WHATZ UP?

Well, I finally got last weekend photo's on line, you can see then here. We had a great weekend; I did my good doings, played in the rain in my new Extra Toughs, got my first fishing rod, met up with good friends, saw new sites, did a little fishing (not catching), and went for a nice hike. I learned, even with MS you can ride 63 miles on a bike, I can pee in the woods standing up, and found if you take glacier photos with an indoor camera setting the blue comes out more vivid. It was a wonderful trip, I couldn't think of any way better to celebrate our 15 years together. Thanks John, Nadina and the National MS Society.

I start my new job on Monday, I am now an part time Administrative Assistant to a CPA, witha very flexible schedule. A very small company, with lots going on. She (the CPA) does forensic accounting for the courts and corporate taxes. Even though I feel over qualified for the job she has me doing, I should learn a lot from her and the experience I take away should be beneficial . The only down side is I need a social life outside of family and I won't be getting that hanging in a small office in Eagle River.

John and I got more adult time last night. We had dinner with Nate and Tab, I was so excited to go OUT to dinner with a couple and no kids where the conversation flowed and it was not awkward. The Bloody Marys set me on the right track for poker, but diner was cut too short. We will have to do it again.

After diner we then hit Valette's poker game, where I found myself with an incredible need to start playing with action figures. But more important I stole Valette's mojo, so that John could take the table. Okay he shared it with Steve but the point is I left with $11 bucks to Valette'a $1.

Girl Scouts is up and running, our first meetings was last week, this year we have more parents support then I know what to do with. I think it will be a great year!! We have already scheduled our first community service project. On the 29th we will be going to Portage to do some land management, laying trails and planting indigenous plants. I am looking forward to this, a lot.

I have 20 projects going on around the house and if I could just complete one I would be happy....hey I did complete one!!! I blogged and got my photo's on line!!! Time to get the house projects done now!

MS Bike Ride

The National MS Bike Ride (and here and here)was a success and we had a lot of fun. We volunteered for Saturday biker sign up in Granite Creek (mile 63 Seward Highway) and then helped sign bikes back in once they reached the Seward Sea Life Center. John and I counted 129 bikes (227 were signed up) making the trip on Saturday. The first rider pulled into Seward soaking wet, in about 4 hours, that is 63 miles in 4 hours, averaging almost 16 miles an hour, in the pouring rain. I would like to thank you all for not showing up because John and I had a wonderful quiet anniversary weekend. I have many pictures, I want to share, but the schedule does not permit blogging right now. So...for now you only get to hear about the bikers who raised over $100,000 for the National MS Society.

" i'm "

Did you know "Windows Live Messenger" will donate a portion of their advertising revenue to a charity of your choice every time you chat on Messenger? So now every time you chat me up, I am raising funds for the National MS Society. There are several different Charities you can donate to...check it out!

I doing it!

I am going to do it! I am going to volunteer this year, for the National Multiple Sclerosis Bike Ride. It starts at Mile 63 Seward Highway (Moose Pass), the riders ride into Seward, stay the night and ride back out for a total of 126 miles. It is my understanding that you can have a "team" and share the distance, so next year, maybe, I can get a team together to do some fund raising. This year, I will just volunteer, maybe as a photographer, or wherever. Anyone want to join me?

12 more days!!

Twelve more days and school starts, the girls are all registered. Spent the week doing that ...one girl... one school...one a day. Big changes this year Rose has to ride the bus for the first time, Byrd is the only one at her school now, and Tay is a big bad 8th grader. The only hassle we had this year with her registration is they stuck Tay in PE again and two class were out in relocatable, No Wheelchair access. Which mean she is inside for Health and is disappointed that it will be taught by the male teacher that tends to look at her breasts and comment how nice her PLAIN WHITE t-shirt is. Everyone was teasing that I map out two hours to do Tay's registration. There's reason behind my madness! Now its time for supplies, and what I save by not buying glue sticks and crayons will be spent on Rosey's activity fees...is it wrong for me to pressure her into wrestling? I do miss watching sports!! Tay got her Journalism class, but had to give up keyboarding for art (my girls hate art). Rosey got French, home economics, Art and Keyboarding. homework should be a fun battle with two in JR high.

