Farewell 2014
The year started off with David returning to work, via driving to Louisville, KY, Sat. Jan 4, after a 2 year stint of medical issues. It was a task that had to be met! Hard, oh yes, but needed to be done! Returning to work meant a 2 week which turned into 3 1/2 weeks of being in the coldest ever temps in Louisville!! The weather went into the 0's much of Jan. Lots of snow and this Florida boy was freezing!
Going back to work meant leaving his mom in my care (who was battling dementia and any changes in her routine really could get her upset!)
David passed all of his rigorous tests with flying colors and trust me any test in your 60's can challenge anyone! I was able to fly up to drive home with him at the end of the month. We drove through Atlanta, GA which had a nightmare of an ice/snow storm which literally shut their interstates down in the middle of town. Remnants of icy roads and a still a few abandoned cars were still visible. But we went through with downtown with only one slow down as we entered from the north.
Work resumed and quickly softball schedules for Kinley and Karsyn were on the calendar schedule. We took Nana to several games which she enjoyed.
Summer quickly came and it was rainy and hot! It was hard to really go anywhere since Nana was really starting to decline in her memory and getting out, but it seemed we had lots of doctor visits.
After a emergency room visit the end of July for her swollen legs (which turned out to be venous insufficiency ) brought us wonderful visits from Infinity Homecare and their wonderful staff of nurses.
It should have only been a 2 week stint, but it turned into 6 weeks, and she started losing weight and not eating. Thankfully, Dr. Rodman (Thurs Sept 11) noticed her talking (babbling) and her weight loss and ordered bloodworm and chest X-rays. On Monday Sept 15 when I went back after lunch to visit her she was asleep in her easy chair and I couldn't wake her...we decided to call 911, and after they came she came to talking about seeing Angels and was reaching for them. The really nice paramedics mentioned maybe we should call Hospice since they could come in and help (she had senior failure to thrive). We made a call that brought us enormous help and they were truly a Godsend. We had to have an evaluation with their social worker first, to qualify, which of course, she had no problem. The help came immediately, the next day we met with her individual social worker and case nurse. They were again beyond helpful. Things happened truly fast after this started. Dr. Rodman called back the same Monday to say they found a mass of some sort in her right (?) lung and needed to come in for a ct scan that Tues. She had a little trouble walking, but we made the appt. On Wed. Dr. Rodman called David with the dreaded report she had a large tumor in her lung and it was CANCER...he gave his best guess as to maybe 6 months to live.
Her bi-weekly hair appt had to be cancelled for Thursday as she really wasn't getting up and around. We called Ephiphany for a priest to come give a Healing (Last rites) rosary. She was so cute as she thought she knew Father Eric, who later told us he had just got out of seminary. She was so very appreciative of the visit and kissed his hand, and while he was rising, she struggled to sit up and asked if ( one of her repetitive requests) someone could help her get up and get to her car!!! (which we had to take her keys in Feb. due to her memory)
By Friday the same week!! She was getting a little uncomfortable and agitated. We called in her nurse and she gave some meds for a urinary infection. I had noticed her left abdomen being slightly larger and made reference to it, which she pushed in and Nana let her know it hurt!! That moment really started her slide...Samantha and I had started to stay with her after Nana whispered to Sam on her visit that she really wanted her to spend the night, so little did we know her request would be one of her last. Sam stayed Thurs night and I was there early Friday to let her get home for the children and work. By Saturday Nana had to go to the bathroom constantly and was unable to void. We called the weekend number for hospice and the nurse came out to put a catheter in. It provided help for us but Nana didn't adjust to it easily. She still had the urge.
By Sunday we knew her days were limited and we called the family to surround her in prayers and love. She was in quite a bit of pain and her "comfort pack" was opened by a nurse we had to call yet again for her pain and agitation. He saw her "picking of clothes" and told us she was in her final days.
