SNOW DAY

We woke up to a beautiful sight this morning.

“All School Districts Closed for Teachers and Students”

scrolling across the bottom of the screen.
LOL
Yes, the white snow on the ground was beautiful too!
I’m not sure who was more excited, Alan or the kids.

I had to work, so, I still got up at 5:30am and showered and worked for a couple of hours before the rest of the family came downstairs. Alan made “daddy pancakes” for breakfast and we dug out the snow gloves and coats and sleds.


They had a ball!

By the end of the day, Will went through 4 pairs of pants (they got wet even under snow bibs) and about 7 pairs of socks. Alan walked with them to the park where there is a huge hill. They rode the sled for almost 2 hours straight. Will also rode his 4-wheeler in the snow. He liked the way it would slide when he gave it the gas!
We expect there to be a delay in the morning as the roads have some water on them that will probably ice over during the night.

Alan is doing GREAT. He went to the “Wound Center” on Wednesday so they could take pictures, measure, and make sure I’m caring for it properly. I am!! I’m not quite ready to sign up for nursing school. I did once think about going into pharmacy though.

My friend Julie called this evening and asked about the washing machine. YES, it is still working. We got the 2 lights replaced in the kitchen. I took the car to the shop yesterday. $228.13. I drove it for about 5 minutes today and the CHECK ENGINE light came BACK on. :sigh: Julie said it might be they forgot to reset the sensor. Let's hope so! We haven't bought a new over the stove microwave yet, but only because I haven't made it to Lowe's yet.


Blurry pictures (because I took them thru the glass window)



Will on the sled


Larissa's turn

Warming up by the fire!



Thanks for checking in.
God bless!

Diamonds on the front porch

Will and Larissa have FINALLY started playing in the woods and the little creek in our back yard. I have wanted them to do this for several years now. I’d fuss at them “Turn off that tv and go outside and play”. I now know the true meaning of “Be careful what you pray for.”


Yesterday and today (today was a school holiday – teacher work day), they have been “mineral hunting”. This means they raid my kitchen cabinet of every sandwich and gallon size baggie that I have. They go to the creek and collect minerals (aka ROCKS). They step in the mud getting it all over their hiking shoes. According to Will’s jeans, I think he’s spending most of his time on his knees and bottom. They then bring my baggies back to the front porch filled with these precious “minerals” that they must wash. One plastic bowl and bucket won’t do, they must have 50, and they are all on the front porch. If you ride by the house you’ll see the lovely array of various colored buckets out front. The rocks, I mean “minerals”, are on my little table out front. They are also neatly arranged in 2 or 3 shoe boxes in the house. Be careful sitting on the couch as you may sit on a precious stone. They only remember to take their shoes off after they are half way in the door, so, the entryway is a lovely color of gray. But, you can’t tell because the floor is covered in dirty socks and jeans. They can’t throw them in the dirty clothes hamper because they say “We’re going again in a few minutes”. I guess I can count my blessings that they are changing from dirty clothes to clean clothes when they come back in.
…
They are having SO MUCH FUN that I can’t for the life of me get mad at them! LOL I loved to play in the woods when I was a kid and I’m tickled that they are finally doing this.
Who knows, maybe the next pretty shiny white rock they bring up will be a DIAMOND!

Alan is doing well. He goes to the doctor on Wednesday.



Thanks for checking in.

When it rains, it pours....

Today has not been a good day.
No, Alan is fine. It just seems like everything is falling apart around here.

1. Alan has a big chuck of meat out of him.
2. The “Check Engine” light is on in my car. We had it hooked up to the computer at the mechanic’s. Its something to do with the fuel/oil mixer thingy.Sounds expensive, and yes, that is a mechanic term.
3. This morning the light in the kitchen wouldn’t come on. We replaced the bulb. It still won’t come on. The valence is brown so I guess it went out. I wanted new kitchen lights anyhow.
4. Tonight while “cooking” dinner (aka: heating up vegetable soup in the microwave), I put the bowl in, set it to 2minutes. Two minutes later it beeps and I take it out. It isn’t hot. Repeat. Repeat again. Who ever has owned a microwave that works but won’t heat? Guess what I do???? I march to Walmart and buy another one. Just a small one to use as a camping microwave. At least now we can “cook dinner”.

