The One about the Mother and the Hospital

Very early on Friday morning the 5th my mother woke and needed to get up for something. It was 3am and no one is quite sure what happened next only that she fell and hurt herself. She was able to call the neighbors for help but they were having trouble understanding her. They came down to the house and decided she needed an ambulance to take her to the hospital.

She was admitted around 5am. As my phone sometimes delays calls, messages and texts I didn't get the call around 4am from the neighbors until 8am. She was getting xrays on her chest, ankle and shoulder as well as having blood work done. The x-rays came back okay but she couldn't bear any weight on her feet and couldn't move her right arm without excruciating pain. The blood work came back with a high white cell count (usually caused by infection or inflammation). So they kept her there and repeated the test many, many hours later. Her white cell count was still high which meant that they couldn't transfer her to a nursing facility. My mother also had a very fast and irregular heart rate. The docs have been monitoring it quite closely and adjusted her meds so that it should help keep it down.

Finally on Sunday evening about 6pm she was cleared to go to a nursing facility and they were able to find a bed for her at one near the house. She was given a wheel chair transport while I got in my car and met them over there. It took a couple hours to get her settled into the new facility as the aides needed to go over why she was there, all of her meds etc. About 830p she was comfortable, loaded up on pain meds and I turned on her tele so that at 9 she could watch Desperate Housewives and I took off for the night.

Today she should be seen by a Dr., Physical and Occupational Therapist and I should have a better idea as to how long she will have to be in the nursing home.

Please pray that she has quick healing, and is back to being her old independent self. It is hard to see her in a facility like this. I cannot bear the thoughts that pop into my head as the two closest remaining relatives I have are both in nursing homes right now.

Lift them up

I am asking anyone who reads this blog and prays to keep David Fabarez (on the left) and his family in your prayers. On Sunday Dave had a stroke it was believed to have been caused by a spike in blood pressure and blood sugar. He was able to go home from the hospital today. The area that they still see effects is in Dave's speech. He is now diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. Please pray for a full recovery from the stroke as well as getting these new diagnosis under control with the help of skilled doctors and medication.

Applied

I have sent in an application to The Biggest Loser. It is a long shot that for me to be picked but I wanted to let all of you on the short list the heads up that someone from the show may be calling. These had to be people in the area: Jeric, Erin Collins, Beth Zab, Henning, Bradley and TK. Thank you all for volunteering in advance ;) I am quite proud that I created an actual DVD on my computer including a cool opening, a photo montage with music and me speaking on the track along with video of me around town. For my first time taking, creating and editing a video I think I did a pretty good job.

Now we all pray that if it is to be, it will be. No matter what I will forge ahead with my miles and weight lifting at the BU gym. I heart my track buddies.

To top it all off

Pray this goes away quickly!!!!!It all started with a bump this morning on my ankle and I figured I had a spider bite or something then by the end of the day I noticed i had a line of red bumps from my wrist to my elbow. I thought "That's odd" and called my mom about it.

She said GO TO THE DOCTOR.

So I did and I have apparently caught scabies from who knows where. Scabies is a mite that burrows under your skin and your skin has an alergic reaction causing red bumps on various parts of your body. It is contagious so I am on a mini quarantine for the next day and cannot have skin to skin contact with anyone.

It itches so dang bad! The problem is you can't itch because that could open the skin and cause a secondary infection which would just make things worse. I have now noticed bumps on my shoulders, backs of my arms, both ankles and calves. So unpleasant.

The way you get rid of the little buggers is by putting a cream on your body from head to toe in every crevice you can, even trying to get it up under your nails. Then you wait 12-14 hours and take a shower. This should kill them. Your body will still take about 3 weeks to recover from the alergic reaction and thus you will ITCH for just that long.

Bad news for Paul is that anyone living in the house with the infected person also has to put the cream on from head to toe. All of our sheets, mattress cover, clothes etc. had to be washed today on the hottest setting.

FAMILY NEEDS PRAYER!

Updates:
Wayne is still in the hospital. He had a tube put down into his lungs to try and get rid of the fluid but it did not change his status. Wayne is still on a ventilator and is being moved down to Tampa to a rehabilitation center that focuses on patients who have ventilators. There was talk that he would need a trach and would likely be dependent on oxygen for the rest of his life.

