kamataca

Good to hear from you. There's no place like home, is there? Computers in the hospital room, eh? Don't think we have that in Oklahoma. Not looking to find out anytime soon, though. Hope you are kicked out soon! Kelly

Sorry things have hit you so hard lately. Prayers going out to you for strength. Kelly

We met with our onc early on, BUT that was because we had a prior relationship with him (through school) and Mom called on him. We may have gone out-of-order because of that. Kelly

I'm a stubborn gal myself, and I know the harder people push me, the harder I push back ("I'll show them!"). I wish I had a magical answer for you. I guess you can just be honest, and say, "Well, I sure wish you wouldn't drive." Also, you can remind him that his life isn't the only one taken into account with diminished capacities. I'd guess he just wants some control back in his life. I can understand that. Patience is hard for us stubborn folks! Good luck! Kelly

My mom just used OTC lotions, and they helped. She isn't troubled by it anymore, but does complain of looking like she has "crocodile skin." Good luck to your mom! Kelly

Yeah, baby! Though I suppose this could be considered preaching to the proverbial choir. Guess I need to find a way to get the info tothe folks who can help. Kelly

Adee, Sorry I don't have any info for you, but I wanted to welcome you to the world of posting! I'm sure some very knowledgable folks will come around with answers for you. I hope you find some answers. Kelly

Darlene, You are asking lots of great questions. Good for you! I know this isn't easy, but what it can be helpful. My mom had her paperwork all organized before her Dx (didn't want to leave us kids to deal w/ guilt and decisions and disconnections...she had to do all of that with my dad). She was surprised to find that a friend of ours had trouble w/ her father's DNR. He went in for surgery, and they told him they would have to disconnect his Pacemaker, since it would 'jumpstart' him. They dropped the DNR at that point. Good luck with all the legalities. Kelly

Very cool! I loved "The Median isn't the Message" part ( I think that is what it was called). Makes statistics understandable. Thanks! Kelly

Add my prayers to your list. You've got a lot on your plate. Remember to take care of yourself as well. Kelly

“A man goes to a shop, picks up a beautiful cup and says "my god this cup is so beautiful" and suddenly the cup starts talking to the man. The cup starts saying "O man, I am beautiful right now, but what was the state of my being before the pot-maker made me a beautiful pot? Before I was sheer mud and the pot-maker pulled me out of the mud from the mother earth and I felt why that pot-maker is so cruel, he has separated me from mother earth. I felt a tremendous pain. And the pot-maker said, "Just wait." Then he put me and churned me, when I was churned I felt so confused, so painful, so stressful, I asked the pot-maker "Why are you so cruel?" the pot-maker said, "Just wait." Then he put me into a oven and heated me up, I felt completely burnt. There was tremendous pain and I asked the pot-maker "Why are you so cruel?" and the pot-maker said, "Just wait." Then he poured hot paint on me and I felt the fume and the pain, I again asked the pot-maker "Why are you so cruel?" and the pot-maker said, "Just wait." Then again he put me into an oven and heated it to make me more strong, I felt life is so painful hence pleaded to the pot-maker and the pot-maker said, "Just wait." And after that the pot-maker took me to the mirror and said, "Now look at yourself". And surprisingly I found myself so beautiful. “

Yikes..what a rollercoaster! I think my mom crocheted 8 blankets during her steroid days. She was a machine! Good luck tonight. Kelly

So great to hear such good news! Kelly

He's a man with a plan....isn't that great! When I was in college my Mom had lots of Chrohn's related health issues. I have to echo the idea of "trust". I know that I worried less when I felt confident that the folks at home were being honest with me. I could tell when they were trying to 'protect' me, and it really cheesed me off. Good luck with your plan! Kelly

You are the goods! What great words to launch the weekend. Kelly

How frustrating! Looking forward to hearing your update. Kelly

A Euro. We had such a great trip this summer, and it helps me think of my husband's family I got to meet in Austria. The only problem is, the little bugger gets mixed in with my other change. Kelly

A T-Shirt I bought after my last backpacking trip. It says, "Jesus says...TAKE A HIKE...He wants you to travel light, stay on the trail, and be grateful for what he puts before you on the Journey." It even has cute little hiking boots on it. Kelly

That was amazing. We used to watch the progress of baby birds who were in nests underneath our deck in MN. Never seen ones that small, though. My kids loved it. Kelly

My mom is pretty much on oxygen for the duration, but it doesn't stop her! She puts the mini-canisters in her shoulder bag and takes off each day to volunteer at my kids' school. She packed up her compressor (well, my brother did) and she went to visit family out of state this weekend. I don't know how long your dad may need it, but it can be a great thing. Mom actually gets around much better now than she did before. Kelly

ooohhhh...ahhhhhh..and all other appropriate vowels sounds. I remember thinking people were crazy when they said this would all go by so fast. Now my babies are 11 and 8. It's great that you take the time to celebrate the little fun stuff! Kelly

Nice work! Kelly

Yikes....this must have been quite a shock for you. Somedays it just all seems like too much. I hope your boy is doing better soon. I echo Gail's sentiment. In my brief career in elementary education, separation was usually hardest on the parent. The kids typically did fine after a short while. Love and prayers going out to your whole family. Kelly

You crack me up. Isn't is amazing what a bit of sleep can do for the soul? When you're in the thick of it, it's hard to remember the meds make you so wacky. Welcome back! Kelly

That's the spirit, Lorrie! Remember, there's only one Gary, and the stats don't know him yet. I hope you continue to get good news. Kelly