work

Surprising news...Randy is at work today!  His plan was to go to work for half of a day.  But it is already 3:30 and he is still at work.  I called to check on him and he says he is feeling good.  I hope he doesn't over do it.  But I am excited for him to be able to work.  He works for the best people. (McBride Plumbing)  They have been so good to us.
Tomorrow Randy has two doctor appointments so he wont be able to work.  Hopefully he can re cooperate in between.

oh Crap!

Today was soccer games for the two boys.  After looking for a car I made dinner and we divided up the kids.  Randy wanted to drive so he dropped Tanner and I off at Parkside then continued on to Longview with Cooper.  Karly was at dance and Austen was performing for SLCC graduation.  I knew Tanner and I would have a long wait but I figured Tanner could just play. We were having a nice time, ran into friends even.  But then  he pooped his pants.  We made it to the park bathroom just about the time Randy arrived to take us home. So off we went to take a bath.  OH wait, I don't have a tub.    (He is refusing to shower.  I have had to pin him down to take one.  Like headlock him into my legs. There is LOTS of crying and not a lot of cleaning going on.) So I used the men's advice and gave him a bath in a bucket.   It was working out fine until he emptied the bucket himself.

The water went down the hallway, into the bedroom and on the carpet, and down the furnace vent into my craft room.  It may also be in the furnace room but I have yet to check that out yet.  I had to get a screwdriver to take off the basement ceiling vents so I can try to get the drips to stop.  Ah, good times, good times. (not)

Bath time was therapy time.  Tanner was good and quiet.  I would have a tiny break.  Everyone emerged clean and happy.  Ah, the good  'ol days.  But no worries.  No child was harmed in the making of this story.  There wasn't even any yelling.  (I know right?)  ALL of the kids jumped in with towels for a large clean up.  Yes, you heard right, All of them, without being asked.  If it wasn't for Karly we wouldn't have known the downstairs had a flood.  And Cooper was the first one on the scene for the hallway.  Austen even unscrewed the vent while I typed.  I squeegeed the bathroom and re-did the kids efforts.  Randy watched from the bed and didn't even yell (at the kids anyway.  He only raised his voice when I suggested that we hire someone to put a tub in the basement bathroom.)

thank you!

Thank you everyone who has helped our family in one way or another.  From dinners and rides to money.  I am so touched at how many people are willing to do so  much for us.  I feel as if we have won the lottery!  Randy is still not working, but all of our bills are being taken care of thanks to all of you.  I am doing all I can.  The kids are also contributing.  But we wouldn't be able to do it all without all of your help. Thank you for your love and support1

No more boots!

Today is the day Randy can take his boots off and walk.  He wasted no time.  I was at the chiropractor first thing this morning.  I came in the back door and Tanner rolled into the kitchen in Randy's wheelchair and told me that he tied daddy's shoes.  He can walk in them without holding on to anything!  He exclaimed.

Sure enough it's true.  We are all happy about his news.  Randy says that his right ankle hurts a bit.  The left one is better.  He had to do his ankle stretches to help out with the pain.  He even walked downstairs today.

let the games begin

Soccer season has started for our two little boys.  Both games are at the same time on opposite sides of Murray.  Karly had a track meet one hour before the games.  Austen took Tanner and dropped of Randy to be with him. Then he dropped Cooper off to be alone.  After track Karly and I rushed to be with Cooper.  While at the game Austen called to let us know that Cooper's cat Oreo was hit and killed.
Cooper and Austen were devastated.  They both cried and cried.  Then Cooper called his friends to come over and help him make a coffin out of wood.
And in the all about Randy news, he is still swimming daily.  He continues to get his blood checked for a week or so longer.  When he is up for 2 or 3 hours per day he can go off the blood thinner and no longer need his blood checked.  I have dropped Randy off at his first 'real' therapy appointment and Austen picked him up.  His Dad has taken him for his blood draw because we now have to go to them.

So far being up and using the walker doesn't seem to be too painful for Randy.  Before we know it he might even get permission to drive.  Which means I need to find a car soon.  Things are going along much quicker than I thought it would feel to me.  I guess being busy does that.

Randy can walk

Today is a momentous day!  Late last night we heard quite the commotion in our new bathroom.  I got out of bed to check on my little night owl Tanner.  (this was about midnight)  He was sitting in his bed watching tv and munching on something, so I went back to bed.  When we awoke this morning Cooper informed me that the sink had fallen out of the counter top.  I didn't believe him.  But he was telling the truth!

 After further inspection Randy decided that the bondo glue had given out.  Whew, for a minute there I thought that Tanner's tv stand had fallen on him.  And nothing is broken, so no harm done.

Now on for the best news in months!  Dr. Higgins has given Randy the green light to ...STAND.  He will need to wear his boots for another few weeks.  He will need to use a walker.  But he can stand.  He wasted no time in trying out his new mode of transportation.  He didn't give me much warning so I had to grab the camera and run to catch his first steps on video!

(Sorry you only get a picture.  I don't know how to download video to my blog yet.  And I only took this shot of him.)  We have a follow up appointment in one month.  Dr. Higgins said he expects Randy to be walking in the door at that appointment.  Oh Happy Day.  (Now I just need to find a car.  Yikes, I thought I had more time:)  I'm hoping for a Sonata should anyone out there have any suggestions.

Legs are getting bigger

Randy's legs are filling in with muscle now.  Before the pool they were just bone with loose skin hanging on them.  Now they are thin, but full.  He says that his thighs are still small but I think they will fill in as soon as he can stand.
His water walking is getting faster.  He has even been hanging on the side of the pool and doing water leg kicks. His next doctor appointment is Tue.  We both expect him to release Randy for some real occupational therapy which includes standing up for the first time in 3 months.
I have taken Randy to two parent teacher meetings so far.  Our boys teachers have been really excited to see him out and about.
Randy was willing (and made the phone call's himself!) to give up his hospital bed.  We can now share our bed again!  It is just our mattress and box-spring on the ground so he is able to get from wheelchair to bed.  But I am sleeping so much better than on Cooper's twin mattress.  Randy says he is sleeping better too.  And as an added bonus we don't have to pay another months bed rental fee.
Randy also called our old neighbor who was able to hook us up with a wheelchair we can borrow for free that has leg rests.  So we no longer have to pay for a wheelchair rental either.  NICE!
It has been long enough that our doctor visits will no longer be 'follow up' so we will have to start paying our 40 copays again.  That part isn't so nice.  But he is making terrific improvement.  And on another good note, I passed my test at work and I was able to level up.  My months of studying have payed off.  It is a relief to have it behind me.