Two weeks of Limbo

So, there is not much to report.  This has been a long and hard limbo between surgery and follow up surgery.  Lots of things happened and not much of which I can really talk about.  Just know that we do need prayers for guidance on some decisions, not with Dean and his health, other issues that have come up.  I hate to be so vague, but we just need support and prayer to help us through some things.  Dean is doing well, he looks great and is eager to get the follow-up surgery and get to healing.  So, we also need prayers for this second round of healing to go quick.  He will most likely be in the hell on earth Kindred for his birthday (11/14) but we are hoping and praying he makes it home the week before Thanksgiving.

His follow up is scheduled for tomorrow.  It's been two weeks since his last surgery, and it would have been only 1 week if the surgeon wasn't in a conference in Florida.  We also hope that his surgery goes at the time it's planned, which we don't know but last time his 4:30 scheduled surgery didn't happen until 9:30 pm.  He will be admitted for a few days at MH (bring on the good food!!) so the same crud we went through with Kindred will happen again.

The Kindred crud is this....
Apparently Kindred has a policy that if you are not back in your room for 24 hours for ANY reason, you are discharged.  The problem with this is we were told the surgery was a day surgery, in, surgery, and out.  We didn't know he would be admitted until we got to pre-op.  And of course nobody told this to Kindred.  Also, we didn't know Kindred discharged him until he tried to go back Friday afternoon (at 5pm of course when things are closed and people are gone). They actually told Dean he couldn't have his old room because it was occupied.  Turns out it was, BY HIM!  AND when Dean got back Friday, all his stuff was there, and his IV machine was still beeping from being disconnected when Dean left the Tuesday before!  Hell on Earth.

So, we do need prayers, pleas pray that this surgery is successful.  Pray that Kindred works with Dean BETTER and MH gets him back there to be admitted again by Thursday.  Please pray for fast healing, and again for guidance for the unspoken issues we will eventually tell everybody about but we cannot at this time.

In other news, what a horrible fall from GRACE!  Aggies??  What is UP?  Did you even KNOW you were playing a football game in Alabama this weekend?  HELLO???  UG!!!  From being ranked as high as 6 to not being ranked at all, this is horrible.  :(  Oh well, watch out Next Year SEC!  The Aggies are coming!  WHOOP!!!

Also, Jake and I got to have some fun this weekend.  We had a nice breakfast with Nonnie and Papa on Saturday morning at IHOP.  It's always fun to go have breakfast out every once in a while!

Then, on Sunday, Jake had been asking about going to the Zoo, which he does from time to time because we drive by it each time we go visit his Daddy.  And, the Weekends in October are the ZOO BOO, so he got to dress up in his costume and get candy and do some cool Halloween things!

On our way, we are READY!

Lolly pops are AWESOME

 

Monster Mural and Painting a mini pumpkin

 

Taking a break from all the fun

And, doing the Thriller ZOMBIE DANCE

Here We Go Again

So, Dean met with his surgeon on Friday and he did recommend and schedule another surgery. He will have his surgery at Memorial Herman on October 7th and have a follow up on October 14th. It will be the same surgery as last time, go in, clean up, put in antibiotic beads for a week then remove them and plastic surgery (if needed) to stitch up and then get to healing.  We do expect him to be at Kindred for about 6 to 8 weeks after the 14th. We are not sure if it heals faster than that he may go home earlier than 8 weeks.

Dean feels okay about this 2nd surgery.  We could postpone it but we feel it's better to get this done now.  We now know what to expect but the bad part is his extended stay at Kindred.   HOWEVER since his move to the 3rd floor he is being taken care of now.  We heard from a few of the staff that there is a group on the 4th floor that do not work on different floors like the rest of the hospital's nursing/CNA staff. Apparently because they do not get along with anybody else. Sort of a clique that do not work well with others and love to say "that's not my job" if you know what I mean.  So we are wondering if it was just REALLY unlucky that he was placed on the 4th floor and the rest of the floors are different.  We have been wondering how the hospital is running with as much neglect he was dealing with, but if it was isolated on the 4th floor it makes more sense.  I'll be sure to let everyone know if his good care over the weekend continues.

In other news...
I went to a lovely luncheon on Saturday for my lovely niece Linda. She is getting married in 2 weeks and we could not be happier or more proud of her! She and her future husband Brendan, are really wonderful people and they were lucky enough to find each other.  I offer up best wishes for her and I know they will live happily ever after!

Jake stayed with our good friend Louisa and her family. Jake had a lot of kids to play with but I'm afraid he's still weary about staying new places without me.  He was fine I know and I thank Ms. Louisa and her girls and Bubba for having him over.  We always have so much fun with them!

