Before you were conceived
I wanted you.
Before you were born
I loved you.
Before you were here an hour
I would die for you.
This is the miracle of love.
Happy birthday Cody. I love you so very much. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Love,
Mom
(Be sure and see the slideshow below. These are some of my favorite pictures of Cody. Clearly there could be over a thousand to post!)
Monday, March 30, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
I am Woman...
...and I can change out a worn out bicycle tire. All by myself. Without breaking a nail. I am so proud of myself that I was able to make the day of a 6 year old. I got a great big thank you and a hug after changing the tire (by the way... it was the back tire, so not only did I have to take off the rear wheel, then struggled with getting the tire off and back on the wheel, I had to deal with the chain as well!), loading the bike into the Pilot, driving to the nearest gas station, airing up the tire, driving home, unloading the bike and then a quick walk around the park. I was the hero. Me. All by myself. Well... almost by myself. Caden held the bike and handed me the screwdriver. We make a great team, he and I.
:)
~jen
:)
~jen
Friday, March 20, 2009
Venting
This is one of those venting posts which I will probably regret later. However, I have to vent. I have just spent the last TWO hours cleaning Caden's room. I'm not done. Thus the venting. How much stuff can a 6 year old have? Let me tell you... too much! So much that you don't even know where to begin. I so wanted to close the door and never look back. I've filled 2... that's 2 of the big industrial strength black trash bags. TWO of them full of stuff. Junk. Broken toys. Toys with missing parts. Every fast food restaurant in town's kid's meal toy. Broken crayons. Dried out markers. Art projects from 2004.
I just found the carpet under Caden's bed. You would not believe what he had shoved under there!
You would think that after 2 hours of cleaning, I'd be done. I'm not done. I still need to dust, vacuum, and strip the bed. Then I'm done.
Next up the hall closet.
While I am venting... can I just tell you my kids are slowing destroying my home. The home that we never thought would be ours. We finally saved and saved to purchase new furniture that is all our own. And now, our 2 children are slowly destroying everything. I won't list all the damage, but let me tell you one or both of our children has left their mark on every piece of furniture we own.
I don't know how to cope. It seems as though every time I turn around something else is broken, scratched, torn, dirty, stained, not working, lost, destroyed.
Enough venting or else I'll really let loose and bring up everything that I've been holding onto since 1992.
~jen
I just found the carpet under Caden's bed. You would not believe what he had shoved under there!
You would think that after 2 hours of cleaning, I'd be done. I'm not done. I still need to dust, vacuum, and strip the bed. Then I'm done.
Next up the hall closet.
While I am venting... can I just tell you my kids are slowing destroying my home. The home that we never thought would be ours. We finally saved and saved to purchase new furniture that is all our own. And now, our 2 children are slowly destroying everything. I won't list all the damage, but let me tell you one or both of our children has left their mark on every piece of furniture we own.
I don't know how to cope. It seems as though every time I turn around something else is broken, scratched, torn, dirty, stained, not working, lost, destroyed.
Enough venting or else I'll really let loose and bring up everything that I've been holding onto since 1992.
~jen
Friday, March 13, 2009
A sonogram and a banquet
Monday I had the privilege of going to Karen's (my sister-in-law) first sonogram. I was so honored that I was asked to go along with her and my mother-in-law to see my niece or nephew for the first time. It was amazing. I quickly went from standing in the back, against a counter, to sitting right beside Karen staring in awe at the monitor above us. Tears filled my eyes as soon as we could see the heart beating. Did you know that the heart starts beating 18 days after conception? 18 days after egg and sperm (sorry to those who just became squeamish after reading sperm... opps, sorry, said it again!) come together, the heart starts to beat. Amazing. Did you know that at 12 weeks this baby is fully formed. All of it's organs are present and functioning (except for the lungs). And at 12 weeks this baby can suck it's thumb! Absolutely amazing and miraculous.
We watched in amazement as this little baby moved his/her arms and legs. It was beautiful.
