Tuesday, July 9, 2013

I was up at 6:30 this mornng.  I took a shower, washed my hair and dried some clothes.  I left for the hospital around 8:45 after having prayer and scriptures.  I went to get gas and then went to the bank.  I stopped at McDonald's to get James some oatmeal for breakfast. 

James is tired and sleeps most of the morning while I am there.  At 1pm Scott West from Presidential Realty comes by to talk about selling our house.  We signed papers to list the house for $446,000.  I am a little disappointed because I wanted to sell it right now, as is, to the investors for $360,000. 

Trina and her kids came by for a visit this afternoon.  They went to look for a See's candy store but could only find a Godiva one at Scottsdale Fashion Square so they brought James Godiva chocolates

 Addy, Rowan, and Ruby

James and I had salad and chili for dinner from the grill.  I left around 7:30 for home.  Sheri invited me to go get Froyo with her, Alex, Evan and Max. 

I went to bed around 10pm. 

Monday, July 8, 2013

Happy 21st Birthday Jared Ammon!

On the way to the hospital I stopped at McDonald's for a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit.  When I got to the hospital I went to the grill and ordered James a veggie omelet.  He liked it but really doesn't have much of an appetite.  I got him a toothbrush at Walmart this morning and after breakfast I helped him clean up in the hospital bathroom.

James is on roommate #3.  His name is Eric.  He was in a car accident recently.  His leg had an infection and he broke five vertebrae.  Something was fishy though.  He just decided to get up an leave the hospital.  He didn't even last a day.  At one point someone from the hospital finance department came in and asked him some questions.  He said he makes a penny a card in royalties and last month he made $20,000, but he doesn't really have a place to live.  

I went to CVS this afternoon to get some adhesive for my temporary crown which keeps falling out.  When I returned Stacy, Dallin, and Joshua were visiting with James.

Dallin visiting with James in the hospital

Grandpa and Joshua

We had a nice visit with Stacy and the boys.  Sorry I didn't get a picture of Stacy.  After they left Zaki Shakir came by and brought James an orchid plant.  

James got a new roommate this evening.  His name is John and they think he had an appendicitis.  He and James got into a bit of a war with the TV's tonight.  John was watching something and then James decided he wanted to watch but he couldn't hear because John's TV was too loud so he turned his TV up and then John turned his up.  Finally I said: "This is ridiculous, let's just turn our TV off."  We were trying to watch War Horse and John was watching Dark Shadows.  

I help James get ready for bed and then I leave to go home.  He texts me but accidentally sends it to Zaki.  This is what he said: "Goodnight, babydoll."  I told him I hoped Zaki's wife didn't see the text because then she really wouldn't trust him.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

James and I were both sad to miss our meetings today.  Kim, Brian, and Joe attended fast and testimony meeting in the Vernon ward.  Kim sent me this text: : Brian, Joe and I went to your ward today.  It was one of the most spiritual meetings I have ever been too.  You have an awesome ward!"  We really do have an awesome ward and I surely do miss it.

Laura called.  She and Dave are still in Idaho but she wanted to check on James.  Also Lois and Dawn visited this afternoon.  The walk to the room is quite long and I think it discouraged Lois from coming again. 

The doctor came in and said the second surgery would not be tomorrow because the swelling has not gone down enough. 

Rowan and Darrel came by for a visit.  Rowan watched Sponge Bog while Darrel visited. 

We actually ordered James's first meal today.  He ordered cod but said it was so overcooked that it was rubbery. 

James got a new roommate.  His name is Harold.  He has a bad cough because he smoked for 50 years.  I hope he makes it through the night.

I went back home to Chandler around 7:30.  Joshua was outside playing in the sprinkler.  He says: "Hi Grandma, have you been to the hospital and to Church?  I said, well Joshua, I have been to the hospital but I didn't get to go to Church.  He says:  "I didn't go to Church either."  I said, "Oh, that makes me said."  Joshua says: "Why?" 

Stacy fixed me a nice dinner.  Chicken, rice, corn, and biscuits.  It tasted good.  I watched The Next Foodnetwork Star.  Chris went home.  I wanted it to be "Pie Man" Rodney. 

