So it goes...
Dear Family and Friends,
Nan is watching news showing it snowing in the mountains, brrr, we have a fire going here, she has her TPN going strong and is actually feeling better this evening.
Our nurse came at 8 this morning, took blood samples like normal, found Nan's heart rate was 120 and was quite alarmed at the high rate. We checked it later and found it down to 115 a few minutes later. For reasons beyond us her heart always runs about 100 or so even when resting. Her temp was nearly normal when the nurse checked it. Terri is the greatest nurse and is so helpful to us. While she was here we discussed the sudden increase in the output of the iliostomy and noted the terrible smell and black flakes floating around in the liquid. Its something we need to look into. The leaking has been less today but this new increased amount of foul smelling liquid in the iliostomy does cause concern. Why is the big question.
Nan's hip is slightly better and she can walk better today. I just finished a brief round of rubbing her feet and toes with the special magic that Marilyn provides, it is such good stuff and seems to help Nan have circulation back into her feet and toes.
When I got home from my day out seeing properties in Valley Springs and Stockton and comps in Discovery Bay I found her ready to come downstairs again. She had a good day with some rest, some phone calls and was feeling pretty well. She came down and headed for the kitchen. Then she placed her order, Sams chicken pieces, cranberry sause, green olives, guava juice and a popsickle and lemon from Pams tree. She ate it all. it was a beautiful sight seeing her chow down all that food. She had me start a fire since the room was chilly and watched some reruns and then 2 and 1/2 men, such a mentally challenging show but so funny, then CSI which did a good job dealing with Iraq and soldiers in their story line. We've been watching a lot of Monk since yesterday they had a marathon of Monk episodes. Cute show.
We got more orders in today and Steve had a safe return from his trip to see his mom, grandmother and play on bikes in the desert. Always good to see him in one piece after he has been doing edge stuff. keanna was sure glad to have him back. She and Nikki had a great time while he was gone though working on Christmas plans and buying and selling items on ebay and on line in general. She is amazing in what she gets done.
I think Nan is feeling better tonight by several degrees than she has been feeling lately. Perhaps the antibiotic is helping or the rapamune or the dry air or who knows. I wish we had the mind of God so we could know what is the larger picture but since we don't have that perspective we will just continue to trust and obey. Not always willingly or happily but what else is there. We know God cares as demonstrated in what He allowed Jesus to do for us with His life and eventual death on the cross and we know that our eternity is secure with Him based on the life of Jesus. My how we wish He would fill in the blanks for us as we muddle through life day by day.
I've got to say we treasure our kids, nearly the first thing Nan tells me when I get home or we talk on the phone is, Nikki called or Jason called, those calls are so important to her and so helpful as she works through each day trying to hold onto sanity and finding reason to keep on working at recovery. We thank God for Nikki and Steve, for Jason and Jo and for Keanna. We are rich because they are in our lives.
Please keep us in your prayers for yet another day.
sending love and deep appreciation your way,
tim and nan
Nan is watching news showing it snowing in the mountains, brrr, we have a fire going here, she has her TPN going strong and is actually feeling better this evening.
Our nurse came at 8 this morning, took blood samples like normal, found Nan's heart rate was 120 and was quite alarmed at the high rate. We checked it later and found it down to 115 a few minutes later. For reasons beyond us her heart always runs about 100 or so even when resting. Her temp was nearly normal when the nurse checked it. Terri is the greatest nurse and is so helpful to us. While she was here we discussed the sudden increase in the output of the iliostomy and noted the terrible smell and black flakes floating around in the liquid. Its something we need to look into. The leaking has been less today but this new increased amount of foul smelling liquid in the iliostomy does cause concern. Why is the big question.
Nan's hip is slightly better and she can walk better today. I just finished a brief round of rubbing her feet and toes with the special magic that Marilyn provides, it is such good stuff and seems to help Nan have circulation back into her feet and toes.
When I got home from my day out seeing properties in Valley Springs and Stockton and comps in Discovery Bay I found her ready to come downstairs again. She had a good day with some rest, some phone calls and was feeling pretty well. She came down and headed for the kitchen. Then she placed her order, Sams chicken pieces, cranberry sause, green olives, guava juice and a popsickle and lemon from Pams tree. She ate it all. it was a beautiful sight seeing her chow down all that food. She had me start a fire since the room was chilly and watched some reruns and then 2 and 1/2 men, such a mentally challenging show but so funny, then CSI which did a good job dealing with Iraq and soldiers in their story line. We've been watching a lot of Monk since yesterday they had a marathon of Monk episodes. Cute show.
We got more orders in today and Steve had a safe return from his trip to see his mom, grandmother and play on bikes in the desert. Always good to see him in one piece after he has been doing edge stuff. keanna was sure glad to have him back. She and Nikki had a great time while he was gone though working on Christmas plans and buying and selling items on ebay and on line in general. She is amazing in what she gets done.
