A Reminder of Our Limitations

As I go through most days I don't give much thought to the limitations due to my disabilities. I know I can't walk, but with my electric wheelchair I can move around quite easily. I have enough use of my arms so I can do a variety of things for and with my sweetheart, DebbieLynne. That allows us to be "just the two of us" for much of the day.

As much as I would like to, I can't do everything for DebbieLynne. She, too, would like to be able to do everything for me. But due to our limitations we do what we can for each other, and rely on the help of others for the rest.

For the things we can't do for one another, we need the help of people serving as personal care attendants. Today we learned that the woman who has been helping get DebbieLynne to bed on Sunday and Wednesday evenings, and help her get up Sunday mornings, will no longer be able to do so, starting this Sunday, the day after tomorrow. Due to an unexpected situation the woman is moving out of state.

One lady from church has already offered to help this Sunday evening and again on this coming Wednesday evening. That generous offer took some of the pressure off of us. Once we find somebody for this Sunday morning we'll be able to move on to trying to locate and hire somebody who can do those time slots on a regular basis.

Deb and I would sure like it if we were not disabled and could be the ones helping others less able than ourselves. But Deb didn't choose to be born with minimal use of her arms and legs. And I didn't choose to become paralyzed by polio when I was six years old. So we do whatever we can and appreciate the help others provide to do what we can't do on our own.

Being reminded of our limitations does have the benefit of bringing to mind that everyone has certain limitations that can only be met by God. We both need help when it comes to thoroughly washing up physically. Everybody needs the help of Jesus to be thoroughly washed up spiritually. ("If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 ESV)

People near and far are praying for God to provide a new personal care attendant for the times DebbieLynne now needs help. Whoever that person is will be paid for the work she does, so hopefully that money will be a help to her.

Thank you for your prayers. We thank God for you, and for those who are helping and will be helping us do what our limitations don't allow us to do for ourselves.

Off to See the Wizard? No...the Withches!

Yup, it looks like DebbieLynne and I are going off to see the highly rated and popular Broadway musical "Wicked -- The Untold Story of Witches of Oz" in August. The story takes place both before and during Dorothy's visit to Oz, and is told from the perspective of the wicked witch of the west, Elphaba, and the good witch of the north, Glinda.

DebbieLyne has never been to a major professional theatrical production before, so this will be quite a treat. If all goes well on Sunday, August 25, we'll start off by going to Park Street Church on the edge of Boston Commons.Then we'll have a quick bite of lunch before heading over to the Boston Opera House for the one o'clock start of the play.

When I first went online to check ticket prices, it looked like going to see Wicked was pretty much out of the question. A precious friend had given us a generous financial gift and told us to spend it on a special treat, but even that would only have covered the cost of single ticket in the cheapest location, which probably wouldn't even have been wheelchair accessible. Seating in any of the better areas was way out of our price range.

Nevertheless I called the theater's help line to see if there were any seating locations available for wheelchair users at a discounted price. I left my name and number, and the other day got a call back. I was quoted much more reasonable prices, especially if I could pay with an American Express card. Thankfully I have one that doesn't charge an annual fee, and was able to use it to buy the tickets. The cost for the two tickets was actually a little less than the amount of that gift from our friend!

 So it's off to see the Wizard...I mean the Witches of Oz!

Solving Technical Difficulties

Deb was the first to notice that something might be wrong with our phones. The speaker phone on her desk had a blinking red light. I checked the phone in the bedroom and got noise coming from the headset but not a dial tone.

When I wheeled into the livingroom to check the phone on her desk, There was no dial tone on that phone either. And it was almost time for DebbieLynn's personal care attendant to arrive. How would the person let us know she was down at the entrance of our apartment building if our phones weren't working?

I did have my cell phone, but the attendant doesn't have the phone number. So I took the elevator down so I could let her in. Sure enough, she'd already arrived and discovered that our phones weren't working.

