Pappaw & Granny

Donard’s pain was mostly under control shortly after Thanksgiving for a couple weeks but now appears to be stepping up another notch. While sleep has consumed about 18+ hours daily, he has been able to wake up for short periods during the day and for about 4 hours every evening to have supper and visit with us. This pattern will be interrupted for a week or so while his body adjusts to additional medication to meet the new pain level. Specific answers to prayer have been encouraging: Breathing treatments have proven to be helpful, and swallowing difficulties have lessened some, at least temporarily. God’s intervention in these areas definitely lowered our stress levels, for which we are especially grateful.

Please forgive an additional update here, but for those who know my mom, here is a bit of news about her. She had three seizures on December 12 and 13, but thankfully she was not alone and did not fall. Even though I was with her when the third seizure happened, she suffered a hairline fracture of her left arm (apparently because of her osteoporosis). A definite sign that she is on the mend is that she is beginning to want to get up and walk around again, keeping the caregivers on their toes. For anyone that wants to drop by The Hampton with a treat, she loves McDonald’s chocolate chip cookies. :)

Thank you for your many expressions of love and especially for your continued prayers for Donard and the family. Our prayer is that you will have a very blessed Christmas and New Year and that each of us will know and trust Jesus more every day. He alone is the reason for the season.

Rose Ann for the family

"This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;

Great is Thy faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:21-23

time flies when you're really busy

It seems like it's been a long time since I blogged anything significant other than Pappaw reports. It certainly isn't because nothing has happened! It's more likely just that I've been so very busy. At the end of August I became a nanny to Kennedy (5) and Garrison (3).



They are great kids and I've really enjoyed being paid to have fun with them! We've had our ups and downs getting to know each other but I think we are finally becoming friends. Garrison who hasn't really reciprocated my hugs not only gave me one on my last day before Christmas vacation but even gave me a big kiss (unprompted!). :) It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!!

Between all of my jobs (Bazaarvoice & nannying mostly) I'm now working 40-50 hours a week which is definitely a culture shock for a homeschooler who has worked almost exclusively from home the last two years. Yikes! The first couple of weeks were very hard as I adjusted to the new schedule which included leaving my house at 7 AM four days a week and not getting home until 7 PM most nights. I finally settled into somewhat of a routine but it's definitely been a challenge.

The other big change has been Pappaw becoming bedridden. He has a hospital bed in the livingroom and enjoys visitors when possible. We've tried to spend some time over there but with our ever increasing busyness it has been hard to carve out time for anything extra. I unfortunately fail at being a good granddaughter these days and visiting all my ill grandparents regularly. Some wonderful friends helped come and sing for him one night and despite being heavily medicated that night I think he did enjoy it. We hope to do it again very soon.

Really though the biggest struggle for me lately has been the really overwhelming mountain of things that scream for my attention and the complete feeling of helplessness in keeping up with it all. It seems like the harder I try the further behind I get. Time management was not my strong suit in the past and now that it is non-optional I've found myself very easily discouraged. A week ago was especially bad because Joanna was very late getting home which put me even later getting to my home and for nearly a week all I had time for was to bring my things in from the car and grab some dinner before devotions and bedtime were upon me. I am learning a little bit at a time to do little things that help me keep from falling so desperately behind...simple things like every time I'm in the bathroom choosing one type of thing to do like gather all the toothbrushes and put them away or pick up the dirty towels. Unfortunately there was no hope at all for my bedroom which was drowning me in unfiled papers and baskets of laundry. This extra long holiday vacation is being super helpful for catching up on those things though and hopefully I will be able to maintain it to a point that I won't fall so far behind. It really just has been a nonstop stream of activity since I started working and my room was already a nightmare. I do not know how moms with full time careers besides their kids do it!!

One thing I've noticed about being so busy is that time seems to really go by quickly. I feel like I have that watch from the story and that I'm somehow speeding up time because every time I think about it the time seems to just go by faster. I can hardly believe Christmas is already here. As I put up the lights up outside and shivered in the very definitely wintry weather it seemed almost unreal. I'm not finding the Christmas "mood" coming very easily this year, I just feel almost indifferent. I want to be in the Christmas mood but somehow it eludes me. Every time I try to play my Christmas music in the car or as I work it just doesn't feel right and I switch back to my normal stuff. I've been Christmas shopping and bought some gifts I'm super excited about giving and yet it still doesn't feel like Christmas. It feels as if Christmas will just fly right by and I won't have even had the chance to enjoy it at all.

