Dear Friends:
Paul went back to Fairfax Hospital today. He has been scheduled to have the shunt replaced on Wednesday. A transport came to get him around 5pm tonight. We got to the hospital just before the nurses were ready to do the shift change. They did his vitals and got the paperwork started. Dr. Azzam came by to give us some idea of the plan for the next couple of days. He ordered some tests ... X-ray & CT scan. He wants the infectious disease group to look at him (because of the staff mostly). He ordered the respiratory therapy & feeding tube to be resumed. They are discontinuing the blood thinner until after the surgery. Needless to say, we are not thrilled that Paul will have to endure another surgery .... but it is comforting that he is getting such a good look over and will have excellent nursing care. He will stay at the hospital for three days after surgery for observation. The nursing home said they can't hold the room for Paul but we are hopeful that they will have a bed for him when he needs to leave the hospital. The administrative staff and the therapists would really like to see him be able to come back. Dad said today was a really good day for Paul. The new brace on his right leg seems to make him move the leg and foot more. When I came into the nursing home this afternoon he had both legs hanging off the right side of the bed. Dad said that he had done that himself and that he was hanging them off then pulling them back onto the bed. He really seems to look around and AT us more and more. It seems like there is more "warmth" in his look. Dad also said he is holding up his left hand and turning it at the wrist like he is "checking it out". He is relaxing both arms more since Dad has been working with him on it. He also gets frustrated with Dad doing personal hygiene stuff. It seems like he is getting very close to moving to stage 4. We've been told that many patients take a long time to get to 4 but usually progress more quickly to 8. This gives us much hope!! If you want to come to the hospital the visiting is from 10am-8pm. He is in room 354. Have a good day!
Love, Lynne & Carl
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Monday, January 30, 2006
Paul's Update - 01/29/06
Dear Friends:
As I said before, weekends are pretty quiet. Today was very quiet. We had some visitors but Paul was not very active. He would wake up and move around a bit but he wasn't up much. Tabby took a break and did some work at home today. Bobby took the day away too. It was a good day to rest for all of us. We certainly do enjoy having our friends come to visit though. Paul's boss & his wife came by to visit, also some friends from church. Tabby tried to call the doctor today but we never got a response. The doctor was not on call today so we will have to wait for tomorrow to hear what he wants to do about the shunt. This week we will be looking at another trip to Fair Oaks Hospital to have the IVC filter (the umbrella to catch blood clots) turned. This prevents it from becoming embedded in Paul's vein and becoming permanent. The other thing we expect to happen this week is the change of the trach to a talking trach. That could happen as early as Monday. He isn't trying to do any talking yet but it would be nice for him to be able to when he's ready! Have a great week!
Love, Lynne & Carl
As I said before, weekends are pretty quiet. Today was very quiet. We had some visitors but Paul was not very active. He would wake up and move around a bit but he wasn't up much. Tabby took a break and did some work at home today. Bobby took the day away too. It was a good day to rest for all of us. We certainly do enjoy having our friends come to visit though. Paul's boss & his wife came by to visit, also some friends from church. Tabby tried to call the doctor today but we never got a response. The doctor was not on call today so we will have to wait for tomorrow to hear what he wants to do about the shunt. This week we will be looking at another trip to Fair Oaks Hospital to have the IVC filter (the umbrella to catch blood clots) turned. This prevents it from becoming embedded in Paul's vein and becoming permanent. The other thing we expect to happen this week is the change of the trach to a talking trach. That could happen as early as Monday. He isn't trying to do any talking yet but it would be nice for him to be able to when he's ready! Have a great week!
Love, Lynne & Carl
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Boom, Pow, Zap
This weekend has continued to go downhill. We missed the Mexican food. I can't remember the last time we missed it when we were in town. That was because Lou got sick (as in barf) as we were getting ready. He had done that earlier in the week, so not wanting to tempt fate we stayed home. Would you believe it, he never got sick again the rest of the weekend. Then I had an argument with a good friend over something that for the most part was miscommunications on both sides.
To add insult to injury, another friend opened their mouth when the better part of common sense should have ruled and kept it shut. I just don't like people putting words in my mouth when I kept mine shut. Am I mad .. No .. Just disappointed and feeling alone. Is this medium worth all the issues it brings? I doubt it but the few friends somehow counterbalance it, at least enough to drag me back occasionally. It is interesting how over time we have gone from RP every possible moment we can spare to almost feeling obligated to show up and then trying to make the exposure as short as possible.
Bowling did go fairly well but concentration was erratic. Concentration is the difference between the really good scores and the just average ones. Concentration is the missing a spare and losing as to picking the spare up and winning, it was that close. Next week I bowl against the two young ladies I have coached for the last year or more. That should prove interesting. Teacher vs. Student. --- wax on .. wax off.
After a long week of short nights, my knight server has been upgraded and everything squared away. The old server lasted 3 months short of 8 years. It never grew bigger than a Pentium 200. They don't make them as good as the old ones anymore.
This week I will be in New Jersey for a Radio Systems demonstration. That should prove interesting, as it will give us some great ideas for the three new studios we are building later in February. What scares me is going that deep into Yankee territory.
8 weeks till Nationals in Corpus Christi, TX.
To add insult to injury, another friend opened their mouth when the better part of common sense should have ruled and kept it shut. I just don't like people putting words in my mouth when I kept mine shut. Am I mad .. No .. Just disappointed and feeling alone. Is this medium worth all the issues it brings? I doubt it but the few friends somehow counterbalance it, at least enough to drag me back occasionally. It is interesting how over time we have gone from RP every possible moment we can spare to almost feeling obligated to show up and then trying to make the exposure as short as possible.
Bowling did go fairly well but concentration was erratic. Concentration is the difference between the really good scores and the just average ones. Concentration is the missing a spare and losing as to picking the spare up and winning, it was that close. Next week I bowl against the two young ladies I have coached for the last year or more. That should prove interesting. Teacher vs. Student. --- wax on .. wax off.
