Mom is feeling as good as expected only 8 days out from surgery. Had a good night and is really relaxing at Grandmas. She and Dad walked up Clay Street and back this morning. She is getting back on the walking schedule today....we gave her a day off yesterday.
Breeleigh.....I was cracking up at your comment about planning a party! Please, bring the polka dot tablecloths. Yes, Mom keeps saying she doesn't want today to be her birthday....so we anticipate when she is feeling up to a recovery/birthday dinner in a few weeks, we are taking her to Raven's Glen Winery. The kids and I are going there this evening to take her some birthday surprises. They got to see her last night and they were completely precious! They had so much to catch her up on--they talked non stop--I don't know "where" they get that?! haha
I woke up with Dad in my living room this morning! He is enjoying being home and said "Mom looked so pretty this morning" That about melted my heart!
So, I will be sure to have her read all her "birthday wishes" on the blog today! Thank you all for continued prayers and remembering her on this special day! She is a proud "52" with a 29 year old spirit--right Teresa?!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Homecoming!
We got wonderful news at the doctor! Pathology confirmed it was "kidney" cancer and it was not in the bones or fatty tissue. And whatever those spidery things or roots in the kidney that come off the tumors.....well, anyway....they seem to have gotten them CLEAN out! So, answered prayers there. It can be a reoccurring cancer of course, so she will have scans every 6 months for the next 5 years. We left Cleveland at 8:30 after a group hug and all of us in tears of celebration! (or maybe they were crying b/c I was behind the wheel) haha
We just arrived to Grandma/Grandpa Hood's house around 11 and Mom is surrounded in the mountain of cards she has gotten while she has been gone, she is opening them all and reading them out loud. So fun!
I have to sit here and pinch myself that the journey can now continue on home court. It such a comforting feeling to have her this close to home! Her spirits already seem lifted, of course we did get her a "Dairy Queen" favorite lunch. Nothing like good ol' Frazeysburg DQ food after a week of hospital food.
Words can never express the gratitude and love we have felt from all of your support, prayers, comments, cards, and calls. I know there will come a day soon, Mom will sit down and read back through her blogging journey and her heart will be warmed by all of you as they have ours (the entire family).
XOXOXOXO
We just arrived to Grandma/Grandpa Hood's house around 11 and Mom is surrounded in the mountain of cards she has gotten while she has been gone, she is opening them all and reading them out loud. So fun!
I have to sit here and pinch myself that the journey can now continue on home court. It such a comforting feeling to have her this close to home! Her spirits already seem lifted, of course we did get her a "Dairy Queen" favorite lunch. Nothing like good ol' Frazeysburg DQ food after a week of hospital food.
Words can never express the gratitude and love we have felt from all of your support, prayers, comments, cards, and calls. I know there will come a day soon, Mom will sit down and read back through her blogging journey and her heart will be warmed by all of you as they have ours (the entire family).
XOXOXOXO
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Tuesday Evening....
This is Valerie (I'm baaaaaack) sitting in the lobby with Mom and Dad.
Mom is covered up with her blue quilt made by Mary Hunter. She has loved having this blanket and we have been meaning to share that with you Mary! She has been cold! It was a pretty special moment when I pulled in and walked into the lobby to surprise Mom and Dad! They were ironically down here sitting. Lots of joyfull tears! Then it was even more fun to knock on the hotel door and surprise Gma! We have walked, talked, laughed, cried and are counting down the hours till we get to head home. I am so thankful to be here with them again.
I just caught them up on the latest posts and we are about to head up to pack up the room and load the car. We do want to thank in advance our family and friends at Fraz. United Methodist Church for all the meals they are bringing for the next few weeks.
Please keep our 8am doctor appt. in your prayers in the morning, we will receive pathology results as well as the drain and staple removal (we said it sounds like a plumbing job--haha)
Have a blessed night.
Mom is covered up with her blue quilt made by Mary Hunter. She has loved having this blanket and we have been meaning to share that with you Mary! She has been cold! It was a pretty special moment when I pulled in and walked into the lobby to surprise Mom and Dad! They were ironically down here sitting. Lots of joyfull tears! Then it was even more fun to knock on the hotel door and surprise Gma! We have walked, talked, laughed, cried and are counting down the hours till we get to head home. I am so thankful to be here with them again.
I just caught them up on the latest posts and we are about to head up to pack up the room and load the car. We do want to thank in advance our family and friends at Fraz. United Methodist Church for all the meals they are bringing for the next few weeks.
Please keep our 8am doctor appt. in your prayers in the morning, we will receive pathology results as well as the drain and staple removal (we said it sounds like a plumbing job--haha)
Have a blessed night.
Tuesday...
Mom's had an emotional few days. I have never had a major surgery, but anyone who has can probably understand there are so many adjustments. Moving from the Hospital room to the Clinic Guest House was something she was looking so forward to "pre surgery". Now, that she is there, the beds are different, the bathroom is different, you are seeing people not nurses, she has mirrors in the room, it is all just so much change from what she has been used to for 6 days. She is now in control of the pain meds, and it is just different, the pain keeps getting ahead of the medication. I am sure she will have the same adjustment tomorrow when moving in with Grandma, she needs time to get comfortable in a new location. It is okay for her to feel a bit sad and overwhelmed. Dad and Grandma have been WONDERFUL for her, she just told me that.
But, with that being said, I am heading back to Cleveland today. I feel helpless from here, and I want to help Dad and Grandma get loaded up to check out. Grandma and Mom would definately try and talk me out of it, and that will not happen. That way I can be there for the appointment in the morning and then come back home. And, I can give my Grandma and Dad a big hug in person.....and of course my mom!!!!!!
Hugs, Valerie
But, with that being said, I am heading back to Cleveland today. I feel helpless from here, and I want to help Dad and Grandma get loaded up to check out. Grandma and Mom would definately try and talk me out of it, and that will not happen. That way I can be there for the appointment in the morning and then come back home. And, I can give my Grandma and Dad a big hug in person.....and of course my mom!!!!!!
Hugs, Valerie
Monday, June 25, 2007
Monday has a positive outlook!
Mom had a great night, she is only taking 1 perkeset now!!!!! What a difference. Dad got there at 5am and they walked 6 laps already this morning. Mom and I talked yesterday about wondering how different things would be if she wouldn't have walked the month prior and prepared her body for this. Not to mention the 25 pounds she lost while preparing. It is exciting to think about how this has changed her life and I am confident God will continue to use her. If he can just use her in Non-surgical ways! HAHA....joking.
The doctor has been in and expects her to be released to the Clinic Guest House today. She cannot wait to take her first breath of "fresh air" and see the sunshine. Dr. Novic's personal RN will be in before 10 and that is who will tell us if she can get the staples and drain out Wed. or Thurs. (pray for wednesday...Thursday is her birthday!!!!) She will also be the one to actually discharge her. So, I will pass along that exciting news as soon as I get the call!
10:10am continued update......I just got the call, and decided just to tag it onto this post.....She gets to come HOME WEDNESDAY!!!!!!! She is heading to the Clinic Guest House today, hopefully by lunch!
Someone shared with me something the day before the surgery, it now summarizes Mom's journey.....
"If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it."
The doctor has been in and expects her to be released to the Clinic Guest House today. She cannot wait to take her first breath of "fresh air" and see the sunshine. Dr. Novic's personal RN will be in before 10 and that is who will tell us if she can get the staples and drain out Wed. or Thurs. (pray for wednesday...Thursday is her birthday!!!!) She will also be the one to actually discharge her. So, I will pass along that exciting news as soon as I get the call!
10:10am continued update......I just got the call, and decided just to tag it onto this post.....She gets to come HOME WEDNESDAY!!!!!!! She is heading to the Clinic Guest House today, hopefully by lunch!
Someone shared with me something the day before the surgery, it now summarizes Mom's journey.....
"If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it."
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Looking good still....
Okay, I am home and leaving was a bit emotional. Mom is having a good day, but I hope she misses me! haha I just called. Seeing the kids was so rewarding, and I came home to a "welcome home mom" display that I knew took a long time to create.
I keep forgetting to tell everyone that they tested Mom's kidney function yesterday and it is GREAT!
I am so proud of my Dad and believe it or not, he was the toughest to say goodbye to. We had been such a team (including Chad and Gma) But, he has been and will continue to be right by Mom's side, and if I didn't think he and Gma could handle it, I would still be there. I have complete trust in them! They just BETTER call me!!!!! I know my jobs "hand holding, walking enforcer, hair stylist" will be taken care of.
