Update on Dad-August 30

 

Well, today turned out to be a pretty good day for Dad, he finally got the respirator tube out after 10 days of having it in. His nurse (she's been with him for the last 3 days) commented that he had had very little sleep in the last several days and was very agitated. So after the tube was out he was very awake and alert for several hours, but when we got there to visit he had finally let his exhausted body really relax and was in a deep sleep. He did open one eye, and he did respond to the girls saying "we Love You Grandpa!" with a very quiet "I Love You too", but other than that he slept through our visit. We were just so happy that the tube was out and he seemed much more comfortable.

On other good news, the intestinal bleeding has stopped, and so for the time being that is one more condition that seems to be going in the right direction. His pneumonia is improving, and the chest tube is draining any accumulated fluid away from his lungs which makes it easier for him to breathe.

All in all his nurse told me this was a really good day for him. She said she was so happy to finally be able to speak to him, and was commenting on what a kind man he is and that he had even showed some humor! As sick as he is, he is still able to be such a trooper. He is an inspiration.

She also said that he might be moved out of the CVICU as early as possible tomorrow, but warned that he will probably stay in the hospital for some time to come. As sick as he has been, he still needs more time on the antibiotics, and the wonderful medical care that Hoag is providing. I have mentioned to my husband that I honestly believe that if we did not live near such an incredible hospital Dad would not have made it through this extreme sickness. The people there are so caring, and just totally awesome!

Zoey and Avery were happy to see Grandpa, and happy to "gown up" (Zoey much more than Avery). I think Avery was a little overwhelmed by the whole thing, but she also was a trooper. I guess she has some of Grandpa Stan's toughness genes in there somewhere :-)

More updates tomorrow.

Quick Dad Update

David just got a call from Hoag that they have removed the respirator tube from Dad's throat, and he was anxious to see his kids. Rob left early this morning for a week in Alaska, but the girls and I are going to head down to Hoag and give Dad a visit!

Good news at last!

Update on Dad-August 29th 3:00PM

Just got a few emails from David with updates (the hospital is calling him for authorization on any procedures Dad needs. I'll just quote him here to update:

First email, from 11:50AM:

Hoag called me yesterday around 6pm to authorize a bronchoscopy to examine Dad’s left lung further. It was my understanding that it was intended to help evaluate the general condition of the lung and perhaps assist in removing some of the remaining fluids. They gave him some mild sedation to make this easier for all. Accordingly, Melinda and I went over a little later in the evening (9:30ish) in the hopes that he would be past the effects of the sedative but, he was still sleeping very deeply. Unfortunately, the nurse did not yet have any results to share of the earlier procedure.

I called a little while ago and spoke with today’s nurse, Marianne, who advised that I should be expecting a follow-up call from the Dr. who should be calling to request authorization of a different procedure to remove excess fluid from the area surrounding the lung - a potential procedure we were discussing yesterday. I am waiting on that call.

She further explained that under her watch he has been much more agitated and difficult the last two days and keeps trying to pull out the respirator tube. She told me she has had to sedate him several times because of this. This was the first time we have been told this. I explained that this has happened in the past and once he was able to speak again Dad had explained that he knew he had to have the tube but, there was something uniquely uncomfortable about it that caused the agitation and asked her to please take a look from that perspective.

Unfortunately, there is no sure way to know if he has just reached his tolerance point with this or, if there is a different level of discomfort that he is trying to convey…..


I’ll let you know what I learn once the Dr. calls.

2nd email, from 3:00PM:

I just spoke with Hoag a few minutes ago and authorized the insertion of a chest tube for Dad. The purpose of the tube is to act as a drain for the accumulated fluids in the chest cavity. The tech explained that when the patient's system is unable to process these naturally, they accumulate between the lung and the chest wall and effectively prevent the lung from filling as completely as one would hope. The more the lung is able to expand, the greater it's capacity to clear the junk inside. It's sort of a medical version of "it takes money to make money" ("it takes capacity to create capacity"!).

The procedure is done using a local anesthetic and presents minimal risk. The greatest danger would be that they might accidentally nick the lung. Fortunately, the solution for this......is to put in a chest tube.