New Stuff:
Another of my moms brothers Randy had recently told us that he had been stumbling and fainted a couple times. It was apparently a bit more serious than that as I was told today he was hospitalized and the doctors said he was having strokes.

Prayer

Mom called tonight to let me know that my Uncle Wayne is in the hospital again. A couple years ago he had pneumonia and almost passed away. The doctors had even told my mom that if any family wanted to come out that they had better make it quick. So my mom and another one of her brothers went out to be with him. He eventually recovered and was able to go home and back to work. Wayne has pneumonia again this time in his other lung. They are still running tests to see if it is a virus or bacterial infection that caused it. He is supposed to call us in a couple days to let us know how he is and what the test results say. Please pray for his body to be healed.

What I've Learned

This past week began the new school year. I am once again teaching those students which no other teacher wants to deal with. Some things have changed this year such as the time I go in,and how many hours my little darlings are at school. I also have an elective class of regular 8th graders. That should be interesting. My day seems to go by much faster so far. I have not gotten my prep period for the last two days though because it is an administrators job and they have been busy doing other things. I hope that this changes soon. Next week will start with all the book work, and the homework. It is going to be a trying year, I have two repeats from last year and already talking to the kids I know it will be an up hill battle.

Now to get to what I have learned
1)All white people are racists
2)All white people are rich
3)There is no reason to learn because we could die tomorrow, so just have fun

I am sure throughout the year I will get many more pearls of wisdom. The girl in my classes greatest aspiration is to work at a McDonald's. When everything is boring no matter how much I tap dance up there, and try to reach them I am at a loss as to what to do. And this is only the beginning. I just pray that I can reach some of them.

Once is just not enough

So my mom decided that visiting the ER and being admitted to the hospital once this year just wasn't enough.

Yesterday morning around 8:40am she fainted at work. They were able to get her over to the hospital where they checked her heart again. After having returned to a normal rythme just a couple weeks ago it was racing again. So she was put back on the medication to slow it down as well as the blood thinners. She will probably be there for 3 days like last time.

Update

Rewind: Two weeks ago my mom was told by my Uncle Ron that if we wanted to see Robin we should get up there right away. So we went. A day or two prior she refused any more feedings and her blood pressure and anti-seziure medication. She only wanted pain and naseau meds. We spent a number of hours with her over two days. Last week we heard rumors she was back on meds and feedings. I assumed they got the nasea undercontrol which was her biggest complaint other than her constant head pain.

Current: My mom and I were getting ready to go up again, my mom wanted to speak to Ron ahead of time to see what was going on and if anyone else was going to be up (the idea being that either her best friends are up or some form of family there every weekend). Ron told us that earlier today she was getting very agitated and the the Hospice nurses said that usually means the end is coming. The nurse stopped by the house to check things out and give her some medication. She slipped into a coma they are not sure if it was on her own or if the medicine is causing the lack of responsiveness.

I am begging you to all pray for my family. This has been a very difficult road for so many in our family. Robin is my mom's only and baby sister. Pray for Ron and the kids Amanda (19) and Josh (16). We do not know what is going to happen. The nurse said it could be anywhere from a couple days to a couple months.

Dosage

My mom saw her doctor on Friday and he said her heart rate was still to high so he upped the dosage of the medication that is supposed to it slow down. It was still in the 100's and the doctor wants it down to 90 at least. She is still supposed to have her leg surgery in July. Hopefully it will really help her so she can move without so much pain. Wednesday she gets her blood re-checked. Other than that their is nothing I know. Thank you all for your support and continued prayers.

Home Again

My mom was able to come home. She is on multiple meds and her heart is still screwy. But it isn't as high as previously. She will meet with a cardiologist in 2 weeks. I will be heading down to SD tomorrow afternoon (hopefully) to spend the weekend with her.

A big thank you to Lynn who picked her up and took her home and then went out and got some groceries for her, you are awesome.

So while things aren't back to normal things look to be a bit better than they were. We appreciate all the well wishes, notes of support and the anytime you need me call me's. :*

This post could be long winded

First of all let me say thank you to my dear friends who have said call my anytime, text or e-mail if you need anything.

I appreciate you so very much.

Secondly I will explain for everyone what happened and what is going on.

