Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Where do I begin?

Hello my friends,
Where do I begin this post?  So much has happened since I last blogged.  I guess I'll just try to catch up a little at a time.  I had NO time to read blogs while I was gone, so I think I will probably just start today and not try to stress myself out because I missed so much.  Once again, the photo's aren't loading and I just do not have the energy today to figure out how to email them to myself, save them, and post from those.  Words will have to do.

Mikes memorial service was perfect.  He worked for the city bus company, (MAT) for over 40 years.  They sent a bus with fellow employees on it and let the kids and grandkids ride to and from the bus barn.  That was really special.  "In Memory of Mike Danahy" was on the top of the bus where the route usually is posted.  I have a photo of it that I wanted to share but....

The day before his service our cousin Alan was transferred from a hospital in southern Nebraska to the hospital in Omaha where Mike had all of his treatments and his liver transplant many years ago.  Would you believe that Alan was in liver failure?  There is no known cause and it happened quite suddenly.  He was put on the top of the national register for transplants because he had no lifestyle causes that caused the liver to fail.  He received a new liver on Thursday as we started our drive back home.  I think it was an 11 hour surgery.  It was a miracle that they found one so quickly.  Apparently the 4th of July holiday is good for transplants.  How sad.  Alan is doing well but still in ICU.  Most people have months to prepare for organ donation.  He only had a few days and it's hard to wrap your head around getting someone elses organ because of the fact that they are no longer living.  It causes survivors guilt and he had not time to prepare for this.  Please keep him in prayer.

Dennis was able to spend much of the week working on the airplane with Brad.  Although he was able to taxi and test the take-off "thrust" in the plane with Brad, the actual flight inspection wasn't done until the day we left, so we didn't get to fly this trip.  Mandy sent photos of them in the air on Sunday though and it looked as though they were all having a grand time flying around Eastern Nebraska.

We took Dennis' mom to lunch and visited her and Dennis' sister several times.  We had dinner with my siblings and some of their kids.  We saw lots of friends at the service and at church Sunday morning.  We went on a 4th of July picnic with Brad's family at their lake place.  It was HOT!  Well over 100F and very humid.  We're just not used to that.  Oh well. We survived and had a good time.

We visited the hospital to see Alan.   Oh, and Mike's sister went to pick up his Dad for the memorial service Saturday morning and had to call the fire department.  He had fallen the night before and broke his hip pretty badly.  So his Dad and sister missed the service because he was in surgery at the time.  He is now in a rehab center and doing well.

So you can see, it was a crazy, busy trip.  Lots of things happening.  Some good and some not so good.

I finished one baby blanket and began another.  Again, I have photos but...

Anyway.  I'm home and hoping to start catching up on blog posts.  We drove 3400 miles in a little over a week on top of all of the family stuff so we're both exhausted.

Take care my friends and I hope you're all doing well.

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another God lives in us and His love is made complete in us."  1 John 4:12-12

Blessings,

Betsy

20 comments:

  1. Welcome back!

    "...we ought to love one another..."

    Both of these men, Mike and Alan, seem to fit that. A lot of love in their lives.

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  2. Wow! That's an awful lot of (emotional)stuff to have happened in the short span of a week. Welcome home! Glad you made it back safely and hope you can find time to relax this week.

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  3. YIKES! So much going on. I hope everyone heals well and that YOU get some rest. Sounds like you were really on the go!

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  4. Wow.....you have been busy!!!!

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  5. I am so glad to hear that you are home safe. The 4th of July is the worst holidays for accidents, more than New Years. I drove down to LaGrande, Oregon and came back the day before the 4th. I wanted to be home by the time celebrating drivers were off work. I'm so sorry for all the "not to good" things that happen on your trip, but happy that you got to see so many family members and that again, you are home safe.
    100 degrees in a humid climate can be miserable. It makes you appreciate our drier desert climate :)
    Have a sweet week and rest up from your trip.
    Connie :)

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  6. Goodness sakes. You had a whirlwind of ups and downs, but I am sure you were glad to see everyone and see your family even though you had to go through some hard times. I'm glad you made it home safely. I wish I knew how to tell you to fix your photo uploading problems. I hope you rest up and take it easy for a while, my friend. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  7. Welcome home! Even though it was a stressful and emotional time for everyone, I see many blessings/praises in your post, too. Get some rest and share your photos when you can.

