It's hard to believe my little feller is one year old! We kept the celebration small. We had Kelly over for dinner and presents. Kelly gave Deke his first coat and he looked like a sumo wrestler trying to move around. Hysterical!!! Chase gave Deke a humongous lion and he loves to sit on it. Darrin gave him two books and of course has already read them to him. I ordered a ride and push buggy, which should be here in a few days. We celebrated his birthday with a chocolate cake and birthday ice cream. He ate all of it!
The next night Darrin saw that Deke had two new upper teeth. He now has 7 chompers.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Thanksgiving 2007
For those that didn't know, we went to PA to see Darrin's family over the holiday. We drove because Darrin had to bring home the "stuff" that he's stored at his mom's since he was in his teens. He purged well, since we only brought home 5 boxes. The drive was 16 hours. On the way there, the trees were still changing colors. I've never appreciated the beauty of the trees. The views were spectacular. We stopped the first day at Darrin brother's house in Virginia and were able to have a short visit with them (Doug, Renee, Hannah and Abby). The next morning we went to their church, where Doug is the associate pastor. The church was in a barn like structure, with a lake beside it. It was a beautiful service. After lunch, we finished the last leg of the drive to Belleville, PA. As we drove over the mountain that leads into the valley, we were able to see snow on the mountain. It was truly an amazing sight. When we arrived at Darrin's mom, "Stella" we were greeted by his mom, step-dad Brad, sister Dena and her kids Zach, McKenna, Mitch and Zandra. Typical Yoder gathering! Deke immediately charmed Dena and the kids. She tried her best to get him to say Aunt Dena. He did say "ah duh" a few times.
Monday was a day of recovery for me and Darrin spent the day going through his "stuff". Unfortunately, Darrin, Deke and I were sick before we left for PA and I only got worse. Deke was on an antibiotic, but it didn't seem to help him other than to stop his ears from draining. He had gooey eyes and nose, with a barking cough. I started coughing and having a runny nose on Saturday. Between the cold and the drive, I had a very difficult time the first few days of our stay in PA. Once again, it caused us to questions whether the ALS was progressing; was it the meds; is it the cold; etc. I'm happy to say that since we've been home the pediatrician RX'd a new antibiotic for Deke and he was improved within 24 hours. I on the other hand, feel better, but still have a nagging cough.
Tuesday night, we went to Dena (Darrin's sister) for dinner. I couldn't decide which I wanted to try, her lasagna or chicken tettrazzini. So being the smart woman she is, she made both........groan. It's a good thing my pants had an elastic waist. After dinner, we headed over to Darrin's dad Ray and his fiancee Nancy's house. They were hosting a Yoder (Ray's 11 siblings) gathering. The family came together to chat, catch up and to be updated on what was going on with us as a family dealing with ALS. There were TWENTY-TWO people that came! I was amazed at how many of them I had met and remembered, as well as, ashamed for not remembering them all. The quote of the evening came from Leon, when he asked, "Where'd you pick him up at?". Meaning Chase and that he was adopted. We died laughing! He didn't know that Chase was my son. He was thinking we just adopted him from an orphanage or something. Of course, there was food. This night I tried church pickles and moon pies (known to us Southerns as fried pies) with cheese on them...........ohhh it was delicious!
Wednesday, we went to the sale barn. This is a sale that's held every Wed. in Belleville, where you can find everything from socks, to apples. I wasn't able to go far at all without getting very tired. It was very discouraging for me and upsetting to Chase. We were suppose to go met Darrin's high school teacher, who he's kept in contact with since graduating, but I wasn't able to go. Chase didn't wanted me to leave me, so we went into house were we laid down for a little bit and he settled down. I believe I slept for 3 hours or longer, but he was gone in less than 15 minutes. After I woke up. We went to Dena's where I was able to spend quality time with her and get to know her. She's such an exceptional person, mother, wife and sister. Oh yeah, and strong, since she heaved a glider rocker over her head and carried it down stairs for me! I enjoyed every second we had together and I feel as though we were able to establish a bond, which is what I had hoped would happen.
