We did it - we did it! We flew with Zach on Friday night from Rockwall to Stephenville! It was incredible, awesome and everything I hoped it would be!
The weather started out fine in Rockwall, but about 10 miles from Stephenville, we saw a huge bolt of lightning! Casey (Zach's friend and owner of the plane) was talking to a control tower somewhere who told him that we had nothing to worry about - "the weather was about 26 miles west of us." Casey informed the guy quickly, that, "Uh no, it was less than 26 miles."
We landed in Stephenville and then rode over to Hard Eight BBQ for dinner. Zach has talked about this place FOREVER, so I was excited to finally get to eat there, and he was right...the food was awesome! And the atmosphere was pretty cool too!
We headed back to the airport and we were being "followed" by a storm the entire time - lightning and really dark clouds...we hauled butt into the plane and got off the ground with lots of wind and draft! The clouds were incredible and the rockin' and rollin' of the plane didn't settle well with me, but honestly, the two Pilots were excellent. Nothing seemed to bother them at all - matter of fact, they both apologized for the bumpy ride. Landing at Rockwall was interesting; they had a hard time getting the landing gear down, but kept that little piece of information to themselves until we were safely on the ground (smart boys!).
All in all, other than the nasty weather, it was an incredible moment for me - I have done something I never dreamed possible two years ago when Zach started school, and I watched him in "his environment." It was just unbelievable!
I AM SO PROUD OF HIM!!!!
Karen
PS: Jay goes to one doctor today and his hepatologist on Thursday. He has been off work since mid-May and we do not anticipate him going back until after the transplant. He is doing better with the leg swelling - mostly because he makes every attempt to stay off his legs during the day. He is bored to tears, which I expected, and feels so bad most of the time that he hasn't even been fishing (THAT SHOULD TELL YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW!) :)
Pray for "good" results on Thursday and love to you all!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Jay Update - May 14, 2009
Seriously, can someone take 6 diuretics a day and still function (outside of the bathroom)?
Jay saw the hepatologist today - his legs are incredibly swollen and one of them is turning red below the knee. She said she thought it was the "start of an infection." She put him on an antibiotic and said if it wasn't better by Monday, she would admit him to the hospital. My fear of course, is that will take him off the list. She said she hoped the antibiotic would keep it from developing, so we'll see.
She put him on ANOTHER diuretic. The poor guy spends more time in the bathroom in a day than I do in a week, so I can't imagine how this is going to work! I made him wear shorts to her office today so she could see his legs - they are unbelievable!
We won't know anything about his MELD score until later today - they are supposed to call him. Disappointed, he also learned today that he is back to his original transplant coordinator, which neither one of us liked in the beginning! But at this point, we're trying not to care! I'm sure the Lord will provide - He always does.
The doctor did say that it was time to quit work and stay off his legs....hopefully, he'll actually listen and obey.
Please pray that his MELD score is higher and that the Lord sends a liver our way....SOON!
Thanks for the prayers and...
Love to you all,
Karen
Jay saw the hepatologist today - his legs are incredibly swollen and one of them is turning red below the knee. She said she thought it was the "start of an infection." She put him on an antibiotic and said if it wasn't better by Monday, she would admit him to the hospital. My fear of course, is that will take him off the list. She said she hoped the antibiotic would keep it from developing, so we'll see.
She put him on ANOTHER diuretic. The poor guy spends more time in the bathroom in a day than I do in a week, so I can't imagine how this is going to work! I made him wear shorts to her office today so she could see his legs - they are unbelievable!
We won't know anything about his MELD score until later today - they are supposed to call him. Disappointed, he also learned today that he is back to his original transplant coordinator, which neither one of us liked in the beginning! But at this point, we're trying not to care! I'm sure the Lord will provide - He always does.
The doctor did say that it was time to quit work and stay off his legs....hopefully, he'll actually listen and obey.
Please pray that his MELD score is higher and that the Lord sends a liver our way....SOON!
Thanks for the prayers and...
Love to you all,
Karen
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Update on Everything
Well, I probably should wait to post this until next week, but honestly, I guess I just need to "talk." Jay gets worse by the day....no, by the moment. Each day is a struggle for him now; just to get up and go to work, but staying is impossible. I don't think he's worked a full day in about two weeks and if that doesn't tell you how bad he is....he hasn't fished in almost a month. THAT SHOULD PUT IT INTO PERSPECTIVE FOR YOU NON-BELIEVERS!
