here are some photos:
3 years ago
Friday, July 28, 2006
Thursday..
Wednesday went well...we left our house after i got everything packed which im surprised is SUCH a chore for only one nite! but i got everything loaded into the truck and waited for becca to wake from her nap so she'd be good for me..we left about 5pm and got to my parents 30 minutes later..we waited for heidi to bring the family chinese food..then all the grandkids went swimming and we all visited outside by the pool together..then my brother brian helped me set up jons makeshift "room" in the piano/livingroom of my parents house...then heidi took the 2 older to her apt to spend the nite and i got becca and anna down for the nite..then i took care of jon and prepared him for the nite as well..then i found a book from my moms library and read a little to calm my mind..
Thursday morning i awoke and prepared jon and myself for the big day ahead..all went REALLY smoothly!! im so thankful!! i was surprised to find out that we were the FIRST ones at the temple!!! AMAZING!!! we entered in and the first person inside was one of my most FAVORITE people in the whole word- bishop demar baron- i LOVE this man!!! he's known me my entire life and was my bishop in the singles ward..he's just a wonderful man and it was awesome to visit with him- i was surprised and excited to learn that he was sealing seth and katie that day!! how cool!! he wrapped his arms around me and jon and gave us each his greatest hugs-i miss bishop baron - he was the best!
We then waited for the rest of the family to arrive and we walked into the sealing room together..we then realized we were one brother short! where was scott and kellie?? so todd stepped out of the room to make a quick call- we had only talked to them 30 minutes prior and they had just left - todd came back in to tell us that they had "gotten a ticket!" so we waited 15 minutes and they came rushing in- their hearts racing - poor guys- but it was no problem waiting in the quiet sealing room of the temple and feel the love that was encompassed in the room...soon thereafter, katie and seth came in-- they looked remarkable!! i was thinking, katie has never seen ANY of her other 6 siblings be sealed to their spouses, and yet every one of her 6 siblings and spouses were there to witness her sealing of time and ALL eternity to seth on that day..it was pretty special! Bishop Baron did a great job and some of the words he spoke were dear to my heart..he spoke a bit on "in our marriages we will have trials and tribulations"..i broke down and was touched by his sweet words..it was a reminder and comfort we both needed at this time in our trial..
he then preformed the sealing and i was SO grateful that he let the parents congratulate them first-- (im sad to see that now they have the parents go last)..in our sealing our parents went first- and i loved it! i think the parents deserve to go first!! i'll never forget my dad jumping up to congratulate me and say "ive always wanted to be the first to say this! Congratulations Mrs. Hales!" it was so sweet and so cute! i loved it and will never forget it!!! we then gathered outside and waited for seth and katie to walk outside thru the temple doors..i hope you enjoy my pictures i took!!
we then took lots of pictures around the temple..the photographer was AWESOME and AMAZING!! and SUPER cooL! here is a link to their website- the family was just THRILLED with the job he did!! http://www.amelialyon.com/
We then headed over to mimi's cafe in Irvine for lunch..it was yummy..jon was starting to feel like he suddenly was going to throw up so i had to move some people out of the way and ran over marks entire foot! sorry mark!! robert figured something was seriously wrong and came out rushing behind us..mark followed suit and found a wet towel and a bag to throw up in and a nice fresh glass of water..jon got settled down..he wasnt sure if it was heat exhaustion or the fact that he only had a banana all day or what...his poor body cannot regulate itself..so going from heat to AC to heat to AC..its so hard on his body! he didnt end up throwing up so he just relaxed for a few minutes with his dad outside in his pressure release position..he said he felt better and we brought him back inside..we got him settled back at the table and then becca wanted "on my lap" and she was miserable..todd and celene noticed and offered to take her outside..todd said she was happy as ever out there and never cried or complained!! im not sure what her deal is with me..its so frustrating and makes life hard..but im just happy she's good when "im not around" type thing!! we were able to finally eat our lunch and then we headed to my parents place for a quick nap..we got there at 330 and had to leave in one hour..i put becca down, anna down and then jon down in his bed..i had 45 minutes to prepare ourselves for the reception..my parents offered to keep the younger 2 so they could sleep and not be miserable and make it harder on my for 4 hours at the reception ..that was SUCH a big helP!! my brothers brian and clay helped to pack all of our stuff and get jons medical stuff back into the car and everyone loaded up again..we were suppose to leave our homes at 430 to get to the reception site by 5pm..but after arriving with jon and the 2 older girls at the site to see sandra in her regular clothes- i knew we werent having pictures- WHOO HOO! we could still relax!! they were SUPER BUSY trying to tie up the loose ends at the reception site which was FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!! in the beginning before jons accident i had offered katie to help and she said she wanted a "garden wedding" so i (of course) got online and went looking..i found this place..centennial musuem and it was just perfect- both katie and seth LOVED it! i now want all my girls to have their receptions there!! (too bad i cant do it all on the same day though!!)
The 2 older girls went off and running with their cousins..jon and i went around and took photos of the site...jon was doing great- he just loves to be with his family- he was holding up really well and doing great..as people would visit with katie in her line they would walk down and visit with jon and give him words of encouragement--it was so wonderful to visit with so many people from our past and to hear how they were praying for us and our sweet little family..were so grateful to all of them..and they all kept commenting about "we hear your ward is just remarkable and are doing so much for your family- how lucky you are!!" so thanks orangecrest ward! your famous!!! the ward continues to still bring in meals for our family along with members of other wards and families and neighbors- were so indebted to all these people and so thankful!!!
There was a chocolate fountain that jon kept having family members get him some "grub" from..only they'd fill up their plate and it was half gone by the time they got back to jon for some strange reason!?!?!? hehehe how can you not help yourself!!
Soon the dancing started and rachel was DYING for me to go dance with her, jon said go enjoy yourself with the girls..so i went..it was fun..it was mostly all the family and katie's close friends dancing -it was a riot to see the little kids dancing especially chad's boys- they were hilarious and actually pretty good dancers!! Katie then threw her bouquet and rachel was crying because AGAIN she didnt catch it--such drama...then we realized there were tONS of little flower bouquets everywhere so all the little neices got to have their own..
about 830pm my parents came and had my little 2 girls with them..it was SO cute to see my dad with little becca..they were excited to see us and were SO good for us while they were there- i thought becca would get nervous with so many people and loud music- but she happily ate strawberries and chocolate as some of the later pictures you will see..
Katie and Seth left for their honeymoon and the family stayed to clean up after the reception..everyone pitched in and did a good job of cleaning up and we all left about 1030pm to head home..
we arrived home at 1130pm and i got the girls into their beds and then got all of jons stuff to prepare his bed and get him settled in for the nite..at 1240am i crawled into bed..super super super tired..jon liked the caretaker we had and i was grateful that he was coming to care for jon in the morning so i could rest..only morning came and no caretaker came..UGH!! so i got up and began our day dreadfully tired..i got jon prepared for the day and sandra called saying the family was going to the beach and they wanted to pick up the 2 older girls..at 130pm they came and offered to take anna and said they could all come and sleep at their house and then they'd all come back to our house tomorrow to swim and eat and let the family all visit with jon..so that will be fun..jon LOVES his family so much and he misses them when they are gone..so he'll be excited to have them here tomorrow!!
All in all - the day went REALLY well- we know HF (Heavenly Father) was looking out for us..we had no problems with jon other then the almost throwing up incident..the weather wasnt as hot as last weekend and it made a HUGE difference for him..he slept comfortably at my parents home and did really well during the wedding and reception..he looked TONS better in the photos WITHOUT his neckbrace!! he looked SO handsome!!! were so grateful jon was in a condition to be there with his family and experience his baby sisters wedding...thank you to everyone who visited with jon and encouraged him to keep working hard, thank you to my family for making our stay wonderful and at ease and for always helping me and finding ways to help, thank you to jons family for being conscience of our needs and offering to take the kids or give jon his pressure releases..it was all so helpful and made our day smooth..thank you!
