An Ohana Reunion...The Waterless Cruise...

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[arlenesp]

I know that some of you know this...But, would y'all keep my cousins' children in your prayers?

A cousin, that is younger then me, died in his sleep last night. They don't know why.
His 10dd went to wake him up this morning and she found him. He also has a son that is around 14.

My cousin was the Godfather of my youngest child. So, this is one that I was fairly close to --- I have ALOT of 1st cousins...even more then Tom.

My cousin lives in MO (an hour West of St Louis) so, I am not going to be able to go to the funeral. Even forgetting that it is Christms week, I just can not leave my brother right now.
Speaking of my brother......he had a set back this afternoon. His red blood cell count went back down again and the Dr can't figure out why...SO. Another dr is being called in to see him tomorrow.
This is really disappointing to Greg since he had been told this morning that he could come home tomorrow. Now he is going to be in the hospital.

This is going to seem trivial but, his dog is also dying and it doesn't look like he is going to make it much longer....... We just really NEED for him to hang on a while longer...... I just don't want this to be one more thing that Greg has to deal with....
Greg's S/O is taking care of the dog. I do not *do* dogs. I did go buy the dog *stuff* (diapers -- he is having *issues* now that it is close to the end-- and food) but, I don't take care of animals if I can help it.....

Oh dear Steph.You really have your plate full. Sometimes we thrive on it but this time of the year can be overload. I know.. At l;east you are not taking care of the dog.

Tina,
Jon & I were woke up about 4am also.....Because ouy 2 youngest kdis were fighting! ACK!!!
Elvis was mad because he didn't see Guitar Hero World Tour in the gifts. And instead of just being grateful for what he had -- he got the Lego Mindstorms NXT!!!! He was being a jerk to Claire - why????? So, she started hitting and kicking him! UGH! Samantha was trying to break them up.
We separated everyone and sent them to bed.

And then when we got back in our room I turned to Jon and said *The ONLY thing you had to do was go out to the 1 car garage and get the GH World Tour box and put it in the Family room!!!* I had already set everything up -- the Santa gifts, the stockings, etc...... I'm even the one that bought/ordered EVERYTHING. He turns to me and says *I forgot.* WTH????

I even picked out and bought the gifts for his parents!!!

My kids have 2 versions of that and my DS has the Rock Band. But that is something I go thru all the time.He probably walked right by it as well.

 

[Stepht5]

Thanks for the story, tell Jon I'm laughing, feels good with everything else going on.

It is a funny story.
The kids had only been asleep about 3 hrs (they stayed up talking until 1am.....) and once everyone went back to bed and then woke up around 9am...they were in much better spirits.
Claire siaid her Christmas wish was that her and Elvis could start the night over and not fight.
Elvis ended up being very happy with his gifts -- we knew he would be! And then Jon was able to sneak the GH World Tour stuff in without anyone noticing. He even put it in a location that would look like it had been there all along and the kids just didn't see it!

to you. And lots of prayers!

Oh dear Steph.You really have your plate full. Sometimes we thrive on it but this time of the year can be overload. I know.. At l;east you are not taking care of the dog.

Bad news is that I am taking Greg tomorrow to have the dog put down.....the dog's tumor is now invading his intestines and he is not comfortable even with his pain meds.

My kids have 2 versions of that and my DS has the Rock Band. But that is something I go thru all the time.He probably walked right by it as well.

This makes the kids GH collection complete.....Oldest dd & her dh have Rock Band. And they have brought it over many times to play with the kids. So, it was a natural as the *family gift*.
Claire was happy since they also got the High School Musical dance game w/dance pad and the Disney Sing-It game. You can tell that my kids are performers, huh?

 

[tom31b]

Ahem.....

A certain someone (to remain unnamed) has taken it upon herself to step up a harassment campaign to get me to commit once and for all to this trip.....


(please, you had no way of knowing, don't feel bad, its just easier to 'splain all at once to the larger group)


All of our plans took a real big hit this past weekend. It will be some weeks before we can say anything about trips, etc.

