almost completely, but not totally unlike a pillow

The pillows they have here- probably have no right to bare that name. It is almost completely unlike a pillow. It isn't soft like a pillow, it is only vaguely shaped like a pillow, it doesn't smell like a pillow. It definitively doesn't support like a pillow. In fact the only reason I would even imagine that it is marauding as a pillow is the fact that is comes in a pillow case that match the rest of hospital linens for quality, or lack there of.

The Doc's assistant came in to see how Ian was doing. He is running clear enough right now that surgery is a go at 7ish tomorrow morning. Then he informed us that we will have a clinic office visit on Monday to follow up on the training of the c-costomy... well, there goes my weekend.

tuesday morning update

Good morning everyone. Ian is finally starting to clear his bowels. The nursing staff and on call night doc were starting to get worried. I figured I could have him take a bath... but didn't need to. By the time I arrived this morning his poop was already nice and watery. He, of course is going to keep going on it all day- until he runs clear.

So today is study, read ect... just a waiting day.

to market to market

to buy a fat hog.... or at least get another surgery.

Let's see Ian is being prepped for his tubes and lines, meanwhile he is in the play room waiting for the numbing cream to kick in. Then he gets a tube down his nose (NG) and the go lightly will be dribbled directly into his stomach for the next several days. After that- with in minutes he will get an IV with antibiotics as prep for the bowel surgery. Remind me to feed him lots of live yogurt next week.

Shannon is asleep on Ian's bed. The nurses will be bringing in a crib for her. That will be nice to leave our portacrib at the hotel.

Clay and his kitty are Grandma's side kick the next few days. The boys are off to school, but of course Galen forgot his back pack when he packed for Grandma's.

Amy is hoping to join us here this week and have a new baby of her own, although unless the baby is really sick she and him will be at the other hospital.

That is all I know for now. It is amazing that i have to use words on this blog. I have no easy way to deal with pictures on my portable computer.

More Slides

Make a Smilebox slideshow

This week in picture

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Welcome to the Third World

A great little article.... read it and weep.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-brooks18-2008sep18,0,6908905.column

for those who can't get enough of her

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Home again, Home Again Jiggity Jog

Well, after a nice little 13 hour trip today, We are home again, with a much longer trip scheduled in our near future.

For those of you unaware our trip today started just about 30 hours from a return home from another little trip.

And our next trip is destined to last 5-7 days.

That means I am now taking bids on my dog, kids and house cleaning. . .

Ian's surgery has been scheduled for next week. They plan to clean out his bowel to a point that it is running clear before they put the c- costomy in. And then he will have a few recovery and watchful days in the hospital before they send him home.

Jiggity Jog

Infinite patience

When I was growing up, I would often change out of the clothes Mom wanted me in. This occurred most often with pants. There was something about the fit and texture of many pairs of pants that made life uncomfortable.

These last few months I have realized that that is a sensory issue. I am very sensitive to what is touching my skin. That is why I end up wearing lots of soft shapeless things and many more skirts then pants.

But often, I remembered how I couldn't stand the pants Mom wanted me to wear as a child and this has helped me with Galen. Galen has sensory issues, and often it worse on some days then others, other times it is the same sensory issue all the time. For Galen the biggies are how his socks and shoes fit. The last few days the T shirts I dressed him in were not soft enough.

But Because I remember this was a real thing with me, I have nearly infinite patience with him when he complains that something is itchy or otherwise uncomfortable for him. This infinite patience saves lots of time. As soon as he expresses a problem we can quickly deal with it and get on our way. If I argued with him on weather this was a real problem or what he wanted to wear he would melt down and throw a fit and not be ready in time for the bus.

So maybe my Dad is right. Infinite patience brings immediate results.

Autism Bites

or at least yells, tantrums and kicks. luckily our biting is very limited around here. But I can't say the same things for tantrums, or meltdowns, as we call them.

We should have taken the early meltdowns, at the end of mini golfing, as a warning. We almost did, but then my sister pulled the "I bought cake for everyone" card and we were forced to play, and our hand looked all right against the bet of Rafferty's pizza, but as soon as it was time to go. Galen folded.

For 20 minutes he screamed and kicked and tried to get out of the car while it was moving. It was so bad that I sat back there with him to keep the damage minimal.

But he was calm by the time we got home and then the real work began. Getting 3 kids ready for school is not the easiest task, and when you add Ian's and Galen's issues on top of that, it becomes a much more time intensive task.

and other notes of this week: We spent our Saturday date night in the ER with Clay. He nearly cut the top of his ring finger off. Expect for the fact that I forgot my purse and cell phone, it was almost like a date. We only had 2 kids with us for a night out. But because I forgot my purse we didn't have means to call anybody or pay for anything that doesn't accept Discover card (the card Mike carries). But we ended up with take home to bake pizza and yet one more medical bill.

our washer is still broken. The part should be on order, but everyone who can install it must be on vacation- I plan to annoy them tomorrow.

Shannon is the light of every group of women. They all love to hold her and watch her smile and wiggle with glee. Someday I will post more picture,.... i just haven't even had time to pick up my office, none the less take picture lately.

I am hoping things calm down a bit when the kids are back in school. TOMORROW!!!!
The sun will come out tomorrow.

Right now everything that needs to be done is labeled "tomorrow." that however, doesn't count my shower and teeth brushing.