HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!

The end of the year...and the end of a decade. It is rather cliche' to say, "It sure went by in a hurry!". We have had a rather tumultuous year and 10 years actually. We lost several family members, others had cancer and beat it and one had it return 5 times. We pray she beats it again! I have been cancer free since 2006. David's dad and my mom got Ahlzheimers in the last few years. Our good friends in IL are in bad health also. Bob has Ahlzheimers and Joanne is in the throes of heart & kidney failure. We pray for them daily. We had some good things happen in the last 10 years such as all of our grandchildren and great nieces & nephews were born. David was going to retire this year but changed his mind when we found out that his reflux was changing his Barrett's Esophagus to cancer. We decided we wouldn't be able to afford all the medical bills so he withdrew his retirement so we would have the better insurance coverage. Then on top of all that my gall bladder needed to be taken out. I had trouble with that afterwards too. David had to have an esophagectomy in November and he still isn't feeling good. He went to bed at 9:00 already. I'm watching the New Year's party on TV alone. So here's hoping 2010 is a lot better for us and for all of you too! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

4 GENERATION PICTURE WITH GREAT-GRANDMA STENZEL

We went to Ottawa yesterday afternoon and Jen & the boys met us there for lunch (at the Sirloin Stockade). We then went to visit David's mom and Sam. We got a 4 generation picture while there.

KAMERON IS SUCH A HAPPY BABY!

Miss Katrina strikes a pose with Papa Long.

Great-Aunt Linda and Kameron.




We went to Jeff & Marianne's a couple of weeks ago with Eddie & Linda. Jeff wants Eddie to build him some cubes to put in the toy room to put the girls' toys in. The girls, especially Tomboy McKendra had a good time tusseling with Great-Uncle Eddie.

TENSION, STRESS, & COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

It is hard to de-stress with all the Dr. appointments we've had and will have. Next week is an every day thing also. Some of the days will have more than one appointment in them for David, Mom & me.

Our Blessings are God, our family, and our friends. We are greatful for all.

Jen and the boys were here this weekend. Decovin helped Grandpa make the wooden cars David makes for our church to give away at Christmas. Decovin lucked out and got one that Grandpa made a sanding goof on. Decovin didn't mind. He was thrilled to get one of the pocket cars. Camden is talking better and has gotten so much bigger it seems. Jen said he is already wearing the tennis shoes that Decovin wore just last year. Jeff & Marianne's children have grown also. I think Kameron is going to be tall and have big feet just like his dad.

FUN, FUN, FUN

It was a great vacation as good as it could be. The sights were beautiful and the company with us was great. David's Uncle Don and Aunt Norma went with us. The first day was spent crossing Kansas. We stopped at Lucas, Kansas for our first sight-seeing stop. (If you have ever watched PBS's "Roadside Revelations", it was one of their odd places to stop and see.) We continued up to Cheyenne, WY to see David's Uncle John & Aunt Judy and David, Don & Norma spent the afternoon sight-seeing with John. Judy and I stayed home and I helped her on her computer. We stayed at a Motel6 that was not a pleasant experience for me. The next morning I did a splits getting out of the shower and it had a very low step out. Found out the floor hadn't had the slick finish taken off it after it was disinfected. Something popped in my hip or leg and I landed hard with my other knee too. As I waited for the excruciating pain of a break, it never came, so David and I proceeded to figure out how I could get up without causing me more pain and him a hernia! We did it and the rest of the week was ok because we stopped about every hour along the way to get out and stretch. I did a lot of staying with the car while they walked some of the trails to sights. Luckily, I got a lot of my sight-seeing by car. The Aspen trees were just turning and we saw alot of different shades of color in them. Really beautiful sight along with the mountains. We met David's Uncle Russ & Aunt Jeanne that morning and then went around Trail Ridge Rd. and down to Winter Park. The next day we went to Ouray and stayed in a super nice B&B. Went through "Box Canyon" and on to Silverton on the "Million Dollar Rd". Another beautiful drive. We then went through the "Black Canyon of Gunnison" and stayed in Gunnison that night. Next day we went to the "Great Sand Dunes" and stayed at Walsenburg, CO. One last sight was stopping to see KCPL's Wind Turbine field at Spearville, KS before getting home that night at 10:45. Nice to be home. I will have our pretty pictures on Kodak Gallery as soon as I can merge 3 camera's worth together...Norma's, David's & mine.

Beautiful Weather!

Perfect describes it! What have you been doing to enjoy it? I am looking forward to a vacation actually. We want to see the Aspen's in Colorado turn color.

A NICE WEEKEND WITH FAMILY!