This past weekend, my MIL lost her mind, literally and very suddenly. She was wandering around the house Sunday trying to plug the dog control collar charger into the cell phone charger, couldn't figure where the super volume button was on the remote control and then was explaining how her camera phone was interfering with her blood pressure monitor (she doesn't have one) -- she spent hours doing these three things --. Needless to say, this freaked my disabled/wheelchair bound FIL out. She refused to go to the hospital and the paramedics couldn't force her to. It took several hours of my wife, FIL and BIL to convince her to go. MIL spent Sunday till yesterday in hospital. My wife has been there since Sunday and will probably be there through New Years. Last night I spent an hour trying to convince MIL that the heat was working fine as she stared at the thermostat. It took my wife and BIL over hour and 1/2 to convince her to take meds tonight (sinus infection, heart, etc.) since she was convinced they were working with the doctors to poison her.

We are not sure what is going on: med interaction? alzheimers? some other dimentia?

So, we are on hold for all kinds of planning, etc.

If she doesn't recover and come back to reality, we will have to move them into assisted living somewhere as my FIL can't live without help and she can't help as she is. Plus, she can't drive like this.

Anywho, thought I would let y'all know what was happening before I make ya feel bad when you come to harass me.

 

[tom31b]

Wow! Didn't mean that to be a thread killer.

 

[cruisin'Mike]

Ahem.....

A certain someone (to remain unnamed) has taken it upon herself to step up a harassment campaign to get me to commit once and for all to this trip.....


(please, you had no way of knowing, don't feel bad, its just easier to 'splain all at once to the larger group)


All of our plans took a real big hit this past weekend. It will be some weeks before we can say anything about trips, etc.

This past weekend, my MIL lost her mind, literally and very suddenly. She was wandering around the house Sunday trying to plug the dog control collar charger into the cell phone charger, couldn't figure where the super volume button was on the remote control and then was explaining how her camera phone was interfering with her blood pressure monitor (she doesn't have one) -- she spent hours doing these three things --. Needless to say, this freaked my disabled/wheelchair bound FIL out. She refused to go to the hospital and the paramedics couldn't force her to. It took several hours of my wife, FIL and BIL to convince her to go. MIL spent Sunday till yesterday in hospital. My wife has been there since Sunday and will probably be there through New Years. Last night I spent an hour trying to convince MIL that the heat was working fine as she stared at the thermostat. It took my wife and BIL over hour and 1/2 to convince her to take meds tonight (sinus infection, heart, etc.) since she was convinced they were working with the doctors to poison her.

We are not sure what is going on: med interaction? alzheimers? some other dimentia?

So, we are on hold for all kinds of planning, etc.

If she doesn't recover and come back to reality, we will have to move them into assisted living somewhere as my FIL can't live without help and she can't help as she is. Plus, she can't drive like this.

Anywho, thought I would let y'all know what was happening before I make ya feel bad when you come to harass me.

Tom, we'll add your MIL to our prayers. I'm hoping that they find out that it is some drug interaction or something other easy fix. If you or Ellen need anything, feel free to give Linda or me a call.

 

[Stepht5]

Wow! Didn't mean that to be a thread killer.

I hope someone in this group gets some good news soon!!! We could use it!

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

Ahem.....

A certain someone (to remain unnamed) has taken it upon herself to step up a harassment campaign to get me to commit once and for all to this trip.....


(please, you had no way of knowing, don't feel bad, its just easier to 'splain all at once to the larger group)


All of our plans took a real big hit this past weekend. It will be some weeks before we can say anything about trips, etc.

This past weekend, my MIL lost her mind, literally and very suddenly. She was wandering around the house Sunday trying to plug the dog control collar charger into the cell phone charger, couldn't figure where the super volume button was on the remote control and then was explaining how her camera phone was interfering with her blood pressure monitor (she doesn't have one) -- she spent hours doing these three things --. Needless to say, this freaked my disabled/wheelchair bound FIL out. She refused to go to the hospital and the paramedics couldn't force her to. It took several hours of my wife, FIL and BIL to convince her to go. MIL spent Sunday till yesterday in hospital. My wife has been there since Sunday and will probably be there through New Years. Last night I spent an hour trying to convince MIL that the heat was working fine as she stared at the thermostat. It took my wife and BIL over hour and 1/2 to convince her to take meds tonight (sinus infection, heart, etc.) since she was convinced they were working with the doctors to poison her.

