Author Archives: gegebearbear

A recap of 2013 and it is behind us! On with a brighter, healthier year! Have a healthy, safe 2014 everyone!

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Photo taken Friday, December 27, 2013 at my sister’s house! Aren’t we lovely?

1/17- Jill’s genetic disorder confirmed
1/18- Jill referred to high risk breast center at Emory; 4th follow-up mammogram cleared from 2012
2/18-Pop in hospital after defibrillator went off at shop
2/20- lump discovered
2/21- mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy completed.MRI Scheduled.
2/28-core biopsy done, Pop home from Hospital
3/3- Barry retired to be home with me and due to stroke
3/4- DCIS diagnosis (breast cancer) received and surgery scheduled.
3/8-Pop back to hospital
3/15- surgery scheduled
3/18-Pop home
3/30-surgery, lump removed and margins cleaned
4/3- 9th wedding anniversary
4/15-2nd surgery, margins needed to be cleared
again
4/19- Pop back to hospital
4/20- spoke with hospice concerning Pop
4/30-3rd surgery, margins still not clear; Pop home from hospital
5/6-appointment with Medical Oncologist to discuss options.  Lab work to determine type of chemotherapy/radiation needed.
6/6- Port inserted for chemo, another surgery
6/7- Chemo started
6/28-Chemo
7/10- Barry stroke doctor
7/18-Jill appointment
7/19-Chemo
7/24-meeting with Hospice, Pop admitted to Hospice.
8/7-Barry passed out at home, to Eastside Mefical by Ambulance; admitted
8/8- overnight transferred to ICU and then transferred to Saint Joseph’s Hospital
8/9- last chemo
8/12-Pacemaker surgery
8/14- received phone call, 3 hours before Barry’s surgery, that my Father had passed away from Congestive Heart Failure. Valve replacement surgery and abscess clean-up
8/28-discharged home
9/9-admitted to Saint Joseph’s Hospital
9/20-discharged home
10/10-started radiation (M-F for 33 treatments)
10/11-radiation
10/14-radiation
10/14-admitted to Saint Joseph’s Hospital
10/15-radiation
10/16-radiation
10/17-radiation
10/18-radiation
10/21-radiation
10/22-radiation
10/23-radiation
10/24-radiation
10/25-radiation, discharged home
10/28-radiation
10/29-radiation
10/30-radiation
10/31-radiation
11/1-radiation
11/4-radiation
11/5-radiation
11/6-radiation
11/7-radiation
11/8-radiation
11/11-radiation
11/12-radiation
11/13-radiation, Barry admitted to Gwinnett Medical Center; after 3 days discharged. Got sick on the way home, taken to Northside Hospital ER. Transferred to St. Joseph’s Hospital for admission (Jill’s birthday)
11/14-radiation
11/15-radiation
11/18-radiation
11/19-radiation
11/20-radiation
11/21-radiation
11/22-radition, discharged from hospital. Sent home for holiday to prepare for surgery before Christmas
11/25-radiation
11/26-radiation
11/27-radiation
11/28-radiation
11/29-radiation
12/1-radiation
12/2-radiation
12/3-radiation
12/4-radiation
12/5-last radiation treatment completed prior to Barry’s admission. Admitted to Saint Joseph’s Hospital in preparation for surgery on 12/9.
12/17-discharged home from the hospital after surgery.
12/19-Home Health following IV infusions to treat endocarditis

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What are they teaching in Medical and Nursing Schools these days?

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This admission was one pain in the rear after another! I’m not going to waste my time discussing the service and miscommunications that went on. The only thing that matters is we are home, nice and comfy getting into a routine of follow-ups. But I am starting to believe there will be no peace after this operation.

The home health agency is starting up now. But they are not going to stress me out either. I have had it with medical staff. So I am going to take care of Barry, better than he took care of me. He deserves the best!

Thank the dear Lord above, Barry is alive and healthy. The fluid was a bit slow to start coming off, but he has started dropping fluid like a leaky bucket at a watering hole. You know how kids grow so fast you can’t keep them in clothes, well….my Barry is doing the opposite. He is shrinking. I thought a large sweatpant would work, they look like ssomeone moved out of the rear of his sweats.

He at least has some color and is feeling better. The hospital issues are behind us. That is where they need to stay. Barry, Mom, Maggie and I are comfy and safe at home

Daily Prompt: Memories of Holidays Past

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What is your very favorite holiday? Recount the specific memory or memories that have made that holiday special to you.

My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love the lights, colors, smells, laughter, and most of all the treats everyone makes!

I remember my favorite holidsy like it was yesterday, but to be honest, it was over 11 years ago. The precious child I spent special moments with is now a young man going into the tenth grade. He was the sweetest child and is turning into a wonderful, honest, good kid!

Jonny’s mom and dad asked me to occupy his time while they worked with Santa. We hopped in the car and headed off to see Santa, get hot chocolate, a little shopping and ice skating. Jonny was my little buddy in those days.

We accomplished everything we set out to do and headed home. Few minutes into our drive, the van started acting up. A few minutes later, it went dead. I managed to get to a local convenience store and parked near the front of the lot.