Wednesday (a very busy day) afternoon Doug and his clan arrived. All that girl power in one house, made me grin. I'm always surrounded by boys....boys...boys. Doug fell for the Deker and would wrestle around with him and then kiss all over him. Renee, savored holding Deke, the way moms that don't have babies anymore do and the girls just thought he was the most beautiful baby ever! That night Stella made Stromboli for "Dougle", so say some people, but she also made one for Derwood without salami, even though I personally hand picked the cloves out of the salami. That man is tortured by seeds! For dessert I tried banana cake...yummy! How have I never heard or tasted this before? It was so awesome!
Thanksgiving day, Darrin took his nephew Zach squirrel hunting. This was the first hunting trip for Zach. He shot the first squirrel he saw, with the first shot. He proved to be quite the hunter! Darrin is going to have the squirrel mounted. Stella made turkey, dressing, gravy, jello salad and Dena brought the party potatoes. Then came dessert. Dinner was left overs. It was a day long smorgasbord. That night we opened Christmas presents. Stella had made a scrap book for me of Darrin as a child, teen and then an adult. Of course, I bawled. It was the perfect gift. There was so much more, but this is what meant the most to me.
Thursday night, we headed to Dena's to celebrate Zandra and Deke's birthday. Dena made Deke a cake that looked exactly like Jilda (our bulldog puppy) and Zandra's cake was a bath tub (Zandra's pick). Once again, both cakes were examples of Dena's creativity. Deke hauled in! Zandra too. My favorite of Zandra's gift was a cheerleading outfit. She modeled it for us and looked precious. A total girlie girl. Deke dove into his cake and made a mess of it and himself! Of course, Aunt Dena came to his rescue and cleaned him up.
Friday a.m. Zach and Darrin were up early hunting and again Zach shot the first squirrel he saw, with the first shot fired. Darrin cooked it when they got home and NO I didn't try it. Although, Hannah did, just so she could say she ate squirrel. Yuck! Dena and I took Zandra and McKenna to get their hair braided. This was something I wanted to do for the girls, so they could be pampered and I could do something just for the girls, since I never get a chance to do much with girls. They loved it. After lunch, we went to Ray and Nancy's to opem Christmas presents. And food, glorious food! We spent the day with them and then went for family pictures. We ended the night with Ray and Nancy at Miller's. I had wanted a salad...ok, it was the chocolate, peanut butter pie that I really wanted, but I said it was a salad. We talked and talked. Ultimately, we closed the place down.
Saturday a.m. we went to see Darrin's uncle Sonny at the retirement community and then headed home. It was 2:00 a.m. when we pulled in the driveway.
It was a trip to remember!
Monday was a day of recovery for me and Darrin spent the day going through his "stuff". Unfortunately, Darrin, Deke and I were sick before we left for PA and I only got worse. Deke was on an antibiotic, but it didn't seem to help him other than to stop his ears from draining. He had gooey eyes and nose, with a barking cough. I started coughing and having a runny nose on Saturday. Between the cold and the drive, I had a very difficult time the first few days of our stay in PA. Once again, it caused us to questions whether the ALS was progressing; was it the meds; is it the cold; etc. I'm happy to say that since we've been home the pediatrician RX'd a new antibiotic for Deke and he was improved within 24 hours. I on the other hand, feel better, but still have a nagging cough.
Tuesday night, we went to Dena (Darrin's sister) for dinner. I couldn't decide which I wanted to try, her lasagna or chicken tettrazzini. So being the smart woman she is, she made both........groan. It's a good thing my pants had an elastic waist. After dinner, we headed over to Darrin's dad Ray and his fiancee Nancy's house. They were hosting a Yoder (Ray's 11 siblings) gathering. The family came together to chat, catch up and to be updated on what was going on with us as a family dealing with ALS. There were TWENTY-TWO people that came! I was amazed at how many of them I had met and remembered, as well as, ashamed for not remembering them all. The quote of the evening came from Leon, when he asked, "Where'd you pick him up at?". Meaning Chase and that he was adopted. We died laughing! He didn't know that Chase was my son. He was thinking we just adopted him from an orphanage or something. Of course, there was food. This night I tried church pickles and moon pies (known to us Southerns as fried pies) with cheese on them...........ohhh it was delicious!
