Chance Encounter?

I went to my monthly RA infuaion appointment this morning. I was tired and just planned to relax and read and think. Another lady, Melinda, came in to get her treatment and sat in the nearby chair. We started to chat..
Both of us were in wheelcahirs this summer. She had a flareup of RA and couldn't walk.  We both talked about the effect of fatigue on us and how it has limited us, keeping us from working full time. She has been a single mother of three for many years so it has been tougher on her.
She did mention that she enjoys volunteering..and that began a very inspiring discussion. Melinda coordinates an outreach in Appleton, helping Hispanics. which is her ethnic background,and other minorities. It is fascinating!  Her program helps kids with coats, hats and mittens for the winter as well as providing shoe boxes for Christmas. Different corporations are cooperating and they have helped arrange childcare at the Y while the parents can get some needed health checkups, something often forfeited because of limited funds. Interpretation and classes to help learn English are also provided. In the summer, the volunteers come in and do vacation Bible schools in the trailer parks. Fortunately, Melinda has several trained workers who can help when her health is compromised as it has been these past few months.
I told her how my grandmother used to go out and help migrant workers, bringing them clean, ironed clothes and telling the residents there, at that time living in little metal shacks, that God loved them. My grandmother didn't know Spanish but she worked with a lawyer in one instance to help him get right treatment.  I have always beeen proud of that legacy. Melinda said she herself was helped greatly while living in a migrant workers' camp in the 1960's. Her family came up regularly in the summers from Texas I believe.
Then, as our discussion was closing, she mentioned a dear friend of mine Doris Steinberg, who has opened her building in Menasha for Melinda to train and pray with her fellow workers.
I  want to be part of this significant work somehow.. Not sure how yet..possibly helping to teach or train teachers for their summer program.  She asked me if I ever have written curriculum..
I left energized - not just from my treatment! Such a full circle of something so special.  It seems to incorparate so many of the values that are important to me.
Chance encounter? I THINK NOT!

Sasha: Therapy (for us) Needed

Sasha has been a good little therapy dog for us.  She has been my little mainstay friend for the last few months but she also has been helpful to both of us the whole time we have had her. She also sometimes makes us wonder if we need therapy:).
Last night as we heard ourselves talking to her, we had to wonder. I heard myself saying "Good girl. Here's your treat.  Now you can go to bed with Daddy or stay up with Mommy." What is that about!?
We hear ourselves saying other things to her like "You little .. (nothing too bad)" when she is in what we consider her bipolar mood. We do yell at her when she runs from window to back window barking ferociously at every dog, family or diesel powered truck that dares to pass by. She rests most of the day but comes alive - sometimes with a vengeance - with energy to play and wants constant attention in the evening. We wonder what people might think if they were passing by on the sidewalk or worse yet, could see us and hear us on video talking baby talk to her.
We talk to her about who knows what, each of us having little monologues with her. She cuddles up to us, sleeping between us (which we used to say we would never do) and we think of her as a little person around here. She is cute with her little routines - runs (treat expected of course) to the kennel when Tom asks her to so he can get me and the wheelchair out the door without her escaping.  Then, when  Tom goes in to release her, she perfectly poses herself on top of the middle pillow looking like the cutest little dog in the center of our front window.  It makes us occasionally think of the song "How much is that doggy in the window?".  Like I said, she is therapeutic to us and we have reason to feel there may be a gap of needed therapy which we have so far missed.  Somehow, I feel sure some of you pet lovers will understand.  I sure hope so.