Jonny and I went to make a phone call and get hot chocolate. We headed back to the van to wait for Pop. We cut the heat up and listened to Christmas carols on the radio and the news was following Santa’s sleigh as it crossed over Georgia. Children are adorable! The look of pure amazement on Jonny’s face brought tears to my eyes. He became more fascinated with each newscast. It brought back memories I had forgotten and I will never forget my precious moments spent with my sweet nephew on that cold, Christmas Eve.

Our special time together was quickly over when Pop tapped on the window.
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Daily Prompt: Fifteen Minutes: Eye Contact

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You have 15 minutes to address the whole world live (on television or radio — choose your format). What would you say?

I would tell anyone listening to look up and make eye contact with someone as they pass. Your fellow man or woman can’t be so scary you cannot be bothered to look them in the eye. You might find yourself saying hello and making a new friend. It could be someone in need of help and you are the only person around.

I have passed people and said hello; only to receive a lokk that appearded to say, “What is your problem?”, “Why are you speaking to me?”.

Don’t be like that, there is kindness in everyone. Let it shine. Show the world the true you. Let yourself shine!

We do not know what the next minute will bring. Do not waste it! Enjoy life and maybe influence someone else with a simple hello and some eye contact. Be positive! God loves us all, no matter what!

True Love and Commitment

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Is true love, commitment, and faith a thing of the past?  Does anyone today know the meaning of these simple words? I’m not sure they do! There are many definitions available for the words listed above. It is up to you to decide which one best suits your needs. Of course, my opinion is what it is, mine3.

I guess it could be in God’s plan that certain people remain alone;

but I am a true believer! You have to want someone to find them and be friendly with the words compromise, faith and trust! For a very long time, I ran when22 those words came into a conversation. After my first husband, words like those, brought the scaredy cat out in me.

 

As I sit at my husband’s bedside; not knowing what the next minute will bring; I feel sad for so many people. Today’s generation of kids, will never know or understand the feeling of loving someone so much you are willing to sit by their bedside hour after hour, just to be near them.  To know they are safe for the moment and realize your smile will be the first thing they see when they open their eyes. The smile that graces their lips, at that moment, makes it all worthwhile.

Every time I help him stand or gain his balance, brings us closer together. In 2009, Barry was there for me. Telling me the same things about recovery and helping with anything and everything I needed. Sitting at my bedside, unsure of the future. He could have walked away and he did not. He stuck by my side because he loves me. Experiences we have shared, have only brought us closer together.

This definitely was not part of our retirement plan, but we are making the most out of what time God has blessed us with. Presently, we maybe be part couch potato, but we have plans.

Accommodation is a big part of our plans. The health issues we are dealing with, require us to make changes to our original plans. Just by chance, my handsome hubby is handling change better. A trip to a beautiful, sandy beach needs to be researched for handicapped accessibility. As we make travel plans, we learn something new with every call.

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Are There Really Soul-Mates?

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According to wikipedia, soul-mates exist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul mate

Webster’s Dictionary also has a definition.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soul-mates

Since these two, well-known sources help define a soul mate, they must exist.

I’d call myself a romantic.

I’d like to believe there is, that perfect someone out there for everyone. There are times I would call myself a sucker; call me old-fashioned; call me old school; call me whatever you like; just be sure that you know I have faith in love and hate to see so many people unhappy or in a bad relationship.

Your person is out there. If I can find mine, after a disastrous first marriage, you can find yours! It took seven years, but Barry and I found each other. We have spent only two nights apart since

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Headed out for a birthday celebration!

getting married, We plan to renew our vows on our tenth wedding anniversary! It only takes an ounce of faith. God has a plan for you! Give it time!

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Watching the strong get weaker one day at a time!

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This is turning into the hardest thing I have ever had to do. My sweet hubby is the strongest person I know on this earth and watching him grow weaker and weaker is killing me. My heart breaks a little more everyday.

I go through the scenarios about this illness and they do not help. Yes he can improve. I am well awarebof that! I just do not enjoy watching him feel so bad.

He is so weak, he can’t walk to the bathroom without getting short of breath. His legs and abdomen are so swollen you can hardly recognize him. He says he doesn’t hurt, but is just uncomfortable.

I have no doubt he is saved and going to heaven. That is not what my tears are for. My tears come from watching what this disease is doing to his body. I know the Good Lord has a plan and is watching over my sweeatheart. He is by my side as I take care of Barry.

If this procedure is what Bear needs to make him better, I pray that his kidney levels have improved and they can schefule it as soon as possible. If not, please give Bear the strength to accept the fact that they have to go into his chest s third time. He is scared and I cannot bkame him. The doctors have repeatedly told him all about the risk. It scares him to hear about it. It scares me too.

I feel like Barry is taking me through a trip down memory lane. We spent the weekend in his hometown. We took a million pictures of special places where he spent his childhood.  Is he trying to tell me something?

We are back, at least for the moment!

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In our earlier post, we stated we’d try to get a post in a week. Maybe more. According to how our day goes! Between radiation treatments, Barry’s doctors appointments and our energy levels; we are lucky to get anything posted. Have patience. I have taken pictures and written posts while sitting around the hospital. A lot of interesting things go on in local hospitals! Just wait……