Of course I miss my Mom too, but I know she will only work harder to get home and have the greeting from the kids that I just had! And we will be there waiting for her to pull in the driveway!!
I keep wanting to call them, but I know they will keep me updated. Not knowing what she is doing and how she is feeling is completely driving me nuts. It is consuming my mind. Is this how you have all felt? haha
The posts probably won't be as frequent now, but I will do my best to update a morning and evening update until my Mom can take this over herself! Won't that be great to get the first message from her!? Oh, I can't wait! That just made me cry thinking about it.....or maybe just thinking about her.....which I am sure I will be doing a lot of now!
I keep forgetting to tell everyone that they tested Mom's kidney function yesterday and it is GREAT!
I am so proud of my Dad and believe it or not, he was the toughest to say goodbye to. We had been such a team (including Chad and Gma) But, he has been and will continue to be right by Mom's side, and if I didn't think he and Gma could handle it, I would still be there. I have complete trust in them! They just BETTER call me!!!!! I know my jobs "hand holding, walking enforcer, hair stylist" will be taken care of.
Of course I miss my Mom too, but I know she will only work harder to get home and have the greeting from the kids that I just had! And we will be there waiting for her to pull in the driveway!!
I keep wanting to call them, but I know they will keep me updated. Not knowing what she is doing and how she is feeling is completely driving me nuts. It is consuming my mind. Is this how you have all felt? haha
The posts probably won't be as frequent now, but I will do my best to update a morning and evening update until my Mom can take this over herself! Won't that be great to get the first message from her!? Oh, I can't wait! That just made me cry thinking about it.....or maybe just thinking about her.....which I am sure I will be doing a lot of now!
Sunday...
Our nurse began attempting to kick us out of the room last night around 10.....Chad decided to leave at 11 to not make us look so guilty with staying past visiting hours. Mom was very content with the pain meds she was taking and we confirmed with the nurse what the "night time" plan was to stay on top of the pain. Well, evidentally when that nurse got off and the new nurse came on, that plan went out the window! Dad and I had left at midnight and Mom slept and then woke up at 2:30am a little panic'd knowing she had missed 2 doses of pain meds. The nurse woud not give her the "good stuff".......so Mom said she told herself, I can sit and cry or choose to beat it. She got out of bed, went to the bathroom (by herself) and then sat in a chair. She said she was so proud of herself, and felt impowered. She has not had any oxycontin since 8:30 last night, and has just been doing a small dose of morphene and the perkeset. Dad showed up at like 5 or something and Gma and I were there at 6:30 so we didn't miss the doctor. Chad called us, but we told him to get packed up. (he flies out today)
The doctor made her rounds and decided tomorrow could be discharge day. Now, our secret game plan was to run her home until Thursday, but she nixed that idea quickly. Mom cannot leave campus, but the doctor won't pay the hotel bill! :) They want to make sure she can independently manage her pain today. Dad got a lesson with the bandages today and Gma is the understudy for the job. Mom was eating breakfast, oh, and she already walked today and is able to roll and get up w/o pain for all you nurses out there.
My heart is very heavy today....I am supposed to go home today, and as much as I miss the kids and Matt, it will be hard to say goodbye to Mom. When the doctor told her she had to stay here until Thursday, I burst into tears. I have spent every waking hour with her, but I know I am leaving the 2 best people, Dad and Gma with her. I know Chad feels the same way. It was a powerful family moment last night when we all pulled together. That is what it is all about and a time I will never never forget. As difficult as it was, we were there for each other.
I also feel like I am having a "blog break up" with all of you. But, not to worry, I will continue to post blogs, via Coshocton with my phone updates from them. Who knows, maybe Mom will just be able to walk herself down to the computer room in the Hotel by Thursday.
I will check back before I leave today.
The doctor made her rounds and decided tomorrow could be discharge day. Now, our secret game plan was to run her home until Thursday, but she nixed that idea quickly. Mom cannot leave campus, but the doctor won't pay the hotel bill! :) They want to make sure she can independently manage her pain today. Dad got a lesson with the bandages today and Gma is the understudy for the job. Mom was eating breakfast, oh, and she already walked today and is able to roll and get up w/o pain for all you nurses out there.
My heart is very heavy today....I am supposed to go home today, and as much as I miss the kids and Matt, it will be hard to say goodbye to Mom. When the doctor told her she had to stay here until Thursday, I burst into tears. I have spent every waking hour with her, but I know I am leaving the 2 best people, Dad and Gma with her. I know Chad feels the same way. It was a powerful family moment last night when we all pulled together. That is what it is all about and a time I will never never forget. As difficult as it was, we were there for each other.
I also feel like I am having a "blog break up" with all of you. But, not to worry, I will continue to post blogs, via Coshocton with my phone updates from them. Who knows, maybe Mom will just be able to walk herself down to the computer room in the Hotel by Thursday.
I will check back before I leave today.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Evening Pain.....
Chad and I hate to report a rought evening, but it has been, about 7:30, I was talking to Matt, and I looked over at Mom and saw the pain in her face when she was breathing. I got off the phone and she said she was really hurting. (this is after her 2nd dose of "perkoset") I found the nurse and asked what our options were. She called the doctor and by the time she came back Mom could not stop crying from the pain. My dad and brother were at dinner and called right when the nurse walked in, I told them I would call back, and thankfully they could tell from my voice, they needed to head back. I frantically called, Krista, Phil (trying to find Krista), Matt for everyone's cell number, Ginger and even tried Roxanne to run by them the options they gave me.
I opted for the immediate relief of the shot of morphene, and it didn't even touch the pain. THANK THE LORD for Krista, I cannot tell you how relieved I was when she called. Krista helped mom and I just understand how much pain she "should" be in, and what was considered normal things to do, like breathe w/o pain. Mom was feeling like she should be able to tollerate it, and just let it get too far. I found the nurse again to tell her the morphene did nothing and Dad and Chad walked in and I have never been so happy to see them. Mom just embraced her head into Dad and "just wept" Finally, we got some "oxy contin" About 20 minutes later it kicked in and she is sleeping.
Chad and I needed some air, so we walked down to change the blog and have you all put her on your prayer requests at church. Tomorrow will definately be a "bump" in the road with dealing with the pain all day. Dad is going to stay with her all night, and Chad and I will be residing in the lobby until we feel we should go. Mom just told us how much she loved us and that she is okay, but I am hoping we stay on top of this pain and not let it get that far from us again.
Hope to report a happy blog tomorrow.
I opted for the immediate relief of the shot of morphene, and it didn't even touch the pain. THANK THE LORD for Krista, I cannot tell you how relieved I was when she called. Krista helped mom and I just understand how much pain she "should" be in, and what was considered normal things to do, like breathe w/o pain. Mom was feeling like she should be able to tollerate it, and just let it get too far. I found the nurse again to tell her the morphene did nothing and Dad and Chad walked in and I have never been so happy to see them. Mom just embraced her head into Dad and "just wept" Finally, we got some "oxy contin" About 20 minutes later it kicked in and she is sleeping.
Chad and I needed some air, so we walked down to change the blog and have you all put her on your prayer requests at church. Tomorrow will definately be a "bump" in the road with dealing with the pain all day. Dad is going to stay with her all night, and Chad and I will be residing in the lobby until we feel we should go. Mom just told us how much she loved us and that she is okay, but I am hoping we stay on top of this pain and not let it get that far from us again.
Hope to report a happy blog tomorrow.
Still Smiling....
Mom just woke up today more prepared! She has been off the epideral for 4 hours and just walked 2 laps. That makes like 9 for today. They also took her off her iv, and all that other stuff I told you was coming out earlier! We are all getting to bed early tonight-- and I feel like we will come back in the morning to see her still smiling! Talk to you all tomorrow. She said she will miss going to church so much tomorrow......I might sing her a few hymns to make her think she is there.....HECK, we have Gma! Thank goodness she can sing better than me.
Morning....
First of all, the fever broke last night!!!!! I am sorry for the delay....I could not obtain a connection with my laptop at the hospital, so being the dedicated blogger I am, I hiked it back over to the hotel!
Dad, Gma, Chad and I had a bit of a restless night with the worry of the fever. I know it our room Gma was praying every few minutes. Mom knows it was answered prayer, b/c they continued to treat her with the same meds that "didn't" work the night before. I was so frustrated last night. Trust me, I was all but threatening to buy advil for her. They said walk and breathe, walk and breathe. It might have been a small blessing in disquise b/c Mom is doing that "breathing thing" which Roxanne used the right word....something with an "s", anyway she is doing it religiously now. She does not want a fever to hold her back. We walked her last night, and her fever had even went up higher, the nurse told us to walk her....and we did at 9:00pm.
