He put up the Halloween lawn decorations!!

NikiMo
NikiMo Member Posts: 342
in Esophageal Cancer #1
I was not having a very good week, it is my first full week back at work and everyone wants me on some big project, so stress was running high. I started back into my exercise routine which left my muscles sore and tired, but I know it is important for my health and I have been ignoring myself for quite some time. But, the worst part was the first few minutes after getting home. This use to be my favorite part of my day, getting home and giving Jeff a big hug and just being so happy to be in our home together. I of course am still over the moon to see Jeff every day, he is THE love of my life. But, this past week when I got home he felt sick every time, it was frustrating for both of us. Each day I would cal him from work and he would say "I am having a good day, can you take me out tonight?" of course I said I would take him anywhere he wants to go. But, every night I would get home and he would just be wiped out and sick. I know it is frustrating him, and I keep telling him this just takes time. Today I drove up to my house and I saw he put out the Halloween decorations. We are both huge Halloween fans, it is our holiday, we love it more than the Christmas season. I pulled into the drive way and had a good cry, I was SO proud of him. I then realized I was having one of those moments that only those with loved ones who have had a life threatening illness, I was reveling in the small things. Last year this time I would have been griping about how long it took him to get to this simple task. This year I was almost doing cartwheels in my driveway. I came into the house and he didn't look too great, but he had a big smile on anyway. He was proud of himself, and I told him how proud I was. Maybe tomorrow he can get out of the house which he is so hoping for. It does get better after surgery, slowly but surely.

Thoughts and prayers for all,

Niki
Wife to Jeff T2N1M0
IL 9/6/11

Comments

  • Ginny_B
    Ginny_B Member Posts: 532
    #2
    What a sweet message. It
    What a sweet message. It made me cry.
  • chemosmoker
    chemosmoker Member Posts: 501
    #3
    The LITTLE Halloween things that count!
    WAY to go Jeff!! That's more energy than I have on some days, and I haven't been through ANYTHING NEAR what he has!! Puts me to shame!
    That was a beautiful story and I appreciate you sharing it with us.

    If there is one thing I have learned from Michelle through this experience, it IS the little things that make our lives worth living.

    Here's hoping that his energy increases and that soon you two can get out and go out after work. It WILL come!

    God bless you both!
    -Eric
  • jojoshort
    jojoshort Member Posts: 230 Member
    #4
    "Like"
    Like this story a lot :)
    Jo-Ann
  • Ericalynn
    Ericalynn Member Posts: 200
    #5
    Halloween!
    Niki,
    Great to hear that Jeff got the decorations up, it is the little things for sure. It is good to know that someone else in our “class” is feeling the same way. John has been recovering and getting a little stronger everyday but just like Jeff by the time I get home from work he is done. He says that right around 4-5 PM he starts feeling fatigue and just not feeling well. Today he had a very rough day and spent the whole day on the couch. Tomorrow is another day and with time and rest our guys will be back to their selves. Thanks for sharing it is nice to know that we are all on this journey together. Hope Jeff is up to getting out of the house tomorrow. Enjoy your Saturday no matter what you do it is the little things that are so important!
  • cher76
    cher76 Member Posts: 292
    #6
    Yeah for Jeff! Sounds like
    Yeah for Jeff! Sounds like he is getting a little stronger every day. My thoughts and prayers are with you both for a continued speedy recovery.
    Cheryl
  • Daisylin
    Daisylin Member Posts: 365
    #7
    cher76 said:

    Yeah for Jeff! Sounds like
    Yeah for Jeff! Sounds like he is getting a little stronger every day. My thoughts and prayers are with you both for a continued speedy recovery.
    Cheryl

    Love it!
    Well, you made me cry too! (we need a 'like' button here, like facebook has) I hope your days continue to improve. Glad to hear you are taking some time for yourself too.
    be well Niki,
    Chantal
  • Janet Runge
    Janet Runge Member Posts: 34
    #8
    Take it one day at a time
    Niki,
    Take it slowly. Each day is apparently different depending on a number of factors.
    I was told it is what he eats, how slowly he eats and how much he eats and if the rest of the system is working good that day. My husband is very stubborn and finally has agreed to a juiced supplement so be glad yours will be cooperative. Metamucil has made a big difference in how he feels the rest of the day.
    Janet
  • LeeinLondon
    LeeinLondon Member Posts: 103
    #9
    wow
    Jeff you are a helluva guy. Wish I could shake your hand.

    Happy halloween!

    - Lee
  • ritawaite13
    ritawaite13 Member Posts: 236
    #10
    LeeinLondon said:

    wow
    Jeff you are a helluva guy. Wish I could shake your hand.

    Happy halloween!

    - Lee

    Great story...thanks for sharing
    I'm sure Jeff was very proud of his accomplishment! I loved your story and I pray that you have a weekend full of his (and your) smiles.
    Rita
  • unclaw2002
    unclaw2002 Member Posts: 599
    #11
    Niki,
    Way to go Jeff - there
    Niki,

    Way to go Jeff - there is life after surgery and I am so happy for both of you that you are able to start enjoying the little things in life :)

    Take care,
    Cindy
  • Cora11
    Cora11 Member Posts: 173
    #12
    BOOOOO!!!
    I'm with you Niki, I love Halloween as well. Just shows how Jeff was in the holiday spirit and that is just great news. Little by litte...

    Cora
  • birdiequeen
    birdiequeen Member Posts: 319
    #13
    Jeff inspired me! I crawled
    Jeff inspired me! I crawled in the attic yesterday and got down the decorations. Now we need to go to the pumkin patch to finish things off. Thanks for the story Niki!
  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
    #14
    Love it!
    Halloween has got to be Nick's favorite holiday as well. It's almost a fight between him and the kids as to who has the most fun.

    Really glad to hear that Jeff's finding moments of normalacy. It's so durned important. I know that Nick gets frustrated some days when it seems like there have been too many changes (fatigue, eating ability, nausea) but just one little bit of "the way things used to be" and I've got his lovely smile back. And that helps me smile too. I truly get what you're saying.

    Thanks so much for sharing this, Niki :) Hope Halloween, and all the days leading to Halloween and all the days after are WONDERFUL!

    Terry
  • LilChemoSmoker
    LilChemoSmoker Member Posts: 185
    #15
    It's in the not so small things sometimes!
    Niki,
    What an amazing writer you are! That is such a touching a beautiful display of gratitude! It really is in the small things with this disease that we find comfort and joy! Though I totally get that putting out the decorations in his condition is by no means a small task, it really wasn't so long ago that we would have seen that task in a different light! Today, it is no small task and a great accomplishment for Jeff! Way to go Jeff!

    God bless your recovery!
    Michelle

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