I'm okay! I got bit by a spider and got sick and now I'm fine! In fact, I couldn't really feel when I got bit or when my nurse at UNC Hospital, Ursula, had to drain the 'puss blood and dead tissue' from my arm that was twice its normal size. It was kind of cool in a very weird way.
Ursula was so excited when she was working on it, just smiling and telling me all the medical terms for what the spider's poison and the infection were doing to my forearm. I'm going to send a few kind of graphic pictures of my arm, we'll see which ones get through the Mom filter. My nurse sisters are going to love this.
I love hearing the comments at our ward's Book of Mormon class on Tuesday nights that I get to lead. There are non-members, investigators, recent converts, missionaries and returned missionaries that share their thoughts and ask questions. I love it!!! It's always so nerve-wracking preparing for class.
We are teaching a 'golden investigator' named Andy. He is one of those that just seems to have been prepared by the Lord. He is a very kind, courteous 24-26 year old guy.
I was getting prepared for a Book of Mormon class and Elder Regnier and McCann tracted into him. He was baptized as an infant, then as a Baptist, so he wanted to know why he needed to be baptized again. We talked a lot about priesthood authority.
Two amazing members in our ward helped in teaching Andy with us. Brad is our Ward Mission Leader. He, Rob and Dan (my wheelchair buddy from BYU) are working together right now to really get our ward excited about and loving missionary work. I am so excited to help them for the next year!
Aaron also helped us teach Andy and others as well. He really helps us out, with giving us and investigators and members rides, going on a lot of exchanges, feeding us and other things.
There are so many members of our ward who really help us with the Lord's work. Many are returned missionaries who know the importance of member help with missionary work. Others are helping introduce us to their friends and are inviting their friends to learn about the restored Gospel.
In short, I love being a missionary in the Durham 3rd Ward. I love the members and missionaries here. I love those we teach, and I see the joy that the Gospel begins to give to people's lives. That joy starts as they learn by the Spirit, then just keeps getting bigger and bigger as they live it.
I really do believe that Jesus guides this church through the Holy Ghost. He has told us what we need to do through the scriptures, tells us what we must do through His prophets and will continue to tell us how we can be happier by revelation.
Thank you all for your letters and prayers!
Elder Walters
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Brown Recluse Spider Update
We wanted to update you on Elder Walters' spider bite. We spoke with his nurse as well as Sister Wallis and he is doing much better today. The swelling has gone down and his right arm is about the size of his left arm.
Today was Zone Conference and Elder Walters was able to be there for all of it except for a short period when he was at the doctor having his dressing changed. Sister Wallis said he ate a great lunch . . . that’s always a good sign!
Elder McCann and Elder Regnier have been a great help. We didn’t know until yesterday that Elder Regnier's mother is the nurse for a doctor who is also a quadriplegic. Elder Walters said he is so good to help him and is able to anticipate his needs. Another one of the Lord’s tender mercies.
Sister Wallis is convinced the brown recluse spider is in the Elder’s apartment so she has asked them to thoroughly clean out everything and find the spider. A few years ago, another Elder was bitten by a spider and they later found the spider on top of a door jam. Hopefully their unwelcome guest well be found and removed soon!
Love, Bridgette and Barry
Today was Zone Conference and Elder Walters was able to be there for all of it except for a short period when he was at the doctor having his dressing changed. Sister Wallis said he ate a great lunch . . . that’s always a good sign!
Elder McCann and Elder Regnier have been a great help. We didn’t know until yesterday that Elder Regnier's mother is the nurse for a doctor who is also a quadriplegic. Elder Walters said he is so good to help him and is able to anticipate his needs. Another one of the Lord’s tender mercies.
Sister Wallis is convinced the brown recluse spider is in the Elder’s apartment so she has asked them to thoroughly clean out everything and find the spider. A few years ago, another Elder was bitten by a spider and they later found the spider on top of a door jam. Hopefully their unwelcome guest well be found and removed soon!
Love, Bridgette and Barry
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Brown Recluse Spider Bite. . .
We received an email from Ryan’s case worker on Monday letting us know that Elder Walters has a spider bite which is most likely a brown recluse spider bite on the inside of his right forearm. The arm is swollen up to twice the size of his left forearm and is red and infected. Elder Walters went to an urgent care facility on Saturday and they started him on an oral and topical antibiotic. His primary care physician prescribed a much stronger antibiotic when she saw him on Monday and had her nurse thoroughly clean out and drain the wound. Elder Walters is having the dressing changed daily. If the swelling goes up past his elbow they will admit him to the hospital for IV antibiotic therapy. One of the doctor’s main concerns with the bite is Autonomic Dysreflexia.
