~If the grass is greener on the other side, then you better start watering yours.~
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
2 + 2 = 4
We've Moved!!!
Here in Grandma Diane's rental apartment we are enjoying the summer life:
swimming and playing with the neighbor kids, riding bikes,
and enjoy being part of the wild life.
There are wild turkeys EVERYWHERE here!!! And I'm not talking about my kids.
Carter has learned to ride his bike. He actually did so one day when he and I took a long walk. He picked it up pretty fast, and 3 weeks later he is still perfecting his skills going around, and around, and around. He thinks he CAN'T ride his bike without the knee pads and elbow pads. I mean what I say: one day he forgot to put them on and he was shocked that he didn't fall down without them. But as long as he has them on they will protect him from crashing. I will let him believe this for as long as he chooses.
Our summer is busy busy busy! We have gotten to know the neighbors and their kids quite well. In fact, the kids are so inseparable that we have implemented a flag system. A bracket on the fence dividing our yards holds a flag. Red is theirs, yellow is ours. If we are home and ready to play, we put our yellow flag out. If they are home and ready to play, they put their red flag out. This way we always know that its ok for the kids to be running back and forth. The 4 of them are such good playmates that sometimes the kids disappear outside for an hour or two because they are off playing like crazy bandits!!! Gotta say, I can get used to this...
Jeremy continues to work night shift in dispatch and is very challenged by his position. I am very challenged by it too, and not in an awesome way. It wouldn't be so bad if I could just cook a decent meal! I don't know why, but my brain doesn't understand food and how to prepare it. Nor does my brain understand why in the world anyone would enjoy spending an hour making a mess and another hour cleaning it up EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT.I compare my troubles with cooking to simple math:
2 + 2 + 4 + 1 + 3 = 12
therefore;
item in the pantry + another item in pantry + this + that + heat + sauce + side dish + time + temperature +/- bake or fry - ingredient we don't have + substitution = all items being done at the same time that taste great and kids will consider eating
(i don't get this)
And I've even spent 5 days thinking about a possible meal plan to last a week. I got nothin.
I think I need a personal chef. I've offered to have my friends over for dinner if they cook. No takers yet...
Monday, April 11, 2011
How much we love Daddy
Daddy says to Carter: I love you all the way to the moon!
Carter says to Daddy: I love you all the way up to God! Belle says to Daddy: I love you all the way up to....the ceiling fan!
Now THAT'S love!!!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Two children each with an ear infection. CHECK.
Friday after picking up Carter from school, he promptly informs me that his ear hurts.
Anyone who has been keeping up with this blog will know from this post that we immediately went to see the Doc. You guessed it -- ear infection! Except this Doc tells us that the ear infections are definitely NOT from swimming, and not to worry. I think I'll believe the second Doc since we do not want to miss any swimming lessons.
We now have enough liquid amoxicillin in the fridge to drown a horse.
And, speaking of horses, Carter and I took Patches to live withAuntie Lynn the other day. No one ever plays with her, or feeds her, or brushes her around here anymore. The poor girl!
Maybe she can go stay at Aunt Sally's for a vacation sometime. The other horses would LOVE her! And I know Dawn, Dani and Jenny would ride her EVERY DAY.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
It Was No Accident
Items I have hit with the mini-van while in reverse:
1. Mailbox
2. Pole
3. Small child's bicycle
Yes, it's true. I plowed over Carter's bike tonight. But it was a good thing because I think he learned a valuable lesson. And Carter and I are both lucky because:
1. I didnt hurt the car too badly
2. I didnt hurt the bike too badly
3. There was no child on said bike
4. Carter's bike no longer has functioning training wheels
What a great reason to learn to ride a bike!
Way to go Mommy!
Swimming Lessons Rock!
We love swimming lessons, oh yes we do! Except for when it gives us ear infections...
After our 3rd week of lessons (once per week), Belle tells me that her ear hurts. I've learned that ears are not supposed to hurt, and if a child says their ear hurts, you take them to see the Doc.
NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
**Unless you want to have a sleepless night with a crying child, since laying down makes the ear infection more painful, do not wait until the morning!**
Mommy Instincts are always spot on.
ALWAYS.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Help Wanted
WANTED: Able bodied person to run behind 5 year old boy on bike with no training wheels. DURATION: hours on end, days upon days. REQUIREMENTS: running shoes
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Working Man
OoooHhhh can I hear a "WOOT-WOOT"?!?!?!?!
Last night was Jer's first night back at work since January 29th! He worked from 8pm till 6am.
I am excited for this HUGE step in the right direction! Although...........
He says it was boring (booo!) and not the easiest on crutches since the building is huge. I suppose the bathroom is not exactly down the hall like at home, and the break room farther away than our kitchen. And I suppose he had to go all the way outside and 100 feet from the building to have a smoke.....He did however sit on his chair, not sure if he was able to put his foot up all night or not.
He also mentioned that he banged his foot on a step. He still has to wear this boot thing, and he still cant put any weight on the foot, but he says the big bang didn't feel very good.
I'm grumbling as I type. It's a catch-22. You want him to get back to work, but you want him to be safe.