I’ve washed 5 loads of laundry today and still have a few to go. (totally sanitizing the house – washing all bedding, towels, etc.) I have to admit I’m expecting the washing machine to die here soon. And the refrigerator is 14 years old. Anyone want to take a guess at which one will go out next?

Those who know me know I always look for the good in things. I try not to be a “negative person”, so, I must end on a positive note.
I’m blessed that I do have insurance to help pay the hospital bills. I can afford to just buy another microwave and light. The car is fixable too. Although Alan’s MRSA infection was serious, it was not fatal. And best of all, Alan got a call from our close, personal friend (CPF) , Bobby today! It was so good to hear from them all the way in Kentucky.

So, yes, we're having a few bumps in the road, but, its gonna be okay.

I gotta run now, the washing machine is making a funny noise........

After the fact, It wasn't so bad

We got to the hospital at 6am. I got the kids up at 5:15 and took them to Bud & Jane’s. They took care of getting the kids breakfast and to/from school.
I was sitting in the waiting room all by myself waiting on them to get Alan settled with his IV and in the lovely gown and cap when my Pastor walked up. I was SO GLAD to see him and have someone with me. Alan and I have been married 14 years and in that timeframe, I’ve had 5 surgeries and countless other procedures/tests in a hospital environment. But, I’ve never been on the other end, the one waiting in the waiting room. (well, other than when the kids had tubes or tonsils out, but then Alan or my mom was with me then.).

So, Pastor Ken sat and talked with me and then we both went to sit with Alan while he was in the holding room. Ken also stayed with me during the surgery until Alan came out and was in recovery. What a comfort that was. I had brought my books and even contemplated bringing my laptop, but, no way would I have been able to focus on work. Thanks Ken for being there!!

And my poor friend Syndee. I didn’t get to talk to her Friday night so she just knew from this blog that Alan was having surgery. She left work Friday morning and came to the hospital to find me, only, she didn’t know which hospital we were at. She went to one and couldn’t find me so she called the other hospital. Alan goes by his middle name so, when they looked up his name, evidently it didn’t show up. I can just imagine her frustration knowing he was at the hospital but not able to find us. Hugs to you Syndee!

Alan’s recollection of the surgery is this. “After you and Ken left they said they were going to give me some ‘I don’t care medicine”. I looked up ready to enjoy the buzz. SECONDS later a nurse asked me if I wanted some ice chips. I looked up and told her I couldn’t have any until after the surgery. I then realized I was in a different room. I saw on the clock than it was no longer 7:30, instead it was 8:40. After that, I remember everything.”

I got Alan home and fixed him a bowl of soup. He raided the refrigerator several times during the afternoon. Bud & Jane brought over some vegetable soup, cornbread, and a pie. The kids ate 3 bowls of it! I can’t say enough how appreciative I am to have had Bud & Jane.

Saturday morning:
Alan almost passed out when he took the bandage and dressing off. I had to be encouraging and tell him “It looks really good babe”. It is HUGE. It looks like someone took a diamond shaped cookie cutter to his chest. Its about an inch deep I’d say. It’s open like a big crater. I had to pack gauge in it and I just pray I did it right. That’s my only worry right now.

So, Alan is good. No real pain, just a dull ache he says. ….and with a big hole in his chest! He’s pretty depressed the way 2008 is starting out. Perhaps he’ll get all the bad stuff over with and have a good year starting soon!

Thanks for checking in….

Home from hospital

We are home from the hospital. Alan is fine. I fed him some soup and he’s already planning his next meal. He says he feels great – much better than when he went in this morning.
No time for a long update right now. More later.

Thanks for your continued prayers and well wishes.

Alan is having surgery Friday morning.

We went to the family doctor today. He wasn’t completely satisfied with how it looked so he sent Alan to a surgeon. He told us the surgeon would probably lance it again right there in the office. The surgeon took one look at it and said, “Yeap, I need to do some work on this…..but…. too much to do today.”. So, Alan is scheduled to have outpatient surgery Friday morning at 7:30.

