MY 2016 GOALS

[Gardening with Rabbits]

I started 2015 with big plans. I was lucky that I got the garden planted before May 25. That is the day my world changed when my husband was diagnosed with cancer. It has been a whirlwind of 6 months. Surgery to take a tumor the size of a lemon out of his head, radiation to that spot and 2 small tumors, taken off medication too soon and had a seizure, put back on medication and found with 5 more tumors in his head, whole brain radiation and then started chemo. After 2 rounds scans showed everything shrinking in lung, lymph nodes, brain and had 3rd round of chemo and the next day his back was killing him. The doctors did not look hard enough and wasted 3 weeks. Finally after MRI of spine found small area of cancer in his lower back, so canceled chemo and started radiation again. He finished 9 rounds yesterday and will finish on Monday and then Tuesday see the plan for chemo or immunotherapy and the neurosurgeon. It has been all about him and it should be, but if I am going to be able to take care of him and my kids, then I have to take care of me. His job is gone and he will be getting disability and hopefully can stay home and enjoy the garden and life. He has so many problems that he should have been on disability years ago, but hopefully he will be able to enjoy a slower placed life. I almost let the garden go, but I still worked out there and got food in the freezer and some dehydrated. I have new catalogs and already starting to dream of the seedlings and what to plant. I have been going out and moving compost onto the garden and leaves that I had in a pile. I want to spend more time on this site, take time to take pictures, continue to lose weight and eat healthy. Who knows what will happen tomorrow and I have learned that I cannot predict anything and have been living more in the moment than the future, but you have to make plans even if they might get messed up later. the rabbits are producing above and beyond their fair share of manure, so no reason not to have a great garden for 2016. Thank you for all the advice and kind words over the years.

 

[baymule]

Wow, you have had a lot to deal with. Like you said, you gotta take care of yourself. If you go down, the whole family goes down and you can't let that happen. It is marvelous that you were able to not only keep your garden going, but you were able to preserve some of the fruits of your labors. I tip my Texas hat to you girl, you are awesome. If your husband is able to get on disability, your garden will become even more important. You are wise to begin planning for 2016 garden!

 

[thistlebloom]

You just keep coming here 'Rabbits, I've been impressed with your industrious work at growing and preserving before all of these terrible things happened to your husband. I agree with Bay, you are doing such an awesome job of keeping it together and pushing forward. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.

 

[journey11]

How old are your kids, GWR? You guys sure have been through it. Sometimes all you can do is just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Do you have a good support system close by? You are in my prayers.

 

[Smiles Jr.]

I echo what the previous three posters said. You are to be commended for your ability to keep on keeping on. Keep up the good work and visit our little on-line family often.

 

[so lucky]

@Gardening with Rabbits, I have a friend who has been battling cancer for a couple years, first in colon, then lungs, now brain. She has strong faith in her God, and not so much in her doctors.
Since former President Jimmy Carter announced that his brain tumors are gone, my friend checked out what treatment was used on him. It was something new that costs $180 thousand. She can't afford that but her mother can, and has offered to pay it. That will leave my friend alive, perhaps, but indebted to her mother, who sucks all the air out of the room, leaving my friend sick in her spirit. I don't know if it will be too high a price to pay. Sad situation.
You take care of yourself. We're rooting for you and your family!

 

[ninnymary]

My heart feels heavy just reading about all that you are going through. I don't know how you managed to keep that garden going. I hope the new year brings you many blessings.

Mary

 

[Gardening with Rabbits]

Wow, you have had a lot to deal with. Like you said, you gotta take care of yourself. If you go down, the whole family goes down and you can't let that happen. It is marvelous that you were able to not only keep your garden going, but you were able to preserve some of the fruits of your labors. I tip my Texas hat to you girl, you are awesome. If your husband is able to get on disability, your garden will become even more important. You are wise to begin planning for 2016 garden!

Yes, we are going to need the garden. Our financial situation is totally messed up, but it will work out.

 

[Gardening with Rabbits]

@Gardening with Rabbits, I have a friend who has been battling cancer for a couple years, first in colon, then lungs, now brain. She has strong faith in her God, and not so much in her doctors.
Since former President Jimmy Carter announced that his brain tumors are gone, my friend checked out what treatment was used on him. It was something new that costs $180 thousand. She can't afford that but her mother can, and has offered to pay it. That will leave my friend alive, perhaps, but indebted to her mother, who sucks all the air out of the room, leaving my friend sick in her spirit. I don't know if it will be too high a price to pay. Sad situation.
You take care of yourself. We're rooting for you and your family!

$180,000!! I have no idea what things cost because insurance has paid all this. I did see radiation cost and it was $4000 something. I have not seen any of the prices of chemo yet. We are to see the doctor on Tuesday and he told me either a different chemo or immunotherapy. After January 1, my husband will be on Medicaid and I did look into it and he is on the enhanced I think they call it and they said it will cover everything. I think President Carter had radiation to his brain, so that might be what fixed his tumors. He had immunotherapy and I am not sure that works on the brain, but I hope it does. Thank you for all the kind words!

 

[Gardening with Rabbits]

My heart feels heavy just reading about all that you are going through. I don't know how you managed to keep that garden going. I hope the new year brings you many blessings.

Mary

My garden did not look great, but it sure produced. Things will work out and I do not want to depress anybody. He is having a great day today and we went to church for the first time in months. After such a horrible day yesterday, he woke up before me, was eating and walking around barely having any pain and church was 2 hours and a lot of people talking to him and hugging him after church, so he really is having a good day so far. Thank you! I love reading your posts and my name is Mary too.