We are not sure what is going on: med interaction? alzheimers? some other dimentia?

So, we are on hold for all kinds of planning, etc.

If she doesn't recover and come back to reality, we will have to move them into assisted living somewhere as my FIL can't live without help and she can't help as she is. Plus, she can't drive like this.

Anywho, thought I would let y'all know what was happening before I make ya feel bad when you come to harass me.

We completely understand about you having to put off any plans for trips etc...I know I am way on the other Coast but if you or Ellen need anything that I can do..please don't hesitate to let me know..I will continue to keep your family in my prayers that the Doctors find an answer quickly.

 

[micmse2003]

I hope someone in this group gets some good news soon!!! We could use it!

I got some good news!!!!! this is John, Cheryl is back amongst the living, she never got out of bed yesterday. We still are not sure what she had, but she did not look good Friday night. As soon as she got off the phone with Diane it started. We had gone out for a Christmas Story dinner (Chinese Dinner) on Christmas day, we think it could have been something she ate there. Anyway she is alive and well, and soon to be back among the posting. Hope everyone is having a great holiday so far.


John

 

[allshookup]

Ahem.....

A certain someone (to remain unnamed) has taken it upon herself to step up a harassment campaign to get me to commit once and for all to this trip.....


(please, you had no way of knowing, don't feel bad, its just easier to 'splain all at once to the larger group)


All of our plans took a real big hit this past weekend. It will be some weeks before we can say anything about trips, etc.

This past weekend, my MIL lost her mind, literally and very suddenly. She was wandering around the house Sunday trying to plug the dog control collar charger into the cell phone charger, couldn't figure where the super volume button was on the remote control and then was explaining how her camera phone was interfering with her blood pressure monitor (she doesn't have one) -- she spent hours doing these three things --. Needless to say, this freaked my disabled/wheelchair bound FIL out. She refused to go to the hospital and the paramedics couldn't force her to. It took several hours of my wife, FIL and BIL to convince her to go. MIL spent Sunday till yesterday in hospital. My wife has been there since Sunday and will probably be there through New Years. Last night I spent an hour trying to convince MIL that the heat was working fine as she stared at the thermostat. It took my wife and BIL over hour and 1/2 to convince her to take meds tonight (sinus infection, heart, etc.) since she was convinced they were working with the doctors to poison her.

We are not sure what is going on: med interaction? alzheimers? some other dimentia?

So, we are on hold for all kinds of planning, etc.

If she doesn't recover and come back to reality, we will have to move them into assisted living somewhere as my FIL can't live without help and she can't help as she is. Plus, she can't drive like this.

Anywho, thought I would let y'all know what was happening before I make ya feel bad when you come to harass me.

Certainly understandable & I hope it turns out to be something very treatable. Even though you would be sorely missed, I promise I won't harrass you!

I got some good news!!!!! this is John, Cheryl is back amongst the living, she never got out of bed yesterday. We still are not sure what she had, but she did not look good Friday night. As soon as she got off the phone with Diane it started. We had gone out for a Christmas Story dinner (Chinese Dinner) on Christmas day, we think it could have been something she ate there. Anyway she is alive and well, and soon to be back among the posting. Hope everyone is having a great holiday so far.


John

John thanks for the update. I was thinking of Cheryl & glad to hear she is feeling better!

 

[micmse2003]

Wow! Didn't mean that to be a thread killer.

You have a new name.

Seriously, if there is something John or I can do for you or Ellen....count us in.

Tom, we'll add your MIL to our prayers. I'm hoping that they find out that it is some drug interaction or something other easy fix. If you or Ellen need anything, feel free to give Linda or me a call.

