A Great Day!

Rickie had clinic today and received great news! Back to only two treatments per day-half hour in the morning and evening...yay :) No more antibiotics orally only one in the morning...via nebs.

His PFT's were not perfect yet, but that will come. His middle airways were 19%, will keep working on them. All and all I'm very encouraged. Keep him active and in three months she'll check them again.

Spring is definitely in the air.

Opening day was today for Detroit Tigers! It was 54 degrees.




This is what I'm looking forward to seeing!!!

Happy Birthday Dad! March 29th

I want everyone to join me and wish my Father a Happy Birthday!




Happy Birthday Dad!!!!!!!

Snowy Friday!

Woke up this morning, and wow do we have a lot of snow! At least 6 inches...now who says it's spring? Oh yeah-the calendar. I'm thinking this should be the last hoorah in terms of snowfall.

You know the saying, "when it rains it pours"? Well, let me list off a few things, that broke in the last week or so.

1. dishwasher

2. all phones

3. garage door openers

4. ice maker

5. grill

6. two beds

We have replaced, or fixed all on the list this week! Yay, to a new dishwasher, and yay to new phones, garage door openers and all the rest!


and yay to Rickie's port being de-accessed!

So yay to all of these things! Happy Friday!

Love, Carey

Thursday is a great day!

Today's a good day.

1. It's Thursday (day before Friday!)

2. Have gotten a lot accomplished today.

3. Talked with my best friend on the phone! (Hi Bekki!)

4. Rickie had a friend over. (first time since he's been sick!)

5. In a better place emotionally today.


By the way-I put this picture in because, I really like glass-blowing. Has nothing to do with today, but that's OK it's my blog! If anyone out there knows how to put pictures below the words can you comment and tell me how? I would greatly appreciate it.

Spring Break Blues...

Today is the first day of spring break for the kids. Unfortunately it doesn't look like we're going anywhere. *hmmm* Anyway, when I was growing up a long time ago, we didn't go anywhere for spring break.

Of course, where we live most of the families go away for break. Typically someplace warm-we can't or don't most of the time. First of all, Rickie's still on IV meds at home. Secondly, he has to have his IV's every 6 hours and in-between Iv's he has the vest and nebs to do. *sigh*

I could, I suppose, go on a couple of hour trip away from home and then come home and do treatments. But no one wants to do that! I really wish that I could do something with them. Anyone out there have any ideas. Remember I have various ages to deal with. Ali's at college so no need to factor her in. So, ages 17,15,13,11 and 6.

Please be creative-god knows I'm not! Too warn out. Better yet, think of a place I could go! :)

This too shall pass and summer will be here before you know it-and Rickie should be a lot better.

Oh yeah, the picture of me running-it's merely to inspire me to get out and run!!

Take care,

Carey

Update on Rickie

Rickie had an appointment yesterday to redo his spirometry (pft's). The results were not what we wanted to see for his middle airways. His fev1 were not that great as well. fev1 is the first second of blowing they measure. It was between 40% and 50%. With those results and the fact he's still coughing they extended his IV meds for another week! (ugh) That means every six hours around the clock.

You know, whatever it takes to get him well, is what we'll do.

Today, we will color Easter eggs and watch movies and have fun with the kids.

Often times I don't mention what else is going on in our family and I apologize.

Chelsea was very sick yesterday, and she just needed some TLC. We were gone literally all day. We left around 11:30 and we didn't get back until 9:30 that evening. It's really hard on the whole family when you have a child that requires so much care. There oftentimes overlooked (for a lack of a better word). Please know, I love all of my children and if I could be there for all of them, 100% I would. That being said, I will try harder today to fulfill all of my kids needs.

Have a great day everyone!

Love,

Carey

Spring has sprung...maybe

If you didn't already know my favorite flower are tulips. I just love this picture, taken at Mackinaw Island. Here's to Spring and warmer days ahead. Can you tell I have spring fever? I'm just filling space now so, I'll go fix dinner. :(

Tropical Island

Just look at this picture, can you imagine yourself there? I am taking a hiatus today and that's where I'll be. So, if you want to get a hold of me-and I get cell coverage, call me :)

Carey

Music For Your Lungs

Pulmonologists Treat Breath Shortness with Harmonica Classes

January 1, 2006 — Chronic lung diseases such as bronchitis and emphysema can make breathing difficult. Researchers have shown that playing the harmonica on a regular basis can help. The repeated pattern of pushing air from the lungs into the instrument, and then sucking air back into the lungs helps patients learn to control and boost their breathing.

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See also:

Matter & Energy

• Transportation Science
• Aviation
• Acoustics
• Sports Science

Reference

• Tropospheric ozone
• Automobile emissions control
• Altimeter
• Aerodynamics

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--Ever tried breathing thru a tiny straw all day long? That's what it's like for many patients with lung disease -- every breath is a struggle. Now, patients can breathe a sigh of relief with a new technique that is helping them breath easier.

