Melancholy Vacation

Published on December 31, 2005 By HC1240 In Home & Family

It's been a rough week. Christmas was wonderful... don't get me wrong... but it seems like it was months ago now.

On Wednesday, hubby and I took our beloved weimeraner (Woody) down to the vet's and stayed with him while they put him to sleep. It was heartbreaking, particularly for Joel, but the vet was SO reassuring... kept telling us she was very glad we had made this decision and that we were definitely doing the right thing. That was a help. It about tore my heart out... I was sad about the whole thing, but watching Joel go through this was even worse. I'm glad we stayed though. He held Woody right up until the very end... he said after, "I was the first person to hold him when he came into this world (he delivered Woody's litter), and I want to be holding him when he leaves." *tears* He sobbed... it was so hard... but we know he's better off now. It will take some getting used to, that's for sure.

Jasmine and Noah were very emotional, but seemed to bounce back pretty well. I think Jasmine was upset more because the rest of us were than because of reality... and Noah was initially sad, and cried, but he's ok, even saying, "Well... one good thing about Woody dying is that we won't ever have to clean up poop off the floor again." This morning, though... we told the kids they needed to say goodbye to Woody. Noah took it literally and walked over to Woody, crying, and kind of waved to him. "Goodbye, Woody" and his little face all scrunched up because he was trying to hard to keep from crying. We finally convinced him that it's ok to cry... and reminded him that we were ALL crying... and he let go.

Joel has held himself together really well. He was a mess at the vet's -- as was I -- and right afterward, but he has really taken it better than I thought he would. He says he knows it was the right decision and he's really at peace with it. I'm glad. Jessica and I have been more emotional (maybe it's a woman thing?). We were both on the verge of tears that entire day, often crossing the edge and lapsing into ten or fifteen minute crying jags.

The next morning Joel took the kids sledding while I packed in preparation for our trip to the hospital. Joel had surgery Thursday and is recovering nicely -- I guess. It's certainly not fun, but he's doing well, relatively speaking. Vicodine is a wonderful thing.

He had his tonsils/adnoids removed, some of his soft palate, his uvula, and they also went into his nose and removed cartilage and stuff. He has stitches up both sides of his mouth and across the roof of it as well. *shudders* They say the recovery period is at least two weeks... and very painful... but we hope that in the end, it will be worth it. His sleep apnea was so bad that he was NEVER rested... and it was affecting his blood pressure, his heart, and I'm sure was the cause of some migraines he'd been having. Pray for Joel if you think of it... thanks!

Soooooooooo... it's been a long week. The surgery itself would have been enough to handle, but when you add to that the emotional drain of losing a pet, one who's been with you for fifteen years... yeah. We're all exhausted. In spite of that, we're happy to be together. We're blessed that God provides for all of our needs. We're thankful that our family is so strong that we get homesick when we're not together. Most of all, I'm thankful for my Heavenly Father who takes such good care of each of us -- no matter what we're going through. His grace is sufficient for me.

Comments

Trudygolightly

on Dec 31, 2005

Sooooooooo very sorry about your doggy

I will absolutely say prayers for your husband, and also for the healing of your
hearts about the doggy.

You've got a great family, God Bless you

HC1240

on Dec 31, 2005

I will absolutely say prayers for your husband, and also for the healing of your hearts about the doggy.You've got a great family, God Bless you

Thank you, Trudy. That's very sweet of you... and I appreciate it.

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Jan 01, 2006

Anyone that has a pet can sympathize with this story. They do become such a big part of our families, don't they? I can still remember back the last two dogs we buried. Heartbreaking. Having kids around makes it that much harder.

But it does get easier with time.

We are so glad to hear Joel is doing well. I'm sure God is hearing all our prayers on his behalf. What would we do without that huh? I'm sure he'll be his old self soon.....

Hope this coming week and new year is much better for you and your family.

(((((H))))))

InBloom

on Jan 01, 2006

I am so sorry about your dog. I like the fact that you are still so grateful for everything else in your life, despite this sad time.