Mike I just e-mailed Tom my exact thought that it would be an easier fix if it was a drug reaction.

 

[magiroux]

HI All

UGH - I made it through in one piece. There's a reason we usually go on vacation for Christmas . Let's just say, when it comes to DH's and my family - The Walton's, we're NOT!!! Petty, mean and . I've learned to count my blessings each day and that's just not what I care to be surrounded with - especially at Christmas!

In reading the posts, I just want to say how sorry I am to hear of the difficult times some of you dealing with right now....

Stephanie - My heart goes out to you My deepest condolences on the passing of your cousin. There is no way to prepare for something like that. Have they found out what happened yet?

I'm sorry your brother is having so many problems with his treatments. And then to have to put his dog down on top of it all.... . You are in my Prayers.

Congrats on your 'Lil Bundle on the way - THINK PINK!!!!


Tom - As others have said, I hope it turns out to be a drug interaction and/or something that is treatable. I can't imagine how scary that must have been for Ellen and your FIL. My Dad had a similar reaction in the hospital when he was given Ativan. He thought the nurses were trying to kill him and left the hospital AMA. It was all VERY real to him. How is she doing? Please keep us posted.


Desiree - Glad to hear things went well and you are on the mend


Cheryl - Sorry you had to spend the day in bed with the Heebi-Jeebies, but glad to hear you are feeling better. Just an FYI - the stomach flu (Norwalk) is running rampant around here so it may not have been something you ate.


Mike - Thanks for thinking of us during the storm. We didn't get hit as bad as some areas. We lost our electricity for about 24 hours and had some minor damage to the side of our house from falling trees. My brother, who manages an estate in Lancaster, MA (just south of Leominster/Fitchburgh, which were the hardest hit) just got his back Saturday. He said the entire town looks like Armageddon. He was lucky to have a generator, but many can not return to their homes even now because all the frozen pipes have burst inside the walls. Very sad.


Diane - Luv Ya!!! Hope you had a Merry One!!!!


I have the week off because of no school and am going to get my tree down and decorations put away today. Hoping to rent and get my carpets cleaned Wednesday/Thursday while the 'Lil Buggers aren't around. They are killing the carpet in my front entrance.

Let's hope 2009 brings everyone Health, Happiness & Good Fortune

 

[Stepht5]

HI All

UGH - I made it through in one piece. There's a reason we usually go on vacation for Christmas . Let's just say, when it comes to DH's and my family - The Walton's, we're NOT!!! Petty, mean and . I've learned to count my blessings each day and that's just not what I care to be surrounded with - especially at Christmas!

You're right. Christmas time should be filled with love.

In reading the posts, I just want to say how sorry I am to hear of the difficult times some of you dealing with right now....

Stephanie - My heart goes out to you My deepest condolences on the passing of your cousin. There is no way to prepare for something like that. Have they found out what happened yet?

Thank you. Right now they are thinking it was an aneurysm. The autopsy results won't be back for a couple of weeks.

I'm sorry your brother is having so many problems with his treatments. And then to have to put his dog down on top of it all.... . You are in my Prayers.

He has an appt tomorrow to see if they are going to change up the chemo drugs. Then he has chemo after the appt and on Wed. We'll see how it goes this time!
He is also hoping to have his oxygen by tomorrow. It should make it so that after walking from his bed to the couch he doesn't need a nap!

Congrats on your 'Lil Bundle on the way - THINK PINK!!!!

I had told Jon that I think she is going to have a girl....And then she told me that her & her dh think the same thing. I LOVE buying girl stuff!


I have the week off because of no school and am going to get my tree down and decorations put away today. Hoping to rent and get my carpets cleaned Wednesday/Thursday while the 'Lil Buggers aren't around. They are killing the carpet in my front entrance.

Let's hope 2009 brings everyone Health, Happiness & Good Fortune

I'm glad that you didn't get too much damage from the storms.

I hate the *putting away* of Christmas! It always seems like alot more work then setting it up! LOL!
Ours won't be coming down until after January 6th. We have to wait for the 3 Kings.

