She made it through another scare.....

Another scare, another surgery, and I got to hear her say.....Hey Jude........She is really quite amazing.  Her faith is strong, she's tired and ready to start feeling better and we're on the sidelines cheering with all our energy and hearts.  She had some more problems this afternoon and Dr. Lambert is about out of magic tricks.  The head surgeon assisted Dr. Lambert tonight and after cleaning her inside again......they couldn't find a leak so they closed her back up.  Tim feels like he has witnessed a miracle and after feeling all was lost this afternoon, his spirits are up and he hopes for the best.  Before Tami went into surgery, she told Tim, "It will be all right".  She has been the one to strengthen Tim at times.  Tim went back to the Hope Lodge tonight after Tami was resting in the ICU.  She still has a long road to travel but again.....she's in the Lord's hands and there is a continuous transmission of prayers heading upwards and with Tami's faith she surely will be blessed. 
With Thankful Heart
Judy

I lost count of her surgeries..........

Well, another one for the books.....Dr. Lambert has done all she could do to help our Tami.  The hours spent in Tami's behalf are adding up to be a record I'm sure. 

She's out of surgery and back into the ICU.  I talked to Tim tonigt and Julie drove him back to the Lodge.  Julie is Tami's friend and her husband Kevin is battling Leukemia in the same hospital. Tim stayed with Tami all night last night and so he's tuckered out.  There really is no place to hardly sit in the ICU and the nurses like it better if no one is around. 

Tami made it through again but is struggling to stay out of pain......Now our prayers are that she will be able to heal from the inside out and again feel Sunshine on her shoulders.  Her insides are pretty beaten up from so many surgeries and scar tissue, but there is always hope that little miracles can happen.  I believe they do and can.  Mom was at Lana's today and always enjoys Lana taking care of her.  Mom also stopped by my home for a couple of hours and I enjoyed her being here.  She feels so bad for Tami and a prayer and song is constantly in her heart.  When there is absolutely nothing we can do to make her better.....we look to the only source of true healing.....I know Tami has faith to be healed......we know her health is in The Lord's hands.
We love you all

Judy

Tami fights another battle.....Yes I Can

Hi Everyone....
I arrived at the cabin on Friday morning after Thanksgiving and thought of a year ago when Tami was with us.....but when I arrived, I received a phone call from Tim telling me that Tami had to go in for emergency surgery.  She had another break in her insides and even though she had just eaten, Dr. Lambert trumped another Doctor and took her in immediately.  Over 5 hours later She told Tim that Tami was tough and she thought she'd make it through.........They didn't close her up because she's going back into surgery on Monday.  Her insides were inflamed and so they're treating that and then trying to fix things up again.  All of these happenings tend to make us contemplative and we all hurt so much for her.  I found myself thinking of her, her unconquerable spirit and faith, and yet her concern for all that needs to heal.  We're so thankful that Tim is with her and doing the best he can to support her and lift her spirits when he's also alone back there.  This whole trauma of being so far away when we can't be with her has been a dilemma that has pressed us all to wonder why it had to be this way....but  "Chin Up, Wilbur"......Our prayers and fasting have taken on a whole new meaning and we've all looked to the Lord with hope and faith and trust.  Tami always said....."I feel like I'm going to get better, I just don't know what I've got to go through to get there".   Well, we know that hasn't been easy, but she's still fighting.  Mom talked to her tonight.  Tami wanted to hear mom's voice and knew that Mom's prayers have a tendency to get a little higher that some others.  She still needs our faith and prayers.  We also know that each of us in different ways need those hopes and prayers also.  Thanks for your concern for our dear one....we so love her......

Judy

Song...I know Heavenly Father Loves me

Happy Thanksgiving...and we hope you all had a good one. 

Tami is still in the hospital and when cali called her while we were having our Thanksgiving feast, Cali asked her if she had anything to say to us all.  She just wanted us all to sing, "I know Heavenly Father Loves me."......It goes.....

Whenever I hear the song of a bird
or look at the blue, blue sky.
Whenever I feel the rain on my face,
or the wind as it rushes by.....
whenever I touch a velvet rose
or walk by a lilac tree
I'm glad thatI live in this wonderful world
Heavenly Father created for me.