Here is hoping this new year brings happiness and healing for you and your family.

jennybean

on Jan 02, 2006

So sorry to hear about your loss. Losing a pet is very hard to deal with. Wishing your husband a speedy and comfortable as possible recovery. Sounds like he went through a lot; poor guy.

HC1240

on Jan 02, 2006

We are so glad to hear Joel is doing well. I'm sure God is hearing all our prayers on his behalf. What would we do without that huh? I'm sure he'll be his old self soon.....

Thanks... he's already his old self. I keep yelling at him to relax. He's been in the basement working on computers all morning. He hinted yesterday that he'd like to clean out or "Music Room" (which has become a HORRID storage closet) this week. He can't stand sitting around doing nothing... which means I don't get to sit around and do nothing either, apparently. ROFL. Such is life.

(((((H))))))

Always take the hugs! ((((((((((((((((((((D)))))))))))))))))))))))))

HC1240

on Jan 02, 2006

I am so sorry about your dog. I like the fact that you are still so grateful for everything else in your life, despite this sad time. Here is hoping this new year brings happiness and healing for you and your family.

Thanks, Inbloom... and it's not so difficult to find things to be grateful for. God has been very good to me and my family.

HC1240

on Jan 02, 2006

So sorry to hear about your loss. Losing a pet is very hard to deal with. Wishing your husband a speedy and comfortable as possible recovery. Sounds like he went through a lot; poor guy.

Thank you, jenny... he sure did.

KarmaGirl

on Jan 02, 2006

We had to put our dog down a couple months ago, and it was so hard. But, when they are in pain, sometimes its the best you can do for them. Being that your dog was fairly large and lived to be 15 is great on its own.

I hope your hubby recovers and gets the desired relief. At least the rest of the year should get better, right?

HC1240

on Jan 02, 2006

Yes. He had a long full life, and was loved beyond measure. Can't ask for more than that. I'm sorry for your own loss.

At least the rest of the year should get better, right?

Aaaaaaah.. an optimist. I love that!

Yes... it will be a great year!

Tova7

on Jan 02, 2006

HC...I am glad to hear the surgery went well.

Sorry about your pet. Seems a lot of JUers are losing pets lately.

Is your husband sleeping better now?

HC1240

on Jan 04, 2006

HC...I am glad to hear the surgery went well.Sorry about your pet. Seems a lot of JUers are losing pets lately.Is your husband sleeping better now?

Hey! I still owe you an email... haven't forgotten, I promise! I've been much busier than I anticipated being. I thought that after the surgery Joel would have to REST and things would slow down a bit... but he's doing so well it seems things are even busier than usual.

He's sleeping much better already, and tonight he even made it through Bible Study without dozing off ONCE... a major accomplishment for him. He was loving it... got to participate in discussion and really enjoy the study, instead of trying to keep from nodding off (unsuccessfully). This is going to be a major change for him... I can tell already. Thanks for the prayers

foreverserenity

on Jan 05, 2006

So sorry for the loss of your beloved pet. Kids are so resilient. It's great they have both of you to turn to.

I'll say a prayer for Joel, I hope he's healing nicely after his surgery.

Yep, God's grace is sufficienlty wonderful! Amen!

HC1240

on Jan 06, 2006

So sorry for the loss of your beloved pet. Kids are so resilient. It's great they have both of you to turn to.

My children are VERY blessed. My husband, although not the biological father of my two girls, loves them as if they were his very own. Blessed indeed. Thank you.

I'll say a prayer for Joel, I hope he's healing nicely after his surgery.

He's doing wonderfully! He's actually out working this afternoon. I can't believe how quickly he's recovering. He's not taking his pain meds anymore either, so that's great. He has to go back Tuesday to get splints taken out of his nose, but he's truly getting back to his OLD self. Hehe... thanks for the prayer. We'll always take that!

Yep, God's grace is sufficienlty wonderful! Amen!

It sure is!! I experience it in new ways each and every day. The more He reveals Himself to me, the more I realize I don't know about Him... and I'm motivated to dive deeper and know Him better. I pray the same is true for you, Forever

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