Today is now friday and we are resting! jon is just staying in bed and watching more Lord of the Rings..im catching up on emails and the blog and picking up the house a bit and will rest...it will be nice and quiet here today and tonite just having becca here too...hope you enjoy the pictures!
Thursday morning i awoke and prepared jon and myself for the big day ahead..all went REALLY smoothly!! im so thankful!! i was surprised to find out that we were the FIRST ones at the temple!!! AMAZING!!! we entered in and the first person inside was one of my most FAVORITE people in the whole word- bishop demar baron- i LOVE this man!!! he's known me my entire life and was my bishop in the singles ward..he's just a wonderful man and it was awesome to visit with him- i was surprised and excited to learn that he was sealing seth and katie that day!! how cool!! he wrapped his arms around me and jon and gave us each his greatest hugs-i miss bishop baron - he was the best!
We then waited for the rest of the family to arrive and we walked into the sealing room together..we then realized we were one brother short! where was scott and kellie?? so todd stepped out of the room to make a quick call- we had only talked to them 30 minutes prior and they had just left - todd came back in to tell us that they had "gotten a ticket!" so we waited 15 minutes and they came rushing in- their hearts racing - poor guys- but it was no problem waiting in the quiet sealing room of the temple and feel the love that was encompassed in the room...soon thereafter, katie and seth came in-- they looked remarkable!! i was thinking, katie has never seen ANY of her other 6 siblings be sealed to their spouses, and yet every one of her 6 siblings and spouses were there to witness her sealing of time and ALL eternity to seth on that day..it was pretty special! Bishop Baron did a great job and some of the words he spoke were dear to my heart..he spoke a bit on "in our marriages we will have trials and tribulations"..i broke down and was touched by his sweet words..it was a reminder and comfort we both needed at this time in our trial..
he then preformed the sealing and i was SO grateful that he let the parents congratulate them first-- (im sad to see that now they have the parents go last)..in our sealing our parents went first- and i loved it! i think the parents deserve to go first!! i'll never forget my dad jumping up to congratulate me and say "ive always wanted to be the first to say this! Congratulations Mrs. Hales!" it was so sweet and so cute! i loved it and will never forget it!!! we then gathered outside and waited for seth and katie to walk outside thru the temple doors..i hope you enjoy my pictures i took!!
we then took lots of pictures around the temple..the photographer was AWESOME and AMAZING!! and SUPER cooL! here is a link to their website- the family was just THRILLED with the job he did!! http://www.amelialyon.com/
We then headed over to mimi's cafe in Irvine for lunch..it was yummy..jon was starting to feel like he suddenly was going to throw up so i had to move some people out of the way and ran over marks entire foot! sorry mark!! robert figured something was seriously wrong and came out rushing behind us..mark followed suit and found a wet towel and a bag to throw up in and a nice fresh glass of water..jon got settled down..he wasnt sure if it was heat exhaustion or the fact that he only had a banana all day or what...his poor body cannot regulate itself..so going from heat to AC to heat to AC..its so hard on his body! he didnt end up throwing up so he just relaxed for a few minutes with his dad outside in his pressure release position..he said he felt better and we brought him back inside..we got him settled back at the table and then becca wanted "on my lap" and she was miserable..todd and celene noticed and offered to take her outside..todd said she was happy as ever out there and never cried or complained!! im not sure what her deal is with me..its so frustrating and makes life hard..but im just happy she's good when "im not around" type thing!! we were able to finally eat our lunch and then we headed to my parents place for a quick nap..we got there at 330 and had to leave in one hour..i put becca down, anna down and then jon down in his bed..i had 45 minutes to prepare ourselves for the reception..my parents offered to keep the younger 2 so they could sleep and not be miserable and make it harder on my for 4 hours at the reception ..that was SUCH a big helP!! my brothers brian and clay helped to pack all of our stuff and get jons medical stuff back into the car and everyone loaded up again..we were suppose to leave our homes at 430 to get to the reception site by 5pm..but after arriving with jon and the 2 older girls at the site to see sandra in her regular clothes- i knew we werent having pictures- WHOO HOO! we could still relax!! they were SUPER BUSY trying to tie up the loose ends at the reception site which was FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!! in the beginning before jons accident i had offered katie to help and she said she wanted a "garden wedding" so i (of course) got online and went looking..i found this place..centennial musuem and it was just perfect- both katie and seth LOVED it! i now want all my girls to have their receptions there!! (too bad i cant do it all on the same day though!!)
The 2 older girls went off and running with their cousins..jon and i went around and took photos of the site...jon was doing great- he just loves to be with his family- he was holding up really well and doing great..as people would visit with katie in her line they would walk down and visit with jon and give him words of encouragement--it was so wonderful to visit with so many people from our past and to hear how they were praying for us and our sweet little family..were so grateful to all of them..and they all kept commenting about "we hear your ward is just remarkable and are doing so much for your family- how lucky you are!!" so thanks orangecrest ward! your famous!!! the ward continues to still bring in meals for our family along with members of other wards and families and neighbors- were so indebted to all these people and so thankful!!!
There was a chocolate fountain that jon kept having family members get him some "grub" from..only they'd fill up their plate and it was half gone by the time they got back to jon for some strange reason!?!?!? hehehe how can you not help yourself!!
Soon the dancing started and rachel was DYING for me to go dance with her, jon said go enjoy yourself with the girls..so i went..it was fun..it was mostly all the family and katie's close friends dancing -it was a riot to see the little kids dancing especially chad's boys- they were hilarious and actually pretty good dancers!! Katie then threw her bouquet and rachel was crying because AGAIN she didnt catch it--such drama...then we realized there were tONS of little flower bouquets everywhere so all the little neices got to have their own..
about 830pm my parents came and had my little 2 girls with them..it was SO cute to see my dad with little becca..they were excited to see us and were SO good for us while they were there- i thought becca would get nervous with so many people and loud music- but she happily ate strawberries and chocolate as some of the later pictures you will see..
Katie and Seth left for their honeymoon and the family stayed to clean up after the reception..everyone pitched in and did a good job of cleaning up and we all left about 1030pm to head home..
we arrived home at 1130pm and i got the girls into their beds and then got all of jons stuff to prepare his bed and get him settled in for the nite..at 1240am i crawled into bed..super super super tired..jon liked the caretaker we had and i was grateful that he was coming to care for jon in the morning so i could rest..only morning came and no caretaker came..UGH!! so i got up and began our day dreadfully tired..i got jon prepared for the day and sandra called saying the family was going to the beach and they wanted to pick up the 2 older girls..at 130pm they came and offered to take anna and said they could all come and sleep at their house and then they'd all come back to our house tomorrow to swim and eat and let the family all visit with jon..so that will be fun..jon LOVES his family so much and he misses them when they are gone..so he'll be excited to have them here tomorrow!!
All in all - the day went REALLY well- we know HF (Heavenly Father) was looking out for us..we had no problems with jon other then the almost throwing up incident..the weather wasnt as hot as last weekend and it made a HUGE difference for him..he slept comfortably at my parents home and did really well during the wedding and reception..he looked TONS better in the photos WITHOUT his neckbrace!! he looked SO handsome!!! were so grateful jon was in a condition to be there with his family and experience his baby sisters wedding...thank you to everyone who visited with jon and encouraged him to keep working hard, thank you to my family for making our stay wonderful and at ease and for always helping me and finding ways to help, thank you to jons family for being conscience of our needs and offering to take the kids or give jon his pressure releases..it was all so helpful and made our day smooth..thank you!
