It's been a while since I last blogged, and as usual, things are always going great when I do not write as often as I should. We have enjoyed all the lovely Fall weather, along with Lee's returning strength and endurance. It has indeed been a blessing to see him enjoying his life to the fullest. He truly does not waste time, and along with that, I try to keep up with him.
I began this blog with good news, because I love happy blogs! I write today with sadness at losing another friend post lung transplant. He died yesterday after having been home under the care of hospice since September. His wife and I became friends two years ago, having been introduced through my blog by a mutual friend of ours. Our friend did not have his lung transplant at Duke, rather at another area far from his home. He began rejecting his lung last March, just one and one-half years after his transplant. After being transferred to Duke, he and his wife, along with his family and friends had strong hopes that the rejection could be halted. It was not to be, because the rejection was too advanced. Lee and I visited them when he was at Duke and were encouraged by their prospects of hope. Unfortunately, his only alternative in August was to have another transplant. He decided against it, knowing without it, he would die in a few months. I admire his courage and his courageous decision for his family.
I share this with you to let you know how we still hang onto those sunny days. We know too well that a storm can happen at any time. That is why we continue to be aware of the wind, the soil, the contagious illnesses, even the common cold. These are our storms and we try to avoid them whenever possible. Each month we receive e-mails from others that we have been connected to since Lee's transplant. This past week has been particularly painful as we have learned of two more who have died. Their time post transplant was two and three years.
Lee is now two and one-half years post transplant. We pray each day that he will be granted a good day and be given many days on this earth. We only need to be reminded of others to know how fragile life is and how it is a gift to be enjoyed to the fullest.
The storms have raged around us this week.....a Noreaster....they say. There are people suffering throughout the U.S. We are to be reminded of so many things to be thankful for and to remember those affected by storms in our prayers. Our friend's family will make it through their storm of loss and they will remember the sunny days once again. Please remember them in your prayers.
More Later...................................Brenda
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
Home in Vale
We came home a few days early from our beach vacation because our daughter-in-law, Elizabeth's Mom died. She had been very sick for the past two months or more and her death at that time was expected. We were not sure about the arrangements in Knoxville, Tenn. and decided we should be in Vale to shorten the drive. After we were home, we learned that due to a family conflict of travel, it was delayed until October 13.
So it was, that this past Friday, we journed to Knoxville, Tenn. for an overnight to be with her and her Father and two sisters. After the funeral on Saturday, we were able to enjoy the Fall colors in the Great Smoky Mts and the Blue Ridge as we returned home.
Last evening, daughter Julia and her daughters, Michaela & Lillie with a friend, joined us for supper. It was good to be with them after our long vacation. The girls are growing up too fast for this Nana. Now @ 16 and 14, I feel like I am communicating with adults! And, I have to remind myself.....they really are! None-the-less, it was a lovely visit and we enjoyed the short time with them.
This week promises to be filled with many things to do, beginning with Thursday, when my sister's husband, Fred, will have a knee replacement procedure in Hickory. I plan to stay with her during that time. Doug & Elizabeth will be here Saturday. Sunday is the annual Kanipe Reunion, and Todd and Donna will be joining us for that. On Monday, my brother Jim and wife Judy will come for two overnights. Thursday, Lee and I will leave for his Duke clinic visit. We will make that a one-day trip because he is doing so well and we do not anticipate any sedation procedures.
As you can guess, I will be busy most of this week preparing for visits, and for planning of meals. We always enjoy having guests and look forward to that time together.
This is a short, catch-up blog to let you know that all is well here.....in fact, it is very normal. Lee continues to amaze me with his fortitude and his determination to continue on. This is because he still has to deal with the consequences of the anti-rejection medication which includes the weakness in his legs. He has regained much of his upper extremity strength, but the legs are the weakest. The muscles are returning.....just slowly!
All in all....................Life as we know it now is wonderful!
More Later......................................................Brenda
So it was, that this past Friday, we journed to Knoxville, Tenn. for an overnight to be with her and her Father and two sisters. After the funeral on Saturday, we were able to enjoy the Fall colors in the Great Smoky Mts and the Blue Ridge as we returned home.
Last evening, daughter Julia and her daughters, Michaela & Lillie with a friend, joined us for supper. It was good to be with them after our long vacation. The girls are growing up too fast for this Nana. Now @ 16 and 14, I feel like I am communicating with adults! And, I have to remind myself.....they really are! None-the-less, it was a lovely visit and we enjoyed the short time with them.
This week promises to be filled with many things to do, beginning with Thursday, when my sister's husband, Fred, will have a knee replacement procedure in Hickory. I plan to stay with her during that time. Doug & Elizabeth will be here Saturday. Sunday is the annual Kanipe Reunion, and Todd and Donna will be joining us for that. On Monday, my brother Jim and wife Judy will come for two overnights. Thursday, Lee and I will leave for his Duke clinic visit. We will make that a one-day trip because he is doing so well and we do not anticipate any sedation procedures.
As you can guess, I will be busy most of this week preparing for visits, and for planning of meals. We always enjoy having guests and look forward to that time together.
This is a short, catch-up blog to let you know that all is well here.....in fact, it is very normal. Lee continues to amaze me with his fortitude and his determination to continue on. This is because he still has to deal with the consequences of the anti-rejection medication which includes the weakness in his legs. He has regained much of his upper extremity strength, but the legs are the weakest. The muscles are returning.....just slowly!
