Jim's Journey

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

We’ve come a long way since I posted frantically the night of 4/17 that Jim was in distress, and we were on our way to ER.

I thought it was time to start a new thread.

Jim’s appetite is improving. His belly is getting smaller and softer. No pain. Today’s vitals are excellent. He had a blood draw today, so we’ll see what that reveals. He’s needing fewer breathing treatments and inhaler puffs. He is still off of O2.

Nancy, as always, did a fantastic job with his port draw. She had 6 patients today, one a recert, which would take 2 hours, and the agency was asking her to volunteer to take more patients, as they are overloaded.

She was an hour and a half late getting to us. After she left us, she had to drop Jim’s blood off at the lab, before her next patient. Honestly, this is ridiculous. I don’t know how she manages to keep going, but we thank God that she does.

In addition to searching for an initial J pendant for Jonathan, I have been searching for a wedding ring for Jim, as he lost his ring in one of his hospitalizations. Our 25th wedding anniversary is approaching, and I want Jim to have a ring.

I finally found one, which feels like the right one. But I had to tell Jim about it, because I don’t know his ring size, which has likely changed since he lost his ring.

“I’m not going to tell you anything about the ring. I just need to know your ring size. There has to be some element of surprise here!”

I measured his finger today, but I could not figure out how to convert it to ring size on any of the sites I visited. So, I ordered a cheap chain of circles for ring sizing from Amazon.

TESTING

Jim has told me that he cannot tolerate a closed MRI or PET scan. He feels claustrophobic in a car. He has anxiety that he won’t be able to breathe.

But, Jim does want to know what is going on inside of him. He says that he can manage a CT scan, because that’s in and out. A PET scan is more involved, takes longer, and requires a dye, to which Jim reacted terribly.

I will be informing Dr. K tomorrow of Jim’s decision. It may not tell us everything, but a CT scan can tell us more than doing nothing.

Then, I'll schedule an appointment with Dr. K.

Thank you all for your love, prayers, support, positive, healing energy, and enduring friendship.

We love you and pray for you and your loved ones.

Love & Light,



Rose

[funnylegs4]

Hi Rose,

Thanks for making a new thread! Hmm…I wonder if Jim ever has hyperventilation/loss of breathe from anxiety in other circumstances if he feels that claustrophobic? I have no doubt that most of the lung issues are the cancer but that’s doesn’t mean he can’t have panic attacks at the same time with both being valid. I wonder if this anxiety is linked to the bath issues too? Good luck and prayers always!

Thanks for explaining the J pendent story in the other thread.

[myangel94]

Dearest Rose,
I am so happy to read that Jim is doing so much better! Praying the CT scan can be scheduled quickly. I can so relate to the closed in feeling of those machines, or just any small space that feels suffocating. If I remember correctly, Scott and I and you and Jim share the same anniversary! I bet the ring you picked out will be just perfect! I will email you more pictures of the baby and Holly soon. As always, you are in my daily love and prayers. Hugs to you and Jim!!!!
All my love,
Tracy

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

funnylegs4 ~

Jim's panic/anxiety attacks are directly related to having difficulty breathing, catching his breath, breathing in and out, slowing down his heart rate. He says, "Give me a minute," as he sits down and does his breathing exercises, and calms himself.

Yesterday, as we were hugging in the kitchen, Jim said, "I'm sorry, give me a minute." He was short of breath, as he had just walked from the bathroom.

Many people feel claustrophobic in these machines, and the noise they emit is very rattling and disturbing.

While Jim says, "I was able to do it before, many times. I just can't anymore."

Yesterday, Nancy offered this wonderful answer, "That's fine, Jim. You don't have to have any tests, if you don't feel you can handle them, or you don't want them. No one is going to force you to have these tests."

As I was telling Jim today about the email I was composing to send to Dr. K, Jim became anxious, "Hold off until next week, because he'll be telling me to do this and that, and I don't want that."

"No, he won't, as I'm making it clear to him what you do and don't want. That's the point."

