Todd's New Hip

I haven't said much about Todd's condition since his major infection last year, but here's the scoop.  In a nutshell, he has had a miserable, painful, agonizing 8 months of limping, moaning, suffering and stress.  It's been pretty rough.  We've known his cartilage was completely "eaten up" in his right hip from the infection last year, but we were hoping he would be able to wait awhile before we seriously considered a total hip replacement.  But as time went on, we realized he just couldn't live like this anymore.  He couldn't play with the kids, do things around the house, or enjoy life. 

We had a doctor's appointment back in January and the orthopedic surgeon said he was a little nervous about going ahead right away also. So we stewed about it for a while, but by March, we knew Todd wouldn't be able to wait much longer.  So, we prayed, pondered, and fasted about whether or not we should go ahead with the surgery.  We were nervous because of his risk of getting another infection, especially so soon after the recovery of his last one.  In the end, we felt like it had to be done and we both had peace about going ahead.  So we made another appointment......this time to schedule surgery. 

Originally we had the surgery scheduled for May 2nd, but a week later, they called and told us they had a cancellation for the 12th of April, so we decided to take it.  That was just over two weeks ago.

On Tuesday, April 12, Todd had surgery for a total hip replacement.  The procedure lasted a little over an hour.  I was so thankful that my mom came up to be with me during the wait (thanks mom).  Roughly one and a half hours later, the doctor called to report the results.  He told me that the surgery went really well.  He said that Todd had A LOT of scar tissue resulting from his recent infection and surgery, so the doctor "stretched" it out and worked with it so he would have more mobility.  Apparently that is one of the main reasons he was so stiff and had to start using a cane again the last couple of months.  The doctor also said the hip bone looked exactly as it should.  At first I thought he meant that nothing was wrong with it(WHAT?), but then he went on to explain that it looked healthy and it didn't appear to have any infection still lurking somewhere.  That was great news.  Of course, they still did cultures just to make sure, but the doctor said he'd be surprised if there was anything unusual.  (whew). 

The surgery was at roughly 9:30 am.  Todd woke up at noon in recovery.  At 1:00, they brought him to his room (where I was waiting for him) and at 1:55, they had him get up and walk the halls with his crutches.  I was a little freaked out that they were getting him up so soon......less than 2 hours after he had awakened.  And I voiced that concen.  They pretty much ignored me and called me "cute" for being so funny about it.  :)  They proved me wrong in the end, because he did just fine.  But it was still a little stressful.

 Todd came home on Wednesday afternoon at around 1:30.  He still looked a little pale, but his color was better than the day before.  Late afternoon (around 5:00), Todd was running a low-grade fever of about 100.4.  I tried not to FREAK OUT, but I wasn't successful.  Todd has had enough fevers to last him a life time and last summer when he had them off and on, it was NOT a good sign.  So, we called the doctor right away, and luckily got a hold of him immediately.  I think the on-call service called him right then.  The doctor said he wasn't concerned about that temperature and that it's not uncommon to have a low-grade fever after surgery.  He said just to watch it and if it stayed above 100.5 for several days, then we could get concerned.  UGH!  It is so scary just to trust and wait.....and wait.....and wait.....patience is not one of my stronger attributes.....

The next day (Thursday), his temperature stayed low and that evening he didn't have one at all.  Yesterday his temperature was 99.1, so we're feeling good about things in that area.  We just hopes it stays down.....or goes away completely!  We did talk to the nurse on Thursday and she said it's actually common to have a fever off and on for the first 2 weeks.  It's still stressful though.....

Here's Todd a couple of days after surgery.  He didn't want me to take his picture, but this is for posterity......ya know what I mean? 

.  The home health care nurse came to our house on Thursday morning to check his incision.  She took off his bandages and declared that the site looked very good.  She didn't see any red at all, indicating that there didn't appear to be any infection......that was such a relief to hear.  The physical therapist came that morning also and she checked to make sure Todd had all of his medical equipment that he needed.  She also wanted to make sure he was transitioning well.  He passed all the tests and knew all the answers to the questions she asked him.  He is such a good student!  :)  Good job honey!

Here's Todd doing some ninja-style crutches pose.  We've got to have some fun, right?  We didn't show this to the PT.....some things are better left unknown.  :)

Here's the fancy handle that sticks to our shower wall.  It's a sturdy little thing and I recommend them for anyone who needs a little "pull" getting up. 

