STOP THE WORLD, WE WANT TO GET OFF!!

I am about at my wit’s end. H2 just came from his appointment with the infectious disease doctor. She wants to talk to the surgeon and recommend that he (H2) be RE-ADMITTED for ANOTHER surgery! It seems that he has “pockets of infection” that are not going away. He didn’t have ANY infection until after they opened him up the first time, and now they want to open him up a third time?!?!?!?!?

COULD THIS BE "NEXT YEAR"?*

*As in "Maybe next year" - famous quote oft used by Saints fans.

H2 update: He still has a lot of back pain and finds it difficult to sit, stand and walk. He will see the infectious disease folks on Wednesday, and the surgeon on Friday. We are hoping, of course, for good news. Thanks to you all for your prayers and support.

Although I haven’t had the opportunity to verify it, I’m told that FL1 possesses the recipe to a truly outstanding salad dressing. I’m also told that she is not disposed to share said recipe. And finally I’m told that she should be STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to either cough up the recipe (after all, we’re all family here!!) or show up at P&J’s with a new batch!!!

Our Saints have their work cut out for themselves this weekend. Although I think they can beat the Bears, the cold weather and outdoor stadium will be a challenge. Still, I think they will be victorious. My guess is: Saints vs New England – Miami – Super Bowl XLI – February 4th!!!

Linda and I took BB and Ian to see “Night At The Museum”. Cute movie. I think they really enjoyed it, especially since they had been to the NY Museum of Natural History, so a lot was familiar to them. Definitely recommend the movie for a nice evening of light entertainment.

Extra prayers are requested today for a parishioner friend who is having surgery today, and for the great grandson of another friend who is hospitalized with respiratory problems. He is only a few weeks old. Please pray, also, for health and wellbeing of the deacons and families of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Thanks be to God for all of you!! We are better people for having you in our lives!! God bless you.

OOPS... I FORGOT TO PUT A TITLE

Hopefully H2, like New Orleans, is on his way to recovery. He saw one doctor on Wednesday who ordered physical therapy and occupational therapy. Then he saw the original surgeon on Thursday who told him to forget the therapy (at least for now), and prescribed a back brace. He told H2 that what he needed right now was to let his back relax and heal. H2 was practically a whole new person after he put on the back brace!!

Friday night he joined us (albeit gingerly) at Outback, and Saturday he ventured out into the living room and watched with Linda and I as the Saints beat the Eagles! Although he's still a little discouraged by his slow progress, I think there is progress.

H1/DIL1 had planned to come into town together this weekend, but H1 was supposed to work, so they remained in Houston. We missed them at Outback. But, at least we didn't talk bad about them because they weren't there... much... just kidding... or, am I?

More good news!! The Chateau Coffe Café, better know as "The 'Teau", located in the Lakeview area of New Orleans, and a frequent lunch spot prior to Katrina, is reopening on Tuesday!! It will provide another much needed place to go for lunch, as well as a gathering place for those occasional Saturday morning outings.

Patti used a Christmas bonus to get herself a bright PINK iPod Nano. Now she's in the market for all those "iPliances". There seems to be no end to the accessories that are popping up for the whole iPod line.

Hopefully the Saints win will bump New Orleans' seemingly skyrocketing murder rate from the headlines for a day or two. We can use some relief. We have plenty of people here screaming at the Mayor and police chief that the whole criminal justice system in NOLA is broken, but they don't offer any solutions. They held a march on city hall where several thousand people refused to let Nagin or Riley speak, saying that it was "time for the people to be heard". Then they commenced to badmouth the administration and complain about the broken justice system. Yeah. THAT was really productive. Like we didn't already know we had a problem. What we need are solutions, people. If you don't have anything positive to contribute, don't bother opening your mouths!!

That's about it... I've run dry for today. Take care and God bless!!

DA BOY'Z IN DA HOOD!!

Hallelujah!! H2 is HOME!! A surgical student stopped by at 6AM and looked at his bandages. He said that he looked pretty good, but that the doctor had 2 surgeries scheduled and would be in to see H2 afterward. So he and Linda hunkered down for a long day. Later this morning the doctor who had left release orders for him for Saturday stopped in to see why he was still there. When H2 asked if he would sign him out, he said he couldn't because he wasn't the one who had ordered him to stay the extra days. Anyway, Linda called at 3PM to say she and H2 were home! Thanks to everyone for your prayers!!

He must be feeling better, 'cause he wants to go to Outback this weekend when H1 and DIL1 are back in town. We'll see how he does after a few days at home.

Oh, the infectious disease doctors came by today also, and said that he would be on antibiotics for at least 6 weeks and possibly as long as 3 months. In addition, he will have to have weekly blood work done. Since he's as difficult a "stick" as I am, I know he was THRILLED to here that... NOT!!!

For now, we just hope and pray that he is finally on the road to complete recovery.

Take care, and God's blessings to you all!

CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR

Well, it's 4PM and DIL1 and Linda just arrived home, sans H2. The doctor finally showed up... Apparently he was in surgery all day... where ARE his priorities?!?! and said that he was still draining too much fluid and would have to stay until Monday. I guess we need more prayers for his SPEEDY recovery!