What is "Autonomic Dysreflexia?"
Autonomic dysreflexia, also known as hyperreflexia, means an over-activity of the Autonomic Nervous System causing an abrupt onset of excessively high blood pressure. Persons at risk for this problem generally have injury levels above T-5. Autonomic dysreflexia can develop suddenly and is potentially life threatening and is considered a medical emergency. If not treated promptly and correctly, it may lead to seizures, stroke, and even death.
AD occurs when an irritating stimulus is introduced to the body below the level of spinal cord injury, such as an overfull bladder or skin irritation. The stimulus sends nerve impulses to the spinal cord, where they travel upward until they are blocked by the lesion at the level of injury. Since the impulses cannot reach the brain, a reflex is activated that increases activity of the sympathetic portion of autonomic nervous system. This results in spasms and a narrowing of the blood vessels, which causes a rise in the blood pressure.
We spoke with Elder Walters Monday evening and he was running a fever, had the chills, stomach ache and a bad headache. He seemed to be feeling better when we spoke with him tonight. He is staying hydrated and controlling his discomfort with Tylenol.
Brown Recluse Spider Bite Overview
Most spiders are absolutely harmless to humans. In fact, of the 20,000 different species of spiders that inhabit the Americas, only 60 are capable of biting humans. Within that small group, only four are known to be dangerous to humans: the brown recluse, the black widow, the hobo or aggressive house spider, and the yellow sac spider. Within this select group, only the brown recluse and the black widow spider have ever been associated with significant disease and very rare reports of death.
Deaths from brown recluse spiders have been reported only in children younger than seven years. Brown recluse spiders are native to the Midwestern and Southeastern states. Documented populations of brown recluse spiders outside these areas are extremely rare. Fewer than 10 individual spiders have ever been collected outside of these native states. Most false sightings are due to confusion with one of the 13 other species found in the same family.
The most common non-brown recluse spiders are the desert recluse found in Texas, Arizona, and California, and the Arizona recluse. No deaths have ever been reported from non-brown recluse spiders. Bites from these cousins produce mild to moderate local skin disease.
Features: Brown recluse spiders are notable for their characteristic violin pattern on the back of the cephalothorax-the body part to which the legs attach. The violin pattern is seen with the base of the violin at the head of the spider and the neck of the violin pointing to the rear. These small nonhairy spiders are yellowish-tan to dark brown in color with darker legs. They have legs about one inch in length. The name of the genus, Loxosceles, means six eyes. Most other spiders have eight eyes. Yet this unique feature of the brown recluse is lost on the casual observer because the eyes are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
Habits: These spiders are not aggressive and bite only when threatened, usually when pressed up against the victim's skin. They seek out dark, warm, dry environments such as attics, closets, porches, barns, basements, woodpiles, and old tires. Its small, haphazard web, found mostly in corners and crevices, is not used to capture prey. Most bites occur in the summer months.
There are some scary pictures of patients with spider bites I haven’t included in this posting. We will update his blog as we learn more information. As always, we appreciate your prayers and the concern you show to Elder Walters. Love, Bridgette and Barry
What is "Autonomic Dysreflexia?"
Autonomic dysreflexia, also known as hyperreflexia, means an over-activity of the Autonomic Nervous System causing an abrupt onset of excessively high blood pressure. Persons at risk for this problem generally have injury levels above T-5. Autonomic dysreflexia can develop suddenly and is potentially life threatening and is considered a medical emergency. If not treated promptly and correctly, it may lead to seizures, stroke, and even death.
AD occurs when an irritating stimulus is introduced to the body below the level of spinal cord injury, such as an overfull bladder or skin irritation. The stimulus sends nerve impulses to the spinal cord, where they travel upward until they are blocked by the lesion at the level of injury. Since the impulses cannot reach the brain, a reflex is activated that increases activity of the sympathetic portion of autonomic nervous system. This results in spasms and a narrowing of the blood vessels, which causes a rise in the blood pressure.
We spoke with Elder Walters Monday evening and he was running a fever, had the chills, stomach ache and a bad headache. He seemed to be feeling better when we spoke with him tonight. He is staying hydrated and controlling his discomfort with Tylenol.
Brown Recluse Spider Bite Overview
Most spiders are absolutely harmless to humans. In fact, of the 20,000 different species of spiders that inhabit the Americas, only 60 are capable of biting humans. Within that small group, only four are known to be dangerous to humans: the brown recluse, the black widow, the hobo or aggressive house spider, and the yellow sac spider. Within this select group, only the brown recluse and the black widow spider have ever been associated with significant disease and very rare reports of death.