Hopefully the chest tube will help his breathing and we can get the tube down his throat OUT.

More updates later.

Update on Dad-August 28th 11:30PM

As I guess is normal in this kind of situation, we are kind of at a standstill right now. Dad's body is fighting the attacks against it, but because of his significant physical challenges it is having trouble moving forward.

Really not too much to report today...Dad is still on the respirator, and still battling the pneumonia. He is still bleeding from his intestines, but it is greatly diminished. We have not moved much forward, but more importantly we have not moved back.

Dad is probably the toughest person I know. He is a fighter, and is still fighting when many, or probably most would have given up. His body has tried to quit many time over the last few years, but his mind continued to fight...and so he is still here. I think of him when I feel overwhelmed and down and it helps me to buck up...if HE can do it, it should be no problem for me.

Go Dad! I love you so much.

Hopefully more positive info tomorrow. I'll update when I get any new info.

Returning Emails

Just wanted to send a quick note to all of you who have sent me emails in the past week...I am so sorry I have not responded yet. With working, getting the kids ready for "back to school", soccer practice, driving to the hospital and everything going on with Dad, driving to Canyon Lake and everything going on with Henny, and taking my own little monkey to the ER, I have been totally and completely OVERLOADED.

I'm a little tired, worn out, exhausted, and did I mention brain dead??

Ugh...waa waa waa...okay, enough whining. But really what I want to say is I cannot express how much all of your kind words and emails mean to me, and how much strength your reminders of leaning on faith, etc. are helping hold me up right now. I do read every email, and will hopefully have a little time over the upcoming 3-day weekend to respond.

In the meantime, as the old guys from Bartels and James would say..."Thank You for your support!"

Update on Dad-August 27 9:45PM

David and I saw Dad this evening and had a good chance to speak to his nurse. Here's what we learned:

Dad had a CAT scan today, which showed really no improvement with his pneumonia. Or, the other way to look at it is...it's not getting worse, so that's a blessing. It also showed there is quite a bit of fluid in the area around the lungs, and the Dr. is going to be deciding in the next 24 hours or so if they need to drain that area with a needle they would insert into the fluid pockets to drain them. As of tonight, Dad is still on the respirator, and still has his hands in restraints. We asked about this, as he is pretty much alert and lucid, but the nurse says when they loosen or remove them he immediately starts reaching for/playing with the tubes and she is just worried that he might find them so irritating he would pull them out.

Dad's bowel blood loss definitely seems to be less, and as of right now they are just hoping that it will stop bleeding on it's own...so again this is kind of a "wait and see" type thing. This could change dramatically at any time if something "breaks loose" in there. The are giving him nutrition through his G-tube, and so far he is tolerating that okay.

The last thing was the bedsore that he has, and that seems to be getting no worse, but really getting no better. They are rotating Dad every couple of hours, and treating it with "barrier" cream, but it seems very slow in healing as well.

Dad had the Angel game on while we were there, and seemed interested in watching that. My feeling is that this will be a long process of recovery, and most of these things that might clear up for a "healthy" person in a week or two might take Dad a month or two based on his overall poor physical condition and the effects of the Parkinson's disease. The nurse commented tonight that Dad was a real trooper, and was tolerating all of his treatments really well. I'm sure he will be thrilled to get the tube out of his throat, as he seems frustrated at his inability to speak...and who wouldn't be.

Thank you for all of your prayers. I'll update again tomorrow.

Update on Dad-August 27 1:00PM

Dad is continuing to improve, slightly. He is still on the respirator, but they are using it really only to suction his lungs, he is breathing on his own. They will take another x-ray today and see how he is progressing and when they might be able to remove it.

The cause of his intestinal bleeding has been discovered, and it is a herniated diverticulum (I'm sure I misspelled that one :-)). The bleeding is diminishing slightly, and we are hoping it will stop on it's own, because if it doesn't the method of repair is surgery, and Dad is a very poor surgical candidate. So we are hoping and praying that it will seal itself up, and heal, so no surgery would be required.

