The Magic of Spirit

 

July 4th was here again however; it didn't seem to mean quite as much. Our minds were preoccupied with getting Terry into surgery to pull that nasty disease from his body. Mallory called and asked if she could come and stay the night with her dad, and then she would also be staying for the following night while I was with him at the hospital. She would be driving her car to Springfield later that morning, after walking the dog. I was ecstatic she was coming, and so was his son, Scott, his girlfriend Heather, and my daughter, Dawn. My other daughters and grandkids were all working and could not make it but asked to be kept in the loop. 

Mallory came over with her overnight items. She hugged her dad tightly and I could see it in her face that she was terrified of what may come in the next two days. After seeing her mother lying on the floor after she passed away gave her a bad case of PTSD. She couldn't lose another parent. The amount of fear she had over the possibility of losing her dad was so completely understandable. I continued to tell her that he would be perfectly fine and would come out of this 100% okay. Meanwhile, in my own mind, I felt very secure in knowing he would be fine during and after surgery, yet that tiny spark of, "I can't lose him," crept into the recesses of my brain and soul. 

Tonight we would enjoy each other's company. We had some fireworks to watch and some funny TV to see. Whose Line is it Anyway always brings about giggles and good old belly laughs. We turned that on until we knew it was dark enough to step outside on the porch to watch neighbors fire off some illegal fireworks. 

Shortly after we started the show, we found it was dark enough to be able to watch these fireworks. I believe we did more chatting than watching them, but that's okay. We were together, and we were happy about that. I looked over at Terry who was standing by the car, alongside his youngest daughter. He was being his chipper, happy, joking self and that made me smile. I watched Mallory staring at her dad with hope and fear, but mostly love. A tear began to well up in my eye, so I had to look back at the lit-up sky once more. 

I did not get many photos or videos this year due to the lack of focus on the 4th of July fun. 

***

Once the firework show was over outside, we returned to our spots on the couch to watch more TV. Terry chose to go outside to enjoy a cigar again, so the show was shut off. Mallory and I began to chat some more. We stayed up late to spend as much time together as we could. Terry came inside after smoking a cigar and wanted to go to bed. Mallory was yawning, with me following close behind. The idea of a nice comfy bed beckoned, and the pillow calls were winning over the time we could spend as a family. 

***

Sunday morning. Our house was buzzing with commotion. The dog needed to be fed and walked. We found Mallory had already done that. So, packing and loading the car it is. Our stay at the hotel would be good. We could relax and focus on Terry's upcoming day. But first, off we drove to my daughter Dawn's house to visit. Terry had something very important to tell her. 

Dawn said she was up for the company, and we were in the mood to see her. But there was another reason to visit. I wanted to inform all of my side of the family about Terry's surgery on Monday. My other daughters were also told, through texts. Brandy was at work and Marina was on a plane to return home from visiting Nashville, Tennessee where she saw my 95-year-old mother. I sent Brandy the text, even though I knew she may not respond for a while, and I did send Marina a text but knew she would not land for quite some time yet. 

Terry explained the surgery procedure and his cancer to Dawn and her husband Andy. Soon after, my grandson, granddaughter, and their wife and boyfriend came to drop some items off. They were also informed of what was going on. Dawn asked a lot of questions and wanted to come to the hospital the following day to be there for me and to see Terry when he was done. It was all set up and ready. Now, to relax and try to get our minds off of Monday morning and all that it may bring.

Our visit with Dawn lasted well into the night. We loved it because usually Dawn is running around in an attempt to accomplish things during our family gatherings, making it difficult to spend quality time with her. But tonight, she devoted her time to talking to us. We talked, we laughed, we loved. 

It was well after 10:00 and time for us to head into town toward our hotel. The drive was not going to be far, but the hour was late, especially for our 5:00 AM arrival to the hospital. We threw our suitcases onto the stands, then pulled out charging cords and the other items we needed for the evening, then went face down into the not-so-comfy bed. Neither of us noticed once we were asleep. It was going to be a long, hard, emotional day tomorrow. 

***

Checking into the hospital was not challenging at all, and they took Terry back into a room where he could get dressed into a gown and take care of the basics of hospital check ins. A short few moments and the nurse came back to get me. Even those few moments apart made me nervous. I wanted to spend every second with him. You never know the outcome of surgeries. 

