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It’s been a very different year for us. Dan says his denial of
the aging process has been challenged (but not broken). We’re grateful to have
this one behind us and are looking forward to 2019!
January: Before heading out for almost 3 months in Germany Janet
was able to gain some much needed cataract surgery to clear her vision. It was mostly successful and we were on our
way.
February-April: – Back to the Eurasia Regional Office for 10
weeks of work in Germany
May 1 - When we got to the Zurich airport to return home, Dan
felt tightness in his chest while heaving suitcases. He didn’t mention it until
a few days later when the pressure kept increasing at home, even though it
would subside every time he relaxed for a while. After a few days of this, we
started out on a walk in the neighborhood; we got only 3 houses away, and Dan’s
smart watch told him that his pulse was over 140! SO, we saw our Dr who ordered
blood work. The lab results came back the next day (May 9); we were directed to
go to an ER as soon as possible! By the 14th, Dan underwent
quadruple bypass surgery! The coronary artery blockages are hereditary; his
overall health remains excellent. We’re just really grateful that he had
warning signs!
June through August were full of Dan’s 3x/week cardiac physical rehab
sessions, gardening, projects in the house and yard, trees and gardens. We
returned to the Y several days a week for a couple of weeks….
But, Dan has had a lump on his upper right arm that has been
growing over the last year, so he asked our family doctor to refer him to
someone to remove it. In September, a general surgeon removed the (usually
benign) fatty tumor from his upper right arm and was surprised when the lab
reported it contained sarcoma cells (cancer). With the advise of a cancer
specialist it took 2 more surgeries on the area to eliminate all
physical evidence of the nasty critters.
October – In the meantime (you’d think I was jealous of all the
attention on Dan), as I walked out the front sidewalk to get the mail, I felt
my right knee *POP* painfully on the inside and I couldn’t put any
weight on it, barely returning to the house. That evening, at the ER, I
got X-rays and my leg was "immobilized" with a brace. The next
morning, Dan went out and got me some crutches even before he made breakfast
for me! The next Tuesday (same day as Dan’s #3 arm surgery), Erica spent her
day off driving us around and Monica brought over 2 casseroles to last all
week. The MRI showed a meniscus tear and my knee arthroscopy (3 small holes and
lots of scraping inside) was on Oct. 26. It’s going to take a few months to
heal but there’s progress each week!
We had planned to drive to Massachusetts to celebrate 2
granddaughters’ graduations (one with a BS in Nursing, one with an MS in social
work/counseling) at the end of May, but that didn’t happen with Dan’s rehab
schedule. We even missed the local granddaughter Caitlyn’s high school
graduation, but we were able to watch it online while Dan was in the hospital.
When we tried to reschedule a driving-to-the-East-Coast vacation for September,
my knee problem surfaced!
Now, end of December, Dan is nearly finished with 30 daily,
preventive, radiation treatments on his right arm and we’re SO ready for this
medical stuff to be over! Hope it’s confined to 2018!
We’ve been back at the Y since early November and have stayed
active at church. Looking forward to returning to the Eurasia Regional Office
some time in 2019.
This certainly has not been the year we had planned by God has
been faithful. In the midst of what could have been troubling physical challenges
there has been a peace and as we look back and tell the story, we see his
loving hand guiding in numerous ways. We pray that our friends and family also
will seek and experience the same blessings.
We love hearing from you, especially at this time of year! Please
let us hear what’s keeping your life busy and fulfilling! We wish you the best
that God has for you in 2019!
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