I know what Jim has been through in the past 2 1/2 years, and it's unbelievable. You all know it too, because you've been walking beside us every step of the way. I cannot blame him at all for not wanting to go through these tests again, and the side effects from the dye, the discomfort, the anxiety and gasping for air. The goal is to keep him comfortable, pain-free, and independent. I want him to have the best quality of life for as long as possible.

His shower issues are more associated with getting cold, when he gets out of the shower, and from being out of breath during his shower from the exertion of preparing for it.

Thank you for your prayers, as always.

Tracy ~

So happy to see you here!

Happy Anniversary to You and Scott!

Yes, please, keep those photos coming of your adorable grandchildren!

I've watched Jonathan and Michael having CT scans, and they were remarkably calm during them. Jonathan had a brain MRI in the late '80s, and it was an ordeal. Valium didn't work to calm him to be still, and I stood next to the machine to try to calm him. Although I had taken off all metal prior to the test, I forgot that I was wearing an underwire bra. I was stuck to the machine.

I looked up to the control room, where I saw the two techs laughing hysterically. "HELP ME!" They turned off the machine.

I know it sounds humorous now, but at the time, I was not laughing. We were there to diagnose seizure activity and brain malformations. It took me forever to get the test scheduled. That morning I sent Michael off to school, then loaded Jon and his w/c in our 1980 Corolla and drove 22 miles for him to have the test. I got him out of the car, into his chair, wandered around this unfamiliar hospital to find the MRI unit, gave Jon Valium, waited for an hour for his test.

Now, he was a limp noodle, but not still enough for imaging, and I had to somehow get his 6'1" body off of the MRI table, into his w/c, out of his w/c and into the car, go pick up Michael at school, and unload them both and their w/c's at home. It was August and very hot. The Corolla didn't have air conditoning.

I was not amused.

When my mother was dying from renal failure, the last time I was able to visit her, because it was a 2 hour drive both ways, I walked into her room, as two x-ray techs were jostling her around for chest x-rays. I asked what they were doing, and they told me the doctor wanted to check the amount of fluid in her lungs.

I was irate. "She has a DNR, and she is dying. What possible difference does it make now how much fluid is in her lungs? It's not being treated in any way. Get out!"

I then told my dad to get rid of all of the specialists streaming into her room every day. The hospital was cashing in on my mother's death. It was disgusting.

With these experiences, I've learned that medicine is a business. Jim has said and continues to affirm that if there was a cure for cancer, we will never know, because cancer is big business. Just think about all of the people, who are employed, because cancer is on the rampage among Baby Boomers now.

Whatever Jim wants, and he feels comfortable with having, is what will happen for him.

So far, he's defying the odds again.

Tonight's Meal: organic baked potato, savory-seasoned sauteed fresh organic asparagus, organic greens, beet, avocado, mushroom, olive salad, Gardein fish fillets for Jim, and a Field Roast patty for me.

Still waiting for blood test results ...

Thank you all so much for your love, prayers, and constant support. We Love You and pray for you and your loved ones.

Love & Light,



Rose

[funnylegs4]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

funnylegs4 ~

Jim's panic/anxiety attacks are directly related to having difficulty breathing, catching his breath, breathing in and out, slowing down his heart rate. He says, "Give me a minute," as he sits down and does his breathing exercises, and calms himself.

Yesterday, as we were hugging in the kitchen, Jim said, "I'm sorry, give me a minute." He was short of breath, as he had just walked from the bathroom.

Many people feel claustrophobic in these machines, and the noise they emit is very rattling and disturbing.

While Jim says, "I was able to do it before, many times. I just can't anymore."

Yesterday, Nancy offered this wonderful answer, "That's fine, Jim. You don't have to have any tests, if you don't feel you can handle them, or you don't want them. No one is going to force you to have these tests."

As I was telling Jim today about the email I was composing to send to Dr. K, Jim became anxious, "Hold off until next week, because he'll be telling me to do this and that, and I don't want that."