Deaths from brown recluse spiders have been reported only in children younger than seven years. Brown recluse spiders are native to the Midwestern and Southeastern states. Documented populations of brown recluse spiders outside these areas are extremely rare. Fewer than 10 individual spiders have ever been collected outside of these native states. Most false sightings are due to confusion with one of the 13 other species found in the same family.
The most common non-brown recluse spiders are the desert recluse found in Texas, Arizona, and California, and the Arizona recluse. No deaths have ever been reported from non-brown recluse spiders. Bites from these cousins produce mild to moderate local skin disease.
Features: Brown recluse spiders are notable for their characteristic violin pattern on the back of the cephalothorax-the body part to which the legs attach. The violin pattern is seen with the base of the violin at the head of the spider and the neck of the violin pointing to the rear. These small nonhairy spiders are yellowish-tan to dark brown in color with darker legs. They have legs about one inch in length. The name of the genus, Loxosceles, means six eyes. Most other spiders have eight eyes. Yet this unique feature of the brown recluse is lost on the casual observer because the eyes are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
Habits: These spiders are not aggressive and bite only when threatened, usually when pressed up against the victim's skin. They seek out dark, warm, dry environments such as attics, closets, porches, barns, basements, woodpiles, and old tires. Its small, haphazard web, found mostly in corners and crevices, is not used to capture prey. Most bites occur in the summer months.
There are some scary pictures of patients with spider bites I haven’t included in this posting. We will update his blog as we learn more information. As always, we appreciate your prayers and the concern you show to Elder Walters. Love, Bridgette and Barry
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Elder Walters' One Year Mission Turns into Two
June 12, 2008
Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve written! I’ll try to update you! Overall, the work is going great. We’ve been working a lot on trying to find people to teach. Since the last semester ended, many of our investigators have gone home for the summer. It’s been a good learning experience looking for people to teach through tracting, contacting and asking members for referrals.
Since August, I’ve been holding a mission preparation class with Andrew and Matthew, who are twins. Ben and Dallin left in January and February to Salt Lake and Anaheim, respectively, and the Burtons received their calls a few weeks ago! They are both going to Japan! Andrew is headed to North Japan, I think it’s called Sapuro, and Matthew is headed to Kobe, south Japan. It will be good to keep in contact with all of them.
Elder Christman was transferred a few weeks ago to Dunn, a country area. Elder Roseman is his Zone Leader, so they still get to go on exchanges a little, I’ll bet they’re enjoying that.
Elder Regnier, pronounced Rhen (like a chicken) yea (like yea verily) has been serving with Elder McCann and I for a few weeks now. He’s from Prescott Arizona, red-shirted in football at the University of Arizona and is a lot of fun! We’ve had a lot of fun just getting back to the basic finding techniques of missionary work.
I guess the biggest news was that my Mom and Dad came out a few weeks ago and visited me. We spent some time repairing my van, meeting the missionaries and Institute faculty I work with and showing them around Chapel Hill!
We also had a dinner with President and Sister Wallis. I have been called to serve for a year, meaning my mission would end next month in July or August of 2008. I have considered trying to serve longer and made it a matter of prayer.
At dinner with President and Sister Wallis and my parents I told them I wanted to serve for another year, and President Wallis and President Milton have allowed me to do so! So I’ll serve in the Durham 3rd Singles Ward in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for another year until June or July of 2009! The best part is that I’m staying at the same address, so you can go ahead and send the letters you’ve already put “106 Shadowood Drive Apt. D Chapel Hill, NC 27514” on!
I think I always knew that I wanted to serve for two years. I wanted to wait to make that decision until I was past the first few months of my mission. I feel very peaceful about my decision. I really feel and believe that this is what the Lord wants.
About 2 weeks after I left Craig Rehabilitation Hospital, my Mom and I headed out to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. While living in married student housing together, (“I’m married, he’s the student,” Mom would say) we met Dan Leslie who was finishing up a Master’s degree in Accounting.
Dan was also quadriplegic, about a C-5 injury, I think. He used a ‘sip and puff’ wheelchair to get around campus and was just a fun person to be around. He was always very upbeat and eager to talk with people.
I found out a couple of months ago that Dan was coming to Duke University for Law School, and would be in the Durham 3rd Singles Ward, my ward! Dan has been a great addition to the ward! Everyone loves his attitude and sense of humor. He was also called recently as Assistant Ward Mission Leader! It will be great to work with him and have some more fun times!
