Today, she sent me this cartoon. She says it describes her mechanical abilities!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Laura's Mechanical Aptitude
I'm finally figuring out that Laura has more mechanical aptitude than admits to! Since I'm unable to assemble and repair things she's had to take over. Yesterday she assembled our new laundry cart with very little difficulty! When she first looked she said she couldn't do it but with a little coaxing she did a great job. Before she was done she was using a ratchet wrench like a pro.
Today, she sent me this cartoon. She says it describes her mechanical abilities!
Today, she sent me this cartoon. She says it describes her mechanical abilities!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Today's Guidepost
Hi Everyone!
Today when I read my Guidepost devotional, I realized how God was speaking to me...AGAIN!! So, I wanted to share it with you. Maybe it was just intended for me to remember the power of God's love and the love Mark and I share. Maybe it wasn't but here it is!
Kiss of Faithby Genell Dawson
Late on that Sunday afternoon, the phone rang. My husband, Clyde, had promised to be home ages ago. What now? I thought.
“Maybe Dad stopped to buy you a birthday present,” my daughter, Amber, offered, picking up the receiver. I rolled my eyes. My birthday was still five days away, and Amber knew just as well as I did that Clyde always put off buying gifts until the last minute. I checked my watch. Already 4:30. Typical workaholic Clyde. If he wasn’t logging overtime as a facilities engineer at the local Toyota plant like today, he was working through our church, even spending his last few vacations on mission trips in Mexico and Russia.
Amber turned to me, a strange look on her face, and held out the phone. “It’s Mission Hospital,” she said. “They want to talk to you—about Dad.”
Clyde had been in a car accident. I was praying for him before I even hung up the phone. Amber and I jumped in the car. I rattled off numbers as I drove. Rev. Dudley Bristow from our old church; my boss and good friend, Janet; people from our current congregation. Amber called them on the cell.
Lately it seemed Clyde and I spent what little time we did have together arguing about the time we spent apart. We always kissed and made up in the end, though. After almost 20 years, that simple act was still a powerful reminder of the love that had drawn us together. Please, God, I prayed, pulling up to the hospital, give us more time.
The chaplain came to talk to us. “Your husband has been critically injured and is in surgery,” she said. “You need to get his family here as soon as you can.”
We made more frantic calls. Our older daughter, Michelle, at college in Arizona. Clyde’s twin brother, Curt, and their older brother, Jerry. Our family physician, Dr. Pino. One thought kept going through my mind: Was Clyde still alive? In the background the same prayer repeated steadily like a heartbeat: Please, God, give us more time.
By 1:00 A.M. more than 100 family and friends were gathered in the waiting area. Finally a surgeon with blood on his scrubs, his deeply lined eyes just visible over his mask, emerged from the operating suite and took me aside. “Mrs. Dawson, your husband has suffered grave injuries. He’s been lacerated from his ribs to his pelvic bone back to his spine. His stomach, liver and kidneys are badly damaged. We’ve done everything we can, but he’s in a coma. I’m very sorry, but I don’t think he will make it through the night.”
All that got through to me at that moment was that Clyde was still alive. And that meant he could be healed. “I have my faith,” I said. The doctor sighed. “You’re going to need more than that, I’m afraid,” he said.
I’d relied on my faith my entire life, taking strength in knowing that God could help me through anything. Now my husband was dying and his doctor was telling me not even God could save his life. What if it really was too late? What if there was nothing more even God could do? The prayer circling my mind continued, longer now. Please, God, give us more time. Give me whatever I need to help Clyde.
They let me see Clyde. It was hard to tell where the tubes and machines ended and he began. A tube was down his throat so I couldn’t kiss him, and I had to wear protective gloves just to touch him. When I reached to stroke his brow, the nurse stopped me. “Be careful. His bones are fractured,” she said.
I drew back and choked out, “I’m sorry,” then fled to the waiting room.
I couldn’t sleep, even with a sedative. Thank goodness my sister-in-law had brought my Bible and prayer journal.
The nurses allowed me five minutes of visiting time each hour and, at first, that was all I could bear. During the day Amber or Michelle or a friend from church would go into the ICU with me. At night it was just Clyde and me. The more I sat with my husband the harder it was to leave when the nurses asked.
On the third night, I pulled off the gloves, hoping Clyde would respond to my touch. I stroked his cheek, his forehead, the scraggly hair growing out of his chin. “Keep holding on, baby. Only twenty more days till our twentieth anniversary.” I even wrote that in my journal.
The fifth day I remarked to a nurse as I sat with Clyde, “The doctor didn’t think he’d make it through the first night. Maybe he’ll wake up soon.”
The nurse reached out and touched my shoulder. “Mrs. Dawson, I think it’s important you understand your husband is still in very critical condition,” she said. “He’s on dialysis, his spleen has been removed, and his other organs are shutting down one by one. I’m sorry, but he’s far from waking up.”
Back in the waiting room friends and family surprised me with a cake. My birthday. How could I celebrate my birth when my husband was dying? I excused myself to talk to Dr. Pino. “Please, you’ve got to be honest with me,” I begged him.
He shook his head slowly. “Genell, you need to prepare for the worst.”
I felt my knees buckle. Only through the most intense prayer had I been able to keep it together these past five days. But things were getting worse, not better. Clyde was still holding on. How would I? God, I don’t know how to pray any harder. Give me more faith.
