'Random Sack' costume competition!
Glow-stick Ghost Balloon Scary Storytelling!
Scavenger Hunt
'Scary' Witches Brew demo!
Marianne made Jim's 2012 costume - The 'Wheel'-mobile!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
"It' a Mad, Mad, Mad, MAD World"!
or....'Testing, testing, testing!'
October has flown by like a witch on a broom. And in this scenario, I believe I've been the 'witch'! Yup - my 'accentuate the positive attitude' flew out the window on the broom with me this past week, as I just decided to be M-A-D! A review of my 'drama' probably would not serve anyone well, but I hear in good journal keeping, you gotta post the hard with the great! So - for all of you who may think my attitude is just too 'amazing', this will make you feel better!
It all began with our regular 3 month check up at the University of Utah ALS clinic, where Jim and I received more 'revealing' and 'distressing' news about what was to come with this devastating disease. (Dr. 'Dread' strikes again). Trigger in place, I began my journey of MADNESS!
First and foremost, I was MAD at this horrible disease for taking up home in a great and worthy guy like Jim. MAD at anyone who wanted to give me any advice or tell me they knew how I felt. (How the heck did they know, anyway)! MAD at anyone who would asked Jim 'How he was doing! (How do you THINK he's doing?) Mad at everyone who was WALKING around acting like life was normal and GREAT! Mad at those who DO get Miracles! Mad at couples who were walking hand in hand! MAD at prayers that seem to have gone unanswered (I know, this is getting REALLY BAD)! Even Mad at God for allowing anyone to suffer like this! Yup - I was a perfect 'test case' for the adversary..... who 'a conquering came'! I just got to the point where I needed to BLAME SOMEONE for this whole sad situation we've found ourselves in. Well, after over a week of trying my very best, it turns out there just isn't anyone to blame!
Then wonder of wonders - some relief from the 'madness'! Our son Bob called saying he was coming in from Sacramento as a bit of a surprise, smack dab in the middle of my horrible week, bringing more of our choicest blessings; two year old Duncan, two week old Charlie along with (of course) Mom Sara. Being the 'gatherer' I am, I immediately threw myself into 'party mode'. After all, I've missed FUN! I used to be FUN! So we ALL gathered last Friday night for a fantastic 'HALLOWEEN-ER'! (pictured above) This 'party' was going to be full of everything I've ever wanted to do at a Halloween party all in one fun-packed evening). Ok - I probably pushed the envelope, beginning with a 'witchy' (appropriate for my week) witches brew demonstration and dinner with home-made autumn stew! We followed that up with sugar cookie frosting, trick or treat scavenger hunting, glow-stick ghosts (making ghosts out of blown up white balloons with glow sticks inserted in them), scary story telling in the dark with the 'glow-stick' balloons, bobbing for hanging donuts, dress up 'sacks' (put together a costume out of what you get in the sack) with awards and a grand finale movie with caramel corn. Our creative daughter Marianne also designed and built a car to fit over Jim's wheelchair which we named the 'wheel-mobile',Jim's Halloween costume! It was a 'late-night-er supreme' and I think my grown up children thought maybe I'd lost a screw...or two! But....the grand-kids had a GREAT TIME and hopefully it will be a new Jim Rich family tradition.
We all gathered again Sunday afternoon for a hike around Silver Lake at Brighton and a Monday night FHE, complete with all our children gathered as Jim gave me a wonderful blessing of comfort and faith to go forward. This was followed by our 4 sons and favorite (only) son-in-law giving a 'priesthood-packed' blessing to Jim, offering him hope and courage to sustain him in the coming months. Words of love for all of his wonderful 'fathering' followed; a happy conclusion to an otherwise miserable week! If BLESSINGS are MIRACLES, we've had more than our share!