Obviously (to me) the thing to do next was to call our phone company on my cell phone to see if they could remedy the situation. I disconnected the phone in the bedroom since the technical service department usually asks that only one phone be active when they're troubleshooting a problem.

However before I actually made the phone call on my cell phone, DebbiieLynne suggested I check to be  sure the phone cord was fully plugged into the jack in the wall. Hmm.

Well...I did what she recommended and indeed it seemed like it had become a mite loose. And...behold the blinking red light on the desk phone went out. And...that phone now had a dial tone!

Thank you, DebbieLynne, for your solving of the technical difficulties with our phones. Thank you for saving me the trouble of calling our phone company and probably waiting on hold for a prolonged period only to eventually be told to do what you had suggested I do.

I thought I was the technical geek in the family. Well, I am the geek, just not as technical as I thought I was.

Thank you again, DebbieLynne. You do have a brain and you do know how to use it. Once again I am reminded that I should listen to my wife. Sometimes I neglect to do that. I'm quite glad I did listen to her last night.

Jesus Came to Israel

The mother of Jesus was a Jew. Her parents and their parents were Jews. When He grew up, He lived and did miracles among the Jews, the people of Israel. He was the One the prophets had spoke about. Some believed. Some did not.

Today there are Jews who have come to believe the glorious truth that Jesus is the Messiah, and that He is Emmanuel, which means God with us. I pray that others will come to know that as well.

I don't have time to write much of a blog post today. But I'll let the word of this song do the talking. I hope you will be blessed by them.

We Got to the Train (Station) On Time

When we go into Boston to sight see or go to appointments, we like to come home by way of South Station whenever possible. It's a quicker and much smoother ride to take the train than to go by subway and bus.

Last week, after my visit to my primary care physician, we cancelled the requested paratransit van transport because the weather was supposed to be mild and dry for the most part. So we wheeled ourselves from the doctor's office to South Station.

Well, the weather wasn't dry or very mild, and I had to stop along the way to buy a hat and gloves. But we arrived at South Station and I was prepared with my digital camera to take pictures of the electric train display they set up at Christmastime each year.

But...last week when we got to South Station...the had only begun to set up the display. As yet there weren't even any trains on the table.

Well, today I had another doctor's appointment. Afterwards we took the subway from the doctor's office to South Station and much to my delight, the train set up was complete! And, for some reason, DebbieLynne was also very happy for me.

This year the display included a light house, sail boats, and simulated water.

Now I'll see if I can share a picture or two and maybe a video of the display.

Time for the Christmas Letter

Each year about this time Deb writes a Christmas letter to send out to our friends and family members via both email and regular mail. This was quite an eventful year for us, with both harrowing trials and joyful celebrations.

Even the writing of the Christmas letter had a minor trial or two. Deb now has a new computer with a new operating system and a new version of Microsoft Word.  For a while neither of us could get the spell checker to work, even aftter following the official instructions. Then suddenly the spell checker started working, and that was a relief.

When it came time to print the paper copies of the letter another hitch developed. The letter wouldn't print. The printer was connected and turned on and the program was telling it to print, but nothing was happening. Well, I didn't know what else to do, so I turned the printer off, then on again. Sure enough, that took care of the problem.

Originally Deb was going to include my online Avon webstore URL in the letter, but then I checked and discovered the URL no longer works. After many years as an Avon representative, I'd had to give up the direct selling to my local customers this year due health problems and drop in sales, but I'd kept the online webstore for those who wanted to use it and have orders shipped directly to them. But, apparently due to lack of activity, the webstore was closed and I'm no longer an Avon representative.

But I'll still do what I can when I can to earn some extra money. I'm a guy and like many men I like to do something to earn money to provide for my wife. It's not essential that I work, but as long as I'm able I will seek to do so.

 Although I'm no longer an Avon representative, but I am still an Amazon affiliate. That is why you will see Amazon banners on my blogs. If anyone goes to Amazon by clicking on one of the banners and then orders anything on Amazon I will earn a commission.