Zach is supposed to be home this weekend for Mother's Day and to get boxes - he's moving out of his apartment and into a new one with a new roommate. Hope that works for him. He's still planning to go to summer school so he won't be home. I already miss him!
Friends are plenty and we are blessed. I'll update next week after the visit with the Hepatologist!
God bless you all,
Karen
Zach is supposed to be home this weekend for Mother's Day and to get boxes - he's moving out of his apartment and into a new one with a new roommate. Hope that works for him. He's still planning to go to summer school so he won't be home. I already miss him!
Friends are plenty and we are blessed. I'll update next week after the visit with the Hepatologist!
God bless you all,
Karen
Friday, March 20, 2009
March Update
Where to begin...
Zach has been home for a week - can't believe it!!! He's been on spring break and we've had a great time! He is going back today and once again, I'll go through withdrawal!
Jay went to the Hepatologist yesterday. She moved him "up" the list again...not far...to a 19, but up nevertheless. Kinda sad when you pray for bad numbers, but at least everyone understands why we do it! He is now 14th on the list, but since he was #4 in December, I don't put much stock in the whole "where you are on the list" scenario! He is horribly tired all the time (expected); has been experiencing liver pain (also expected); and has the worst leg cramps during the night from taking the diuretics. She gave him another medication in hopes of at least curbing the leg cramps...I have taken to buying more pickle juice than can be imagined! Good thing it comes in "sports bottles;" otherwise, he drinks it from the pickle jar! I need to buy stock in bananas as well!
She did tell him that he would be "transplanted this year," but once again, she told him in December that she thought he would be "transplanted over the holidays," so.... I trust her implicitly, but this is, no doubt, a numbers game.
He is still working, although each day seems to be more difficult. But he's been very smart and when he just can't do it anymore, he takes a partial day either by going in late or leaving early. He's usually asleep when I get home in the afternoons and then he's in bed between 7:00 and 7:30 each night. It's really weird...I can't imagine what people who are higher on the list are able to do (we found out yesterday that there's a person who's a 35 - the highest number with Baylor is 36!!!). Can you imagine?????
All is well otherwise...anyone got any great ideas for college funding?????
Love to you all,
Karen
Zach has been home for a week - can't believe it!!! He's been on spring break and we've had a great time! He is going back today and once again, I'll go through withdrawal!
Jay went to the Hepatologist yesterday. She moved him "up" the list again...not far...to a 19, but up nevertheless. Kinda sad when you pray for bad numbers, but at least everyone understands why we do it! He is now 14th on the list, but since he was #4 in December, I don't put much stock in the whole "where you are on the list" scenario! He is horribly tired all the time (expected); has been experiencing liver pain (also expected); and has the worst leg cramps during the night from taking the diuretics. She gave him another medication in hopes of at least curbing the leg cramps...I have taken to buying more pickle juice than can be imagined! Good thing it comes in "sports bottles;" otherwise, he drinks it from the pickle jar! I need to buy stock in bananas as well!
She did tell him that he would be "transplanted this year," but once again, she told him in December that she thought he would be "transplanted over the holidays," so.... I trust her implicitly, but this is, no doubt, a numbers game.
He is still working, although each day seems to be more difficult. But he's been very smart and when he just can't do it anymore, he takes a partial day either by going in late or leaving early. He's usually asleep when I get home in the afternoons and then he's in bed between 7:00 and 7:30 each night. It's really weird...I can't imagine what people who are higher on the list are able to do (we found out yesterday that there's a person who's a 35 - the highest number with Baylor is 36!!!). Can you imagine?????
All is well otherwise...anyone got any great ideas for college funding?????
Love to you all,
Karen
Friday, February 27, 2009
Jay Update
As most of you know, Jay saw the doctor earlier this month for his every 3 months visit. The doctor was shocked that he had gone back to work and commented that he looked better. Amazingly, Jay didn't really feel better and as it turns out, blood work shows that he's not. He didn't move far "up" the list, just up one spot from a 17 to an 18, but I suspect the trend begins again. We will see. He sees the hepatologist in March - that will of course, be more blood work and some other tests that she always does.
Everything else is status quo which I guess is good.
Hope all in your world is well!
Love,
Karen
Everything else is status quo which I guess is good.
Hope all in your world is well!
Love,
Karen
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Mid-February
Can it be that the month is half over? How does that happen? It's true what my mother used to say...time flies (especially as you get older!).
