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5/28/2006 Memorial Day weekend through Tuesday eveningSo far this weekend has been pretty relaxing! It is Memorial Day weekend so John is home an extra day.
John cleaned out the a/c unit as it was running a bit hard - there was a buildup of dust and debris (spruce needles and maple helicopters / leaves) in the unit so now it will function better. The thing is original to the house so is about 42 years old! There is a big evergreen shading it, so that must be its secret to longevity (other than John checking it 3 times a season). He also noticed that there is a rabbit family in my gardening stuff nearby - I have a bunch of pots, dirt and other stuff in the back and have not been able to do much with it this year. Since I am not disturbing it, they have nested there which is fine by me. There is a huge black cat that stalks for rabbits, birds and deermice in my backyard (the mice are coming around due to nearby construction so they are being chased from their natural habitat) - photos below from the other day as he lays around just waiting... We also have several owls that come out at night - I hear them hooting away pretty often now.
Back to the weekend... two of the boys next door graduated this year (one from 8th grade, one from high school) so we went to the combined graduation party yesterday afternoon. It was very enjoyable and we caught up with their family members (we know them well) and some of the neighbors as well. The high school graduate (Andy) is going to attend the univ where I work next year, and I found out so is the boy down the street (John). They both want me to take them around the campus again when I am back at work (which is not a prob), and we already have a few lunches planned together in the dining hall. I have a feeling they will do that for a short time until they become aquainted with more of the students. One other of their friends, Emily, is also attending and I am sure she will join us as well. The circular tables fit 8 comfy - 10 if squished, so the more the merrier!
I have been mostly resting all weekend though so far.
Tonight we are invited over to another neighbor's house for a barbeque - pork steaks and chicken plus whatever else they are serving. It should be fun. When I asked what should we bring, I was told ourselves. They know I usually make something but I can't right now. I told them I would just have John make it! We were assigned different flavors of potato chips plus dips, giggle. They don't want to put John out by forcing him to cook. He is actually really good already and has much improved over the past few weeks. Ah well, gives him more time to putter around or just relax with me.
Maybe he will go for a ride later as it is a fantastically sunny day with highs around 90! We will see... I do hope he does, as it makes him feel happy to be out riding, and I am fine alone.
Have a great weekend, and if you are in the USA remember the veterans on Memorial Day! (it would not hurt to remember them no matter where you live)
First Updates:
John did get to go out for awhile on the harley - he visited his dad for a bit. JoAnn (John's dad's wife) had back surgery Monday and came home on Friday. She is doing well, and Dad is taking care of her at home - much like John is doing for me.
We had a great time at Liz and Rich's house, they are wonderful long time friends and we do not see them enough. Besides their kids (grown and out of the home but there for the bbq), Liz's mom was there as was Rich's sister Bonnie (one of my best friends when a teen and we are still in touch - not enough either). The food was delicious, the conversation delightful. We probably stayed too long, but it was difficult to leave as we were having such a great time. John watched Hoodwinks with Rich and some of the others, while I visited with Bonnie and Liz.
Karina, Frank and Keegan are on their way over to spend a bit of Memorial Day with us this afternoon. Frank and John are going to bbq some hamburgers and Karina is bringing the rest of the food. She is making the deviled eggs here (I am teaching her my recipe). It is kind of fun being incapacitated as now I get to pass down some recipes while people help me. I am very glad it is just for a few weeks more though, as this is a pain in the neck! (giggle)
Second Updates:
Karina, Frank and Keegan came over and we had a great time. Frank and John bbq'd hamburgers and kabobs with sirloin tips and green pepper slices, and we had the typical picnic sides (potato salad, macaroni salad, beans, deviled eggs, fixings for the burgers, brownies, ice cream). We made a pitcher of homemade lemonade as well to have besides the other typical beverages. Hoodwinks turned out to be a really good movie (we watched it before they went home). The house is also nice and clean - thanks Karina and John
 . A few pics of Karina and Keegan playing with bowls (Keegan loves to put bowls on his and other people's heads - thank goodness they are empty!) and one of Keegan and I (that darn neck brace does not make for a nice pic but I don't care, as I want to have pics that the grandkids can say "yes that was what Grandma looked like when I was small" when showing to their own kids - like we will do with our own - so if I don't look wonderful so be it - at least they can connect.)Christopher is back in the hospital as of 5 am Monday and will be there for at least 3 days, maybe more. He had some kind of ulcers in his mouth and was bleeding from his rectum (they said it was a reaction to one of the heavy dose chemos that he has been on the past couple weeks), and he is receiving transfusions there besides them trying to figure out how to counterbalance the new treatments so he does not end up worse from it. More when I find out more on this new development. We got the call about it around 5:30 or 6 pm Monday.
