The Whisper Space

Last Monday, after a sizzling record setting weekend in NC, Keith, Cameron, & I packed Cameron’s Subaru, loaded up our bikes, & headed to northwestern Pa. to spend the week with the McFarland clan, Keith’s mom, brother & sister in law, sister & brother in law, all the nieces & nephews plus one great nephew:) We planned to stay in a lodge on the edge of Moraine State Park, near Prospect, Pa., north of Pittsburgh, Pa. No AC, so everybody was bringing along his/her electric fan, or two!

Just back from a special Funeral Visitation this afternoon.
A gentle Godly man has gone Home, a husband, father, father in law, a forester, College Class Sunday School teacher, a mentor, a friend. Keith & I were honored to know Joe (& his precious family) for 15 plus years. We were in a Sunday School class together, the New Life Class, at a UMC in Raleigh. Since that time, the Lord has scattered us across the area into different churches & denominations.

Recently I wrote about our reunion in the mountains—many of us were there but not all.

Today even more precious ones from the past waited in line to express to Joe’s family how much they loved him & how much they love them—Sandy, Troy, Kyle, & Gabrielle.
Cameron went with us, & loved seeing so many people he hasn’t seen in years. (Joe’s wife Sandy was his pre-school teacher:))

It was glorious, even in the midst of saying goodbye to Joe, to see so many beloved faces.
I believe he would have loved it!

We’ll always be part of one another–a family.
We were knit together by the Holy Spirit.
And today was a taste of Heaven:)

Yesterday morning I received a call while at work from my Doctor’s office. Ann, Dr. Jordon’s nurse, called to give me blood results from lab work done last Tuesday. I’m not crazy about my doctor’s office calling me at work to tell me these details. 

This weekend, Friday evening, May 11th, to be exact, Keith, Cameron, Seth & Kelley, & I watched Skye receive her Master’s Degree in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University:) She is officially hooded:)

Had my third post op (lung lobectomy) appointment a week ago:)It was a three hour ‘adventure’, but knew going in it’d be a waiting game–took the newspaper & my trusty Kindle Fire. Thursdays are VERY BUSY in Dr. Chang’s realm, and the receptionists remind me of this every time I schedule a Thursday appointment. Still it’s my best day, since I work Mondays & Mondays are Dr. Chang’s only other day to see patients. Dr. Chang’s PA informed me I’m doing well, my chest x-ray looked great. But I’ve been worried about not getting right back into my walking regime. She assured me it could take six months to return to my previous energy level, even with laparocopic surgery. Whew. Made me feel much better!! So the pressure’s off to walk three miles four or five days a week for now, especially when I work an eight hour day. I’m working toward that, gradually. It seems I need more sleep lately (allergies may easily be a culprit here). But I’ve always loved naps, so this may not be too different:) I’m often waking up early, 4:30 or 5am–ugh!? Do these two statements mean one precipitates the other? Keith’s doing well, especially with his weight loss:)!! Five stars for him for losing almost 40 pounds! That alone makes anyone feel better:) I didn’t have that side-affect, I’m afraid:( Now for our biking regime to kick in:)

It is Easter Sunday evening. I’ve had a day filled with preparing food, trying to coordinate all the food to be done at the same time, attending Sunday School & the church service, and most importantly meeting Skye’s boyfriend Ben–she’s dated him since last May:)

To start the day, about 6:30 this morning, Wyatt & I had a short green way walk –all was quiet in Shepherd’s Vineyard except sweet birds singing:) Thought of Jesus appearing to the women in the garden about that time of day….

(While I showered) Keith peeled & cut up russet potatoes for the Potatoes Au Gratin, recipe by The Pioneer Woman. I wanted to try something different than our usual baked potatoes or mashed potatoes:)

After grabbing coffee, half a banana, & a chocolate donut (tisk, tisk), I put the Au Gratin together, washed & sliced strawberries for a spinach salad, placed the yeast dough rolls out to rise, & prepared the ham for baking. Also set the table with my favorite rust-colored Cole pottery plates & pottery cups. Yesterday I had put freshly ironed white tablecloths on the table, then added a glass container filled with Easter eggs & a tall green pottery vase of fresh flowers for the centerpiece.

