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BLOG DESCRIPTION:
   Shi Blogs Too: from out of the mountains where I live. I will now be keeping a journal. This is something new for me. I have no idea what I am doing, just that I am diving in. This should be an interesting journey for me. Mainly because I consider myself to be a semi-private person. I live with my fiance and our two kitties, in what I have come to recognize as a small community in a somewhat remote area. Retirement has it's own life style and livelihood. Far away from the norm.       ![Merit Badge in Blog Camping
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Sorry for outbidding you in the [Link To Item #2113623] ...I'm not a fan of bidding wars and feel bad about it. I know this isn't the same thing as the package itself, but it's the least I could do. *^*Smile*^*](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Blog_Camping-1788309_13.gif) If you want to find out more about me...read my Author Bio ~
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| My son Patrick called me from his apartment today. He got to go home this afternoon after spending two weeks on life support in the ICU, one more week in a private room at the same hospital, then another three weeks at a nursing facility where he was receiving physical therapy for his paralysis caused by the life saving efforts on the ventilator. His sister Julie picked him up and brought him to his place. She couldn't stay long with him though, because she wanted to get home before the roads iced up again. So he was there by himself when he called me. His spirits were up and he began telling me that he was going through all the cards and letters that he had received while he was in the ICU in the hospital, and on life support when he stopped breathing due to his severe asthma attack. He said that he had framed the big card that Julie had given him with the lighthouse on it and an inspiring verse. If I remember right, the card had quoted a Biblical verse on it also. Pat said that he hung it in the kitchen of his apartment. He said "I have more faith in the Lord now Mom." Then he said: "You're probably going to think this is weird, but you know those dreams I was having when I was in the hospital...like the one I told you I saw a Christmas scene in? Well, I had one all the time in there that I was climbing a mountain that had snow all over it and I was trying to get to the top...but I couldn't." Then he told me that there was a guy with him all the time helping him and that he "DID NOT FEEL LIKE HE WAS STRUGGLING!" That the guy was feeling it all for him, but he didn't know who the guy was. It was the phone call that I had been waiting for. There, he had said it at last. I was not about to bring up the "guy standing behind my bed." That was a sensitive issue. Patrick had been too sick and way too fragile for me to bring it up during our conversations over the past few weeks. I could hardly believe I was hearing it! How I wanted to hear those very words. I, of course, got choked up and repeated to Ron(my fiance) exactly what he was saying to me as soon as he said it. I had to share the moment. Then I said to Pat: "Thank God you didn't reach the top of that mountain." I asked if he remembered asking, Julie, Justin(her husband) and I, about the guy standing behind his bed. He said "No." He did not remember asking all of us - "Who is that guy standing behind my bed?" I told him everything that he had asked that day of all of us, and how we three were the only ones in his room visiting that day. How, he had asked Justin as soon as he recognized him "Dude, just tell me who the guy is standing behind my bed." He got real quiet and then he told me that he only knew that all the time he was in ICU that there was a guy who was doing the struggling for him, and that he(Patrick) did not feel any of it! WOW! That was when I teared up and asked him if he believed in Salvation. He said "Yeah...but why would God want to save me after all the stuff that I have done, and things that I said to people in the past?" So I told him that we are all sinners and that Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins. That God cares and sent a Guardian Angel to watch over him in ICU and heal him. I told him then that we all reached out and asked for prayers for him. He told me that he feels different now and that he doesn't care if people think that he is weird for telling them all this. I told him: "You're not weird Pat. God is real, and that Guardian Angel was real...you weren't dreaming honey." Well, then we said our love you's and goodbye's, and I hung up the phone. What an emotional phone call that was!   |
| The Artic air has arrived here in Concrete. With it came about two inches of snow...so far. We are going to see more of the white stuff within the next few days. The temperatures aren't too bad right now though. Our thermometer is reading 34 degrees out there as I am typing this. The predicted low for tonight here is 23 degrees...that's fahrenheit. Forecasters are telling us that the lows may be in the teens by Tuesday. Actually that will seem warm to some in other areas where the temperatures are subzero already. We went to town yesterday and picked up a few items that we would need in case the power goes off here. We never know what to expect when the snow starts to accumulate. As for tonight we just enjoyed watching the snow fall earlier in the evening. Then we settled into our recliners and watched a movie in front of the cozy fireplace. Bentley kitty shared my lap and comforter. He loves movie time with us. Tomorrow I have to get busy on my Christmas cards. That's something that I have been putting off. Oh, and tomorrow is the day that my son Patrick get to go home! He is looking forward to that. I am really happy for him too.  |