After a long week of short nights, my knight server has been upgraded and everything squared away. The old server lasted 3 months short of 8 years. It never grew bigger than a Pentium 200. They don't make them as good as the old ones anymore.
This week I will be in New Jersey for a Radio Systems demonstration. That should prove interesting, as it will give us some great ideas for the three new studios we are building later in February. What scares me is going that deep into Yankee territory.
8 weeks till Nationals in Corpus Christi, TX.
Paul's Update - 01/28/06
Dear Friends:
Weekends are always most restful. Today was mostly that. Dad got there early as usual and Bobby was still there from the last night. Paul had been up most of the night according to Bobby. We are pretty convinced that he has his nights and days mixed up. Since there is no therapy on the weekends it was up to Dad & Bobby to exercise him. It was a pretty day and Paul loves getting outside so they went out for about 45 minutes and walked around the townhouse community. He seems pretty alert when he is awake. That is not to say he acknowledges us much yet but he seems to look at things more intentionally each day. Paul also got a new accessory today. He now has a brace on his right foot to help keep it from drooping. Since he doesn't move that foot much it tends to drop down. This makes the muscles in the leg tight and difficult for him to lift his foot. The brace is spring loaded and will attempt to push his foot up which will stretch the calf muscle but will still allow him to move the foot in both directions independent from the brace. It was made specifically for Paul (custom fitted). Tabby was gone all day today. She took the opportunity to go to visit her parents in Martinsburg WV. They haven't seen her for several weeks. It was a good time for Tabby to "get away". Since she was out of state she couldn't get cell phone range so she wasn't able to talk to the doctor today. She will try again tomorrow. I'm sure nothing will be decided until Monday but it would be nice to know what we will be looking at with regard to the shunt.
As always... we thank you for your continued love and prayers!!
Love, Lynne & Carl
Weekends are always most restful. Today was mostly that. Dad got there early as usual and Bobby was still there from the last night. Paul had been up most of the night according to Bobby. We are pretty convinced that he has his nights and days mixed up. Since there is no therapy on the weekends it was up to Dad & Bobby to exercise him. It was a pretty day and Paul loves getting outside so they went out for about 45 minutes and walked around the townhouse community. He seems pretty alert when he is awake. That is not to say he acknowledges us much yet but he seems to look at things more intentionally each day. Paul also got a new accessory today. He now has a brace on his right foot to help keep it from drooping. Since he doesn't move that foot much it tends to drop down. This makes the muscles in the leg tight and difficult for him to lift his foot. The brace is spring loaded and will attempt to push his foot up which will stretch the calf muscle but will still allow him to move the foot in both directions independent from the brace. It was made specifically for Paul (custom fitted). Tabby was gone all day today. She took the opportunity to go to visit her parents in Martinsburg WV. They haven't seen her for several weeks. It was a good time for Tabby to "get away". Since she was out of state she couldn't get cell phone range so she wasn't able to talk to the doctor today. She will try again tomorrow. I'm sure nothing will be decided until Monday but it would be nice to know what we will be looking at with regard to the shunt.
As always... we thank you for your continued love and prayers!!
Love, Lynne & Carl
Paul's Update - 01/27/06
Below is the message that was suppose to go out Friday night. I had a
"snafu" with my computer. Sorry about the delay! -- Lynne
Dear Friends:
We had an exhausting day. Paul was to go to have the CT at Fair Oaks. The transport came around noon to pick him up. He went to the hospital and they did the CT which only takes a few minutes and got him ready to go back to the nursing home. While in route Paul threw up!! This is the first time we've ever encountered that. They turned around and took him right back to the hospital to make sure he was ok and run tests. They did all sorts of testing including an X-ray to determine if there was any fluids in the lungs. All looked OK so they don't really know what caused the vomiting. All of this took several hours in the hospital. He wasn't ready to go back to the nursing home until 8PM. As disturbing as all that was ... there was more. The tech that did the CT read the results and told Carl that there was an 8% difference in this CT and the last one they did almost three weeks ago. He called Dr. Azzam and the doctor is concerned that there is even MORE fluid .... ughhhhhhh. I don't really know what this is going to mean yet. The doctor said he will be in touch with Tabby at the first of next week to talk about what he thinks needs to be done. I pray that this doesn't mean more surgery but it might! Paul seemed OK but sleepy when he got back to the nursing home. Bobby was going to stay the night with him so Tabby could go home and rest. He has been doing so well this last few days and now we have another setback! We will keep praying that God hold Paul and heal him!! He's come a long way and God has protected him through a lot!
Enjoy your weekend!!
Love, Lynne & Carl
"snafu" with my computer. Sorry about the delay! -- Lynne
Dear Friends:
We had an exhausting day. Paul was to go to have the CT at Fair Oaks. The transport came around noon to pick him up. He went to the hospital and they did the CT which only takes a few minutes and got him ready to go back to the nursing home. While in route Paul threw up!! This is the first time we've ever encountered that. They turned around and took him right back to the hospital to make sure he was ok and run tests. They did all sorts of testing including an X-ray to determine if there was any fluids in the lungs. All looked OK so they don't really know what caused the vomiting. All of this took several hours in the hospital. He wasn't ready to go back to the nursing home until 8PM. As disturbing as all that was ... there was more. The tech that did the CT read the results and told Carl that there was an 8% difference in this CT and the last one they did almost three weeks ago. He called Dr. Azzam and the doctor is concerned that there is even MORE fluid .... ughhhhhhh. I don't really know what this is going to mean yet. The doctor said he will be in touch with Tabby at the first of next week to talk about what he thinks needs to be done. I pray that this doesn't mean more surgery but it might! Paul seemed OK but sleepy when he got back to the nursing home. Bobby was going to stay the night with him so Tabby could go home and rest. He has been doing so well this last few days and now we have another setback! We will keep praying that God hold Paul and heal him!! He's come a long way and God has protected him through a lot!
