Acute Renal Failure

   Bruce made tuna ring with a cheese sauce for dinner this week. It was good, but didn't last long.

   Thursday, we noticed Bruce's left ankle was swollen and a rash, so we went to the Dr. We figured he must have twisted it in pool time. Bruce has no pain sensation so Dr had an X-ray and ultra sound, thinking something with tendons. Results came back negative. We told him we thought Bruce might have a bladder infection. DR. wanted a sample. We told him Bruce hadn't been able to pee since nine that morning, and he had fever and chills. Dr. says to get to ER right away. So at five we head to ER. It takes until 11pm to get in a room.       Our home teacher, Kevin and friend, Bryan gave Bruce a blessing. I liked the part about peace and comfort at this time. Bruce is tired and just wants to sleep.

 Friday more sleeping, not too much eating. Pres. Chadwick stopped in to visit. At lunch I stop at the new quilt store and get fabric for backing and sign up for drawing then off to pick up a book at the library.

  They tell us his kidneys have shut down, acute renal failure. And his white blood count is high, they are pumping him with antibodies and saline solution.

   In the evening I went to a friend's art show at EOU with Duncan. Amazing what you can do with fabric, paint, thread and shadows. Afterward Sheila came up and we stretched and ranged Bruce's legs. Nurses don't have time, they have a lot of patients.

  Saturday Bruce is feeling better, fever broken, able to take a shower and do bowel care. I brought our shower chair up. I went grocery shopping as our hospital does not have wheelchair access in the bathroom in the room we have and the bowel care tends to stink the room up. He gave himself a shower and all that movement wore him out. 

Bruce took a nap Saturday morning so i did some reading.

   Saturday afternoon Bruce is watching basketball games. I am doing a bit of hand sewing. I found a nice salad in the hospital cafeteria and chocolate milk. And the stairs, going down two flights is easy. 

  On the way home to check on the boys I stop at the Orange Rhino and they have one ham and cheese sweet roll left. I bought it and three chocolate chip scones and since the quilt store is across the street, I stopped in again to get more fabric for backing. 

   Bruce hates to sit and do nothing, and is depressed. We are both thinking what next? 

  Saturday evening is a SR piano recital by our friend Emily. The music is fun. One song makes me want to dance and I wonder if Bruce and I will ever dance again. I quickly change my train of thought, I don't want to have w melt down in public.

  Sheila returns at night and we stretch and range Bruce's stiff legs. She says this is just a bump in the road.

  Sunday after checking my voice mail, I find out I have won the $100 gift certificate at the quilt store! Now that is a tender mercy and I suppose I can purchase some more fabric. 

  Sunday morning Dr. Ellen tells us the white blood count is normal and the renal failure has stopped and as soon as Bruce can urinate in the urinal we can go home. The nurse removes the foley and we wait for Bruce's bladder to fill up. They figure in a couple of hours so by noon. Bruce eats lunch I figure I can wait an hour and then eat at home but the sweet nurse offers me a roast beef sandwich and cranberry juice so I eat with Bruce. We watch Bruce and ask him if he feels the urge to relieve his waters. Not enough. Try again and still not enough. They do a reading on his bladder and 500 mg is still left. The nurse consults the Dr and we get to go home with a leg bag. At least we get to go home. 

   

  

 

   

Cooking Again

   Bruce decided he wanted a night to cook so he made spaghetti and meatballs Tuesday night. It was very good. Not too spicy. He used frozen meatballs but it works.

   Andrew knew the three girls in the wreck and the one that was killed. He said they didn't talk to him, he wasn't in their group. 

  Hired Jessee to vacuum, mop and clean the bathrooms. It is a relief not to worry about it and I will clean other stuff while she does the basics.

 

  The dog was sick and poohed indoors. Ick I am ready to give her away. Think Rosala would take her? Will have to get the basement carpet cleaned now but think she will do do it again...

 I put a border on the Star Trek quilt and didn't like it so will redo that. I am trying to piece a back for a quilt ad I think I will just get some wide fabric for it. It is frustrating because the pieces don't go together.

 

  Our appointment for Dr. Marsh in Walla Walla was canceled. The Dr. Was sick. Will have to reschedule.  Since I wasn't planning on being home I informed Rosala and Debbie we didn't need a meal. So we ate at Moys. We had some leftovers for lunch.

  We had our taxes completed. And we are getting a refund, apparently disability is non taxable as are our settlements. Who knew?

   We had Stake Conf this week end. It was very fun! I should be able to be nice to others for at least 48 hours. Bruce conducted Saturday evening session from his chair and said he would be standing in the future. Bruce spoke for 15 min on Sunday. Elder and Sister Batt were the regional reps from Rigby Id. I so wanted to say a bat joke. Bruce wanted to introduce them as stepping up to the plate. Maybe next time.

