GreatWhitePaw.com

OW!!! My Hip!!!!....I think..... Part 2

2009-07-04T20:16:00.000-05:00

So about two weeks ago I had the epidural shot. I don't remember much. I felt someone touch my back about four times and then I heard "Okay we're done"

I still have some pain but not as bad as it was two weeks ago. Still taking Tylenol but not as often as I have been.

Over the past two weeks I have signed up for a membership over at the City of Grapevine's community center and I found out that they have CHILD CARE!!! $2.00 a kid and they will watch the kids while I work out. I've been walking (about a mile or so) and trying not to push it.

Thursday I went to the Dr and she said I had two choices: Leave and come back when it flairs up and have another shot or do physical Therapy and come back in 6 weeks. I will be starting therapy on July 14th. She did warn me that sometimes while doing this it could flare up (lets pray it doesn't)

In other news....

Katie is done with swimming!!!

Randal is getting all of his upper teeth at the same time..poor kid

The cats are still insane

Deb/Flo the peacock is still living in our back yard and has decided for almost a week to HONK about 6:30-7:00 EVERY MORNING. I am not happy.

Adam is still keeping Euless safe.

R.I.P Michael.....

2009-06-26T08:17:00.003-05:00

Happy Father's Day!!!!

2009-06-21T12:36:00.001-05:00

Chad Vader...brother of Darth...who is the day shift manager at Empire foods...very funny stuff

OW!!! My Hip!!!!....I think.....

2009-06-12T16:00:00.000-05:00

For the past three years I've been in the hospital for something during the month of June. I had a goal this year NOT to do that. Well...I'll have to try again next year.

In January I woke up feeling that I pulled a muscle around my hip area (okay I thought I pulled a muscle in my butt!). In February I went to the Dr and he told me that it was my sciatic nerve and gave me some medication. I went to a Chiropractor in Feb and it seemed to help. I was going to go again but then life happened and I never got around to it. When I was up in IL it seemed to be getting worse. I called for another chiropractic appointment for when I got home.

Two weeks ago I was in enough pain where I had scheduled an appointment with my Dr for Monday and then decided 5 minutes later to call back and see if I could get in that day. I went to see another Dr in the group and he told me that he thought it could be a pinched nerve. He gave me some steroids, a muscle relaxer and asked if I wanted an MRI. Since this has been going on since January I decided that this would be best. The steroids seemed to help. The muscle relaxer did not help at all.

I had the MRI on June 2nd, and decided that if I EVER had to do that again it would have to be in an OPEN MRI or they would have to dope me up. I did not like it at all!!! On June 4 I found out a had a bulging disc in my back and they scheduled me to see a back specialist.

Wednesday I went to Spine Team Texas in Southlake and the Dr told me that she thought I should go and get a lumbar epidural steroid injection. She told me that the disc in my back was pressing up against the sciatic nerve on the left side that was also pressing against the bone. I'm scheduled to do that next Thursday at Harris Methodist Southlake. Then in two weeks I have to go back to the Dr to see how I am doing. If it is better then I can do physical therapy. If not I may have to do the shot again. I have three chances to do this shot. After that then they will suggest surgery which is something I don't want to do.

this is what I'm having done http://www.spineteamtexas.com/ViewMedica.aspx?section=000102cervepisteroid

In other news....we found out that the Rader twins are going to be.....a GIRL and a BOY!!!! Their names will be Bethany Elaine and Zachary Evan

Cake

2009-06-09T10:51:00.000-05:00

Videos of Birthday Party

2009-06-09T10:50:00.001-05:00

Birthdays

2009-06-08T23:05:00.003-05:00

Two years ago Katie was like this....

Yesterday Randal was like this....

Now I know that it looks like he didn't eat much but he did. The cake had a HUGE HOLE in it from him eating. Katie also had an easier time because it was a store bought cake. I made the ugly blue cake that Randal ate.

UP

2009-06-08T17:48:00.001-05:00

GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!!! Best picture Pixar has made!!

Happy Birthday Katie!!!

2009-06-06T12:42:00.001-05:00

Originally uploaded by FlipSide3

2009-05-21T10:05:00.001-05:00

On the road again..good freaking GOD we're on the road again...my butt is sore and bubba has pooped again. And i can't believe we're on the road again!