Rosey has been working hard on some video's


She had a friend over and they taped this, then put it all together. There are two more video's she is working on. I need to get her into the Audio video Club.

Here is Lou's Birthday, it was from back in May, but I just finished for Sister dear so she would feel left out.

On another note, Have you ever heard of this web site? I got a message on my FLICKR account that they wanted a photo of mine. It wasn't a great photo so I let them have it....but now I am published!!!! My photo is in the slide show, on the right lower part of the article.

Fragments of Life

Last Saturday, some friends of mine and I crashed Bartlett High School 20 year reunion. I am sure if I would have gone to my brother's reunion (in Homer) they wouldn't have been so old, but these people were OLD. It was fun playing "What were you in High School!", especially since they grew up in the 80's ...there were the old Cindy Laupers/Madonna's, the cheer leaders that didn't fair to well, the lady that moved to Homer (I spotted her instantly), the stoner chick still wearing the leather, the Jocks all had beer guts, and, as it should be, the nerds sat with us! The parents of one of my Girl Scouts were there, I swore they were MUCH older. Now they know I am a lush that hangs at Bernie’s Bungalow Lounge , and that two lemon sours and a glass of wine is way to much for me.

I took the girls and the neighbor boys to Goose Lake, we finally got some July sun. Everyone else was either busy or had sick kids, so it was just me and my crew and the hundreds of other families that took the opportunity to enjoy the sun. I was a little bored, as the kids ran off to play, I wanted to, but couldn't get the guts up to be a stalker and take photos of the people enjoying the beach (my Flikr account needs some new photo's). Someday I will get the guts up to take photo's of strangers....but I did get these of my own kids.

• As soon as I took that one of Byrd, I thought of Bay Watch.

Today is my birthday, I think I am going to use that to my advantage and ask that the chores get done! I am wondering what I want to do, but I think the plans are being made for me, or maybe is my plans are will be around the important events...like payday, and play dates. Tonight it will be just us and cake. Tomorrow, it is boat races at noon and the Harry Potter Book release party all night. Saturday maybe a BBQ before the x-brother in-law leaves, maybe the weather will be nice and we can do it out of town. I would love to take Keith out and get him drunk for his plane ride home (lets see if we can get him wasted enough he will be so loud and obstinate to the flight crew they will land early to 86 him), maybe a babysitter for Saturday is on order!

Shriners called to day to tell me Taylors bike is coming, when I stated I wasn't expecting a bike, I found that Herb meant to call Taylor Mac... not Taylor Mc... Darn it!! Last night Taylor took STEPS up the stairs using mostly her right leg, so today I took her wheelchair so I could "Wash It" ...lets see how see does with only using her walker today. Is that child abuse? cause I feel really mean. Lucky the monster with-in is sleeping, I got away with it, so far.

Oh did I tell you I am the Brewopoly Champion!! After kicking Shana's family butts last Friday, I proceeded to whoop my kids butt (and my husbands) last night!! Now my kids really know to much about beer.

Whoa... after reading this through (and yes probably missing still more grammar/spelling error), if someone didn't know me, it would appear like I have a drinking problem. Hmmm... really its only socially, July is just really social and I am just really bad at typing and spelling.

My Weekend

My plans changed for the weekend, I was supposed to be doing chores and parting with John and Taylor. Celebrating the success of the surgery and Johns birthday...but thing were burning and I wasn't going to miss out. Thanks Jen and Rodney for all the fun (no blog to link)!!

This is the view of the Ninilchik Fire/ Caribou Hills Fire. This is from my Brothers Cabin on Moose Horn Ridge, (Caribou Lake is to the right)... Check out my Fliker Account for more photos.

It's Up....No its Down...

One minute the internet is UP the next it is down. I had so many stories that are now lost, due to the Internet Company issues. Here's the catch up...John and Tay are gone...Tay is Doing Good...Just a few frustrations... I missed out on....and I Missed....so I could...but all is okay after John and Tay flew out and Byrd went and stayed in AP, Rose and I had fun.
On Monday, after the chores were done of course, we called a friend and grabbed sandwiches and hiked to flat top.

Thats a snow ball.

Where we stopped to eat, not even past blueberry hill, but a Great View.

At the top, this was the tallest living plant.

At the top, the sun started to show..