The nurses stopped asking me to leave after five minutes. I bathed and shaved Clyde as best I could around the tubes and bandages. “You’re wasting away. Wouldn’t you like to wake up and have a chile relleno right now?” I asked. One day I picked up his hand and pressed it to my lips. “You already missed my birthday. You don’t want to miss our anniversary too, do you?” I felt so connected to him that it seemed like his body was an extension of my own, that it was my breath flowing into him.
It was the same way with my prayers. I prayed so deeply that prayer became less of an act than a state of being. And I was surrounded by hundreds of others praying for my husband’s recovery—relatives, friends, our church family, even people in Mexico and Russia whom Clyde had met on his mission trips. We prayed for Clyde’s organs one by one. “Help Clyde’s kidneys work again, Lord. Heal the damage to his liver.” We prayed for his foot and the doctors saved it even though it was broken in dozens of places and had become gangrenous.
Another five days passed, but now I knew better than to think that meant Clyde was out of the woods. Instead I took joy in the little things. Like being able to kiss him again. A tracheotomy allowed the tube to come out of his throat at last. His facial muscles were still tensed up in a grimace so I massaged around his mouth, hoping to ease it into a smile. “I love you, Clyde. I’m sorry about all the times we ever argued,” I said. “Please wake up, baby.” I rested my head on the pillow beside his. And I felt not Clyde but God answer me. Be still and trust me.
On day 21 I went home to shower, but then it was right back to the ICU, to Clyde. I nodded to the nurse and turned to look at my husband. I’d just given him a bath and shave, and he looked rested. I bent down to kiss him hello like always. Just before I pulled away, I thought I felt his lips move. I drew back and stared at him. His eyes were still closed. Again I kissed him. He puckered up and kissed me back! Clyde had kissed me back! And that kiss was a promise, just like the kiss that sealed our wedding vows 20 years earlier. Except this time the promise was not so much from Clyde as from God, that he was returning my husband to me, that he was giving us more time after all.
“Nurse, my husband kissed me!”
“It’s likely just a reflex,” she said.
“No, watch,” I insisted. I kissed Clyde and again he puckered his lips and kissed me back.
The nurse’s eyes widened. “I have to get the doctor.”
I kissed Clyde twice more before the doctor came. Then I kissed him again. He kissed me back. The doctor squeezed Clyde’s hand. He squeezed back. Later that same day Clyde started to wake up. Two days later, on October 31, we marked our twentieth anniversary. “We’ll spend much more of the next twenty years together, won’t we, baby?” I asked. Clyde still couldn’t talk, but for me his kiss was answer enough.
I’d sat by my husband’s bedside those long days not knowing if he would wake up again. The doctor had been right. My faith had not been enough. But all I had to do was reach out and ask, and I received more than I ever could have imagined. God gives us faith as generously as he gives his love. And both know no bounds.
Today when I read my Guidepost devotional, I realized how God was speaking to me...AGAIN!! So, I wanted to share it with you. Maybe it was just intended for me to remember the power of God's love and the love Mark and I share. Maybe it wasn't but here it is!
Kiss of Faithby Genell Dawson
Late on that Sunday afternoon, the phone rang. My husband, Clyde, had promised to be home ages ago. What now? I thought.
“Maybe Dad stopped to buy you a birthday present,” my daughter, Amber, offered, picking up the receiver. I rolled my eyes. My birthday was still five days away, and Amber knew just as well as I did that Clyde always put off buying gifts until the last minute. I checked my watch. Already 4:30. Typical workaholic Clyde. If he wasn’t logging overtime as a facilities engineer at the local Toyota plant like today, he was working through our church, even spending his last few vacations on mission trips in Mexico and Russia.
Amber turned to me, a strange look on her face, and held out the phone. “It’s Mission Hospital,” she said. “They want to talk to you—about Dad.”
Clyde had been in a car accident. I was praying for him before I even hung up the phone. Amber and I jumped in the car. I rattled off numbers as I drove. Rev. Dudley Bristow from our old church; my boss and good friend, Janet; people from our current congregation. Amber called them on the cell.
Lately it seemed Clyde and I spent what little time we did have together arguing about the time we spent apart. We always kissed and made up in the end, though. After almost 20 years, that simple act was still a powerful reminder of the love that had drawn us together. Please, God, I prayed, pulling up to the hospital, give us more time.
The chaplain came to talk to us. “Your husband has been critically injured and is in surgery,” she said. “You need to get his family here as soon as you can.”
We made more frantic calls. Our older daughter, Michelle, at college in Arizona. Clyde’s twin brother, Curt, and their older brother, Jerry. Our family physician, Dr. Pino. One thought kept going through my mind: Was Clyde still alive? In the background the same prayer repeated steadily like a heartbeat: Please, God, give us more time.
By 1:00 A.M. more than 100 family and friends were gathered in the waiting area. Finally a surgeon with blood on his scrubs, his deeply lined eyes just visible over his mask, emerged from the operating suite and took me aside. “Mrs. Dawson, your husband has suffered grave injuries. He’s been lacerated from his ribs to his pelvic bone back to his spine. His stomach, liver and kidneys are badly damaged. We’ve done everything we can, but he’s in a coma. I’m very sorry, but I don’t think he will make it through the night.”
All that got through to me at that moment was that Clyde was still alive. And that meant he could be healed. “I have my faith,” I said. The doctor sighed. “You’re going to need more than that, I’m afraid,” he said.
I’d relied on my faith my entire life, taking strength in knowing that God could help me through anything. Now my husband was dying and his doctor was telling me not even God could save his life. What if it really was too late? What if there was nothing more even God could do? The prayer circling my mind continued, longer now. Please, God, give us more time. Give me whatever I need to help Clyde.