We had to run around trying to get him thru surgery preop in record time. I had to go to ER and find a lady to register him (it was past 5:30pm) while he was at another place in the hospital having blood pressure taken and all that stuff. It was crazy. The kids were still at Bud & Jane’s, so, they were fine.

I picked up the kids, took Alan home, and took Will to basketball. We got home and I literally threw the kids in the bed. Friday morning we’ll get the kids up super early and take them over to Bud & Jane’s. They will crawl in the bed over there until time to get up for breakfast and school. I can’t thank Bud & Jane enough for taking care of all this for me. What a huge weight off my shoulders to be able to know that the kids are fine.

Alan is nervous. He hasn’t had surgery since he had his tonsils out…… in 1967. He doesn’t want to be in pain. He just wants this all over with and to never ever get this stuff again.

I missed all afternoon at work and will be out tomorrow morning. I am blessed to have a job that allows me such a flexible schedule. Of course, the work to be done is still there, but at least I can work on it during the weekend. I thought about taking the laptop to the hospital tomorrow morning, but, I doubt I could focus enough to do anything.

Thanks for your prayers,
Lysa

Doctor's appointment today

Quick update - Alan has a doctor's appointment this afternoon. We have no idea what to expect. The wound is still draining some but there's still ALOT that needs to come out. Still red, but not as bad. Still swollen, but not as bad. Pain isn't as bad either.

Still in LIMBO, We will wait and see.

I'm going with Alan to the doctor's today. Bud and Jane are picking Will and Larissa up from school. They also have their grandson Tanner. The kids are excited to spend some time with him.

Keep the prayers coming!
Lysa

Limbo limbo....

Alan woke up this am "feeling great". When we changed the dressing this morning, we got alot of infection out. (I will spare you all the lovely details on the color and the amount!)

His fever is gone.

So, we had to make a decision to see the doctor today or wait til scheduled appointment tomorrow.

We sat around all morning waiting on the nurse to call. LIMBO LIMBO. I was trying to juggle who was going to pick up the kids, were they going to Science Club, what to do afterwards, etc. Thanks so much to my good friend Julie L. who said, "Just let me know and I'll get them.". Love ya Julie!
Larissa's teacher, Julie S., also was great by offering to let them stay in her room after the Science Club meeting until someone could come get them. She even offered to bring them home. (I couldn't quite convince her to let them spend the night! LOL). Thanks so much!!!

The nurse finally called. Alan spoke to the nurse and the doctor. They said this is a GOOD SIGN and to wait til tomorrow to come in. When he goes in tomorrow, the doctor might lance it alittle more, might give him an IV to boost the antibotic, or might send him to a surgeon. So, we're back in LIMBO. Alan wants me to go with him to the doctor's, so, I've had to cancel Larissa's ortho appointment for tomorrow and now I need to find someone to pick the kids up from school tomorrow. (Bud and Jane W. - I'll be talking to you about this tonight at church!)

Its so great to be a part of a church family and to have someone who I can call since I don't have biological family closeby. Of course, my good friend Syndee would always be here for an emergency but she works on the other side of town. (Love ya Syndee!)

::sigh::: - ok, enough LIMBO for me today. I have got to get some work done now. I wish I could call in a sub for 3 days! LOL

-Lysa

MRSA - now with a fever

Alan started running a (lowgrade) fever this afternoon.
Not good.
We'll be calling the doctor back tomorrow morning. I expect he'll be seeing the knife again soon.
He's in pain. Worse part is the anticipation and not knowing what to expect.
Not a good way to start the new year.
Keep the prayers coming.

MRSA - NEW FAMILY DOCTOR update

OK, continuation starting on Monday 1/7/08
Alan went to his NEW FAMILY DOCTOR (:::drumroll:::) This doctor lifted the bandage up and said, "You need to see a surgeon". Alan said he would have fell to the floor had he not already been lying down. Alan challenged this NEW FAMILY DOCTOR, telling him that the doctor on Saturday acted as if he'd be fine by next week, he was taking double dose of antibotic, etc. The NEW FAMILY DOCTOR took his temperature (normal - GOOD SIGN) and did a CBC (normal - GOOD SIGN) and told him to come back on Thursday afternoon and he'll make a decision then. Since then the redness has decreased in size and is also not as red (GOOD SIGN), but, the he still has a very large area that is very hard (BAD SIGN), the wound looks as if its closing up, and when you press on it, no pus or fluid comes out. Does that mean he'll need to be opened back up? We don't know and Alan is extremely stressed out worrying and wondering. So, we continue to clean and pack the wound. He's doing warm compresses and trying to press on it. Last night Alan was saying "I want to do all I can do to not have to be cut on". This morning, after seeing no improvement, he's saying "I want to do all I can do just have to have a small incision". I keep reminding Alan that this is not in his hands.

