A Better Day

Ahhhhh.........the dependable and wonderful Suburban. Charlie had to come get Gary's car again. His car starts and I can drive it but sometimes it just dies. The battery is totally drained and it always happens at the most inopportune times. So, the battery was bad (it was BRAND NEW from Walmart) and he replaced it again and hopefully it will be reliable this time.

SIDEBAR: I shop at Walmart but I honestly can't stand that store. Everytime I am there I swear I will not go back again. What is it about that store?

Back to the car issue. I wish I could just sell the thing (Gary's Suburban) and get a smaller car that had much better gas mileage. Both of our cars have over 145,000 miles and that is somewhat scary. I have tried to sell the Suburban but it is the wrong time and besides I KNOW what's up with the car. If I were to sell it and buy another "used car" that I knew nothing about I think I would be inviting a whole new set of possible issues. So, for now we hold on to the gas guzzler and feel very fortunate that we have 2 cars that run.

Today was a great day for Gary. It would not have been considered a great day for you or me but it was for him. He has been so weak and tired. The labs that were drawn show that Gary's adrenal functions were kinda screwy. Dr. Barth gave him steroids and a new prescription and it was so much better today.

Our neighbor Bette gave Gary a motorized chair and he not only walked to the chair today but got in and drove that thing to school to get the boys this afternoon! It was so cool and the boys were so happy to see him at school. Even though he is driving under the influence he actually drove the thing pretty well. I think he had a great time and it was awesome to see him out and about for the first time in a very long time!

We had our pre-op and everything is ready to roll tomorrow. We check into the hospital at 8AM and the surgery is scheduled for 10 AM. The surgery will take 3-4 hours and then Gary will go into recovery and then to ICU overnight. If all goes well Gary will come home Saturday! That would be ideal and great but we will wait and see.

I got a phone call today from Mary Davis. Mary and her husband Al used to go to our church and they moved to Arkansas. Anyhow, she called to talk to me about her son. Her son Brad plays baseball for the Florida Marlins in the minor league and he would like to work with the boys on their hitting, catching and pitching! Gary and I were so excited to tell the boys. During the off season Brad and his wife live in RSM and he is a private baseball coach. We told the boys and they are so excited. Zach said, "Are you kidding me?" "Seriously?" HUGE SMILE - BEAMING!! What a special thing! The boys are so looking forward to that. I am really happy for them and so thankful to Brad. I guess I need to call him this week and get the ball rolling. I know he is always looking for new clients so if any of your kids need some private lessons let me know and I can get Brad's information for you.

I took 2 Tylenol PM and I am ready to hit the sack.

Please pray for Gary tonight and tomorrow morning.

He is a little nervous and edgy and his anxiety is always an issue before anything major. He will be awake for the first part of the surgery so that they can make sure the neurostimulator is in the right place and controlling the pain sufficiently. Then, they will put him completely under. He is nervous about the first part.

Gary has a hard time recovering from anesthesia. He becomes temporarily depressed and despondent. He also has a hard time waking up and it takes him the better part of a week to recover fully. He is just now recovering from the surgery last Saturday on his kidney.

Zach's leg is getting better but it is still painful. He is still swollen and his knee is bruised. I told him it would take time and time isn't something Zach understands.

Speaking of time I need to cut out and get some sleep. I have to get up at 2 AM to hang another antibiotic.

I will give you an update tomorrow.

Happy Hearts Make A Happy Home!
Love,
Lisa