Rumor Mill

I have heard various rumors of TT's condition and surgery during this past week. Many people have smiled a nervous smile and walked on by me. I'm sure they don't know what to say, especially if some of the rumors are true. TT has been guarded in letting information out, which I don't blame him. And you all know how information soon becomes whopping big tales, kind of like playing the game of telephone. There are also those people who know someone who had this or that done and are very eager to share with me. People, I do not want to know anything discouraging at this time. I do not want to know any details. If I don't know, then I won't have to block it out of my worry zone. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34 Thanks, I feel better.

THE Adventure with Father

You will remember on my last post that I anticipated an adventure with taking my father to have x-rays of his broken leg. Also I was under the assumption that we would be in and out quickly BECAUSE he was having x-rays only. Wrong! We were told to go see the doctor, but in his new office across the hospital parking lot. In the 90 decree heat, not wanting to transfer my dad from wheelchair to car, car to wheelchair, wheelchair to the office, I said I would just wheel him across. The director of hospital operations volunteered to do that so I could move our vehicle. We arrived in a new medical building, in an office used by visiting doctors who see patients only one day a week in the office. I signed my father in and was immediately told that we had to go to the hospital for x-rays. The receptionist and I bantered back and forth, she insisting that we had to do it now, me insisting that we had just done it, 10 minutes before now. Finally, she comprehended what I was saying and let us find a seat in the already-full waiting room. My dad is not shy nor does he have any tact. Whatever he thinks, he says, loudly. So the three hour wait to see the doctor for 5 minutes consisted of dad making comments about the wait, quoting scripture, declaring who is going to hell, quoting poetry about a drunkard riding the hell-bound train, commenting about other patients in the room, declaring himself starving, pushing his talking watch every 5 minutes to hear what time is was, etc. Those who know my dad know that he likes to create controversy and thoroughly enjoys showing off. We call it being frisky, but with no sexual overtones. I repeatedly told him to "behave" but I might as well have been saying GO. By the time we met with the doctor, I was exasperated. As the doc examined and questioned my dad about the cast, dad questioned the doctor about where a person's soul goes upon death. Being kind, the doctor answered only to have dad ask another unanswerable Bible question. I stepped in and said the doctor was too busy to carry on a conversation. (After all we had waited 3 hours!) I'm sure I heard a sigh of relief from the doc. God told us to be a peculiar people (I Peter 2:9, Deuteronomy 14:2, 26:18 KJV). Dad has obeyed that command fully.

Another Day, Another Adventure

On my "to do" list today is take my father to the hospital for x-rays on his broken leg to check the progress of the healing of the leg. Hopefully, we will not have to wait hours like two weeks ago. Those patients having x-rays are not required to wait to see the doctor. My husband is out-of-town with our van so I am not sure how I will transport my father. He has difficulty getting in and out of a regular car. (I have trouble getting in and out of a car!) At least we will not be wearing dresses and panty hose. Regardless of how it goes today, it will definitely be an adventure.

A True Friend

Doubts and fears seemed to overwhelm me yesterday. To put it bluntly, it was a difficult day. I guess the combination of all we have been through in the past two months had weighed me down. Just when it seemed too much, my good friend called. She sensed my mood and intervened by inviting me to spend time with her at her house. Thank you, God, for giving me such a special friend and for giving her such a compassionate heart.

Happy Birthday, Antique Chair

Have a wonderful day!

My name is being called

No, I'm not waiting at the BMV nor am I waiting in line anywhere else. As I sit here typing, I can hear the flowers outside screaming because the weeds are choking them. The weeds are taunting me, saying that I can't get them. They are right. I don't feel like pulling weeds today. My granddaughter is coming to stay with Meme. So to the sandbox and swing we go.

Watch out where you step!

Warm, pungent odors waft on the gentle breeze as we roost on the firm, splintered bleachers anxiously watching and anticipating the best for the pint-sized goat herders. In other words, I'm going to the local 4-H Fair to watch some kids and children in the goat show. I'm sure I will have "fond" memories of times when my own children were showing goats. There is nothing like being sure that goat is clean in the ears, between the hooves, and, yes, on the behind. I don't ever remember the children cleaning that area. Who could forget the milker, Honey Bunch? She produced twins every year, just enough so the three of mine could each have a goat. So today I arrive at the fair, no goats to wash, no white clothes to iron, no nails to trim, no responsibilities. Ahhh, I think I shall enjoy.

