Just trying to stay warm

Dear Friends and Family,

Brrrr, its cold for California, actually saw frost on roofs this morning on my way to my first appointment. Nan stayed in bed for awhile and warm. Her poor body is feeling the pains and effects of the procedure which had her on her tummy face down for a couple hours on an open incision and the bags. Never fun and she tends to feel pains in different places at different times for a couple days. Her life is nearly controlled by the constant and unrelenting nausea no matter how faithful she is with the Kitril every 12 hours. We go the TPN going early tonight in case we end up going to the hospital tomorrow for blood. At this point we have not heard anything other than they are trying to locate the blood for the transfusion. From experience we know that will take one to two days. So we will try to call in the morning to find out what is happening.

I think I mentioned that we finally decided to see if the furnace will work and amazingly it did so we have it set at 68 as a backup to the wood stove which we keep hot all the time. This evening we've had the family room at 72 and its very comfortable. I've been snacking on good food Mary brought over yesterday. She brings enough for a week it seems and its always great. George our orange and white kitty is trying to assist with this blog, he keeps putting his paws up on my knee and wants to be petted. Fun kitty.

I keep discovering more surprises thanks to Syliva. Everywhere in the whole house that I turn I find clean!!! I am amazed at all she got done, clothes folded, dishes washed, floors clean, bathrooms clean, sinks sparkling, table sat, pretty pretty and a wonderful plate of cookies which tend to be on the disappearing side.

Nan is having a hard time finding foods that don't just make her sicker. Today she has had some mandarins, chocolate milk, water, crackers but none of it felt good to her tummy. I'm praying that God will intervene and help solve this growing problem. It appears that there is very little leaking taking place if at all. The wound care nurse comes tomorrow providing Nan is here and not at the hospital getting blood.

This evening I dashed into town to watch Keanna having her swimming lesson. I have included couple photos of that event. She can now swim the width of the pool, dive to the bottom to pick up rings and is really doing great, she loves it. What joy she brings all of us. Her first comment, did Grammie come? She notices things fast.

Well we wind up yet another day having experienced safety through the throngs of shoppers on the highways, inspecting houses with rotten decks, trying to keep appointments, trying to keep warm while measuring houses, loving a new CD I got from an online CD company connected to the classical station in SF. Laud to the Nativity by Respighi and The Magnificat by Monteverdi, Roger Wagner Chorale and LA Philarmonic Orchestra. Its a Clarion recording and its just wonderful. The opening by Marie Gibson, Soprano is just breath taking. Really takes me back to the wonderful chances Nan and I have had to sing with the Stockton Choral in Notre Dame, St Stephens cathedral in Vienna, Carnegie Hall in New York and some place huge in London. What a wonderful experience to blend your voice with 150 singers and an orchestra. Good stuff. And we both miss the Adoration Singers experience, blending voices with friends for worship, giving something back to our Creator.

Also channel 106 on XM radio has continuous classical christmas music which is a great treat. Helps to pass the miles and traffic with time less music.

Well Nan is mentioning that its time to sleep and I sure agree. So we send our love and heartfelt gratitude for the beautiful Christmas cards and letters which keep us in touch with so many. We enjoy every one of them.

Please pray that God will manage the nausea that is constantly with Nan right now. She would be doing pretty well if she could shake the constant sick tummy.

Sending love,

tim and nan