A Time to be Grateful, A Time to be Glad, A Time to Look Forward and not Back
Three short years and a full lifetime ago, we changed our lives. That puts it very mildly and does not touch the immense gratitude I feel. Our journey pre-op was made so much less scary because we found OH. We found support and friends. Post Op we have found an extended family and more love than any person could ever repay.
For Tom's 54th birthday he and I received surgery we had wanted for over 15 years. The hope and prayer was that we would live to see Adam out of High School and hopefully grandchildren. Without this life altering change we would not have reached any goal more than making it through today and hope for tomorrow. We knew the risks, we knew the rewards. We did not know we would experience both of them.
On August 16th, Tom experienced life threatening complications. On that day my world stopped moving. I remember thinking that I had to post what was happening. I had to share, I had to ask for help and I knew it would be there. It was 3am on the 17th before I was able to poor my soul and my fears on this board. I was once again living day to day. You all were there to support us and help us. From across the state to the far reaches of both coasts and even internationally you prayed for us.
Our journey has had many twists and turns. We have been low, and you lifted us up. You understood. I remember filtering what I told you, it was our burden not yours, but in the filtering I found strength to go another day. I found that no matter what I said, there were more prayers. I found that you could take the truth and not think of me as a whinner. I found strength in your words and hope in my heart.
There have been many days in the last three years that I was not so sure of myself. The darkness poured over me and I found that if I shared that darkness you could turn it to the light. I found that when my love and resolve were tested, you could fill that gap. I found that there is more strength in my soul than I knew was there. You found it for me.
So now we look forward. My world is beginning to turn again. The point Tom is at now is nothing short of a miracle. He has had more blocks in his path and is fighting back to be the best he can be. If there is not one more step forward, this will be enough for me, only I know there will be many more steps forward. I know that he can fight now. I know that life will get better.
So, God was not through with him. There is a purpose to all of this and I know that there are many things we have to finish in this world. God is not through with me. God is not through with our marriage. Faith is not an easy thing and finding that faith to work through each and every challenge is difficult.
I remember at a group dinner, one of the first Tom went to post op, he turned to me and said, "I am so glad we had the surgery, we would never have met all these great people if we hadn't." Through the darkness comes the light. I am grateful for the light.
Happy Birthday Sweetheart, thank you for living, thank you for fighting but most of all thank you for loving me.
For Tom's 54th birthday he and I received surgery we had wanted for over 15 years. The hope and prayer was that we would live to see Adam out of High School and hopefully grandchildren. Without this life altering change we would not have reached any goal more than making it through today and hope for tomorrow. We knew the risks, we knew the rewards. We did not know we would experience both of them.
On August 16th, Tom experienced life threatening complications. On that day my world stopped moving. I remember thinking that I had to post what was happening. I had to share, I had to ask for help and I knew it would be there. It was 3am on the 17th before I was able to poor my soul and my fears on this board. I was once again living day to day. You all were there to support us and help us. From across the state to the far reaches of both coasts and even internationally you prayed for us.
Our journey has had many twists and turns. We have been low, and you lifted us up. You understood. I remember filtering what I told you, it was our burden not yours, but in the filtering I found strength to go another day. I found that no matter what I said, there were more prayers. I found that you could take the truth and not think of me as a whinner. I found strength in your words and hope in my heart.
There have been many days in the last three years that I was not so sure of myself. The darkness poured over me and I found that if I shared that darkness you could turn it to the light. I found that when my love and resolve were tested, you could fill that gap. I found that there is more strength in my soul than I knew was there. You found it for me.
So now we look forward. My world is beginning to turn again. The point Tom is at now is nothing short of a miracle. He has had more blocks in his path and is fighting back to be the best he can be. If there is not one more step forward, this will be enough for me, only I know there will be many more steps forward. I know that he can fight now. I know that life will get better.
So, God was not through with him. There is a purpose to all of this and I know that there are many things we have to finish in this world. God is not through with me. God is not through with our marriage. Faith is not an easy thing and finding that faith to work through each and every challenge is difficult.