2009-05-20T19:44:00.001-05:00

Got to emporia ks around 530. Ate at applebees.

2009-05-20T11:49:00.001-05:00

On way hm. Driving to emporia ks

Arrangements

2009-05-15T15:10:00.003-05:00

Here are the arrangements for Grandpa B.

Sunday Visitation at Trimble Funeral Home 1700 1st St, Coal Valley, IL 61240-9336
from 4-7pm

Monday Funeral at Trinity Lutheran Church 2815 W 3rd St, Coal Valley, IL 61240-9661 Service at 11am.

For more information go to www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com and click the name William E. Burgess. The complete obituary should be up tomorrow morning online.

Oh and I think my Nephew James said it best about Grandpa's life....

"Well you just have to think, he had a good long life, a great wife and daughter, 2 awesome grandkids, and 3 really attractive great-grandkids...what more could a guy ask for?"

I'll Miss You Popeye.....

2009-05-14T16:02:00.003-05:00

There is no easy way to say this so here it goes.

This morning my Grandpa Burgess died in his sleep.

We were told by G&G's Pastor who came to the house. The hospital had been trying to get a hold of us. They called my phone five times only leaving one message to call right away. I took the phone at home off the hook because Randal was sleeping and I am so mentally and physically exhausted I needed to rest and not have people calling to see if we had decided on a nursing home. I told Pastor about the phone situation and he told me "It's okay you have every right to do that. Randal needed his sleep and you need to take care of yourself"

When we saw Grandpa Tuesday he was doing really well. Knew who we were and looked good. Randal was in his stroller bouncing around, talking, and smiling. Grandpa looked at him and said "Gosh...He is so adorable" He mentioned Katie and I showed him the latest pictures of her. He just beamed and said "She doesn't look like she's almost three"

On Weds I talked to his nurse Susie (I love Susie...Susie will get stuff done and doesn't take garbage from anyone!)and she told me that he was doing good in the morning and then started to get worse. Told me that he was trying to get out of bed. He knew that we were there but was very tired. Asked when I was going back to Texas and I told him "In a couple of days" Yesterday was just an over all bad day and I don't want to talk about the whole nursing home situation because it just makes me angry.

I talked to Grandpa's Dr today and asked him some questions. One of them was how long do you think he has? He told me that he thought maybe a couple of days to a couple of weeks. We all knew the outlook wasn't good. I knew Sunday with the signing of the DNR that it would not be long.

Grandma is hanging in there. I'm keeping an eye on her (except when Randal is asleep and I get to go to the library to post on the blog) and her friends, family and church has (or will be) coming over to see her.

I'm glad I listened to the vibe and didn't go home yesterday. I knew that if I did I would be making the trip back up.

I want to thank you all for the prayers and vibes for the past month. I just ask that you keep them going for the next couple of weeks or so. Adam has a flight out on Sunday to come up here and we will probably leave a couple of days after.

We love and miss you all...

B and Bubba Randal

2009-05-13T14:09:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Katie Johnson! We miss you.

2009-05-12T22:42:00.003-05:00

to gma about hospice. Will be going there in a couple of days.

2009-05-12T22:42:00.001-05:00

Ok day today. Gpa more alert. Knew who we were. Bubba was adorable trying to get his attention and talking to him. Still talking some nonsense. Dr talked

Update

2009-05-12T10:48:00.003-05:00

I lasted 5 days without the Internet. I went to the Library yesterday and got back on the computer. I'm sorry I haven't updated more on from my phone. This is what is going on. I'm sorry it's so long.

Thurs: Got to Grandma's at 5:30. Had dinner. Watched Bubba basically bask in the attention that we were both giving him. Put him to bed around 9. Talked to Grandma until 11:30. She told me that his general Dr called up and told her that Grandpa is a very sick man. Thinks that he may have pneumonia. Grandpa is still talking some nonsense. Told Grandma that he wanted her to go to Texas with me and stay there.

Friday: Got a meeting with the cancer Dr's nurse Dan on Monday at 9:30. Went to the hospital in the afternoon. He was breathing heavy. He knew we were there. He told me that I should have driven up here but he was glad that I was here.

Saturday: Went to the hospital. Seemed worse. Knew that we were there. Getting worried. Didn't like nurse because I felt she was talking down to Grandma and calling her "Honey".