Nothing will make him change his mind now that he has had a taste of reality again, either.
However things work out, I know that one day we'll get there. Jer will be walking again within another month I hope.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Little Henry
Today is a day I have dreaded for some time now. It marks the one year anniversary of the birth and death (in my mind) of what was to be a small-little-boy-bundle-of-joy blessing our family. He was to be Belle's little baby brother who she could feed bottles to, and change his diapers, and change his clothes at least 6 times per day. He was to be Carter's little baby brother who he would teach how to love dirt, trucks, and G.I. Joe, and ride bikes, and play all rough and tuff. Today Henry David would be about 6 months old. If you figure in that all my babies have been born early, he'd be about 7 months old.One year ago today, Henry was born at home at only 16 weeks gestation. Jer cut the cord. We held his tiny body in the palms of our hands, named him, and counted his fingers and toes....and sobbed.
My heart was broke two million times between the day he was born, and the day he was buried. Then, my heart was broke only one million times between his burial and yesterday.
Today, my heart will break for him one million times more.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
These Shoes
I am wearing a pair of shoes.
They are ugly shoes.
Uncomfortable Shoes.
I hate my shoes.
Each day I wear them, and each day I wish I had another pair.
Some days my shoes hurt so bad that I do not think I can take another step.
Yet, I continue to wear them.
I get funny looks wearing these shoes.
They are looks of sympathy.
I can tell in others eyes that they are glad they are my shoes and not theirs.
They never talk about my shoes.
To learn how awful my shoes are might make them uncomfortable.
To truly understand these shoes you must walk in them.
But, once you put them on, you can never take them off.
I now realize that I am not the only one who wears these shoes.
There are many pairs in the world.
Some women ache daily as they try and walk in them.
Some have learned how to walk in them so they don't hurt quite as much.
Some have worn the shoes so long that many days will go by
before they think of how much they hurt.
No woman deserves to wear these shoes.
Yet, because of the shoes I am a stronger woman.
These shoes have given me the strength to face anything.
They have made me who I am.
I will forever walk in the shoes of a woman who has lost a child.
Author Unknown
They are ugly shoes.
Uncomfortable Shoes.
I hate my shoes.
Each day I wear them, and each day I wish I had another pair.
Some days my shoes hurt so bad that I do not think I can take another step.
Yet, I continue to wear them.
I get funny looks wearing these shoes.
They are looks of sympathy.
I can tell in others eyes that they are glad they are my shoes and not theirs.
They never talk about my shoes.
To learn how awful my shoes are might make them uncomfortable.
To truly understand these shoes you must walk in them.
But, once you put them on, you can never take them off.
I now realize that I am not the only one who wears these shoes.
There are many pairs in the world.
Some women ache daily as they try and walk in them.
Some have learned how to walk in them so they don't hurt quite as much.
Some have worn the shoes so long that many days will go by
before they think of how much they hurt.
No woman deserves to wear these shoes.
Yet, because of the shoes I am a stronger woman.
These shoes have given me the strength to face anything.
They have made me who I am.
I will forever walk in the shoes of a woman who has lost a child.
Author Unknown
Monday, March 21, 2011
Tomorrow will be 6 weeks from Jer's surgery date, and he is finally going back to work on FRIDAY! The Doc willingly granted him permission to work light duty at a sitting position only. We didnt even have to yell or threaten him, so it was very nice.
Jer starts training in dispatch, and will be working four 10 hour shifts Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, then off Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We're not sure yet how long he will train - one week, two, three weeks? - but then after training his hours and days will switch again. He will still be working night shift for a while though.
X-rays today revealed that the foot is still not ready for walking or weight bearing or driving for at least 2 more weeks. Also, his soft tissue wounds are still healing with the scabs slowly getting smaller. There is still one area that we are watching carefully. Doc says he will wait as long as possible before deciding to clean it out and do a skin graft so that IF he DOES have to do it, the graft area will be smaller and more minimal.
Jer asked a few questions about not being able to move his toes much, and the stiffness he is experiencing in his ankle, and the throbbing when his foot is not elevated. Doc said the throbbing will go away when he starts walking, and the stiffness is due the the trauma of the tissues, and that what is left is probably scar tissue. Therapy was mentioned for the first time. He said Jer is getting to that point of starting some therapy, but is not there yet. I wonder how walking will feel with a small plate on the top of your foot...
Next Doc appointment: Two weeks. At this appointment, he may be able to start trying to walk with the walking boot! And there is still a possibility that he may not. Doc will also assess soft tissue wound again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On a side note: Got the kids signed up for their first swimming lessons at the YMCA. We start wednesday and go every wednesday at 3:45 for about 6 weeks. In April they start soccer on Saturdays @ 10am at a field near our house. It will be fun watching the kids learn and enjoy these activities!
We are still showing our house at least once a week, however no serious bites yet. I think I might start lighting a fire under our realtor. Not sure what it would do, but it's worth a try. ;)
.....it's just getting difficult to be in this 'middle' place and not knowing where to look for daycare, and where to sign kids up for school. I wish I knew where I was gonna be in 2 months!!!!!! I know where we are going and I just want to get there.
