Hello Monday

We had a good day today.

Dad: He had his chest tube out and so he's no longer really hooked up to anything. Occasionally they will throw some O2 on him - but for the most part he's O2 free. He is up and getting around a little more. He had a pretty serious pain attack tonight - so that wasn't good - he said it was the worst one yet. He took his neck brace off in his sleep last night - so he got in trouble. He will not need PT - and the Occupational therapist will need to work with him some - but he's doing ok.

Mom - She's doing ok - still having moments of confusion. They are fairly certain that was from the injury because she had been off of narcotics for 10 hours. She is having a lot more times where she is lucid - so that's great to see. Her left lung is still cloudy and having some issues - but it's clearing up. She had some pain tonight - but was remedied with a little pain medication.

The good news is - they are doing well enough to most likely be released on Wednesday. So - the plan is Wednesday they'll go home to Ben and Mels - for the next 5-8 weeks or so - so please keep them in your thoughts. They will need some time to get situated for a week or so.

We had a false alarm with Gretchy tonight - and it was devastating to find it wasn't her. We still have faith - and Dan will go back out again tomorrow and continue his search for her.

Thanks for all your support. I'll be able to update more tomorrow since we can access the wireless connection from the rooms.

Lots of love!

Sunday afternoon update

My parents are doing ok - after 2 days of spending time with them - they have their good times and bad. Each of them are doing much better in some areas and have had some set backs in others.

Dad: Dad's chest tube is still in. Maybe tommorrow they will be able to pull it - but he's still outputting 130 cc's/24 hours than they'd like him to. He was having some oxygen issues earlier - so they hooked him back up to the oxygen and that helped. His pain is still difficult for them to control - and we've seen kind of a down turn in his alertness and orientation levels since they upped his meds. As to be expected. He has been up and walking around - with a great amount of pain - but he's doing it. He wants to chat with everyone - but he keeps calling people and then falling asleep - so if you get a phone call with heavy breathing - it's probably Dad. They were talking about releasing him tomorrow - but that's not going to be a possibility right now. He has to have his chest tube out for 24 hours first - and he has a good deal to go with his mobility. Dan will not be having surgery on his hand - so I'm guessing sometime a little later this week (Wed/Thurs maybe??) he'll be released. We're not sure what the next step is after that

Mom: She is still having a little bit of orientation issues - but she's much better today than yesterday. SHe is still having a lot of chest pain. Her chest x-ray on Wednesday showed a significant amount of fluid in her left lower lung - but after 18 hours of regular breathing treatments and an increase in her willingness to do the breath tests - today's x-ray showed some improvement - but the respiratory person and her nurses stressed that she still had a long way to go. Her release is pretty much contingent on her lung clearing. She is not having any mobility issues - she's getting around a lot better. She gets winded easily - but she's walking around well. SHe had another CT scan today - so hopefully tomorrow morning we'll get more information about that.

Gretchen is still missing- we're hoping for good news soon - Dad is getting much more concerned about her. Dan was out today handing out more fliers and talking to more people. We got a small bit of hope this afternoon - so PLEASE help us pray that tomorrow morning brings great news in this area. It certainly isn't much to go on - but we hope our search is over.

THanks for all your support - I'll try and update tomorrow afternoon!

We made it to Michigan

We spent the night at Dan's brothers house last night - after 12 hours of flying/driving. Looooong day - but worth it.

We're getting ready to head out to the hospital now. I will update again tonight from the hotel.

Update from yesterday on mom and dad. Dad is doing better, up and moving around more. I was told that he was going to have surgery on his hand this weekend if they could get the hand surgeon to return their call. Ben hadn't heard this. Who knows.

Ben said mom appears to be slipping a little bit - so please add an extra little prayer for her if you can... he said she's becoming more and more disoriented and harder to reorient - and can't get the neuro guy to talk to him. Hopefully we'll get a chance today.

No word on Gretchen. Sweetie Pie is doing ok. She's still at the vet since her laceration needed some work. She'll go to the Club on Monday.

Thanks you guys!

Lots of love

Thursday am update

I talked with their nurses this morning and have an update on the folks.

Dad: Doing well - he's been in a lot of pain but they are finally getting it managed. He's still cooperating with getting up and moving a little bit and doing his deep breathing. He's still out-putting blood and fluids from his chest tube so that will stay in for a while longer. Once that stabilizes they will be able to operate on his hand.