Dad went over at 5am this morning. He was so relieved to report her good news. Gma and I got over at about 8 and they had already walked 2 laps and Mom had breathed 30 times into that thing! She has the right attitude today, I am telling you. I gave her a french pedicure, and good thing she can't see well, cause she thought it looked great! She loved her breakfast (bagel/cream cheese), and then she walked again! Mom participated in a few research studies. So, the final tests to those will be finished up around noon and then it is time for round 2. The epideral is coming "clean out", it won't even be able to turned back on, and the iv, and the port in her neck and the cathedor. The staples in her incision are bothering her a little, but she is smiling today and joking about yesterday!
So, all good news to report so far. I hope her pain is not too bad today....and don't worry Krista, we already requested the "in between" pills. She will get "perkeset" (sp?) every 4 hours and then something 2 hours after that.
Thank you Amy for keeping Andrew last night! Thank you Miss Jennifer and Donna for giving my husband a well-deserved break today by keeping the girls for a while. I had to sit here and think, and this is day 4 for that "Mr. Mom". Roxanne- you are not a bad neighbor! They are living off Earl's and PBJ at our house.....(LOL so I hear) I should also say "thank you" to Gpa and Keri, we know you send your love from home, it is so great to have the support of our family. Gma, Chad, Dad and I have really enjoyed the time together, we all have different strengths. Dad broke down a little this morning, and now he is back! We have all had our days...and Mom will never know until she is home, healed and reads back through these blogs that we ever worried!
It is so heart warming to have this ability to hear from all of you. To know we are at some point a part of your day.....hope to have a "going home" date tomorrow.
Dad, Gma, Chad and I had a bit of a restless night with the worry of the fever. I know it our room Gma was praying every few minutes. Mom knows it was answered prayer, b/c they continued to treat her with the same meds that "didn't" work the night before. I was so frustrated last night. Trust me, I was all but threatening to buy advil for her. They said walk and breathe, walk and breathe. It might have been a small blessing in disquise b/c Mom is doing that "breathing thing" which Roxanne used the right word....something with an "s", anyway she is doing it religiously now. She does not want a fever to hold her back. We walked her last night, and her fever had even went up higher, the nurse told us to walk her....and we did at 9:00pm.
Dad went over at 5am this morning. He was so relieved to report her good news. Gma and I got over at about 8 and they had already walked 2 laps and Mom had breathed 30 times into that thing! She has the right attitude today, I am telling you. I gave her a french pedicure, and good thing she can't see well, cause she thought it looked great! She loved her breakfast (bagel/cream cheese), and then she walked again! Mom participated in a few research studies. So, the final tests to those will be finished up around noon and then it is time for round 2. The epideral is coming "clean out", it won't even be able to turned back on, and the iv, and the port in her neck and the cathedor. The staples in her incision are bothering her a little, but she is smiling today and joking about yesterday!
So, all good news to report so far. I hope her pain is not too bad today....and don't worry Krista, we already requested the "in between" pills. She will get "perkeset" (sp?) every 4 hours and then something 2 hours after that.
Thank you Amy for keeping Andrew last night! Thank you Miss Jennifer and Donna for giving my husband a well-deserved break today by keeping the girls for a while. I had to sit here and think, and this is day 4 for that "Mr. Mom". Roxanne- you are not a bad neighbor! They are living off Earl's and PBJ at our house.....(LOL so I hear) I should also say "thank you" to Gpa and Keri, we know you send your love from home, it is so great to have the support of our family. Gma, Chad, Dad and I have really enjoyed the time together, we all have different strengths. Dad broke down a little this morning, and now he is back! We have all had our days...and Mom will never know until she is home, healed and reads back through these blogs that we ever worried!
It is so heart warming to have this ability to hear from all of you. To know we are at some point a part of your day.....hope to have a "going home" date tomorrow.
Friday, June 22, 2007
8pm Fever.....
Mom asked me to come down and ask all of you to continue to pray for her fever. It is back up to almost 102 again this evening. I could tell as soon I came back over here that she is not feeling well. Well, come to find out, she ran a fever all last night. Now, it was not the time or place to scold mom for not telling us, but the nurse let the cat out of the bag. The nurse also told us she (mom) didn't want to worry us.
She really has to strictly breath into this thing 10 times an hour. There is some concern about this continued fever, but nothing a few prayers can't fix?! Right?! They called the doctor and they just gave her some medicine. I hope she has a restful night.
She really has to strictly breath into this thing 10 times an hour. There is some concern about this continued fever, but nothing a few prayers can't fix?! Right?! They called the doctor and they just gave her some medicine. I hope she has a restful night.
God Bless that Epideral....
Okay, quick evening update....obviously the epideral has saved the day.
Mom's in a tiny bit of pain, but nothing like earlier. She walked 5 laps this afternoon and is going to walk again tonight. (she is taking your advice nurse Krista) We are fully loaded for the morning for our 2nd go around of removing the epideral, we have......her cd's and headphones, pictures of the grandkids, Janelle and Jason's card (which sings "I feel good....na na na na na na") and she "knows" what to expect. We are READY this time!
I just read her today's comments and I have to tell you Michelle, I didn't even get out Cort and Conner and she started to cry (again)! She REALLY misses her kids. Those comments always hit her soft spot from all of the kids ....matt,lucas, taylor, victoria,and whoever else I missed. thanks for all the comments! It makes me think I am not just talking to myself here!
Andrew,Madison and Grace.....Grandma LOVED the photo you emailed,we thought the flowers in the garden were beautiful....she thinks you have grown and your outfits matched....so good job daddy! XOXOXO
Well, Grandma just treated me to dinner--and I am going to go back over to the hospital now!
Talk to you in the morning......be sending some strength for all of us around 8:30-9:30
Mom's in a tiny bit of pain, but nothing like earlier. She walked 5 laps this afternoon and is going to walk again tonight. (she is taking your advice nurse Krista) We are fully loaded for the morning for our 2nd go around of removing the epideral, we have......her cd's and headphones, pictures of the grandkids, Janelle and Jason's card (which sings "I feel good....na na na na na na") and she "knows" what to expect. We are READY this time!
I just read her today's comments and I have to tell you Michelle, I didn't even get out Cort and Conner and she started to cry (again)! She REALLY misses her kids. Those comments always hit her soft spot from all of the kids ....matt,lucas, taylor, victoria,and whoever else I missed. thanks for all the comments! It makes me think I am not just talking to myself here!
Andrew,Madison and Grace.....Grandma LOVED the photo you emailed,we thought the flowers in the garden were beautiful....she thinks you have grown and your outfits matched....so good job daddy! XOXOXO
Well, Grandma just treated me to dinner--and I am going to go back over to the hospital now!
Talk to you in the morning......be sending some strength for all of us around 8:30-9:30
Okay.....rewind....
Regarding my entry earlier...The epideral is back in. Mom's pain went to a 10 and breathing was hurting. The tears were flowing b/c her heart was telling her "she could do this", her incision was saying "how about tomorrow" The pain management doctor stopped in and said it was too early to take her off the epideral, he would rather see her walk all day and then try this again tomorrow. She has "on paper" been a day ahead, but the reality is, she is only on day 2.
It was heart wrenching to see her in such pain, and I am sitting here with the tears flowing. **Deep breath**--as my mom has said. I know the rule is....you can all have a bad day, but not on the same day! So, needless to say, Chad and I should just stay away and let Gma and Dad hold her hand today....b/c we read the comments and start crying! Geez!
More later....
It was heart wrenching to see her in such pain, and I am sitting here with the tears flowing. **Deep breath**--as my mom has said. I know the rule is....you can all have a bad day, but not on the same day! So, needless to say, Chad and I should just stay away and let Gma and Dad hold her hand today....b/c we read the comments and start crying! Geez!
More later....
Benched Cheerleader today.....
Okay, so here I am for your morning update......and our cheerleader is on the bench today. Her spirits are broken a bit today. She doesn't know why, but she feels a bit depressed and then she cries and tells us "isn't that silly?" We just left her for some alone time and a nap. Send those uplifting prayers her way. Fever is down today so far, and I am going to go get her music from the hotel with her headphones to cheer her up!
