Play it again, Sandy...

Sunday 23 September 2018,

Happy Birthday to Dan White (26th) and a Happy 9th Birthday to Rylee today.

During June and July I had been busy with a rental house in Midway so that it could be rented by 1 August; and that mission was successfully accomplished.  This house had a partially finished walkout basement that we had wanted to do something with for a long time.  Now is that time.  Two rooms had been framed and had some ugly paneling on one side only.  The paneling had to go, and one of the walls needed to be extended 18 inches.  I hired a friend to help with the wall framing and I installed the electrical to those rooms. 

Next up is to install insulation in the ceiling and hang some drywall.  Oh, then paint and trim.

Tuesday saw more tender mercies of our Heavenly Father.  Sandy was at her Chinese healers office when the wound vacuum alarm sounded:  there was a blockage.  The instructions say that when this happens, there is a maximum time limit of 2 hours to get the problem resolved or the dressing and packing need to be replaced.  This procedures ranks in the top 5 of most unpleasant experiences for Sandy! I had dropped her off for her appointment and was working 10 miles away. She had arranged for a sister from church to pick her up, but this was too early.  There was a gentleman there who offered to drive her the mile to the wound healing center. And rather than just drop her off, he waited for her.  Opps, they could not see her since she was not a patient of theirs yet (not until Wednesday afternoon). She would have to call in home health for help.  They would assist, but only in the home.  So this man, who used to live on our road years ago, drove her home.  Home health arrived in time and was able to resolve the blockage without a dressing change.  Up to that point, there was a great deal of anxiety on Sandy's part. And just who was that 'masked man' who was there to offer his assistance to my wife when she was in need?

Sandy has been diligent in her morning walks, eating regular healthy meals and doing as much as she can.  Tuesday evening was the Relief Society's monthly activity night which I encouraged her to attend.  And she did; although she did come home early.  Attendance at these week night activities is unpredictable.  This night only about 10 were there.  But Sandy enjoyed herself.

Wednesday Sandy had an afternoon appointment at the wound center to have her dressing changed. The nurse was very professional and cautious as she removed the bandage; as she pulled out the gauze packing, the fluid just poured out.  Over a liter and it contained some fecal matter.  She called in another nurse to assist in cleaning up this out pouring of nasty fluid. It didn't take long for them to decide to invite the doctor in to assess the situation.  It took the doctor only a few seconds to decide to call Sandy's surgeon and explain the situation.  He recommended admitting her to the hospital.  They patched her up as best they could so she would not leak and around 4 pm I drove her to the hospital about a mile away.  She was in her room by 5 pm, but now was no longer attached to the vacuum.  Once the fluid initially drained out, Sandy felt much better without that pressure, so that was a blessing.

Among other visitors, the sister missionaries stopped by to sing her some hymns:

It took until Saturday morning to find the right 'fix' for her situation.  This involved another CT scan, which showed a hole in her colon and finding an ostomy bag with an opening large enough to cover both of her draining incisions.  I was able to bring her home before noon.  And she is happier to be here!

We had an interesting experience at church today. The bishop, who was conducting, announced that we would conduct only sacrament meeting today, all other meetings were canceled.  Seems that last evening fleas had been found in the wing of the building where the family history center and primary rooms are located. And the question is:  how did fleas get into the building? Will be interesting to see if there are long term treatment consequences.

The in home health nurse will visit today and there will be follow up appointments with her surgeon and the wound center.  For now, she no longer is burdened with a wound vacuum.  She has figured out how to cope with the ostomy bag and which clothes will work best. Her pain level is decreased from before going to the hospital and her energy is returning. She still has that positive can do attitude.  She even walked this morning.

Unanswered questions/concerns:  will the hole in the colon ever close?  Will her ostomy bag be her BFF? What next exciting adventures await her? Time will tell!

We appreciate all of you prayers, texts, emails and love!
Tom and Sandy

What's a Little Pain??

Sunday 16 September, 2018

Happy #13 Birthday to Sarah Reck today!

