update 1-31-11

I had a friend lovingly remind me that I hadn't posted an update last week. I didn't forget I just don't like posting the same things over and over.

She goes back on track Friday. It has been nice to have her home, and not to have to drive back and forth to her school drop her off and pick her up. Still, she did do a better job driving last time we tried it. Like everything it is slowly coming back.

when you go through something like this you see the best and worst of some people. It blows me away every time someone acts like a jerk towards her. As if there world will never come crumbling down in a heart beat. I'm sure everyone will be all roses and sunshine to them though because they're different. They're better somehow than everyone else so nothing bad could ever happen to them. Sometimes it has been people we know. Other times it has been random strangers walking by in public places.

But like I said there is the other side of that too. We've seen a lot of unexpected good from people too. I guess peoples true nature is revealed when, in their mind, someone is lesser than they are. Are they kind, loving, tolerant, and Christ like, as so many have been towards us? Or are they petty, self absorbed, and cruel, like a few have been. It has truly been interesting to observe human nature from a disadvantaged state. It brings a whole new meaning to ideas like, "judge not lest you be judged" and "If ye have done it unto one of the least of these."

I can only hope that every good act paid to us is returned ten-fold upon the people who have done them. It is hard for me not to hope the same of those who have done us ill; Because after all, I am just a man. And it stings worse when your are fighting with all you have to be back to "Normal." I am trying to forgive and forget though. And venting like this seems to have helped.

update 1-22-11

Things are still going well. I know that Katrina gets frustrated that she can't do certain things as well as she used to. She's come so far since the days right after surgery but she still has struggles. It bothers her that her fine motor control isn't what it used to be especially when it comes to her handwriting and things like that.

I personally feel that she is doing really well and given time those little things like that will continue to improve. Still, it's hard; here and now, to have a list of things that she used to be able to do that she can't do again yet.

Pat

Way back in June when we found out about Katrina's tumor I was lost. I didn't know what to do, and I felt utterly helpless. I was searching the web looking for information about brain tumors and I found a blog by Pat Navin. I reached out to her. She has given me loads of great advice and become a dear friend to me as I have helped Katrina face this. My heart is breaking. I have to add her to an ever growing list of people who cancer has taken from me. This on the heels of the death of my Great Aunt Kay after her prolonged battle with cancer.

Please pray for both of their families.

Brought Me to Tears

I heard this song today while going through my itunes. I haven't heard it in years, but it brought me to tears.



*update* It doesn't act like it's working but you can hear it here.

Update 1-10-11

Sorry, I keep forgetting to update.

Katrina returned to work full time last Monday, and she seemed to handle it well as far as energy goes. She seems to be doing really good from what I can see, but I always worry about what goes on at work. I just don't know If she's remembering how to teach or not. She seems to have it all together when we talk though.

She has parent teacher conferences this week. I hope they go well for her.  

A Quote

I try to copy down may favorite quotes from the books I read in a little leather journal that I keep on my headboard. Last night I was reading through some of them and I came across this one. 

" . . . a strong man may endure much in the face of adversity, but few strong men could stand to see their women and children endure the same troubles. It was man's natural instinct, bred from ages before men were even men, to protect the family."
-Louis L'Amour "The Mountain Valley War."

 L'Amour Books always have good quotes and pearls of wisdom in them. This one seemed to fit my feelings over the last few months perfectly.

Friday . . . Er . . . Saturday Update 1-1-11

            The other day when we met with the Neurosurgeon he looked at us and said, " It's been a hell of a six months."  I think that I can just apply that statement to all of 2010 and say that I'm glad it's behind me and I hope that we only move forward from here.

             Katrina continues to do well and is planning to return to work full time on Monday. I hope it goes well for her.