Mom was very happy about her plans today. Dad & Mom were heading to Uncle Ray & Aunt Christine's to celebrate all the recent and soon to be family birthdays. Aunt Christine & her new grand baby, Sean, share a birthday on February 24th. Baby Sean's daddy, Brian Egan, also had a February birthday. Mom's birthday is on March 2nd. I think she may have mentioned another birthday or two but I can't seem to remember them at the moment. Well, at least I know they will be celebrated by Mom and Dad today! Kathie was in charge of all the food which will be delicious and a blessing to all in attendance. Kathie's husband, Scott, and their youngest son, Cody, were planning to be at the celebration along with Brian, Aga and baby Sean. Mom was looking forward to spending time with all these dear people who she loves.
Medically speaking, changes are in the works for Mom. After having a reaction to her iron reducing medication, the doctors have taken her off her daily 12 machine. Mom is thrilled about how much better she feels and that she doesn't have to have her constant companion at her side any longer. She is no longer on Cyclosporin and is on Prograph 743 instead. She feels better but it does come at a price...$80 per day!! She is still on Vicadan 24/7 and jokes about being a "75 year old drug addict"...keep in mind that she is only going to be 72 on the 2nd. Mom says being on the pain medication makes "a whole lot of difference." She just feels so much better! Mom continues to take her medication to prevent vomiting and because of the medication she is able to eat. This is a good thing.
Mom had a funny experience, or rather Dad did, when Mom recently went for an MRI. Her appointment was for 8:00 PM at night. Dad dropped off at the radiation building across from the Infusion Ward and then went to park the car. When he went to meet up with her, the building was dark and look completely closed. It took him a while to find Mom and he started to wonder where she could have run off. You'll need to ask Mom to tell you the story...she was quite tickled. Her MRI took 45 minutes per ankle since Mom gave permission for the radiologist to take extra info for further research. Mom wants as much good to come out of her illness as possible.
Mom told me that every morning she wakes up and says, "Thank you God that I am here." I know it would do me good to remember to be more thankful for each day God has graciously given me. Thank you Mom for the reminder.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Doing Better
When I talked with Mom today, she was returning from having lunch out. What a treat! Mom said she was feeling much better and was blessed to not be reacting severely to the new medication the doctors were trying out on her. The plan is to reduce and finally take Mom off Cyclosporin, which is not helping her liver and kidney function, and use the new medication instead. Mom was very happy to tell me that she was "tracking better" and felt more on top of things. As always, Mom was her usual optimistic self.
Mom's visit to the ranch was a HUGE blessing! Mom enjoyed being home and is looking forward to the next opportunity to return. If all goes well, this could be a very real possibility. Mom enjoyed sleeping in her own bed, waking up to the sounds of the barnyard animals and various wildlife animals, visiting with family, along with just knowing she had finally made it "home." Life is good...
Mom's visit to the ranch was a HUGE blessing! Mom enjoyed being home and is looking forward to the next opportunity to return. If all goes well, this could be a very real possibility. Mom enjoyed sleeping in her own bed, waking up to the sounds of the barnyard animals and various wildlife animals, visiting with family, along with just knowing she had finally made it "home." Life is good...
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Going to the Ranch
As I write, Mom and Dad are in route back to the ranch. This is so exciting! Mom has not been back in her home at the ranch since she left last spring when she entered the hospital in San Luis Obispo. It has been almost a year since she has been home. I can only imagine how excited she must be.
The plan is for Mom to spend the night and return back to the apartment at Stanford late tomorrow night. She is expected back in the Infusion Ward early on Monday morning. Last night, she was given everything possible so she could make this trip. Mom will continue with her iron reducing infusion pump as usual along with all oral medications.
I am not exactly sure how this 48 hour pass all came about but it is truly answer to prayer! Stasi and her family will be bringing dinner to Mom and Dad tonight. Since Mom is going to be back at the ranch, it is safe to assume that Mark, Felicia, Haustin, Garrett and Emilee will also try to get their share of visiting time in with her. Seeing everyone will bless Mom greatly.
