So Here's What's Been Happening, Part 1

2013 November 11

So Here's What's Been Happening

When last we left the life and times of the Kleppick wanderers and their dog, they were camped out in a relative's driveway in Cranberry Township, PA. The wife was preparing to have surgery. The husband was unhappy about the delay in leaving for Florida. The dog, seemingly had no opinion.

The other story line involved the wife's 88 year old father who had been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in February, after emergency surgery for hernia repair and bowel obstruction.

Let's start with the Dad. He had begun having labored breathing often accompanied by coughing, which sometimes produced blood. A visit to his oncologist on October 8, resulted in an appointment with a  Radiation Oncologist. The idea was to try small doses of radiation in order to shrink the centrally located tumor which was causing pressure on the old guy's trachea and esophagus. The plan was to start a course of 14 radiation doses the day after the initial visit.

Surprise! Remember what we said once before about the best laid plans and all that? The afternoon of the first radiation appointment, the Dad fell. He was climbing the stairs, lost his balance, and tumbled backward, down four steps, landing on the back of his head. He never lost conscientiousness, but paramedics were called, radiation  therapy cancelled for that day and off went the oldest daughter and #3 son to the ER. There they sat, with their Dad for a really long time. About hour 5, or so of the ER trip, Dad went off for CT scans of his head. When he returned, the ER staff moved him to what they referred to as "a holding area". It had one very nice nurse and an excellent ER doc, and was much quieter than the general ER. The reason for the move, was that Dad was now going to be taken for an MRI of his brain, because of something the doc reading the CT scan thought he saw. It was at this time, during hour 6 of the ER visit, that son #2 and his wife arrived. Everyone sat while the Dad went off for an MRI. The oldest daughter, who was cranky and hungry at this point became snappy with the #2 son who was trying to lighten the mood with jokes. This offended the #2 son's wife. All in all, the situation was devolving. #1 daughter was afraid that the cancer had indeed metastasized to her Dad's brain. This opinion was reinforced by the ER doc who said that it was indeed a possibility with this type of cancer. About an hour after he had left, Dad returned from his brain MRI. Now the group waited while longer until a doc read the MRIs. In hour seven,the ER doc announced that the MRI was negative, and as soon as the nurse dressed the scraps on Dad's elbows from the fall and discontinued his IV, he would be discharged. What a day!

The next day began Dad's radiation therapy. Oldest daughter went along even though her presence was unnecessary, since #3 son drove them. The treatment did not take long at all, in fact Dad was only back in the treatment area for about 15 or 20 minutes. The radiation therapy continued Monday through Friday, until October 29, when they concluded. #3 son was present for all treatments, since he has been acting as primary care giver. 

It was during this period of Daddy receiving radiation that #1 daughter (that would be me, JeanMarie) was scheduled to have cervical spinal surgery and fusion. Next post will detail all that, if you're interested.

Gratitude

2013 November 11


Gratitude


November is apparently the month designated for expressing one's gratitude, at least in so far as my friend's Facebook posts indicate. I didn't jump onto that particular bandwagon this year, probably because of all the turmoil in my life at present. But,last night, as I lay awake in the middle of the night trying not to disturb Raymond or Greyla, my mind went to all the things for which I am grateful, even in the midst of trying circumstances and looming painful losses.

I have the love of a very special six year old boy and his equally special four year old sister and their Mom.

I am grateful for Raymond's brother and sister in law, who opened their home to us "for as long as you need" as I recover from surgery.

I am grateful that we have excellent health insurance which allowed me to have the surgery I needed to alleviate nagging discomfort.

I am grateful that I got to celebrate my incredible shrinking Daddy's 88th birthday with him and six of my seven siblings.

And I am grateful to have spent a lot of time with my Dad since his emergency surgery and subsequent cancer diagnosis this past February.

I am grateful for my brother Vinny, who has shouldered the responsibility of being Daddy's primary care giver throughout this stressful year. He has been a rock. I am also grateful that his retirement coincided with Daddy's health problems. I know this was NOT what he planned for his first year of retirement, but apparently God's timing won out.

I am grateful for my brother's neighbors, especially Harry and Ted, who check in on my Dad, and spend time chatting with him.

I am grateful for friends, some of whom are also family, especially Vinny and Barb. Those who are not family, but might be a sister from another Mother, like my friend Laura.

I am grateful for friends in real life, in cyberspace, and that area where they overlap. There are too many to name them all, but I am especially grateful for finally getting to meet Princess and Anick, after years of cyber friendship. I am also grateful for old friendships rekindled, as happened with LaVerne after 40 years.

I am grateful for Bill, chainsaw artist extraordinaire and contractor, as well as Ron and Barb's neighbor, who expressed concern for us as the weather turned colder, because he thought we were staying in the RV.

I am grateful for the support and caring of all these folks.

I am grateful for Raymond. This year has been as far from his plans as would seem possible, yet he has remained steadfast. Not to cast him as St Raymond, because there have been bumps and gullies in our road this year, and at times we have both behaved selfishly. But, when the stresses were intense, and my tears flowed like a river, he was there. I am grateful that when things got to what was a breaking point for me, his question, "You do know that I love you, right?", was the turning point.

I am grateful for the healing ability of this body that God has given me. When an anesthesia tech interviewed me the day after surgery, she referred to what the surgeon had done as "controlled trauma". I am grateful that God gifted Dr. Patrick Smith with the ability to use such controlled trauma to alleviate discomfort, pain, and disability.

I am grateful for Hospice care for my Daddy, that is enabling him to be in my brother's home where he has lived for the past 25 years. I am grateful that he can be in familiar surroundings, even if his mind continues to harken back to the Slovenski Dom, where he spent many childhood years before returning there for a time as steward in his late 50s to early 60s.

I am grateful to still have our 14 year old, black Lab, Greyla Girl! Just before her 14th birthday we were faced with a tough decision regarding surgery for her. I am grateful we opted to try and that we have gotten to enjoy her all these months since. I am grateful we had the resources, even if it means a little longer till we can be debt free. And I am grateful for the times her presence seems to lift my Daddy's spirits.

I am grateful for both the good, and the bad, because somehow, it is all part of God's plan. 

I am grateful that God has a plan, even if I never fully understand.