A Nice Day

We sure had a nice weekend finally being home from the hospital. Steve was off so that was especially nice.
Saturday night we went out to eat with our friends Heath and Amy. While there I saw my friend Mauri. Oh yeah, I'll go ahead and share this important information with you all (not really important, I'm just joking) my husband ate the 32 oz steak at Santa Fe...yep, he got his picture up on the wall and got a free tshirt. Wooohooooo......... now if you all could only see me in the picture, I look as though I'm trying to hide and thinking ohhhhh gosh, can't believe he ate the whole thing, haha! I have been doing terrible lately at remembering to take my camera with me when I leave home, I've gotta start doing better so I can share important pictures such as my husband eating a big ole steak with you all, haha!
After eating we went over to Heath and Amy's house for a while. It was nice to get out and visit with friends.

Today Molly went back to school. That is always a scary time for me ... after being in the hospital so many days, having Molly all to myself to shelter and try to keep away from germs sending her back to the school full of germs and sick kids scares the crap out of me.

Today Steve and I took off for a little day to ourselves after dropping Molly off at school.
We ended up going to Jasper....on the way home we stopped by the antique mall in Winfield. I thought of my friend Trina as we were heading to Jasper as we passed through her hometown. That is such a pretty area, I love all the big hills, so different from around here.

PFT's

Molly didn't reach 70 on her pulmonary function test today. :-(
Monday she blew a 68, today it was only 65. I hate it wasn't higher but really hate it was
even lower. Not is sure what is up with that, sometimes I do wonder about those test though. I am hoping she'll continue doing good at home, maybe some good home cooked meals and some good rest will help her.
She has to go back on Feb. 10th for a glucose tolerance test, visit with the CF doctor and another hearing screening (she didn't do so well on her last screening-the antibiotics are damaging on hearing so they like to keep a close check on that.)

Home

Just wanted to let everyone know that we made it home!
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaa..............so good to be here.
I'm going to cut it short now, got tons to unload and unpack not to mention the dirty laundry. But I'm not complaining.

Hopefully

Hopefully today is our last full day at the hospital (for a while anyway).
We are so excited about getting out of here tomorrow I just hope everything goes as planned and we
do get to leave tomorrow.

This morning we had a big surprise, we heard a knock at the door, figured it was the
doctor but to our surprise it was my M-I-L and F-I-L. We enjoyed our visit with them, it really helped
the day pass by a little faster having someone to visit with.

I hope the next time you all are reading a post from me it'll be tomorrow and I'll be telling y'all that we made it home safe and sound.
Steve will have the weekend off starting Friday so I'm real excited about going home and getting
to spend time with him, Molly is looking forward to that also. We are going to be like a bird out of the cage...

44th President of the United States

Today I watched history in the making.
I didn't vote for Obama but I do wish him and his family the best as they
begin their new journey together. I feel he will do good things for our Country
and I hope he continues to get great support from the American people, even those
like myself who didn't vote for him.

The statement the President made during his inaugural speech really said alot, when he said some 60 years ago his father wouldn't have been served in restaurants because of the color of his skin. I am white so of course I have never been affected by such issues but I am ready for the past to be exactly that, the past and all Americans whether they be red, yellow, black or white all stick together, support our President and make the United States of America be the best it can be.

A Sweet Friend

I just wanted to tell you all about my sweet friend Kori, she came to visit me and Molly today and even brought us lunch. It was so yummy! As you know by my first post today our day didn't start out so well, Kori really brightened the day up for us.
Thank you so much Kori, you're just the best!

WooHoooo An Award !

My friend Debbie gave me this award :

Here are the rules for the Honest Scrap award -

The honorees are to:

A) first list 10 honest things about yourself - and make it interesting, even if that means digging deep!

B) pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.

Simple. Or not.

#1 I am addicted to blogging, like my friend Debbie I also find myself logging in all the time just to see if any of my favorites have new post or if I have a new comment, sad I know ... I need to get a life.

#2 I hate cigarettes, the smell just really bothers me and also having a child with CF with so many lung problems I can't for the life of me understand how people can purposely harm their lungs by smoking.

#3 I feel like the luckiest woman in the world to have my husband, he's such a great friend to me but I also feel so lonely sometimes because I don't have close girl friends that I can do things with, sometimes that makes me sad and I wonder why it's that way .. I feel I'm not good enough or something. (crazy I know but I'm being honest)

#4 I was a teenage mom to my first child, I wouldn't change any of that but now that I have a 17 year old son with a girlfriend he spends lots of time with I worry about something happening there. Believe me we have talked and talked to him but I was young once too, I remember how it was when adults were trying to help and tell me things for my own good, I thought they were crazy.