Carter said on Saturday, "Dad, I just wish you can walk with two feet again." Dad said, "Me too Bud." Mom said, "Me three, Bud." And then it went up to twenty some people wishing Dad could walk with two feet again! Haha.
It reminds me to be thankful for all we have, because we have so much despite broken feet and houses for sale.
Jer starts training in dispatch, and will be working four 10 hour shifts Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, then off Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We're not sure yet how long he will train - one week, two, three weeks? - but then after training his hours and days will switch again. He will still be working night shift for a while though.
X-rays today revealed that the foot is still not ready for walking or weight bearing or driving for at least 2 more weeks. Also, his soft tissue wounds are still healing with the scabs slowly getting smaller. There is still one area that we are watching carefully. Doc says he will wait as long as possible before deciding to clean it out and do a skin graft so that IF he DOES have to do it, the graft area will be smaller and more minimal.
Jer asked a few questions about not being able to move his toes much, and the stiffness he is experiencing in his ankle, and the throbbing when his foot is not elevated. Doc said the throbbing will go away when he starts walking, and the stiffness is due the the trauma of the tissues, and that what is left is probably scar tissue. Therapy was mentioned for the first time. He said Jer is getting to that point of starting some therapy, but is not there yet. I wonder how walking will feel with a small plate on the top of your foot...
Next Doc appointment: Two weeks. At this appointment, he may be able to start trying to walk with the walking boot! And there is still a possibility that he may not. Doc will also assess soft tissue wound again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On a side note: Got the kids signed up for their first swimming lessons at the YMCA. We start wednesday and go every wednesday at 3:45 for about 6 weeks. In April they start soccer on Saturdays @ 10am at a field near our house. It will be fun watching the kids learn and enjoy these activities!
We are still showing our house at least once a week, however no serious bites yet. I think I might start lighting a fire under our realtor. Not sure what it would do, but it's worth a try. ;)
.....it's just getting difficult to be in this 'middle' place and not knowing where to look for daycare, and where to sign kids up for school. I wish I knew where I was gonna be in 2 months!!!!!! I know where we are going and I just want to get there.
Carter said on Saturday, "Dad, I just wish you can walk with two feet again." Dad said, "Me too Bud." Mom said, "Me three, Bud." And then it went up to twenty some people wishing Dad could walk with two feet again! Haha.
It reminds me to be thankful for all we have, because we have so much despite broken feet and houses for sale.
Monday, March 14, 2011
And the Doc says....
Poor Jeremy. Went to see the foot Doc again today. He tore off a VERY thick scab that much resembled a dead oak tree, sent Jer through the roof, and left an oozing crater on Jer's foot. Then Jer and the Doc went back and forth about when he could get back to work. It went like this:
Jer: so, when do you think I can get back to work?
Doc: oh boy, I'd say you're looking at 3 more weeks.
Jer: you know I'd be sitting at a desk with my foot on a chair the whole time, right?
Doc: yeah, well you still have some soft tissue damage that needs to clear up.
Jer: so can I give work SOME SORT OF IDEA when I'll be back? I'll have to start on a Friday and I was kinda hoping you'd let me go this Friday.
Doc: well I'd like to see you back next Monday and we'll see how it looks. I may want to take you down to the O.R. and flush it out and do some grafting, but lets just see what it does this week. I think it will heal on it's own, but we have to watch it.
Jer: when can I go back to work?
Doc: we'll see you in a week, get x-rays, check the wound and POSSIBLY the following Friday I'll let you go back on light duty. Your bones are still not healed so you cant put any pressure on that foot.
Jer: When can I go back to work?
My translation of this conversation: Jer will not go back to work for probably 3 weeks, (if its any sooner we are lucky) and the Doc said possibly next Friday just to shut him up. I would have done the same thing!!!! It was really quite entertaining.
Pictures of the healing craters are available upon request. They are disgusting.
Jer: so, when do you think I can get back to work?
Doc: oh boy, I'd say you're looking at 3 more weeks.
Jer: you know I'd be sitting at a desk with my foot on a chair the whole time, right?
Doc: yeah, well you still have some soft tissue damage that needs to clear up.
Jer: so can I give work SOME SORT OF IDEA when I'll be back? I'll have to start on a Friday and I was kinda hoping you'd let me go this Friday.
Doc: well I'd like to see you back next Monday and we'll see how it looks. I may want to take you down to the O.R. and flush it out and do some grafting, but lets just see what it does this week. I think it will heal on it's own, but we have to watch it.
Jer: when can I go back to work?
Doc: we'll see you in a week, get x-rays, check the wound and POSSIBLY the following Friday I'll let you go back on light duty. Your bones are still not healed so you cant put any pressure on that foot.
Jer: When can I go back to work?
My translation of this conversation: Jer will not go back to work for probably 3 weeks, (if its any sooner we are lucky) and the Doc said possibly next Friday just to shut him up. I would have done the same thing!!!! It was really quite entertaining.