Mom: Is apparently the comedian of the trauma unit - her medicaiton and personality have created a monster! Other than being funny - she's doing well - no real changes. This nurse says they are still trying to avoid the surgery on her wrist. No news is good news, right? ok - well, maybe not - but right now it is.

Many of you have been asking what you can do for them. Right now cards are about all that can be sent to the trauma unit. NO FLOWERS or PLANTS, NO BALLOONS. Neither are eating much so food is also not a good idea yet.

Their mailing address is:
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX

Still no word on Gretchen. Sweetie Pie is going to her old vet in Midland today and then Ben and Mel will take her to Winday Acres, aka Club Med ;) the old kennel my parents used to use to board the dogs.

Thanks for thinking of all us - we appreciate it!

Hugs and love!

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: New beginnings and same old, same old

Let me start off with some happy news - I'd like to Congratulate my good friend Julie who woke me early this morning with the AMAZING news that her water broke (she was 38 1/2 weeks) ... then I later got the phone call that Ethan was born and healthy and mommy was recovering from her c-section well. So - Congrats Julie, Dean, Carson and Jenna - and welcome little Ethan!

My other good news today - I got to talk to my dad!!! Thank God for small blessings. He sounds terrible but amazing all at the same time. He is still trying to comprehend the severity of the accident and he still hadn't slept (this was about 4pm their time!). It was so good to hear his voice. He is very worried about his dogs - but I tried to reassure him we're all doing our best.

There was a small article in the paper today about my parents accident and Gretchen missing. they did not link it to their website other wise I'd share with you! Hopefully this will be a good tool to help find Gretchen. We're going to run an ad about her in the paper as well, and we're trying to get the local news station to cover her absence.

Some more updates from Ben - who is having to fight for info right now: mom is indeed going to have to have surgery on her wrist. A CT scan this morning also showed 2 new contusions (which is an unfortunate change, but not wholly unexpected) on the brain. My dads finger injuries were severe. His right middle finger, highest joint, had a compound fracture and will require surgery and his pinky finger on the same hand is going crushed and will need surgery.

Tomorrow will bring a chest x-ray for my mother since she is having severe chest pain which is most likely from the seatbelt - but we'll see tomorrow. My dad is having more xrays as well.

They are both still stable and hopefully the doctors and nurses can get their pain managed.

Please keep Ben and Mel in your prayers as well, they are very busy running errands, taking care of everything, getting Sweetie Pie set up, supporting my parents, looking for Gretchen and holding this all together.

Thank you again for your support, prayers and kind words during this. We love you!

A new day...

So I talked with my parent's nurses this morning - and have an update.

Dad - hasn't slept yet, doing great. He's in a soft collar now and probably will be for 6-8 weeks. His neck injury does not look like he'll need surgery - but he will need surgery on his fingers, and they tentatively have that scheduled for next week. They are talking about possible release sometime next week as well, and will most likely not require inpatient rehab. They are going to try and get him up to walk today. He is being very cooperative with doing his breathing treatments and they don't anticipate complications from his chest tube at this time. Pain management continues to be a problem for him. His nurse also asked what might be troubling my dad, "Is he a very regimented sort of guy?" he asked. I told him that I suspect Dad misses his dogs.

Mom - she's very groggy and heavily medicated. They have had her up and walking and she's doing ok in that area. They are having a problem keeping her pain under control as well, but hope to have that remedied very soon. She has a fractured vertebrae on c-7 and t-1. Both should heal well and on their own. They are concerned with her wrist injury and are trying to avoid surgery on her left wrist - it is really swollen and "dusky" (WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!) and so that's not good - but they are continuing to be optimistic. They did another ct scan this morning and she does have a bleed. There is no plan for that as of right now - they are keeping a VERY close watch on it, and they are concerned but hope it will resolve itself. This nurse also supsects mom will be released next week, and no inpatient rehab will be needed, although she cautions that's only if her condition does not change for the worse. I get the impression they are concerned about the bleed.

So - that's it in a nutshell. We're still planning on flying out Friday - possibly to assist in their return, and to bring Miss Sweetie Pie home. We're praying Gretchen if found and can come home too!

Thanks again for all of your continued to support - and feel free to call me if you have questions or want to talk! ;) We love you guys!

