"Hey Yackky, Where is them fish?"

02-24-2009

1654 hours

Yep, I've been puttin up with these kinda pranks, jokes and all around funnies for more than 30 years from my very good buddy Elby. Grade school, Jr. High and High School were no exceptions. Still the best of friends and still making each other laugh.Thanks Elby. I told him the other day I ran accross a photo that I thought I might include on the blog. Well, here he is always good for a laugh. Love ya buddy. This was taken last year on the lake bass fishin. Leave it to him to have a disguise in his tackle box.

Well, Sunday did not start off on a very good foot. When Mav and I got to the motel (sat) I must have lowered my window a bit and when I jumped in the truck in the pouring rain on Sunday morning yep, you guessed it, I got soaked to the skin. My seat was absolutley drenched. My backrest was soaked, floormats were soaked the whole nine yards. Thankfully I had a couple of extra britches and a spare jacket to seperate me from the flood.

Well, we got through the day and even decided to leave for home a little earlier than planned due to the rain that fell all day. Decided to get back home in the daylight instead of the late hours I usually get in.

When we left on Sunday, Dar was sleeping peacefully and getting some much needed rest.

Dr. Waters called me today and advised me that Dar started a 5-7 day round of antibiotics for a urinary infection. Thus the reason for the somewhat elevated WBC count.

Dr. Doherty and I will most likely be speaking tomorrow about her plan of attack to ease Dar's muscle pain in her wrists and fingers. I have a general idea of her plan and will give you the jest of it after Dr. D and I have spoken. Please stay tuned.

I hope you all understand that it has become more difficult to gather information now that our "Eyes" have moved to Stanford. I will, to the best of my ability keep you as informed as possible. Even when I call the 3 times a day that I call, I don't get a whole lot of information. I get the basics of how she is doing at that particular time of the day. I usually know the nurse to whom I am talking to but on some occasions I get a new one that does not recognize me as Dar's husband. Lends for scattered conversation at times.

As much as Sunday morning was a bummer, yesterday I started coming down with some nasty cold that is going around. I suffered through work yesterday but came home for a few hours today and took a nap before going back this afternoon. I have to whip this thing before the weekend. Not about to take Dar something she does not need.

My sister Lorrie ran out to the Wally World the other day and picked up 4 more tops for Dar that will allow me to bring 6 new sets of clothes to her on the weekends and do laundry during the week. Saturday I went to the laundra mat and washed her clothes and got her squared away for the week.

By the by, the new outfit that was in the drawer was cute, was that from mom and dad or sister Diane?

Well, again I apologize for the somewhat vague updates but I assure you I will continue to do my best to keep you all up to speed.

Rest assured, Dar is making progress and as I am often times reminded by others and even the doctors, this is going to be a marathon. Very slow, Dar has come a very long way from where she was two months ago, yes I said two months ago yesterday. Dar is a fighter, always has been. Please continue to keep those prayers for her going, in addition pray for her family, mom,dad, Christine/Gary and the boys, Diane and Roger, they are struggling with this new format too. This is hard for all of us.

Well, hopefully I will learn more tomorrow. I will be calling down for my evening check-in shortly, if anything new pops up I will let you all know.

Thank you all for your prayers and support,

Dar/Danny

"Something my mom started, Darlene finished"

02-21-209

1500 hours

In Feburary 2005 my mom passed away and through my sister Lorrrie, Darlene was passed the project mom had been working on at the time of her passing. Lorrie felt that she did not have the skills to take on such a monumental task.Well Darlene set out to complete mom's project with a fury that is only Darlene. She basically worked on this tapestry non stop. Virtually every waking spare moment she had Dar was working on this elegant creation. The extrordinary part of this story is that Dar only had a picture and the material to complete the project. No guide, no stitch guide to follow, only a picture and a template of what mom had already completed. I am not even really sure how long Dar worked on this but I am sure Lorrie will let me know. I do know this, Dar worked countless hours, days, weeks and if memory serves months to complete mom's creation. When all was said and done it turned out to be a masterpiece.