This has been quite a year for Deb and me. Getting the Christmas letter written and ready to send out has been a time to look back at what God has brought us through, both the trials and the blessings.

Thank you all for your prayers. Thank you to all who have helped us in so many ways. May you all be greatly blessed at this Christmastime and throughout the coming year.

Time For A New Computer For Deb

Deb's computer is quite old, and  lately we'd been considering getting a new one. Yesterday it became clear to us that right about now was the right time to go ahead and order one.

Thankfully, we won't have to go into debt to get the computer. Thanks to the generosity of many of you, we no longer have the debt that medical expenses put us into. We now have enough money to purchase a new computer outright.

We won't be extravagant with the buying of the computer. She doesn't need one that can play dazzling high action video games. But she does need one that can handle an artwork program, a good Bible study program, go online for blogging, research, and fellowship, and playing games like Bookworm, and Scrabble.

I'm so glad that God chose for DebbieLynne and I to be born and live at a time when home computers are available. DebbieLynne is so creative both in her writing and art, and a computer enables her to express those gifts in so many ways. A computer and the Internet also make it so much easier for her to communicate with people using Facebook, Twitter, and e-mails.

The computer that will be coming for DebbieLynne will be one with a good reputation for being reliable and repairable if that's ever needed.

When I went online to order the computer yesterday I ran into some difficulty completing the order. But the online help service chatted with me and soon things were completed and I was given a good deal on next business day delivery. Since we didn't know if we could get Deb's old computer to cooperate a much longer, I asked for the quicker shipping service. So hopefully by tomorrow the new computer will be here and a friend from church has offered to come help get it set up.

I am very happy for Deb that she won't be without a computer. It will be fun to see what she does with the art program that will come with it. It will probably operate faster than the old one, which will be nice. Not so much waiting to go online or for programs to start. And it will even have a keyboard that won't have to be propped up with old cassette boxes like her current keyboard needs.

I get so blessed whenever something good comes along for DebbieLynne. I hurt when she's hurting, but that's part of being married, and it's worth it, because I get to share the fun and joyful things with her as well.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog today. I hope all is well for all of you.

Watching Citizen Kane Together

Last night DebbieLynne and I started watching a movie named Doc Martin because we both very much enjoy the quirky humor of the TV series by the same name. Right away it was clear that the movie was not like the TV show. We gave the movie a few more minutes, but concluded that neither of us were interested in the film. So instead we decided to watch a commentary on Citizen Kane, which is one of DebbieLynne's favorite movies.

DebbieLynne has good taste in both food and movies and (in my opinion) what man to marry. I'm glad she let me know how much she likes Citizen Kane because that encouraged me to give her a two DVD set of the classic movie. The extras include a documentary about the movie and two commentaries.

We'd already seen one of the commentaries, so last night we started watching the second one. I was fun to learn about the innovative things Orson Wells did in the making the film, usually not just be be "new" but simply because this was his first film and he didn't know how he was "supposed" to do things.

Orson Wells had already had success on radio and in the theater, so he used techniques he'd learned in those areas to enhance how he presented the story in Citizen Kane. He used what he'd learned before and experimented to learn more about what would or would not work in making a motion picture.

DebbieLynne likes well made movies, and, like Orson Wells, she like to be creative. In her artwork that she does on the computer. She studies what others have done and written, and experiments to discover new ways to get the results she wants.

I love being married to DebbieLynne for many reasons. One reason is because I get to have more enjoyment out of watching and learning and appreciating movies like Citizen Kane as I do so with my darling Deb.

Doing What We Can for Each Other

Since both my wife Deb and I have been disabled since childhood, we are limited in what we can do for each other. She'd love to prepare meals for me, but since she physically can't do that, she does all she can to see that I eat healthy. She finds good recipes online, modifies them to fit my dietary restrictions, then prints them out so her attendant can shop for the ingredients and cook the meals for us.

She knows I like old movies, so she browses online and picks out ones for us to view when they come in the mail from Netflix.

