Mary had breathing issues and chest pain off and on till Sunday night
They got worse
We went to the new Maple Grove hospital near us run by North Memorial
She got home Tuesday night because we lived near by
She got out a day early and had Greg with us to supervise
Plus me
Plus new med and a promise to return if it got worse as she got more active
Tomorrow will be a quiet day.
I was popular among the nurses and doctors.
I got to go half day to Greg's work today during some heart tests for mary
He said I did perfect
I did great at the hospital
Now I am at Mary's side again at home
Let's hope things keep improving
We go to Mayo next week for tests for Greg
Interesting life here
Emma
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Birthday Party
Sunday is quiet we are home all day. That is good as I am so tired from the party and party preparation. Emma is happy to get outside with me. It is sunny and nice for MN in Feb.
Sat we had 16 people to celebrate Anna's birthday. It was such fun and I think she enjoyed it. Loved this picture. Unfortunately some I took did not turn out. It was so much fun.
You saw Emma's post and mostly it was okay for her till the dogs got a bit possesive and wanted the same space under the table. It all worked out though. Today she is queen of her own house like always ha ha.
Book club is tomorrow.
I am working on some phone calls and internet search for a grants information for the MS Society. I will let you know how the overall campaign goes. I am a small part of it all and will help for about a month. Doing behind the scenes work. As my time and health permit. Mostly at home. I am not the only one working on this and the time committment is manageable (excuse my spelling on this post). No committee mtgs so I think I can do it even though I don't drive. Most is at home. The MS office is not far from Greg's work and the only times I have to go down there I get to decide what works in my schedule and more importantly his.
The MS Society and programs do so much that I am so pleased to help in any way that I can.
Off to take Emma outside. She is sleepy today but always thrilled to go outside. We need to go while the sun is still shining.
Thank God for my family. Anna is my oldest and will be 31 on Sat. Can I have a daughter that age? She has added so much joy to my life. Thank you God for Anna and bless her now and in the years to come.
Mary and Emma
Anna is very special to Emma. She steps in the door and says "Emma want to go outside? and off they go!!!!!!!!!) Wiggle butt loves when she comes over.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Birthday party for Anna was fun.
16 people were a lot for our house.
The dog Grace came too.
We had fun in the backyard
But in the house she slept on my pillow bed
Got so much attention
and then tried to lay on my special space under the table
during the meal
Sharing my space with another dog is not easy
Mary says it is because I am not used to it
That dog was big as I am
Lily (Mary's grand dog is little) and I am use to her
I was much more relaxed after Grace went home.
Like I said it is hard to share the attention
And my space
At my house.
Even though Grace seemed like an okay dog.
Love Emma
16 people were a lot for our house.
The dog Grace came too.
We had fun in the backyard
But in the house she slept on my pillow bed
Got so much attention
and then tried to lay on my special space under the table
during the meal
Sharing my space with another dog is not easy
Mary says it is because I am not used to it
That dog was big as I am
Lily (Mary's grand dog is little) and I am use to her
I was much more relaxed after Grace went home.
Like I said it is hard to share the attention
And my space
At my house.
Even though Grace seemed like an okay dog.
Love Emma
Friday, February 19, 2010
Friends
Spent time with Emma, and Greg part of the day. Spent part of the day with girlfriends. Friends make our days better. Emma agrees. Spent part of the day getting ready for Anna's birthday party (here) tomorrow.
Sp I had to go to bed early. Up to check my blood sugar. Plan to be home all day tomorrow.
Emma had a good day.
Wishing you a good weekend.
Sp I had to go to bed early. Up to check my blood sugar. Plan to be home all day tomorrow.
Emma had a good day.
Wishing you a good weekend.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Thursday
The pool is closed at the YMCA today so we are home. It was a good morning and Emma enjoyed time outside with me. She is such an angel...a snow angel at times.
Special friends of mine are facing a cancer diagnosis. For any chronic health diagnosis I think the following advice might be helpful. I thought I would pass it on to you in case you are interested.