TT Again

He is better, talking more, ready to go to a movie, maybe a little less pain. Thank you, Lord.

Lonesome

As a child growing up on an apple and grain farm, I was required/expected to work in the orchard and the corn and bean fields. I did not mind the work, but I always wanted to be in the company of a family member. I did not like to be alone. The season of our greatest demand of work was in the Fall. And Fall days brought cooler, windy days, many of which I had to work alone. So, to this day, cool, breezy days bring a wave of lonesomeness to me. Yesterday was one of those days. I enjoyed the cooler temperatures, but that feeling of being lost and alone washed over me even though I sat among the company of Christian Campers at the campsite. Those hopeless feelings were so overwhelming and difficult to conquer. Fortunately, by forcing myself to interact with the crowd, walking a bit, and eating, those feelings passed.

TT Update

This week has been a roller coaster of emotions for our family. Our son had tongue cancer surgery this past Monday and came home the next day. He has been in tremendous pain with swollen tongue and glands. Just imagine how it must feel. He has made slow progress, but at least it is progress. His diet consists of liquids. We are trying to be creative with foods, but he mostly eats milk shakes and instant potatoes in broth. And then it is difficult to get them down. He is able to talk a little, but doesn't attempt much due to the pain. He knows sign language, and we have been able to communicate in that way since Monday. I didn't realize he knew as much sign as he does, and he challenges me because he is very quick in signing. He has also resorted to pen and paper. He wanted us to go to the movies yesterday but decided he didn't feel well enough just yet. Maybe next week. Continue to keep him in your prayers.

One Among Many

If you are reading this today, you are one of 57 million American adults who read blogs. If you write a blog, you are one of 12 million American adults who blog. So would you suppose that means that 40 million Americans read only? Guess bloggers should be forgiven for not writing daily.

Tranfer Disc

With my father's broken leg, he had great difficulty transferring from one chair to the wheelchair or scooter. I thought of using a disc similar to a lazy susan to help turn him, thus keeping the twisting off of his good knee. Not knowing of the existence of this product, I began making calls to find one. A local pharmacy that specializes in medical equipment took the search further and found a disc, a transfer disc. Only it was a problem because of the $87 cost and 2-3 days to get it to us. I ordered it anyway. As I told my father it would be a few days, I noticed the large yellow pages telephone book I had laid on the floor. I got the notion to try it as a disc. It worked wonderfully, didn't slide on the carpet, and provided the slow speed needed in making the turn. We found a good alternative till the disc arrived. The transfer disc is remarkable. It should be touted to the elderly, the hospitals, nursing homes, and all who could benefit. We used it while taking my father to the hospital to receive his cast. The disc allowed for easy and safe transfer for him (and us as caregivers) for all the times we had to move him. Please pass this info about the transfer disc on to someone who could use it.

Extreme Modesty

While reading the newspaper today I saw an article about modest swimwear. The picture of a young lady in the modest suit was intriguing. So I read the article. Would you believe they even make a suit that goes to the ankles and the elbows? They compared it to a choir robe. Their website is wholesomewear.com. I'd link you to the site if I knew how. (I'm still learning.) Check it out.

Finding Blogs

When you are ready to sign on to create a post, have you ever clicked on the blogs scolling on the left? (At least the scrolling is what happens on mine.) I have and have stumbled across some very interesting blogs and in turn, have been led to some more good blogs. Try it sometime.

A Cat's Nose

As I work on the computer this morning, my cat rests near an open window. He loves to hang on the windowsill, looking, listening, and sniffing the air. At the moment he has reclined on top of the filing cabinet, but still facing the window. He is not watching out the window, but continues to lift his head in rhythmic motion as another smell reaches his nose. Life is so simple for this creature--eat, sleep, and sniff the air. Life is good!

Home

We were able to bring TT home this afternoon. His visiting/rounds doctor said as soon as he ate more that a liquid he could go home. At 10:30 he ordered mashed potatoes, chocolate pudding, and no gravy (that's how the nurse called it in) for lunch. At 1:00 he still had no lunch. When it arrived at 1:10 he couldn't swallow the mashed potatoes. I talked him into ordering chicken broth to which I could add the potatoes and stir. When I dipped into the white mound, they stuck together like thick wallpaper paste. No wonder he couldn't swallow it. After mixing well, he was able to eat most of it by drinking it. Since we arrived back in town, he has downed a small chocolate shake and taken the next dose of liquid pain medicine. He has taken the first steps on a long road to recovery.