She knows I enjoy driving both our chairs at the same time when we're out and about, so she often lets me do that even though she's quite capable of operating the joystick of her chair by pushing on it with her head.

It is a privilege and a pleasure for us to do what we can for each other.

During the storm that just came through, when Deb's regular attendants couldn't get here, I helped out a bit more than usual. Back-up attendants aren't as familiar with how things are done so I helped out with explaining things and assisting when I could.

Most days, unless I'm sick, we have lunch and supper by ourselves. The food has already been cooked and frozen, so all I have to do is thaw and microwave it. We both like it that way, rather than having the extra company of an attendant sharing the table with us. At lunch time we even usually have music playing. DebbieLynne picks out music she knows I like and plays it on her computer.

In the morning, after my attendant gets me up, and before DebbieLynne's attendant gets her up, we usually have time to pray while I massage her feet for a few minutes. One of Deb's feet has especially poor circulation since (for some reason) she doesn't ever do any walking. Even my massaging that foot in the morning hadn't helped much. But yesterday the back-up attendant explained that if the lower leg isn't also massaged, the blood pooled in the foot won't have any place to go. So we tried that this morning and her foot looked much better after just a few minutes!

Deb and I can't do a lot of things for one another. But what we can do, we are so glad to do. You see, after just over ten years of marriage, we're still very much in love with one another.

The Storm Named Sandy Stayed Away From Us

Folks in New Jersey and New York were severely impacted by hurricane Sandy. Deb and I are praying for them and the workers who are striving to rescue those who are stranded, and repair the damage that was done to their property and lives.

Here in our apartment on the third floor of our building we saw the trees blowing back and forth by the strong gusts of wind. From time to time there were torrential downpours, but they didn't last very long.

My mom, who lives in another part of  town, lost power for a few hours. DebbieLynne's evening personal care attendant wasn't able to come because driving wasn't safe at the height of the storm. Deb's morning attendant couldn't come this morning due to a tree having fallen on her car while it was parked in her driveway.

But our building only lost power for less than a minute. DebbieLynne was helped out last night and this morning by a woman in  the building. I got help from the guy who normally helps me who also lives in the building.

We also got phone calls from people offering to come to our aid if needed. But we were safe. We didn't need to use the water that we'd filled the tub with. We didn't need to use either the electric lantern that we bought or the one that had been given to us by a friend at church.

Thank you for those who prayed for us. Now lets pray for those who are recovering from the damages inflicted by the storm named Sandy which did not do harm to Deb and me.

A View of the Custom House Tower in Boston

Two days ago Deb and I took advantage of a mild late October day to venture into Boston. We visited the Granary Burial Ground where the graves of John Hancock, John Adams, Paul Revere and other patriots are located. We shared a turkey burger at a healthier than most hamburger restaurant. Then headed for Haymarket to buy some fresh fruits and vegetables.

Just before getting to Haymarket we passed by Quincy Market where I took this picture since the fall colors of the foliage looked nice with blue sky and the Custom House tower in the background.

The Custom House Tower can been seen from many locations in Boston. It's not the tallest building in Boston, but it is very distinctive. It does have an observation deck but the day we decided to visit it we learned that the deck has high walls and so those of us in wheelchairs wouldn't be able to see much.

Even though we've never been up in the tower, I always enjoy seeing it, and from time to time take another picture of it. It so good to be able to go out and about with DebbieLynne and see interesting sites.

I So Appreciate the Help Deb Gives Me

Gen 2:18  Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." ESV

 I need help. I get to be reminded of that quite often. For example, just yesterday I was letting the day go by without calling the paratransit service to request transport for DebbieLynne's doctor's appointment today at noon. After all, the office is less than a half mile away and the weather forecast was for no rain until late afternoon. But DebbieLynne reminded me that it would be good to request the trip, and in the morning cancel it if the weather was indeed what it was forecast to be. So I called.