All in all....................Life as we know it now is wonderful!
More Later......................................................Brenda
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
October Already!
We have been enjoying the end of September and this, the first week of October at the beach. Last week was "picture perfect", high temps in the 70's, lots of sunshine, blue skies, and very calm ocean. Fantastic! Now we are balancing the good with the "not so good", and have endured rainy, stormy, off and on again weather since Saturday night.
Lee and I both took advantage of those wonderful days to meet the goals we had established prior to coming to the beach house. My goals were to tackle a mountain of laundry that included blankets and mattress covers. With the help of Lee, I was awarded an outdoor clothesline (probably to the chagrin of neighbors) to assist me in my huge endeaver. So it was, that I entertained the neighbors with something on that new umbrella type line for five days! I was able to complete my task of 14 blankets, 10 mattress covers, and 20 pillow covers! In addition, the bright sunshine gave me the opportunity to sun 20 pillows! Whew!
Lee fulfilled his goal to fish as much as he could. As luck would have it, his good friend, Ted has been here, next door, with his fine fishing boat. Last week, Ted fished every day, and Lee joined him for two consecutive days. They hit the jackpot! There were three of them and each caught twice the allotted limit and had to throw half back in. The fishing was so good that they even became selective for the biggest and best of the lot of spanish mackeral! Lee was estatic!
This fine adventure, of course, called for a "fish fry". On Thursday evening, we invited the neighbors over and Ted and Lee cooked the fish and hush puppies, while I added the side dishes and Diane helped with serving and clean-up. We sat outsidee under the deck with the fans and the shade. It was a wonderful gathering, and such a blessing to have Lee enjoy something we never thought would be possible again.
This has been a marvelous trip to the beach. For the first time in three years, Lee has felt strong enough to do all the things he enjoys while he is here. He has been a busy fellow.......hired a house painter.............had the carpets cleaned.......................and.......................arranged for the trees to be trimmed in November! He announced last night that he will sow some grass before we leave on Monday! Even though we had an elevator chair installed in July, He has been using the stairs because he feels his strength returning! Actually, I use it more than he does for carrying in groceries, etc.
This afternoon we plan to catch the ferry to Kure beach to visit friends, Glenda and Don, from Lincolnton. They are here for another two weeks. This is their annual month-long vacation and we are looking forward to the ride and the visit. The ferry is faster ( 35 min), relaxing, and only 10 min. from their house.
So........this is what has been going on these past few weeks. My daughter, son, and two grandaughters keep calling and asking, when are we coming home? I miss them too, but seeing the joy that Lee has experienced during this beach trip does not push me to get back home until he is ready!
Tomorrow, Oct. 4, is my" baby boomer" brother, Dennis's birthday! To me, he still looks like my kid brother!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DENNIS!
More Later...............................................................Brenda
Lee and I both took advantage of those wonderful days to meet the goals we had established prior to coming to the beach house. My goals were to tackle a mountain of laundry that included blankets and mattress covers. With the help of Lee, I was awarded an outdoor clothesline (probably to the chagrin of neighbors) to assist me in my huge endeaver. So it was, that I entertained the neighbors with something on that new umbrella type line for five days! I was able to complete my task of 14 blankets, 10 mattress covers, and 20 pillow covers! In addition, the bright sunshine gave me the opportunity to sun 20 pillows! Whew!
Lee fulfilled his goal to fish as much as he could. As luck would have it, his good friend, Ted has been here, next door, with his fine fishing boat. Last week, Ted fished every day, and Lee joined him for two consecutive days. They hit the jackpot! There were three of them and each caught twice the allotted limit and had to throw half back in. The fishing was so good that they even became selective for the biggest and best of the lot of spanish mackeral! Lee was estatic!
This fine adventure, of course, called for a "fish fry". On Thursday evening, we invited the neighbors over and Ted and Lee cooked the fish and hush puppies, while I added the side dishes and Diane helped with serving and clean-up. We sat outsidee under the deck with the fans and the shade. It was a wonderful gathering, and such a blessing to have Lee enjoy something we never thought would be possible again.
This has been a marvelous trip to the beach. For the first time in three years, Lee has felt strong enough to do all the things he enjoys while he is here. He has been a busy fellow.......hired a house painter.............had the carpets cleaned.......................and.......................arranged for the trees to be trimmed in November! He announced last night that he will sow some grass before we leave on Monday! Even though we had an elevator chair installed in July, He has been using the stairs because he feels his strength returning! Actually, I use it more than he does for carrying in groceries, etc.
This afternoon we plan to catch the ferry to Kure beach to visit friends, Glenda and Don, from Lincolnton. They are here for another two weeks. This is their annual month-long vacation and we are looking forward to the ride and the visit. The ferry is faster ( 35 min), relaxing, and only 10 min. from their house.
So........this is what has been going on these past few weeks. My daughter, son, and two grandaughters keep calling and asking, when are we coming home? I miss them too, but seeing the joy that Lee has experienced during this beach trip does not push me to get back home until he is ready!
Tomorrow, Oct. 4, is my" baby boomer" brother, Dennis's birthday! To me, he still looks like my kid brother!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DENNIS!
More Later...............................................................Brenda
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)