Connie continues to make progress every day- for her it can't go fast enough. But I see progress every day..........
Connie's Dad is here tonight. He thinks she's coming along "Mighty fine!". Many of the symptoms are subsiding slowly but they are changing. He hasn't seen her since last Wednesday and says she's back!
Connie's energy is increasing and she is able to stay up from 7AM until after 10 PM. Most of the time without a nap!!!!!!!
She's careful yet not to drive but that's saving us a lot......and I see that changing just around the corner! She cooked our dinner tonight and it was great!
I'll keep you posted,
Creig
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Seven Days Post-Op
I have been itching to update what has been going on with Connie but she has been a little nervous. I think she didn't want to jinx anything. Then tonight I saw my sister Sharon's last comment and I could never ignore her request!
Connie has left her cane in the corner since we have been home- no longer needed! Sunday night we were talking about her progress and she got up and demonstrated a "heel-to-toe" walk. It was very impressive given her gait 5 days earlier. Very awesome!
Vicki, Lisa Gail, Connie, and myself were talking also on Sunday about some things going on with Lisa Gail which went back and forth between the girls- and me tossing in my 2 cents on occasion. Connie kept up with this fast paced back and forth- interjecting at times always appropriately. This would not have been possible before the surgery.
I have also been keeping track of the amount of time spent awake during the day. Before the surgery Connie spent the day sleeping most of the time. Sunday she slept until about 11 AM, got up and tried later on two occasions to take a well deserved nap. Once her friend called and the other time her Pa came to visit. We finally went to bed about 11 PM-TWELVE HOURS LATER!
Connie did get a burn on her neck from tape used in surgery and/or something put on her skin. It's looking much better today.
The muscle pain is much better than before the surgery as well but still some pain.
Today, Tuesday July 22nd, Connie had a Doctor appointment in Battle Creek with her general practitioner. He wanted to know what we did to the other lady in to see him- the lady before Mayo. He was most impressed that the cane was nowhere to be seen! The new lady was looking around and laughing!
He said most of what she is going through is expected post-operative and to give it some time. It will get better!
We are both a little concerned how far and how much of normal returns. I said it before- I don't have much patience!
Sharon threatened to call if we didn't update and I wouldn't blame anyone. For now Connie is a little reluctant to talk too much so I will try to put something in every couple of days.
Tomorrow is a big day- Connie's cousin from Colorado is in the area and they are planning a little birthday party for Connie's Pa so I have to shoo her off to bed ..............at 11:25PM!
Life can slow down and ease up for a while, and I will be content to document the healing.
Creig
Connie has left her cane in the corner since we have been home- no longer needed! Sunday night we were talking about her progress and she got up and demonstrated a "heel-to-toe" walk. It was very impressive given her gait 5 days earlier. Very awesome!
Vicki, Lisa Gail, Connie, and myself were talking also on Sunday about some things going on with Lisa Gail which went back and forth between the girls- and me tossing in my 2 cents on occasion. Connie kept up with this fast paced back and forth- interjecting at times always appropriately. This would not have been possible before the surgery.
I have also been keeping track of the amount of time spent awake during the day. Before the surgery Connie spent the day sleeping most of the time. Sunday she slept until about 11 AM, got up and tried later on two occasions to take a well deserved nap. Once her friend called and the other time her Pa came to visit. We finally went to bed about 11 PM-TWELVE HOURS LATER!
Connie did get a burn on her neck from tape used in surgery and/or something put on her skin. It's looking much better today.
The muscle pain is much better than before the surgery as well but still some pain.
Today, Tuesday July 22nd, Connie had a Doctor appointment in Battle Creek with her general practitioner. He wanted to know what we did to the other lady in to see him- the lady before Mayo. He was most impressed that the cane was nowhere to be seen! The new lady was looking around and laughing!
He said most of what she is going through is expected post-operative and to give it some time. It will get better!
We are both a little concerned how far and how much of normal returns. I said it before- I don't have much patience!