We went out with David's Uncle Don & Aunt Norma to celebrate their birthday's at Zio's Italian Restaurant off 119th St. in Olathe Friday night. They hadn't been there before. Saturday, we went to Jeff & Marianne's for McKendra's 3rd Birthday Party. Due to illnesses, she only had one little friend, her friends mother, and cousin Camden attend as well as Jen, Christy, David & I, and James & Nancy were there. Kameron has grown so much. So has Camden. Katrina told us about her first week in school. Unfortunately Decovin was sick and wasn't there. He stayed home with his Daddy. He got better as the day went on. We missed him. Christy took her Dad & I out for supper at Mimi's. Thanks again Christy. I stayed home today with a sore back. Guess I lifted the little ones too much. Just can't resist when they come and want to be held. Love the kisses, hugs, and cuddles.

A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY

It is official, I am of the age to receive Social Security. Sure hope it holds out for awhile.

David is going to put off his retirement due to the insurance situation with all his surgeries coming up. He said probably 7 months more. I don't think I will say anything more about it until he actually stays home and is officially retired.

David & Christy took me out this evening for my birthday. They took me to get a pedicure and then we went up to Jumpin' Catfish and had the all you can eat crab legs. Yum! I ate 6 clusters & David had 8. Christy ordered Chicken Gizzards & Clams. She got so much stuff, we are going to have it for supper tomorrow night. She had potatoes and gravy too. Then we all had hush puppies, slaw & Beans & Ham. The restaurant gave me a peach cobbler for my birthday. Had to bring that home also.

Jeff & Marianne took Katrina for her Kindergarden registration tonight. Can't hardly believe it. My granddaughter will be starting school. And Decovin is starting preschool! WOW!

Thanks everyone for all the Birthday wishes!

MY DR. VISIT YESTERDAY

My Surgeon said it could take up to 4 more wks to get my energy back. Otherwise my incisions were looking ok. She said I had some big stones in my Gallbladder so it wouldn't have been too long before I would have really had a bad problem. She also gave me an "all clear" on my mammogram. I still have to come back in 6 months but don't need another mammogram for another year. TERRIFIC! Praise God!

DAVID'S DR APPTMT

Well, we found out that the first Dr. is like the coordinator of his operations. We also found out that he thought we had understood they would have the nodule taken off first and then six weeks later, the zapping off of the Dysplasia at the bottom of his esophagus. Then they will check it out later to determine if another layer need zapped. Then it will be a matter of doing a scope on him every 3 months for the next 3 years at least. Bummer!

FEELING BETTER

I am healing and feeling better. David has an appointment tomorrow at the first Dr. he saw at KU Hospital. I go for my two week follow-up next Tuesday.

Took Mom out for supper last night after we all had our eyes checked. Christy and I had a change and David's eyes improved enough to need a change for the better (lucky man). Mom has to go back to the specialist that did her cataract surgery. They always leave a tag at the back of the eye...why I don't remember now. It doesn't bother most people but some it does so then they have to zap it off. Mom is one of those. Her apptmt is August 18th.

OUCH

I forgot to tell them I am alergic to tape and band aids IF they are left on too long. I didn't get them off for 3 days and when I did I had two big blisters on each side of the wound. Also, 2 out of the 4 of the wounds started bleeding so I had to put tape back on them but in the opposite directions of the first time and then took them off today. The blisters are trying to heal but the wound looks like it may be starting to get infected. Will have to call the Dr. on Monday if it doesn't get better. I have been swabbing it with alcohol. Ok...all together now....AWWWWW!

I'VE GOT NO GALL...BLADDER THAT IS.

I went in the hospital on Monday for an exploratory surgery on my left side and she ended up looking on my right because nothing was wrong on the left. She had a suspicion about my gall bladder and sure enough, she said it was in really bad shape so she took it out. I have 3 small holes for the surgery and one for the drain. They took out the drain as I did fine so she let me go home the yesterday afternon. Christy is taking care of me today. I feel a little on the nauseous side but have not gotten sick so I guess I am doing good. Need to take a nap and let drugs wear off. Bye for now.

HE'S OK

David had the first of possible 3 or 4 operation. Yeah, we didn't know that. Thought it was all going to get done at once but have to wait for the diagnosis on the nodule and for the sight to heal. The esophagus has 4 layers and they will burn off the dysplasia one layer at a time. And let it heal on each layer. I go in on Monday for my laparoscopy. They will scope to see if I have a hernia and possibly take off a fatty tumor that is on my ribs. Both are on my left side. Will write more when I know more.