They let me see Clyde. It was hard to tell where the tubes and machines ended and he began. A tube was down his throat so I couldn’t kiss him, and I had to wear protective gloves just to touch him. When I reached to stroke his brow, the nurse stopped me. “Be careful. His bones are fractured,” she said.
I drew back and choked out, “I’m sorry,” then fled to the waiting room.
I couldn’t sleep, even with a sedative. Thank goodness my sister-in-law had brought my Bible and prayer journal.
The nurses allowed me five minutes of visiting time each hour and, at first, that was all I could bear. During the day Amber or Michelle or a friend from church would go into the ICU with me. At night it was just Clyde and me. The more I sat with my husband the harder it was to leave when the nurses asked.
On the third night, I pulled off the gloves, hoping Clyde would respond to my touch. I stroked his cheek, his forehead, the scraggly hair growing out of his chin. “Keep holding on, baby. Only twenty more days till our twentieth anniversary.” I even wrote that in my journal.
The fifth day I remarked to a nurse as I sat with Clyde, “The doctor didn’t think he’d make it through the first night. Maybe he’ll wake up soon.”
The nurse reached out and touched my shoulder. “Mrs. Dawson, I think it’s important you understand your husband is still in very critical condition,” she said. “He’s on dialysis, his spleen has been removed, and his other organs are shutting down one by one. I’m sorry, but he’s far from waking up.”
Back in the waiting room friends and family surprised me with a cake. My birthday. How could I celebrate my birth when my husband was dying? I excused myself to talk to Dr. Pino. “Please, you’ve got to be honest with me,” I begged him.
He shook his head slowly. “Genell, you need to prepare for the worst.”
I felt my knees buckle. Only through the most intense prayer had I been able to keep it together these past five days. But things were getting worse, not better. Clyde was still holding on. How would I? God, I don’t know how to pray any harder. Give me more faith.
The nurses stopped asking me to leave after five minutes. I bathed and shaved Clyde as best I could around the tubes and bandages. “You’re wasting away. Wouldn’t you like to wake up and have a chile relleno right now?” I asked. One day I picked up his hand and pressed it to my lips. “You already missed my birthday. You don’t want to miss our anniversary too, do you?” I felt so connected to him that it seemed like his body was an extension of my own, that it was my breath flowing into him.
It was the same way with my prayers. I prayed so deeply that prayer became less of an act than a state of being. And I was surrounded by hundreds of others praying for my husband’s recovery—relatives, friends, our church family, even people in Mexico and Russia whom Clyde had met on his mission trips. We prayed for Clyde’s organs one by one. “Help Clyde’s kidneys work again, Lord. Heal the damage to his liver.” We prayed for his foot and the doctors saved it even though it was broken in dozens of places and had become gangrenous.
Another five days passed, but now I knew better than to think that meant Clyde was out of the woods. Instead I took joy in the little things. Like being able to kiss him again. A tracheotomy allowed the tube to come out of his throat at last. His facial muscles were still tensed up in a grimace so I massaged around his mouth, hoping to ease it into a smile. “I love you, Clyde. I’m sorry about all the times we ever argued,” I said. “Please wake up, baby.” I rested my head on the pillow beside his. And I felt not Clyde but God answer me. Be still and trust me.
On day 21 I went home to shower, but then it was right back to the ICU, to Clyde. I nodded to the nurse and turned to look at my husband. I’d just given him a bath and shave, and he looked rested. I bent down to kiss him hello like always. Just before I pulled away, I thought I felt his lips move. I drew back and stared at him. His eyes were still closed. Again I kissed him. He puckered up and kissed me back! Clyde had kissed me back! And that kiss was a promise, just like the kiss that sealed our wedding vows 20 years earlier. Except this time the promise was not so much from Clyde as from God, that he was returning my husband to me, that he was giving us more time after all.
“Nurse, my husband kissed me!”
“It’s likely just a reflex,” she said.
“No, watch,” I insisted. I kissed Clyde and again he puckered his lips and kissed me back.
The nurse’s eyes widened. “I have to get the doctor.”
I kissed Clyde twice more before the doctor came. Then I kissed him again. He kissed me back. The doctor squeezed Clyde’s hand. He squeezed back. Later that same day Clyde started to wake up. Two days later, on October 31, we marked our twentieth anniversary. “We’ll spend much more of the next twenty years together, won’t we, baby?” I asked. Clyde still couldn’t talk, but for me his kiss was answer enough.
I’d sat by my husband’s bedside those long days not knowing if he would wake up again. The doctor had been right. My faith had not been enough. But all I had to do was reach out and ask, and I received more than I ever could have imagined. God gives us faith as generously as he gives his love. And both know no bounds.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Survival!
Hi Everyone!!! Mark and I have survived the transition!!!
We've managed to make it thru the first 2 weeks without killing each other and so far, I've only dropped Mark twice--both without any major repercussions! :)
It has been a very difficult transition for both of us. First of all, we had to figure out how to "DO" everything...move Mark, feed Mark, bathe Mark, etc. And I had to realize that "I am not alone" anymore. I'd forgotten how "alone" I had been and how different it is to have someone depend on you for every little thing. It's almost like having a baby to care for...in addition to trying to supervise the final part of the renovations (many of which are not anywhere close to being done)...and taking Mark to therapy and work outs at Milestone. Needless to say, I've dropped a few balls along the way and I don't like that!!! It's hard to be a perfectionist in "Reality" where perfection doesn't exist!!
