Halloween (Birthday Eve)

Today is Halloween and the day before my birthday. There was an edible bouquet of chocolate covered strawberries in my kitchen when I got home from work today. Yummy! What fun surprise. Thank you Sarah! I love them and they taste good too.

Tim still isn't feeling that great. He's back to the no food diet. We are really sad about it. It is really discouraging. We have our theories but who knows why he can eat one day and not another. I guess we'll have to bring it up at our follow up appointment.

Sick

Well I'm not sure why but Tim is not feeling well today. He is extremely nauseous and has not been able to eat all day. It's too ironic. He's finally able to eat and he can't eat. I hope that something he has been able to eat is just upsetting his stomach. Between throwing up and back pain, he's not really had a very good day. Hopefully he'll be able to get some rest and feel better tomorrow.

Manicures

Every two weeks Mom and I go to Accents Salon for a little pampering. We love to go to relax and hang out with our friend, Beth Graves. She's a lovely person who always seems to make us laugh.

A Quick Visit

Lacie and Ken returned from their luxurious honeymoon to Fuji. We decided to get together for dinner in Denver before they drive back to Seattle today. We didn't get to spend a lot of time with them but the time spent was special.

For dinner we went to J. Alexander's and afterwards we went to Starbucks for coffee and a movie. Tim brought his mini DVD player so we could watch Uncle Jeff's movie making skills of the wedding. It was really fun and gave us more time with each other.

Oh to be Thankful

To make dinner? Trust me I NEVER thought I'd never be happy about that. And technically I wouldn't call frying a hamburger in a skillet cooking but its more than I've done in a long time and I'm going to count it!

I bought a couple burgers from Whole Foods on Monday fully expecting that to eat them both myself, but I was able to make one for Tim and that made me quite happy. May their be many shared, home cooked meals in our future.

Home@Last

It's true. They released him today and I picked him up around 6:30 p.m. The big hang up was a CAT scan. Originally they weren't going to do one but Tim insisted since the pain in his back has been getting worse. The scan came back normal. So for now they are putting him on pain killers and we see the doctor again in two weeks.

After we left the hospital, we went to the Swing Thai restaurant per Tim's request. He got to pick where he wanted to eat his first non-hospital meal. The miracle actually happened about 5 days ago. I didn't get too excited but I guess after 5 days of being able to eat small meals that's definitely something to celebrate. Here's Tim eating his chicken & shrimp Pud Thai. October truly is a miracle month.

Snowy Sunday

The test results are back and the source of the infection is Tim's urine not his PICC line. His temperature is down and currently back to normal. His nephrostomy is working well and his pain from his incision is for the most part is under control The pain on his back though [near the kidney that was removed last March] is quite severe. His back started hurting on Saturday and today was even worse. He's going to talk to the doctors about it tomorrow.

Satarday was beautiful. Sunny and warm. So nice I wore flip flops. Today, on the other hand, snowy and cold. The first snow is always exciting. Of course it makes for an interesting morning when I take the dogs out for their walk. They don't care for the snow much less their snow suits!

Scrapbooking Buddies

Today Tim had another procedure to change the tubing on his nephrostomy drain. He now has the largest size they make. So we'll have to wait and see if it works any better than the last one.

It was a rough day for both of us. I had a work a really long day and Tim had yet another procedure. And even though the day started out rough, it didn't end all that bad. Mom and Jeff came over so Jeff could bind his fancy scrapbook. He's been doing scrapbooks ever since he's been coming to visit in 1999. Tomorrow and Sunday I'm heading up to Denver to spend time with Tim. He needs me. I miss him and I can't wait to see his smiling face.

Hmm..Interesting

Tim's fever is down a little and he had his PICC line replaced. However, the doctor's now think the infection is possibly a urinary tract infection. Also another interesting fact, the doctor didn't do anything to Tim's bladder when he had surgery on Monday. He opened him up and then immediately closed him up. I guess he was afraid he would do more harm than good.

So let's see. The IR procedure to replace the tubing on the nephrostomy is the only change. However, as of tonight the drain is not working correctly. So actually we are right back where we started. The chief resident assured Tim that the issue would be fixed before he is released. I should hope so.

