The Things You Can See At Wal-mart. And No, It's Not What You Think....

  I was at Wal-mart Thursday.. well actually I've been there the past 3 days in a row. I'm trying to get things stocked up. I'm trying to pick up some Christmas things. I have surgery next week and I need to get things ready for winter; well at least for fall. 

 I know what most people like to share those funny photos of people dressed all kinds of ways. This is not one of those posts. I wanted to share one of the most precious things I've ever seen. A look. 

I know, a look????  Ya, I've seen lots of looks at Wal-mart. You know those "get out of my way before I run you over with this cart" looks, "you want me to give you something to cry about" looks. Frustrated looks, quizzical looks. Yep, I've definitely seen a lot of looks, but never a look like this. A look of complete and total devotion. A look of deep love. A look at the time I wish I could have captured some way to give to them. They really didn't need it captured. I have a feeling they look at each other this way a lot.  

The woman was in a wheelchair. She was maybe in her middle to late 30's. I noticed the tubing almost immediately. I recognized it. It was the same kind of tubing my dad had when he was on a Ventilator. As I looked at her, I realized she was also on a Vent. A portable one. 

Next I saw the children, two of them I think, darting around the wheel chair looking at the racks that were within the area Dad approved as acceptable. Dad was picking out a few tops for mom and checking to see if they won her approval. 

Then I saw it. That look. I think I noticed it in his eyes first. Then I looked at her..  that look was the look of love, but even more then that. It was deep. It was a look of admiration, peace, love, security, passion, joy, and strength. It was a look of the deepest kind of love. You could not only see it, you could feel it. 

I almost felt like I was intruding on a very private moment. I turned back toward my destination, the grocery aisles. I thought of them as I walked.  I don't know all the details or the reason for the vent,  if they lived together, If he took care of her, or if she, like my dad, lived in a nursing home and could leave with a portable vent for outings. I didn't know but it really didn't make any difference. I took a few moments as I headed for the dairy aisle to pray for them. What a wonderful blessing to see, and to think I saw all that at Wal-mart.  

Trying Again....

I'm Trying again. I had finally decided that I would get a hysterectomy. I decided last year, but then I kind of chickened out. The thought of surgery does not appeal to me. 

I decided this summer I would suck it up and have the surgery. Little did I know that things would not go as I had planned. 

Some of you know me well enough to know I'm kind of, sort of, a control freak. I plan. I really plan. I want to plan. I feel security in my planning. Maybe that's why God occasionally throws a kink in my plans. 

I had several kinks this summer. The Plan was for August 25th. The end of July I ended up in ER. spent the night and got the chance to have a colonoscopy. whoopie.. NOT . 

My surgeon wanted to make sure I was OK. Apparently while I'm sort of standing on my head (during the surgery) my intestines are shoved up by my tonsils. He wanted to make sure they wouldn't be all gnarly and pop down and surprise him while he was wielding the scalpel...  I agreed.  We got the okey doke so everything was on schedule for Aug. 25th, but I wasn't done with the ER yet. 

During the Stress test (which a Dr. I'd never seen before wanted me to have) I had some chest pain and back pain so off to the ER I went. Since this little problem occurred the day before said surgery it was cancelled. It was probably a good move. 

I thought I'd try for Sept.. 25th..  oh oh..  I had to have Cardiologist send clearance to said Surgeon..  apparently they don't want me having chest pain during surgery..  picky picky picky...  so we waited for that. 

Do you hear my fingernails clicking on the table... while I wait.  
I thought you would. It seems poor Surgeon, who has not had a sick day in over 4 yrs; got a bad case of stomach flu so surgeries had to be postponed and that was me included. 

By this time I know all my scheduled stuff is over pretty much. Any day is good now as long as I can make Thanksgiving dinner and pack my "special Marine" his big Christmas box.. and decorate for Christmas of course..  

Today I got my big packet of papers from the Hospital. My surgery has been scheduled for Oct. 2nd.  woo hooo..  I'm trying not to get to excited. I really just want it done and over with. I want to hurry through the worst part of it and get right to the feeling good part. 

