What a week! I had an appointment with Dr. Prakash on Tuesday, and the port will be coming out. HOOOORAYYYY!!!!!!! I have hated this thing since the beginning. It's like a constant reminder of everything horrible. He didn't want to say that I'm cured, but he did say that there is no data to compare my case to. In other words, they don't know why I'm doing so well, but they aren't going to question it, and neither am I. I won't see him again for 3 months, then more scans and if they are clean I'll start seeing him every 6 months.
On Friday I made a quick trip to Dr. Crim's office in Dallas. It was one of those 15 minute office visits. He looked over my scan and colonoscopy results and said he'd see me in 3 months.
We celebrated Clinton and Jean Twadell's recent marriage Saturday night. It was a really fun night out. Chocolate cake and lots of folks I haven't visited with in forever. How great is that? We were sorry we missed Lana's big 50th surprise party. Happy birthday Lana! I know you all had a great time. I hate that we couldn't be in 2 places at the same time.
I got the sad news about Hilary on Saturday morning. She was so strong for so long, and fought so hard. We need to remind ourselves how lucky we all were to know her. I was honored to do the family flowers for her services. It gave me an opportunity to think about her, and say good bye.
I was at the shop all day on Monday. Joe got emergency leave, and got home around 5:30, for visitation. After the service on Tuesday, we had a quick lunch and he left to go back to Oklahoma. I spent the rest of Tuesday doing "catch-up" errands that I had missed on Monday. Finished the day off with Lana and a glass of wine on the deck. Whew!
My to do list today isn't as long. I just need to make some phone calls and schedule some appointments. I'm not feeling nearly so overwhelmed. Jack and Lenice are coming in this weekend. It seems like forever since we've seen them.
Please keep Hilary's family and Amanda in your prayers. Hope everyone has a good week.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Getting Back to the old me
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2 comments:
Dear Annalisa:The Doctors may not know, why..but I do..God can do anything, if you believe He can..When our little Angel was at Methodist Hosp. for 6 months, they gave up on him, the doctor kept telling my grand daughter, to [unplug] him.She told him, but you don't know what God can do..That Wednesday we had people praying around the world..And the next day, he started his journey.He will be five on the 18th of Sept..and just a joy. That one event increased my faith many times over..and your recovery many more times..Praise God..Go, do ,see and enjoy His wonderful Love..MAB
Hey "OLD ME" I am delighted to get this news and know you are doing so well. I love your pictures and updates on the blogg. You look well and happy my friend and will always remain in my prayers! Friends like you are truly a blessing and I am blessed to know you. (Read this story someone sent me...I think I relate so well because I seem to live with a fork or food in my hand these days! I wanted to share it with you and your family)
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in...Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly.
'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply.
'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.'
The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
That surprises you, doesn't it?' the young woman asked.
'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor
The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork ..the best is yet to come.'
The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral, people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Family & Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.
Show your family and friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to 'Keep your fork.'
Cherish the time you have , and the memories you share .... being related to or being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
I will add to the story from my heart.....Annaleisa...you now have the opportunity to enjoy a few more peas and cake here on this earth! You have a lot more memories to make! Keep the earthly fork held high dear with your continued confidence, strength, faith we have grown to admire you for! And yes, I agree...we do have something better to look forward to in the end...but for now we are proud of you for fighting the odds... You sharing your story with us, our unity in prayer and your response to this experience has made all of us much stronger...God's Love will get us through anything...with or without a fork in our hand! Thank you Annaleisa for getting back to the old YOU! Guess if I had written this the story might have included a bag of cheetos and licking your fingers at the end of the 2 lb bag! Love You...Carol
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