This contraption is called a Shower Bench.  Todd can't use the regular bath chair because he can't put all of his weight onto his right let when getting into the shower, so this handy-dandy bench allows him to sit on the outer side first, then scoot over to the middle, then bring his legs over the tub. Quite inventive, don't you think?

These little evil things are called T.E.D. hose.  Todd has to wear them everyday for 6 weeks.  They are used to prevent blood clots.  Of course he can't shower with them, so we take them off.....then we put them on.....then we start over the next day.  UGH!  They are your worst-nylon-nightmare!  They are soooo tight and nearly impossible to get on.  Todd can't bend past a 90 degree angle, so guess who has to put these on him?  Yep, yours truly!  The joys of marriage.....AND here's a picture of just one of the things he has to put up with.  His big toe keeps coming out of the hole at the bottom, and since he can't bend down to fix it himself......well, you get the idea.  I'm a Nurse/Mother/Wife/Caregiver/put-really-tight-and-annoying-socks-on-husband Master.  It will be nice when these little buggers are a thing of the past.....

Now, Todd wouldn't let me take a picture of the "Toilet Extender," (I really don't know why), so you're just going to have to picture it in your mind.  It's a toilet seat that is roughly 6 inches deep.  It sits on the regular toilet and gives a person height.  I'm telling you, I think it would be better to just show the real picture, because now you're picturing.....well, who knows what you're picturing, but it's probably worse than what this really looks like...... :)  It's pretty clever, if you ask me!

This next picture is of Todd's CPAP machine.  He has to wear it because apparently he has sleep apnea.  The nose-thing that he has to wear does not fit properly, so it's noisy and keeps me awake at night.  Honestly, I would like to throw it across the room, but I guess that wouldn't be good......and I guess I want Todd to be able to breath, so.....whatever!  Still annoying though.  We're hoping to get a different model next week, one that actually fits him, so it won't make unneccessary noise.  I'm counting down the days for that!

Smiling for the camera.  Thanks honey!  (We're just trying to be positive).....

Todd continues to improve each day. Today is the 4th day after surgery and this pictures was taken yesterday.  What a life, huh?  :)  The phone, the dog by his side, a box of wheat thins.....what else could you ever want?  (how about walking?)  No, he really has had quite a bit of pain and I don't want to make light of the fact that this has been a big deal.  BUT compared to last summer, I'd say we're moving right along. 

As always, we continue to be so thankful for the prayers offered in our behalf.  We feel them strongly and they mean more than I can express.  We could not be surrounded by a better group of people anywhere and we are so grateful for the outpouring of love we have felt and received.

Here's to a smooth recovery (hopefully).....and the absence of fevers in the days to come!

I'm dying to go to Prom with you!

It all started with an upcoming dance.....

which led to an idea......

which led to a crime.....

which led to a crime scene......

which led to the asking of a GIRL to Junior Prom!

by Eric (and his Dad).....I swear I had nothing to do with it.....

Eric made up a crime report and on the bottom it said, "I'm dying to go to prom with you."  Now, that wouldn't have been so bad, except that he had to go to the next level.....

He and a friend went over to the girl's house and drew a chalk body outline by her car to resemble a dead body.....yes, morbid, I know.  (Once again, I plead the 5th)......

and placed crime scene tape (yellow crepe paper with the words "crime scene" written on it) all over her car with the crime report attached......

Okay, I guess it was pretty funny, but I about "died" when I first heard the idea.....no pun intended!

So, Ashleigh (yes, she has a name) and a her friend came over and decorated Eric's room with tons of balloons to answer.  I think they were quite dizzy when they were finished.....

 And on the ceiling, in glow-in-the-dark stars, she spelled the word, "yes."  It was very cute (and much less morbid, if you ask me).....

Now before we get into the pictures of the "couple," let me tell you about the options Eric's group had for the big event. 

1.  Meet as a big group to go ice skating during the day (somewhere in Murray)

OR.....2.  Bowling during the day (somewhere else) 

OR....3. Some girl is paying for them to go in a limo, so Eric won't have to drive (yeah!)

OR.....4.  Picnic at Murray Park (instead of dinner at a nice restaurant....and let's not forget it was the end of February.....and it was freezing!)