The dirt on the face...its for the effect of it all...They struggled
to the top.They earned that dirt... Drama Queens.

Here they are striking a pose at the top of flat top over looking Anchorage.


Tuesday, we did more chores (don't tell Byrd but her room has been cleaned) we set out to do a few last minute chores...okay we shopped...got a router and some CHEAP CHEAP shorts and a new bra.

Wednesday's, we set out early to get a few more errands done, we were running late for an appointment when we got caught in traffic, Rosey caught this photo at N. lights and the Highway.

After seeing this and being late I had a feeling something would set me off track. We got to our appointment and hour EARLY so we left to buy food for the fish and frog. Animal House 10:30 am CLOSED...So all the way across town only to spend way more money. Then back just in time for my appointment to get my hair trimmed, and eyebrows and mustache waxed (first time for the stash and...it's still numb).
We dash home so Rose can feed the frog, and off we go North. First stop Thunderbird Falls...

Graffiti...took Rose a little to get it.

At the falls

Self portrait

Here we are at the top viewing deck, it's only a mile hike, but it was fun. We then went to the base of the falls and ate by the river. The mosquitoes were eating also so we left quickly. Headed north again...to

Camp Togo Woods.

Roses home for the next week.

On my way home I tried to sight see saw nothing interesting, even after driving ever back road, so I headed home.Just north of the North of Birchwood Exit, I hear a terrible noise, no cars round, so it must be me, I got safely to the off ramp and was just about to stopped when a very LOUD motorcycle zoomed past me out of nowhere. Felling relieved, the noise was him I started to go again..but nope, it was me, I had a flat. I was doing 70- 75 down the highway, I heard the noise but felt nothing, not a change in steering, nothing. I called the, no hassle warranty company that was supposed to covere roadside assistance, but DOESN'T, then called Donny and Heath. They are on the south side of Anchorage, they will come out, but I am not waiting, I get started. Jack .. Check... Tire... check... lug wrench ...check... I get the lug nuts loose and go to drop the spare. I am under the car when someone (other then a cop) finally stops to help. Thanks two dudes in the little blue truck. My feeling of impeding doom has passed and I have been home enjoying a clean quiet house. So nice...my time. Tomorrow mow the lawn and pick up Tay and John.

Ladybug Brigade

Every year my youngest two daughters go out and collect Ladybugs, they have their special hunting grounds, like the bathroom pull off on the Sterling Highway past Cooper Landing and before the Kenai Burns. This time they plucked the little ladies closer to home, but the mother load was still reached. Hundreds of little bugs, that I have been trying to free so they will eat my aphids, its a good thing they haven't seen their freedom or else we could have never experienced a birth like this.

Brave New Girls

I sent the young two girls and my Girl Scout Troops off to Encampment yesterday morning, by noon I was getting phone call for more line (rope) for storm lashing. Two years ago we dealt with heat stroke this year wind.
Around 4:30, yesterday, I headed out to bring the younger troop some dinner. I found WIND, so much wind that brand new tents were being ripped to shreds, the zippers were being pulled apart even with the tent windows open, cook stoves would not stay lit, and tent stakes would not stay in the ground. I found hungry cold adults and children loving it. Tonight, I will bring out new tents, blankets, gloves, hats, and cocoa.

Byrds troop

Roses Troop

Sarah's Troop

My two are venturing just fine due to the fact we just spent 10 days outside in similar weather. Hope the adult volunteers don't hate me when this is over.

Since we last talked....

...we went to Anchor Point for the annual camping trip, check out the photo's.

Track Meet

Rose's track meet went well, our school has some awesome runners. Rose ran in the 1st event (400m) and the last (800m). She ended up placing last in the 800 due to a cramp and not re-warming up before the 800, but the team pulled though and placed. Devyn took 5th in the 400m, but we missed that race, due to having to buy gas on National Don't buy Gas Day. Rose and her friend are in the back here, but both girls pull ahead. Her friend is a hard one to beat, she is one of THOSE girls, and it all comes natural....pretty, good manners, smart, artistic, sings like a bird, sporty, poetic, dancer, has a six pack (so it is going around school, I think it is a rib cage) all around GACKKK kind of girl! She's a great girl, but hard to compete with. Rose was worried about running against her but she did a great job.

