The C Word - New Year 2018

In retrospect, at this time last year – we didn’t know if we’d experienced our last holidays together in 2017.  There was so much fear going into the new year.  A “doom and gloom” pall cast over us as we began the new year.

Somehow we managed to get through the year.  The first half of the year there was much uncertainty.  Then, after three trips to the ER in about 9 weeks (May – July), George was given a prescription that helps process food in the stomach.  And we finished out 2017 with no more trips for the ER (for George, LOL).

Some favorite memories from 2017:

Just about anytime we spend with the twins – VBS Week, Christmas week, in between times.  George, aka Poppy, loves to take them to see the “queen” (Dairy Queen) although lately only one or the other prefers to go there at a time.  The girls say and do the funniest things that make us smile and laugh. 

Our walks around the block – sometimes having serious conversations – and other times not saying much at all but just walking quietly in the moment.  Grateful that we can take walks together, hand in hand.

Doing a double fundraiser over a few months time, raising nearly $20,000 for appendix cancer organizations.  Having the family come together to pull off the final event in August.

For me, getting back into crafting and enjoying it.  I am sure that knowing I am in the house is comfort to George.  My sewing room is upstairs right behind his chair – so I am able to peek down periodically to see if he’s okay. 

Our weekend in Monterey – one of only two weekends we went anywhere together this year (the other was a weekend in Roseville).  Glad to see other people and just get out of the house for a short period of time.

An enjoyable Thanksgiving and Christmas meal made totally by George.  And time around the table as a family for both holidays.  Precious moments with our kids and grandkids.

A lovely New Years Eve – spent with our best friends.  Something we’ve done for over fifteen years I think! 

As we head into 2018, I do have some resolutions.  Re-resolutions of sorts, but something I need to take seriously as I’ve had a few health issues in 2017.  I do need to eat better and get more nutritional foods into me – so need to concentrate on that.  I also need to get up and move more often so need to find some activities that will keep me strong and healthy.  Because if I’m not healthy, I won’t be of much help to George when he needs it. 

My sister and I now write emails to each other every day to sort of “download” our days.  We tell what we’ve done during the day and what we’ve eaten.  Neither one of us is perfect, but by taking the time to tell each other these things, it makes us more aware of the things we can do to improve ourselves.  And we can point out some of the shortcomings and offer suggestions.  One of the things I’m learning to do is to not beat myself up on days I’ve eaten nothing but carbs or not moved at all.  I’m going to have those days.  And I’m going to have days where for reasons beyond my control, I have to give up control.  That’s my current normal. 

I also hope to be able to do some mini-travel on my own.  Around here mostly.  But organizing a “girls weekend” with my daughters and sisters-in-law a few hours away. Going to Roseville to see the twins perform.  Hoping also that I can do a weekend getaway to Chicago in June to attend a wedding.  Little things.  All dependent on how George is doing.

I realize that things are pretty fluid where cancer is concerned, and I am incredibly grateful that I don’t have to work so I can respond to situations.  There was only 22 months between his first two surgeries when things didn’t go so well.  We are approaching that same mark in the first half of this year.  George can tell things are changing.  In fact, the past few days he’s had some issues.  We don’t know what our options will be if, in fact, the same issues arise as the last time.  “Watch and Wait”. 

Which is why we feel incredible blessed that we got another Valentine’s Day – another anniversary – another Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Another New Year.  Thanks to a wonderful medical team, we have been given the gift of time!  And we pray that they continue to work miracles in 2018!