" Recap of events "

12-05-2010
1930 Hours

Seasons Greetings to all of our faithful readers, it has been a bit over a month since you have last heard from us.



As you remember we moved closer to home. Although the actual drive time is less I have found it a bit draining. Being closer to Dar and trying to see her on a daily basis has been taxing on both my physical body and my mental fitness.



I am so thankful that Jamiesue has been able to help out a few days a week to go see Dar. I have to find a way to accept that it is ok and not to feel guilty when I don’t drive that hour and half from work to go see her. To date I have not found that acceptance within myself. Everyone tells me that I must take care of myself also and they are correct, I do try, I do take some moments for me, yesterday I rode the Harley along with 450 other riders on a Toy Run in Chico. It was a great day and the weather was great and the kids that this benefit was for will have a fantastic Christmas. I was proud to participate.



The difficulty in my day is that I never completely let go of Dar’s and my situation. I am constantly trying to learn, constantly thinking, constantly looking and researching answers to why some of the visible things that we see on a daily basis are occurring or not accruing. It’s a 24-hour a day quest



Since Dar’s move closer to home there have been no real issues to speak of. We still are having some difficulty dialing in on the correct dosage of Dilantin, sometimes the blood work shows that it is correct and the next test shows that it is too high. We adjust and recheck a few days later and its too low. We have adjusted again and will recheck on the 13th of the month. The plan is to give a longer period between check to hopefully get a more accurate result.



Dar did travel to Rehab Medicine to see Dr A and had her pump titrated and refilled in addition to Botox injections for the teeth grinding issue. Her trip was a couple of weeks ago and we have started to see a significant relaxing of the teeth grinding.



I cannot say enough about the staff and Dar’s new residence. The whole staff has been great, I call daily if I am not going to be able to be there, they graciously put up with all of my questions and suggestions.

Suzanne, our Repertory Therapist, has been working ever so diligently and cautiously weaning Dar off the vent. Dar has been able to sustain herself for about 2 and a hald hours in the spontaneous mode with no apnic episodes. A couple of days this week Dar was not having anything to do with weaning, we believe she was not feeling well and thus just did not want to come out and play.



I have shared with you before that I feel that the events of the 23rd of June, the seizures and the brain bleed really took a toll on Dar. Again, I ask you to pray for God’s blessings for Dar. It is so very difficult for Jamie and I to know and have so many great times with Dar here at home and to now see the affects of the June seizures. We have every faith and hope that in time and with the adjustments in the meds Dar will regain her progress. Do D also said that we should see improvement monthly but it could take up to a year to regain what may have temporarily lost. Normally seizures do not cause permanent damage unless they are very extreme and over a long period of time. Please support Darlene in your prayers that she continues to heal and God continues to work in her life.





We are scheduled for an EEG on the 23rd of the month, (we are hoping for a cancellation) to evaluate if Dar is continuing to have the sub-clinical seizures. This in itself can have a dramatic affect on her demeanor and responsiveness.





As I close I want to wish you all the Happiest of Holidays, and if you will indulge me for a moment I would like to ask all of our readers to for but just a moment take the time to reflect on the blessings you have in your life.

Be ever so thankful for the loved ones you have in your life, the family and friends that make up your world. Tell them that you love them. Don’t wait and put off till tomorrow what you might be able to take care of today.





Don’t give up on your dreams, don’t quit just because it gets a little hard or difficult, dig in, call for the strength form God to see you through the tough times.





Sometimes I think God puts in front of us what it is that we desire, kinda like a hot apple pie, but we have to reach out and take a piece, have faith, trust and hope.





December 1st was National Pay It Forward Day, well the 1st is gone but don’t let the date stop you from doing and participating in some Random Act Of Kindness, I truly believe in the concept of pay it forward. A simple I love you or thank you, a compliment, a hug, or even just a smile.


This Christmas will be the 3rd Christmas that Dar has been separated from her loved ones, her mom and dad, her sisters, myself, Jamiesue and my family and even you her fellow co workers and faithful readers.

I would not wish this saga on anyone and I want all of you to know how much you mean to me and all of our family. Thank you for your prayers and your support. Thank you for the love that you have shown to Dar, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done for us.

God’s blessing to all,

Love,

Dar/Danny/Jamiesue
Lorrie and Jerry and family, Julie Mardilla,
Alvin and Sandy, Roger and Diane, Gary and Christine and family