This was not a surprise but when you consider how fast she had declined in a matter of 10 days, it was a bit of a shock. By Monday morning Hospice called us, due to all our calls for help over the weekend and came out to check on her. Barbara was the nurses name and she surveyed our notes and Nana and quickly determined she was ready for a bed in a Hospice home!!! All the years of fear of that name quickly dispelled as we walked into Port Charlotte's home. It was beautiful and they had gotten Nana bathed and changed into a pretty little nightgown. This was Monday Sept.22. She was able to talk and give us her love and we did ours'. We all spent her last days surrounding her with love and visits from family and our wonderful Pastor Jim Mitchell. Epiphany let us know Father Eric's visit was good and they were unable to come visit before she left her home. Pastor Jim came to visit (30 miles away) every single day! Came to her funeral as well.
On Saturday Sept. 27 at 4 pm, Nana finally found HIS Door open and was welcomed into Heaven. It was a quiet surreal moment. She went very peaceful. David called George, long time family friend from Ewing funeral home and he came for her.
The whole 2 weeks went so very fast!! We had a crash course, on moderate dementia, cancer, Hospice and ....well...I just can't say enough wonderful things about Hospice...they truly saw us through a hard time. We thought our battle was moderate dementia, which was diagnosed in April by Dr. Kaplan. But in the end it was cancer...but knowing she didn't have to endure years of dementia which was quickly exceeding our capabilities, was ...a blessing from God. So when you see caregivers, give them a pat on the back or a hug, because, some of the journey's are beyond heartbreaking to see.
Thank you Doctor Rodman
Thank you Doctor Kaplan
Thank you Tidewell Hospice workers (ANGELS)
Thank you family and friends who helped us all through an extraordinary long year....
we survived and we are BLESSED beyond measure!
Thank you GOD for being with us each and every moment, your promises never failed and your Love never diminished...amen and amen.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Friday, March 29, 2013
Seriously, has it really been a year since I last came to write!!
So much has happened...so much to be thankful for!
Presently, David is still on medical leave from UPS, as he had shoulder surgery in November and had rehab and is trying to get full strength and use before returning to work. He also has to be re-cathed (FAA rules!) before returning which we have started the paperwork and groundwork to do that...Echocardiogram (done),
Stress test (Mon Apr 1), Catherization (Apr.24 ?)
Karsyn is in 3rd grade, Mrs. Williams, Kinley is in K with Mrs. Farnsworth, and Rhett is finishing his Preschool Class with Ms. Liz, Ms. Kecia and Ms. Donna. He will be entering the 3 year old class in the fall.
My Mom will be 86 this May and is doing extremely well. Love and miss her, wish she lived closer so I could see her more! David's Mom turned 84 in Feb. and is very healthy, but does have some "mild" dementia coming on. She has good days and bad days, and we try to keep her focused on the good days. Hard to watch your loved ones, struggle with little things later in their life. But health wise we are all blessed.
Today being Good Friday, reminds me, just how thankful I am to server a Risen Saviour...who died for "me", over 2000 years ago, and we can all still call Him our Master and Savior! My biggest wish is that my children and grandchildren and one day great grandchildren will continue to grow and thrive in following the Greatest King who ever lived and walked on earth...many Blessings to you and yours' this Easter Sunday 2013!
So much has happened...so much to be thankful for!
Presently, David is still on medical leave from UPS, as he had shoulder surgery in November and had rehab and is trying to get full strength and use before returning to work. He also has to be re-cathed (FAA rules!) before returning which we have started the paperwork and groundwork to do that...Echocardiogram (done),
Stress test (Mon Apr 1), Catherization (Apr.24 ?)
Karsyn is in 3rd grade, Mrs. Williams, Kinley is in K with Mrs. Farnsworth, and Rhett is finishing his Preschool Class with Ms. Liz, Ms. Kecia and Ms. Donna. He will be entering the 3 year old class in the fall.
My Mom will be 86 this May and is doing extremely well. Love and miss her, wish she lived closer so I could see her more! David's Mom turned 84 in Feb. and is very healthy, but does have some "mild" dementia coming on. She has good days and bad days, and we try to keep her focused on the good days. Hard to watch your loved ones, struggle with little things later in their life. But health wise we are all blessed.
Today being Good Friday, reminds me, just how thankful I am to server a Risen Saviour...who died for "me", over 2000 years ago, and we can all still call Him our Master and Savior! My biggest wish is that my children and grandchildren and one day great grandchildren will continue to grow and thrive in following the Greatest King who ever lived and walked on earth...many Blessings to you and yours' this Easter Sunday 2013!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Miracles
Couldn't let anymore time go by without posting about our latest MIRACLE from God!!