Kim sent me a picture of the sunset and said it was raining. 

I miss Vernon

Saturday, July 6, 2013

I got updates from Trina throughout the night regarding James's surgery:  This text was sent at 12:50 am:
"He's out of surgery.  I just talked to Dr. Ortega.  He was able to place screws and bars.  They are going to watch the swelling every day.  They will do a ct scan later today to figure out the extent of the injury.  After the swelling goes down the earliest would be Monday, they will go in and place a plate and nail.  (They actually placed three plates and a rod.)

 Recovering from surgery

Exterior hardware

3:16 am. "They got him to his room.  He's eating ice.  His nurse is great.  I'm not going to stay because the room is tiny and he has a roommate.  There is nowhere for me to be, but he's good.  They are giving him pain medication now.  He is in room 410."

I got this message from James at 3:54 am: 

"This is my new home for about a week.  They will do another surgery on Sunday or Monday. (They weren't actually able to do it until Thursday).  Please bring me some garment changes, and shirt and pants and socks.  They cut off my clothes.  Please bring my medicine as well.  You are the love of my life!  Trina stayed with me all night.  Darrel is very blessed to have her.  I'm so drugged that it took me 30 minutes to do this text."

I left Vernon around 8:00am.  I stopped in Show Low to get gas and wash my car and to get something to eat at McDonald's.  I got this text as I was coming into Payson: "Where is my sunshine?"  I texted back: "On my way."  "What does that mean?"  "Payson."  "Be careful."  "OK."

James is so happy to see me when I finally arrive.  He is in alot of pain and very tired.  His nurse, a young black girl named Ryan tries various drugs for pain.  

This afternoon Tricia and her kids, who are in town, come for a visit, and so do Trina and her kids.  

James had a roommate, a hispanic man by the name of Ernie, but he checks out at the end of the day.

I stay until 9:30.  James wants me to stay but there is really no where for me to stay.  We ask the nurse about the empty bed and she said if I did use it we would have to pay for it.  Well I guess not.  I really do hate to leave but I need some rest so I can be here for him tomorrow.

I am going to close with a quote I saw today on Facebook by Mother Teresa:

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.  Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway."

Friday, July 5, 2013

It was overcast this morning and looked like it might rain.



James went out and chopped down another dead tree and hauled it away to be burned later.



I tried to do some catchup on my blog.  I am 18 days behind.

The boys played Rockband and Alex took a break to meditate.



Brian has a sinus infection and his medicine is not working.  He went into town to get a new prescription. 

Kim was in the kitchen making spaghetti tacos and I was sitting at the dining room table when a bat flew through the room close to her face, and then to mine.  We yelled and James saw where the bat went out through a crack in the ceiling near a log in the living room.  He had the boys bring in the big extension ladder but then realized he did not have any foam to seal the hole.  Another reason to go into town today. 

When James and I went in to town we made the following stops: Walmart, Home Depot, Express Fuel for gas, Big 5 Sports for a ping pong table, (obviously we took James's truck), and Show Low Motorsports to see about getting a windshield for the Razr.  We talked about full or half and decided we would come back tomorrow and get a half windshield.

Owen Taylor came by for a visit this afternoon.  He has a Razr just like ours!  He has a half windshield and mud flaps.  He told James he got them on Ebay a lot cheaper than what they are selling them for at Show Low Motosports. 

Around 5:30 or so, before dinner, James, Kim and I went on a Razr ride to Buckley Springs.  James was so happy.  He loves being out in nature and he loves the new Razr.

Antelope



 When we got home I was putting my jacket on a hook in the entryway when I heard a loud crash!  James had climbed up on the ladder to put foam in the crack where the bat came in and the ladder falls and his leg gets caught between two of the rungs as he comes down.  He broke it in three places.  You could see a bone sticking out.  I think that is called a compound fracture.  The sad thing is the room was filled with people who could have held that ladder for him but he didn't ask.  Kim was at the table doing a puzzle, and the boys were playing Rockband.  Brian was also in the room. 

