Time passes on...

I'm sorry! I have been completely overwhelmed. My lack of posting may have clued you in though.

Since the beginning of 2009, things have been so out of the norm. We started the year off with the death of our retired Fire Chief on New Years Day. Not only was he the Fire Chief when Tim started the department but he was also my Aunt's father-in-law. At that same time, we found out that our current fire chief has been diagnosed with stage 4 lung and aortic valve cancer. This is inoperable. It came as a huge shock to everyone and the news still has many reeling.

I had my midterm for my EMT class and scored in the top of the class. I believe I was second or third. That certainly was a welcomed grade. While I was doing that, Tim was attending Chief Wilson's service with the fire department.

I started classes up again at the college. I have three this term, not including my EMT class. So far, we're doing well.

This past weekend I was hoping for a relaxing weekend. That didn't happen. Friday was a horrible disappointment as anger and rage filled the space inside our home. Saturday I was "abducted" by a dear friend just so I could get out and away from the chaos here. We purchased the fabric to finish one of the sofas that we're making. (Photos will come soon). We had breakfast and lunch together and came home to put our purchases together. We finished the night watching a movie with some friends.

Somewhere around 1:20 AM Sunday morning, I heard the tones go off for my grandfather. After phone calls to my mom (who was sleeping really hard), A friend drove me to my grandparents. I had just missed the ambulance so I caught a ride up to the hospital with my Aunt, Uncle and Grandma. We stayed with him until morning when he was admitted for pneumonia. He's 80 and has compromised lung capacity already. Please pray for him. It's been a very rough few days.

On our way home from the hospital, we witnessed a lady lose control and roll her vehicle several times in front of us. Being first on scene (and to witness it), I felt that EMT pull. I called it in, approached the vehicle which was still up on it's drivers side and the driver started crawling out of the passenger window. In the end, she ended up being okay but surely must have been quite shook up. I can only imagine that she felt sore the next day. I'm just thankful that she was okay.

I came home and spent the morning/afternoon getting some sleep before just relaxing on Sunday night. Thankfully the kids didn't have school on Monday.

Tim and I have been to visit Grandpa. I went up today and was able to sit and talk with him by myself for a good hour. I'll cherish that time together.

He seems to be in good spirits but is certainly not fully "with us" in his thoughts. He has been moved to a room that is across from the nurses station so they can watch him a bit closer. He likes to remove his oxygen!

Just a side note, if you have a desire to have a DNR, PLEASE make sure it is a valid DNR and that your family, physician and the hospital you use has a copy of that. I'm not sure what your particular state requires; however, it is a requirement that as EMS workers MUST do everything that they can unless they have a VALID DNR order in their hands. Most times, the DNR order must be signed by yourself, your physician, one or two witnesses, and a lawyer. Different states may require something different. Just make sure your wishes are honored. Speak with your family about them and be sure they always know where that DNR order is in the event that it is needed. I only say this because what was thought to be a valid DNR order for my Grandfather has been found to be INvalid!

One thing that gave me comfort today was getting to spend some one on one time with Grandpa. He has always been a hard working, loving man, in my eyes. It is hard to see him laying there, much thinner than he has in the past and working hard to just breathe. One thing he doesn't do is to verbally say "I love you". In all my years, I have never heard him say that. I have only heard him say "You be good now." Today when I bent down, gave him a kiss and told him I loved him, he looked right at me, his hands on each of my arms and said, "I love you too!"

Keep fighting, Grandpa. Remember though, if you get up to Heaven, you need to save a spot for me! I'll bring the $5.00, you bring the patch of grass.

I'm off to do some homework. Thanks for thinking of me. I hope to be posting on a regular basis now that life is somewhat "normal" now.

Hugs,
Becky