Well, sure enough this morning we woke up and it was raining. Not heavily, but enough to have soaked DebbieLynne and me if we're tried to get to and from the doctor's office in our power wheelchairs. It was still raining both when the van took us to the office and back home again afterwards.

Deb also helps me eat healthy, which is so important for somebody like me who's had cancer and a heart attack. She finds healthy recipes online and adjusts them to fit our dietary restrictions.

She also helps me improve the writing for my blogs. She's an excellent writer and has even served as an editor. Now that I'm blogging more, she's giving me points to help me communicate more effectively.

She also helps me be a better husband. When I blow it as a loving husband, she helps me try to do better. She also forgives me, and that, too, make me want to do better.

She also encourages me to be a more godly man. Even though we very much like to be with each other while at church, she's happy for me to spend time fellowshipping and praying with the other men.

I thank God that Deb is my wife. I can never thank Him enough for that.

Almost Not with Deb on Her Birthday

During the week leading up to DebbieLynne's birthday, one day we had a stuffed baked potato from a cart on the Greenway in Boston, then a canoli from Mike's Bakery in the North End. On another day we took a Freedom Trail walk, had lunch together in a nice restaurant, and I bought her a pretty skirt she saw that she liked.

Her actual birthday is on the 30th, which this year is a Sunday, so we made plans to go to a Mexican restaurant after church, inviting a couple from church to double date with us. Sunday was also the day I planned to give her a double dvd set of one of her favorite movies, Citizen Kane. It was going to be such a nice day.

Well, the day before her birthday things went downhill for me. DebbieLynne noticed I was somewhat bloated that morning, but I felt OK and had breakfast as usual. But by lunchtime I was more bloated and didn't feel up to eating anything.

As the day progressed things weren't going well for me and, at DebbieLynne's suggestion, I called my primary care doctor's phone number and talked with the doctor covering for her. He told me to call back if things got worse, which by evening I had to make the call. He said he would notify the emergency room and that I should get in there as soon as I could.

While waiting for the ambulance to arrive I told DebbieLynne about the Citizen Kane DVD set since it was very unlikely I'd be able to give it to her the next day. The last time I had similar symptoms I was in the hospital for 6 days. It was even possible that this could be more serious than last time if they decided it was necessary to go in and find out if whether it is something other than an ulcer in my intestine that is showing up on CAT scans.

The ambulance came and took me to the Emergency Room, and that's where I spent the night, getting prepped for and then having another CAT scan, answering questions, discussing the situation, and letting staff members know that my wife's birthday was that day (by then it was after midnight so Sunday had begun).

The scan showed that there was a blockage but that it was further down than the last one and might be treatable with a heavy duty enema. The two glasses of solution that I'd drunk to prepare for the scan also have a laxative effect, so things progressed along with the recommended treatment and I got to feeling a lot better.

The heavy duty enema worked extremely well, and they said if I could drink a large glass of water without any adverse reaction I should be OK to go back home. I never wanted to a glass of water so much since it would mean getting to spend DebbieLynne's birthday with her.

When the water caused no problems the call for my transportation home was made. When I arrived back at our apartment I got to wish my darling DebbieLynne a Happy Birthday in person. My being there to spend the day with her was the best birthday present I could give her.

An extended birthday and every day gift to her will be if I can keep out of the hospital. My nurse in the Emergency Room recommended I add a certain kind of yogurt to my diet to help keep things moving successfully through my intestines. That will be in addition to all the other things I'm doing that are recommended by my doctors and learned from researching things and discussing them with my doctors.

I thank you for your prayers for us. Doing all the right things to guard my health isn't enough. We need God to sustain us. So I very much appreciate your going to Him to look after us.

Treat My Wife With Respect Not Condecension

When my wife, Deb, lived in California she often went shopping and to the movie theater and elsewhere on her own. People there welcomed her at their places of business and were glad to have her business. That is how things should be for everyone, even those who like my wife who happen to use a wheelchair.

Today Deb and I were in Boston. We enjoyed being at the Boston Commons. We rolled along Charles Street. We had lunch at B'Goods on Washington Street at Downtown Crossing.

