One year ago

[greatbear]

*warms up transmitters, sets optimum grid and plate currents, tunes antenna array for optimum SWR as I prepare to break radio silence*

Precisely one year ago my Jeff was in the hospital, connected to all manner of diagnostic equipment after having a stent placed in his heart due to a major heart attack. Thanks to the incredible work of so many fine folks at Howard County General as well as the EMTs, he's very much alive, comfortable at home and is sleeping quietly. One whole year passed us by already, how time flies. I don't know what I'd do without him, but I am gonna do all I can to keep him around for a long, long time.

Jeff currently has a cumbersome cast on his right arm after having carpal tunnel and ulnar nerve duct surgery this past Thursday morning. About a month ago he had the same thing (minus the elbow thing) done on his left wrist, he has been recovering nicely from that procedure. Tomorrow he goes to see his cardiologist for a checkup of sorts, and to make some decisions regarding ongoing medicines and treatment. Next year, depending on what he learns starting tomorrow, he will have to undergo yet another procedure to remove some rather large growths on his thyroid, and possibly the thyroid gland itself. We'll tackle that as it comes. Together.

Of course, I have been helping him out as much as I can, and even doting on him a bit too much. Yesterday I made some totally rockin' ham'n'bean soup. It was all I could do to keep Jeff out of the kitchen and try my hand at this, and he needs the rest. It was a bit of a milestone for me as well, as I basically went into all those memories of Mom making soups throughout the years, throwing stuff together from scratch and having it cook for a good part of the afternoon, filling the house with smells that dug up so many memories, and at times I had to quietly go off and quell some emotions that were trying to get the better of me. You see, the holidays, a fire in the woodstove, and home cooking remind me of how much I lost, as well as all of those wonderful days in the past. I still feel as though I am invading Mom's space, but I feel less of that as I conquer these personal barriers one by one. I am pretty certain that Mom would have approved wholeheartedly of my effort. Jeff the Chef did. There is no reason Jeff and I can't make our own wonderful memories as time marches on either. We might not be in the best of health, but we are still here, and we'll do all we can to hang around for a long time to come.

I hope this post finds those reading well.

*throws transmitter back into standby, but leaves the tubes aglow*

Comments

[kspsibear.livejournal.com]

And I hope it is a long long time. Good to read this. I woke up way too early this morning, but I'll be heading back to sleep soon. It's so wonderful that you have someone to share your life with.


Big hugs. Merry Christmas!

[furrbear.livejournal.com]

This is an absolutely beautiful post, Phil. Jeff has a wonderful spouse.

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

You both have someone special to love.

Things can only get better from here on!!

[dan4behr.livejournal.com]

Ham'n Bean soup... one of the all-time great comforts in life.
You sir, are a wonderful man. Hugs to both of you.

oh, and Happy Holidays!

[2stroker.livejournal.com]

You are a lucky man.Here's to many more years of good life and health for you both.

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

"You see, the holidays, a fire in the woodstove, and home cooking remind me of how much I lost, as well as all of those wonderful days in the past."

I hope it also reminds you of how much you have, and how much has yet to come.

73!

[jacked01.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad for you Phil, happy holidays

[liftinmoose.livejournal.com]

Big hugs to you.

And don't forget to savor what you have!!

[bearwad.livejournal.com]

i didn't learn to make a good spagetti sauce until my thirties because mom's was so good. i still don't try to make chili, i have never come close to hers.

[bygbrat.livejournal.com]

thanks for that! big hugs! sounds like a lot of love went into that soup!

have a great holiday and a happy new year!!!!

[dendren.livejournal.com]

it's so amazing how quickly time zooms by, especially after an event like Jeff's heart attack that so totally shook both your worlds. Reading this really sort of knocked me for a loop actually, Bob went in the hospital and nearly died from a brain hemorrhage 17 years ago this week... someday you and Jeff will be there wondering how so many years past since then :)

now pass the ham and bean soup over here please...

[wrascalism.livejournal.com]

Making your own good memories for you and Jeff is the best!
:o)

[geometrician.livejournal.com]

Great to hear a peep out of you, and catch up a little! Holiday hugs to both of you.

[rcfozzie.livejournal.com]

Hugs to you and yours!

[ptownnyc.livejournal.com]

Glad you are there to take care of your bruised bear, and that you are building new holidays to continue from the old :)

[clintswan.livejournal.com]

*happy holidays!*

[fingertrouble.livejournal.com]

Happy Christmas, and yes I hope you two stick around for a long while too ;-)

Although I am constantly reminded we're all getting older...:-/

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

You are so lucky to have someone, whom you love so much, to make memories with ... Bad grammar, but a truthful sentiment.

HUGS!

[franklanguage.livejournal.com]

I'm due for carpal tunnel surgery the first week in January, and I'm looking forward to it, although I'm expecting a long road of therapy. Fortunately, I learned most of the exercises already when I broke my wrist last year.

Glad to see you both still hanging in there!