Saturday, January 8 – Recovery and giving back
Heath continues to recover well–the effects of surgery and chemo are no small mountains to climb, but he is making great strides. Surgery follow-up last week was great and we have basically been given the “we don’t need to see you unless something isn’t right” from that specialty. We are dealing with getting immuno-suppressants and magnesium levels in the right place. We have a cardiology quarterly check and the oncology next round of scans in a couple of weeks. AND, today Heath got his COVID booster after being cleared by docs!!! It was a special treat to run into a few friends from church, perhaps the first folks outside hospital and family that Heath has seen in person in a long time.
In the rising COVID numbers, I would like to take a moment to remind you all that getting COVID vaccines and boosters are not only for personal safety but for the safety of the larger population–folks like Heath who are immune-compromised and others with pre-existing conditions may not fare as well as healthier folks, even when they have had their shots. And hey, if he can get a booster after all that he’s been through, use that as your inspiration!
We’re spending much of our time thinking about making the transition back to school and work, strengthening, and exercising. More than once we’ve looked at each other and said, “I don’t know what to do with myself…” It is a strange feeling to start to let your guard down when you have been living in “possible crisis mode” for months and months with no break. I suspect many of you know this feeling from past experience. Last Sunday Chris and I were both back in the pulpit–also a strange reality of “normal” (perhaps that is not the best way to describe preaching the word of God, but we are both pretty strange…)
SO, we’re finding ourselves turning to wanting to give back. We promise we’re not going to go overboard right now (there is plenty of time for that as we move on), but we wanted to do a few things and to offer a few ways that you could help us:
1. DONATE BLOOD–Chris and I are setting up appointments in the next week or so. It is SO needed EVERYWHERE. Heath ended up only having a few transfusions, but we promised ourselves that we would start back to regular donation after treatment.
2. HONOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS--wherever you live, find a way to thank those who serve as medical and emergency medical professionals. They are EXHAUSTED and give so much of themselves to their work. This article in The Atlantic explains why the Omicron wave is taking an even harder toll on healthcare workers than previous waves. From the article, “It [Omicron] might be less of a threat to individual people, but it’s disastrous for the health-care system that those individuals will ultimately need.” (read here)
We are working with some friends to provide a meal to some of those folks who specifically cared for Heath (THANKS and more on this soon) and we have a dream to make AT LEAST 50 “THANK YOU” BAGS for the staff of inpatient and outpatient Peds Oncology, Surgery and Cardiology at Duke.
Here is how you can help.
We are prepared to do this ourselves, but would welcome your contributions by January 21st.
–50+ $10-15 Starbucks gift cards
–individually-wrapped nice chocolates or other candies
–tic-tacs or gum
–nice small lotions
–chapstick
*You can contact carolinetuttle@gmail.com if you have questions or are welcome to drop off something at our house (or send or contribute a little $). If you wish to donate, please have anything to us by January 21st when we begin assembling thank you bags.
We did something like this quite a few years ago with our family at Thanksgiving and it meant so much to the medical staff.
This is how we’re beginning to give back to our exhausted medical community. We’d love for you to share your ideas in the comments for other ways to say thank you and support healthcare workers. Your suggestions might resonate with other readers and together our small contributions can create a large wave of gratitude.
Such great news about Heath! Thanks for all the updates! We will gladly contribute to such a worthy cause
This is such wonderful news! I am happy for all of you.
Will leave a contribution to help with bags at the church.
Happy to help with bags. Proud that you are taking care of those who took care of Heath and you.
Great news keep it coming
Patty and Tom
Hey Tuttles!
Fabulous news! I’d love to help too! I’ll send you a donation to help with the “thank you” bags tomorrow. You guys are always giving with your grateful hearts. What a beautiful way to give back!
Love and hugs,
Charlotte E
I never cease to wonder at your giving to others as you continue to be on your journey! I have followed every word and this is wonderful news about Heath. When I was sick recently I asked God to make me as strong as Heath. My attitude was nothing like his!! Thank him for the amazing example he is. Love and prayers Candace McCall
Thanks for keeping on sharing with us. I’m grateful for this season of rest and hopefulness that is being ushered in. And yay for boosters. Much love, ME
Great news! Hugs to all 🤗 Love the Hokies shirt, Heath. We are big Hokie fans in our household. Wonderful idea to do thank you bags. We will drop off Starbucks gift cards at the church office.
Such great news! So happy for Heath to be home with his loving family!! Will certainly contribute to your kind, thoughtful, thankful project for Duke Health care workers!
Put me on the helping hands list! I am happy to make a donation. Check the snail mail. So happy for Heath’s improvement. You guys take a dddeeeppp breath and exhale slowly whenever you can😘❤️😘🤗😘
This lifts my heart! Will surely help with the bag project. On a separate request, by coincidence, Needham has responded to a TV notice regarding blood shortage, is scheduled to give next Saturday. ❤️ Think Sam & I may be over their age limit…
Love reading this positive update. Hugs!
Ted and I will be glad to get some chocolates, etc. We’ll drop them by the church office. So glad to hear that Heath is making such great progress.
So incredibly happy to hear such good news! We know the healing process and “normal” life will continue to present challenges, but you all SO deserve the chance to let your guard down a bit and enjoy doing some of the mundane things so many of us take for granted. Thank you so much for the reminders to appreciate all of those who work in healthcare and/or provide the support needed by families experiencing medical crises. They are everyday heroes, and we would love to help you make their lives a little brighter. Count us in! – Burris Family
I’d love to help in any way!
So so glad for this good news and holding HT in the Light as he focuses on gaining weight and strength and jumping back into school! So much love and rejoicing.
Yes! We’ll help! Love from Papa! ♥️
Sounds like Everything is going in a very positive direction….
Hallelujah my Friends…..
God Bless the Tuttles
Hugs and Love