It Is Finished

Our son's surgery went well. The doctor said he took minimal amount of the tongue, but showed us a large chunk by measurement with his fingers. We won't know till later just how much. TT did not need a skin graft. We just saw him in the recovery room. He is in a lot of pain, as would be expected. A room was assigned to him as we stood there, but 45 minutes have passed and no notice that he is in that room yet. Continue to pray that he recovers quickly and completely. Also pray that the cancer never returns again. Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayers and answering them.

Things to Do Today

1. Pray
2. Pack suitcase
3. Blog
4. Pray
5. Pick up clutter in house
6. Check list--again
7. Pray
8. Last minute phone calls
9. Check email
10. Pray
11. Drive to Big City
12. Check son into hospital
13. Pray
14. Meet with specialist
15. Discuss options
16. Pray
17. Wait
18. Wait some more
19. Pray
20. Hear results
21. Praise God for answered prayer
22. Pray

New Day, New Thoughts

Didn't know if I would sleep last night, but thankfully, I did. I cancelled my trip to Las Vegas so I didn't need to be up early. When I first found out that my son was having surgery, I didn't want to go on the trip. But I couldn't get out of it. When we found out it is cancer of the tongue, I knew I could not go. My dear principal made some phone calls and was able to get the conference pay ($495) canceled. I only owe for the airline ticket and can use it for up to a year. That is a small price to pay to be by my son's side through this serious operation and uncertain future. My son just left to go to the big city. He was wearing his Celebrate Life shirt, the cancer survivor shirt. Guess that speaks volumes for how he is feeling today. He is a survivor! Thank you, Lord, for helping him to have that attitude today.

Bad News

We have bad news from the PET scan for our son. From all indication, it is cancer on the spot on the tongue. Please pray for him. Please pray that all goes well in surgery Mon., July 17, 2006.

Take Half the Clothes and Twice the Money

The title of this post is good advice when traveling. I'm packing to go to Las Vegas for a national conference, and I'm trying to decide just what and how much to take in the line of clothes. During the conference we will probably be sitting in freezing rooms so we will need long sleeves of some kind. (In case you haven't figured it out from previous posts, I am usually cold. When it dropped to 73 last week I was ready for a coat.) Then after our day's "work" we will be in and out of buildings, hotels, casinos where it will be HOT. So, do I pack twice the amount of clothes that I need? I think so. I would rather have more than I need that to be kicking myself for lack of clothing. Speaking of money, I looked on the net to see ticket prices for some of the shows. I was shocked! Tickets were as follows: Celine Dion ranged from $180 - $520, O at Bellagio $155 - $350, Elton John $220 - $675, Faith Hill (when she is there) $195 - $795. Seriously doubt that I will be going to see any of those, even though I will have many outfits from which to choose.

Tea Party for Two

I invited a good friend to meet me for lunch today at a local sandwich, soup, and dessert shop. On second thought, I called my sister-in-law who has a marvelous flower garden in her back yard to see if we could bring our food and eat in the garden. Well, we were greeted with an elegantly decorated table with fresh cut flowers. What a sweet surprise! And what a pleasant, relaxing lunch with my good friend!

Let's x-ray that!

My dad was trying to do something that he really wanted done but to him it seemed like no one would help. He was off of his motorized scooter, pulling on a garden hose when his knee gave way. He fell on his leg with his foot bent under him, and it bent even further. Well, it swelled as one would think it would. He suffers from gout and has frequent flair-ups. We thought that he was having a round of the gout. Yesterday, his home health care nurse decided his leg didn't look right. I took him to the local hospital for x-rays and found out that he had broken his right fibula (small) bone. The emergency room placed a temporary cast on it until he can see the specialist on Friday. The biggest problem is keeping him down. He told the staff that he has been standing on it and can continue. As you can see, we have our hands full.

You Sure You Are Going to a Conference?

This Saturday I leave for a national conference in Las Vegas. Yes, we are going to attend the conference. I am looking forward to the hot weather and the opportunity to walk. I know that others go to Vegas for much different reasons, but those different reasons are what make this world a wonderful place to live.