We got the hardwood floors installed both upstairs and down. I am SO upset about them!!! I love how beautiful they look, and eventually, I will get them cleaned and I will be happy about them BUT...the installers brought a saw INTO THE HOUSE because no one from the contractor's was here to supervise and Mark had therapy SO...they set off the alarm system, had the fire department here and left about 4 inches of red dust in every nook and cranny of my home...every cabinet, every drawer, ever closet!!! I have been trying to clean the dust off of the kitchen items just so I could cook...I haven't even gotten to the cleaning the house part. I am so frustrated...and the contractor says, "Oh, they shouldn't have done that"--YA THINK?????
This too shall pass...and things will continue as we know them...and all will be well with our lives and our world...and eventually, I won't be embarassed for people to come to our home and I will enjoy seeing them...Just not today! :)
Thank you all for supporting us and remembering us and keeping us in your prayers. I am sorry to complain when I have so much to be grateful for...a beautiful home, a wonderful husband, family and friends who love and support me...sometimes it is overwhelming!!!
What doesn't kill us makes us stronger! :)
We've managed to make it thru the first 2 weeks without killing each other and so far, I've only dropped Mark twice--both without any major repercussions! :)
It has been a very difficult transition for both of us. First of all, we had to figure out how to "DO" everything...move Mark, feed Mark, bathe Mark, etc. And I had to realize that "I am not alone" anymore. I'd forgotten how "alone" I had been and how different it is to have someone depend on you for every little thing. It's almost like having a baby to care for...in addition to trying to supervise the final part of the renovations (many of which are not anywhere close to being done)...and taking Mark to therapy and work outs at Milestone. Needless to say, I've dropped a few balls along the way and I don't like that!!! It's hard to be a perfectionist in "Reality" where perfection doesn't exist!!
We got the hardwood floors installed both upstairs and down. I am SO upset about them!!! I love how beautiful they look, and eventually, I will get them cleaned and I will be happy about them BUT...the installers brought a saw INTO THE HOUSE because no one from the contractor's was here to supervise and Mark had therapy SO...they set off the alarm system, had the fire department here and left about 4 inches of red dust in every nook and cranny of my home...every cabinet, every drawer, ever closet!!! I have been trying to clean the dust off of the kitchen items just so I could cook...I haven't even gotten to the cleaning the house part. I am so frustrated...and the contractor says, "Oh, they shouldn't have done that"--YA THINK?????
This too shall pass...and things will continue as we know them...and all will be well with our lives and our world...and eventually, I won't be embarassed for people to come to our home and I will enjoy seeing them...Just not today! :)
Thank you all for supporting us and remembering us and keeping us in your prayers. I am sorry to complain when I have so much to be grateful for...a beautiful home, a wonderful husband, family and friends who love and support me...sometimes it is overwhelming!!!
What doesn't kill us makes us stronger! :)
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Help on Tuesday
Hi Y'all,
I'm so excited...our dear, wonderful friends, Mike and Mary Drury who used to live across from us in SC, are coming from St. Louis to help this week. I can't wait to see them!!!
For all of you who responded, thank you and I will be in touch with you tomorrow (Monday). For those who didn't have a chance to respond, you will still have a chance to to help the Radells move. We are having hardwoods put in downstairs so, all of the upstairs "stuff" that is now downstairs and in the POD will have to be redistributed. More on that to follow...
IF anyone with big shoulders could help me Thurs. AM moving Mark's airbed, around 9:00 or 9:30, I would REALLY appreciate it. It isn't as heavy as it is cumbersome but we own it (by a quirk of fate) so it has to go home...it'll probably be on eBay on Friday! :)
God Bless All Of You for all of the things you do to make these things happen for us!
Love,
Laura
I'm so excited...our dear, wonderful friends, Mike and Mary Drury who used to live across from us in SC, are coming from St. Louis to help this week. I can't wait to see them!!!
For all of you who responded, thank you and I will be in touch with you tomorrow (Monday). For those who didn't have a chance to respond, you will still have a chance to to help the Radells move. We are having hardwoods put in downstairs so, all of the upstairs "stuff" that is now downstairs and in the POD will have to be redistributed. More on that to follow...
IF anyone with big shoulders could help me Thurs. AM moving Mark's airbed, around 9:00 or 9:30, I would REALLY appreciate it. It isn't as heavy as it is cumbersome but we own it (by a quirk of fate) so it has to go home...it'll probably be on eBay on Friday! :)
God Bless All Of You for all of the things you do to make these things happen for us!
Love,
Laura
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Mark is coming HOME!!!
After 3 and 1/2 years, many trials and tribulations and many prayes and tears MARK IS COMING HOME!!! He will be leaving Oaklawn on Thurs. Nov. 12.
I really could use some help moving boxes, etc on Tuesday afternoon (and Wed. if we need it). I also need a truck to haul all of this stuff in!!!
If you can lend a hand on Tues, please let me know either by email (singformi@aol.com) or phone (836-1240).
I can really use the help!
Laura
I really could use some help moving boxes, etc on Tuesday afternoon (and Wed. if we need it). I also need a truck to haul all of this stuff in!!!
If you can lend a hand on Tues, please let me know either by email (singformi@aol.com) or phone (836-1240).
I can really use the help!
Laura
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The long awaited video is here! Tah-Dah!
Just to show you that threats work (see my FB post), Mark added this to the blog tonight. [ :) ] I have bawled my eyes out watching this video. I guess it's silly but it is a MAJOR move in the right direction and something that I've been waiting for since March 2006. I am so proud of my husband--he is an over-achiever and probalby the most determined man I've ever met...probably why I married him!!!! Anyway, watch and enjoy and remember how hard every little step is for him...GO MARK!!!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Going UP!!
