Robert's Surgery

Robert in the recovering room, still coming off the anesthesia, feeling just fine here.

Thursday the 28th, Robert has his 1st surgery ever in his 51 years of life. His left shoulder had a torn rotor cuff. The surgery itself was 2 hours long with another 2 + hours in recovery. The surgeon said the surgery went better than expected, he also found spurs on his collar bone that he removed as well. It was an outpatient surgery, so after 7 hours at the Surgical Center we were on our way.

The first night he was doing ok. He slept a lot, good pain meds from after the surgery. I became his left arm, his care giver, it requires patience on both our parts for this one. He started out sleeping in our bed that night, but by 2:30 in the morning he moved to the couch, he slept a little better there. For both of us this was a change, neither one of us has had a surgery of any kind in our 26 years of marriage. With the exception of Robert's kidney stones last year and his 2 hour stay in the E.R., we have been healthy.

Friday he was doing ok until the afternoon, the pain, he says is a constant dull ache. The pain meds he's on don't seem to be doing the trick. He spent most of the afternoon downstairs sitting, laying whatever position comfortable in the lazy-boy watching TV. Last night he didn't do so well, the pain meds are still not helping, he was up and down all night, he didn't wake me. He knew that there was nothing I could do for him, he let me sleep. Today I called the Dr. on call, he called in a stronger dose of his pain meds. Usually this pain medicine knocks him right out, and he gets really groggy when he's taken this before. I feel bad for him, wished I could help take the pain away.

We both talked to enough people and knew that this a one of the most painful surgeries, even though his shoulder wasn't as bad as some, we knew it would still be painful. Hopefully today will be a little better once he gets his stronger dose of meds. The worse part for him is wearing the sling, he hates the feeling of having to keep his arm stable, and in the sling. He will be in the sling for 4 weeks, he starts P.T. on Monday. That won't be too fun, I have to go and learn how to move his arm for him. That is one thing I'm not looking forward to, I don't want to make him hurt.

The Dr. told him it take about 4 months for his shoulder/arm to be strong again, he's planning on that so he can golf with my Dad when we're in St . George in May. Just have to be consistent in doing his P.T. so he can have full range in that arm again.

Happy Birthday Dad

Thursday Jan. 28, my wonderful father turned 70. Its hard to believe that my dad is getting older, he has already surpassed the age of his own father who died at 69 years old of a blod clot to the heart. My Dad is an amazing man, he has a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He has been a great example to me in my life, he is close to the Lord, he taught me the importance of daily prayer, attending the Temple regularly, and daily scripture study. His service to the Lord and others is a wonderful example. They broke the mold when they made my dad, he is one of a kind. Hope you had a great day Dad, I love you.

Happy Birthday Grandma

Tomorrow would have been my maternal Grandma's 90th birthday, she passed away 15 years ago of cancer. I have a lot of fond memories of my Grandma and going to her house. For 11 of my childhood years we lived in different state than my grandparents. So our visits were few and far between, but Grandma and I always wrote each other letters, and I knew on my birthdays that a card would arrive from Grandma with coins taped inside the card. If you were lucky enough to be at her house when you celebrated your birthday Grandma made you a doll cake, she put a small barbie in the middle of the cake, and pink frosting my favorite color, was her beautiful dress. There are many memories dancing the to the poka record in the living room on the wood floors, playing Grandma's piano. I learned to love "Lawerence Welk" and many other shows from my Grandma. There are memories of Grandma fixing your hair, sleepovers when I was older. Grandma and Grandpa came to visit us many times over the years, I had the double bed, so that is where my grandparents slept. Every fall was their annual trip to visit us, they'd come over with Grandpa's truck bed filled to the top with fruit from their orchard for mom to can. When I was 18 we moved back to the same state as my Grandparents, I went off to college and had the opportunity to live closer to Grandma and be able to spend more time with her. I would often go visit Grandma if I was feeling homesick, needed to do laundry, or just wanted to visit. I think I was the only grandchild who was lucky enough to have Grandma make their wedding cake. I had my daughter before Grandma passed away, she was the 1st great granddaughter, although my own daughters memories of Grandma were her lying on the couch in the family room sick, Grandma had cancer by the time my daughter was born, she fought that battle for 4 years before she passed away. There are times when I really miss my Grandma, her hugs, her smiles and just sitting and talking with her. Thanks Grandma for all the wonderful memories. I love you.

Happy Birthday

Debbie and my granddaughter July 2009

Today and tomorrow my sister's celebrate their birthdays. Debbie turned 3_ today and Tiffany will be 3_ tomorrow. I still remember when they born, doesn't seem that long ago. Our mom came home from the hospital the day after having Debbie, so she could join in Tiffany's birthday celebration. They are each a wonderful sister, wife and mom. I am honored to be their older not always wiser sister. I wish they both lived closer so that I could celebrate their birthdays with them. Happy Birthday dear sisters, I love you both.

Tiffany and her son Bridger Oct. 2009

New Year Thought

Several years I found this quote from President Howard W. Hunter, it is one that I like to share at the beginning of each year. I keep it posted on my fridg. where I can see it daily.

"This year, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again."

I hope this new year is one filled with goodness for each of you. I am grateful for all my blessings, for my wonderful family and all my great friends. Love to you all.