AND.....5.  Bring prom clothes and change in restroom of the Capitol (where the dance was)

OR.....6.  Maybe go to Spaghetti Factory downtown for dinner instead

AND.....7.  Pick up friend's date somewhere in Sandy

AND.....8.  Take freeway to the capitol from girl's house in Sandy

AND....9.  Dance a few slow dances together and a lot of FAST dances with a group

THEN.....10.  Take friend's date home back in Sandy

AND.....11.  Drop off friend and Ashleigh

AND.....12.  Be home ASAP (my request)

These ideas were discussed in some detail.....but nothing was really decided until the day before the dance.  And here's what was decided.....

THE LIMO RIDE FELL THROUGH....SO ERIC HAD TO DRIVE (ugh!)

1.  Meet at the ice skating place at noon (some place in Murray)

2.  Be home around 2:30 to get ready for Prom

3. Pick up date at 4:45

4.  Come back to our house so I can take pictures

5.  Pick up Kevin (the friend he was doubling with)

6.  Pick up Kevin's date somewhere in Sandy

5.  Meet at the Spaghetti Factory downtown at 5:30 with group of friends

6.  Get to dance at around 7:30

7.  Enjoy yourselves

8.  Leave dance at 10:00

9.  Drop everyone off at their respective homes

10.  Don't stay and talk forever

11.  Be home ASAP

AND HERE'S HOW IT WENT DOWN.....

1. Estimate WHERE the ice skating place is in Murray....talk about possible routes and depend on Kevin for directions

2.  After picking up Ashleigh and Kevin, meet at ice skating place at noon

3.  Arrive at ice skating place

4.  Go in and discover it isn't public skating time

5.  Weigh options about what to do instead

6.  Decide to go bowling at Fat Cats

7.  Bowl one game

8.  Arive home at 3:30, already tired

THEN......

1.  Draw maps to various locations intended for the evening, such as Kevin's date's home (somewhere in Sandy), freeway entrance for downtown, freeway exit to Spaghetti Factory, and the capitol).  Then repeat for the way home.....

2.  Talk about various routes, but try not to be confusing. 

3.  Write directions down on small paper

4.  Pray that everyone survives the evening!

THEN.....

1.  Have Ashleigh call when she's ready

2.  She calls at 5:00 and Eric goes to pick her up

3.  Comes back to our house for pictures

Take pictures!

4.  Send them off on their merry way....and pray some more.

5.  Pick up Kevin

6.  Get lost on the way to Kevin's date's house and call to get directions (from date's parents)

7.  Finally arrive to pick up date

8.  Get on wrong freeway and take it completely around the valley (I-215)

9.  Arrive at Spaghetti Factory at roughly 6:30

10.  Eat

11.  Leave for the capitol and arrive at about 8:30

12.  Wait in line for pictures

13.  Dance a few dances

14.  Leave at roughly 10:00 to take everyone back home

15.  Eric calls at 10:45 and tells me he just dropped off Kevin's date and he's headed home.....(what a good son)

16.  Arrives home at 11:45

17.  Uses up a half a tank of gas!

Okay, seriously though, I know all of that sounded confusing and somewhat disjointed.  BUT, I know they had tons of fun.  The plans were not exactly the way I would have done them, but I'm not a boy.  And boys are different than girls, just so you know!  Eric was exhausted when he got home because he had driven so much during the evening.  He also was recovering from a terrible cold and wasn't completely up to par, but I know he enjoyed himself and was glad he went.

As for me, I wasn't as stressed as I thought I was going to be, which was good.  And Eric got TONS of driving experience all over the valley.....all in one night!  And he did okay.

Good job son!  I'm glad you had fun.  Now since you don't have a job, you owe us big time!  :) 


Happy 69th birthday MOM!

My mom just had her 69th birthday.  Yep, I'm telling everyone your age.....sorry mom.  :)  She wanted to go to Leatherby's, so that's where we went.

My mom and dad

  Of course, Eric had to make his famous face!

    Brandon and Dallin

  Jacob and his cousin, Caleb.  They are such cuties! (Except they were making a huge mess at the time dipping their napkins in the water.  If I'm being honest though, I'm pretty sure Jacob was the leader of the activity).....hard to believe, isn't it?  :)

Kyle and his cousin, Joshie!  What sweethearts!  (except Kyle was teaching Joshie a few things too.....like how to dip his napkin in the water.  What's up with those Jones boys?)

                 Me and Todd (we were not dipping our napkins, just so you know)....