Enjoy your weekend!!
Love, Lynne & Carl
Friday, January 27, 2006
Putzing Along
The week started out so good just to end on such a sour note. The best part of the day was the catered BBQ schmooze at work. Gee, that is kind of funny that work was better today than everything else.
#1 wants me to take him with me to work so he can get paid. Seems now he has a desire to pay off the bills that he accumulated when he quit work and got all the collections notices. Could be a cold day in the southern regions!
#2 was supposed to go to a job interview but haven't heard anything yet.
Started writing this and then took a break to have a birthday dinner with Carl (#54). It was interesting to hear the perspectives on life from a person over-the-hill. Hope I can be as objective when I get to that plateau.
RP this week has been a bit of a roller coaster. So I am still not sure what I really want to do. One moment all is great and the jets kick into overdrive than it swings to the rip your hair out level and all I do is piss my toupee person off when I destroy his rug creation. I do get dual use by gluing it to my chest. Won’t take much till I look like Big-Foot.
#1 wants me to take him with me to work so he can get paid. Seems now he has a desire to pay off the bills that he accumulated when he quit work and got all the collections notices. Could be a cold day in the southern regions!
#2 was supposed to go to a job interview but haven't heard anything yet.
Started writing this and then took a break to have a birthday dinner with Carl (#54). It was interesting to hear the perspectives on life from a person over-the-hill. Hope I can be as objective when I get to that plateau.
RP this week has been a bit of a roller coaster. So I am still not sure what I really want to do. One moment all is great and the jets kick into overdrive than it swings to the rip your hair out level and all I do is piss my toupee person off when I destroy his rug creation. I do get dual use by gluing it to my chest. Won’t take much till I look like Big-Foot.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Paul's Update - 01/26/06
Dear Friends:
Today was a very good day. Therapy went very well. Paul was the most responsive he has ever been. The day started with work on upper body stuff, working with the cones. When the therapist (speech) put the cone in front of him he took it and reached over to drop it in Dad's hand. He did this about 9 times. Then they put a table in front of him with a platform that had wheels on it (sorta like a roller skate). The therapist put his right hand on it to see if he could move it back and forth. He wasn't able to do it with the right hand so he moved his left hand over to the right hand and he was trying to move his right hand with the left one. When Dad called Paul's name he would look over towards him. The therapist had a wire whisk that is like tongs that she wanted him to clamp with his hand. He couldn't do that but Dad asked him to put it on the table in front of him and he did it! They asked him to remove a tennis ball from a velcro pad, he couldn't pull it off but Dad asked him to put the ball ON the pad. He had to reach over and out a little to do that but he did it about 3 times. Keith (PT) tried to get Paul to wipe his mouth with a cloth in his own hand. He held Paul's arm up with the cloth to his mouth but Paul got VERY frustrated with Keith. This could be VERY good as the next stage of recovery is anger. I got there around 4:00 pm and when I walked in his back was to me so I walked to his left side and called his name. His head was drooped down and he lifted his head to look directly at me. He seemed so aware....what an exciting moment. The last part of the therapy was to stand him up and then sit him on the side of the bed to balance himself. He was pretty tired by then and didn't do quite as well so we took him back to the room. He rested for a while but was awake when I left around 6:15 pm. Most of the rest of the evening was quiet but he'd had a busy day! Tomorrow is the CT scan at Fair Oaks hospital. The transport is suppose to come around noon for his 1:00 pm appointment. Therapy will probably be early tomorrow (before the transport). I'm praying that the CT will show even more improvement in the fluid amount in the brain. If it does it could be the reason for such a good day today!! I pray that it means we will see only more improvements each day!
God Bless! Love, Lynne & Carl
Today was a very good day. Therapy went very well. Paul was the most responsive he has ever been. The day started with work on upper body stuff, working with the cones. When the therapist (speech) put the cone in front of him he took it and reached over to drop it in Dad's hand. He did this about 9 times. Then they put a table in front of him with a platform that had wheels on it (sorta like a roller skate). The therapist put his right hand on it to see if he could move it back and forth. He wasn't able to do it with the right hand so he moved his left hand over to the right hand and he was trying to move his right hand with the left one. When Dad called Paul's name he would look over towards him. The therapist had a wire whisk that is like tongs that she wanted him to clamp with his hand. He couldn't do that but Dad asked him to put it on the table in front of him and he did it! They asked him to remove a tennis ball from a velcro pad, he couldn't pull it off but Dad asked him to put the ball ON the pad. He had to reach over and out a little to do that but he did it about 3 times. Keith (PT) tried to get Paul to wipe his mouth with a cloth in his own hand. He held Paul's arm up with the cloth to his mouth but Paul got VERY frustrated with Keith. This could be VERY good as the next stage of recovery is anger. I got there around 4:00 pm and when I walked in his back was to me so I walked to his left side and called his name. His head was drooped down and he lifted his head to look directly at me. He seemed so aware....what an exciting moment. The last part of the therapy was to stand him up and then sit him on the side of the bed to balance himself. He was pretty tired by then and didn't do quite as well so we took him back to the room. He rested for a while but was awake when I left around 6:15 pm. Most of the rest of the evening was quiet but he'd had a busy day! Tomorrow is the CT scan at Fair Oaks hospital. The transport is suppose to come around noon for his 1:00 pm appointment. Therapy will probably be early tomorrow (before the transport). I'm praying that the CT will show even more improvement in the fluid amount in the brain. If it does it could be the reason for such a good day today!! I pray that it means we will see only more improvements each day!