Thank you so much for your prayers...

They are much appreciated. I am truly amazed and in awe of the outpouring of love and support for my parents and our family today.

For those of you looking for details - here is what I know thus far. My parents were in a car accident this morning (Tuesday, 8/23) early in the morning. They were outside of Kalamazoo, MI.

My mother was medi-vacced to Bronson's Trauma Unit and my father was taken by ambulance. They have serious injuries but none appear to be life threatening. Here is a sample of their injuries.

My father: broken neck (he is NOT paralyzed, and has feeling and movement in his extremeties), broken sternum, punctured lung, broken ribs, broken fingers, lacerations and contusions.

My mother: bruise on left side of her brain, broken wrist, broken vertebrae, broken ribs, lacerations and contusions.

They are at Bronson Medical Center in Kalamazoo, MI in their trauma unit. Please do not call the hospital as neither of my parents can answer their phones and the nurses are not allowed to give information.

I will try and keep this updated with as much information as I can. I appreciate that so many of you want information on them - and are requesting a way to get info without having to call. Hopefully this will help, although I love to hear from you as well.

Ben and Mel are with my parents in Kzoo - and are trying to get in as often as they can, please keep them in your prayers too as they deal with this! Dan and the girls and I are going to fly out on Friday.

Sweetie Pie is OK and is safe in an animal shelter. Gretchen is still missing. I pray she is found safe, and soon so that my dad can relax.

THank you again. We love you!

SO - I have a new computer (m)

I'm going to do something I rarely do - but I need to vent about my husband!!! OK - he was SOOO nice last year after Anna was born and bought me a new laptop! I was so excited! A couple of months later the cord started having troubles staying in... so we called HP and they said to send it in and they would fix it. We didn't. It got worse. Finally I told Dan before the warranty was up it needed to be fixed. He didn't. THEN - I told him the very least we needed to buy the extended warranty - HE DIDN'T!

For 6 months I've suffered with a computer that won't stay plugged in , with little to NO complaining- it's so annoying where it hibernates ever 10 minutes because it lost it's charge un-noticed. ... warranty is expired now - and you can extend the warranty at this point.

NOW - Dan needs to use my computer for school. He uses it all the time - and is having to deal with all of the things I've warned him have been a problem for me. It's frustrating for him. Within a month - my cord refuses to stay plugged in unless you hold it in - and you can feel the current running through your hand. SO all of a sudden he decides it really needs to be fixed. $400-$600 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So - because he REALLY has to have a working computer for school - we go buy a new one. Now - keep in mind we got a killer deal on my computer - it is considered a desktop replacement laptop - it's big and heavy - but is super fast and has lots of memory... and now I've had to be downgraded to half the computer I had.

So - we get home and I ask Dan to please get me the Microsoft Office disk so I can download it. He says sure - he remembers EXACTLY where he put it. NOPE - he has no clue! So after three hours of looking - I'm still without - WORD, EXCEL, PHOTO or OUTLOOK. :( I don't even have my itunes.

Are you feeling for me yet? Ok - so on the scale of global tragedy this is merely a blip on the radar - or not even a blip - more like a bli - but still I'm pregnant, hormonal and want things to work.

SO the lesson here - get stuff fixed for free during the warranty period.

Julia taught me a great lesson -

The other night I was putting Julia to bed and we were talking about her being too rough with Anna. I was trying to stress that she was the big sister and she needs to be gentle with her. She has to watch out for her and try really hard not to hurt her. I stressed that Anna was just little.

Julia's response "So am I Mommy. I'm just little. I don't always know what to do or whats right. I'm a big little kid"

HOLY COW - she's so right. With her big brain, huge vocab and adolescent emotions I forget that she's 4! She's still a little girl. She doesn't really KNOW all the time - she does still need guidance and to be taught whats right and wrong. She does still need me to point out kindly when she's not behaving.

Look at the big brain on Julia. What a smarty pants. Especially for such a little one.

So - I've had many emails about my post last night

I'm sorry I was so vague... that's very unlike me! ;) Here are the details of my frustrations with my doctor -

So - the points I'm upset about:

1- they said they did not run a pregnancy test with my blood work July 19 - THEY DID - and it was POSITIVE! eeeeeeek! It was borderline - but still positive. So - I'm at least 5 weeks gestation .

