The beach trip was wonderful but it is always good to be back home again. Lee has not stopped since we arrived. It seems that I spend more and more of my time wondering, "where in the world is Lee?" Now that is a good thing! He is either walking about in the yard or his truck will be missing and he has gone onto yet another one of his little adventures.
Today was the day to get back into the physical therapy that he missed last week. He proudly wore his Duke T-shirt with the lung-transplant logo on the front and the back. One of the other clients there inquired as to his transplant experience and once again he was able to help another along the way. Lee is such a good communicator and is able to share his experience at Duke in such a way that will inspire others to either prepare for a transplant or to some others who may be considering becoming a donor. He seems to have found his new vocation of sorts in helping others. I am so proud of him.
Today we are able to do so many things that seemed an impossibility this time last year. In fact, this time last year, unfortunately my thoughts were mostly about whether or not Lee would survive. Truly, he is a miracle man. He and I were talking about that this morning and he told me that he always believed that he would get better. How is that for determination and will-power? I do remember that one of the doctors at Baptist told Lee that if he could bottle Lee's determination and will-power to survive and recover he would be able to cure a lot of people!
Amazing isn't it! We are two of the most grateful people you will ever meet! We will never forget nor will we ever lose our sense of gratitude for having Lee with us again. He looks so good and every day is becoming more like the Lee we knew before that fateful November day in 2009. Our prayers today are those with thankful hearts filled with love for the Almighty!
More Later....................Brenda
Monday, February 21, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Great Week!
As I write this it is our last evening at the beach. It has been a wonderful week! Most of the time the weather was more like March than February. Today it was like May! We have enjoyed spending some time out doors and particularly being able to sit in our swing on the front deck and enjoy a morning cup of coffee for the first time this morning.
I decided to venture to Southport this morning and as I was preparing to leave I could not find Lee. The golf cart was gone and I suspected he was in it somewhere. Inspection of his visiting areas to two nearby neighbors did not find Lee. I decided to go on hoping he would show up eventually. As I drove toward the beach I found him at the end of the street parked in front of a house talking to some new neighbors. I stopped and he introduced me. What a joy to see him with the freedom to ride the golf cart around this neighborhood and to be enjoying himself immensly!
Yesterday we had two of his lung-transplant "colleagues" over for lunch. Veda and Nancy (transplant), who reside here on the island, and Jerry (transplant) and wife Gloria from Wilmington. The weather was a bit cool but we had a very good reunion of sorts. How grateful we all were for them to be able to return to a normal lifestyle (with some restrictions) once again. Veda left early to go to the art gallery with her beautiful paintings and Lee and Jerry sat on the deck in the swing and reminesced for about an hour. Gloria and I caught up on our long "talks".
This afternoon Lee and I drove to Calabash and to the art gallery and I bought some of Veda's paintings. I went to the Christmas house, but it was no fun without all my daughters with me so I bought nothing. Surely do miss them when it is time to shop. It wont be long until Summer and then the fun begins!
Isn't is wonderful to be able to write such a blog as this?! I do remember those difficult days in Durham and I truly am relishing the time we have now. Lee is doing beautifully! He looks very healthy and I believe he feels very well. The stairs here at the house have been very challenging for him and he does miss being able to work outside. He did, however conduct quite a bit of business via phone and with meetings in regards to the new sewer connection and yard work to follow.
Take care and I will greet you with
More Later........................................Brenda
I decided to venture to Southport this morning and as I was preparing to leave I could not find Lee. The golf cart was gone and I suspected he was in it somewhere. Inspection of his visiting areas to two nearby neighbors did not find Lee. I decided to go on hoping he would show up eventually. As I drove toward the beach I found him at the end of the street parked in front of a house talking to some new neighbors. I stopped and he introduced me. What a joy to see him with the freedom to ride the golf cart around this neighborhood and to be enjoying himself immensly!
Yesterday we had two of his lung-transplant "colleagues" over for lunch. Veda and Nancy (transplant), who reside here on the island, and Jerry (transplant) and wife Gloria from Wilmington. The weather was a bit cool but we had a very good reunion of sorts. How grateful we all were for them to be able to return to a normal lifestyle (with some restrictions) once again. Veda left early to go to the art gallery with her beautiful paintings and Lee and Jerry sat on the deck in the swing and reminesced for about an hour. Gloria and I caught up on our long "talks".
This afternoon Lee and I drove to Calabash and to the art gallery and I bought some of Veda's paintings. I went to the Christmas house, but it was no fun without all my daughters with me so I bought nothing. Surely do miss them when it is time to shop. It wont be long until Summer and then the fun begins!
Isn't is wonderful to be able to write such a blog as this?! I do remember those difficult days in Durham and I truly am relishing the time we have now. Lee is doing beautifully! He looks very healthy and I believe he feels very well. The stairs here at the house have been very challenging for him and he does miss being able to work outside. He did, however conduct quite a bit of business via phone and with meetings in regards to the new sewer connection and yard work to follow.
