Where to start.....

It wasn't a great week this week.  If Tom does have one good day, several not so good days follow.

A long time friend of Tom's called this week to check in.  We haven't talked to him in a while.  He was unaware of Tom's condition and was, needless to say, quite surprised and upset that he didn't know.  He indicated that he wished someone had called him.

I have yet to call him back because I need to make sure I'm in the right place, in my mind, to discuss this with him.   In the meantime, I have thought about what he said - that he wished someone had called him - and the following occurred to me.  If someone gets married, has a baby, retires, gets a new job we might call our friends and family to let them know.  If someone gets a debilitating disease, looses their job, has a car accident, we don't call our friends and family to let them know.  Why, do you suppose that is?  Is it because we don't want people to think we are looking for sympathy?  Is it because it's hard to deal with, so we just don't do it?  Or, is it because we tend to share only the good news for whatever reason?   Who knows, just something to think about, and either way, good news or bad, support from friends and family is invaluable.

Jeff stopped this weekend to show me how to remove the flies from my bathroom light.  I am so inept at doing those chores.  Thank you Jeff.

Our nephew stopped to sand the driveway for us this weekend.  Thank you Jeff.

Our long time friend, and housekeeper, stopped by this week and brought us some tulips to plant indoors, just to bring some springtime into our home.  Thank you Brenda.

Tom's sister made him some peanut butter cookies.  Thanks Pip.  At least he is eating those. 

These are things that people are doing without being asked (well, I did ask Jeff to help with the flies because they were driving me nuts!!)  but just because they care.   As hard as this is, we continue to be so fortunate to have those people around us who care about us.

Thanks Jeanne, for your comment on the last Blog.  How could I not take care of Tom?  He is the love of my life.  I have spent 2/3 of my life with this man who is, without question, the best husband and father anyone could ask for.

I can't thank those of you enough who continue to stop to visit, call, e-mail and just support us in every way.  You can't have any idea, unless you are sitting where we are, how much this helps.

Finally, a post.  I want to apologize for not posting for the past couple of weeks.  I'm having a hard time dealing with this and wasn't sure I could post a Blog that would be worth reading so better not to post at all.

Tom is having a rough time.  Yesterday he had the best day he's had in a while.  Today, not so much.  He sleeps alot.  He's lost some weight, after having gained back the weight he lost after the summer.  We take it one day at a time.

As tough as this is we continue to be so grateful for friends and family.

Tom's sisters continue to check in, by calling and stopping by to visit.

Of course, Nan e-mails each day and comes to visit when she can.

Our long time friends who recently retired to Florida check in every Saturday morning.
 
Our very good friend and personal electrician Jeff and a long time friend who was in our wedding some 40 years ago came over on Saturday to be here while we had a new dishwasher installed, just in case I needed some help.  We are very thankful they were here.  In the past, Tom always did these things around the house so it's odd for us to have to hire someone.  I guess you do what you have to.

Tom received another beautiful hand made card from the ladies at DOT.  Thank you so much for keeping Tom in your thoughts.

Our nephew Jeff stopped a week or so ago to clean up the snow in the driveway.  Our other nephew is going to finish the tile floor that Tom has not been able to finish.

Brian and Ben have sanded the driveway and shoveled the roof of the camper.

Tami stops each day and Kelly stops a couple of times a week.   Tami picked up flowers for Tom to give me for Valentines Day and Kelly picked up cards.  How lucky are we to have such great kids.

As hard as all of this is I can't help but reflect on how fortunate we are to have such caring friends and family.  I can't imagine doing this without them.  I know you've seen this on the Blog numerous times but I will say it again.  I don't know how anyone would get through something like this without friends and family.  For us it's a Godsend.

Thank you all so much for being there and helping us out even when I don't update the Blog.  We are and will continue to be forever grateful.