DDA Chapter 27

[PNO4TE]

Bob had his appointment with the ENT this morning. It was informative but did not have the outcome he was hoping for. The doctor was able to tell which cranial nerves are affected and that the left vocal cord is indeed paralyzed. He assured Bob that it is still early in his recovery (I could feel Bob's eyes roll!) and that he is hoping to be able to have his voice restored more closely to normal and get him eating "something" again, but that it will take time. There is a procedure that can be done called medialization where the vocal cord is either plumped with an injection of Gore-Tex or Teflon (I kid you not) or is surgically enhanced with a support. The doctor wants to let the recovery process continue for another three months and then revisit the progress. Our next appointment is on August 4. It is a lifetime away for Bob.

 

[tinknme]

Good thoughts for Bob, Elin

 

[bethbuchall]

Elin, it must seem frustratingly slow for Bob now that he has to discover what his new "normal" will be. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry that life dealt you this hand.

Theresa, I am sorry that you are in a grumpy mood. I hope that it lifts soon!

Deb, I am sorry that you may need to start all over again with another job. I hope that you get it all worked out soon!

The Mother's Day Tea went very well, though it never looks like much went into it, it's a lot of extra work. I was up too late baking, and my head is absolutely killing me right now. I think I'm going to try to get a short nap in before the rest of the day hits.

Laura has a job interview right after school for a life guarding position at one of the outdoor pools this summer. I need to pick her up at school and get her to the Rec Department by 3:15.

Miles has an extra orchestra rehearsal after school, because a select group of them are playing at the school board meeting on Monday. He needs to be picked up at 3:45. Unless Laura has a really fast interview, I'm going to need to be two places at once. The place that she is interviewing isn't really near anything that she can walk to and wait for me, and they close at 4:00. I'm still not sure how this is going to work out for me.

Then we all have to be back at the high school at 6:30 pm for a district-wide strings festival. Once a year they bring in a special guest to work with the various school orchestras. Then they have a concert for everyone from 4th grade (when they can start orchestra at school) through high school. It's very nice, but it can be long, since they have to shuffle groups on and off the stage. Laura said that she isn't thrilled with any of the songs that the high school is playing this year.

I am off to find some ibuprofen and try to get a little rest.

Have a great rest of the day, DDA!

 

[tinker1bell]

Elin,,,I can so relate on the waiting. Seems forever.

Guenna went back into the hospital Tuesday and is still there and will probably be there till Friday morning. There is still some bleeding and cramping, contractions but they are giving her meds for that. My little Energizer Bunny is going crazy just having to rest. She will be at 34 weeks on Sunday.

 

[Glynis]

Oh, Elin. I'm so sorry to hear that Bob's healing is so slow. I know it must be so frustrating for him. You all remain in my prayers. Hopefully, you both can find consolation in the fact that he IS healing.

Terry - I'm glad that Vivian is hanging in there (or maybe I should say Guenna). It really is worth it, all the shots and bed rest. Not fun, but very worth it.

It has been so gorgeous here today! Timothy and I spent a few hours in the backyard, this morning, just soaking up the sun!

 

[my3princes]

Bob had his appointment with the ENT this morning. It was informative but did not have the outcome he was hoping for. The doctor was able to tell which cranial nerves are affected and that the left vocal cord is indeed paralyzed. He assured Bob that it is still early in his recovery (I could feel Bob's eyes roll!) and that he is hoping to be able to have his voice restored more closely to normal and get him eating "something" again, but that it will take time. There is a procedure that can be done called medialization where the vocal cord is either plumped with an injection of Gore-Tex or Teflon (I kid you not) or is surgically enhanced with a support. The doctor wants to let the recovery process continue for another three months and then revisit the progress. Our next appointment is on August 4. It is a lifetime away for Bob.

I know that it wasn't the best news, but he really has made a remarkable recovery compared to where he was a short time ago

Elin, it must seem frustratingly slow for Bob now that he has to discover what his new "normal" will be. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry that life dealt you this hand.

Theresa, I am sorry that you are in a grumpy mood. I hope that it lifts soon!

Deb, I am sorry that you may need to start all over again with another job. I hope that you get it all worked out soon!

The Mother's Day Tea went very well, though it never looks like much went into it, it's a lot of extra work. I was up too late baking, and my head is absolutely killing me right now. I think I'm going to try to get a short nap in before the rest of the day hits.

Laura has a job interview right after school for a life guarding position at one of the outdoor pools this summer. I need to pick her up at school and get her to the Rec Department by 3:15.

