Update on Hayden

I got this from David this morning and wanted to post it for ya’ll.  Be in reverent prayer for this young child of God and for the family.

Overnight they tried a different antibiotic and Hayden had a severe reaction to it.  She is now back on the previous antibiotic.  The swelling in her face “moves” around, but this morning she has some swelling in the front of her face.  It had been all on the left side.  The docs have not identified what she has and nothing so far has caused the swelling to go away.  She is in Middle TN Medical Center – Murfreesboro.  Hayden, Brent and our family appreciate your prayers.  We expect the Great Physician will heal her at the appropriate time!

5.30.08 again

My HayHay called me earlier today and it was so great to hear her little voice, although her words were mumbly because of the swelling in the cheek and lips.  But she could say I love you gramma clear as a bell!

She’ll be at MTMC, Room 253 thru the weekend.  Still waiting to hear what has caused the infection, but already the discoloration has gone away.  The codiene in the meds has made her bouncy  – hopefully she will get tired and relax.  No crying or fits, which is amazing for a 3 yr old!  She is so brave! 

Thanks to all the TS who have prayed, offered to visit and help my hubby, son and grandbaby while I am in FL.  I appreciate you all more than you know!  I’m gonna have to make you all a big pan of my famous white enchiladas when I get home!

On another front, I spoke with my stepmom and my dad went home from the hospital today.  He was sleeping when I called, but he is doing well and should be able to get up on his feet real soon.

Peace, peace, peace.

LoLo

5.30.08

Nothing new to add to my last update on my mom.  She has been nonresponsive for about 36 hrs now.  Right now I am so distressed, as I talked to David this a.m. and Hayden is in the hospital with an infection in her face/jaw.  They admitted her early this morning and she has a little IV and everything.  I am so torn – I want to be with her, my dad and my mom.  But I know that God will look after her.  Ya’ll just get on your knees and pray!  Brent is holding up pretty well under the circumstances – I am so proud of him as he is a good and strong daddy to his little girl.  He’s scared, but he said she has been so good at the hospital – a real trooper.  Today they will be running tests to find out where the infection is coming from.  The right side of her face at the jawline is swelled to baseball size.  The docs told Brent it was a good thing he rushed her there, as the infection could have spread down her neck and affected her breathing.  I’ll let you all know more as I know it.  Brent and I just talked on the phone and he was already emotional because of my mom and dad’s situations.  Now this, but we cried and prayed together and David is on his way over to the hospital right now, so he can lean on his daddy.  Of course, David’s a mess right now too – the Twisted Sisters were caravaning it over to the church to invade his office and pray over him before he goes to M’boro.
 
I’ve been scrolling through my latest pics of my precious baby on the laptop – laughing at some of her antics. 

On another bright note, (the first being the pics of my HayHay) is that today, 22 years ago, I married the most wonderful man in the world.  Sorry ladies, but I got to him first!  
 
Peace, Peace, Peace.  

LoLo 

Checking in . . .

Mom fell into a deep sleep around 12am and she has slept the entire day.  She has had some pain and they gave her pain meds.  They have to turn her every so often and its difficult for her.  I won’t get too graphic, but its very had to endure.  Luckily, afterwards she just keeps snoozing.  She has not opened her eyes at all today, but yesterday she was awake all day and perhaps she is just wiped.  It has been good to see peaceful sleep.  The one time she was semi awake, she did not know who I was, that was very hard.  But I know that is to be expected and its okay – I’m dealing with it like a trooper.  Tomorrow will be a brand new day and perhaps she will have some moments of consciousness.  in all truth, I would rather she save some of her energy for Steve so they can have some time together.  I’m looking forward to seeing him myself . .. nobody gives hugs like you big brother! 

 

Aunt Betty left this morning, and it was difficult for her to leave.  But I am so grateful she got to come.  She must have channeled some of my Aunt Sara’s wisdom, because she gave me such peace and comfort. 