Thank you Karen for inviting me to go. It was a wonderful experience that brought back memories of my sonos of Cody and Caden. It meant so much to me that you allowed me to take part in that special moment with you and your mom. It was amazing.
Later that evening Mike and I went to Cody's basketball athletic banquet. We were so pressed for time that I didn't get any pictures of Cody before the banquet. He was so handsome in his dress clothes. Here are a few pictures from picking up the dates (we took Cody and 2 of his friends and their dates) and at the banquet:
(Can you see Cody's good friend and team member, Willson, sneaking around behind us to get in our family picture? Crazy Willson!) :)
Even though the majority of the banquet was to honor the varsity teams and the seniors, it was a great banquet. I sure hope it's not our last basketball banquet with Cody. I want to be one of those senior moms watching their child sit at the head table with their Sandie basketball banner displayed behind them! :)
~jen
Saturday, March 7, 2009
One Little Monkey
This is what I found our little monkey doing in our living room this evening! Let the countdown begin to our next ER visit! :)~jen
Friday, March 6, 2009
Happy Late Birthday(s)!
I know I am horrible person to not have blogged about all the birthdays (especially my husband's!) that happened Wednesday. Truth be told... I have been so busy, blogging has been put on the back-burner for the past several days!
So, Happy Late Birthday to Michael, Tiffany, Renay, and Sadie! All four of these special people share the same birthday! I hope you all had wonderful birthdays.
~jen
So, Happy Late Birthday to Michael, Tiffany, Renay, and Sadie! All four of these special people share the same birthday! I hope you all had wonderful birthdays.
~jen
Saturday, February 28, 2009
New Posts
I couldn't sleep this morning, so instead of fighting myself trying to go back to bed, I thought I'd blog a little. Be sure and read all the way down as there are 4 new posts!
I hope you enjoy your Saturday! I'm headed to Groom this morning for an Uppercase Living open house that Sandie and Marcia are having for me. It's my first party and I'm a little nervous, but comforted at the same time that there will be many familiar faces there! Hopefully it will be a great party and everyone will have fun.
I'll post some pictures of my latest creations later this afternoon.
Wish me luck!
~jen
I hope you enjoy your Saturday! I'm headed to Groom this morning for an Uppercase Living open house that Sandie and Marcia are having for me. It's my first party and I'm a little nervous, but comforted at the same time that there will be many familiar faces there! Hopefully it will be a great party and everyone will have fun.
I'll post some pictures of my latest creations later this afternoon.
Wish me luck!
~jen
Codyism
I'm not sure I've ever posted a Codyism before. I've done several Cadenisms, but I think this is a first for Cody.
Yesterday after picking Cody up, I could tell he was excited. He had the biggest grin on his face while walking towards the car. I knew something was up with this child.
I asked what he was smiling about. He answered that first, he had made a 91 on his Biology 6 week's exam (hallelujah)... we were both smiling at that point... and that he and Chase had come up with some plans for this summer. (Chase is one of his best friends and his good golfing buddy.)
I was curious about these plans for the summer.
It wasn't much longer and I heard the words... you know he's turning 16 in a couple of months.
There are 2 things (well, there are probably more than 2, but for now... we'll just focus on 2) that I am dreading over the next 13 months: Cody's friends who will be turning 16 over the summer months and Cody turning 16 next March.
Without pause, Cody quickly begins spilling the plans. First, we plan on taking a trip together to New Mexico to play a little golf at Sandia.
I looked at him and asked "BY YOURSELVES?" (calmly, of course).
Cody, dumbfounded and in awe that his mother was asking that question answers (while rolling his eyes none-the-less), "yes... just the 2 of us... what's wrong with that?"
"Let me count the number of wrongs with that plan. #1 no. #2 no. #3 no. You are not driving anywhere long distance with a 16 year old. No."
(I am sure Chase will be a very responsible 16 year old driver, but I was once 16... and it wasn't that long ago... I remember and I know what 16 year olds do once they get behind the wheel a few times!)
Cody, quick with a response to any no... "Well, what about Dallas? That's our 2nd plan for the summer."
