Toughman Contest

Our youngest son, Drew recently entered and trained for a Toughman Contest.
Drew has lost and kept off over 100 pounds. He looks great. He is very diligent in his daily exercise and in watching what he eats. I am so proud of him.
When he announced to Pops and I that he was going to compete I was very worried. Drew has never been a fighter. I wouldn't consider him to be aggressive either.
But he was very adamant that this was something that he wanted to do. So he trained hard for it.
The competition was held in West Virginia at a High School. It was scheduled for 2 days.
Everyone would fight the first evening and if you won, you would move on to the next day. If you lost, you were eliminated.
Of course Pops and I was on the road at this time so I asked Shelbie, Drew's girlfriend, to please keep me updated. So 2 minutes before his first fight she sent me a text to let me know.
Oh my!
After about 7 minutes I got another text from her telling me that he had won and was moving on the next day.
Later that evening Drew texted me and was all excited. I still cannot believe he was doing this.
Again the next day Shelbie let me know when he was about to fight. After a few minutes she texted me back and told me that he thinks he broke his thumb during the fight but was going to fight the next round anyway. What?!?!
After a few minutes that seemed like a very long time, she let me know that he had won his second fight.
Now he was in the semi-finals.
There was a little time between his fights, I guess about an hour or so. Then she let me know he was about to fight his third fight.
How on earth is he going to fight with a broken thumb?
In a little while I got a text from Shelbie telling me that Drew had lost this fight by judges decision. He had fought the fight until the end, but was no declared the winner.
I was so glad that it was all over and that he didn't have his nose broken. Now I could stop worrying about his craziness. Yeah, that's what I thought.
But then my phone rang. It was Drew. He was so excited telling me all about his fights. And telling me how next year was going to win the whole thing!
Well, I guess that gives me a year to toughen up my nerves. A mom can't hardly take this kind of stuff.


PS While we were home this past time, Drew brought the video from his fights up to the house for us to watch. And I have to admit, he looked really good. I was impressed.
I am so very proud of that young man.

Medicated again

As soon as we got to Walmart Pops and I went inside. I went straight to the Pharmacy and got Pops' meds. I thought that he would take them and go back to the truck, but he surprized me by wanting to walk around the store and help me shop for some groceries.
We needed quite a few things so I walked around picking up what was on our list.
I passed the frozen foods and noticed some chicken wings in different flavors. I thought I might get some because Sunday is the superbowl and we will be watching. So as I put the bag into the cart something caught my eye. It was a little lizard. It was in my cart.
I asked Pops to get it out. He tried to calm me by telling me that it wouldn't hurt me. I don't care if it will or not, get it out of my cart. I don't even want it touching me or my things.
He picked it up by the tail and put it on the floor and immediately it scampered into a potato chip display. okay.
We continued walking around the store until we had everything on our list. We paid and took our stuff to the truck.
It seems like we no sooner had it all put away when we got a load offer. It was picking up in Darlington, SC and going to Alabama. I was really enjoying being in the south. Charlotte was still chilly, but the sun is shining and surely Alabama will be warmer.
So Pops tried to rest while I drove us to our pickup. We drove right past the Darlington Speedway. That was cool. And I saw a water tower that said, Alligator water. I wanted to take a picture but I missed getting one and then on the other end of town was another water tower but this one said, Alligator rural water. I did get a picture of it.
My heart was happy to be in the sunshine. And it was getting warmer. I even saw some daffodils blooming.
We made our pickup and then headed south toward Montgomery, Alabama.
It was a really nice drive. But then we got to Atlanta around 7pm. Honestly this city always has the most traffic and everyone drives like they are on a speedway.
By nightfall we were in Alabama and getting close to our delivery.
The place we were going was about 70 miles of two lane rural roads so it was slow going. It seemed to take us forever but we finally got the load off and then we were heading back to Montgomery for our layover.
Pops is still feeling pretty bad. He is still getting the bladder spasms. I feel really badly for him. I wish there was something I could do to help him.
I slept really well, but he didn't. He barely slept at all.
The day here was fantastic. It was 71 degrees and sunny. We have a pretty good parking space and the dogs are enjoying their outside time too. It is good medicine for us. And Pops went for several laps around the parking lot.
We got a lot of stuff done today that has been put off. We got to relax. We did have a pretty busy week. We ran everyday since we left the house. So sitting still was nice.
I found a church in the directory and already spoke to the preacher. I am excited to be going to a new one for us tomorrow.
Please, keep Pops in your prayers. I know that he has to be terribly frustrated, but he is being really patient about all of it.