Final Update:
Chris will be in the hospital until at least Thursday, possibly a week or two. He has received the platelets and whole blood and is on heavy antibiotics to combat a bacterial infection, along with other meds. The lack of platelets was causing the bleeding and it has now slowed to a fraction of what it was doing from the result of the transfusions - they are monitoring his levels to see if he needs more blood or platelets. If he does come home this week, he will have to continue to have an IV in place and a special care nurse will be needed at home periodically during each day and evening to check on him. No one is supposed to go up to the hospital to see him at this point, and Marty and Joan have to be extremely careful while there at the hospital with him. Joan is just staying there at this point. Marty has to go to work during the day as he could very well lose his job and they need the income. Clayton is staying with Joan's mom. (John and I said he could come here as I am not working, but so far they have not taken us up on the offer). Tomorrow is another heavy chemo day but I am not sure if they will administer the drugs or not. 5/24/2006 update on Christopher (grandson)Our grandson Chris is now in the 'delayed-intensification' stage of his treatment. (He has been in this stage for almost 2 weeks now). He had a whole-blood transfusion today along with his chemo treatment and tests. A special homecare nurse has to come in part of every day to give special chemo and other treatments, Joan and Marty have to give other parts of the treatment daily, and Chris has to go into the clinic at the hospital for the rest. Next week he gets a whole-blood transfusion plus a platelets transfusion and will most likely have to stay in the hospital for a bit while being monitored. Joan says he will be at his most vulnerable yet, and they are not supposed to have company or go places with him for a period of at least two weeks. They themselves have to be extra careful, and she has to try and keep everything he is around as clean as possible. The doctor said that the intensive treatment will make Chris very much in pain and nauseated, and they can not take it totally away at this point. They will do as much as possible to alleviate it though. I hope he has as little pain and nausea as possible, poor little guy. The good thing is he will be through with this stage after oly 2 more weeks. Then it is maintenance for 3 1/2 - 4 years, hopefully keeping it in remission during that time so that he does not have to go back on the heavy doses of chemo and added time for treatments. From last report, John's cousin Chris is still holding his own and is also in chemo treatments at this time. I will be touching base with his mom to see how that is going and will let you know soon. 5/22/2006 my weekendI kind of just laid around most of the time saturday as I really did not feel so good. My allergies were acting up, as was a migraine, and I was achy all over. I felt better by yesterday (sunday) and the day included a bit of fun. (I am progressing on schedule - have been able to go for rides as a passenger as of 2 weeks past surgery, and now also can drive if very short distances and if necessary - which is why I went to the memorial Friday at the funeral home about 1 mile or so away and I felt I had to be there if at all possible). Yesterday afternoon JoAnn took me to an old train depot that was remodeled and now is being sold for $1,599,000. Interior square footage went from 1200 to over 5000. I took lots of pics and a few will be included in the newest album as soon as possible. We had gone there when the depot had been sold to a developer and saw how it was then, so it was really interesting to see how it is now as well. It is still situated about 25 feet from active railroad tracks, separated by a row of bushes and trees and a driveway. More on this entry in awhile, going to lay down a bit for now. I am still not able to do my own housework or anything, so am very grateful to John for all he is doing. Everyone is making sure I don't go overboard, don't worry to those who have sent reminders that I am not supposed to jeopardize the surgery - my hubby, daughter, and some friends have made sure that I am following orders.
I have updated the entry about Laura and Ms McG. (see a couple entries down).
Back from laying down, and have added some of the train depot pictures. If you read the captions, I have listed things that were original in the depot along with descriptions of the pics. (If you are not sure how to see the captions, click on 'slideshow' in the upper right corner of photo album, and then choose 'full view'). There is also a filled-in train tunnel about a block from the old depot - they filled it in as there were problems with vandals and some other kinds of crimes after the tunnel was no longer used by the railroad. The tunnel was built in 1883, the same time as the depot. The immediate area had been the Meramec Highlands resort (which was why the depot was there) built by the railroad in conjunction with some businessmen. It ran from 1883 until sometime in the 1930's. By then people began to move out that far to live, so some of the cottages became full time homes and the depot was then used by the homeowners to travel until the passenger trains faded away and amtrak took over. The depot was no longer needed by the railroad so was closed down, and then someone who was homeless decided to move in since it was unused and lived in it until it was just about unlivable - then he moved out and it was left to rot. A developer somehow got hold of it - the alternative was that it was slated to be destroyed as it had become an unsafe hangout (the same reason the tunnel got filled in). I like the choice they made, as it is a shame when interesting buildings or places with a past like that get torn down.