Having gone through 4 times cancer and 5 surgeries - these things helped us cope. I know each situation is unique and Greg is not out of the woods as he might get cancer again due to the type of cancer and how it keeps on coming. I wish i could spare you all the pain and anxiety of this journey but like I said these things helped us.
1. Don't look too far ahead. Focusing one day, one week at a time can be a god sent to help you cope.
2. PRAY = pray for the Lord to guide the medical staff to give you wise consultation, to have good skills and for the love you share in your family and among friends will help you.
3. Knowledge is power. Know your options.
4. Trust your doctors. If you can't trust them or they don't take your input seriously change doctors.
5. Consider the Mayo Clinic if you don't find what you want in the Cities here or for a second opinion. In our case we found they were very leading in the field of Kidney Cancer. You might find places up here are better for this specific type.
6. Very important - LET OTHERS HELP YOU. It is comforting to them. Let there support surround you like a warm quilt.
Grandma's Dr told her this when she had cancer. We found it true for us. Meals for example may not be urgently needed but if that is a way someone wants to help LET THEM> You will find the food is secondary to the moral support you will get from them making the effort. Accepting help can also deepen your friendship and family ties.
7. Gregs survival tip - TAKE TIME TO GO TO DE NILE - OPPS it is denial. Don't think about it every minute. Take time out from cancer. Do fun things. Act like it isn't a serious situation once in awhile. You deserve that break.
8. KEEP LIFE AS ROUTINE AND NORMAL AS POSSIBLE - sometimes that is impossible I know. For kids for example. for you, and your mom and Rick. Thinks like going to the grocery store (my husband the cook's favorite routine) or whatever is a normal task or activity do it. Sometimes in a "crisis" that is not possible but even small breaks of normal can help you through this. Like watching your favorite tv show...any of those things that help.
9. IF you believe in prayer (I do) ask your church, and your friends to put you on prayer chains. Your church community will want to know and prayer helps. Helps you not feel alone...among other things.
10. DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE OPTIMISTIC AND HOPEFUL.
LOOK at Grandma Gundersen she had a bad prognosis at 60 and lived to be 86. The world is full of cancer miracles and journeys where cancer did NOT keep people from enjoying life , having years with families. Some doctors we found can be so matter of fact and somber that it can be so depressing. No matter what the prognosis hang in there.
Feel free to pas this along to anyone it might help.
Special friends of mine are facing a cancer diagnosis. For any chronic health diagnosis I think the following advice might be helpful. I thought I would pass it on to you in case you are interested.
Having gone through 4 times cancer and 5 surgeries - these things helped us cope. I know each situation is unique and Greg is not out of the woods as he might get cancer again due to the type of cancer and how it keeps on coming. I wish i could spare you all the pain and anxiety of this journey but like I said these things helped us.
1. Don't look too far ahead. Focusing one day, one week at a time can be a god sent to help you cope.
2. PRAY = pray for the Lord to guide the medical staff to give you wise consultation, to have good skills and for the love you share in your family and among friends will help you.
3. Knowledge is power. Know your options.
4. Trust your doctors. If you can't trust them or they don't take your input seriously change doctors.
5. Consider the Mayo Clinic if you don't find what you want in the Cities here or for a second opinion. In our case we found they were very leading in the field of Kidney Cancer. You might find places up here are better for this specific type.
6. Very important - LET OTHERS HELP YOU. It is comforting to them. Let there support surround you like a warm quilt.
Grandma's Dr told her this when she had cancer. We found it true for us. Meals for example may not be urgently needed but if that is a way someone wants to help LET THEM> You will find the food is secondary to the moral support you will get from them making the effort. Accepting help can also deepen your friendship and family ties.
7. Gregs survival tip - TAKE TIME TO GO TO DE NILE - OPPS it is denial. Don't think about it every minute. Take time out from cancer. Do fun things. Act like it isn't a serious situation once in awhile. You deserve that break.