 

[Downrivermama]

OMG! Wow, is everything hitting the fan? You guys know that you guys are in my thoughts and prayers.

Tom, sorry to hear about your MIL. Hope it is something that is easy to fix.

Steph, we go to fire up Guitar Hero and the cd/dvd will not play! It plays the other games but not that. Now I gotta figure out what to do as dd has already put stickers on the face plate! Plus it was from SC and he got it on sale in Oct! Sorry you got awoken up to a fight!

Hope your brother is doing well.

Cheryl, sorry to hear you were under the weather. Glad to see you are on the mend. Tell John no more Christmas Story dinners!

Desiree glad you are doing good.

We are doing good. Being lazy to the point that I forgot what day of the week it was!

 

[allshookup]

HI All

UGH - I made it through in one piece. There's a reason we usually go on vacation for Christmas . Let's just say, when it comes to DH's and my family - The Walton's, we're NOT!!! Petty, mean and . I've learned to count my blessings each day and that's just not what I care to be surrounded with - especially at Christmas!

In reading the posts, I just want to say how sorry I am to hear of the difficult times some of you dealing with right now....

Stephanie - My heart goes out to you My deepest condolences on the passing of your cousin. There is no way to prepare for something like that. Have they found out what happened yet?

I'm sorry your brother is having so many problems with his treatments. And then to have to put his dog down on top of it all.... . You are in my Prayers.

Congrats on your 'Lil Bundle on the way - THINK PINK!!!!


Tom - As others have said, I hope it turns out to be a drug interaction and/or something that is treatable. I can't imagine how scary that must have been for Ellen and your FIL. My Dad had a similar reaction in the hospital when he was given Ativan. He thought the nurses were trying to kill him and left the hospital AMA. It was all VERY real to him. How is she doing? Please keep us posted.


Desiree - Glad to hear things went well and you are on the mend


Cheryl - Sorry you had to spend the day in bed with the Heebi-Jeebies, but glad to hear you are feeling better. Just an FYI - the stomach flu (Norwalk) is running rampant around here so it may not have been something you ate.


Mike - Thanks for thinking of us during the storm. We didn't get hit as bad as some areas. We lost our electricity for about 24 hours and had some minor damage to the side of our house from falling trees. My brother, who manages an estate in Lancaster, MA (just south of Leominster/Fitchburgh, which were the hardest hit) just got his back Saturday. He said the entire town looks like Armageddon. He was lucky to have a generator, but many can not return to their homes even now because all the frozen pipes have burst inside the walls. Very sad.


Diane - Luv Ya!!! Hope you had a Merry One!!!!


I have the week off because of no school and am going to get my tree down and decorations put away today. Hoping to rent and get my carpets cleaned Wednesday/Thursday while the 'Lil Buggers aren't around. They are killing the carpet in my front entrance.

Let's hope 2009 brings everyone Health, Happiness & Good Fortune

Hiya Mary Ann! Sorry you had to deal with SFs (stinky families)! My Christmas was fairly uneventful, but I think that's a good thing!

Happy New Year Everyone!

 

[tom31b]

So after my last post, things with my MIL went very downhill. Overnight Friday she walked around the house unplugging everything because "they were stealing my electricity." While not a big deal generally, when she got to the oxygen generator that my FIL uses when sleeping, that was a problem (probably not fatal). Since DW was there, she was awoken by the alarm on the Oxygen generator and got up to see what was goint on and quickly plugged it back in.

Saturday started with an unsucessful four hour battle to convince her they were not trying to poison her and she needed to take her meds. She refused to eat or drink also. Finally late in the afternoon they got her to agree to go to hospital, although she had to be almost dragged to the car. She was admitted and sedated Saturday night after accusing her family of conspiring with the doctors to kill her. She refused to get on the bed in the ER as they would kill her is she laid down.

Sunday was a day off for everyone. She was kept sedated most of day. IV providing most of nutrients.