Thanks Rosemary for the phone call while you were at the hospital waiting for your mom (I wish it was not a smoke break though - hint hint). Even though Rufus did not win the company tournament it sounded as if you both had a great time. It is nice when the company pays for everything including hotels, food and all! Hope the MRI on your mom turns out well.
5/18/2006 Thursday, plus Laura Bachman and Ms McGowanWe had a 2.9 earthquake this morning, but no damage noted. I went out to lunch with my sister JoAnn today and had a great visit.
Also today I learned of two friends passing within the past 2 days. Ms McGowan is the mom of two dear friends who owned the print shop I worked at, a sweetheart of a woman, always kind to me and she had a fabulous sense of humour and wit. (she was one of 15 children!!!) She will be cremated tomorrow. Laura Bachman was a good friend of Karina's for many years. From what I am hearing - not confirmed yet - she had anorexia and her organs shut down. She was 26. Both will be missed greatly.
Notices: McGowan, Virginia Lee (nee Spears), Born in Star City, Ark. Tuesday, October 30, 1923, daughter of the late Hattie Belle and George Spears, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2006, in St. Louis. Bachman, Laura Ann 26, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, May 16th and is now safe in the arms of Jesus Christ. 5/17/2006 WednesdayFinally a sunny day! Good to see the world bathed in sunbeams.
 I am taking it easy still, doing a bit of sewing but taking breaks in between steps.
Petie dog has been a bit more active, so that is good.
Chris is doing well, today is his chemo, etc so I expect he will be a bit worse for a couple days from that.
Karina and Frank are headed to Ohio for several events the next few days. Frank is in a wedding for one of his best friends, Keegan and his cousin Xavier get a one year
  celebration party with all the friends and relatives up there, and I hope Karina & Frank get to have a great visit with loved ones throughout the stay. Looks like they may have good weather for it too. Back to sewing! 5/15/2006 mondayChris is doing well, is at home and a bit more active. Things were quieter here, which is good as the rain and cold weather kind of did me in today. My friend Christine came over for about 5 hours and we tried to work on her geneology - found info on 9 ancestors so that is good. I let her look on the internet mostly after showing her how, as I kind of laid around and did not do much. Not much else to say today, have a bit of tea, I am having white and green fusion for its healing qualities. from Gaylene, thank you! hi paula do hope you are feeling better by now
just leaving a pressie for you
cya soon love gaylene xxx 5/14/2006 Sunday eveThis weekend went by quickly. Al is doing fine first of all. He is a bit sore, but doc said it is muscle related so that is good. I went with John to the store for just a little bit yesterday, and we both came back worn out, but was a good worn out. I was not sore from it today so that is good. It was my first passenger ride since coming home May 6. Chris went back in the hospital "for a few hours" this afternoon - they dropped by around 2:30 pm to give Keegan his birthday present and me a mothers day present (a 3 piece gardening tools set), then went to Joan's mom's to drop off a present and also leave Clayton there, then went on to the hospital. He had a low grade fever and they did a CBC on him to see what was going on with his levels before treating him. Joan said they had just done the bloodwork around 6 pm (wonder what time they finally arrived after leaving Joan's mom's?) Last we heard they were still waiting for results and would call us back... I will call them tomorrow as it is now past 11 pm. Hopefully he went home tonight. Keegan's birthday party was held at our house today (real bday is May 19 - but they will be in Ohio next weekend for a birthday party for both Keegan and his slightly older cousin Xavier - both 1 year old this month. The dads are twins so it was cool that their first borns arrived at almost the same day.) It was a great party and I put some pics here so you can see for yourself. After the party, Karina and Frank stuck around for another 5 hours and relaxed with us - the men watched Lord of War with Nicholas Cage. The house is again set back to normal and clean - Karina cleaned up the dishes and most of the party mess before they left and John picked up the rest. Trash is already at the curb. It was a great weekend and mothers day, even with the bit of bad thrown in, and I am content. Karina again donated 10 1/2 " of hair to locks of love and her new look is really chic and sophisticated. Frank thinks she is hot, giggle. I am so proud of her for doing that! (I am proud of her anyway! She is one of the brightest lights in my world.) 