We all deal with and have challenges in our lives. They may impact us directly or indirectly, but all of us can agree that we are challenged in some way, shape, or form. Some people are physically challenged and others are mentally challenged. Still others are emotionally, spiritually, or financially challenged. We are called to cope with, endure, or aid in these challenges. The question I pose is, how much or how many challenges can one person or family endure?

On Saturday, November 15th, our challenge streak began. My wife and I ended up in ER with her complaining of severe leg pain. After blood tests, an ultrasound, and intense examination, the doctor diagnosed her with a blood clot in her calf. He prescribed Lovenoxinjections in her stomach and warrafin. She can take the warrafin without a problem, but the injections are painful, and leave her stomach bruised.

Our challenge streak continued on Saturday night November 29th with the passing of our beloved female springer spaniel, Madison. She was fine on Monday, but throughout the week she deteriorated. Her breathing was severely belabored and shallow, she could not relax or lay down, and on her last day she stopped eating. We took her to the vet Saturday morning for an examination and some blood work. That evening, her condition demanded a return visit to the vet. The doctor measured her blood pressure to be 240, and stated that if we did not lower it, Madison would have a stroke. After administering a tranquilizer and snapping a chest x-ray, Madison fell asleep for the last time.

On Tuesday, December 2nd, a lingering challenge, made a return appearance. A cat scan revealed that the tumor on my Dad’s pancreas had “grown significantly”. We have been challenged with my Dad’s cancer for two years now. He has been through two surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy. He has been unable to eat solid food, and has resorted to an abdominal feeding tube. This latest news, has landed him back on chemotherapy.

 

Rhinovirus

This morning, Thursday December 4th, my wife woke up to a severe cold. Bearing in mind, she is still on injections and warrafin for her blood clot, now coughing, nose blowing, and stuffiness are added to the mix. She is tapped out and finds herself unwilling to get out of bed. She asks, “Do I really have a cold now on top of everything else?”. Sadly, I have to tell her, “Yes, honey, I am sorry, but you have a cold”.

How do we endure these challenges? How do we cope? Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Are there more unforeseen challenges coming at us? What is next?

For now, my wife and I are approching these challenges in different ways, but together. We are walking every morning about 6 a.m. to relieve stress and get a clear fresh start to the day. I am helping my wife with her injections, reminding her to take her meds, and bringing her whatever she needs. When she has energy and strength, she helps around the house. She has the extra added challenge of a two hour round trip commute, intense 8+ hours of work, and school. Her remaining time is spent healing and resting.

We visit my dad between doctor visits and call him other times. Mostly he is in the care of my Mom. He is able to take care of most of his day to day needs, but they can both always use more help. The chemo makes him really tired, but he still finds the energy to join friends at a basketball game or to volunteer one day a week at the VA.

Lastly, I have turned to my faith for that last bit of support and strength I require. I have a community I meet with once a week, and attend Mass on the weekends. Serving my wife, and my family makes me happy and provides me purpose. We are open to any suggestions and advice you may wish to share with us.