Monday she was up and alert in bed. They gave her an anti-?? (depressent, psychotic? some sort of drug that helps with mental illness) and it brought her back to her prior reality. Unfortunately, she has had a long held belief that "mental health" and "psychology" is a bunch of hogwash and spent most of the day telling everyone she was a cardiac patient and didn't belong in the psych ward. She also says she won't take and of the sham medications the hogwash peddlers want her to, so its somewhat of a stalemate. Hopefully they can get her to a health point that the drugs are the only issue remaining.

But, its a wait and see.

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

So after my last post, things with my MIL went very downhill. Overnight Friday she walked around the house unplugging everything because "they were stealing my electricity." While not a big deal generally, when she got to the oxygen generator that my FIL uses when sleeping, that was a problem (probably not fatal). Since DW was there, she was awoken by the alarm on the Oxygen generator and got up to see what was goint on and quickly plugged it back in.

Saturday started with an unsucessful four hour battle to convince her they were not trying to poison her and she needed to take her meds. She refused to eat or drink also. Finally late in the afternoon they got her to agree to go to hospital, although she had to be almost dragged to the car. She was admitted and sedated Saturday night after accusing her family of conspiring with the doctors to kill her. She refused to get on the bed in the ER as they would kill her is she laid down.

Sunday was a day off for everyone. She was kept sedated most of day. IV providing most of nutrients.

Monday she was up and alert in bed. They gave her an anti-?? (depressent, psychotic? some sort of drug that helps with mental illness) and it brought her back to her prior reality. Unfortunately, she has had a long held belief that "mental health" and "psychology" is a bunch of hogwash and spent most of the day telling everyone she was a cardiac patient and didn't belong in the psych ward. She also says she won't take and of the sham medications the hogwash peddlers want her to, so its somewhat of a stalemate. Hopefully they can get her to a health point that the drugs are the only issue remaining.

But, its a wait and see.

I will continue to keep your family in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for the update.

 

[allshookup]

Tom I am so sorry! Thank God DW was there to hear the alarm! At least your MIL is where she needs to be right now so they can run some tests & find out what is going on. I will continue to keep her in my prayers.

 

[tom31b]

Seems the onset may not have been so "sudden"

DW cleaning out house has found caches of food in places (whole cabinets in dining room full of beans, etc. and full of creepy crawly critters)....

Also some other unusual findings throughout house....

Right now it looks like we have temporary arrangements for care of FIL and MIL will be in residence at some sort of facility until things are better nailed down.

 

[Stepht5]

OMG! Wow, is everything hitting the fan? You guys know that you guys are in my thoughts and prayers.

Steph, we go to fire up Guitar Hero and the cd/dvd will not play! It plays the other games but not that. Now I gotta figure out what to do as dd has already put stickers on the face plate! Plus it was from SC and he got it on sale in Oct! Sorry you got awoken up to a fight!

Hope your brother is doing well.

We are doing good. Being lazy to the point that I forgot what day of the week it was!

How weird about the GH game! I hope you are able to get that squared awy soon!

We'll know soon if the new treatment will help him feel better -- since the CT scan was so good they are going to cut out the drug that they think is causing the red & white blood cells to go to 0. Since right now he has a better chance of dying from some infection then from the cancer.
The Dr told him that taking the chance again on letting his blood cell count to go to 0 was like playing Russian Rulette.......

I love the fact that you are getting this cahnce to just be *lazy*!!

Seems the onset may not have been so "sudden"

DW cleaning out house has found caches of food in places (whole cabinets in dining room full of beans, etc. and full of creepy crawly critters)....

Also some other unusual findings throughout house....

Right now it looks like we have temporary arrangements for care of FIL and MIL will be in residence at some sort of facility until things are better nailed down.

I hope that it is not too difficult to find someplace for them. Do they live close to y'all? You know that we will continue our prayers. I think this deserves an extra decade being said tonight.
This will quite possibly be one of the most emotionally draining things to go through. If you ever need to unload...... you have my numbers.

And I am totally freaking out for Ellen!! Coming across creepy crawlies Of course, I think she is probably pretty fearless. She lives in a house with 2 boys.