At 9:30, Keith & I headed to Peace:)!
Had a precious time in Sunday School with dear folks studying 1Peter.
At 11 we met Seth & Kelley and Cameron in the sanctuary. Seth informed me Skye & Ben had just left Boone–an hour late:(
Ugh. (How was I going to delay lunch an hour?)
Peace’s Easter Service is always inspiring to me, & today was as well:) Choir Anthem, horns, orchestra, Andy’s sermon! Friday night’s service was more intimate & moving, but today’s service was glorious:)!

Skye & Ben arrived about 2pm:) We had successfully kept the food hot while checking out Seth & Kelley’s new Ancestry.com app & putting dishes back in a warm oven:) Plus Cameron had a call from work he attended to–he even ran home to get his computer.

We had a sweet time visiting with Skye & getting to know Ben a little while we ate:) He lives in Elizabethton, Tenn. & enjoys cooking. He’s working at a Bistro there & hopes to go to Culinary School eventually:)
An A+ in my book for Ben: he washed dishes for me:) As much as I love my kids (& they’re almost perfect:)), no one offers to do that!
Cooks & does dishes–pretty impressive:)

(BTW, my Potatoes Au Gratin were too soupy, but tasted good:) Ree, I’ll do better next time, promise)

Mid afternoon Cameron left to go hiking at Umstead with a bud & S&K left to prepare for their Easter dinner at Kelley’s mom’s in Raleigh. Skye & Ben decided to take a walk into downtown Apex:) That sounded great, but Keith & I were so tired we opted for a nap!:)

Tonight Skye & Ben are checking out the Raleigh scene & meeting some of Skye’s buds. This is the first time Ben has been in our “neck of the woods”.
Tomorrow afternoon they head back to the mts. I plan to have lunch with them on their way out–I’ve asked off for an hour. A short visit, but sweet:)

A lovely Easter day at the McFarlands. We are blessed:)

Well, blog readers, I’ve probably lost all of you by now, except maybe one:) My dear friend Linda emailed me this week asking me to return to my journaling. I’m not sure whether gifted writers have dry spells (I suspect they do but are disciplined enough to write daily/weekly), but my inspiration vanished months ago:(
Life became busy.
Life became hard.
But those times should fuel a writer’s words, right?

Keith & I have resumed our normal lives (as in “before surgeries”) in the last month. We both have a bit more recovery but it will come gradually. Keith’s working full time again. We hope to resume biking soon:) I haven’t quite returned to walking 3 miles each morning before working an 8 hour day at Hallmark, but am walking 2 miles:) Keith’s lost at least 35 pounds & feels much better:)

Church softball season began this week. Keith turned over his coaching duties to friend Steve for this season, but I did spy him “coaching” from the sidelines:) He loves softball:)

Keith’s brother Denny & sister in law Nancy from Wisconsin visited last weekend:) SO good to have them here for a few days:)

On the 26-27th we plan to attend a Sunday School class reunion in Valle Crucis, near Boone, NC. Looking forward to time in the gorgeous mts. with old friends:) We’ll visit Skye too:) I’m ready for a road trip–too much time spent at home lately!!

I’ll let you know about Skye’s Easter visit with her “beau”:) We’re meeting him for the first time:)!!

Have a blessed Easter, Linda:)

Dear Blog,
I spent January 3rd-7th at Duke Raleigh Hospital having a lung lobectomy.
January 7th-17th I began recuperating from surgery.
January 18th Cameron & I ended up at Cary Wake with Keith who had suffered a heart attack!
January 18th-21st the family & I stayed at Big Wake Hospital waiting for quadruple bypass surgery for Keith, then waiting as he recovered.
January 21st he came home:)
Today, February 11th, marks 3 weeks past heart surgery:)
Whew!
It was a tough time & recovery is a slow process:(
These are photos I took during Keith’s time at Cary Wake & Big Wake.