We decided it would take too long to call an ambulance to come and get him so I put the seats down in my car and made a place for him to lay.  Brian and the boys helped him out to the car.  Alex got him a jacket because he was shivering, probably from shock.  I gave him two hydrocodone pills to help with the pain.  Michael came with me in case there was anything he could do to help.  He is so sweet!, and Brian followed behind in his car.  Brian also called ahead to the hospital to alert them that we were coming.

James said the worst pain he felt up to this point was when they put an air cast on him before they lifted him out of the car.  They tried to straighten his leg before putting it in the cast and that was what was so painful.

 Putting the cast on.

 

 

He was taken to a room in the emergency area of the hospital.  They took some x-rays and determined that he needed to be air evaced to Scottsdale because of the nature of the injury.

 

 

Sheri and Ian and the rest of their boys were on their way up when this happened.  Sheri had Ian drop her off at the hospital so she and I stood and watched the helicopter leave before going back to the cabin. 

 

 

Darrel and Paul met James at the hospital and gave him a blessing before his surgery.  Trina came and waited until the surgery was over and they had him in his room before she left.  I am so grateful to all of them for being there with James when I couldn't be.  I went home and tried to sleep so I could go down early tomorrow morning.

 

I was also grateful to Brian and Michael for going with us to the hospital and for Sheri for driving me home.  It has been a long day.









Thursday, July 4, 2013

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

Sunrise

 

James and I went out on a Razr ride this morning.  It was a great way to start the fourth of July. 

 

Did I mention that James brought green chili burros from Burger House back with him yesterday.  I had one for breakfast, also a good way to start the day!

 

James and the boys take a ride on the Razr up to Greenspeak.  It starts to rain so they call me to come and rescue them.  I go outside and the Ranger is parked behind me so it takes me a few minutes before I can leave.  By the time I head up the hill I pass James and the boys coming down.  They don't even stop so I am a little upset.  Oh well, I got over it.

 

Kim and I went for a ride.  I took her up to where we had girls camp.  We enjoy our ride but little rocks keep flying up and hitting us in the face.  We need a windshield.  I am putting that on my list.  We only got rained on for a few minutes.  When we get back to the cabin Brian is here! 

 

For dinner we cook a feast.  We always have good food when Kim and Brian are here. We had steak, corn, broccoli, and Brian grilled some veggies.  It was yummy!!  Oh yes, did I mention we also had garlic bread.

 

We watched the Capital Fourth on TV and played "Fact or Crap", and "Five Crowns".  Kim wanted to get the boys away from Rockband for awhile.

 

To end the evening Brian gave Alex some fireworks he had up in their closet and Alex put on a show for us.  It was a fun way to end the evening.

 

 

 

 



Wednesday, July 3, 2013

James made me watch a video on Youtube about Senator Elbert Guillory, a black man who explains why he became a Republican.  Very inspirational.

James left for the valley this morning.  He has a meeting with an agent from the Registrar of Contractors at the Shakir home.  The meeting went well.  Out of 15 complaints issued mainly by Ariana Shakir, the agent only felt 3 needed attention. 

He also met with the realtor about selling our house.  Some investors have made a good offer so now we need to decide if we are going to sell to them or put it on the market and try to get a higher price.  James also picked up the last check from Lake Park Village for $28, 271.94.  That job saved us this summer.

Back at home I go into Vernon to mail bills and I stop at Midway station for some ice cream.  While the guy in front of me is checking out the cashier, (I call her Annie Oakley), asks him: "Do you grow pot?"  When he says yes, she says: "That's what I thought."  And he says: "Am I in trouble?"  "Oh, no, you're cool."  I felt like saying: "Hey people, I'm here." Weird!

Kim arrived around 4:30 pm.  The boys were gone on the Razr. 

I made some brownies and poppy seed muffins to take to Young Women's this evening.  We are assigned to clean the church.  These are the young women who came: Maddie and her friend Jamie, Jordyn, Shelly, and Trenda.  The boys also helped.  I am afraid I deserted Trenda when it came to cleaning the men's bathroom.  There was a terrible smell and with my gag reflex I just couldn't stay in there.

When I came home Kim had made her delicious homemade macaroni and cheese.  Also, James was back from the valley and he was in a good mood!!