I will update later on how the visit went and how Mom's health fared in the travel. Until then, we will continue to praise God for the mercy and kindness He is bestowing upon Mom to allow her to return home, no matter how brief the visit will be.
Thank you for your support and prayers.
The plan is for Mom to spend the night and return back to the apartment at Stanford late tomorrow night. She is expected back in the Infusion Ward early on Monday morning. Last night, she was given everything possible so she could make this trip. Mom will continue with her iron reducing infusion pump as usual along with all oral medications.
I am not exactly sure how this 48 hour pass all came about but it is truly answer to prayer! Stasi and her family will be bringing dinner to Mom and Dad tonight. Since Mom is going to be back at the ranch, it is safe to assume that Mark, Felicia, Haustin, Garrett and Emilee will also try to get their share of visiting time in with her. Seeing everyone will bless Mom greatly.
I will update later on how the visit went and how Mom's health fared in the travel. Until then, we will continue to praise God for the mercy and kindness He is bestowing upon Mom to allow her to return home, no matter how brief the visit will be.
Thank you for your support and prayers.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Another Day
Mom was blessed to be released from the hospital on Wednesday night. Since then, she has enjoyed two delightful visits from a dear, long time friend, Mrs. Pearl Wong. Our family has known the Wong family for as long as I can remember. Pearl's husband, Dr. Wu Wong, was our family's pediatrician. Mark, Stasi & I spent many delightful hours playing with their four sons...Cedric, Eric, Derick and Patrick...during our summer travel adventures. Just thinking about the Wong family brings back many precious memories. Mom was truly blessed by her time spent with Mrs. Wong.
Mom is doing as well as can be expected. She is extremely tired. Mom asked me to send her all the extra energy from the triplets. How I wish I could do that! It would be a win-win situation for all involved. (Very BIG grin!) Mom said that she is so tired that walking from the bedroom to the living room is a challenge. The doctors are doing some tests as to why she is suffering from over exhaustion. The doctors have taken her off the antibiotics they originally prescribed for her bacteria issue on her legs because it was compromising her liver and kidneys. They are hoping the new antibiotics will help with Mom's legs. Fortunately, Mom's leg "maps" are getting better and are only mildly painful.
Mom is not having issues with vomiting thanks to the medication that Mom takes before each meal and before she goes to bed. She is only eating a quarter of what she usually eats.
Tuesday is due to be a big medical day for Mom. She will be meeting with Dr. Shrier, her infectious disease doctor and a skin doctor. Dr. Shrier is actually going to meeting Mom while she is in the Infusion Ward. Wow! Mom won't even have to wait for him in his office. What a good guy.
Mom says that Dad is doing well. She actually said that Dad was doing "great...much better than his wife." I am glad that Dad is able to be strong from Mom. Mom's attitude is still positive and optimistic. What a blessing that she finds her comfort and strength in the Lord and not in her circumstances.
Mom is doing as well as can be expected. She is extremely tired. Mom asked me to send her all the extra energy from the triplets. How I wish I could do that! It would be a win-win situation for all involved. (Very BIG grin!) Mom said that she is so tired that walking from the bedroom to the living room is a challenge. The doctors are doing some tests as to why she is suffering from over exhaustion. The doctors have taken her off the antibiotics they originally prescribed for her bacteria issue on her legs because it was compromising her liver and kidneys. They are hoping the new antibiotics will help with Mom's legs. Fortunately, Mom's leg "maps" are getting better and are only mildly painful.
Mom is not having issues with vomiting thanks to the medication that Mom takes before each meal and before she goes to bed. She is only eating a quarter of what she usually eats.
Tuesday is due to be a big medical day for Mom. She will be meeting with Dr. Shrier, her infectious disease doctor and a skin doctor. Dr. Shrier is actually going to meeting Mom while she is in the Infusion Ward. Wow! Mom won't even have to wait for him in his office. What a good guy.
Mom says that Dad is doing well. She actually said that Dad was doing "great...much better than his wife." I am glad that Dad is able to be strong from Mom. Mom's attitude is still positive and optimistic. What a blessing that she finds her comfort and strength in the Lord and not in her circumstances.
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