Looking Around from a Wheelchair

Unfortunately, as many of you know, I was in this position four years ago.  That time I was recovering in a nursing home and was seen as the" younger woman" among the residents. I had less mobility that time around.
Well  I definitely am happy that this isn't a permanent position for me and respect and admire those who have to endure these limitations on a much more long term basis.
I am finding that I get more stains on my capris being in a sitting position most of the time. And I literally have pain in my lower back by bedtime..
But what I find most interesting is how people treat me.
MOST go out of their way to show kindness, grabbing the door to help out..smiling down at me sincerely ( I want to tell them all that this is just temporary)..looking like they have time to remember momentarily that they are thankful they can walk. A FEW don't see you at all and you have to be the defensive driver to avoid running into them as they step into or too near your path.
Then there are the friends and family like my sister Linda: "Glad you managed to haul yourself in here - or rather Tom did:)". Or our neighbor Dave who said he couldn't feel too sorry for me when he heard I was going to the Packers' game the other night.
And there are the perks: Some of them I have mentioned on facebook. Friends and family helping with meals and cleaning..A WW's friend Jean brought me a nice little catered lunch this week and played her dulcimer for me. I plan to treat her back to the Grapevine when transportation is no longer a major consideration.
And I must tell Holly, another coworker, that it is still possible at my age to develop some arm strength in my upper arms as I compensate. I was wondering about that a few months ago.
All I have to say is: FOUR MORE WEEKS (as I heard Tom sigh on one of his latest trips getting me in and out of the house). His arm muscles are strengthening too.

Packers Game: (Almost) Like Kids in a Candy Store

It would have been a complete analogy IF the Packers had won. It still turned out to be an exceptional fun time for Tom and me.
I remember a children's director in a former church saying :"Anticipation is at least half the fun of doing something." Once we realized we would be moving to the Green Bay area, going to a Packers game moved up high on the bucket list. When I realized that they were playing San Francisco, my hope rose that we could get tickets since Tom grew up in that area.
Once I was able to get tickets and surprise Tom with them for his birthday, we have looked forward to the big game! We hit perfect weather and great seats, one rung up near the 40 yard line. Since we were able to get the tickets exchanged for the handicapped area, we had a lot of room around us.
The sun was bright throughout most of the game. I have no desire to go in the frozen tundra we are known to play in around here.
The team spirit was infectious, though admittedly subdued through most of the game as SF played textbook football and the Packers scrambled to try to keep up. With eight minutes left in the game, there was a great surge of excitement and HOPE - diminished again unfortunately with the 30-22 finish as you all already know.
But - it was a lot of fun participating with the world's best football fans!   It was almost like kids in a candy store.

Bon Voyage to our Lovely Daughter

In four days, Katie will be heading to Colombia.  She will be teaching teachers of English at a university there.  She will be gone for about ten months. I will miss her terribly but am proud of her and hope she has a wonderful adventure.
Katie has been teaching ESL in Baltimore since she graduated from college and most recently has been mentoring other teachers in that field. She has had the desire to do something like this for a long time so it is a dream come true in many ways. It is also a hard time to leave her many close friends and us for such a long time. She hesitated as the final decision needed to be made, but felt at peace to go ahead.
We hope to visit with her at least once while she is there.  Hopefully Daniel will be able to go with us at the same time. She will have other visitors too which will help the time go more quickly.
Thank heavens for Skype. We understand it enough to get by.
We have to let go so much especially in relation to our adult children.
I hope she has a wonderful time! I know she will be a great help to many people!