The elevator has now officially passed inspection and Mark has made it upstairs to take a look and see what all the noise is about up there. It was the first time that he had been able to get on and off of the elevator and do some exploring without help. It was pretty cool...another tiny step in the journey.
As you can see, there is still a lot to be done to complete this project. The elevator is actually not completely finished (but okay to run--most of the undone work is aesthetic). The shower is looking GREAT!! Tomorrow I hope to post some pictures of the work done today. The smaller tiles are up on the curved wall, the mosiac is up and the 6X6 tiles are almost finished. The crown molding is going up in the bedroom and closets and the cabinets are supposed to be "final finished" and installed by the end of next week. The only BIG hang up now is the hardwood floors...not sure about what is happening with that. Guess it's up to karma.*
*see previous post!
As you can see, there is still a lot to be done to complete this project. The elevator is actually not completely finished (but okay to run--most of the undone work is aesthetic). The shower is looking GREAT!! Tomorrow I hope to post some pictures of the work done today. The smaller tiles are up on the curved wall, the mosiac is up and the 6X6 tiles are almost finished. The crown molding is going up in the bedroom and closets and the cabinets are supposed to be "final finished" and installed by the end of next week. The only BIG hang up now is the hardwood floors...not sure about what is happening with that. Guess it's up to karma.*
*see previous post!
Making my grand entrance upstairs!
Now all I need is water!
Need I say more????
This is a street sign that Mark and I saw on the way home from the gym the other day. I had to stop and take a picture...it just seemed appropriate. MY LIFE..everything turned upside down and detoured!!!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
My first elevator ride!!
I got to take my first trip upstairs in over three years yesterday afternoon! The elevator isn't completed yet but is coming right along and I needed to discuss the placement of the track for the Surehands system with the sales Rep. Don the lead installer took me upstairs and back running the elevator manually. It was a very smooth trip, actually smoother than any of the other ones we had seen well researching them.
They were also grouting the floor yesterday (it's finished) and will start on the tiles for the walls Monday. We also completed the design of the inside of the closet with the representative from California Closets. It was a very good experience especially since I used to work with her at ASRC.
Here are a couple of pictures!
They were also grouting the floor yesterday (it's finished) and will start on the tiles for the walls Monday. We also completed the design of the inside of the closet with the representative from California Closets. It was a very good experience especially since I used to work with her at ASRC.
Here are a couple of pictures!
Unfortunately I don't get to keep the elevator operator!
Monday, October 5, 2009
YIPPPEEEE!!!!
YIPPPPEEEE!!!! THE ELEVATOR IS HERE! After a year of playing around with Gould's about what would fit and what wouldn't, they have started installing rails and even part of the cart floor. I will actually be relieved when I see it moving up and down. (I don't know if this is apparrent, but I'm still leary about Gould's ability to make this all happen.)
Mark has pictures to post but I'm not sure when he will get to it! I love that every post he writes is 'major progress'--actually, he is right...any step forward is a good step!!
Tomorrow Mark goes back to Bellarmine for therapy. He is making BIG STEPS there--just wish they had clinicals every day! :(
"open my eyes so I may see--spirit divine" Amen.
Mark has pictures to post but I'm not sure when he will get to it! I love that every post he writes is 'major progress'--actually, he is right...any step forward is a good step!!
Tomorrow Mark goes back to Bellarmine for therapy. He is making BIG STEPS there--just wish they had clinicals every day! :(
"open my eyes so I may see--spirit divine" Amen.
The Elevator is here!! and other major progress.
As you can tell from the photos below major progress has been made since my last posting. All of the concrete board for the floors is installed and the waterproofing and floor tiles have been installed in the shower.
The elevator finally arrived this morning and they will be installing it this week. Hopefully by Friday I will be able to use it to go upstairs and see all the work for myself.
Obviously the next couple of weeks are going to be very busy and a lot of work being done.
The waterproofing in the shower and all of the shower controls
The in wall storage storage cubbyholes in the shower
Looks like the temporary elevator is about to become
The elevator finally arrived this morning and they will be installing it this week. Hopefully by Friday I will be able to use it to go upstairs and see all the work for myself.
Obviously the next couple of weeks are going to be very busy and a lot of work being done.
The shower floor
The waterproofing in the shower and all of the shower controls
The in wall storage storage cubbyholes in the shower
Looks like the temporary elevator is about to becomea thing of the past
The rails for the elevator
The other operating parts for the elevator
The rails for the elevator
The other operating parts for the elevatorthe cabin will arrive later
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Therapy Progress!!!!
Hi Everyone...I KNOW I just put a post on here about our "workerbees" but I wanted to take a second to brag on Mark and his continued progress. Last Thursday he was able to roll over and sit up and beg...no I'm kidding! Seriously, he rolled over by himself and was able to sit up by himself. This was a VERY BIG step in the right direction. He said it felt good to get those feet on the floor!
YESTERDAY, he was able to use the lightgait with the treadmill. (see previous post about lightgait). He walked for 13 min. in 3 to 4 min. intervals. He has to have help picking up his feet because his ankles are so week BUT he was able to use his upper legs to propel himself. This is the first step to MANY more milestones for him.
I am just tremendously proud of his determination. (just tell him he can't...have I mentioned that doing that is a really bad thing??) He is such a hard worker and just so amazing to me...thought I would share!
