Happy New Year :)

This has been a year... 

A long year!

December 2013

It started out in early January with Rob's second, and most invasive, surgery where he was hospitalized for almost 10 days, and then many weeks of recovery at home.  Starting at the end of February, he spent four months undergoing nasty chemo treatments to prolong his life... because without them, doctors only gave him 3-6 months.  There were repeated problems with Rob's vein's shutting down, infections, etc., and he got really sick during the last part of the treatments.  He almost made it through all the treatments, but ended up having to have a blood transfusion in place of the last one.  I was afraid he would not bounce back after seeing what it did to him, but he is doing very well right now.  Even his hair has gotten some of the dark color back, and his long curls are slowly returning.  :)

We also moved to a new apartment at the end of May, and I changed jobs at the beginning of September.  And in November, Rob's retina started to detach, so that involved immediate laser surgery and weeks of re-checks.

It's all been a big blur...a BIG blur.

I am glad to see this year go.

Rob has to continue being checked out by his surgeon, oncologist, and eye doctor.  And I have to tell you, at each visit, we are a bit apprehensive.  We know what's coming, we just don't want it to come any time soon.

~~~

Have I told you how much we love all of you?

We would not have been able to get through all this without your love and support... financial, emotional, spiritual.  You have kept us surrounded in prayer, helped us to get through the eight weeks I had to take off work unpaid to care for Rob, and the reduced schedule I had for months after that.  

You have all helped us in more ways than you'll ever know.  The love, the hugs, the well wishes, and especially the prayers.  We could feel them all.  God has used this time to strengthen us, and to let us know that although we don't see the 'big picture,' He does.  We have faith that no matter what happens, it's all going to be okay.  And as I've said many times before, we're okay with that. ♥

I am hoping for a good and happy year ahead for all of you, filled with heartsongs and laughter, and a treasure chest of blessed memories.  You all continue to be in my prayers.

Rob will see his eye specialist again in January, and his surgeon in February for another urethral wash/cancer check.  I'll keep you all posted on those as they come.

Please forgive the disjointed 'feel' of this update... I'm going back to the couch now.  I spent all day yesterday sleeping there.  I am pretty sick.  Fever, chills, bad cough that's tearing up my throat, runny nose, headache, every joint and muscle aching.  Ugh.  Dumb flu.  I don't like being sick, but my body obviously needs the rest right now. 

So, from the bottom of our hearts, we wish you peace and love and happiness... treasured times and family times... filled with blessings and blessings and blessings! 

Because this is what you have given us.


A Happy and Blessed New Year to You All!!!


In Love, and Wrapped in Peace,

Cheri ♥

Time...

Our Thanksgiving... Reasons to smile! :)

Time... I don't know where it goes, even though we're in it all the time.

I pray your Thanksgiving was good... that it filled you with more happy memories and helped you to realize all the blessings you're surrounded with every day.  Ours did.  :)

Rob has been doing pretty well lately.  No doctor appointments scheduled until after the first of the year, which is nice.  We enjoy these breaks in what's become routine for him.

His eye is continuing to heal from the laser surgery, however, he's starting to experience progressing changes with the other eye now.  If it continues, we'll have to get him in to the eye specialist before his January appointment, because it may indicate the lattice's are starting to tear  --  the other retina starting to detach.  We're supposed to be watching for these changes, and Rob is afraid it may be starting.  So we will stay on top of this.

 November 2013

I sometimes forget about where Rob is.  Day after day becomes normal, and for a brief moment here and there we forget about the big C.  We like to.  But the effects of it are always looming.  We went to see our granddaughter in her Christmas program last weekend.  We were only out for about 2 hours, but it completely wiped Rob out.  We got home and he slept for hours from the exertion of walking and staying awake, and just being out.  The same thing happened when we went out for my birthday dinner last week.

I get so swallowed up in everyday living... working, keeping up the home front, cooking  -  that sometimes I forget.  Or maybe I just don't want to remember.  But when I see this big, gentle-giant of a man, become so exhausted after so little, it hurts inside.  I watch him sleep as the evening progresses.  And I watch when I leave for work each morning.  And I watch when I go to bed.  He's so tired.  Even in the wee hours of the morning, now, I go and watch him.  I check to see that he's breathing.  Just to make sure.  And it's in these dark and quiet hours that I remember what I don't want to remember.  Even when I try not to.  

A tired guy ♥

But I remain hopeful nonetheless.

And thankful.  For the time.  The time that is going so fast and standing still.

I know that God works all things for good.  And even though I don't see the big picture, He does.  And as always, I'm good with that.

It's nearly 3am and I'm going to go snuggle into the warmth of the night that's left, as the new day will be here before I know it.  

And there's still much to do.

Our other reasons to smile. :)

Be blessed, because you are.


In Love and In Peace,

Cheri ♥