Observations....

Pouring cats and dogs here in Ft. Myers but warm. Thought for a moment that I had returned to Rwanda as I passed two young men on a bike with garbage bags over their clothing. The boys, one driving the bike, and the second, riding side saddle looked like they were "Out of Africa." Rarely do I wish I had my camera on me while here at home...but would have liked to have taken that shot to send to my friends in Africa.

Had dinner, chicken and eggplant parmigiana, last night at our neighbors' house and caught up on their lives and while there, their son, who is in the Marines in Afghanistan called. We tried to count the number of four letter words beginning in F that he used in one sentence, but couldn't count that high. Bud says the language on the base is pretty terrible. Am sure he will clean it up when he gets to come home again at the end of the year.

And Deb, our neighbor has been taking an English comp class and she showed me her grammar mid-term which had so many errors in the questions that I would have been ashamed to pass such a mess out to students. First word in the first question was "coose" instead of "choose." Yup, maybe a typo but one would think that an English teacher would check for things like that. That wasn't the worst error...just the first. And this community college was just accredited to give four year degrees....hmmmmm????

Am all packed for Mississippi and am getting a bit concerned about working again in the US and then, working as a lower level employee. Been so long since I was in a position below an executive or department head. We shall see if I can adjust and conform.

Talked with Heidi this morning and although she has a cold, she says she is doing a bit better. She actually went to a neighbor's house last night with Chris just to get outside. He drove next door with her but still...she is OUT.

hugs

Home....

Left Michigan yesterday in the midst of snow flying on the way to the Detroit airport. Heidi is seen here going upstairs with the help of her sons, Logan, with the long red hair and Chase, the munchkin who is holding her walker. As you can see, Heidi is much much stronger and it was so nice to leave her with a smile on her face. She is getting stronger every day.

Heidi and Chris have Guitar Hero and all the kids played the last couple of days. Even Heidi tried to play but the co-ordination was a bit difficult.

Alex and I are home and I am hurrying to get ready to leave for work in Mississippi. Went shopping, did the laundry and did some housework...seemed kinda like being at Heidi's house!! Our neighbors made a wonderful dinner of chicken, eggplant parmigiana and it was delicious. Alex and I will reciprocate tomorrow with a lamb Rogan Josh.

Here are the young men playing guitar hero. I didn't try it...I have no talent but I did excel at shopping at Meijer every day. We arrived home to 80+ weather...from snow to heat and sun. Slept fitfully last night worrying about Heidi but she sounded pretty good this morning despite being congested. Good to be home with my doggies and with Richard. I need to get repacked and ready for the next adventure. Hoping the kids will call if needed. We are sooo blessed with wonderful friends and family.

More of Heidi's Journey....

Uncle Alex and Chase at home. Alex has had quality time with his nephews and his niece this past week. Sad that it had to happen because of Heidi's illness but we have made this past week a time for enjoying family. We have laughed and cried together and we are very thankful for all of Heidi's friends...several stopped by today and my friend, Lois came over and we went out to dinner. Nice to get out of the house, though, I found that I was worrying about whether Heidi was resting and if all the kids were wearing her out. Of course, Chris was on the job and they had pizza brought in. As I am writing this, the kids are playing guitar hero together. This has been a reaffirming time for all.

This came home from nursery school today with Chase. The kids made a get well card for Heidi. There were a ton of handprints and Heidi is holding a flower the kids made for her. Very fun and the picture is hanging over the mantle in the livingroom.

Chase got out his Halloween costume and played...he was Ratatouille for Halloween and he enjoyed playing all around the blow up bed.
A friend of Heidi's sent her some flowers and of course, being a MSU fan, Heidi got a MSU gnome included in her flowers. For those following Heidi this last week, I am sure you can see the difference in her expressions. While she is still a bit shaky and still using her walker, each day is a bit better. Therapy will make her stronger and she is eating like a horse...seems the shaking uses up a ton of calories. This morning we were up around 5:30 a.m. and we had an early breakfast. Heidi was hungry a bit early...so we made lunch at 10:30 a.m. and of course, we actually had lunch around 2. I am going to go home 15 pounds heavier!

I am getting a bit excited about going to Jackson, Mississippi on Monday. NO time at home and what little time I do have will be taken up in what my friend, Jackie, calls "plant maintainance." I need to get my hair done, my pedicure and eyebrows waxed and then, I must spend some time visiting my Hospice patients with Chica before I leave. The IT guy called from Jackson regarding my computer...seems I will have wifi at work but no direct connect to the system...wondering how I will get my data to work. We shall see what we shall see. First work in the US since 2006....going to be a cultural event for me.

Heidi...and more

Pat, Kristin's husband with their baby, Layne at Heidi's house last night. We grilled burgers, laughed and enjoyed family. Heidi and Chris have had a steady stream of visitors through the house....they are truly blessed with great neighbors and friends who are all checking in on them.

Logan and Kenz went to their dad's last night...having them around has been truly uplifting for their mom. She just wakes up, focuses on the kids or her husband and smiles. Heidi can then relax and know all is right in her world.

Another grade A, grey day in Michigan. Should have more thunder and rain storms today. Cold...a high of about 50 today. Arghhghh

Alex sitting on the blow up bed with Owen, Kristin and Pat's second born.

