Changes

Things are changing - for the better!  Mom returned to work at the library yesterday.  Thankfully Dad has some really great friends and family who are willing to come hang out with him while she's at work.  I'm assuming the first day back to work went alright since they allowed her return today. 

Over the holidays Dad's TPN pump rate was increased where he'd get the same amount of nutrition in less time.  It was changed to 18 & 6, meaning he got to be unhooked between 8 and 2 (6 hours) and be "fed" the other 18 hours.  This made it a little easier for him to get out on Christmas to visit family and go to church this past Sunday.  Traveling with an IV pole can be a bit tricky.  Yesterday mom was able to unhook it before work and then come home on her lunch break to hang the new bag.  This past Monday they did the usual blood work (this is done every week), and everything looked good.  Today the pump rate was increased again; this time to 14 & 10.  He is able to be unhooked between 8:30 and 6:30 which is great!  Of course the ultimate goal is to be able to one day not have the TPN at all, but in the mean time our short-term TPN goal is to get to 12 & 12.  I'm under the impression that's the best it can get (12 on and 12 off). 

All is going well!

Merriest Christmas

We had an amazing Christmas. Christmas Eve started off a bit rocky when dad had some bleeding from the fistulas, but thankfully it stopped on it's own fairly quickly. The thought of having to return to Houston for Christmas was devastating. After the bleeding ceased we began our Christmas celebration and everything was perfect!

Opening Gifts At Home

Christmas with the Buzek Family at Aunt Connie's - playing cards with the guys

What a treat to add a couple ounces of strained chicken noodle soup to his minimal liquid diet.

I thought he'd probably used up his lifetime's worth of luck, but he did catch a few good hands and walked away from the poker table a full seven dollars richer.   :)

I didn't take nearly enough pictures to portray the wonderful time we all had.  Today dad was able to attend church for the first time.  We all were there together - what a perfect ending to our Christmas holidays.

Great Day at Shoppa's

Dad was feeling especially well today and wanted so badly to go visit his John Deere stomping ground.  It was an emotional return, but he was so happy to see all of the dear friends he's worked with so many years.  There were a few not at work today, so he will definitely have to go visit again soon. 

Our Christmas Message

As we approach the Christmas season we find ourselves full of gratitude for the many gifts we have received. Christmas, we have found, is not just a blessed season but a way of life - loving gifts given freely through out the year.

If you gave the gift of blood Louie and many like him, survived because of you.

If you gave the gift of medical care we are so grateful for your expertise and personal attention.

If you gave the gift of friendship, you reduced our stress and made us smile.

If you helped in any way with fundraising, we were overwhelmed by your generosity.

If gave labors of love by taking care of our home, yard, and pets; you eliminated this worry from our every day lives.

And most of all if you prayed Louie is spending this Christmas at home because of you.

We thank you so much. Our lives have been changed in ways we never imagined by people we will never forget.


Love to All, Louie, Ruthie, and Family

HUSTLE AND BUSTLE

Very few people can say that things have been uneventful, but in Dad's case that's fairly true.  While most people are running around getting ready for Christmas, Dad's been able to sit back and visit with his friends while mom's done all of the running.

He's still taking this round of antibiotics, and since the last hospital stint he's been fever free.  

Dad, enjoy uneventful while it lasts, because in two short weeks I'll bring those grandkids to visit.  They can't wait to see you and...  jump on the bunkbeds, break the Christmas ornaments, chase Juliet, scatter the Nativity Set, empty your pantry, and pound on the piano (just to name a few things). 

Don't let these angelic faces fool you - especially the little one.

Back Home

Sorry I didn't get a chance to post, but dad did make it back home on Tuesday evening.   He's back on antibiotics and all is going well.  We're all hoping this round of antibiotics will work and then he will remain infection-free for a while.  He needs to stay home, because it's way too cold outside for a man who wears a gown!  :) 

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was wonderful  We all made a trip to Grandma's.  Dad was treated to a a few ounces of clear chicken soup, but the rest of us ate his share of other foods.  Dad and Karl even worked in a game of dominoes.  Dad said sitting at the table was uncomfortable, but luckily he got good hands and was able to beat Karl pretty quickly.  :) 

It's unfortunate that after such a great holiday weekend there would have to be another bump in the road, but today Dad is in the El Campo hospital getting antibiotics.  He just recently finished the last round of antibiotics, but it appears he has some sort of infection that's causing him to run fever.  ECMH is doing some tests and administering antibiotics.  His stay there should be fairly short, probably just until antibiotics can be ordered and received for mom to administer at home.