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 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

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

Thursay's musings - 7-28-11 - Rod's bit

Greetings friends and family!

My dad sent me his bit for our blog the day after I posted the last one... this one is from Tuesday of this week.  Sorry for the delay.  Here we go...

I love not having to go to transplant clinic but once a week.  Although this Friday we have to go in for a blood draw for a lipid panel.  But, as soon as they are done drawing the blood we are free to leave.  


Our clinic on Tuesday was good.  In general they are pleased with me, all of them (except the doctor) said they think I need to drink more water.  I know they are right, but, it is hard to drink 4 quarts of water of water a day after being limited to l.5 liters during dialysis for 2.5 years.  But by damn, I’ll do it.  


The head of the Nephrology team was my doctor Tuesday.  In discussing our plan to take the grandsons to Estes Park this weekend and how for years Heidi had to arrange dialysis in Longmont  when we went to Estes, his brilliant mind just wondered why someone doesn’t set up a mobile dialysis unit to service those remote towns.  I just may speak with Davita, whose national headquarters is now in Denver, about doing just that.  Davita is a mega company who sets up and owns the thousands of dialysis facilities around the nation.  Maybe they already have some mobile units, I don’t know.  But, it gives me something to do to find out.  I’ll  keep you posted.

Rod   


I think all six of us - my family and my mom and dad are excited about going to Estes Park this weekend together.  This will be my family's mini-trip this summer thanks to my folks.  We have one more week of summer vacation.  I will start back to school with meetings on August 8th and the grand opening of the School Year 20011-2012 at St. John's Lutheran School  will begin on August 17th!  Lutheran High School in Parker will also begin that week although at this moment I am unsure on which day.


Prayer requests

• In order to have happy doctors... both parties involved in the transplant process need to be drinking an acceptable amount of water... ie: A LOT!  Pray that mindsets can be changed and water will be consumed freely.  (Mostly Rod... I think I've got this down now!)
• Safe travels for us as we vacation in Estes Park this weekend.
• Thanks for all of our friends and family who make up our support system.  We depend upon all of you so much!

Blessings on your weekend!!

Monica

Happy Sunday everyone!

Hi guys!

This is just a quick update to let you know that everything is still moving forward and time is marching on.  You probably already knew about the time part.

My mom and dad came over to our place for dinner last night.  They haven't been here for dinner since Father's Day.  I noted on Father's Day that my dad had very little strength - even needed help stepping up the two steps from our front yard into our house.

Here we are a month or so later and he was able to do everything with no help.  He even went up and down the stairs inside our house with no help.  He has mastered the stairs in his own home too.  This is a huge milestone in our transplant/recovery journey.  It is something for which to thank God!

We had always heard that the transplant is typically harder on the donor than on the recipient because the donor is a healthy person undergoing major surgery while the recipient is generally someone who is sick - but getting something that will make him feel better - almost immediately.

But you know us Sloans/Riches... we are not typical now nor have we ever been!  It's part of our charm.  I am just grateful that everything is moving in a forward direction now, and that recovery is happening still - for both of us.

Thank you for hanging in there with us.  My dad and I could never express the depth of our appreciation to all of you who cheer us on, pray for us and encourage us!  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

I will continue to update as needed.

Prayer requests

• Continued strength gain and water drinking for both my dad and I.
• Continued patience and understanding for my mom.
• Prayers of thanks for the progress that has been made.

Blessings everyone!

Monica

Wednesday's news... Good news indeed! 7-20-11

Hello friends and family!

I don't think I have ever waited 5 days in between blogs!  As my dad and I progress (and it IS progress) the recovery just takes time and some days there just isn't much to share.

I had a dream last night about school.  This tells me that my mind is starting to process the fact that I will not get to sleep in until 8am for very much longer.  This also means that maybe I should be less offended when I see school supplies abundantly displayed at places like Target.  The end result is inevitable!  I will be starting to get excited and nervous both at the same time in the very coming days!

My dad has great news and he gave me his bit to put into the blog...

Tuesday was one of the best days since transplant rehab WE DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK ON FRIDAYS ANYMORE, JUST TUESDAYS. 

I lost about 30 pounds of nothing but fluid. That means I am rehabilitating well.  It opens the week for more activities, It is all good.  I am tired of being stuck here and having to watch those miserable Rockies play baseball like a fifth rate high school team.  

I am growing a grey goatee.  I kind of like the idea of seeing what it looks like on me.  Heidi is appalled, consequently it might not last too long. I had only two inquiries as to the whereabouts of the Christmas in July letter. I guess it was time for its demise.  

I need to go for now, Erica and Dax are coming over hang with me this morning, Heidi is taking Susan Kirch to lunch for her birthday.  What a blessing family and friends are.

Rod

The goatee part is funny.  My son Tanner who is 13 has been telling us that he wants to grow facial hair so he can shave cool designs into his neck and face... huh.  My dad has NEVER IN MY LIFE had any type of facial hair - EVER... period.  My first thought was that some personality trait that Tanner got from me was transplanted into my dad along with the new kidney!  It's okay... you can blame that one on me!  I like to be a little different anyway!! :)

Prayer requests:

• Continued healing and recovery for both my dad and I
• Continued patience and understanding for my dear mom!
• Continued strength gain for my dad - the goal is to be able to go up and down the stairs in their home.

Thanks for all of your love and support.  It means the world to both of our families!

Blessings,

Monica

Friday's post from Rod... 7-15-11

As promised... here is my dad's bit for this blog.  He is being very kind - just remember... I learned from the best. :)

Bump,    * from Monica... Bump is the nickname my dad gave to me when I was very young - you'll have to ask him for an explanation!
   
So, the week is over, Heidi and I did our second transplant clinic today for this week.  We will have two clinics a week for a couple more weeks.  They are watching this old, tired ticker like a hawk.  I think they are surprised how well it purrs when in sink with the rest of the body.  Quite frankly, I am too.  When they get the heart rhythm in check, we are good, they are happy, i feel better and all is more right with the world. 


I am hearing from dear friends from all over the country Who read this blog and appreciate Monicas efforts.  She is an amazing young lady.  When you say Monica has a writing style like mine, it makes me feel good but actually she is much better than I am.  I need to go get ready for the Rockies Game on T.V.  Keep us all lifted up in prayer. 


Rod


I think that sums it all up pretty well for now!  Blessings dear friends and family!  Thanks again for all of your prayers and support!


Monica & Rod