8. KEEP LIFE AS ROUTINE AND NORMAL AS POSSIBLE - sometimes that is impossible I know. For kids for example. for you, and your mom and Rick. Thinks like going to the grocery store (my husband the cook's favorite routine) or whatever is a normal task or activity do it. Sometimes in a "crisis" that is not possible but even small breaks of normal can help you through this. Like watching your favorite tv show...any of those things that help.
9. IF you believe in prayer (I do) ask your church, and your friends to put you on prayer chains. Your church community will want to know and prayer helps. Helps you not feel alone...among other things.
10. DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE OPTIMISTIC AND HOPEFUL.
LOOK at Grandma Gundersen she had a bad prognosis at 60 and lived to be 86. The world is full of cancer miracles and journeys where cancer did NOT keep people from enjoying life , having years with families. Some doctors we found can be so matter of fact and somber that it can be so depressing. No matter what the prognosis hang in there.
Feel free to pas this along to anyone it might help.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Don't Look at Snow - Think Spring
Today we took metro mobility like we do on Wed. Those who live in the area might chuckle at this. They actually got me to Regency Hospital in Golden Valley on time but guess our route. We went from New Brighton, to Como Ave in St Paul to pick up someone and then to Golden Valley. Emma did get to ride on the seat so we just enjoyed the scenery.
Our afternoon meeting was for lunch and then to help promote MS Camp with Jeannie Zank of the MS Society at a gathering of MS patients. It was really nice. She had a video of the camp photos and it was such fun to remember camp. Yes it is in May and we hope to be able to go this year. We applied but we do have to see if there is enough room for us. We go to the May camp.
A friend who also helped gave us a ride home. Metro Mobility was not available to give me a ride at the time needed. We came home did a few things and took a long nap. Oh and of course Emma and I went outside too.
In MN the days are slightly longer - meaning more daylight. The temp was 33 and it smelled of spring. Birds chirping and so on. Yes we have the rest of Feb, and March for more snow. By April things get warmer still and less snow...The hope of spring gets me through the end of winter.
I know 33 does not sound warm to many parts of the country at this time of year - but in MN it feels just great!!!!!!!!!!!
Emma truly slept at the meeting today. She was so good there. She played with me before we napped. Today I really marveled again at her beautiful coloring. she is such a pretty dog and the best of buddies to me. She is just what I need in a service dog.
Tomorrow we have water exercise but heard the pool might be closed due to an unforseen problem. We will call in the morning to see about this. That is our plans for tomorrow. I also have to get reading as book club is Monday and I am NOT finished with the book yet.
Take care and have a good day.
Emma and Mary
Our afternoon meeting was for lunch and then to help promote MS Camp with Jeannie Zank of the MS Society at a gathering of MS patients. It was really nice. She had a video of the camp photos and it was such fun to remember camp. Yes it is in May and we hope to be able to go this year. We applied but we do have to see if there is enough room for us. We go to the May camp.
A friend who also helped gave us a ride home. Metro Mobility was not available to give me a ride at the time needed. We came home did a few things and took a long nap. Oh and of course Emma and I went outside too.
In MN the days are slightly longer - meaning more daylight. The temp was 33 and it smelled of spring. Birds chirping and so on. Yes we have the rest of Feb, and March for more snow. By April things get warmer still and less snow...The hope of spring gets me through the end of winter.
I know 33 does not sound warm to many parts of the country at this time of year - but in MN it feels just great!!!!!!!!!!!
Emma truly slept at the meeting today. She was so good there. She played with me before we napped. Today I really marveled again at her beautiful coloring. she is such a pretty dog and the best of buddies to me. She is just what I need in a service dog.
Tomorrow we have water exercise but heard the pool might be closed due to an unforseen problem. We will call in the morning to see about this. That is our plans for tomorrow. I also have to get reading as book club is Monday and I am NOT finished with the book yet.
Take care and have a good day.
Emma and Mary
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