Category Archives: old Jill

This really happened….

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Anyone keeping up with us is aware that Barry and I had to close our business. We were not able to handle the patient care once Barry had the stroke. I was attempting to keep the business going with part-time help, but once we both were incapacitated to a certain point, we had to make the tough decision of closing. 

We decided to tell the resident’s on an outing. It will be an outing neither of us will ever forget. We went to Wendy’s for burgers. Our staff person and I sat the residents down and started numerous trips back and forth to collect napkins, ketchup, forks, salt and pepper. Barry went to place the order. Barry got my attention and pointed toward the tables. 

When I turned around, two of our four residents had opened their straws and were sipping ketchup from the little souffle cups Wendy’s supplies for ketchup. Everyone in the restaurant had turned and were stating at these two. What do you say? What do you do? I walked over to the table, sat down and quietly asked them to put the cups down. I told them their meal was being prepared, to have a little patience. They thought that was part of their meal. It was, but it didn’t need a straw……

The human brain is an incredible, as well as, strange organ. Through my years of nursing, I have witnessed many outrageous and many marvelous things. After 20 + years of nursing, I never would have put myself in this situation, but I can understand/sympathize with things I have witnessed over the years now. This brain tumor has truly opened my eyes to the world around me!

 

 

 

We found time for ourselves….

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Last night Barry and I were scheduled to help setup for the Christmas Program. To our bewilderment we found ourselves with an evening of free time. We were both exhausted and actually a little thrilled to have “us”  time. We rode around for a bit looking at all the beautiful Christmas decor (there are some incredible imaginations out there) and headed home. We did a little housework, said goodnight to mom and got in our favorite chairs in the living room.

Once vegging-out in our chairs, checking a little email, I was sound asleep with my tablet in my lap. Sometimes “taking time for you” means listening to what the body is telling you. In our case it was Sleep, glorious Sleep. We both needed it, we have a long weekend scheduled.

Christmas Programs everywhere……

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The holidays are here and they are hitting like a runaway locomotive. Barry and I missed everything last year, he was in rehab after his stroke. We wanted to get in on as many programs as we could this year.

December 1, will strolled through Loganville Baptist Church’s version of “Journey to Bethlehem”. They did a wonderful job.

December 2, we got to see our great niece, in her churches kid’s Christmas program. We learned she is quite a little entertainer and loves a microphone. Absolutely adorable 3 year old.

December 6, we went to another nephew’s band concert. I was amazed by the change in music or a better way to put it is, the way the band put together their performance. Absolutely amazing.

December 7, we will helping set up for our church’s Christmas program. Barry and I have been on a treasure hunt the last few weeks for this program. It is exciting watching it come together.

December 8, we will be attending a Christmas Play with my oldest sister’s church and some of our family.

December 9, will be the program at our church, with a possible encore the following Sunday morning.

December 15 is the Christmas Party for the ladies group at our church. Mom and I are responsible for decorating a table. Busy making plans for that.

On a yet to be determined date and time, our family will be celebrating the holiday! Along with a few more stops on the Christmas Express, but Barry and I will survive…….God will get us through it all, after all…it is His season!Snowman

Things I can’t do anything about

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Sticking with the roller coaster theme, I guess it is time for another ride. Life appears to slow down and let you relax and then you remember or life smacks you with something else you have no control over:

1. having a brain tumor

2. having a rare genetic disorder that wrecks havoc on your body daily.

2. what is going to happen next.

3. your social life involves more medical professionals than actual friends.

4. With Cowden’s Syndrome, you never know what body part will go nuts next.

5. what doctors do with the list of medication they take from you at every visit. Do they ever look at it?

5. What reaction to the new medication the doctor puts you on

6. which doctor’s office your reaction to medicine will land you in

7. where you’ll end up after having a test to determine the cause of a new issue

8. what will come out of your husbands mouth at any time

9. what your mother will lose next

10. when your family will realize you are still inside a body that does not function properly

11. when your mother will stop looking at you as if it is the last time she’ll see you

12. whether your eyes will function properly when you wake up

This list could go on and on, these are just the ones that have frustrated me, beyond my limits, lately. I’m hoping the tides turn soon.

Brain Tumor Support Group

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The first Thursday of every month is good for our spirits, and has truly helped Barry in finding the “New” him. The fellowship with people, who are dealing with more than any one person should ever have to. It is a great relief to not feel alone in this battle we are trekking through.

The staff that run the group are kind, loving and compassionate. They do a fabulous job to keep us informed on new research and news out there about research. They plan very informative programs for us on everything from sex to legal issues. They have focused on Holiday Stress the last few meetings, very helpful.

What next, part 2……..