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  8. What a week of ups and downs, rest you deserve it :)

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  9. I'm glad you're back home and thanks for visiting my blog. Lots going on with your family. Hopefully the photo problem will get fixed asap. A couple interesting things happened but thankful God was in control. Enjoying the summer so far even tho warmer weather is coming in a few days. Rest and breathe! Hugs and prayers my friend!💕

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  10. Wish I could come help you with your photo issues.

    I'm glad to hear you had a safe trip back, but my goodness, when it rains it pours. I pray that both Alan and Mike's father are able to heal quickly from their surgeries. My mom is still walking with a cane and healing from her hip surgery that was in May.

    Wish I could come help you with your photo issues.

    Take care! Hugs and blessings to all.

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  11. Dear Betsy Lord bless Alan in his healing in heart mind and bidy and comfort all who lived Mike.
    Trust you’re recovering ok from trip.
    Sending love and prayers.. I’m way behind Downunder too.
    Hugs Shaz.xx

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  12. Regarding the comment you left on my blog:
    Good Morning Sweet Spokane Sister :) It's nice to read your kind words of encouragement . . . I do think this rose will be a beauty when it actually starts growing up and around the gate. Old houses like this one need roses climbing up their walls. I feel blessed to have so many sweet friends, living next door and in blog-land. Life is good:)
    Have a nice day,
    Connie :)

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  13. So glad you were able to visit so many of your loved ones. Sending prayers for Alan and Mike. I had to smile when you said you were able "to finish one baby blanket and start another one"...with all the travel and things you had to do, I am always amazed by just how much you get done...and always thinking of others, too. You are such a blessing in all the lives of all of us who are blessed enough to know you. Wishing you a day full of peace and rest sweet friend. Blessings always. :)

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  14. That does sound like a busy trip. I'm so glad you were able to get there for the memorial, it sounds perfect. I hope Alan's transplant operation went smoothly and that he has a speedy recovery. It sounds like you had a nice time with family, which is so nice. I hope everything is going well at home as you settle back into routines and that you're feeling well too.

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  15. Betsy what an emotional roller coaster you have been on this past week. Sending you a hug and know that you are in my prayers. Like you Gerard and I are now resting up from a little trip away, I am pleased to report this time it as to enjoy a Graduation celebration. Take care.

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  16. Welcome back home! You need a vacation to rest up from your vacation. I am sorry that so much bad news happened to the people you care about. Maybe you will be able to rest and recover now. Hugs, Nancy

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  17. I'll bet you are exhausted. HOORAY FOR ORGAN DONATION!!! I love that AL works in this field.

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  18. Welcome back home to WA! Hope you can rest up now. Glad that Alan got a donor so quickly and hope that he recovers as quickly! It was good to see you posting again, even without photos!

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  19. Wow, Betsy! I didn't know you had so much going on. Please know I'm praying for Alan and all in your family who need God's special comfort at this time. Take good care of yourself and relax as much as you can because you certainly deserve it! Hugs, Debra

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  20. Dear, sweet friend! I am in tears. My heart just goes out to you in all you are facing and going through. I have been praying for you and trusting Jesus to hold you close and comfort you and Dennis through it all. I never thought of the survivor's guilt that someone who receives an organ donation goes through. Bless Alan's heart, that must be so hard. God bless him and continue to heal him and bring him back to abundant health. SO much to pray about in your corner and so thankful Jesus has big shoulders. I wish I could give you a great, big hug. May you feel the everlasting arms around you. Please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing. Much love to you.

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