2- they said my blood tests came back normal on July 19 - THEY WEREN'T! My red blood cell count was highly elevated - AND I was pregnant!

3- They said my pelvic ultrasound was "unremarkable" - LIARS! The test results say that I had an abnormally thick endometrium. Now - in the absence of problems 1-2 would indicate that my pains were endometriosis - in the presence of problems 1-2 above - it means I WAS PREGNANT!

4 - They said that my Aug 12 progesterone levels were normal - THEY AREN'T! My progesterone level was 8.1 . With Anna it was a 10 - and I was rushed on to progesterone and had bleeding issues. In February my level was 7.9 - and I lost the baby. NORMAL (it says so right on the damn test result) is 11.2 - 90 for 1st trimester. The fact that I'm 7-8 weeks LMP means it should easily be over 20.

5 - I specifically called them about my progesterone levels - and asked if they were normal. THEN I asked for the numbers. They only gave me the NORMAL speil.

SO - I'm mad. Beyond mad.

I called my new OB and asked them what I can do - and they said since I've never been in their office there isn't anything they can do until next week. They were SOOOO nice. She tried to get me in earlier but couldn't. She told me that the test result from 7/19 would indicate that I'm 5-8 weeks gestation - so 7-10 weeks pregnant. She also stressed that the progesterone level was low (not that she was "telling" me - since she couldn't) - take it easy until Tuesday and that they'll get it all straightened out.

So - thanks for your concern... I still feel really positive, I'm just mad they would give me such bad info! I will keep you posted!

OK - doctors don't know anything (m)

So - I pick up my test results today - and my levels are NOT normal. What is wrong with them - couldn't they read the results? It's very blatantly NOT in the normal range.

So - I'm calling my OB and getting some new info.

UGH

People are stupid.

OK - I'm really pregnant! It's official!

My doctor called and I really am pregnant! My progesterone is even really good - SURPRISE! The only sort of negative news is that I'm not as far along as I suspected - I'm only 4-5 weeks. This is a little stressful since I started having my complications with Anna at 6 weeks - and I was hoping to be past that stage.

Oh well - I guess it's every pregnant woman's dream to find out they are pregnant AND almost at the end of their first trimester! :)

So - I'm cautiously excited - but really excited!

I definitely feel pregnant - so I suppose that's a good sign...

now we just begin the 35 week countdown!

Ben Stiller likes 'pazanga'

I made lasagna last night - it was REALLY good - I used ground turkey instead of ground beef (avoid that greasy oil slick) and 1/2 cottage cheese for the ricotta. So - to get Julia to try it - I told her that it was Garfields favorite food.

In her head that translated into "Madagascar" likes lasagna. So - we had leftover lasagna for lunch (even better now!) and Julia sits down to eat hers and announces "Ben Stiller likes pazagna". Amazing how her mind works sometimes.

Well - I'm sad to say I was unsuccesful in downloading the end of 2003 and all of 2004 of my old blog site - but I do have hard copies of them. Even so - I don't think I'm going to try and move them here. I think it's important to move forward right now.

SO - have I mentioned that I'm going to be a mom to 3?!!!! It's still not sinking in. I suppose it will take more time before the reality of that hits me. Maybe next week, when I finally have an indication as to how far along I am. Or - maybe not.

One of my friends is pregnant again - Julia and Anna are close in age to two of hers - like by weeks. Well - she's pregnant and due in February - and just found out she's having twins. I so feel for her. (HUGS LISA!!) How scary!

hugs

het

Look at this thing!!! 

5 lb cucumber! 

Huge Cucumbers 

Biggest damn cucumber

Dan pulled these cucumbers out of my garden today - 6 super big ones and 1 of these HUGE ass cucumbers. White from lack of sun - but tasty as can be. Can you believe how big these cucumbers are? The big kahuna was over 5 lbs!!!

So it killed off my corn and tomatoes (I still have hope for my maters and peppers - but I pulled the corn).

I'm still in shock.

Flowers during the gloaming 

Some form of flower 

Peed in a cup -

it was good. Bled into a vial - that was good. I get the test results next week.

I have to pee all the time - I'm a bit queasy... I'm feeling pregnant. If I find out this is a false positive (3 tests???) then I'm going to be pissed.

Well - I'm off to shop! :) I should go grocery shopping - but instead I'm going to the mall and then Toys R Us.