Then we went to Quincy Market so DebbieLynne could have a nice Cannoli. Before I got the pastry I took the elevator down to the restroom. DebbieLynne waited for me in the public eating area. That's when our pleasant day in Boston turned sour.

A security guard came over and asked DebbieLynne "Is your friend coming back?" There was no need for the woman to ask that question. The guard wasn't going around asking anybody else who happened to be sitting alone such a question. But DebbieLynne answered, "Yes, he's coming back."

"Good," the woman responded, "I just didn't want you to be alone."

"I'm Ok, geez" retorted DebbieLynne, aggravated that this woman didn't think she was qualified to sit by herself in a public place.

The security guard then walked about 10 feet away and stayed there, keeping an eye on my wife.

After a time the woman summed another security guard to stand with Debbielynne while that guard went off looking for me. My wife was obviously upset by this treament. What if she decided to go somewhere else? Would they follow her? Would they try to prevent her from leaving the area?

When I got back and found out what was going I demanded to see her immediate superior and then the director of public safety at Quincy Market. I want people to treat my wife with the proper and simple respect she deserves. She should be as free as anybody to be where she has a right to be whether or not she is by herself.

That woman ruined what had been a nice day for Deb and me, and ruined Deb from feeling free to be in Quincy Market or elsewhere in Boston on her own, or even go there with me because there will be times when I won't be right there sitting next her and there will be people like that security guard who will find something wrong with that.

Deb and I are extremely upset that she gets treated that way when on her own. Last year it was a policeman in Randolph who treated her that way. Today it was that security guard at Quincy Market in Boston.

Please pray that these people will learn to treat DebbieLynne and all people with disabilities with the common respect everyone deserves whether they are with others or by themselves.

Celebrating 10 Years of Marriage

A little over a week ago, on August 24th, DebbieLynne and I celebrated our 10th Anniversary. We took a luncheon harbor cruise on the Spirit of Boston. There were roses on our table for two, lobster, and champagne (alcohol removed). And we danced while the DJ played our requested song, Still The One, by Shania Twain. (See a video of our dancing on DebbieLynne's blog post here).

After our luxurious meal and romantic dance we went out on the back deck to enjoy the sunshine and view of Boston Harbor. After such a traumatic year with me in the hospital so much it was refreshing to be together on the 10th anniversary of our wedding.

Two days later our church held a party to for us. Members of my family, friends, and fellow church members joined us to celebrate these ten years together that God has given us. There was good food, fellowship, and another opportunity for us to dance to Still the One.

As the party ended, moments before Deb and I had to get outside to get the paratransit van back home, we had just enough time to open a curiously large present, and a smaller one that went with it, both gifts from the members of our church. The two gifts were a 32 inch TV and a blue-ray/DVD player! We'd never even dreamed of having anything like that. The love and generosity of our friends at church overwhelmed us.

Later in the week Deb and I met my Mom at the Cheesecake Factory at the Shopping Plaza, to treat her to a birthday lunch. While we were there DebbieLynne also bought me a Kindle reader as a combination Anniversary and Birthday present. She also bought me a Study Bible for the Kindle so I can easily read it and even take notes. I can use it when resting in bed at home, or when we're at church, or...if necessary...if I'm in the hospital. She sure knows me and how to bless me.

I am so blessed to have DebbieLynne as my wife. She so blesses me every day. I love doing whatever I can for her whenever I can. I thank God for these 10 years together that He's given us so far.

And I thank you for your prayers for us. DebbieLynne and I pray for you. We pray that you cherish your marriages and friendships. Every day and every moment is precious.

Back in Time For Lunch Today

Most of the time DebbieLynne and I go out together. One day last week we went into Boston and had lunch at Quincy Market and then went to the new Tea Party and Ships Museum. Later in the week we went to the South Shore Plaza to do a little shopping at Sears and Targets.