Today is now friday and we are resting! jon is just staying in bed and watching more Lord of the Rings..im catching up on emails and the blog and picking up the house a bit and will rest...it will be nice and quiet here today and tonite just having becca here too...hope you enjoy the pictures!
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Wednesday..
Well today is wednesday- i took a sleeping pill to help me again - i think its workign -- i also read the ensign to help me..i think i will cut the pills and just read the ensign to see if that helps..i just needed SOMETHING to stay sane!! im getting REALLLLLY burnt out and drained out in all facets, physically, emotionally and spiritually..and so i figured maybe if i had a couple nites of decent sleep that would help--i think it is..
The caretaker is here now- its a young man from kenya named michael- he lived most of his life in england though..so far he's doing great! so now its up to jon to see if he's happy with him or not..im just thankful that for ONE day he's here to help do it!! he's had experience so thats great too..
After he's gone i will keep working on getting the truck packed to stay over nite at my parents- its alot of work! but i made my lists and have been scratching things off..we will probably leave in the next couple of hours..i think my dad would like to "hang" with jon - he misses him! i will try to relax and maybe jump in my parents pool with the girls while becca takes a nap..
We will obviously be busy ALL day on thursday- then friday michael will be back to help in the morning (if jon likes him) and that will be fantastic for me! he cannot do saturdays which is okay - i'll do saturdays..
It will be fun to see everyone from the stake we grew up in - if you see us tell jon how FANTASTIC he is doing and be upbeat! Tell him how you or your family has changed because of his trial and experience- he's SOOOO incredibly motivated by the change in other people's lives...it encourages him and both of us to continue on and forge ahead..it makes the trial worthwhile to aide in softening the hearts of HF to draw nearer unto Him - how blessed we are to be the instruments as HF's hands to bring His children closer unto him..as jon famously says "rock on!"
The caretaker is here now- its a young man from kenya named michael- he lived most of his life in england though..so far he's doing great! so now its up to jon to see if he's happy with him or not..im just thankful that for ONE day he's here to help do it!! he's had experience so thats great too..
After he's gone i will keep working on getting the truck packed to stay over nite at my parents- its alot of work! but i made my lists and have been scratching things off..we will probably leave in the next couple of hours..i think my dad would like to "hang" with jon - he misses him! i will try to relax and maybe jump in my parents pool with the girls while becca takes a nap..
We will obviously be busy ALL day on thursday- then friday michael will be back to help in the morning (if jon likes him) and that will be fantastic for me! he cannot do saturdays which is okay - i'll do saturdays..
It will be fun to see everyone from the stake we grew up in - if you see us tell jon how FANTASTIC he is doing and be upbeat! Tell him how you or your family has changed because of his trial and experience- he's SOOOO incredibly motivated by the change in other people's lives...it encourages him and both of us to continue on and forge ahead..it makes the trial worthwhile to aide in softening the hearts of HF to draw nearer unto Him - how blessed we are to be the instruments as HF's hands to bring His children closer unto him..as jon famously says "rock on!"
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Tuesday Nite..
Today has been good..ive been SO tired all day- i really do think now im coming down with something..ive been sneezing and just tired..hopefully its just allergies maybe??
We didnt do much today - jon tried getting some work done but was pretty tired himself..
Tonite jon had a friend come over and he put jon in the truck and off they went to home depot at 9pm AT NITE!!! so funnY!!! its great for jon to get out and do something normal besides go to the doctors and PT! Im just waiting for them to back home..he'll be ready for his meds..
Tomorrow we will have a caretaker come in the morning to see how it works..hopefully it does! After that I will get things together to get us down to OC for the rest of the afternoon..we will be staying at my parents house for the nite so that will be fun! Then we'll be BUSY all day thursday for katie's wedding..which is at 10am at the Newport Beach Temple, followed by pics, followed by lunch at Mimi's Cafe, followed by HOPEFULLY a small nap at my parents again, followed by pictures at 5pm at the reception site- followed by reception from 6-9pm..then we'll head home for the nite..WHEW im tired already!!
We didnt do much today - jon tried getting some work done but was pretty tired himself..
Tonite jon had a friend come over and he put jon in the truck and off they went to home depot at 9pm AT NITE!!! so funnY!!! its great for jon to get out and do something normal besides go to the doctors and PT! Im just waiting for them to back home..he'll be ready for his meds..
Tomorrow we will have a caretaker come in the morning to see how it works..hopefully it does! After that I will get things together to get us down to OC for the rest of the afternoon..we will be staying at my parents house for the nite so that will be fun! Then we'll be BUSY all day thursday for katie's wedding..which is at 10am at the Newport Beach Temple, followed by pics, followed by lunch at Mimi's Cafe, followed by HOPEFULLY a small nap at my parents again, followed by pictures at 5pm at the reception site- followed by reception from 6-9pm..then we'll head home for the nite..WHEW im tired already!!
Tuesday..
Sorry I didnt post yesterday-my mom came out for the afternoon to help which was wonderful! She finished up my laundry- brought groceries with her and prepared a dinner for us..she stayed here while i took jon to PT..he said its getting better over there at PT..which reminds me i need to call the doctors to see if they have faxed the referral over..i called yesterday and the nurse who doesnt deal with that said "its pending" - im not sure how a piece of paper going into a fax could be considered "pending?"!!
we came home, had dinner together, the girls got ready for fhe and then everyone went off to bed..
sorry kristen i didnt call about running, i was just way too tired..
Today is now tuesday- i took a pill to help me sleep last nite and it did work- my mind wont shut off at nite so i dont sleep..but it helped last nite, but now i feel totally sleepy- im not sure if its the pill still or if im coming down with something..i just feel drained..like benadryl drained..
We have no plans for today- so we'll just be home all day..im preparing everything for katie's wedding on thursday- my girls will stay with my mom and they will help to get them ready for the wedding- THANKS MOM!! and then jon and i will stay in corona del mar at jons grandma's house- she lives right next to the beach..im debating on whether or not we could go early and i can let the girls play at the beach- its GREAT to be able to park at grandma's and then play at the beach..we'll have to see how the day goes- i will need to figure out what i can do with jon while we go..
we came home, had dinner together, the girls got ready for fhe and then everyone went off to bed..
sorry kristen i didnt call about running, i was just way too tired..
Today is now tuesday- i took a pill to help me sleep last nite and it did work- my mind wont shut off at nite so i dont sleep..but it helped last nite, but now i feel totally sleepy- im not sure if its the pill still or if im coming down with something..i just feel drained..like benadryl drained..
We have no plans for today- so we'll just be home all day..im preparing everything for katie's wedding on thursday- my girls will stay with my mom and they will help to get them ready for the wedding- THANKS MOM!! and then jon and i will stay in corona del mar at jons grandma's house- she lives right next to the beach..im debating on whether or not we could go early and i can let the girls play at the beach- its GREAT to be able to park at grandma's and then play at the beach..we'll have to see how the day goes- i will need to figure out what i can do with jon while we go..
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Sunday...
Today is Sunday - 8am seemed to come so early for me! We got up and got everything going to get to church..we stayed the full 3 hours of it to attend all our classes so that was nice..
today we've just been taking it easy..we had dinner together, jon again ate all of it with his fork and no help- SO NICE!
ive now got everyone into bed for the nite- jons watching Lord of the Rings..
Well i think ill try to go to bed early!
oh and yes were working on getting jon upstairs back to his own room again..he doesnt like sleeping in the "office" or the "livingroom" and i dont like sleeping on the couch!
today we've just been taking it easy..we had dinner together, jon again ate all of it with his fork and no help- SO NICE!
ive now got everyone into bed for the nite- jons watching Lord of the Rings..