WE VISITED WITH MOM TONIGHT

Mom called today sounding slurry and sluggish and tried to tell me something about her chair and then gave up cause "she had it all straight to tell me and now she couldn't remember it". After retrying a couple of times, she became frustrated and said she wanted to hang up and she would call back when she got it together again. She did call back later and she sounded fine then. I asked her if she had been sleeping and she said yes, so I think she must dream and wake up and call me before she can get herself together and completely woke up. Anyway, she was ok. We went over tonight to see her and visit for awhile. I cut her fingernails and filed them for her. David fixed her VCR in her little TV so she can see her videos again. And we reminded her how to use her CD player. Don't know if she will remember or not but she seemed happy to know for the time being. She doesn't like to wear her sleep mask at night for her sleep apnea so Medicare will more than likely take the machine back. They don't like paying rent on it, if she is not using it. C'est la vie! I was letting myself get all upset and twisted because Mom couldn't remember things but I have decided not to let her push my buttons and just try to make her happy. That is all I can do at this point. She is on Galantamine, 8 MG 2 times a day. It is generic for Razidene and the medicine is supposed to increase acetacolene (sp?) in the brain and slow the progression of Dimentia. Melodie had asked me about that so I asked the assisted living nurse about it today. If you think about it, send Mom some cards or mail or drawings from the kids. She would love it. Let me know if you need her address again.

HAD A GREAT WEEKEND

It was like the best weather for a bonfire & a picnic last night considering this is July. The temperature was in the 70's and got lower as the evening progressed. We celebrated July birthdays of those that were here. Actually we gave the party for our son-in-law who turns 30 next week (July 28) but will be working then. We had Linda & Eddie, Danny & Janette,(Bill, Karen & Abby and Chastity came later) Jimmy, Rosemary & Nicholas, Jen, Bob, Decovin, & Camden, Jeff, Katrina & McKendra, Melodie, Quentin & McKinley, Ruthie, Rob, Don & Norma, David & I, & Christy. (28 people) We had roasted hot dogs and barbequed polish sausages & bbq chicken legs. Everybody brought a dish and we had a wonderful feast. The other birthdays in July were Janette & David. The guys played horse shoes and the kids played croquet as well as playing on the swing set. The frizbee got thrown around a bit also. It was fun. Thank you to all who came and brought portions of the meal and helping getting things out and back in for the picnic. (Happy Birthday to Loree & Michelle who have July birthdays too!)

MY OPERATION IS SCHEDULED AGAIN

I have been scheduled to go to Olathe Hospital a week from Monday for my Laparoscopy. I hope my surgeon finds out why I get a pain in my left side under my ribs and have to push in on it to make the pain less. It doesn't stay more than a few hours or so, but I have been feeling it off and on for almost 10 years now. It is beginning to bug me. Surgeon says I might have a hernia of somesort. They also found a fatty tumor on my left ribs that they may take out also. Won't know until they look around in there. I may have said all this before but I can't remember who I have told and who I haven't. Sorry!

AN ENTERTAINING "YOU TUBE"

This may have been around, but it's a good one! This one makes you just plain feel good.

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This video was made in the Antwerp , Belgium Central (Train) Station on March 23, 2009, with no warning to the passengers passing through the station. At 8:00a.m. a recording of Julie Andrews singing 'Do, Re, Mi' begins to play on the public address system.

As the bemused passengers watch in amazement, some 200 dancers begin to appear from the crowd and station entrances.

They created this amazing stunt with just two rehearsals!

Enjoy! You may have to copy the address and paste it in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k

DAVID'S SURGERY

They called to confirm that David's surgery will be next Thursday at 7:30 a.m. but of course we have to be there at 6:30. It will be a 3 to 3 1/2 hr. surgery. They are going to put a tight & tiny rubberband above the nodule to cut the blood off. Then cut off the nodule which will be taken to lab to determine if it cancerous or not. Then they will carterize (sp?) and burn off the bad stuff. Prayers please.

MY OP. WAS POSTPONED

My operation was moved to Jul 27th due to illness. I was sick most of the day yesterday. Can only think it was from eating the rich foods at the Dinner Theatre. I tried a couple of the calameri which was very very spicy. Slept a lot yesterday and today so far.

WILL TRY AGAIN!

David's appointment at KU Hospital was cancelled. They took David's case to the tumor board last Thursday. Then they called and said to come in this next Wednesday at 3:30. I am having my laparoscopy done on Thursday this week.

I fell into the house last Friday. I was bringing in groceries in the back door to the garage and got up one step but totally tripped on the second one and "fell" in. I have sore shins, sore hips, back hurts a bit more, tension in my shoulders and neck, and headaches. Looking forward to being put out on Thursday. Won't feel the pain for awhile then. Also looking forward to this Tuesday night which is our Dinner Theatre night. We are seeing "Sound of Music". Then Wednesday moring Christy is taking me to see the new Harry Potter movie. We will meet David in the afternoon (He will be up there for a meeting for work) and I will go with him to his Dr. appointment in the afternoon.