This is just a small example of how creative Dar is. Even when we were out in the boat, I would be in front fishing and she was in the back on the pedestal chair painting, knitting or doing some kind of stitchery. Totally having fun, enjoying what she was doing and watching me catch bass. Of course Mr. Awesome was always along for the ride.

Quite the creator of beauty and always thinking of others.

Well some good news tonight, Darlene has gained 13 lbs since she arrived at Kentfield. I was totally happy to hear that piece of good news.

Today during her therapy she was sitting on the edge of the bed totally supporting her head and using her neck muscles very well. When I came in the room this morning she was wide awake and when I said good morning to her she put a big smile on. She was glad to see me and it showed. The nurses got her dressed and we went outside with her new quilt for a little while. I think she enjoyed the fresh air. We went back into the lobby for awhile before her second round of therapy.

As Dar regains her muscle tone one of the things that I have noticed is that she has some definate pain in certain plases. Wrists, hands, fingers and legs are the most visible. Dr. Doherty has a plan of attack that she will be sharing with me in the next day or two. In the meantime the nurses give her a little bit of pain medication so that Dar can relax and sleep.

Dr. Waters told me that she noticed something the other day that Dar had not done before. When Dr. Waters tickled the bottoms of Dar's feet, she would pull them away very aggresivley. Doc was excited about that.

I am really glad that Dar is back in Unit 1. All of the nursing staff in that unit are very good to her and look after her very well. Last night Diana said it was about time to rotate out the Kenny G. music and put in some country. I took another Ipod with country music on it for the daytime and then they can switch when it is time to go to sleep.

I have not seen Dar since last Friday and I was very impressed with the progresss she has made. I just wish she did not hurt so much when it comes to her muscles. I know that the doctors will be addressing this soon.

Well I am going to turn in and see about getting some sleep, the rains are supposed to hit pretty hard here tonight and I do not cherish the drive home in the pouring rain at night so I will probably leave about 3:00 pm tomorrow. At least get back to familiar roads while it is still daylight. Hopefully I will be able to write from the hospital tomorrow. Today it just did not work out. Sleep well my friends, please pray that Dar's muscular discomfort will subside and the pain will leave, giving her the ability to not only rest but to regain strength naturally.

God bless you all, good night everyone,

Dar/Danny/Maverick

" A Very Special Thank You"

02-19-2009

1853 hours

I would like to say a very special thank you to Rosa Gomez, wife of fellow co-worker Mike Gomez at Walmart.

Rosa, Darlene will love the blanket and especially as she will know the hours you spent making it for her. I will be taking it to her Saturday morning. Words are never enough at a time like this but just know that we appreciate all of your time and certainly the love that went into this very special gift. You are truely one of our "Angels". Mike you have a special wife and I thank you also for yours and your churches prayers during this very difficult time in our family. God bless you all.

Dennis/Darci thank you for the card that now begins our scrapbook for Dar. Again I would also like to thank you both for the awesome phone you so graciously gave me that has proved already to be such an invaluable tool in my efforts to stay in touch with Dar's medical team and also you the readers and supporters of Dar's Recovery.

I hopefully will have more news this evening to pass on but if I don't I will post in the morning. Just wanted to take a moment to thank Rosa and Mike Gomez. We love ya

0411 hours

02-20-2009

Spoke with Dr. Doherty last night late by way of email.

Dar has a slightly elevated white count so Dr. D is going to run a few test and rule out any problems. Errorring on the side of caution, better to be safe than........ you know the rest. I will be talking again to Dr. Doherty this afternoon.

Prior to talking to Dr. D I spoke with Diana, Dar's swing shift nurse and she told me that she was able to spend some time talking to Dar and looking at pictures of Maverick. Diana said that Dar would smile and follow right along.

Stewart called on the phone last night as well and says Tosha continues to take small steps just like Dar. Stu says he is going to take the long way around to Palo Alto (stanford) on Saturday and stop by and see Dar/Maverick and I at Kentfield. Super neat family. I will look forward to seeing him.

