Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Friday, October 24, 2008

Back home...

So most of you already know, but we're back home and on the recovery trail! I do not have much time right now, but just want to say thanks again for ALL the prayers, phone calls, help with kids, work, etc.

We are countlessly blessed!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Heading the right direction:

Today is a much better day all around. Dr. Nottestad came in early this morning and said Dan would be here until Friday. Last night was pretty rough, lots of pain and his usual "calm" got interupted by a morphine lapse, causing much discomfort and all around irritation. That's okay, though, we made it through! He bid his morphine farewell this morning (tear, tear) and back onto vicodine. Dan is making his own way around on crutches and is awake for much longer periods. Tim Pulford came for visit this morning which gave me a chance to run home and shower-much needed! He is eating well, and thanks to Shelli's laptop, we have been enjoying some you-tube!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Answered prayers...

Last night, our walk was heaven sent! It was a nice breezy evening and the leaves rustling and fresh air were enough to help Dan's nerves. After his periodic interuptions through the night, the morphine became his new best friend to help him rest, relax, and not feel so much pain.
Dr. Fisher came in pretty early and checked things over, explaining that if Dr. Zambrano did decide to do surgery (he wasn't certain he would), they would take a culture to determine the nature of the bacteria, as to get the right antibiotic. Minutes seemed like hours and the nurse came in to notify Dan he would be going in for surgery based on the fact WE didn't think it was getting better. After a discussion, WE decided that we wanted the Dr. to make that determination and the nurse did indicate he would be up. It was almost 1:00 and in came the anestethesiologist (nope, didn't spell that won rite!) with his assistant to take Dan down for surgery. (record scratch, "Say What?"). They told us we would be able to talk to the Surgeon when we got down there and that our concerns were valid. Down to OR and a good discussion with Dr. Zambrano determined that it is best for Dan to undergo a slice in his foot to find out what is in there and get it OUT! In he went and no longer than 45 minutes later, he updated me. There was a puss pocket in his foot that had formed, preventing things from moving along. That popped when they sliced. He pulled the cultures, inserted a tube for future drainage if possible and sewed the approximately one inch gap shut. The soonest return home will be Thursday or Friday. In about two weeks, he should be able to start putting some pressure on his heel as long as all goes well. He is happiest when he is being comforted by his temporary "best friend" Morph Ine, but that's okay! I'd rather see him comfortable than in pain. He is resting and relaxed, happy to have some type of closure rather than mystery about what is going on.

All from a clean nail.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Prayers for Dan...

Going back to my last post, you may already know that Dan stepped on a nail a week ago Friday. An unfortunate series of events lead to a solemn decision on Friday afternoon to be admitted to Fort Hospital for anti-biotic treatments to be administered. He had a bit of a break on Saturday, when he came to the party at the shop, then right back in bed/on iv/in pain.
It has been a week now since he was ordered bed rest and they decided on Sunday that if it wasn't making progress that he would have surgery today (Monday). The surgeon visited just before noon and made the decision to wait one more day, since it hadn't gotten any worse. Surgery=3-4 weeks of bedrest, then much pain when he begins walking again...a course we would rather forego if at all possible. It is about 8pm on Monday and it actually seems to be getting worse again. Last night, Dan felt quite a bit of anxiety about just everything, which I know none of us can blame him for. Between a bit of medication for that and Morphine, he is "better", at least until they wear off. I'm sure the nurses and doctors are sick of me on their heels, but they really have all been wonderful so far-you'd have to think they would be the same way. Dan is just resting right now and will be able to go for a stroll in the wheelchair when he's ready to. The morphine creates a Dan I've never seen before!
So tomorrow we will see how things progress. Hopefully I can post more then.
I just want to express my gratitude to each and every person that is helping us through this. The prayers, the help with the kids, the help at the shop...I've said it before, but really, we are abundantly blessed beyond what I could fathom.
Mark, Pam, Alex, Cliff, Vi, Shelli, Mom, Heather, Jon, Joe, Rod, Billy, Chuck, Renee, Mrs. Pufahl, Mrs. Williams, Chris & Tracy, John & Julia, Tim Pulford, Darlene Meyers, Pastor Rath, Pastor McKenney, Mick & the boys, and I'm so sure I've missed some people-but especially each and everyone of you who are praying for Dan's quick recovery. Mallory reminded Dan tonight of the scripture to "Cast all anxieties upon Him..." and later, Dan told me that the kids were the best medicine he had all day. He was also very thankful for Pastor McKenney bringing the Lord's Supper to the hospital.
Nobody said life would be easy and we rest assured that everything will turn out best for the will of God. I reminded Dan that the pain he is enduring is nothing compared to what Jesus suffered for each and every one of us on the cross. And Christian, as worried as he was for our fearless family leader, reminded us that God protects us all.
Faith is an amazing cornerstone and I have to go now for our walk, so again, thank you and God Bless!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Happy 60th Anniversary & 85th Birthday!


It is quite an accomplishment for Cliff to reach both 85 years on this Earth and 60 years in business! We are busy finalizing plans for Saturday for noon-10 pm here at the shop for partying, food, drinks, and door prizes!



It is open to the public and we are just very excited for the big day! Mark, Pam, & Alex are flying in from New Jersey, which the kids are very psyched up about!



A big thank you to everyone in our lives that have made sustaining this business possible. So really, that is everyone! Family, friends, babysitters, employees, the list could go on and on. It takes a community to raise a child and the same can be said about owning a business!



On a side note, we are not entering the big day without "episode." On Friday, Dan stepped on a nail. On Monday, he decided to finally go to the doctor. After a consultation with the Orthepedic Specialist, our doctor, and a nurse with a needle (tetanus), he had strict orders to keep his foot up for a week, and if not it would be more like two weeks...well we all know Dan and his zest for going and doing! Long story short, Tara, not much time: This morning, Dan got his 2nd shot in the buttocks of antibiotics and was threatened by the doctor that if he did not stay off of his foot ALL day that he would be put in the hospital, after visiting Urgent Care last night where he got his first shot from a girl he went to high school with. Shame, Shame!

Hope to see you Saturday!