Monday, January 31, 2011
Numb
I am numb. Just numb. I just finished reading the date that our friend has chosen to die. I'm not going to say the date out of respect for their privacy but it is so close.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
A Better Saturday
Keith and I are having a great week. We are laughing at the fact that we can't find time to read. What are we doing? We don't know but it seems to take all day, each day. I guess we just get to enjoy each other and the time together. We had a birthday party for Diala Thursday evening. Can't believe she is 5 already.
Just wanted everyone to know that we are ok.
We decided not to go to Disneyland. After going to Alderwood Mall and one of its busiest restaurants, we realized that maneuvering through a lot of people is certainly not easy for Keith and makes me worried. We may be looking at going to Great Wolf Lodge instead. We will see.
All for now.
Just wanted everyone to know that we are ok.
We decided not to go to Disneyland. After going to Alderwood Mall and one of its busiest restaurants, we realized that maneuvering through a lot of people is certainly not easy for Keith and makes me worried. We may be looking at going to Great Wolf Lodge instead. We will see.
All for now.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Death With Dignity
Keith and I now know more that we ever wanted to know about Death With Dignity. I had definite strong opinions about it and judged those who thought different until today. Did you know that Keith's disease, MSA, is allowed on the list of options for Assisted Suicide? We didn't nor did we care. Yesterday, however we were put in its path by our friend who also has MSA and his wife as we were getting together over a cup of coffee. It is not everyday that you are privileged or trusted enough to hear the wishes of person wanting to die. He is in much worse condition than when we saw him last. Then, he was using a walker, still smiling and able to carry on good conversation. Now, he is a man, depressed in a wheelchair with a swelling body that no longer works for him. He has lost hope and has obtain a doctor's prescription to end his life.
I won't go into details as his wife did while took a short walk, leaving the guys alone to talk. (somewhat scary and overwhelming). I was so thankful for Keith. He was bonding with him and they were laughing. I wanted desperately to talk with her alone and find out how things were going from her perspective. She and I share a situation that very few do. That is, both of us having husbands with MSA, a very rare disease. She needed to talk. She has to do everything now, making difficult decisions alone about their two high school aged kids. She is overwhelmed and at the same time dealing with a husband that wants to die now.
Believing that Keith would never take God's role and do that as a Christian I felt better. So I asked him or sort of told him and then asked him about Death With Dignity and I was surprise. He said he'd think about it. Later, he said that didn't mean he would consider it. I knew what he meant after seeing our friend. We now ask for prayers for both of these wonderful people.
Enough for today.
I won't go into details as his wife did while took a short walk, leaving the guys alone to talk. (somewhat scary and overwhelming). I was so thankful for Keith. He was bonding with him and they were laughing. I wanted desperately to talk with her alone and find out how things were going from her perspective. She and I share a situation that very few do. That is, both of us having husbands with MSA, a very rare disease. She needed to talk. She has to do everything now, making difficult decisions alone about their two high school aged kids. She is overwhelmed and at the same time dealing with a husband that wants to die now.
Believing that Keith would never take God's role and do that as a Christian I felt better. So I asked him or sort of told him and then asked him about Death With Dignity and I was surprise. He said he'd think about it. Later, he said that didn't mean he would consider it. I knew what he meant after seeing our friend. We now ask for prayers for both of these wonderful people.
Enough for today.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Doing very well
Just thought I'd let you know that Keith and I are doing well. We are giving ourselves permission to watch TV and movies during the day. Our philosophy regarding daytime tv viewing has changed from when the kids were young. Then, we refused to have a tv in the living room and generally did not watch it during the day. Well truthfully, Mom might have watched some while they were taking a nap or in school. =) . My mom was pretty wise. When my dad had a stroke and she took care of him at home for 6 years, she knew the value (yes, value)of the tv was to my dad. He loved watching musicals, funny shows and of course, Lawrence Welk. I must say my dad never was one to get angry or mope around. He wasn't depressed. We all just sat and watched a musical with him. He loved it. Most of us did also, except after watching The Sound of Music for the 25th time, I was glad when some of the grandkids could take my place. =)
We are heading out to Costco to stock up in case of snow. Keith will get a Mocha, his treat from Costco. (I know you all have your favorite too. What's wrong with a slice a pizza right? After all it's soooooooooooooooo cheap.) After reading about couples having to spend between $10 to $20 dollars an hour for a babysitter, I can see why a Costco date could be a great debt fighting tool for them. It's all they can afford!
Off we go
We are heading out to Costco to stock up in case of snow. Keith will get a Mocha, his treat from Costco. (I know you all have your favorite too. What's wrong with a slice a pizza right? After all it's soooooooooooooooo cheap.) After reading about couples having to spend between $10 to $20 dollars an hour for a babysitter, I can see why a Costco date could be a great debt fighting tool for them. It's all they can afford!
Off we go
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Possible Changes
January days have us praying and pondering where we can best serve others.It's tough for Keith not to be working. He may be able to volunteer more. I'll keep you posted. Like I told the Social Security counselor, we would pay to have Keith be able to work. =)
I know a lot of you, myself, and and several of my family members have encouraged Keith to spend quality time with family. He has done so and has enjoyed it. Not working, however has been more difficult than we expected. We have been forced to constantly adjust our reality. While his body is not able to perform like it used to, he has worked furiously hard to keep its atrophy at bay by exercising. Often more than me. In fact, he had another super appointment with his neurologist. He sees no reason that Keith can't travel so I'm not giving up the dream of taking the family to Disneyland, late June. We'll see. His Dr. however, doesn't see Keith's daily difficulties. If we have to go to "Plan B" that's ok.
We thank you for the prayers and still need them. This disease if not so good. I want people to know about it but I'm not ready to lead that campaign yet!
Until later,
I know a lot of you, myself, and and several of my family members have encouraged Keith to spend quality time with family. He has done so and has enjoyed it. Not working, however has been more difficult than we expected. We have been forced to constantly adjust our reality. While his body is not able to perform like it used to, he has worked furiously hard to keep its atrophy at bay by exercising. Often more than me. In fact, he had another super appointment with his neurologist. He sees no reason that Keith can't travel so I'm not giving up the dream of taking the family to Disneyland, late June. We'll see. His Dr. however, doesn't see Keith's daily difficulties. If we have to go to "Plan B" that's ok.
We thank you for the prayers and still need them. This disease if not so good. I want people to know about it but I'm not ready to lead that campaign yet!
Until later,
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