Well, gotta go to the grocery store this morning before work, at least I need to go I might just stay in and drink coffee. Talk to you all soon, later today, tonight, maybe from the hospital tomorrow morning. Keep those prayers coming, and remember "We love you all".

Thanks again Rosa, Mike, Dennis, Darci

Love Ya,

Dar/Mav/Danny

"Wages Creek Honeymoon, Linda and Dar"

02-19-2009

0430 hours.

Well, since loosing our Angel Eyes it has been a little more difficult to get reports of Dar's progress.

I can tell you that I call 3 times a day and check on her. So far when I call she is resting peacefully. Last night when I called I learned that she had been moved but yet again.

After Dar's folks and sister left I received a call on Monday that they were going to move Dar's room. Ok, no big deal, I knew her nurses and was ok with the move, well, last night after being on hold for what seemed to be an eternity I learned that Dar had been moved from Unit 2 room 306a back to Unit 1, room 211 A. This time I did not receive a call. So, as you can well imagine I will be finding out what the reasons are this morning.

Tosha is doing very well, her mom and dad and I stay in touch everyday. Tosha got her speaking valve yesterday and got to talk to mom for 45 minutes and dad later on that evening befor dropping off to sleep. Stu and Carol are just totally excited to hear Tosha' s voice. Since Stanford is a teaching hospital, Tosha has a team of 4 doctors working on her behalf. Mom and dad are very happy and Tosha is receiving lots of attention. She too was moved again yesterday closer to her medical team.

Oh, Dr. Doherty is going to email me when she knows the direction they will pursue regarding Dar's successful completion of the last dye test. I look forward to see what direction they are going to go. Maybe that has something to do with the move, we will see.

I will keep you posted as the day progress and I learn more info.

Dar/Danny/Mav

" Ranger Mav" "This is just tooooo much fun"

02-17-2009

0431 hours

Well, dad found out last night that Dar's family all got home safely. I guess Diane had some interesting things happen on the train, but dad will have to get more details.

Dar's mom and dad hit lots of rain but made it safely to sister Christine's without incident.

Dad talked to moms folks and Christine just before we went to bed last night and they said they had a good time with mom and that she was definatley better than she was the last time they saw her. Diane told dad the same thing the night before on the phone. Diane was excited that mom remembers something that happend between the two of them 12 years ago. Mom smiled at Diane during the story.

If you have been following the posts and check out the comment section you have learned that mom "did" pass her last and very important blue dye test. The last test is the overnighter and mom had to pass it. Now the doctors will meet probably today and begin to discuss stuff related to moms sleep apniea and equipment that might be needed as they ween mom off the trach. Dad has already made some calls to some Lincare company.

Mom got moved yesterday since Tosha left and the room they shared was a dyalisis room they moved mom cuz they were bringing in a new patient. Dad new this might happen if Tosha were to go back to Stanford so he was not too surprized. Dad did find out that he has worked with moms day/swing shift nurses, Maritess and Geesha, so that made him feel better. Dad calls the hospital everyday 3 times a day, once during each shift. Dad called a little bit ago and moms graveyard nurse, Diane, was busy. Dad will call back shortly.

Dad just talked to Diane, moms graveyard nurse and she told dad that they just changed mom and repositioned her. and mom has been sleeping fitfully. Now dad knows all the nurses names and he has told them that he will call during each of the shifts during the week until he returns on the weekends.

Dad continues to talk to Carol, Stewart and Tosha, in fact 3-4-5 times a day. Tosha is doing well and both mom and dad took a little time over the weekend to get some much needed rest.Tosha's mom and dad were both off work Sun/Mon.

Well, you know it will be different now that we don't have our "angel eyes" looking over Dar but dad will continue to keep you posted as best he can. Dad will find a way to have information to share with you all. He's good at that.

Well everyone please keep those prayers going and comment if you like to the blog and please please remember, we love you all for all of your support and prayers. Barkatcha ya'all later, paws for now.