David said Dad was still confused about Mom not being around, and he did explain again to Dad last night that we had lost her months ago. He didn't want Dad to worry about why she was not coming for a visit, and could tell from Dad's sad reaction that it seemed to have registered. I'm sure it's something he would rather not remember...and with his physical state it is easy for him to be confused.

That is really the only update so far today. I'll add more as I know it. I'll be going to see Dad tonight after work, so I'll update again this evening.

Thanks again for all of the prayers and love! I know Dad feels it.

First Day of School-2008

Well, I have to say that first day of school is kind of bittersweet for me. I'm so excited to see my kids starting out with the adventures of a new year (and watching their EXTREME excitement about it...especially Avery this year as she is entering Kindergarten!) But every year I drive away from the school after dropping them off a little teary. One year closer to having them leave the nest and be grown up.

 

I know, I know...why worry about that when they are only in Kindergarten and 4th grade? Well, it's because I know how fast these first few years have gone by, and it seems that each year goes by a little faster.

 

Avery was SO excited, and finally the day was here to put on her uniform, new shoes, and her big back pack full of all her new school supplies and new lunch box. We all walked to school together, and dropped Zoey off first in her class (she's an old hand at this) and then went to Mrs. Kahler's room to drop off Avery. Mrs. Kahler's room is so organized...with bins for all the supplies and check-off sheets for everything. Ahh...the smell of a fresh box of crayons...takes you back.

 

After the bell rang I went and took one more peek in Zoey's room and this is what I saw (she sits right by the door, which was open). She just looks so pretty and grown up to me (even though I had to beg her to wear the same outfit as her sister...I'm sure this will be the last time I see her in a dress this year...).

 

Then Andrea and I went to the "Boo Hoo" breakfast for Kindergarten parents, but after eating a yogurt and some orange juice we decided to leave...heck, we've been through this before and didn't want to sit and listen to the talk. We went out to the corner and watched all 4 of our girls, lined up with their classes and walking to first day chapel. The Kindergartners looked really tiny, and the 4th graders looked just a little too grown up. It made me think of my Mom, and how much she would have loved to see it as she was a Kindergarten teacher for all of those years herself. Dad would have loved it too for that matter.

We're off to another school year! 40 weeks of homework??? Times 2??? Hmmm...

Update on Dad-August 26th 12:15PM

The latest update is that there is not too much else to report. Unfortunately the endoscopy they did last night did not reveal the cause of the bleeding, and so further testing is required. They did take him last night for barium x-rays, but we do not know the results of those as of yet. We are hoping they will reveal the cause of the bleeding, but apparantly that whole procedure caused Dad some discomfort.

So not much more to report, certainly not the reports that I am looking forward to giving, that he has recovered and is out of the hospital. I know it is on God's time and not mine, but it's hard to wait.

One positive note, the staff at Hoag is just amazing, so kind but so efficient. I feel completely confident that Dad is getting the very best kind of care possible.

I'll update again this evening. Off to finish school shopping for the girls, as my Kindergartner and 4th grader will be starting school in the morning. Yiiikes!

Update on Dad-August 25 10:15PM

I saw Dad tonight between 5-6PM. He was awake, and his nurse told me he had been awake and alert much of the day. He seemed quite uncomfortable to me, and had a very tired and sad look in his eyes.

Unfortunately, his progress is not what we hope for. He gets a lung x-ray every day and today his left lung appears more congested than yesterday. Because of this they are not taking him off the respirator probably for the next few days, hopefully when the antibiotics start working and the lungs start to clear.

As I was there this evening they were preparing Dad for an endoscopy to determine the location of the bleeding in "his gut" as the nurse put it to me. Apparantly the bleeding has been "slow but steady" and is concerning enough that they need to investigate it. They were hoping to see the source of the bleeding and do something to stop it. If they cannot, they will try to prep Dad for a colonoscopy tomorrow. None of this is fun.

So we continue to wait and pray. I think that this will continue to go up and down...he is already compromised because of his Parkinson's disease and so things that a "healthy" person would get over quickly will take Dad much longer. We are praying for the day the tubes will be removed and he will be able to be comfortable.

More updates tomorrow.

Update on Dad-August 25th 2:40PM

Well, perhaps it is a little of two steps forward, one step back?? Or is it one step forward and 2 steps back...