Wednesday, we went to the sale barn. This is a sale that's held every Wed. in Belleville, where you can find everything from socks, to apples. I wasn't able to go far at all without getting very tired. It was very discouraging for me and upsetting to Chase. We were suppose to go met Darrin's high school teacher, who he's kept in contact with since graduating, but I wasn't able to go. Chase didn't wanted me to leave me, so we went into house were we laid down for a little bit and he settled down. I believe I slept for 3 hours or longer, but he was gone in less than 15 minutes. After I woke up. We went to Dena's where I was able to spend quality time with her and get to know her. She's such an exceptional person, mother, wife and sister. Oh yeah, and strong, since she heaved a glider rocker over her head and carried it down stairs for me! I enjoyed every second we had together and I feel as though we were able to establish a bond, which is what I had hoped would happen.
Wednesday (a very busy day) afternoon Doug and his clan arrived. All that girl power in one house, made me grin. I'm always surrounded by boys....boys...boys. Doug fell for the Deker and would wrestle around with him and then kiss all over him. Renee, savored holding Deke, the way moms that don't have babies anymore do and the girls just thought he was the most beautiful baby ever! That night Stella made Stromboli for "Dougle", so say some people, but she also made one for Derwood without salami, even though I personally hand picked the cloves out of the salami. That man is tortured by seeds! For dessert I tried banana cake...yummy! How have I never heard or tasted this before? It was so awesome!
Thanksgiving day, Darrin took his nephew Zach squirrel hunting. This was the first hunting trip for Zach. He shot the first squirrel he saw, with the first shot. He proved to be quite the hunter! Darrin is going to have the squirrel mounted. Stella made turkey, dressing, gravy, jello salad and Dena brought the party potatoes. Then came dessert. Dinner was left overs. It was a day long smorgasbord. That night we opened Christmas presents. Stella had made a scrap book for me of Darrin as a child, teen and then an adult. Of course, I bawled. It was the perfect gift. There was so much more, but this is what meant the most to me.
Thursday night, we headed to Dena's to celebrate Zandra and Deke's birthday. Dena made Deke a cake that looked exactly like Jilda (our bulldog puppy) and Zandra's cake was a bath tub (Zandra's pick). Once again, both cakes were examples of Dena's creativity. Deke hauled in! Zandra too. My favorite of Zandra's gift was a cheerleading outfit. She modeled it for us and looked precious. A total girlie girl. Deke dove into his cake and made a mess of it and himself! Of course, Aunt Dena came to his rescue and cleaned him up.
Friday a.m. Zach and Darrin were up early hunting and again Zach shot the first squirrel he saw, with the first shot fired. Darrin cooked it when they got home and NO I didn't try it. Although, Hannah did, just so she could say she ate squirrel. Yuck! Dena and I took Zandra and McKenna to get their hair braided. This was something I wanted to do for the girls, so they could be pampered and I could do something just for the girls, since I never get a chance to do much with girls. They loved it. After lunch, we went to Ray and Nancy's to opem Christmas presents. And food, glorious food! We spent the day with them and then went for family pictures. We ended the night with Ray and Nancy at Miller's. I had wanted a salad...ok, it was the chocolate, peanut butter pie that I really wanted, but I said it was a salad. We talked and talked. Ultimately, we closed the place down.
Saturday a.m. we went to see Darrin's uncle Sonny at the retirement community and then headed home. It was 2:00 a.m. when we pulled in the driveway.