Enjoyed the visit with Ruthie at Mom's in Paola. Christy and I met Ruth and Mom for lunch at the new Barbeque place. Later, we all played Scrabble when we went back to her apartment.

Judy, hope you are feeling better. Presume you got over the infection since they sent you home from the hospital.

Melo, did you enjoy your week without the boys? Did they enjoy their time away from Mom?

The ULTRA SOUND

Well, David only had the Ultra Sound done Friday. The specialist said he has a nodule on the outside of his Esophagus so he couldn't do any more than that until he gets the nodule off and sent to pathology. He said he couldn't do that kind of procedure at the "Midwest" KU Hospital in Shawnee Mission. So we have to get it done at the one downtown on Rainbow Blvd. He did say that he would recomend that David has the Esophagus zapped and they will flush out the burn. He said a nurse would call us to make the appointments. When we got the call to set it up (we thought), we found out he has to see the oncologist first and then they will set up the surgery. So much rig-a-ma-role, geesh! He will go on July 8th. I have scheduled my laparoscopy for July 16th. I will be out of commission for about 2 weeks. If David gets a date anywhere close to mine, I will postpone mine.

David's dad ended up having 9 radiation treatments instead of 10. He was getting too weak and had bouts of diarrhea really bad. He isn't eating very good either.

Mom called me tonight sounding rather confused and complaining of her breathing being wheezy and she got lost in her conversation a bit so I called the nurse there and asked her to check on her. For some reason she doesn't tell them what she tells me. The nurse said she gave her a mucinex tablet and a breathing treatment with her nebulizer and she seemed to be just fine. I told her mom wasn't sleeping very well and asked her to give her an Ambien at her bedtime so she would sleep good. Mom says she wakes up with headaches.

DAVID'S PET SCAN NEGATIVE

Got a call from the next Dr. who will be doing 3 different scopes and an ultra sound on David's Esophagus tomorrow at 2:00. The PET Scan that he had on Tuesday did not show any abnormality so no cancer cells lit up on it. That is good news. If all is well, I guess I will schedule my laparoscopy. Not looking forward to it but would like to have the pain go away for good. David's Dad is not doing so well. He has bone cancer now. They are giving him radiation in his back to try and give him some pain relief. He has it in his neck also but that isn't bothering him.

TRIP TO ER

Went to the General Surgeon. Was feeling kind of sick. After she pushed around on my stomach, I really got sick and I threw up 3 times! I know "YUCK!". My BP was 185/113. I was hot and cold. Had to have a cold rag and laid down for a short time before I could leave. Anyway the surgeon had gone on by then. I am supposed to call for an appointment to have a laparoscopy done so she can see what's going on inside me. Don't know as I will do that until David's problem is taken care of. Anyway, the Surgeon's nurse thought I should call my family doctor so I did. They didn't call me back until Linda (she drove me) and I were half way home. He wanted me to go to an ER so we stopped at Paola's ER and after about 4 1/2 hours later, I was headed home just fine. Oh, another factor was that I had had chest pain and achiness and tingling down my left arm. (The tingling and achiness was probably from having my BP taken so much! Lol) I don't know. I could only think it was better safe than sorry. I didn't even call David or tell him til I got home. I am ok now so it's all fine. Thanks for all your concern.

EYE SPECIALIST APPOINTMENT

Well, one down two more to go. My eyes are in good shape according to the opthamologist. They dilated my eyes (which they still feel like there is pressure on my eyes. Have a headache actually. His diagnosis is that they are in good shape. I have some signs of cataracts starting but not bad yet. He suggested I get back with my optometrist to get the bifocal raised a bit.

Tomorrow I go to my General Surgeon about the pain I have in my left side that has been hurting me off and on for about 10 years now.

Next Wednesday David will see the Oncologist about his Esophagus. Hia apptmt is for2:15 but they told him to come in at 1:00 to get information and whatever taken care of. Sounds like it will be a long afternoon. This is just a consult visit they said.

Got to go. My head and eyes are hurting.

WAITING FOR FRIDAY

David had his routine colonoscopy done last Wednesday and had a gastroscopy done also, to check on his Barrett's Esophogus. He had a couple of small pollups taken off his colon and the Dr. told us that his Barrett's Esophogus has High-Grade Dysplasia at the bottom of it. He had to have a second scope of his Esophogus on Tuesday and more samples were taken for biopsy to see how it needs to be treated. We will get that news on Friday. Please keep David in your prayers.

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

I had a very good Mother's Day. Jen & Bob and boys took me out to Brunch at Cinzetti's Restaurant. Wow, ate too much. Then Christy took me to see the new movie, Star Trek. It was a great action movie. We got home about 5 o'clock. I had a full day for sure.