God Bless! Love, Lynne & Carl
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Paul's Update - 01/25/06
Dear Friends:
Paul had a little better day today. He slept most of the early part of the day but when the therapist came to work with him he seemed more cooperative. He did some sitting up, no standing since the doctor doesn't want him bearing weight on the left foot. He worked with some small balls in his left hand. He took them from the therapist and gave one of them to dad. One he played with a little and then flicked it from his fingers across the floor. The interesting thing is that one of them he actually held onto and tried to put it in his right hand. He had trouble with it but he at least tried. The speech therapist also tried to have Paul pop some bubble wrap, he didn't do that but when the therapist popped them he blinked with both eyes every time he HEARD a pop!! This tells us he hears at least some! This evening he was more awake. It almost seems like he has his days and nights mixed up. He seemed pretty alert. It is difficult to determine if or how much he sees yet but when Bobby was sitting in front of him he actually tracked Bob's finger in front of his eyes. He seems to do this randomly but the fact that he does it is pretty exciting. It appears that he is touching his right hand and his left leg with his left hand more and more. It is almost as if he is trying to figure out some "sensory" things. Earlier today the doctor had ordered a chest X-ray to make sure there is not evidence of pneumonia. The results came back this evening and the conclusion is that he has lots of congestion but no pneumonia ... Praise God!! Friday will be the date for the next CT. I hope that shows improvement in the fluid levels in the brain. Since Paul seems more like he was a few days ago, I believe that the procedure that was done Monday has done the trick! Have a great day!!
Love, Lynne & Carl
Paul had a little better day today. He slept most of the early part of the day but when the therapist came to work with him he seemed more cooperative. He did some sitting up, no standing since the doctor doesn't want him bearing weight on the left foot. He worked with some small balls in his left hand. He took them from the therapist and gave one of them to dad. One he played with a little and then flicked it from his fingers across the floor. The interesting thing is that one of them he actually held onto and tried to put it in his right hand. He had trouble with it but he at least tried. The speech therapist also tried to have Paul pop some bubble wrap, he didn't do that but when the therapist popped them he blinked with both eyes every time he HEARD a pop!! This tells us he hears at least some! This evening he was more awake. It almost seems like he has his days and nights mixed up. He seemed pretty alert. It is difficult to determine if or how much he sees yet but when Bobby was sitting in front of him he actually tracked Bob's finger in front of his eyes. He seems to do this randomly but the fact that he does it is pretty exciting. It appears that he is touching his right hand and his left leg with his left hand more and more. It is almost as if he is trying to figure out some "sensory" things. Earlier today the doctor had ordered a chest X-ray to make sure there is not evidence of pneumonia. The results came back this evening and the conclusion is that he has lots of congestion but no pneumonia ... Praise God!! Friday will be the date for the next CT. I hope that shows improvement in the fluid levels in the brain. Since Paul seems more like he was a few days ago, I believe that the procedure that was done Monday has done the trick! Have a great day!!
Love, Lynne & Carl
Oh Well
Well, time continues to move along and the first month of 2006 is drawing to an end. I wonder if it is too soon to start planning the next cruise? The knight.blackhawke.net server is back up after a short vacation and a total makeover. Now the work begins for me as I migrate a few things to the server.
Locally, there was a case where an eight year old boy took his father’s gun to school and accidentally shot a seven year old girl. What baffles me is that the State Attorney said they were charging the boy and that would get him in the State’s system and get him the help he needed. Well, based on my past experience with dealing with #1’s problems when he was less than 14 years old, the State Attorney had no idea what he was saying. When we were dealing with similar problems the State actually said “we aren’t equipped to deal with a child less than 14. That is why they usually get released by the courts back to the parents.” From firsthand knowledge, the State is poorly setup for dealing with young kids. The Boy’s Group Home had a minimum age requirement of 14. The Juvenile Detention wouldn’t accept him less than 14. They said he was supposed to be released to his parents or another foster family. We had to revert to private sources and agencies to get #1 the help he needed. I hope the State Attorney wakes up soon and see that his staff and the State’s Family Services is a major waste of taxpayer’s money. So don’t arrest the 8 year old under the guise of helping him. All they will do is get him raped in some state facility. And that is a fact I know of first hand.
Isn’t it wonderful how the Oil Companies are slipping the gas prices higher and the general populace doesn’t realize what is happening much less raise a stink over it. Cool off the Congressional inquiry into Price Gouging by lobbyist pressures and then keep any profit forecasts out of the news and boom, the price slides closer to $3.00 a gallon. Seems the Automotive Companies would get serious and force the price down so they could unload the growing lots of monster gas guzzlers. The local government thinks mass transit is the way to get around. Hey, mass transit is very poor outside of the close in metro area. And I keep hearing how the metro rail is reaching capacity and don’t have the funds to expand service. Talk of an outrage! Then they fire their CEO after one year on the job and guess what happens? The man gets a guaranteed annuity of $106,000 a year for the rest of his life and then his wife gets $53,000 a year when he dies. Excuse me, where can I get a job where I work one year, get fired and get such a sweet retirement package. Heck, Union workers don’t even have it that good.
A new one I just heard, veterans who don’t have a service related disability can’t get care at the VA hospital any more. Their way of screwing those who served but weren’t called on for the ultimate of sacrifices. Makes me wish I had stuck a screwdriver in my leg and then receive a purple heart so I could get the medical care they promised me 30 years ago. They want to penalize those who tried very hard to take care of themselves.
8 weeks to Tournament Time.
***** *****
Locally, there was a case where an eight year old boy took his father’s gun to school and accidentally shot a seven year old girl. What baffles me is that the State Attorney said they were charging the boy and that would get him in the State’s system and get him the help he needed. Well, based on my past experience with dealing with #1’s problems when he was less than 14 years old, the State Attorney had no idea what he was saying. When we were dealing with similar problems the State actually said “we aren’t equipped to deal with a child less than 14. That is why they usually get released by the courts back to the parents.” From firsthand knowledge, the State is poorly setup for dealing with young kids. The Boy’s Group Home had a minimum age requirement of 14. The Juvenile Detention wouldn’t accept him less than 14. They said he was supposed to be released to his parents or another foster family. We had to revert to private sources and agencies to get #1 the help he needed. I hope the State Attorney wakes up soon and see that his staff and the State’s Family Services is a major waste of taxpayer’s money. So don’t arrest the 8 year old under the guise of helping him. All they will do is get him raped in some state facility. And that is a fact I know of first hand.
