It Ain’t All About Me!

2017 has been an interesting year for us……to say the least.  My cancer was diagnosed on May 1, 2017…….stressful enough, right?  Then somewhere around mid-June, CC was diagnosed with a herniated disc and was out of work for 6 weeks recovering from that.  While he was out during those 6 weeks, he had a recurrence of plantar fasciitis which he had struggled with since late last year.

**Backstory…….this plantar fasciitis started back in late 2016.  In March, we had a trip planned to NYC – and he was still struggling with the plantar fasciitis…..and he had a cortisone shot just before we left so he could hopefully walk half way comfortably while we were gone.  Eventually, he struggled with it again.  Ugh!

In July this year, he had a 2nd cortisone shot and got some temporary relief.  He went back to work after his back issues and was able to work for 3 weeks and one afternoon, he said he “felt” something snap in his foot…..and he was again having some awful pain.  A trip BACK to the podiatrist determined he had torn his planter fascia.  UGH!  Bless his heart.  So…….he has been out of work 2 weeks…..at home in a boot……just sitting and lying around…..AS BEST AS HE CAN.  Those who know me – know that being a couch potato is NOT a problem for me.  CC…….not so much.  Typically he is ALWAYS doing something right up until bedtime each night.  It’s just in his DNA.  He has struggled immensely just being still!  A return visit to the doctor this week and, while his foot is healing, he still has a ways to go.  He was given 3 more weeks at home…….in the boot……sitting.  If he had an office job, the doctor said he would have allowed him to return to work – but given that his job requires him to be on his feet all day…….climbing ladders and poles…..well, one day back at work would just UNDO the healing that had already taken place.

Gosh – he is gonna kill me for “oversharing” on his behalf.  Ya’ll know he is the private one.  Oh well, it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission sometimes…..and this is one of those times!  I’ll deal with him tomorrow!

While I know this has been a real struggle for him, he has had a much better attitude about it than I ever imagined.  I laughed and told him Monday that apparently, the Lord really wanted the two of us to spend ALOT of time together this year…..the only downside was that neither of us were “healthy” enough to spend this time doing anything fun!  He’s in the recliner……and I’m on the couch!

HOWEVER…….as disappointed as he has been at not being able to work…..we have definitely seen where there were some unexpected advantages to our current situation.  I’m NOT a morning person…..He is.  The struggle is real!  He is up with the chickens…..and lately, I’ve really done ALOT of power sleeping.  Having him here has allowed him to take over my morning carpool duties.  He’s been able to take the boys to school each day and allowed me to sleep in.  The extra rest has truly been appreciated.  Sometimes the blessings of our current situation may not be easy to see in the beginning……but when we take time to “get over ourselves” and see where God is truly showing up…… even in the middle of unfortunate situations, things don’t seem so bad at all.

He and I have also had a ton of time to spend together ALONE which hasn’t happened a lot over the past 14 years.  We can actually finish a conversation without being interrupted!  We’ve also been able to take care of some piddly things around the house that always seem to get pushed to the back burner for lack of time.  We’ve spent some time watching some of our favorite TV shows…….and having lunch together…..heck, we’ve even been able to take trips together to the pharmacy to pick up our meds! 🙂  Sometimes it really is the small things!  Anyway……while neither of us would have “chosen” this……it hasn’t been ALL bad…..and we’ve truly tried to make the most of it!

As for me……this week has been a huge improvement over last week.  I’ve certainly had more energy.  I think some of that is truly that I’ve felt better……and part of it is that I’m slowly (yeah, I said SLOWLY) learning to “just rest”.  It’s still unnerving that I get so tired so quickly……but I’ve had 3 rounds of chemo……so it makes sense that my body gets a little weaker each time.

Today, I tried to rest up all day so I could attend the High School JV Football game to see my sweet neighbor suit up for her first game.  Yes….I said HER first game!  She’s the only girl on the team…….and while she’s a cutie……she’s a tough one!  I was super thankful to be able to see her run out on that field and attempt an extra point!  And it the weather today was PERFECT for football.  Not too hot……not too cold!

And yesterday……..gosh…..I don’t know what was different about yesterday……but FOOD tasted more “normal” than it has since this started!  We have been blessed by so many folks bringing food for us during all this……and yesterday, someone brought chicken casserole and pinto beans.  They tasted soooooo good.  I mighta had several helpings of the chicken casserole……..and I’m just gonna admit that last night at 9:45, I couldn’t stop thinking about how yummy those pinto beans tasted at dinner……so yeah……I got up and ate a “small”  (wink) bowl last night just before bedtime……and I’m not ashamed one bit!

Count your blessings……..both big and small!

Now I’d better start working on my “forgiveness” speech………

Hugs!

Sonja

James 1:2-4The Message (MSG)

Faith Under Pressure

2-4 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.