Renewed Faith In Doctors

It has been an emotional packed day, as I awoke this morning before the chickens (LOL) and drove to my dad's house in the rain.  The sunshine we had the last couple of days had left us.  Never fear it is afternoon now and the sun has returned.  Laney and I have been sitting outside enjoying the flowers that are blooming all over the place.

I was so relieved over some news that we had this morning that I broke down and cried.  They were happy tears.  I have renewed faith in doctors after meeting my dad's cardiac surgeon.  I have been a little apprehensive about being around doctors after the ordeal I went through with some doctors a couple of years ago.  My dad has some really wonderful doctors who have helped him.  My dad said I was really going to like the surgeon. He had done some heart surgery on my dad in 2000.  My dad was right the surgeon did an excellent job explaining what was wrong with the heart and how he would repair it.   My dad thanked him for helping him in 2000, and the surgeon told my dad that he was impressed at how well he had taken care of himself.  He has no blockages or damage at this time other than the leaky aortic valve.  The surgeon is confident my dad will do well with the surgery, but we always know that anything can go wrong.  Any surgery is a risk, but he did not feel that my dad's age increased that risk any more than a younger person.  My dad smiled and that made me happy.  The alternative which is no surgery was not good,  and you can probably guess a very short time to live.  So, if all goes well my dad's dreams of living into his nineties may come true.  He is my hero and my bowl of laughter for the day.  I love you dad!

I also read an article today about a doctor that my husband saw once after cancer treatment.  It was about him helping others that travel from a far with lodging during cancer treatment.   That made me smile and I am very happy to hear that people are getting help.  There are so many things that cancer patients worry about besides treatments.  I know that my husband and I worried about the expenses of lodging while he was a patient at MD Anderson.  We lived in an apartment for seven months while he was having chemotherapy.  We are still paying for that expense and the expense of travel to from MD Anderson for two years after initial treatment for maintenance treatment.  It was a 2000 mile trip every three months. We are among the blessed to have been able to go to MD Anderson.  We were lucky to have been able to stay with some relatives the last two years.  God Bless them! 

Despite the expenses and the long travel by car, my husband is doing well and that was what the journey was about.   It was an emotional journey and we were blessed that some of our friends went together and gave us some money to help with everyday expenses.  We maintained our home in the north and sometimes I look back now and think how did we do it all.  God was with us.

Cancer patients learn quickly how precious life is and how all the material things in life don't really mean that much.  I remember after we had lived in the small apartment for a few months, we realized that we did not miss our possessions at home.   What we did miss was the nurturing that you get from other people.  We were in a new city and very alone.  So glad it is behind us now.  We are strong and cancer did not win.  We love life to the fullest every day.  God bless all cancer patients and  doctors who care enough to make a difference.

Life is beautiful !!

Elizabeth:)

Making Choices To Be Grateful

I can't believe it is already after midnight and I have finally taken a moment for myself, as I drink chamomile tea and look forward to resting my head on my pillow.  I said a couple of months ago that I was going to fill up my social calendar and yes indeed it has been full.  I am trying to enjoy being with my friends as much as possible, as the my social time may be limited as we are getting closer to surgery day for my dad.  It has been a busy month spent at doctor appointments and preparing for the uncertainty that is before us.  We never know from one day to the next what life will bring us.  We live each day filled with happiness and gratitude.  I have learned that it serves no purpose to worry about the future, because with every breath we take something can change our life in a second.  All the time spent worrying about the future is a waste of time that could be spent fulfilling our purpose in life and enjoying the moment we are in. 

The month of June is slipping away and it has been filled with unexpected weather.   If I close my eyes for a minute and stand outside, I would think I was in Texas.  The heat and humidity has been bad for us here in the north.  It has been sticky and rainy.  We had so much rain the end of last week that our yard was swimming in water and we had flooding in the downtown city.  I was walking in the yard yesterday and it squishes under my feet.  I thought my flowers and garden were going to drown.  They survived and are growing very quickly in the humid air.  The whole country has had some bad weather and the weather report is calling for more.  I was glad to see the sun the last two days.  God was smiling at us.

Father's Day was pretty special, as I honored my husband, my dad, and my son-in-law's dad.  I was happy to celebrate with three great dads and their children all together.  It was a beautiful sunny day.  I made three guys happy by cooking for them.  It always works, as they say the way to a man's heart is to cook for them.   And, then there was nap time. LOL!  Hope all the dads out their in the world had a great day. 