YESTERDAY, he was able to use the lightgait with the treadmill. (see previous post about lightgait). He walked for 13 min. in 3 to 4 min. intervals. He has to have help picking up his feet because his ankles are so week BUT he was able to use his upper legs to propel himself. This is the first step to MANY more milestones for him.
I am just tremendously proud of his determination. (just tell him he can't...have I mentioned that doing that is a really bad thing??) He is such a hard worker and just so amazing to me...thought I would share!
Anton and Kenny
I wanted to introduce you to Anton and Kenny. They are Bosnian and very nice men who work for the construction company. Anton can do just about anything that needs to be done. He is pretty talented and very handy. Kenny is the "go to guy" for just about any project. He is so funny and his english is really good so he makes "punny jokes" which frequently help to cut the tension!
There is evidentally a very large Bosnian community in Louisvilke which I wasn't aware of until Mark and I went to Oaklawn. There was a Physical Therapy Tech there that was Bosnian and became an American Citizen and then brought his wife and baby back to L'ville after 5 years apart. (and I complain about 3 and 1/2!!) Anyway, he would bring in the most amazing dishes and since Mark is such a foodie, he would always make sure we got to taste. Great stuff.
Back to Kenny and Anton who are working so hard to make our project a big success. They are the best! Right now they are working (very hard) on the tile and sinks. Kenny has cleaned the windows, gutters, patio and deck. These guys are such amazing worker bees...and they always are so kind. I just wanted to tell everyone about these men because they really have made a difference in our lives as part of this project. Never know where blessings will come from, do we?
I need to remember to ask them about where to find a Bosnian Bakery--which won't help my diet but I will enjoy all the same. Who knows, maybe I will even share! :)
There is evidentally a very large Bosnian community in Louisvilke which I wasn't aware of until Mark and I went to Oaklawn. There was a Physical Therapy Tech there that was Bosnian and became an American Citizen and then brought his wife and baby back to L'ville after 5 years apart. (and I complain about 3 and 1/2!!) Anyway, he would bring in the most amazing dishes and since Mark is such a foodie, he would always make sure we got to taste. Great stuff.
Back to Kenny and Anton who are working so hard to make our project a big success. They are the best! Right now they are working (very hard) on the tile and sinks. Kenny has cleaned the windows, gutters, patio and deck. These guys are such amazing worker bees...and they always are so kind. I just wanted to tell everyone about these men because they really have made a difference in our lives as part of this project. Never know where blessings will come from, do we?
I need to remember to ask them about where to find a Bosnian Bakery--which won't help my diet but I will enjoy all the same. Who knows, maybe I will even share! :)
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Major Progress!
I think most of these pictures are self explanatory since you seen everything before. If you have any questions please let Laura or I know! All the sheetrock is now up and finished and have been primed and the first coat of paint is on. They're supposed to start installing tile on Monday! Also, the elevator should be here (we won't hold our breath).
Friday, September 25, 2009
Just for the record...
Hey everyone! I want to thank all of you for reading about us and our crazy life. As I look back at this, I kind of have to chuckle because I find myself realizing that we started out so optimistic and pie-eyed and then reality hit! Things weren't happening and we couldn't figure out how to MAKE them happen. Now, we have kind of found ourselves trying to go with the flow and pushing when we can.
It is very frustrating that the project is 6-8 weeks behind the original schedule. I HOPE Mark will get home by the end of October. I ALSO hope that we don't have to endure 'home health' (which means he can't go ANYWHERE except a physician's appt. for however long it lasts-- so--no Milestone, no workouts, no Bellarmine, no swimming--not good). This is a Medicare thing and we may HAVE to bite our tongues and deal with it. I am praying that someone with some sense (which won't be Medicare) will intervene on our behalf and let Mark come home and start our new life.
Meanwhile, I want you all to understand that Mark is doing this blog a la voice recognition. I am so proud of him for his perseverance and determination. He has to write and then use a grid created by the mouse and then narrow each movement down until the computer finds the correct area and then add or subtract or edit the text. It is time consuming and patience wearing. I am not sure that I could ever do that...but he just jumps in and does it. So, each of these posts is a demonstration of his "yes I can" attitude.
Because he won't tell you, I will...he is really doing very well in his structured therapy at Oaklawn and Bellarmine. The Bellarmine program is really testing his metal and making him "do tricks" that he didn't know he could do. I wish these clinical sessions were daily...he makes more progress in 3 hours a week there than he does in 5 at Oaklawn. Don't misunderstand--his therapy at Oaklawn is NOT a cakewalk....he works very hard in those sessions. They are just not set up to get him where he needs to be at this juncture in the game (and why we are finding ourselves ready to "move on"). He needs more work with his shoulders and upper arms and he isn't getting a lot of that anymore at Oaklawn, unfortunately. Alas...this too shall pass. Hopefully, moving home will allow him to receive more intense therapy that is tailored a little more toward his particular needs and move him closer to the goals at hand--feeding himself and walking! Big steps...one step at a time.
Thanks for the prayers and love and caring. We feel ourselves surrounded by all of them.
Laura
It is very frustrating that the project is 6-8 weeks behind the original schedule. I HOPE Mark will get home by the end of October. I ALSO hope that we don't have to endure 'home health' (which means he can't go ANYWHERE except a physician's appt. for however long it lasts-- so--no Milestone, no workouts, no Bellarmine, no swimming--not good). This is a Medicare thing and we may HAVE to bite our tongues and deal with it. I am praying that someone with some sense (which won't be Medicare) will intervene on our behalf and let Mark come home and start our new life.