Me: "What about Dallas?"
Cody: "We thought we could drive to Dallas to play golf and stay with Granny and Papa or Marie and Joey. You know, I could go visit them while we are there."
(Awe, that's sweet of you Cody to want to go visit your great-grandparents and aunt/uncle/cousin, but the answer will still be no.)
Me: "If I won't let you go to New Mexico, what makes you think I'm going to let you and Chase drive the same distance but in a different direction? NO, Cody."
Cody: Ever quick on the draw... "Can we at least drive to Dalhart to play golf with Russell?"
Me: (long explanations are not working at this point, desperation is starting to set in) "No."
Cody: (sighing) "What about Plainview, can we at least (sarcasm's setting in) drive down to Plainview to play golf?"
Me: (time to nip this in the bud) "You will not be traveling further than Canyon (15 minutes south of Amarillo for you non-local readers!) with any one who is 16. Period. End of discussion."
End of discussion never works.
Cody: "What about north of Amarillo, how far can we go?"
Me: "Don't push it Cody."
I did eventually explain to Cody my reasons why he couldn't go and he reluctantly, and all the while he thought his mother was crazy, accepted.
Later that night, the discussion came up with Mike. Mike's answer after rolling in laughter was "you're not driving anywhere past 45th and Bell with Chase!"
I told him he could at least go to Arden road, so Chase could occasionally bring Cody home from golf!
~jen
Yesterday after picking Cody up, I could tell he was excited. He had the biggest grin on his face while walking towards the car. I knew something was up with this child.
I asked what he was smiling about. He answered that first, he had made a 91 on his Biology 6 week's exam (hallelujah)... we were both smiling at that point... and that he and Chase had come up with some plans for this summer. (Chase is one of his best friends and his good golfing buddy.)
I was curious about these plans for the summer.
It wasn't much longer and I heard the words... you know he's turning 16 in a couple of months.
There are 2 things (well, there are probably more than 2, but for now... we'll just focus on 2) that I am dreading over the next 13 months: Cody's friends who will be turning 16 over the summer months and Cody turning 16 next March.
Without pause, Cody quickly begins spilling the plans. First, we plan on taking a trip together to New Mexico to play a little golf at Sandia.
I looked at him and asked "BY YOURSELVES?" (calmly, of course).
Cody, dumbfounded and in awe that his mother was asking that question answers (while rolling his eyes none-the-less), "yes... just the 2 of us... what's wrong with that?"
"Let me count the number of wrongs with that plan. #1 no. #2 no. #3 no. You are not driving anywhere long distance with a 16 year old. No."
(I am sure Chase will be a very responsible 16 year old driver, but I was once 16... and it wasn't that long ago... I remember and I know what 16 year olds do once they get behind the wheel a few times!)
Cody, quick with a response to any no... "Well, what about Dallas? That's our 2nd plan for the summer."
Me: "What about Dallas?"
Cody: "We thought we could drive to Dallas to play golf and stay with Granny and Papa or Marie and Joey. You know, I could go visit them while we are there."
(Awe, that's sweet of you Cody to want to go visit your great-grandparents and aunt/uncle/cousin, but the answer will still be no.)
Me: "If I won't let you go to New Mexico, what makes you think I'm going to let you and Chase drive the same distance but in a different direction? NO, Cody."
Cody: Ever quick on the draw... "Can we at least drive to Dalhart to play golf with Russell?"
Me: (long explanations are not working at this point, desperation is starting to set in) "No."
Cody: (sighing) "What about Plainview, can we at least (sarcasm's setting in) drive down to Plainview to play golf?"
Me: (time to nip this in the bud) "You will not be traveling further than Canyon (15 minutes south of Amarillo for you non-local readers!) with any one who is 16. Period. End of discussion."
End of discussion never works.
Cody: "What about north of Amarillo, how far can we go?"
Me: "Don't push it Cody."
I did eventually explain to Cody my reasons why he couldn't go and he reluctantly, and all the while he thought his mother was crazy, accepted.