Well i think ill try to go to bed early!
oh and yes were working on getting jon upstairs back to his own room again..he doesnt like sleeping in the "office" or the "livingroom" and i dont like sleeping on the couch!
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Photos of the bathroom
I forgot that I hadnt posted the pics of the completed bathroom - and i LOVE IT!!!!!!! I cant wait to be able to have jon utilize it- he's NEVER even seen it till these photos!!
what do you think??
THANKS DAD- YOU ROCK!!!!!!(my dad put this together..he had someone tile it)
Friday went well..
Friday went good..of course i was exhausted again but got up and got things going..i waited for sandra to come so i could leave with the girls for "mommy date time"..i told them i would take them to the movies..rachel asked if she could speak to me privately..so we went into the bathroom and locked the door..she quietly said "mom i want to say something but i dont want to hurt your feelings.." i thougth OH NO!! im scared!! then she said "i was hoping we could do something else instead of the movies?" WHEW!! i asked her what she wanted to do instead..she said go to the mall..i thought THE MALL!??!?! she's only 9!! i thought this thing doesnt start for a few more years!! so i asked her what stores she wanted to go to at the mall? she said "that really cool candy store!" YES she's still herself and not creeping up to the pre teen years yet!! WOOO HOO!! I told her we'd visit the candy store- look around-and then hit the movies at the mall- perfect she said..
I then RUSHED home to help jon and get him loaded for the party for him..we got there and had great food and good friends- we played our usual "animal game"..SO FUN! we played that one game for about 2 hours!! everyone loved hanging with jon and doing what we use to do..we got home about 1130 and i got jon into bed for the nite..
THEN at about 145am i started feeling like i needed to throw up - the WORST feeling ever! i tried to think of what i ate..i didnt really eat much at the party because i had a mexican pizza from taco bell - and a bag of popcorn at the movies..so i only had a few chips and salsa and then a little bit of dessert..but ohhhh i really wanted to just throw up- so i basically slept in the bathroom WAITING for somethign to happen..it was pretty miserable..i knew at 4am i'd have to go down and do my thing with jon..so at 330 i went down so that i wouldnt throw up all over him..got him taken care of- wore gloves the WHOLE time and then back upstairs i went..next to the bathroom again..by 5pm i said well i cant get myself to throw up so im just gonna have to try to go to sleep..and i slept from 5-8am when the girls got up and goign for their day..i walked into the bathroom and locked the door- still feeling not myself..i didnt want becca to be clingy with me..sarah was so nicely CLEANING and DUSTING my room!! she knocked on my door..but i didnt want to answer for fear of becca finding out i was in there..so i said nothing..then she came downstairs to tell dad i wasnt in my room and the bathroom door is locked and mommy's not saying anything --jon got SOO nervous and told her to go up there and say..if you dont answer mom..dads nervous and going to call 911! i said oh im here im here!!! im okay!! just tryign to hide from becca!!! SORRY!! so she came down and told him..jon didnt like being so helpless like that... i cant imagine..he had thoughts that i threw up and choked or passed out from last nite!
anyway- all was well..i feel better this morning..im not sure what the deal was..im physically just exhausted..these 2 weeks are probably just catching up to me..
Jon is doing well..he's working on his presentation..i forgot to mention that for a few weeks now he's been eating dinner at the table with us using his own fork in his gloves and feeding himself- its been wonderful to feel like a family at dinner time!! he has his neck brace off- and everyone keeps saying how healthy he looks WITHOUT the brace on - its like jon again..
well im going to go try to catch some shut eye for a few minutes while the girls are all still with celesta at the bday party of our friend..thanks for your prayers! i feel like my girls are getting prayed for because they have REALLY stepped up on SO MANY levels and helped me more then i thought they would- im so terribly grateful for them!!!
I then RUSHED home to help jon and get him loaded for the party for him..we got there and had great food and good friends- we played our usual "animal game"..SO FUN! we played that one game for about 2 hours!! everyone loved hanging with jon and doing what we use to do..we got home about 1130 and i got jon into bed for the nite..
THEN at about 145am i started feeling like i needed to throw up - the WORST feeling ever! i tried to think of what i ate..i didnt really eat much at the party because i had a mexican pizza from taco bell - and a bag of popcorn at the movies..so i only had a few chips and salsa and then a little bit of dessert..but ohhhh i really wanted to just throw up- so i basically slept in the bathroom WAITING for somethign to happen..it was pretty miserable..i knew at 4am i'd have to go down and do my thing with jon..so at 330 i went down so that i wouldnt throw up all over him..got him taken care of- wore gloves the WHOLE time and then back upstairs i went..next to the bathroom again..by 5pm i said well i cant get myself to throw up so im just gonna have to try to go to sleep..and i slept from 5-8am when the girls got up and goign for their day..i walked into the bathroom and locked the door- still feeling not myself..i didnt want becca to be clingy with me..sarah was so nicely CLEANING and DUSTING my room!! she knocked on my door..but i didnt want to answer for fear of becca finding out i was in there..so i said nothing..then she came downstairs to tell dad i wasnt in my room and the bathroom door is locked and mommy's not saying anything --jon got SOO nervous and told her to go up there and say..if you dont answer mom..dads nervous and going to call 911! i said oh im here im here!!! im okay!! just tryign to hide from becca!!! SORRY!! so she came down and told him..jon didnt like being so helpless like that... i cant imagine..he had thoughts that i threw up and choked or passed out from last nite!
anyway- all was well..i feel better this morning..im not sure what the deal was..im physically just exhausted..these 2 weeks are probably just catching up to me..
Jon is doing well..he's working on his presentation..i forgot to mention that for a few weeks now he's been eating dinner at the table with us using his own fork in his gloves and feeding himself- its been wonderful to feel like a family at dinner time!! he has his neck brace off- and everyone keeps saying how healthy he looks WITHOUT the brace on - its like jon again..
well im going to go try to catch some shut eye for a few minutes while the girls are all still with celesta at the bday party of our friend..thanks for your prayers! i feel like my girls are getting prayed for because they have REALLY stepped up on SO MANY levels and helped me more then i thought they would- im so terribly grateful for them!!!
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Hoping for a good friday!
well tomorrow is friday! ya! i will be taking care of jon in the morning since the caretaker wasnt being very honest with us...then sandra will be here for the day..kristen is going to keep my younger 2 girls all day so that means i can take the older 2 out with their alone time date with mom! im going to go take them to see the movie cars and to lunch..so that will be great...
then later that nite, a few of jons close friends are having a "jons doing great" party..so that will be fun to do the types of things we use to do again..its been 4 months since the "crew" got together and did something fun!
Well i hope i get some good sleep tonite..its only 10pm and i think we can all hit the sack!
then later that nite, a few of jons close friends are having a "jons doing great" party..so that will be fun to do the types of things we use to do again..its been 4 months since the "crew" got together and did something fun!
Well i hope i get some good sleep tonite..its only 10pm and i think we can all hit the sack!
caretaker honesty...
well as my luck has been going..this caretaker isnt going to work..to start with her honesty..
i called the agency i used to get her- this is the same agency i have used to get the caretakers we've had..the owner is LDS and only takes 10% off their pay..so she sent me this girl and said that she's never used her before but she says shes done everything to do with a quad..
so she came..and didnt know how to cath, or do any of the bowel program process that is typically and the same for EVERY quad patient..she really only knew how to give a bath..and even that was FOREVER long..
then like i said before it came down to money..when she came the LDS owner told me she'd charge me 15 per hour..then the caretaker said - well it cost's me 20 in gas to go to and from your home and gas prices are so high...so if you pay me 45 im really only making 25 per day..i said wow 20 in gas EACH day- dont you live in perris?? she said yes. I said perris is like 15 MAYBE 20 minutes from our house - does it really cost your toyota camry 20 dollars a day??? she again said yes. So we had compromised my 15 which i THOUGHT i was going to pay to her thing of needing 20 PER HOUR..we brought it down to 17..