Today when I was visiting with Tim he made quite a few phone calls to the hospital's billing department. As some of you know, when a business owes you money it's sometimes hard to get people to call back. Of course once you get them on the phone, they don't listen to anything you say even though you keep saying the exact same thing. Ultimately you hang up more frustrated than you were before you called. And best of all...you're still broke.

Newton-Powell Wedding

Last weekend was the big wedding weekend. My brother married Lacie Newton. They were married in Fort Collins on October 13th, 2007 at the Ptarmigan Country Club. It was beautiful event and very well planned. Good job guys! Here are some of my favorite moments from the 3 day celebration!

There were so many great pictures I had to upload pretty much all of them. Here's a flickr slideshow.

Bridal Shower Scrapbook

I know this is kind of like bragging but I hope it doesn't come across that way. I'm just excited about scrapbooking but in particular the one I made for Lacie, my sister-in-law. This mini book captures the memories of her bridal shower. Everytime I make a mini book I think I definitely learn something new and this time was no exception. Enjoy!

Surgery Update

Tim had his short surgery on Monday around 1:30 p.m. It only lasted a couple hours. Hopefully they fixed his bladder this time! Yesterday he went to Interventional Radiology to have the tube on his nephrostomy replaced. Hopefully this one will drain better and finally give his bladder some relief so it can heal.

Today he has a fever of 102 degrees F. They drew blood cultures, did a chest x-ray and took a urine specimen. They just removed his PICC just in case. The plan is to replace it after 24 hours. Of course the line might not even be the problem, it's possible the infection could be from something else. Blood cultures take a full 3 days to yield final results so we'll have to wait. As for the x-ray and urine, they don't take as long but I'm don't believe the results are back yet.

He is having a lot of pain in his back near his kidney but despite that pain, he has managed to get out of bed and walk around a bit.

Missing Post

I promise to post something soon. I didn't have any time yesterday. I've been running around like crazy what with the wedding and all. I have a pic but it's on my mom's camera. To be continued...

After work mom and I went to the mall to do some shopping because even though I have an entire closet full of jeans, shirts, sweaters and shoes I have NOTHING to wear. Nothing new that is! I needed something for bachelorette party and rehearsal dinner and of course I decided to wait until minute. Anyway, I found some cute stuff at gap and had to show it off.

At least I have good hair

Today was kind of a rough day. I woke up late and had to leave work early. I had a hair appointment that lasted until after 6. When I got home I realized I misplaced some money. I still can't find it. Ate dinner at the computer as I tried to make up some work. I'm tired now, my work still isn't done and have to get up early. BUT at least, I'm having a good hair day. Flat or fro, staight or curly, dry or greasy, mullet or femullet - ain't nothin' worse than a 'do' that makes you feel like crap!

Not just another day

Today, 59 years ago, my mom was born. A beautiful person was born on a beautiful day. We had a little party this evening after work to celebrate. Nothing too fancy. Just a couple presents followed by some cake to die for in the prescence of family.

Needles Needles & More Needles

Nice backyards come with a price. That price...yard work. Ugh! One of my least favorite things to do on the weekend. With Ken's wedding and Tim's upcoming surgery, it's going to be a busy next couple of weeks. Plus it's been so windy, it made no sense to pick up needles when more are left to fall. Today I rounded up the workers. Afterwards we each put on our Super Bowl Champion hats and posed while Jeff took our picture. Hoosiers ain't losers no more!

Last night we were eating pizza over at mom and dad's. Everyone was chewing but everyone wasn't swallowing. Tim was spitting his out in a napkin. He just wanted to taste it. It truly broke my heart. What I wouldn't give for him to be able to eat a hamburger, fries and a big chocolate shake. Mom [always positive] said that chewing might get things going. Well, this morning when we woke up, that's just what had happened. I'll leave the details to your imagination. Let's just say there may be a burger in Tim's future after all. Maybe not today but some day. I hope.

He's Back!