Ruth, Melodie, & I took Mom out to dinner at Wil Jennys on Wednesday, Christy & I took her to Marianne's baby shower Saturday. We took her to Red Robin restaurant prior to going to the shower. She liked the guacamole bacon burger and fries. Then we took her to the new BBQ restaurant in Paola before we took her home. She liked that too. She had the chicken fingers, mac & cheese, and corn fritters and she liked that too. So did I because she & I shared the meal at lunch and dinner. So she didn't have us with her on Mother's Day but we celebrated with her a lot. Also called her and believe it or not, she answered her phone.

Marianne's shower was fun. Her mom was there. This was the first time she has ever been to one. Marianne got a LOT of diapers and boy clothes and stuff. She is due this coming week. She looks like she is ready to pop, that is for sure.

JEN AND BOB GOT HOME OK. (WHEW)!

I finally got a text from Jen at 1:05 that they had landed in K.C. at last. Jen called this morning and said they didn't get their bags and out of the airport until 3 something. They slept at Bob's folks and didn't go home until this afternoon. Bob had to call into work and take the day off.

It has rained so much here and to the north that we are flooded to the east. Looks like a lake down by Linda & Eddies. David will have to take the high road home tonight (& it is muddy).

I HAVE TOO MANY THINGS TO READ AND WRITE ON!

I have begun to feel overwhelmed with all the places to look for information on family. How about you? Facebook & this blog, and has anyone started on Twitter? Seems like there was another one but I can't remember it right now.

Mom has been incommunicado (sp?) for the last couple of days. Melodie went over today and found out she had accidentally turned her cell phone off. AAAARGH! Melodie took her to WalMart and she bought a few things so she had a fun day. Melodie says she was happy. Next Friday I will take her to the neurologist and we will hopefully get a report from the neuro-psychologist. She has been playing Skip Bo with others and really enjoys that. She plays bingo and they win play money. Once a month they have an auction where they bid on items. She said she got 3 oranges and a 4-pak of pudding. Sounds like fun.

Jen & Bob went to Chicago this weekend. They haven't called or texted that they were home safe. The weather caused them a delay in their flight to K.C. she told me earlier this evening. I still haven't heard whether they got back or not. The weather around here is still a bit volatile.

AND THE BEAT GOES ON

I don't know where to start that everyone knows where I'm at already. If you don't know, This is a story about my Mom. A week ago last Thursday, she had some memory problems & confusion and David & I found out she had neglected to take 3 days of her meds and her blood pressure was way high. She also had a urinary tract infection. All were contributors to her confusion. Anyway, we took her to Olathe Medical Hospital because of it. They kept her overnight and changed her blood pressure meds. We took her home the next evening and on Saturday (day of the ice & snow) the home health nurse came in the morning and showed her some exercises to do. She sat down in the rocking chair lounger after lunch and fell asleep. She woke up a little and said she had a headache so I gave her some aspirin. She slept some more and when she woke up next she tried to talk to me and it was gibberish. Then I asked her if she knew where she was and more gibberish. I asked her if she knew who I was and she looked blank and shook her head no. (I thought she was having a stroke.) Well, I called 911 and they came and took her to the hospital. It was
snowing, slush and ice. Christy took me to the hospital in all that muck, and white knucked it at 35 - 40 mph. When we got to Paola Hospital, they said they had waived the ambulance on to Olathe Medical b/c they weren't taking anymore ambulances. So we went up to Olathe Med up 169 and at least there was a track but still a slow go. We got there and Ruthie (she came for clogging classes and was going to come down to see mom the next day) and Melodie & boys met us at the hospital. They took tests again but nothing had changed from Thursday night & Friday's tests so they suspected it was a TIA which is a mini stroke. They couldn't admit her b/c nothing had changed since the day before on the xrays etc... Well, the weather was treacherous so we all spent the night at the motel across the street. We went home the next day when the weather was nice and the streets were cleared. Mom seemed better and was doing fine. We took her to the neuro-psychologist appointment on Monday and on Tuesday, to the Paola hospital for an echocardiagram of her heart and doplar sonagram of her carotid arteries. Wednesday, went to her Dr. for a follow-up and he said that both tests from the day before were just fine. Anyway, mom is still a bit confused about things. I am keeping her with us for now but we are going to put her in assisted living at a very nice place in Paola called Vintage Park. Ruthie is coming tomorrow and we will be packing for mom and taking care of getting her ready for the move. We will have to spend down her money, which won't take long, in order to get her on Medicaid. I am still trying to get over the bronchitis I got and have had for 3 weeks now. I am worn out physically and mentally right now.

Will let you know if anything changes. Love, Gloria

HAVING MY OWN PERSONAL SUMMER AGAIN!

Well, I went to the Dr. and the Dr. said,
You have got Bronchitis in your head!