Kymbyrd on the other hand, told us today she's not fat, so why should she join track. It was very hard to convince her that some people run because they enjoy it...Imagine that!

"The Hill"

99 "Vacation" photo's....you can suffer through them.

We are home our flight was an interesting one our arrival in Anchorage was a little unorganized, but the whole process was quit fun. The dudes in the funny hats(funny hat not shown) know what they are doing.

One driver came in and put Tay in the sled which was strapped to a gurney. When his buddy showed up we rolled to down to a full size van and they slid the sled into that van and we strapped her to the floor. She slept the whole way to the airport (30 min) thanks to the drugs, she gets car sick so I am thankful for those pills.
As we pull up to the departure area of the airport, a police officer was there to meet us. He was great, he made other people leave so we could pull up right to the curb. We were early so he stayed made sure no one parked behind us so when the fire department showed we had enough room to unload. As I struggled to haul my luggage in ( I totally over pack on everything but cloths) he got me a luggage cart for free and even taught me the correct way to load it. When I got to the ticket counter (deciding the self serve boarding passes could cause problems) I found that they had booked her seats so her half of her was siting in isle 15 ABC and the rest in 27 DEF
They fixed the problem and sat all of her in a joining seats. By the time that was worked out, they had unloaded Taylor and came to help me check my luggage. So know I am standing getting our boarding pass with 4 firemen, a police man and a child on a gurney and rescue sled... we are getting some serious eyeballing.
Security was great, we walked in through the exit and was meet by TSA's head dude, he called in women to pat us down and pass us through, only that was not good enough for my agent. As she lead me back through the exit and around to the metal detectors she lectured my about how I shouldn't have gone that way and acted like it was my fault. Then she proceeded to check my bags carefully while she complained to the other agents about how the procedure had been broken and how we they needed to check me carefully. For me I just giggled, wondered what was going bad in her lief to take it out on me, and I felt bad that I was holding up the firemen, I am sure they had better things to do.
We were so early, so our chaperonages of got us to our gate and said they would be back. Tay and I went for a little cruise in her gurney having a little fun with the stares, Tay drooling and moaning and me trying to steer the thing alone, not an easy task. I tried to get her to place the sheet over her head like she was a body... but she wouldn't. I think because she would miss out on the reactions of our gwackers.
Our plane arrived and the firemen soon after. They rolled the gurney to the plane and carried the sled to her seats. The ground crew came on and tied her down and I started to put my bags aways when a fireman appeared again "We have to take her off again". I giggled "yeah right,"."No I am serious" he said with a smile "FAA rules no one is allowed on the plain before the flight crew." I hadn't notice there was no stewardess's to greet us. The ground crew manager tell us to hang on that that a debate was in order and hopefully the flight crew will get there before he looses. He lost but the ground crew did show up.
I have to say Alaska Airline treats their clients like queens. Moments after I was seated 15 minutes before the scheduled boarding time, we met the pilot, we were given our own safety class, offered drinks and snacks, and privacy curtains. I guess anyone can get this service you just have to buy 9 seats for a medical transport.

AS the other passengers boarded I was approached by a gentleman who had the nerve to tell us "You are in my seat." as he points to the window seat Taylor's midsection is in. After that, as the other passengers approached I would just state "I am sorry, are we in your seat?" . As it turns out we were in thier seats, the ground crew put us on teh wrong side of the plane, no big deal for us the passengers, some oved to the front of the plane, mothers with babies were moved to the back with us, pretty much musical chairs. For us it worked out, but for the ticket agent had to fix it in the computer, just in case we crashed and they have to identify bodies.

Our arrival was a little more unorganized, me a little touchy, I did get some sleep on the plane and did not wake well. The ground crew ended up carrying Tay all the way to the car and even strapped her down. I was a little nervous them carrying her so far, and Tay says she could tell who was stronger, but it all worked out.

Today was full of sleep, a nice sound sleep with no one waking me to take vital signs or asking stupid questions that should have been talked about at their shift change briefing. I love not staring at dirty sage green walls. I loved it, the sleep, I love my bed I love the breeze through the window, the sounds of todays rain and hailstorm. I think we beat the storm to Alaska, here is the after math of the one we had in Oregon.

