We picked up some flowers...and made our way to the third floor room of a hospital that has become very familiar to us this past year. My sister-in-law was exactly where we thought she would be...there's not much running around right after surgery. After exhausting all other options, she now has a feeding tube...and her meals from now on and forevermore will come from a can. Even those foods I am not all that fond of...suddenly look very appealing! She has yet to find out how many hours each day she will need to be connected to her feeding equipment. Does that sound like an exciting adventure? I think not! But she was cheerful...and thinks that her feeding tube might just give her a new lease on life.We left the hospital and stopped at Tim Horton's to pick up some coffee and goodies...to take along to our next stop...the dialysis centre nearby. We have a good friend who hangs out there every single Friday night...for four or five hours...and doesn't mind a few visitors to help wile the time away. Oh...and he's there every Wednesday night...and every Monday night as well. He also holds down a day job...so life becomes a routine of work and dialysis. We had coffee together...and chatted...and checked out his regimen.
We drove home late Friday evening...in the pouring rain...quite thankful to be free to eat what we wanted...and to know our blood was being cleaned miraculously without any effort on our part. I guess we should not take those things for granted. We were also reminded once again how blessed we are to live in a time and place where medical help is available and affordable.
It was a sobering Friday night on the town...and made us think about some of the things that matter most in life. Things like family, friends, food and faith.
I do find that the older we get it is more likely that our friday night dates will involve visiting someone because we care rather than indulging our own relationship.
ReplyDeleteI bet you enjoyed your drive home. . just knowing you could go home and relax. . in health with the one you love.
Too bad you didn't talk about your hair today . .my word verification is "bangs"
Yes, we think these sorts of thoughts all the time now that I have a parent with an ileostomy. The things that CAN happen are horrific and yet we know that the Lord will be with us no matter what. I'm sure that your sister-in-law leans heavily on Him and that your friend on dialysis does as well. What a schedule he has! You're good people to be visitors...lots of folks won't or don't.
ReplyDeleteWe do take so many things for granted...walking, eating, seeing, hearing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder to thank God for the health that we have, and to pray for those who are struggling.
How fortunate your family/friends are that they have people like you to help them through the hard times. Your faith shines in these times.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were able to visit your sister in law and friend, they would be blessed. Yes we do take life for granted until we spend time with those who require extra help in keeping healthy. I am sure your visits were truly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteGood to be reminded of all the blessings we receive each and every day and also to number our days and be thankful. Blessings on your new week Judy!
ReplyDeleteHow sobering!! Those are the right words....That is exactly how I feel every Wednesday after a full day at the hospital. Sobering.
ReplyDeleteWe sure can be thankful for the health and life that we have..
It's so true that being involved in the live's of those who are suffering is a sure way to make us truly thankful for that which we often take for granted. This past year with my mom & sister's health challenges has made me so aware of what a gift every day spent in good health really is.
ReplyDeleteHealth is so much to be thankful for! I can still hear my grandma always saying "bleibt gesund" when she said goodbye to us. She learned early in life about what to be thankful for.
ReplyDeleteYour Friday night visits were sure to have you thinking thankful thoughts on your way home. And they've reminded me that we always have something for which to thank God.
ReplyDeleteMay your week filled with His presence.
Yes I'm thankful too for my family's good health at the moment but also mindful how things can change in the blink of an eye.
ReplyDelete" Seize the day " means more and more to me the older that I become!
Cheers
Helen
We are so blessed, and a lot of times we don't even realize it. Today at school we discussed with the students the huge world-wide problem of orphans (1 every 15 seconds; 143,000,000 in the world). I wondered if the kids got the message about how fortunate they are to have homes, food, etc. We must be thankful and put our hardships in perspective.
ReplyDeleteMy husband was on a feeding tube for 3 years. After the first year, he was switched to a MicKey "button" tube by Kimberly Clark and that made feedings so much faster and the tube disconnects so no tubing hanging from the body. It is gravity fed and no more pumps or bags. Would highly recommend researching this option if she will be on the tube for a long time. It was such a blessing.
ReplyDeleteThis post blessed me in a real way. How special for the two of you to add joy and warmth to these two dear friend's lives. You are right when you mentioned how appreciative we all should be for our health and our ability to eat without help. The medical world sure has made some amazing breakthroughs and people like you mentioned are helped. I appreciate that you shared this. It has inspired me.
ReplyDeleteJudy we don't really know how lucky we are until we see what others have to deal with every day of their lives. I was constantly reminded of this while I worked as a nurse. I believe my experiences made me appreciate life more as I saw such suffering and sorrow. The most important things in life are not things.
ReplyDeleteI hope your sister-in-law and friend continue to do well!
Love your new mountain blog header!
True, true - we have so much for which to be thankful and it's good to be reminded in such an upbeat way. Big thank you!
ReplyDelete