Later that night, the discussion came up with Mike. Mike's answer after rolling in laughter was "you're not driving anywhere past 45th and Bell with Chase!"
I told him he could at least go to Arden road, so Chase could occasionally bring Cody home from golf!
~jen
Another thanks
I just want to say thank you to my parents who could not be here during Cody's surgery. Thank you for listening to my tearful calls. Thank you for your financial support. Thank you for your prayers. We appreciate everything you have done for us over the past several weeks.
I love you both very much.
Thank you for everything.
~jen
I love you both very much.
Thank you for everything.
~jen
More thank you's
I've gotten terribly behind in my thank you's.
Thanks to Angie and family for Cody's UT shirt. If that didn't cheer him up, I don't know what would have!
Thanks to Marie and family for the gift cards for the boys (Caden was so excited to get one!). The notes you wrote to the boys were very sweet. Thank you for sending them.
Thank you to Marcia for coming to visit Cody and for all of your help with Caden. We appreciate everything that you did.
In case I'm leaving any one out... thank you all for everything that you did for us while Cody was in the hospital. I know a number of you said prayers and those prayers were the greatest gifts we could have received. Thank you.
~jen, mike, cody, and caden
Thanks to Angie and family for Cody's UT shirt. If that didn't cheer him up, I don't know what would have!
Thanks to Marie and family for the gift cards for the boys (Caden was so excited to get one!). The notes you wrote to the boys were very sweet. Thank you for sending them.
Thank you to Marcia for coming to visit Cody and for all of your help with Caden. We appreciate everything that you did.
In case I'm leaving any one out... thank you all for everything that you did for us while Cody was in the hospital. I know a number of you said prayers and those prayers were the greatest gifts we could have received. Thank you.
~jen, mike, cody, and caden
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Basketball Pictures
Here's some pictures of Cody's last basketball game. It was a great game with a come behind win against Tascosa. I am so happy that Cody had a great game as it was his last game of his freshman year. Thanks to all the family who came to watch Cody and support the Sandies. Thanks to Angie for taking these pictures.
Hopefully there will be more pictures to come this fall!
~jen
Hopefully there will be more pictures to come this fall!
~jen
Friday, February 20, 2009
Cadenism
Cadenism #1
This is priceless!
"George Washington was our first President. A long time ago, he whacked down the cherry tree." ~Caden, age 6
Michael's reaction to reading this... I didn't know GW was in the mafia. Whacked. Get it? :)
Cadenism #2
Caden: Mom do you know what your butt is called? (Pause) Your Gluteus Maximus.
Me: Yes, Caden I know. Let's not say butt anymore.
Cadenism #3
A few days ago I overheard Caden getting ready for his bath. I think he bumped his knee against the tub because I heard him yell, "Owe, I hurt my patella"!
~jen
This is priceless!
"George Washington was our first President. A long time ago, he whacked down the cherry tree." ~Caden, age 6
Michael's reaction to reading this... I didn't know GW was in the mafia. Whacked. Get it? :)
Cadenism #2
Caden: Mom do you know what your butt is called? (Pause) Your Gluteus Maximus.
Me: Yes, Caden I know. Let's not say butt anymore.
Cadenism #3
A few days ago I overheard Caden getting ready for his bath. I think he bumped his knee against the tub because I heard him yell, "Owe, I hurt my patella"!
~jen
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Home at last...
(Sorry I'm just now updating my blog. It's been a busy week so far!)
Cody was released from the hospital Sunday afternoon. I've never been so happy to have him home as I was that afternoon. He stayed at home from school yesterday to rest and tried to start the daunting task of making up a week's worth of work and studying for the tests he missed.
He returned to school today. We decided to let him travel to Lubbock this afternoon with his basketball team for their last game. I decided to not go to the game tonight. I am exhausted... still. As much as I want to be at the game to support the team, I just need to stay home. I hope he will have a great trip and his team will play well. It's sad to see his season end. I feel he was cheated. I was cheated. I didn't get to watch him play as much as I wanted. I know I am being selfish. I know I am having a pity-party for myself. But it's my party and I'll cry if I want to.