It was the best of weeks, and then not so good.  Monday Sandy was able to get an appointment with the onocologist. She had been experiencing increased pain on the right side of the stomach, presumably from the cancer; her old appendectomy scar was red and infected; we thought it was cellulitis and the doctor concurred.  Just getting this appointment on a Monday morning was the result of several tender mercies of our Heavenly Father.  First, Sandy called his nurse, who told us she rarely has time to check her voice mail until the afternoon, yet here we were at a 930 am appointment! Second, they were able to schedule us that early because there had been a couple of cancellations.  That evening was Empty Nesters; I attended since Sandy did not feel up to attending.  Then just as the games were starting (after a pot luck dinner), Sandy called to say she was not able to eat the food I had prepared for her; could I come home and fix something else. So I did.

Sandy felt she could do an overnighter in Branson to celebrate anniversary #48 so I booked a room at a Marriot for Tuesday night. She had a change of plans which included a private room with room service.  Not how you want to celebrate such momentous occasions, but Sandy does like to look at different possibilities! She got up that morning and stated:  time to go back to the hospital.  Since I had a couple of commitments for that morning, she had time to call the doctor who ordered a room so that when we arrived about 1130 am, they were prepared for her.  Back to the 3rd floor.  They started her on pain meds (she had been reluctant to take too many at home) and an antibiotic for what we thought was cellulitis.

The next couple of days were much the same; get up, go visit Sandy, try to get some work done on a rental that I had started. then back to Sandy, etc. On Wednesday, the oncologist looked at her swelled stomach and suggested that a surgeon look at it to see if it should be cut and drained.  He did come by and say yes.

 When I arrived Thursday morning about 730 am, I missed all the excitement.  Seems she awoke about 630 am on her right side and feeling a lot of moisture in her bed.  The inflammation had burst and spewed a lot of fluid out.  It happened at the changing of the guard (nurses), so she had two nurses cleaning up, changing bed sheets, gown, etc.  she could push on her stomach around the infected area and more pus would run out.  The surgeon stopped by again and scheduled her for an unscheduled surgery in the afternoon.  This did not happen until about 430 pm and took all of about 15 minutes.  He made a couple of cuts to get the fluid to drain out and then packed it with gauze.  He said it was an abscess between the muscle wall and outer skin and not related to the cancer behind it.

On Friday morning the nurses pulled out yards of gauze from the wound much to Sandy's discomfort and lots of pain. Then then put in less and bandaged it.  Later they connected her a a vacuum to help suck out the fluid and aid in healing.  Friday Deborah and family arrived in the afternoon on a trip they had previously planned, so Sandy was able to see them in the hospital.  That was helpful since we had committed to do a missionary apartment inspection and I could not do it by myself since we have sisters.  So I took Sarah with me.  I did not take my white glove with me.

Saturday spent the morning with Sandy; while the nurses did not see any reason Sandy needed to stay, she could not leave without a portable vacuum that home health would provide, and it did not seem likely that they would be able to obtain one on the weekend. So I attended a baptism at 2 pm of an 8 year old.  While there Sandy texted that a vacuum had been delivered and she would be getting discharged.  So following the baptism I drove back to the hospital...and we waited for further instructions.  I felt that communication was really lacking in what was going to happen; and it didn't help to ask the nursing staff.  Someone did show up to demonstrate how the portable vacuum functioned and got it properly programmed.  Then the nurse came in with the discharge papers to sign. It was frustrating because no one said we will be discharging you this afternoon, please arrange a ride.  I just happened to be there.  And once the paper work was signed, we took it upon ourselves to get Sandy dressed for the outside world.  The nurse returned with a wheelchair and we were on our way home.