Anyway, Dad is still on the respirator, just not getting enough oxygen for them to feel he can do it on his own yet, although I know he really wants to. Hopefully tomorrow...

David got a call that he had been having some blood in his stool, and based on tests they determined he needed to be given whole blood. As a result, last I knew they had given him 4 units of blood (sounds like a lot to me). Not sure exactly how he is losing this blood or what is causing it, but I don't like the sound of it.

He also has a nasty bedsore on his back, but I guess that is not too unusual. Ugh, I just feel so bad for him having to go through so much discomfort and being so sick, but the people at Hoag CVICU could not be more incredible, and I know he is getting the VERY BEST of care.

Please keep him in your prayers. I'll continue to update. I'll be going there after work tonight, probably will be there around 5PM.

PS...I want to say a big "THANK YOU" to Tanya and Andrea for watching the girls and even keeping them overnight on Saturday. The girls loved it and it gave us the time to see Dad and do what we needed to do. Also a big thank you to our employers that give us the time to do what we need to for Dad right now as well. Much appreciated.

Update on Dad-August 24 5:45PM

Dad seems to be improving a little bit every day. When we saw him today the nurse said he had been awake most of the day, and he was awake the entire time we were there to visit. The nurse mentioned that he was breathing better, and based on the results of some blood gas tests they might be able to take him off of the respirator today or maybe tomorrow. He wants the tube out and made that pretty clear, even though he is unable to talk. The nurse has him laying on his side, as he has a bedsore that they want to keep the pressure off of.

We continue to pray that Dad will be out of the CVICU in the next day or two, but will probably be in the hospital for a while. We appreciate your continued positive thoughts, prayer and support.

May God's will be done.

Update on Dad--August 23, 2008 6:15PM

Dad seems to be doing a little bit better, his vital signs are improving. He has been weaned from the cardiac meds, and is able to maintain his blood pressure on his own. His blood oxygen levels are improving, and the Dr. is hopeful to take him off of the respirator in the next day or two.

He has been awake during visits, and even though he cannot talk because of the tube in his throat, he can communicate via head shakes and squeezing of his hand.

Hopefully all signs will continue to point in the positive direction over the next few days. I believe all of these positive thoughts and prayers are working, and our family appreciates them SO MUCH!

I will continue to update as changes occur.

Update on Dad-11:15PM

I just got a call from David, and his latest visit was very different from mine.

Dad was awake, and aware of what was happening around him He kept mouthing (as he cannot speak) asking where my Mom was, and they told him she was not here, not wanting to dampen his spirits.

David told me he was awake enough to turn the TV on and watch the Olympics with Dad, and that he was doing very well.

Hopefully this is the turn around that we are all hoping for.

Update on Dad-August 22--7:15pm

Well, I went to see Dad with the highest of hopes, as my husband had seen him at noon and was able to communicate with him.

As I saw him at 7PM...he never woke up and was totally unresponsive. His nurse told me he was so septic that his total body was fighting that and that took all of his energy.

Okay.

I still walked away very down in the dumps...hoping for just a little bit of seeing his eyes open, just that he was there, but it was not to be.

Sleep Daddy...let your body fight.

Update on Dad-1:45PM August 22, 2008

Another quick update...Rob went to see Dad around lunch time and was able to share our love and prayers with Dad. He said the nurse was moving Dad's head and that he did wake up. He seemed to really want to be able to talk, but cannot as he has the tube down his throat. Rob said he definitely was understanding what he was saying though, and able to communicate with nods.

Hopefully we are going in the right direction.

Update on Dad-August 22, 2008

My Dad was taken to Hoag Hospital, CICU late Wednesday night after Victoria Health Care (the nursing home where Dad lives) noticed he was having some difficulty breathing. When he got to Hoag they were concerned enough about his breathing to put him on a respirator. Apparantly he was so sleepy at that point that they did not have to used any anesthetic to place the tube down his throat.

The Dr. feels he has pneumonia and a urinary tract infection. He is on heavy duty antibiotics and fluids to hydrate his system. He does not have a fever.