#5 I am the world's worst at folding our clean laundry and leaving it piled on our love seat. Each person has their own spot where their clothes go. Steve will try to help fold clothes and I'll say, that's not where your clothes go, they go on the other arm of the couch, Wesley's go on that one. haha ...

#6 I hate winter time, I do ..... seriously. I stay so in the dumps, I never want to do anything or go anywhere. Just let me stay home in my pj's or sweats and tee shirt all day and I'm happy.

#7 Ok .... this may be too much information for you all (LOL) but I'm being honest. I have always had to sleep in my bra here at the hospital. That was always one of my biggest complaints ...... just so uncomfortable, but it was something I felt I just needed to do. Well let me tell you, this hospital stay I slept in my bra the first night, and come the second night I said "Screw that"! LOL ........ so no sleeping in a bra anymore for me!

#8 I grew up having a great uncle who was deaf and mute, I learned sign language at a young age and can still use it. Sometimes when I'm alone I will say things in my head and spell them with my hands, just to make sure I haven't forgot anything. Yeah, I know...there again I need to get a life don't I, haha ! Couldn't you just see me sitting and signing to myself, oh goodness!

#9 I love animals, I even have chickens. I'm truly a country girl.

#10 I really need some good lotion right now, this hospital room is so dry my legs are driving me crazy they're so dry and itchy, can anyone recommend a really good lotion to try? Yeah....I was kind of desperate to thing of something for my number 10 spot.

Here are my picks for this award:

http://georgiafarmwoman.blogspot.com/

http://thejunkinyaya.blogspot.com/

http://rockinm.blogspot.com/

http://trina4ua.blogspot.com/

http://waldrep3.blogspot.com/

http://dillondustinelijahsmom.blogspot.com/

http://nipperfamilyof6.blogspot.com/

A Day Out For Me

Tiffany, Dustin and my dad came to the hospital to visit us today. Our hospital room is so small there isn't room for a bunch of room for people to sit so Steve and I took advantage of having someone here who could sit with Molly so we left the hospital for a little while. It was my first time out since coming in on the 9th. I did kind of feel guilty leaving Molly because she couldn't go but she was so happy to get to spend time with Tiffany she didn't mind.
Steve and I went to a couple of thrift stores, I found a few neat things ...... I'll take pictures when I get home. I found 2 glass pieces, the neatest old black wooden chair with stenciling on the back, it's really old and just too neat. I bought it for our antique booth BUT just make keep this cute little chair myself. Also found a neat chalk ware Crucifixion, it's large but I really love it, it's just different.
Then after the thrift stores went to to Zaxby's and ate ...... it was nice to get out for a little while.
After we got back to the hospital Dustin (my son in law) asked me how in the world we handled sitting in this hospital room for 2 weeks at a time, I told him that is the reason I was crazy, haha.......believe me it will sure get to you and make you think you're going crazy sometimes. Thank goodness though we can see the light at the end of the tunnel though and are on the downhill slide to getting to go home, wooohoooo..........
So exciting!

Thank Goodness

This morning we were told that Molly's CT scan of her kidneys looked fine, no kidney stones so that is great news! They do want her to try to drink more than she does though, and she really does need to try to drink more water instead of sodas. Maybe this is something she'll be able to do, she is just not one that likes water at all.
Also we went downstairs to clinic this morning for Molly to blow (pulmonary function test). When she was admitted she blew a 59/45 , today she blew a 76/62 so that is good. They really go by the bottom number, the highest she blows when she is at her healthiest is 68 to 72 or so.
Ok, the doctor just left the room. As of now the plan is for Molly to go blow again on Tuesday. If it is alot better we may go home that day, if PFT's aren't up we may stay until next Friday which would be the full 14 days. Ughhh ........
She has had her heart set on going home Monday, she's sort of disappointed but I'm trying to stress to her that her health is so important we've gotta do all we can to try to keep her lung function as high as we can.

7th Night

Tonight will be our 7th night here at the hospital.

Today Molly had to go for a CT scan, they are worried she could have kidney stones by results from her urine test, I guess we'll hear tomorrow about the results from the scan. One thing that causes this trouble is she drinks too many sodas and the CF causes more of a calcium absorption (I hope I remembered that right, sometimes it's hard to grasp everything the doctors are saying).