                                                   Michelle (my brother's wife) and their sweet little daughter, Moriah! 

                 This is my brother Brad and his oldest, Josiah.  BRAD.....why won't you smile?  :)

    Are you seriously related to me?

That's a little better!  We look the most alike in our family, don't you think?  The two red-headed demons!  :)

The birthday girl!  We brought her some balloons and of course, we made the staff sing to my mom.  There's simply no getting around it if you go with me......

It was a fun evening with family.  Happy Birthday Mom!  We love you!

Choose the Right

On Valentine's evening (after our traditional heart-shaped pizza and Marie Callendars pie),  we went as a family to pick out CTR rings at Deseret Book.  I had brought home a brochure showing all the cool rings they have to offer.  And all the kids showed great interest.  So we decided to let them each pick out their own style. 

Here's a picture of all their rings together.....

 Eric chose a ring with a music staff and the first few notes of the song "Choose the Right."  It looks really cool and he loves it.

Brandon's is called "signature reverse."  It's black with silver CTR letters running through it.  Unfortunately the silver piece came out the first day and we had to reorder.  But we got a new one, and life is good once again.

 Dallin's is just the opposiite of Brandon's.  It is silver with black CTR letters running through it.  It's pretty awesome.

Kyle picked out ring after ring, but unfortunately his fingers were too little to order one of the "cool" rings,  So after what seemed like forever, he finally picked out a "dog-tag style" chain that has a gold shield on it with the words "Armour of God."  It's cool.  He also got a blue rubber CTR ring because it was only $1. 

Jacob got a basic silver "mini" CTR ring.  He loves it.  He also got a chain that says CTR on it too.  (not pictured). 

For family home evening, we talked about what it means to choose the right and how we always have a choice.  And that sometimes the right choice is the hardest one.  We also talked about Kyle's chain "Armour of God."  The kids didn't know what it all meant, so we pulled out our scriptures and talked about the armour and how each piece of that armour represents a spiritual protection for us. Then we watched the really old seminary movie "The Whole Armour of God."  It was a really good night and hopefully it's something they'll remember. 

I love the thought of my kids wearing a CTR ring.  I love that they are proud to wear it at school.  I hope they realize its importance and that this simple action "Choose the Right" can seriously save them a lot of grief in their lives and bring them closer to our Heavenly Father.  Life is all about choices.  It sounds so simple, doesn't it?  Simple or not, it's a great principle to learn!

Down-Unders

I found these great "topless" sandals at DI last year for my husband's white elephant gift exchange party (for his work). 

They are called Down-Unders....The Original Topless Sandals.  And get this......they stick to your feet!  No straps required....and the best part?  They are reusable!  Super cool, eh?  I had never heard of these before, but there they were, brand new, on top of a pile of other miscenalleous, useless items.  And I laughed right out loud in the middle of the aisle when I saw them.  Hilarious!

But seriously, these things are so versatile.  Look at all the key features they have:
Bare feet
Cool feet
Free feet
Happy feet
Tan feet
Safe feet

Are you convinced already that you want to own one of these lovely pair of topless sandals?  Don't worry, by the time you finish reading this, you'll be begging me for the number....

Here's some more information:  (right from the back of the package itself)....

How do they work?
Down-Unders stick to your feet with a special adhesive and are REUSABLE!  You can wear them with or without socks.

Step into the future.....with your DOWN-UNDERS.   Following these simple instructions will provide you the best possible adhesion and life of your topless sandals.

(Are you ready for this?)

Simple instructions:
1.  Peel clear protective covering from sandals.
2.  Place clean dry feet onto sandal by stepping down heel first.
3.  To remove:  gently peel sandals from feet.  Warning:  DO NOT STICK SHOES FACE TO FACE.
(and incase you've misunderstood, it doesn't say, "Don't stick it to your face."  It's saying don't stick the shoes together face to face.  That helped you, didn't it?  I read it wrong the first time too.....)
4.  To resuse:  Wash or scrub with soap and water.  Allow sandals to dry thoroughly.  Not for use on sensitive skin.

And there you have it.  The coolest pair of sandals you'll ever own. 

Unfortunately we gave these away at Todd's work party.  But seriously, everyone wanted them!  I have the number in case anyone is interested.  They're shipped from Amarillo, TX.  

Who would  give a perfectly good pair of topless sandals to the DI?  Your guess is as good as mine. 

Aren't those funny?