Tuesday, September 29, 2009

"Graduation Day"

It has been nice to be home and in our own environment. I can tell Summer, our daughter has really been thankful to be home and spending time with us. Daniel, he has been pretty busy with his teenage social life so spending time with us has not been a big deal for him but knowing his dad is home and on the mend is good.

Sunday and Monday were almost carbon copies of each other. Danny has felt pretty weak and tired with constant nausea. It has not been as bad as in the past but he has been sick a couple of times each day.

Last night he did eat a small amount of soup so that was very good until he got sick about 45 minutes later. I know he will shy away from eating for a couple more days but at least he keeps trying. It seems any time he has a lot of movement or excitement he tends to get sick. I think both of those could have been contributing factors last night. Summer had ball practice and he thought me might go with us and just watch but changed his mind because he knew he really wasn't feeling up to it. His Mom had stopped by so he decided he would go to her house to visit and for a change of scenery. We got a huge surprise when we received a visit from some special friends of ours. They are missionaries in Cambodia & arrived here in the states on Saturday. We thought it would be about a week or so before we got to see them but they drove from the Kinston area to check in on us. We were very glad to see them! We didn't get to see their kids because they thought it best to wait until Danny is feeling better. It was a nice treat to visit with them, we havent seen them in 2 years.

We went for Danny's LAST treatment today! YEAH!!!! He didn't seem too excited but he was so sick before we left home. He came in carrying his old faithful friend the "pink basin". The nurses were so sad to see him still carrying "pinky" but they were excited for him because "he graduated" as they said. When we left the doctors office he was pretty sick again. I think any time he moves it stirs up his system and it causes him to be sick. We will try to lay low for the next few days.

However, tomorrow afternoon he will be receiving a blood transfusion at the hospital. This came as a total shock to us. His hemoglobin is around 8 so they feel it is at a level in which the shots are not going to be as effective as the new blood. His white blood count is low too so they have advised us to take precaution with being around folks that are sick and children that are in school or daycare. So naturally they are going to send us to the hospital where there are hundreds of sick poeple. Anyway, he received a magic shot for his white blood count today as well so he will be pretty sore for a few days because is causes some bone pain.

While we are still running the race and you know the finish line is just few miles up the road... it is always the hardest to push through to the end after you have run so many miles and your body begins to wear. Even though he is having a few set backs he knows he is getting better and will continue to.... We will make it! He has a huge crowd cheering him on and supporting him!

I have always respected nurses and have been thankful for them especially when they are so compassionate and caring... After having been "nurse" the past few days I have a new found respect for them. Everyone is asking how I am doing & if I want to go into nursing... well I am doing just fine because I have the medicine scheduled perfectly and set out in doses labeled with the time and my TPN feeding routine down perfectly... and for someone like me with my Type A personality it works because I know what is required and I am in control of making it happen. (Those who know me - don't laugh! You know I am telling the truth.) No, I have no desire to be a nurse... this is truly a stretch for me. Thank the Lord Danny is such a good patient!

You know when you are young and so in love you really have no idea what lies ahead. You excitedly say your wedding vows not really thinking about what they truly mean. Lets face it you repeat whatever the preacher tells you to and you hope you don't mess up... you are on cloud 9, caught up in the moment of this special day never thinking you will have to put into action what you just said in front of all of your friends and family. "For better or for worse... for richer or for poorer... in sickness and in health... until death do we part"... I never gave thought to the negatives... worse, poorer, sickness... I innocently looked forward to the rest of our lives being just perfect!

If you would have told me 18 years ago we would have this in our future it would not have caused me to change my mind, I would have still married Danny. I know at that time it would be because I really would have no idea the totality of my decision. But, you know we have all said at one time or another... "if I had only known then what I know now". Well, I can honestly say, if I had known then what I know now I would have still married Danny but not because I was young an naive but because my love for him would have been so much deeper. It is amazing how the Lord allows you to grow and love another person despite their flaws & what life brings your way... all the while changing you to become the person He wants you to be.

This might sound crazy but... I am thankful for where we are right now, I wouldn't change a thing. This has truly been an amazing journey. I have grown so much over the past 3 months, Danny has grown, our children have grown through this, our marriage has grown and will continue to grow richer... we have a wonderful life ahead of us BUT with a new found appreciation for not only LIFE itself but for EACH OTHER!

5 comments:

  1. This post was absolutely beautiful. You made me and Karen cry.
    "Let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread Your protection over them, that all who love Your name may be filled with joy." Psalm 5:11
    Sorry, I haven't posted as often. It's been crazy here. We finally closed on our house in Lugoff and we close and move into our new home here tomorrow. I have started Christmas Cantata rehearsals for both my Sanctuary Choir and Senior Singers choir. I'm also heading up the Children's ministry.
    Mamma went back into the hospital but hopefully will be coming home Wednesday or Thursday. Lord willing we are all beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. God has been so faithful. I don't think I could possibly thank Him on just one "Thanksgiving" day for all he has done. But I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. I believe it will have a renewed meaning with us this year.
    God is good....

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  2. Celebrating Danny's graduation! Praying that each day brings healing & strength! Our God is Faithful!

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  3. Thinking of you and wishing you well. My prayers continue to go out to you and your family and may God Bless you all with renewed strength. Love Jamie MABE Fitzsimmons

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  4. You and Danny are such an inspiration for those of us who have no idea what you are going through. We often take our vows so lightly that we don't even realize what we are saying and promising to do. You are so blessed to have each other.
    We really miss Danny at the ballpark. It is not the same without him encouraging the girls like he always did. Kinsey misses him so much. We are supposed to play Summers team in a scrimmage tonight so maybe we will see you there.
    Mrs. Pat Osborne (Shelbys mom) asks me about Danny frequently. I try to keep updated so i can let those who ask know how he is. You are so good to keep this blog up and relive in words what you go thru especially on bad days.

    Just wanted to let you know that our prayers are with you both and we love you!

    Joy and Kinsey Jones

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  5. Danny, thanks for the inspiration. Your life in the brief time that I have read about it has
    inspired me to continue strive toward by goals moment by moment. It has helped me in marriage, my mental outlook, in spreading truth about health and the gospel. If I can help you in anyway let me know. You have helped me. Please feel free to look at my site this is all that I can offer for now. I hope that this will help you http://letsstayhealthy2.blogspot.com. God has something special for you to do.

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