Lately I catch myself day dreaming about how things used to be, wishing time could be turned back to when my husband could walk and bath himself; to the time before our family had a terminal illness looming in the background. Two official years of ALS down and three since symptoms, the countdown feels likes it's on. As everyone recaps their year and says goodbye to 2015, I find myself just really wishing that Bert could run and bike again. We face yet another year of the unknown, will this be it, or will we be blessed with more time.
Our 2015 was filled with lots of activity and blessings but in between Bert had to endure the cruel progression of ALS. He spent time in the hospital with pneumonia, was introduced to a cough assist and suction machine, had surgery to place a tube in his stomach so he can eat, and started wearing a bipap machine to help him breathe. I left my job so I could take care of him and we really have no idea what 2016 will bring. This New Year's Eve we are home together, no parties or trips; we will watch the ball drop on our T.V. No resolutions.
Somehow though we still have hope. We are looking forward to 2016, maybe check off a few more items on our bucket list, enjoy our daughter Sophia singing in her choir, and cheer our son Alex on at his basketball games. We are going to continue enjoying time with our pets and each other. We will accept the unknown and throw worry out the window. My motto for 2015 was "no one worries till I say it's time to worry." In 2016 I am adding to that motto..."there is no time like the present."
A couple nights ago after I tucked Alex into bed he called me back to his room. He said "mom, I don't like that dad is sick but I am kinda glad we have ALS...because it makes us closer and we have to work as a team; it's kinda like we are always playing basketball." Yep I said, I get it. Tonight, I am really hoping that 2016 turns out to be a slam dunk.
Happy New Year!
xoxo ~ Jennifer
Our 2015 was filled with lots of activity and blessings but in between Bert had to endure the cruel progression of ALS. He spent time in the hospital with pneumonia, was introduced to a cough assist and suction machine, had surgery to place a tube in his stomach so he can eat, and started wearing a bipap machine to help him breathe. I left my job so I could take care of him and we really have no idea what 2016 will bring. This New Year's Eve we are home together, no parties or trips; we will watch the ball drop on our T.V. No resolutions.
Somehow though we still have hope. We are looking forward to 2016, maybe check off a few more items on our bucket list, enjoy our daughter Sophia singing in her choir, and cheer our son Alex on at his basketball games. We are going to continue enjoying time with our pets and each other. We will accept the unknown and throw worry out the window. My motto for 2015 was "no one worries till I say it's time to worry." In 2016 I am adding to that motto..."there is no time like the present."
A couple nights ago after I tucked Alex into bed he called me back to his room. He said "mom, I don't like that dad is sick but I am kinda glad we have ALS...because it makes us closer and we have to work as a team; it's kinda like we are always playing basketball." Yep I said, I get it. Tonight, I am really hoping that 2016 turns out to be a slam dunk.
Happy New Year!
xoxo ~ Jennifer