Today the Birmingham Zoo came to the hospital, they brought 4 animals to share and tell about in the hospital lobby.

We ordered Steak Out tonight ...... it was good to see Molly eat so well for a change. It was also so good to have something other than hospital food. This was the first time we've ordered delivery since getting here.

Wednesday

So, is everyone ready for the really cold weather heading our way? Aren't you sorta jealous of Molly and me, we are in a cozy warm hospital room and don't have to get out in the cold. Well .. I know you're not really jealous but you know what I mean, at least we don't have to get out in the cold the end of this week and this weekend.
I guess you can tell I don't have much to talk about but hey I'm trying .... I guess this post is better than no post at all.

As of now Molly still goes downstairs Friday for her pulmonary function test and that determines when we go home, we are still really hoping for Monday. Everyone keep your fingers and toes crossed.

Thieves

I was so mad last night I could hardly go to sleep, the nerve of someone to steal pj's from a sick child in the hospital! Yep......that's right, someone stole Molly's favorite pj's, the pair she got when her and Tiff went shopping right before Christmas, Tiff and Molly each got a pair and Molly was so proud of them.
Our dirty laundry was in a basket in our bathroom here in the hospital room, I feel it was housekeeping who took them but I hate to really accuse anyone because we did step out of the room a couple of times yesterday to go for a walk. A nurse said maybe housekeeping picked them up on accident when gathering sheets or towels, that is not it though, we use our own towels, bathclothes, sheets, etc. There was no dirty laundry in there for housekeeping to be picking up.
I have had things come up missing before I think those times though the clothes were taken out of the washer or dryer. I guess from now on I'll just sit in the lounge where the washer and dryer are to make sure nobody takes anything, so sad things have to be that way, isn't it!
Speaking of stealing, Friday before last a thief struck Tiffany...they stole her Ipod, digital camera and a jacket out of her vehicle which was parked right in her carport.
One way to look at it .... maybe whoever took Molly's pj's will enjoy them on these cold nights we're supposed to have, and maybe whoever took Tiff's stuff will enjoy listening to all the great music she had on her ipod and maybe they'll enjoy looking at all her pictures from Christmas on her nice digital camera.

Monday And We're Still Hangin' In There

Well...we survived this Monday. Ohhh it was a long boring day but at least it's one day out of the way and one day closer to us getting to go home.
I can't tell you how depressing it gets up here sometimes ... so lonely and boring.
I can hardly wait until Friday when Steve gets to come up for the weekend, wooohooo!

Sunday

We're still hanging in here. Yesterday was the longest day ever it seemed, thank goodness today seems to be going a little faster. Our morning started earlier than Molly or I wanted, at 6am respiratory came in and got her breathing treatment going, then the CA came in to get blood pressure and stuff, then house keeping, then nurse practitioner, then doc. By 10:30 she'd had two breathing treatments, and lots of other stuff done.
This morning the doctor said Molly's lungs are sounding better each day. I mentioned to him this morning that her cough still sounds pretty bad, the doctor said the cough would probably get worse before it gets better due to the stuff in her lungs breaking up and moving.
I can finally see a difference today in Molly's color, she has been being so pale but today she finally looks better. Also she's sitting up on her hospital bed now making some sort of crafts. Sooooooooooo things are looking up, we are for sure having no fun being here BUT I am so thankful that she responds to the medicines that are available ... that is a true blessing.

In The Hospital

* The doctor just left the room, he listened to Molly's lungs and said they sound better already than they did in clinic yesterday, so yeahhhh! At least that's some good news.

I was right, they did admit Molly in the hospital yesterday. She had lost weight and her lung function was down a good bit. She is still mad at me for us calling the doctor in the first place, but she really does need this hospital stay. Bless her heart she just hadn't been herself at all for the past nearly 2 weeks I guess. She's a child that is always full of energy, eats really well and it usually always in pretty good moods. You know when she starts laying around more, gets really grumpy and isn't eating well that something is going on. I just hope one day she realizes that we don't do all we do to be mean to her, that we do it because we're trying to do everything we can to take care of her the best we can.
They got her iv in first try last night, hopefully it'll last a little while, normally they don't last but a day or two, the iv meds are just so strong. She is to the point of really needing to have a port put in because of her little veins being worn out from all the iv's she has had but I know they won't do that until the end of a stay, they want them as healthy as can be going into surgery for something like that. I'm not sure if we'll do it this stay or not.
We will be here at least 10 to 14 days, we are really hoping for only a 10 day stay BUT that has only happened once for us before, usually it takes the full 12 to 14 days. Ughhh .... such long days of sitting in a teeny tiny room with a little 12 inch tv, but I try not to complain, I am just thankful there is something they can do to help her when she does come in sick. When you walk around the hospital and you see children and it's obvious they're struggling with cancer it will really make you think about alot of things. I think the doctors and nurses are great here and do good work but I'm telling you, I couldn't handle seeing the sick children all the time, just breaks my heart!
Well ok, I am going to quit rambling now ........ I'm sure over the next several days you'll hear enough of it from me since I pretty much won't have anything to do other than blog.