Isn’t it wonderful how the Oil Companies are slipping the gas prices higher and the general populace doesn’t realize what is happening much less raise a stink over it. Cool off the Congressional inquiry into Price Gouging by lobbyist pressures and then keep any profit forecasts out of the news and boom, the price slides closer to $3.00 a gallon. Seems the Automotive Companies would get serious and force the price down so they could unload the growing lots of monster gas guzzlers. The local government thinks mass transit is the way to get around. Hey, mass transit is very poor outside of the close in metro area. And I keep hearing how the metro rail is reaching capacity and don’t have the funds to expand service. Talk of an outrage! Then they fire their CEO after one year on the job and guess what happens? The man gets a guaranteed annuity of $106,000 a year for the rest of his life and then his wife gets $53,000 a year when he dies. Excuse me, where can I get a job where I work one year, get fired and get such a sweet retirement package. Heck, Union workers don’t even have it that good.
A new one I just heard, veterans who don’t have a service related disability can’t get care at the VA hospital any more. Their way of screwing those who served but weren’t called on for the ultimate of sacrifices. Makes me wish I had stuck a screwdriver in my leg and then receive a purple heart so I could get the medical care they promised me 30 years ago. They want to penalize those who tried very hard to take care of themselves.
8 weeks to Tournament Time.
***** *****
Paul's Update - 01/24/06
Dear Friends:
Today was another pretty quiet day for Paul. He seemed to sleep most of the day. He really didn't want to cooperate with the therapists again today. He didn't even want to walk. Dad exercised his legs and arms several times and he was much more limber. Tonight around 5:00 pm he started waking up a bit. He was up for almost 3 hours before he napped a bit. He only slept for about 15 minutes and was awake again. The occupational therapist came in and only worked with him by playing with his toys and getting him to grab them and pull them from her. He really enjoys playing with his toys. I suspect he is getting some stimulation from them. They are soft and easy to grab and light enough to move around. He only uses his left hand to play with them so Shannon (OT) tried to work with the right hand a little. She wasn't very successful but at least he is feeling them with that hand...maybe he will eventually grab them with that hand too!! Dr. Azzam (neurosurgeon) called the nursing home today and said he wants another CT done this Friday to see if the adjustment he made yesterday has caused the shunt to work properly. The most devastating thing that happened today was the orthopedist told Tabby that he doesn't want Paul up on his left foot AT ALL. He wants NO weight bearing on it. This means that Paul will not be able to walk until the doctor says it is OK. He doesn't see that doctor until late February. This is frustrating since Paul likes being up most of the time. Now we will have to find other ways to exercise. It feels like such a setback but he doesn't want any damage to that foot (neither do we!). I guess we've had other more difficult setbacks and we should be thankful that he has done so well! Patience is most difficult when we have setbacks .... but we will "stay the course" ..... God isn't done with Paul's miracle yet!
God Bless! Lynne & Carl
Today was another pretty quiet day for Paul. He seemed to sleep most of the day. He really didn't want to cooperate with the therapists again today. He didn't even want to walk. Dad exercised his legs and arms several times and he was much more limber. Tonight around 5:00 pm he started waking up a bit. He was up for almost 3 hours before he napped a bit. He only slept for about 15 minutes and was awake again. The occupational therapist came in and only worked with him by playing with his toys and getting him to grab them and pull them from her. He really enjoys playing with his toys. I suspect he is getting some stimulation from them. They are soft and easy to grab and light enough to move around. He only uses his left hand to play with them so Shannon (OT) tried to work with the right hand a little. She wasn't very successful but at least he is feeling them with that hand...maybe he will eventually grab them with that hand too!! Dr. Azzam (neurosurgeon) called the nursing home today and said he wants another CT done this Friday to see if the adjustment he made yesterday has caused the shunt to work properly. The most devastating thing that happened today was the orthopedist told Tabby that he doesn't want Paul up on his left foot AT ALL. He wants NO weight bearing on it. This means that Paul will not be able to walk until the doctor says it is OK. He doesn't see that doctor until late February. This is frustrating since Paul likes being up most of the time. Now we will have to find other ways to exercise. It feels like such a setback but he doesn't want any damage to that foot (neither do we!). I guess we've had other more difficult setbacks and we should be thankful that he has done so well! Patience is most difficult when we have setbacks .... but we will "stay the course" ..... God isn't done with Paul's miracle yet!
God Bless! Lynne & Carl
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Paul's Update - 01/23/06
Dear Friends:
Today started early .... Paul went to Fairfax Hospital for the adjustment to his shunt. It appears that the CT that was done two weeks ago was scheduled at Fair Oaks Hospital by the nursing home but nobody told Dr. Azzam (the neurosurgeon) about it. Consequently he didn't get the report until last week. His assistant was at Fairfax Hospital today and increased the amount of fluid that is being drawn from the brain. Another CT will be done in a week to follow up and make sure everything is OK. Pray that this works because if it doesn't we will have to make Paul go through another surgery to replace the current shunt. After he returned to the nursing home around 11 am he was tired and slept mostly until time for Speech & Occupational therapy. Since he was exhausted he didn't do much of what he was asked to do today. The speech therapist put Paul's hand in a bowl of warm rice and he worked hard to get it off of his fingers. He obviously didn't like how it felt! He did a little sitting up. The physical therapist wanted to attempt to have Paul walk today. He got him up on his feet and he took a couple of small steps but he didn't stand up straight or hold his head up. We didn't push him today so maybe he will have more energy tomorrow. Dad also exercised his arms and legs this evening and he was a little more limber .... his arms and the right leg are pretty stiff. When Dad left tonight Paul was listening to music. This seems to really have a positive effect on him. Tabby was there tonight but was going home early .... she hasn't had much sleep the last few days. Hopefully she will sleep well tonight! Have a great Day!!