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Well, echo scheduled for next week. Had blood work drawn at office. Hopefully, all is well, my heart just doesn’t like what my neurologist is doing to my body. My body doesn’t like taking a bunch of pills, I always manage some form of adverse reaction to medication changes. Life goes on, time will tell (and the tests too, of course). One day at a time, the only way to go….It’s in God’s hands

What next….

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Life gets calm, but busy……then my heart heads into the haywire department again. I have too much going on for this to start happening now. It’s Christmastime, I wanna enjoy it, but we are getting ready to head to the cardiologist. My life is a never ending roller coaster that doesn’t want to let me off………

Things not to discuss in the car………

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There are certain things you do not need to talk about in front of your son-in-law, especially on a car ride. You know, when he can’t get out and run far far away…..

  • What you remove with a pumice stone.
  • The fact that you couldn’t find matching hose for church
  • What your supper did to your stomach
  • Discuss the type of underclothes you wear
  • Have a list of what is wrong with the house that needs to be repaired immediately
  • What you wish we had done differently to the house when it was built
  • What type bra you would like Santa Claus to bring

My Christmas List

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Last night, my great niece asked what Santa Claus was bringing me and what did I have on my Christmas List. Being close to 50, this is a question I have not heard or thought about in years. Would I be on the Naughty or Nice List? So many questions popped into my head. Since the brain surgery, my childhood memories are not what they used to be. I had my mother confirm that I had written Santa a letter or two. It’s been a long time, but I think I’ll give it a shot.

Dear Santa,

How are you? I hope this letter finds everyone at the northpole feeling good! I’m having a good day, so far. Feeling a little tired after last night. There is nothing sweeter than watching children sing and performing the Christmas Story. They did such a good job! My great niece was in the children’s choir. She was adorable. There was a mirophone in front of her. she kept stepping out from her spot in line uo to the microphone and singing  her little heart out. Just precious. So Santa, I think my first wish has been granted. I got to see that little girl sing and spend time with family. Nothing sweeter than my our nieces and nephews. Of course Barry, mom, my sister and hubby are always entertaining.

My next wish was granted when Barry and I found our church home this year. Victory Baptist Church welcomed us with open arms and has never made us feel uncomfortable or unwelcome. I have learned more about the bible, in our time at Victory,  than in all the years growing up in church. The pastor is incredible and the church family is gracious and loving. I thank the Lord everyday for leading us to Victory.

My next Chritmas wish would have to be to continue increasing faith in Christ. I cherish each ounce of knowledge I gain through study and attending classes at church. I enjoy the time Barry and I spend together studying. We have really enjoyed working with the choir director on the music program. Looking for Civil War items to use as props has been like a giant treasure hunt. So much fun! 

I thank the Lord everyday for bringing Barry into my life. I do not know what I did to deserve him, but I’m glad I did it. Barry is the love of my life, my best friend, my soulmate. With the health issues I’ve gone through since 2009, he hassn’t batted an eye. He has been there every second I’ve needed him, just as I will be for him.

My next and final wish is for the coming year and for my sisters. Sandy, the oldest, is absolutely stretched to her limits. She is dealing with a lot of stress, as well as being a new grandmother. She tries to do everything for everyone and I do not believe she knows how to say no. Along with everything else in her life, she worries herself silly about her disabled, highly independent husband being home alone. Dennis is the type of person that if you tell him he can’t do something, he will find a way to do it.

My wish for Sandy, is to find time for herself and a job that fits her situation better than the one she has. I know she enjoys her work, but something closer to home would give her more time to enjoy life and her family. I’d like to see her smiling again.

Now to my sweet, baby sister Kris! Sandy, of course, is sweet too! Kris worked her tail off and finished her college degree in less time than it should have taken. Now, for over a year, she has been searching for a teaching position without success. She is an incredible Math teacher and some school system would be lucky to get her. She is taking care a husband, raising 2 boys, 14 and 6 and attemping a job hunt. She also takes care of our father as much as he will let her and her home.

My wish for Mrs. Kris is to find that job she is looking for or something compariable. I’d like to see a smile on her face too! But I’d also like her to find a little peace in her life and time for herself. I have 2 sisters that I love dearly and will do anything in the world for either of them, they just have to let me. I’d also love to see the three of us spending a little time together. We might even take mom with us!

Thanks for your time! What kind of cookies would you like this year?

Love,

Jill

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More good news…..

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After 3 rounds of treatment for thyroid cancer, it is nice to get a good report from blood work and the endocrinologist, thyroglobulin level has remained non-existent for  6 months now. Can we say yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh yet or do I need to weight a year? I’m choosing yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh for now. I’ll worry about it again in 3 months.