Pictures of the healing craters are available upon request. They are disgusting.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
March for Babies
Dear Family and Friends,
As you might be aware, our family has been touched by the March of Dimes mission to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. That's why we have formed a Family Team (Team Conner & Kaylee) to raise money and participate in March for Babies. Please join us in our fundraising efforts today by sponsoring our event.
Our family knows firsthand the challenges associated with prematurity. It is important to find out why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it. By raising money, ongoing research to answer these critical questions is funded. When you support our Family Team, you show you care and you give hope for defeating premature birth and other threats to babies.
Contributing to our team online is fast, easy and secure. You can donate directly from my personal webpage with a credit/debit card or PayPal. If you prefer, I can also accept cash or check. Just click the appropriate box on my webpage at:
http://www.marchforbabies.org/AnnieShay
Please join us and millions of compassionate people across the country who support March for Babies each year. We need your help. Visit my webpage and sponsor our event, or sign up to walk with us on April 30th!
With your support, there's hope.
Thank You!
As you might be aware, our family has been touched by the March of Dimes mission to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. That's why we have formed a Family Team (Team Conner & Kaylee) to raise money and participate in March for Babies. Please join us in our fundraising efforts today by sponsoring our event.
Our family knows firsthand the challenges associated with prematurity. It is important to find out why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it. By raising money, ongoing research to answer these critical questions is funded. When you support our Family Team, you show you care and you give hope for defeating premature birth and other threats to babies.
Contributing to our team online is fast, easy and secure. You can donate directly from my personal webpage with a credit/debit card or PayPal. If you prefer, I can also accept cash or check. Just click the appropriate box on my webpage at:
http://www.marchforbabies.org/AnnieShay
Please join us and millions of compassionate people across the country who support March for Babies each year. We need your help. Visit my webpage and sponsor our event, or sign up to walk with us on April 30th!
With your support, there's hope.
Thank You!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Sight to See
Picture this:
1 Mommy
2 crazy dogs
2 small children who don't like to listen on
2 bikes
walking through the streets of your town.
Yep, this was me today. YIKES!
Needless to say, I had to have a cocktail when we got home.
Now, how was YOUR day????
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
March 1st Milestones
Monday night we sang Happy Birthday to Simon as he turned 7 years old. And then we threw lots of treats at him. He loved it. Tonight and tomorrow night he will have his cousin doggie friend, Toby, spend the night. What a lucky dog! :)
Monday also marked the 2nd anniversary of my mugging at Kmart. To this day, they never caught the guy, and Carter still brings it up once in a while. He knows that the cops will get that bad guy and take him to jail.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Doc on Monday
Well, we saw the foot doc again Monday. He is doing well and is excited for his vacation next week.
Our appointment this week brought x-rays and more wound washing. The swelling has come down incredibly, and the tissue appears to be healing very nicely. This means no surgery today to pick at it and wash it out!
YAY!
This also means that things are looking like he may not need those skin grafts either!!!
In turn, Jer got sent home with a removable "boot" that slips on over your sock. He can now shower and get the foot wet, but still no weight bearing on his right foot. The boot is nice in a way, but very annoying to deal with. Our biggest challenge is keeping the owies from getting infected, now that it isn't in a cast anymore. They encouraged us to let the air get to the tissue to keep it dry, so unwrapping it while resting is what we are to do.....kinda makes Jer nervous. Still no work for Jer. Doc had to tell him that his only job right now was to sit down and to listen to his wife.
I love this guy!
Our next appointment is in 2 weeks. Can't wait to see him again.
Our appointment this week brought x-rays and more wound washing. The swelling has come down incredibly, and the tissue appears to be healing very nicely. This means no surgery today to pick at it and wash it out!
YAY!
This also means that things are looking like he may not need those skin grafts either!!!
In turn, Jer got sent home with a removable "boot" that slips on over your sock. He can now shower and get the foot wet, but still no weight bearing on his right foot. The boot is nice in a way, but very annoying to deal with. Our biggest challenge is keeping the owies from getting infected, now that it isn't in a cast anymore. They encouraged us to let the air get to the tissue to keep it dry, so unwrapping it while resting is what we are to do.....kinda makes Jer nervous. Still no work for Jer. Doc had to tell him that his only job right now was to sit down and to listen to his wife.
I love this guy!
Our next appointment is in 2 weeks. Can't wait to see him again.
Monday, February 28, 2011
BUSTED!
I think we have a Cookie Monster in the house. Sorry honey, you are busted. If you look closely, toward the back, you will notice a ziploc baggie containing some highly desirable contents. No WONDER they all disappeared so quickly.
Little Children
Weekends involve projects.
Like painting.
And making cookies.
And visiting The Childrens Museum.
And attending Family Funfest.
And having sleepovers at Grandma's.
And bubble baths.
And playing outside.
Life is good if you are 5 years old!
Life is good if you are 5 years old!
A winter day in Wisconsin: 
The very next winter day in Wisconsin:
And weekends for mommies??? Well, I wouldn't want to bore you.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Jer's Foot: Wednesday Feb 23
Jer has been doing okay. He definitely knows that if he does too much he pays for it the next day. Last night was painful for him, and today he is doing nothing more than resting. Over the weekend we attended a company Christmas party, Monday we saw the doc, and Tuesday he was cleaning the house too much in preparation for another showing.