Love, Carl and Lynne
Today started early .... Paul went to Fairfax Hospital for the adjustment to his shunt. It appears that the CT that was done two weeks ago was scheduled at Fair Oaks Hospital by the nursing home but nobody told Dr. Azzam (the neurosurgeon) about it. Consequently he didn't get the report until last week. His assistant was at Fairfax Hospital today and increased the amount of fluid that is being drawn from the brain. Another CT will be done in a week to follow up and make sure everything is OK. Pray that this works because if it doesn't we will have to make Paul go through another surgery to replace the current shunt. After he returned to the nursing home around 11 am he was tired and slept mostly until time for Speech & Occupational therapy. Since he was exhausted he didn't do much of what he was asked to do today. The speech therapist put Paul's hand in a bowl of warm rice and he worked hard to get it off of his fingers. He obviously didn't like how it felt! He did a little sitting up. The physical therapist wanted to attempt to have Paul walk today. He got him up on his feet and he took a couple of small steps but he didn't stand up straight or hold his head up. We didn't push him today so maybe he will have more energy tomorrow. Dad also exercised his arms and legs this evening and he was a little more limber .... his arms and the right leg are pretty stiff. When Dad left tonight Paul was listening to music. This seems to really have a positive effect on him. Tabby was there tonight but was going home early .... she hasn't had much sleep the last few days. Hopefully she will sleep well tonight! Have a great Day!!
Love, Carl and Lynne
Monday, January 23, 2006
Paul's Update - 01/22/06
Dear Friends:
Paul was pretty quiet today. Tabby, Carolyn & Alysa were there when we arrived after church. Bobby & Billy came shortly after. We had other friends today as well. The boys got Paul out of bed and we met in the family visiting lounge. He sat up in the wheelchair for a couple of hours. Dad exercised his arms and was able to limber them up a little. They are pretty stiff since he really doesn't move them much. After we got him back in bed he was pretty tired and slept for a time. When he woke up he was moving a lot. He always moves his left leg & arm quite a bit but he also moved his right leg some. Monday will start VERY early for Paul & Tabby. Paul has an appointment at Fairfax Hospital at 6 a.m. to have the shunt adjusted. Tabby had to arrange for an ambulance to move him to the emergency room at the hospital. That way he goes straight to the treatment area. The adjustment itself will only take a couple of seconds but he will have to be up from about 3-4 a.m. in order to get there in time. It sure was easier when he was already at the hospital!! Since it is the weekend Paul hasn't seen any of the therapists...they will be back on the job tomorrow. We are so thankful for them! Have a great Monday!!
Love, Lynne & Carl
Paul was pretty quiet today. Tabby, Carolyn & Alysa were there when we arrived after church. Bobby & Billy came shortly after. We had other friends today as well. The boys got Paul out of bed and we met in the family visiting lounge. He sat up in the wheelchair for a couple of hours. Dad exercised his arms and was able to limber them up a little. They are pretty stiff since he really doesn't move them much. After we got him back in bed he was pretty tired and slept for a time. When he woke up he was moving a lot. He always moves his left leg & arm quite a bit but he also moved his right leg some. Monday will start VERY early for Paul & Tabby. Paul has an appointment at Fairfax Hospital at 6 a.m. to have the shunt adjusted. Tabby had to arrange for an ambulance to move him to the emergency room at the hospital. That way he goes straight to the treatment area. The adjustment itself will only take a couple of seconds but he will have to be up from about 3-4 a.m. in order to get there in time. It sure was easier when he was already at the hospital!! Since it is the weekend Paul hasn't seen any of the therapists...they will be back on the job tomorrow. We are so thankful for them! Have a great Monday!!
Love, Lynne & Carl
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Paul's Update - 01/21/06
Dear Friends:
We got to the nursing home very late today. Bobby, Carolyn and Tabby were there most of the day. Tabby spent the night there last night so she could be with Paul at midnight to wish Paul a happy anniversary. The kids said Paul exhibited some frustration today which is a really good thing. It means he is becoming more aware of his situation. Bobby said they had the talking trach attachment on today and Paul's breathing was labored. When Bobby asked him if he was OK, he shook his head "no". They took the attachment off and he breath a loud sigh. Each day since Carl started playing music for Paul he has seemed more alert. He spends a lot of time readjusting his covers, grabbing his toy animals when they are laying in his lap, he reaches for Tabby when she is lying on the bed with him. I pray that these are the beginning stages of greater improvement. It appears that Tabby needs to arrange for Paul to go back to Dr. Azzam's (the neurosurgeon) office early next week to have another adjustment to the shunt that was installed in the hospital. The CT that was done two weeks ago showed fluid built up in the brain. I don't know if this is really serious but I'm not crazy that they waited two weeks to notify us! This adjustment shouldn't cause any problems with Paul's recovery as it is done with a magnet and not anything invasive. But it means they have to arrange transport for him. I sure hope that the doctor will get the adjustment right this time! Have a Blessed Day...We love you!
Lynne & Carl
We got to the nursing home very late today. Bobby, Carolyn and Tabby were there most of the day. Tabby spent the night there last night so she could be with Paul at midnight to wish Paul a happy anniversary. The kids said Paul exhibited some frustration today which is a really good thing. It means he is becoming more aware of his situation. Bobby said they had the talking trach attachment on today and Paul's breathing was labored. When Bobby asked him if he was OK, he shook his head "no". They took the attachment off and he breath a loud sigh. Each day since Carl started playing music for Paul he has seemed more alert. He spends a lot of time readjusting his covers, grabbing his toy animals when they are laying in his lap, he reaches for Tabby when she is lying on the bed with him. I pray that these are the beginning stages of greater improvement. It appears that Tabby needs to arrange for Paul to go back to Dr. Azzam's (the neurosurgeon) office early next week to have another adjustment to the shunt that was installed in the hospital. The CT that was done two weeks ago showed fluid built up in the brain. I don't know if this is really serious but I'm not crazy that they waited two weeks to notify us! This adjustment shouldn't cause any problems with Paul's recovery as it is done with a magnet and not anything invasive. But it means they have to arrange transport for him. I sure hope that the doctor will get the adjustment right this time! Have a Blessed Day...We love you!