Surgery

Pops was really nervous about his surgery and so was I. We didn't really know what to expect. All we were told was that he would have his prostate shaved and would go home with a catheter and in two days they would take out the catheter and we could go to work on the 4th day, or the 5th in our case because the 4th was Sunday.
Starla and I drove Pops to the Dr's facility. Our good friends, Melvin and Ginny and our preacher, Chad and his wife, Diane were already there.
We went inside and checked in. In about 2 minutes they called us up to the desk and wanted a check for $1500. This was for the cost of using this facility and it had to be paid upfront. Well, at least they have their priorities right, I guess. Anyway...
We waited for a long time. Almost 2 hours past when we were scheduled they took him back for prep. I was able to go with him at this point. They put him into a reclining chair and started his IV and did some vital checks on him. The doctor came and talked to us and then it wasn't long after that they took him into surgery.
I went back to the waiting room. Talking with our friends helped pass the time although I was worried and didn't talk all that much.
After about an hour or so, they came and got me. The doctor told me that everything went well and that he didn't find any surprizes. Was he expecting to? Like what? Remember the little paper wrapped surprizes that always came in the Cracker Jacks? Was he looking for that? I don't know.
So after about another hour, Pops was awake and it was time to go home.
That evening and all the next day Pops felt really well. It seemed like this was our answer for sure.
On Friday morning we drove to the doctor. It was snowing really hard mixed with ice and sleet. Schools were closing and the roads were horrible.
We got to the doctors office and Pops' catheter was removed. We waited for him to pee. Nothing happened. We were told to go walk around the mall, get something to eat and relax. They said give it time, he will pee.
With the bad weather the doctor's office was closing at noon and since it was Friday they didn't want Pops to have an ER visit so we went back to the office and they reinserted the catheter and told us to come back on Monday.
So we had a normal weekend at home and got to go to our home church on Sunday and then to Roof Garden Christian Church on Sunday evening for a hymn sing. It was a good weekend.
Monday morning at 5am, Pops got up and together we removed the catheter. He was to relax at home and see if he could pee. Around noon he still hadn't peed so again we made our way to the doctor. This time though they showed him how to use a straight catheter and get the urine himself without having to leave the catheter in. We got a big supply of stuff and away we went.
Pops did really well by using these and even began to pee a little on his own.
So we put ourselves back into service hoping that everything was going to be ok.
All the next day Pops peed.
We got a load and left home.  We were picking up in Emporium and going to the state of Indiana.
All the next day everything was good. Pops seemed to be doing really well. We had a good load and I felt like everything was back to normal. I was very optimistic and both of us were happy.
But the next day everything changed. We were having an ok morning but then Pops felt like he needed to use the catheter because he wasn't getting totally empty. So he did and immediately he got a horrible bladder spasm that made him scream in pain. It scared the dogs. It scared me. I didn't know what to do. He was hollering and crying. It was awful. After about a half hour it eased up enough for him to lay down. But now that had changed everything. He was in pain each time he urinated. And he wasn't going very much at all.
We were on another load at this time. It picked up in Michigan and was going to Pennsylvania. So we just toughed it out and made our delivery. From there we drove to a rest area and Pops slept. While he slept we got another load that was going to Charlotte, NC.
Pops had called the Dr's office and they called back in the evening. We questioned them and told them what was happening and they said they thought he had another infection. They wanted him on medication. I gave them information of a Walmart store in Charlotte, NC and they were going to fax the prescriptions there. We would have the medicine then right away in the morning.
We picked up our load and drove all through the night and was at our delivery by 6am the next morning. We had to wait until 8 for anyone to unload our truck but then we drove directly to Walmart to get Pops' medicine.
Oh, how I hope and pray it works for him. We need to get on the mend.