What did the doc say? The bigger question is what did the doc DO?! Monday's visit resulted in some picking of tissue which in turn sent Jer through the roof. The doc was examining the dead tissue and mentioned that after seeing him again next monday he may want to take Jer to the operating room on Tuesday to remove the black tissue, wash the wound out, and see what's underneath. This is supposed to make the healing go faster too. It seems at this point we are hardly concerned about the broken bones, or the surgery he had. Concentration is more on the tissue of the foot that was crushed and damaged so badly. The doc also said Jer will not go back to work until this tissue is all healed up. Right now, we are looking at AT LEAST another month before he returns for LIGHT duty. Realistically I think it will be longer. Jer was wanting to go back to work next week. (crazy, i know). I'm sure he was quite disappointed to hear what the doc had to say this week.
We had a showing yesterday, which went well. These buyers just started their house hunt, and yesterday saw 4 homes. Ours was their favorite, however, they will be seeing more homes next week before scheduling any 2nd showings.
I am at the end of my rope. I cant keep up my life as it used to be. Uncle Dennis (Jer's brother) has been a Savior to me, picking up the kids at 5 and starting dinner, and helping Jer with everything throughout the day so that I could return to work. I'm not gonna lie, the last week of this has been pretty rough......Annie is starting to crack.
What did the doc say? The bigger question is what did the doc DO?! Monday's visit resulted in some picking of tissue which in turn sent Jer through the roof. The doc was examining the dead tissue and mentioned that after seeing him again next monday he may want to take Jer to the operating room on Tuesday to remove the black tissue, wash the wound out, and see what's underneath. This is supposed to make the healing go faster too. It seems at this point we are hardly concerned about the broken bones, or the surgery he had. Concentration is more on the tissue of the foot that was crushed and damaged so badly. The doc also said Jer will not go back to work until this tissue is all healed up. Right now, we are looking at AT LEAST another month before he returns for LIGHT duty. Realistically I think it will be longer. Jer was wanting to go back to work next week. (crazy, i know). I'm sure he was quite disappointed to hear what the doc had to say this week.
We had a showing yesterday, which went well. These buyers just started their house hunt, and yesterday saw 4 homes. Ours was their favorite, however, they will be seeing more homes next week before scheduling any 2nd showings.
I am at the end of my rope. I cant keep up my life as it used to be. Uncle Dennis (Jer's brother) has been a Savior to me, picking up the kids at 5 and starting dinner, and helping Jer with everything throughout the day so that I could return to work. I'm not gonna lie, the last week of this has been pretty rough......Annie is starting to crack.
FW: Jer's Foot Update: Keeping up
Friday morning, Feb 11th: two different parties are looking at the house on sunday, and there is a third party interested and may look monday. time to get cleaning again. the hardest part about showing the house is that everything has to be put away and out of sight. the last showing was with our own realtor and she mentioned that there were 3 baskets of folded clothes tucked away on the far side of the bed in the master bedroom, adn could we not have that for next time. UGH. its like turning this house that a family lives in into an unlived "staged" looking home. HELLO!!! this is not the Ashley Furniture Home Store here!!!! jer now has an electronic cigarette. this thing is incredible! he can smoke it in the house and no smell! no smoke! its all water vapor! no tobacco, just nicotine and a water vapor that makes it feel like a real cigarette. sure beats him getting up to go outside right now. he seriously gets out of his chair maybe 3-5 times a day. what a world of technology we live in. it is still a fairly new product and there may be some pros and cons, but for jer right now it definitely makes his world a whole lot better and that's okay with me. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_cigarette yesterday i went to the DMV and got jer a handicap parking sign for the car. he can use it till May 2011. this will make clinic visits and things of the like so much easier for both he and i. the new pain med seems to be keeping him happy, although, he has been sleeping since he's been taking it yesterday. he wakes up and falls back to sleep. he hasnt been able to rest for so long and i'm sure he's exhausted from all the pain and running around we've done this week so i'm sure his drowsiness is a combination of the medicine and sleep deprivation. i'm keeping a close eye on him and checking the toes frequently for circulation. i hope today will finally be a quiet peaceful day.
