Here's a photo of me, Vann's mother Miss Biddy, and Vann several years ago vacationing at Vann parents' house on Lake Seminole in Southwestern Georgia. Biddy was still walking then, I didn't have fibromyalgia and arthritis and hadn't gained weight, and Vann was as healthy as a horse.
Now Miss Biddy resides in a Camilla, Ga., nursing home, I haven't had a pain-free day in, like, seven years, and Vann is being treated for cancer. Lives have a ways of changing when you're too busy being happy.
But, hey, I'm in danger of dropping off into a melancholy mess here. Let's look on the bright side. Today was a fairly good day at the hospital. Vann slept well last night and felt pretty good all day. He had visits from several friends, including Mr. Bill, Horace H. from Athens, Georgia, the preacher, and me and Amy of course. I left him at about 6:30 to come home and tend to Sophie, who hadn't been out to tinkle in about eight hours.
Every day, it seem that I meet a new doctor who is working on Vann's case. Today it was a young Asian woman (I missed her specialty). She came in to tell Vann that his tests were showing that he has a sodium deficiency. Well that sounded like the simplest thing in the world to cure to me--just eat a couple of bags of Golden Flake Potato Chips and a jar of olives. But the doctor said that things weren't quite that simple. It seems they have to find what is causing the deficiency before they can prescribe a treatment.
Tomorrow Vann is going to have fluid drained from his abdomen again. He is still on a restricted diet, but at least now he can have jello, soup, pudding, and ice cream. He mostly doesn't eat anything though except a little of the soup. No appetite.
We still haven't been told when chemo will resume. Or if it will. We're waiting for all the doctors to do their tests and evaluations and let us know what they recommend.
Our son Phillip will be here tomorrow evening. With his mother's accident and his dad's illness, he finally decided that Wyoming wasn't the place he should be right now. Since Carrie is working on her comps, she isn't going to be to come with him, which makes us sad. But we really really thank God that Phillip could work out his schedule so he could come.
Amy learned yesterday that the hospital was planning to move her mother down to the same floor and wing that Vann is on. Now this is Vann's ex-wife. Suffice it to say that it wasn't an amicable divorce. Amy jumped into that situation immediately and convinced the staff that it was not a feasible plan to have her mom and dad anywhere within shouting distance of each other.
Here's a pic of Vann and both his parents (his dad Grover and mom Miss Biddy) taken on the same day as the one up top. Grover is the healthiest one of all three of us, I think. All he has is bad knees, a history of a heart attack, and a groin aneurism. It's just amazing to think how a group of people can be so healthy and then just a few years later, poor health has come home to roost.
I'm asking our prayer warriors to please add Miss Biddy and Grover to their prayer lists for a few days. And for Vann's baby brother Ben. Ben has been left with disabilities as a result of having contracted Gillian-Barre Syndrome a few years ago. He's having a hard time dealing with Vann's illness right now.
My prayer tonight is that this family be returned to happier, healthier times. (And could I please ask to be that skinny again?) I also pray for happy times for all our Blogland buddies.
This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.
On 08/27/2009, Kate said ...
Keeping you and Vann and your family in my prayers.
On 08/28/2009, Marie said ...
It's amazing how our circumstances can change so quickly...I also find your attitude amazing too! Thank you for being an encouragement to others.
Your families are in my prayers.
On 08/28/2009, Carol said ...
Good thoughts are on their way for all of you! You take good care!
On 08/28/2009, Alison Gibbs said ...
Thinking of you all. Positive thoughts are still coming your way
Alison
On 08/28/2009, Beverly said ...
You are so right, Susan. Our lives can change in a split second.
My heart is heavy with all that you are experiencing, but I do know there is always hope - thanks to our God. I pray for all you want. I hope that Vann is not experiencing much pain.
And, I thank God that you all have each other. You seem to be blessed with much love from your families and friends.
On 08/28/2009, Sheila said ...
Susan, my thoughts are with you and all your family. Things can always change in an instant for each of us... for worse AND for better.
I'm sure you have wonderful memories if you were "too busy being happy." Lucky, lucky you!
On 08/28/2009, Tina said ...
Prayers for you and yours my dear friend.
On 08/28/2009, Donna said ...
You are so right. Things happen overnight. I lost a daughter a month ago. She was 29. She appeared to be fine one day and gone to Heaven the next day. My prayers are with you!
Donna
On 08/28/2009, Mary Kirwin said ...
Thank you for a wonderful post! I am in awe of your great attitude in the face of your husband's illness and your ability to articulate it so well in your writing. Even though we've never met, I feel like I know you well and follow your story closely on FB and your blog. If there's anything I can do in the way of fabric or quilting, don't hesitate to ask. And, yeah know what you mean about skinny. I always enjoy looking at old photos of the skinnier me, too:-)
On 08/28/2009, Kai said ...
It's hard to look back at healthier times, isn't it? We wonder where the Sam Houston they WENT! I know I do! And, for the record, you were beautiful 'then' and even MORE beautiful now, Susan! If you don't SEE that, I am immediately sending you a new mirror to replace your obviously warped one! My prayers remain with you, Vann, his parents, Andy (how is she doing today?) Ben, and all who are in need of some extra prayers. I love you! Kai
On 08/28/2009, Barbara Anne said ...
Amen, honey. We're with you on the what the heck happened when we were busy with life and all?!
As for skinny, well, the skinny me in inside here somewhere!
So glad Phillip is coming. Cheers for mighty Amy who asserted her good sense to prevent unneeded hassles - and for a hospital staff that is understanding and flexible.
Prayers for all, sweetie. As time has passed, my prayers have grown to be person specific and also widely encompass others who need prayers wherever and whoever they are.
Be good to you! I wish I was there to be of help.
Hugs - Barbara
On 08/28/2009, Nicole said ...
Thanks for the update Susan. Bless you for finding the humor in having Vann's ex on the same floor as he is on at the hospital.
When I see photos of skinnier me, I remember that at the time I thought I was too fat. Now I look back and wonder why!
On 08/28/2009, Joyce said ...
Isn't it funny (not really) how a walk down memory lane can be both comforting and sad? We long for the comfort of the happiness of those past days of your lives and feel sad at the same time because things have changed so very drastically. There's a reason God gave you a terrific sense of humor and the ability to put your thoughts and emotions into words. And He also blessed you with Vann and the love you have for each other. We continue to pray for you both.
On 08/28/2009, Kristine said ...
Miss Susan I am so very sorry for all that ya'll are going through. Sometimes when it all gets too much reading the book of Job can help.
You are, have always been, and continue to be beautiful to me so don't worry about a couple of pounds.
My prayers are with you and all your family. Love you.
On 08/28/2009, Chris P said ...
Sending hugs and prayers and wishes for everyone. And take care of you!
On 08/28/2009, Laurie said ...
This is all so hard but you seem to be in a good place and I'm glad. Sending prayers for everyone's speedy recovery!
On 08/30/2009, Rian said ...
Sorry to chime in so late, but I wanted to offer my prayers and good wishes to you and Vann in these difficult days. Getting old is highly overrated. Here's to healthier days ahead for all.
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