My Tender Mercies

Blogging is definitely fun. Tonight, however, is a blog from the heart. Tonight I am overwhelmed. I simply want to share what I think is definitely another series of My Tender Mercies.

The title comes from my favorite conference talk in 2005 from Elder Bednar. It hit me hard the first time I heard it and continues to influence my life.

I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are real and that they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Often, the Lord’s timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them. ...Elder Bednar, 2005

I want to recognize some tender mercies that have come Jon and my way:

1) My retirement. This has been more difficult than I want to admit. Yet everyday I am more sure and every moment I am more thankful that it had to be. I have needed this time (and no school pressure) to deal with my family and some of our concerns.

Since Jon's adventure with Leukemia and the side effects, I have been overly concerned with his legs, the swelling, the sores (or ulcers), the color, and especially his lack of mobility. The problems have continually increased. Three different, excellent doctors have told us that he would just have to live with the problem. I was convinced he would in the future lose his legs.

In July we were visiting Jeff and Lydia in Minnesota. Tender Mercy #2) Jeff. What an incredible son-in-law. I simply looked at him one day and asked him if he thought there was anything a doctor could do. He just happened to be working that week, the one week in his entire 8 year medical career, in the Lymphedema unit at the Mayo Clinic. "Yes," he states. "Jon has lymphedema. He should see one of our doctors."

Coincidence? It continues.

Jeff called a few weeks later and told us he had arranged an appointment with an excellent lymphedema specialist. Lydia kept reminding us over and over to not miss this appointment. Jon and I began making our arrangements for another Minnesota trek.

Tender Mercy #3) Kristin. Kristin was invaluable to us during Jon's leukemia. There is no way we could have made the strides and recovery without her unselfish giving. She took care of the household and many problems so I could give my attention to Jon.

Well, bless Kristin's heart, she gave me a job at Jaker's a few months ago. She became my boss and trainer as I became the restuarant's bookkeeper. It gets me up and out of bed every morning. We also redeveloped our fun (and funny) relationship. What a hoot! I am amazed and overwhelmed as I watch her at the art of restuarant-ing. She is good! In fact, Jaker's asked her to join the management team with training in Great Falls, MT.

Oh no. The training takes place while we are in Minnesota. So...what better than to take Jack with us. Better for me and Jon, of course. We love this kid. More importantly, it came at a perfect time when Kristin and Jack need to be away from Idaho Falls. The three grandkids are having a blast. I am having a blast. Kristin can go to Great Falls, etc. etc. etc.

Double Oh No. Jeff's aunt died. It is a long story, but he and Lydia really need to be at the funeral in Los Angeles this weekend. They cannot afford the $1200 roundtrip ticket for Jeff, let alone Lydia. What's this? Another Tender Mercy--two roundtrip tickets AND a rental car for a grand total of $400. Oh man, this just doesn't happen.

And we are here to take care of the kids. Perfect.

Then Jon and I go to the Mayo for his first consultation. At this first meeting of the doctor we get the next two weeks schedule. Some days (like today) start at 7 am and go to 5 pm. How will I do this AND watch three kids.

Jon can go by himself. I will watch the kids. This is what we decide until he comes out of his first appointment with wrapppings around his legs and surgical shoes. He looks like a cross between Star Wars and The Mummy. There is no way he can drive.

Now what? Tommy has kindergarten, Anna has preschool, Tommy has swimming lessons, Jeff and Lydia need rides to the airport, grandma now has worries.

Tender Mercy Major: All the thousand of scheduled appointments, they all work around the conflicts listed above. Lydia only had to find a babysitter for two hours tomorrow for Anna and Tommy. Everyone here is so willing to help. Wow!

Jon's condition: We met with the most incredible Physical Therapist, Lucia from Romania. Her story is interesting and requires a separate blog. She wrapped Jon's legs in this stuff from Germany (of course).

Several hours later we went back. Lucia began measuring his toes and ankles and thighs. It began with, "oh this is vedy gud" and soon went to, "this is vedy, vedy, vedy, gud. Amazing." Jon is responding beyond my belief. Tonight he has ankles!!! The swelling is down and will continue...

Lucia is teaching me how to wrap his legs. The best part is putting the wrap between his toes, something that he absolutely cannot handle. He actually went pale the first time she ventured near his toes. It was hilarious. I enjoyed learning this step--getting even time.

The Mayo Clinic is undescribable. One needs to experience the warmth and professionalism to really understand what makes this institution a miracle to so many people. Jon and I met and saw people today that make our problems seem miniscule. Jon was near tears several times as he talked with cancer patients. It once again makes us understand the blessings and miracles we have experienced in the last 5 years.

I'm sure there are hundred and one more so-called coincidences that we have been blessed with, but the night is late and I gotta git these kids to bed.