Three Years
Heart Damage 💔
Three years without Morgan on Earth. I talked or texted with her nearly every day of her life. I miss her and wonder what would be happening in her life. I also wonder what happens in her life where she is now. I listened to a fair share of NDE (Near Death Experience) podcasts again this year, and they always help me move forward knowing she’s in a better place.
This was a rough year with my husband's diagnosis early on, then busy with treatments, surgeon changes, travel, and airbnb snafus. We drove up to Indianapolis on Tuesday November 25th to prepare for the Whipple Surgery on Friday the 28th. Greg’s sister, Debbie, and my son Evan and his girlfriend also came up for Thanksgiving and surgery day. Debbie stayed with us in Indianapolis the entire time (December 6th), and she was a gift. I could not have coped as well without her. She’s been one of Greg’s biggest encouragers all year, and when you look, there are some mighty great things that happen along with terrible things. Experiencing the love and support of people is a blessing never to be taken for granted.
From what science can see right now, Greg is now cancer free! Recovery has been hard, harder than anything all year, but as I write this, a month later, we may have finally figured out how to manage the pain correctly, as it feels like we’re turning a corner today.
We had the follow-up appointment on December 23rd, where we did receive that wonderful news. Strange to know the worst date of the year now also has some good attached to it.
We stayed overnight in Nashville at Debbie’s house on the way back down to Huntsville on the 23rd, and although Greg was in too much pain to attend, the rest of us went to the Hendersonville Chipotle for our annual Chipotle Remembrance dinner and gift card giveaway. It was fun and I love making this a tradition to remember for the young great niece and nephews.
On Christmas Eve, my nephew’s wife sent a text that truly brightened the rest of our holiday. I hope you read what was written because you'll see that God orchestrates details in all of our lives just so. Customers were fairly scarce at the time of night we still had more giftcards to dispurse, and we talked of packing up and walking over to the Home Depot instead, but we didn't. One of the patrons who came in after that discussion posted this on Facebook…
As of yesterday, apparently the post had around 450 likes. Morgan lives on in this way, and that helps a lot.
If you haven't taken the time to read or listen to The Rebel’s Hike, between now and January 5th when the world turns on again, might be the perfect time. If you have read or listened and haven't written a review yet, will you consider it now? As long as things go as expected, we plan to begin to promote it soon! Thanks!
THE REBEL'S HIKE click on link
I hope you all have a happy and healthy 2026!
Joan, I am so glad to see this update, and I have been thinking of you and Greg. And I am so happy to hear he is in remission and that December 23 has some good associated. And I haven't told you that my daughter's part time college job is at Chipotle - now I will have to tell her about Morgan (you know my husband knows and mentions you both if he sees a GBH before I do). I also love that his sister has been a source of encouragement for both of you. I second the sentiment behind the social media post - you have been a source of hope and encouragement even in your deep grief for Morgan. Thank you for sharing your grief to offer others hope.
Hello and happy new year Joan! I am so glad to hear that things are going well for you and your husband and it's wonderful to hear that the cancer is gone, such a blessed miracle! I had been thinking about you a lot the last few weeks. So glad you have lots of love and support from your sister-in-law and of course your son and his girlfriend. Please keep us up-to-date on everything. We will be praying and looking forward to more good news in the new year.
Just curious if you're still taking your walks! Also, I hope your job is going well and that KK is doing well too! I miss your regular posts. I have to admit I had to look up KK's name because I could picture her but had forgotten her name since I'm not reading your daily posts. I sure am glad when you do make a post. I can't believe it's been three years. In some ways. It doesn't seem like even more than one year ago that I was laying here in the same spot reading your first post that i discovered. Your faith and hope have certainly gotten you through and I am so thankful that you have the fruits of the Holy Spirit. I am also very grateful that you have shared your journey with us. You have been very much an inspiration to me and others God bless you, my friend and love you!