HOME AGAIN HOME AGAIN - A-Riggity Jig Jig

Coming home happened just about as fast as going in. Took temperature - went to ER last Saturday. Ken went to dialysis Friday morning - called me at work about 10:30 and said the doctor was letting him go home in the afternoon. When I got home from work at 5:30 - there he was!!! As far as I can tell, after all the poking and prodding, the diagnosis was viral pneumonia. We are thankful he is back home!! He is still on an oral antibiotic for seven days and he is requiring a little more oxygen than he was before this all started. He still has quite a cough - I just pray it doesn't linger as long as mine has (two and half weeks now).

The dialysis clinic has changed his schedule - it is now Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. We are not totally sure why it happened but we are definitely acquainted with "CHANGE". We have discussed several benefits that will come with this schedule and we are ready to move on!

Ken still does not have a very good appetite and that definitely comes with its own issues. We are still trying to learn the ins and outs of a renal failure diet with all of its restrictions. It is very challenging for me with my "culinary skills" (or lack there of)!!! If anyone has tips to pass on - PLEASE DO.

My Mom and Dad are driving from Texas and should be here sometime Tuesday. There are times you just need that "HUG" - and I am so blessed it can still come from both of my parents.
They are the best at helping and encouraging! Please pray for their health and safe travel.

BACK IN THE HOSPITAL

There is an awful lot that has gone on between "There's No Place Like Home" and "Back In The Hospital". OVER WHELMED covers a lot of it on my part. Ken has been getting stronger and we have both been adjusting. As good as it is to have him home it has definitely been an adjustment for both of us. He has been receiving therapy at home and going by ambulance M-W-F to dialysis. For the first three weeks the insurance was covering someone to assist with his needs seven days a week for 12 to 16 hours a day. We still have someone coming to stay and assist him while I am at work but we had to cut way back on the hours.

Saturday, Ken started running a fever and the doctor had him come to the emergency room. He has been coughing since Wednesday night and I don't know if he decided to pick up the cold I have or what. I had been wearing a mask and taking extra precautions around him but with his immune system compromised he is susceptible to anything. The doctor started him on intravenous antibiotics in the ER and they have been doing all kinds of cultural studies to try and identify the cause of infection. A pulmonary specialist has been called in and the plan is to clean out his right lung tomorrow and then culture what is taken out.

Please pray the cause is discovered and the hospital stay is not long.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Well, as you can see, our Christmas tree had a few new decorations this year. Those ruby red slippers finally found their way to the Tin Man's house. As Melanie said, "I don't remember when I have had a Christmas that I was so thankful for all our blessings". We definitely had a lot to be thankful for. Ken's home coming fell 11 days short of ONE YEAR away from home! As you recall - the ambulance took him from our house on the morning of January 2nd, 2008. It was great for our family to be together outside of hospital walls for the last holiday of an unbelievable year.

Our baby Jack turned one year old on December 6th. Last Christmas we watched him sleep while we held him - it was great! This Christmas was so much fun watching him open his presents and then playing with them - he even allowed us to play! If you ever look at "Jack's Place", http://www.maggie-and-family.blogspot.com/ you know what a smart and delightful grandson we have.