#29 Day by Day

No matter what you might be going through individually or as a family, the world just keeps turning.  Sometimes you want it to stop...like when I realize how fast all our grandchildren are growing up.  Little great grandson Noah is 4 1/2 months old already!  Another grandchild, Brady, graduated from High School and is getting ready to go to the Military.  Seems like only yesterday his dad was Noah's age lol.

Speaking of time, it's hard to believe it's been a year since the last SSD Reunion.  This year seems like it will be bigger with more going on.  Twice as many people have RSVP'd to the BBQ.  Lots of folks just coming for the day, and that's all right!  I just am happy people have a chance to see old friends and reconnect with folks.  Tomorrow isn't promised so take advantage of today!  Sadly we can't attend this year's event.

LJ is unable to make the trip. (More on him in a bit). So, the show goes on with a new ringmaster, lol.  Thank you Jane Keys for taking care of the reunion in my absence.  I know it will go off without a hitch.  We will be there for next year, though!  Can't wait to see the picture from this year's event.  This is last year, which was the first one.  I put it together on a whim.  Glad I did.




Now on to LJ... This photo is from our cruise a couple of years ago.
I miss that guy.  I do have to say, mentally he is more like his old self every day.  Sadly physically, not much is changing.  For some reason his throat (on the inside) is just not healing.  He still, after 8 weeks can't eat on his own, only getting nutrition through the feeding tube.  He is able to drink water, so that's a beginning.  One day a few weeks ago he actually drank a shake, but then the pain was just so bad he couldn't do it again.  We have seen his ENT who didn't really like what he was seeing when he ran the scope down his throat.  But, we are hoping it is just still swollen.  He did refer us to a Head and Neck Surgeon so we have made an appointment for after the middle of July, when, hopefully we will have his PET results.  No cancer...we can cancel the appointment.  But if it's still there, that's the next step.  It is such a specialty practice that our ENT wanted the appointment made right away as they are very hard to get.  Certainly hope we can avoid any throat surgery.

In addition to that, he went for his pre-op appointment for his upcoming kidney surgery.  The GP didn't like what he saw on the EKG, so we were referred to a cardiologist.  Cardiologist didn't like what HE saw on his EKG and wanted to be sure he could take the surgery.  So he sent him for an echocardiogram and a Nuclear Stress Test.  Well, needless to say we were both muttering WTF next when we left his office.  He told us it could be an after affect of the chemo..nothing..or a blockage.  The test would tell us.  So over the last week that's what we were doing.  Tests.  HAPPPPPPPPY to say yesterday the cardiologist told him his heart is great.  No issues.  Cleared for the surgery and doesn't need to see him again for a year (and that's only because at his age it's a good idea).  I literally skipped out of the docs office.  FINALLY a doctor visit went our way.

So next week he does more pre-op at the hospital, then on the 20th he has his right kidney removed.  His kidney surgeon was hoping the feeding tube would be out, but said, while it's harder and required a large incision, he can do it with it in.  Once this hurdle is jumped then we can focus solely on his throat and why he isn't able to eat.   July and the PET is right around the corner but so far away.

Speaking of July...they finally totally closed the model and have obtained the permits to turn the office back into a garage.  So they start all of that next week.  I have been dreading trying to find time to make all of LJs medical appointments and care for him, along with finding time to buy furniture so we have something to sit on once we get in the house.  Stress is an understatement.  Then the builder offered us everything in the house...decor, furniture..everything... at a ridiculously low price.  Now I am always skeptical of model home furniture, but most of this furniture is decent quality.  We had looked it over carefully when they originally offered individual pieces for sale.  I even found some of the furniture on line and priced the brands.  Their original asking price for some items was great...other stuff priced equivalent to new.  We gave it thought, decided to buy a few odds and ends but get our furniture new.  But with this offer... it was a no brainer.  Now we get everything for the price we were going to pay for a few pieces lol.  It takes the heat off of me.  It is totally decorated and furnished, so other than mattresses, televisions and a recliner for LJ it is good to go.  Even plates and glasses hahaha.  I am so relieved.  Now I can literally take my time and decorate each room slowly with what I want later.  And it's not like I don't like what's in there or the colors, because I do.  It's just now the pressure is off.  There's even outside chairs for the pool, lol.  Downside to them working on the house is Scooter and I can't visit for the next five weeks while they work on it.  Dang it.



Scooter is doing well.

He got a new chair so he's happy.  It's just like mom's hahahaha.

He tries to look out the window in the RV, but he's so small he has to stand on his hind legs with his feet on the window sill, lol. So, to make it easy, I made him a pillow pyramid.  Now he can lay in his little bed and look out the window easily.

It's starting to get too hot to be outside so this is good for him.  He watches the world go by and barks at the occasional bird or dog.

It does get hot here in AZ.  We've had a few days over 100 already.  You learn to get up early and be done with shopping, etc., by 10 am.  I will say this Momentum Toy Hauler has great AC.  It has three of them so the trailer stays very comfortable.  It may be 110 outside.. but it's 78 in the house as Bruce always says HA!

So, that's kind of where we are at the moment.  Day by Day.  Wanting time to stop for grandkids...speed up for LJ's recovery.  I'm looking forward to life being normal again.  But in the meantime, thankful we are doing ok, especially under the circumstances.  Cherishing every minute with LJ.  I'll update again after his surgery.  Keep us in your thoughts and hopefully, one day soon, we will be back on the road...or in the pool 😀