

We tried to stay as far away as possible from any contact with anyone.  I got her down to the car.  Riding in the wheelchair and also in the car, Diane was folded over with her head in her hands on her lap.  I have never seen her like this.  I was worried what we would have to deal with at the other end of this trip.  I know that parking spaces in town are a premium and that the closest parking garage was several blocks away, and it was bitter cold outside.  Fortunately, the Lord, in His tender mercy prepared the way.

We turned onto the street for the doctor's office and immediately started looking for a parking space. We had no clue how far down the street we had to go to get there. After driving a few blocks and finding nothing, I decided to take the first open spot. I was surprised to find one and took it. As I got out of the car, I noticed that we were only 30 feet from the front door of the doctor's building. Coincidence? I think not.

It was still a challenge. These are old buildings with no elevators. We had to walk up two long flights of stairs to get to the office.

I think we are doing better now, but, since Tuesday, we have been to the same doctor three times. Diane has had three infusions and is on an antibiotic.

On happier notes, we invited our friends Elder and Sister Skoubye to go to a castle with us the weekend before all this started. Here are some of the pictures of that day.

Passing from one wall of defense to the next.

Trying it on for size.

Inside the Alsbach Castle wall.  It is very steep on the other side,. 

Castle tower.

This past week was transfers.  We will miss Elder Robinson and especially Elder Hamilton.  He arrived in Frankfurt only a couple of weeks after we arrived.

Elder Robinson on the left and Elder Hamilton next to Diane

Guess who joined us for Friday Date Night?  Yep.  The Skoubyes went grocery shopping at the Metro with us.  It is similar to Sam's Club.

Date Night at the Metro.  Not quite like the same as the Met in New York.

Last Saturday we attended a convert baptism. Diane played the piano and I gave the closing prayer. It was the baptism of Daniel from Nigeria. We have been a couple of times with the sister missionaries when he was taught, as have many others.  The baptismal service was wonderful and we were grateful to be part of it.

Hopefully in a week we will be back to normal and get back to posting weekly. We love and miss you all.

Oh! Did I mention? One of my son's just got engaged. Okay, that came out of the blue. Didn't see that coming.