NOW.....Afib

How did I get here today?

Choices, all choices, I've made along the way.

I can't even talk about all the choices I've made in my life without crying.

Some have been good choices. I feel like I made some really good choices along the way but I also feel like I've made some really bad choices along the way.

Everything a person does in life comes down to a choice. Sometimes that choice is taken away from you, but still, you probably made choices that caused that to happen.

How in the world does a person know when they are making a good or bad choice? Well, to stay in the Scriptures and stay close to God in prayer helps tremendously but I am sorry to admit I didn't do that so much with a lot of my choices.

Some choices have long reaching or disastrous results.

I'm feeling the effects of that now, since here I sit, at least 100 pounds overweight, they like to call it morbid obesity. It IS morbid. 

Now, partly because of the weight, I have developed afib....well, now my life is changed again. 

The End of the Road sung by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

The End Of The Road
 
When I come to the end of the long, long road
The shadows will flee away
And I'll stand in the glorious light of God
Where dwelleth eternal day

When I come to the end, the end of the road
To the land of eternity
When I come to the end of life's long road
The face of my Lord I'll see

Looking back o'er the years that were hard and drear
The hand of the Christ I'll see
And my heart will go forth with a song of praise
Because of His love for me

When I come to the end, the end of the road
To the land of eternity
When I come to the end of life's long road
The face of my Lord I'll see

When I come to the end of the long, long road
The trials will all be passed
And I'll look on the face of my dearest friend
Safe home in His heaven at last

When I come to the end, the end of the road
To the land of eternity
When I come to the end of life's long road
The face of my Lord I'll see

open

open

I HAVE A NEW HIP

I DID get my new hip in September, 2020.

I went in early in the morning of September 22, around 5:30 if I remember correctly. Bob or any of the family, couldn't go into any  part of the building, still because of Covid. So, he had to sit out in the car and wait, and the Dr. Duncan said he would call him and talk to him after he got the surgery completed.

It was done in under two hours, and the doctor called Bob and said all went well. Bob did get to come in and see me for about 20 minutes that day, then he went home. 

Everything went so well. I didn't experience a lot of pain, the pain I'd had with my bad hip was so much worse that the surgery was actually a relief. 

The worst part was that I had to sleep on my back with a foam wedge between my knees to keep from rolling onto my hip. I am a tosser/turner when I sleep and usually sleep on my side. I  haven't been able to sleep much on my back for years, because I probably have sleep apnea also, and I find it harder to breathe sometimes on my back, but I didn't have any problems with it.

That same afternoon I got up to walk (with a walker), and walked around some. The therapist made me sit on the edge of the bed and lift my lower leg out as straight as I could and I did so with no problem.

The next day the therapist took me to another room with a set of three stairs with handrails to see if I could go up and down them okay. I did very well on this too. Bad leg up, good leg down.

They also had a car sitting in the room, to see if you could get in and out of the car correctly. No problem. And our own vehicle was even better because it was a Jeep SUV and the seats were higher.

That afternoon, Bob came up and took me home. 

My sweet kids brought meals to me for a week so I wouldn't have to cook anything and we got along fine. 

I can walk very well now and I am so happy  with my new hip,

Thank you Lord.

SURGERY...?

Well I was supposed to have hip replacement surgery the last of April, but this is the year 2020, year of the dreaded coronavirus, and everything shut down in March, all surgeries and procedures, just everything. So, there I was, needing surgery and not going to get it. Is that my life or what?!?!? I feel like it is. I know, I KNOW there are so many people that have it worse than me, my word, people have DIED from covid19 and not being treated for other conditions, and died from everything else you can imagine. I AM still alive, but it seems like everything I have every planned has been postponed....pity party, yeah maybe. I hurt. I'm not a good patient. I don't want to sit around, I don't want to lie around, I want to make a garden, can some beans, dig and plant flowers, go camping, go on little road trips, good grief! I want to mow my yard!

Julie has been very good to keep my yard mowed for me this summer. She has been a sweetheart. All my kids are sweet to me, doing whatever they can to help. My grandkids too. I just want to be able to do it myself! hahahaha

Finally, I got back in to the doctor in early May, and what did he say? Lose 20 pounds then we will do surgery. You have got to be kidding me. I know I am overweight, but 20 pounds, really? Joe Combs talked me into going to his doctor in Springfield (Dr. william Duncan), so I did, and he said I was a little over what would be ideal, (I'd lost 10 pounds) but he thought it would be okay. Scheduled surgery for......September! Backlog of all the surgeries that were postponed because of the virus.

The lady that scheduled the surgery said they did have a cancellation list and she would call me if there was a cancellation and I could get in sooner. I wonder though how many are ahead of me on said list...and I don't want anybody to die or anything like that for me to move up on the list, but maybe if somebody doesn't have such a severe case and decides they don't want to have surgery right now in the midst of all this stuff that is going on....back on up there, I'll take your place buddy!