Chronic lung disease makes breathing difficult for 88-year-old Doris West. But now, a new harmonica class is helping tune up weakened lungs. Learning a few catchy tunes isn't the only reason Doris looks forward to her harmonica class. "We have a lot of joking and fun while we are presumably benefiting our breathing," she says.

MeiLan Han, a pulmonologist at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor, Mich., says, "In order to play a song you have to be able to take a deep breath in and blow out against resistance, which can help to strengthen the respiratory muscles."

Pulmonologists call it bodybuilding for the lungs -- the class doesn't focus on rhythm and tone, just on improved breathing. "When the patient takes a deep breath in and out while playing the harmonica, it slows down their breathing and helps them to relax," Dr. Han says.

The trick to harmonica playing is pushing air from the lungs into the instrument and then sucking air back into the lungs. This repeated pattern helps patients learn to control and boost their breathing.

Dr. Han says, "I'm hopeful that the harmonica class has at least improved their quality of life, made them happier, and taught them some breathing techniques."

Doris is already breathing easier and back to daily bike-rides, but she still takes time to rehearse.

The harmonica classes are helpful for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which results from chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

This is such a great idea! It makes so much sense. I think I'll find Rickie a harmonica and get him on it! If any of you have ideas relating to health please comment. Later,

Carey

JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have an announcement to make....

Ali got a job! I know it's cool-she'll be working in a restaurant, making and serving food.

Congratulations Ali! We are proud.

Cats, cats everywhere!

How many of you out there have cats? We've had our fair share of cats. I personally love cats. The cat here is Pip, she is no longer with us. I really loved this cat.

We now have Xan pronounced Zan, and Scout a female who we think is pregnant! We are a bit perplexed, at the moment-male cats are howling under our windows at night-I mean screaming!!! Why is there male cats coming around when she's pregnant. Well, I looked it up on Google, and low and behold it does happen...cats can be pregnant and still go into heat and become pregnant again, yes have two litters. Can you believe it!!

I thought that was sooooo weird, have never heard of such a thing.

So, all of you have learned a new thing today or should I say a new wrinkle. When you learn something new, you get a wrinkle in your brain. There you go a wrinkle from me:)

Love, Carey

Missing Ali

Went browsing through my pictures and came upon this one. Just thought I'd share our eldest with you! Isn't she cute! Miss you Ali.

Love, Me

Destination Imagination!!!

Chloe competed today in Utica, MI with Destination Imagination.

Her team received 1st place out of 10 teams! Congratulations Chloe we are so proud of you. Congratulations to her team mates:

Ellen H.
Emily G.
Samantha C.
Charlotte R.
Elizabeth S.

They will also being going to State. Wonderful job girls.

Rickie is HOME! ((((((YEAH)))))))

Rickie's Doctor said that he could go home-have to do IV meds at home every 6 hours. Do his treatments 4 times a day. Go back to the hospital on Friday and redo his PFT'S. And back to clinic on Monday. *phew* I am so happy to have him home. We can try to get back some normalcy in our lives. Please hope and pray that his lung function (inner airways) are up!

I have a lot of laundry to do and boy is the house dusty...they did a great job keeping it picked up though so I'm not complaining at all. Ric is traveling next week, so happy I can be their for the rest of the clan:)

Thanks to all of you for the cards and calls while Rickie was locked up. It sure meant a lot to him and he thanks all of you.

Love, Carey

Is Scout Pregnant?

How to Tell if a Cat Is Pregnant

Recognizing that a cat is pregnant is important to providing adequate care for the cat mom and her babies. For kind hearted souls who take in stray animals and try to find homes for them, early identification that a cat is pregnant can make the difference between a positive adoption experience and a cat being returned along with her kittens. Recognizing that a cat is pregnant can be tricky, even for seasoned veterinarians and animal welfare workers. Here are some ideas to help identify if a female cat is pregnant.

Steps

1. Check to see if her nipples are larger. Around day 21, a pregnant female's nipples will often turn bright pink. If they are, she is pregnant. If not, wait another week, and check again. Some may not turn bright pink or become enlarged, but most will.
   
2. Very gently run your hand over the surface of her tummy to see if you feel a sort of swelling and small lumps the size of walnuts. DO NOT feel or prod the lumps.
   
3. When a cat becomes pregnant, her demeanor may change. Pregnant cats become very affectionate, and not all teeth and claws.
   
4. Stand back and look at your cat's overall shape. From the side, pregnant cats frequently look a little swayback with a slightly distended tummy. From the top looking down at the cat, a pregnant cat's tummy is frequently distended slightly more than halfway from the neck to the tail. This look has been compared to the posture of a burro. If your cat's profile has changed from normal to burro, she might be pregnant.
   
