We Are So Blessed!

Dale's dad is in the hospital. He's had cancer for almost 15 years, but this year it started metastasizing (going to other places in the body) and has been in his ribs. This past week it moved to his kidneys and both kidneys had blocked tubes down to the bladder. He was very sick. They opted to put a tube into his kidneys to the outside of his body, attached to bags. They were only able to do the right side, as the left kidney was totally damaged. He was struggling when we saw him yesterday, as the procedure took a lot out of him and he was full of fluid, because his kidneys weren't removing it. He was having trouble breathing and looked like he had just run a marathon - only the hard breathing just kept going. We were up there when Olinda and Sheila (her daughter) were still there. Sheila is a retired nurse and was looking after Dad so well. Olinda looked tired, but she was determined to sit and hold Dad's hand so he knew she was there. They finally left to try and get some sleep and we stayed until Cindy and Gary came. Terry and Holly were coming in from the farm to stay with him overnight. By the time Cindy and Gary arrived, they had given him pain medication and sleeping medication and he had finally relaxed and some respiratory meds also helped ease his breathing. Dad has 7 children and they all live close by. It is so nice to have everyone close enough to see Dad and care for him if need be and give Olinda a break. We know she wants to be with him as much as possible, but we also know she needs to rest, too. They have been so good for each other for the 6 years they have been married. Both had been alone for 25 years when God brought them together. Dad doesn't have a lot of time left and we certainly don't want to see him suffer. We have been so blessed to have him with us for as long as we have. He'll be 85 on his birthday in February if he lives that long. He has always been there for all of us during financial struggles and tough times and to help whenever he could. Olinda is a gracious hostess and welcomes us in if we show up unannounced. We love her dearly, too. It makes you pause and think of all the blessings we do have. Even though Dale and I have struggled with health issues, we are still doing ok and can go places and do things. For this I am very thankful. So, tell your loved ones that you love them and thank God for them every day.