I walked into the room to see my Terry lying in his bed, all set up with his ID band and his "fall risk" bracelet. With admiration and love, I watched him do his typical stuff while sitting quietly. We did chat and we said, "I love you," back and forth several times. Soon the staff came swiftly, taking blood, taking information, and blood pressure, blood glucose, and all of the other vitals that need to be accomplished before surgery. It didn't take long and he was "good to go." Me, on the other hand, wanted to scream, "No! You can't have him!" 

A couple of kisses and off he went, behind those two large permanently locked doors, where his fate would be determined by a surgeon and Spirit, of course. I just hoped the surgeon was awake enough, and God was at his best today. Come on, Spirit team!

I felt lost without him. My soul, my brain, and my understanding of the medical issue told me he would be okay, yet there was that little voice in the back of my mind ... "What if ..."

Dawn contacted me about 8:00, telling me she was on her way. My heart sang with joy over that. If something were to happen, I wanted family around me so they could catch me as I fainted to the ground. It's always good to count on cushions, you know?

Mallory was next. She called and informed me she was there, but where was I? I had actually locked myself in my car to catch a nap. Terry's surgery would last at least four and a half to five hours in length. I figured a nap or two wouldn't hurt. No such luck. Family was arriving and people were looking at me as they walked by. I guess I'll sleep later. It's going to be a very long drive back to Roseburg if he's released today. Details we were given stated that he may be able to go home after some recuperation time today. That's the best-case scenario. We were counting on that but knew it could be an overnighter. Either way, just make him well!

***

Dawn came in shortly after Mallory. Mallory was also running on about two hours of sleep. Dawn walked in, talking about how little time she slept. Oh, boy. It was going to be a fun day. We should all be snoring and drooling on ourselves in three ... two ... one ...

Dawn, Mallory and I chose to run to the store to get something to eat. We were all hungry and thought it could fill in some of the wait time and keep us awake. In the store, we found a large package of croissants. I grabbed it, the girls grabbed drinks, and back we went. 

As we munched on our croissants and chatted, it was becoming clear to me that we still had so much time to visit more. I'm blessed to have the two girls sitting beside me to keep me company during this time and I do believe that Mallory and Dawn felt better as well. Plenty of laughs, a few truths spoken, and the love ... oh, the love that was shared between us all. 

Mallory received a text notification. It was Scott and Heather, letting us know they were there. Dawn and I sat in the waiting room as Mallory went to greet them and let them know what floor we were on. It was noon when they arrived. The morning hours had sped by. It was time Terry was supposed to come out. We were getting quite impatient. 

I looked up and saw the shoulder of a man, then within a second or two, Mallory appeared. Finally, a third person, a woman, came around the corner. I stood to greet Terry's son and his girlfriend. Both were smiling and seemed happy to be here. Scott walked up to me, extended his hand to shake mine, then pulled me in for a very tight, loving hug. I whispered in his ear that I was so happy to meet him and thanked him profusely for being here. His father would be so happy. Best medicine Terry could ever receive. 

I turned to look at Heather. She had a beautiful, warm smile, and extended her had to place a bouquet of flowers in my hand. Putting the flowers aside after thanking her, I grabbed her and told her thank you for coming as well. I loved Heather! She was gentle, sweet, and a woman Scott was lucky to have. 

Now we could sit down for more waiting. It was nice to see Scott smile. He has a smile that compares to his dad's. I looked around the room. Mallory stood against the waist high desk in the waiting room, kicked back and was chatting excitedly with her brother. Heather sat quietly beside Scott, smiling the whole time. Dawn and I were in the chairs lined against the wall, a few spots down from Scott and Heather.

 The room was filled with family. I wanted to hug them all. There was a bright light in that room, a light that made me know we were being supported by Spirit and the angels. My heart swelled up, and my soul knew this was all good. We were being blessed with a miracle today, even in a time of dread, and hopefully days to come. I love my blessed life.

***

About a half hour into our time of getting to know one another, I received a phone call. It was the doctor. He reported that Terry was good and they had pulled out the prostate along with both lymph nodes that are located on either side. This was to diagnose if the cancer had spread further, and the nodes were one place that the disease would have gone. Terry would be resting for a while but upon awakening, he would be ours to hug. I thanked the beautiful man who had worked hard to make our Terry perfect again and ended the call. 

Our group chatted for another hour and a half before the phone rang. It was a nurse, letting us know that Terry was waking up and would be ready to see in a bit. Okay, thank you, but more waiting. We were getting excited to see him and to know he was awake and good with life once again.