Actually it is in my bronchial tubes...that rhyme just flowed right on here when I started typing the first line...LOL. Yeah, I am a little loopy. Taking a z-pack and prednizone and I think it is kicking my butt! I sweat up a storm and feel like I will never be dry again!

Mom on the other hand said she is dizzy...(she told the nurse she has had it for about 2 months and told the Dr. 2 weeks so they gave her meclazine to take when she feels she needs it. Also told her to take 1/2 to 1 capful of Miralax for her bowel problems. :-)

Hope all of you are doing well.

CRUD

Mom had it, David got it, Christy got it, now I have it! Deep voice, headache, achiness all over,coughing my head off. They are over it almost and I am into it about 2 1/2 days worth. CRUD!!!

MOM FEELS BETTER

We didn't go to the dentist b/c I wasn't feeling good and Mom didn't feel good this morning either. So we now have an April 7th apptmt. Mom told me she was feeling better this afternoon.

I went to the Dr. this afternoon. He said I had a lot of sinus drainage right now but that my lungs were clear so I don't have bronchitis. My voice is deep and my chest hurts from coughing. He gave me some kind of sulpher antibiotic to take one twice a day. If I can't keep the lower tooth cap on with polygrip, I can probably get into the office to have that glued on. Oh well.

He checked my knees & arm and said I just bruised them good.

Sounds like you all have a fun Friday set up. I like that Mexican Restaurant. I think I am the designated babysitter for the grandkids.

MORE DR. VISITS & a P.S was added Saturday

I WENT TO THE DR.LAST WEEK AND WAS TOLD I HAD A URINARY TRACT INFECTION. I TOOK AN ANTIBIOTIC FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS. I TOOK MOM TO THE DR. TODAY AND SHE HAS A CROSS BETWEEN BRONCHITIS AND WALKING PNEUMONIA. SHE IS ON AN ANTIBIOTIC FOR THE NEXT 10 DAYS. DAVID WENT THIS AFTERNOON AFTER HAVING PAIN IN HIS BACK ALL DAY YESTERDAY. HE EVIDENTLY PASSED A SMALL KIDNEY STONE. HE IS ON ANTIBIOTICS TOO. MOM AND I HAVE A DENTIST APPOINTMENT ON MONDAY AND I GO BACK TO THE DR. TO CHECK MY BLOOD PRESSURE (IT HAS BEEN CRAZY HIGH) AND SEE WHETHER THE ANTIBIOTIC GOT RID OF MY INFECTION MONDAY AFTERNOON. IT'S JUST CRAZY ALL THESE DR. APPTMTS. I'M READY FOR A VACATION!!!

FOUND OUT MOM IS GOING TO SEE A NEURO PSYCHOLOGIST ON MARCH 30TH.

P.S. (for Ruthie) Yes, I took Mom on Thursday to the Dr. because she had started coughing and not sleeping well. I forgot to mention that he changed her blood pressure medicine to Cozaar and took her off of the Khlor Con which was for her potassium. Actually, she took herself off of it she said it made her P too often. We go back in 5-6 weeks to see how her potassium is doing.

(for Jen) I guess I forgot to mention that when I took Gma to the car to leave the new Drs. building, I went around to my side, tripped on the parking block in front of the car, fell down on both knees and must have caught myself with my right arm. I am sore and black and blue and my arm hurts a bit. I had to grab hold of the car at where the wiper is on the windshield and the side mirror in order to get up. I had already put mom in the car and I could hear her saying, "Gloria, where'd you go?" Does it remind you of another incident Ruthie where I disappeared from the car? I laughed about it after the pain eased up. I go in to the Dr. as a follow up about my infection & high blood pressure on Monday morning like I said. I called and told the Dr's office about my fall and that they don't have it marked very good for handicap people. They asked me if I needed to see the Dr. but I said, "Not yet." They will check me out on Monday afternoon, I'm sure.

Another bit of bad luck...My lower right cap came off last night. I put it back in with some poligrip and Mom and I are going to the dentist Monday morning for our 6 mo check ups. I will no doubt have my $2400 caps started then for my upper tooth.

GRANDMA'S DR. APPOINTMENT

Finally got a call from the Neurology Dr. that is going to test all area's of mom's brain. We will go to St. Joseph's Hospital Clinic (on StateLine & 435) on March 30th. They said she will be there from 9 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m. with a break for lunch.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUTHIE!

HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY SIS!

Hope you have a GREAT day!

Love, Glo

OOPS....I MEANT HAPPY 59TH BIRTHDAY!

DAVID IS BACK AT WORK

David went back to work on Friday and started right in on the outage and worked 10 hrs. He worked the weekend and he came home Sunday at 3:00 because he had an upset stomach. He was really tired also. He is doing his therapy exercises so his arm can get more mobility. He is glad he got the operation when he did.

