I always scrap the good times, never the bad times, but my dh has been fighting bladder cancer for 10 years and it has now turned more aggressive, so he is scheduled for surgery to have his bladder removed, and a kidney that the cancer has spread to. He has opted to do a neo-bladder and has a 98% chance of full recovery. (if you know of anyone who has had this done, we would really like to know about it). It is a real milestone, and I am trying to decide if I should scrapbook all of the events, because we always said "Someday we will look back and laugh" which we always did. Your opinion please. Your prayers would also be appreciated.

I have scrapped some bad times. A couple of years ago my Dad was very ill and hospitalized for three months, with a long rehabilitation. I did take pictures right from the beginning. We were told to prepare because they didn't think he would make it. So, I'm not sure at first why, but later on as he began to improve I realized it was so we could look at those days and be thankful for the recovery we were blessed with. As time went on, we began to laugh at the pictures, like when his hair grew so long that we had to call his barber, who did a home call. The first steps that he took after two months and how he wanted to go the length of the hall and he strutted his stuff for a few steps. Lots of little moments. And, many of them were captured by the camera. Would I do it again? Yes, absolutely.

I wish the best for you and your husband. I will, indeed, keep you in prayer. I know first hand that prayer works!

Pam

Granny G...That might just be very good therapy for you with all that you have gone through and are about to go through now. I am so sorry to hear about his cancer and can relate to what you are going through. It is not an easy thing to deal with at times but yet, we must keep that positive attitude and keep fighting. I really believe in the power of the mind and sounds like you both have that within you. He will conquor all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and do scrap whatever you feel within your heart. It is a good record and perhaps will help other family members in the future. Right now I am reading a book that has to do with an orphanage in Alaska that was started in the late 1800. It is very interesting and my mother happens to be one of the children that was placed in the orphanage in later years. I remember my mother telling me stories about her stay in that home and now I am sorry I did not write down all the information I could get. I lost her when I was only 33.
Years from now, when and if there is ever a cure for cancer, your great, great, great, grandchildren may look at that album and think, wow, look what grandpa had to go through back then. Such good news that he has a good chance of full recovery. My thoughts are with you and wishing you and your family the very best.

You guys are so terfic! I really appreciate your feedback and support. New album starts tomorrow! He is still my knight in shinning armour (48 years) even though I have to polish once in a while. Thanks, Norma

I do think you should scrap it all. I pray for the best for hubby and you as you stand by his side.

Just wanted to drop by and say I'm praying for you.!! Here's praying all is well with you all!

Clarinda

I say yes to making the scrapbook,,its something you both are going through and it can be something to look back on.I made a scrapbook for my mom,,every page was made out to be a story.She had Alzheimers and the pictures and story helped her remember some things.I place dates and titles and who people were(brother and his wife,,your son etc)When her conditioned worsen people would read it to her,,she seemed to really enjoy it .I have it with me on my desk.We lost her 3 years ago this August.I just picked up some papers I liked to do a page with one of her pictures in it.Although shes in Heaven now and I will see her again,my grandkids can read about her and many who have picked up the album,,often say"Oh yeah,,I remember her doing that,,,Look how pretty she is,,," .Its well worth the time and effort.Its my most valuable scrapbook in my collection.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: OhioDonna,

I scrap all times, good and bad. I had photo's from my Mother, SIL and Dad's funerals and I scrapped those (In memory of). I can keep all bad and good times in my memory and tell them stories to my grands about them, who never got to know them. I have pics of my GD's broken arm and will scrap that one of these days.

I will keep your DH in my prayers and know that God will keep him and everything will be fine.

Prayers.....& the way I feel is scrappin', quiltin', & other crafts reminds us of memories along our paths. Thru the years, seein' the young ones inheritin' from the one's that have passed, means everything. To hear them say things like "Grandma made this afgan while she was sufferin' from her last days"...or these books were made just after GGrandpa was having his heart problems"....the love of both the good and the bad, they are so touched...I feel all is life.......

Let me ask you all how you feel about this while we are talking about what we scrap.