 It was another hour before someone else called, letting us know it was finally time to visit with Terry. She suggested it be only me to come back but once I explained we have family from out of town, it changed the scenario. The okay was given for me and one person for right now. We all looked up at Scott and said he would be the one. It was important that he go first. We had no idea what time he had to head back to his hometown, and he had a long drive to get there. 

Mallory and Heather got involved in a puzzle someone left on the desk. Dawn looked at her phone. Scott and I walked down the hall to find our guy. We rounded the corner where we found Terry's curtains closed. I put my arm around Scott's back and asked him to go first. I wanted to see Terry's reaction and boy; am I glad I did!

Terry was still very groggy. His eyes barely opened. Scott stood at the foot of his bed, looking back at him. Scott said, "Hey, dad." Terry's eyes opened wider and by the look on his face, you could tell he was finally catching on. He reached out toward his son, hugs were given, and all was perfect. The tears flowed. Not coming from Terry and Scott, but from me. It was a beautiful, heartfelt moment. Father and son reunited again. Terry could not be happier. He refused to let go of his son once he had him in his grip. 

I wiped my tears and walked around the nurses, Scott, and the bed. I finally got to kiss my sweet man. Telling him I would be back in a moment with more people, I left the father and son duo to hug, catch up on things, and to have a moment to themselves. Well, minus the nurses flitting around. 

Terry was refusing to release Scott once he had him. 

I left the room to go to the waiting room again. I grabbed Mallory and Heather and asked them to follow me into the room. Once again, I waved at my ecstatic husband and returned to the waiting area to allow them all some time together. Terry's family was reuniting and it was such a wonderful thing. Mallory came in and began to take photos between her falling tears. 

Returning to the room, I found them all sitting around Terry's bed, chatting like they had not missed a moment together. Once again, I kissed Terry and went to sit with Dawn for a while until the family was done in the tiny recover room. Then it was mine and Dawn's turn.  

Before Dawn and I had a chance to go down to see Terry, the three came down the hall toward me. I stood, knowing something must be happening. Mallory mumbled something about dad and sugar levels. Scott looked at me and said, "He has high glucose levels. You're up." I hurried down the hall to find out what was happening. 

I poked my head in the room, finding several nurses and another vampire in search of his blood. 

          As I walked in, I looked at Terry's face and asked what was going on. The nurse replied that his blood glucose was at 234. 

I knew at that level that could hinder his chances of going home today but was not hugely dangerous. Concerned how that might depress him since his son was here, I stood over him and touched his arm. He told me he wanted to go home but I asked him to be patient since he just had surgery. I did not want to remove him from their care if his glucose levels or anything else was even a little out of whack. 

His next blood test came back a few moments later. His level had dropped to 200. The nurse stepped out of the room to discuss the results with the surgeon. We did consider that he was off his meds too for the surgery but had not eaten a thing all day. That can send those levels off the rails as well as eating something sugary. 

The nurse came back and let us know that the doctor had given the okay to return home. He was to take his regular medication upon return and needed to receive a tiny bit of insulin before he left. While the patient was arguing that the little dose would not help, she injected it anyway. That tiny amount could make a small enough difference to make me feel better if nothing else.  

I ran to the waiting room to inform everyone what was happening and that Terry would be released soon. Dawn had been waiting patiently all day, so I asked her to come back. She joined me in the busy, crowded little room to get Terry settled to come home. We had to wait for the checkout, the reading of the aftercare instructions, and how to deal with his catheter. He had to leave it in for 10 days and it would be taken out again at his first appointment. She read. I listened yet found myself very bored and tired. We had already been given the same instructions before the surgery and I had read them all, twice.

Dawn walked in with a cheery, "Hey, old man," hugged him and told him she was happy it was over. He was excited to see her too. Dawn and Terry had grown fairly close since they met the first time, on Thanksgiving Day, in 2022. He had told Dawn he looked at her like a daughter and that he loved her. Dawn has returned the sentiment, several times. Since then, the two have been relatively close, and I loved it. 

A nurse came in to take us out to the car. With papers in hand, and huge smiles on our faces, we walked to the waiting room where the others were sitting. The doors were pushed open, and Terry lifted both arms into the air, and loudly said, "I'm okay. I'm okay." It is a standing joke now from our Disneyland trip. We all laughed and headed for the elevators. 

