Together we're 141!

It's been almost 3 weeks since I last wrote and I have no idea why it's taken me so long. Celebrated a wonderful 65th birthday/retirement on the 10th. The whole family was with us for church that morning--best birthday gift ever. Then on the 17th we celebrated Tom's 76th birthday with a family game of dominoes. He handily beat us all!

I'm learning to hold ALL I have in an open hand, knowing it's all God's anyway. Just when I think I have met that challenge something else comes up and I learn I've still got a ways to go.

We met with the surgeon on Monday and he is very pleased with how Tom has healed. We are delighted that there have been no more runs to ER. We're on another one of those plateaus where we know how to deal with all that is going on. Tom is on a good sleeping med that has no hangover feeling. The neck has healed well and I know how to take care of it. The next challenge I see coming is Tom's strength. He is having more difficulty getting in and out of bed and off the couch. I am looking into getting a lift chair for him. I've suggested he start thinking about a hospital bed that will be much easier to get in and out of and we can regulate it to a comfortable position. He's not ready yet so we will wait until he is comfortable with the idea.

Tomorrow Kemp is taking Tom to the aquarium. They will use the wheelchair for the first time. I am very proud of Tom for being willing to use it to make getting out easier.

He's also talking about wanting to get out and see people so I will set up some "dates"--trying for mid day to make it easier for him. I am so glad he is feeling like he wants to do something other than just be home. We also look forward to visits from friends and the hospice staff. Today the chaplain visited and we enjoyed him very much. His name is Steve Poole--just like the weatherman--easy to remember. We look forward to getting to know him better.

Be still and know

Woke up 3:00 am on Sunday morning with a very stuffy head and an upset stomach--bummer! My first concern was, please, Lord, don't let Tom get sick. We stayed home from church--again. Oh, how we miss being there.



Tom's neck is getting better every day--a huge praise! Today he said that he is feeling bored. Not surprised since his wife has been mostly in bed for 3 days. That's good he feels bored because that says he's not focused on a health issue but wants to do something. Hopefully I will be on the mend very soon and we can start getting out of the house a little bit. We're both feeling a little house-bound I think. We've got to figure out this new both-retired-life of ours--our latest challenge. I'm struggling with emotions but don't know how much of it is just being tired and sick so I'll wait to deal with them at another time.



Tom just got up to tell me that he felt really good! Those were really good words to read! Hoping for more of that.



Psalm 46 was sent to us by a friend this morning. I don't want to forget these words: The very first verse says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Very is a Hebrew word meaning: exceedingly, might, force, abundance; with muchness, muchness. Present is a Hebrew word meaning to appear, to be recognized, to be present, to prove to be, to be found sufficient, to be enough. so God is a mighty force. . .with much muchness, He is sufficient in our troubles!! He has proven to be enough. We are living epistles that God sends to share with others of the goodness of the Lord, to share the truth of why we know God to BE an Ever Present help in trouble. God is right in the midst of our lives, and all we face with that, we should not be moved from believing HE is ENOUGH. We will see His light dawn through the darkness, His help at break of day! Psalm 46:5: "God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved: god will help her when morning dawns."



So no matter what we are going through; no matter what we are facing; no matter what we are feeling. . .be still and know He is God. He, God the Father, jesus the Son of God and God the Holy Spirit is enough. God wants us to really believe this to the very depths of our being. How differently we might act if we truly believed this.



Psalm 46:10-11 "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold."



Our friend finished with the words to a song of praise:

"Hide me now under your wings, Cover me within your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar I will soar with you above the storm

Father, you are King over the flood. I will be still and know you are God

Find rest my soul in Christ alone

Know his power in quietness and trust"

Seeing progress

We're finally seeing healing progress--YEAH! The stoma (hole in the neck) is healing well. There is still one particular sore in the trach but the rest looks good. There is still redness around the stoma but it seems to be a little less red. We've had a few uneventful days which we are thankful for. AND no ER visits!

Tom is feeling sensitive about having the tube out of his neck. While that is the goal I think that will take some time. He's concerned that he will gross people out but I've gotten used to it and believe that others will, too. He's very hopeful that he will feel up to going to church tomorrow. It will be good for him to be back. It's been a whole month.

I am hoping to get into a better sleep pattern. My body just doesn't want to sleep when I have the opportunity.