Today, however, I had an eye exam just a 2 mile bus ride down Main Street, so I went by myself. The exam was scheduled for 1 o'clock so I had to leave shortly before noon to be sure to be there on time. That was a bit too early for us to have lunch before I left, so we decided we'd eat when I got back.

DebbieLynne had her morning personal care attendant make up sandwiches and put them in the refrigerator so they'd be ready when I got back.

I'm glad I left a little early to get to the appointment because Main Street in the center of town had been scraped down to make ready for a new surface. But I found a place to safely cross in my wheelchair just in time to get the next bus down to the eye doctor's office.

The exam was completed by 2 o'clock and about a half hour later the bus came along and it brought me back to the center of town so I could wheel back home to our apartment. It was a little after 3 when I came through the door to see my darling DebbieLynne.

While I was out DebbieLynne had read the blog post I made this morning on my I Ponder Today blog and discovered a typo I'd made.. I appreciate her finding it and letting me know so I could fix it.

She also let me know that she'd written up some fun questions to ask people who come to the party in a few weeks to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary.

But before fixing my blog post or reading the list of questions I got the sandwiches out of the 'fridge and she had her cheese sandwich and I had my peanut butter and jelly sandwich. A simple lunch to be sure, but I do so enjoy sharing all our meals again. That 2 and a half months of my being in the hospital meant many days of  not even seeing one another let alone not being able to eat together.

I hope all of you married couples take take to cherish the times you get to be together. If God has blessed you with time together I hope you thank Him and let your wife or your husband know how much you appreciate being with them whenever you can.

I am still learning how to better express love to my wife. I'd appreciate your prayers for me as I seek to do ever better at loving her in both in word and deed.

Thank you all for your prayers for us.

Plan to Celebrate 10 Years of Maraige

For a while this year it looked like Deb and I might not get to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary. We were faced with the diagnosis of my colon cancer, and then I had a heart attack which meant the surgery to remove the cancer had to be postponed to give my heart time to mend after the stint was put in.

Finally, after 2 and a half months, I got home from the hospital and gradually began to regain strength. Things were looking up. But then I got some test results that were questionable.and I got quite concerned. Would I be going back into the hospital. Was my reprieve only temporary?

Well, we're hoping I will be OK. Further tests will be done next month, and for now I am feeling good and I'm able to be off the ventilator for more than an hour at a time. I was breathing on my own all through the church service today. I was also off it all during the time Deb and I were on the tour of the Boston Tea Part Ship and Museum last Tuesday.

I am feeling better physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Deb and I are now very much looking forward to celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary.

 On the actual day of our anniversary were are going to go on a luncheon cruise on the Spirit of Boston. Two days later we're having a party at our church. At both events we're having the following song sung for us to dance to:

Doing Rehab One Day At a Time

Following the surgery to remove the colon cancer I wasn't able to eat anything at first. Then I was allowed clear liquids. Then I was allowed some soft easy to digest food just before being transferred back to the rehab hospital. During that time I lost quite a bit of weight.

For the time being I'm on a diet of low fiber food to make it easier for my colon to heal. My abdomen is still bloated, but I'm eating as much as I can to regain weight.

I managed to get up into my wheelchair on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to build up muscle strength. Lack of eating, and being bedridden has resulted in loss of of strength and I want to get built up again as quickly as possible so I can get home to be with DebbieLynne.

Unfortunately on Saturday I had a temperature of 102 degrees. Tests determined it was due to a urinary tract infection. So I didn't get out of bed on Saturday or Sunday. I'm now on antibiotics which should eliminate the infection.

I felt better on Monday (yesterday) and practiced getting from bed to chair and back a few times. We even raised the level of bed a level to make it more like the bed at home. I stayed up in my wheelchair between lunch and supper.

Today I've done two sessions of wheelchair to bed and back transfers. What used to be so easy is now hard work, but should get much easier as I regain strength. I got into the wheelchair after lunch and plan to remain in it until after supper.