When my mother-in-law passed away, we put over the back of the casket one of the quilts she had made and some of the things she did. I did take pictures of this - how do you feel about scrapping these pictures? It may not be the best memory, but it does remind us of the life we had with her before she passed away.

I saw your post after I posted my question. That's how I felt about the funerals also, done in memory of a beautiful life.

I've been fighting with this, too....so I don't have an answer for you....but wanted to drop a quick hello and hope everything goes well with your husband. --P

I am overwhelmed by the responce I have receive from all of you. Thank you soooooooo much. It is such a comfort to know that all over the USA we have your prayers and support. Thanks to all of you. God willing, we will look back and laugh, well, at least smile.

You and your husband will be in my thoughts and prayers. Stay positive, we have two very good friends who are beating the odds with their battles with cancer. It can be done with hope, prayers and new treatments they are coming up with. Hang in there!

I want to send you my prayers and wishes to you.

How does your DH feel about it?

If you asked me 10 years ago, I would have said no....I was much younger and immature.....ask me now....I, myself, would.

My father who is 68 recently had surgery to release fluid off the brain from a fall he had. They had to do this procedure twice...it was very scary for all of us.

Fortunately, he made it out of surgeries and on the road to recovery. He proudly showed off his "railroad tracks" (stitches).....so, I took photos of his "tracks" on my camera phone. He also had the stitches when the doctors took them out...Dad gave them to me to scrap with, until my Mom wanted to....so, I gave them back to her as she is his wife of 48 years as well....I have a photocopy of the stitches.

By my Dad's attitude was what made me want to do layouts of his recovery....I will be able to look at those pages and remember how brave my Dad is and also a "bond" he and I had....even if they were over his goofy pictures....he made goofy expressions.

So, long story short....if you feel like it and also your DH wants to, I say "go for it!".

Again, my thoughts/prayers are with you and your family

I would say I scrap both the good and not so good times.I was looking at a scrapbook I had done 10 years ago. Wow have we had some adventures! Its awesome to look back and recall all the events that happened. Even things that I have forgotten I look at the picture and all those memories start coming back. I do both because I want future generations to see that their family had it pretty good and to see what life was like. I hope and pray that your husband and you make it though this "ruff patch" I 'll bet you conquer it no problem!

My Dear friends husband had cancer, we started taking pictures of him in the hospital and a home. Then did a scrapbook. It was really nice for his daughter when he died. We started it with pictures of him when he and his wife were married, then when his daughter was born and so on. He never got to see his granddaughter so now she will be able to see her grand father and grand mother, My friend also died a year ago. But we always made sure that with the bad times, we put in some good times also.

You gals are so incredible! I can't begin to express the appreciation I have for your support. As for how my DH feels about it, I didn't ask. I will ask him and let you know.

I say scrap all times too. The bad ones may not be fun and laughter but they need to be remembered also. I have scrapped several funerals and headstones (I am a genealogist researcher) and in my research of my ancestors, I found many of their graves and took photo's of them and the date and where they were buried and have a record now for my grandkids, plus they are not just some photo's, they are scrapped in albums with stories and journaling.

I know that I will be doing the same for my FIL, he is 82 and has alzheimers and parkinsons and is taking blood thinners and don't know what all but he isn't doing well at all. He sleeps most of the time and has just about quit eating, my MIL said. So I don't think it will be much longer for him.
My DD won't be able to go to the memorial, so photo's and jounaling will be all she will have. He will be buried in MICH, but right now is living in TN. My DD and grands don't get to see them much and I would like to have some memories of him for her and his memorial.
I know this sounds awful, but it is a fact that he isn't doing well at all and I dread it, but I know his time grows closer each day.

I know the bad times are tough, but they are part of history and us and need to be remembered also.

GrannyG, I know I am late in the game to say anything-Yes! I would scrap it all. We had an event a few years ago that was happy-then turned out bad 21 days later. It was hard to scrap the event knowing the outcome but it was the first time my children and grandchildren were together on a vacation. It will bring tears to you yet Miracles too. My brother in law was dx. in May with bladder cancer. He just completed his 6th treatment. I will pray for you and your hubby. Please,keep us posted. It may be something we need to know one day too. Deb from Kansas