SWEET STORY

We were at Jeff & Marianne's last Sunday. We met them for lunch but it was a late one as we didn't get up to Jeff's until 2. McKendra was tired by the time we got done eating so when we got back to their house, they put her down for a nap. Katrina stayed up to play and visit with me and the guys were going to Lowes to look for a ceiling fan for our dining room. (The fan blade seized up and then the light went spinning instead.) Anyway, McKendra kept yelling "Da-ddy!" over and over. She kept it up for quite a bit until Jeff came in before leaving and Marianne told him she had been calling for him. He said something like, "I wonder if it is like yesterday?" to Marianne. She said, "I don't know, but you probably need to go up there and see." He then got on the baby monitor and said, "McKendra, listen to Daddy...And in the name of Jesus we pray, AMEN." She said the Amen part and that was the end of her hollering. She went to sleep. Sweet.

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY YESTERDAY!

DAVID OFF WORK ONE MORE WEEK

Mom & I went to Paola to pick up David from the repair shop. He had to take our truck to get the passenger door fixed some more. It was getting a lot of wind noise. Then David got his stitches out of his shoulder at the Dr's. office. They look ok. Only one was kind of red. The Dr. told him to stay off work one more week - get therapy next week and then come back to see him in two weeks. David said it is feeling better but he still can't reach up and out. Then we went to Burlington, Mom and I got our hair done and then we visited with Jen & Bob and the boys. Jen fixed some taco soup for supper that was really good and then we went to David's mom & step-dad's place to visit. Then we stopped in Paola at the WalMart store to get mom some groceries and us too. We dropped David off to get his truck and we all went home. It was a full day 9 to 9:30 p.m.

Camden took about 4 steps away from me to the toys. Jen said he did it again for her later. He will be nonstop from now on. They grow up so fast!!!

PRESSURE COOKER

David bought a pressure cooker for us at JC Penneys last weekend. He made chicken and noodles and it was really good. The chicken cooked in 15 minutes. So today I made my version of chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, and brownies. We gave Linda and Eddie some of the chicken and noodles and we took the rest to Dad & Mom Long's and had supper with them. They seem to be doing really good. Just tired. They had a busy day of therapists and visitors but was happy to have the meal and our visit. We left them some leftovers and we have leftovers too, so that is good.

Friday, I am getting my hair cut and colored and a pedicure. I am anxiously awaiting the afternoon of pampering. Mom is going with us and she is getting a perm and hair cut too. David will visit with Jen and the boys.

Unfortunately, our niece, Michelle Hedman, found out she has a cancerous spot on her lung. She started Chemo treatments again after which they will take off the lower lobe of her lung. This is her 4th round with this horrible desease. She needs our prayers again, please and thank you.

GETTING OUT THE STITCHES...AGAIN

Went to the orthodontist today and got my stitches out. Now I have to wait 5-6 weeks for it to heal and to get a triple crown. That will be my "bridge". Costly?...you betcha!

David goes to his Dr. on Friday to get his stitches out. He is feeling better. He still has a sore shoulder which he will probably have to have therapy just like the last time.

Katrina had a nice party Saturday.

UPDATE

David is doing well. His shoulder and arm are still sore and don't want to be lifted up or rotated but his pain level is getting better.

We went to Decovin and Camden's birthday party last Saturday. Mom went with us and had a good time. She sat between Amanda and me. She was worried about going that far (1 hr. 15 minutes) with so few bathrooms along the way. We made it ok with one stop and she even made it all the way home without stopping. Decovin and Camden had a really good time. They had so many relatives there that brought gifts that it was like Christmas again!

Monday night, we went to Mound City to see Dad, Loree & Mendy. Janette & Danny invited us to ride with them. They brought along a supper for all of us that Danny made which was beef stew and brownies and it was really good. David bought a loaf of Italian bread and some ice cream. Dad and Loree were looking good and we had a nice visit.

Tuesday, I went to my orthodontist thinking he would look at my abcessed tooth that never healed and make an appointment to fix it but NOOOO, he did it right then and there. He didn't charge me for anything which was nice. I chose to try and save the tooth which meant another operation to clean out the abcess and cut off a root but then he saw it after he had done the cleaning. He had missed it the first time...it was a vertical crack from the base to the end of the back root. Then it was a no choice but pull the tooth. I still had to have 3 stitches that will come out next Monday. Then after the hole heals, I will need to get a triple crown because it is an important chewing tooth. Fun, fun! Anyway, David had to drive home because I was a little woozey. He didn't take his pain pill until he got home. I had to get my prescription at Sam's and took it right away as I was in pain.

Tomorrow, we take mom to the neurologist. Eddie is going to be our driver for that day. The reports on her MRI sounded favorable so don't know what the neurologist will see or do. We'll see.

