• Family,  health,  lifestyles

    Surgery Update

    July 8, 2016
    Get Whale Soon
    Get Whale Soon

    Here’s an update on the surgery I had back on June 27th. The surgery went well, no problems. I now have 80% less of my prostate. On the post operative side though, I was not expecting the amount of pain from the surgery. Needless to say Monday and Tuesday were not comfortable times for me. Lots of discomfort from the CO2 pumped into my body during surgery. Then on Tuesday evening I began running a fever. For the next 24 hours doctors and nurses pumped me with antibiotics and probed and poked to find out what was happening. On Wednesday night I broke the fever and was quickly on the recovery side again.  They discharged me late Thursday evening and I was a happy to be back home. Experiences like this remind us of what sleeping in your own bed is like.

    It seems like naps are an everyday agenda until I regain my strength. I’m taking short walks each day and doing all I can around the house. I haven’t done much with the camera but have decided to start hanging it around my neck. As I do so there is some form of healing taking place with I compose and press the shutter button.

    The catheter finally came out on July 5th. such a relief to have that gone. I had been wearing one since June 5th, four weeks. If anyone’s ever had to wear one then you know what I’m talking about. At this stage I’m trying to listen to my body and all that is its telling me. It has not functioned as designed for many years and will have to readjust.

    My sister, Sheree, was a God send. Not sure I will ever be able to thank her. She took me in for surgery then took me home. She arrived early each morning and went home around 9:00 or 9:30 each evening. Even after bringing me home she filled prescriptions for me and picked up a few groceries. I’m grateful for all she did and all she is!

    A friend of mine had these balloons waiting for me in my room and just loved the bandaged whale. One is for the recovery and the other was because the surgery was on my birthday. Not how I wanted to spend my birthday but it could be one of the best gifts for me. Thanks for any prayers and thoughts sent my way!

    Read More
  • Family,  People/Portraits

    I Love My Family

    November 28, 2015

    Marcee and I
    Marcee and I

    I spent my first five nights with my sister and brother-in-law. They spoiled me and I loved it. I’m now at my parents place for the next few days before heading back to Colorado. The weather is colder than normal for this time of year but I think I can suffer through it. I love my family!

    Read More
  • Family

    I Remember……

    September 26, 2015

    Daryian and Grandpa 2005
    Daryian and Grandpa 2005

    It was 22 years ago today my first grandchild was born. A grandson, named Daryian. I have some good memories from my times with him. He and his mother lived with me when he was younger. I remember changing diapers. I remember walking the floor with him when he was sick and could not sleep. I remember taking him with me on Monday evenings to a favorite restaurant for spaghetti dinner. What a mess to cleanup but so worth it. I remember getting down on my knees as we checked out every bug that walked in front of us. I remember him telling me I was too big to climb up on the playground equipment and go down the slide. I did anyway.

    Read More
  • Family

    “… the story continues to begin.”

    May 24, 2015

    Devin, Madie, Monica, Daryian
    Devin, Madie, Monica, Daryian

    My youngest granddaughter graduated from high school this past week. Some consider it an alternative school but that is not an accurate name for it because I think it is a model of what school needs to look like. I am impressed with the school, the faculty and staff.

    This graduation ceremony was a tear jerker for me and I’ve wiped my eyes a couple times writing this post. Rather than have a guest speaker attempt to urge these young people on to more success (however you define success: money, power, popularity, career, or just attaining enough credits to graduate), each graduate stepped to the podium with two white roses and offered those roses to two people who helped make their graduation possible.

    Read More
  • Family

    Madie’s Graduation

    April 16, 2015

    Madie and Friends
    Madie and Friends

    Late yesterday afternoon a front moved into the area bringing light rain, some thunder and lightening and pea size hail. The foothills were covered with snow from the snowfall during the night. By mid-morning today we began to see snowflakes mixed with rain and temperatures hovering just above freezing in town. But a little snow and cold weather was not going to stop a special graduation for us folks from Colorado.

    My youngest granddaughter, Madie, had her graduation today along with nine other students. All of these kids have come a long way to walk these stairs and receive their diplomas. It wasn’t easy an path. Each one of the students shared something personal about their experience at Centennial so there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. Thank goodness for autofocus. Congratulations to Madie and her classmates. Madie now moves on to a junior college this fall with a full ride for her first year. She then plans to transfer to Colorado State University. Did ya notice her smiling in every image?

    Read More