Thanks to all of you who called, emailed, prayed, sent a card, and/or visited him while he was in the hospital. We really appreciate the concern and support you showed to Cody and us.
~jen
Cody was released from the hospital Sunday afternoon. I've never been so happy to have him home as I was that afternoon. He stayed at home from school yesterday to rest and tried to start the daunting task of making up a week's worth of work and studying for the tests he missed.
He returned to school today. We decided to let him travel to Lubbock this afternoon with his basketball team for their last game. I decided to not go to the game tonight. I am exhausted... still. As much as I want to be at the game to support the team, I just need to stay home. I hope he will have a great trip and his team will play well. It's sad to see his season end. I feel he was cheated. I was cheated. I didn't get to watch him play as much as I wanted. I know I am being selfish. I know I am having a pity-party for myself. But it's my party and I'll cry if I want to.
Thanks to all of you who called, emailed, prayed, sent a card, and/or visited him while he was in the hospital. We really appreciate the concern and support you showed to Cody and us.
~jen
Saturday, February 14, 2009
One more day?
It looks like we are staying at least one more day. Cody has developed some stomach cramping this morning. The doctor thinks it is best to stay one more day... just to be safe. I'm all about being safe. As much as I want him home, I want him to be home when he's physically ready.
He's done well today other than the occasional cramps. He's watching the UT/Colorado basketball game right now. He should have his IV hep-locked soon (he'll be off of IV fluids, but the IV catheter will remain in just in case he needs medication through the IV). I think he and I will take a walk to the cafeteria tonight to eat supper. Maybe he'll enjoy getting out of his room for a little while.
The doctor said he could return to school as early as Monday if he felt like it. His basketball season is over. His last game is Tuesday in Lubbock. He had planned to switch his schedule back to golf this week and rejoin the golf team. The doctor said he can start putting and chipping this week, but will have to wait 3 weeks before he can pick up a driver and fully swing a club.
So that's where we are today. Hopefully he will do ok the rest of the day. Hopefully the stomach cramping will subside. Hopefully he will be ready to go home tomorrow.
Hopefully.
~jen
He's done well today other than the occasional cramps. He's watching the UT/Colorado basketball game right now. He should have his IV hep-locked soon (he'll be off of IV fluids, but the IV catheter will remain in just in case he needs medication through the IV). I think he and I will take a walk to the cafeteria tonight to eat supper. Maybe he'll enjoy getting out of his room for a little while.
The doctor said he could return to school as early as Monday if he felt like it. His basketball season is over. His last game is Tuesday in Lubbock. He had planned to switch his schedule back to golf this week and rejoin the golf team. The doctor said he can start putting and chipping this week, but will have to wait 3 weeks before he can pick up a driver and fully swing a club.
So that's where we are today. Hopefully he will do ok the rest of the day. Hopefully the stomach cramping will subside. Hopefully he will be ready to go home tomorrow.
Hopefully.
~jen
Friday, February 13, 2009
A good day...
Cody had a good day today. He was all smiles for the majority of the day. He had lots of visitors today. 2 of his teammates came this evening with a basketball that was signed by all his teammates. I know that will be something he will cherish forever.
2 of his classes made cards for him that were delivered today. That brought a smile to his face. Especially when one of the cards was delivered by 2 freshman girls. A little while later, 2 senior varsity basketball girls stopped by with get-well wishes as well. Bigger smiles then.
I even got a smile for my camera!
2 of his classes made cards for him that were delivered today. That brought a smile to his face. Especially when one of the cards was delivered by 2 freshman girls. A little while later, 2 senior varsity basketball girls stopped by with get-well wishes as well. Bigger smiles then.
I even got a smile for my camera!
Cards from classmates and even one from Caden!
A snack and gift card basket from our good friends Bobby and Shannon.
The ivy was from Honda.