Dad, Gma and I got to the hospital about 7:15 and today is going to be a big day for her. She will eat solid foods, the epideral was turned off at 9:30, and the catheder comes out at 5:30 tonight. Her incision is very sore today.....and she is in a bit of pain. I did make her go on a walk against her will (she'll thank me later-right?) She has a new roomate, their family seems nice. But, they have the window view and I think the walls are closing in on mom on her side. I wish we could get her some fresh air, maybe tomorrow. You forget what "the outside air and sunshine" do for you when you can't have it. We did read her all of her new comments to her today. Although, I was a bit worried, b/c she didn't remember her getting a photo taken and telling us to put it on the blog! Which she did! So, whoops! But, I thought her smiling on the blog would be a nice surprise.
Aunt Patsy and Aunt Cookie will be leaving today. They have been complete comic relief and I know Dad has said so many times what a blessing it has been to have them both here. Lots of laughter and it any of you know my dad's sisters....you could have guessed that. We will really miss them. We began with 11 on Wednesday and soon it will be down to 4 (me, chad, dad and Gma)
Dad and Gma have been massaging her back and legs and feet. It is like a spa day for her here!
Talk to you this afternoon.....val
Dad, Gma and I got to the hospital about 7:15 and today is going to be a big day for her. She will eat solid foods, the epideral was turned off at 9:30, and the catheder comes out at 5:30 tonight. Her incision is very sore today.....and she is in a bit of pain. I did make her go on a walk against her will (she'll thank me later-right?) She has a new roomate, their family seems nice. But, they have the window view and I think the walls are closing in on mom on her side. I wish we could get her some fresh air, maybe tomorrow. You forget what "the outside air and sunshine" do for you when you can't have it. We did read her all of her new comments to her today. Although, I was a bit worried, b/c she didn't remember her getting a photo taken and telling us to put it on the blog! Which she did! So, whoops! But, I thought her smiling on the blog would be a nice surprise.
Aunt Patsy and Aunt Cookie will be leaving today. They have been complete comic relief and I know Dad has said so many times what a blessing it has been to have them both here. Lots of laughter and it any of you know my dad's sisters....you could have guessed that. We will really miss them. We began with 11 on Wednesday and soon it will be down to 4 (me, chad, dad and Gma)
Dad and Gma have been massaging her back and legs and feet. It is like a spa day for her here!
Talk to you this afternoon.....val
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Afternoon update from Chad and Val...
Father/Son Moment
Me and my brother Chad
Isn't it great to still see that smile?!Hey Everyone! I felt like a "blog hog" b/c I have been posting so much, so Chad is joining me on this one. (Well, and I got all mushy this morning with all of you--no more of that--haha!)
Let me first say that it has been so much fun to read all your comments.....we all have laughed and cried reading them! We seriously read them multiple times a day, I mean, the walls are white here, it is the highlight of our day! And with Chad's high tech phone, we were able to read all your comments to mom just an hour ago! It was so fun for her to hear from you.
Grandpa Hood, Uncle Don and Aunt Ida left this afternoon! We miss you all so much and Donnie, Rite Aid called, they had gotten a double shipment of milk in, they wished you would have told them you were leaving. Ida, have fun on vacation, you enjoy a week of relaxing and tanning. Grandpa.....we will take care of Grandma this week, she is getting some rest right now, you just enjoy that remote control time this week! haha
Okay, now for the real update you have been waiting on. Our "rock star" patient, that is what today's nurses renamed her. Mom has asked for some prayers for her fever. It is almost 102, which it ran about 100 all day and they said that was pretty normal after surgrey, now 102 is high and they called the doctor and gave her some meds. Now, they told her that her breathing treatments and walking are the best thing for her. So, guess what she did? Walked 2 laps on her floor and did her breathing treatment. She is doing Day 2 stuff and of course it is Day 1. She has eaten jello, broth and drank water twice today. She is still very tired, but stays up for an hour and then sleeps for an hour. Okay, and as much as Chad and I want the credit for walking her, Dad did take her on her first walking date this morning! Oh, and we got permission from mom to post a photo of her! So, she is a bit uneasy about this fever, but I have faith it will go away tomorrow.
Aunty Patsy, Aunt Cookie and Dad are up with her now, and Chad and I roamed around trying to connect to the internet. So, again, thank all of you for your overwhelming support!
Your blogging buddies.....Chad and Val
Night Shift Nurse....
Okay, I just got off the "night shift" haha. I stayed with Mom all night. Don't get me wrong, you know her, she wanted us to all just go back and sleep. But, they had an upright chair in there that I couldn't resist trying to sleep in all night. (yes, I am trying to be funny) I will not leave her alone the first few nights.
Let's see....she is in a semi-private room, but her roomate is so sweet. So, we are making the best of having to share a room! She had a pretty good night, she really slept a lot, at least whenever they were not poking or drawing blood or running other tests. (which was a lot) Great blood pressures and no fever. She did start to feel a "tiny" bit of pain early this morning, just b/c she had not been pressing the button every 15 minutes. Today will be a big day, they want her to get up and walk.....and Mom's ambitious spirit is ready to get up and walk. Oh, and they are taking her off the epideral--which I am so nervous about the pain she will feel. Also, we did learn that they had to put a "stint" in her kidney that will be removed in 4-6 weeks. So, that doctor will be in this morning and we can learn more about it. She is very tired today and said she hopes her cheerleading spirit comes back out, but she is dragging a little bit. I gave her complete permission to be sleepy all day! So, hopefully she will rest all day. She is still being an A+ patient. It was hard to leave her this morning, but I wanted to give her and my Dad some time.....well, and I desperately need a shower! HAHA
It really came full circle for me all night when I was able to help take care of her, I know there have been many times she has been at my bedside. It filled my heart with joy to just hold her hand last night. It was a blessing, thank you Matt for taking vacation to be with the kids so I can be here!
Hugs....Valerie
Let's see....she is in a semi-private room, but her roomate is so sweet. So, we are making the best of having to share a room! She had a pretty good night, she really slept a lot, at least whenever they were not poking or drawing blood or running other tests. (which was a lot) Great blood pressures and no fever. She did start to feel a "tiny" bit of pain early this morning, just b/c she had not been pressing the button every 15 minutes. Today will be a big day, they want her to get up and walk.....and Mom's ambitious spirit is ready to get up and walk. Oh, and they are taking her off the epideral--which I am so nervous about the pain she will feel. Also, we did learn that they had to put a "stint" in her kidney that will be removed in 4-6 weeks. So, that doctor will be in this morning and we can learn more about it. She is very tired today and said she hopes her cheerleading spirit comes back out, but she is dragging a little bit. I gave her complete permission to be sleepy all day! So, hopefully she will rest all day. She is still being an A+ patient. It was hard to leave her this morning, but I wanted to give her and my Dad some time.....well, and I desperately need a shower! HAHA
It really came full circle for me all night when I was able to help take care of her, I know there have been many times she has been at my bedside. It filled my heart with joy to just hold her hand last night. It was a blessing, thank you Matt for taking vacation to be with the kids so I can be here!
Hugs....Valerie
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Some addit. photos from the waiting room....
Aunt Ida, Gma and Gpa Hood in the waiting room
To help pass the time, Chad (pictured), Patsy, Matt and Ida gave blood today!
Sorry Matt!!!! I had to do it! 10 hours later (after Mom was out of surgery)
Matt caught a few minutes of rest.
Thank you all for the messages today, the 11 of us would sit and wait on new comments to pop up! It was very nice to have the laptop in the waiting room! Mom is in her room this evening, she is exhausted and needs to get some rest tonight. She needs continued prayers as she begins the road to recovery!
Thank you all for the messages today, the 11 of us would sit and wait on new comments to pop up! It was very nice to have the laptop in the waiting room! Mom is in her room this evening, she is exhausted and needs to get some rest tonight. She needs continued prayers as she begins the road to recovery!
GOD IS GOOD!
Okay.....around 3:30 Dad and I finally got to go see Mom for the first time back in PACU unit.
We walked in....with total suprise...to hear mom talking to us! She looked awesome (no tubes in her throat), and greeted us with that warm, beautiful "Leslie" smile! She talked to us a lot and her nurses were just telling us how wonderful of a patient she has been, they said she rolled in from surgery that happy. (that is an answer to a personal prayer of Mom's....she wanted to "wake up" happy) Don't get me wrong......we are aware she is still very numb, but it was just what Dad and I needed to see! It put our hearts as ease to see her and tell her we loved her. Chad just headed back with Pastor Jeff. She asked us if "we all had a fun day in the waiting room" She makes me laugh! So unselfish that she, even after a major surgery, wanted to know how WE were.
We all feel SO BLESSED.......everything has went as well and positive as it could have possibly went. I am so proud of Mom and the attitude, courage, and faith she has had through this whole process, and I know she will continue that strength through her recovery. She is my hero.