(From "The Hill" Portland Oregon
looking east over the Willamette River at the Cascade Mountains)

Tay is doing wonderful, she is taking her medication less and is getting out of bed with more confidence and little pain. I don't have to roll her every two hours to prevent bed sores, she can now to it on her own.
Byrd and Rose are sporting the tans, Taylor and I were supposed to be bringing home. I think I will walk them to and from school tomorrow, and I think I will make Tay go too. Its good to be home.

Wanted - Black Ninja Midget

They covered Tay's casts today with a nice green chartruese (sp) color, they mole skinned the top and the toes, telling me this will keep "accidents" from seeping in to the casts. I hope they won't be shocked when we come back and I have adapted the mole skin so it is water and germ proof. Tomorrow I will ask her real Doctor if it will be a problem if we cut them down just a bit on the thighs.
I was a little disappointed I wasn't there when they added the green fiber glass, I SOOOOO want to play with the fiber glass, especially when it is in pretty rainbow colors. I tried to get Tay to order stripes, but she doest want to inconvenience anyone. While Tay was getting casted I was wandering through the woods. As fist I tried to make my own trail through the ivy ridden forest floor, I was keeping eyes out for crazy's in woods, when the thought occurred to me that I didn't know the local wildlife or plants. Does Oregon have snakes or poison oak? I high trailed it back to the road quickly. Then I found an exercises trail, so I called back to the hospital and asked to stay out longer, Nick the nurse said Tay was still sleeping so I took it as a "YEAH". The trail was a 40 mile loop, I sure wish I could have walked longer. The "Foili-age" is so pretty and the birds singing and the creek babbling was wonderful. A lot of the plant life is the same as home, the fiddle head fern is just about finished uncurling, the watermelon berry bushes have already bloomed and are ready to start making berries. (psst, you think John really will read all of this?) There were, what I would call lily pads growing no where near the water in full bloom. I sure wish I would have known the trail was there last Tuesday, I could see no better way to wait out a long surgery then hiking though the woods. As I was strolling and taking pictures I thought "What will I ever do with so many pictures of plants?" Then I thought I need to buy some books, so I can find out just what each plant is. Oh yeah...On my outing I met the Mayor of Kenai brother in-law...he works at the local quickie mart "the Plaid Pantry", where I bought three packs of cigarettes for $11.05.
Taylor got out of bed again today, and did a pivot transfer to her wheelchair. It was painful but much better then yesterday, then we find out it is for MY sake not hers. She is not to do anything for the next 6 weeks, pivot transfers only, it was NOT Physical Therapy, it was NOT for her benefit. I needed to learn how to do it...WELL DUH folks she has been casted before you think I don't know how to handle a pivot transfer with my child with out hurting myself. De DE DEEE!!! So all that pain so I could learn, poor girl, I insisted on a blanket transfer when she got back into bed, now that one is new to me, but also self explanatory. The good news is she got most of the way out of bed by herself, it is bearing her own weight that hurts. The pain is an intense hamstring stretch, not the bones.
Her new wheelchair reclines to a flat position, when she is in flat, the handles to push it is at my knees. They are so worried about me hurting myself, causing my little girl great pain, yet I am expected to push her (her and the chair before her casts weighs 197 lbs) bent over. Hopefully at the Oregon airport I will have help. I asked the PT here for help on coming to a solution, once again no help. Taylor was concerned about me and I told her I would just hire a midget to push her, she told me only if it was a black nija midget . So John will you will need to get one of those also before we get home. 32 Hours to go!!!

Big Brother...

is watching me... my site is now allowed to be seen on this G rated computer. Thanks Mr./Mrs. computer tech dude.
I got my kid back this evening, every obstinate piece of her. It's amazing what a good poo will do for you. She sat up, kinda, this evening and isn't begging for Valium, and even spoke on the phone. I hope this holds out.
It must be poo day because the baby next door is finally eating and sleeping again, and I must say all this poo talk has helped me also, now if it will only work for the teenage boy on the other side of us. A fever and belly swelling that won't do away, X-rays are clear, they are hoping it passes (pardon the pun). My poor little Leslie (9 year old girl) friend is also not doing so well. Today I delivered some flowers, that I stole out of Taylor's arrangements, she was in so much pain, and her mom looked so flustered. The Moms family (boyfriend and Grandma) is making it hard, they expect her to be in the room 24/7...and that would be okay if they plan on taking care of her 24 hours a day for the course of her rehab. People don't realize that sometimes it is harder on the parents then the patients in these situations. We need our breaks, we need to talk, we need to get OUT!!
You know its kind of sad, just as I make friends we will be leaving. ONLY TWO MORE DAYS!!!

