Well, Matt and I returned to Panama the first week in January. What a whirlwind it was! We are truly thankful the Lord allowed us to return home for Christmas and for all the events that were ahead of us. Little did we know what was to come... It all started the first week in December, when we received the call that Matt's father had taken a turn for the worse. His dad, Dillon Hedspeth, had been battling with ALS for 7 years. Before we left for the big move to Panama (in October), he was in the same stable condition (on a respirator, traecheotomy and feeding tube, unable to move almost every muscle - but stable). We were shocked to hear that he was doing worse, as he had been stable for so many years. We changed our flight ASAP and went back to Raleigh. The flight back was a fiasco due to a 3 hour delay and we literally had to RUN thru the airport in Miami- as the lady told us to run and don't stop. We did. At one point I literally told Matt to "Go on without me" b/c I didn't think I could make it :) Now it seems kind of funny, but not at the time. So, we made it back.
At that point his dad had returned to a new form of stable, which later we learned that he was actually in a coma. We were home a little over a week before he passed away. What a blessing to be able to be there and spend time with the family. Matt's mom (Pat) was the full time caretaker of Dillon, which meant 24/7, as he could not be left alone at all. His family is doing well, though. Such a blessing to know Dillon is no longer in pain. We thank God for all the amazing friends back home that rallied behind the Hedspeth's and poured out their love and affection. They have an amazing support system there! And we praise God that we could all be together during this time. Next was Christmas, oh and his brother Ryan's birthday (Christmas day) and our 6 year anniversary (on the 21st). Such a different Christmas than normal, yet we were all so thankful to be together.
Well, Christmas was on a Thursday and then on Sunday morning at 5AM we received a call that Matt's sweet grandmother (Pat's mom) had passed away. She had gotten sick a few months before and had surgery, they thought she was doing better, but then she fell and broke her hip in 5 places and there was pretty much nothing they could do after that. Before she got sick, she was the most vibrant 88 year old I had ever seen, remembering dates/names down to the second over her entire life. She lived at home on her own until the first surgery in October. How amazing that she was able to stay so independent and alert for all those years. We praise God for her life! Matt's birthday was the 30th, then on the 31st was his grandmother's funeral in Conway, NC. We are truly thankful that we could be there for all these events, especially to be able to be there with his mom as she lost her husband and mom within 2 weeks. She said Christmas time was always such a special time for their family: first with Ryan on Christmas Day, then Matt on 30th, then her first daughter (me!) when we got married on the 21st. Pat was truly thankful that this Christmas time her husband and mother were able to be with their Savior. Pat is one special lady. For those that know her, you already know this. For others, trust me. She is the perfect example of what it means to be a spouse: In sickness and in health, for better or worse. She showed Dillon her love until his last breath and will continue to love him until her last breath.
I know these next months will be hard on her, as she is dealing with these great losses - but also her lost job as caretaker. Suddenly she can go out and actually have lunch with people or run to the grocery store, and not be walked in on all the time in their home. We were all so used to this that we kept having to remind each other - wait, we don't have to pick something up and bring to the house, we can actually all go out together! What a change. For us, much less her. Please pray for her as she goes into this new year. She always says: the opposite of fear is faith. She has lived that out to the fullest, trusting God for strength for every single day. I know she will continue "faithing" on in the future. She is such an inspiration to me and all those around her. After the funeral, we went to see my parents and actually got to spend the next day with them. That was a treat since I didn't really get time with them while back. I so enjoyed it!! Then the next day we went to Wrightsville Beach and spread his dad's ashes out there. Ryan treated us all to a night there and we had a great time together. Very refreshing!
Then we got back to Raleigh and I went into panick mode, realizing that I had not been able to do 1 thing I was supposed to do while home and we were scheduled to leave on the 6th!! This meant the next few days were just a blurr of trying to tie up a million loose ends, take care of some old legal matters, get items to pack that we can't get in Panama, etc. By Monday I literally thought I may have a heart attack. Backing up for a minute, so on Christmas Eve I had a follow up dr's appt. A couple days after we got back to Raleigh I went in to the dr. b/c of all the stomach/etc. troubles I had been having when we moved to Panama in October. So the allergy tests came back that I was basically allergic to everything, including gluten, rice, corn. We already knew the dairy allergy, which I have had for years. And I was also to stay away from sugar. What?! And exactly what was I to eat for Christmas?? I was so upset. But praise the Lord for Matt's mom. She was already preparing her usual amazing Christmas meal, and modified it for me. And my mom did the same thing, so I actually was able to eat on Christmas. It was really hard to eat on this diet, especially with sweet friends bringing the most amazing casseroles and foods around the funeral. That was a bit of a struggle.
Now, jumping back to Monday (the day before we were to fly to Panama and I am now at the point I am about to have a heart attack), I got a call at 4:45 from the dr's office. My other test results were back and guess what... I had 2 different parasites. And nasty one's too. I was absolutely mortified. Mom went running to the dr's office to pick up the prescription then over to the one pharmacy that had the antibiotic I needed. Just chaos. Right then Matt called and said he was able to bump our flight back a day. Whew! How amazing. He didn't even know what had happened and just felt like we needed to postpone it a day. Praise God for that! I was able to get the strong antibiotic and wrap up almost everything I needed to the next day. We even had a nice dinner with our families.
One more thing that I really want to mention. 2 days after Christmas, we learned that one of our best friends - Sydney Gaylord - had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She had just had their 3rd baby 3 weeks before the diagnosis. We could not believe it. All their friends rallied together and we helped with a prayer vigil for them in Raleigh. That was an amazing time of prayer. By the end, you could just sense the presence of God and we knew He was right there with us hearing our prayers, loving on Sydney and her family. Awesome time. Because of the delay in our flight, we were able to get together with them on the 6th. I cannot tell you what an amazing time of fellowship and encouragement that was to us all. We laughed, cried, prayed. Such a sweet, tender time. Matt and I love our dear friends Sydney and Todd. Matt grew up with them and Todd actually helped lead Matt to Christ. Another story for another day. Also Todd is one of our Board Members for Heart's Cry. But if anyone wants to keep up with Sydney and Todd, you can visit their caring bridge site at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sydneygaylord. Please pray for their family and for complete healing for Sydney. Well, that's enough for now. What a long post! But tons happened that we wanted to share. Also, we wanted to ask our friends to understand if we could not spend time with you like we wanted. Matt especially wants to tell everyone thank you for all your love and support over Christmas. It was a difficult time, yet the Lord carried his family through it all. We praise the Lord that his dad and grandma are dancing and praising their Savior in heaven right now.
Wow! What a ride for you guys! I can share some of Matt's pain. I just lost my dad suddenly to a massive heart attack on Dec. 18th. That drive from Raleigh to Toledo, OH was the longest 11 hours of my life. It was amazing to see people literally line up all the way out the door at the funeral home to pay their respects to Dad, and share what an impact he had on their lives. Dad was such a quiet man, but obviously lived his witness very loudly. He truly preached his own funeral, and while I wish I could have had an opportunity to say "goodbye" I rest assured that he is singing great Southern Gospel tunes with some of the legends in heaven, and will never suffer on this earth! And I'll see him again someday!
I hope your infections have cleared. Sorry to hear about your allergies. Understand the complications there with Becca's all-natural diet.... but very well worth it!
Great to hear what God's been accomplishing in your lives. Will continue to pray for you as the Holy Spirit brings you to mind!
Posted by Christa Jamison, 06/29/2009 10:34am (3 years ago)