Sunday, February 28

It appears that Spencer is gaining strength. Kate just sent a message that he has grown from 13 inches to 15 1/4 in length and his head has grown from 9 1/4 to 10 inches in circumference. Last weight I heard was 2 lbs, 13ozs. It appears that he is busy growing...after all, he has places to go and people to see, yes? Thanks to everyone for all of the good wishes, prayers, phone calls, e-mails and notes. Those things make such a difference.

Between work, helping with Logan and the usual life stuff, I've not had time to write much lately. I have been working out in the yard to prepare for the spring growth and noticed that bluebonnets have re-seeded from last year. Mark always set such store in having bluebonnets, and that must have affected me. I was so happy to see the re-seeded plants--made this feel more like home, and that's a good thing.

Also been spending time with the pups. Caleb is now almost 90 pounds at 7 months of age. This should be interesting, don't you think? I'm so grateful for their companionship. It seems that they help me stay grounded and somewhat sane.
 

To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring - it was peace.  ~Milan Kundera

Monday, February 22

Our Spencer is hanging on and fighting...just what we hoped he would do. If I understand correctly, he has two infections in his throat, one is staph, and I can't pronounce the other! The docs are hoping that the subsequent x-rays will show that the pneumonia is subsiding, too. Evidently, there is a lag time between healing and proof on film. Time will tell, I suppose. Spencer is also being treated for a fungal infection. So, you see, his little body is working overtime. Other than telling you that we are optimistic and praying for him, there isn't much else to tell today. So many of ya'll are so thoughtful about checking in that I thought it only right to give you a bit of an update.

Tomorrow, I'll have the pleasure of Logan's company. I'll pick him up from school and he'll stay overnight with me. The pups will be ecstatic to see him. And, if the schedule holds, he will also be with me Friday night and most of the day Saturday. What a lucky Lulu am I. :)

The weather was wonderfully mild this past weekend. I spent most of it outdoors--mowing the yard, pulling weeds, cleaning the deck, working on the vegetable garden area, and the list goes on. I was tired in the back this morning but it was oh, so worth it! And I have bluebonnets that have reseeded from last year. That was a great surprise.  Now that the bluebonnets are settled, I can safely call this home. Seriously though--Mark loved having bluebonnets, and it makes me smile to have them. Keeps his memory a bit closer.

Wonder if we will indeed have ice and/or snow tomorrow?

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love.  For me they are the role model for being alive.  ~Gilda Radner

Fat Tuesday!

There isn't a lot to tell about Spencer right now except that he is doing well. He is on an antibiotic to fight what they believe is a mild infection, and he is responding as expected. I believe that little boy is as strong as they come! Here are a couple of photos.

Yesterday was Mark's 60th birthday. Those days are bittersweet for me. While I certainly celebrate his birth and existence, I miss his presence. Of course, I'm grateful for the 37 years we shared, yet I crave his company. At times like this I need to be certain that I stay physically and mentally busy. Not only do I accomplish things, staying occupied helps to ease through the tougher days. In the words he wrote to have read at his memorial service, Mark said, "Mary Kay, I love you now and forever." That expresses how I feel about him as well.

Logan spent Saturday night at my house, and we had a lot of fun. He is always a big help in caring for the dogs and making certain they are fed and loved. While we were running errands, we stopped at Zinger's Hardware. I bought a Radio Flyer scooter that Logan rode at the store and, after we got it home, all over the house and front driveway. The scooter will remain at my place so all of the boys can enjoy it. Doesn't that sound funny? All of the boys? I have 3 grandsons, wow! Well, of course, Jonah is still in incubation, but he will be here in June. Life is wonderful, isn't it?

There are only two ways to live your life. One as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.   

 ~Albert Einstein

 

Time to heal from surgery

Spencer's surgery appears to have been successful. They clamped the duct that was allowing his oxygenated and nonoxygenated bloods to mix rather than follow their proper paths. The doc said that the little guy may have a couple of rough days ahead as his body adjusts to the proper flow of blood and oxygen. He sounded quite positive and gave the impression that improvements should be apparent within a matter of days. See? All of the love, good thoughts and prayers helped! God is watching over our little Spencer, and we are all grateful for your support. I'm so thankful for all of you, my beloved friends! It was a challenging day...time to rest for now.

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.  ~Buddha

A new development in the Spencer story...

Kate called this evening to let me know the docs have decided it's best to go in and repair the opening in Spencer's heart. Once the heart is able to function properly, his body will be able to fully use or process the oxygen appropriately and efficiently. Keep in mind that I'm not a medic, so my explanations are likely incomplete at best. A nice thing happened today...Kate held Spencer for the first time. And yesterday, he opened his eyes for the first time. I couldn't resist including a couple of photos here. Kate's loving smile as she holds him is beautiful. There is no mistaking a mother's love for her baby. Can you feel the love I have for my daughter and grandson? I hope so.

Around 1:00 tomorrow, please keep little Spencer in your thoughts and prayers. That is the scheduled time for his surgery. They anticipate that the procedure will take about 30 minutes. I'll be there with Kate, but we're asking for all of the prayers, positive thoughts and good energy that anyone has to offer.

I have a feeling that in a couple of years, all of this will be a distant memory to us as we watch a healthy, robust Spencer run and play. We just have to keep the faith and persevere through these challenging times.


What a grand thing, to be loved! What a grander thing still, to love!  ~Victor Hugo

Memories

StoryPeople send out a "Story of the Day," and this is what I received this morning:

Today all I could remember was the way your body held the ocean of my self & for a moment there was only one us in all creation. ~StoryPeople

How many times did Mark and I feel that way? Too many to count, I'm sure! Time continues to pass, and he is always in my thoughts. Even though I miss him, I'll keep reminding myself that we had many years together and that is something to celebrate.

The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.  ~Morrie Schwartz

Things are looking up...

A good day--Spencer opened his eyes for the first time! Funny all of the things we take for granted until something unexpected happens. That blessed little boy is fighting away for his life. He is now up to 2 lbs 2 oz. He has regained all of the weight he lost plus 2 oz, and that is a good sign. Spencer was also changed to a less aggressive ventilator today. The docs are watching the duct in his heart to see if it closes the rest of the way on its own. If not, it's possible he may be facing heart surgery. No matter the course, Spencer is in God's hands, and he will survive--I just know it!

I really don't have much else to say today. After seeing Spencer in the hospital and having dinner with Kate, Joe and Logan, I feel like everyone is safe and going to be all right. May sound melodramatic, but this has been a tough road to travel. Perhaps Mark is helping to usher us through this obstacle course of life.

Time to rest for awhile. More soon. Thanks for reading...


I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.  ~Mother Teresa