"No, he won't, as I'm making it clear to him what you do and don't want. That's the point."

I know what Jim has been through in the past 2 1/2 years, and it's unbelievable. You all know it too, because you've been walking beside us every step of the way. I cannot blame him at all for not wanting to go through these tests again, and the side effects from the dye, the discomfort, the anxiety and gasping for air. The goal is to keep him comfortable, pain-free, and independent. I want him to have the best quality of life for as long as possible.

His shower issues are more associated with getting cold, when he gets out of the shower, and from being out of breath during his shower from the exertion of preparing for it.

Thank you for your prayers, as always.

Tracy ~

So happy to see you here!

Happy Anniversary to You and Scott!

Yes, please, keep those photos coming of your adorable grandchildren!

I've watched Jonathan and Michael having CT scans, and they were remarkably calm during them. Jonathan had a brain MRI in the late '80s, and it was an ordeal. Valium didn't work to calm him to be still, and I stood next to the machine to try to calm him. Although I had taken off all metal prior to the test, I forgot that I was wearing an underwire bra. I was stuck to the machine.

I looked up to the control room, where I saw the two techs laughing hysterically. "HELP ME!" They turned off the machine.

I know it sounds humorous now, but at the time, I was not laughing. We were there to diagnose seizure activity and brain malformations. It took me forever to get the test scheduled. That morning I sent Michael off to school, then loaded Jon and his w/c in our 1980 Corolla and drove 22 miles for him to have the test. I got him out of the car, into his chair, wandered around this unfamiliar hospital to find the MRI unit, gave Jon Valium, waited for an hour for his test.

Now, he was a limp noodle, but not still enough for imaging, and I had to somehow get his 6'1" body off of the MRI table, into his w/c, out of his w/c and into the car, go pick up Michael at school, and unload them both and their w/c's at home. It was August and very hot. The Corolla didn't have air conditoning.

I was not amused.

When my mother was dying from renal failure, the last time I was able to visit her, because it was a 2 hour drive both ways, I walked into her room, as two x-ray techs were jostling her around for chest x-rays. I asked what they were doing, and they told me the doctor wanted to check the amount of fluid in her lungs.

I was irate. "She has a DNR, and she is dying. What possible difference does it make now how much fluid is in her lungs? It's not being treated in any way. Get out!"

I then told my dad to get rid of all of the specialists streaming into her room every day. The hospital was cashing in on my mother's death. It was disgusting.

With these experiences, I've learned that medicine is a business. Jim has said and continues to affirm that if there was a cure for cancer, we will never know, because cancer is big business. Just think about all of the people, who are employed, because cancer is on the rampage among Baby Boomers now.

Whatever Jim wants, and he feels comfortable with having, is what will happen for him.

So far, he's defying the odds again.

Tonight's Meal: organic baked potato, savory-seasoned sauteed fresh organic asparagus, organic greens, beet, avocado, mushroom, olive salad, Gardein fish fillets for Jim, and a Field Roast patty for me.

Still waiting for blood test results ...

Thank you all so much for your love, prayers, and constant support. We Love You and pray for you and your loved ones.

Love & Light,



Rose

Hi Rose,

Sorry I didn’t have time to reply a bit sooner. Thanks so much for explaining! I see. I'm so sorry breathing is such a source of anxiety. Of course Jim doesn’t have to have any tests he doesn’t want! However if he changes his mind at any point, do they allow people to wear O2 in those MRI machines if breathing is the main worry? I would think yes. I know the noise of MRIs is supposed to be awful as Kevin Sorbo mentioned the noise in his book “True Strength”. The techs should have lifted Jon themselves all those years ago, not you. And yes unless they needed the x rays to make your mom more comfortable in some way, the tests were pointless. I hope her other wishes were respected.

[myangel94]

[QUOTE=Earth Mother 2 Angels;89743]((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

funnylegs4 ~

Jim's panic/anxiety attacks are directly related to having difficulty breathing, catching his breath, breathing in and out, slowing down his heart rate. He says, "Give me a minute," as he sits down and does his breathing exercises, and calms himself.

