Mom had an emergency angiogram today. The bad news is that they could not fix the blockage because of the calcification. Her artery is 70% blocked. The other bad news is this blockage is not what is causing the fibulation. The good news is that she will be transferred to Baylor Hospital because, at Baylor, they have the equipment that will chisel away the calcification so that the artery can be opened. The fibulation is a progression of her Congestive Heart Failure. I plan on going to Texas, ETA pending.
Thanks everyone for the emails and posts. I REALLY appreciate it. The kids read all the support and they are appreciative as well. Peace out for now...
January 9, 2009
January 7, 2009
What? Not Again!
My mom is in the hospital again. This time it is her heart. I'm not sure of the official medical terms, but her heart is fibulating either as a result of a blockage or a faulty valve. In order to fix the problem, the heart has to stop fibulating, so she is in the cardiac ICU under sedation.
January 5, 2009
Reflection
Last year, 2008, was pivotal for our family. While the year started off as any new year does, life's tide changed quickly. The first part of 2008 was dealing with Mom's disease as it progressed to a new level to the point that she was placed in hospice. Our family summer trip changed. We always came home, but this time it wasn't for the kids to reconnect and scrapbooking retreats. It was to take care of Mom. And, with God's Blessing, that's what I did. By August, she had failed hospice and was back (almost) to her old self. We were blessed to have her here for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Very truly blessed.
Marisa graduated middle school. No longer was she confined to a safe, morally controlled educational and social bubble. She moved into mainstream high school. And with that came teenage challenges, normal challenges, but new to her. Once again, with God's Blessing, we were able to work through them. While at times it seemed as though we were just treading water until the next "challenge" we made it through one semester! Marisa was also Confirmed and is now a full-fledged member of our Catholic faith. She attends Mass with her friends, not as often as Danny and I would like, but she does stay connected. For this we are thankful, and once again, very truly blessed.
Tony started off 2008 as any other pre-teen trying to find his way. The old adage "boys will be boys" is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to our son. He has always been that square peg squeezed into a round hole. For the most part, the fit worked, snug and on the verge of bursting, but workable. Until...8th grade. With Marisa in a separate school (previously, they had always been at the same school), Tony was on his own, no buffer, no big sister to help smooth relationships over. We had let Marisa have extra freedom, so we also gave it to Tony. But, as "boys will be boys", soon the square peg no longer fit. We moved our son to the neighborhood mainstream public school, but not without heartache, tears, doubts, and fears. Tony thrived. Surprisingly, square met square. For the third time, we were very truly blessed. In 2009, Tony will be Confirmed in our Catholic faith.
Danny continues to be our family's Rock of Gibraltar, always steady and calm. He was supportive when Mom got sick. With my trips to Texas every few weeks, he was in charge of the kids. They were fed, clothed, marginally supervised; and, the house was still standing. So, I am grateful for the support. As the kids progressed through changes and challenges, Danny was there as any papa bear would be: watching, listening, contemplating, then acting with a vengeance filled with protectiveness, but add reason. For this, we are very truly blessed.
Pets are very important to our family. We lost a pet this year. Ivy. We chose her from the Humane Society when the kids were little bitty. She was a runner and a fast one at that. She traveled to Texas with us, slept with us, played with us, and protected us with an ear-splitting bark. As Marisa was Confirmed and my Mom had entered into hospice, Ivy suddenly became old. We knew it was time. We prolonged the inevitable, then one morning we said our final good-byes to the old girl. Marisa sent herself a text message that said, "7:42am was the last time I saw Ivy". To this day, Marisa keeps Ivy's collar under her pillow. I can't change Marisa's pillow case without her reminding me to leave the collar alone. Ivy was a great companion and a wonderful bit of happiness for my kids. Very truly blessed.
