I hope you and your families have been well. After a short hiatus from the blog, I am excited to get back to writing regular blog entries and connecting with all of you.
Before I provide the latest on Ken, I wanted to address the recent acts of violence in our country, My thoughts and prayers have been and continue to be with all the people in Boston and West Texas. As I tried to make sense of it all, I looked at those first responders and the many ordinary citizens who risked their own safety to help others. I watched those good people, those angels, trying to protect and save innocent lives. In those moments I saw goodness, love, and the hand of God. I recently finished a book, One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp. It was an amazing book. She tried to look at life, the joys and sorrows, in a different way. She started a journal - her gratitude journal. She decided each day she would write down a word or phrase that showed God at work in her life. She is still adding to her journal that now has thousands of entries. Throughout Ken's journey, we have certainly had our ups and downs, our good times and bad. But even in the bad times, I am looking harder now than ever before for all of God's work in our lives and remembering to be thankful for all of our blessings.
These last few months have led me to revise the expression "the good, the bad, and the ugly" to "the good, the not so good, and the unknown" to best describe the condition of Ken now almost 8 months post surgery.
- The GOOD: Ken has felt really good these last nine weeks. I told him this is the best I remember him looking and feeling in the past 5 years. Life has taken on a "normal" feel for us. It is amazing how much more we are able to take on and accept when Ken truly feels well. It makes this journey so worth it.
- The NOT SO GOOD: Ken is continuing to have lab work done every week due to the health challenges he has encountered post-op. Our weekly routine is lab work every Tuesday morning, waiting for some results on Tuesday afternoon, and the rest on Thursday afternoon. Unfortunately, those phone calls dominate our lives. Tom Petty said it best, "The waiting game is the hardest part." Good news makes us ecstatic, disappointing news makes us worry. And then we do it all over again the next week. We continually have to remind ourselves that we truly live in faith and not by sight.
- The UNKNOWN: Some of Ken's blood results have created more questions than answers. Specifically, the protein levels in his urine are elevated which can endanger the kidney if not treated effectively. Unfortunately,the doctors do not have an answer for why this is happening and so Ken is having to try out different medications to get the levels under control. I ask that all of you keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we continue to search for an answer.
As we take each day, one by one, and try to stay focused on the things that matter we are living for the beautiful moments. We will be traveling again for the first time in over 2 1/2 years. We have been enjoying our children and grandchildren. We will be heading to the beach this summer. We will be welcoming our grandson into this world. All beautiful moments that we are so thankful for. I have much to add to my gratitude journal. As always, thank you for your support and love! Until the next time may the Lord carry us on our journey,
Pat