I think Nan is feeling better tonight by several degrees than she has been feeling lately. Perhaps the antibiotic is helping or the rapamune or the dry air or who knows. I wish we had the mind of God so we could know what is the larger picture but since we don't have that perspective we will just continue to trust and obey. Not always willingly or happily but what else is there. We know God cares as demonstrated in what He allowed Jesus to do for us with His life and eventual death on the cross and we know that our eternity is secure with Him based on the life of Jesus. My how we wish He would fill in the blanks for us as we muddle through life day by day.
I've got to say we treasure our kids, nearly the first thing Nan tells me when I get home or we talk on the phone is, Nikki called or Jason called, those calls are so important to her and so helpful as she works through each day trying to hold onto sanity and finding reason to keep on working at recovery. We thank God for Nikki and Steve, for Jason and Jo and for Keanna. We are rich because they are in our lives.
Please keep us in your prayers for yet another day.
sending love and deep appreciation your way,
tim and nan
posted by Tim Mustard @ 10:08 PM
4 Comments:
At 5:30 AM,
Anonymous said…
Good Morning from NC!
We are enjoying beautiful sunny weather with temperatures in the mid 60's during the day. It sounds like the bad weather is in the West so far this year. Our turn is coming ~ I'm sure.
Nan, it is good that you are having some relief from the hip pain. The other drainage seems a bit strange, but what's normal anymore? I'm glad you are getting the ball rolling on your Social Security disability. I think it will be a great help to you. Did you look up any information on the "Relief Band Device"? It sounds interesting anyway and I know it works for most forms of nausea. Have Niki look on e-bay for you. That's where I got mine.
Today Roger has rented a chipper to conquer the many branches that our last wind storm brought down. There were many "hangers" lingering from last year's ice storm that finally came down. I'm working on cottage laundry and putting up Christmas decorations around the place. I don't think I'll put up a tree this year ~ It's only for about 4 weeks and we'll be gone 10 days of that time. Somehow I don't have much Christmas spirit this year.
Keep up your courage and I hope you have another good day. From what Bob and Carrol say it sounds like you have a trip to UCSF this week. Perhaps you will get some answers about the strange drainage. By the way ~ that's good news about Carrol!
Love and prayers ~ Carol
At 5:30 AM,
Anonymous said…
Good Morning from NC!
We are enjoying beautiful sunny weather with temperatures in the mid 60's during the day. It sounds like the bad weather is in the West so far this year. Our turn is coming ~ I'm sure.
Nan, it is good that you are having some relief from the hip pain. The other drainage seems a bit strange, but what's normal anymore? I'm glad you are getting the ball rolling on your Social Security disability. I think it will be a great help to you. Did you look up any information on the "Relief Band Device"? It sounds interesting anyway and I know it works for most forms of nausea. Have Niki look on e-bay for you. That's where I got mine.
Today Roger has rented a chipper to conquer the many branches that our last wind storm brought down. There were many "hangers" lingering from last year's ice storm that finally came down. I'm working on cottage laundry and putting up Christmas decorations around the place. I don't think I'll put up a tree this year ~ It's only for about 4 weeks and we'll be gone 10 days of that time. Somehow I don't have much Christmas spirit this year.
Keep up your courage and I hope you have another good day. From what Bob and Carrol say it sounds like you have a trip to UCSF this week. Perhaps you will get some answers about the strange drainage. By the way ~ that's good news about Carrol!
Love and prayers ~ Carol
At 10:11 AM,
Anonymous said…
Dear Nan and Tim,
We are so glad that Nan had such a good day yesterday with some pain relief. She deserves many more days of the same. Carrol had band practice last night for the Christmas Concert of the Lodi Community Band on Dec. 3. She is so glad to be able to play in the band again after being off for several months. The Stockton Band she played with is going to Carnegie Hall in March, but she hasn't been able to play in that band again, so she will miss that trip.
Our friend, Nancy Anderson, had surgery today in Phoenix, AZ. for a benign GIST tumor in the duodenum. We are waiting to hear how she is doing. She's a juvenile diabetic, so surgery is always complicated by that diagnosis. Please remember her in your prayers today. Thanks!
I'm sorry to hear that Sherri in N.C. is not doing well. I'm so glad I chose the treatment plan I did.
Here's to another great day and know we love you both.
Bob and Carrol
At 8:36 PM,
Anonymous said…
Nan and Tim,
So happy to hear about your pleasant Thanksgiving. I have been out of touch for the week as I was in Texas learning how not to talk. It worked, since my return few of people I talk to can understand anything I say. The price we pay for visiting the place and enduring the food I guess.
Any way, God bless and y'all keep up the good work on the recovery ya hear.
Wes
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