Off To Kingston

Tina got to have her birthday party on Saturday and then today she was transferred to Kingston General Hospital. They aren’t allowing any visitors due to COVID restrictions.

She should have the surgery Wednesday or Thursday to install the feeding tube on and be transferred back to Napanee either Friday or Saturday.  Tina was told that they were doing the tube Tuesday and be discharged on Thursday.

So as far as we know, Tina will have the surgery sometime and be released sometime after that?????

Some days my mind thinks about how life use to be.  I think about how Tina kept busy juggling two or three jobs.  I let my mind wander to the Halloweens when we would take the kids trick or treating.  I can even smile when I remember Anthony, Tina’s oldest, dressed like a present.  Each door we would have to wait until he got crunched down in his box costume before we could knock on the door.  I think about the summers when Tina and the boys would spend time with us.  Our last time to the St. George’s Lake cottage, Tina had just had her gall bladder surgery.  She wanted in the water so I helped her flop into a giant tire. I remember that it was easier getting her in the tire than out. Those are the times I like to think about.  

Then reality hits.  I shutter thinking about the tubes that she now has connected to her. More often than not, tears flow even when I say her name. Sometimes I have a hard time breathing when I hear that she has lost another battle with her body. 

When Tina asked me to follow her journey through a blog, I knew that it was going to be hard but I also knew that I needed to do it for her.  This is a journey that I would not wish on anybody…it’s a journey that needs the support of all of you and we do appreciate you all.

Pray for Tina as she once again goes through another procedure.  Please pray that she will have peace.  Pray for Tina’s boys…and mom and dad.

We are STEELE a here, STEELE Standing and Steele needing your prayers.

He's STEELE Standing

The patriarch of our family turns 86 today.  Dad is celebrating his special day in style....going to Denny's Restaurant.  

Dad retired from work 16 years ago after a long career with Dupont.  He said at that time that he wanted to get out of there to enjoy life after work and he did.  A number of years later, he suffered a couple of heart attacks but even that didn't seem to stop him.  He has slowed down the past few years with his legs giving him trouble.

Dad was called "Sparky" growing up.  He always had lots of energy.  In his younger years, he played hockey and mom was there to cheer him on.  I have heard lots of stories about the purses coming across the boards when dad would check someone close to where mom and her sister were sitting.  I think mom might be the reason that they put plexiglass around the rinks now.

When we were young, dad was the one that would organize a baseball game in the backyard for the neighbourhood kids.  I will always remember him shouting to one little guy on third base to run home and the boy took him literally and took off home (to his house).

On hot days, he would come home from work and tell us to get changed.  We would hurry to get our bathing suits on and head to the local quarry for a swim to cool off. 

In the winter, he would shovel some of our back yard and water it regularly so that we could have our own ice rink.  I remember once him even building an igloo.  He was always kind of a big kid.

He enjoyed travelling up to about 13 years ago.  They travelled by plane, car and motorcycle seeing Canada from coast to coast. 

He is now known as Papa to lots of grandkids and great grandkids.

Happy Birthday Dad from The Sister Three!

I was pleasantly surprised this morning when talking to dad that my ipad rang and it was Tina.  We haven't been able to do our regular chats because of Tina being sick.  

Carol didn't make it on this morning and the chat was very short.  Tina just wanted to let us know that her emotions are out of whack.  While she was sick, before going to the hospital, meds were overlooked and now she needs things to regulate.  She is doing better physically but emotionally is not doing well. 

Emma is back at her side to help out.  Today the homecare worker came in the morning and respite was soon to arrive.  The nurse was coming to check her vitals.

Please continue to pray for Tina.  This is a journey that no one wants to take.  

Tina is STEELE Standing....she just needs a little more support.  Thank you for supporting Tina and our family in your thoughts, prayers and generosity.

Note:  If you leave a comment on the blog and you would like to have us know who you are, click on the down arrow beside anonymous and choose Name/URL and then enter your name.  You don't need to put anything in the URL.  We will then be able to put a name to the comment.

Surrounding Tina With Prayer

Mom called me this morning in tears.  She said that Tina wasn't feeling well.  She has had a very rough week with two trips to the hospital and still feeling horrible.  Tina asked for everyone to pray.  She asked that people come around her house and offer up their prayers.  

Mom continued to call people and I reached out by messaging people to pray.  I've got a busy day ahead of me with Sarah's 13th birthday but I felt that I really needed to send this post out to ask people to pray and to share some comments.

I won't mention any names but thank you for thinking of us and praying for Tina.  It takes an army.

"Oh Penny, I am so sorry!  You can count me in.  God has already placed you in my heart and I do pray for you and all that you shared with me."

"For sure I will my friend. I have been following your posts and praying for Tina.  ****'s brother has ALS so we feel your pain acutely.  May the peace and presence of Jesus surround you all in the days of this journey."

"Of course I will pray.  Are you doing OK?   I am praying for you too but if there is anything else I can do please let me know.?"

"Will definitely pray for Tina."

"Praying"   "Will be praying"   "Will be praying today"

"Awww I've been praying but will put out to our church group too."

"Absolutely praying for Tina.  Have lifted up up in prayer this week as I've seen the blog posts.  Thank you for keeping us updated. I'll be praying today for Tina and all of you."

"Awww shoot!  Such a sad and trying time for Tina and her loved ones.  Will do and will pass on prayer request for a miraculous healing, peace and His presence fully known."

"I'm on it Penny!"

"Called people, about 20 from our church praying."

"Hi Penny I've been thinking about Tina.  I'm praying for her and send my love.  I will put a post on my wall asking prayer for Tina.  

Calling on all those who believe in the power of prayer to pray for my friend Tina Steele Tina she has ALS and has been to the hospital twice this week very sick but her faith in God is strong let's pray and believe with her that God will bring strength and healing

6Leanne Smith Butcher and 5 others

3 Comments

Like

Comment

"Will certainly be praying for her."

"Will pray for sure.  Thanks for letting us know.  Best to you!"

"Believing with you for healing and peace for Tina.  Our God is able to keep those we commit to Him.  Let's see faith and hope rise up and healing flow."

Thank you for STEELE praying and STEELE standing with us.