I also listened to a very disappointing (at the time) Aggie game on the way home from this luncheon.  By the time I got home the Aggies were 1 touchdown behind. Then it was a blur of yelling and jumping up and down for the most AWESOME COMEBACK WIN EVER!!!! WHOOP!!! And what a great fast score followed by some awesome defense in OT! Way to get it done, Ags!

Super Marvel Sunday!!!!

As stated in my last post, Spider-man and Captain America were at the zoo! Jake and I got to the zoo at 11 which was packed in the parking lot!  Then the line to the meet and greet was long but that's why we're there. So we got in line.  An hour later we get in the building only to discover there was an even longer switchback line. We waited inside for an hour and a half INSIDE. But at least it was air conditioned.   We did get a great picture, so that was all worth it!

Spider-man and Captain America!  They were really great!

And the Texans had a come from behind win too!!! FREE SLUSHIES!!!

After the game, Dean had a nice surprise guest!  His mom AND his Dad came to visit!  Dean had not seen Durwood in person since before his surgery and before Durwood's accident.  Durwood was doing really great Dean was so happy to see him again!  We also were able to share our dinner I brought up since I had so much, and had dinner together.

Doctor's Orders

Well, it's been another tough week.  Dean's numbers for infection testing have stayed the same, which  probably means it's being caused by the small infection they found still from the MRI.

The bad news is we are expecting the surgeon to say he does need surgery.  Dean talked with his wound care doctor on Wednesday.  He said that since the remaining surgery spot is still not getting better, he suspects the spot on is bone that's infected is causing the problem.  He has suggested surgery.  Dean meets with his surgeon Friday Morning at 7 AM to get his opinion.  At this point, we are fine with more surgery, so we can get all this taken care of instead of going home too early and have anything linger and cause future issues.

The only hard part to grasp about all of this is the longer stay at Kindred.  Apparently one of the better nurses mentioned that some of the other staff complain about Dean being too demanding.  They apparently don't like that he requests to drink more water than half of a 6 oz cup every once in  while, and that he has requested to be turned every 2 hours.  If you read that and are thinking what we thought when we heard that, you are right.  Dean has not requested being turned every two hours HIS DOCTOR HAS PUT IT IN HIS ORDERS!!!!  So, basically, some of them are complaining that the doctor has asked them to do something, but they don't want to, so let's put all the blame on the patient and not do it as requested.  We also learned that if he asks the staff to do something later (like something private while he has visitors) they will put it in the computer that the "patient refused the care" and never do it.  This is a PERFECT solution to covering yourself for not doing your job!

I do just want to say that not all the staff are this terrible.  He has some really great people helping him, although they are few and far between.  There is even one guy that comes in all day Sunday to keep track of his Fantasy Football players and talk football with Dean!  He gets lots of attention when that happens.  Also, while Jake and I visit, Jake has 2 jobs.  1.  Lower and raise the head of Dean's bed when he needs it.  He LOVES helping!  yells, I'LL HELP!!!  Then listens to Dean when he says stop.  2.  Turn off the nurse call light when we either test it, the nurse comes in, or we accidentally click it.  However, this makes us nervous since the "CODE BLUE" button is right next to the cancel call button.  He is very careful not to push it.  HOWEVER, one of Dean's nurses at night accidentally pushed it!  Dean then realized how to get everybody in his room at once! ;)

On a much lighter note, the weather has been really great this week!  Jake and I got to play outside with Buddy.  Look how tall he is!  When we first got the slide, his head was not up to the bottom of that circle!  Now, he's almost as tall as the top! :)

He also has been helping out around the house, letting Buddy outside in the morning, and letting Jack out, and helping with the trash can!  He moved the trash dumpster ALL BY HIMSELF!  We are so very proud of him!!

 

And something that made me giggle, the Aggie CT who famously blocked the SMU player from running into Reveille VII has not only been in the news nation wide, but all the way to the UK!  Read this article for a giggle!

Brave Young Cadet Saves Lassie From Certain Death at American Football Match

My favorite part:

Nice to see that after years of Lassie saving humans, the favour is finally being returned.

This will be another busy weekend!  Have some plans to have a luncheon AND I've heard some really SUPER friends will be at the zoo this weekend, so we will be checking that out for sure on Sunday!  Maybe we will see you there!  And, to my UH friends - Shasta's birthday party is this Sunday as well!  Go Coogs!

Houston Zoo Event

 

News, Visits, Football, the Zoo, and Glasses

So, coming up with titles is actually the hard part about blogging about something not fun to report on, especially when they are all basically "News about Dean". :)

Monday, we found out that the ID doctor said that of the 2 numbers he's watching in Dean's blood tests, 1 is now NORMAL, 1 is the same from last week (which went up from the week before).  So, good news there.  I believe he has 1 more week of antibiotics and we hope that number goes normal.  We also found out that he will be at Kindred for at least 2 more weeks.  Confused?  Well, last week it was 2 weeks because of blood tests, so we were hoping/expecting to come home next wee (week of 9/15) but now that's been extended at least 1 more week, so we hope to come home the week of 9/22.  Prayers for healing as that's what's holding us in the hospital right now.