Monday my mom started having breathing troubles. She went to see her doctor and the doctor was concerned with how fast her heart was beating so he had her put in the back of an ambulance and transported to the ER hospital. Once there she was admitted to the ER and given medication to help slow down her heart rate. It slowed some but not back to a normal range so she was admitted to the hospital. They had her hooked up to the medicine for most of the day on Monday to help slow her heart rate down, she was also hooked up to oxygen and a blood pressure monitor because the medication could have dropped it as a side effect. I sat with her until they kicked me out a half hour after visiting hours were over. Then I went back to the house to feed the kitties and give them some love.

I originally was supposed to go to the dentist down in SD at 5pm on Tuesday but since I was already there I called as soon as I woke up and got it switched to 1145am. As soon as I was done at the dentist it was time to gas up the car and head back to the hospital. My mom finished the medication to bring her heart rate down, it never returned back to normal but it was lower than when she was admitted. Oh, she was also put on a bloodthinner both injections and pills to try and prevent any possible blood clots. For most of the day she was hooked up to an ECG machine to keep track of her heart rate patterns. As long as it doesn't spike back up she should be released around 11am today. I hung around and talked for awhile we watched Dr. Phil and Oprah together and every hour or so people were coming in and out checking different things.

This picture was taken at the end of the day on Tuesday.

She was feeling a bit better as you can see.

I would also like to say thanks to those of you who have kept her in your prayers.

Where you at?

FYI this post may be discombobulated, sparatic, and/or fragmented.

Love: My love has left me for the week. Of course it is for a great cause. He is up in Idyllwild helping out the camp as they were in need of workers. Paul was granted time off from work (for good behavior) and was able to travel up on Monday morning and will be staying through Friday night. It is weird to be in the apartment alone. I am not sure when the last time it has happened was other than 6 years ago when I moved in here two months before the wedding.

Work: I am still alive. No one has tied me up and locked me in a closet yet. Although not for lack of trying. It has been an interesting road getting into the swing of things. I have been at my new position for 27 working days. I have officially passed the half way point as there are 26 days left of school. I began with 16 students all boys... at one point I was down to 9 boys now I am at 13 boys and 2 girls. The girls just showed up this last Wednesday. It has stirred up the classroom a bit. As challenging as this is mentally, intellectually and emotionally I am glad that I took the position. Knowing that others applied for the position and they choose me tells me that there is a reason I am here. Some of the boys who have been here since the beginning are starting to open up to me about some things going on in their lives and my hope is that I can make a difference in their lives by the end of my time with them. Please be in prayer as I am going to talk to the principal about continuing this position in the Fall. My contract is up as of June 22nd but I would really like the opportunity to continue and try to get this program really up and running next year.

Life: Pretty much non-existant. I have been staying late at work everyday. One day I didn't leave until after 6pm. My work day technically ends at 2:45. Today I managed to get out by 4pm and treated myself to a movie. I was down in SD over the weekend for Mother's Day. My mommy and I hung out went out to dinner and a movie together. We also tried to get some chores done but did not get much knocked off of our lists.

Family: My aunt is still at home on hospice care. My uncles, mom and Robins best friends have been taking different weekends to go up and visit her so that she is not overwhelmed with so many people at once. The visits are an hour at a time or less because she gets tired fast. It is difficult for her dealing with the emotions of knowing she won't be around and wanting to know the every day stuff that is going on or plans that others have for the future. Continue to pray for strength, understanding, and acceptance for all family members and of course comfort. My mommy is going to have surgery on her legs to try and ease the constant pain she is in. We are trying to find a time during the summer that would be best as she will need help for 3-4 weeks on and off.

Summer: I am looking forward to three and possibly four trips this summer. The first is happening in July going to Vegas with Moe and Curly. The second is in August with my Bubba for our 6th anniv. and my 27th birthday (Holy Crap I am going to be 27) we have yet to determine our destination. My third trip will be at the end of August early September out to CO to visit my hommie TK and celebrate her daddies retirement from the Navy. The fourth trip would be with my mommy if we can figure out a week and a location.

I think that is about all I can remember right now about what I have been up to and planning.
I did my best to go back and forth between the areas of my life since my thoughts are running all over the place, hopefully it made my post more readable for you my viewers.

It's happening

The winds of change are blowing. Get ready this is going to be one heck of a ride. Keep us in your thoughts, keep us in your prayers.

Some Good News

Congratulations Leslie Joy!

