We Survived

Well, the single parent stint is over. Thank Goodness. Hubby returned yesterday. We went out for good Mexican food and then the guys all bonded after dinner. I proceeded to come home and go to sleep!

I've not made much headway on sewing in the last week since I worked VBS at our church. I'll get back into it later this week. I'm currently helping my mom out on a quilting project. She has a bunch of sunbonnet Sue's that need embroidery work done on them before she can set the blocks together. I enjoy embroidery work, so I offered to finish off the last few for her. She commented that I could do in one day what it takes her a week or more to do. I said I'd do them for her.

My eldest son came home from SIGS yesterday and said he "had a good time." I knew he would if he'd just STOP complaining! I'm keeping a friend's son today who is in the same grade as Daniel. I decreed it to be a no T.V. playdate and they've been playing with light sabers and such while discussing the finer points of Mario Cart Wii. It's entertaining listening to them.

We're hoping to get a few days of swimming in this week. We are ready to enjoy summer. I think hubby's next trip is vacation with us, so life is looking up here.

Unfortunately my dad is STILL in the hospital. He's been in since 6/12 for an emergency appendectomy. He's NOT bounced back at all and has contracted an infection -- probably MRSA. I say that since he's on gentamicin in order to clear the infection. Mom is taking care of visiting him each day. I have not felt the drive to go to the hospital every day. It's just too reminiscent of my life last summer when Dad tried to kill himself. I cannot go to the hospital every day. Dad's life does not hang in the balance this summer, so I'm going to let mom handle it. Denial on my part? no. I'm just putting my family first this year.

I've purchased all the necessary items to redo the boys bedrooms. All that's left now is paint and the time to do the painting. I'll probably do that next week.

HOORAY!

On Tuesday I took my Dad in for another swallow test. This time the trach. had been pulled out by about an inch. We were having this test done with this adjustment to determine if the trach. was putting pressure on the esophagus and thereby causing the swallowing difficulties.

Dad swallowed with NO problems at all!!!!

So, one hurdle is behind us. Next Tuesday, Dad will have one more test done. The dr. wants to make sure Dad's vocal cords are not paralyzed. I know they aren't, but everything has to be done correctly.

Then, when the Dr. sees that the cords are not paralyzed the trach. will come out!! Dad will get to eat like a normal person again. He is so happy, and so are the rest of us.

If the trach, comes out, he can eat normally. Once he can eat normally the G-tube can come out. Once the G-tube is out, there will be NO more appliances required for daily living. When that happens all of the equipment that Dad needs at night to sleep will no longer be necessary!

And it hasn't even been a year!
I am very grateful that God has taken care of us.

Finally some good news about Daddy

Daddy may get to have his trach. removed!

We met with a new ENT yesterday (Tuesday) -- Dr. Matheny. He says he thinks that the bend in Daddy's esophagus may well be caused by pressure being caused by the trach. SO...Daddy is to have a new swallow test later this week. Then on the 22nd Dr. Matheny will do an in-office procedure to look at Daddy's vocal cords to make sure they aren't paralyzed (I don't think they are). If all is well, then he'll remove the trach!!!!

Daddy is thrilled and so are we! If this works, Daddy may regain the ability to eat normally, which means the g-tube will eventually be removed!

Yeah!

And after rereading my posts, I don't think I've mentioned it here -- Daddy is no longer on Lamictal and he's no longer manic!

Another Yea!

Update on Dad

Seems the swallow test Dad had about a week ago is going to result in some surgery. The doctors have recommended that a GI doctor clip the sides of Dad's esophagus and then stitch it closed a bit more. This is to allow the sphincter muscle at the top of the esophagus to do it's job better, thereby allowing Dad to swallow food easier.

If that happens, he may regain the ability to swallow and the trach. can come out. Once normal feedings resume, he could also have the peg-tube (or G-tube) removed.

We'll see.