 

I’ve spent a good deal of my day, wandering the grounds, praying and seeking guidance on tough decisions. I had a wonderful talk with my pastor this morning, and am again reminded of why he is our spiritual leader at our church – what wisdom and compassion!  What a great man of God he is – and to know that I, just one of hundreds at our church, am special and unique to him is amazing.  Then to think that out of the gazillions of people in the world, I am even more special to God!  What amazing peace He gave me today with the people he brought in front of me and the words He planted in my head – Be Still and Know I am God.  I got in under control Lori Lynn!!!  So cool. 

 

I worry about Ken, he is so tired and worn.  He just clings to me when he is here, he needs the companionship and lots of hugs and touches.  He is my hero and I will always look out for him. 

 

Well, I am tired and I am sure this is quite emotional for all of you to read.  And although I have tears at times, I am also so full of joy because I know that He is God and I am not.  And that is a great relief!

 

Love to you all and thank you for each and every way you support and love me.  Oh, and I forgot to mention that last nite around 2am, I got up to go to the kitchen for a drink and Wacky Jacky, the night nurse said hey there sister, you look twisted – you’re a twisted sister!  I couldn’t help but crack up!  I told her about our “gang” of rebel women and that we even had a website.  I’m gonna show it to her tonite when she comes in. 

I got to tell you that this place is awesome.  I never knew there were places like this.  I could go on and on, not only is this place awesome (hospice) for the patients, considering why you are here, but the care that is given to family is bar none.  I’m already planning to train Drew to be a therapy dog like Nick was so we can do the Hospice care center in NashVegas. 

 

Love,LoLo

Leaving on a jet plane . . .

And really don’t know when I’ll be back again. My mother has taken another turn for the worse – she is nonresponsive and its just a matter of hours, days, etc. The overwhelming weight on my shoulders is about to break me. I’ve tried to work today and its been very distracting – when I believe my place is beside her, holding her hand as she heads to heaven.

So, with that said, and after discussions with my husband, brother and boss, I’m heading to Tampa tonite. My flight leaves at 530pm. I’ll write updates on the blog, so be sure to go there for news. There is a chance that sister Cinny will be joining me in the next day or so. My aunt is coming into Tampa tomorrow. My brother in a day or so too.

Love you all and pray that my mom will be released from this earth so she can be reunited with loved ones in heaven.

Thanks,

Lori

FROM THE FATHER’S HEART

My child, you are indeed one of My precious lambs. I know your nature. Like a sheep that easily wanders astray, your cries bring Me to your side in a moment. When you are hurting, I do not pour salt on your wounds. Instead, you will feel My soothing love and tender touch, healing the cuts you have sustained. When you cannot walk alone, I will carry you gently until you have safely reached green pastures again.

Love always and every day,

Your Papa

 

Latest events . . .

a few of us are still struggling with parent issues (health) – this weekend has been no exception.  I saw my lovely friend Connie on Friday morning at prayer and we talked and prayed for her mother, who was given days to live.  I’m saddened to say that she lost her mom yesterday (Sunday) aftn.  The blessing in it all was that Connie’s daughter got to see her grandmother before she passed, as she flew in from Boston that morning.  Connie, if you read this, please know that you are in my prayers and the prayers of all of the Twisteds.  We love you very much and are there for you.

My parental issues are still at the front and center right now.  Talked to hospice yesterday and they do not expect my mom to last the week.  Good news is that my dad is being released from the hospital and going home.  He has more tests to endure later in the week, but the docs believe his heart issues are treatable.  That is awesome news, as he has enough to endure with the cancer and its treatment.  Continue to lift us up in your prayers.

I am so thankful for my friends – I don’t know how I would get through all of this without you all.  You exemplify the love of Christ in all that you do and say.  A hug from one of you is like getting a hug from God!  I love you guys!!!!!

Well, I just wanted to drop a line.  I don’t have much else to say right now.  But be sure to write a post or comment soon!

Love, LoLo

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope this weekend is a great one for all of you.  The weather promises to be agreeable here in the southland, and I know many of us will be outdoors.  Be safe!  Wear your sunscreen too – unless you’re Cinny and then you are exempt from sunscreen – LOL. 

