(As shared on my blog facebook page...)
Hello, you dear ones who still follow this blogger who hasn't blogged in
ages.
I think about writing so very often but I have no idea where to
start. A short update here feels like a much more manageable way to
share. I'm doing well. It was discovered this past year that my SCAD
heart attack was caused by a condition called fibromuscular dysplasia
(my arteries are wonky which has and may continue to cause problems).
It's been a journey accepting my new reality but I am so
thankful for where I am today...I have a brand new perspective on life.
I am thankful for every day. Our family is well. We are LOVING
having my parents live with us in their own (attached) apartment. Their
support and presence has been such a gift. Because of my health
issues, we've stopped fostering. This was very difficult for me at
first but our family feels complete with four wonderful children who
span between learning to drive and learning to use the potty. We still
garden a little and enjoy small projects but we also take advantage of
our friends' CSA as slowing down a bit is good for me. We're still
homeschooling but next year will include our eldest going to private
school and our youngest spending a few days a week at a local preschool.
When I read back over blog posts I realize that that woman doesn't
exist anymore. This is both oddly unsettling and comforting. So much
has transpired and while it has included trials it has also been full of
so many joys and gifts. I can honestly say that while life is very
different now, I would not choose to go back. God is with me and I rest
secure in Him. Blessings to each of you as you navigate your own
challenges and celebrations. You will always be dear to me.
Until next
time and with love,
Jane
Pin It
Showing posts with label Aging Parents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aging Parents. Show all posts
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Friday, February 2, 2018
A Life-Changing Year
Hi, friends. I have no idea if any one is out there to read me anymore- I know I've been gone a long time. I've been wanting to share some things with you for quite some time now but before I could get settled in regarding one event, bang! another one would hit and so on. I think I have it pretty much together (let's just say that I do, anyway) at this point so I'm going to share before the next thing comes along and re-rattles me:-).
This past year has altered my life in several major ways and while I could possibly write a book on each of the major ways, I will instead try to summarize things for you. Here we go.
1) Remember that sweet little special needs foster baby we brought into our lives almost two years ago? He's now ours. The official adoption came through last month just in time for Christmas. There are so many emotions wrapped up in adoption- I never knew...and I never imagined I'd be experiencing them! God had other plans as did our hearts. We are now a family of six.
2) In less than four months, my parents are moving in with us! This plan has been in the works for years and we are finally in the process of having an addition put on our house that not only gives my parents a full living space but that gives our family some extra bedrooms as well. We are currently squished into two bedrooms as the two houses are being combined but before long, we will spread out again. And, boy, are we going to appreciate the extra space. My parents are still young so we are looking forward to many years of living beside them and caring for them (as I am sure they will continue to care for us).
3) And, finally (and with much trepidation for some reason), I want to share with you that back in October I had a heart attack. I can hardly believe it as I type it. I experienced a Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection. This is not your normal heart attack- in fact, it's quite rare. Arteries have layers and the inner layer of one of my arteries tore allowing blood to seep into the wall of the artery causing a bulge and a 70% blockage which lead to the heart attack. I thank God that it happened in the early hours of the morning (it woke me up) while Jamey was still home and did NOT happen in front of my children.
I HIGHLY recommend that everyone carry chewable 81mg baby aspirin with them. Jamey fed me four of these as we ran red lights on the way to the ER and they greatly reduced the horrible chest pain/squeezing I was experiencing.
My recovery is ongoing but positive. I'm now on medication and just finished cardiac rehab. There isn't a lot known about SCAD so I've enrolled in a clinical study to help with research. Why it happens isn't really known and there is a possibility of recurrence. I am still wrapping my head around my new normal and would appreciate any prayers you're able to raise on my (and my family's) behalf.
For all of these reasons (and many more that have come into focus through all of this), I thought it time to officially bow out of this site for the time being. I kind of already have but I wanted to share with you some of the why. I'm leaving it all here for my own record, for a resource and just in case I one day come back.
Update: The paper copies of my cookbook have sold out. Thank you all for your orders! The digital copy is still available on Amazon.
Blessings to each of you this year. Love your people and people that aren't your people and make time to take care of yourself. Our bodies are AMAZING and deserve so much more care than we give them.
Love,
Jane
Pin It
This past year has altered my life in several major ways and while I could possibly write a book on each of the major ways, I will instead try to summarize things for you. Here we go.
1) Remember that sweet little special needs foster baby we brought into our lives almost two years ago? He's now ours. The official adoption came through last month just in time for Christmas. There are so many emotions wrapped up in adoption- I never knew...and I never imagined I'd be experiencing them! God had other plans as did our hearts. We are now a family of six.