Fear

...the fear of suppositories got my youngster out of bed today. The IV and the epidural are both gone, in-trade for Percocet and Valium, Taylor is on the nurses to get them on time. There will be NO lag time, just a nice even high! Last night we told the nurse we don't need anything but the narcotics, nurse left shaking her head "All I am to you is your dealer."
I am feeling better now that I got 4 hours of straight sleep, and the nurses have stopped avoiding me. Yesterday they would only approach the room if I was gone, but hey I am not here to make friends right? There have been a few instants where I have caught them lying because what I asked for is not what they wanted to give, like a female urinal vs a bed pan. The girl hurts when she lifts her butt how is she supposed to sit on a bed pan. Or how about the nurse who told a few days ago it twas Dr orders to get out of bed, it was just permission LADY!!! not orders.
Tay adventure out of bed, today, was a hard one. The spasms in her legs are so bad when she tries to move more then her arms, hence the Valium. We did a pivot transfer, I got to see just how tall my little girl has gotten, her chin is at my shoulders and I just wanted to stand there hugging her all day long. Tears of joy and tears of pain for her, I couldn't stop them from coming. I hope all her pain is worth it.
Our flight home arrives in Anchorage at 12:20 am on the 8th, Taylor's eat assigned to seats A B C D E F and G, I am sitting in seat ESC, wherever that is. sure glad I am not footing that bill. We asked not to accompanied home by the ambulance, but after today, John you better bring some more muscles because it took 4 of use to get her out of bed today.
Tay told me today she wished we could take a flight straight to Homer, because her family is the best support in crises. Between Grandpa Stan's surround sound, Grandpa Val's orthopedic sympathy, Grandma J's nurturing ways, Grandma's Terry's energy, Aunt Valette's twisted humor, okay there are to many of you... but she wants to see you all. Anyway if you are up to traveling north...I will throw the party. All is invited...maybe for mothers day weekend?Tay also wants you all to know she is not pushing you all away, she feels bad for not wanting to talk, she misses you all and is thankful the prayers and the support....and that goes for me too.

Missing Home

Good morning all, it was a long night, our quiet nurse had the night off, he was stealth, I barely heard him when he came in, minus the time I woke up and saw a strange man over my bed...and screamed. Last night we had student nurses, someone needs to tell them they need to teach OUTSIDE of the room at night, walking someone through how do a paitent assesment is not something you should do at night. Also those Damn flashlights, don't turn them on until they are pointed to what you need to look at, NOT in my eyes. I even left the bathroom light on.
Tay is feeling 100% better after a bath and hair shampoo, I had to teach them how to wet wash a girls hair in bed...hope the nurses are learning something. They just turned off the epidural, and the oral medication is treating her REALLY well, now the silly's are kicking in. She is sitting up a little more but is still freaked out, our very first nurse after surgery yelled at her about sitting up and filled her head with horror stories about snapping tendons and killing nerves, after her experience last March with her torn meniscus and stretched knee tendons, she is pretty freaked out. I had to get on the nurses yesterday about trying to force her out of bed, they did it, they instilled the fear, I had to stick up for Tay. The nurse lied to her telling her it was Doctor orders and I was NOT impressed. The Doctor only gave her permission, but he must have heard about my conversation with the nurse because he expects her to be out of bed when he does his evening rounds. Today she is looking forward to it.
I do have some bad news, even though she will be ready to go home on Sunday/Monday, the travel plans include to many people to change the plans, so Tuesday (I still don't have confirmation) we will fly home. I wonder how much a rental car to Alaska is? The good news is we may get a day pass and get her out of here on Monday maybe we will go to the Zoo or to the mall, the girls and I can use some new cloths, maybe they will be cheaper down here.
I am meeting some new friends the other moms are great, and its nice to complain about the service here. It is not bad service in fact it is excellent (for us), but bitching (oops "r" rated word) about something makes us feel better.
The poor boy (17 years old) next door, he spiked a 104 fever, they tried everything even icing his whole body down to get the temp down. Mom noticed some swelling in his stomach. It turns out they didn't put his catheter in right his urine was backing up and causing the fever. Our other neighbor was a screaming 16 year old girl. All day long it was nonstop screaming, "f" word this "F" word that, yelling at the nurses, yelling at her parents, moaning and screaming like she was in horrible pain (pain management is not an issue here), she was know as the Drama Queen. Yesterday she disappeared, turns out the Docs told her to behave or leave and find another Doc. I think they left. Met the another little guy that had back surgery (scoliosis) one day and left the next, turns out he was born with no feeling in his mid-section, lucky (or is it unlucky) boy. I also have a new little 9 year old friend she attached to me instantly, she is here for hip surgery, but other wise a normal little kid. She is going in for surgery today, Tay and I are gonna repackage some of her flowers for her. Oh and I forgot, a dog came by to visit last night looked just like Barley with a darker face and brown eyes, I would have to say barley is NOT a prerinise mountain dog mutt. I forgot what breed this dog (began with an L) was but it was Barley all the way , I miss HOME!!!

