3-30-06

The marathon continues,

Moriah continues to have her eyes open a lot. She was more aware yesterday and does track her eyes occassionally. I got to take her for a wheelchair ride through the parking lot which was her first trip outdoors since the accident. She has some issues with her trache that will delay the removal for a week or so and has been put on some antibiotics to help with that issue. They had to retake some of the CT as some of it was blurry. Hopefully we will have some results in the next couple of days and can hopefully remove part of the neck brace system which will make all that care for her very happy. She has started to swallow more on her own which is a good sign. Again your prayers are so greatly appreciated.

An Irish Blessing
May road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand,

I will be visiting Moriah again on Saturday,
God bless
Dale

3-26-06

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!!

I'd like to tell everyone I had a great vacation but it turned out to be a bit dissapointing, The weather in Missouri was cold and I spent most of the time there in bed with a bad chest cold etc. Did watch a lot of TV. Hopefully next time the weather and health will cooperate.

Visited Moriah today and she had those big brown eyes open the entire time!! Seemed much more alert than in the past. She had them shut when I entered her room and when I greeted her she opened them and kept them open the entire afternoon. Sure hope this is progress that will result in more response to commands, voices, music etc. She got her eyebrows plucked by her friend Maureen today, and it didn't seem to bother her too much. We still haven't received the results of the CT scan from last Monday so pray that it is good news.

She does have an issue with her left eye which has been somewhat red. They have switched the type of drops that she has been receiving, and hopefully that will help. If not they will have to do some minor surgery as there is a litttle extra pressure in the eye that cold be problematic down the road.

When I visited her Tuesday they plugged the trache for the first time and she did fine for 15 minutes. They have increased that time and today it was plugged the entire time, so if that continues the trache should be removed shortly. That along with removing some of the neck brace would be good news.

Have a great week!!
Peace and Love
Dale

3-20-06

Moriah survived the trip to the clinic for her CT scan. Sounds like she got a little excited. Her heart rate and breathing went up a little but then she settled down. We won't find out the results for a few days and I will let you all know as soon as I hear something.
I'm heading to Ankeny tomorrow and will spend most of the day there and then head down to the lake. Hoped to get a little fishin in, but the weather doesn't look like it's going to cooperate.

Spent yesterday with Jawon. Played with the dogs, and chased the geese and chickens at Darlene's. Still can't have breakfast without Jawon cookin the eggs!! Spent a little time in the condo and then off to watch Curious George at the theatre. One of us stayed awake for the entire movie, I'll let you guess which one.


May God Bless all of you.
Peace
Dale

3-16-06

Moriah continues her fight. No major changes. She continues to have her eyes open about the same amount. We hope for some more eye action shortly. Danielle visited her on Tuesday and said she looked good. They continue different types of therapy to stimulate a response. The therapists feel that she is expressing some pain so they are starting to give her some tylenol. They also are giving her medication to loosen up some of her muscles. We look forward to her CT scan on Monday. Please pray for good results.

I spent two days in Eau Claire attending General Managers meetings. Again it just didn't have the same feeling as in the past. It was good to see many old friends, but was much harder to get through than I anticpated. Mary probably had more to do with me becoming a Store Manager than I did. Again she saw things in me that I didn't see in myself. Frankly I've got some tough decisions to make about my job in the near future. I'm off next week and in between visits to Ankeny I plan on spending some time by myself hiding and trying to figure out what I want to do. Please keep me in your thoughts.

Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted in to the Rock Hall of Fame this week. Not sure what took so long??

Last Friday I had the pleasure of attending Liam Isaac's adoption hearing at the Court House. He was in our care last year for about 6 months. Mary would have been so proud to witness this as she felt strongly that this is how things should work out. It's nice to know that the system does work sometimes. Jeff and Carol, Congratulations, thanks for inviting me, and what a cute kid. He is truly blessed to have you. It meant a lot to be there.

Spent my morning walk on the treadmill (mostly crying) listening to Alan Jackson's greatest hits. Not much of a Country fan but always like the "singer of simple songs." Many of them are about lost love, family etc.

Well tonight if you turn your radio on,
You might hear a sad sad song
About someone who lost everything they had,
It may sound like me
But I'm a little bluer than that.

Alan Jackson "I'm a little bluer than that"

Bluer, Is that a word??

Go Hawks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God Bless
Stay in touch.
Dale

3-13-06

Had a good weekend in Ankeny. Moriah looked well and we watched the Hawks win a couple of games to take the Big Ten!!! We didn't see much of her eyes but the staff said she has had them open periodically over the past week. Hopefully her CT scan will allow her to have the neck brace removed. It truly is a remarkable place with a great staff, just wish it wasn't so far away. I will be out of town the next few days so I probably won't get you any updates until after next weekend. Thanks to all of you for hanging in there with us.
God Bless
Dale

3-9-06

With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. Always let him lead you, and He will clear the road for you to follow.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Not a lot new with Mojo but she seems to be comfortable. Nurses updated me today with the news that they will be taking out the pic line and the chest drain line that she had installed at UIHC. Had not used these for several weeks and looks like she won't need them so out they came. So a couple less holes for her. Sounds like we might get rid of the Aspen brace in a couple of weeks which would be good news as it can't be comfortable for her and makes taking care of her much more difficult. They will also do some more CT scans to check any change in her brain activity. Medically she's in good shape.