I'm also using a device to strengthen the muscles used to inhale when breathing. The better I can breathe on my own and use my arms to do transfers, the better I will be able to do things for myself and DebbieLynne once I get home.

We're hoping I'll be back with DebbieLynne sometime next week. Please pray that will work out. Pray I will regain weight and strength with no more running of a fever. Also please pray for my abdominal bloating to subside.

Thank you for your praying. And thanks again for those who've been helping DebbieLynne while I've been hospitalized now for over two months.

On the Mend From My Colon Surgery

It had seemed like I was making little by little progress each day following the surgery to remove the colon cancer on May 15. But yesterday I was so bloated that it was hard to breathe even with my ventilator. I could barely talk on the phone with my wife.

Why was my condition so much worse yesterday than the previous day? Was the treatment I was getting here at the rehab hospital doing me more harm than good?

Well, I theorized that maybe I had the night time tidal volume on my ventilator set too high. Maybe it was causing air to go into my stomach as well as my lungs. So I lowered the tidal volume and then lowered it some more until it was as low as I could have it and still have acceptable oxygen levels reading on the monitor.

That change made a great difference. When I woke  up early this morning I was no more bloated than the night before, and I felt rested and refreshed.

Yesterday I was so bloated they put me back on a clear liquid diet. Today, with the bloating significantly down I got to have a lunch of baked fish, mashed potatoes, well cooked cauliflower, and a small cup of canned fruit. It tasted sooo good!

After lunch the therapist helped me get my back brace on. Then she stood by while I with considerable effort transferred from the bed into my wheelchair. It was the first time I'd done that since the surgery two weeks ago today. Praise God.

Building up the strength in my arms to do transfers is important, so I'll continue to work on that for getting in and out of bed and on and off a commode.

I'll also be working to extend the amount of time I can be off the ventilator. For two months I've had to use it 24 hours a day. It will so good when I can be at home with DebbieLynne and not have to use the vent while having meals together. And in time we hope I'll be able to go venturing outside and even into Boston without the ventilator doing my breathing for me.

Thankfully the new ventilator can be strapped to the back of my wheelchair so I could use it when I'm out. But when it's back there I'm not able to turn it on or off. My respiratory therapist is trying to figure out a way it could be turned on or off without reaching the controls.

My physical problems yesterday were distressing. But today things are looking up again. I wanted to share that with you. That's why I'm making this post.

I abundantly thank you for your prayers and for your caring about DebbieLynne and me.

I Thank You For Your Prayers and Help

On May 15 I was brought from the rehab hospital to Massachusetts General Hospital for my colon cancer surgery. A great many people who care about me and DebbieLynne were praying things would go well.

With my permission the anethesiologist performed an epidural since that would allow them to reduce the amount of sedation I would need.

A breathing tube to my lungs was put in place after I was put to sleep, and later that same day was removed and I was back using my positive pressure ventilator with my mouthpiece strapped on. That was a wonderful answer to prayer because it was thought I might need to use the breathing tube for an extended period.

I was kept in the recovery room for a few days before it was deemed safe to move me to the respiratory intensive care unit. After a few days I was allowed to begin having clear liquids. Then, just 8 days after the operation, I was transported back to the rehab hospital to continue recovery.

Thank you so much for your prayers and help. I'll let you know how rehab goes. My re-sectioned colon is healing. I'll have to restrict my diet to low fiber foods until it can tolerate them. The abdominal swelling will need to reduce more before I can use my newer (tight fitting) back brace, but today I was able to use my old  (loose fitting) back brace on so I could sit more upright in the bed to eat lunch.

 Such amazing progress so soon after the surgery is a wonderful answer to prayer.

Thank you also so much for all those of you  who have helped DebbieLynne with meals and more while I've been away and couldn't be there myself to help her.

And I thank you for helping us financially. Your generosity has provided enough to finish paying off the debt incurred when we had to meet a large deductible to qualify DebbieLynne to be on MassHealth.

DebbieLynne and I are greatly blessed. God has blessed us with so much, including friends like you.