And there is me, Angie. Throughout the year, I felt as though I have been tested to my utmost limit. Limit as in the end, no more, hang it up, get off the boat, out of the kitchen, walk away, stop the madness. It was difficult to "go with the flow", "let go, let God", "have faith", "mind the gap". Everything in me wanted to go against the grain, fight, resist, stand tall, walk with a big stick. That's my way...defiant self-determination...but it doesn't work. I needed by husband, my parents, my kids, my friends. What about their self-determination? My kids have transitioned up one more level toward independence. I have always been with them. When they were little I volunteered at the school. As they become older, I worked at the school. Now, they have made another leap onward. It was time for me to change as well. I left education and returned to social work. But this time, not with children and families services, but with the elderly, sick, and homebound. Am I reflecting my life in my work choice? A parallel? Or, a paradigm? I realize that I can't fix everything for everyone. There will always be sickness, death, rites of passage, struggles, and challenges. But, I have learned through this past year's trials and tribulations to "have faith" and for this I am very truly blessed.
Marisa graduated middle school. No longer was she confined to a safe, morally controlled educational and social bubble. She moved into mainstream high school. And with that came teenage challenges, normal challenges, but new to her. Once again, with God's Blessing, we were able to work through them. While at times it seemed as though we were just treading water until the next "challenge" we made it through one semester! Marisa was also Confirmed and is now a full-fledged member of our Catholic faith. She attends Mass with her friends, not as often as Danny and I would like, but she does stay connected. For this we are thankful, and once again, very truly blessed.
Tony started off 2008 as any other pre-teen trying to find his way. The old adage "boys will be boys" is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to our son. He has always been that square peg squeezed into a round hole. For the most part, the fit worked, snug and on the verge of bursting, but workable. Until...8th grade. With Marisa in a separate school (previously, they had always been at the same school), Tony was on his own, no buffer, no big sister to help smooth relationships over. We had let Marisa have extra freedom, so we also gave it to Tony. But, as "boys will be boys", soon the square peg no longer fit. We moved our son to the neighborhood mainstream public school, but not without heartache, tears, doubts, and fears. Tony thrived. Surprisingly, square met square. For the third time, we were very truly blessed. In 2009, Tony will be Confirmed in our Catholic faith.
Danny continues to be our family's Rock of Gibraltar, always steady and calm. He was supportive when Mom got sick. With my trips to Texas every few weeks, he was in charge of the kids. They were fed, clothed, marginally supervised; and, the house was still standing. So, I am grateful for the support. As the kids progressed through changes and challenges, Danny was there as any papa bear would be: watching, listening, contemplating, then acting with a vengeance filled with protectiveness, but add reason. For this, we are very truly blessed.
Pets are very important to our family. We lost a pet this year. Ivy. We chose her from the Humane Society when the kids were little bitty. She was a runner and a fast one at that. She traveled to Texas with us, slept with us, played with us, and protected us with an ear-splitting bark. As Marisa was Confirmed and my Mom had entered into hospice, Ivy suddenly became old. We knew it was time. We prolonged the inevitable, then one morning we said our final good-byes to the old girl. Marisa sent herself a text message that said, "7:42am was the last time I saw Ivy". To this day, Marisa keeps Ivy's collar under her pillow. I can't change Marisa's pillow case without her reminding me to leave the collar alone. Ivy was a great companion and a wonderful bit of happiness for my kids. Very truly blessed.
And there is me, Angie. Throughout the year, I felt as though I have been tested to my utmost limit. Limit as in the end, no more, hang it up, get off the boat, out of the kitchen, walk away, stop the madness. It was difficult to "go with the flow", "let go, let God", "have faith", "mind the gap". Everything in me wanted to go against the grain, fight, resist, stand tall, walk with a big stick. That's my way...defiant self-determination...but it doesn't work. I needed by husband, my parents, my kids, my friends. What about their self-determination? My kids have transitioned up one more level toward independence. I have always been with them. When they were little I volunteered at the school. As they become older, I worked at the school. Now, they have made another leap onward. It was time for me to change as well. I left education and returned to social work. But this time, not with children and families services, but with the elderly, sick, and homebound. Am I reflecting my life in my work choice? A parallel? Or, a paradigm? I realize that I can't fix everything for everyone. There will always be sickness, death, rites of passage, struggles, and challenges. But, I have learned through this past year's trials and tribulations to "have faith" and for this I am very truly blessed.