Yesterday, as we were hugging in the kitchen, Jim said, "I'm sorry, give me a minute." He was short of breath, as he had just walked from the bathroom.

Many people feel claustrophobic in these machines, and the noise they emit is very rattling and disturbing.

While Jim says, "I was able to do it before, many times. I just can't anymore."

Yesterday, Nancy offered this wonderful answer, "That's fine, Jim. You don't have to have any tests, if you don't feel you can handle them, or you don't want them. No one is going to force you to have these tests."

As I was telling Jim today about the email I was composing to send to Dr. K, Jim became anxious, "Hold off until next week, because he'll be telling me to do this and that, and I don't want that."

"No, he won't, as I'm making it clear to him what you do and don't want. That's the point."

I know what Jim has been through in the past 2 1/2 years, and it's unbelievable. You all know it too, because you've been walking beside us every step of the way. I cannot blame him at all for not wanting to go through these tests again, and the side effects from the dye, the discomfort, the anxiety and gasping for air. The goal is to keep him comfortable, pain-free, and independent. I want him to have the best quality of life for as long as possible.

His shower issues are more associated with getting cold, when he gets out of the shower, and from being out of breath during his shower from the exertion of preparing for it.

Thank you for your prayers, as always.

Tracy ~

So happy to see you here!

Happy Anniversary to You and Scott!

Yes, please, keep those photos coming of your adorable grandchildren!

I've watched Jonathan and Michael having CT scans, and they were remarkably calm during them. Jonathan had a brain MRI in the late '80s, and it was an ordeal. Valium didn't work to calm him to be still, and I stood next to the machine to try to calm him. Although I had taken off all metal prior to the test, I forgot that I was wearing an underwire bra. I was stuck to the machine.

I looked up to the control room, where I saw the two techs laughing hysterically. "HELP ME!" They turned off the machine.

I know it sounds humorous now, but at the time, I was not laughing. We were there to diagnose seizure activity and brain malformations. It took me forever to get the test scheduled. That morning I sent Michael off to school, then loaded Jon and his w/c in our 1980 Corolla and drove 22 miles for him to have the test. I got him out of the car, into his chair, wandered around this unfamiliar hospital to find the MRI unit, gave Jon Valium, waited for an hour for his test.

Now, he was a limp noodle, but not still enough for imaging, and I had to somehow get his 6'1" body off of the MRI table, into his w/c, out of his w/c and into the car, go pick up Michael at school, and unload them both and their w/c's at home. It was August and very hot. The Corolla didn't have air conditoning.

I was not amused.

When my mother was dying from renal failure, the last time I was able to visit her, because it was a 2 hour drive both ways, I walked into her room, as two x-ray techs were jostling her around for chest x-rays. I asked what they were doing, and they told me the doctor wanted to check the amount of fluid in her lungs.

I was irate. "She has a DNR, and she is dying. What possible difference does it make now how much fluid is in her lungs? It's not being treated in any way. Get out!"

I then told my dad to get rid of all of the specialists streaming into her room every day. The hospital was cashing in on my mother's death. It was disgusting.

With these experiences, I've learned that medicine is a business. Jim has said and continues to affirm that if there was a cure for cancer, we will never know, because cancer is big business. Just think about all of the people, who are employed, because cancer is on the rampage among Baby Boomers now.

Whatever Jim wants, and he feels comfortable with having, is what will happen for him.

So far, he's defying the odds again.

Tonight's Meal: organic baked potato, savory-seasoned sauteed fresh organic asparagus, organic greens, beet, avocado, mushroom, olive salad, Gardein fish fillets for Jim, and a Field Roast patty for me.

Still waiting for blood test results ...

Thank you all so much for your love, prayers, and constant support. We Love You and pray for you and your loved ones.