That's right folks. Uncle Jeff is back in town and boy is he stylin'. He's here to visit and be a part of Ken's wedding. Dad, mom, Tim and I showed up at the airport around 2 p.m. today to pick him up. It was quite a welcoming. He was really surprised to see everyone.

But little did he know his next stop might make he wish he never got off the plane. Let me take a step back and give you a little background. You see Ken's wedding is a formal event but Uncle Jeff isn't really the tuxedo wearing kind of guy. Are things starting to make a little more sense?

So today after Jeff called to report that he had arrived in Cincinnati, Dad asked mom if she told him about the tux. "Heck no! Are you crazy?" She responded that way because after 30 plus years, she knows better.

We all piled into the Honda a couple hours later and again he asked if we going to tell him about the tux. "Heck no! Are you crazy? We ain't tellin' him until we get in the parking lot!" And that's just what we did. And HE even said that it was a good thing we didn't tell him cause he would have worried from Ohio to Colorado.

I took a tons of pictures today but I can only post a few. So here are the best of the best. Today was one of those days when I just couldn't decide which picture one to choose.

Shoot. Them 'er banker's hours!

This week I worked extra each so that when Friday rolled around, I only had about 5 hours left out of 40. This is the first week I've been to do this in a really long time. Todays pictures show the time I left for work and I the time I got home.

It's not easy thinking of something to take a picture of each day. Mostly I think because I'm always in a hurry. I've always got something I THINK I could or should be doing. I think once I get used to the idea of nothing living my life at warp speed, there will be so many memorable moments each day that I won't know which one to choose.

I love Fall!

It's such a wonder season. Pumpkins, beautiful foliage, apples and crisp air - who wouldn't love that! Speaking of lovely fall things, we have a neighbor who has a garden that she works on everyday. I walk passed it all the time when I take the doggies for a walk. Anyway, I thought it would be a nice picture for todays blog entry.


Tim is doing about the same...no major changes. He's still not eating and still leaking but what else new. Just a couple more weeks until his next surgery. I hope that it helps and will the last one for a while.

Ahh, to be normal again

Today was one those days. I went to work and so did Tim. Which for us is pretty awesome. I ate some dinner and took the dogs for a walk. Now I'll be spending the next hour watching America's Next Top Model.

Tim received this afghan from the Luv2Crochet Big Hugs group. It's blanket to let Tim know that he's being thought of. Where's Tim you ask? Well you get the puppas instead. He wasn't feeling like being in the picture.

"The comfort ghan is made with love from our hearts to your. When you feel like the world doesn't care, wrap yourself in the warmth we share. Our thoughts are with you. Prayers have been Heaven sent. Please accept this crocheted token with words left unspoken."

Nice Do

High and tight with short side burns - works for Payton Manning. He's been rockin' the same do since 1985! So today as you can see, Tim got a hair cut in our basement from Vicki, our favorite barber. Tim looks good in leopard print. Work it babe!

Vicki is going to take care of the pups while we're up in Fort Collins for Ken's wedding. She's even going to spend the night people! I'm so excited. It has really worked out just perfectly.

Blood work results from yesterday came back normal. Tim's potassium is normal and he's not low in iron. It's actually a little high. So no boost of iron or blood will be necessary. Other that than it was just a normal day.

Clean Cars in Maryland!

Tim went back to work today part-time. It almost didn't happen though because LM health services didn't have his doctor's note. Anyway, they finally got it and with their approval Tim went to work for the first time since August 22nd. After about an hour of catching up, he went the cancer center for a blood draw and appointment with Dr. DeCarolis (oncologist in CS). His iron levels are low so he thinks Tim is anemic. I'm betting his potassium is low too but we won't know that until tomorrow. As for the iron deficiency, they are going to give him an extra boost. I'm not surprised though what with all the surgeries he's had.


So after his appointment, he went BACK to work. When he arrived his manager presented him with a check from another fundraising event they had for Tim in Gaithersburg, MA. What a huge blessing!

This month I've decided to take a picture everyday. I think God's going to do some awesome things for the Sweeney's in the month of October. With my all pics, I'm going make a mini scrapbook and post it on this blog. So check back daily!