Thank you all for the thoughts, prayers, messages and we will talk to you all soon!
We walked in....with total suprise...to hear mom talking to us! She looked awesome (no tubes in her throat), and greeted us with that warm, beautiful "Leslie" smile! She talked to us a lot and her nurses were just telling us how wonderful of a patient she has been, they said she rolled in from surgery that happy. (that is an answer to a personal prayer of Mom's....she wanted to "wake up" happy) Don't get me wrong......we are aware she is still very numb, but it was just what Dad and I needed to see! It put our hearts as ease to see her and tell her we loved her. Chad just headed back with Pastor Jeff. She asked us if "we all had a fun day in the waiting room" She makes me laugh! So unselfish that she, even after a major surgery, wanted to know how WE were.
We all feel SO BLESSED.......everything has went as well and positive as it could have possibly went. I am so proud of Mom and the attitude, courage, and faith she has had through this whole process, and I know she will continue that strength through her recovery. She is my hero.
Thank you all for the thoughts, prayers, messages and we will talk to you all soon!
Doctor call
The Doctor just called......1:04
They saved 3/4 of the kidney, looks like it is functioning, but we have to wait and see in the next few days. Both tumors were cancer.
We haven't seen her yet.....but wanted to share the wonderful news. She should be out of surgery completely and in recovery within the hour.
Love, "all the family"
Mike, Chad, Val, Matt, Gma Hood, Gpa Hood, Pastor Jeff, Patsy, Cookie, Donnie and Ida
They saved 3/4 of the kidney, looks like it is functioning, but we have to wait and see in the next few days. Both tumors were cancer.
We haven't seen her yet.....but wanted to share the wonderful news. She should be out of surgery completely and in recovery within the hour.
Love, "all the family"
Mike, Chad, Val, Matt, Gma Hood, Gpa Hood, Pastor Jeff, Patsy, Cookie, Donnie and Ida
update
Below are some photos Chad has taken with his phone......
We entered these doors at 6:30 this morning....
We entered these doors at 6:30 this morning....
Me and Aunt Ida chatting at the table!
Patsy, Dad and Cookie....this is the pager Dad "is still" wearing
This one is when I was updating the blog from the waiting room for all of you! :)
This is the board we got our updates on Mom's code was Be...t...l it gave us the exact times of everythingsurgery began at 9:16 expected to last 4 to 6 hours. shewas smiling as they rolled her back and her blood pressure was perfect. keep the prayers coming . I am typing this from chad's phone....will update you all when she is in recovery.......love val
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Love & Laughter in the Lobby...
Hey y'all as my Aunt Patsy (from NC) says!
This is Valerie! My Dad's sisters (Patsy and Cookie), Mom, Dad, Matt and I are sitting in the lobby lounge at the Cleveland Clinic Guest House looking through old photo albumns that Dad brought. I am trying to talk Mom into staying up all night, since she has 6 weeks to rest.
Mom seems at peace tonight, she seems ready to get this dang surgery over with! Okay, see she would have typed that way more gracefully. There have been some tears, lots of laughing, and we feel all the prayers and support from all of you, it will feel like you are all in the waiting room with us. We will keep the blog updated as quickly as we can. We expect the surgery to be over around 1 or 2 hopefully.
I have to Gracie a "shout out" on here for her 12" catfish she caught tonight at Gma Sally's! I can't wait to see the pictures Grace!
Talk to you all tomorrow..... I need to listen to this Camden Story! (Hi Todd and Amy)
This is Valerie! My Dad's sisters (Patsy and Cookie), Mom, Dad, Matt and I are sitting in the lobby lounge at the Cleveland Clinic Guest House looking through old photo albumns that Dad brought. I am trying to talk Mom into staying up all night, since she has 6 weeks to rest.
Mom seems at peace tonight, she seems ready to get this dang surgery over with! Okay, see she would have typed that way more gracefully. There have been some tears, lots of laughing, and we feel all the prayers and support from all of you, it will feel like you are all in the waiting room with us. We will keep the blog updated as quickly as we can. We expect the surgery to be over around 1 or 2 hopefully.
I have to Gracie a "shout out" on here for her 12" catfish she caught tonight at Gma Sally's! I can't wait to see the pictures Grace!
Talk to you all tomorrow..... I need to listen to this Camden Story! (Hi Todd and Amy)
Last Test & Surgery Time
Mike & I had a wonderful morning! The weather stayed nice until we returned to the hotel. Everything went really smooth and we met nice people during the testing process.
Surgery report time is 7am Wednesday. Surgery should begin between 8:30 & 9am. I'm feeling really good and strong.
Family is on their way...arriving 5 and 8:30 tonight. Chad flies in at 7am Wednesday.
We will check back tonight.
love to all...Mike & Les
Surgery report time is 7am Wednesday. Surgery should begin between 8:30 & 9am. I'm feeling really good and strong.
Family is on their way...arriving 5 and 8:30 tonight. Chad flies in at 7am Wednesday.
We will check back tonight.
love to all...Mike & Les
Monday, June 18, 2007
We're Here!
Hello family & friends...
Mike and I got to guesthouse around 10pm. It was hard to leave the house and I cried a bit in the driveway. The drive here was an easy one. We are heading back to our room where I have to drink a quart of water before going to bed!
We will head to the Crile Building at 7:30am Tuesday. I'm not sure what the test will be. We'll check back into the blog tomorrow afternoon. Maybe we will have a surgery time to give you.
Debbie, thanks for the phone call this afternoon. We are praying for your nephew. He sounds like a wonderful man.
We'll talk to you tomorrow.
love, Mike & Les
Mike and I got to guesthouse around 10pm. It was hard to leave the house and I cried a bit in the driveway. The drive here was an easy one. We are heading back to our room where I have to drink a quart of water before going to bed!
We will head to the Crile Building at 7:30am Tuesday. I'm not sure what the test will be. We'll check back into the blog tomorrow afternoon. Maybe we will have a surgery time to give you.
Debbie, thanks for the phone call this afternoon. We are praying for your nephew. He sounds like a wonderful man.
We'll talk to you tomorrow.
love, Mike & Les
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Road Trip!
Me, Suzy, Val
Matt, Mike, Suzy, Madison
All the girls--thanks for the love and supportWe added a journey to our journey this weekend!
Before all this kidney stuff, Val and I were supposed to travel to North Carolina this weekend to attend our friend's baby shower and hang out with Chad. The surgery was scheduled on June 15th. The baby shower on June 16 couldn't happen....bummer.
The surgery got rescheduled for June 20th and we decided to take a road trip with husbands and kids and see Uncle Chad and go to the baby shower! We would camp out in Uncle Chad's 2 bedroom house!
We almost canceled Thursday night. We didn't realize how tired we would be after the 2 days of pre-op testing at the clinic. We decided to get some sleep and see how we felt in the morning. We planned to leave at 5am but didn't get going until after 7. We took Andrew in our car and Val & Matt kept the girls & the corn hole boards in their van. We got to Cary around 4pm after getting stuck in a couple of traffic jams in Charleston and again in the Blue Ridge Mtns.
It was a fun trip! Early morning walks, swimming pool, great friends, baby stuff, cook out, good food and lots of corn hole!
We got home today at 2. We are unpacking and repacking for the Clinic. Mike & I are heading over tomorrow evening. One more test to do Tuesday morning. It will be 3 hours long. I start "prepping" for the surgery at 3pm Tuesday afternoon. Lots of family and friends are heading over to stay at the guesthouse with us Tuesday night.
I will call the clinic between 2 & 4 Tuesday to get my surgery report time. (I will post it here). I will go to the surgery center at that time and surgery will begin 1-2 hours later.
My Prayer Warriors are fasting tomorrow to prepare for the prayer vigil on Tuesday & Wednesday. I am humbled by their love & support.
I listened to my Kathy Troccoli and CeCe Winans cd's while driving through the mountains today. It was beautiful and inspiring. God is big!! Huge! My little kidney tumors are nothing compared to his creations and miracles! I'm ready for the next part of the journey. Mike & I will try to write you a new post from Cleveland tomorrow or Tuesday.
Please come to the site and "talk" to me! It will make Cleveland so much closer to home if I hear from you!
We have many funny stories to tell about our weekend trip. Maybe Val will share some if she gets time....most of them happened in her van! Our car was quiet and wonderful and happy!
I'll talk to you all Monday night or Tuesday.
Love to everyone....pray for my blood pressure. It has been perfect here but was high at all my clinic testing appointments last week.