Pleasant Surprises

When I arrived at our church this morning, I was met at the door of my Sunday school class by a friend. She had driven the church bus and told me that she had picked up a visitor, a deaf man from Philadelphia. So, I set my stuff down and began interpreting for him. He and his mother came here from Philadelphia by way of Amtrak. He told me in sign language how rough the tracks were. I was pleasantly surprised at how well he understood me and how much he participated in our class. He signed that he is a teacher at a Bible college near Philly. Makes sense that he could come in and be that willing to participate. Then on to the church service. He didn't know the praise choruses that we were singing, until the last one. That one is based on an older hymn that he knew. The sermon was a little difficult because the preacher spoke in the negative before changing it around to positive statements. An example in lay terms would be "I can't stop loving you." That doesn't translate easily. It really means "I continue loving you." I was excited that he understood enough to respond to the sermon with head shakes, signing "right" and signing "amen." The good news is that he will be able to return during the month of July. What a great experience for all of us!

Did You Find Everything You Were Looking For?

Every weekend I do the grocery shopping for my dad. My sister-in-law, who cooks for him during the week, calls and leaves a grocery list on my answering machine. The list is quite eclectic, but tends to run in cycles and repeat weekly. When he first wanted yellow tomatoes, I had to go to four stores before I finally found them. Then the next week, they were no where to be found. For the past month he has ordered fresh peaches and coconut creme pie. Now what are the chances that I will find both of those in the same store? Not good. I dread going shopping simply because I don't like to go from store to store. Well, today I put off going till after lunch. Thought I would be smart and only go to one store. And I had planned on buying a few things for us at that same store. But it wasn't to be. I could not find a pecan pie for him at the first store. Now mind you they had apple, peach, cherry, raspberry, strawberry, key lime, and crusts, but NO pecan. Rats! I knew it was too good to be true that I could visit just one store. I went to the second store and was able to complete his list. And was able to buy several things for us on sale. Guess it was okay after all.

Brrrrrrr

The weather is unbelievable. On Monday when I left the shopping mall the temperature was 103 degrees, not counting the very high humidity factor. Just three days later, the temperature was 73 degrees with very low humidity. I could actually wear a coat and be comfortable. Guess I can stop beating myself up for not fully trading out my winter wardrobe for my summer one. You never know when you are going to need that sweater or sweatshirt.

Pardon me, please

We worked at a food booth at our local Fourth of July carnival. Our booth was the first of many on the path/lane of booths, so we were able to witness many things. In no particular order, here are some things that we saw:

• People put their lawn chairs across the entryway to the food lane, thus blocking the traffic. They just wanted to see the folks that walked around the midway.
• Tiny babies being lugged around without carrier or stroller. One dad wrapped his arm around the baby's stomach and did not support his head.
• Nudity! A friend's husband came after a 13 year absence from the carnival. Bet he received culture shock.
• Food galore--you had your choice of elephant ears, ice cream, sandwiches, chicken and noodles, nachos, tenderloin, tacos in a bag, satibabi, lemonade, cheesecake on a stick, spaghetti, and numerous desserts.
• Older men with younger women, older women with younger men, pre-teens panting after the opposite sex, etc.
• Old friends.
• Carnival workers who travel and carnival workers from our own town. (I didn't buy from some of those booths because of the workers.)
• A ferris wheel with missing carts and with carts missing parts.
• The best fireworks display ever given in our town.

New Game

My granddaughter has a new game that she plays with us. While one of us is holding her, she makes her attempt/plea to get down to do an activity that she was not allowed to do. So, if I won't let her down, she motions for someone else to take her. Of course she is so darn cute that the other person feels honored to be chosen to hold her. Little does that person know that he or she is being played, because as soon as he/she takes the tike, she tries to get down. How do the children learn to do these games at such an early age?

Excuse me, please!

On our trip to Louisville, Ky, last Sunday, we stopped for a bite to eat and the usual trip to the bathroom. While finishing our meal, we noticed the local police arriving in the parking lot. Two law officers got out of their car, walked up to a couple of families standing outside their cars, and began talking. All was in a casual manner, so we were not alarmed. By then, two of our high school girls had entered the restroom ahead of me, so I patiently waited. One girl finished and the other entered the only stall in the small bathroom. Suddenly, the outer door opened with a woman and the police. She asked if we could NOT use the stool until they had a chance to rescue her car keys from it. Okay, not a problem. But why did they wait more than a half hour and numerous uses before stopping the use of the one stool? In walks a young man with gloved hand to rescue the keys. He must have been very brave or ignorant because the glove only covered his hand up to the beginning of his wrist. We left without knowing the final outcome.