Archive of Marcia's Musings June 14-20, 2004And Then, There Were Two
Well, WE started out eight strong but, as of this week, there are only two of us left posting. Most have just stopped posting because they have lives that are too busy to support posting a daily journal. Others have their own reasons for dropping out but, its okay-- the two of us that are left (Barbara Thompson and I) will continue to hold the torch high, in case they need to find their way back to the fold. Hopefully, they will return to us once more.
Big Day
This morning it was cool but sunny and the humidity hung in the air. I sent some of my six pairs of shoes (not to worry-- they've already been replaced!) to my nephew's girlfriend. We talked about it last August when we met at his brother's wedding and, finally, they're off to her. If I wore them again, my knee surgeon would shoot me so . . . needless to say, they have been removed from my closet.
After that, I hit the neighborhood yard sale. At the opening to the subdivision, there's a nice little sign-- okay, its fairly big, alright?-- and a bunch of grass on either side. Today that grass has lots and lots of people selling their stuff to the much-deprived public, myself included. I love to go to garage sales because I always find so many crafty-things that I can use that everyone else has given up on over the years.
I wasn't disappointed, either! I got a great shadow box (probably 2' square!) that I'm going to make up for myself and then there was an assortment of things that I picked up from one table related to Christmas-y crafts. Tons-o-fun!!
This afternoon, we're going to go to see "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and then out for dinner-- its been a long time since we've been on a "real" date!! Brian called me up at work on Wednesday to ask if I wanted to see a movie-- isn't that cute? So we're off in a few minutes.
Speaking of which, I need to be out of here for now-- take care and have a great afternoon!
Friday, June 18, 2004Good News!!!
My sister Sue is being discharged from the hospital tomorrow!! After nearly three weeks in the hospital and three surgeries since her arrival there, she is being deemed well enough to be discharged!!! YAYYYY!!!!!!
My sister Karen arrived in Sao Paulo this morning to help take care of her for three weeks. One of her first "orders" is to get Bill to get some rest-- he's been helping to take care of Sue at the hospital so he needs some rest himself.
Whew!! That's a lot of good news, isn't it? Man, we're happy and, although she gets home tomorrow, I'm going to wait until Sunday to call so that her kids have time to call her tomorrow before she conks out to go to sleep and get some rest. I can wait until Sunday-- I'm way cool with that just cuz I do get to talk with her then!!!
Other than that . . .
There has really been nothing happening around here. Its busy at work and its exciting at home cuz I have so many projects to work on . . . nary a dull moment. I worked from home today and, in between reviewing documents and firing off emails, I did 5 loads of laundry and got weighed in at the center. It was a busy day but it was well worth staying home to do the work from here.
Guess that's all for tonight-- have a good one!
Wednesday, June 16, 2004From My Brother-in-Law . . .
Wednesday night, June 16. 2004
Five weeks has passed since this whole episode first started. A week has passed already since I wrote the last entry. Sue was in ICU after a six hour process of putting in three drains trying to clear up infections. A CAT scan revealed that her pancreas had been cut during the first surgery removing her spleen. She had twelve tubes going in and three coming out up through the weekend. It's time to pass along some good news.
After two weeks in ICU and semi-ICU (private room with intensive care and all the equipment), Sue was released into a private room this evening. These have been days of good care and good progress on her part. Stitches were removed yesterday, and over the past two days the drains have been removed from the area of her lungs and abdomen. She was able to start walking just a few steps in the room and is now walking the halls (a distance of 110 meters one way). She is now down to just two IVs, has gone from IV feeding to eating puree'd foods to her first solid foods in over five weeks.
Our friends Joe and Meta Arthur have offered us the use of their house here in São Paulo while they make a trip to the States over the next month. That way the doctors have agreed to release her from the hospital this weekend as long as things continue the way they are right now. Incredible!! Otherwise they wanted us to stay for another full week if we were returning directly to Bauru. I say "we" as I've been staying in the room with her any time she was not in the ICU.
There have been so many people praying for us during these past few weeks and we praise God for the way He is answering. We have received so many e-mails that I don't know how we'll ever answer them all. Thanks so much for praying, and please continue to pray. There are still several steps toward complete recovery. One is that she will have to be on blood thinners for the next six months as part of the process to repair the damage to veins going to intestines and the liver.
I'm way past my fifteen minutes on the computer in the lobby here so had better close. Keep praying...God is answering beyond anything we could ask or think! Tchau.
*****
I couldn't put it better myself!!Have a good evening!
Tuesday, June 15, 2004From Brazil
Reports from Brazil continue to show improvement. Sue is walking distance and drains and tubes that were in are being taken out which is always a good sign. Karen is looking forward to going down there and taking care of both Sue and Bill later this week-- Bill needs to get caught up on much of his lost sleep of the past few weeks!!
Again . . .
Other than that, there isn't much happening. Plans are afoot at work for the trip to California in July and Brazil in August. Should be interesting as time approaches.
Thanks for your patience and prayers, good thoughts and warm wishes for my sister-- much appreciated.
Take care and have a good evening!
Monday, June 14, 2004Gaining Strength
Reports from the hospital are good-- Sue has been gaining strength over the course of the weekend!! That's, obviously, a Very Good Thing!! She was walking down the hall for exercise over the last few days but is still in semi-ICU which isn't quite as critical as the regular ICU unit.
Karen, at the same time, is preparing for her trip to Brazil which is immediately followed by her trip to San Diego. In fact, she is flying from Bauru to San Diego, after which time, she will go into Mexico for three weeks. Yes, you've got it: she'll be living out of suitcases for awhile!!
I'm just grateful that she can go to take care of Sue for awhile-- it is really handy, sometimes, to be a teacher and have a teacher's schedule!!
As for my sewing/crafts, I'm almost finished with Debra's baby quilt-- it was really easy to piece together-- and I'll be able to start sewing on Sue's quilt by the weekend. In between now and then, I'll be working on ornaments-- at least its cool in the basement!
That's all for tonight-- much to do for a half hour 'til bed. Have a good evening!
Current Musings
Return to 2004 Archives
Return to 2003 Archives
Return to 2002 Archives
Return to 2001 Archives
Return to 2000 Archives
Return to 1999 Archives
All Content Copyright © 1999-2004 Marcia L. Dykstra. All Rights Reserved.