Jim and I also re-read our Patriarchal blessings together last week, with emotions flowing! Jim's was as uncomplicated as he is. A perfect and simple explanation of the faithful, valiant person he is! I paid particular notice to the warning in mine to pray often, that the 'evil one' may not have power over me! I also paid notice to a blessing that I would have the opportunity to 'hear, in audible tones', the voices of angels. Surely 'angelic tones' are musical! This past week (and often before)I've recognized that MUSIC will pop into my head (even out of a deep sleep) as a 'voice' of comfort to me when I am seeking help! This week it was the 3rd verse of "How Firm A Foundation" (which I woke up thinking of). We hadn't sung it in church - nor had I thought about it the day before!
"Fear not, I am with thee, oh be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid! I'll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous....omnipotent hand"!
So, If you haven't noticed, I'm better! I don't think anyone knows that life is a TEST until they are... TESTED. "Hello Joanne; are you listening? Testing, testing, testing!"
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
IT TAKES A 'HEAP OF LIVIN' !
When things weren't going quite as we'd planned, My Gandpa McMullin used to say "well, it takes a heap of livin!'" This never made too much sense to me until recently. Now it seems perfectly clear, as we move daily through our 'heap' in this process of living with ALS!
Catch up!
At this point, we haven't seen any noticeable positive results from our stem cell therapy in Cancun. Still, we are every grateful we were able to have the opportunity to go and 'try' something that we might have always wondered about. We may yet see some leveling off; our great hope! Last week it was suggested we try some power-packed vitamin IV's and injections of Clutathione,; a strong antioxidant!
In the meantime Jim is daily using his 'sip and puff' machine when needed, which gives his diaphragm relief during the day. He is still awaiting the re-do of the wheelchair we were gifted, but in the meantime uses a loaner, being able to operate it with his still somewhat usable right hand. He is able to stand up and move several steps with the use of a walker, but spends the majority of his days on his shrinking derriere, which is pretty tough since he has now lost nearly 40 pounds. My efforts to stuff him with calories is challenged by his insistence to stay off wheat and dairy products. My guess is that Jim was, unlike me, mostly MUSCLE when this disease began, and this is where most of his weight loss has been.
Jim says he couldn't do without me, which may be true these days. But I figure I owe him pretty BIG for taking such good care of me for 36 years. Taking care of ALL the finances, cars, fixing broken things, explaining directions on - well, pretty much everything except recipes, internet tutorials, carrying my suitcase so I wouldn't drag and ruin it, doing things with 'patience' so I didn't ruin them, math with the kids, explaining movie plots (much to his dismay) and a myriad of other little things my wee right brain didn't think possible. I have truly been the beneficiary of much tender love and calm assurance through the years. The best thing is that Jim has always shown his affection towards me outwardly, which has been a great example to our children. This new task of mine is, yes, exhausting! So I take naps when I can ('a good soldier sleeps when he can' - something my Dad always told me) and try to keep variety and a little 'spice' in our lives. We were able to go to our family home in St. George this past weekend with our daughter Marianne and her family and it was a good break from the routine. Truth be told, we have some really bad days and major breakdowns on a regular basis. But happily and amazingly there always seems to be something to 'lighten the load and brighten the road'! The kids (and their kids) drop in often to see 'Poppy' and bring treats and always bring plenty of hugs and kisses. We have been 'Richly' blessed with our family! They all truly add light to our lives these days! In addition, a friend drops by to visit or a loaf of zucchini bread lands on the porch or a sister (brother, friend, neighbor) lends a hand, giving us a much needed break! We even have a family schedule for regular physical therapy sessions with Jim! Again - not BIG miracles, but mini ones!
Speaking of.....this morning we had a visit from cousin Doug Rich and his darling wife Linda. They have always been favorite Rich cousins of ours. Recently, on a routine visit to the doctor in preparation for he and Linda to go on a mission, they got the bad news that Doug has terminal prostrate cancer. Doug has been wanting to visit Jim for some time, but we were particularly blessed that he and Linda choose to visit us now. As Doug told us of his experiences as a stake patriarch in Provo and feelings of closeness to the veil he has experienced giving blessings over the years, we were amazed and uplifted. He told us that he is completely at peace with the prospects that lie ahead for him; that he knows that the Lord loves us so much and truly wants the best for each of us. If something is better for us on the other side than here, He knows and we need to trust that He wants what is best for us! Doug and Linda's faith was not only inspiring but an answer to our constant prayers, as 'fear' of the unknown road lies ahead for us! This is uncharted territory and we SO need the faith and strength of each other to carry on. Under Doug and Linda's circumstances, their visit today was both extraordinary and exemplary. We send our gratitude, prayers, and special love to them and their family as they also face their heavy new and life changing challenges.