Week before surgery

When we decided to work up until Pops' surgery, we hoped to have a good week. Bills were beginning to pile up and we needed the income. But God had other plans for us, as He so often does.
We got a good load when we left the house. We had to drive the whole way to Kentucky to pick it up though.
The evening that we left the house I began to get a sore throat and by the time we got to Kentucky, it was turning into a raging cold. And to make matters worse, it was cold and raining hard and we kept having to get out of the truck and walk from place to place while waiting for our load.
It took ALL day to get that load onto our truck and by the time we were loaded and ready to go all the employees of the base were gone. When we drove up to the gate it was closed and locked with a pad lock. So we maneuvered our truck until we got turned around and drove back to the building were we got loaded hoping that someone was still there. There was another truck just getting ready to leave so we followed him. We reasoned that he probably knew where he was going. But he turned in the direction of the locked gate.
Now what to do? Well, maybe he knows something we don't know. Maybe there's a trick to it. But no, now both of us had to figure out what to do and we looked and felt quite stupid for doing it twice. So we once again drove back to the building where we started.
I called our dispatcher and told him what was happening. He told me that he would make some calls and call me back.
He called back in a few minutes and told us that it was shift change for the guards and someone would be at the gate in a few minutes. So one more time we drove back there. The other truck was still sitting there too.
After a few minutes the guards did show up and let us out. Wow!
So now, Pops laid down and I was driving. I could feel that I had a fever. I kept putting my hand on the cold window then touching it to my face. And I was bawly, like a little kid. I was feeling so sorry for myself. It was a rough drive. I was glad when Pops woke up and started to drive.
I doped myself up with Nyquil and rubbed Vicks cream all over and I went to bed. I did sleep really well too.
We made our trip and then went to the rest area in New Hampshire to wait our layover. I was so sick. I was constantly wiping germs with antibacterial wipes and washing my hands and covering my mouth. I was trying to be careful not to infect Pops. He sure didn't need to get this mess right before his surgery.
Chucky was being an angel. He is old and since Lucy stayed back home, he was the King of the Roost. But he mostly slept and since it was cold and rainy when we did go out, he took care of business and wanted right back in. Good boy!
We decided to drive down to a rest area in Connecticut in hopes of getting a load sooner, but we ended up spending the weekend there anyway. Oh well.
On Monday we got a load that picked up in Connecticut late that night and delivered in New Jersey on Tuesday.
It was a quick and easy load and after we delivered that we went out of service and headed home. Pops' surgery was scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, and he is sneezing like crazy.

Back to Work

We are back to work. It is a brand new year and things in my mind are supposed to be fresh and new but I was heavy and weak and down.
Pops is still not well and the future is uncertain. Jeff is gone and even though we did all we could to help Jane by long distance we weren't there Things just don't feel right and no matter what I do I can't make them right.
Lucy is having trouble with her eye again too. And the dogs both got some sort of stomach virus while we were in Alabama so we had to stop the truck every half hour or so because one of themwas vomiting   or having diarrhea. Oh, boy. I just want to feel alright again.
We ran a few trips here and there but honestly our hearts or minds were not in our work. We had to remember we had to try to work our way home again by the 12th for Pops' Dr. appointment.
He was getting used to the catheter and the antibiotics were helping him to feel better so that was good.
After a few days the dogs got over their mess, except for Lucy's eye. So I called and got her an appointment for the vet while we were going to be home. Turns out her appointment was the exact same day and time as Pops'.
Pops' appointment was on a Saturday and we planned to just be home for the weekend. So imagine our disappointment when our time at home was nothing like we hoped it would be.
We got home and unloaded our dirty clothes and got settled.
We got up the next morning and got ready to go. I was going to the Dr. with Pops and Starla was taking Lucy to her appointment.
Starla dropped us off and we went inside. Since it was Saturday there weren't many people there and we got in right away. The Dr. came in and talked to Pops and explained what he thought was going on and all the different options that we faced. But the hinge was whether or not he was going to pee when the catheter came out. So they once again filled his bladder with water and removed the catheter. And once again no pee! We waited and tried several time but nothing happened.
The Dr. came back into the room and explained to us that it was going to require surgery.
At that same exact moment I got a text from Starla telling me that Lucy was going to have to have surgery on her eye.
Well, I guess getting back to normal was just a little further into the future than what I thought.
So the catheter was once again reinserted and a date was set for surgery, January 23rd.
Starla picked us up and she had 2 different medicines for Lucy and we needed to call and schedule her surgery on Monday.
Pops and I planned to go back into service and work up until his surgery date so it was decided that Lucy would stay behind with Starla and Bill and have her surgery.
We enjoyed a wonderful Lord's day service with all our friends at Wills Mountain. The Sunday school lesson was good and the sermon was really good. I can't wait until we can be here all the time. I really miss all these people especially the beautiful ladies of the First Place group.
We went into service on Sunday afternoon but didn't get our load until Monday. So we packed up our truck and said our goodbyes and away we went, leaving Lucy behind. :(
Hopefully she will do fine on Tuesday, that is when her surgery is scheduled.

