Heartaches and tears

God never promised us a bed of roses but sometimes my "bed" has more thorns than roses. Ha!

Last August 4 Mother and I traveled to Georgia for our families 100th Pell Family reunion. It was so good to see family members again after five years. We also visited Mothers brother, Uncle Hershel, who was very sick. He was glad to see us. As it turned out, it was to be the last time we visited with him, for three weeks later he passed away.



While we were there in Georgia, Mother had a light heart attack. All of our large family came together and prayed for her. Uncle Windell, who is a pastor, anointed her with oil as all the members prayed. She came through the light attack without going to the hospital or doctor. We all praised God for His mercy and kindness toward her.



After we returned home to Maryland, mother went to the hospital to have some tests done. They showed no damage to her heart but the cat scan did reveal a cancer in her left lung. Of course, it concerned us very much. She was directed to go to Havre de Grace to a pulmonary surgeon to have the mass evaluated. He performed a broncoscopy procedure to procure a sample of the mass. However, he could not get close enough to actually get any cells from the mass. He told her that he would "watch" it's growth, if any, but having her get another cat scan done in two months. Then we would decide together what could be done in the way of treatment.



Last week Mother had her cat scan done at Upper Chesapeake Hospital. Today we went to Havre de Grace to see Dr. Puthawalla again. He compared the two scans and did not see any evidence of growth. However, he noticed Mother is continuing to lose weight and feels very drained almost every day. Now the plan is to go to Franklin Square Hospital for another advanced broncoscopy after the first of January 2011. So, that is where we stand for the time being. By the time I write about this again, we should know something of what the plans are for treatment of mothers condition.



Our year has been a busy one, lots of things going on. More sadness. Our beloved pet, Otis, passed away on November 1st. We had him for almost 10 years. He died of cancer of the prostat. He fought hard and without complaint for six weeks before his end. Needless to say, my husband and I, as well as my mother, were devastated by our loss. It was like losing a member of our family, as indeed he had been for so long.



We couldn't stand the silence in the house, no toenails tip-tapping on the floors. No barking when the doorbell rang or when another dog barked on the t.v. Our daughter knew how empty we felt inside so she got on the computer and googled "Pet-finders." We had the chance to view many rescued pets that needed new homes. We were hooked! Marie found us several pug dogs who needed adopting but each one we called Molly's Place Rescue about was already adopted. But, the lady told us she had just gotten in a little 3 1/2 year old female who had been rescued out of a puppy mill. Charles and I drove to Mechanicsburg, Pa. the very next day to see her.



Oh, what a beautiful little dog she was. To make a long story short, we adopted her. Her name is "Krickett" and she's the sweetest little dog right from the get-go. She got a high fever a day and a half after we got her home. My heart was heavy because we had just spent a great deal of money to take care of Otis and his problem before losing him. Now we were going on the same road with Krickett, our new pet. Well, the vet diagnosed Krickett with infection from the spaying just days before we brought her home. Plus, he could feel something that wasn't right in her lower abdomin. Oh, no! Our hearts dropped. We gave her all the medicines the vet gave us and then took her back for another visit several days later. Good news is that the something that he had felt was smaller and not as touchy now. And that's where we are with her. She's still an adorable, lovable dog and we love her dearly. Maybe our summer of upsets finally has come to a slower pace. Now that winter is almost here and the holidays are almost upon us, perhaps we can settle our hearts down a bit too. You think? God bless you all out there.