He also had his PICC line accidentally pulled out about 6 inches 4 or 5 days ago by one of the night staff Tech/Nurse when he was being re-positioned.  He asked the nurse during the day to have a look she said, "it's not my job, ask the supervisor."  Nice, huh?  Anyway, it was early, he forgot, and when the ID doctor came by to check his IVs on Monday, he noticed it was pulled out.  So, he had to have it removed and they put in a midline, which is same thing, just shorter.  Hopefully he won't need it too much longer anyway.

My mother came up to help me around the house, get ready for Dean to come home when he does, and just spend time with me and Jake.  We had Sushi last night!  YUMMY!

Jake eating the "Chick Fil A" Roll.  It has chicken, cream cheese, cucumber wrapped in rice paper.  Dean's favorite, and Jake INSISTS on eating Sushi (not chicken nuggets) when we go to the Rising Sun in Fall Creek.

Top roll - can't remember the name, it was mother's and has tempura soft shell crab (YUCK!)

Middle roll - mine!  (but i shared) tuna, cream cheese, cucumber, topped with strawberries, kiwi, and mango sauce

Bottom roll -THAT's the Chick-fil-a roll.  It's really good actually.  Chicken and rice, YUM!

Tuesday, we found out his glasses we ordered online to replace his 3 year old glasses the nursing staff broke came in!  So, I did a quick trip down there just me and helped him do some things.

Thursday, my dad came through town, he was meeting with his Accountant and then going fishing with some Friends.  We went to see Dean at the hospital with some YUMMY Fajitas from Julia's Mexican Grill in the Fall Creek Area.  EXCELLENT restaurant, delicious tortillas!

I got home Thursday night and realized I LEFT MY PHONE at the Hospital!  DOH!  Poor Dean had to deal with the pings and beeps and alert sounds all night!

Friday, since I left my phone, we (my mother, Jake and I) visited for dinner again.  It was designated left over night, as we have a ton of left overs in our fridge!

Saturday was quite long and boring!  The weather wasn't good so we all stayed in the hospital most of the day.  I had planned on watching movies with my computer only to find out the DVDs just didn't want to play without an internet connection.  So, that went bust!  And, the Aggie game was really late this weekend!  But, at least we won!  GIG 'EM Aggies!!!

Sunday, what great weather!  Jake and I went to the zoo and had a great time!  I mostly let him see what he wanted, which can be very frustrating because he tends to sometimes just want to run around a tree trying to figure out how to climb it.  Some Highlights:

 

So, this was the entrance at the zoo when we got there around 1pm.  The lines were HUGE to buy a ticket!  And, as one of the zoo workers was talking about "If you had a membership you could be walking in right now" as we walk past here!  I said to her "It's days like these i'm glad we have a membership!"  BEST. GIFT. EVER!!!

 

Look at that beak!

Thai the 49 year old Asian Elephant.  He is the largest living elephant in the United States!  

A few selfies while watching Thai.

Monkeying around.

we left the zoo around 3:30.  THIS was the crowd to get in!

Also while at the zoo, I finally brought in the antlers my parents gave Jake to give to the swap shop, they are sheds they tracked down for one of the hunters who least the property.  Last time we brought something in, we got 650 points!  That was for a rattle from a rattle snake over 2 inches long, and a horny toad skull in perfect condition, and some knowledge points.  He spent a few points last time we went on some fool's gold.  This time, he got a few more points than that.  When the volunteers were ready to tell him how many points the told us, well, you are going to get a ton of points!  HE GO 6000 points for those antlers!  Way to go Jake!  He also got 20 points for some of those white snail shells, and 50 KNOWLEDGE points for knowing the Antlers were from a white-tailed deer and they fall off every year so they can grow new ones!  Way to go!

So, Jake saw a HUGE "Lion's Paw Shell" last time we were there, but they are worth 2000 points, so he was happy he got the biggest one! It's about 6 or 7 inches wide and he's very proud of it and showed it off to his Daddy later! He also picked up 3 small pretty shells, and some Bornite aka Peacock ore.

We also got to go see Papa for an early birthday while the Texans were beating the Raiders (YES!!!).  It was good to see him in the Cafeteria watching the big screen instead of in his room.  Jake brought him balloons, a card and a movie.  We also got to see Uncle David too!

More blood and test have been taken, but we have not heard anything yet.  Once we do, I'll post again!  We hope he is out of there next week, but these tests will tell.