SO i called the LDS agency and she said she was NOT suppose to ask for me, we contracted for 15 nothing less and nothing more, when i mentioned the whole gas thing she said thats not being honest either, when i mentioned she didnt know how to do any of the work, she said she wasnt being honest with her either, and i said man if im going to be paying 17 per hour i'd PREFER to have someone that could ATLEAST cath, do the bowel program and REALLY do the transfers for me!! she totally agree'd with me..so she said she will try to find someone else for me..
SO AGAIN if anyone knows of anyone..please help us! im trying to find nursing students, anyone that is in college and can work from 9-12..3 hours a day..
anyway - such is our life..back to the drawing board!
i called the agency i used to get her- this is the same agency i have used to get the caretakers we've had..the owner is LDS and only takes 10% off their pay..so she sent me this girl and said that she's never used her before but she says shes done everything to do with a quad..
so she came..and didnt know how to cath, or do any of the bowel program process that is typically and the same for EVERY quad patient..she really only knew how to give a bath..and even that was FOREVER long..
then like i said before it came down to money..when she came the LDS owner told me she'd charge me 15 per hour..then the caretaker said - well it cost's me 20 in gas to go to and from your home and gas prices are so high...so if you pay me 45 im really only making 25 per day..i said wow 20 in gas EACH day- dont you live in perris?? she said yes. I said perris is like 15 MAYBE 20 minutes from our house - does it really cost your toyota camry 20 dollars a day??? she again said yes. So we had compromised my 15 which i THOUGHT i was going to pay to her thing of needing 20 PER HOUR..we brought it down to 17..
SO i called the LDS agency and she said she was NOT suppose to ask for me, we contracted for 15 nothing less and nothing more, when i mentioned the whole gas thing she said thats not being honest either, when i mentioned she didnt know how to do any of the work, she said she wasnt being honest with her either, and i said man if im going to be paying 17 per hour i'd PREFER to have someone that could ATLEAST cath, do the bowel program and REALLY do the transfers for me!! she totally agree'd with me..so she said she will try to find someone else for me..
SO AGAIN if anyone knows of anyone..please help us! im trying to find nursing students, anyone that is in college and can work from 9-12..3 hours a day..
anyway - such is our life..back to the drawing board!
Thursday..
well the nurse helper came this morning..she came and did a good job- she's really nice -so thats good - you can tell she will really care about jon and take care of him..it was understood that i would pay her 15 per hour..but once money came around it jumped to 20 an hour..i explained we just couldnt pay that much..so we got it down to 17 per hour..which is still alot for us..but we dont have a choice...so we'll just pay it...
i have no sore throat today--so thats good news! i was worried!! scott should be here shortly to help with jon for the day..and ill see if he can drive him to and from PT so i can just stay home with the girls...
well just wanted to update everyone on the nurse..i trained her with everything today-- sadly it looks like ill still have to do all the transfers..i need to continue to look for someone who can do that for me..my back will give out on me soon here if i keep transferring him 4 times a day! im a little nervous about doing it so much..
thanks for your continued prayers!
i have no sore throat today--so thats good news! i was worried!! scott should be here shortly to help with jon for the day..and ill see if he can drive him to and from PT so i can just stay home with the girls...
well just wanted to update everyone on the nurse..i trained her with everything today-- sadly it looks like ill still have to do all the transfers..i need to continue to look for someone who can do that for me..my back will give out on me soon here if i keep transferring him 4 times a day! im a little nervous about doing it so much..
thanks for your continued prayers!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Wednesday..
Well its 1143pm..im working myself to wind down for the nite..today robert came and did a lot around the house with jon..i spent the day taking our wedding clothes to the dry cleaners before katie's wedding rolls up on me! i also got laundry done too..i invited tracy to bring her grandchildren over to swim..and i sat outside with her and visited while my girls swam too - whoo hoo no baths again!
we ate dinner, cleaned up dinner, and the girls relaxed watching a movie..my parents called on their way back from bullhead to see if they could stop by in about an hour..around 830pm i got the girls into bed for the nite and then trained robert on how to transfer jon (its called a quad transfer) into bed..im a little nervous..i can feel my back a LITTLE tiny achy..so i wanted to be careful..then my parents came..i got jon cath'd real quick so i could go running..i took it easy and only walked 1.4 and then ran 2 miles..came back and visited more with my parents..my mom said she had gone upstairs and rachel was reading to anna in the bed together- SO CUTE!! i went up there to check on them around 11ish..and they were still in the same bed..SO CUTE!! i tried to ask rachel if she wanted anna in her bed or annas bed..but she was too sleepy..i thought, well in the pioneer days they had like 5 kids in ONE bed! so theyre fine!!
im a little worried because i feel a possible sore throat coming on..we'll have to see how i feel in the morning..im not sure what i will do if i get one..maybe just wear gloves all day?!?!
tomorrow jon has his PT appt at 5pm..i think ill just have scott take him and i'll stay home with the girls..
also tomorrow at 9am the new trial nurse will be here..i hope she works out..im REALLY ready for some help in the mornings..i feel like a robot in the morings now..a tired robot!!
it was great having my parents stop by...as they walked out they told me i was doing a great job, and that they were proud of me and to not worry about what anybody else thinks about how im doing it, and that im doing this way better then they would be..they are always SOOOOO good about telling me those things!! they truly help to lift my Spirits! i told my mom, we'll i aint no saint-but i try! i have a REALLY hard time communcating verbally to someone how im doing or how i feel about things..but im REALLY good at writing it down..hence the blog!! haha..so i sent them an email and explained that if im short with them on the phone, its only cuz im tired and not because im mad or anything of that nature..and this goes for everyone out there..please know that im NOT a good verbal communicator..i feel for some strange reason safer writing it down..so know that if i dont say hi and chit chat and visit..its simply because im tired and need some sleep..
it was strange, today sis. southwick invited sarah to come swim-she is sarah's primary teacher..so my friend took her there for me along with rachel..and as they left i thought..man i kinda would like to take them..but then that would mean i'd have to TALK to people!! i think well what would they say..probably "hey how are you doing? how's jon? your doing a great job, etc"..and then i think, how would i respond, would i start bawling? would i give short answers for fear of bawling? would i feel wierd because they aleady know all of my feelings if they are reading the blog? would i be able to be my normal funny care free easy going self? anyway- silly questions that go thru my mind and keep me from doing things like that..but as i thought about this i thought that i just need to put myself out there and get back to myself again..which is why i go running, so that i keep talking and trying to be normal, and why i invited tracy to come swim, so that i can keep talking and trying to be normal, ive realized i need to take baby steps...and it will come..i will find myself again..sometimes i feel like i turn into a robot here, not really going anywhere other then the doctor, pt or walgreens, the days just passing me by...it was wierd to even just go to target in the beginning, but now no problem! so i will just need to take babysteps and put myself out there again..
well its now midnite..i need to try to get some sleep!