Kristin is picking Heidi's hair to get all the super glue out from her EEG leads put in in the hospital. Kristin deleted all of the really good pickin photos because she didn't want you all to see her acting like the baboons I saw in Rwanda! She was pickin and eatin the little pieces...yes she was!! Actually, she had a whole pant leg full of these little white glue hunks. Heidi got down on the floor and was able to get back up with some help. She is doing much much better and the neighbors brought over this huge queen sized blow up bed that is quite high. So Heidi can sit down and lie down during the day without having to go upstairs.

Kristin and Pat and their three kids came over for dinner last night. We had a nice visit and Heidi was quite pooped when everyone left. That they found time to drive over on a work night with three kids is truly special. Good to see the rest of my grandkids and Alex had a good time playing with them all.

Kristin had fun reminding Heidi of the nurse who asked Heidi who Chris was....Heidi, quite out of it at that point said, "him." She said, "Girl, if you don't know his name, you better learn it! He is tall, dark and handsome. " Heidi laughed and remembered his name is Chris.
Heidi and Guinness, her dog next to the blow up bed in the living room.

Heidi and the family....

Alex, Kenz and Logan as we prepared to leave the hospital. The kids have been very supportive of Heidi and very close during all of this upheaval and upset. We have enjoyed laughing at the kids and with them.

At one point last night, Chris in the red shirt was on a bed, Alex was sleeping flat out on the floor and Heidi was lying abed. We are home now and Heidi is doing quite well...still unstable and unsteady but she is feeling much stronger and better. Here is Alex lying on the floor with a sheet over his head in the hospital room next to Heidi's bed.

And no, Heidi is not a Muslim woman! She found that after they took off all of the EEG leads that she had super glue hunks in her hair. So, Chris rubbed conditioner in her hair and she wrapped her head in a wet, warm towel. It is now more than 24 hours later and she is still picking glue hunks out of her hair.

We arrived home in Davison around 5 p.m. today and Heidi has been up and trying to walk to the bathroom with her walker. Right now, Chris is setting up a blow up bed in the living room so Heidi can sleep downstairs. She is not able to handle stairs yet. While she is upbeat and happy to be home with her whole family, she is on meds to help with the seizures and she will have to take it easy for awhile. We had a wonderful dinner of chicken and dumplings prepared by Zee, Chris' mom. Kenz and I went to the grocery store to stock up on items we need and again, we filled the car with gas. Seems I have been spending lots of time at gas stations filling one vehicle or another.

Heidi...suffering and laughing

I would like to introduce you to my family...way left is Logan, Heidi's oldest and in the plaid shirt is my son, Alex. Chris, Heidi's husband is leaning over Heidi trying to get her to focus in on what is going on while she is experiencing her most recent seizure. Both Kristin and I, today, cried and we decided that Heidi is blessed to have a husband and mate who can handle the stress of this situation, calmly and in a supportive, loving fashion. He is upset, cranky, tired, frustrated and more...but constantly and consistently loving, calm and in control. He helps her through this difficult time and we are so blessed that he is her husband and the role model for us all. This is an incredibly emotional time and we do nothing for hours on end except listen, love, cry and pray.

The kids went out for a break and stole flowers, which upset Kristin, Here is McKenzie, also known as Kenz, Heidi's second born with Alex and Logan. Heidi has two flowers in her hair, complements of the children. She said I could take her photo but I couldn't put it on Facebook or My space...she didn't say anything about my blog!! And below, note Heidi's fashionable gown with a huge S drawn on her chest in honor of MSU, my alma mater. Heidi's TV didn't work this morning and she was quite concerned that we get it arranged so she could view the MSU/Butler NCAA semis. MSU lost...we are all bumbed.

You all don't know my daughter. Heidi, unlike Kristin and me, is always beautifully arranged and looks lovely. To her right you can see the huge array of wiring which she fondly called her dreds and extensions. Her hair is a mess which just never happens in real life. Heidi is doing OK...we are worried about her and the love being sent, the warm wishes and the prayers are being felt all day every day. Thank you all. While she looks less than gorgeous here, Heidi is a wonderfully strong wife, mother, employee and daughter. Her sister, Kristin and I, along with brother, son, daughter, mother in law, and husband are by her side watching and waiting for some clue as to what is causing her this horrid distress.

We are loving Henry Ford Hospital and its staff. The difference is amazing...nurses kid her, laugh with her, push her, encourage her to eat and more. Kristin reminded me that not one person mentioned she wasn't eating...five days and NO food at McLaren and today, she ate a bit of soup, some chicken nuggets, a granola bar and more. Not a lot for a 6 ft. woman but she ate. And someone noticed. Long commute to Detroit but we think, well worth the effort. Tomorrow is Easter and HE has risen.

Back Home

Here is a banana tree found at the Genocide Museum in Kigali...got home several days ago, spent 12 hours in the house and Alex and I boarded a plane to come to Michigan. Heidi, our 38 year old daughter is in the hospital...she was moved from the hospital here in Flint to Henry Ford in Detroit last night. She is having horrid seizures, headaches and is totally drugged to keep her functioning at the most basic of levels. We are very very worried. Kristin, Alex, Logan, Kenz and I are trying very hard to be support for her and for Chris. And so, prayers are needed/wanted and I will try to update everyone as best I can.

Heidi's neighbors took up a collection and gave me their card and funds to take to Chris so he won't have to worry about gas and food. Taking a care package to him today.