Been Away For Awhile

[Guest Katrina Reann]

Hi Everyone!!

Sorry but I have been very busy the last few months and simply have not had time to get on the computer. It has just been one thing after another that me and my family have had to deal with. Mom fell and broke her ankle, had a nasty infection in that foot and leg that was turning her leg green. All from a blood blister that happened when she fell. And it has taken almost 3 months of antibiotics to clear the infection up.

We changed all of my wife's dr's because she was swelling very badly from head to toe and became very weak. Our new Dr was very concerned and sent us to several specialists. Debi's swelling just got worse and worse and she was going downhill quick. About 3 weeks ago our dr ordered a stress test and echo cardiogram. Come to find out, three parts of her heart are not getting enough blood. We had and angiogram scheduled for a week and a half ago but Debi got very sick with a viral bronchitis and upper respiratory infection and had to be hospitalized for 4 days. So we had to reschedule the angio to to this Thursday.

A week and half ago my brother in law passed out at home after complaining of major pain in his abdomen. Fortunately my sister was home, if she hadn't been he would probably be dead. He had a blood vessel burst that feeds the intestines and organs and abdomen filled up with blood. By the time the ambulance got him to the hospital the dr's said he probably would not have lived another 45 minutes. They immediately did and angio on him and where able to put a net like stint in the vessel to stop the leak. They still are not sure what caused it and are sending him to more specialists. But he is doing much better now and is going back to work tomorrow.

About 5 weeks ago my last aunt on mom's side also fell at her home in Arkansas. She is 86 years old and has dementia and her kids left her home alone! She hit her head and had a cut on her leg that had to have 7 stitches. Which is now infected and not healing. She is not eating and is very weak. But because the Dr's seen this accident as negligence she is now in a nursing home. But it doesn't look good and we are awaiting a dreadful phone call.

On top of all this we have put a transfer in from our apartment to a handicap accessible apartment and are at the top of the list. So in between everything I have been trying to deep clean trhis one and pack as much as I can. So it has been hectic and chaotic to say the least!! And although I made it through everything mentally and emotionally it pushed me way to close to another breakdown for comfort. I was kind of a wreck for awhile and had a lot of trouble keeping my thoughts together. Thank God my Bipolar disorder is so well controlled now. 5 years ago a couple of these things happening would have sent me to the hospital. But I am not having as tough of a time as I was a couple of weeks ago. SO I have weathered the storm so far but the storm isn't quiet over yet.

Debi's heart dr thinks she does have some blockages going on but thinks there is a 60 chance that stints will fix the problem, a 30 chance it can be corrected with meds, and a 10% chance of open heart surgery. But she is at a slightly higher risk of a heart attack or stroke during the angio because of all her health problems. So we are hoping and praying everything goes ok and that the heart dr is right about the stints.

I don't know just how much I will be posting for awhile. It all depends on what they find out and how things go with this procedure. But I do have a couple of free days right now and will make a few posts. And I will let you know what we find out Thursday...Huggsss...Katrina

[Guest Elizabeth K]

WOW

Medical situations right and left! Keep us updated - and welcome back!

Lizzy

[JenniferB]

Wow! I see something like this and my problems seem so minuscule. You are sure being tested. I sure hope and pray that that those who are supposed to be healed will recover and those who aren't will find peace.

Love Jenny

[Guest Katrina Reann]

Thanks Lizzy and Jenny!

The Good Book says that God won't put more on us than we can bear. But right now I think He sent the BEAR after me ... But I know things will get better eventually. In these type of situations everything is out of our hands and whatever happens will happen. I try very hard not to let things get to me. But when God sends a BEAR after ya' one tends to get a little frantic...lol...I am just glad I didn't run!

[Carolyn Marie]

Dear Katrina, I'm so sorry that you and your family have been through such trauma and heartache these last months.

You have a great attitude about it all, considering many would have thrown in the towel. I admire your fortitude.

I appreciate you taking the time to fill us in, but please concentrate on getting everything taken care of.

I wish you and all your loved ones all the best.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Katrina Reann]

Hi Katrina,

So sorry you've been put through all of this. I'm glad to hear that you're doing well in spite of it all.

Please take good care of yourself - with so many people depending on you, you need to make sure your health stays good too.

I do hope you get a break soon, but do let us know how you're doing, okay?

Love, Kat

Thanks Kat! I have been trying ti take care of myself and get rest where I can. Thankfully the last few nothing else has happened, Mom seems to be doing better, my brother in law is doing better, and my mother in law is flying in Wens. to help out for 2 or 3 days. As for my aunt we have no say in the matter. Unfortunately her kids are acting like vultures just waiting for her to die.And she is 86, so she has lived a long life. We are just hoping and praying she doesn't have to suffer long. And as for my wife, we are trying not to speculate but we have had to talk about things just in case something happens or they find something serious. At this point we both just want it done and over with. We have been dealing with the swelling, pain, discomfort and weakness for the last year. I just want my wife back and I want her to have a good quality of life which has been taken from her. Anyway thanks again...Huggsss Katrina

[Guest Katrina Reann]

Dear Katrina, I'm so sorry that you and your family have been through such trauma and heartache these last months.