January 3, 2009
Eldora Ski 2009
It has been a busy and fun week with Jase and the boys here. Below are a FEW of the hundreds of pictures of the clan on the mountain. First, I'll start with Tony:
This is my baby after 3 days of skiing. Does he look tired or what? Okay, let me back up... 
Here's the crew on the first day, ready to hit the slopes. All fresh and anxious to get a move on.
Here's Tony. His technique is simply "point and shoot".
Then, we have Marisa. She is more into the "style"...bend the knees, square off the shoulders, keep the head up, use arms for balance and drive, etc.
Jase...he was trying his best to keep up with the younger crew. And, he did an amazing job. The only rest he got was during the lift rides. Thanks, Jase, for being the best uncle on the slopes!
And, Danny. Our only skier. No falls, spills, sprangs, or soreness. Great!
Parker...another "point and shoot" and sometimes, Tony's fall break. Nice form, dear.
Lastly, "Mr. I-don't-need-snowboarding-lessons-I-know-just-what-I'm-doing", we have Jaron. Another stylist, but with speed and natural determination to keep from wiping out on the way down. Look at that cutting edge...Cool!As for me, I don't ski or snowboard any longer. I take pictures, hang out at the lodge, shop, drink hot chocolate, and read a good book while all the other crew is freezing their tails off and risking life and limb up on the mountain.
January 1, 2009
Happy New Years 2009
I hope everyone had a safe New Year's Eve. We went to eat at Rock Bottom. Then, the boys had the teen equivalent to a "frat party" in Tony's room...loud music, snacks, sodas, stinky boy smell, party hats, and loud music (oh, already said that). They were singing, jumping on the mattresses that are on the floor, had the window open, acting well like partiers do.
Marisa, on the other hand, was holded up in her room, mad. All I can say...boys, males, the opposite sex. Get it?
Danny, Jase, and I watched movies. Well, I fell asleep, Danny watched the movie. Jase had to go clean up throw up out of the bathroom sink because Parker got sick. Too many sodas and bouncing around. Typical when the cousins get together.
So, to bring in the new year, the kids are still sacked out this morning. I finished another book. Jase is watching our Dish because he doesn't have it at home. Danny had leg cramps from skiing yesterday, so he drank some salt water and went back to bed. Later on we are planning on eating the traditional black-eyed peas for good luck, going to see a movie, and just "hang out".
I don't have any idea what my New Year's Resolutions are goingn to be. I have the standard: lose weight, get out of debt, be a good Catholic, but I want to more. I'm thinking about adding: join a community group, join a book club, volunteer more, stuff like that. I have until midnight, I guess, to decide. What's everyone else thinking? Any ideas?
Marisa, on the other hand, was holded up in her room, mad. All I can say...boys, males, the opposite sex. Get it?
Danny, Jase, and I watched movies. Well, I fell asleep, Danny watched the movie. Jase had to go clean up throw up out of the bathroom sink because Parker got sick. Too many sodas and bouncing around. Typical when the cousins get together.
So, to bring in the new year, the kids are still sacked out this morning. I finished another book. Jase is watching our Dish because he doesn't have it at home. Danny had leg cramps from skiing yesterday, so he drank some salt water and went back to bed. Later on we are planning on eating the traditional black-eyed peas for good luck, going to see a movie, and just "hang out".
I don't have any idea what my New Year's Resolutions are goingn to be. I have the standard: lose weight, get out of debt, be a good Catholic, but I want to more. I'm thinking about adding: join a community group, join a book club, volunteer more, stuff like that. I have until midnight, I guess, to decide. What's everyone else thinking? Any ideas?
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