Today is the first day my B/P has not bottomed out or even gotten to what anyone would call low. I have not had any lightheadedness. I have had some labored breathing but very light. I was able to go out to Logan's Roadhouse when a long term nursing buddy came into town and she organized a last minute get together. Because of not sleeping well because of bursitis I am really tired.

This is our 44th wedding anniversary and told DH that we need to wait until another day to go to Red Lobster. I don't think even fresh warm cheddar biscuits can pick me up today.

Doydie; wishing you and Charlie""Congratulations"" on 44 Years of "wedded bliss".

You had a busy day, minus a decent night's sleep; understandably you are tired. Of course, you are still in recuperation mode too. It is a good idea to pass celebrating at Red Lobster on another day.


Gerry

These 44 years have not been wedded bliss. When my girls were young, one time they asked me why I never divorced him. He is what he says a perfectionist, but what that means he wants us to do things perfectly and if we don't, he is very angry. But he doesn't do any thing perfect and always gives a reason why he isn't doing it right. The girls were in the typical things kids are in like softball, music. Now he was the pitcher for many years on his baseball years. he is a wonderful singer. So when he would go to their games, he hated it and would get mad when they lost a chance to do something right. Music, he would go to one concert and they didn't sound professional and wouldn't want to go back. Well of course they are professional. They are teen age kids. But you have to audition form all 12 schools in the area to get a part. He has the mouth of a sailor and has a lot of road rage.

When he became a Grandpa he became more gentle. He eventually learned to see what other Dads were doing with their kids and he didn't do with his. So he started doing a lot fo things to make up for those lost years. Now most of it involved money and what they would have enjoyed was physical time and hugs and kisses.

After he retired he then became even more mellow and thinking of others. then came the heart attack, then the very humbling ulcerative colitis and ileostomy. You lose dignity and you have to redefine yourself.

So through all of this he has become a different person than who he was many years ago. I loved him for the dignity he treated his Mother, the fact that even though I had MS, he said in his wedding vows that he would love me through sickness and health, good time and bad times.

Now he has Parkinson's, an ileostomy, has to resort to others doing things for him and knowing he has to treat those who do something for him have to be treated with respect.

So these 44 years have been a process, sometimes easy, sometimes hard and a lot of tears. Now he is learning how to give me what I call a Peterson hug. That's my family name and the big loving hug we give whether it is needed or now. He frequently gives it. And some say you can't teach an old dog new tricks!

So that's my story of 44 years of marriage. I have taught our daughters that in this world of easy divorce, you have commitment, you work for what you want, good times, bad times but it's what you find at the end is what important.

Well doydie;you stuck thru "thick and thin"; it appears a portion of those years was the "thin". Hopefully your daughters have learned love/commitment and good times don't always work in that order. But it appears these past few years Charlie has had to learn some lessons starting with "appreciation", as well as "some tricks".

You must have been very young when you were diagnosed with MS to have had it when the two of you married 44 years ago. He also showed what commitment/love is all about by taking his wedding vows quite seriously in spite of you having MS.


Gerry

I was 47 when diagnosed which I don't consider young. I guess I didn't state that right in my previous post. Maybe I needed a comma? I had read somewhere in the neurotalk forum of some one that had a marriage break up because of her MS. It was just much of a burden on the husband and he didn't want to stay with her anymore. Ihad asked my husband that night how he felt about it and he said that in our marriage vows he had said those words and he meant it. We were both healthy and active when we were married in 1972. Our journey has hit a crooked road and we have to stop and take some side paths now. But we decide together and am ready and waiting to get back on the straight path once more.

My oldest daughter has always wanted the kind of marriage my parents had. It was a beautiful marriage to model one's own from. So far they have succeeded in it. They are very open in their affection for each other which Christina saw that very often when she was around her grandparents. And she saw them go through sickness and health and still love each other just like the day they married.They had a very devoted marriage. Now Charlie's parents I think by the time our kids were born were on their 3rd or 4th marriage. All of Charlie's siblings are on their 4 marriage. I don't know whether our youngest would have stayed with her ex if he hadn't given good reason to divorce. She had lost all love and respect for him long before. But yet Christina and Paul waited until their wedding night to have any sex, they were both virgins. Michelle was living with her husband when they got married. Maybe to much TMI??? But it all explains their commitment not only to their spouse but to God

doydie,
When rereading the sentences; it makes perfect sense you were stating even though you had MS he took his vows very seriously. Both of you are obviously very committed to one another.

You were very fortunate to have loving parents. That most likely plays a significant role in the way you come across looking at things, even tho some might not have the best outcome, in a way that usually leaves me with a smile; including your maybe TMI??? You come across very open and not pretentious .

Hoping you are feeling stronger with more energy every day.


Gerry

Wow Doydie! You have both been through the wringer!

Glad to read there is improvement in your health.

It's so wonderful to read about a couple that has worked through the tough times and stayed together! Glad to hear things are better for you there as well.

Keep up the great work!

Happy Anniversary!

I am glad to hear you had a good and stable day! I hope it was the first in a trend upward for you.

How are you doing, Doydie? I hope things are continuing to get better for you. I have been praying for you!

Doydie - I hope all is okay with you. Please check in when you get a chance. I'm getting a little worried, my friend. You know how we all worry.

Keeping you in my prayers.