Miles has an extra orchestra rehearsal after school, because a select group of them are playing at the school board meeting on Monday. He needs to be picked up at 3:45. Unless Laura has a really fast interview, I'm going to need to be two places at once. The place that she is interviewing isn't really near anything that she can walk to and wait for me, and they close at 4:00. I'm still not sure how this is going to work out for me.

Then we all have to be back at the high school at 6:30 pm for a district-wide strings festival. Once a year they bring in a special guest to work with the various school orchestras. Then they have a concert for everyone from 4th grade (when they can start orchestra at school) through high school. It's very nice, but it can be long, since they have to shuffle groups on and off the stage. Laura said that she isn't thrilled with any of the songs that the high school is playing this year.

I am off to find some ibuprofen and try to get a little rest.

Have a great rest of the day, DDA!

What a busy day. I'm sure if anyone can appreciate how much time you put into the brunch, it is a group of mother's. It really is generous of you.

 

[my3princes]

I had a meeting with HR today. They can not or will not do anything. the coverage that I thought I was getting is no longer offered by the insurance company so they can't get it at any price, they won't help offset the financial difference that I now have to pay and they won't give me a salary increase to help offset it. I estimate it to be a $5000 loss in benefits. I told her that I have an offer on the table and we discussed it. She said that if she were me she would jump at the opportunity as benefits will be decreasing again in August.

I know what I need to do, I just hate to do it. I work with a fabulous group of people that have really welcomed me and I don't want to let them down, but I also know what is best for me and my family in many many ways.

 

[mommykds]

Elin,
& for Bob's progress.

Deb,
You have to do whats best for your family Deb. Good luck!!!

 

[tinknme]

Good morning

 

[PNO4TE]

Beth - I hope you got a nap in yesterday. I also wish I had a cloning machine to give you a hand!

Deb - As much as you hate to do it I know you have a tough decision to make. Will your insurance take effect immediately upon changing companies? That would be something I would look into also if you haven't already.

I am glad that Vivian and Guenna are sticking together like glue!! Hope she likes her digs enough to stay there a little while longer.

Theresa - Hope the grumps are gone today!

Thanks for all the well-wishes, everyone. Bob's recovery is miraculous and you and I know it has been fairly speedy. For him it is agonizingly slow. His days are spent on the couch or doing therapy on the couch or in the living room and kitchen. He is moving around well in the wheelchair and is now also able to get around fairly safely with his walker, but only when someone is here with him. He is no longer in a bed 24/7 but his freedom has been severely curtailed and I think that is what is driving him crazy. He was in much better spirits last night when I got home and even put together another cell phone slide show about what he wants to do "when he improves." So I think he has been able to once again pull himself out of the dumps and move on with what "normal" is for him at this point. He is much more the person I married 38 years ago than he has been in decades, so that part of our life is much improved. I overheard him telling Kristin that I had been wonderful over the past months and that brought a tear to my eye; I thought I had been a royal b***h!

Speaking of Kristin: she and Ashley are in WDW right now. they are on their Second Annual Davy Jones Concert Marathon Trip. They are staying at POFQ and spent part of the day at the pool. She texted me to say that Shelley from Mardi Grogs said to say, "Hi!" she went on to say that "she totally remembered me (and us)! We are barflies, Mama!"

 

[PNO4TE]

Good morning, DDA!

 

[Tammi67]

I thought I had been a royal b***h!

This made me LOL!!!

 

[Tammi67]

Good morning!

I am having 6 girls at my house tonight for a sleepover. UGH! I think Nicholas and I will hide in my bedroom!

 

[bethbuchall]

Good morning, DDA! It looks like it will be a beautiful one here.

Everything worked out yesterday even without a cloning machine. Laura was a few minutes early for the interview and was out within a half hour. Unfortunately, she didn't get the job (yet). He is currently fully staffed but trying to get funding for one more position. If he gets the funding, she is first on the list to be hired. Either way, it was great experience for her.

The orchestra concert was very good. It is kind of neat to start with the 4th grade (1st year) string students and work up to the high school orchestra. I wish that more of the young students and their parents stayed around to see the progress that they can make. The difference between even the 7th/8th grade orchestra and the high school orchestra is amazing. Even though there are only 7 more weeks of school, we have three more orchestra concerts. Next week the high school is doing all Disney music, so I know that I will like that one. The high school also does a concert on the patio every June that is dedicated to the seniors. I'm sure that I'll once again tear up during "Time to Say Goodbye". The 6th graders have a band, chorus, orchestra concert. Actually, I guess I have a fourth concert, since Miles' orchestra is playing a couple of songs at the board of education meeting on Monday.