Meanwhile, I want you all to understand that Mark is doing this blog a la voice recognition. I am so proud of him for his perseverance and determination. He has to write and then use a grid created by the mouse and then narrow each movement down until the computer finds the correct area and then add or subtract or edit the text. It is time consuming and patience wearing. I am not sure that I could ever do that...but he just jumps in and does it. So, each of these posts is a demonstration of his "yes I can" attitude.
Because he won't tell you, I will...he is really doing very well in his structured therapy at Oaklawn and Bellarmine. The Bellarmine program is really testing his metal and making him "do tricks" that he didn't know he could do. I wish these clinical sessions were daily...he makes more progress in 3 hours a week there than he does in 5 at Oaklawn. Don't misunderstand--his therapy at Oaklawn is NOT a cakewalk....he works very hard in those sessions. They are just not set up to get him where he needs to be at this juncture in the game (and why we are finding ourselves ready to "move on"). He needs more work with his shoulders and upper arms and he isn't getting a lot of that anymore at Oaklawn, unfortunately. Alas...this too shall pass. Hopefully, moving home will allow him to receive more intense therapy that is tailored a little more toward his particular needs and move him closer to the goals at hand--feeding himself and walking! Big steps...one step at a time.
Thanks for the prayers and love and caring. We feel ourselves surrounded by all of them.
Laura
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Things are moving rapidly
I apologize for not having published an update in the past couple of weeks. The room has been closed off to contain the dust so Laura has been unable to take any pictures. Our contractor has been taking some but had some trouble transferring them to us. He was finally able to transfer a few that I have attached to this post.
Work has been progressing quite rapidly the past couple of weeks. All of the rough in has been completed for everything and the closed cell foam insulation has been applied. We're anticipating this insulation to be a big help with the heating and cooling of the bathroom. At 2.5" of thickness it provides R23 insulation value and in addition because of how it expands the blocks of any air leakage. We actually decided to go ahead and replace the fiberglass insulation in the crawl space under our kitchen and breakfast area with it also because of its insulation efficiency.
Actually, all of the sheetrock have also been hung and finished and the painter primed it all today. We've picked out everything except the layout of the closet. Laura met with California closets today and is meeting with another closet company tomorrow, so we should have that finalized by early next week. I'm also still looking at emergency generator options of that is it not really part of the remodeling.
The project's decorator, Laura has picked out a very nice paint scheme for the bathroom and our bedroom. It will probably drive the painter a little crazy (if they aren't already) because she is using a total of 9 colors between the two rooms. It will really make the rooms look for a classy!
It looks like I will now be going home near the end of October, later than we had planned but at least I'm going home.
Looking from the bathroom to the bedroom, the elevator
The same area after the insulation was installed.
The ceiling of the garage with the new insulation,
those 2x12's to give you an idea how thick the foam is!
Bonus points for anybody who can identify with the red object is in the photo!
Work has been progressing quite rapidly the past couple of weeks. All of the rough in has been completed for everything and the closed cell foam insulation has been applied. We're anticipating this insulation to be a big help with the heating and cooling of the bathroom. At 2.5" of thickness it provides R23 insulation value and in addition because of how it expands the blocks of any air leakage. We actually decided to go ahead and replace the fiberglass insulation in the crawl space under our kitchen and breakfast area with it also because of its insulation efficiency.
Actually, all of the sheetrock have also been hung and finished and the painter primed it all today. We've picked out everything except the layout of the closet. Laura met with California closets today and is meeting with another closet company tomorrow, so we should have that finalized by early next week. I'm also still looking at emergency generator options of that is it not really part of the remodeling.
The project's decorator, Laura has picked out a very nice paint scheme for the bathroom and our bedroom. It will probably drive the painter a little crazy (if they aren't already) because she is using a total of 9 colors between the two rooms. It will really make the rooms look for a classy!
It looks like I will now be going home near the end of October, later than we had planned but at least I'm going home.
Here's a picture of the new window we put in over the bathtub, loss of life and ventilation.
Looking from the bathroom to the bedroom, the elevator will go in the framed the box on the left.
The same area after the insulation was installed.
The ceiling of the garage with the new insulation,those 2x12's to give you an idea how thick the foam is!
Bonus points for anybody who can identify with the red object is in the photo!Thursday, August 27, 2009
Progress is slow
Things seem like they're going very slowly but they always do when you want something to be done! They have now cut the floor and put in the new sloping lowered floor for the base of the shower. They've also finished all of the pre-wiring.
For our part, we decided on faucets and shower fixtures and they are on order. We also picked out lighting fixtures again, the first ones we had picked out were discontinued, imagine that! We also had a meeting with the cabinetmaker for the cabinets that will go on the bathroom. We love the design of the storage cabinet that will go over by the toilet, however the design of Laura's vanity and the storage cabinet next to it needs to be redone. It's design came out very colonial which is not what we were looking for.
The representative for the SureHands system we're planning on putting in is meeting with us and our contractor Friday afternoon to go over the details. It's a very interesting patient handling system, here's the website: http://surehands.com/
The other major event is that the new bathtub arrived! Laura is already ready to climb in and use it! I'm sure it will become one of her favorite places to relax.
Laura's new bathtub, I'm sure she will enjoy it very muchand maybe even let me use it once in awhile!
Bottom view of the shower floor,taken from the garage
This is about as close as I can get to the project,makes figuring things out a little difficult!
The curved wall, my sink goes in front of itthe shower is behind.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Things are starting to go back together!
