Justin's and Lizzie's Journal: 12/26/25

 

As memories continue to come to mind, and I sort through what was real vs. what was a dream/hallucination, I've decided to organize Justin's notes from my time of critical illness. I'll also be adding my reflection and memories of those times as well. My main goal is just to sift through and process everything we've been through, but also to hopefully help bring glory to God through our story of suffering, death, and life. 

12/26/25 Justin's Journal:

                                                                                                   We flew to Denver at 7 am. This required waking up extremely early and made eating breakfast difficult. The kids did well on the flight but Lizzie did say "sitting next to your son is a full body workout." We landed and drove immediately to Estes Park. We checked in but the room was not ready, so we went to RMNP. We began our trip where we ended the summer trip - at the river below the Alluvial Fan. The kids had a blast throwing the tiny bits of ice and "snow" into the river. Lizzie was sluggish but seemed normal for a travel day. We went back to YMCA but room not ready so we had dinner. Room still not ready and Bryson fought HARD with Lizzie. Finally got into our cabin at 6:45 pm Local/7:45 CST. Showers, unpack, bed. 

12/26/25 Lizzie's Reflection:

Christmas was great, but I was feeling so exhausted. I wish my body did better with the physical stress of the holidays. Despite how exhausted I am, I was determined to make it on our family Christmas trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. I'm so glad Jailyn is better from whatever sickness it is that she had. She tested negative for everything, but the doctors gave her tamiflu anyways. She bounced back quickly and was ready to head to Colorado. I was grateful the rest of us didn't get sick, especially with how hard travel is on my chronically ill body anyways. Our cabin was supposed to be ready at 3 PM. I needed to lay down so badly, but it wasn't ready when we checked in, so we went down to the icy river the kids loved playing in last July. Justin remembered exactly where it was in that huge national park. I love his brain! I wanted to stay in the car and rest, but I made myself go down to the river. I couldn't miss the kids joy. We finally got the cabin after the kids bedtime, and we were all absolutely exhausted. Bryson was struggling and making it so much harder on my body. I was so annoyed with YMCA of the Rockies for being so late with our cabin, but we always try to make the most of every situation. Rest post travel days is so important for my body, and I just wasn't able to get that. My MCAS, POTS, and Hemicrania Continua all flair really badly with travel, so I'm not surprised I feel so terribly.