Lynne & Carl
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Scratch -- Scratch
This week started good but by Friday I was really fed up with things. I know I shouldn't but it happens. I love it when someone comes whining to me about how their computer is broke and they "just have to have it fixed so the can get some earth shattering thing done." You know, the thing that the world just stopped for. Wanting to help them, I then rush to get it done, putting something else on hold .. After finishing I look for them and wham, they had left to go home. How important was it? I sure felt like a fool. Have you ever felt taken advantage of? I hope this weekend cools me down some or next week will be brutal.
Another one this week was "I just need a minute for you to explain something." This statement came after I said I was either driving in traffic or I was heading out of the building for another appointment. "Ok, I said what is the question?" Their response, "I was going to fix something but I need you to explain the theory of relativity so I can see its application to the thing I am going to fix." If you can't even log in to the computer, don't ask me to explain editing a configuration file over the phone in a minute.
So you can see they yanked every chain I had this week except for the "No, that isn't in my job description!" one. Maybe I expect too much? Common sense and a little bit of user initiative to learn how to use the tools of your trade would be nice. But seriously, things will change this week and some people may get their feelings hurt.
Well enough grousing.
No change with #1 or #2. The clock is ticking and before long the hammer will come down.
Well, the weekend is here ... Lou and the Mexican restaurant ... two good things you can always count on.
Role-play World: The jury is still out with many things still tumbling in my mind. Doing what is needed to rebuild a channel requires a lot of time and I just honestly don't know if I want commit to that level of effort. Tried a little role-play the old fashioned way, with dice, miniature characters and a table of friends. That was fun because real life had no place on the table. Maybe hiding behind a glass screen makes people more willing to put their private lives up for public scrutiny. I am amazed that even after a year some people are still trying to stir up the pot. "Come on 2D20 ... give me a 29 or better."
This week also saw my knight.blackhawke.net server go down hard. I commissioned that in 1991 and it has run steadily since then. To make matters worse I lost 2 battery backups at the same time. That took my whole home network down, computers and switches. Hopefully I will get everything back to normal this weekend without slipping in to a sleep depraved state of consciousness.
Speaking of sleep depravation ... Good Night!!!
Another one this week was "I just need a minute for you to explain something." This statement came after I said I was either driving in traffic or I was heading out of the building for another appointment. "Ok, I said what is the question?" Their response, "I was going to fix something but I need you to explain the theory of relativity so I can see its application to the thing I am going to fix." If you can't even log in to the computer, don't ask me to explain editing a configuration file over the phone in a minute.
So you can see they yanked every chain I had this week except for the "No, that isn't in my job description!" one. Maybe I expect too much? Common sense and a little bit of user initiative to learn how to use the tools of your trade would be nice. But seriously, things will change this week and some people may get their feelings hurt.
Well enough grousing.
No change with #1 or #2. The clock is ticking and before long the hammer will come down.
Well, the weekend is here ... Lou and the Mexican restaurant ... two good things you can always count on.
Role-play World: The jury is still out with many things still tumbling in my mind. Doing what is needed to rebuild a channel requires a lot of time and I just honestly don't know if I want commit to that level of effort. Tried a little role-play the old fashioned way, with dice, miniature characters and a table of friends. That was fun because real life had no place on the table. Maybe hiding behind a glass screen makes people more willing to put their private lives up for public scrutiny. I am amazed that even after a year some people are still trying to stir up the pot. "Come on 2D20 ... give me a 29 or better."
This week also saw my knight.blackhawke.net server go down hard. I commissioned that in 1991 and it has run steadily since then. To make matters worse I lost 2 battery backups at the same time. That took my whole home network down, computers and switches. Hopefully I will get everything back to normal this weekend without slipping in to a sleep depraved state of consciousness.
Speaking of sleep depravation ... Good Night!!!
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Quick Thoughts
Well, it is funny how time changes things. I sure wish I was on the cruise because it is a lot warmer down there. Come on lady Luck and pick my lottery numbers!
Another wish on my list came true as Jessie showed up on Saturday to spend the day with us. It was an enjoyable surprise to see her and to know she is doing well. Of course she showed us her engagement ring so that will mean a trip to her wedding later this year.
Work continues to be fun but hard and long hours. There seems to never be a shortage of things to do.
After much shoe horning, a few words appeared on the website as new stories were posted. Now I just have to figure out where they will lead.
67 Days till Corpus Christi!! This will make my 16th year. A couple of guys who bowl with me will celebrate their 25th this year. Looks like I will celebrate my 20th in Reno .. Anyone say party time??
***** *****
Weren’t there a lot of bad or missed calls this year by the NFL referees? I guess I will need to get a new prescription so I won't see the interception that didn't happen or the false start that no one saw. Are we trying to regulate the game so much that we don't let them play anymore?
I see Mayor Nagin ( http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/17/nagin.city/ ) continues his journey into fantasy. I am curious how he gets away with some of his sayings (chocolate city). Anyone else would have been railroaded out of town as a racist. If we want to celebrate Dr. King's memory then let’s start playing on a level field, forget the past and make our own future based on how we relate to each other now.
Another wish on my list came true as Jessie showed up on Saturday to spend the day with us. It was an enjoyable surprise to see her and to know she is doing well. Of course she showed us her engagement ring so that will mean a trip to her wedding later this year.
