Merry Belated Christmas to all! I had a great time with my family, but it went by WAY to quickly. One week of my vacation has already come and gone and my to do list has not gotten any smaller. Still haven't started reading New Moon. Still haven't worked out yet. Still haven't tackled the office. I can be productive this week, right? Most likely not.
2008 went by quickly. A lot was jam packed into these 365 days (well technically 362 as I'm writing this early). This was the year of health struggles in our family.We started off with the mission of figuring out why Cameron's hip had been hurting for a year. He had some intial x-rays and the first MRI in January which told us he had a laberal tear. No big deal, we thought - just an out patient surgery to repair it. To be continued in March...
In February, we lost Roy. This was a hard hit for the family, especially for June. She was unable to make it to Roy's service as she was too ill to be released from the hospital.
Our family's health continued to decline as Meghan became really ill and had to be hospitalized for a few days, followed by some dreadful steroids. My Uncle Phil was also diagnosed with cancer. Upon referral to a specialist, Cameron and I find out that his hip pain is much more than just a laberal tear and required a major surgery to fix the problem. Phil continued to stay what seemed every other night with his mother as her health continued to decline as well.
Meghan slowly regained her strength and managed to finish out the year at Hawley. Then off to Friendswood, Texas! Garrett had started his new job in Friendswood before he graduated and they quickly found a house, found new doctors, and found new hope for Meghan's health. She is continuing her journey to complete wellness, and is gaining a few answers along the way.
In June, we traveled to St. Louis for Cameron's surgery. He was a great patient and has made a great recovery! (You can review that whole process in my June blog overload.)
Sister Sara somehow came down with a case of whooping cough and had to be quarantined for several days at home. Also accompianed by several calls from the heath department... geez.
This fall, we lost June. She was able to be in her own home when she passed and is now finally relaxing with Roy on their golden porch swing.
We also unexpectedly lost my Aunt Francis to an unforseen battle with cancer. By the time she went to the doctor, it was too late. My Uncle David continues to preach at his small congregation in Texas and is learning how to cook and clean!
Trish and Tim continued to learn more and more about Mitchell's condition. The situation was intensified with frustrating experiences at school. He was able to be placed under an IEP which made for a smoother transition into the new school year in the fall.
Currently, Uncle Phil is cancer free! He is doing well and is soaking up every minute of those beautiful grandchildren.
As I'm writing about what seems to be the year from hell, I can't help but feel blessed despite all the heath issues we have faced this year. Although each circumstance was hard to take (some we had to take in all at once!), God never gave us more than we could handle. It seemed wild at times and thousands of tears were shed, but we made it.
Despite all the negatives, God blessed us with three graduations (Garrett, Cameron, and Mandy), a great job opportunity for Cameron, Meghan's acceptance into graduate school, Christie's answers about her hip (surgery to come early next month), Cameron and I beginning our journey to financial peace, and many more.
For 2009 I look forward to witnessing complete healing among my family members. I wish Cameron fullfillment as he starts his career. And is it too much to ask for all my student's to pass their CRTs?
Happy New Year!