We have been well loved by countless friends & family:)
Praise God, He is the Great Physician & Healer:)

Years ago, Keith’s nephew Nick would help Grandpa mow the yard & at the end of the day, he’d sigh & say, “Grandpa, it’s been a big tractor day!!”.

Well, this past week+ has been a “big tractor week” with my lung biopsy/surgery. First time for major surgery, other than a C-section with Skye 24 years ago.

Tuesday:
Pre-op day at Duke Raleigh. Keith & Skye spent hours sitting with me while I answered questions of every sort & was being informed of what to expect the following day.
Such a bitter cold day in the midst of a mild winter.
Afterward a nice gentleman drove us from the main hosptial to Dr. Chang’s office in a golf cart–I kidded him about using his air conditioner–burrrr!
We all came home & took a nap!

Wednesday:
Keith & I headed back to Old Wake Forest Road, arriving about 10am, where we proceeded to the Same Day Surgery Waiting Room. I was fasting, so no coffee for me–& I was craving a steaming hot latte.
After about 20 minutes, we were called back to the pre-surgery cubicle. The nurse began the IV’s while I signed papers, answered more questions, etc.
Skye joined us before I was wheeled away to surgery.
I remember being parked on the gurney in a hallway, evidently near the OR.

After surgery:
When I woke up Dr. Chang was standing over me telling me all had gone well. He looked alien-like in his green surgery scrubs. My next memory, I was in ICU, a tiny room with large machinery. Bruce, an ICU nurse, was so attentive to me all evening & through the night:) Encountered quite a few male nurses during my stay, which was so different from 24 years ago!:)
Family came in at various times…
Keith spent the night in the ICU Waiting Room, attempting to sleep.

Thursday:
After a night in the hectic ICU–I myself setting off beepers & monitor bells & whistles, plus all the whirrs & buzzes that occur simply from spitting out readings every 5 minutes–it was time for breakfast. My nurse insisted I needed “real” food, so sent back the liquid diet that had been delivered. Can I tell you how delicious pancakes & sausage can be after fasting for 24 hours & going through surgery? Yum.
Keith & Skye arrived:)

Rev. Andy stopped in to check on me before taking Mrs. Rev. to NYC for a “wild” weekend:) Loved chatting about NYC since it’s a favorite place of mine:)

By 11am a private room had been found, so I was unhooked from “various & sundry” & taken from the 1st floor to the 5th. As soon as I got settled in, it was down to the basement(?) for a chest x-ray; at least I graduated from a portable bed to a wheelchair for the basement trip:)
After the x-ray, back to the room, a quiet, calm room. Still tethered by a few things, but much freer than ICU. Nap time, sleep time:)
Seth, Kelley, & Cameron came at some point:)
In the evening Lou & Lorraine & Ralph dropped in–felt pretty good, loved good company:)
Keith asked Skye to stay Friday night.
I still needed help getting to the bathroom by myself.

Friday:
Woke up feeling funky. Spent the day dealing with nausea & grogginess. Ugh.
Diet all day? Diet Pepsi & crackers.
Sent out an email asking anyone that wanted to visit to call ahead. Only Seth came, in the afternoon. He sat with his iPad while Keith & I slept. (Skye & Cameron came later for a while) Nurse Sue was so kind–tried every way possible to help me.
The evening nurse turned off the lights & didn’t check on us for hours–we needed the peace & quiet, & uninterrupted sleep.

Saturday:
Breakfast was coffee, pancakes & sausage, but this time I only wanted the pancakes. The nurse took away my last two “teethers”. Dr. White came by about 9am, Dr. Chang’s partner, to discharge me.
Let me say, I was so impressed that Dr. Chang & his PA Katie came by twice every day–amazing!

By 10:30 Keith & I were packed & heading out the door of Duke Raleigh, into the sunshine:)My tummy was better, time to rest & heal.
BTW, did you know that your right lung has 3 lobes & your left lobe has two? Never knew that till this week!

News from Dr. Chang’s PA this week: All lymph nodes were clean, & the tumor was a carcinoid cancer.(See http://www.cancer.org/cancer/lungcarcinoidtumor/detailedguide/index)

Bless the Lord, oh my soul, & all that is within me, bless His Holy Name.