I remember at a group dinner, one of the first Tom went to post op, he turned to me and said, "I am so glad we had the surgery, we would never have met all these great people if we hadn't." Through the darkness comes the light. I am grateful for the light.
Happy Birthday Sweetheart, thank you for living, thank you for fighting but most of all thank you for loving me.
THE REPORTER...
Be Kinder than Necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Be Kinder than Necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Que,
I remember when our mutual friend told me of your obstacles, way before we ever met, I was praying for you both then, knowing then that you both were strong people. I feel so blessed that I have had the opportunity to meet you both and spend time with you. I am looking forward to spending more time with you and Tom. You both are the true inspirations of "What God brings us to, He will see us through". We may be on total opposite sides of the metroplex, but please know if there is anything that I can ever do for either of you, I'll be there in a heartbeat (Sandra too, she things you both are pretty cool!) We are both sending you lots of love, and wishing Tom a very, very happy birthday, I just know this next year is going to be filled with lots, and lots of blessings for you both!
Love you both!
Avis
I remember when our mutual friend told me of your obstacles, way before we ever met, I was praying for you both then, knowing then that you both were strong people. I feel so blessed that I have had the opportunity to meet you both and spend time with you. I am looking forward to spending more time with you and Tom. You both are the true inspirations of "What God brings us to, He will see us through". We may be on total opposite sides of the metroplex, but please know if there is anything that I can ever do for either of you, I'll be there in a heartbeat (Sandra too, she things you both are pretty cool!) We are both sending you lots of love, and wishing Tom a very, very happy birthday, I just know this next year is going to be filled with lots, and lots of blessings for you both!
Love you both!
Avis
what an awesome post! i knew it would be wonderful coming from you.
As i said on sat. I could never possibly thank you enough for everything yall have done for me in the last few years. I admire you more than you know.
I love you both and choise you as my family. Thank you for everything.. i am so proud of you :)
Hub my kids for me!
Liz
As i said on sat. I could never possibly thank you enough for everything yall have done for me in the last few years. I admire you more than you know.
I love you both and choise you as my family. Thank you for everything.. i am so proud of you :)
Hub my kids for me!
Liz
When I was born, I cried and the world rejoiced. Now i wanna live my life so that when I die, the world cries and I rejoice
None of us can imagine what you have been through. I felt sorry for myself when I almost lost Mary several years ago. She was having one of her many surgeries. When she came to about 3 hours after surgery, she was throwing up blood. Ended up the tube they used down her throat had a "hangnail" on it and it had scratched the back of her throat. They went in to carterize (sp) it. When they took it back out, it scractched it again. That was about as scared as I have ever been. Long story short, that was just one occassion. You lived that and more over 2+ years. But we were here for you and Tom. And will always be.
Happy Birthday Tom.
Happy Birthday Tom.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!
Happy Birthday to Tom and Happy Rebirthday to you. Your journey is inspirational. I wish the both of you continued success and much happiness.
People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas. ~Author Unknown
first happy surgiversery to you both - you have been such a major part of my life - of my kiddos lives - miles apart I still feel your love, I look at your avatar and remember when you took that pic- a wonderful weekend of fun during a scary part of my life.
Que you held me when I needed it - you loved me unconditionally - you feel like you have always been part of my life and I can only pray you always will be-
I am so proud of you and all you have done - while you did not have the physical issues many do with wls you have delt with them ALL and then some with Tom and you have delt with them so well
love you Momma Que
Que you held me when I needed it - you loved me unconditionally - you feel like you have always been part of my life and I can only pray you always will be-
I am so proud of you and all you have done - while you did not have the physical issues many do with wls you have delt with them ALL and then some with Tom and you have delt with them so well
love you Momma Que
Home is where the army allows me to live with my husband
I know what I need to do - I have to choose to take care of me or I choose to fail
I know what I need to do - I have to choose to take care of me or I choose to fail
Ahh, another Que post to make me cry. I'm so happy that your world seems to be turning in the right direction for a change. It's wonderful that even though God didn't chose to make us blood relatives, he found another way for us to be family. Love to you both.
~Stephanie~
RNY revision from lapband 7/30/07...TT/BL 10/9/08 and at GOAL
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