CAPTAIN'S LOG: STAR DATE [-4] 84014.87 10:14:45

It's been an interesting week at Tulane Medical Center, to say the least! H2 is coming home today!! Right now DIL1 (back from Houston for the weekend) and Linda are with him, waiting for the doctors to come and sign his release. Let's hope there are no more setbacks.

Yesterday, a week after he had been in the hospital (for the second time) a nurse came by to scan his bracelet. She said she needed to make sure he was wearing the correct one, not one from the ER. This is the bracelet that they had been scanning for the past seven days, every time they administered meds, or took vitals, or whatever!!! So the day before he's to be released they want to make sure it's the right one??!?!??

Thursday evening I got H2 up to walk around the hallway. I thought we'd kind of shuffle along, with me in front, and him holding my shoulder to steady himself. Hah!! The next thing I know he was cruising down the hallway with me trying to keep up!! Apparently he can walk pretty darn good once he gets up. The hard part is the getting up. He still has to practice sitting, and standing from a sitting position. Those are very difficult for him. He's learning to use different muscles while his back is on the mend.

KenEllie came by to see H2 last night. It was a nice visit. Hopefully they'll stop by the house after Mass this evening to check on his progress at home. H2 enjoys the company and, of course, we're always glad to see them.

This past week was a doozy! I was sick, H1 was sick, DIL1 was sick, Molly Grace was sick, Major Dad was sick, KenEllie were sick, H2, well, you know his condition... what a beginning to a new year!

Until next time... God's graces and love be with you!!!!

Throw Me An Alka-Selter Plus, Mister!!!

As New Years go, this one leaves a bit to be desired... H2 was in the hospital over the new year, had a second surgery yesterday, and will remain in the hospital at least a couple more days. Linda has spent 99% of her time at the hospital since last Thursday. I'm home with a head cold and sore throat that began yesterday morning. Little Molly Grace has RSV (I think that's what it's called) which is merely cold-like in adults, but is VERY serious in infants. Please, PLEASE pray for Molly!! It looks like 2007 has no way to go but UP!!!

The Ken half of KenEllie played golf this weekend for the first time... I hope he faired better than I would have... I'm not allowed to play miniature golf, even. I get too frustrated when the little white ball doesn't do what I want it to. Can you say "TANTRUM"?!?!?!

This is for Big J who, his wife reports, has gone above and beyond in his attendance at Mass over the holidays:

Bravo Zulu, Dude!!!!

Many thanks to all who continue to pray for H2 and the rest of our family and friends. You are in our prayers also.

Looking forward to the speedy return of H1/DIL1. They will come back to NOLA this weekend to see how H2 is doing, and we're always super excited to see them.

The Sugar Bowl will take place tonight, here in New Orleans... Although it borders on blasphemy here in Southeast Louisiana, I am hoping for some divine intervention that will propel Notre Dame to a victory over Louisiana State University!!

H2 Round 2 - the Sequel

H2 is out of surgery... again!!! The doctor says it went well (we've heard that before) and that he wants H2 up and moving this evening, but wants to keep him in the hospital for a couple more days to keep an eye on things.

Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes!

QUICKER THAN YOU CAN SAY "JACK ROBINSON"

We've been waiting for a doctor to return from being out of town to find out if/when H2's surgery will occur. We expected him to return tonight and to see H2 tomorrow. Well, he popped into the room today!! H2 will be in surgery tomorrow afternoon. We hope and pray that this will be the end of his misery!

HE'S B-A-A-A-C-K-K-K!!! and... WHAT'S A WORKING GIRL TO DO????

H2 (DJ) is back in the hospital. He has a bad infection in the area of his surgery, and it looks like in the next couple of days he will have another surgery to go in and clean out the infected areas. As you can imagine, he's REALLY NOT HAPPY about that prospect!! Mom and I are trying to keep his spirits up, but it's difficult. He's basically been bedridden for two weeks, with at least another week to go. If you live close, and would like to drop in, he's at Tulane Medical Center, and his room is 5217. Visiting hours are basically 24 hours a day. If you don't live close, please pray for his speedy and uneventful (this time) recovery.

H1/DIL1 left yesterday to return to Houston. They stayed an extra week to give H2 some much needed moral support and TLC. DIL1 actually spent the night with him the first night back in the hospital.

We've learned of a whole other side to DIL1... Not only is there a "Work Hannah" and a "B_tch Hannah", but (there's no nice way to put this) apparently there's a "Hooker Hannah" as well!! It seems that the morning after she had spent the night at TMC she left briefly to find a Walgreens to buy some sinus medicine. Since TMC is situated in a not so desirable area of town, she was hit up for a smoke several times, and one guy (NOT Richard Gere, by the way) chatted her up with, "Gee, they've got you out working early this morning, huh?" to which she replied, rather indignantly I might add, "What?!?! Working!?!? You think I'M out here WORKING?!?!?!?!" When he realized his mistake he tried to apologize, but by that time I'm sure that "B_tch Hannah" had taken over and was surgically emasculating him verbally. When she's good, she's good, and when she's pissed, she's REALLY good!!!

Happy New Year to everyone, and if your traveling, please be careful and have a safe trip!!

God bless you!