Monday, November 5, 2012

A long lost blogger








Just as the title says I feel like a long lost blogger! It has been a very long time since my last post and for that I am so sorry.I am  also sorry for neglecting your blogs ,I have missed reading  them so much. I wish I could say that I had been missing in action just because I was having fun in the sun but that is not the case at all. It has been a long hard summer and fall.

As some of you may remember I had requested prayers for my mom and I thank each of you for those.Most of the late Spring and early Summer was spent being sent from one doctor to another for this test or that test.After many days she was finally diagnosed with a genetic disease called Osler Weber Rendu .This disease affects the tissues and vessels of the body causing them to thin and become fragile.It is scary as that means she could start hemorrhaging at any time day or night and it may not be apparent until it is to late.Because of this condition she had to stop taking part of medications that she had been taking for her heart condition, which was not a good thing.She has started having a few additional  problems with her heart and had a stress test last Thursday.We are waiting for those results.The doctor is worried that the vessels in the front of her heart are now blocked .We already know that the main one in the back of the heart is closed off. This is how part of my time has been spent.

Just as things were beginning to settle down and the shock of it was wearing off a bit,my chores were getting caught up something else happened. In July my MIL started having a little trouble breathing.At first the doctor thought it was related to her heart condition.Somewhere towards the end of July she was sent for a CAT scan and x rays.The results showed a suspicious shadow on her left lung.She was then sent to a pulmonologist  on August 10th.It doesn't look good was the answer she received from the doctor but in order to know how bad it was we were sent to University of Louisville hospital the following Friday for a bronchoscopy, to do a biopsy .Suppose to be an easy outpatient kind of thing,well long story short we almost lost her on the operating table because her oxygen levels fell so much that they had to stop the procedure.We did notmake it home till the next day and she had to have oxygen from that day on.As the doctor had said it was not good...she was diagnosed the next week with extensive Small Cell Lung Cancer.This is a nasty nasty cancer,very aggressive ! She was in the hospital due to seizures caused by her potassium bottoming out when we received the news. I am the one that told her what her condition was and exactly how bad it was as her doctor was two hours away.It just did not seem something that her husband or son should have to tell her.My husband was the only child that lived  local and as he had to work I was the one that went with them to see the doctors and get all the test ran.Her daughter did fly home  not long after the diagnosis. She started chemo after being  told her that it was only controllable but she should have 12 months to 18 months if she would take the chemo.She made it through the first cycle but it weakened her so much that she never recovered her strength back .My sweet MIL went home with the Lord on September 30.She lasted somewhere around 6 weeks from start to finish.

The last month or so has been spent catching up on all the things at home that were pushed to the side .Through this ordeal my MIL and FIL's needs  came first as it should be. My husband  and I have been helping my FIL  learn how to do the things that his wife had always taken  care for him.He is a sweetheart and is doing pretty good to have gone through the stress of losing his best friend and wife of over 58 years.The Lord has blessed us in so many ways even though it has been hard ,He has saw us through it .I know in my heart that my MIL is dancing with the angels as she was ready to go.

I am sorry that this has been such a long gloomy  post but I felt an explanation was needed .It has been a long time since I have been able to visit with you but the plan is to rectify that soon. There are some happy things to share to but that is a post for another time .Wanted to get the sadness out of the way first.May God bless and keep you all!Hugs,Jen






16 comments:

Teri said...

Jennifer,
My heart goes out to you and your family, so sorry about your MIL, and hope that your FIL will adjust with your love and kindness.
Also hope that your Mom is doing better.
Take care.
Teri

Margie said...

Oh Jen I am so sorry you have had so much on your plate...I totally understand since its been similar here in my life...just came back to blogging myself...You are in my thoughts and prayers and I know God will see you through.

Barb said...

Dear Jennifer,
So sorry to hear of your loss.
Blogs can always wait...family always first.
Prayers of strenght and comfort to you at this time.
Barb

Karen~The Barely There Primitive Bear said...

So sorry to hear of your loss and I know it is hard. I look forward to seeing you post on some of the good things happening in your life.

Bear Hugs & Blessings~Karen

BumbleBeeLane said...

Jen~ Soo good to hear from you.I am sorry about your hardship and sorrow I know from going through it myself it is not a easy road but the glimmers of joy still shine through if we watch for them.One day at a time and let the good lord worry with tomorrow.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Shirlee said...

I'm so sorry you had to experience all these sad things : ( Please know that you are in my prayers. Many hugs to you, dear friend.

Earlene said...

Jenn you have my deepest sympathy on your loss and sounds like more stress ahead. Wondered why you were MIA and now we know.
Hugs
Earlene

Bee Lady said...

Hi Jennifer,

So sorry to hear about all of your trials. I hope your Mom's health improves since they have figured out the problem. Hopefully they can help her out. THey can do so much now in the medical world. I'm so sorry for you FIL and your MIL. So hard for him. You are such a good person to be there for them. Your husband should love you all the more for what you did for his parents. Stay strong, you are obviously needed right now. Can't wait to hear the good.

Cindy Bee

Deb said...

Jennifer, my deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your FIL and my thoughts and prayers are with your Mom as she struggles with her health issues. There comes a time in all of our lives when it seems the losses of and concerns for our loved ones multiply and I am sending you all of the good thoughts that I can to get you and yours through this difficult time. Take care my friend and know all of your blogging buddies are out here whenever you need a shoulder. Love, Deb

Firecracker Kid said...

Aww sweetie, you don't need to apologize. My deepest condolences for your family's loss. You are a God send, a strong person for the Lord's work. You were needed in dire times and you were there. God bless you.
(> ” ” <)
( =’o'= )
-(,,)-(,,)-
Hugs~Carol

Susan At Glen Oaks Primitives said...

Such sadness for you and your husband this year.
I will still remember your mother in prayers.
It was great hearing from you yesterday.
Hugs,
Susan

jody said...

oh my gosh, you guys have sure had some tough times... i pray things will settle some for you! we too had a rough last year but take each day as it comes and not look to far ahead. enjoy your evening!

Lois--Huckleberry Lady said...

So sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers for your mother and she will improve. Take care!
Lois

Cindi said...

Hi Jen, so sorry to hear about all of your trials. I am keeping you in my prayers! Welcome back!
Be blessed,
Cindi

Tolentreasures said...

Jennifer, so sorry to hear of your MIL's passing and the problems with your mom. Hoping for better days ahead for you.

Cathy

Ronda said...

Jen,

I am so very sorry for your loss, I have tears for you and your family as I read your story. Family is everything.

blessings,
Ronda