Dad Update

Hey prayer warriors!  You gals ROCK!!  Super duper ROCK!!

Doug and I headed to Ohio this weekend to visit with my dad and help my mom out some.  It was a much needed trip.  Last week when I left, he was still in the hospital.  A few days later, they moved him to his rehabilitation facility and he still was in bad shape.  Dad sounded so bad.  He was having trouble talking.  He was beyond exhausted and you could hear the pain in every word he spoke.

I was beyond worried.  Seriously, I can count on one hand the times I've heard my dad complain or say he was in pain... and there have been PLENTY of times in his life that he had every right to complain and scream in pain.  He just never does.  So, when I heard him talking about how horrible he felt, it was crushing.

Throughout the week, his spirits seemed to improve.  He was joking more and while still saying he hurt all over, seemed to be getting some of his surgical complications under control.  But still in extreme pain.  I would be too - 4 back fusions and 38 staples.  OUCH!!!!  He would speak of his physical therapy going well and how he was walking more!  Good stuff!

I had a feeling I would see an improved dad when we went to the rehab center yesterday.  Improved he was!  He looked great!  He had some color back in his face (still pretty pale) and up and moving around!  He looked more like himself and his spirits were up and great!  I think not being in a hospital gown helps with that a bit! Could I use more exclamation points???!!!

We basically just visited with him and helped my mom out at home.  My mom is still struggling a bit from her surgery.  She had been doing great and recently began having knee and leg pain, so has taken a few steps back.  Still waaaayyy better than before surgery.  It is crazy hard for her to get around, travel to see my dad (he's across town), walk to his room, do his laundry, bring stuff to him while walking with her walker, etc., etc.  It is a lot for her and she is exhausted.  She's also crazy lonely at home.  Ugh.  I hate seeing my parents suffer like this.  I don't like it!  I don't like it!  I don't like it!

We weren't able to stay long - just one night- and will not be heading back until Thanksgiving b/c of my surgery next week.  My dad will likely go home at the end of the week and I hate not being able to be there for that!  Ugh!  Hate it!  I wish I/they lived closer.

Thanks so much for ALL your prayers.  They were heard and felt!!!!  Please keep praying!!!!

side note... Doug and I left Daisy at a Doggy Boarding place (with web cams!) for over 24 hours to head to Ohio... aren't you proud?? :)

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST!!

Hi all, this is Hebrews for All Things b/c she's having problems posting. Please read the post below and then let's storm Heaven!!!

Please pray for my dad. He is having a very hard time right now. He has been transferred to a rehabilitation center and is in so much pain from his back surgery. The doctors/nurses are having trouble getting his pain under control. His feet were bleeding today, which is very dangerous for a diabetic. He is extremely fatigued and having a hard time holding a conversation. He said he was so tired he could hardly hold up the phone. He is the most positive person ever and never complains, so I know when he is saying he is in extreme pain, he means it.

He has me and my mom very worried. I'm so far away, I feel very helpless. But then again, my mom is just across town and feels the same way. So, please prayer warriors, pray for Ted Johnson.  Thanks ladies!

The Hunt.

We need a child.  Poor Daisy.  Poor, poor Daisy.  

She has been the center of our (well, mine) Halloween obsession this year.  I've been hunting for just the right costume for the puppy Halloween party.  I have not been to a Halloween party in years.  I've never been to a puppy Halloween party, so it's been fun and I like it, I admit it!  We received a few Sta.r Wars outfits from a friend and we bought three others at Tar.get to take home and try. We will be returning the two that don't work.  The checkout lady asked if we had three dogs!  Nope, just one spoiled pup!  Hahahahaha.  Anyway... here is dressed-up Daisy!  

I will be seeking professional help very very soon. 

We first tried the Yoda look.  

The force is strong with this one and she would not keep the costume on.

She couldn't pull off the Darth Va.der look.  She's simply too cute and she would have nothing to do with the Va.dar mask.  I don't blame her... it was pretty scary looking.

Next, was Doug's pick.  He went with something super girly.

Then it was time for the rocker look.  She's bad to the bone and she knows it.

Then we finally found our winner.  Daisy as a Daisy.  It's perfect.

Now I have NO IDEA what Doug and I will wear.  

