It has been a very long time since I've updated this thing. Two years to be exact. I'm now writing this on the iPad my wife gave me just last month. There is a ton of work to be done in the yard in a very short amount of time. We will be adding a pergola in the next 30 days and we'll also be adding an irrigation system. The irrigation system I've wanted for a number of years. Angie's wanted the pergola so I guess we'll both win.

Container Garden Week 4

Shadow the Wonder Mutt

Garden

Reflection

When you go through trouble it allows you time to reflect. During the short time that Angela has been sick I have done that. I am amazed by the people who have surrounded us with their love. We have had friends come by with food. We have had friends offer up prayers. It seems everyone we talk to has had wonderful words of encouragement. Angela and I have been blessed with friends for a long time. However it wasn't until she became sick that we found out that we are truly blessed beyond measure. I can't get through a day without the friends we have. I am buoyed by them and keep going because of them.

Last night I had an opportunity to stop by and visit with a very dear friend. I felt much better after that and went home. When I got home, I found it full of other friends who had stopped by to visit with Angela. I felt like she and I had been surrounded for a time in a cocoon that kept all the troubles at bay, if for a short while.

On the day of Angie's surgery, I took just a few minutes in the waiting room to write down the thoughts that were going through my head. It's not time yet to share those here, but maybe one day I will.

Today is another day on our road to recovery. I know that we will get through today, not on our strength alone but with the strength that God gives us through our friends and family. I can not say thank you often our loud enough to Him, or to them.

Surgery

I took Angie to the hospital this morning at 6:30. Her mom (Mama Ruth) met us there as did Angela W. Between them and all my friends keeping us in their prayers we made it through today.

In meeting with the surgeon after her surgery we have a long road ahead of us. Our next step is to get Angela well after the surgery. I need to keep an eye on her drainage tubes the next few days and help her take care of it.

On Tuesday we will meet with the surgeon, and we will begin to map out our next step on the road to recovery.

The Road to Recovery

Today would be day six on the road to recovery for Angela. We had our first meeting with the surgeon to discuss treatment options. She is very direct and thorough. I think we have found a good one.

It seems that the first step to evicting the unwanted squatter in my wife's breast will be an MRI. Our doctor wants to make sure there aren't any siblings, friends or known associates of the little beggar hanging around but masked from the mammogram. Once we have an all clear that this is a loner, we'll proceed with eviction.

Where We are Now

Today is day three on the road to recovery for Angela. Although we haven't begun treatment yet, we are heading in the right direction.

Last night after dinner we did I suppose what many couples do when faced with cancer. We went to the local Barnes and Noble to look for books on treatment, recovery, support, anything that will help us make sense of something that can't be made to fit into a nice neat box. Yes, that's anger from me. Why did this happen? Why to us? Why is this happening now? How does God let this happen? I know that there aren't any answers to those questions. But that doesn't make them disappear.

This is a test. A test of patience. A test of faith. A test of everything that makes a marriage strong. Each day from here on is a blessing. We aren't promised tomorrow, so today will have to do.