3) And, finally (and with much trepidation for some reason), I want to share with you that back in October I had a heart attack. I can hardly believe it as I type it. I experienced a Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection. This is not your normal heart attack- in fact, it's quite rare. Arteries have layers and the inner layer of one of my arteries tore allowing blood to seep into the wall of the artery causing a bulge and a 70% blockage which lead to the heart attack. I thank God that it happened in the early hours of the morning (it woke me up) while Jamey was still home and did NOT happen in front of my children.
I HIGHLY recommend that everyone carry chewable 81mg baby aspirin with them. Jamey fed me four of these as we ran red lights on the way to the ER and they greatly reduced the horrible chest pain/squeezing I was experiencing.
My recovery is ongoing but positive. I'm now on medication and just finished cardiac rehab. There isn't a lot known about SCAD so I've enrolled in a clinical study to help with research. Why it happens isn't really known and there is a possibility of recurrence. I am still wrapping my head around my new normal and would appreciate any prayers you're able to raise on my (and my family's) behalf.
For all of these reasons (and many more that have come into focus through all of this), I thought it time to officially bow out of this site for the time being. I kind of already have but I wanted to share with you some of the why. I'm leaving it all here for my own record, for a resource and just in case I one day come back.
Update: The paper copies of my cookbook have sold out. Thank you all for your orders! The digital copy is still available on Amazon.
Blessings to each of you this year. Love your people and people that aren't your people and make time to take care of yourself. Our bodies are AMAZING and deserve so much more care than we give them.
Love,
Jane
Monday, March 23, 2015
Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?
Several months ago a friend mentioned a book about aging parents. Over the last four years plus, I've watch my parents, aunts and uncles care for three of my grandparents as they've transitioned from their homes to nursing care to their heavenly home. My remaining grandfather is in skilled nursing care as I write.
This is no small feat- not emotionally and not physically. The countless decisions, conversations, financial considerations, phone calls, pop-in visits to check on things, home health nurses, the balance of honoring wishes and being realistic, nursing home applications and visits, the dismantling of homes full of decades of living, hospital visits, hospice care...the list goes on and on.
In an effort to possibly better understand what my parents have been going through AND to get a peek as to what (one day) lies ahead for myself and my siblings, I bought the recommended book, Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?: A Memoir
by Roz Chast.
I was a little unsure about the cartoon aspect of the book. I thought it might be distracting and take away from the content but it did the opposite and that surprised me. Chast is an honest and highly entertaining writer. I literally laughed out loud many times, read portions aloud to Jamey, talked about the book to friends and family, and found myself weeping over it at other times. Despite a smidgen of well-placed profanity (if there is such a thing), I savored each chapter and found myself pacing my progress. While I was inclined to pick it up several times a day to devour as many pages as I could, I put on the brakes when only a chapter or two remained- partly because I knew what was coming and partly because I didn't want the book to end.
When I finally did allow myself to finish, I felt like I had just walked a very intimate road with a stranger and yet Chast and her parents didn't feel like strangers anymore. In their story, I saw elements of my parents' and grandparents' stories and I'm thankful to her for this peek inside a very hallow journey that one day waits for many of us (if we're not living it already).
Whether you're in the midst of the journey yourself or are watching those around you enter into it, this book provides camaraderie, plenty of humor, and a glimpse into one woman's story as she walks with her parents and says goodbye at the same time.
Pin It
This is no small feat- not emotionally and not physically. The countless decisions, conversations, financial considerations, phone calls, pop-in visits to check on things, home health nurses, the balance of honoring wishes and being realistic, nursing home applications and visits, the dismantling of homes full of decades of living, hospital visits, hospice care...the list goes on and on.
In an effort to possibly better understand what my parents have been going through AND to get a peek as to what (one day) lies ahead for myself and my siblings, I bought the recommended book, Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?: A Memoir
by Roz Chast.I was a little unsure about the cartoon aspect of the book. I thought it might be distracting and take away from the content but it did the opposite and that surprised me. Chast is an honest and highly entertaining writer. I literally laughed out loud many times, read portions aloud to Jamey, talked about the book to friends and family, and found myself weeping over it at other times. Despite a smidgen of well-placed profanity (if there is such a thing), I savored each chapter and found myself pacing my progress. While I was inclined to pick it up several times a day to devour as many pages as I could, I put on the brakes when only a chapter or two remained- partly because I knew what was coming and partly because I didn't want the book to end.
When I finally did allow myself to finish, I felt like I had just walked a very intimate road with a stranger and yet Chast and her parents didn't feel like strangers anymore. In their story, I saw elements of my parents' and grandparents' stories and I'm thankful to her for this peek inside a very hallow journey that one day waits for many of us (if we're not living it already).
Whether you're in the midst of the journey yourself or are watching those around you enter into it, this book provides camaraderie, plenty of humor, and a glimpse into one woman's story as she walks with her parents and says goodbye at the same time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