It was a trip to remember!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
November 13, 2007
Hello everyone! I have to apologize for taking so long in between blogs. Last week was very eventful. Monday through Wednesday things were routine, dds appointments for Chase (no cavities); church events; water therapy; etc. Then, I woke up Thursday a.m. very sore and stiff. During the day I began to feel even worse, by Friday I was exhausted. Darrin took Deke to Dilly's so I could catch up on sleep, and also because, I knew that I couldn't have lifted him. I fell in the bathroom at some point on Friday, which luckily wasn't a bad fall, just that I landed on my rump and had my heart jump in my throat. After the fall my lower back, hips and shoulder girdle were beyond hurting. Late Friday afternoon I realized that I hadn't been taking the medicine Dilantin, which is for cramping, since Tuesday when I refilled my pill boxes and inadvertently left the Dilantin out. So while it was good to know why I'd been feeling so BAD, it sucked that I did it to myself..........sigh. It took until yesterday before the Dilantin leveled out in my system and I started feeling better.
The ALS patient rep, Linda, has had a walker delivered to the house. She had mentioned getting one for me during her visit, but I just blew it off, in the way that those who know me well, know how I do. After the fall and a talking too (in a nice way) by Darrin, I asked for the walker.
So, on a more positive note! I was considering getting a diaphragm pacer, which would help prolong my life by 18 months. In order to qualify for the placement your lung capacity has to be between 40-85%. We went yesterday for a pulmonary function test and my FVC (lung capacity) was 110%.....how's that for ya! Yeah, baby. That's more than a perfect score....oh yeah...I'm doing a little dance! I don't have to worry about no stinkin' pacer for a long while.
Of course, now that I'm feeling better, the kids aren't. Chase has had a sore throat for a week, to the point that he asked me Sunday when were we going to the doctor. Chase NEVER wants to see a doctor! Deke had a runny nose on Friday and it just started pouring. He woke up Monday a.m. and his eyes were closed with nasty drainage. It broke my heart! Off to the doctor we go. Both boys had a virus. Chase had nasty cold sores on the back of his throat and Deke's eye's and nose are infected. Since his ears were not infected, I elected to fore go any antibiotics. I did agree with some eye drops, because 1.) it looked so painful! and 2.) it's very contagious. Of course, when we got to the doctor's office Chase says, "my throat doesn't hurt anymore". Go figure! Any hoo, the doctor said it was probably viral, since the test for strep was negative. Chase was thrilled that he didn't get a shot OR have to take any medicine.
I've gotten a new laptop that has voice recognition software. I'm still navigating through it all, but so far it's fairly nifty (Thanks, JP!).
As soon as the little feller starts feeling better we'll be out and about again. Being home can be very isolating. My social soul needs to be out and about!
The ALS patient rep, Linda, has had a walker delivered to the house. She had mentioned getting one for me during her visit, but I just blew it off, in the way that those who know me well, know how I do. After the fall and a talking too (in a nice way) by Darrin, I asked for the walker.
So, on a more positive note! I was considering getting a diaphragm pacer, which would help prolong my life by 18 months. In order to qualify for the placement your lung capacity has to be between 40-85%. We went yesterday for a pulmonary function test and my FVC (lung capacity) was 110%.....how's that for ya! Yeah, baby. That's more than a perfect score....oh yeah...I'm doing a little dance! I don't have to worry about no stinkin' pacer for a long while.
Of course, now that I'm feeling better, the kids aren't. Chase has had a sore throat for a week, to the point that he asked me Sunday when were we going to the doctor. Chase NEVER wants to see a doctor! Deke had a runny nose on Friday and it just started pouring. He woke up Monday a.m. and his eyes were closed with nasty drainage. It broke my heart! Off to the doctor we go. Both boys had a virus. Chase had nasty cold sores on the back of his throat and Deke's eye's and nose are infected. Since his ears were not infected, I elected to fore go any antibiotics. I did agree with some eye drops, because 1.) it looked so painful! and 2.) it's very contagious. Of course, when we got to the doctor's office Chase says, "my throat doesn't hurt anymore". Go figure! Any hoo, the doctor said it was probably viral, since the test for strep was negative. Chase was thrilled that he didn't get a shot OR have to take any medicine.
I've gotten a new laptop that has voice recognition software. I'm still navigating through it all, but so far it's fairly nifty (Thanks, JP!).
As soon as the little feller starts feeling better we'll be out and about again. Being home can be very isolating. My social soul needs to be out and about!