News traveled today that my cousin is pregnant with her first child. Joy and her husband are looking forward to meeting their new addition which should be sometime in August. We are all so happy for you. Prayers for a healthy pregnancy and easy delivery are with you.

Peace

My mom talked to Ron today and things are not looking good, some scary words were thrown around. She cannot hear at all now. We were told that Aunt Robin is terminal. She will not recover from this. The doctors are giving her weeks to months to live. Please keep the ENTIRE family in your prayers. Pray for peace with the diagnosis, for comfort for Ron and the kids, that Robin wouldn't be in much pain.

Thank you for your continued love and support during this time.

many ups and downs

Last night when we left the hospital my aunt waved to us again. Ron said later on she even wanted to watch TV for an hour but after that just wanted to lay there with her eyes closed. My mom and I went to dinner with Amanda and Josh. We had a very nice time. I think it is the longest conversation we've all had in a VERY long time. Josh drove us in his new truck (i so want one) and we ate at Mimi's. I really had a nice time getting to know my cousins a bit better.

When we went to the hospital today my aunts blood pressure was very high. at one point it was 191/101 both the systolic and diastolic were heading towards the danger zone. why is high blood pressure bad? well it can lead to stroke, heart attack, and congestive heart failure. From what I have read if it gets around the 200 mark for systolic you are at a great chance of having a stroke. They gave her some blood pressure medication but when we left it was still 184/108. Normal is less than 120/80. Ron said he would keep us updated but we had to come home today because my mom works in the morning. Before we left I wrote a note to Robing saying hi and to get better soon.

I will update you when I know more. Again thank you for all your prayers, and e-mails they really lift our spirits.

update on my aunt

First of all I want to thank all of you who have e-mailed, called, texted and IMed. I am greatful for your thoughts and prayers. I just realized that this hotel gives us free internet access. I wish I had inquired about it earlier. Well, here is how my weekend is going and how my aunt is currently doing.

We were planning on coming up to Victorville on Saturday morning however just before I reached San Diego my mom said that Amanda had called and that things were not looking good. We decided to head up that night. We got to the hospital around 11:05pm but from 11-midnight they don't allow visitors at this ICU. So we waited around. At midnight we finally were able to go in and see her. We stayed till 1am. Then headed to the hotel to get some shut eye.

On Saturday we got up and dressed and met two of my uncles in the lobby. We grabbed a quick bite and then headed back to the hospital. My aunt was a bit responsive. She held my moms hand told my uncles and mom that she loved them. She cannot speak because she had her vocal cords removed but she mouthed them. The boys (my uncles) had a 430 flight out of Ontario so we stayed at the hospital with them until they needed to leave. My mom and I decided to take a break so we headed over to Ontario Mills to catch a movie. Then it was dinner time and at 9 we finally made it back to the hotel. We fell asleep pretty quickly.

This morning we were woken up by a phone call from Ron saying that things had worsened. She was unresponsive, blood pressure was too high and the percent of oxygen she was taking in had dropped significantly. They had to put her on a ventilator. We got dressed fast as we could and headed over. When we got there she had stabilized again and her vitals were looking good. We stayed until 1pm and then headed back to the hotel for a little while. We will be picking up Amanda and Josh for dinner in about two hours. Then we may head back down to the hospital.

Tomorrow we are scheduled to check out of the hotel. We will get up early, have breakfast at the hotel and head to the hospital. I am not sure how long we will be staying but we do need to head back down to San Diego tomorrow.

So as of right now she is doing slightly better. But everyday there has been at least a few hours where they thought she wasn't going to make it. Please continue to pray for her, and our family.

Just call me Debbie

Aunt Robin, Amand and my mom

I got a call from my mom today, my aunt is doing worse. We are told she is fading fast. The siblings have made arrangements for us to all converge on Victorville this Saturday. We are told that it may be the time to say our goodbyes. The fact that this is happening breaks my heart. Please pray for our family. This is my moms little sis and things are going to be tough for awhile. Pray that I can be strong during this time and help where
and when I am needed.

So tomorrow after work I am immediately heading down to San Diego. Then Saturday morning we will be driving up to Victorville. I do not know how long our stay will be...

Send up a prayer

My aunt is not doing so well again. She recently had to go back into the hospital for a week She has developed two tumors on her tounge, one of her eyes is swollen shut and has lost hearing in one of her ears. The doctors aren't sure what is going on and in about a week she is supposed to begin chemo. again.