2014

This year has seemed to fly by.  It seems like it was just yesterday that we rang in 2013...where did the time go???    So much has happened and we have so much for which to be grateful.   One of my resolutions is to write in my "journal" (aka blog) every day.  I believe I've set this resolution before but perhaps I'll do better this time.  Or not...but at least I'm going to take a stab at it.

Thought I'd take a moment and do a month by month recap of 2013 first, though.

January 2013

January was a pretty good month.  Rich was still trying to recuperate from the health problems that he'd had when we were in Denver in November, but really, he was starting to feel better and in more control.  He scheduled his surgery for the interstim for his bladder.  And, I scheduled my first knee surgery for May.  Both Rich and I saw Debi (the trainer we work with at the gym) several times a week and I also saw Kathleen for yoga.

February 2013

Just January repeated....

March 2013

Rich had the interstim surgery at Vanderbilt.  It is a type of pacemaker for the bladder and done in two surgeries, a week a part.  The pressures in Rich's bladder rise very high due to his breathing difficulties. The interstim sends electrical current to the sacral nerve and allows the nerves and muscles to relax enough to void thoroughly.  It is a medical device that is implanted in the buttock cheek, high enough that you don't sit on it though, almost in the hip.  It had electrical leads that travel to the sacral nerve and another out the hip to a control box.  If everything goes according to plan and it helps the patient, it is permanently implanted the next week and a very high tech control box is hooked up.  It was fabulous for Rich...until the day prior to the second surgery.  He didn't feel well that entire day and was sick enough that I drove us to Vanderbilt...that tells you all you need to know!  Lol. By the time we got there his temp was beginning to rise and his hip and buttock were bright red.  They called in the surgeon who believed that it was infected and they would need to pull it all out and clean out the infection.  They did just that, and took cultures and placed him on antibiotics by iv in the hospital over night.  The next day they released him to come home with antibiotics, etc. but he wasn't feeling any better the next day so I called Dr. DiMeo for an appointment.  He had us come in but warned us that more than likely Rich was going to land in the hospital...which is exactly what happened for the next week.  The infection had tested positive for MRSA and they gave him everything they had, it seemed, in their arsenal.  I packed his wounds for the next several months, ending the day prior to my own surgery on the 15th of May.

Towards the end of March Wanda called to voice concern about her Hyrum.  She believed she was witnessing a regression in his development.  She was obviously concerned so started the ball rolling to determine what she was witnessing.

April 2013

Rich was still recovering from his ordeal and I was still packing those wounds.  Sadly I was not able to travel to Wisconsin for the birth of Joshua on the 20th (also our anniversary) or Oklahoma for the birth of Lorenzo on the 10th (Chad's birthday too, and just a day shy of Cherstin's) due to Rich's health.  Gratefully Wanda had Phil and Hannah close by to provide support, and Cherstin had friends in their area too.   April was a pretty worrisome month also as Hyrum (Wanda's) started testing to determine or establish a diagnosis.  It was learned that he has some seizures on the right hemisphere of his brain when he is sleeping.  They have given a provisional diagnosis of autism although it may be something else...but the treatment is the same.  And, Felicia and Tom both received their MSW from Brigham Young University and started the arduous task of job hunting.  I so wished that we could have gone out for their graduation too...but we were still grounded.

May 2013

Still spent nearly half the month trying to get Rich back on track.  My knee surgery took place on the 15th.  I can honestly say I'm so glad I had it done...but it is not a procedure for the faint of heart.  It is brutal...there are no other words to describe it!  The first 3 weeks are the hardest...but scar tissue is an issue for nearly 2 years following the surgery and so is painful.  Rehab, rehab, rehab....  The tables were turned and Rich was taking care of me.  We have watched A LOT of tv this year!  Lol

June 2013

Joey and Carlie and the kids came to visit enroute to their new assignment in Monterey, Ca.  It was sad to see them go.  June also brought the birth of little (big?) Winston.  I'm grateful that Hannah's mom was able to come out from Idaho to be with her for the first week or so.  And, Dan spent a week in the hospital too, and then entire summer rehabbing his leg, probably from a bug bite...he cultured positive for MRSA too!   Other than that I spent the month rehabbing, although we did have the roof replaced :)

July/August 2013

More rehab!  And, Noah arrived a few days early!  I did well enough to travel out to Utah by myself - Rich still hadn't been given medical clearance to travel.  I was able to spend a few days with Cherstin, Dan, and the children, and a few days with Desi, Mike, and their children on my trip to Utah.  I really enjoyed my time traveling to Utah, seeing our little families, having the chance to be with Felicia, Tom, and to meet Noah, seeing my brothers and their families, being able to visit my mom and dad, my grandparents, and having the opportunity to see where Felicia and Tom were moving to...Tom had accepted a position at a company in Rock Springs, WY.  It was also nice to attend their ward...it's always nice to know about that :). On my way home I went the northern route and so I had another chance to see Desi, Mike and the kids and then headed to Wisconsin and spent a few days with Wanda, Robert, and their children and Philip, Hannah and their children.  Because I didn't have the opportunity to be at the births of Lorenzo, Joshua, Winston, or Noah it was sure a happy moment to meet these little guys for the first time.  We now have 30 grandchildren - 12 are precious and beautiful granddaughters and18 are magnificent and gentle grandsons!  How blessed we are!!!  I know Rich will be thrilled to meet them too.

September 2013

One the 3rd I had my other knee replaced.  I had made a silly assumption, that because I knew what to expect, this time would be easier....WRONG!!!  Lol. It was just as difficult, painful, brutal...but I'm so glad it is done!  I also had a laser eye surgery the following week.  It was a breeze!  I need to have 

October 2013

Rehabbing, rehabbing, rehabbing...both me and Rich!  And Rich started a 32 week course of pulmonary rehab too.  

November 2013 

Rehabbing still.  And, because we were still grounded medically we stuck around for Thanksgiving.  We invited Bob to go with us to Calhouns for dinner and came home and watched a movie...nothing spectacular but definitely enjoyable.  I also came down with a nasty respiratory infection.  I was worried that Rich would contract it, but he didn't.  The primary kids were very entertained as we practiced for the primary program as I had absolutely no voice whatsoever.

December 2013

Rich had another appointment with his cardiologist and pulmonologist and was given clearance to travel as long as he didn't fly!  Hallelujah!!!  He is still struggling some but by and large I think he's made significant progress. He also developed a terrible case of pneumonia and after three courses of antibiotics and steroids he is having to start all over again with exercise.  I think that is a bit depressing for him but as he continues to mend, I think his spirits will lift.   We spent Christmas at home, with Bob, and truly enjoyed the calls from the kids.  We did the same for New Years too.  All in all, I think we have been richly blessed this year.