"The Awesome One, Maverick"

" Request from Lorrie and Jerry"

02-15-2009

1915 hours

Dear Friends and Family, to specifically include Stuart, Carol, Tasha and Sue, as well as Dr. Debra Doherty, Dr. Susan Waters:

Hopefully Dan can figure out how to post this to the blog....Jerry and I (Lorrie) would like to take this time to Thank EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU, as well as all those around us who take a moment out of each day to say a little prayer! Jamie and Brian, where would one start? Yet another miracle and so timely!

Last night we got the courage to watch the movie "Pay it Forward" Little did we know the parallels that would impact us. One small child trying to help three people, and those three had to help three more, etc, etc. Sure there are some failures and futility in those attempts, but this child strived to make a difference.

Looking back from the beginning of this tradgedy, it has been blessed with so many who give of time and prayers. When times seem to be at their bleakest, something great happens.

We were very sad to lose our Tasha family, they were our eyes and ears during the week and they still are continuing to check in with Dan. I know at some point in time we will all meet. They have a very special girl who is where she needs to be now and we will continue to pray for her full recovery. They are family to us, united by a tragedy in their lives as in ours, but we held each other up, with faith and love~

I'm not really sure how it "all began" with Dan and Dar...but she is the best thing that ever happened to him. His dedication to her is unwavering, many would have might have made other choices, but not Dan, he knew, despite her petite frame, is a fighter and survivor, she's fought more battles in her short life than anyone should have to, but more important is she won those battles, with Dan by her side and those of us who really know her. She's a dignified stoic young gal, not easily opening to many, but we had some quiet "girl" time. Dan has not and will not ask for anything, I wish he would so we could know what more we could do. I would love a scrap book of cards from well wishers. When she wakes totally and wonders where these weeks have gone, she will know that there were so many who prayed and read to keep up on daily accomplishments or days when nothing happened. The separation factor is huge for Dan, they did everything together, the three of them, yep, Maverick. They worked together, played (hard) together. Best buds.

After reading this, it would be our hope for 2 things, rent the movie, and do something "nice" for someone. Someone who is in hardship, some stranger you don't know, then ask them to do the same.

If you care to send a card, you may do so at Dan Mardilla, for Darlene c/o 406 Black Oak Dr. Chico, California. They will be safely tucked into an album for her to review at a later date. Forever in your debt. Thank you, you brilliant doctors, you are truly a credit to your profession, one I have been in 35+ years! However this is a new system problem for me, for which I know little of.

God Bless and Keep you all!

Jerry and Lorrie

" Happy Valentines Day to everyone"

02-15-2009

0735 hours

Good morning everyone. Darlene and I would like to take this opportunity to say that we hope you had a wonderful Valentines Day and are enjoying this very wet and windy weather. Darlene and I celebrated Valentines Day on Friday as I returned back to the house late.

Dar's mom and dad arrived late in the afternoon on Friday and Diane was expected to be in on Amtrak on Saturday morning. The rooms are rather small so I took advantage of the long weekend to come back late on Friday and pay bills and run errands over the weekend.

Dar had a great day on Friday and we spent a couple of hours in the lobby talking and laughing and watching the weather change from sun to rain. Dar was in great spirits and enjoyed the time greatly. She worked hard in all of her therapy sessions and was really tired by the time her mom and dad arrived.

Mid afternoon I put Dar's speaking cap on and we worked with her on her sounds and how they might relate to yes and no. She was really, really tired and experiencing some discomfort because her muscle tone is returning and they work her pretty hard through the day. So, instead some yes/no sounds we got to hear how much Dar can tell us that she is in pain. Man, that girls has got a set of lungs, she was making it pretty darn clear that she was not happy. I had the nurse give her a little medication to ease the pain.

Late Friday evening Dr. Doherty came to see Dar and we chatted about her progress. Dr. D. is very pleased with what she is seeing. She even had me work with Dar on some responce questions that Dar answered very well. The responces were simple but excited Dr. D that Dar was responding to questions with her eyes and "focalizing" when asked.