| Oh, and this is Ron's newest grandchild...he was born when my Patrick was in ICU last month! Now Ron has one more grandchild than what I do...he has ten and I have nine. This is Timothy Caleb and he lives with his Mom, Dad and three brothers back in Minnesota. He is a cutie too! ** Image ID #1504261 Unavailable ** |
| Ron's daughter Angella sent him this photo of the girls this morning. We just love it! The twins turned four years old in October. The baby is about six months old. We will be getting together soon! Lexi, Madisen, and Annalyn  |
Today I created a collection of Christmas Images for blogs -
If any of you are interested stop the the shop and check them out. I think they might be a hit! Let me know what you think!  |
| We managed to get most all of our Christmas shopping done the other day. For being late starters, we did really well both money wise and with the quality and quanity of our purchases. Most were made at Costco. Like I've said before...I really love to shop at Costco! I did manage to pick a few items up online for grandkids. There was where I really hit the bargains. Actually, when you think about it we are not the normal couple, because we are buying for two separate family's when it comes to our children. I shop for mine and Ron shops for his. That includes the grandkids also. Then when we sign the gift cards we sign both of our names together. So when we can hit bargains we are very lucky, because I am shopping for four of my kids (and nine grandkids) and he is shopping for three of his kids (and ten grandkids)! His oldest son and daughter-in-law have a new baby boy. They already had three boys! They live in Minnesota now. Ron will be sending them a check in the mail this year. We always agree on what we spend on our kids, and that is real important. I think if we had our way we would be content to just be together with them all during the Holidays. However, gift exchanging has always been a tradition for both of us. I must admit it can sometimes be expensive, but it can also be fun! |
Here is a poem that I wrote today- The Gift Of Life Christmas will shine with a bright new light Bringing peace, joy, and thankfulness To those who watched a loved one fight And overcome his breathlessness. Lying still on life support for weeks Losing him would be too much to bear As vital signs reached dangerous peaks His helpless loved ones asked for prayer. With outstretched arms we did embrace Remained vigil by his bedside every day Asked God to intervene with sanctified grace We bowed our heads and began to pray. Our faith was reassured in God's own way Fears and doubts for a healing had soon fled Coming off the ventilator he would repeatingly say "Who's that guy standing behind my bed?" |
| Today is Sunday and Ron is out riding with his chums. It is a gorgeous day here. The sun is shining and it is 58 degrees out there! What a nice break from all the rain and dark dreary days over the past week. I am tackling housework that has been ignored over the last few weeks. It sure feels good to be back in the normal mode of everyday life again. Patrick is doing so well now and I feel sure he will recover completely with his physical therapy. My daughter and her husband leave for Las Vegas on an early morning flight out of Sea-Tac airport. They will be gone for a week on a much deserving vacation. They will be staying at Ceasars Palace. She is very excited about that. She will enjoy herself and be able to relax knowing that her brother is doing so much better now. I am so happy for her. Gosh, tomorrow is December 1st. already! Where did November go? We started a little Christmas shopping when we were in town the other day. We will not be spending as much on gift giving as in years past. I think that is probably the case with many this year. I'm sure no one is going to mind the cutting back. Really, all that matters is that we get together and celebrate eachother!  Here are photos' taken on Thanksgiving at Julie's house. Patrick and his daughter Sierra ** Image ID #1500611 Unavailable ** Patrick ** Image ID #1500616 Unavailable ** Patrick and his nieces Karly and Alex ** Image ID #1500622 Unavailable ** Sierra happy Dad is here ** Image ID #1500626 Unavailable ** Grandsons ** Image ID #1500625 Unavailable ** My son Matt happy to see his brother ** Image ID #1500623 Unavailable ** |
| We have so much to be thankful for! My son gets to spend Thanksgiving Day with his family at my daughters house. She gets to pick him and his wheelchair up with her Trailblazer in the morning and take him back to the Nursing facility ,where he is now, after dinner! A Happy Thanksgiving for all of us for sure! Shi |
| All of the tests and procedures have come back negative on the blood loss. So this is a good thing! All of the prior blood loss was due to the infected colon. He is being discharged today and transferred to a nursing facility near the hospital. I am elated! We are so thankful. It has been a rough journey. I certainly appreciate all of the prayers and the wonderful outpouring of love, care and concern for my son and for his family, myself included! I cannot thank everyone here enough. God is good...and miracles do still happen.  |
