Sunday, August 28, 2011

Sunday's update 8-28-11

WOW!  Two whole weeks since I've updated my musings!  Can you tell school has started and I have become suddenly very busy?!

We completed our first full week of school on Friday.  Some of the second graders were dragging by Thursday... definitely their teacher was tired at the end of the week.  We had a faculty party at our Principal's house Friday night and as I was listening to my colleagues tell about how exhausted they were after the fist full week... I realized that I think I'm back to almost normal.  It wasn't just me that was tired!  Life is good - I love my class this year!

My mom and dad just left our house.  They came over for dinner tonight as I was making a dinner that my grandmother (my dad's mom) used to make that my dad, Chris, Kelby and I just LOVE!  My mom and Tanner won't touch it but we make other stuff for them to eat.  It is always a nice tribute to my grandmother who passed away a couple of years ago.  After they left Chris commented on how good my dad looks and how well he seems to be doing especially after the minor surgery he had this past week to close off his fistula.

My dad has a bit of blog to add since his day patient surgery this past Thursday.  It reads:

Thursday's surgery went well.  We had to be at the Hospital at 6:30 A.M.
We were home by noon.  Our Vascular Surgeon, who we like very much (same guy who put the fistula in) was assisted by his son (who is an anesthesiologist) they were impressed by our father daughter transplant story.  



The surgery has not made a big difference in the swelling of the left arm YET.  They say it will over time, but that was not the real purpose of ligating the fistula.  We knew that, but had hoped there would be a miracle.
 



Well, it has been said here before, it is, what it is.  Tuesday, the 30th we have two doctors appointments and transplant clinic - essentially three doctors appointments. This has to stop, they are eating us alive.  


Well, three of the four grandchildren are now busy with school.  A junior in high school, playing good football at Lutheran High, an 8th grader enjoying being top king pin before he becomes a lowly freshman next year.  And, look out kindergarten, here comes the Princess.  Sometimes it just makes me cry watching them.  Heidi and I have to scramble to keep up with their lives.  It is what we do, we would have no other way.


Rod


We continue to praise God for the miracle he gave us in making this whole experience work in a positive way!


Thank you again for your continued prayers and support!  We know we couldn't have done this without you!


Prayer requests

  • Continued strength gain for my dad.
  • Swelling and water retention in the arm with the fistula to go down.
  • Strength and stamina for me as we are back full time in school now.
  • Blessings on the new school year for all students and teachers!
Blessings to you all!... until next time. :)

Monica


Monday, August 15, 2011

Monday 8-15-11

Well here we are, at the 10 week anniversary of the 2 surgeries for my dad and I.  I must say... this has been one incredible ride!  For me - the things I've learned and the whole experience has been a miracle!  I know that my dad is very grateful and he views this as nothing short of a miracle as well!  God has blessed us in so many different ways through this journey.

We started teacher's meetings at St. John's Lutheran last Monday.  The first two days for me were pretty big and warranted a nap in the mid-afternoon!  I went from resting on our couch at home (much of the time) to meetings and classroom preparations.  The days that followed in the rest of the week went better in that I was just tired at the end of the day... but I didn't need to actually sleep!  I feel I am at about 95% of my normal stamina. I think that is pretty good.  I'm really looking forward to school starting this Thursday!

My dad continues to get stronger and grow whiskers! :)  He went to church yesterday with us and we got to see many friends and supporters as we were attending an anniversary celebration of some very good family friends and many came to celebrate with them!

My dad will have his fistula closed off on August 25th.  The fistula is a device that was surgically implanted into his left arm and it served as a port for dialysis.  Thanks be to God that he doesn't need the fistula anymore!  It's not worth surgically removing it... but they are going to close it off as it frequently gets blocked and his arm swells up 2 or 3 times its normal size!  My boys call it his "Popeye arm".  We all will be glad when Papa doesn't have a Popeye arm anymore!

To all of my teacher friends who are starting up the new school year... God's blessings to each of you.  Your ministry is so important to so many people!!

Prayer requests

  • Continued strength gain for my dad.
  • Enough stamina to make it through the school week for myself.
  • Continued patience for my mom the saint who looks after my dad and does such a great job of it!
  • Blessings to all of the teachers and students who are going back to school this month - or next month... after all - "It's the most wonderful time of the year!" (I just love that commercial!)
Blessings,

Monica

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Happy Sunday! 8-7-11

My apologies for waiting so long to post a new blog entry!  As we approach the beginning of the school year, the pace of life is starting to speed up and I'm having to remember how to create a good balance in order to get everything done!

Our trip to Estes Park was very nice and relaxing!  My boys got to go fly fishing and we spend a lot of good, solid family time together and with my mom and dad.  My dad began driving by himself this week.  This is the first time since the surgery 9 weeks ago.  He went to the post office.  My mom called me while he was gone and we wondered together how it went... of course - it went fine!  It reminded me of the day I got my driver's license - I dropped off my mom at home and drove myself to the library.  I don't know why that sticks out in my head...

We have had the pleasure of hosting my cousin Bev for the past few evenings.  She is staying at our house and spends the days with my mom and dad.  She and my dad are pretty close.  It has been so nice to have her here!

I also got a surprise treat this week when I was at school when childhood friends Eddie and Annie Merz stopped in at St. John's and I just happened to be there.  It was very nice catching up and meeting their amazing kids!

I've been thinking about this blog.  I have decided that I will continue to update it - but only once a week as my leisurely summer is quickly coming to an end!  We start teacher meetings tomorrow and school starts on Thursday, August 17.  I will update this blog on the weekends.

Here is my dad's bit that he gave me last week...

Well it is a good week so far.  Clinic went well Tuesday,  not due back until next Tuesday, that’s a very good thing.  Wednesday I take my youngest daughter, Erica out to lunch for her birthday. I will begin driving this week.  I have not driven since I passed out a couple of times several weeks ago at home.  I don’t want to become one of the ever growing list of people driving through store fronts and into bridges, because of some medical condition.  A favorite cousin of mine from Monte Vita comes this week to visit.  All seems well with the world.  I pray each of you can say the same.

Rod   


Again friends and family... on behalf of my mom and dad and my family - we thank you for all of the support, the prayers and the encouragement all of you have given in various ways!  Blessings on your week!


Prayer requests

  • Continued improvement in health and strength for both my dad and myself.
  • Safety on the roads for my dad when he is out there driving.
  • Stamina and strength for me as I return back to the classroom and our lives start to get busy again.
Blessings on your week!!

Monica