I'm Thankful!
Obs From The El
(Obersvations From The Elderly)
By Terry Gunn
I'm thankful that there will NOT be an empty chair around the table this year for Thanksgiving dinner. There for a few days, it seemed entirely possible. Julia has been sick for more than 3 months now, but I'm happy to report that she is slowly (very slowly) on the mend. She was released from the hospital last Monday (her second hospitalization this month) so that she could be home for the holidays. Twice each day I hook her up to a pic line (not to be confused with a picket line, she's not on strike) and run antibiotics through an IV. You should probably address me, now, as Dr. Gunn! I've learned how to operate quite well (not surgery, just the pic line). Bottom line: Momma's home for Thanksgiving and we are all quite thankful!
I'm thankful for my kids and their spouses. During these hospital stays, the three girls, Christy, Heather, and Michelle, and the three guys, Jonathan, Grant, and Ryan, have gone above and beyond to see that things have been done that otherwise would not have been done. They worked at my house when they didn't feel like working anywhere. My mother used to say, "You've worn that shirt so many times that it will stand in the corner when you take it off today!" I was almost there! I was so divided that I wasn't getting anything done right until they all pitched in! I'm thankful.
I am thankful for my Dad, and my brothers and sisters and their families who called and visited numerous times. There wasn't much that they could do, but they offered, and that meant so much. The meals were appreciated. I'm thankful.
I'm thankful for my church family. You don't really learn to appreciate them fully until a crisis like this comes your way. Julia was so sick that she really couldn't have visitors in the hospital especially that first time, but so many called me wanting to come see her and it meant a lot to me, even though I had to say, 'no.' There were a few who called her in the hospital, but she didn't know who they were or what they said. But all the calls, the cards, the flowers, the text messages were all greatly appreciated. Our pastors have been so faithful to call and visit and bring food and request prayer at the church. They offered regular meals, but with Julia's restricted diet, that was complicated. But even the thought was overwhelming. We are blessed and so thankful.
We have another week of carefully balancing the IV drugs and the other drugs she must take, but we are seeing a little light at the end of the tunnel! Julia's last text to me from the hospital on Monday said, "I can come home today, they are processing the paperwork now. Nurse will come to the house to install the pic line, still may have to have more surgery. Cleared to go and do anything I feel I can do. Yay to shop!" I knew by the last line that she was on the mend. Since then, her doctor said that the surgery is NOT going to happen after all. Six more days on the Steeeeeroids and then things will really be easier. Those Steeeeeeroids are causing problems now, but not for long. We've learned that it's much better to steeeeeeer clear of those things. Have I said that I'm thankful? I am.
So here we are at home, the grandkids are on the way (they are bringing their parents along) and we will all enjoy Thanksgiving together one more time! How cool is that? We are blessed.
I'm Thankful.
A songwriter once wrote:
I'm Thankful, I'm Thankful
I lift my hands in praise to Thee
'Cause You've been so good to me
I'm Thankful, I'm Thankful
For all You have done for me.
I'm thankful for my kids and their spouses. During these hospital stays, the three girls, Christy, Heather, and Michelle, and the three guys, Jonathan, Grant, and Ryan, have gone above and beyond to see that things have been done that otherwise would not have been done. They worked at my house when they didn't feel like working anywhere. My mother used to say, "You've worn that shirt so many times that it will stand in the corner when you take it off today!" I was almost there! I was so divided that I wasn't getting anything done right until they all pitched in! I'm thankful.
I am thankful for my Dad, and my brothers and sisters and their families who called and visited numerous times. There wasn't much that they could do, but they offered, and that meant so much. The meals were appreciated. I'm thankful.
I'm thankful for my church family. You don't really learn to appreciate them fully until a crisis like this comes your way. Julia was so sick that she really couldn't have visitors in the hospital especially that first time, but so many called me wanting to come see her and it meant a lot to me, even though I had to say, 'no.' There were a few who called her in the hospital, but she didn't know who they were or what they said. But all the calls, the cards, the flowers, the text messages were all greatly appreciated. Our pastors have been so faithful to call and visit and bring food and request prayer at the church. They offered regular meals, but with Julia's restricted diet, that was complicated. But even the thought was overwhelming. We are blessed and so thankful.
We have another week of carefully balancing the IV drugs and the other drugs she must take, but we are seeing a little light at the end of the tunnel! Julia's last text to me from the hospital on Monday said, "I can come home today, they are processing the paperwork now. Nurse will come to the house to install the pic line, still may have to have more surgery. Cleared to go and do anything I feel I can do. Yay to shop!" I knew by the last line that she was on the mend. Since then, her doctor said that the surgery is NOT going to happen after all. Six more days on the Steeeeeroids and then things will really be easier. Those Steeeeeeroids are causing problems now, but not for long. We've learned that it's much better to steeeeeeer clear of those things. Have I said that I'm thankful? I am.
So here we are at home, the grandkids are on the way (they are bringing their parents along) and we will all enjoy Thanksgiving together one more time! How cool is that? We are blessed.
I'm Thankful.
A songwriter once wrote:
I'm Thankful, I'm Thankful
I lift my hands in praise to Thee
'Cause You've been so good to me
I'm Thankful, I'm Thankful
For all You have done for me.