SURGERY WAS A BREEZE

Mom (grandma) had her surgery today and came through it with no problems. She was only under for 45 minutes and the surgery was less invasive than originally expected, so her recovery time will be quicker. I stayed with her til 8pm and since she was doing so well--pain under control, up in chair eating and drinking, able to get up to the bathroom--and plus the fact that she was the only patient to spend the night on the extended recovery unit and there were two nurses on duty (one with whom I worked on Peds for years), I felt comfortable coming home to sleep tonight. Will pick her up tomorrow at 7am and spend the day (maybe the night)with her. ( Sorry about that run- on sentence.) Will keep you posted.

Jeff and Heather on their wedding day in December 2006 on St. Thomas

Our grandchildren

Just thought you'd like to see how the grandchildren are growing

Michael Wayne (now 16)

Katelyn Samara (age 4)

Kristen Michelle (13)

Mackenzie Marina (6)

Hailey Ann (3)

Oh well, can't say we didn't try...

When Phyllis went to her psychiatrist last week, she mentioned the vagal nerve stimulator as a possible alternative to antidepressants. Her doctor said she has researched it, and it is only effective in about 30% of the individuals who have tried it. She also said, it takes sometimes up to 6 months before any noticeable improvements. Guess the guy on 60 Minutes fell into the category of "results not typical." Well, it was worth a try.

Five Down and Three to Go

Spoke with Phylllis Saturday and she had her fifth chemo treatment Monday. Only three more to go. Thanks to prayers, she has managed to hang in there at the every two week frequency, which her oncologist says is a very aggressive regime. She aches all over from this new med. She isn't having the nausea or headaches like the previous four treatments. She said she feels like she has the flu--that achey all over feeling. She is tired and every little activity wears her out. Keep those cards and prayers coming--I know they are helping.

Grandma's having surgery

Just wanted to let you know that Grandma is having surgery on April 30th at the Indiana Surgery Center (at 9am). She has a fistula that developed sometime after her bowel surgery in 1998, and manifested itself in 2002. She has been dealing with it opening and draining off and on for the past five years. We saw the surgeon today--the same one who did her bowel surgery. He said it will not be nearly as extensive as her last surgery--only a 2 inch incision--an overnight stay--and shorter recovery time. Needless to say, John and I will be there with her.

Status on Phyllis

Just spoke with Phyllis on the phone. She has been off her antidepressant for 14 days now, in preparation for her next round of chemo. Needless to say, she is feeling low. The nausea has subsided finally (now that she's ready for another treatment on Monday), but she says nothing tastes right. She is trying to eat and drink, but it is difficult when you have no appetite, no taste buds, and are nauseated most of the time. She said she has lost 20 lbs. Not good. We need to pray harder, so she can make it through this next round of treatments with a different drug. We don't know how she will react to it, but the doctor says she will ache all over. She sees her psychiatrist on Tuesday, so she'll see if there is something else that she can take that might lift her spirits some to get her through the treatments. I heard about a vagal nerve stimulator on 60 minutes a couple of weeks ago, and mentioned it to her to ask her psychiatrist about. I've known seizure patients, who did not respond to medications, who had a stimulator placed and it kept them from having seizures. Well, apparently, they found that those who also were suffering from depression that didn't respond to any of the antidepressants, felt like themselves immediately after the stimulator is placed. This guy they featured on 60 Minutes was a stock broker (Wall Street), very dynamic, but suffered from depression and was to the point of suicide because none of the meds they tried worked. Then they found out about this vagal nerve stimulator and he said he felt better immediately. He goes in every three months to get it recharged. Hope Phyllis is a candidate for it. I think it is just a same day surgery procedure.

It's a Duck not a Goose

I have been informed by a reliable source (Kim's dad, Don) that it was a female mallard, not a Canada gosling, who came to dine in our yard today. Glad someone knows their ducks from their geese. I should have referred to my bird book to identify our fine feathered friend. I'll know better next time--if there is a next time.

An Unexpected Visitor

John was outside having a "puff" when he called me to come see the duck in our yard. I thought he was kidding. We have no lakes or ponds nearby and have never had ducks before. Yes, we have the usual song birds, squirrels (6 of them now), chipmunks, raccoons and oppossums--but never a duck. Obviously, he is a young one, probably a Canada Gosling. He is dining on the exquisite cuisine of wild bird feed --guess that is apropos, since he is a wild bird.

Rain Rain Go Away

Yes, it is April (the month of showers) -- also tornado season in the midwest. We had an all too brief, early taste of spring a couple of weeks ago with temps in the 70's and were all excited about getting outside and working in the yard...then a cold front came through and temps dropped into the 20's and all the daffodils and other early bloomers drooped over. We even had snow flurries. Now the rains have hit. There is a tornado warning out as I write this. It looks like it is a bit south and east of us now. Thank God. ( John just mowed yesterday--probably by tomorrow, after all this rain, it'll look like it needs mowing again. )

John's parents' house sold to the used car lot nextdoor to them. We have to go to probate first before closing. We've been over there alot in recent weeks cleaning out the house, closets, etc.
What a job. It is emotional, too. We think that once sold, the house will be demolished--which is fine with family--it'll be easier not to see someone else living in that house--or even to have to drive by the house.

Phyllis starts her new chemo regime next week--she had to wean off of her antidepressant because it is contraindicated. Pray that she can keep her spirits up and will be able to eat, drink and sleep in order to keep up her strength.

Once the Williams' estate business is finalized, we are planning a trip to Florida, followed by a trip to Colorado to be with Phyllis. Looking forward to both.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Anybody out there?

Several people have told me that they can't find my url, so are unable to visit my blogspot. I have emailed the Google Help Team and hope to get an answer. It's lonely not having anyone to read and comment on my blogs. Hope we can resolve this problem soon.