On Schedule

Everything is on schedule, thanks for all you works of encouragement. I would reply to your comments but this is a "G rated" hospital, and they won't let me read or comment on the blogs, I am lucky to get this far. *okay so it is just Damon's site and mine, I guess my name is a little to close to Erotic. Hope your hiccups go away Valette, the yard is look Great Kiana, and Marty I love the angle on that pipe shot, Dad and John get off your butts and post.
Tay is doing great she is finally eating, although very little, they pulled the the drainage bags from her incision sites, so she is no longer sleeping with four bags of bloody fluids. The Doctor gave her permission to get out of bed today, but she is still not allowed to sit up more then a 30 degree angle, because she has no feeling in her legs still they are worried she will damage the tendons or nerves and not know it.
Tomorrow they will start weaning her off her epidural, and the nurse today encouraged me to start getting the transportation coordinator to start planning our trip home, Sunday or Monday if she takes to the oral medications okay. So things must be going well.
It's funny that Jeanette mentioned Val and her comparing screws and metal plates, because Taylor was just telling me how thankful she is to NOT have cadaver bone puddy in her legs, unlike Val.
any way we are just sitting around waiting...not much else to do. Hugs to all and thanks for the prayers, I know they are working.

Eight Hours

Just an update after eight hours (two hours more then they thought) of surgery Taylor is out and feeling fine, she has four metal plates in her legs and multiple screws, two of them holding her knee caps ups, the doctor had to raise them, her muscles were so tight her knee caps were being pulled down. The Doctor cut her hamstrings in where is connects in two places, he was going to move them to a different location (muscle transfer) but couldn't find the right place to attach it, so he just cut them. I guess you don't need all your hamstrings connected. He rotated the right femur 5 degrees and the left 20 degrees and both tibia's 20 degrees. He said Taylor is an odd case, looking at the the range of motion with her lying on her tummy does not match what he sees when she is on her back. I think she was a brain teaser for him. He look so exhausted, Taylor was his second surgery of the day so he had to have been operating for 10 hours.
The detail are still fuzzy with all of the information they gave me, its all so hard to keep it straight. So if my story changes its due to jet lag and stress and confusion. I plan getting copies of her records, just so I don't have to take notes. The epidural should be in for three days so she shouldn't feel any pain until we switch her to oral meds.
The word on the floor was that she received the Aiona (her Doctor) Special, and it always goes well. I really like this doc. Our prospective home date is Monday, Sunday if all goes well. It will be more like 6 weeks before we come back down to remove the casts and he will probably bring us down again the end of July.
I tried to upload pictures of our adventures but the public computers won't let me take them off my camera, I will go to the OHSU library and see if I can't do it there. Do all public computers limit you to email and Internet searching? If i find an Internet cafe' will it be different?
Taylor is sleeping soundly, Marty she really appreciated you phone call, and got mad at me for almost hanging up. I asked her if she wanted to make any phone calls and she said NO!!! Marty you should feel special.