sista Lil
This post is for my sister....
I'm going waaay back to our genetic family history so this post makes sense to you. My mother grew up in Belleville, PA and my father grew up in Lancaster, PA, which, back then was approx three hours distant - they married in Dec of 1940.
Both had the gene sitosterolemia in which six out of thirteen siblings inherited a double gene, causing major health issues, especially heart related. In 1958 at age thirteen my oldest brother died from this disease at which time Johns Hopkins began a study. Unfortunately, the funding was not there until after the death of my oldest sister who died at age thirty-nine in 1981 from the same disease. After years of tests and studies Dr Pete discovered it's the natural oils such as olive, soy, corn, butter, etc and choclate that need to be eliminated from the diet. There are only a few handfulls of persons world-wide who have this disease.
Which brings me to sista...
About six weeks ago she had heart attack symptoms but was diagnosed with indigestion without the Dr really listening to her medical history. She contacted Dr Pete from Johns Hopkins who really fast-tracked things along and got her into the Cleveland Clinic. On Friday she had open-heart surgery at age 53, replacing the valve and doing one bypass.
It was a week of tears and fears and uncertainties...
because everyday she became weaker...
and the thought of death was close...
plus knowing there was going to be a lot of pain.
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Sista Rhoda and I left thur morning - we were very grateful for the gps to show us the way...
We were REALLY out of our comfort zone!
...but God traveled with us!
And we arrived safely and in good time...
...the wait was long...
...Janita kept everyone updated on Caringbridge.org...
The budget was passed around...
We played games...
And we ate, of course...!
The Zook gang...
In between the waiting moments it was pure pleasure to be together!
***************
Our favorite food in the driving time to and from was quiznos...
...yummy!
To sista Lil, may your recovery be swift and wishing you many, many long and happy years to come!
To sista Rhoda, you were a wonderful driving companion - between God, the gps and 'us' -
...we found our way to cleveland and back!
To sista Marie, because we live hours apart, it was an extra pleasure to spend this time with you...
Together, we make memories happen!
ox
2 comments:
o,my would've loved being there too! just the traveling part brings back memories of this summer!:) you siblings do so good with sticking together through thick and thin! i just want to bless you for that! love you all!! carolyn
\0/ good memories-long waiting times-sweet memories,would do it again. :)Lets find a closer Quiznos.
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