I don't have too much on my plate today, though I need to do a bunch of laundry (including sheets from three beds and towels), clean the bathrooms, and clean up the mess that I left in the kitchen last night. There is always plenty to do in this house. It needs a very thorough sorting/organizing/cleaning all over.

Deb, I am sorry that the benefits at your current job won't work out for you. It's hard to switch from something that you enjoy.

I have talked to some people from other preschools to see if I can get some more hours for next year. I don't really want to give up my current class, but I need more work. Just this week, my co-teacher told me that she hopes that I don't leave, and she isn't aware that I am looking. I will hate to leave her (especially with the other co-teacher that she has), but if something comes up that will give my five days a week, I can't turn it down. My ideal would be for the the other teacher to decide that she no longer wants to work, but I don't think that is going to happen for a few years, and I need more now. I'm pretty sure that she'd love to get my two days.

Elin, I am glad that Bob was in better spirits again!

Tammy, good luck!

 

[my3princes]

Good morning!

I am having 6 girls at my house tonight for a sleepover. UGH! I think Nicholas and I will hide in my bedroom!

Wow, that should be fun...NOT...You might want to take some Advil before they arrive.

 

[Tammi67]

Wow, that should be fun...NOT...You might want to take some Advil before they arrive.

Heck, I'm skipping the Advil and going straight for the good stuff!

 

[my3princes]

I decided to take a personal day today to sort through everything.

I had filled out a Need for Services Application at the Hospital when I was laid off just to see if they'd be able to help with the portions that remain after our previous (crappy) insurance paid. They didn't have an answer so I ended up cancelling Hunter's appt for Monday until we know for sure where we stand as far as insurance goes. A couple of hours later they called back and said that they will reduce our charges by 50% and set up a payment plan (I've been paying them for years anyway) AND because of Hunter's medical necessity they are reducing his balance by 100%. He Can Have His MRI on Monday!!! I was able to reschedule him into the same spot. God is certainly looking out for us. I've been in tears since the phone call.

I've also made the decision to take the Federal Job at the VA. It won't be easy saying goodbye to my new coworkers, but it is without a doubt a better opportunity for us now and an investment in our future. Chris was totally onboard yesterday, but it took him a while to convince me. I know that it is only guaranteed for a year, but it can be offered to me for 4 years and once in I can apply for any permanent position that comes up. It's a calculated risk that I have to take. When my current HR told me that she would take it and told me that benefits were going to get worse at the oil co come August, I think that is a bigger risk.

 

[Glynis]

Deb - For what it's worth, I think you made the right decision. You have to do what is best for your family. Sounds like this job could work into something more permanent, with decent benefits.

Tammi - Enjoy your sleep over! When I read things like that I remember why Alan and I vetoed sleepovers. I can do late nights, but no all nighters!

Elin - I'm so glad to read that Bob is feeling better about things. He must be seeing some improvement in himself, in order for that to happen!

Gorgeous day here! Today was our last day of bowling, and I'm happy to announce that it's official... my team placed second! We have our banquet next Friday and I can't wait!!!

Alan is out of town, but assures me that he will be home tomorrow early in the day. We'll see. We usually celebrate Mother's day on Saturday, so I'm crossing my fingers that he hasn't forgotten. We'll see.

 

[my3princes]

Heck, I'm skipping the Advil and going straight for the good stuff!

I hope you find something a little tamer for Nicholas

 

[tmfranlk]

Elin - I'm continually amazed at the speedy progress Bob is making both physically and mentally. I'm glad he's on a mental upswing again. I can't even imagine how hard it has to be for him. Our prayers continue always!

Tammi - Good luck tonight! We're off to the school carnival tonight. I was thinking I might rather be you, but then figured yours was a longer ordeal so maybe not.

Deb - I think that's definitely the best way to go. Sounds like a better opportunity for the future and more reliable benefits.

Glynis - Hope Alan gets home in time! We're headed to the park on Sunday for an easy Mother's Day and I guess a cake for my birthday and/or Erin's graduation.

As for me, I'm just pushing my way through day camp stuff. I solved two major issues this week, but am still short a few volunteers for the best scenerios. I can make it if I don't get them, but it would be a better week with them. I just keep trying to remind myself that it's a learning process and things will be much easier next year - at least I'll know what I'm doing!