David before Christmas had casually mentioned his blood pressure was starting to rise a little. (David is very pro-active/nervous/whatever, since his own Dad has died at 54 years old of a massive heart attack. He sometimes got me upset by monitoring it and getting upset. Because, I always thought, YOU ARE OK!! Stop worrying!! Well, in Jan. 2012 his episodes seemed to bother him more, so he called our friend Dr. Jami Dulaney a Cardiologist. She monitors Davids' Mom and also David. Jami told David to come on down for a check-up since it had been 7 years since his last Stress Test. (I must insert here that David has an FAA check-up twice a year with one having an EKG. His last EKG was Oct. 2011. So David had bloodwork, Mon. Jan 16 and the stress test, one being he exercised Wed. Jan. 18th and the resting one Thurs. Jan. 19th. The bloodwork came back and everything was in the "normal" range. Jami called Thurs. afternoon and said there was just a very slight difference between the 2 images and she was pretty sure it wasn't anything to be worried about but she really would feel better if he had a Catherization. Well, to be safe we felt the same way and was able to get in for an appointment the very next Monday Jan. 23rd!
We arrived in Port Charlotte early Monday morning at Fawcett Hospital. I still was trying to convince David that everything was going to be ok and not to worry as he had been. We had prayed several times about it and I had a peace which wasn't coming to David. It is just a 15 minute procedure for the cath. but we all know, it takes 2 hours of paperwork and insurance and getting all the wires hooked up!! LOL! Jami had told me she would be out to let me know the outcome before David went to recovery. Well, her news about buckled my knees. David had what is commonly called the "Widow-maker" blockage in the frontal part of his heart and it was blocked by 98%!!! They were waiting for another Dr. Conley to come and put in.
David before Christmas had casually mentioned his blood pressure was starting to rise a little. (David is very pro-active/nervous/whatever, since his own Dad has died at 54 years old of a massive heart attack. He sometimes got me upset by monitoring it and getting upset. Because, I always thought, YOU ARE OK!! Stop worrying!! Well, in Jan. 2012 his episodes seemed to bother him more, so he called our friend Dr. Jami Dulaney a Cardiologist. She monitors Davids' Mom and also David. Jami told David to come on down for a check-up since it had been 7 years since his last Stress Test. (I must insert here that David has an FAA check-up twice a year with one having an EKG. His last EKG was Oct. 2011. So David had bloodwork, Mon. Jan 16 and the stress test, one being he exercised Wed. Jan. 18th and the resting one Thurs. Jan. 19th. The bloodwork came back and everything was in the "normal" range. Jami called Thurs. afternoon and said there was just a very slight difference between the 2 images and she was pretty sure it wasn't anything to be worried about but she really would feel better if he had a Catherization. Well, to be safe we felt the same way and was able to get in for an appointment the very next Monday Jan. 23rd!
We arrived in Port Charlotte early Monday morning at Fawcett Hospital. I still was trying to convince David that everything was going to be ok and not to worry as he had been. We had prayed several times about it and I had a peace which wasn't coming to David. It is just a 15 minute procedure for the cath. but we all know, it takes 2 hours of paperwork and insurance and getting all the wires hooked up!! LOL! Jami had told me she would be out to let me know the outcome before David went to recovery. Well, her news about buckled my knees. David had what is commonly called the "Widow-maker" blockage in the frontal part of his heart and it was blocked by 98%!!! They were waiting for another Dr. Conley to come and put in.
From there David was put in a room overnight for observation. The cath-needle has to stay in the femoral artery for 8 hours before they take it out...therefore, lying flat on his back! Not too comfortable...to eat or lay! Then after they take the needle out he had 30 minutes of direct pressure to his groin area and then had to lie flat for ANOTHER 4 hours to reduce risk of a bleedout! (which they let me know could occur in 7-8 mins!!) BUT...with David's Dad at such a young age, it came back to us...just how Blessed we were that this was caught BEFORE David had a heart attack with MAJOR damage/or death! We had directed both Jeff and Sam to go to work and not be at hospital because we both felt he was in good hands. Poor Sam being closest to the hospital would not hear of staying at job and left early (after she had thrown up 3 times at work from the stress!) Jeff wanted to come but he had Macy and the drive just wasn't as convenient for him (over 2 1/2 hours one way!!)