Yup.....'It surely does take a HEAP of livin'!
Catch up!
At this point, we haven't seen any noticeable positive results from our stem cell therapy in Cancun. Still, we are every grateful we were able to have the opportunity to go and 'try' something that we might have always wondered about. We may yet see some leveling off; our great hope! Last week it was suggested we try some power-packed vitamin IV's and injections of Clutathione,; a strong antioxidant!
In the meantime Jim is daily using his 'sip and puff' machine when needed, which gives his diaphragm relief during the day. He is still awaiting the re-do of the wheelchair we were gifted, but in the meantime uses a loaner, being able to operate it with his still somewhat usable right hand. He is able to stand up and move several steps with the use of a walker, but spends the majority of his days on his shrinking derriere, which is pretty tough since he has now lost nearly 40 pounds. My efforts to stuff him with calories is challenged by his insistence to stay off wheat and dairy products. My guess is that Jim was, unlike me, mostly MUSCLE when this disease began, and this is where most of his weight loss has been.
Jim says he couldn't do without me, which may be true these days. But I figure I owe him pretty BIG for taking such good care of me for 36 years. Taking care of ALL the finances, cars, fixing broken things, explaining directions on - well, pretty much everything except recipes, internet tutorials, carrying my suitcase so I wouldn't drag and ruin it, doing things with 'patience' so I didn't ruin them, math with the kids, explaining movie plots (much to his dismay) and a myriad of other little things my wee right brain didn't think possible. I have truly been the beneficiary of much tender love and calm assurance through the years. The best thing is that Jim has always shown his affection towards me outwardly, which has been a great example to our children. This new task of mine is, yes, exhausting! So I take naps when I can ('a good soldier sleeps when he can' - something my Dad always told me) and try to keep variety and a little 'spice' in our lives. We were able to go to our family home in St. George this past weekend with our daughter Marianne and her family and it was a good break from the routine. Truth be told, we have some really bad days and major breakdowns on a regular basis. But happily and amazingly there always seems to be something to 'lighten the load and brighten the road'! The kids (and their kids) drop in often to see 'Poppy' and bring treats and always bring plenty of hugs and kisses. We have been 'Richly' blessed with our family! They all truly add light to our lives these days! In addition, a friend drops by to visit or a loaf of zucchini bread lands on the porch or a sister (brother, friend, neighbor) lends a hand, giving us a much needed break! We even have a family schedule for regular physical therapy sessions with Jim! Again - not BIG miracles, but mini ones!
Speaking of.....this morning we had a visit from cousin Doug Rich and his darling wife Linda. They have always been favorite Rich cousins of ours. Recently, on a routine visit to the doctor in preparation for he and Linda to go on a mission, they got the bad news that Doug has terminal prostrate cancer. Doug has been wanting to visit Jim for some time, but we were particularly blessed that he and Linda choose to visit us now. As Doug told us of his experiences as a stake patriarch in Provo and feelings of closeness to the veil he has experienced giving blessings over the years, we were amazed and uplifted. He told us that he is completely at peace with the prospects that lie ahead for him; that he knows that the Lord loves us so much and truly wants the best for each of us. If something is better for us on the other side than here, He knows and we need to trust that He wants what is best for us! Doug and Linda's faith was not only inspiring but an answer to our constant prayers, as 'fear' of the unknown road lies ahead for us! This is uncharted territory and we SO need the faith and strength of each other to carry on. Under Doug and Linda's circumstances, their visit today was both extraordinary and exemplary. We send our gratitude, prayers, and special love to them and their family as they also face their heavy new and life changing challenges.
Yup.....'It surely does take a HEAP of livin'!
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