Sharon threatened to call if we didn't update and I wouldn't blame anyone. For now Connie is a little reluctant to talk too much so I will try to put something in every couple of days.
Tomorrow is a big day- Connie's cousin from Colorado is in the area and they are planning a little birthday party for Connie's Pa so I have to shoo her off to bed ..............at 11:25PM!
Life can slow down and ease up for a while, and I will be content to document the healing.
Creig
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Connie is HOME!
Wednesday was a long day. Had a couple tests at Mayo that went good and we hit the road at 10:30. We missed the boat and everyone just wanted to be home so we decided to go around the lake. Near Chicago we noticed that Connie developed some hives and was running a temperature. So we kept an eye on it and about an hour later it had risen. We were close to Kalamazoo and decided to stop in to the Hospital to check her out. After about two or three hours they told us that it's fairly normal to be running a slight temp a day after surgery and the hives could be due to heat and stress. We talked to Marlene on the way to Kalamazoo and she arrived at the hospital shortly after we did. It was so great to see her and Zack. It also turned out that Kim had an ambulance run to the hospital and we saw her there too! (Thanks you three-it helped having you there.) We finished our trip home at 3:00am, so it was indeed a very long day. Mike is on his way home today (Thursday). Mom seems to be doing well and Vic, Creig and Mike all think that they have already seen improvements in Connie. Time will tell. Thanks for being there for us!
- Michael
- Michael
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Travel Plans
It's late Tuesday and things are going good. Connie is "waking up" from the meds- in time to go to bed! She is having some pain, 8 on a 10 scale, but isn't too demanding...........
Plans are to hit the two appointments after clearing out of the motel then head east via Chicago. Neither ferry fits our plan so we'll see what Chicago looks like tomorrow afternoon. Mike's car is in Ludington so we'll get him there. The Doc says to stop once an hour to stretch. So this being the day after surgery it's not what we wanted for Connie.
Everyone here is ready to be home as soon as we can get there. Leave the light on for us.
Creig
Plans are to hit the two appointments after clearing out of the motel then head east via Chicago. Neither ferry fits our plan so we'll see what Chicago looks like tomorrow afternoon. Mike's car is in Ludington so we'll get him there. The Doc says to stop once an hour to stretch. So this being the day after surgery it's not what we wanted for Connie.
Everyone here is ready to be home as soon as we can get there. Leave the light on for us.
Creig
5 O'clock Rochester
St Mary's Hospital
Connie really liked this stain glass window and ask that we take a photo. This is where she had her surgery. It is amazing how great the care is here.
-mm
Well we spent a little more time in the hospital than planned. The surgeon wanted to meet with Connie........then got tied up in another job.
So we waited and waited...........Vicki & Michael were released to the hotel. After several hours we headed out after the Doc said she would be a while......and got back to the hotel about 5pm Michigan time.
Connie is a little groggy but starting to get her sense of humor back. My guess is we'll just lay around tonight.
We have two appointments in the morning so I don't know when we might get back to Michigan. We'll keep you "posted"!
Creig
So we waited and waited...........Vicki & Michael were released to the hotel. After several hours we headed out after the Doc said she would be a while......and got back to the hotel about 5pm Michigan time.
Connie is a little groggy but starting to get her sense of humor back. My guess is we'll just lay around tonight.
We have two appointments in the morning so I don't know when we might get back to Michigan. We'll keep you "posted"!
Creig
Connie's Surgery
Connie is in the recovery room right now. She had one parathyroid gland removed. Normal weight is 50mg- hers was 1950mg. Normal size is a grain of rice- hers was the tip of the thumb.
Before surgery her parathyroid hormone was 200- after surgery it was 38. Normal is 10 to 50. The surgeon thought the problem had be ongoing for 10+ years.
After recovery we should all be back in the hotel by mid-afternoon. She will have to go in to the clinic in the morning then and then we'll be heading East!
