Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Mom has TWINS!

Last week is a blur! My mom had been working on things to have a SCHEDULE surgery done this month or early in December. Her surgeon noticed something else that might be a problem, and asked her to have an ultrasound done on her gall bladder. This did show that she had some stones. The plan was to meet again with the surgeon, and schedule a date for surgery that would take care of both of the problems.

On Monday morning, mom and I went to my eye appointment. I needed new lenses in my regular glasses, and a complete new pair of protective sun glasses. We got that all done, and then headed off to a 'girls' breakfast. After that, we went home to work on a list of things we needed to get a Sam's. Mom had a mammogram in the afternoon, after that we were going to Sam's. Mom's mammogram went fine, but then she started having some unusual pains in her abdomen. We went on to Sam's thinking she would just 'walk' them off.

By the time we got home, mom was totally uncomfortable. Nothing seemed to help the pain, and it just got worse. About 8 pm, mom told me to call dad and just tell him to come home. Mom NEVER does that. I knew that she was hurting bad at that point. When Dad got home, we, mom, dad and I, headed to the ER. Todd stayed at home with Bear. At the ER we found there was no where to sit and wait. It was very crowded, and mom wanted to go home. She had a restless night, neither she nor dad had any sleep. The next morning, we went to the surgeon's office. He sent her to the hospital to preregister. Mom and I were waiting there, but mom was totally uncomfortable. The staff felt sorry for her, she just wanted to lay down. They encouraged her to head to the ER, and let her doctor admit her through there. When she and I got to the ER we were happy to see it was nearly empty. They did get her in promptly, and put her in bed. Laying down seemed to be the only way to get any relief. They started an IV drip with meds that really helped to ease her pain. It didn't take long to move her to the Women's center floor. It is the place to go to be totally pampered! We also got to see the Babies.

Mom had 2 surgeries on Wednesday morning. The gall bladder was done laproscopic, and her other surgery was done 'open'. Mom had 2 gall stones. The doctor said they were some of the largest he had ever seen. Mom had requested to have them. They brought them to Dad later, the girl from Pathology told Dad those were the biggest the hospital had seen in a very long time.

I think that was why mom was hurting so bad.

She is recovering now. Sore, but glad to have it all behind her.



Mom taking a picture of me. I hadn't had much sleep!
Mom's feet. She likes to have her feet out!
Can you see her Birkenstock stripes?

Bear was facsinated with the IV machine.
Mom's Twins as she calls them.
"GREGG and GRACEE"
Here they are still in her gallbladder,
and they sort of look elegant...
I did say SORT OF!

Here they are compared to the size of a pen!
Now, maybe we can get on to a quieter few months!
Aimée

A Grumpy Turtle

We have had RED EAR SLIDER TURTLES for pets since March of 1995. My parents found that my brother Todd was allergic to dogs years before. My mom found a little turtle pond with three quarter sized turtles in it for sale at a yard sale. My dad agreed that Todd and I could have them. Dad didn't think they would live long. Those three turtles, Pumpkin, Ginger, and Spice, have now had their own children, who have had their own children. We have enjoyed the turtles, and have added several land turtles to our turtle enclosures.

This is Ginger, JR. He looks just like his dad, and is grumpy like him, too!
Todd trying to get Ginger, JR to 'smile'.

That might could be considered a smile, if Ginger, JR wasn't
HISSING!


He sure is a grumpy turtle!



Firework kids

BEAR
TODD

ME
To be honest, I was the one that started this.
The boys were quick to jump in and join me!

We had it all cleaned up when we were done.
Dad didn't even know we had made a mess when
he came home from work at 1 am.
Aimée

More November Fireworks

I even got to hold some 'flames'.
Colored smoke bombs are always a hit.

SOME of our leftover selections........

Towering lights....

colorful lights.....





November 5th, with July 4th Fireworks

We had some fireworks leftover from July 4th.
Mom decided that she was ready to have them
out of the house.
So, we spent one evening entertaining our neighbors.
(all before 8 pm)
I was in charge of the 'torch'.
At one point, mom and Todd were certain that I had a
flaming jumper. This would not have been good,
nor would it had been a BIG surprise to my family.
I did manage to come away without 'torching' myself.
WHEW!

A small one....

Todd considering a career as a flame dancer.....

These are called 'Morning Glories'.