So this sounds like a bit of a shake up; but you haven't heard anything yet! In Feb 2013, my husband, Don had a severe toe infection leading to a partial amputation of one of his toes, my Dad tore his rotator cuff and required surgery, Don had just gotten back to work in the end of May and we were looking forward to a quiet Memorial Day weekend when Don was involved in a life altering accident which he is still recovering from. Later that June of 2013 I found out my Mom had Stage 4 Breast Cancer, which I am proud to say she is kicking Cancer's @ss.
Many of my friends are also fighting their Battles against that B*tch they call cancer and I am sad to say we have lost loved ones along the way, including my brother in law. Don spent 5 months in 4 different hospitals in Jacksonville, Florida. Once he came home, he required many months of in home therapy and was confined to a wheel chair for quite a while. We also had numerous trips back to doctor appointments and follow up procedures such as the placement of 4 stents in his heart and trying to determine how he can get rid of his trach. That one has been unsuccessful as of yet. Then, my Mom had a second heart attack and my Dad was diagnosed with an aortic aneurism. Ah, my life, not mundane to say the least. But I happy to say Mom is doing well, Dad never slows down and is always ready to help me with anything I need.
So you say, Debbie what does all this have to do with the Beauty that Surrounds Us? These last couple of years I have learned that Nothing is guaranteed, not today and certainly not tomorrow.
The Beauty is how you realize how Blessed you are to have so many caring people in your life.
The Beauty is in the Power of Prayer.
The Beauty is in the Miracle of Healing.
I have been Blessed with the best coworkers and most understanding supervisors, who stood behind me, supported me, donated time and money to help us with bills and the expense of gasoline driving to and from Georgia to Florida. I missed five months of work while Don was in the hospital and I have missed much more time during his recuperation for the many bumps we have hit in the road to recovery.
Blessed with parents who are always there for me, even during their own personal struggles. They never turned their back on me, never turned me down, never stopped coming to the hospital to support me.
Blessed with friends who stepped up and took care of things at my house, hosted fundraisers, took time to visit with Don. Friends who took on the task of setting up and selling my photos for shows I couldn't attend. Friends who have helped during Don's recovery: taking him to therapy appointments, cutting the lawn, fixing my vehicles and building a ramp for Don.
The friends who listened to me cry on the phone every night, sometimes in the middle of the night. Friends I haven't heard from in ages getting in contact to help me through the difficult times and to offer prayers.
I have been Blessed with renewed friendship and the Love and support of the Best people on earth!
We have been Blessed with the finest, kindest and most understanding medical professionals during this time. They have reassured me, educated me, followed us through this bumpy road and have never lost faith in Don. I can't ever Thank them enough!
Everyone says I'm so strong, they can't believe what I have gone through, they don't know how I do it; let me tell you it's not about personal strength, physical or mental. It's about doing what you have to do! And you can do anything you set your mind to, especially if you have the love and support from family and friends!
Now that life is starting to regain some normalcy, I am once again exploring the natural beauty of our surroundings and I fully intend on sharing my adventures with you!
So I will leave you with some photos of the important events of the last few years:
Don and Susie seeing each other for the first time since the accident, It had been almost 3 months. Susie and Gracie had been in the truck with Don during the accident. Susie did suffer a back injury, but our Vet at Southeast Georgia Vet Clinic was awesome and helped her with her recovery. Gracie had some bumps and bruises and pierced her tongue, but some rest at home with Grandmom and Grandpop healed her quickly. But they sure did miss their Daddy.
Mom and Dad on Christmas of 2013
Mom Ringing the Chime and Mom and Dad celebrating her last sessions of Proton radiation therapy.
Don doing some exercises in bed at Brooks Rehab
Don and his therapist Shaji helping him stand for the first time since the accident,
Don and our friend Randy working on the motorcycle when Don came home and Don and his outpatient therapist Steve working on exercises and balance over a year later.
The road to recovery is a bumpy but with family, friends, faith, Love and God all is possible! It is not possible to name all the people who helped my family, but I'm going to try! Thank you and you mean more to me than words can ever express: Monica Gibbs, Eric Hodge, Chuck Hiott, Lisa King, Mike Baker, Dave McEwan, John Parker, Mark and Linda Grooms, Chris and Shelly Williams, JD Noyes, Randy and Brenda Jeffcoat, Ricky, Linda, Rebecca and Jerica Davis, Cort Harold, Don Lockhart, Judith Marshall, Lynda Gallagher, Dennis and Donna Reynolds, Sandi Sentell, Sherrie Jo Hendricks, all of my art show family, Al Bradley, Rick Lavoie, Donna Lavoie, My Mom and My Dad. The wonderful health care professionals at Shands, Memorial, and Brooks Rehab the Doctors and Nurses that went above and beyond to help me and my husband such as Dr. Varun Rimmalapudi, you will never know how you touched my life, Dr. Kevin Hayes, Dr. Van Crisco, Dr. Basil Ramadan, Dr. Christopher Wixon and Dr. Richard Beck. Thank you to all of you!
No comments:
Post a Comment