Creig
Before surgery her parathyroid hormone was 200- after surgery it was 38. Normal is 10 to 50. The surgeon thought the problem had be ongoing for 10+ years.
After recovery we should all be back in the hotel by mid-afternoon. She will have to go in to the clinic in the morning then and then we'll be heading East!
Creig
Monday, July 14, 2008
Mom's scheduled surgery time.
They have just called and we are scheduled to be at the hospital at 5:45am tommorrow. Mom is trying to decide if she wants to eat anything before midnight.
Party Party Party Time
To all my friends in the UP there will be a party at my cabin in a couple of weeks of my return home. Love always your troll Connie
Great News!
We met with the Doctor and Surgeon about two hours ago. Mom was told she does have a growth on her Thyroid but it is NON CANCEROUS. It is very small and nothing needs to be done for it. So because of this news Mom is having surgery tomorrow morning at St. Mary's Hospital here in Minnasota. The surgeon explained that the surgery would go like this.
She will check in.
She will be given an General ansesthesia.
They will cut about 1-2 inches in the base of the neck in the front.
They will take out the parathryoid that is bad and they know which is bad just by viewing its size.
They then wait 10 minutes and then test her blood for the levels and if it stablizes and becomes normal they know they got the one that is bad and then they sew her up and she is sent to recovery.
She will then be in recovery until about 1-3pm in the afternoon and if no problems she will be released to go back to the hotel.
The next morning we get up and she goes back to Mayo has her calicum level checked and then sent home. Yippee, we are all happy and excited that it may be coming to a close. It really can not happen soon enough.
Yes, Rosemary Mike has already been told he better be ware on the ferry ride back.
She will check in.
She will be given an General ansesthesia.
They will cut about 1-2 inches in the base of the neck in the front.
They will take out the parathryoid that is bad and they know which is bad just by viewing its size.
They then wait 10 minutes and then test her blood for the levels and if it stablizes and becomes normal they know they got the one that is bad and then they sew her up and she is sent to recovery.
She will then be in recovery until about 1-3pm in the afternoon and if no problems she will be released to go back to the hotel.
The next morning we get up and she goes back to Mayo has her calicum level checked and then sent home. Yippee, we are all happy and excited that it may be coming to a close. It really can not happen soon enough.
Yes, Rosemary Mike has already been told he better be ware on the ferry ride back.
Thyroid Stuff
We just got back Mayo- they did an ultrasound and a needle biopsy of a thyroid nodule.........in and out in an hour and fifteen minutes.
Now we just relax until the appointment with the surgeon this afternoon. Connie was a little timid about it all but good now.
The hotel is emptying out- two busloads of soccer players from Columbia...........
More later..........
Creig
Now we just relax until the appointment with the surgeon this afternoon. Connie was a little timid about it all but good now.
The hotel is emptying out- two busloads of soccer players from Columbia...........
More later..........
Creig
Sunday, July 13, 2008
At the hotel photos
Vicki didn't want her photo taken. I'm in trouble...
Creig is relaxing and icing his knee.
Connie and Mike are happy to be out of a car!We are here!
Ok we are here we made it all in one piece, crutches, cane and all.
I just want everyone to know mom is making the most of her last days being ill, see Mike and I slaved over 2 hours of Bingo on the SS Badger and could not win nothing not even a hotdog. Then all of a sudden mom appears out of no where with her cane in hand and the announcer runs up to her and gives her one of the bingo rewards. Yep and she wasn't even playing. Mom came to Mike and I bragging and we told her way to go getting sympthy with the cane and she said "No that isn't why he gave it to me which I replied well then it is because your a senior citizen." She laughed and laughed and then asked Mike to go the shop to cash in her reward. She got a nice SS Badger sweatshirt.
Oh and by the way Mike has finally figured out he hasn't even given mom permission to create any new post on her own blog. So he is suppose to do this after I am done telling all the family secretes. So please stay tune for mom's version of her trip here to Minnasota, she promises to post as soon as her son grants her permission.