I unlocked the car and went back to visit with the family. Scott and Heather had a three-to-four-hour drive ahead of them, so they had to take off. The thought of them leaving saddened me. I wasn't quite ready for this magical day to end. The love and light were still there, the joy, the happiness, and the immense feeling of life perfection was still shining through our hearts.  

Now came all of the hugs, the goodbyes, and the promise to gather again soon. Our CNA was happy to snap our photos as a family and joined us in the complete intense feeling of family joy. Terry was fine. Our family was there, and we were rocking the magic of the day! It was perfect. I thanked Spirit and the angels many times over, also announcing how grateful I was and am. The Divine worked its magic, and we could not be happier or more in love with life. 

Terry and Scott got in one final hug. It was a long, loving hug, and the tears did flow on that one. Of course, I began to tear up. Looking around, I saw the other girls tearing up as well. Such an amazing moment. It was one of the times in life that you wished it would never end. But alas, it had to come to its finale so everyone could return home. We all set the intention of meeting again in August. 

Now, for the family photos. The blending of both families set my heart on fire. I was filled with warmth and gratitude, and with love for what we had been given this day. 

(From left to right, Heather, Scott, Terry, Vicki, Mallory, and Dawn)

My family was growing, as was the love for each and every one in it. What a blessing. And my sweet man? My Terry? He could not have been happier. His smile was big, his eyes were sparkling, and his heart grew larger that moment. I could see it and feel it in him. It's a special moment when you can make your loved ones happy and give them that smile. 

***

Hugs all the way around. Getting into the car was almost a chore. I felt heaviness. Mostly due to the fact that we had to say goodbye. The rest was because I was exhausted and without sleep for the past couple of days. But that's okay. 

All the way home, wonderful thoughts raced through my mind. I'm sorry my husband had to face his surgery, but it came out as a miracle. Cancer was absent in his body, or at least we hoped. He still needed to be tested to ensure nothing escaped the removal process. That would come soon. But the love around us today was so amazing and hopeful as to what the rest of our lives may be like. Terry has his son and another daughter back in his life, and it is a blessing like no other. His daughter continues to text him.

We arrived home, safe and sound, but exhausted from the day. I was hoping Terry would catch a nap. He needed some good healing for the next couple of months as the surgeon said, followed by the nursing staff too. He plopped on the couch for a while and although he said he was just a little sore, that sneeze grabbed him as though his testicles and his belly had been placed into a vise grip and yanked - hard. I felt so bad for him. It's going to be a long two months.

I woke up during the night hours. Not sure why, but it's typical for me. I rolled over and saw Terry sleeping. The love I have for him came through me again, building happily in my heart and soul to the brink of exploding. Today was special in terms of the love that came through all of us, and the surgery came through just fine. The family, and all of the love shared is so important in life. And yes, the tears are flowing again. 

***

Terry and I were getting ready for dinner on Friday night (July 10, 2026), four days after his surgery. He heard his phone ring and answered. A few moments of "Okay. Yes. Great. Okay," I finally heard him say, "Thank you, doctor, for all of your hard work. I really appreciate it." I knew then that the doctor had called to either find out how he was doing or he had some news to tell us. Turns out, it was the latter. 

During surgery on Monday, the doctor did remove his prostate and both lymph nodes surrounding the prostate. All of that was removed, as mentioned before in this post. But they did a test on the nodes and found them to be benign. All signs were pointing to Terry being 100% free and clear of any cancer. Tears welled in my eyes again as I bent down to kiss him. It looks like I will have my best friend and love of my life for a while longer at least. 

We sat, as usual, and ate dinner while watching our show. But I snuck a look now and then, just to be reminded that yes, he is still here, and he is fine. I was elated. I could not be happier or more blessed than I am now. The magic of Spirit came through for us during this situation, being many levels deep. 

Meditation tonight will mean much more, knowing how blessed we are and that we can pass that on to others. A large bubble of light, healing, and hope surrounds us now. Life is a great journey. The path you walk is easy to light for yourself and others if you only open up and want it to be lit. May your journey be filled with all that you want it to be, and all that you create it to be. 

Until our next post ...

Count those blessings and shine your light. The world needs all the light it can get right now and always. Love to all of you, and deep gratitude for reading the blog. For that, we thank you. Namaste.

Vicki & Terry Macrae

Two lightworkers in love with life and each other