This one reassures me that he is ok. :)
~jen
Good News
Cody got his NG tube out this morning. I got to see a smile that I haven't seen in over a week. You don't even know how much that means. I've missed that smile more than anything.
His surgeon came this morning and said everything looks good. If he continues to do as well as he has, there is a chance we can go home tomorrow afternoon. Now that the tube is out, Cody can have anything that he can see through to eat... jello, juice, broth, Popsicles. Tomorrow, he gets to have solid foods. I noticed this morning while walking the halls with him that his leg muscles look smaller. I would imagine this has taken a toll on his body. He's ready to go home. I've promised him a chocolate cake. I'm ready to get home and bake him his chocolate cake.
I went home last night. It was my first trip home for more than an hour. I was stir crazy so I got caught up on folding laundry and tiding up my house. As much as I needed to sleep, I actually just needed something to do. I passed by Cody's room several times and each time my heart just broke. I am so ready to have him home in his bed. I am so ready for all of this to be past him so he can resume his life! He's missed out on so much already. I just pray that the rest of his freshman year will be uneventful! I am so ready to be able to cook a meal for my family. I am so ready for Caden to have a normal life again. He's been shuffled from place to place, spent more hours than he wanted to cooped up in a hospital room.... but he's done it all without one complaint.
Hopefully it won't be much longer and things will return to normalcy (well... as normal is for our family!). :)
I'll update later tonight.
His surgeon came this morning and said everything looks good. If he continues to do as well as he has, there is a chance we can go home tomorrow afternoon. Now that the tube is out, Cody can have anything that he can see through to eat... jello, juice, broth, Popsicles. Tomorrow, he gets to have solid foods. I noticed this morning while walking the halls with him that his leg muscles look smaller. I would imagine this has taken a toll on his body. He's ready to go home. I've promised him a chocolate cake. I'm ready to get home and bake him his chocolate cake.
I went home last night. It was my first trip home for more than an hour. I was stir crazy so I got caught up on folding laundry and tiding up my house. As much as I needed to sleep, I actually just needed something to do. I passed by Cody's room several times and each time my heart just broke. I am so ready to have him home in his bed. I am so ready for all of this to be past him so he can resume his life! He's missed out on so much already. I just pray that the rest of his freshman year will be uneventful! I am so ready to be able to cook a meal for my family. I am so ready for Caden to have a normal life again. He's been shuffled from place to place, spent more hours than he wanted to cooped up in a hospital room.... but he's done it all without one complaint.
Hopefully it won't be much longer and things will return to normalcy (well... as normal is for our family!). :)
I'll update later tonight.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Update
Nothing new to share today. Cody slept well last night. He's not in much pain, just discomfort from the NG tube and having some abdominal soreness.
His surgeon's already rounded this morning. He didn't really have much to report. Everything looks good. His bowels are starting to wake up, but Cody's not ready to have the NG tube removed today. We may not have to stay a full week like was originally planned... but close to it. It sounds like once the tube is removed, Cody will advance each day from clear liquids to soft foods to solid foods. So maybe 3 or so more days assuming he tolerates everything.
We had a few visitors yesterday. A couple of Cody's teammates came and visited with him for a little while. His Geography teacher stopped by to see him. She said many of Cody's classmates had been asking how Cody was so she asked if she could report back to the class what had happened and how he was doing. I thought that was very nice of her to come by and to offer to share to his class what's happened.
We've had lots of family here to see Cody. Marcia, Karen, Sandie, Hope, Angie, Toby, Rebecca... thank you for coming to check on Cody.
Russell, thanks for driving all the way from Dalhart and letting Cody borrow your PSP (hand-held game system).
Honda sent a pretty ivy complete with a Sandies/Steelers theme (black and yellow bow and football). Some good friends of ours sent a basket full of snacks, water, Gatorade, fruit, magazines, and a gift card to Game Stop for Cody... thanks, Bobby and Shannon... we appreciate it.
Mike's aunt and uncle in Colorado sent an email that they had added Cody's name to their prayer list... thanks, Dan... prayers are always appreciated.