So the "Miracle"...you ask...from God??? Well, you see, 1). being David listened to a small voice (not my voice saying...you'll be okay!!) 2). Jami being an excellent Doctor and seeing something she "suspected" in a small change in the 2 images.
3). If David had gone to a regular Dr. he more than likely would have sent David home with high blood pressure medicine for a few months with a "come back" and we'll see how things are. Knowing what we know now, and rethinking the slight symptoms he had ...more tired, resting in between putting Christmas boxes back in attic, and feeling a little breathless after walking...all things he/we put to being "older" now 61!! So yes, we know people get catherizations and stents ALL DAY LONG at least in our neck of the woods! But to get it BEFORE David had a heart attack gives him another few years (at least!) to be my husband and BEST Friend, a Dad to Jeff and Samantha, and a Bubba to Karsyn Kinley Rhett and Macy, and a son to his Mom who has already lost her husband 29 years ago and a son 21 years ago!
Does God pick HIS Miracles...?
Well...we'll let you decide!
What will David/we do with this Miracle.....?
We'll start by being most graciously grateful and GIVE ALL THE PRAISE TO GOD!
Thank you God for sparing my husband!
Oh yes, since David is a Captain at UPS on 767...FAA deems it necessary for him to take a 6 month leave of absence because of the stent being put in...a little extra bonus. David has been paying on 2 types of insurance for loss of license the past 20+ years ...so he gets to stay home and just relax, play golf, errands and play with his GRANDchildren!
THANKS BE TO GOD!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Great Grandma and Mimi with Karsyn and Kinley
A very special visit with my beautiful mother Arlene who came to help when Sam and Ryan were moving in Oct. I'm so happy Karsyn and Kinley and Rhett (not pictured) were able to get to know her more! We love you MOM!!
Being that it is November 2011, several of my FB friends are posting what they are thankful for...for me 30 days are not enough! God has Blessed me everyday for 59 years and 7 days!
I will try to start...so much....I have a beautiful Mom who is still here and she has shown more love and faith for all of us. I have two sisters and one brother, who without them, I would have had a very boring childhood!! LOL! We are all still here and see each other when we can (never enough!) I have several friends from my hometown I went to school with at Millville Elementary, Everitt Jr. High School, Rutherford High School and Gulf Coast Jr. College, that thanks to FB, I was able to reconnect with and even see at RHS 1970, 40th reunion. I had been to others but that was the most fun and just the best to see precious friends I had not seen in for so long. I hate to try and name but some of us became even closer friends because of our special bond in our Prayer Chain group...thus the Praying Heifers! Wanda, Pat, Cathy, Cathie, Jackie, Teresa, Deb, Dot, Chris, Brenda, Betty, and of course my very best friend from RHS...Sandi Pettis! We just met up after not seeing each other for almost 10 years and we just went on like we had just been gone a couple of hours. I can't tell you how thankful I am for all these precious friends that I have from my earlier years!
I have a wonderful husband which will be 40 years next July!! He's my best friend and our lives together just grow more precious each day. I'm so happy we "stuck it out" through some rough times, to get to the BONUS years!! We continue to learn about each other and life and we most importantly get to continue being blessed by our wonderful children Jeff and Samantha. They are both married, which makes our family grow by a new son Ryan and a new daughter Jacy. We have even extra blessings by 4 extraordinary beautiful grandchildren! Karsyn who was born 9/13/03, Kinley 9/08/06, Rhett 9/16/09 and last (for now!) Macy 5/18/10.
But God continues to bless us...with a home, a car, food, David with a wonderful job, yes, he's gone (more than he and any of us want, but that will soon be done when he retires) but it has given us more opportunities that we could imagine!
Best of all God has Blessed me with a beautiful upbringing in several churches (as I've moved in my 59 years) with people who have helped me grow in my faith and love of Jesus Christ.