we ate dinner, cleaned up dinner, and the girls relaxed watching a movie..my parents called on their way back from bullhead to see if they could stop by in about an hour..around 830pm i got the girls into bed for the nite and then trained robert on how to transfer jon (its called a quad transfer) into bed..im a little nervous..i can feel my back a LITTLE tiny achy..so i wanted to be careful..then my parents came..i got jon cath'd real quick so i could go running..i took it easy and only walked 1.4 and then ran 2 miles..came back and visited more with my parents..my mom said she had gone upstairs and rachel was reading to anna in the bed together- SO CUTE!! i went up there to check on them around 11ish..and they were still in the same bed..SO CUTE!! i tried to ask rachel if she wanted anna in her bed or annas bed..but she was too sleepy..i thought, well in the pioneer days they had like 5 kids in ONE bed! so theyre fine!!
im a little worried because i feel a possible sore throat coming on..we'll have to see how i feel in the morning..im not sure what i will do if i get one..maybe just wear gloves all day?!?!
tomorrow jon has his PT appt at 5pm..i think ill just have scott take him and i'll stay home with the girls..
also tomorrow at 9am the new trial nurse will be here..i hope she works out..im REALLY ready for some help in the mornings..i feel like a robot in the morings now..a tired robot!!
it was great having my parents stop by...as they walked out they told me i was doing a great job, and that they were proud of me and to not worry about what anybody else thinks about how im doing it, and that im doing this way better then they would be..they are always SOOOOO good about telling me those things!! they truly help to lift my Spirits! i told my mom, we'll i aint no saint-but i try! i have a REALLY hard time communcating verbally to someone how im doing or how i feel about things..but im REALLY good at writing it down..hence the blog!! haha..so i sent them an email and explained that if im short with them on the phone, its only cuz im tired and not because im mad or anything of that nature..and this goes for everyone out there..please know that im NOT a good verbal communicator..i feel for some strange reason safer writing it down..so know that if i dont say hi and chit chat and visit..its simply because im tired and need some sleep..
it was strange, today sis. southwick invited sarah to come swim-she is sarah's primary teacher..so my friend took her there for me along with rachel..and as they left i thought..man i kinda would like to take them..but then that would mean i'd have to TALK to people!! i think well what would they say..probably "hey how are you doing? how's jon? your doing a great job, etc"..and then i think, how would i respond, would i start bawling? would i give short answers for fear of bawling? would i feel wierd because they aleady know all of my feelings if they are reading the blog? would i be able to be my normal funny care free easy going self? anyway- silly questions that go thru my mind and keep me from doing things like that..but as i thought about this i thought that i just need to put myself out there and get back to myself again..which is why i go running, so that i keep talking and trying to be normal, and why i invited tracy to come swim, so that i can keep talking and trying to be normal, ive realized i need to take baby steps...and it will come..i will find myself again..sometimes i feel like i turn into a robot here, not really going anywhere other then the doctor, pt or walgreens, the days just passing me by...it was wierd to even just go to target in the beginning, but now no problem! so i will just need to take babysteps and put myself out there again..
well its now midnite..i need to try to get some sleep!
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Winding down..with benadryl!
Well its now 1130pm..everyone is in bed but me..i took some benadryl to help me fall asleep instead of my mind spinning about how to make our lives easier..just waiting now for it to kick in!
Today was a good day..i tried several times to get some sleep..but i just couldnt shut my mind off..it will work one day!
Katie and Seth came to help for the day..Seth did work with jon, katie and i ran to get a couple things for her wedding NEXT thursday- CRAZY!
Erin kept the girls all day for me..SO NICE THANKS! i needed it especially today!!
they came home and went swimming with katie..scratch off taking a bath!! hehe
we ate dinner at 6pm, and then at 7pm i told them to get their buddy and since there are no baths tonite they all had to pick up their rooms..and away they went..
at 8pm we did 15 minute family reading time, family prayer and off to bed they all went..poor katie and seth stayed till after 10pm helping jon with first his work stuff then the tv -rehooking a receiver up to it...
i havent gotten the referral yet from our doctor, we've been playing phone tag ALL day! i hope to hear from him tomorrow though..
I have a nurse coming on thursday..she is from kenya..she has visitors from kenya here who fly back home tomororw..so she will come on thursday- so i will do it one more time tomorrow, then thursday i will train and then friday i can SEE THE LIGHT!!
Ive got the all nite cath hooked up on jon again..he feels like "its not good enough" or that "he'll have worse UTI's"..so if anyone knows anything or has experience PLEASE leave a comment- it gets hard trying to constantly assure someone that "they'll be okay"...
We ask that you continue to pray for more movement, continue to pray for more ideas to come into my head regarding what i can do to help make our life more easier, continue to pray for the children to work well and as a family team, we ask especially that you pray for jons focusing abilities..and that he's not so tired..he is under IMMENSE pressure to get this speech prepared by NEXT monday..everyone wants so badly to help..yet he's the one that kinda has to write it! Robert has blessed us by working to organize it for him..so we ask that you specifically pray REALLY hard that he's able to just push this thing out..and that he feels good about it..its hard when your "day" doesnt even begin till 1230pm!! then by 8pm your in bed again! poor jon will be on his dragon software (voice recognition software for the computer) and just close his eyes and drift to sleep..so pray that he'll have energy and be able to accomplish this ENORMOUS task for someone in his condition just after 4 months!! he feels SOOO Strongly about making this business work...i cannot imagine the enormous pressure he is under especially NOW with what he can and cant do..
so enough rambling - and lets start praying!! okay i think the benadryl kicked in!
Today was a good day..i tried several times to get some sleep..but i just couldnt shut my mind off..it will work one day!
Katie and Seth came to help for the day..Seth did work with jon, katie and i ran to get a couple things for her wedding NEXT thursday- CRAZY!
Erin kept the girls all day for me..SO NICE THANKS! i needed it especially today!!
they came home and went swimming with katie..scratch off taking a bath!! hehe
we ate dinner at 6pm, and then at 7pm i told them to get their buddy and since there are no baths tonite they all had to pick up their rooms..and away they went..
at 8pm we did 15 minute family reading time, family prayer and off to bed they all went..poor katie and seth stayed till after 10pm helping jon with first his work stuff then the tv -rehooking a receiver up to it...
i havent gotten the referral yet from our doctor, we've been playing phone tag ALL day! i hope to hear from him tomorrow though..
I have a nurse coming on thursday..she is from kenya..she has visitors from kenya here who fly back home tomororw..so she will come on thursday- so i will do it one more time tomorrow, then thursday i will train and then friday i can SEE THE LIGHT!!
Ive got the all nite cath hooked up on jon again..he feels like "its not good enough" or that "he'll have worse UTI's"..so if anyone knows anything or has experience PLEASE leave a comment- it gets hard trying to constantly assure someone that "they'll be okay"...
We ask that you continue to pray for more movement, continue to pray for more ideas to come into my head regarding what i can do to help make our life more easier, continue to pray for the children to work well and as a family team, we ask especially that you pray for jons focusing abilities..and that he's not so tired..he is under IMMENSE pressure to get this speech prepared by NEXT monday..everyone wants so badly to help..yet he's the one that kinda has to write it! Robert has blessed us by working to organize it for him..so we ask that you specifically pray REALLY hard that he's able to just push this thing out..and that he feels good about it..its hard when your "day" doesnt even begin till 1230pm!! then by 8pm your in bed again! poor jon will be on his dragon software (voice recognition software for the computer) and just close his eyes and drift to sleep..so pray that he'll have energy and be able to accomplish this ENORMOUS task for someone in his condition just after 4 months!! he feels SOOO Strongly about making this business work...i cannot imagine the enormous pressure he is under especially NOW with what he can and cant do..
so enough rambling - and lets start praying!! okay i think the benadryl kicked in!
Tired Tuesday!