Cody's new cell phone arrived yesterday, so he is giving his fingers a work-out catching up on texting his friends. It's amazing how much texting goes on during the school hours! Hmm... may have to address that once we are out of the hospital! :)
That's about all I have today. We've already walked the halls this morning. Cody has been informed that he is showering today. No ifs, ands, or buts about that one. It's been 3 days and someone is getting a little ripe. Plus, the shower will make him feel good. It will also make him feel good to get some real clothes on.
Well... that's all for now. It's shower time! Wish us luck!
~jen
His surgeon's already rounded this morning. He didn't really have much to report. Everything looks good. His bowels are starting to wake up, but Cody's not ready to have the NG tube removed today. We may not have to stay a full week like was originally planned... but close to it. It sounds like once the tube is removed, Cody will advance each day from clear liquids to soft foods to solid foods. So maybe 3 or so more days assuming he tolerates everything.
We had a few visitors yesterday. A couple of Cody's teammates came and visited with him for a little while. His Geography teacher stopped by to see him. She said many of Cody's classmates had been asking how Cody was so she asked if she could report back to the class what had happened and how he was doing. I thought that was very nice of her to come by and to offer to share to his class what's happened.
We've had lots of family here to see Cody. Marcia, Karen, Sandie, Hope, Angie, Toby, Rebecca... thank you for coming to check on Cody.
Russell, thanks for driving all the way from Dalhart and letting Cody borrow your PSP (hand-held game system).
Honda sent a pretty ivy complete with a Sandies/Steelers theme (black and yellow bow and football). Some good friends of ours sent a basket full of snacks, water, Gatorade, fruit, magazines, and a gift card to Game Stop for Cody... thanks, Bobby and Shannon... we appreciate it.
Mike's aunt and uncle in Colorado sent an email that they had added Cody's name to their prayer list... thanks, Dan... prayers are always appreciated.
Cody's new cell phone arrived yesterday, so he is giving his fingers a work-out catching up on texting his friends. It's amazing how much texting goes on during the school hours! Hmm... may have to address that once we are out of the hospital! :)
That's about all I have today. We've already walked the halls this morning. Cody has been informed that he is showering today. No ifs, ands, or buts about that one. It's been 3 days and someone is getting a little ripe. Plus, the shower will make him feel good. It will also make him feel good to get some real clothes on.
Well... that's all for now. It's shower time! Wish us luck!
~jen
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Update
Cody is asleep right now. It hasn't been necessarily a good day, but not too bad of one either. Cody slept off and on last night. He started running a temperature during the night, so the nurse tech was in quite often taking his temperature. It never got to 101 so that saved him from a Tylenol suppository. Around 4 this morning he stood up at the side of the bed to weigh. Apparently the optimal time to weigh a patient is around 4 am. No joking... that's what the nurse said.
Cody was so desperate for some kind of liquid last night that his nurse finally gave into Cody's multiple requests for water. She brought him some sponge swabs in a cup of ice. He was given strict orders to only put the swabs in his mouth, not the ice. It wasn't long before I heard the crunching of ice. In nursing school we were told of patients who were NPO (nothing to eat or drink) and who were so desperate for fluids that they would actually drink the water from the toilet. Now, I don't think Cody's that desperate, but he was getting there! I had to take away his ice multiple times. I'd watch him hold the swab into the ice long enough for the ice to freeze to it and then he would sneak that piece of ice into his mouth. After a few pieces, I had to take away his ice for good. It just about broke my heart.
His surgeon came by this morning. He said Cody's labs looked good. He's going to repeat them in the morning. He explained to Cody that he's going to have his NG tube for several more days. Cody could have cried when he told him that. He's asked everyone new that has come into his room if he can have the tube out. However, the doctor did say Cody could have an 8 ounce cup of ice twice a day. AND... he could chew gum. Cody also had his catheter taken out. This afternoon he walked the halls. We have 3 more walking sessions ahead of us.