Take care and I will greet you with
More Later........................................Brenda
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Beach time
We had a good drive from our home to the beach. Lee drove all the way. We were bringing the golf cart and we both felt more secure with his driving. We took our time and stopped many times along the way to walk, or whatever. When we arrived, our neighbors were waiting in their yards to help us unload the truck and carry our belongings up the stairs. We are so fortunate to have these many friends. The trip was a bit tiring for Lee and by the end of the day, he was ready for the bed. As usual, I had my midnight raid on the kitchen for peanut butter and milk. That seems to be my recipe for sleeping aid. It works!
I had mentioned that I was to receive my thyroid report and failed to share it with you. I still have multiple nodules, but the good news is that they have not changed. Will continue to monitor them and report any changes I might notice. It was a good report.
When we left our home, the temperature was warm and and continued as; we moved through Charlotte, however, as we got closer to the beach the temperature kept dropping. When we arrived, the weather was sunny, chilly and very windy. Too bad as we were looking forward to sitting in our swing on the porch. Maybe we can on Thursday or Friday when the weather is predicted to be in the 70's.
In spite of the disappointment in the temperature, we are amazed that we are even here! It was this time last year that Lee was confined to a hospital bed and in such a debilitated physical state that we could not allow for even a thought to return to our place at the beach. We are indeed grateful that Lee has recovered enought to be able to make the trip. We do not take anything for granted and we do not treat his gift lightly. We say a prayer of thanksgiving many times during the day.
Tomorrow we are looking forward to seeing our old friends, Jerry and Gloria who live in Wilmington. We will be joining them for lunch and they plan to visit us here on Friday for lunch. Life is Good!
More Later.............................Brenda
I had mentioned that I was to receive my thyroid report and failed to share it with you. I still have multiple nodules, but the good news is that they have not changed. Will continue to monitor them and report any changes I might notice. It was a good report.
When we left our home, the temperature was warm and and continued as; we moved through Charlotte, however, as we got closer to the beach the temperature kept dropping. When we arrived, the weather was sunny, chilly and very windy. Too bad as we were looking forward to sitting in our swing on the porch. Maybe we can on Thursday or Friday when the weather is predicted to be in the 70's.
In spite of the disappointment in the temperature, we are amazed that we are even here! It was this time last year that Lee was confined to a hospital bed and in such a debilitated physical state that we could not allow for even a thought to return to our place at the beach. We are indeed grateful that Lee has recovered enought to be able to make the trip. We do not take anything for granted and we do not treat his gift lightly. We say a prayer of thanksgiving many times during the day.
Tomorrow we are looking forward to seeing our old friends, Jerry and Gloria who live in Wilmington. We will be joining them for lunch and they plan to visit us here on Friday for lunch. Life is Good!
More Later.............................Brenda
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Soon to be at the beach!
We are excited that Lee is now able to travel to our beach house. He is an amazing man! I can't describe how many times I would dream that I would be able to once again see Lee as he is now. He gets stronger each day! For example, last Friday he left around 8:00 a.m. in his truck and made several errands at four different locations before returning home. Again on Saturday while I was spending some time with my daughter in Morganton, he visited some friends in the community, fixed his own lunch, gave himself insulin. When I returned home later in the evening, he was out back with some perspective buyers for some of his farm equipment. He is a busy fellow.
I am especially proud of Lee for his newest venture. He is actively pursuing knowledge in regards to becoming a donor spokesperson. He has been asked to speak for different organizations in regards to his experience. He wants to make sure he is well informed. I don't think it will be much longer either before I report to you that he is on the golf course.
Next week he will probably try to do some fishing with his buddy Ted. The four of us plan to do some fine eating also. (Ted is a fantastic cook!) We also plan to get together with some of our lung-transplant colleagues from Durham who live in Wilmington and Oak Island. The weather promises to shine brightly on us while there. We are looking forward to the 68-72 degrees that is in the forecast.
Take care and we will give you,
More Later.................................Brenda
I am especially proud of Lee for his newest venture. He is actively pursuing knowledge in regards to becoming a donor spokesperson. He has been asked to speak for different organizations in regards to his experience. He wants to make sure he is well informed. I don't think it will be much longer either before I report to you that he is on the golf course.
Next week he will probably try to do some fishing with his buddy Ted. The four of us plan to do some fine eating also. (Ted is a fantastic cook!) We also plan to get together with some of our lung-transplant colleagues from Durham who live in Wilmington and Oak Island. The weather promises to shine brightly on us while there. We are looking forward to the 68-72 degrees that is in the forecast.
Take care and we will give you,
More Later.................................Brenda
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Finally, a Normal Sunday!
Today, Lee and I enjoyed the first normal Sunday since November, 2009. We were able to join our Sunday School class and attend worship service in church. Each week I can visibly see Lee's strength returning more and more. He still rides the elevator to the second floor to our class at church but today he was able to walk down the stairs as we were leaving for the sanctuary. When we got to the bottom, I asked if he needed to rest and he said he was fine and continued walking. He was also able to speak to the congregation and express his gratitude to all for their prayers and all the cards and phone calls that we received while we were in Durham. It was a day filled with joy that was accompanied by bright sunshine and good 50 degree temperature.