I have a little extra time now. So I'm going to try and work in a few more things. I got all the winter sheets washed yesterday so they are ready for winter use. I've put away all the canning stuff. I'm hoping to get my living room carpet cleaned if my Sue can get a free day to come down and help me move furniture. She is a whiz at carpet cleaning.  Oh I almost forgot our New Chairs are coming around the 25th. I have my first recliner ever (In Michigan) coming. glad I'll have it before the surgery. 

Maybe God really did know what He was doing when He changed my plans. The great thing is I know He really does care enough about me that He has plans for me. I'm good with following His plans. They are always the best ones...  

Happy Labor Day...

I'm getting excited for Labor Day. I love the family cookout. I do see it as the official end to summer, But thankfully we still have beautiful weather here. I'm still hoping for a few tomatoes. (we didn't get the garden in till the first week in July) I was really hoping to can salsa. I won't be doing that, but I will enjoy those wonderful round orbs of yumminess no matter how many we get. 

I also like to remind myself to honor those who Labor. Wow This country wouldn't be anything if wasn't for millions of men and women who worked to make us a great nation. Look around you. Everything you see. Businesses, Banks, government buildings, Farms, manufacturing plants (yes I know many of these have closed due to companies choosing to move to other countries) Everything is the result of someone deciding to work their hind-ends off to provide a good life for their families and their communities. 

I have a couple of thanks to send out this weekend. First to our local heroes. Our Police officers, our Fire Fighters, our EMT's, Those who search and rescue, Our local Red Cross Volunteers, Our State of Michigan Disaster Relief teams, food banks,shelters,  and Social workers. Volunteers of any kind who make our lives better because they choose serve us. THANK YOU.. 

Some won't agree with me, but that's OK. I want to thank the Union. Thanks to them we all enjoy benefits at our jobs. Even if you don't belong to a union you benefit from what they have bargained for.  40 hr. work weeks, child labor laws, overtime pay, Safety regulations, Pensions, Health ins, Life Ins, minimum wage, and my favorite...  The Middle Class...  

I raise my voice to say thank you to all who sat down in Flint and refused to work until you were allowed to form a Union (UAW) that would bargain for you. I want to thank those who struck in the coal mines. Who stood against the Company when they called in the government to attack you. I want to thank those who made our lives so much better. Many suffered and didn't get to enjoy the benefits they fought so hard to win.  I know my life and that of my family has been made wonderful thanks to them.  Today I salute you. The American Worker..  Member of a Union or not.. I Thank you.  I also Thank the Union. The best friend a Working man ever had.   

It's All Good..

After all the excitement of last week, I'm happy to report that my visit with the Cardiologist went well. My heart is working perfectly. My pain could have been coming from acid reflux. I've had issues in the past. I think it could also be a bit of a reaction to the chemical used in the test. I'm pretty sure I have a hernia. I plan on keeping it for a while, well at least until it has to have some attention. It doesn't bother me often so it's OK for now and I'm not even sure it's a hernia. I say if it ain't broke leave it alone. 

  I'm in the process of rescheduling my hysterectomy. Yippee. Really I just want the surgery done and over with. This girl has stuff to do. I'm putting it off till the end of Sept. I have a Family bridal shower, My niece's Baby shower, a Conference with my Church Family, and a goodbye dinner for my grandson that heads off for training and then on to the mission field for 6 months. 

A busy month for sure. I love busy. I'll have a couple of weeks full of rest and naps.  LOL  I'm planning on being good to go by the first of Nov. I love the Holidays and I have to be in good shape to pack my "special Soldier" boxes for Christmas. There's also Thanksgiving baking and dinner, Black Friday shopping, Christmas shopping at the outlet mall, and Christmas decorating and baking. Hard to believe that the fall is closing in on us. 

I'm thanking God that my Heart is working just as he designed it to. I'm so thankful that I can be part of family celebrations and be involved in Serving God with my Church family. 

It's Been A Busy Week....