Probably more later...

3 kids huh???

Wow - today was a killer of a day. I'm seriously thinking of having my head re-examined for allowing myself to be pregnant again. :) Anna is SOOOO busy. I spent all morning trying to get things done - while chasing her down. Then she FINALLY napped and I'm so tired from chasing her around all morning that I didn't do anything.

I've been going to bed by 8pm - and getting up by 630am - this is just not me. This 3 hour time change is kicking my arse.

So - I'm fasting tonight - getting my cholesterol checked tomorrow, and my progesterone levels, my Hcg levels (pregnancy hormone) and have to pee in a cup to check for protein again. That will be a blast.

I'm thinking it's time for bed... I just watched 3 episodes of Real World Austin that I DVRd while we were gone... the one boy - Danny - his mom died. How sad - I cried like a baby!

HUGS

Couldn't be more beautiful! 

Love these skies... 

Beee UUUUU tee full 

Cutie Patootie 

Baby of mine... 

Beautiful Julia 

The BEST time!

We had the best time on vacation... it was wonderful.

It was everything I hoped it would be. The weather was amazing, the kids were great. The campfires were revealing and entertaining. The lobster was tasty - the grape nut ice cream delicious!

I'm depressed to be back here - but it happens each year - I get depressed and want to go back.

This year I am coming back with a little surprise though... I'm pregnant!!! Yes, I know - we said we were done. Apparently someone else had other plans for our family. We're cautiously excited - after my loss in February it's hard to get REALLY excited yet. I found out Monday, Aug 8. Julia called it a week earlier though. :) She's 3/3 with my pregnancies now. I have no idea how far along I am... I get some blood work done this week and I think we'll have a better guess. So - sometime in March or April it looks like we'll have a family of 5!

I miss you guys!

Awww relief...

So - I'm sitting around earlier today - moping. It's a terrible horrible no good very bad day. Now - I'm in Maine - so it's better than some - but bad as far as good days go...

David left yesterday... sad. I know it was time - but I'll miss his energy and late night chats. This beach feels empty today.

Next - I hit my damn head. HARD. I'm guessing from my blurred vision in triplicate - terrible headache and tender noggin that I did sustain some form of a mild concussion.

The beach is beautiful, my kids are wonderful and make me happy - but today I'm just a little blue. I want to be out having fun but my damn head hurts!

So..... then Joanna arrives. Her beautiful smile and most gorgeous strawberry blonde curly hair made my whole damn day... We spent the afternoon discussing David's fine points and those of my beautiful little girls. :) I was so happy to see her it brought me to tears. :) I love her.

That's all...

Behold - my name is Meeks...

Ok - I'm in love. With a little boy. Well - he's all grown up now and it's probably highly inappropriate to have a crush when I'm married and have 2 kids. :) Well - Dan has the same crush so I'm not as worried...

I was reintroduced to a face from my past on my vacation. His name is David and I've been swept off my feet. At 300+ lbs that's hard to do.

Ok - you flamers - and you know who you are - I'm prepared to listen to your tirade on the sanctity of my marriage vows - but before you get going - let me challenge you - spend an hour in his presence - well, for goodness sakes 5 darn minutes and you'll be obsessed as well. :)

Here are some of his more redeeming qualities -
*First and foremost - he has the MOST amazing voice, it's deep and rich and melodic - and is usually followed by the most boisterous, heartfelt laugh ahhhhhh
*He is an old soul.
*He makes me feel like a queen - and not my pantyhose size--- he totally gets me for who I am
*He's smart
*He's kind
*He's a pitcher ;) - you know what that means - great arms
*He has a smile bigger than his home state
*He's amazing.

So - I know you are asking why I haven't left my family and run off into the mountains with him? Well - besides the obvious fact that I'm married to the perfect man for me?

NO - he's not 15... :)

Here's the kicker - I'm finally a grown up. I re-met this amazing man (did I mention he's beautiful on the outside too???) and although I WAS attracted to him (I'm married, not dead for goodness sakes!!!) I unfortunately came to the realization that I want him more for a son than a boy toy... He gives me hope in the world IS good. It's a pretty tall order for one man - but he sure fits the bill. He made me reconsider having a third child - and I don't mean WITH him! ;)

So - I'm done raving - for now!