Jeff Duncan

On January 2, 2013 my very good friend and brother in Christ, Jeff Duncan, passed away. I just felt like the wind was knocked right out of me.
I have known Jeff ever since he came to Wills Mountain. He and I hit it off right away. We had similar personalities and we seemed to be able to work together very well.
I respected his knowledge of the Bible. And I thought that he was a really good teacher.
He and I worked together for many years as coaches and advisors for our Bible team. We traveled to many churches to cheer our team on.
We worked together on many projects, like Bibleschool, Camp Meeting, and many others. I truly respected and loved him.
Jeff and his wife Jane became very close friends to me and Pops.
When Pops and I came out on the road Jeff and Jane became our most devoted followers and encouragers. We remained in constant phone contact and I had just begun to send Jeff and Jane postcards from each of the states that we visited.
I will miss him so much. I know that his last year had been really hard on him and Jane. I know his struggle was incredibly hard.
Jeff loved The Lord with his whole BIG heart. He wanted everyone to as well, especially the young people.
I know many people have been influenced by Jeff's faith. I know he made an impact on my life.
I will miss you as a teacher. I will miss you as a confidant. I will miss you as a respected friend, but mostly I will miss you as my brother.
But in the words of Jane, his wife, "I would never wish to have him back." Enjoy Paradise, Jeff. I am thrilled you finished the race so well.

Time at Home

Pops and I did get a load that was coming east. It was going to Virginia. So we made that delivery and I was getting real excited to go home. Our layover option was to go to Harrisburg and to get paid for that we had to stay there for at least 12 hours. So that is what we did.
Our truck was due for inspection so we thought that we might as well have that done to help pass some time. So we went to the garage at the truckstop and they inspected our truck. But to our disappointment it did not pass. We found out that we had an exhaust leak. So we left there and decided to get the work done while home.
We made an appointment for our truck the next day in Bedford which was on our way home to get our generator fixed and to see if they could get us the pipe for our truck. They could but what we didn't know was that we would be there all day long.
As the day went on and on and we waited for the parts to come and the work to get done, it began to snow and sleet. And by 9pm when we left there it was a downright blizzard.
We didn't have any problems traveling until we turned off the main highway on our rural roads. We knew immediately that we had made a mistake. And sure enough we got ourselves in a mess. We couldn't make it up one of the hills.
Pops was driving and he kept the truck moving, inching up the hill. But it was clear that without some  intervention we weren't going to make it. I did not was to try to back down the hill because half way down was a very sharp curve.
A man was watching us out one of the windows of his house. Before long I saw him coming through the yard pushing a wheelbarrow full of ashes. He began to throw shovelfuls of ashes under our rear wheels and we gained enough traction to make it up the hill. We never even got to thank him for helping us although Pops did blow the airhorn.
We had a very treacherous and scary ride home but we did finally make it and I was so glad to be there. My nerves were shot and I just wanted to go off and cry or something. But after I had gotten a shower and settled down it was all good.
We at such a nice time at home.
Our holidays was spent with just our family. Over the weekend we celebrated with Bill's kids. I always enjoy having them around. It was a nice time.
On Sunday we went to church at Wills Mountain and I cannot express how happy I am to get there to be with all my wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ. There is nowhere else I would rather be on this earth.
During the day on Monday my bestfriend and sister, Amy and her whole family came down for a visit. We exchanged gifts and ate some good food. They didn't stay very long though because it started to sleet and get nasty.
Monday was Christmas Eve and this is traditionally the time when our family has it's celebration. I was really missing my dad since this is the first Christmas since he has passed away. But Drew and Shelby and Tom came up and Bill and Starla were here and we had a really good time.
I love my kids. I love my family more than they know.
Tuesday, Christmas Day was a quiet day. It was me and Pops and Bill and Starla. We spent the day just doing odd and end things and really just relaxing. Of course there was so much good food too.
Wednesday was Pops' Dr. appointment. We were so very happy that he wasn't going to have to wear this nasty catheter anymore.
When we got there, they filled his bladder with water and removed the catheter. We waited for him to pee but nothing happened. Okay.
The Dr. convinced us that Pops had a problem with his prostate and that he needed some medicine that would shrink it and he would be able to pee. So we left there with high hopes and a new medicine.
We got home and Pops still didn't pee. We waited and waited and waited and nothing happened other than he was in pain and misery. So by 3am we were in the car headed to the ER to get another catheter. Great.
Pops had an appointment on Jan 12 and 2 weeks worth of medicine so he decided to live with the catheter until then. So we spent the rest of the holiday week at home.
It was such a nice time other than the prostate problem. But we are trusting God and many are praying for him, so it will all be good.
We stayed home throughout the holiday and got a trip that was picking up on January 2nd in Wilmington, DE going to Huntsville, Alabama.