On a side note - the NEW FAMILY DOCTOR does not pretreat family members. After this MRSA is completely gone from Alan, I might see about getting me and the kids tested to see if we are colonized with the virus. Checking now won't do any good. We'll also see about cleaning the house, etc. For now, Alan has a dedicated bathroom, we're using gloves, washing hands, and taking all precautions.

Next appointment with the NEW FAMILY DOCTOR is Thursday afternoon. We'll know more then. If he does have to go to a surgeon, he'll get an IV of "feel-good" drugs and will be done at the hospital. I don't know what I'll do with the kids. I'll figure all that out when time comes I guess.I

'm not sure if anyone reads this blog, but, if you are reading, Alan could sure use your prayers.
Thanks!

MRSA - from the beginning

Since I haven't been blogging much, this post is to give you background into on Alan's experience with MRSA.

A week or two after Thanksgiving, Alan got an infection on his right temperal tobe. (between ear and eye). Day after day, it got redder and bigger. Mary Adams from church finally convinced him to go see a doctor. Since Alan is a man, and we've only lived in this town for 9 years (yes, I'm trying to be funny), he doesn't have a family doctor, so, he went to Urgent Care. They lanced it, gave him oral antibotics and sent him on his way. Next day it was worse so back to Urgent Care. Different doctor saw it this time and sent us to ER. At ER they lanced it again and gave him IV antibotics. He went back to dr a couple more times, got lanced once more (total of 3 times) and FINALLY it healed.

Fast forward thru the holidays.

I was at Pawleys Island for my end of year meeting and Alan calls me to tell me he was driving hom from doctor's office. Yes, MRSA again. This time its on his left chest. He said he now knows what its like to have a 34C cup breast. (or at least on one side). Hummm, I don't even know what that feels like! LOL. It started as a pimple and hours later he knew he'd have to go back to the doctor. So, kids in tow, he went. They both got to watch him get the scalpel. Will said "Oh, that's a lot of blood". Larissa turned white as a sheet and the nurse had to walk her to the bathroom so she wouldn't pass out. They bandaged him up and told him to come back Saturday. They gave him bactrim nose ointment to decolonize the MRSA. They said he should have gotten this the 1st time he got MRSA. So, basically he either reinfected himself or likely he didn't ever get rid of it 1st time.

Saturday (1/5/08) Alan went back to Urgent Care, saw a different doctor (I think that's doctor #4 now) and they lanced it more and cut out dead skin, doubled his antibotic, and sent him on his way. The doctor told him to come back in a week if it wasn't better. He gave Alan the impression he thought it'd be better. Alan was told to "pack the wound" twice a day but no formal instruction on how to do that.

Saturday evening Alan and I see the wound for the first time. (Its been bandaged). I'm not sure whose jaw dropped further. I took pictures but Alan would KILL me if I posted. Let's just suffice it to say, it looks BAD. Real bad. Wound is size of a nickel, red as fire from his neck to his arm pit and hard as a rock and black around the wound from brusing (doctor pushing on it to get infection out). We try to clean it, try to dress it, and just try to trust the doctors.
Perhaps my trust isn't all it should be as I definately asked my church family for prayers!

Sunday I talk to my dear sister. I wish she lived near us. I mean like RIGHT BESIDE US. I needed her when the kids were newborns, when they were toddlers, when they were preschoolers, when I had my surgery, when I needed a friend, well, ....you get the idea. Anyhow, she told me to get Alan to a "REAL DOCTOR". So, I convinced Alan to stay home from school on Monday and find a family doctor. I'll update on that next post.