Monday, November 5, 2007
Clarification - November 5, 2007
I thought I'd clarify my last blog.....The wheelchair was given to me for when I need it, and that I don't need it yet.
We had a nice weekend. Chase and I stayed up late Friday night talking and catching up with each other. Darrin was back in time Sat for us to catch a matinee. Sunday, I slept in; cooked breakfast and then went back to sleep for another 3-4 hours. I was feeling fabulous! I needed to catch up on some rest. When I woke up I made Chase his favorite meal, shells and hamburger and made Darrin and I a hamburger casserole. I was proud that they both tasted yummy. Lately, my meals are a bit hit or miss.
Poor Deke caught a cold Friday and by Sunday was feeling puny. Nothing a little sleep and Tylenol couldn't take care of. He's back to his normal self. Into absolutely everything and being a little menace. That's what I call him, cause he can get into everything and anything in the blink of an eye. He is so curious, that he investigates everything fingers first. There's nothing he can't get a hold of, if it's in reach!
We had a nice weekend. Chase and I stayed up late Friday night talking and catching up with each other. Darrin was back in time Sat for us to catch a matinee. Sunday, I slept in; cooked breakfast and then went back to sleep for another 3-4 hours. I was feeling fabulous! I needed to catch up on some rest. When I woke up I made Chase his favorite meal, shells and hamburger and made Darrin and I a hamburger casserole. I was proud that they both tasted yummy. Lately, my meals are a bit hit or miss.
Poor Deke caught a cold Friday and by Sunday was feeling puny. Nothing a little sleep and Tylenol couldn't take care of. He's back to his normal self. Into absolutely everything and being a little menace. That's what I call him, cause he can get into everything and anything in the blink of an eye. He is so curious, that he investigates everything fingers first. There's nothing he can't get a hold of, if it's in reach!
Friday, November 2, 2007
Friday, November 2
It's been a crazy, busy week and I'm just now recovering. Tuesday night we went to the Halloween party at Dilly's and Deke won best costume. He was a chunky monkey. Wednesday, we went to the ALS clinic so that I could have my blood sucked (drawn) to test my liver function. Hopefully the results will be OK, so that I can increase my Rilutek. Also, I was given the pneumonia shot. After the clinic, Darrin went back to work and I took Deke by Kelly's office so that she could see him in costume. Of course, Deke hammed it up for her. Then I headed out to Millington for a potluck at work. It was great getting to see everyone! Well, the food was a real draw too. Wednesday night we went Trick or Treating in the subdivision. Chase pulled Deke in his wagon. We were going to go to the church for their Halloween party, but I was pooped, so we stayed home and passed out candy.
Thursday night we met with Linda Gilbert, the ALS patient coordinator. She had loads of great information and brought me a present, an umbrella wheelchair. It's similar to an umbrella stroller. Chase and Darrin have already taken me for a ride. So far, Chase has used it more than me, but that's OK with me. Chase also pointed out that it's the Collierville Dragon's color. Gotta love him! Linda also brought literature about how to Share the Care, i.e. set up a group of friends and volunteers to help out with care, meals, etc. So I'm sure I'll be hitting folks up for help.
It doesn't sound like we did that much, but that's probably because I'm still too tired to think about it all :)
Everyone enjoy the weekend and I'll rest up, so I have more to share next week.
Happy birthday Mickey and Rudy!
Thursday night we met with Linda Gilbert, the ALS patient coordinator. She had loads of great information and brought me a present, an umbrella wheelchair. It's similar to an umbrella stroller. Chase and Darrin have already taken me for a ride. So far, Chase has used it more than me, but that's OK with me. Chase also pointed out that it's the Collierville Dragon's color. Gotta love him! Linda also brought literature about how to Share the Care, i.e. set up a group of friends and volunteers to help out with care, meals, etc. So I'm sure I'll be hitting folks up for help.
It doesn't sound like we did that much, but that's probably because I'm still too tired to think about it all :)
Everyone enjoy the weekend and I'll rest up, so I have more to share next week.
Happy birthday Mickey and Rudy!
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