It seems the virus is spiking back up, and I don't know what I think of that. I am not scared of it. I might should be, but I'm not. Bob and I and the rest of the family have been all over the country, all over Missouri, Arkansas, some have been to Maryland, Florida, Alabama, Nebraska, Minnesota, Kentucky, Tennessee, on and on....I just don't know what to think. If I do get it, I get it. If I die, I'm paid for. 

So...here I sit some more, I'm losing more weight, and I think I'll continue to try and lose until I get to where I am comfortable with it. I'm trying to gather up equipment I might need after my surgery, I don't know how much of the stuff they recommend is really necessary, but I am gathering up a pile of stuff. I feel silly in a way. Also cleaning my house out some. I need to clean it out and throw half the stuff I have in the dumpster anyway, but I need it cleaned out so I can get around easier with a walker after surgery, and need to move stuff I use the most around where I can get to it better. 

I have never liked fall and I don't want to wish my life away, but come on September!!!!!!!!

I HAD IT!!!!

Hip Hip Hooray!

I have had osteoarthritis for several years now. My hip has hurt literally for decades. I have it in my neck, my spine, my hips, knees and of course my hands. My hands are already feeling a little numb from typing. 

So, I have just had it, and I thought that was that. But my left hip really started hurting more and more the last couple of years, so finally at the start of this year I went to the doctor and complained of it. Sent for X-rays and the findings showed I have severe bone loss and advanced osteoarthritis in my hip. So, off to an orthopedic doctor, who looked and the X-rays and said I needed a hip replacement, but for the insurance to pay for it, I would need to jump through some hoops....first, a shot into the hip joint to see if that helped, and then some physical therapy.

When he gave me the shot, he used an ultrasound to see where to place it, and he saw a large bone spur in my hip socket also.

The shot has given me some small relief for a few weeks now, but seems to be wearing off slowly. Now I am doing a few exercises in physical therapy, strengthening the muscles around my hip so it will be better I guess when I have the surgery.

I have an appointment in late March with the surgeon, but can't have surgery until at least late April, because a person has to wait 3 months after a shot before they can have surgery.

I'm ready to have it over with and start living again, as in....gardening, yard work, walking, whatever it is I want to do. Hope it works good.



Later.

I'm a Guitar Player!

Well, not quite! But wow! Bob came home a few days before Christmas and our anniversary and carried a huge box into the house. It was wrapped in Christmas paper so I'm not sure if it was a Christmas present or anniversary present...he says both. He had already brought me a bouquet of yellow roses, and now this huge box. He made me open it right then, and I suspected what it was, and I was right...a guitar!!! When I opened it and saw that it was really a guitar, I just started crying and sobbing. I NEVER react that way to a present, in fact, usually just the opposite, it seems no matter how excited I am on the inside, it doesn't translate to my outer appearance. Boy it did this time! 

He has been telling me for some time that he was going to get me a guitar, and I said no, don't do it. Not that I didn't want one, I have wanted one for years and years! But now I have arthritis in my hands, and my hands go numb if I hold them up too long, from arthritis in my neck. I really don't think I can hold out long enough to learn to play it or play it if I learn!

But, Bob said, "Well, I got you a guitar, and if you can't play it, we'll let somebody else learn someday".....well okay, if you put it like that, I'll try! 

He bought it from Robert Hammons. I had suggested that Robert might know of a good cheap little guitar if he ever got me one (a long long time ago) so I guess I can eat a little crow because it seems Bob does listen to me once in a while. Not only that but he spoils me, all the time.

I think the guitar is beautiful. It's a smaller used guitar, but well taken care of and Alicia says it has a beautiful tone.

Robert told Bob that I could look on youtube and learn to play it, then he messaged me on facebook and asked me if I was enjoying the guitar? I told him sure was, just flatpicking up a storm! He said if I needed any help with it he would be happy to help me. I might take him up on it sometime. I would love to just go visit Dee and him. I worked for them for a while, cleaning house and such and enjoyed visiting with them so much. 

Well, anyway, we shall see what we shall see, I am very doubtful of learning to play at this late stage of my life, but it sounds like so much fun....next, the piano! HAHAHAHAHA!

Songs I LOVE LOVE LOVE

SONGS I LOVE…(no certain order except the first one is MY FAVORITE) I note the people/groups I like the best to hear sing each song, maybe the only people I have heard sing certain songs, but I like them sung by anybody... also...will update now and then and will always be my latest post on my blog. And most of them are in a post here somewhere on my blog. I LOVE MUSIC!