He gave me my eyes that I may see
the color of butterfly wings
He gave me my ears that I may hear
the magical sounds of things
He gave me my lips, my heart, my mind,
I thank Him reverently
for all His creations of which I'm a part.....
yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.

There may be a couple of words I didn't get just right, but you get the drift.  I couldn't sing a darn word, because those water-works in my eyes got all messed up, but it sure sounded good as everyone sang.

I spoke with her tonight and she would like to think that she could come home by the 1st of December....I won't discourage her, it just doesnt' seem like things fall into place that fast, but we'll wait, and watch and see.

Mom still made a fresh strawberry pie like she always does for Tami.  The rest of us enjoyed, but we know who it was really made for....even though she wasn't there.
Tim ate at the Hope Lodge.  They had 5 there for Thanksgiving Dinner. 

We all can be thankful this day for so many things.......Thank the Lord for them all

Love,
Judy

Thanks.....giving....

Hi Everyone,
I only got to speak with Tim a short time today, but he was nervous to go to the hospital this morning because he knew Tam had had a bad night with pain.  They took the epidural away and she struggles with pain pills, but today they got her the other pain medication that she can push a button for, its intravenous, and Tim said that she got her pain under control and was having a much better aternoon.  He said the hospital would like to release her but Dr. Lambert has been a bit more cautious......probably by Thursday, so we'll see.  Tim said Dr. Blute seemed optimistic that the surgery should solve many of her problems.....that would be soooooo nice.  I'm glad Tim could go be with her for Thanksgiving.....  Last year at this time Tami was feeling about the best she had felt.  She went with some of my family to the cabin to cut Christmas Trees the day after Thanksgiving.  We did snow angels in the snow and enjoyed our time together there.  Now we're getting ready to go again and another void is there.....but I'm thankful she's where she is.....and still kickin........(if you know what I mean).  We have much to be thankful for, so we'll concentrate on that......
Love,
Judy

Hope Lodge for Thanksgiving?????

Hi all.....
Just a couple of updates today.  Tim didn't leave until 3:30 this afternoon so he won't be there until about midnight, but he said in talking to Dr. Lambert today, it was a good thing he was going because Tami may be released to the Hope Lodge tomorrow.  Tami has to have a caregiver if she is unable to totally care for herself, such as in this case.  She is still in pain but feeling a bit better......We just hope she gets all better and can find many things to be thankful for at this particular time of year.  I'll write more after I speak to Tim tomorrow.
Love,
Judy

Small and Simple Things.......

Hi Everyone

Tami sent me an e-mail so I thought I would share some of her thoughts.  She said she felt better today because the epidural was helping with the pain so she didn't get nauseated.  She took a walk with the nurse but her legs almost buckled because of the epidural.  She said, "I'm learning the meaning of slowing down to a grateful pace" and she was thankful that her diet changed from clear liquid to at least tomato soup and ice cream.  She said those small and simple thing help me.....such as a walk, soup and ice cream.

Dr. Blute and Dr. Lambert both stopped by and told her again that her surgery was successful and Tami said, "I'm Thankful to be alive."  Dr. Lambert said she could still run and swim...(and I think that is a optimistic vision in Tami's mind to fight to the finish)......

She was able to set up for a couple of hours today and also paint with her pencils...she was very thankful she had those there and was also thankful for the nurse from the 6th floor who also gave her some supplies. 

Tim is flying out on Monday at 6:00 AM to be with Tami.......We're all thankful for that.  She said she had an appointment with Dr. Blute on the 29th of November and she was hoping they might be able to remove attached tubing if all goes well......that would be a wonderful little miracle.

Tami called Mom tonight and that gave mom much comfort.  Mom has fasted and sung hymns to feel the peace of the Lord, and hearing Tami's voice tonight lifted her spirits.  There's nothing like the love of a mother.  That is also why Tami would rather Tim be home with the girls.  Tami's hopes are up and I told her I hope she can feel our love and prayers and hope streaming through the airways and across the miles that she may feel of our support and love.  

A few of you have asked for Tami's address.  I know Tim will be at the Hope Lodge on Monday so you could send your cards there. 

                   American Cancer Society Hope Lodge
                                         7 Oak Street
                                     Worcester, Ma  01604

Love, Judy