Thank You

With a tissue folded over my right eyeglasses, I will say a huge thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.

 For all the cards, flowers, phone calls and those who took care of me. For all the meals, breads, buns,

 chocolates,

 and...

...baked goodies to the bottom of the freezer!

Our family was here for Christmas and enjoyed all the food tremendously. Thank you again.

Guess what we had for our Christmas dinner? 

Yes, Michael was the cook for the week he was here from Istanbul, Turkey. It gave Peter a much needed rest.

And Michael was also the surprise Santa Clause for Zach (11),

 Caleb (9) and Byron and Andrea, or as we call them, thanks to Michael, A-Z.

Wow, this costume is hot!

One more gift, and then it's time for the cooked ham and all that goes with it. Thanks, Michael, the meal was delicious!!!

We had a wonderful Christmas, but sad to say, that's it for photographs.

Back to the shingles.

It hit me hard on the right side of my face. I remember thinking, "How can anyone stay in bed for one week!" Well, guess what, I was in bed and in the dark for six weeks due to the infection in my right eye. When you have to, you are able to.

The shingle attack was so severe that I passed out once and the second attack was like having a seizure. It was like having my head branded and my right eye as if cut by glass. I really hope you never get it or are willing to pay the price for the shingles vaccine--about $200--you only need it once.

You can't imagine how thankful we are to have a doctor in the family. 

Alex Bartel, many, many thanks for the after hour phone calls and helpful advice. Thanks also to Martha for understanding.

A number of times we also ended up in emergency.

During all this time Peter took great care of me. Gave me the medication, held my hand, cooked, washed the dishes and the laundry. Kept the house clean and cancelled many a tuning. I held on to Peter's arm as he took me to many doctor's appointments and stayed with me as I went through a new round of chemo--it usually takes me close to six hours.

Besides my illness he kept thinking, "How in the world does a housewife keep going day after day with all the work?"

I was able to be up the day after Michael came home, but I still had to watch out not to overdo it. A-Z came home a few days after. It was so delightful to have everyone at home.

Our kitchen table.

The tablecloth my mother made many years ago.

The map is a reminder of all the trips we have made.

The backgammon game we play every day now that my eye is much better.

Music to listen to.

Flowers and cards, a reminder of loving friends.

"May you never forget what is worth remembering, nor ever remember what is best forgotten."

Irish Blessing

Hilda