By the Mark---Dailey and Vincent

I Believe---Dailey and Vincent (with Jimmy Fortune)

On the Banks of the Promised Land---Karen Peck and New River

The Holy Hills of Heaven---Vestal Goodman or anybody

Rock of Ages---Vestal Goodman or anybody

O’ Come, Angel Band---Ralph Stanley

I'll Meet You In the Morning---Appalachian Express (I love the way they sing it)

The Far Side Banks of Jordan--Johnny and June, or Jimmy Fortune

Someday---Blue Highway or anybody

Revelation---Third Day

Living in the Kingdom of God---Dailey and Vincent

Farther Along---Johnny Cash or The Peasall Sisters or anybody

Cryin' Holy, to the Lord--Bill Monroe, of course

I Am Made Worthy---Primitive Quartet

Somewhere Over the Rainbow--by Israel Kamakawiwo

Gone Away---Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

Just as the Sun Went Down---James King

Beautiful City of Gold---Yvonne St. Germaine

I've Never Been This Homesick Before---anybody

Gloryland--by Heavenbound but especially the Laffertys 

Peace In The Valley---Red Foley or anybody

Gone Home---Ricky Skaggs or anybody

Heaven's Jubilee---anybody

Rock of Ages---Vestal or anybody

You've Got to Keep Walking—Paul Williams and Victory Trio

When I Get Home---Newfound Road

You Raise Me Up--by Selah

Look For Me---Tanya Goodman Sykes

Where We'll Never Grow Old---Church Sisters or the Sprinkle Family or anybody

The Right Side---Flatt Lonesome

Didn't He Shine---Primitive Quartet

There's a Light Guiding Me---Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, or anybody

Revival---Third Day

Finally Home---Mercy Me

(Lord, It's) Just Another Hill---Easter Brothers

When Life is Over---Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver

On Heaven's Bright Shore---Alison Krauss

I Am Weary, Let Me Rest---Cox family with Alison Krause

I Can Only Imagine---Mercy Me

When I've Traveled My Last Mile---Dailey and Vincent or anybody

The Prettiest Flowers Will Be Blooming---

One Day at a Time---anybody

Other songs I love:

Cumberland River---by Dailey and Vincent (makes me wanna dance)

Music of the Mountains---by Dailey and Vincent

Roses in the Snow---Emmylou Harris

Ecclesiates 3

This was one of my favorite songs when I was a young brat. Oh, 13-14, thereabouts, can't remember really, it was long ago. I loved it. Several groups sung this song but I really liked the version sung by Judy Collins. Later in my life I understood it was part of a chapter from the Bible. Ecclesiastes 3, loosely copied, or paraphrased. Still love the song and the Scripture that suggested the song.

(SONG) Turn, Turn, Turn

(chorus)

To everything, turn, turn, turn,

There is a season, turn, turn, turn,

And a time to every purpose,

Under Heaven.

A time to be born, a time to die,

A time to plant, a time to reap,

A time to kill, a time to heal,

A time to laugh, a time to weep,

To every thing, turn, turn, turn,

There is a season, turn, turn, turn,

And a time to every purpose,

Under Heaven...

A time to build up, a time to break down,

A time to dance, a time to mourn,

A time to cast away stones,

A time to gather stones together...

To everything, turn, turn, turn,

There is a season...and a time

To every purpose,

Under Heaven...

A time of love, a time of hate,

A time of war, a time of peace

A time You may embrace,

A time to refrain from embracing.

To everything, turn, turn, turn

There is a season, turn, turn, turn,

To every purpose,

Under Heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose,

A time to rend, a time to sew,

A time of love, a time of hate,

A time of peace, I swear,

It's not too late...

To everything, turn, turn, turn,

There is a season...and a time

To every purpose,

Under Heaven...

And a time to every purpose,

Under Heaven...

https://www.google.com/#q=judy+collins+turn+turn+turn


(SCRIPTURE)

Ecclesiastes 3 (KJV)

1.To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

9. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

10. I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men, to be exercised in it.

11. He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

12. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

13. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.

14. I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

15. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be has already been; and God requireth that which is past.

16. And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgement, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

17. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

18. I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

19. For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

20. All go unto one place, all are of the dust; and all turn to dust again.

21. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

22. Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Millie Rose Case

Welcome to the world, Millie Rose Case, we've waited a while for another baby girl in the family, and you are a sweetheart! You look like your mama, and your big brother too, who looks like his mama and daddy both, funny how that happens! You look like your hair will be light, and your eyes look black to me, but most babies eyes look that color, we will see as time goes on. You are a tiny thing but look chubby which is sweet sweet sweet! We will get to meet you soon, and enjoy lots of snuggles! I cannot wait! 

Mommy and Daddy kept your name secret until you were born, but this granny guessed. They told Gideon your name but told him to tell the grandmas or whoever asked that your name was Hank. Grandma Gwen went to help before you were born and asked Gideon what your name was and he forgot and told her. It sounded like Meewee to Grandma Gwen and so she was texting me and we were trying to figure it out. We guessed Mollie, and Maggie and Mary but none of those were right and Mommy and Daddy were laughing. Then one night I was sitting listening to music and I was thinking about your name again and somehow, the name Millie just came to me....I texted your Daddy just one word, MILLIE, and he texted me back a bunch of emojis, some were holding there heads looking wild, and some were saying "Shush" and I knew I had guessed right. So they hinted your name until Grandma Gwen guessed it too. Grandma Gwen and I kept it secret too until you were born. I was kinda sad I guessed it when they wanted to keep it secret, but the happy, funny outweighed the sad! HAHA

Funny thing, Gideon still calls you Baby Hank right now. I hope it doesn't stick but kinda funny if it does. 

Either way, you are beautiful and welcome to our family, sweet baby Millie Rose Hank!