What I Am Learning or What Am I Learning

Not quite sure which is the correct title:Day 28 since surgery or Day 1 of 62 or so days to go.
I am not a "patient" patient though you would think with my previous and present experience I would "get it" by now. I pivot with much more skill in and out of my wheelchair and can take a shower on my own this time, both of which are really a plus.
I have been thinking of several people who are going through much deeper waters than me: First,a good friend Kay's husband who not only also broke his hip but has had an ordeal recovering because of other illness related problems. Second, our friend and sister-in-law's brother Jan, who is battling cancer and has suffered much but has also shown great faith. Finally, my good friend Julie's brother, who also broke his hip and has serious health problems.  Two days ago, he received a live liver transplant from a special person who felt led by God to give 60% of her healthy liver.  The surgeries were difficult.  Thinking and praying for these very serious situations has helped me to realize that mine is so much smaller.
But..I am used to coming and going as I please.  I like jumping in the car just to get out. Working part time keeps me engaged with people.  More and more I see that I am a person who is energized by being with people. Sometimes they energize me negatively but most often I enjoy being with others and getting my mind off of my own issues.
I do like watching TV but only so much. Tom works four 10 hour days so as soon as he is off, I am ready to get out of here. If I have an interesting book to read it helps. I have enjoyed reading a couple and now have two more that I think will keep my interest.
I have started a Bible discussion group with some teenage mothers.  I had planned to do this before I fall, so that has been a highlight for me the last two weeks.
This weekend, Rock the Lakes will be here. Tom and I have been trained to help out so we are looking forward to that.
What am I learning? To be determined. In the meantime, I am determined to get through this but some days are harder than others. Encouraging words and actions have helped.  

Deja Vu??

Unbelievable! When I cracked my toe open and started to fall on the concrete near my home, I was very frustrated and truthfully said the "d" word under my breath.  Katie yelled "Oh no!".  We had just been taking a walk down the street as I have done many times before when I toppled to the ground. I scraped my right arm trying to avoid the fall and landed on my butt.  Tom called Tom's cell phone and they were able together to lift me up.  Inside, I was hoping and praying that this would only be a bruise or minor problem.  Not Again!
Since I didn't think it was an emergency, I waited until the morning to get xrays at a nearby clinic.  Though the doctor had some concerns, he couldn't tell for sure there was a break so off I went. The next week and  half I walked around gingerly avoiding my right side - and thinking I was being somewhat of a baby - exaggerating my symptoms. (The medical staff at the hospital were amazed that I walked on it that long and think I am "tough").  Sometimes painful: other times not.
When I decided to go back in to have it rechecked, I wasn't expecting anything. Right to the heart of it,  my doctor said "it's broken". "Oh no, it won't require surgery will it?'. "Most likely yes.
Would you like to go in tonight or tomorrow?" Not fun!
Well I made it through surgery (tried to chicken out at the last minute but no go) again.  Walker, wheelchair, elevated toilet seat, shower bench..   All too familiar.
A supportive husband and friends. Also familiar.  Some meals and visits from church people and friends ( I told a couple of ladies today that it helps to move around and have members from different churches provide the meals:)).
Today I made it to church and surprised some people.  Did that 9 years ago after leg surgery  Hopefully THIS is the last one. Thought of the infamous Nancy Kerrigan cry:) but really don't feel that way. I also remembered this morning the hurry to work through and get that first wonderful shower in.  9 years ago, my Dad and step Mother came with strawberries and hard rolls the morning after I returned to Wisconsin. It's a bit of work to get ready but I made it.  Thankfully, I have had some experience with pivoting, transitioning to various sleeping, sitting and standing positions - one foot down only.
We will get through this once again.  We do have a nice set up in this house to handle some of the inconveniences. Will work at some of the other adjustments and get out of here regularly since I really need the socializing. I still think there are a lot of things worse than physical issues.  Deja vu?