I'm Packing

Well I have to take Molly in to Birmingham tomorrow for a visit with the CF doc. I'm working on packing this evening because I'm sure she'll be admitted. Ohhhhh I pray it's a fast 12 to 14 day stay and no longer.
Also, you would think as long as we've done this I would have the packing down pat, I don't though. It is so hard to pack for a 14 day hospital stay. I mean I try to take everything we need but also try not to take too much, usually I end up taking too many unnecessary things but I'd rather that happen than be stuck up there without something we need or want. Thank goodness I have a bigger vehicle now, this will be our first time to pack for a hospital stay since I've had it, that could be good or bad ..... in my old car I could only get so much in it, no telling what I could get in the Sequoia, haha!
To give you an idea of things I take, I take our own towels, bath clothes (I do this after dumping hospital towels in the hamper in the hallway once and seeing everything just soaked with blood, UGHHHH), I take our own sheets, blankets, pillows, of course usual toiletries and clothes and for sure can't forget the snack food and the dt drinks we take for Molly and the case of bottled water for me, then there is Molly's vest machine she uses during her breathing treatment (that's another thing you just feel better using your own, there are enough germs around the hospital without sharing equipment. A hospital stay for us really is like moving. Of course like tomorrow it seems the visits always fall when Steve can't go and I have all the loading and unloading to do myself.
Ok, I better get busy again and quit my rambling. I am really catching it tonight from Molly, she is mad at us for calling the doctor. Hopefully one day she'll understand we do what we do for her own good and because we love her so much.

A Rainy Tuesday Night

* Update - Molly got her wish ....no school tomorrow!

Molly seems to be feeling a little better. She talked me into not calling the doc just yet.
Her appetite seems better and she just seems to feel better. Her cough is still a little more increased but not terrible. A few days ago I increased her breathing treatments to 3 a day instead of the 2 we normally do each day, maybe this will help.
Thanks for all your prayers .....
Ok, to change the subject, not sure if it has been raining where you are but boy howdy we have had the rain here ........ all day I've been dreaming of a 80 degree sun shiny day, wouldn't that be wonderful! They are talking of flooding in our area so of course Molly is hoping for no school tomorrow, I guess we'll see. For now I'm patiently awaiting a sunny Thursday.

Monday Night

Around New Years I noticed Molly just wasn't acting like her usual self. A couple of the main signs that she isn't doing well is she has a increased cough, her appetite isn't good and she gets really grumpy. Let me tell you the past couple of days she's been really grumpy with me.
Her appointment at CF clinic isn't until the end of the month so I guess I'm going to call tomorrow about taking her in early. I'm afraid it's time for a hospital stay. Not that anytime is good for a hospital stay I just hate she's probably going to miss the beginning of the new semester at school (they go back tomorrow), it's so hard to get caught back up after being in the hospital 12 to 14 days.
We're just so ready for a cure for CF !

The New Year - 2009

Hello 2009,

Wow it's so hard to believe you're here already. I wonder what you are going to hold in store for us all. I do hope you're a good year. I know people are saying that financially you're going to be our worst year ever, I am trying not to listen to them though, I feel you're gonna be a great one.

Me and "New Years" go back for a while now. My very first one was way back in 1971, of course I was only 5 months old so I can't remember what you were like back then, I do remember though as the years have gone by there have been good New Years for me, I remember the fun of shooting fireworks, parties, the fun of watching the New Years day parade on tv, etc.

There was one New Years day that was the worst ever day in my life though. It was January 1, 1996 .... my dear sweet grandmother (Mama Hayes) passed away. She was my best friend in the whole world and oh how it hurt to lose her. Ever since she passed away on that day New Years has just never been the same for me. Now I am just continent spending a nice quiet day at home, remembering the dear sweet lady who left this earth for a better place on this day 13 years ago .... I am so thankful I had her in my world for 25 1/2 years and I can only hope when I'm blessed to be a grandmother I can be half as good at it as she was...