As of last night when David and I went to see him, he was completely non-responsive, just appearing sound asleep. This was very concerning to both of us, as he had been at Hoag almost 20 hours by that point, and even though he had been given no meds to make him sleepy he could not be roused. However, Cheri called me early this morning and said the nurse mentioned that around 2AM he opened his eyes and was able to nod to yes or no questions.

Dad is very sick, but we are hoping and praying that once the antibiotics have a chance to work in his system he will start to turn around.

Please keep Dad in your prayers. I will update as new information becomes available.

Things that SUCK

1. Having advanced Parkinson's Disease
2. Not being able to eat or drink--ever
3. Not being able to walk
4. Losing your beloved spouse of almost 52 years very suddenly a few months ago
5. Being in constant and excruciating back and hip pain
6. Being taken in the middle of the night to Hoag hospital and placed in the CICU
7. Having a tube put down your throat and your arms tied down to the bed so you can
breathe.

My Father has certainly had WAY MORE than his fair share of crap this year, and through it all he never complains...he is patient and positive.

I however do not feel patient and positive. I feel angry, and helpless and very, very sad.

Enough is enough already. He needs a break.

Hang in there Dad. We love you so very much!

Back in the Day

So now, a little walk down Memory Lane.

When I was a young girl and lived with my parents in Saudi Arabia, my Father had this "annoying" habit of bringing his suitcase-like camera case with him everywhere and shooting hundreds of photographs wherever we went.

 

At the time, I was too young to realize what an amazing adventure we were having, traveling the world, going to places other people only dream about. By the time I was 12, I had been to the pyramids in Egypt, the Eiffel Tower, the Sistine Chapel, London Bridge, the Colliseum (sp?) in Rome, etc etc etc.

 

This whole time my poor Dad endured the rolled eyes, the groans, and the complaining as he snapped away. He took hundreds of pics, and during that time he was shooting almost exclusively slides. These slides are now in MANY boxes in the closet of my parents home, and in an effort to help my brother get the house cleared out I took home several of these boxes. I purchased a new "photo" scanner and started digitizing some of these images. In just the few trays I looked at I found so many incredible images. What a treasure! I can't wait to see what I will find as I go through the whole bunch!

 

Of course now I am the one that is carrying the huge camera bag, and insisting that my family and friends stop, wait, and smile for me as we go through our day to day. Okay, I know we are not usually in front of "World Wonders" but when people look at the pictures later on they are always happy that I took the time to take them.

Thank you Dad for teaching me the value of photo-documenting my life and the lives of people I care about!

 

Ugh, and one last thing I noticed about any of these old pictures with me in them...I need to smile more...geez...

Something you never knew about Stef

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The Girl in the Window

"The authoities have discovered the rarest and most pitible of creatures: a feral child."

Being the Mom of two beautiful daughters I came across this story and it literally made me sick to my stomach.

This is a story from the St. Petersburg Times about a young girl who was the victim of one of the worst cases of neglect you will ever read about. It's such an incredible story, and here you have both the best and worst parts of human nature laid out in technicolor: the mother who did this to her own daughter, and the family who was courageous enough to bring the girl into their lives. I've been sitting here riveted by this story, crying, trying to wrap my head around it all, and feeling really inspired by the generosity of strangers. See also the video and audio component to the story.

And then go hug your kids.

Happy Birthday Cheri!

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Happy Birthday Cheri!

Today is my big sister's birthday. She is, as my Mother-in-law would have said, "39 and holding". Right? Right now she is somewhere on the East Coast spending time with Richard's family, and hopefully relaxing and having fun. As this is the first vacation they have had in 3 years, I hope they are having a wonderful time.

 

In the picture above, you can clearly see that my sister is the only normal looking one in our family. My brother, who went on to a successful career as a used car salesman, myself...looking a little too much like the Pillsbury Dough Baby with the Princess Leia hat, and my Mom, apparantly fresh out of the Navy and hiding one of those used cars in her hair. Thank heavens she did not inherit "the family photo gene" that the rest of us seem cursed with.

 

Wait a minute...what's going on with my brother's pants??? Did someone say "used car salesman??" Okay, okay...I know it wasn't his fault...