Mike, Val, Matt, Andrew, Madison, Grace, Chad, Keri & all the Oak Island/Raleigh gang. Thanks for an incredible road trip! hugs to everyone!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
A Testing Couple of Days.....
Hello Family & Friends...
Valerie has been posting my updates the past few days! Thank you Val! She has told you about our "testing days" and our good news from Dr. Novick today...answered prayer! I know we still have to deal with 10% chance of losing the kidney but I love our odds! 90% favorable and an army of Prayer Warriors. Dare I say....I'm feeling good!
The Cleveland Clinic Guesthouse was a wonderful place. We met people from all over the world and the United States! Everyone had a story to tell and they were so friendly and concerned about each other. It was incredible.
Hello to our friends from Arkansas...The Benish Family! We are going to keep in touch through email and blogging! Keith, you continue to be in our prayers along with your wonderful family. Michelle, let us know when that granddaughter is born and give Bryan our love, as well as the rest of the Benish Family that stayed back home this trip.
I had a bit of a panic attack as we arrived for our first test on Wednesday....molecular imaging... and was told that we were to have no tests until we met with Dr. Singh! (across campus) My blood pressure shot up and I went into the yucky cry! Mom kept telling me.."remember your song, remember your song!" Val gave me hugs and reassurances that everything would be okay. And it was....
My blood pressure never really came back down which is a concern for surgery so I'm asking my Prayer Warriors to pray for God's grace and a calm heart on surgery day.
Everyone seemed to have a difficult time with my veins and my arms are pretty bruised. There is a possibility they may put something in my neck...Ginger & nurse friends, you probably understand this more than me. He said they would use that instead of sticking me continually to get blood. OOOOOkay...let's move on!
The best meeting was with Dr. Novick. He said my tumors are side by side and he is 90% sure he can save enough of my kidney so no dialysis will be needed. We all wanted to stand up and cheer but he is so quiet and proper....we didn't want to overwhelm him. The yucky stuff...my incision will be the "flank" cut....belly button to back and they will remove the end of the 11th rib.
Scheduling had also forgotten to do one test. It is a 3 hour test and is only done in the morning. So, Mike and I will head to Cleveland a day early to finish that test on Tuesday morning. I was also a bit (only a tiny bit) disappointed that I have to stay in Cleveland even when I'm dismissed to return to the hospital on June 28th to have my staples and drain tube removed. June 28th is my birthday. It will be a great gift to come home that day!
For my Greys Anatomy fans....The group in molecular imaging were the cutest bunch with one particular Dr. McDreamy. It was like a college dorm in there....they all seemed so young and I loved that they talked and talked during the test! I felt like a fraternity mom again! I might send them all some sugar cookies! There was a cute blond girl too...reminded me of Val!
So many nice people and so many stories to tell....some sad, some encouraging, so brave and all on a journey.
We have decided to do something out of the box and take a weekend trip. We are all off work and the surgery is moved to next week so we are going to go sponge off our son in Cary, North Carolina! Get ready Chad! Here we come! We are going to swim and laugh and eat and play cornhole and visit with our pregnant, adopted daughter, Suzy whose having her baby shower this weekend! Val & I had originally planned a mother daughter road trip before the kidney thing developed. We were sad to have to miss her baby shower! Not anymore....we are going and we are going to squeeze as much fun as we can into 48 hours! It's nutty!
Thank you to my prayer team who were all prepared to pray this Thursday and Friday and now have to change to next Tuesday and Wednesday. Dr. Novick was called out of town. He is one of three doctors who do this procedure....pretty amazing and I know how blessed I feel to have him in my corner. I'm glad he could be there for someone who must have a great need for his expertise.
Thank you to everyone for the encouraging cards and notes and to my church family for your love, prayers, and gifts. Words cannot express what I feel when I think of you all. I am truly blessed.
Thank you Mom and Val for traveling to the clinic with me and "holding me up" the last 3 days. Nobody can replace Mike and I missed him terribly, but I felt very supported & loved in his absence. Thanks to Dad and Donnie and Ida and the rest of the gang for checking in for daily reports and encouraging words! hugs for everyone!
Have to go pack for my weekend escape to North Carolina. I will take you all with me in a heart that is bursting at the seams!
to be continued....
In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world! John 16:33(I love that verse!)
Valerie has been posting my updates the past few days! Thank you Val! She has told you about our "testing days" and our good news from Dr. Novick today...answered prayer! I know we still have to deal with 10% chance of losing the kidney but I love our odds! 90% favorable and an army of Prayer Warriors. Dare I say....I'm feeling good!
The Cleveland Clinic Guesthouse was a wonderful place. We met people from all over the world and the United States! Everyone had a story to tell and they were so friendly and concerned about each other. It was incredible.
Hello to our friends from Arkansas...The Benish Family! We are going to keep in touch through email and blogging! Keith, you continue to be in our prayers along with your wonderful family. Michelle, let us know when that granddaughter is born and give Bryan our love, as well as the rest of the Benish Family that stayed back home this trip.
I had a bit of a panic attack as we arrived for our first test on Wednesday....molecular imaging... and was told that we were to have no tests until we met with Dr. Singh! (across campus) My blood pressure shot up and I went into the yucky cry! Mom kept telling me.."remember your song, remember your song!" Val gave me hugs and reassurances that everything would be okay. And it was....
My blood pressure never really came back down which is a concern for surgery so I'm asking my Prayer Warriors to pray for God's grace and a calm heart on surgery day.
Everyone seemed to have a difficult time with my veins and my arms are pretty bruised. There is a possibility they may put something in my neck...Ginger & nurse friends, you probably understand this more than me. He said they would use that instead of sticking me continually to get blood. OOOOOkay...let's move on!
The best meeting was with Dr. Novick. He said my tumors are side by side and he is 90% sure he can save enough of my kidney so no dialysis will be needed. We all wanted to stand up and cheer but he is so quiet and proper....we didn't want to overwhelm him. The yucky stuff...my incision will be the "flank" cut....belly button to back and they will remove the end of the 11th rib.
Scheduling had also forgotten to do one test. It is a 3 hour test and is only done in the morning. So, Mike and I will head to Cleveland a day early to finish that test on Tuesday morning. I was also a bit (only a tiny bit) disappointed that I have to stay in Cleveland even when I'm dismissed to return to the hospital on June 28th to have my staples and drain tube removed. June 28th is my birthday. It will be a great gift to come home that day!
For my Greys Anatomy fans....The group in molecular imaging were the cutest bunch with one particular Dr. McDreamy. It was like a college dorm in there....they all seemed so young and I loved that they talked and talked during the test! I felt like a fraternity mom again! I might send them all some sugar cookies! There was a cute blond girl too...reminded me of Val!
So many nice people and so many stories to tell....some sad, some encouraging, so brave and all on a journey.
We have decided to do something out of the box and take a weekend trip. We are all off work and the surgery is moved to next week so we are going to go sponge off our son in Cary, North Carolina! Get ready Chad! Here we come! We are going to swim and laugh and eat and play cornhole and visit with our pregnant, adopted daughter, Suzy whose having her baby shower this weekend! Val & I had originally planned a mother daughter road trip before the kidney thing developed. We were sad to have to miss her baby shower! Not anymore....we are going and we are going to squeeze as much fun as we can into 48 hours! It's nutty!
Thank you to my prayer team who were all prepared to pray this Thursday and Friday and now have to change to next Tuesday and Wednesday. Dr. Novick was called out of town. He is one of three doctors who do this procedure....pretty amazing and I know how blessed I feel to have him in my corner. I'm glad he could be there for someone who must have a great need for his expertise.
Thank you to everyone for the encouraging cards and notes and to my church family for your love, prayers, and gifts. Words cannot express what I feel when I think of you all. I am truly blessed.
Thank you Mom and Val for traveling to the clinic with me and "holding me up" the last 3 days. Nobody can replace Mike and I missed him terribly, but I felt very supported & loved in his absence. Thanks to Dad and Donnie and Ida and the rest of the gang for checking in for daily reports and encouraging words! hugs for everyone!
Have to go pack for my weekend escape to North Carolina. I will take you all with me in a heart that is bursting at the seams!
to be continued....
In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world! John 16:33(I love that verse!)
Good News...
Hey, it's Valerie and we are home from the clinic, I am sure Mom will update more later, but I thought I would at least give a summary of today. She received great news today from her surgeon, after seeing all her scans, he is 90% sure he will be able to remove the tumors (they are right next to each other) and save her kidney. Pretty good odds! Grandma, Mom and I are exhausted, but were so happy we could be together. I'm tired and I didn't get any blood drawn or tests done! All I did was watch and it wore me out. Well, I was the personal tour guide though! They rewarded me with Pizza Hut on the way home...I was craving it.
