So Much To Be Thankful For

     On today, the day of Thanksgiving, I truly have so much to be thankful for. Me and my family have been through quite a bit. We have gone through some drastic changes that has significantly impacted our life the last 22 months. Although there has been a lot of adjusting, and learning to cope with all the obstacles that come with PNE, there has also been so many good things that we have been blessed with while on this difficult road. I thought what a great day to share and express my gratitude for everyone that has been on this journey with us.

     First off, I am most thankful to my husband, he has stuck by my side in the most difficult of circumstances. I'm not going to lie, this has been very difficult on us, but with time we have grown together and not apart. I am thankful he has stayed so strong and has been so supportive through this journey.  He has stepped up and taken on so much more of the responsibilities for our children and around our home, while continuing to work full-time as our main provider. I am very thankful we have found our way through this together.

     Of course my kids have been so resilient through all of this, they have adapted to the restrictions and limitations that keeps me from doing the things that most moms do on a day to day basis. I have had days that I think "how in the world am I suppose to care for my kids", when I am struggling myself to get through the day. But on most days my kids are the ones that push me along and keep me moving forward. They Love me no matter what, and for this I am very thankful.

     I am thankful for our parents. Without their help while away in Turkey, I wouldn't be where I am today, which is the road of recovery, and hopefully soon a pain free life. Since returning from Turkey, my mom has been here every day taking care of me and my kids, and our home. She has stepped in and helped me in any way possible, so that I won't over do it, and can give my body a chance to heal and recover. So thankful for parents, especially moms.

     I am so thankful to Prof. Erdogru, and his laparoscopic technique. I am thankful for finding this remarkable doctor, who has so much passion for what he does. He is so much more then a Prof. of Urology, he is a healer of hope, and of pain. I can't thank him enough for all the hard work he has done in helping the sufferers of PNE.

     I am thankful for amazing friends and neighbors. We have been very blessed with the kindness and service of other, especially over the last 2 months. I am thankful for our friends and neighbors that helped with the kids while we were away. I am not talking just for a night or a weekend, but for over two weeks they stepped in and helped out. I am thankful for the numerous neighbors that brought meals into our home, while we were away in Turkey and once we had returned home as well. Even our old neighbors and ward stepped in to help. Two of my sweet friends from our old neighborhood showed up shortly after returning home with a large cooler full of  about a weeks worth of frozen dinners. They went out of their way in organizing and delivering the meals for my family. Thank you Julie and Stacie! I am thankful for neighbors who just show up unannounced with gardening gloves and her sweet kids in tow, to do the fall clean-up in our yard. Thank you Leeanne! And, so many others that have dropped off a plates of goodies and notes to let us know they are thinking of us. And, all the phone calls to check-in on me and to offer help. We are so blessed!

     I  am thankful for the PN support groups. Everyone has been so kind and supportive. I am amazed with the connections and new friendships that I have made because of this debilitating condition. I am thankful for everyone's words of encouragement, it has really been instrumental in getting me through this recovery.

     Something completely unexpected, that I am now having a hard time writing because of the tears in my eyes. We have been blessed with family who's way of helping has been through sharing the financial burden with us. We have received a couple of very generous checks, one by mail and one in a personal delivery. We are extremely thankful for this, Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

     I am thankful to my Heavenly Father, and for my faith. I have faith that I will overcome this. I have faith that one day I will have a full understanding of why I needed to go through this, and in the end I will be grateful for the lessons gained. There are so many lessons to be learned when faced with adversity,  life lesson that only come when faced with such trials and tribulations. In the end I will become a much stronger person and for this I am grateful.  For now, I enjoy the closeness that comes from relying on my Heavenly Father, every single day, as I get through this hard time. I am thankful he shares in my burden and lightens my load with the many acts of kindness from the people in our lives.

Thanks to so many of you who have reached out and touched our hearts! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! Much Love, Shirlayne