The Gneiting's Corner
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Wednesday, September 3, 2008

My sweetheart is doing OK - but he gave me a SCARE!

So this weekend was quite a scary one. My husband Joe and I went down to Utah for a BYU football game. We were looking forward to having a fun weekend. But those plans changed rather quickly. Friday night Joe got really sick and in the middle of the night I had to call an ambulance to come to the hotel and take him to the hospital. I thought he was either having a stroke or a bad reaction to some new medicine he had recently started taking because of a recent diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis. (Three weeks ago he had to go to the hospital to have 6 blood transfusions because he was bleeding internally.)

Anyway. . .for a little over 12 hours he was really out of it and I wasn't sure if I would ever be able to talk to him again and tell him that I love him. It was a very scary time and so emotionally taxing for me. But after a beautiful blessing given to him by our son Scott and after a lot of tests, they ruled out a stroke, brain tumor and anything else serious like that. We aren't really sure what happened but they think that it may have been a combination of his body being in a weakened condition due to the colitis, being under alot of stress because of other things going on in our family recently, along with the new medication he was taking. He is on some new medications and he is doing better. And I am so grateful that he is still here with me.

This was a real wake up call and one that has made our whole family really reevaluate our priorities in lives. We are now treasuring every minute that we spend with each other. We never know what tomorrow holds for us and so we need to make sure that we let those that we love know how we feel - and do it today - don't wait! I love this little poem that expresses what I am feeling right now:

If I Knew
Hold your loved ones close today,
Whisper in their ear;
Tell them that you love them
And you'll always hold them dear.

For tomorrow is promised to no one, 
Young and old alike;
And today may be your last chance 
To hold your loved ones tight.


Our family has never had too many bad things happen to us. (Knock on wood!)  But this summer has been quite stressful for us.  I know that we can grow through our trials but I'm thinking that I have grown enough for awhile. haha!  I am feeling quite overwhelmed from all of this.  It is amazing how stress really affects your whole body.  I am totally exhausted- physically, mentally, and emotionally.  So. . . for a little while, Joe and I are going to take a break from anything extra that adds stress to our lives, take some needed R and R, and just enjoy being together. 

And now when you finish reading this drop what you are doing and RUN to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you - and make sure that there is alot of hugging going on. :)

3 comments:

Gooch Family said...

So sorry to hear about Joe and what you guys must have been going through, but I'm glad that he is doing well! We'll keep you guys in our prayers!

Romney Family said...

I am so glad the Joe is ok!! We truely never know what will happen to us so thank you for sharing that beautiful poem with us. I hope that all is well with you guys now!! take care!!

Unknown said...

Carol, glad to hear Joe is alright. I'm so sorry to hear about baby Joseph, too. Your family has met it's quota for trials. I hate to see bad things happen to good people. enjoy your relaxing. . .. .