You have a great attitude about it all, considering many would have thrown in the towel. I admire your fortitude.

I appreciate you taking the time to fill us in, but please concentrate on getting everything taken care of.

I wish you and all your loved ones all the best.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

And thank you as well Carolyn! I have had to deal with a lot of trauma in my life so I try to stay positive. But never have I had to deal with so much in such a short amount of time. And I have not even shared everything that is going on . I also have an uncle and two cousins who are having to deal with some very serious heart condition, an aunt on Dads side who recently had a stroke, and his other sister is having a very difficult time breathing and has to be put on oxygen but Drs have no clue what is causing it.

One thing all of this has made realize about myself is that I am a whole lot stronger than I ever thought I was or could be. I will try to keep you all updated but as you said my primary concern is taking care of my family. And I do consider you all as a part of my family but many times I simply don't have enough hours in a day. ..Huggsss Katrina

[Guest Donna Jean]

Honey....

I feel for you and your loved ones...

That is a lot to put on you all at once...

I'm glad that you've been able to handle it so far...

That much stuff can be overwhelming.

I wish you strength....

LOVE

Donna Jean

[Guest Katrina Reann]

Thanks Donna! I guess I am glad I haven't been able to transition because I have needed these strong, broad shoulders to carry all this ...Huggsss

[JJ]

Hi Katrina,

Just wanted you to know you are in my prayers and thoughts!

Such a lot at once and you have been strong and held fast through it. So hard and so admirable.

Surely it will continue to get better now.

Wish I could send you a BEAR trap!

Hugs,

JJ

[Guest Katrina Reann]

Thank You JJ! The way I see it is that I can't fall apart right now. Because if I did, I am so scatter brained right now I would never find all the pieces to put myself back together:). I think what has got me through this is by not worrying about to tomorrow and just dealing with the problems and worries of each day. Sometimes it is hard to do that because it is in our nature to worry. Everything does get to me sometimes and I get very rattled. That is when I fall to my knees and place it all in God's hands. Then I pick myself up and say to myself one day at a time, one problem at a time.

ONWARD WEARY SOLDIER

When times are tough and you are being hit from every side,

do not give up, surrender, or stop fighting.

Victory belongs to you O' weary solider so fight on,

and when the bombs are bursting in the night,

make plans for your assault at dawn.

Fight one battle at a time and in time the war will be won,

because there are many battles in a war.

Remember those you are fighting for and those you love.

For they will give inspire you,

and strength will come to you from God above.

And when you are wounded and seem so weak,

look within your heart to draw courage to battle on.

Onward weary soldier for there is victory waiting for for you.

And just as each day has a battle, each day also has victory.

Believe this there is nothing you can't get through.

When you have fought through each battle of each day,

your war will be over and you will see,

you are much stronger than you ever thought you were.

And you will be able to sit down to rest and heal,

for victory is yours and of this you must be assured.

So onward weary solider, fight on, and fight hard,

for there is nothing to hard in life for you.

And there is nothing in life you cannot overcome!

For you are more than a conquer, your are Kings and Queens,

and in the world and Heaven above your name will be revered

when your fight is done!

[Guest Katrina Reann]

opps I made a couple of mistakes in that poem and posted it before I caught them. Sorry, I just wrote that one on the spot. So here is the edited version...

ONWARD WEARY SOLDIER

When times are tough and you are being hit from every side,

do not give up, surrender, or stop fighting.

Victory belongs to you O' weary solider so fight on,

and when the bombs are bursting in the night,

make plans for your assault at dawn.

Fight one battle at a time and in time the war will be won,

because there are many battles in a war.

Remember those you are fighting for and those you love.

For they will encourage and inspire you,

and strength will come to you from God above.

When you are wounded and seem so weak,

look within your heart to draw courage to battle on.

Onward weary soldier for there is victory waiting for for you.

And just as each day has a battle, each day also has victory.

Believe this there is nothing you can't get through.

When you have fought through each battle of each day,

your war will be over and you will see,

you are much stronger than you ever thought you were.

And you will be able to sit down to rest and heal,

for victory is yours and of this you must be assured.

So onward weary solider, fight on, and fight hard,

for there is nothing to hard in life for you.

And there is nothing in life you cannot overcome!

For you are more than a conquer, your are Kings and Queens,

and in the world and Heaven above your name will be revered!

when your fight is done!