Love & Light,



Rose[We have always said there is a cure for cancer, but it is locked up in some secure facility. Cancer is money!!! It will never be released!

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

funnylegs4 ~

I don't know whether O2 is permitted for an MRI or PET scan.

The PET can be a long process, with two different injections, one with aspartame (it's radiated sugar, as Jim calls it), to which Jim had an adverse reaction. He was miserable for over a week after the PET scan, peeing what he referred to as "iridescent crystals, which felt like a razor blade as it exited me." When he mentioned this to his infusion nurse, Dr. K's nurse, and Dr. K, they all shrugged their shoulders, saying they'd not heard of that reaction before. That made Jim feel like he wasn't being believed.

The MRI techs for Jonathan were absolute jerks. Young, capable men, who wouldn't lift a finger to help me. You'd be amazed at how many times that happened during their lifetimes.

My mother's chest x-rays were pointless, as were the cardiologist, the endocrinologist, the pulmonologist, the physical therapist, the nutritionist, etc. Small town hospital milking the System.

That same hospital performed surgery on my dad for lung cancer. He had no cardiac testing prior to surgery, although I demanded it. His surgeon said "His heart is fine." One month after surgery, at home, my dad had a heart attack. He died in the ER.

Tracy ~

Jim read that there is a plant in the Amazon forest, which has been used to treat and cure cancer. I don't know whether it's true, as I haven't pursued it. I mean, how am I going to get to the Amazon forest to get this plant to save Jim?

But, I do know that many of our pharmaceuticals are based on plants, such as Depakote, which is based on the valerian root. And several of Jim's chemo drugs were associated with plants. My brain isn't functioning well today, so I can't recall the plants, but they were listed on his breakdown of possible drugs, which his cancer might respond to. None of them worked, but ...

Then there is Marinol, Big Pharma's pretend MMJ.

Jim hasn't had Opdivo since January, but he's still taking his CBD oil and THC oil capsules daily. Dr. K actually recommended MMJ to Jim, when they first met. Jim smiled, "Already on it. I have a CBD lozenge in my mouth right now." It was the only thing, which quelled his coughing, where codeine didn't, and regular cough drops didn't.

One Opdivo injection cost $10,000. That's just for the drug, not its administration, not the Dr.'s fees. Jim had numerous Opdivo infusions. I haven't tallied them yet, but there were many.

Cancer is definitely big business. And a cure would just cut into everyone's piece of the pie.

Every single treatment option carries a truckload of side effects, many of them debilitating, many of them include causing cancer, and it's just a crap shoot, whether the cancer or the side effects will kill you.

Oncologists keep doling out this poison, with the hope it will help and not harm. It's all they have to offer. But they know well how it will affect their patients, and the next line of drugs to administer, when the problems start arising. It's a never ending cycle of drugs, and tests, and procedures, and more tests, and more drugs, and more procedures.

Dr. K wants Jim to have another bone marrow biopsy. Really? Why? He doesn't trust the results of the first one. Okay, well how about Dr. K gets on the table and has a bone biopsy first, so he knows how the patient feels?

Jim is a person, a human being, who is suffering, as is every other cancer patient. He and they are not here to be studied or experimented with; they are here to live. They just want to keep living and being with their family and friends. And not be sick and having to go to appointments constantly.

Whew! Sorry to vent! We are walking beside another dear friend, whose loved one is battling cancer right now. It's intense, and we all feel it.

And if there are better ways, then we should all be bitter that our loved ones aren't receiving those treatments. Instantly, upon diagnosis, not after useless DNA tissue testing, and useless chemo drugs for protocol to qualify for immunotherapy. It's all just very, very wrong.

On A Happier Note

I measured Jim's finger today and ordered his new wedding ring, which will arrive on ... Our Anniversary!

To me, this ring is an updated version of his original wedding ring. I'm hoping that it is low profile, as we've always tried to have rings, which don't interfere with our caregiving or might cause us some kind of damage, like catching on an edge of something.