Labor Day Weekend 2014

We had an eventful weekend, and were surprised at the decent help Dean had at the hospital.  We were sure there would be lower staff than usual because of the holiday, but it was good!  And, Dean had 3 days of good home cooked meals instead of the "food" they give him.

We were pretty much expecting to hear news on Tuesday if Dean will be coming home this week or not.  He has had multiple blood test done and we are waiting on his ID doctor and his wound care doctor to have a say in when he can come home.  He will most likely be on the wound vac and have a sand bed at home (rented) for a while.

Update - Later Tuesday afternoon we found out his numbers have not come down to where they are comfortable with and he will be in Kindred for another week.  Let's hope it goes by fast.

Saturday - Jake and I got there early, and Jake played with all the toys we bring up for him, his hot wheels and cars/truck are a big hit.  He had his loopy loop hot wheels track, and played on that most of the morning.  He made a nice big ole mess in there too!  Cars and track everywhere!

We also took the afternoon to go to the Zoo.  It was overcast and windy, so it was a nice day to go.  Also, it wasn't to crowded either, which is nice. I actually got a free parking spot this time!  Just as we were walking in a street magician was setting up so we stopped!  Jake got to be the volunteer for the "money in the lemon trick" and he was fascinated by the fact that he ate a balloon. He wasn't all that good, but it entertained Jake.

 

 

The carousal was being cleaned so it was closed.  We went to the Children's zoo and played there for a while, we saw the lions, tigers, giraffes, including the newest baby giraffe, the elephants, meercats, and got to pet Billie the leopard tortoise!  She was 24 years old and has a life expectancy of 80 years!  The giant tortoise from the Galapagos tortoises can live up to 200 years!  The zoo keeper said the bigger the turtle, the longer the live expectancy.  Very interesting!  Jake loved it and allowed her to walk over his toes.  We also got to see for the first time the Sponge Bob Square Pants 4D movie!  It was short and a bit expensive for what it was, but Jake liked it.  It had bubbles and sprayed you so it was a big hit.

 

Lions and the Wild Dog

 

Giraffes.  Look at the little BABY!  well, he's over 6 ft tall, but so cute!

  

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS!  

The Bald Eagle at the Children's zoo

 

Billie the Tortoise

After we got out of the zoo, the Herman park train was there so we hurried up and bought tickets and jumped on just in time.  I had no idea it was a good solid 20 minute ride thru the park.  It was good!  Jake liked it but was concerned there was not a seat belt, so he held my hand the whole time.

All Aboard!!!

  

 

This is the park we rode the train to a couple of times.  The sidewalk above is where my mother was hit by that guy who followed us to Herman Hospital.  Nice memories!

Sunday - Again got there to give Dean some breakfast, and after lunch we ventured out to the Children's museum.  Wow, was it CROWDED!  We took our time, playing at his pace.  We sat at a table and used the scissors to cut paper for about 20 minutes.  He enjoyed it though.  He also loved the water works, and didn't want to go in even when i tried to convince him that it was just too hot and we needed to take a break and get something to drink.  But, we got to go in, bought him a toy at the gift shop and watched a movie while there.

Waterworks!

 

Cutting Paper - one of his favorite things to do. :)

And, Dr. Jake Audirsch taking care of his patient carefully in the ambulance at Kidtropolis

Monday - Labor Day
This morning, Jake found a crack in Daddy's food tray table at home, so he had to go find his tools in his room.  He RAN in there, and yelled back at me "HOLY COW!  I FOUND MY TOOLS!" then he set up to fix the table.

fixing Daddy's Table

David came up to visit Dean, so Jake and I let them talk a little.  They discussed what's coming up for their Dad and other important stuff like the Astros and their future! :)  So, Jake and I went to the waiting room to give them space.  Jake manages to play and have fun no matter where he is.

 

 

Playing catch with Jake's Teddy bear named Chuck E. Cheese in the waiting room

I had made a nice labor day lunch of hamburger sliders for us to enjoy!  And, no labor day would be complete without potato chips and Dean's French Onion dip!  It was nice.  As we drove by the zoo on the way to the hospital, Jake asked if we could go again.  I said yes, Dean thought it was a good idea, so we went back to the zoo!  The difference, today was a holiday, and HOT!!!  so it was packed.  I actually had to park in the Herman parking lot again.

Labor Day Sliders and chips

 

at the zoo

We got to ride the carousel today!  Wow, it was shiny and had a new coat of lacquer!  Looked GREAT!  And, feed the Giraffes, visited the swap shop (had nothing to swap, next time), looked at all the bugs in the bug house, and got to see the flamingos.  It was really hot so we didn't stay long, and stayed mostly in the children's zoo.  Jake got to see the Prairie dogs and called them "little puppies".  We got some popcorn and a third round of water on the way out.  The popcorn ended up all over the floor in Dean's room, what a mess!

One more week, I know we can make this!