Well last nite all went REALLY well with the buddy system- the girls have REALLY stepped up to the plate and been incredibly helpful- ESPECIALLY sarah!! she's a lot like me in being helpful the way she is..im so grateful!! We had our fhe, sarah did the lesson..then they went to bed and i got jon into bed..by then camille hughes came over and chit chated with jon while i went running..i actually ran over 3 miles..SO TIRED and sore now!! but it felt great to be back running again..im grateful for friends that encourage me to keep this up..
Last nite i didnt sleep at all..becca was crying alot and keeping sarah awake and so she wanted to come sleep downstairs on teh couch with me- which there already isnt enough room to begin with - so i put her on the floor..then i was up at 4am to help jon and i have a hard time getting to the deep REM sleep for some reason..then it was up again with everyone to get the day started..
I think im extra tired because i ran so much last nite- hey louann only 23 more miles to catch up to you!! look out!! hahah
As far as all the comments about my children..i remind myself of the priesthood blessing that pres. albrechtson gave to me in which he stated that i will be guided as the mother of my children to do what is best for them..and to hold to that..and remember that..i will receive revelation as to what is in the best interest for them..while im grateful for people's comments..i will continue to do what i feel is best for them, even if it is not what other people feel is correct or what they would do..i will continue to live my life the best i can so that i have the Spirit with me to guide me in all manners of life..especially when it involves my children..
Last nite i didnt sleep at all..becca was crying alot and keeping sarah awake and so she wanted to come sleep downstairs on teh couch with me- which there already isnt enough room to begin with - so i put her on the floor..then i was up at 4am to help jon and i have a hard time getting to the deep REM sleep for some reason..then it was up again with everyone to get the day started..
I think im extra tired because i ran so much last nite- hey louann only 23 more miles to catch up to you!! look out!! hahah
As far as all the comments about my children..i remind myself of the priesthood blessing that pres. albrechtson gave to me in which he stated that i will be guided as the mother of my children to do what is best for them..and to hold to that..and remember that..i will receive revelation as to what is in the best interest for them..while im grateful for people's comments..i will continue to do what i feel is best for them, even if it is not what other people feel is correct or what they would do..i will continue to live my life the best i can so that i have the Spirit with me to guide me in all manners of life..especially when it involves my children..
Monday, July 17, 2006
Monday Morning Madness..
Last nite went well. Jon attended a Priesthood Meeting with one of the guys in our ward. It was good for him to get out of the house. I was able to pick up the house and i layed down the law with the older girls. I decided i needed to do things like in the olden days when families had 12 kids! They each have a buddy sister, rachel has anna and sarah has becca. At 7pm after we clean up from dinner, they are to take their buddy sister upstairs, one set in my bathtub, the other set in their shower. They are in charge of themselves AND their buddy sister, bathing them, teeth brushed, diaper/undeware on, clothes on, dirty clothes put in laundry room, bedroom picked up. This takes about an hour so im able to run a broom thru the house and pick things back up again as well as start getting jon into bed and cathd. It worked GREAT last nite. I told them they'd get 2 marbles (kristi make sure you bring the marble jars next week!!) AND mom would take the older 2 girls on a DATE with mom at the end of the week. They were EXCITED about this!!
I did the all nite cath thing with jon - it worked great! I put it in around 10pm, and then i got to bed around 1130am and then i woke at 4am to rotate and drain the leg bag and give him meds. I had a hard time getting back to sleep because i always get so awake from doing all that but finally got back to sleep only to be woken up at 644am. The three older girls slept in my bed together. they came downstairs and the morning madness began. I then went upstiars to sleep longer in my bed and my bedroom door became the revolving door that are in business!!! crazy!! i came downstairs and it was their usual messes everywhere, breakfast etc. so i layed down the law with all of them again on the couch, i told them again in the mornings NOBODY wakes up anna till 8am and NOBODY wakes becca till 830am..otherwise they are miserable during the day..when they do get up, they have their buddy they are in charge of to get dressed for the day- i will have their clothes layed out ready for them, they are in charge of getting their buddy sister breakfast too..then TOGETHER they will need to clean the kitchen back up - and if you make a mess- you clean the mess...so hopefully tomorrow morning goes a little better..but they seem to enjoy doing the buddy sister thing! at nites after the finish bathing at 8pm, we will start our family reading time again fro 15 minutes before they go to bed so it quiets everyone down for the nite...
today i will call the visiting angels agency to get someone in here. The owner was suppose to be in today to call me back..but i havent received a phone call yet. We have one outpatient therapy today at 230 and i have a sitter coming here to stay with the girls. Our only other appt will be at 5pm on thursday again for outpatient therapy which scott will be here with the girls for that appt.
Im SOOO excited for the ALMOST new normal we have ahead of us..jons pain continues to stay manageable at a 5..i again did everything for him this morning..im anxious to get things going!! thanks for your prayers and positive attitudes!!
I did the all nite cath thing with jon - it worked great! I put it in around 10pm, and then i got to bed around 1130am and then i woke at 4am to rotate and drain the leg bag and give him meds. I had a hard time getting back to sleep because i always get so awake from doing all that but finally got back to sleep only to be woken up at 644am. The three older girls slept in my bed together. they came downstairs and the morning madness began. I then went upstiars to sleep longer in my bed and my bedroom door became the revolving door that are in business!!! crazy!! i came downstairs and it was their usual messes everywhere, breakfast etc. so i layed down the law with all of them again on the couch, i told them again in the mornings NOBODY wakes up anna till 8am and NOBODY wakes becca till 830am..otherwise they are miserable during the day..when they do get up, they have their buddy they are in charge of to get dressed for the day- i will have their clothes layed out ready for them, they are in charge of getting their buddy sister breakfast too..then TOGETHER they will need to clean the kitchen back up - and if you make a mess- you clean the mess...so hopefully tomorrow morning goes a little better..but they seem to enjoy doing the buddy sister thing! at nites after the finish bathing at 8pm, we will start our family reading time again fro 15 minutes before they go to bed so it quiets everyone down for the nite...
today i will call the visiting angels agency to get someone in here. The owner was suppose to be in today to call me back..but i havent received a phone call yet. We have one outpatient therapy today at 230 and i have a sitter coming here to stay with the girls. Our only other appt will be at 5pm on thursday again for outpatient therapy which scott will be here with the girls for that appt.
Im SOOO excited for the ALMOST new normal we have ahead of us..jons pain continues to stay manageable at a 5..i again did everything for him this morning..im anxious to get things going!! thanks for your prayers and positive attitudes!!
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Sunday
We used the all nite cath thing - it worked great...no more sweating or autonomic dysreflexia YA! we started it at midnite and i will still have to get up at 4am to rotate him,drain the bag, and give him meds..then again at 8am same thing..hopefully this helps both of us to have consistent sleep!
Made it to church and now home resting waiting for rachel and sarah to get back home from utah..
Made it to church and now home resting waiting for rachel and sarah to get back home from utah..
Saturday, July 15, 2006
saturday..
today jon did a lot of sleeping and laying low..i was busy cleaning the house, doing laundry, etc..i gave jon a haircut..working on getting things ready for church tomorrow...called the Visiting Angels to get a nurse in here-its going to be pricey at 17 per hour..but i dont really have a choice anymore..cant keep doing this myself..tomorrow is the official day for removal of the neckbrace- he's actually had it off for 2 days now all day and nite- so he's use to not having it..this am when he realized after a week of waking up and all different hours of the nite he's ready to start using the all nite cath thing- cross your fingers he follows thru and it works well!! we both could use a solid nites sleep for once!
