A lot to be thankful for [an update]

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Three years ago in July, my sister went into the hospital. She was very sick and had horrible headaches all the time.

It turned out that she had a brain tumor about the size of a small orange.

The doctors were able to remove most of the tumor during three consecutive surgeries, but my sister continued to have a lot of pain and infections. She had to have the plate in her head replaced three times because of infections. She had to have balloons put under the skin of her head so they could blow them up with saline to make the skin expand. After numerous surgeries (I believe she had 17 in all) the skin on her head had shrunk and there was no where to sew it together anymore and not enough room for her plate.

She wore a helmet for three months at a time while the plate was out giving her head time to heal.

She went through a lot. More than many of us would endure.

Today she celebrated her 50th birthday! I was so happy for her. We surprised her with a car parade that drove around her driveway. There were around 50 cars led by an ambulance and two fire trucks.

She was shocked to tears. She kept saying, "I am so overwhelmed." It was beautiful to see all the people who came out in support of my sister. Many of her former students came out to show her support, too. That really touched her heart.

A lot in her life has changed since her surgery. She can no longer drive. Because the tumor was on her right lobe, she doesn't see anything on her left side. She hasn't been able to drive in nearly three years. She hasn't been able to work.

She said to me tonight, "I just wanted to see people. I thought everyone had forgotten about my birthday. I have been locked in my house for three years."

I said, "Oh, you mean three months?"

I was thinking narrowly of the pandemic. I wasn't even thinking that for the past nearly three years she had been a prisoner in her own home because of the tumor and its lasting effects on her.

As I looked at this incredible woman, I marveled at how thankful she always seems to be, for everything. I realized, too, that I have a lot to be thankful for.

I also was able to see my mom and dad today. I got to wish my dad a Happy Father's Day.

I was slapped with the reality that I really have a lot to be thankful for. I have a sister who is still recovering, but alive and doing well.

I have both my parents still living and mostly well.

There is a lot to be glad about in my life.

What things do you have to be grateful or thankful or glad for in your life? I am guessing there is more good than bad.

Thanks for reading. Hoping you all have a great week!

With 2020 Vision,
Karin 😎

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Recent Comments

47

Prayers for your sister. I have a lot to be thankful for 3 beautiful kids, a boyfriend who I’m madly in love with who treats me like a queen and friends and family. I have a roof over my head and food on my table and cloths on my back thanks to God. I am blessed and couldn’t be happier unless of course I married my boyfriend lol. Have a great day.

Awesome, Regina! πŸ‘πŸ‘

That is great, Regina! So much to be thankful for! Thank you for sharing!

With 2020 Vision,
Karin 😎

Thank you Jeff. Have a great day.

Ree Ed gina

You're very welcome, and I plan to , Regina!

Jeff

What a display of affection for your sister. I am glad to hear that she is doing better. This should be an inspiration to all of us to care for those close to us and to treat all with dignity and respect. Your sister is definitely a fighter. May she continue to improve.
Jerry

Thanks for reading, Jerry.

We love that girl! We are hoping that she is in the next phase of her healing and that she will eventually be able to return to work. She really misses the kids she worked with at the elementary school. Many of them were in the car parade to wish her well! It was very touching hearing them shout out her name and wish her happy birthday.

With 2020 Vision,
Karin 😎😎

Hi Karin. There is something about turning your attention to the blessings in life that transforms your perspective.
It always helps me to think of what I can be thankful for especially in these days of negativity that the world seems so captivated with.
Have a blessed day and thank you for sharing.
Ray

Thank you, Ray. It is certain that looking for the good can make a big difference in our lives. With so much negativity, I thought it was important to share this. And if we look around, there is so much of it. We can see the forest for the trees if we really look.

With 2020 Vision,
Karin 😎

A heart touching post Karin, so glad that your sister is still with you all.
Yes we all have so much to be thankful for.
I had a blood clot on my lung in January just before all the Covid19 pandemic and almost didn't make it.
But I am here today to write this response due to the quick thinking and response of my wife. She got me to the hospital instead of having to wait for an ambulance, which probably saved my life. I am thankful for our NHS too we are so blessed to have a free health service like it.
Thank you for the post.

Best wishes and stay safe.
Gaz

Thank you for reading the story, Gaz. I am so glad she is still with us, too. My sister and I were never close before her brain tumor. It has actually made us into true sisters. A kind of blessing in disguise because we have both always wanted this close relationship.

I am so glad that you are here, too. Thank goodness for your wife's quick thinking!

With 2020 Vision,
Karin 😎

I'm grateful for having had the opportunity to see such a beautiful strong family. Thanks for sharing this part of your family.

Greg

Thank you for reading the story, Greg! I noticed something amazing in all three of the photos I shared, my little sis is always smiling! What a truly beautiful spirit she is!

With 2020 Vision,
Karin 😎

Give your sis a hug from me. Tell her its from someone who cares.

I will do that, Greg!

With 2020 Vision,
Karin 😎

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