5/11/2006 is it wednesday???My brother Al called again this eve, still has not missed a day - now we are laughing about it so that is good. He has a lifting spirits laugh. This morning he had an incident as he calls it in the pouring down rain on the way to work. He and others were stopped in traffic - sound familiar? - and he was looking in his rear view mirror for a moment and saw the yukon stopped behind him and suddenly an 18 wheeler plowed into the back of her and then pushed the yukon into the back of his intrepid. well he said he thinks he is okay but is just now starting to feel it. I told him to get checked out. The lady in the yukon said something popped in her neck and she could not move anything without immense pain. She had Al call her husband. Conversation on her cell: "Hi hun." "Oh, this is not your wife, she had an accident." "what? who are you?" "i am the guy she hit." " what!?" "an 18 wheeler hit her first." "what!?!?" " we have to call an ambulance. here she is." (hands phone to lady thinking she will fill in husband). she quickly says "got to go, need ambulance, bye" - and hangs up! Poor hubby!!! He had no idea of where she was, how she was, anything but that some stranger said those cryptic messages. The lady was taken out on stretcher and stabilized. Al thinks she may still be at hospital. 18 wheeler did not even notice them stopped in the rain - he said he was looking 5 or 6 cars up ahead and they were moving fine - asked Al how fast he was going - he said he was stopped as was the lady in back of him and the vehicle in front of him. He leaves a car length in front of him and almost slammed into that one but there was enough space between. He has always been that way, very careful about his cars. Al's car lost its plate in accident, he was wandering around the highway with cars going by and picked it up then wandered back cars swerving but no one hit him! the officer said "i would rather you didn't do that again" and Al said "dont worry, i only have one plate!" he said he knows now that he was in shock. my oh my. He is going to see doc tomorrow as by tonight he was hurting somewhat.
I am not doing so well as I was, perhaps as I am not laying down as much. too much sitting and walking today i think. tomorrow more rest, most people will be busy so I will have more alone time to sleep. Have popped in, done blog, and now off to sleep. Hugs! 5/10/2006 woke up and could not sleep, so...thought I would post an entry, then try again to get comfy enough to drift off.
John is going to be leaving early for a road trip but will be home late tomorrow evening. There are people who will be popping by to make sure I am okay.
I have many
 calls and   visits so no problem about me being alone - at times I am trying to rest and am too busy talking to people to do so - it seems lots of people worry about me. Chris is doing well again, no fever so virus seems to have subsided for him. With all those antibiotics in him I am surprised anything can even begin to attack!
Keegan did something delightful this weekend! He took 4 steps on his own! Both Karina and Frank were there to see it so that is doubly cool. He did it for me the next day too, 2 steps, when they were visiting. He is growing so fast.
My brother Al called 3 times since Saturday, I love visiting with him. He lives in Arkansas so I don't get to do that often with our busy lives, but he and his wife Kim have not yet missed a day of calling - she called once when he was out helping someone but wanted to check on me. They are both really great people and make a cute couple.
Petie dog got out of the door today and I had to hold her back from greeting the 4 yr old neighbor girl (who likes Petie IF on a leash otherwise is terrified of her and was stumbling backwards towards the edge of porch when Petie started to her). her mom grabbed the girl and helped with Petie, and I did not hurt my neck it appears but my shoulder is now a bit sore but I put a heat pad on it so it should be fine. From now on I am sitting on a chair by the door and putting the leash on first whenever someone comes to the door - they will have to be patient as the little sign on the door says.