We are living on the crazy side and have decided with the surgery being moved, we are heading to NC tomorrow to see my brother and go to Suzy's baby shower. We will drive back Sunday and Mom and Dad have to head up Monday to the clinic. They forgot to do a test on her and it takes 3 hours. So, she will get that Tuesday morning, then Surgery on Wednesday, she will not be out until the 28th. Yeah, we are living on the edge....but we know a weekend in NC will be a breath of fresh air to prepare us for the upcoming week.
Again, there were so many extrodinary people with touching stories in Cleveland. I am sure there are many people yet to come into our lives next week. This is certainly a journey and it made things a little more real being up there the last few days...but a journey meant to happen, and one we are all embracing.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Pre-Op Day 1 Complete
Hello! We arrived to the Clinic last night and today Mom had testing all day! The day began with a note at the 1st testing station (from the Doctor that would clear her for the surgery) that Mom needed to come see her first before any testing. With the surgery already being rescheduled, it caused a bit of anxiety for all of us. (We later found out that the doctor had an open time slot in the morning and rearranged her schedule to make it more convenient.) So, with a few deep breaths and maybe a few panic tears, she was relieved. The purpose of all the tests today were to clear her for the surgery. Mom had tests done that I can't even spell....and has many bandages from the many attempts to find a vein today! Oh, and by the way, there were a few "McDreamy's" along the way! LOL That cheered her up.
After testing, we took a walk around a park area, came back for a power nap and just finished with dinner. We have met so many amazing people already and the Cleveland Clinic is wonderful. Everyone is extremely friendly. Mom, Gma and I are enjoying our time relaxing this evening. Testing is bright and early in the morning tomorrow at 7am.
After testing, we took a walk around a park area, came back for a power nap and just finished with dinner. We have met so many amazing people already and the Cleveland Clinic is wonderful. Everyone is extremely friendly. Mom, Gma and I are enjoying our time relaxing this evening. Testing is bright and early in the morning tomorrow at 7am.
Monday, June 11, 2007
SURGERY INFO....Date change!!!!!!
Mike and I spent the morning paying bills and finalizing things for our trip to Cleveland. We got home around 2:45 and there was a message from Dr. Novick's office saying that my surgery had been changed to WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20TH. My pre-op appointments are the same, this Wednesday & Thursday.
We are in a bit of a daze at the moment but I wanted to alert as many of my Prayer Warriors as possible.
I'll write more later. We had an incredible weekend with our family and church family...many blessings.
love you...
Leslie
We are in a bit of a daze at the moment but I wanted to alert as many of my Prayer Warriors as possible.
I'll write more later. We had an incredible weekend with our family and church family...many blessings.
love you...
Leslie
This is Valerie adding some photos from the weekend, we had our big dance recital and Mom and Grandma brought their chairs and were in line 2 hours prior to the show! And....yes, their seats were worth it!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Hard Goodbyes....
Today was the last day with my daycare bunch until the end of July. We kept going all day...no rest time today! We played and ate and walked to Grandma Hood's and rode the flying swings again and ate the darling swimming pool cake that Conner & Cortney's mom made for us. Two & three pieces for everyone! We ate the whole thing! The kids made clubhouses all over the playroom and read books and put make-up and nail polish on each other! It was wonderful!!! Mike took the boys to the ball field to hit some woffle balls.
Everyone went home at 5 and I got lots of big hugs! I love those really squeezy hugs! I took grandson Andrew home and looked at all the new landscaping at their new house and the swingset and the pictures on the walls! I loved everything!
On the way back to Frazeysburg I was listening to my favorite Kathy Troccoli cd, "Comfort" and got inspired to sing in church this Sunday. Am I crazy! I cry at the drop of a hat these days but I love this song and I really feel led to sing it. So I unlocked the church and went in and practiced it several times by myself. I wish I had piano music or an accompaniment tape but not enough time for those so it will be me and Kathy... if I do it!
Anyway, I prayed at the altar while I was there. No big requests for the tumors or the kidney....just prayers of thanks for my family and friends. I am feeling pretty overwhelmed these days by the cards and emails and hugs and scripture! Amen.....deep breath....... headed out of the church. In the foyer I saw the prayer warriors sign up sheet. My church family is praying for me in 30 minutes increments beginning Thursday night through Friday afternoon. Every slot was represented with the exception of 3am-4am. I just sat down on that foyer floor and cried. I cried hard....that loud, sloppy, runny nose cry. I felt all your arms around me while I was sitting on that floor crying. I love you all so much. Thank you. May God bless you as you are blessing me and my family.
As silly as it sounds, sometimes it still doesn't seem real. I have tumors in my good kidney. I don't feel sick. I have no obvious symptoms. Where is this journey leading me and why am I on this journey? God...are you listening to me, my beloved Savior? It's summer and I had lots of other things planned! I am letting my plans go and putting my life in Your Hands. We'll take this journey together...by the way....I'm bringing along lots of family and friends...hope that's okay with You!
I'm tired tonight....good tired...eating a big swimming pool cake and cleaning up after 11 children tired. I can't wait to be that tired again! See you all in July!
Everyone went home at 5 and I got lots of big hugs! I love those really squeezy hugs! I took grandson Andrew home and looked at all the new landscaping at their new house and the swingset and the pictures on the walls! I loved everything!
On the way back to Frazeysburg I was listening to my favorite Kathy Troccoli cd, "Comfort" and got inspired to sing in church this Sunday. Am I crazy! I cry at the drop of a hat these days but I love this song and I really feel led to sing it. So I unlocked the church and went in and practiced it several times by myself. I wish I had piano music or an accompaniment tape but not enough time for those so it will be me and Kathy... if I do it!
Anyway, I prayed at the altar while I was there. No big requests for the tumors or the kidney....just prayers of thanks for my family and friends. I am feeling pretty overwhelmed these days by the cards and emails and hugs and scripture! Amen.....deep breath....... headed out of the church. In the foyer I saw the prayer warriors sign up sheet. My church family is praying for me in 30 minutes increments beginning Thursday night through Friday afternoon. Every slot was represented with the exception of 3am-4am. I just sat down on that foyer floor and cried. I cried hard....that loud, sloppy, runny nose cry. I felt all your arms around me while I was sitting on that floor crying. I love you all so much. Thank you. May God bless you as you are blessing me and my family.
As silly as it sounds, sometimes it still doesn't seem real. I have tumors in my good kidney. I don't feel sick. I have no obvious symptoms. Where is this journey leading me and why am I on this journey? God...are you listening to me, my beloved Savior? It's summer and I had lots of other things planned! I am letting my plans go and putting my life in Your Hands. We'll take this journey together...by the way....I'm bringing along lots of family and friends...hope that's okay with You!
I'm tired tonight....good tired...eating a big swimming pool cake and cleaning up after 11 children tired. I can't wait to be that tired again! See you all in July!
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Kidney Update
We have kept very busy squeezing in as much as we can until we are confined to waiting rooms, hospital rooms then recovery time.
We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, thoughts and prayers. Some have told us they think of us everyday…..we pop into their daily routine. We are blessed.
The arrival of June makes it a bit more real. We will check into the hotel Tuesday night (June 12) then start the pre op testing on Wednesday morning (June 13) and complete them on Thursday (June 14). I will be admitted for the 3 ½-4 hour surgery on Friday morning. We will call the surgery center Thursday afternoon to get the exact surgery time.
I have been walking 2-3 miles everyday and have now lost 21 pounds. It’s very motivating to think of Dr. McDreamy (Grey’s Anatomy fans will know what I’m talking about) seeing you naked on an operating table! Okay, Dr. Novick isn’t quite Dr. McDreamy but he’s world renown doctor and, who knows, maybe McDreamy will be part of the surgery team! Either way…it’s very motivating!
We feel strong in faith and mind then along comes those hugs and encouraging words and our strong minds and bodies turn to mush. Mike has resorted to wearing sunglasses to hide tears. I just let them flow. After that first Sunday in church and the healing prayer, I went straight to Wal Mart and bought water proof eyeliner and mascara. I think the tears are very cleansing and I’m trying to embrace them!
I’m planning to talk to my daycare children this week and answer any questions they might have. A few are having nightmares and worrying about the word cancer. Many have lost relatives to cancer and they are relating those losses to me. They melt my heart.