This summer I am teaching a Book of Mormon class on Tuesday nights! We’ve had three so far, and I have really, really enjoyed it so far! My favorite part is hearing what the students think and feel about the Gospel.
I’m trying to stay away from just lecturing and I’ve been trying to get them to participate as much as possible. It’s a very diverse audience, from investigators and recent converts to missionaries and returned missionaries.
We’ll be going from the Book of Mormon’s Introduction through 1st and 2nd Nephi, Jacob, Enos, Jarom, Omni, Words of Mormon and Mosiah over the next two months! It’s about 3 pages of reading a night, or 20 a week. I am so excited to keep learning together!
Hopefully this explains what I’ve been up to for the last several weeks! I hope you’re all doing well and that you are happy and healthy!!!
Love,
Elder Walters
106 Shadowood Drive Apt. D
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve written! I’ll try to update you! Overall, the work is going great. We’ve been working a lot on trying to find people to teach. Since the last semester ended, many of our investigators have gone home for the summer. It’s been a good learning experience looking for people to teach through tracting, contacting and asking members for referrals.
Since August, I’ve been holding a mission preparation class with Andrew and Matthew, who are twins. Ben and Dallin left in January and February to Salt Lake and Anaheim, respectively, and the Burtons received their calls a few weeks ago! They are both going to Japan! Andrew is headed to North Japan, I think it’s called Sapuro, and Matthew is headed to Kobe, south Japan. It will be good to keep in contact with all of them.
Elder Christman was transferred a few weeks ago to Dunn, a country area. Elder Roseman is his Zone Leader, so they still get to go on exchanges a little, I’ll bet they’re enjoying that.
Elder Regnier, pronounced Rhen (like a chicken) yea (like yea verily) has been serving with Elder McCann and I for a few weeks now. He’s from Prescott Arizona, red-shirted in football at the University of Arizona and is a lot of fun! We’ve had a lot of fun just getting back to the basic finding techniques of missionary work.
I guess the biggest news was that my Mom and Dad came out a few weeks ago and visited me. We spent some time repairing my van, meeting the missionaries and Institute faculty I work with and showing them around Chapel Hill!
We also had a dinner with President and Sister Wallis. I have been called to serve for a year, meaning my mission would end next month in July or August of 2008. I have considered trying to serve longer and made it a matter of prayer.
At dinner with President and Sister Wallis and my parents I told them I wanted to serve for another year, and President Wallis and President Milton have allowed me to do so! So I’ll serve in the Durham 3rd Singles Ward in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for another year until June or July of 2009! The best part is that I’m staying at the same address, so you can go ahead and send the letters you’ve already put “106 Shadowood Drive Apt. D Chapel Hill, NC 27514” on!
I think I always knew that I wanted to serve for two years. I wanted to wait to make that decision until I was past the first few months of my mission. I feel very peaceful about my decision. I really feel and believe that this is what the Lord wants.
About 2 weeks after I left Craig Rehabilitation Hospital, my Mom and I headed out to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. While living in married student housing together, (“I’m married, he’s the student,” Mom would say) we met Dan Leslie who was finishing up a Master’s degree in Accounting.
Dan was also quadriplegic, about a C-5 injury, I think. He used a ‘sip and puff’ wheelchair to get around campus and was just a fun person to be around. He was always very upbeat and eager to talk with people.
I found out a couple of months ago that Dan was coming to Duke University for Law School, and would be in the Durham 3rd Singles Ward, my ward! Dan has been a great addition to the ward! Everyone loves his attitude and sense of humor. He was also called recently as Assistant Ward Mission Leader! It will be great to work with him and have some more fun times!
This summer I am teaching a Book of Mormon class on Tuesday nights! We’ve had three so far, and I have really, really enjoyed it so far! My favorite part is hearing what the students think and feel about the Gospel.
I’m trying to stay away from just lecturing and I’ve been trying to get them to participate as much as possible. It’s a very diverse audience, from investigators and recent converts to missionaries and returned missionaries.
We’ll be going from the Book of Mormon’s Introduction through 1st and 2nd Nephi, Jacob, Enos, Jarom, Omni, Words of Mormon and Mosiah over the next two months! It’s about 3 pages of reading a night, or 20 a week. I am so excited to keep learning together!
Hopefully this explains what I’ve been up to for the last several weeks! I hope you’re all doing well and that you are happy and healthy!!!
Love,
Elder Walters
106 Shadowood Drive Apt. D
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
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