Today Sandy attended church with her sidekick, 'vac' the vacuum. Here she is ready for church:

  She managed all three meetings, although was tired by the end.  But we had to get home by 130 pm because the home health nurse was coming.  Not a meeting Sandy was looking forward to: she needed to remove the two pieces of foam stuffed into her incisions. It is really interesting how this works.  Because she has two exits, they put foam into each hole, which by the way is very painful and they did not prescribe any meds for this. They apply a piece of foam that bridges both pieces and then put the end of the suction tube into that foam bridge, tape it on, and turn on the vacuum.  She needs to get this done three times a week.  She will go to the wound healing center Wednesday to get it changed and hopefully they will have some pain meds for her.

We had a short birthday celebration for Sarah, complete with a chocolate cake before they returned home.

And here are some'just before you leave' photos:

Sandy has been a real trooper throughout this entire ordeal. Trying to be positive even in the face of difficulties and pain.We will see what this week brings.

Log Splitting time!

Sunday 9 September, 2018

Dear family and friends,

Happy Birthday (yesterday) to my brother Steve and to Joshua White (tomorrow our time).

The big news of the week was the Labor Day wood splitting activity held last Monday.  Before we could get started though, we had to move the current wood pile of over a rick of wood.  That is where the younger children were most helpful.  Didn't take them long to move it!  We had Alex, Ethan, Camdon McClellan, and Emma, Charlotte, Matthew, Aaron and Katie Fox plus the two sister missionaries to help with that project.  Then Andy and Lawrence (a friend from church) got down to business with the two borrowed log splitters.  They kept the older ones busy stacking the split wood. But 90 minutes into the project, one the splitters decided to quit and could not be encouraged to work again. So Lawrence, along with Matthew, and Arron used the wedges and sledge hammer and splitting maul approach and were very successful with that effort.

 Yes, even Rachel wanted to help her mother.

 Here is part of the helping hands crew.

Then one of the oil seals on the second splitter started leaking.  We bought 5 gallons of hydraulic fluid and used half of it.  By the time we finished, it was a constantly pouring out fluid; at least the wood will burn hot after being soaked with oil!

I now have a wood pile that is approximately 65 feet long, 4 feet high and 16 inches deep.  By my reckoning, that is about 8 rick of freshly split wood.

By 2 pm, we were finished; the wood was stacked and the chips cleaned up. The sisters had left earlier, and Miranda and her children left shortly after 2.  Andy and family stayed for an early dinner of 7 layer dip we didn't have the appetite to eat the previous night. So for 24 hours we had a joyous time of playing, eating, working and having fun.

Tuesday afternoon, we met the sister missionaries at church to help them teach a lesson to one of their investigators.  He is an interesting man and is willing to learn.

Thursday evening we had invited Lawrence and his wife to come and place some games with us and visit.  It was low key and required that I make some congo squares (after all, you can't play games without food!).  Friday night the O'Briens had invited us for dinner; she made liver and onions for Chuck and me. Again, a quiet get together.

One of the projects that was on my list of to does was organizing the cupboards in the laundry room.  It had become a collection of sheets, towels, detergents, essential oils and all other related items, many of which needed to find more suitable homes.  It took a couple of evenings, but I was successful in making room for the essential items and organizing the 76 essential oils and 25 plus other Young Living products into a usable order.  Wonder how long that will last!

Saturday I finally worked on the love seat that has been neglected for at least eight months.  This is the one on the 1890's photo of Uncle Otto's NY apartment; we discovered over a year ago that the back seat brace was broken and I had dismantled it to replace the wood piece, restring the springs and then reupholster it.  It has been waiting months for me to install the webbing, which I did yesterday.  this week I will tie the springs.  Then we have to decide what to do about the upholstery.

Sandy has done well this week.  No great new revelations.  After losing weight and then going up/down a pound or so every other day for several weeks, she has gained at least one pound which she has maintained.  The past couple of days she has had an increase in pain on the right side where the tumor is.  Heat seems to help decrease the pain..  She contacted the doctor this past week about starting the immunotherapy and we hope to start that this week. One of the sisters from church stopped by yesterday to give her a pedicure and visit.  That is always therapeutic.

Doctor appointment dependent, we hope to escape to Branson for a couple of days this week in honor of our 48th anniversary.

