It's been so hectic in Lacyville here lately. What with dealing with my grandfathers cancer diagnosis and surgery, MacGyvers mite infection, our upcoming two week vacation ... we haven't had much time to just "hang out".
Don't you always find that it's during these busy times that things go wrong. On the day we were supposed to drive 3 1/2 hour to see my grandfather, the brakes on the Escape suddenly starting making this scraping sound. So off to the mechanic we go - and there went $$$. Last week, our washing machine decided that it wanted to keep the water in the machine. Why spin? We've been tricking it into spinning for the last week -- by doing the regular cycle for washing and then switching it to the delicate cycle and doing that spin cycle twice. We just have not had the time to go looking for a washer - and we won't be here for the next two weeks to have it delivered. Sooo we're trying to make do until we return in October.
We also have several relatives down in Florida dealing with hurricane hell. My great aunt has lived on the beach in Cocoa Beach for practically her entire life. Growing up, I used to spend summers down there - it was great her house was right on the beach. You walk off her back porch, and you're on the beach. They had a forced evacuation last week - they were told the storm surges alone would go over their homes. Get your insurance papers and family mementos, and be out by 2 PM. She went to stay with her daughter ... who lives in Melbourne, FL. THey were in the path of the hurricane as well ... but only lost a section of their roof and several trees. My aunt was finally able this week to go down and check on her house ... it was flooded. Pretty much everything mildewed and ruined ... all her furniture, appliances - damaged beyond repair. Now we just pray that her insurance carrier will do what they're supposed to!
My grandfather is doing amazingly well. He has surprised all his doctors (and his family!) with his quick recovery. The surgery he had is a brand new procedure ... so both his surgeons were just so pleased that he has come through so well. He still has to go see the oncologist next week ... but they don't think she will recommend any chemo or radiation. They just want to have him in every few months for a new set of xrays. It is simply a miracle. When we first learned about his cancer, the pulmonologist told them he had maybe 6-9 months. It was that bad. Thats why I say it was a miracle. Because less than three weeks later, he has a cutting-edge surgery with not one, but two very talented surgeons and they are able to remove all the cancer. It hadn't metastasized. I believe God truly had his hand over my Grampy; miracles aren't just when someone is inexplicably healed; sometimes miracles occur in the form of just making a cancer treatable.
As for MacGyver, he is almost back to normal. His behavior has improved dramatically; he's running, eating, and more playful; his hair is growing back quickly in some places, and not so quickly in other places (his tail is really slow in growing back hair!). But I think we've gotten the infection taken care of. We go back to the vet tomorrow afternoon, to see if he needs another shot of Ivermectin. AND to see if we still have to do the baths every two days. Let me just say thats been such a joyful experience. He hates water, doesn't like the medicated soap, and he especially doesn't like it that we have to leave the soap on him for 10 minutes before rinsing him off. Soooo, maybe we can get down to once every 3 days. Nonetheless, I'm just so glad he's feeling better and not constantly scratching and biting himself.
And now, I'm off to try and trick the washer into doing a load of laundry that we need for our trip next week! ;)
;)