Saturday, we will be going to Jeff & Marianne's for Katrina's birthday party between 2 & 4.

Sunday, Christy is driving us to the Dinner Theatre to see the comedy, "Boeing, Boeing". Eddie & Linda went to see it last week and said it was funny.

Then Monday, I go back to the orthodontist for removal of my stitches. I haven't looked past that day on my calendar. It would be nice to just stay home.

DAVID HAD HIS SURGERY TODAY

We got to Paola Hospital at 8 a.m. and they took him in at 9:45. The Dr. came out at 11:25 and said he did fine and was in recovery. He said he had to take off a bigger bone spur than he did on David's left arm three years ago. Anyway, we got out about 12:30 and went to the pharmacy to get his pain meds. He has a big bandage on his shoulder and has to keep an ice pack on it, at least another day. He said he is looking forward to his right arm feeling as good as his left one once it heals. He will be off for 2 weeks at least. We hope he will feel like going to Decovin and Camden's birthday party on Saturday. If it gets really cold, Mom is already saying she probably won't go.

I took her to her Dr. on Monday to see about her left over cough and her right hand that aches at night. He told me to get her a brace for carpel-tunnel to wear to bed at night which is when she said it aches the most. He said her cough is all but gone.

David's Dad is still in the hospital. His hemoglobin went down so they are going to do a CT Scan and colonoscopy now. He is slightly enemic. Loree is still sore and has to stay at home and is quite worried about Paul. Mendy has been going up everyday to be with her Dad. She originally was going to be there to help Loree.

Well, I am tired. Waiting in a hospital is very tiring for some reason! Hope everyone is well and stays that way.

NOW DAVID'S DAD WAS HOSPITALIZED!

Wow, seems like we are going to hospitals a lot lately. David's step-mother (Loree) came home Saturday after 3 days in the hospital and that night around 11 p.m. Paul got up to go to the bathroom and then fainted after he sat down in his chair and, when he came to, hw started coughing up blood so they called the ambulance. Christy, David & I went to the Paola hospital to see & be with him. They had to give him a pint of blood before they transferred to St. Luke's South in Overland Park, KS. We went on home so David could get an hour's sleep before going to work (He overslept so got 2 hrs). His sister & brother stayed with Dad. We went up Saturday night to see him. David's sister Mendy has been staying with the folks for a week to help her folks. We went up to see Jeff, Marianne and the girl's on Katrina's birthday (Sunday)and enjoyed our visit. We went up to see Dad again on Monday night. Paul was supposed to get to go home on Tuesday but they are keeping him because his hemoglobin had gone down and he was anemic again. Now David is going in for an orthascopic operation on his right shoulder. He had the same procedure a few years ago on his left shoulder and it took his pain away. Well, I am tired so am going to close for now. We went to a church meeting tonight. Have to have David over to Paola by 8 a.m. Will let you know later how it went.

PRETTY DULL AROUND HERE.

Hi Everybody,

Since New Year's started, we haven't been doing much that is fun. We did go visit Jen, Bob and the boys last Sunday. On the 4th we took Mom to get an MRI of her head & her Dr. gave her a strong 5 day antibiotic and she felt better for a short while but is coughing again so I am taking her back Monday. She will see a neurologist on the 29th. She was supposed to go on the 22nd but David is having his right shoulder operated on on the 20th so I have to stay with him for 24 hours after the operation. I went to an opthamologist last week and got their report yesterday. My eyes are 20/20 with glasses. I have dry eyes which makes them water a lot so I need to use natural tears eye drops. They told me they would be keeping a watch on my eyes though so I have to go back in six months. I asked him about cataracts and he said that he didn't see anything to worry about that either. So why do I feel like I can't see clearly anymore. Guess it comes with getting older. So I will live with it. I had back pain last week for 4-5 days. It got better thank goodness. I am still having a problem with my upper right tooth that had an abcess and still does. The orthadontist gave me pen vk the first go round and now I am taking amoxicillin. I will have to go back to him next week also. What a start to the new year. One kind of Dr. after another.

Other family things that have happened: Loree Long (David's step-mom) had an operation this afternoon at 1:00. Haven't heard how it went yet. She was having some female repair work done. Yesterday, Jerry Long (David's cousin) had a heart attack. He was taken to Paola's Hospital and evidently his heart stopped and they defibbed him. He was taken to Olathe Medical Hospital and a stint was put into the 100% clogged artery. David is going to go see both Loree and Jerry tonight. I am babysitting Jen & Bob's boys while they are at a movie with Christy. I like playing with the boys and I think they like staying with me.

CAMDEN IS CHECKING OUT MY CAMERA WHILE DECOVIN PLAYS A GAME ON MY DS.