The Cleveland Cavs will be playing 3 games in Cleveland while I’m at the Clinic! Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday, 12th, 14th & 17th. Good things are happening in Cleveland and I pray that includes me!
Please be sure to include my family in your prayers.
My church is having a fasting for me in preparation for prayer. One meal or all day fast on Wednesday, 13th Be sure to drink water or juice to prevent dehydration. The prayer marathon will be Thursday-Friday (June 14-15th), 30 minute installments. The church will be open all night if enough sign up. You can call the church office to reserve a time. You can also choose to pray at home. Our family will be praying & fasting in Cleveland. The phone number of Frazeysburg United Methodist Church is 828-2201. Our secretary is Debbie or contact Pastor Jeff. I feel empowered by the Grace of God and my prayer warriors!
To my Church family….I have enjoyed Pastor’s sermons on Genesis! Will someone please take notes and give me scripture while I am gone? (or video the sermons) I am sad thinking about missing Sunday services and Vacation Bible School.
Whoever takes over vbs music…have fun and don’t be afraid tobe silly with the kids! It’s a great theme this year GAME DAY CENTRAL “WHERE HEROES ARE MADE!”…so much potential for JOY and JESUS! I would suggest some “warm-up” exercises before Opening and some “stretches & cool down” exercises for Closing…much like a sports practice session! And have fun wearing uniforms and hats! Maybe I will be able to visit! I’m praying about it!
I have started having some crazy food cravings….Tuna, chile, bread & butter pickles, sweet pickles, olives and pizza. It sounds like I’m pregnant! I’m not!
We will leave for the clinic one week from today. We have decided to drive over Tuesday evening to be there for the Wednesday morning tests. Valerie, Mom and I will go over together then the rest of the family will join us Thursday. Mike will work Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday nights then drive over with son in law Matt on Thursday. Chad is flying in from North Carolina Thursday. Sisters in law, Patsy and Cookie will be there Thursday night too along with my sister Ida & brother Donnie and stay through the surgery. I am excited to see everyone Thursday…I’m sure we won’t be doing much sleeping. We can watch the Cav’s game together! I’m not sure who all will be at the clinic during the surgery…but I know that waiting room will be filled with love and prayers (and I hope some laughs).
Val is still hoping to get up a blog/website for family and friends to check my progress in Cleveland. We will let you know if that happens. We have no idea what we are doing but it’s a great idea! I loved it when family friend, Ginger Miller, was going through her stem cell transplant at The James and her blog kept us updated. I especially loved when Tom and Sally asked us, through the blog, to say extra prayers during the rough times. I couldn’t be with her in Columbus but I felt connected through her “blog.” I was blessed when she didn’t need it anymore and shared in the celebration of her recovery, but it had become such a part of my day that I mourned that blog for a while!
Lots of people ask about kidney transplant. Dr. Novick never even mentioned it at our appointment. I hope that means he is pretty optimistic about saving my kidney. And, from what I’ve researched, transplants do take some planning and preparation. I have dozens of people wanting to be tested and offering their kidney. I don’t have the words to tell you how much that means to us.
We are looking forward to this weekend of dance recitals and church with our family and friends. We are going to fill our souls with music, dance, family, friends and God! I know church is going to be emotional but I can’t wait. I already don’t want it to be over….for the first time, I hope Pastor Jeff runs really LONG!!
Thank you for the wonderful email messages & cards. We have saved them all to read over and over!
The Clinic Guesthouse has a computer room. Val and I will try to update you from there prior to surgery and Valerie & Chad can keep you updated after the surgery.
Thank you for the fasting and prayer. We feel like we’re preparing for battle and we have an army surrounding us and the Grace of God leading our way. We’re ready…..
Love to all…
We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, thoughts and prayers. Some have told us they think of us everyday…..we pop into their daily routine. We are blessed.
The arrival of June makes it a bit more real. We will check into the hotel Tuesday night (June 12) then start the pre op testing on Wednesday morning (June 13) and complete them on Thursday (June 14). I will be admitted for the 3 ½-4 hour surgery on Friday morning. We will call the surgery center Thursday afternoon to get the exact surgery time.
I have been walking 2-3 miles everyday and have now lost 21 pounds. It’s very motivating to think of Dr. McDreamy (Grey’s Anatomy fans will know what I’m talking about) seeing you naked on an operating table! Okay, Dr. Novick isn’t quite Dr. McDreamy but he’s world renown doctor and, who knows, maybe McDreamy will be part of the surgery team! Either way…it’s very motivating!
We feel strong in faith and mind then along comes those hugs and encouraging words and our strong minds and bodies turn to mush. Mike has resorted to wearing sunglasses to hide tears. I just let them flow. After that first Sunday in church and the healing prayer, I went straight to Wal Mart and bought water proof eyeliner and mascara. I think the tears are very cleansing and I’m trying to embrace them!
I’m planning to talk to my daycare children this week and answer any questions they might have. A few are having nightmares and worrying about the word cancer. Many have lost relatives to cancer and they are relating those losses to me. They melt my heart.
The Cleveland Cavs will be playing 3 games in Cleveland while I’m at the Clinic! Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday, 12th, 14th & 17th. Good things are happening in Cleveland and I pray that includes me!
Please be sure to include my family in your prayers.
My church is having a fasting for me in preparation for prayer. One meal or all day fast on Wednesday, 13th Be sure to drink water or juice to prevent dehydration. The prayer marathon will be Thursday-Friday (June 14-15th), 30 minute installments. The church will be open all night if enough sign up. You can call the church office to reserve a time. You can also choose to pray at home. Our family will be praying & fasting in Cleveland. The phone number of Frazeysburg United Methodist Church is 828-2201. Our secretary is Debbie or contact Pastor Jeff. I feel empowered by the Grace of God and my prayer warriors!
To my Church family….I have enjoyed Pastor’s sermons on Genesis! Will someone please take notes and give me scripture while I am gone? (or video the sermons) I am sad thinking about missing Sunday services and Vacation Bible School.
Whoever takes over vbs music…have fun and don’t be afraid tobe silly with the kids! It’s a great theme this year GAME DAY CENTRAL “WHERE HEROES ARE MADE!”…so much potential for JOY and JESUS! I would suggest some “warm-up” exercises before Opening and some “stretches & cool down” exercises for Closing…much like a sports practice session! And have fun wearing uniforms and hats! Maybe I will be able to visit! I’m praying about it!
I have started having some crazy food cravings….Tuna, chile, bread & butter pickles, sweet pickles, olives and pizza. It sounds like I’m pregnant! I’m not!
We will leave for the clinic one week from today. We have decided to drive over Tuesday evening to be there for the Wednesday morning tests. Valerie, Mom and I will go over together then the rest of the family will join us Thursday. Mike will work Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday nights then drive over with son in law Matt on Thursday. Chad is flying in from North Carolina Thursday. Sisters in law, Patsy and Cookie will be there Thursday night too along with my sister Ida & brother Donnie and stay through the surgery. I am excited to see everyone Thursday…I’m sure we won’t be doing much sleeping. We can watch the Cav’s game together! I’m not sure who all will be at the clinic during the surgery…but I know that waiting room will be filled with love and prayers (and I hope some laughs).
Val is still hoping to get up a blog/website for family and friends to check my progress in Cleveland. We will let you know if that happens. We have no idea what we are doing but it’s a great idea! I loved it when family friend, Ginger Miller, was going through her stem cell transplant at The James and her blog kept us updated. I especially loved when Tom and Sally asked us, through the blog, to say extra prayers during the rough times. I couldn’t be with her in Columbus but I felt connected through her “blog.” I was blessed when she didn’t need it anymore and shared in the celebration of her recovery, but it had become such a part of my day that I mourned that blog for a while!
Lots of people ask about kidney transplant. Dr. Novick never even mentioned it at our appointment. I hope that means he is pretty optimistic about saving my kidney. And, from what I’ve researched, transplants do take some planning and preparation. I have dozens of people wanting to be tested and offering their kidney. I don’t have the words to tell you how much that means to us.
We are looking forward to this weekend of dance recitals and church with our family and friends. We are going to fill our souls with music, dance, family, friends and God! I know church is going to be emotional but I can’t wait. I already don’t want it to be over….for the first time, I hope Pastor Jeff runs really LONG!!
Thank you for the wonderful email messages & cards. We have saved them all to read over and over!
The Clinic Guesthouse has a computer room. Val and I will try to update you from there prior to surgery and Valerie & Chad can keep you updated after the surgery.
Thank you for the fasting and prayer. We feel like we’re preparing for battle and we have an army surrounding us and the Grace of God leading our way. We’re ready…..
Love to all…
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