I am getting sleepy, yay, so will end for now. Until next time, enjoy a cup of tea, but please clean up after yourself as I am not yet allowed to do so.
 update following morn:
I got back to sleep, rambling here did the trick. Can not stay on for a long period of time as it is not comfy sitting at the computer. 5/7/2006 sundayHi all, just a fast update as I am hurting a bit and on pain meds. surgery went fine. will heal fine. doc took longer than expected but said all went well. chris had a blood transfusion last week, and then went in again on friday night, he hopefully can go home today, has a virus. I can not see him as I could catch it. Not good for now. he will be fine though. am off to rest. more later, but will be on very little. hugs
Update Mon morning:
I am still getting used to the neck brace, wonder if that will ever happen? Am still on pain meds but cutting back from every four hours. I am glad the doctor had me stay in the hospital until Saturday as it was a lot worse from Fri to Sat than it was from Thur to Fri. I got plenty of rest at the hospital. those beds are great. I can not seem to get comfy here at home. Ah well. People have been wonderful. My good friend Shera brought over dinner for John and I and it was delicious. Then Cindy next door brought over some food as well, as did Rich and Liz. I will not go hungry for sure and they all sent wonderful dishes. Thank you so much. Brandon (14) baked me a beautiful cake! He has definite chef potential as everything he tries turns out fabulous. He has been experimenting for years, and it is nice that his mom allows him to do that. Karina and Keegan are coming over later this afternoon and she wants to learn how to make salmon the way that I prepare it. yum, I have not been able to have salmon for almost 2 weeks because you are not supposed to have things high in omega 3 before surgery. She said she is putting down a blanket in the yard for Keegan and I to rest, and she is going to plant my flowers for me that I did not get to plant. I am going to have her plant the tree as well, as it may be awhile before Clayton comes. I am thrilled she is willing to come help me, such a cool daughter - more than just a daughter she is the person I feel closest to. My sister is coming by in about 1/2 hour to play a bit of cards with me and have lunch. I am not supposed to be doing any cooking or cleaning or anything that requires stretching or lifting. Everyone is making sure I don't.  I have some hot flashes today, some pain, much tiredness still, but that is all to be expected. I really just want to mostly sleep I think. Chris is doing okay on his rollercoaster - it is hard on him with no immunity. I hope they get that all on an even keel sometime soon. Am heading back to rest. Hugs!5/3/2006 May is Motorcycle Awareness MonthSomeone sent me this email, and I thought it was important enough to share.
You Didn't See Me hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line. But, you didn't see me put an extra $10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday. I saw you pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk. But, you didn't see me, playing Santa at the local mall. I saw you change your mind about going into the restaurant. But, you didn't see me attending a meeting to raise more money for the hurricane relief. I saw you roll up your window and shake your head when I drove by. But, you didn't see me driving behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window. I saw you frown at me when I smiled at your children. But, you didn't see me when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless. I saw you stare at my long hair. But, you didn't see me and my friends cut ten inches off for Locks of Love. I saw you roll your eyes at our leather coats and gloves. But, you didn't see me and my brothers donate our old coats and gloves to those that had none. I saw you look in fright at my tattoos. But, you didn't see me cry as my children where born and have their name written over and in my heart. I saw you change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere. But, you didn't see me going home to be with my family. I saw you complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be. But, you didn't see me when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane. I saw you yelling at your kids in the car. But, you didn't see me pat my child's hands, knowing he was safe behind me. I saw you reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road. But, you didn't see me squeeze my wife's leg when she told me to take the next turn. I saw you race down the road in the rain. But, you didn't see me get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date. I saw you run the yellow light just to save a few seconds of time. But, you didn't see me trying to turn right. I saw you cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in. But, you didn't see me leave the road. I saw you waiting impatiently for my friends to pass. But, you didn't see me I wasn't there. I saw you go home to your family. But, you didn't see me Because, I died that day you cut me off. I was just a biker,..... A person with friends and a family. But, you didn't see me. ~Anonymous 5/2/2006 TuesdayChris came home and is doing better. Joan has a problem though, she is hurting in her jaw and has made an appointment for it to be checked out. Seems she has been hurting since Wednesday, first just a bit and then it developed into a major pain. Hopefully it is something simple like a tiny seed trapped in between the gum and tooth causing it to fester and not a root canal! Those are so expensive and their dental plan is about useless and a half. She said the circus was a HUGE disappointment and the kids begged to leave before it was intermission. They did leave after the first half. There were only 6 clowns total, 3 ladies doing any kind of rope or wire acts, and some animal acts that were not impressive at all. I was so surprised as Shriners usually put on a great show. She was surprised as well, as she remembers the circuses from past years and this was a bad one. She said the place had hardly anyone in the audience so word must have gotten around by the 2nd day. Most of the people left when they did. I hope Joan's jaw feels better soon, as I know how that feels. Well, back to work! Hugs and thanks for stopping by.
 from Gaylene
Thanks Gaylene, you have a great week too! |
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