Friday, July 14, 2006
SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST
Im asking those that constantly pray for us to include this special prayer and miracle we need...ive talked to rancho los amigos rehab which is located in downey - i explained how our insurance most likely wont pay for it and so we would need to be a cost patient and if they offer discounted rates..the girl was WONDERFUL and said that we are such a highly skilled great facility that we feel its important to get the proper rehab ESPECIALLY for SCI patients and so we are completely willing to work with cash patients. First we need to have our doctor fax a referral over to their evaluation unit. Then los amigos will find out for themselves whether or not the insurance will or will not pay for it..if they do NOT pay for it AND los amigos feels that they can help jon..then we can go in for an assessment by the therapists and then we can go thru different financial programs like fast track which would in a sense spread our payments out, or depending on our income (and this includes our social security and state disability) we could do a "low cost/no cost" DEEPLY discounted rate...
THIS IS WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!!!!!!! so we are asking that this process runs smoothly, that jon IS ACCEPTED as a patient to los amigos and that either our insurance company is able to pay for it or if NOT that we can work out a financial plan to make it happen...for this reason im SOOOOOOOOOOOO DEEPLYYYYYYYY grateful for ALLLL of the many many many people that have donated to the fund to help this cause..please please PLEASE pray that this works out for jon..we believe as a family this is the BEST thing for him and further miracles will take place..we just need the right treatments...
http://www.rancho.org/default.htm
THIS IS WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!!!!!!! so we are asking that this process runs smoothly, that jon IS ACCEPTED as a patient to los amigos and that either our insurance company is able to pay for it or if NOT that we can work out a financial plan to make it happen...for this reason im SOOOOOOOOOOOO DEEPLYYYYYYYY grateful for ALLLL of the many many many people that have donated to the fund to help this cause..please please PLEASE pray that this works out for jon..we believe as a family this is the BEST thing for him and further miracles will take place..we just need the right treatments...
http://www.rancho.org/default.htm
Thursday, July 13, 2006
physical therapy..
well today was jons physical outpatient therapy session..he was a little disappointed with it..he said he was surprised for his FIRST visit that she spent most of her time just stretching jon and chit chatting with all the other patients..he said i could understand that behaviour after like 3-4 sessions but not impressive for your first! he said the types of therapy he was doing wasnt all great..first off she had a hard time transferring him..in order to transfer him you have to put his ankles in your um how do i say upper thigh area..and she was hesitant at first..anyway- it took a while..so most of the time was spent just doing that and because of this wonderful HIPPA law..i cant even go back into the session room to transfer him - so she had to just figure it out with jon teaching her..
so tomorrow im going to call that los amigos one in downey..the other one is clear in pomona and its the OTHER side of pomona..i just cant wrap my head around how i'd even get jon to either of these places 3 times a week with 4 small kids..so we'll just have to figure something out..i will need first to see how much it is as a cash patient..then i will talk to our doctor to see if we can get a referral there..which shouldnt be a problem..then its just seeing if the insurance will pay for it..they do have an unlimited physical therapy at 20 bucks PER session copayment..but our plan is an HMO and so its most likely ONLY wiht west coast spine who they are contracted with..all the lovely world of insurance - not fun!
right now we've had dinner, ive got the girls bathed, scott is still working with jon..soon here i will have everyone in bed for the nite..
jon is doing really well now..the low blood pressure thing isnt quite so bad anymore..hes on his UTI antibiotic so thats helping a bit too..he's working SO hard on his business and his presentation for the seminar..were SOOOO thankful for his family that is able to come out and help him with that..
continue to pray for more movement for jon..we feel that the more WE MOVE jon ourselves physically the better chance he has..so we will keep doing so and find more ways and opportunities to do so..we'd like to clear out our 3rd car garage to put equipment in there for him to utilize with our help..
so tomorrow im going to call that los amigos one in downey..the other one is clear in pomona and its the OTHER side of pomona..i just cant wrap my head around how i'd even get jon to either of these places 3 times a week with 4 small kids..so we'll just have to figure something out..i will need first to see how much it is as a cash patient..then i will talk to our doctor to see if we can get a referral there..which shouldnt be a problem..then its just seeing if the insurance will pay for it..they do have an unlimited physical therapy at 20 bucks PER session copayment..but our plan is an HMO and so its most likely ONLY wiht west coast spine who they are contracted with..all the lovely world of insurance - not fun!
right now we've had dinner, ive got the girls bathed, scott is still working with jon..soon here i will have everyone in bed for the nite..
jon is doing really well now..the low blood pressure thing isnt quite so bad anymore..hes on his UTI antibiotic so thats helping a bit too..he's working SO hard on his business and his presentation for the seminar..were SOOOO thankful for his family that is able to come out and help him with that..
continue to pray for more movement for jon..we feel that the more WE MOVE jon ourselves physically the better chance he has..so we will keep doing so and find more ways and opportunities to do so..we'd like to clear out our 3rd car garage to put equipment in there for him to utilize with our help..
momma's tired!
well today - momma's tired..i didnt get to bed last nite till 130am..then up at 4am to cath jon and up at 830am to get things going..its getting hard to keep sleeping on the couch!
i got up and got everyone ready for the day including jon..as i was doing range of motion and stretchign with him..i just wanted to fall asleep..so after it was over i tried to lay on the couch but as usual my mind is just spinning..so it didnt quite work..maybe once i get jon up in his chair and the girls are back home and becca is down for a nap..i will attempt to go into my bed and get some shut eye..
today jon has the wheelchair company coming out to give him a new "loaner" chair..im SO frustrated with this wheelchair company (Option One)...they took from 5/3-6/20 to get a quote over to our medical group to fax it over to the insurance company for an approval..now health net bought out universal care july 1st we switched over so we have to start ALLLL over AGAIN! rghhghg..i asked them so what exactly took so long of your to simply fax over a quote??? they just kinda of "well um, not sure um um" so i said we'll i have a loaner chair that is not comfortable for my husband, we thought we'd have his wheelchair 4 weeks ago..could you atleast please come switch it out for a different one? its not even sized right for him..so thats waht they are doing for us..and they said once the insurance approves it and gives the okay which health net benefit is only 5k for TOTAL equipment for jon AND we still pay 20% of the bill..the chair is going to cost about 10k..so once the insurance gives the go ahead then Option One will put a rush and it should be ready in 3 weeks..so we'll see..
after Option One comes to the house jon has OT at 230pm, and then outpatient rehab at 415pm...scott is coming up today so he'll be able to stay with the girls while i take jon to that..
well time to get jon up into his wheelchair!
i got up and got everyone ready for the day including jon..as i was doing range of motion and stretchign with him..i just wanted to fall asleep..so after it was over i tried to lay on the couch but as usual my mind is just spinning..so it didnt quite work..maybe once i get jon up in his chair and the girls are back home and becca is down for a nap..i will attempt to go into my bed and get some shut eye..
today jon has the wheelchair company coming out to give him a new "loaner" chair..im SO frustrated with this wheelchair company (Option One)...they took from 5/3-6/20 to get a quote over to our medical group to fax it over to the insurance company for an approval..now health net bought out universal care july 1st we switched over so we have to start ALLLL over AGAIN! rghhghg..i asked them so what exactly took so long of your to simply fax over a quote??? they just kinda of "well um, not sure um um" so i said we'll i have a loaner chair that is not comfortable for my husband, we thought we'd have his wheelchair 4 weeks ago..could you atleast please come switch it out for a different one? its not even sized right for him..so thats waht they are doing for us..and they said once the insurance approves it and gives the okay which health net benefit is only 5k for TOTAL equipment for jon AND we still pay 20% of the bill..the chair is going to cost about 10k..so once the insurance gives the go ahead then Option One will put a rush and it should be ready in 3 weeks..so we'll see..
after Option One comes to the house jon has OT at 230pm, and then outpatient rehab at 415pm...scott is coming up today so he'll be able to stay with the girls while i take jon to that..
well time to get jon up into his wheelchair!
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