Today we are doing something different – me, hubby and the inlaws are heading to the “boro to have a cookout with #1 son at his new bachelor pad.  He is excited to be hosting us for a change and probably spent all nite cleaning his place and alphabetizing his pantry (OCD).    Looking forward to a nice aftn with our adult son!

Update on the parents: mom is still at hospice and holding on; dad is now in the hospital with congestive heart failure – not bad case of it, and prayerfully we believe the problem will be resolved very soon.  No current plans by yours truly to head north (or south) – #1 brother is heading up to Northern Mich to check on the dad – I’m sort of jealous, since I love it up there so much – and to be there on Mem Day weekend!  Wowza.  But alas, I shall be there over the 4th of July week, so I can’t be too greedy!

Here’s a big shout out to Daniel for graduating last nite!!!!!  Congrats!   We are all very proud of you Daniel, and know you will do well in life.  We do not look forward to bidding you adios in August, when you join the army and head out to boot camp!  But I know you are excited and that is awesome.  God Bless you and your parents, JoJo and the GeEKsTeR.

Well, I’m going to go take a shower and see if Eva’s theory about parsley salad will come to fruition (inside joke).  Love and Blessings to all,

LoLo

Come one, come all..

Tonight we begin our new study entitled “Lord, teach me to pray in 28 days”.   Miss Evie will be our instructor and we will meet at my house (Cinny’s).  I am (of course being the prayer warrior I am) excited about this study.  I had a really hard time stopping at just the first five chapters.   The best part about this study will be learning what God’s Word says about prayer.   

Be in prayer for yourselves as you come join us tonight at 6PM – if you can’t make tonight ….. that’s fine … come when you can ….. come as you are …. come one, come all.

I love you,

Cinny 

One Day at a Time

I got a call this afternoon that my mom was admitted to the Hospice Care Facility (around noontime). It took a lot of “lobbying” between me and the doctors, nurses, social workers, nursing home, etc. I am exhausted by it all.

But I am glad to say that she is out of the vicious cycle of Flubitup Hospital and Makeitworse Nursing Home (both owned by the same parent company) and the endless back and forth! The doctor and nursing staff are giving her a thorough checking over. They already concur with my suspicions that she needed to be at hospice!!! Here is a summary of her status and recurring symptoms: congestive heart failure, stage 3 kidney failure, bedsores ranging from stages 2-4, urinary tract infection, pneumonia,difficulty breathing – she’s got tubes to feed her, tubes to hydrate her, oxygen up the nose, a catheter you know where, and until this aftn, a tube up the behind.

The folks at hospice have already been so attentive and the facility is just beautiful. They have been in contact with me several times today to let me know how things have progressed, and I cannot say enough words of thanks for the social worker over there. Ken & I met with her last Friday when I was there and she has worked diligently to get my mom into a position where she can be cared for in her final days. Ken will be staying there for a couple nites (her room has a pull out bed for him, along with many other very homey touches). He also likes the facility and feels useful and supported – they will be training him how to care for her and in a few days she will go home, after Hospice has helped him set up the house with the proper equipment and he has learned how to care for her. He will have full hospice support, 24 hr nursing on call, and other community services that are available to him. If for any reason he cannot care for her – or it all proves to be too much, then she would go to a different nursing facility and have full hospice treatment there. They are already pulling her off of some of the unnecessary medicines (i.e. cholesterol?) she is on and giving her some vitamins (K) and natural healing creams for her bedsores and skin breakdown. I told the hospital to keep the traction device and if the orthopedic doctor didn’t like it he could shove it. I mean, what is the point in keeping a paralyzed and immobile (since 2001) leg in traction? Especially when its over 80% healed? The hospital nurse assured me she would pass along my message to the ortho doc (tee hee).

Mom is a little confused, since she has not been anywhere but that hospital and nursing home since October 2007 – so these new surroundings and people are a little overwhelming. But she saw and recognized Ken and Dolly (her dog). Yep, the dog is able to come there too!

Its one day at a time in a hospice setting – their goal is to give her the best today possible – and I believe this is one of the better days she has had in a long time.

So far, my today is shaping up pretty darn good too.

Keep those prayers coming.

Love, LoLo