The choices we make are our own and they do affect other people, but the other people make their own decision on how to react to our choices.   We can make the choice to be grateful and love life.   

Life is beautiful !!

Elizabeth:)

Mending A Broken Heart with Flowers

The best medicine that I can think of for an emotionally broken heart is flowers.  They are smiles from God.  I was worried yesterday about my dad and some test he was having at the hospital today, so I went and bought more flowers.  My yard is going to be beautiful when they all start growing and blooming.   Those flowers must have helped because we got some good news today.  My dad's heart is strong and healthy other than a failing aortic valve.  Next stop is the surgeon's office.  The cardiologist seemed very optimistic, as my dad is in good health otherwise for his age.  My dad seemed relieved even though it will be a risky surgery to replace the valve.  The alternative is of course is heart failure. Let's pray that God keeps smiling down on us.

I am posting a picture of my first green bell pepper from the garden.  It is growing right in the center of the picture.  I was so excited, as I did not expect it so soon.  I love watching everything grow in the garden.  The tomato plants are huge and getting blooms.  It will not be long before we have tomatoes.  Ah, yes plants are beautiful and another symbol of life. 

Some flowers are also blooming in the yard.  I just love summer.  It is my favorite  time of year.      
                       

My heart will rest a little easy tonight.  I pray my dad's dreams come true.  

Life is beautiful!!

Elizabeth:)

Ever Year Is A Gift and A Beautiful One when Shared With Loved Ones !

Today is my husband's and my 35fth wedding anniversary.   We have received many anniversary wishes from friends today and I appreciate all of them.  We spent the weekend celebrating.  I got a beautiful jade necklace and matching earrings from my husband.  He took me out to a nice dinner Saturday evening and I hardly recognized myself in a dress.   My husband dresses up everyday for work, but getting me in a dress is a rare occasion.  He was like wow!  Happy Anniversary My Dear Husband!! 

My husband did well keeping me busy this weekend, so I didn't dwell on my dad.   I am still heart broken over the recent turn of events concerning his health.  Life goes on, but the heartache is still very raw.  I am happy that my dad is still cracking jokes and enjoying life.

Life is always full of unexpected twists and turns and I am being tested by myself to see how well I can handle the stress that is about to happen.  Pray for my dad that his wishes to live into his nineties will come true.  According to him, he is still to young to give up on life.

Live you life to the fullest and be happy now.  Forget the past and don't worry about the future.  Live in this moment right now, because you are alive and life is very precious. ......Elizabeth

Life is beautiful !!

Love, Elizabeth:)

A Tribute To A Great Dad

My heart has been heavy with sadness the last couple of weeks as my dad received some upsetting news on the anniversary day of the death of my mother.  How ironic that he had an appointment with a doctor on that date that would change our lives once again.  In the blink of a second we received some devastating news.   It is that very second when you feel like a semi has hit you and then you breathe and the world stands still.  There has been very few times that my dad has cried and now the tears have been flowing.   Needless to say our lives have been changed once again.

My husband and I are feeling very saddened by the decline in health of a dad who has meant so much to us.  He has taught us much about forgiveness and reminded us continually that you are not old until you reach your nineties.  That was his goal to be able to tell everyone I am old with a big smile and laugh.   He is an ornery person with  a great sense of humor and he told me that laughing keeps you young.  He taught me to never give up, forgive people and never spend more money than you have.  Well I've tried to live by his rules at least 90 percent of the time. LOL!

He is respected and loved by many people as I have observed while spending a lot of time with him.  On a recent trip to the grocery store he was greeted with much admiration and respect by all the people in Krogers.  I was shocked as we slowly maneuvered our way up and down isles that everyone knew him.  With much respect they called by name, Mr. ......  He always throws his hand up to acknowledge them.  I had to choke back the tears.   He walks slowly these days, but he  reminded me that he can still walk.   A lot of people were surprised to find out I was his daughter, and I smiled with dignity as I was very proud to walk beside him.

This has been one of the hardest blog post for me, as tears have stained the computer screen.  I am hoping by some miracle that he will get to say I am old. Life will never be same, but spending time with the one man in my life who loves me unconditionally will make every day beautiful and sunny.  I love you Dad !!!

Life is beautiful!!

Elizabeth:)