5. 
   
6. #To distinguish pregnant from fat: fat cats are fat all over, including the neck, the legs. etc. Pregnant cats are not. However, keep in mind that fat cats can be pregnant too!
   
7. When a pregnant cat gets close to delivering her kittens, she may start nesting -- arranging blankets, towels, straw, whatever, into a secure place to have her babies.
   

Article provided by wikiHow.

Cystic Fibrosis awareness month

30,000

That's the number of people who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis in the US alone. Most of them are children and young adults.

GREAT STRIDES: Taking Steps to Cure Cystic Fibrosis is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's largest national fund-raising event. Tens of thousands of co-workers, friends and family come together each year as one community for one cause…to help find a cure for CF. Every penny raised by Great Strides goes directly into funding research for better drugs and treatments. Every day that passes by means one day closer to the cure.

In 2007, more than $34 million was raised to support vital CF programs.

The goal for 2008 is $40 million. Please help an any capacity you can.

Thanks

(taken from cfhusband.blogspot.com)

Monday

Hello, it's Monday and boy am I tired. Got to the room this morning late-with this time change we're all messed up. Rickie was still sleeping at 9:30...when he wakes up late it puts everything later than they want. Will do PFT'S tomorrow and see how his lung function is...Still looking at Friday getting let out of here. Boy, are we ready. Haven't heard yet on the aspergillus results. Need to call an inspector to come to the house and inspect for mold, air quality and air quality around the house.

Kids are doing wonderfully. Good job guys! Chelsea has testing all week at school which throughs off every body's schedule. I have to say one thing- I have the most wonderful kids ever. Sorry everybody my kids ARE the best. Love and miss you guys.

Love,

Carey

Friday Update

Pretty busy week thus far...Rickie loves his port, really relieves his anxiety level (no more pokes!) They did a throat swab and found aspergillus fungus. Not a good thing-also tested to see if he is allergic to it. Will find out this afternoon sometime. Doctor's said to expect to stay at least another week. I got to stay in the hotel right in the hospital last night boy, am I refreshed! Staying on the couch is not comfortable and it's very noisy. Two room mates who happen to be newborns...(ugh) love them, but you know, up all night :) I will update later. Miss everyone, oh yeah Ric is staying up here until Sunday. (Yeah!)

Love, Carey

Tuesday Update

Not too much more to report today...so, can I vent? Thanks. They (meaning the Dr's) want Rickie to get more sleep. So, what happens last night-three ring circus in Rickie's room, starting at 1am. I'm awoken to lights on, doors banging and a lot of Dr's in the room, surrounding a bed that wasn't in there when we turned the lights out. They can't talk quietly, I'm hearing everything they're saying...and they make such a big deal about heppa (privacy act) "we will have to due a spinal and test for bacterial men.") What the heck is he doing in Rickie's room? All this is running through my head. Do I get up and insist they get him out of Rickie's room? More thoughts of what if he catches the disease this boy has? Why are they doing this? Well, after they have given the doctors all of his symptoms and health history (two hours) they whisk him out of the room.
I'm left thinking what now? I mentioned it to the nurse and she's like-don't worry its not what you think, can't tell you because of heppa. I just got done listening to the whole darn thing and they mention the privacy act after the fact? Whatever!

Okay, I'm done venting.

Rickie will get his port tomorrow-so they say again. All in all it's OK, I just want to go home. (so does Rickie)

Bye for now.

Monday Morning

It's Monday morning and we're still waiting for them to tell us when Rickie's port will be put in. They originally said this morning, but-looks more like tomorrow! He would like to eat! Nevertheless things are about the same. Will post later today.

Spring

I was looking through my pictures and found this picture of these beautiful tulips. (Ric took at Mackinaw Island) It sure makes me look forward to SPRING!

Enjoy!

Love, Carey

Home for the night

I'm home for the time being. Ric is at the hospital with Rickie and they're doing fine together. Male bonding! I received two wonderful emails from both of Ric's sisters today. They are both such a blessing! Here are some photos of Rickie and Chloe with bears that Holly's friend made for Rickie...they're tapping bears you can work through your concerns and issues with a certain bear made for you, by tapping certain areas. They're wonderful, you can see all of us received one! She also wrote a book for our family explaining how to tap...I know, I'm not explaining it very well, but you can get the gist of it.

Thank you so much Holly! Another picture of Rickie with Holly that particular weekend- she brought the bears and other items that have helped immensely! We had a blast watching Chloe play lacrosse and swinging on the swings.



Aunt Holly and Rickie!
Thank you Holly and Gretchin for all your kind words and deeds!!!!

Cards

Here is the address to send Rickie cards:

Mott's Children's Hospital
5West
Patient: Richard Geyer room 5674
200 East Hospital Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109