Yesterday morning I was putting license plates on my new truck. The front takes a phillips head so I put the new plate on and went to the back. It takes a hex head! Why would they be different?? Anyway I go back into the garage to find a wrench, look in a couple places and can't find one.. So I start digging in a box where I thought there were some sockets and what do I find?? A laminated Kirby Puckett baseball card from his rookie year that I was given back in the 80's. Coincidence???

I'll try to give you an update on Sunday evening when I get back from Ankeny.


The Apostles were jealous
of Mary Magdalene and Jesus
Said why do you love her more than us?
Jesus turned back in disgust
Said why do I love her more than you?
The answer is a question
Just ask yourself what can I do?
To gain my Lord's affection

From the album Master of Disaster by John Hiatt
Song "Love's Not Where We Thought We Left It."

Have an outstanding weekend!!

Love and Peace
Dale

3-8-06

True friends are never lost
Never forgotten
Everyone changes
But the heart knows what is true.


Moriah's first day in Ankeny went well. They do all kinds of therapy trying to stimulate responses. This is quite a change from the last 10 weeks of care. They dress her and get her out of bed every day. They do both occupational and physical therapy. They also do things like music, ring bells, smells etc. Anything that might get her going. She gets lots of attention, and this is her best shot at recovery. They are also very good at keeping me informed of what they are doing and what is going on. She did have her eyes open a fair amount yesterday. You can check out the facility at onwithlife.com.

I survived my birthday yesterday. Had a great dinner with Mark and Angela. Thank you!!
Another bittersweet memory as Mary and I usually celebrated our birthday's together since they were so close. We spent many of them on vacation in Vegas, Jamaica, Florida, and even a few at the Lake. I miss her so much, but these kind of memories make me realize how special she was. God really blessed me.

Do not take life for granted, for tomorrow is not promised to any of us.
Kirby Puckett.

I know Kirby had lots of troubles after his playing days, but I will always remember him running around and having fun with a big smile and a great attitude.

Have a great day.
Dale

3-6-06

Moriah did well on the ambulance ride to On With Life in Ankeny. We spent most of the day there. Visitors are more than welcome, just check in at the front desk. After 4:30 p.m. you have to hit the button to enter. For those of you who are not familiar with the area take exit 90 off of I35 and head west. Go past South Ankeny Blvd and take the next left and follow the signs. Moriah is in room 31. They sat her up in the chair and we wheeled her into the lounge. Please keep praying.

Life really is too short.
We lost one of my hero's today. Kirby Puckett former Centerfielder for the Twins, passed away at age 44 from complications of a stroke. If everyone played the game and had the attitude that Kirby had the world would be a better place.

I will return on the weekend to visit Moriah so I'll give you any updates of any significance that I get.
If anyone is headed that way to visit and have any questions please contact me. Email would probably be the best way.

Live Loud and Proud!!!!!!!

Dale

03-03-06

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits
who forvies all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the
Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast
love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as
long as you live'
so that your youth is renewed
like the eagle's.
Psalm 103 1-5
We need the Lord's help more than ever so please keep us in your prayers.

Moriah will be moving on Monday to On With Life in Ankeny!! This is a good thing. There really isn't anything more they can do for her at the hospital so this is progression!!! It's bittersweet of course because of the distance but, it's what's best for Mo. Please visit her if you can. I'll let you know the details, sounds like a great place.
Also she is moving at this moment back to floor 8 off of elevator H in the burn unit. They needed the beds on the neuro floor and since she is in good shape neuro wise etc etc etc.

My bro Jim is here for the weekend and we hope to watch the Hawks kick the Badgers tomorrow. Look for the two bald guys in the third row behind the end of the Hawkeye's bench. I need thic victory to keep my job of undefeated fan at home. So go Hawks!!!!

"The scientific nature of the ordinary man
is to go on out, and do the best he can."
John Prine

Thanks to all who remembered Mary on her birthday.

Also thanks to all of you for all your support. You have truly blessed me by your words, prayers, and help. The paradox is that so many good things come from a bad thing. I will never forget any of you.
God Bless
Dale

3-1-06

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
James 4:8
I was looking for some of Moriah's keys to her condo and found this inscribed on her key chain.
wow!!

Not a lot new and I'm just leaving a quick note so you all know I'm still here. Again spread the word and stop by Old Chicago tonight after 7:30 to commemorate Mary's Birthday. I'm heading to the hospital so if anything changes I'll update you.

"What's right isn't always popular and what's popular isn't always right"
I gave this to Moriah when she left to go to college.
Peace
Dale