You should all be here Mom just informed Mike her first appointment is at 8:00am. This is going to be such a fun trip. Take care and we will post again but Maybe again I wouldn't be they are all threatening to take this priviledge away from me. So if you don't hear from me my family has revoked my consitutional right to free speech.
I just want everyone to know mom is making the most of her last days being ill, see Mike and I slaved over 2 hours of Bingo on the SS Badger and could not win nothing not even a hotdog. Then all of a sudden mom appears out of no where with her cane in hand and the announcer runs up to her and gives her one of the bingo rewards. Yep and she wasn't even playing. Mom came to Mike and I bragging and we told her way to go getting sympthy with the cane and she said "No that isn't why he gave it to me which I replied well then it is because your a senior citizen." She laughed and laughed and then asked Mike to go the shop to cash in her reward. She got a nice SS Badger sweatshirt.
Oh and by the way Mike has finally figured out he hasn't even given mom permission to create any new post on her own blog. So he is suppose to do this after I am done telling all the family secretes. So please stay tune for mom's version of her trip here to Minnasota, she promises to post as soon as her son grants her permission.
You should all be here Mom just informed Mike her first appointment is at 8:00am. This is going to be such a fun trip. Take care and we will post again but Maybe again I wouldn't be they are all threatening to take this priviledge away from me. So if you don't hear from me my family has revoked my consitutional right to free speech.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Countdown to Mayo
It is Saturday night and we should packing or packed.............but neither Connie or I have much ambition! I think we just want to get this over!
Connie has had quite a bit of muscle pain and sleeps much of the time. Her mood has been good and is in good spirits.
Her Dad has called as has my Mom and my sister Susan. Connie's sister, Vicki Louise, and her husband Tim stopped over this afternoon and brought Connie a stuffed animal- I think they were afraid we were gonna sneak the pup on the trip. However Lisa Gail's got Hunter the wonder dog this trip.
We'll leave Mt. P about 5AM headed with Vicki to Ludington to meet Michael and get on the boat. We should be at our hotel by 6PM Sunday.
Monday starts out with an ultrasound at 8AM then afternoon meetings with the MSU/U of M surgeon and then a follow up visit with the endocrinologist. Funny 6 weeks ago I could not have spelled endocrinologist!
We'll know the schedule for Tuesday and surgery details Monday afternoon. Our plans are bug out for Michigan Wednesday morning but these are always subject to revision..........
We have many things to be thankful for but especially the love and support everyone has shown. It really means so much to us.
Connie & Creig
Connie has had quite a bit of muscle pain and sleeps much of the time. Her mood has been good and is in good spirits.
Her Dad has called as has my Mom and my sister Susan. Connie's sister, Vicki Louise, and her husband Tim stopped over this afternoon and brought Connie a stuffed animal- I think they were afraid we were gonna sneak the pup on the trip. However Lisa Gail's got Hunter the wonder dog this trip.
We'll leave Mt. P about 5AM headed with Vicki to Ludington to meet Michael and get on the boat. We should be at our hotel by 6PM Sunday.
Monday starts out with an ultrasound at 8AM then afternoon meetings with the MSU/U of M surgeon and then a follow up visit with the endocrinologist. Funny 6 weeks ago I could not have spelled endocrinologist!
We'll know the schedule for Tuesday and surgery details Monday afternoon. Our plans are bug out for Michigan Wednesday morning but these are always subject to revision..........
We have many things to be thankful for but especially the love and support everyone has shown. It really means so much to us.
Connie & Creig
Back to Minnesota
Tomorrow morning mom is heading back to the Minnesota Mayo clinic. Creig, Connie, Vicki and Mike are all going. Vicki and Mike will have driving duty since Creig's knee is healing. We are going to meet at the boat in Ludington at 7:00 a.m. (way too early for me).