Love,
Tom and Sandy

We Survived!

Sunday 2 September 2018

Happy Birthday to Ian this Labor Day!

Yes we did survive the entire week on our own! Though my domestication training is still progressing; one important tactic is NOT to shop at Walmart the last day of the month!  Everyone else is too.

Mom ordered a 'Purple bed' to replace the nice pillow top one we have been sleeping on.  Or perhaps I should say I was sleeping on.  She doesn't have enough hip padding and part way through the night she would wonder off to the new twin mattress that is much more comfortable for her. The new bed was scheduled to be delivered on Wednesday; so that morning I washed the sheets, removed the mattress and with help from Sandy, got it downstairs. I even moved the box spring and frame and vacuumed the floor underneath.  And then the bed did not arrive! Not like we don't have enough beds in the house, so I slept downstairs.  The bed was delivered the next day and we managed to get it upstairs and properly installed.  The good news:  Sandy has been able to sleep the entire night on this mattress, although I am still evaluating it's comfort.

This week I have spent some of my mornings cutting up the last fallen tree; this one was only 20 inches at the base, but was tall. Interesting, but all three of the fallen trees had one thing in common:  at the base the trunk was hallow, which weakened the tree. Yesterday I used the tractor to haul it over to the splitting pile.  So until the next strong wind storm, all the downed trees are cut.  But there are at least three dead standing trees that will need attention before long. This is the pile of wood we will be tackling tomorrow:

Sandy had another appointment with the oncologist Wednesday afternoon.  She had several questions about Erbitux, the immunotherapy drug she is a candidate for which he was able to answer to her satisfaction. Minimal side effects, prolonged life.  She is seriously considering trying it out and see how she feels. The two devices that were loaned to her last week seem to be helping her.  She was able to contact an 'expert' with the bio-mat and another 'expert' on the Bemer and is now set up with a protocol for each.  She is very dedicated to following this regimen.  Not surprising, it is her health and life at stake. But in the short time she has been using these two, I have seen an increase in attitude and energy.  Moral is high and more positive results are coming!

There was an elder's quorum service project Saturday for an older couple in the ward; we had over 25 young men and not so young participate.  The yard had a case of severe neglect for years and was overgrown. Their ministering elders just were not capable to do the job themselves; oh, they are both over 75!  The yard is all gravel, front and back, except for the flower beds.  We hauled off multiple trailer loads of brush.  We were complete in three hours and the house looks so much better.  Similar to a young man with shoulder length hair getting a high and tight!

Friday afternoon we went to the local theater to watch 'Christopher Robin', a most delightful family friendly movie.  Christopher is grown, married and has a daughter, but is so wrapped up in his work he is neglecting them.  And then Pooh comes along and helps him get his priorities straight.  I bought some popcorn, but was not very hungry; Sandy ate most of it!  She is getting better.

Miranda bought us some more peaches this week.  Dan brought them to a missionary meeting in West Plains and the sister missionaries delivered them to our house.  So, I canned 7 quarts of peach slices. I prefer making jam; since the peaches get crushed into small pieces, there is no worry about carefully peeling the skin and then carefully slicing the peaches into nice neat wedges. So my peach slices won't win any prizes for appearance.  But they should taste good just the same.

Miranda and family spent part of the weekend at Andy's.  They left early this morning to join us for church and brought Charlotte and Matthew with them.  Some of today's pictures:

 Grandma and Camden playing Connect 4.

 Rachel reading a book.

 Charlotte reading.

Miranda, Ethan, Charlotte and Matthew.

Matthew is hiding behind Rachel.

Andy with Katie holding Rachel.

 Andy arrived later with the remaining three children.  This is all in preparation of the log splitting activity scheduled for Labor Day.  The sisters also volunteer to come help.  Hopefully we can get the all the logs split before the family helpers need to split for home.

Katie has kept the Fox tradition by making fudge and Dan has the 7 layer dip ready to go for tonight's game of 5 Crowns!

Hope you have a great week!
Tom and Sandy