Our cherry tress will be plentiful this year!

Bariatric Ward

   I got my spring basket quilt top sewn together. It has vintage blocks. I added a border, need to get it quilted. The handles are rick rac entwined, I wanted to save the blocks.

   I have some batik butterflies I will cut out during conference. It helps to keep me from falling asleep. 

We did enjoy conference. Wonderful talks

   Duncan is in his room. Bruce is trimming his nails and Andrew is off to his mission prep class. Don't know when he will be ready to go.

   I only dozed off a couple of times during conference. Had to get up once last night to put Bruce's leg back on the bed. I hate it but it is a sign he is doing better. I am not nice when I need sleep.

  I took my circle quilt top to the quilters. I finished my embroidery quilt top, will need to get a backing for it. I started a butterfly top during conference. I cut out the parts, need to iron it in place and will machine quilt it. I have several quilts I have started so will pick one to finish. I like to keep busy so I will stay out of trouble.

We had the windows opened today, the dog rolled in something so it kinda stinks in this house...

I made a bucket list and invited my sisters to go with me. Any of these you want to do avec moi? Have you done them already?

Castle tour in Ireland and Scotland - spend the night in a castle

Pay for a strangers meal

Quilt retreat in a southern mansion

Quilting cruise to Alaska, walk on a glacier

Ride a camel, ride an elephant

Ride in a hot air balloon

Ride down the Mississippi River in a steam boat

tour Mark Twain house in Hartford, Connecticut 

Skinny dip - Bruce says he's already been but he would go with me, my sisters don't want to go...

Visit Canada, Bruce says he's been to Quebec, there is a castle there. My sisters say I need to go to Niagara Falls, Bruce said he would go too.

Win a viewers choice ribbon at the fair

Visit Edgar Allen Poe home in New York

Visit Ernest Hemingway home in Key West, Florida 

Visit Ray Bradbury home in Waukegan, Il 

Bruce added to his list: salmon fishing in Alaska, sit on a beach in Jamaca, go on a mission

 I will do the quilting retreat in Alaska cruise while he fishes, together but apart...

   On Thursday Bruce had a fun, unique experience. They took him to the Bariatric ward at the hospital which is for very obese people that can't walk. There they have a lift and a track to practice walking. They put Bruce in a harness and hooked him up. They are able to adjust the amount of weight on his legs. It took a couple of tries but he was able to stand for a couple of minutes. They are trying to get his quads, thigh muscles to kick in.

  My sister singing in the Mo Tab for general conference. It happens twice a year. There are six sessions, one for priesthood and one for women. My sistah is the blonde on the top row first one on the left, in the pinkish dress. I got chills when they sang "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing". Did you feel it?

  

Eighteen Months Since the SCI

   Our caregiver was late, three Sunday's in a row, but who is counting? Me obviously He says he will get up earlier. Bruce wanted to go to Elgin ward and he would have to leave here by 8:15. We made it, I was still stressing. My left eye twitches when I am doing too much. It means I need to close my eyes and relax. I did after they left since my church begins at 1pm.

   Easter Sunday, we had a lamb roast, red baby taters and green salad. I didn't feel like making a feast since it was fast Sunday and we didn't have family. Andrew ate with his friends from church. So we had a lot of leftovers. 

  On Monday Bruce was again very stiff from the spasms he has been having. They did a lot of stretching and ranging to get him loosened up. We figure he sleeps so deeply he stiffens up. Bruce said every time he moved, he had spasms and couldn't sleep. They are thinking of increasing his medication. 

   Andrew informs me before work today that he needs dinner ready by 5:00pm since he is going on a singles branch activity to Baker to go bowling. Yes, sir, I made a lamb curry (leftover Easter feast) with sliced apples, celery, maters, and rice and it was ready by 5:15 in time for him to rendezvous with his friends. Give me strength.

  The dog is shedding like crazy. It looks like tuffs of batting on the floor. It does not fall off when we go for walks.

   I put the last border on my Aunt Ruthies Farm Stand panel. The designer is coming the end of April to teach us and there is a competition for using the panel in a quilt. Will have to get it quilted before the class. I did a lot of the hand work last Oct. while Bruce was in recovery for a month in Boise. 

   Bruce said he broke his record for standing, 2 min and 45 secs. 

More spasms, less work, Bruce came home from therapy early because of the spasms. They also stopped at Burger King. Did they bring me something? Bruce says we know you always order salads and they were out of salads. I'm still miffed. The smell of hamburger and French fires is celestial. 

    Well it has been year and half since the spinal cord injury. Bruce has movement in his legs and feet. He is still really weak. This is the time of recovery. They figure the average for regaining what you will regain happens by this time. Maybe since he is older it will take longer. He is still improving so we are still moving forward.