Lee is now watching the superbowl and so far, according to his bets among the neighbor friends, I believe he may have to buy some chicken dinners. (That is, of course, if the Steelers lose). He is really pulling for Green Bay, but somehow, the bet had to be a certain way. Maybe you understand, I don't.
Anyway, this has been a really good Sunday. We, finally by all outward appearances are now back into our normal lifestyle most of the time. It is truly amazing to be able to even say that after the year that has just passed. There were so many times when I found it impossible to believe that we would be able to return to "normalcy".
This past Saturday our grandaughter Laura was given a baby shower. She & Jonathan will welcome a baby boy around March 11! We are looking forward to being great-grandparents! They were well-showered with so much for probably the best-dressed young man around town! Afterwards, I was able to shop with Elizabeth, Julia and two of my grandaughters, Michaela and Lillie. In spite of a drizzly, cold day we had a wonderful time.
Tomorrow begins another week. Monday, the usual lab work, a quick short-order breakfast, exercise for Lee at Catawba Rehab, shopping and errands for me. On Tuesday, I will receive the results from my ultrasound of my thyroid and the thyroid function tests. We are hoping that all will be fine. I had biopsies two years ago which were benign so this is just a check up. A Super Sunday on Superbowl day!
More Later......................................Brenda
Lee is now watching the superbowl and so far, according to his bets among the neighbor friends, I believe he may have to buy some chicken dinners. (That is, of course, if the Steelers lose). He is really pulling for Green Bay, but somehow, the bet had to be a certain way. Maybe you understand, I don't.
Anyway, this has been a really good Sunday. We, finally by all outward appearances are now back into our normal lifestyle most of the time. It is truly amazing to be able to even say that after the year that has just passed. There were so many times when I found it impossible to believe that we would be able to return to "normalcy".
This past Saturday our grandaughter Laura was given a baby shower. She & Jonathan will welcome a baby boy around March 11! We are looking forward to being great-grandparents! They were well-showered with so much for probably the best-dressed young man around town! Afterwards, I was able to shop with Elizabeth, Julia and two of my grandaughters, Michaela and Lillie. In spite of a drizzly, cold day we had a wonderful time.
Tomorrow begins another week. Monday, the usual lab work, a quick short-order breakfast, exercise for Lee at Catawba Rehab, shopping and errands for me. On Tuesday, I will receive the results from my ultrasound of my thyroid and the thyroid function tests. We are hoping that all will be fine. I had biopsies two years ago which were benign so this is just a check up. A Super Sunday on Superbowl day!
More Later......................................Brenda
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Fickle February
I'll try this post again. I had just written the title and hit the wrong key only to realize the page was telling me that my post had been successfully published! My apologies for that.
The weather has been either lovely or threatening. The most recent forecast shows freezing rain tomorrow with a possibility sprinkling of snow! Yesterday it was about 60 degrees and beautiful!
Lee continues to amaze me at his progress. Two days ago I had to go for a doctor's appointment for an ultrasound of my thyroid and when I returned discovered that he had spent time shopping! He had driven to Lincolnton and decided to do some shopping on his own! How's that for progress.? I am so proud of him. Now if he can just hang on through the rest of this Winter I think he will be fine. He is getting a little "antsy" to get outdoors. One of his big projects this Spring will be to clean out his garage or better know as "the Shop". He also wants to be able to prune his grape vines and his fruit trees. Of course he can do these. He just cannot be messing around in any soil.
We are planning to go to the beach February 14 and stay for about six days. Many of our friends will be at their beach houses @ that time and we are looking forward to seeing them along with some of our friends that we made @ Durham. It is so good to be able to go again. The last time we were at our beach house was October 2009!
Well, I did shop for the milk and bread, along with lots of other good food, just in case we have ice or whatever tomorrow. Seems that most of Lincolnton joined me at Bi-Lo today! Nothing like a little wintry weather forecast to get the milk and bread off the shelf!
More Later.........................................Brenda
The weather has been either lovely or threatening. The most recent forecast shows freezing rain tomorrow with a possibility sprinkling of snow! Yesterday it was about 60 degrees and beautiful!
Lee continues to amaze me at his progress. Two days ago I had to go for a doctor's appointment for an ultrasound of my thyroid and when I returned discovered that he had spent time shopping! He had driven to Lincolnton and decided to do some shopping on his own! How's that for progress.? I am so proud of him. Now if he can just hang on through the rest of this Winter I think he will be fine. He is getting a little "antsy" to get outdoors. One of his big projects this Spring will be to clean out his garage or better know as "the Shop". He also wants to be able to prune his grape vines and his fruit trees. Of course he can do these. He just cannot be messing around in any soil.
We are planning to go to the beach February 14 and stay for about six days. Many of our friends will be at their beach houses @ that time and we are looking forward to seeing them along with some of our friends that we made @ Durham. It is so good to be able to go again. The last time we were at our beach house was October 2009!
Well, I did shop for the milk and bread, along with lots of other good food, just in case we have ice or whatever tomorrow. Seems that most of Lincolnton joined me at Bi-Lo today! Nothing like a little wintry weather forecast to get the milk and bread off the shelf!
More Later.........................................Brenda
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