| My daughter Julie took this photo with her cell phone at the hospital ICU waiting room several days ago. This is one of my best friends, Pam, whom I don't see enough of anymore since we live so far away from eachother now. She is of course on the left. The most cheerful Swedish gal I ever met. I am looking rather spent here. Thought I would share it here anyways. Not too bad for turning 65 yesterday though....I think! ** Image ID #1498560 Unavailable ** |
| Thank you all so very much for all of your prayers and get well wishes. I have told my family about the wonderful support from all of you here at WDC! They thank you also. Patrick's red cell count did go up after the blood transfusion. He is still losing blood however and his blood pressure is dropping again. Today they are going to do a procedure on his stomach, to find out where the blood loss is coming from. I just spoke with him and he is of course concerned about that as he waits. I keep encouraging him by telling him it is just another "speed bump" on his road to recovery. You guys are a wonderful source of support and prayer, not only for my son but for me. Reading all of your emails and comments here really do give me such a warm feeling of inspiration, strength, and encouragement at a time when I need it the most. Bless all of you. |
| I read this today and I felt like God was telling me that He uses all of us for His Glory. If You Think You Aren't Good Enough =================================== The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember... Noah was a drunk Abraham was too old Isaac was a daydreamer Jacob was a liar Leah was ugly Joseph was abused Moses had a stuttering problem Gideon was afraid Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer Rahab was a prostitute Jeremiah and Timothy were too young David had an affair and was a murderer Elijah was suicidal Isaiah preached naked Jonah ran from God Naomi was a widow Job went bankrupt John the Baptist ate bugs Peter denied Christ The Disciples fell asleep while praying Martha worried about everything The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once Zaccheus was too small Paul was too religious Timothy had an ulcer... AND Lazarus was dead! What do you have that's worse than that? So no more excuses! God can use you to your full potential. Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger. |
| "All things work together for good to those who love God" Romans 8:28 |
| I am in a tissy. I am trying so hard to be strong, but today Patrick had to have a blood transfusion. He is losing blood from somewhere. He has lost a pint of blood and they gave him two units of blood. They are testing everything to find out why he is losing blood. He does have pneumonia for sure along with the MRSA. Hopefully and prayerfully they will get to the bottom of it and stop the blood loss and get his blood pressure back up again. I can do nothing but pray. |
| I just found out a couple of hours ago that Patrick will not be able to do his physical therapy as an inpatient at St. Josephs Hospital like we had hoped. They will not accept him because I was told he has Mersa in his lungs. He may end up in a Nursing Care Facility in Port Orchard (where he and my other kids live) if one of them accepts him!We aren't to clear on that as yet. He will not be able to go home when Harrison Medical Center releases him because he needs inpatient therapy. Good news is he is finally eating and drinking! We continue to pray for him. Shi |
| Patrick is doing much better. He had some occupational therapy yesterday. He is actually showing more movement in his fingers, hand , and the right arm than what they anticipated! Today he will be moved to a room upstairs. That is good news that he will be out of ICU! Praise God for his healing. He still has a long road of therapy ahead of him...but it is uphill from now on. Still not able to drink or eat yet, however. Thanks for all your prayers |
| It's been a long two weeks for me. Patrick is slowly getting better. He came off of life support on Thursday. He remained paralyzed from the meds they used to keep him alive. He still cannot drink or eat anything yet. Hopefully tomorrow he will be able to swallow. He still has a high white count from infections. His head is not clear yet. He is getting stronger and is talking more. We continue to pray and thank everyone for prayers for him. |
| This afternoon Ron caught me doing a jig in the kitchen! It was the "Happy Dance" around the house....Praise be to God! |
| Good news! Patrick is improving steadly and is off the paralyzing meds. His lung specialist called me and said that he is tapering him slowly off of the sedatives so that may decrease his risk of remaining paralylized when he comes off the ventilator and hopefully avoid a grand mall seizure. His fever is gone. Dr. expects to shut down the ventilator within the next few days! Praise God and Hallaluyah! Please share this wonderful news with the rest. Thank you all for all the prayers, love, and support.I'm going back down to the hospital tomorrow morning . My headcold is better too! Hugs, Shi |
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