 

Here Cheri is with my Mom at our parent's 50th wedding anniversary...about 2 years ago. I love this picture, because two of my favorite people on the planet look so happy. It was a good day.

So...a few fun facts about my sister?

She has a few hundred (only she knows the actual number--I think it's highly classified) cookbooks and her cooking totally rocks my world, along with the world of anyone lucky enough to sample it. I call her when I need to know how to boil water...and she never laughs at my total cooking ignorance.

She loves art. Not only did she study it in college, she also has an impressive collection of art books. But the real fun fact??? She's got the skillz...and when the mood strikes her she can create art. Something I respect. I hope for a piece for my wall someday.

She's a butt-kicking bike rider, and loves to go for long rides with her husband. I love getting the pics they sometimes snap on the way.

She is one of the most loving, kindest, most empathetic people I know. She is my shoulder to cry on, and one of my biggest cheerleaders. I love her completely, and I wish we lived closer. I miss her every day, and I wish my girls got a chance to see more of their Aunt Cheri. (Okay, okay...not a "fun fact"...)

 

Last "fun fact"...I'm quite sure she's up to no good in this picture...

I love you, my big sister! I hope you had a wonderful birthay today and it was everything you wished for. Mmmmwwwaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!

Your little sistah...
Monkey Boo

Newsletter-Zoey Month One Hundred Thirteen

Newsletter-Zoey Month One Hundred Thirteen 8/8/08

Dear Zoey,

Well, I guess I started this a little late (113 months had to go by before I thought of it??), and actually I cannot take credit for this idea. I saw another Mom doing this on her blog www.dooce.com and I thought it was actually a pretty cool idea. So here goes.

 

This month you have been in the middle of your summer vacation between 3rd and 4th grade. Your summer school this year has been a blast, with at least 3 field trips each week, to places like Disneyland, the Beach, Knott’s Berry Farm, California Adventure (you went there and Disneyland both twice this summer), Angel’s BB games, Wild Rivers, etc etc etc. You even went to your first “sleep-away camp” last month, and Mommy thought it was going to be the death of me. I missed you so much that whole week, and our family was just not whole without you. I spent so much time (along with Mrs. Conley) getting everything ready for you, and sending you care packages, a letter every day (starting several days before you left, so you would get one your first day there). I ran home to the mailbox each day, waiting to hear something from you…and got your one and only letter the day you came back home, just a few hours before you got back! I called the hotline number several times a day, anxious for updates as to how and what you guys were doing. Okay, your Daddy probably thought I was nuts. But I couldn’t help it, I love you so much.

 

You have inherited your Daddy’s olive skin and since you have spent so much time outdoors and at the beach you have gotten very tan this summer, and your legs seem to be getting longer by the day. Your hair has gotten the sun streaked “beach babe” look, and your new A-line bob looks so cute on you. I must admit you seem to be growing up so fast, and sometimes I glance at you from across the room and you take my breath away, you are so beautiful. I’m a lucky Mommy indeed.

Next week is your last week of summer school, and it will be time to shop for new school supplies and uniforms in preparation for 4th grade. Do you think we will be able to find the perfect backpack like we did last year…the one with zebra stripes and pink straps? We still don’t know who your teacher will be, and since there will be 2 new 4th grade teachers at St. Paul’s this year we really aren’t even “hoping” for a particular one. You aren’t stressed about it, you are definitely the kind of child that rolls with the punches and never seems worried about change. You have lots of friends at school, and I think you are just anxious to get back to seeing them all of the time.

 

You started soccer practice this last week, and this is the 5th year you have played soccer. I was so proud of you at practice, you were really giving it your all and doing a great job. I think this will be another fun season. Between you and your sister, we have practice 4 nights a week, and then starting in September we will have 2 games every Saturday. It’s a big time commitment, but I know you really like it.

You are very into the computer these days, and love to go on the webkinz site. You have your own email address and told me today that you have been saving coins for your laptop fund…so far you have $54.77, plus your $200 you have in savings. It’s the number one thing on your wish list right now, and seeing as how your friend Britt has one you think yours should be right around the corner. Owning your own computer at the age of 9?? I never would have dreamed of such a think. You also love playing your Nintendo DS, and the Wii, and are very good at any type of video game. You have a small iPod that you got for Christmas, and you love listening to Coldplay (just like Mommy), and Miley Cyrus. You also love to use Mommy’s old digital camera to take pictures of Cisco, or make silly videos.