Thursday Feb 10th?!?!? its the 10th of FEBRUARY??? where have i been?: last post i forgot to mention that cast #7 is a half cast, also called soft cast, also called splint cast, and today marks cast #8 which is the same as #7. jer just barely made it by the hair on his chinney-chin-chin through the night last night. he kept himself stable with a bit of this med, that med, and that other old pain med knowing that if we could just get through the night we'd see the doc in the morning. and that is what we did. on the way to the onalaska clinic this morning jer told me hurry up and just (insert swear word here) get there because something was wrong and he felt soo soo very horrible. we got there and things got better after they opened up the cast and let him sit for a while. the nurses and the doc and i and jer all had a nice long conversation about expectations, limits, anxieties, and we all came to an agreement: if the drugs the doc gave us today wasnt enough at home, we needed to just be admitted to hospital. the foot looked OKAY. there's more swelling in one area of the foot that concerns him slightly, BUT, as long as i was checking his toes on a regular basis for a number of things, we could be okay at home. we left with a really satisfied feeling. finally we got to see the doc, and he truly understood what all of our concerns were and really put us at ease with his plan. he also let us know that if at any given time we wanted to go to the hospital, he would admit us in a heartbeat. jer just has this strong desire to be comfortable and at home if at all possible. earlier there was this feeling to me that everything was just getting out of hand and it was more than i could deal with at home, but i believe we will be okay for the next 12-24 hours. after that? i'll keep you posted since things change around her so fast! i've forgot to mention that isabelle hurt her foot. she was hanging from the door handle when the door was swinging shut and get caught her foot under the door. she complains about her foot daily and sometimes hobbles around like daddy. she's 4, but she's not faking this one that's for sure! my poor babies. i have to add that jer's toes are HUGE and black and blue. i told him that if it were halloween and i went to the store looking for a dead amputated foot to carry around with me, i think i'd find something very similar to his own. haha
Wednesday Feb 9: 3 hours post-op was great, but not so great anymore!!! the morning starts out with jer's pain meds not keeping up after taking all the doses he can....then he's talking about swelling, then its hurting more. after many calls (again) in to the Podiatry department regarding pain and swelling and no resolve, we call and TELL them we are coming in. would they like us to come to clinic or ER? clinic it is. they cut off the cast and let him sit for a good hour before someone can see him. apparently his doc was in onalaska, and the residents were in surgeries. finally we get residents to look, then call the doc, then look, then call the doc and the solution??? in my opinion a pretty crappy one. see, i couldnt stand seeing jer's post-op foot elevated up in the air (and in my face) while he huffed and puffed and grunted in pain. between the sight of his foot and the sounds of him being in so much pain i couldnt bare to sit in the room with him. i broke down and waited in the hallway, so i'm not sure of the conversations jer had with the residents. AND i wasnt there to say THAT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Jer tells me there was talk of being admitted to hospital for pain control and possible concern for compartment syndrome again. (compartment syndrome is most common 24-48 hours after the initial injury or a surgery i'm being told). jer doesnt want to be in the hospital again, so he settles on what he thinks is better (but not great) pain meds, and a plan that if this doesnt cut it through the day and into the night, we need to see the doc in clinic tomorrow. they will fit us in without an appointment. <sigh, duh. to me wouldnt we want to be avoiding the need to see the doc again the very next day?> and, instead of another hard cast, they give him a soft cast: cast on bottom of foot and heal, and up the back of the leg, but only wrap and soft padding on the top so there is less pressure when it swells. the bad side to this cast is that the wound is not very well protected from bumps and taps and we have 2 small animals and one dog in the house. i get all this information in the car after jer says we are going home and he will tell me later what was all said in the room. i pray to GOD that things get under control because i DO NOT want to be running to the doc, or the clinic, or the ER, or being in and out of surgeries and hospitals any more!!!!! Jer is now resting, or trying to at least. we are back home just waiting for whatever is going to be next. oh, they want to show the house saturday at 2:30. cha right!
Tuesday Feb 8: As Surgery Day comes to an end, we are thankful that the surgery went quick, the recovery was a breeze, and jer is acting as if nothing ever happened. currently he and the kids are in the chair reading bedtime stories. they took him back around 3, and we got home just before 7pm. it would have been nice if everything was on schedule, but jer got a good nap out of the whole deal. he was shocked when he woke up and didnt have any underwear on, and cast #6 is white with a touch of iodine and dried blood. 4 screws, and yes, a plate, and i'm told some wires inbetween. i didnt get a chance to talk to the doc since he was SOOO far behind on his surgeries, and he will call to talk in the morning. jer's pain is the same if not better than before, and the nerve block that was to numb his leg for up to 18 hours didnt take. bummer for him, but he's doing just fine. thanks for all the prayers, so glad to be home and on the road to recovery.
we were told to be at the hospital at 10:30am, and so we were..... its now 3pm and they JUST took jer back to surgery. apparently the doc is a few hours behind. now we wait....