Not much has changed around the house...work for me is the same except for some incredibly long hours right now. Jay is doing pretty good and has been able to work full-time since he went back in January. He went to the doctor yesterday, so his bloodwork results should be forthcoming quickly. The doctor was surprised that he was back at work full-time and even more surprised at how good he looked. I must admit that he does seem a little better physically.
Zach pledged to Alpha Eta Rho last night - the only International Aviation Fraternity in the world. He's still "flying the hair off the dog," and loving every minute of it. He is losing a roommate (apparently the other two are having problems getting along), so he's started looking at new apartments. They'll live out their lease (until June) and then I think he's planning to move into his own place. He has to take one aviation class this summer as it's only offered this summer and then again, the summer AFTER his senior year, so he will stay in Durant for the summer, again. You'd think I'd get used to the fact that he's not coming home, but...
I did spend last Friday afternoon with him - first time I've done some alone time with him in a very long time. It was fun - we ate and shopped, went to the airport to see the newest plane and I met one of the instructors Zach talks about all time. It was such a nice afternoon - it's amazing to me how "old" he seems. He'll be 20 in April, but sometimes I forget that he's still a young man. He's always been an "old soul," but he's definitely gotten older since he left home. He's become such a responsible young man ... concerned about himself of course, but about the world at large. Just amazing.
Have been trying to find ways to fill our time since football season ended - the Wylie girls have made the basketball playoffs, so our football crew has begun going to those games. Funny how you can find 7 people you never get tired of! We've discussed soccer, but good Lord...it's too cold for me to sit outside, even if Wylie is winning! I'm ready for softball and baseball season...I never tire of that...maybe because I played for so long!
I'm thinking of everyone and hoping that all are safe, happy and healthy.
Love to you all!
Karen
Not much has changed around the house...work for me is the same except for some incredibly long hours right now. Jay is doing pretty good and has been able to work full-time since he went back in January. He went to the doctor yesterday, so his bloodwork results should be forthcoming quickly. The doctor was surprised that he was back at work full-time and even more surprised at how good he looked. I must admit that he does seem a little better physically.
Zach pledged to Alpha Eta Rho last night - the only International Aviation Fraternity in the world. He's still "flying the hair off the dog," and loving every minute of it. He is losing a roommate (apparently the other two are having problems getting along), so he's started looking at new apartments. They'll live out their lease (until June) and then I think he's planning to move into his own place. He has to take one aviation class this summer as it's only offered this summer and then again, the summer AFTER his senior year, so he will stay in Durant for the summer, again. You'd think I'd get used to the fact that he's not coming home, but...
I did spend last Friday afternoon with him - first time I've done some alone time with him in a very long time. It was fun - we ate and shopped, went to the airport to see the newest plane and I met one of the instructors Zach talks about all time. It was such a nice afternoon - it's amazing to me how "old" he seems. He'll be 20 in April, but sometimes I forget that he's still a young man. He's always been an "old soul," but he's definitely gotten older since he left home. He's become such a responsible young man ... concerned about himself of course, but about the world at large. Just amazing.
Have been trying to find ways to fill our time since football season ended - the Wylie girls have made the basketball playoffs, so our football crew has begun going to those games. Funny how you can find 7 people you never get tired of! We've discussed soccer, but good Lord...it's too cold for me to sit outside, even if Wylie is winning! I'm ready for softball and baseball season...I never tire of that...maybe because I played for so long!
I'm thinking of everyone and hoping that all are safe, happy and healthy.
Love to you all!
Karen
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Been Lazy
Yes, it's true - I've been lazy the last few weeks and haven't posted anything. The sad part about that is that things have changed, and I didn't bother to share it with anyone!
First, some fun stuff. Zach is rockin-n-rollin' with school...flying the hair of his head apparently, and still loving every minute of it.
We spent last Saturday at the Stock Show with our "football buddies." I'd forgotten how fun the stock show can be, but it is even better with good friends. And of course, there was the food!
I lost one of my cousins on Sunday to cancer. We've been expecting it, but it's such a reality check when "your generation" starts to pass away. She's the first cousin we've lost (other than newborns or infants), so this is particularly difficult. She was just 60 in December, and at my age, 60 gets younger every day!!!!