As far as construction goes there was not a lot of visible work completed last week. All of the pre-wiring was completed and some framing was done. The biggest achievement was that on Wednesday Laura and I to Ferguson Enterprises and picked out all of the faucets (there are a bunch), the mirrors for over the sinks and Laura's vanity and the light fixtures for the sinks (most of the lighting will be overhead can lighting).
This coming week all kinds of work is planned, the closed cell insulation will be blown in, the shower pan will be installed and all of the plumbing will be roughed in. Tuesday, Laura and Nathan the project manager are going to the cabinet makers to discuss the cabinets .
Here are a few pictures of the recent activity:
The framing for the new skylight.
The elevator shaft looks awful tall looking down from the top!
Molly checking things out, she's acting as the construction superintendent!
(the entry below talks about all of our children)
This coming week all kinds of work is planned, the closed cell insulation will be blown in, the shower pan will be installed and all of the plumbing will be roughed in. Tuesday, Laura and Nathan the project manager are going to the cabinet makers to discuss the cabinets .
Here are a few pictures of the recent activity:
Entry to new storage area under the fall of the roof,
this will probably also become a good kitty hiding spot!
The new linen closet that is inside the walk in closet.
The framing for the new skylight.
The elevator shaft looks awful tall looking down from the top!
Molly checking things out, she's acting as the construction superintendent!
(the entry below talks about all of our children)
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Our Kitty Children
I know that our kitties have absolutely nothing to do with the remodel nor Mark's recovery process but I had these great pic and my own family hasn't met Bella (who turned 1 this week). They have done very well with all of the confusion going on. I wasn't sure how they would handle the noise and craziness with people going in and out all of the time but they have managed. So, let me introduce the gang...Bella (aka: Terrorbella) is on the top of the kitty seat. Molly (aka: Molly the Baptist--she baptizes her toys in the water bowl). Victor (aka: Vicar Victor because of his white clerical collar at the base of his neck). These three are just wonderful cats and they love each other and they bring both me and Mark a lot of joy and happiness and many, many laughs.
It is going to be a MAJOR adjustment for all of us when Mark comes home. None of the cats have ever lived with him since I got them all while he was sick after Meow died. We are getting a bigger bed...makes you wonder, who rules the roost around here? :)
Bella in her usual position at the top
Molly looks on as Mommy takes more pics!
Victor making sure the clean linens are warm!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
A New Therapy.
I'm back in therapy here at Oaklawn. Beginning last week, I started a system called Lite-Gait three days a week. It's basically a support system that holds some of my weight while I stand and walk. The link to their website: http://www.litegait.com/
Of course my personal therapist, Laura is still making me work out 6 days a week at Baptist East Milestone Center. We work in the pool 3 days and on the machines the other 3.
Here's a picture of me using the system. At this time the system is supporting about 50% of my weight.
Of course my personal therapist, Laura is still making me work out 6 days a week at Baptist East Milestone Center. We work in the pool 3 days and on the machines the other 3.
Here's a picture of me using the system. At this time the system is supporting about 50% of my weight.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Getting everything out of the way!
After much pain and suffering, the renovation of our home, has begun. Laura and her cousin Robin spent three hard days Monday Tuesday and Wednesday last week packing up everything from our master bedroom closet, master bathroom and master bedroom.
Thursday morning with the help of some friends from church everything was moved into a POD that is now residing in our driveway along with a dumpster and the porta-potty!
The contractor has wasted no time in getting everything demo'd!! Sometimes, Laura is frantic because he is working faster than she can get things done. Now, everything is successfully out of the bathroom area. We also have a major hole in the garage where the elevator pit will be. Here are a few pictures of what has been done:
This area used to be the linen closet, 
A couple of pipes in the way
The hole for the elevator pit, it worked out very well
since everything that had to be dug was a gravel.
Thursday morning with the help of some friends from church everything was moved into a POD that is now residing in our driveway along with a dumpster and the porta-potty!
The contractor has wasted no time in getting everything demo'd!! Sometimes, Laura is frantic because he is working faster than she can get things done. Now, everything is successfully out of the bathroom area. We also have a major hole in the garage where the elevator pit will be. Here are a few pictures of what has been done:
One of the best parts of the project for Laura,
is that the bathtub which she hated is gone!
This area used to be the linen closet, shower entrance and part of our closet.
A couple of pipes in the wayof the elevator that have to be moved.
The hole for the elevator pit, it worked out very wellsince everything that had to be dug was a gravel.
Friday, July 24, 2009
The Way Home!
After three years at Oaklawn, Laura and I decided that it was time to push forward. What that actually entailed, we weren't sure, but we looked for contractors, fiddled with remodeling designs and went into every patio home development in Jefferson County. We finally decided that remodeling was going to be the simplest and quickest solution. We condeeded that we weren't ready to downsize now and that most of the patio homes we found would have also required changes to make them accessible for me and building a new patio home was too costly and time comsuming.
The first contractor we were worked with, changed course on us several times so we decided to change contractors. This was obviously very frustrating because it left us with a great deal of lost time and extra, unexpected costs. We're now working with a different contractor who comes highly recommended and who recently did a major kitchen renovation project for a friend of mine. Hopefully, we will have the good results that we originally expected. So far, so good!
The first contractor we were worked with, changed course on us several times so we decided to change contractors. This was obviously very frustrating because it left us with a great deal of lost time and extra, unexpected costs. We're now working with a different contractor who comes highly recommended and who recently did a major kitchen renovation project for a friend of mine. Hopefully, we will have the good results that we originally expected. So far, so good!
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