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| Fishing for silvers on the Deshka. |
Today my dad is celebrating two weeks of feeling his feet. Now that may sound a bit crazy but he injured his back when he was 10 and the injury became worse over the years, especially playing football, baling hay, chasing kids, falling off the Thrift Shop roof in John Day, and a variety of other things. He finally found a neurosurgeon in Corvallis who wanted to do something about it. Dr. Cliff Roberson, an Iditarod veteran, knew he could help Dad, and he did just that. We are all so grateful to him being willing to take a huge risk, as Dad also has severe heart problems, and work on Dad's back. The hope is that it will alleviate much of Dad's pain as well as other medical issues. The greatest result, though, is that Dad is able to feel his feet again. How awesome is that! Mom and Dad celebrate 53 years on Wednesday, so this year is extra special.
Sam's doing ok. Last week marked three years since the diagnosis of his stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. Wow. We are grateful for each and every day. His energy lasts only about 30 minutes a day now and then he is done. Not until late last week did I realize how much his lack of energy and tremendous amount of fatigue bothers me. A couple nights I found myself in tears that Sam is unable to do the things he loves to do. Our weekend jaunts are no longer since he cannot sit in the truck for more than 1/2 hour. Last Saturday my company had its holiday party. In past years, the two of us often left last...then last year, we left when the band started, and this year, Sam did not even go which proved to be difficult for both of us. Through no fault of his own, my husband in many ways is not my husband anymore. Funny thing is, I think he is on the same wave length. During the week we do not sleep together because he is in such intense pain throughout the night and wakes several times, sometimes for hours at a time. So, to make it easier and less stressful for both of us, we limit sleeping together to weekends...and that is only if he feels okay enough to handle another person moving around. Tonight, he suggested we look at purchasing some new furniture so we can be close for an hour or so in the evenings during the week and perhaps then the two of us will feel better about our lives. Sometimes his thoughtfulness truly takes me by surprise. Another new chapter, though, no matter which way you look at it. If we cannot sleep together, we can at least spend some time together on the same piece of furniture rather than across the room from each other. Just in case you are wondering...our couch is not in the least bit comfortable for Sam.
Sam is still talking about Hawaii next month, so I guess I better start doing something about that. Luckily, last spring in the Clean Air Challenge bike ride, I won two roundtrip tickets anywhere Alaska Airlines goes. And by the way, fundraising for that starts in January!
q'ua