Sunday quick takes

1. My endo/tube clearing surgery is scheduled for 11/9/11 - only 23 days away!!!  Whoot!  I cannot wait! Pregnant by Christmas, right??!!  Hey, I can dream, can't I?

2. Speaking of surgeries... it's my dad's turn this week.

Please pray for him as he undergoes major back surgery this Thursday!  My mom had surgery back in June and now it's time for my dad to get his back fixed.  My mom and I are both very anxious about his surgery.  He has so much wrong with his back and I'm confident the doctors will be able to fix it and/or relieve some of his constant pain.

I have some irrational fear with his surgery that I'm trying to overcome.  His mother, my grandma, died in surgery when she was around his age.  For some reason, it makes me SO worried.  Plus, his recovery will be very different than my mom's.  She is still having some pain and problems walking... so who will take care of her while she is trying to take care of him??  I know they are only three hours away, but when I head home a few days after the surgery, it will seem as if I'm across the entire country. I cannot do anything to help and they need it.  So please pray for my mom and my anxieties, for a successful surgery and recovery for my dad and all that jazz!  Please and thank you!

3. We've been working on a costume for Daisy for Halloween.  Yep, we are those crazy dog people.  We have a doggie costume party at our dog obedience training place -- so we HAVE TO dress her up!  A friend of mine gave us some old Star War.s costumes.  I don't think she will keep them on.  She was pretty dang cute!  Annoyed, I'm sure, but cute!

4. In an attempt to be more grown-up and have a more grown-up house, Doug and I got some new bedding!  Finally, after almost 2 years of married life, we have a nice quilt on our bed and I'm loving it!

I LOVED LOVED LOVED my old bedding.  I once won a $500 gift card from Pottery Barn and I went to town!  It is the most comfortable down comforter and duvet cover.  But, I have a very warm-blooded husband and the down comforter was way too warm for him.  Dang it!  It's now in the guest room.  We've just had random blankets on our bed since we got married.  I was beyond over it!

I come from a long-line of quilters, so I have always had an abidance of quilts around.  I love them.  However, when I mentioned using one of my grandmothers hand-stitched quilts, she about had a heart attack!  I don't blame her... using one of those quilts day in and day out (with animals on them at times!  Yikes!) would surely break the threads and the quilt would not be as beautiful.  So, she bought us a quilt for our upcoming anniversary!  That way, we can use it and not feel guilty!  My mom will also not be dreaming about breaking quilt threads and such!

Seriously, when you come from a line of quilters, quilt guilt is almost as bad as Catholic guilt.  

5. I have discovered that making changes around the house, while important and nice, does not take that 'empty' feeling that infertility can cause.  It doesn't matter that we have a new quilt, new curtains and are finally going to hang up some artwork... we still don't have a baby and that feeling does not go away.  

I really have to watch myself and deal with the feelings instead of trying to decorate or buy my way out of it.  I have a tendency to think that changing something will make everything better.  It never works.

6.  We enjoyed getting Daisy blessed at the recent pet blessing at our parish.  It was so fun!  They had music and readings... and a chicken!  Yep, among all the cats, dogs and goldfish, was a pet chicken!  It was the hit of the day!  We asked for some extra holy water for Daisy.  Hehe.

The actual blessing... Daisy was getting ready to pounce on the holy water. 

Ahhh.. Catholic Puppy.

7.  I'm pretty convinced we are going to be crazy parents.  After mass today, Doug and I went to a Doggie Day Care/Boarding place to take a tour and interview the people.  We have had Daisy in doggie day camp before and she loves it.  We need to switch her to a new place for a few days this week due to some timing issues.  We met the people who would be taking care of her and grilled them like we were leaving our baby.  Thank goodness they have webcams and my phone has a great app that I can watch her on while she plays and is away from me.  He he.  I told you, we are those crazy dog people.

Summer Prayer Buddy!

I had the privilege of praying for my good friend Sarah over at Sarah's Journal. I was so excited when I got her name, because we had been friends since she was planning her wedding!  We got married almost a year a part and I loved loved loved watching her plan and seeing all the beautiful happenings of the big day.  Now, it's been great to follow her life as a newlywed.  Sarah, my DH and I prayed for your intentions with our whole hearts.  I hope you could feel the prayers!