Reflections

It has been a day of reflection. Yesterday we received the news that my dad has a 2" tumor embedded in his spine that has already displaced his spinal cord. He was told that it would have to come out or he would face paralysis. Today he had a biopsy on the growth and we won't know for 24-48 hours what the results are. I know my dad has lived a long life. He has outlived my mom, his brother, his sister-in-law, many friends and other acquaintances. My dad is a proud man and puts on a facade most of the time that nothing phases him. While we have had our differences over the years, there has never been any doubt in my mind that if I ever needed anything...he would always be there. He is a member of the generation that was born shortly before the Great Depression and as a very young man...signed up to serve his country in the Army Air Corps during WWII. I know my father is awfully proud of his service to our country and I am equally proud of him. He is a patriot! My dad is literally the smartest man I know. He seems to know something about everything. He and I have had many great times together...typically on a beach somewhere from North Carolina to Alaska trying our best to catch a fish. My love for the ocean and fishing comes from my dad. My love for history....for flying and airplanes....for the woods and hunting....for putting family first.....for initiative....for hard work....for purpose....for speaking my mind and being my own person comes from my dad. I want my dad to live forever. I don't want my dad to be in pain or to suffer. I often think about how lonely he has been over the past 10 years since my mom passed away, but he insists on staying by himself and taking care of himself. One of the hardest things he has had to do over the past year was to give up his car when he couldn't get his license any longer because of failing eyesight. Like I said, he is a proud man. It's always been his way to do it his way. That's the way he rolls whether my sisters and I agree with it or not.
I'm praying for my dad. I know God's will shall be done. I'm prayerful that God will continue to soften his heart that he may grow receptive to talk about spiritual things more openly. I'm praying that regardless of what the doctors say, God will show him His mercy and allow him to live out however many days he may have left without pain or any discomfort.
I'm thankful to be Ed Sheneman's son. I'm thankful that God has allowed our relationship to be one that we can share our love for one another openly. If he were to never speak another word to me, I know that he loves me and that he is proud of me because he has told me so. To a son....that's all that matters!

"Hey Lord, just wanted to say thank you."

We had a GREAT Thanksgiving! It was a early day for me as I got up at 4:30AM and went to the store for a few hours to check on things. By the time I got home, everyone was up and moving. I had made and baked two pecan pies the night before, so all we had to wait on was Willingham's Restaurant to get the main course cooked. What was supposed to be ready at 10:30AM, finally got loaded in my car at 12:30PM, but boy...was it GOOD. Baked ham, turkey breast, dressing, gravy, macaroni & cheese, brocolli & rice casserole, green beans, leseur peas, crescent rolls, deviled eggs, potato salad and Stacey's new recipe with rice, onions, and mushrooms. We also had pound cake, pumpkin pie, and a custard pie. Don't forget the sweet tea! Notice no sweet potatoes for our bunch.....we don't like them.
I'm mindful of how God has blessed each of us in the past year. I am ever thankful for my family each and every day. Debbie and I have had over 30 wonderful years together. We have two wonderful children who love God and love others before themselves. We have been blessed with answered prayer in regards to the soul mates for our children. Our grandchildren are the smiles in every morning and the sunshine in every day. I'm thankful for my dad and my sisters and all they mean to me. There just aren't enough words. I am humbled by how God has smiled on us.

You Go Doc!!

Ok, so the cardiologist appointment went very well. I really like Dr. Sekar. Based on what I could understand as I navigated his Indian dialect, I am in pretty good shape. Bottom line is...I'm fat! I knew that! Second thing is...if I wasn't fat...my Type 2 Diabetes would probably disappear. If my Type 2 Diabetes disappears I probably wouldn't have the slight swelling in my ankles when I'm on my feet all day and.....I probably wouldn't be running to the bathroom every 1 1/2 hours 24/7. My blood pressure was good. Even though Dr. Slavico had told me my "bad" cholesterol was too high, Dr. Sekar told me it was actually pretty good so he recommended I not increase my meds for it as Dr. Slavico had ordered. So, I will have to take that up with Dr. Slavico when I see him Wednesday. He did a EKG and a Echocardiogram. What he sees in the EKG shows the previous heart attack and he says the echo was really good....no leakage, valves all good, no enlargement, and no damage. Heart is functioning at about 88% which is good. He said if I can run as a basketball official without any chest discomfort....I am ok and that is stress test enough for him. I get to see him again in 2 months. His recommendation is to lose weight and handle the diabetes, so...if Trey can do it...Pops can do it. He said no meats (hard on the kidneys), no sugars (including the fruits that have natural sugar)basically.....no carbs. Eat your vegetables son!!
You go Doc!