As we were trying out the different rings to size Jim's finger, when we got to the correct size, I said, "Jim, will you marry me?"

"Yes, my darling. For always and forever."

We love you all and give thanks for the blessing you are in our lives. We pray for you and your loved ones every day.

Love & Light,



Rose

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Last night, Jim celebrated his recent blood work test results with a Stella Artois!

Here are the highlights:

Glucose: 109 (down from 166 2 weeks ago); now normal

AST (liver): 36 (down from 44; in April it was 68)

WBC: 1.6 (up from 1.1)

Platelets: 69 (up from 42) YAY!

Neutrophils: 1.0 (up from .08)

Everything else is stable, unchanged.

Reducing Jim's sugar intake certainly made a huge difference.

We are so very grateful for these results. Your prayers and positive energy are working! Thank You!

Love & Light,



Rose

[funnylegs4]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Last night, Jim celebrated his recent blood work test results with a Stella Artois!

Here are the highlights:

Glucose: 109 (down from 166 2 weeks ago); now normal

AST (liver): 36 (down from 44; in April it was 68)

WBC: 1.6 (up from 1.1)

Platelets: 69 (up from 42) YAY!

Neutrophils: 1.0 (up from .08)

Everything else is stable, unchanged.

Reducing Jim's sugar intake certainly made a huge difference.

We are so very grateful for these results. Your prayers and positive energy are working! Thank You!

Love & Light,



Rose

YAY FOR GOOD BLOOD RESULTS! So glad the blood sugar came way down since tumors feed on sugar. I love how you asked Jim to marry you!

So they didn’t bother to even give your dad an EKG? I’m so so sorry he died! $10,000 for life saving cancer drugs?!!! Just insane. One of my diabetic friends pays $700 just for Insulin and that’s with insurance. So wrong. He needs that to LIVE. Unless the bone biopsy could yield a realistic treatment option or give Jim a better quality of life after the test, it’s pretty pointless. Many more prayers on the way for more good news!

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

funnylegs4 ~

Thank you as always for your prayers.

My dad may have had an EKG, but that wouldn't be sufficient to discern heart disease. My dad had all the signs of heart disease, and he should have had a complete cardiac workup prior to surgery. The day of his surgery he hadn't even had a pulmonary functioning test. He had to have that, and surgery was rescheduled. Very small town hospital, serving a retirement community, with an arrogant, incompetent surgeon.

All cancer drugs are absurdly expensive. Dr. K said that the Neupogen shot is quite pricey, although I can't recall now how much it cost.

I think Dr. K has given up on the repeat bone biopsy now. There is no way that Jim could tolerate going through that again. Then, we had to wait for a very long time for results, which were relatively inconclusive.

Meanwhile, Jim's wedding ring arrived early. I put it on his finger, and he said, "I do." It's very nice, and he says it's nicer than his original ring.

However, as the day wore on, he wasn't able to remove it from his finger, likely from fluid retention. In the morning, when I put it on, he took it off and put it on several times to ensure the fit. There's a 30-day return policy, so if he needs a 1/2 size bigger, we can do that.

I'm just happy that he has a ring now.

THank you all for your love, prayers, and support. We pray for you and your loved ones and send you our love.

Love & Light,



Rose

[funnylegs4]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

funnylegs4 ~

Thank you as always for your prayers.

My dad may have had an EKG, but that wouldn't be sufficient to discern heart disease. My dad had all the signs of heart disease, and he should have had a complete cardiac workup prior to surgery. The day of his surgery he hadn't even had a pulmonary functioning test. He had to have that, and surgery was rescheduled. Very small town hospital, serving a retirement community, with an arrogant, incompetent surgeon.

All cancer drugs are absurdly expensive. Dr. K said that the Neupogen shot is quite pricey, although I can't recall now how much it cost.

I think Dr. K has given up on the repeat bone biopsy now. There is no way that Jim could tolerate going through that again. Then, we had to wait for a very long time for results, which were relatively inconclusive.

