Deb, I love you, and you’re my world

Hello my friends, and welcome back to visit with us, here in Ridin’ Out the Recession! It’s great to have you guys back with us, thanks!

Well guys, I have some news I’d like to share with you all this morning.

I have to start off by saying simply, what a great bunch of people each and every one of you are. Thank you so much for first, the reception you gave us in regards to our column, and secondly, the support you’ve given us since its inception.

Many of you have literally become friends, and are considered by us as such. This being the case, I’d like to share with you the hand that has just been dealt to us.

In the last couple of weeks, we noticed Deb had a lump on her breast. This in itself was traumatic, but we went to her doctor who looked at it and took some tests. This was last week.

He suggested a surgeon for us to go see, and we immediately set up an appointment for Wed. at 11 am this week, two days ago.

Wed. morning, I had a meeting I had to attend, and got back home about 9 that morning.

As soon as I came up to the porch, I looked at Deb, and knew something was up. She wasn’t crying but was visibly shaken. We sat dawn and she informed me, our worst fear had been confirmed…cancer of the left breast.
I asked her why had her primary care Doctor told her this over the phone, and especially while I was not at home with her? Her answer to me was that she had actually forced the issue and he told her.

You couldn’t have taken a ball bat, and knocked the wind out of me any worse. Actually, I was devastated! We had our moments, talked over things we felt we needed to do, comforted each other, then decided we’d make the best of a bad situation and simply…go forward.

Let me step up and say this. I know that many, many of you have experienced this, or know of family or friends who have been through this, or something very similar. Deb and I both are in this same boat. BUT, until it hits close to home, you have no idea the emotions felt…it truly is a game changer.

Please pray for Deb with me. If I could fight this instead of her, I’d do it a thousand times over…but I can’t. I can only be there to support her, and this in itself is hard for me.

I’ve always fought and scrapped throughout my life, fought my own battles, and never understood what being told no, or you can’t do it meant. But now I’m on the sidelines, having to watch my Deb, fight this alone. It’s tough, please help us with your support.

I know the good Lord is involved in this fight as well, and is looking over Deb now, no differently than any other time in her life, and if you know him, you surely understand the comfort he brings to us. He never puts more on you than you can carry!

Okay, our game plan.

To be honest, we’ve gotten excellent reports from the surgeon, number one, and then from the, I call him the “chemo-man,” this simply because I know what he is, but can’t spell the dern thing.

The surgeon told us both that she’ll be fine, and I’m telling you, this seems to be one great guy! Very comforting in his prognosis, and very attentive as well as informative, in his answers to any questions you may have. On top of this, time is of no concern in the regards of however many questions you may have, he is in absolutely no hurry to have you finish up.

I told Deb, I believe if we could have kept coming up with more questions, I swear I believe he would have still been sitting there conversing with us. I was truly impressed with his attitude, his casualness, and his knowledge of his chosen profession!

First visit down, great prognosis received! YES!!

Yesterday we went to the “chemo-man,” and honestly, this was another great, great guy! I believe the Lord has blessed Deb with two very good Doctors and I know I feel much better. Actually, I feel as if a ton of bricks has been lifted off me, and I know just from being around Deb, that she feels much better now, than first thing Wednesday morning!

Second visit down, another great report!

Now we have two more tests this next week, and are looking at surgery sometime the week of the 25th of April.

So, I’m sitting here today, elated actually of what news we’ve received so far. Thank you, Lord!

If anyone has experienced this, please let us know. We’d like to hear anything you guys might be able to share with us. Possibly we may be of some help to you as well. I know many times it helps just to talk about it. To Deb and I both, talking is second nature, and I’m not sure either of us weren’t speaking to the Doctor, upon our arrival.

We love this column, and the opportunity it presents for us to meet and converse with some wonderful people. This we’ve already experienced firsthand, and we love you guys for this!

Deb and I both love to hear from you all, and even though I may be speaking for her in this regard, she’d enjoy very much hearing from you. It doesn’t have to be on the subject of cancer, or the problems any of us face in regards to this, but helping us in our column by telling a story, sending a recipe, giving advice of any sort, just communicating is all.

This I know would put a smile on Deb’s face, as she looks so forward to the comments you send in to us!

I hope it’s not too much to ask, as we’re both very aware that we all have problems, many daily. But if you could find a few minutes to jot something down, we’d be happy to post it for you.

I’ll be getting back into the swing of things, and I know Deb will too, but this last couple of weeks have been tough on us both. The not knowing was probably the toughest, and now, after realizing what we’re dealing with, we at least know what direction to head.

The last few columns were kinda’ tough, and I’m sure you may have noticed through your readings, we were struggling a little in this regard. To be honest, it was just hard to focus. Again, we now know what we’re up against, and we begin to get back into the swing of our daily lives. This, in itself is such a blessing!

We’re going to take the rest of the day, and the weekend to spend some good quality time with each other. We both love working in the garden, so we’ll be in it some for sure, but we’re going to do just what we feel like.

I’ll tell you all this. She is such an inspiration to me. Her toughness, steadfastness, her positive outlook, and her faith in God are shining examples of her true character. I’ve known Deb a long time, and she still amazes me simply from the strength of her character once again.

She is loved by me, her family, and her friends, and she gives it back in return. If you know her, you like her, but if you do her wrong, you’ll know! Sounds like personal experience talking at this point, huh?
Let me say this as well. Mark, or Red, has been such a big help to Deb and I both. To have been “such a pain,” growing up, what a fine young man he has turned out to be. We’re proud of him yes, but all of our other children too! We’ve been blessed in this department as well!

At the moment we do have a wonderful prognosis once again, but we’re not letting our guard down.

For Deb, I love you, and you’re my world, and I probably don’t say it enough, but honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without you…and your aggravatin’ self!

She’s only asked that I be strong for her, and to stay funny, that’s it. The first part I’ll have to work on with what we’re faced with, but the second, why that’s just a given… “piece a cake!”

In closing today, give your spouse, or you children a hug. Tell them you love them, and how much they mean to you, tomorrow is never a given!

Thank you all so much for the opportunity to vent to you guys this morning! Honestly, you have no idea how much this has meant for me to do so. I really feel better, just from you all lending me your ear today!

Please bear with us, and if we may be of any help or comfort to you in return, please, NEVER hesitate to contact us! You’ll see as time goes on, we try to “practice what we preach!”

Everyone’s support who was already aware of this has left us simply awestruck! What a great feeling to see and hear that people love you, especially when it’s simply because they love you only…for being you! The ultimate compliment! Thank you guys so much!

To Judi and Brian…we love you guys. Your thoughts, your feelings, and your support have been so very helpful. You guys are the best! How you’ve put up with Deb is understandable, but me…I still haven’t figured this one out!
Thank you all for stopping by today to visit. All other times are so appreciated, but today, well, it’s truly special to us!

May God Bless each and every one of you!

Dub and My Deb!