Wow! 33 Years.

Today is our anniversary.   It has been a wonderful 33 years.  A lot of things have happened since we were the young couple just starting out in these pictures, not the least of which is being the parents to 3 wonderful "kids."   We had our 30th anniversary just after I got out of the hospital in April 2007 and now another 3 years have gone by.  Elaine is the most amazing loving, patient, and kind person.   I am truly blessed to be married to her.

Elaine and I did not go out for our anniversary this year.  Janice made supper for us here.  And then Elaine had to go to a choir rehearsal this evening for a concert tomorrow night.  We have plans to go the Hotel Sask. for Sunday brunch along with Janice, Mike and Nicole.  It is for our anniversary and an early Mother's Day.

Miscellaneous Updates

I haven't blogged for almost two weeks so thought I would post some miscellaneous updates of what we have been doing in the last while. 

One reason I haven't felt too inspired for things like blogging is that I have been having more trouble with headaches in the last while.  Not anything intense like a migraine, but ongoing tightness or pressure across my head from soreness in my neck and shoulder, mainly on the right side due to the curvature of my back.  I have still been going to work each day but it makes me quite tired by evening.  I am thankful that I still get many good days.  

Elaine has been busy in the last while with more practices for spring choir concerts.  Her main concert was a week ago including a composition made for the 25th anniversary of their choir.  But much of it was sung by a smaller subset of the choir as well as a lengthy organ solo.  I was wishing it would feature more of the whole choir.    The second half of that concert was Mass of the Children by John Rutter.   From the style of classical music I was assuming it was from the 1800s but was surprised to see it was completed in 2003.   They were joined by a children's choir and soloists and accompanied by the symphony and pipe organ.  It was really beautiful blending together singing in English and Latin.   Next week the choir will be at a symphony performance to sing with them for one of the pieces, so I will likely go to hear that as well.    Also a few weeks ago someone called who had some free symphony tickets so we went to a performance that night including a piano soloist.  I think Elaine enjoyed going to a concert where she could just sit and listen.

Another thing we have done is go to a couple of Mike's soccer games.  He was in the WCP Cup again this year on the Ukraine team.  We were at a game last night that they lost so unfortunately are not going on the playoffs.   This is an excellent event each year with good-sized enthusiastic crowds.

The other sports-related update is that we have been watching the NHL playoffs that are in the first round.   Tonight we just watched an exciting win by Montreal over Washington in game 6 of their series.  They were serious underdogs and no one gave them a chance to take it to a game 7.    And with a win last night, Vancouver is the only other Canadian team still in the playoffs.

Anyhow I said it was miscellaneous update from health to classical music to sports ....
                 

No Place Like Home

Today April 13 is a memorable date for me since it was exactly 3 years ago today that I was able to come home from hospital after being there for 7 weeks.  In January and February 2007 I had already been in hospital twice for 10 days and for 7 days.  Then I was back in critical condition with complete respiratory failure at the end of February and was there until April 13 recovering.   I can't really express how happy and thankful I was to be able to go home.  I was very well cared for in hospital but as I titled this post there is "No Place Like Home!"  

Today I had another trach change. One trach tube is removed and the other one which I have cleaned and sterilized is inserted.  I have posted previous updates with the label Health about my trach and using a ventilator at night.  Today's trach change was the 28th time since I was home from the hospital. (But who's counting?)  They used to be every 4 weeks and now they are extended to every 6 to 7 weeks.  I like the respiratory therapist who does them now.  The procedure is becoming fairly routine and I am usually only at the hospital for about a half hour.    

As I mentioned in my previous post I saw the respiratory specialist doctor last week.  He very happy about how I am doing and said I can come back in 2 years to see him again. Another indicator of my respiratory condition is that I used 1/2 the amount of oxygen in the last year than I was previously using. All in all I thank God for His goodness and all the people praying for me.  

Blowing in the Wind

This is another day here where the main news in the weather.   We have had high gusty winds since last night up to 80 km/hr in the night and over 100 km/hr this morning.     It has still been up over 90 km/hr this afternoon, and this is supposed to continue tomorrow.   The highest wind at Regina hit 104 km/hr, Lucky Lake was up to 117 km/hr and Swift Current 115 km/hr. In the south the high wind is blowing dust, but farther northwest there is a snow storm.   It is a good day to stay in if you can.

I worked from home today except that I had to go out to a doctor appointment just before noon when the winds were the highest.  I was glad that Elaine dropped me off at the front entrance of the hospital so I did not have to be out long in the wind.   The good news is that the respiratory specialist was very happy about how I am doing and said I can come back in 2 years to see him again.  I am very thankful for that.

UPDATE:  Today (Saturday)  the winds are still up to about 70 km/ hr a little less than the storm yesterday.  Here is a link to a news story about the storm damage.  Yesterday the SGI building downtown had some panels come loose in the wind and people were evacuated and 11th Avenue was closed causing some major chaos.  Houses lost some shingles and siding.  There were a lot of power outages  around the province.  A section of highway 11 between Regina and Saskatoon  was closed due to semi trailers blown over by the wind.  It sounds like the worst of the blizzard in the northwest was in the Rosetown up to Lloydminster area.  All in all quite a wild day. 

Wonderful Name He Bears

A song I was thinking about recently is "Wonderful Name He Bears."   We sometimes sing the chorus and that is the part I know.  I looked it up and found it is a hymn written by Alfred H Ackley in 1938. These are the words of the chorus: 

Wonderful name he bears,

Wonderful crown he wears,

Wonderful blessings his triumphs afford;

Wonderful Calvary,

Wonderful grace for me,

Wonderful love of my wonderful Lord.

I found a recording of a choir singing  Wonderful Name He Bears with all the verses.  It is a beautiful hymn with the Easter message.  

* PS:  We are gone up to North Battleford for the Easter weekend.  I scheduled this to post Friday morning for Easter.