My older sister (she will be 57 in August) had a stroke. It was a minor stroke and, as the nurse said "it was God smacking you upside the head." The nurse who was discharging her was very cool. She told her that if she wasn't going to quit smoking than she should save her money and not bother getting her prescriptions. She has to quit smoking (duh). Her husband has to quit smoking (duh). The nurse also told her that she is not allowed to be ANYWHERE where people are smoking. Since Ohio passed a smoking ban last year, this is not as difficult as it may otherwise seem. The hardest part is that four of her five children smoke, one of whom still lives at home. But her DH did not have a problem telling them that there will be no smoking in the home/yard/car, etc. She has follow-up appointments with a neurology, vascular and has to have an echocardiogram. But, all indications are that this was just a warning shot over her bow. Actually, when the nurse was lecturing her, I pointed out that she was using the wrong tact. I looked at Peg and said, if you have another stroke, you might not be able to knit or spin or quilt or sew. THAT got her attention.
The pic above is Peg holding Aiden (our youngest great nephew)
My younger brother (he will be 47 in August) has tumors on his spine. Four to be exact. He had a series of tests. They are all benign. He had gone to the doctor because he was having so much pain. Turns out that they believe the tumors are not the cause of the pain but that he is having ongoing problems with kidney stones (he has had five stones pass in the last six weeks . . . ouch). The tumors they will watch but the doc really believes that they are actually more calcium build-up (similar to kidney stones). He has to see a kidney specialist, someone else for his arthritis and a nutritionist. The kidney guy's office made the appointment with the nutritionist at the same time because kidney stones (especially ongoing problems with them) are often tied to poor nutrition issues (my brother is the ultimate picky eater . . . and does not like most vegetables). He has had many health problems over the last several years. His spleen was removed 21 years ago which causes many health issues -- if it can be helped, do not allow your spleen to be removed. At the time, the docs thought he had leukemia or lymphoma. The doctor that did the surgery was a butcher. My brother has a scar (about 1" wide) that runs from his sternum to his belly button. About four years ago, the docs thought he had esophageal cancer. He saw specialists at the Cleveland Clinic and a cardiologist. His heart is perfect and he has serious reflux but no cancer. After all the testing was done, the Clinic doctors removed his gall bladder and has had very few problems until the recent back pain and kidney stones. On top of all of this, his youngest daughter suffers from agorophobia, OCD and depression. She is having a tough time dealing with school. She is very smart but, unfortunately, the school she attends is huge. Eddie and Debbie (my SIL) are looking at various options to help her, including an online academy. She is the sweetest thing.
The pic of Eddie is with his youngest daughter at my son's birthday party in January.
Anyway, for all who have offered up their prayers and good thoughts for my siblings, I greatly appreciate it. My sibs are good people. They are married to good people. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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