Well, I will try and keep up these newsletters for you, and we’ll see how long I can stick with it. I hope one day you can read these notes and remember a little bit about what your life was like…way back then…and know how much I love you. Until next month…

Love,
Mommy

 

Update on Henny--July 2008

Henny continues to wage her fight against the horrible disease that invades her mind and body. She is such a strong woman physically, and her strong body has kept her going even while her mind fights the disease that invades it. After almost 60 years of marriage, she is by no means in this war alone, and has a whole team of family helping her and fighting this illness with her. The Captain of that team is Joe, who cares for his bride with the dedication of a saint. He makes sure she is fed, clean, medicated, and as comfortable as she possibly can be.

 

We were all there for Joe's 83rd Birthday, all 5 of his children were there, along with many (but not all) grandchildren. A wonderful dinner was made, and the highlight of the day was getting Henny into a wheelchair for the first time in several weeks...up out of the bed. Her strong boys got her around her home, stopping to watch the activity in her kitchen, and just take a tour of her home...giving her something different to look at and experience. She did great with it, and Joe said it was the most wonderful birthday gift he could have received.

 

The whole day was very bittersweet for me. Losing my own Mother so recently, the wound is still very open and raw. The hard reality that we most probably will lose Henny this year as well is very difficult for me to deal with, as she has always treated me as a daughter, and to me she is my "other Mother". I am so proud of the Warren family and how they have come together to surround Henny at the end of her life with love and compassion. I know in my heart that she wishes for nothing, and feels no discomfort or pain. 24/7 she is surrounded by people that love her, soft music and a very soothing environment. She is a woman who will hopefully celebrate her 89th birthday this month, while she will never know it. It still weighs so heavily on my heart, every day. So many times I cannot help myself by to break down and cry, not only for Henny, but for the deep ache I feel that is the whole in my heart I have lived with since my own Mom left me. I still needed her. I miss her so very much, and I cannot bear to think about not having Henny any more...even though we have not really "had her" around in a very long time. Death has a horrible finality to it.

 

We have some very difficult times ahead of us all. I'm sure that everyone will deal with them in their own way. For me, it seems impossible that two of the most important women in my life will leave this earth the same year, and I cannot imagine how to go on without them. I guess I don't have a choice. How to live without that anchor of grief around my heart pulling me toward the bottom?

 

I don't know.

San Clemente Camping with the Conley's

Well, we spent another wonderful weekend with the Conley Family. A nicer bunch of people it would be hard to find. At one point we counted and there were 13 kids in the group...30 people in all. We had a blast, just too short of a time to be there.

 

Some Park Rangers came to the campground and read a letter meant for Andrea's Grandfather...a man who had brought his family here to camp for over 60 years. Unfortunately they were not aware that he has recently passed away, but two of his daughters were there to hear the letter read, along with many of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. What a legacy! We felt honored to witness it.

 

The kids all had a blast, and the only downside was not being able to bring the Dude. He had a wonderful weekend at "Camp Atkinson" with his best buds, and came home exhausted.

 

Lots of Mom/Daughter and Daddy/Daughter time.

 

What could be better???
I'm ready to sell the house and spend a year camping around our country. Honestly...sounds like heaven for me.

July 3rd--in Orange

Do you know how much fun it is to be 5 years old?? And have a "4th of July" party at school where you get to decorate your bike and have a bike parade??

It's fun! Lot's of fun!!

 

Daddy helped Avery get her bike ready the night before, using lots of decor from his work "4th" picnic. It turned out AWESOME...and Avery was so excited to ride her bike in the parade.

 

Then later in the day we did our traditional "3rd of July" celebration that is a city of Orange tradition. El Modina High School has a large firework show on the 3rd every year, which is visable from the park closest to our house. A few picnic blankets, some sandwiches and a little disguised wine and we have a really cool evening.

 

Even if I was having trouble with my camera.

 

Happy 4th of July America.
God Bless America