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| My dad and his great-grandson Zachary |
Where does one begin when they want to share about their family? I am so blessed to have the parents, siblings, and sister-in-laws I have. I can’t say it enough. For the past two months, we have been so challenged as a family; first, it was my dad having to have stents put in his leg and then having to have further surgery with his prostrate. Around the time of my dad’s second surgery, we got the news that my sister’s brain tumor returned. We were prepared that it would eventually come back, but not so soon after her final chemo treatment the beginning of May. As a family, after the pause we knew what we had to do, move forward and deal with whatever we’re dealt.
After my dad’s prostrate surgery, he developed great pain in his leg where the stents were implanted. The doc figured there was blockage due to the temporary stop of the Plavix. He was put back on the Plavix immediately, but was schedule to have the issues causing the pain in his leg corrected. The surgery was scheduled about a month after his prostrate surgery. The surgery to correct the stent issue proved to be more of an issue than planned; the stents were kinked, and therefore required by-pass surgery in his leg.
Now understand, my dad just turned 80 in April and the only time he spent time in a hospital or had any major health issues was when he had cat scratch fever. It’s like as soon as he turned 80 years old, he is given the challenges (health wise) of his life.
My dad has been such a “trooper” and such a role model for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We are so blessed to have him as the patriarch of our family.
My sister, yes, I love her dearly and her trials are not without notice to her family and friends. She’s a strong woman and strives to stay positive through all her adversities. She is definitely her father’s daughter and the rest of us can learn a great deal from her.
So, as a family we have hung together. Yes, we have had our differences and don’t always agree, but the wonderful thing is, we don’t hold grudges and we do have a great sense of humor. You know the saying, “when life gives you lemons, you make lemon aide” or as a friend told me you make Margaritas!!
To all those who have taken the time to read this I want to say, enjoy those moments you have with the ones most dearest to you ~ you never know when you will end up with lots of lemons!
Happenings in Christine's World 
July 27, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Thank you Christine for sharing. We have experienced similar health issues in my family. I have been struggling with several myself since 1994. My Father passed away a few years ago from Prostate Ca and Altzheimers. I was fortionate enough to be able to care for him at home. I loved the picture of your Father holding the baby. It reminded me of Dad. He was a strong Irish man and also loved children. Watching him succumb to health issues was tough. Caring and giving him the respect he deserved in his last years was the only way I could ever repay him for the man he truely was inside. I believe you are in the situation with your Parents that you can identify.
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August 1, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Thank you for taking the time to share your story. I appreciate it so much and can certainly relate.
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