Meanwhile, Jim's wedding ring arrived early. I put it on his finger, and he said, "I do." It's very nice, and he says it's nicer than his original ring.

However, as the day wore on, he wasn't able to remove it from his finger, likely from fluid retention. In the morning, when I put it on, he took it off and put it on several times to ensure the fit. There's a 30-day return policy, so if he needs a 1/2 size bigger, we can do that.

I'm just happy that he has a ring now.

THank you all for your love, prayers, and support. We pray for you and your loved ones and send you our love.

Love & Light,



Rose

Hi Rose,

So glad the wedding ring arrived! Congrats! Yikes! Not having any heart tests before surgery is insane because going under the knife is stressful on the heart! I’m so sorry!

[Virginia]

Rose, was heartened to read about Jim's blood results. The two of you have just done so great. I know it is hard every day, but you are still there taking good care of Jim and we all know you always will be.

[mg12061]

Rose, So happy you got the ring and it fit. Happy for the blood work results as well. Boy do I wish I could be there having a Stella! Love Stella! The pharmaceutical business is just that a big business. Not sure if you've ever seen the show Big Bang but there's a woman (Bernadette) who is a scientist who makes drugs for a big Pharma. On the show she has more than once referenced that the company created and illness and a drug to treat it all in one day. Meant to be funny, on . one level it is and then it's not.

Mary Grace

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

funnylegs4 ~

It's hard to believe, but my dad's surgery was 29 years ago, and of course, medicine wasn't as advanced then as it is now. Still, a full cardiac workup prior to a long surgery should have been protocol. It probably would have happened regardless, as a study was released shortly after he died that men over the age of 65 were at risk of a heart attack after any kind of surgery other than heart surgery.

Virginia ~

The stress of losing Jonathan takes its toll on us, but we still find ways to cope and work through our grief. We do laugh, because we know that it's important to our stress reduction, as are tears. We are just so grateful to be together and for Jim's improvements.

And, we know that our friends here are sustaining us and are truly grateful for your love, prayers and support.

Mary Grace ~

Hey! C'mon over and have a Stella with Jim! Summer is the best time to open a cold one!

Jim has never drank very much, but he used to enjoy an occasional Guinness or an after dinner sip of port. Of course, being British, he prefers European beers to American beers. The first time he had a Coors Light, he couldn't finish it. "That's not beer! That's bilge water!"

We used to watch the Big Bang Theory and loved it, then it changed nights or times, or something, and we stopped watching it. I should watch it on Netflix or somewhere. You're right that the sketch is and isn't funny. It's biting humor.

Jim loves his ring! I'm so pleased. Ordering on line was taking a chance that it would disappoint in some way, but it is exactly perfect as a replacement for Jim.

JOHN'S VISITS

Yesterday, John visited to celebrate our anniversary. He brought a lovely vase of roses and star lilies. He shared his photos of his golfing weekend in Pebble Beach. What a gorgeous place it is.

He asked a question about our wedding, and I pulled out our wedding photo album. I laughed, "You don't have to look at all of the photos, I just got it out to show you what we were talking about with the way Jim created our wedding yard. Trellis, an L-shaped covered deck, altar."

John said, "I want to look at all of the photos! Look how young you all are!"

Then he asked whether we needed help with anything, and I mentioned our faulty bathtub spout, which needs replacing, but Jim couldn't get it off of the pipe. So, John removed it, and I placed it in a bag. He went to Lowe's to find another spout. He went back today to get the spout, and came this evening to put it on. He's gone back to his house for tools and now a soldering iron three times! Jim has tools enough to open a business, but they are disorganized and scattered. We wasted some time trying to find a wrench in the garage.

Jim has been up, searching in the garage for tools, conferring with John in the bathroom, and overdoing it. I keep telling him to sit down, but he is being obstinate. Jim is Mr. Fix-It, and it frustrates him that he can't do this project for us.

But that's why God placed John in our lives.

