Little Anniversaries and Thanksgivings

When I look back on the events that were happening a year ago, some of them actually bring me joy.  

It was a year ago today that I brought Rick home from the hospital after the surgery to remove a large part of his tumor.  A wonderful surgeon named Nino Chiocca operated while a wonderful anesthesiologist names Sergio Bergese performed an anesthetic that allowed for Rick to be awake for part of the surgery.  They talked to him and asked him questions while the tumor was being resected so they could make sure the surgery did not cause his function to deteriorate.  

I told Rick there was a good chance he would be speaking Italian after 4 hours in the operating room with Dr. Nino and Dr. Sergio.  

With amazing courage and strength, Rick endured the surgery and 3 days in the ICU.  The ICU nurses fought over who got to take care of Rick because he was so low maintenance, self sufficient and cheerful.  

Driving Rick home from the hospital on that gorgeous, warm, breezy day (a day very much like today!)... 

ELATION is the best word I can think of to describe the feeling

Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing us on every step of this journey.  It is such a blessing that Rick has tolerated so well and responded to the healing interventions of his doctors.  It is such a blessing that he can maintain a positive and optimistic outlook.  It is such a blessing that You brought Rick to me so that he could take such good care of this family and so that we could take care of him in his few moments of weakness.  Thank you, Heavenly Father, for teaching us to lean on each other and on our wonderful friends who lift us up with their love.  Amen