Foot Doc says surgery is a "go" for tomorrow, tuesday. it will take about one hour, and he'll decide what he's doing when he gets in there and checks things out. Screws are a definite, plates are a maybe. after surgery jer see's the doc on a weekly basis for quite some time. doc said jer will not be working for at least 4 weeks after, and will evaluate if he can go back to work on a light duty "administrative" only basis after that. cast #5: a very kelly green. we wait now for the nurse to call us and let us know what time to be there in the morning. Jer's brother, dennis, will take jer to surgery. i will stay home to get the kids off to school and such, then come home to clean the house quick before more new people check it out at 12:30. grrrrr. hopefully we'll be back home mid afternoon resting peacefully. after that its back to work for me, and dennis is on duty for the next 3 weeks. YAY for dennis because i am quickly running out of favors! ;) more tomorrow
Friday Feb 4: Belle spent the rest of the day thursday with a fever. she went to bed with a fever, and, she woke up WITHOUT a fever! She is coughing more than before and is very tired and content to lay in mommy's bed watching Barbie movies all day long as long as i slip in a dora and 101 dalmations at least once in the rotation. carter is happy and off to school. Jer's doc appt today went okay. they cut off the cast, evaluated, and re-casted. he still has too much swelling for surgery, and the blisters are blood blisters and still very much THERE. plus, the tissue under the skin is too bruised up to cut through. the incision would not heal properly if the tissue is as damaged as jer's is. AND there is more risk for infection by cutting into this kind of wound. he currently has 2 semi-numb toes, but they havent fallen off yet or appear to be shriveling so they arent too concerned. (j/k) it is true about the numb toes though. ;) the plan: elevate-elevate-ELEVATE-ELEVATE!!!! and ice and stay in the chair!!!!! go back to see doc on monday. "SURGERY" days are always tuesdays, so whenever, if ever, jer gets his surgery, it will most likely be on a tuesday. we would love to see the doc monday and have him say everything is a go and to come back in the morning for surgery, but i have a sinking feeling it wont happen so soon. i'll bet we have a 50/50 shot at surgery being this tuesday. on a side note: jer is on his 4th cast. the podiatry department staff are SOOO much nicer about the casts than the ER or the hospital staff. they even offer colors, or a variety if you choose! and, the video games are just as annoying as i guessed they would be. jer doesnt listen to anything or anyone when they speak cause he's busy. i think the marching band could come through the house and he wouldnt notice, as long as they didnt walk in front of the tv. and he talks to the tv, hollers and moans and the swearing! OH the swearing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ps: still no bee sting. this must be a good sign. ;)
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Thursday 3:51pm Feb 3 Belle wakes up with fever. She stays home sick with mom and of course, dad. carter goes to school. run some errands including stopping at furniture store which results in impulse buy of recliner. they deliver it 2 hours later. neighbor comes over to chat. jer and belle take naps. mommy takes deep breaths realtor calls with monday appointment from noon to 1pm. tomorrow: doc appointment with jer, and belle too if she STILL has a fever (per 24 hour nurse advisor). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday 12:08am Feb 3: Carter stayed home sick again and was daddy's helper while i went grocery shopping. Pretty uneventful day UNTIL 8pm when belle spiked a 102.5 fever and said her ear hurts. NO JOKE. I'm thinking ear infection??? i called all my pharmacist friends and they all agree that the antibiotics she is on right now should have her covered for strep throat. I gave her tylenol at 8pm and her fever came down, but 4 hours later she is burning up again. gave more tylenol and hope its gone in the morning. looks like i'll be home again with another sick child -- cant go to daycare with a fever!!!! and to think that i was planning to go to work. just watch, tonight i'll somehow get stung by a bee. nothing is impossible here anymore.
Wednesday Feb 2: Monday night Carter spiked a fever of 101.7 and began to throw up. Saw the doc tuesday morning since i suspected he may have strep throat. his teacher had been out sick with strep throat and an ear infection last week. sure enough, carter is positive. daddy has smashed foot. belle has walking pneumonia. carter has strep throat. mommy is a one man band hoping someday i will may return to work, but no time soon. while carter and i are at the doc's office, jer is sitting at his brothers apartment since the people who looked at the house on monday loved it so much they wanted to come back at noon. so, now carter and jer are at the apartment, i'm at the pharmacy getting yet another antibiotic when jer calls my cell and tells me one of his toes is numb. this is one of the things that they warned us about when jer was discharged from the hospital. so, we start calling nurses and docs and begin preparing for jer to go back in to ER. finally we can go back home, and the docs call us back with a check list of things to look for. jer passes the test so we dont need to be seen. whew. later the realtor calls and says the people love the house, they will think for a few days and let us know. meanwhile, can someone else look at teh house on sunday? um, that's a tough one.......i'm gonna have to FOR THE FIRST TIME say NO!!!!!!! sunday does not work for us. many of you have asked about the house being for sale. here is the scoop: jer took a management position at kwik trip which is a good thing. he's not on the road all day driving his semi, and he would not have to work 50-60+ hours a week. BUT there was a huge cut in pay. we decided he would like to move up in the company so this was the direction we wanted to take. we realized that with money getting tight we would have to sell the house, which we have come to terms with and accepted. our plan it to move to Grandma Diane's downstairs apartment in La Crescent for a while once the house sells. its a tad smaller, but we can always minimize our belongings. Jer's company met with him when he was in the hospital and they agreed that when jer comes back to work, the warehouse was not the best place for him. instead, he will be a dispatcher which is a desk job, and jer will get some good experience in that department under his belt which is beneficial in the long run for him moving into another management position. jer is less than excited to dispatch, but realizes the benefits in the end. not sure what that pays, or what the hours will be. another hurdle to jump down the road i guess. well, i cant wait to see what today will bring.......imagine the possibilities! ps, we are looking for a recliner. if anyone has an extra we could borrow for a while jer would be greatly appreciative! pps, i am looking for people to sit with jer from time to time so i can go back to work. he just needs help with pills, ice, pillows, meals, drinks, and fetching whatever else he needs like phone books, changing movies in dvd player, etc. jer says he's fine to be home alone, but i dont trust him as i am already yelling at him to stay seated quite a bit on a daily basis. if he doesnt keep his foot up he wont have surgery on tuesday!!! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday Jan 31st: day starts out with making belle an appt to see the doc for coughing and wheezing. i've been thinking maybe she's developing asthma since she's been wheezing on and off for a few months. next carter gives me all kinds of trouble about getting dressed and going to school. i give in since i have other battles to win at the moment. call carter in sick. friend teri comes over to help out with morning stuff and kids, since i have to clean the house so that the realtors can show it by 12:30. teri leaves, i break down, call mom and beg her to come over. clean clean clean. take belle to appt. chest xray = walking pneumonia. FOR REAL?!@????!?!?!?! go up to hospital to see jer for quick visit. go to pharmacy to get antibiotics for belle. they go to grandmas in la crescent. finally the doc shows up to look at jer's foot. take bandages off and.....he has injury related blisters on the top of his foot. this means no surgery till blisters are gone. pain and swelling are under control. discharge home. go back to pharmacy for jer's pain meds. get jer home, find a welcome home gift from his family: Playstation (video games) this will DEFINITELY keep him in his chair longer and deter him from getting up too much, i am convinced. THANK YOU! get call from realtor: buyers are very interested, can they come back tomorrow? .....sure, but the house now comes with a grown man in a cast sitting on the couch. no problem they say. task for tonight: pick up kids, feed jer, keep him happy in his chair, keep house picked up, get a little sleep. maybe get a shower. start all over tomorrow. next doc appts are Friday, and Monday, and **IF** everything looks good, surgery Tuesday next week. will keep everyone posted. visitors are welcome, jer likes to talk ;) and his huge cast is worth seeing! Haha.
Sunday Afternoon:
real quick: jer's pain has improved considerably. he is tolerating small doses of pain meds very well. the swelling has come down significantly. sunday @ 3pm we decided jer would stay in hospital. he can have surgery tuesday provided he keeps the swelling down. we're afraid if he comes home he wont get the bed rest he's getting in the hospital and he will swell. i made a deal with the doc that if he stayed another night they had to let hem get wheeled out to have a smoke. LOL crazy, i know. BUT if it keeps jer off his foot and gets this surgery over with sooner we are all for it. he may or may not even come home before tuesday. one day at a time.
Saturday Evening:
thanks for the emails everyone. they cleared him **most likely** for surgery tonight, which means he got to eat. he was goin on 24+ hours of no sleep and 12+ hours of no food or drink. thank goodness he is all juiced up on morphine so he cant complain too much without getting confused mid sentence. Hahaha. and he's getting some anxiety meds since he cant smoke, chew nicotine gum, or anything of the sort as it constricts blood flow to the capillaries. perhaps i will get a non-smoking hubby out of this whole ordeal??? he says he's thinking about it... still in excruciating pain. if pain is still an issue tomorrow, regardless of his swelling they may keep him again, and the potential for surgery tomorrow is back on the table. we will see The Foot Man again in the morning and will know more. Kids are spending the night at a good friends house having a blast i'm sure. i'm staying at the hospital with jer tonight as long as i can possibly stand it. i may end up back home at 3am if i cant sleep.
Saturday Afternoon:
jeremy, who never complains of pain, was maxed out on his pain meds and couldn't stand it any longer. back to the ER we went. they cut the cast off, noticed more swelling, gave IV pain meds, did CT scan of his foot, and called in the foot guy to come take a look. because of the amount of swelling, they are concerned about blood flow to the other parts and tissues in the foot. if blood flow is restricted by swelling, there is concern for the health of these tissues, hence, a worse outcome for recovery. he was admitted to the hospital, with a morphine drip (which is only helping a tiny bit), and is being watched very closely every hour. if swelling doesn't stop, they will need to do surgery tonight to relieve pressure. if this happens, they wont be able to close him back up because of said swelling. if swelling stops, he will have surgery anywhere between tuesday and friday next week. no work for a very long time. no driving. no walking cast till 10 weeks out from surgery date. he will need a few pins and a plate to put the bones back where they should be. will keep you posted as things go along. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday Morning: Jan 29 2011 Jeremy vistited the ER this morning around 4am. He smashed his foot at work in between a moving forklift and a wall. He has a closed fracture of a metatarsal bone (one of the 5 long bones running thru the foot to the toe) and the bones at the break are about an inch apart. He also broke one of the middle toes. He is home now, with pain meds, crutches, and a temprorary splint/cast. Serious bed rest, elevation of the foot, and a recheck on Monday to assess the foot after all the swelling has gone down is in our near future. After that, there is talk of pins and plates and a surgery to put it all back in place. It will be at least 8 to 9 weeks before he gets a walking cast, but he is confident he will be able to return to work on light duty fairly soon. He is off now till Wed night (he's working night shift recently) as part of his normal schedule; what a great weekend for him! I finaly have the 3rd child I've longed for. Not quite how I pictured it! Hahahahah!
We are all in good spirits though, so far. I am thankful its the foot, and nothing worse, and that he is home. Just wanted to let everyone know.  |
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