We'll let you know Monday night what happened from the testing... Thanks for checking up.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Creig's surgery
Well, I just spoke with Creig and he is home recooperating from his knee surgery. The doctor states he needs to be off it a couple of days and Creig says that if it feels ok he is going to work Thursday. The doctor did tell him that he is not to drive long distances. So he will be a rider on Sunday morning when we leave to go back to Minnasota for Mom surgery.
It appears that Creig, Mike, Me and of course Mom will be making this trip. I am sure we will have to find room for some crutches too.
It appears that Creig, Mike, Me and of course Mom will be making this trip. I am sure we will have to find room for some crutches too.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
missing in action
Ok Ok Ok I am back. I have officially pretty much traveled a big circle, maybe its like 180 degrees as my Son Cody would casually point out to me. After arriving back at home on the 28 at 8:00am, Courtney and I caught two hours of sleep and headed to Harrison for my best friends wedding with Cody and Myron in tow. Then Cody, Courtney and I headed to Houghton so that Cody could attend a MI Tech camp to learn more about Engineering and Campus life. He was selected to go to this camp through his grades and a teacher recommendation. So Cody drove most of the way because frankly I was exhausted. Our plan was to go to the cabin and stay the night but as tired and I was and because we left the wedding early I had Cody drive to Marquette where we stayed at a hotel so that we did not have to get up so early the next morning. I forgot to share that on the boat home from Wisconsin we were unable to get a cabin state room so poor mom and creig slept in a reclining chair in the ships muesuem, Courtney did not care she was so tired she just sprawled out on the floor of the ship and fell asleep. I my self found a bench in a food place and slept there or something like sleep. So we were very very tired.
Well, Cody attended MI Tech and has fallen in love with it. He has talked non stop about it which as we all know is huge for Cody.
Courtney and I stayed at McLain camp ground and had beautiful weather up until the last night where it stormed and stormed bad. My tent collapsed and I slept in the car and then courtney laughted when she found out I used garbage bags to make me a wet suit and went out and fixed the my tent once the wind let up. I don't know but there seems to be a theme to not getting in rest on my last night of being somewhere. We picked Cody up at 4:00pm yesturday and headed straight home. (Tired again so Cody again did most of the driving). We got home at 1:00am.
Creig kept me up dated as much as he could because my cell phone wasn't working well up there and I had no access to a computer.
So the plan from now is to take care of Lisa Gail, Get Creig better and head back to Mayo (I am registering first thing for a state room if I go by boat again it truely is a must).
That is it form me, I will post more later.
Well, Cody attended MI Tech and has fallen in love with it. He has talked non stop about it which as we all know is huge for Cody.
Courtney and I stayed at McLain camp ground and had beautiful weather up until the last night where it stormed and stormed bad. My tent collapsed and I slept in the car and then courtney laughted when she found out I used garbage bags to make me a wet suit and went out and fixed the my tent once the wind let up. I don't know but there seems to be a theme to not getting in rest on my last night of being somewhere. We picked Cody up at 4:00pm yesturday and headed straight home. (Tired again so Cody again did most of the driving). We got home at 1:00am.
Creig kept me up dated as much as he could because my cell phone wasn't working well up there and I had no access to a computer.
So the plan from now is to take care of Lisa Gail, Get Creig better and head back to Mayo (I am registering first thing for a state room if I go by boat again it truely is a must).
That is it form me, I will post more later.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Neuro News
Connie had an EEG yesterday and an EMG today both in Novi. The neurologist, Dr. K, was surprised not to find any nerve impairment. He now is the first Doc who thinks her staggering gait may be a result of the high calcium.
Up to now all the doctors have had one comment- the staggering is not related to the high calcium. So this is good news in two ways.
One is that she has no problems with the nerves in her right leg ( He did discover slight carpel tunnel in her right hand). Second is he thinks the staggering could go away with the surgery to correct the hyperparathyroidism.
So we continue to make progress- getting answers to the tests, ruling out this or that, keeping big oil in the black or green however you see it........