Where would I be now without the wonderful people who kept me on track and loved me like their own. Mrs. Jernigan, Mrs. Jackson, Pat and Don McCormick, Mrs. Laramore, Mrs. Creel, Mrs. Pullen, Bobbie and James O'Shields, Mr. and Mrs. Travis Scott. Even years later at Grace UMC...Tom and Dot Hicks, Clint and Sally Logan, Vivian and Lamar Albritton, and my very special friends Linda and Patsye whose families grew up together for over 30 years at Grace church. Jami, Barry, Kelly, John ....Jane Ann and Gary Jennings and soooo many more too numerous to count!
So Father God PLEASE take my humble and ever grateful THANK YOU and Praises to you for my many Blessings which I know I don't deserve!
Oh yes, how could I not thank HIM, that I have 2 hands, 2 feet, 2 eyes, 2 ears and 1 mouth and nose that all work! (you could help me more with my mouth...it goes into over active sometimes...and also thank you God for hearing my prayers for the last 59 years and for making me one of your special children!
Carol
I will try to start...so much....I have a beautiful Mom who is still here and she has shown more love and faith for all of us. I have two sisters and one brother, who without them, I would have had a very boring childhood!! LOL! We are all still here and see each other when we can (never enough!) I have several friends from my hometown I went to school with at Millville Elementary, Everitt Jr. High School, Rutherford High School and Gulf Coast Jr. College, that thanks to FB, I was able to reconnect with and even see at RHS 1970, 40th reunion. I had been to others but that was the most fun and just the best to see precious friends I had not seen in for so long. I hate to try and name but some of us became even closer friends because of our special bond in our Prayer Chain group...thus the Praying Heifers! Wanda, Pat, Cathy, Cathie, Jackie, Teresa, Deb, Dot, Chris, Brenda, Betty, and of course my very best friend from RHS...Sandi Pettis! We just met up after not seeing each other for almost 10 years and we just went on like we had just been gone a couple of hours. I can't tell you how thankful I am for all these precious friends that I have from my earlier years!
I have a wonderful husband which will be 40 years next July!! He's my best friend and our lives together just grow more precious each day. I'm so happy we "stuck it out" through some rough times, to get to the BONUS years!! We continue to learn about each other and life and we most importantly get to continue being blessed by our wonderful children Jeff and Samantha. They are both married, which makes our family grow by a new son Ryan and a new daughter Jacy. We have even extra blessings by 4 extraordinary beautiful grandchildren! Karsyn who was born 9/13/03, Kinley 9/08/06, Rhett 9/16/09 and last (for now!) Macy 5/18/10.
But God continues to bless us...with a home, a car, food, David with a wonderful job, yes, he's gone (more than he and any of us want, but that will soon be done when he retires) but it has given us more opportunities that we could imagine!
Best of all God has Blessed me with a beautiful upbringing in several churches (as I've moved in my 59 years) with people who have helped me grow in my faith and love of Jesus Christ.
Where would I be now without the wonderful people who kept me on track and loved me like their own. Mrs. Jernigan, Mrs. Jackson, Pat and Don McCormick, Mrs. Laramore, Mrs. Creel, Mrs. Pullen, Bobbie and James O'Shields, Mr. and Mrs. Travis Scott. Even years later at Grace UMC...Tom and Dot Hicks, Clint and Sally Logan, Vivian and Lamar Albritton, and my very special friends Linda and Patsye whose families grew up together for over 30 years at Grace church. Jami, Barry, Kelly, John ....Jane Ann and Gary Jennings and soooo many more too numerous to count!
So Father God PLEASE take my humble and ever grateful THANK YOU and Praises to you for my many Blessings which I know I don't deserve!
Oh yes, how could I not thank HIM, that I have 2 hands, 2 feet, 2 eyes, 2 ears and 1 mouth and nose that all work! (you could help me more with my mouth...it goes into over active sometimes...and also thank you God for hearing my prayers for the last 59 years and for making me one of your special children!
Carol
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Spring 2011Is this not the cutest picture of our little Macy. We had been up for a visit and I was able to get this quick shot of Macy with Bubba. Macy is growing leaps and bounds. This shot was just before her big first birthday (May 18) Her version of crawling is even cuter...she scoots around the floor on her bottom with her feet doing the work! She can get anywhere she wants rather quickly! Her personality is really starting to show too!
Just another ordinary day in the lives of the Erb's! (Thank you God for all your many Blessings on our family!)
More later!
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