When I thanked John and apologized that this had turned into a big deal, he smiled, "What else do I have to do? I'm happy to help you. Don't keep apologizing!"

We are blessed.

Thank you to all of you, who bless us every day with your love, prayers, and never-ending support.

We love you and pray for you and your loved ones always.

Love & Light,



Rose

PS: John just left after several hours of working on the spout. The last time he went to Lowe's, the cashier asked him, "So, is this the last time you'll be coming here tonight?"

John laughed and said, "I sure hope so."

John said that every time he works on a project in his home, he does the same thing. Eventually, he has a collection of useful tools and caulks and glues etc. Just like Jim has, except it's difficult to find anything.

[funnylegs4]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

funnylegs4 ~

It's hard to believe, but my dad's surgery was 29 years ago, and of course, medicine wasn't as advanced then as it is now. Still, a full cardiac workup prior to a long surgery should have been protocol. It probably would have happened regardless, as a study was released shortly after he died that men over the age of 65 were at risk of a heart attack after any kind of surgery other than heart surgery.

Virginia ~

The stress of losing Jonathan takes its toll on us, but we still find ways to cope and work through our grief. We do laugh, because we know that it's important to our stress reduction, as are tears. We are just so grateful to be together and for Jim's improvements.

And, we know that our friends here are sustaining us and are truly grateful for your love, prayers and support.

Mary Grace ~

Hey! C'mon over and have a Stella with Jim! Summer is the best time to open a cold one!

Jim has never drank very much, but he used to enjoy an occasional Guinness or an after dinner sip of port. Of course, being British, he prefers European beers to American beers. The first time he had a Coors Light, he couldn't finish it. "That's not beer! That's bilge water!"

We used to watch the Big Bang Theory and loved it, then it changed nights or times, or something, and we stopped watching it. I should watch it on Netflix or somewhere. You're right that the sketch is and isn't funny. It's biting humor.

Jim loves his ring! I'm so pleased. Ordering on line was taking a chance that it would disappoint in some way, but it is exactly perfect as a replacement for Jim.

JOHN'S VISITS

Yesterday, John visited to celebrate our anniversary. He brought a lovely vase of roses and star lilies. He shared his photos of his golfing weekend in Pebble Beach. What a gorgeous place it is.

He asked a question about our wedding, and I pulled out our wedding photo album. I laughed, "You don't have to look at all of the photos, I just got it out to show you what we were talking about with the way Jim created our wedding yard. Trellis, an L-shaped covered deck, altar."

John said, "I want to look at all of the photos! Look how young you all are!"

Then he asked whether we needed help with anything, and I mentioned our faulty bathtub spout, which needs replacing, but Jim couldn't get it off of the pipe. So, John removed it, and I placed it in a bag. He went to Lowe's to find another spout. He went back today to get the spout, and came this evening to put it on. He's gone back to his house for tools and now a soldering iron three times! Jim has tools enough to open a business, but they are disorganized and scattered. We wasted some time trying to find a wrench in the garage.

Jim has been up, searching in the garage for tools, conferring with John in the bathroom, and overdoing it. I keep telling him to sit down, but he is being obstinate. Jim is Mr. Fix-It, and it frustrates him that he can't do this project for us.

But that's why God placed John in our lives.

When I thanked John and apologized that this had turned into a big deal, he smiled, "What else do I have to do? I'm happy to help you. Don't keep apologizing!"

We are blessed.

Thank you to all of you, who bless us every day with your love, prayers, and never-ending support.

We love you and pray for you and your loved ones always.

Love & Light,



Rose

PS: John just left after several hours of working on the spout. The last time he went to Lowe's, the cashier asked him, "So, is this the last time you'll be coming here tonight?"

John laughed and said, "I sure hope so."

John said that every time he works on a project in his home, he does the same thing. Eventually, he has a collection of useful tools and caulks and glues etc. Just like Jim has, except it's difficult to find anything.

Hi Rose,

That’s a terrifying study! I’m so sorry again that your father was not tested and died. So glad John visited!