Doctor, Doctor...have you heard?

I went to have my prescriptions refilled last week and found out the doctor wouldn't fill one of them less I see him. So, last Monday I went and saw my good friend, Dr. Slavico. Now, you know and I know, you can't go to the doctor without dropping off some blood, so that I did. So, let's start with any good news....

My AC1 was better than the last time, but he still wants me to take a med to help with my Type 2 Diabetes. My blood pressure was excellent...must be the two meds I take for it are doing the trick. He didn't mention total cholesterol or tryglicerides, so I assume they are OK. He did mention my "bad" cholesterol was too high so he upped my meds for that. My liver enzymes are stll high and they have been for years. Some of it's due to being overweight and having a "fatty" liver and some of it's due to the meds I take on a regular basis. My one good kidney is still dumping allot of protein into my bloodstream so he wants me to check it out with my nephrologist, so I need to make that appointment. Since moving back to Georgia, I have never established a relationship with a cardiologist, so he gave me a referral to a cardio guy that goes to church with us and I see him for the first time tomorrow. He currently treats our Pastor's dad and another good friend of mine and comes with high recommendations. I go back to Dr. Slavico on Wednesday to see about the Meds for the diabetes. Finally, I have had a fit with my left hip for years and it has finally gotten to the point I am looking for some relief, so I'm off to a Ortho guy on December 10th.

With all of that said....I don't need any further advice or opinions from family or friends. I know what I know. I'm a big boy and know what I need to do. I'm just keeping everyone informed. Past all of that....I feel pretty good....good enough to run some basketball officiating last week.

"no more monkeys jumping on the bed."

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Ever so often, I will wake up way too early and this morning was one of those mornings. I awoke around 4:30AM and after 30 minutes of tossing and turning I just said, what the heck and got up. So now, I've checked my email and written a few notes and am on my second cup of coffee. It will be a LONNNNNNGGGG day!
Much happening today at our store with a employee Thanksgiving dinner, a holiday readiness check by our district staff and obviously allot of business with the holiday on 7 days away. We are ready and all should go quite smoothly.
I'm excited that Trey has decided to referee some basketball this year with the same group that I work with. I wish I had started as young as he has and could have seen how far I could have gone. I love the game and I love the kids, but I just can't hardly keep up with the young legs anymore. He's working some scrimmages this evening and I am looking forward to going to watch him work.
Appears Debbie and Jennifer have most of the Christmas deco up. I got up this morning to find the tree decorated. Appears the girls did a much better job with it than Trey and I did last year. Anyway, time for a shower and a shave!

It's Beginning To Look....

Yep....it's beginning to look allot like the holidays around here. Last night, I took my butt up the attic stairway and dropped all our Christmas deco paraphernalia down to Trey. Now, it's just kind of hanging out in the family room. We did get it all unpacked and I did get the Christmas tree put together while I've been off today.
I look forward to this time of year more than anything else. Sure, it's our busiest time at the store and we work awfully hard....but, it's actually fun in a weird sort of way. I can attest to coming home dead tired everyday, but I'm always anxious to tackle it again the next day.
Hard to believe the year is almost gone. So much has happened in 2008 and we have been blessed in multiple ways. We will celebrate Christmas differently this year as Debbie and I will focus more on Tripp and Makinley. We will still enjoy our children, but it is time that they started developing their own traditions.
Debbie and I have a new "daughter" as we have "adopted" a little girl from Zambia. Her name is Ostridah and she turned 4 years old in September. We look forward to watching her grow up and being a vehicle that God uses to share Christ with her. Please covenant with us to pary for Ostridah.

Happy Birthday Derrick!

Tomorrow my brother-in-law, Derrick, turns 53! When I stop and think about it...we have known each other since we were 14-15 years old...almost 40 years. He went to school at our cross town rival and we played basketball against each other in different color uniforms.
He is the brother I never had and a 2nd son to my dad. Having lived away from Wilmington for most of my adult life, Derrick has always been there for my dad whenever he needed anything. He has always done it, even when my dad wasn't very lovable. I admire my brother-in-law for many different reasons and I'm thankful God has blessed him, my sister, and my nephews in so many different ways. Happy Birthday D-Rock!
WOW...it is getting busier and busier at the store. If there is a recession, you wouldn't know it by the amount of groceries flying off the shelves. I'm already tired and we still have 2 weeks until Thanksgiving and 6 weeks until Christmas. I will say this though!! WE ARE READY! Our folks are awesome and I am blessed beyond measure to work with the group that surround me. Even on my off days, they are always there to pick me up!