Overall he's doing ok. His spirits are very low. Part of that is just the physical aspects of the surgery... he's sore and hurting. He can't eat or drink. He's realized that his freshman year basketball season is over. It's quite possible that his golf season may be over as well. Only time will determine that one. He misses his friends. He lost his cell phone over the weekend, so we've ordered him a new one which should be delivered to the house this afternoon. Hopefully that will cheer him up. He'll soon have a tool to communicate with his friends.
Caden's doing ok. He made Cody a special valentine at school yesterday and gave it to Cody before he went to surgery. He asked Mike this morning if he could see Cody today after school. He's gone to daycare for a little while this afternoon and then he will be brought up here. He's doing well being shuffled around.
As for Mike and I, we're ok. Just taking this one day at a time and trying not to worry too much into the future. Mike returned to work today. I know it's probably hard on him not being here, but realistically and financially, one of us has to work.
Hopefully Cody will continue to do well. We've been put on a waiting list to move rooms. All day long we've listened to the soothing, healing sound of a..... jack hammer. Our hospital is in the middle of construction projects. I would imagine there is not a "good" time to jack hammer in a hospital, but man... enough is enough. The hammering started just as our surgeon made rounds and he was not pleased to say the least! He wanted us moved ASAP. Hopefully he will get his way on this one... soon. I don't know how Cody is sleeping through it! I'll email if we switch rooms so you will know where we are.
Guess this is all for now. I'd like to take a nap, but the jack hammering is just too much for me!
~jen
Cody was so desperate for some kind of liquid last night that his nurse finally gave into Cody's multiple requests for water. She brought him some sponge swabs in a cup of ice. He was given strict orders to only put the swabs in his mouth, not the ice. It wasn't long before I heard the crunching of ice. In nursing school we were told of patients who were NPO (nothing to eat or drink) and who were so desperate for fluids that they would actually drink the water from the toilet. Now, I don't think Cody's that desperate, but he was getting there! I had to take away his ice multiple times. I'd watch him hold the swab into the ice long enough for the ice to freeze to it and then he would sneak that piece of ice into his mouth. After a few pieces, I had to take away his ice for good. It just about broke my heart.
His surgeon came by this morning. He said Cody's labs looked good. He's going to repeat them in the morning. He explained to Cody that he's going to have his NG tube for several more days. Cody could have cried when he told him that. He's asked everyone new that has come into his room if he can have the tube out. However, the doctor did say Cody could have an 8 ounce cup of ice twice a day. AND... he could chew gum. Cody also had his catheter taken out. This afternoon he walked the halls. We have 3 more walking sessions ahead of us.
Overall he's doing ok. His spirits are very low. Part of that is just the physical aspects of the surgery... he's sore and hurting. He can't eat or drink. He's realized that his freshman year basketball season is over. It's quite possible that his golf season may be over as well. Only time will determine that one. He misses his friends. He lost his cell phone over the weekend, so we've ordered him a new one which should be delivered to the house this afternoon. Hopefully that will cheer him up. He'll soon have a tool to communicate with his friends.
Caden's doing ok. He made Cody a special valentine at school yesterday and gave it to Cody before he went to surgery. He asked Mike this morning if he could see Cody today after school. He's gone to daycare for a little while this afternoon and then he will be brought up here. He's doing well being shuffled around.
As for Mike and I, we're ok. Just taking this one day at a time and trying not to worry too much into the future. Mike returned to work today. I know it's probably hard on him not being here, but realistically and financially, one of us has to work.
Hopefully Cody will continue to do well. We've been put on a waiting list to move rooms. All day long we've listened to the soothing, healing sound of a..... jack hammer. Our hospital is in the middle of construction projects. I would imagine there is not a "good" time to jack hammer in a hospital, but man... enough is enough. The hammering started just as our surgeon made rounds and he was not pleased to say the least! He wanted us moved ASAP. Hopefully he will get his way on this one... soon. I don't know how Cody is sleeping through it! I'll email if we switch rooms so you will know where we are.
Guess this is all for now. I'd like to take a nap, but the jack hammering is just too much for me!
~jen
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