Much to my dismay, Jay has gone back to work. He quit work in mid-December, and I believe because he was getting more rest and taking better care of himself, his health "improved." When I say improved, I mean that his blood counts went "down." Therefore, the doctors moved him down on the list from a 23 to a 17. He was devastated, but at a 17, he doesn't feel that he will get a liver, so he went back to work this past Friday. Although I do understand his point of view, I believe that he's trying to make himself "sick" again so he'll go back up on the list. Sick or not, you still need a liver.
We just knew that he would get the call over the holidays - I think his doctors even believed he'd be transplanted over the holidays, but as is always the case, no matter how sick you are, you have to have a donated liver to get one! It's been, and continues to be, a long and struggling road.
He's probably better off at work, but emotionally, he's hit rock bottom at this point. I feel for him, and I think going back to work was a mistake. But as I told one of my oldest and dearest friends, these are the only decisions that Jay actually gets to make - all other decisions are made by medical professionals, so I have to let him have some control. Our struggle continues...
Several of you have asked me how I am...my days are very, very good or they're very, very bad. I struggle to stay ahead of the emotion to keep them in check...some days I'm successful, some days, I just suck at it! Thank God most of you understand and know that "this too shall pass." My closest friends bear the brunt of the worst of it - they must deal with me when I won't talk to anyone, but they've been doing it for years - they understand me (and thank God, don't try to change me!). I still spend a lot of time "mulling it over" before I can talk about it and it does bring me some peace to find my inner sanity on my own. It probably doesn't help my friends who are trying to help me, but as my friend Randy says, "I yam who's I yam!"
All I can say is, thank God for good friends that never let me down...no matter how bad I might be. It is never intentional and it is never "aimed" at anyone. It is what it is - my need to avoid severe depression. No matter what happens in life, I know that it will eventually get better. I must just stay ahead of the game. Please continue to keep us in your prayers and at this moment, please pray for my cousin's family. They are all struggling to find some solace in the fact that my cousin is no longer suffering the "bonds of cancer." It is a tough road.
Love to you all!
K~
First, some fun stuff. Zach is rockin-n-rollin' with school...flying the hair of his head apparently, and still loving every minute of it.
We spent last Saturday at the Stock Show with our "football buddies." I'd forgotten how fun the stock show can be, but it is even better with good friends. And of course, there was the food!
I lost one of my cousins on Sunday to cancer. We've been expecting it, but it's such a reality check when "your generation" starts to pass away. She's the first cousin we've lost (other than newborns or infants), so this is particularly difficult. She was just 60 in December, and at my age, 60 gets younger every day!!!!
Much to my dismay, Jay has gone back to work. He quit work in mid-December, and I believe because he was getting more rest and taking better care of himself, his health "improved." When I say improved, I mean that his blood counts went "down." Therefore, the doctors moved him down on the list from a 23 to a 17. He was devastated, but at a 17, he doesn't feel that he will get a liver, so he went back to work this past Friday. Although I do understand his point of view, I believe that he's trying to make himself "sick" again so he'll go back up on the list. Sick or not, you still need a liver.
We just knew that he would get the call over the holidays - I think his doctors even believed he'd be transplanted over the holidays, but as is always the case, no matter how sick you are, you have to have a donated liver to get one! It's been, and continues to be, a long and struggling road.
He's probably better off at work, but emotionally, he's hit rock bottom at this point. I feel for him, and I think going back to work was a mistake. But as I told one of my oldest and dearest friends, these are the only decisions that Jay actually gets to make - all other decisions are made by medical professionals, so I have to let him have some control. Our struggle continues...
Several of you have asked me how I am...my days are very, very good or they're very, very bad. I struggle to stay ahead of the emotion to keep them in check...some days I'm successful, some days, I just suck at it! Thank God most of you understand and know that "this too shall pass." My closest friends bear the brunt of the worst of it - they must deal with me when I won't talk to anyone, but they've been doing it for years - they understand me (and thank God, don't try to change me!). I still spend a lot of time "mulling it over" before I can talk about it and it does bring me some peace to find my inner sanity on my own. It probably doesn't help my friends who are trying to help me, but as my friend Randy says, "I yam who's I yam!"
All I can say is, thank God for good friends that never let me down...no matter how bad I might be. It is never intentional and it is never "aimed" at anyone. It is what it is - my need to avoid severe depression. No matter what happens in life, I know that it will eventually get better. I must just stay ahead of the game. Please continue to keep us in your prayers and at this moment, please pray for my cousin's family. They are all struggling to find some solace in the fact that my cousin is no longer suffering the "bonds of cancer." It is a tough road.
Love to you all!
K~
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