Well one thing I will say about my new schedule is that I finally do want to go to bed at decent hours again!! My body tells me it's after 11 PM despite the fact I haven't had to get up early this week. I think the chiropractor said that's a good thing, 10 PM - 6 AM is when we get the best sleep. I'd prefer that number to end up a bit closer to 8 or 9 AM myself. ;) And now that I have an entire book typed up I believe I can post this and feel accomplished. Writing is something I do miss at times and this seems to be my only outlet for it.

In case I don't get around to posting again before then, have a merry Christmas. :)

Prayer update

Increasing pain has necessitated stronger meds and, as a result, increased sleep. Breathing problems and difficulty swallowing have recently compounded significantly. Please continue to pray for God's presence to be evident, for strength to finish the course, and for His perfect peace.

Rose Ann for the family

"This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Thy faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:21-23

Please continue to pray

Pain control and other basic needs for Donard is now being managed at home. He is extremely weak, unable to walk, and on continuous oxygen supply. We are grateful for your continued prayers and are trusting God for wisdom, direction, strength, and peace for each day for Donard and for each family member.

Rose Ann for the family

"This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Thy faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:21-23

October 9th update

It's a little late because we've been at Family Camp all week but here was the latest report.

On Tuesday, October 6, Donard was admitted to Conroe Regional Hospital because of fever and shortness of breath. After being diagnosed and treated for pneumonia, he was released on Thursday night and is home again with oxygen available 24/7. The coronary angiogram that was scheduled for today (Friday) had to be postponed. Progressing cancer in multiple areas remains the primary issue, and the resulting need for increasing pain control is a continual challenge. The decision this week to end his recent employment and focus on his health was difficult for Donard but non-optional.
Until we can relay our gratefulness personally, please know that your faithful prayers and many expressions of love and concern mean more than words can express.
　"This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning;
Great is Thy faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:21-23

Donard continues to experience shortness of breath periodically and is scheduled for a coronary angiogram on Friday, October 9th, at 12:30 p.m. This will proceed if he is free of fever for 48 hours prior. Tylenol for pain and fever relief was eliminated early last week because of skyrocketing liver enzyme levels. He is now using the nighttime prescription pain med 24/7. This prescription will compound other problems, but our primary care physician is attempting to address those as well as the continuing anemia. Even with no Tylenol he seemed to be free of fever for several days but had a low-grade again tonight (Sunday). Donard has missed at least one day for each week on the new job but is determined to endure as long as possible and as long as the employer will tolerate his unpredictable health issues.

Prayers for my mother have been answered! She has recovered from her fall and is able to walk comfortably again.

We continue to be so grateful for your many expressions of love and for your faithful prayers.

Rose Ann for the family

latest Pappaw report

In spite of continuing health problems and resulting weaknesses, Donard began a new job on August 31 after being off work since February 6th. It didn’t seem possible that he even had the strength to make the long drive every day, but he did so and worked for 8 to 10 hours, then drove back home. He was both determined and successful, coming home early only one day the first week. The second week brought increased challenges in several areas of his health, but we saw God bring about miraculous answers to the prayers of those of you who have been so faithful to lift Him to our heavenly Father. On Friday evening (Sept. 11) Donard made the decision to go to the emergency room to get help, since his shortness of breath had reached a critical level. God spared us from hours of waiting, we saw a doctor within the first hour, he received the needed oxygen, and a diagnosis was made within a short time: shortness of breath was due to fluid in the lungs caused by failure of the heart to function efficiently. Donard was admitted at Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands for treatment, and we are hoping he will be released on Sunday or at the latest Monday, September 14. We do not know what lies ahead, but nothing surprises God, and He is our refuge and strength.
　
For those who may be interested in other family members, here is a brief update:
My mother (Ruth Baker) had a fall about ten days ago that left her limping and very limited in movement. Surgery would be extremely difficult at her stage. Please pray for healing so she can continue to walk as she loves to do.
Misti and Wesley have a beautiful new baby daughter, Allison Rose Danson, born August 14, weighing 7 lbs. 14 oz. Misti had to return to the hospital a week later with high blood pressure problems, but we are grateful for each day’s progress toward recovery. Allison is a ray of sunshine for our whole family, and we are looking forward to showing her off.  Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
　
We are so grateful for your love and continued prayers.
Rose Ann for the family