It's been a busy week.  I was suppose to have my Hysterectomy on wed. It's been scheduled since June. Well, I did change the date once so I could attend the Rascal Flatts concert, but It was still scheduled in June.

 I spent the week before laying in microwave meals so hubby could feed us, and scrubbing everything I could reach; well not everything, but the main things. I got my bedroom set up with everything I would need close at hand since I guessed my first few days home would be spent in there. I was, for the most part ready.  

I had decided to make a Dr. appt. when I saw my tongue looked a little weird. The office also called saying I needed to come in and go over a few questions with my Primary care Dr. She was out of the office so I saw another one. She said my tongue/throat was fine and decided I should have a stress test before she would clear me for Surgery. I was not pleased, especially since my Surgery was Wed. and this visit took place the Monday before. 

The impossible happened and I was scheduled for my Nuclear stress test early Tuesday morning. Nothing to it really get an IV, and injection of Nuclear dye, drink some water, take some pictures, sit in a bed, get a chemical that will stress the heart, more nuclear dye, more water and more pictures.. Then out the door and on my way to Arby's to grab lunch for Hubby and myself. Wrong !!!

All was well until I was sitting out drinking my water waiting to take the 2nd set of pictures. There are sometimes side effects of nausea and headache with the chemical injection. I had those symptoms but nothing unusual until the chest tightness and pain in my back between my shoulder blades started. YIKES 

I told the tech when he came to get me for my 2nd set of pictures. He was concerned. I got through those fine, but the tightness and pain were getting worse. More then noticeable. Not horrible but more then bothersome. After another EKG the decision was made to send me to the ER as a precaution. oh yippee.  NOT

I was whisked away by two good looking young men into an ambulance and taken less then 1/2 a mile to the Hospital. I was  poked a few times for an IV. (I still had the one from the test, but it wasn't big enough)  I have learned that the ER is all about putting in the biggest bore IV's known to man. Unfortunately my teeny tiny veins detest them, and do not co-operate well. I can tell by looking at my right hand that's still bruised from every vein being blown in the attempt to start an IV. 

To make my very long story short. I was poked and prodded, had another assortment of sticky heart monitor tabs attached. (I still had the 2 sets from the stress test and the ones from the ambulance ride) apparently everybody uses a different type. I'm hoping that I won't have to bathe in goo gone to remove all the leftover glue bits. I was filled with oxygen, and blood tested a couple of times. Then declared good to go. 

The Cardiologist said that he had read my stress test and I was clear for surgery the next morning. Hubby had gotten a ride to the testing facility, picked up my truck and whisked me home. 

When the Hospital didn't call to tell me my surgery time, I called them. Hmmm I wasn't on the list. I had to be. I had just done all that pre-admission testing. I had just spent the day from H E double toothpicks with a stress test. I had to be on the surgical schedule. They suggested I call my Surgeon. I did. He had received a call from the Stress Test folks telling him the surgery had been cancelled. I had flunked the test.. I think you automatically flunk the test when you have to go to the ER even if your test didn't show any problems. I was a little irritated that my well planned surgery had to be re-scheduled. I had done such a great job planning it just so it wouldn't interfere with any of my other plans. I like to schedule everything. Feel free to laugh here. I'm a planner, what can I say.. I'm kind of a control freak too. 

I had been praying through everything that God would be in charge and that if there was an issue the Dr.'s would find it and He would heal it. I have learned a change in my plans is God's plan. and His plans are always best. His timing is always perfect. 

I visited my primary care Dr. Thursday. She confirmed the stress test was good. Told me to call the stress test place and have the Cardio guy I saw in ER give me surgical clearance so I could reschedule my surgery with my guy. I made the call. Later that day I got a call from the Cardio guy saying I had to see him first. I have an appt. late next week. Apparently I now have a Cardiologist. I've never had one. Even though I have been in the hospital for angina pain (back in 2000) Apparently I was suppose to have had a Cardiologist all this time. Who knew?  