I have started my countdown to Mayo on the 15th. It can't be here quick enough!
Creig
Up to now all the doctors have had one comment- the staggering is not related to the high calcium. So this is good news in two ways.
One is that she has no problems with the nerves in her right leg ( He did discover slight carpel tunnel in her right hand). Second is he thinks the staggering could go away with the surgery to correct the hyperparathyroidism.
So we continue to make progress- getting answers to the tests, ruling out this or that, keeping big oil in the black or green however you see it........
I have started my countdown to Mayo on the 15th. It can't be here quick enough!
Creig
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Plans for July.........
Well I think we all were more than a little disappointed late Friday when we met with the Docs and they said they would not be doing the surgery until July 15th! Our patience was more than stretched..........
This is one day earlier than we could first be seen at a specialist in Grand Rapids; U of M was saying September 9th; so looking back we are way ahead of those dates.
Today and tomorrow Connie has tests ordered by her neurologist in Novi at Providence Hospital. This guys seems very good and he laid out plans for a variety of tests at the first appointment.
Back to Mayo on the 13th- right now we are heading to Rochester on July 13th. Michael is going along............I think he heard about the trip to Mall of America. That should help out as I am having my knee scoped on the 8th to fix some damaged cartilage.
I met Mike and Alex last night after work to pick up the dog. She was still a pup when she went to visit now she looks like a grown up. That and a few bad habits from Mike!
The last week has been quite a blur but two things really stand out to me. One is the quality of medical care my wife has received at Mayo. Second is the love and support we've received from friends and family as Connie has embarked on this journey.
Having this support system in place means a lot to me but really helps Connie. I see it in her every day. Facing what she has been going through, not knowing when or if it will go away have been tough. She's not one to need help- her nature if to help others.......
Lisa Gail has been super through all this- she goes with the flow! Myron and Vicki have been helping her out in many ways and we are very proud of their teamwork together.
So maybe Friday was not such a disappointing day. The Docs confirmed that Connie has primary hyperparathyroidism, it is treatable with minimally invasive surgery, with the surgeon saying 90% of patients having a positive outcome. I just wanted this done sooner but I never have had much patience.
Creig
Oh yeah..........the Doc went to MSU medical school, did an internship at U of M, and then Wisconsin before Mayo. I'm tryin' to get transcripts!
This is one day earlier than we could first be seen at a specialist in Grand Rapids; U of M was saying September 9th; so looking back we are way ahead of those dates.
Today and tomorrow Connie has tests ordered by her neurologist in Novi at Providence Hospital. This guys seems very good and he laid out plans for a variety of tests at the first appointment.
Back to Mayo on the 13th- right now we are heading to Rochester on July 13th. Michael is going along............I think he heard about the trip to Mall of America. That should help out as I am having my knee scoped on the 8th to fix some damaged cartilage.
I met Mike and Alex last night after work to pick up the dog. She was still a pup when she went to visit now she looks like a grown up. That and a few bad habits from Mike!
The last week has been quite a blur but two things really stand out to me. One is the quality of medical care my wife has received at Mayo. Second is the love and support we've received from friends and family as Connie has embarked on this journey.
Having this support system in place means a lot to me but really helps Connie. I see it in her every day. Facing what she has been going through, not knowing when or if it will go away have been tough. She's not one to need help- her nature if to help others.......
Lisa Gail has been super through all this- she goes with the flow! Myron and Vicki have been helping her out in many ways and we are very proud of their teamwork together.
So maybe Friday was not such a disappointing day. The Docs confirmed that Connie has primary hyperparathyroidism, it is treatable with minimally invasive surgery, with the surgeon saying 90% of patients having a positive outcome. I just wanted this done sooner but I never have had much patience.
Creig
Oh yeah..........the Doc went to MSU medical school, did an internship at U of M, and then Wisconsin before Mayo. I'm tryin' to get transcripts!
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