Sunday: Grandpa's Dr called up and told her that he was in no condition to take the ride to the other hospital for the meeting on Monday. (we agreed). Then mentioned dialysis for his kidneys. Told Grandma that we he walked in Grandpa didn't know who he was. Met one of the Dr's at church. I told him what the other Dr told me. I then asked where is the cancer (since no one will tell us). He told me the pelvic bone, some ribs and in the bladder. The reason why is kidneys are failing is because the cancer is blocking them from emptying into the bladder. My friend Darwynn came to visit and we all went to the hospital. We got there and he was worse. The nurse talked about DNR. I had Darwynn take Bubba out (and for her to get my phone that I left in the car). He knew we were there. I went out and called Bill and left messages. Text paged Adam and told him I was not coming home Weds. When we left I told him we would be back on Monday. He started talking about Mom...which had me start crying. Told me that he did love her even if she bossed them around.

Monday: Dan called to tell us that he would not be at the meeting but someone would be there to talk to us about the test results. Got in right away and then waited for 30 minutes. The Dr came in talked to us for 5 minutes and then left. I was LIVID but decided it wasn't worth getting upset about it. We decided that if we had any questions we would just call Dan. This is what the Dr told us "Radiation or pain pills for the pain." I couldn't look at him because I probably would have screamed "Have you even LOOKED at this man!?!" He then talked about how cute Randal was. Grandma asked how long and he told her "radiation for three weeks" Told us to tell him he said Hello and "you know your way out right?" and then left.

After lunch we went over to the hospital. Bubba sucking up all the attention from everyone in the hospital. Grandpa was sleeping. A friend of Grandma's was there and just about to leave. I noticed on the board that there was no nurses name so I went and asked for his nurse. Told her who I was and asked how he was doing. She said he had been sleeping most of the day. He did sit up and did eat some food but was not feeding himself. He would open his eyes and then go back to sleep. Breathing heavy. We left after ten minutes.

Got home and Grandma said "I don't know how much more I can take of this." I put Bubba to bed and went to Walmart to get stuff. Grandma called her friend who was at the hospital and asked her what she thought. Her friend is a retired nurse and she said that the nurses were talking about him while she was in the room. She told Grandma "You better tell your granddaughter not to go home yet."

Tuesday: Going to see Grandpa later in the day and then have dinner out with my cousin Virginia. Went to Walmart and now here to type up the novel of what is going on.

Sunday I told Adam what his Dr told Grandma on the phone. He told me that if I wanted to stay I could. I told him that I would see how he was doing and have the meeting with Dan on Monday then I would decide. After Darwynn left I told Grandma that I talked to the nurse and got her opinion on if I should call Bill or not. I told her that I called him and told him to come up if he could. I also told her that I was not leaving on Weds. I've had this vibe since Saturday that if I left I would be getting a phone call telling me to turn around. (and you all know I don't ignore the vibes!)

So that is what I can remember of what is going on now. Adam told me that Katie is doing well. Thursday night he fell asleep watching her on the TV and within 15 minutes she got out of bed, found some sparkly lip gloss, covered her hands in it, played with the computer mouse, then went into our bathroom to wash her hands and while getting her stool to the sink she woke Adam up. He also told me that Friday night he looked on the TV and she was not in her room. He looked all over for her, started to panic, and then found her BEHIND HER DOOR! I am THANKFUL that we have family in the area who can watch Katie while I am gone and Adam is at work. I'm also thankful that I brought Bubbaman...He has been a Godsend and has been taking our minds off of things.

I will try and update in a couple of days. Please continue the prayers and vibes. I miss you all.

Love,

B. and Bubba Randal

2009-05-10T06:42:00.001-05:00

Happy mother's day. I miss you Mom!

2009-05-09T17:23:00.001-05:00

Saw gpa today. Had sono on kidneys. He is having problems breathing. I Did not like the nurse.

2009-05-09T10:47:00.001-05:00

Should have brought my knitting. No cable. No internet

2009-05-07T17:38:00.001-05:00

At grandmas

2009-05-07T15:20:00.001-05:00

Took break to stretch out. Bubba needed to get out of the bucket. Eta now after 5

2009-05-07T14:17:00.001-05:00

At rest stop past des moines

2009-05-07T13:09:00.001-05:00

In iowa around noon. Eating lunch