So As of now I have a Cardiologist we'll call him Dr. Ramon. He seems nice enough. I checked him out on the Internet. He seems to have a good reputation. I'll have to question him more on my visit. If I have to have a Cardio guy, I want a good one. 

As soon as Dr. Ramon gives me the OK. I'll be scheduling the surgery. It will have to be later next month now. Dr. apts. with hubby, and a special baby shower for my niece and a special dinner with my grandson who will be leaving for a 6 month Mission trip are my priorities. I figure if I plan it right, I should be able to work the General election in Nov. along with being able to make Thanksgiving dinner and doing my usual Christmas decorating.

 I know my plans can be changed, but as long as it's God changing them. I'm good with that. 

Blessed In So Many Ways....

I've been thinking all weekend about how Blessed I am. This weekend in particular was a revelation. 

I started my week with a liquid diet and some other wonderful prep for a (cough) colonoscopy. I definitely did not feel blessed. I felt hungry. I also felt out of control.. (friends who know me, it's OK to laugh here) they are laughing because I have real issues with being a control freak, but that's another blog post. 

Test day came and I wasn't fearful of the outcome. That was a blessing in itself. I have always been full of fear over tests. For the past year or so I find that I am overwhelmed with calm and trust that God is taking good care of me. I don't have to fear tests. Even when I had to go to ER and was admitted to the hopital; I didn't have a bit of fear, but again a calm (the Peace of God) just filled me.. The results were perfect. No problems. I am Blessed. 

The following few days were busy with the usual day to day things. I had to run to Wal-mart on Saturday to pick up a few things. I was overwhelmed right there with a sense of Joy and Peace so profound that it was difficult to just walk calmly through the store. God just pulled me aside and flooded my with His peace. A peace I can't describe to you. I felt so abundantly blessed. God showed me how blessed I am. I can't even describe it to you. I just saw all that He has done for me and how deeply He loves me. I know my little pee wee human mind can't really know or understand the depth of Love the God who created the universe has for me. But I sure felt and Understood what He showed me. 

Again today during Bible study when we discussed the women who went to the tomb to prepare Jesus' body for burial and found he was not there the sense of wonder at the love that was expressed through that sacrifice flooded my soul. 

To know the Love of my family, my Church family, and friends both near and far overwhelms me. I know that many of you have prayed for me the past couple of weeks. I've felt it. 
I am overjoyed by it, and by the Blessings I have. So richly blessed. 

As we stood and sang " I stand amazed" in Worship this morning. I could really say I stand amazed. Amazed at a full life, amazed at my Savior's love for me. 

The best part is that He loves you like that too. I hope today you feel Blessed.. Richly Blessed...  Loved beyond understanding,  full of Joy and Hope. 

He Made Me Smile...

Hubby and I had a big adventure day a while back. We met an amazing little old man. 

Husband had an appt. at the V.A. hospital about an hour's drive North of here. He'd been dreading it for a while, but you do what ya gotta do, so we went. It was our first trip to that hospital. 

We'd been to the hospital in Detroit and it was a wonderful place, but a nightmare of a drive. If you've never driven in Detroit traffic during afternoon rush hour when 3 hwy's merge and they have every lane closed except for one; you have really missed out..  LOL   6 hours to get home from the trip that should have only taken a little over an hour..  

So we get up to our extra early appt. right on time. We found our way to where hubby needed to report. **This is where I'd like to thank the wonderful folks who volunteer and are greeter/escorts. They were so helpful getting us to the correct floor and clinic. They also made sure we got on the right way home. Construction and detours had us a bit confused. 

As we waited in the hallway to be checked in; a precious little old man in a wheelchair approached. I wish I'd had my camera he was so cute. Anyway he handed husband and I a piece of candy and gave us the biggest most wonderful smile I've seen in a long time. He didn't speak and was quickly on his way. 

We learned that he comes to the hospital everyday and passes out candy to all those waiting for appointments. He will never know how that smile and little piece of candy eased tension and fear. That smile, I wish I could give it to you. It reminds me that sometimes the smallest things give others great joy. 

I know my smile will be a little bigger this week. Someone needs it.