What a Difference Six Months Makes

As I was walking around the soccer field/park across the street from our house, I thought of these words.
Six months ago, we were coming in and out of the cottage in Wautoma in the midst of a mild but still present winter - wondering what was going to happen to us next.
Now we have taken up residence here in De Pere.  Sasha has settled herself securely on the front pillow in the window.  I always wanted a "doggie in the window".  She guards our corner lot, watching for any "intruders" from strollers to the four legged kind. Actually, it gets rather annoying at times, but she like we, are home.
I actually had a neighbor who wanted our dogs to have "play dates" (my term), when she dogsits. I have gone over to let  the dogs to run in her back yard a couple times.  We will see... The neighbors on the other side of our twindo invited us to an open house/bonfire and I had to ask my neighbors across the street for a ride to pick up our repaired car the other day.  So we are getting to know the neighborhood a little. 
Tom's job is going well.  He works four long days and has three days off.  He is travelling quite a bit to Door County - went up to Gill's Rock the other day. (Some of you know that Gill is my maiden name.  If not, check my facebook name:)).  He also has helped two families with memorial services
Anyway, I too am getting a settled "routine" (almost never the same schedule from week to week, but quite steady work)  with Weight Watchers and some volunteer and church involvements. I see friends and family in the surrounding area and once again, was able to share a seminar at Break Away in Chilton.
We do miss our friends near and close but are starting to develop some needed stability.  Our lives aren't perfect. Concerns and prayer needs for extended family and friends are always there - and our needs are added to the lot.  We thank many of you who prayed for us to find a job and home once again.  This one we think will take us to and  through retirement:).
So as I walked back to our place and saw our open garage beckoning me back home, I am grateful for the difference six months have made.

Settling In and Satisfied

Just over two weeks ago, we moved from the "Settle Inn" to our own home. Yes, it is beginning to feel like home. Both cars were in the garage for the last two nights as the Wisconsin weather finally showed its snowy head. Our furniture is in place though no pictures are hung yet. They aren't many nail holes so I want to choose carefully before we start filling the walls. Our house is simple but elegant - has all of the essentials we need for a good long time as well as room to entertain. We may need a snow blower by next year but otherwise we are pretty well set.
We have been able to have a few friends over and hope to have many more - and maybe a small group or two. Having friends over always involves a whirlwind of straightening and cleaning as well as figuring out what to eat but almost always ends with peace and satisfaction. And the next few days we can relax and let the house go to pot:).
We each have one new doctor - actually the same one for RA treatment - and are getting our treatments and prescriptions. Green Bay and De Pere are becoming more familiar everyday as are our work situations. Challenges on the computers have probably been our biggest obstacles. We have found a church and are slowly getting acquainted with the people and getting comfortable with the style of preaching and worship. We know where to find the main pizza joints as well as the main department stores. A bonus has been living closer to friends and family we already know.
We plan to be here for a long time. We look forward to our kids visits: Katie for a little longer stay this summer since she heads to Colombia for 10 months in the fall; Daniel when the hectic tax season finally winds down. As we sit in front of our gas fireplace (hopefully we will get our wood stove set up downstairs by next winter), we are satisfied that we have made it through our moves and should be able to stay parked for a good long time. And with Daylight savings' time just around the corner, spring isn't all that far away..

Landing on our Feet (Again)

Our lives haven't been exactly normal. I guess no body's really is.
The last five years have been somewhat of a whirlwind - living in Michigan, Pennsylvania, back to Wisconsin (in a couple/three locations in the last year and a half). Yes it has taken a toll on us.
This last episode of four months of unemployment for Tom (not unique to us in this economy but the longest in our marriage) was hard. Waiting for promised HR calls at the end of the week made some Fridays seem interminable. Calls and call backs - delays, evasiveness, letdowns. Tom was applying for jobs consistently. Right near the end, he did a short temporary job and started considering things out of his direct field(s) of training.
Even though it wasn't very hard to be supportive to someone who is diligent and I knew very well qualified, I will say that my faith got very small in regard to this. Now I think I understand how small of a grain of mustard seed is still acceptable.
In the midst of this, Tom was also experiencing some arthritis related issues and we worried that age was becoming a factor in the process. He has also been diagnosed with a form of RA and has gotten a lot of relief already with a helpful medication. He seems several years younger.
AND THEN HE GOT A JOB! Within a short period of time, we feel back in the game. We have found a wonderful twin home which we are looking forward to moving into and are back nearer to some of our longtime friends and longer time family members. Our hope is back up!
One thing I have noticed about myself is that I am somewhat of a "fickle friend" to the Lord. I experienced doubt and discouragement throughout this time. It is easier to be positive when circumstances seem to be going our way.
So for now, we're back on our feet and are very thankful about it and for it.