We talked about her medication and Dr. D reminded me that we want Dar to relax and heal and she will have an easier time of doing that if she is not in pain. Dar has her way of communicating with us. It is with facial expressions as we have talked and shared with you before. Once Dar's "tells", (changing/reposition), have been eliminated it would probably be a good bet that she might be experiencing some pain, so, give her a little something so she can rest. Perfectly acceptable. A good thing.

I left about 9:00 pm on Friday to return home with Mav.

Saturday, mom/dad and Diane spent the day with Dar and Diane was so gracious to braid Dar's hair again. Sue Gillen and I washed and conditioned Dar's hair on Friday afternoon and Dar's mom and I brushed it out through the evening to let it dry.

Diane and mom, and maybe even dad (not sure), trimmed fingernails, toenails and continued the lavender creams on Dar's hands, legs and arms. Spoke briefly with Diane and she said Dar smiled much of the day but did not laugh a whole lot. Diane tells me that she had a good time with her sister. I am thankful they are having this time with Dar.

I recieved some exciting news regarding Tosha late in the afternoon. Carol texted me that Tosha was being transferred back to Stanford wher she started some 30 plus days ago. Was a total surprise to mom and dad and kinda caught them off-guard. Stewart texted me about 9:30 that they were finally on their way.

Well, you have probably figured out already how hard this hit when I learned this. So so happy for Tosha and her folks but so so so sad to loose our Gaurdian Angels for Dar. I know that God has already started finding our "new angel/angels" and maybe our "angels" will be in a different form, might be just some good quiet time and sleep time for Dar is what the doctor ordered. Doc. D explained to me again last night after I emailed her that sleep again is Dar's best tool., especially at night, Dar needs to get good rest at night, especially after working so hard during the day. Doc D suggested that if I am up around mid-nite or 5:00 am I might call the nurses station and ask Dar's nurse to look in on Dar and check to see if she is resting well. Also allow me to relax a bit too.

Doc D continues to suggest that I keep my visits to the weekends until Dar is really needing me there more.

Dar' s muscle tone and body support continue to improve and when she is ready and needs me there more regularly you can bet I will be there.

We are so happy and proud of Tosha and it hurts so much to loose those eyes and ears for Dar, but we have made a new family and this new family will continue to grow in frienship and love for one another. Stewart has already told me that he will be calling over there to check on Dar. All of us will stay in touch, "texting" will still continue as it has, nights/weekends/days, emails will fly to home computers, phone calls will continue. There is just going to be a little distance between folks that have grown to care and respect one another. Kinda like the distance between Dar and I and all of you. I know that this is/will be/ going to be hard for you folks too. I may not have my connection at the hospital that will allow me to keep you as informed as you have been. It is very hard to get "good info" over the phone. It is even hard to get through to the Nurses station during the day, probably why Doc D,. suggested midnight/5:00 am.

I am sure things will work out, work the way they are supposed to and weekends will become very important to me and I'm sure you also.

I am not worried in the least about the Stewart's and Mardilla friendship, we are bonded and connected for life. Just like so many of you, so many I don't even know, have not met, hope to meet, look forward to meeting we are all bonded together by one thing.

DARLENE.

Darlene and her love for all. Her faith that is so strong and so selfliss, just as she is, that thinks of others long before she will think of herself. Her fabulous personality, a personality and happines that does not need the ability to speak words. A stature that is tall but yet so tiny, a beauty that is best shown by her inner strength, complimented by her outer beauty.

Yea, I'm pretty damn proud of my best friend, pretty damn proud to be her husband, pretty damn proud to be a part of her "life". I love you Darlene, Happy Valentines Day. Happy Valentines Day to all of our friends, new friends, family and new family. Darlene and I love you all.

Gotta go, keyboard is getting soaked. Post later as I learn more through the day.

Words don't get it done everyone, Thank you all I love you

Danny Mardilla

1200 hours

Just called the hospital, no word yet as to whether Dar passed her overnight blue dye test. I have requested that Dar try to be moved near the window, where Tosha was. Sliding window, sunshine, view of the outdoors, could be good for Dar. Keep you posted.