Work continues to be fun but hard and long hours. There seems to never be a shortage of things to do.
After much shoe horning, a few words appeared on the website as new stories were posted. Now I just have to figure out where they will lead.
67 Days till Corpus Christi!! This will make my 16th year. A couple of guys who bowl with me will celebrate their 25th this year. Looks like I will celebrate my 20th in Reno .. Anyone say party time??
***** *****
Weren’t there a lot of bad or missed calls this year by the NFL referees? I guess I will need to get a new prescription so I won't see the interception that didn't happen or the false start that no one saw. Are we trying to regulate the game so much that we don't let them play anymore?
I see Mayor Nagin ( http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/17/nagin.city/ ) continues his journey into fantasy. I am curious how he gets away with some of his sayings (chocolate city). Anyone else would have been railroaded out of town as a racist. If we want to celebrate Dr. King's memory then let’s start playing on a level field, forget the past and make our own future based on how we relate to each other now.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Rumblings
Could this be the view from my new house? Only time will tell. :)
Today was another long one just like Tuesday and Wednesday were. Long but productive. What we did with our servers allows me now a bit of breathing room and I don't have to worry about another group taking us down with a virus they get or if they crash the computer over there. Just to keep my sanity .. I did something I haven't done in a while as a quick change of pace. Enough said there. Tomorrow is fire up the new transmitter day and start the calibrations.
I can't wait till Saturday. It has been too long since I was at my favorite restaurant. My stomach growls even now at the thought of the food.
Today a phrase from a song has constantly been rumbling in my head -- why can't we be friends? --
***** *****
I love how the Congressmen keep saying "a judge should have no preconceived belief on a ruling or a preformulated tendency to rule one way or the other." But they keep trying to pin Alito on how he might rule on certain hot point issues. If he does what they ask he can't tell you how he feels. Besides, the same rules they feel a judge should abide by should be the same rules they as elected officials must abide by. When was the last time Biden, Kennedy, or Pelosi voted as their constituents wanted or believed? Every pet project they support tells us they put their desires over those of the voters.
Someone should tell the people of New Orleans to get home and start cleaning up the mess themselves. The Government tried to start cleaning up the mess but your legal representatives stopped that until you decided what to do with your trash pile. And what urgency do you feel to return home when you sit some hundreds of miles away in your FEMA provided housing? Quit expecting a handout and someone to wait on you and take care of your personal property.
Education is important? Then all major sports should adopt rules to prevent the early exit of students into major league sports. No more quitting school to get a jump on making millions. Establish a minimum age of 21 and enforce it. If a student starts school then they are ineligible for three years no matter what whether they remain in school or not. If they don't go to college then it is automatic that they have to wait 3 years and be at least 21. It is sad when a college student turned pro does an interview and they can't speak using an intelligible sentence. Just what I wanted, a hero (idol) who can't read, write, or speak clearly.
Monday, January 09, 2006
First Thoughts of the New Year
Well, I must transition back into normal life and let the relaxing and fun world of vacation slip back into my memories where it belongs.
Between the three couples, we took some 500+ pictures and hopefully I will get a small website setup to display them in the very near future. The weather was great (81-86 degrees) and the food unbelievable (the pounds did show up .. the shirt was tighter). Of all the stops I really enjoyed Tortola BVI. We ended the cruise with a horse drawn carriage ride through old town Charlestown South Carolina.
Though I am late, I wish everyone a happy New Year and I pray it is prosperous for you. What would I wish for the New Year (not in any particular order)?
***** *****
Between the three couples, we took some 500+ pictures and hopefully I will get a small website setup to display them in the very near future. The weather was great (81-86 degrees) and the food unbelievable (the pounds did show up .. the shirt was tighter). Of all the stops I really enjoyed Tortola BVI. We ended the cruise with a horse drawn carriage ride through old town Charlestown South Carolina.
Though I am late, I wish everyone a happy New Year and I pray it is prosperous for you. What would I wish for the New Year (not in any particular order)?
- Another year with my Dad.
- #1 and #2 get a job and mature.
- As radiant and beautiful as my wife was on the formal night during our cruise, I wish to see her like that more this year.
- Paul returns to a productive life.
- To see Jessi and know she is safe.
- Continued to be blessed with the countless memories that Lou provides as he grows up.
- Another year of challenging writing and interaction with my RP partner.
- To be able to renew a friendship with some of those involved with the disastrous meltdown in our RP world this year. Let us "agree to disagree" but put friendship in front of our personal ideals. For I truly miss those times we RP'd as friends.
***** *****
- Pat Robertson - how many times will he allowed to spout his blurred vision of a Christian before some one stops him or he has to suffer some consequence for his actions and words?
- Marcus Vick - another spoiled brat who thinks jumping to the NFL after blowing his college career will help. Though it is sad that the lure of dollars will cloud the owner’s minds and they will draft him and pay him millions only to reinforce his spoiled brat mentality. I could only wish the NFL would ignore him for two years and let him grow up some. At least the time would allow him to further humiliate himself and then the NFL would realize they have another Terrell Owens on their hands.
- Speaking of brats ... Shawn Taylor ... he makes millions and they only fine him $17K. Talk about a butt kiss. Once again the dollar sets the standard and it is pretty low. Let me spit in my coworkers face and I know it will cost me in excess of $60K .. Because my butt would be fired .. New server project or not. So why should I be penalized more? Because I am no "sports hero?"
- CNN continues to amaze me as for a couple of days all I saw was continuous and uninterrupted coverage of the Sago Mine disaster, Ariel Sharon, and Oklahoma City fires. Didn't anything else happen in the world?
Vacation Time Runs out!
I am back from a great time on the cruise and ready to push ahead with many pictures to follow. I will post more in the days to come but right now I am trying to clear out some of the emails I accumulated over the last 11 days.
See you soon!
See you soon!
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