Graduation!!! WIU-QC@iwireless Center, Moline, IL

My sis-in-law, Dusty, and I.

Me & my guys!

My grandma, Mom, me & Dad.

Me & my girls! Marissa, Me, Barb & Stephanie.

Me on my big day!

So, I graduated! YEAH ME!!! It was a good time - family traveled up from Mizzou and stayed the weekend, and others came from around here. It would feel alot better, only I don't have my project quite completed yet. But, it will be there soon! Hope everyone else had a good weekend!

Flyin' Simon!

Just having some fun, backyard-style! My husband loves to throw kids up in the air - HIGH - so why not document it in some pics? As you can see, Si LOVES IT!!!

Well, my big thesis presentation is tomorrow - I think I am actually too CALM about it at this point! Well, it will go, one way or another. Wish me luck! Graduation in t-minus 6 days, people!

Annie Oakley

So here's me, shooting my husband's pistol. I actually didn't shoot too bad - and now, I WANT ONE! Mostly, just so I can target shoot and kick the guys' butts. My secretary now calls me Annie Oakley - HA! And Don, if you read this, you are welcome for me posting these here so you can see them!!!

J's First Baseball Game

#2, paying attention - that makes us happy!

Stepping into his swing - he got a hit on this one!

Gearing up to catch - he really liked this.

Poised and ready for that ball!

And of course, we couldn't do without a picture of our team manager, Simon :)

Well, we were a little apprehensive of how tonight would go, but in the end J surprised us quite a bit. He got a hit both times he was up to bat, and did some pretty good field work for his experience. We are quite proud! 1 down, 13 to go!

Mayo Pics, Round 2

Just a few pics from our 2nd Rochester trip. The sun actually came out this time!


This is where we ate lunch Friday - another recommendation from Sue. Don't worry, though Sue - we ate @ The Honker on Thursday!!!

Mom waiting on the elevator - we did that alot.

Dr. Staats, our sleep specialist. He saw my camera and actually ASKED to have his pic taken with Mom and Dad!

In Minnesota, you don't drink Starbucks - you drink Caribou Coffee! (or in my case, Chai Latte)

View looking South on 3rd toward the Charlton, Gonda, and mayo buildings.

Mayo Clinic: Trip 2, Day 2

Today started by picking Dad up from Mayo a little after 7 when the sleep study was done - which he informed me he DID NOT LIKE! After a break, we headed back to see Dr. Staats for the results and interpretation of the sleep study. Dad does have sleep apnea, but not the typical (Obstructive) S.A.; he has what they call Central S.A. What this means was that a typical S.A. machine (which they used on Dad for the last half of the night) actually made his S.A. WORSE. His S.A. displays a breathing pattern which is usually shown by patients with a certain type of cardiac dysfunction. So, Dr. Staats wants Dad to follow up with his cardiologist so he can investigate this further. In the meantime, Dad has to use a VPAP machine when he sleeps, which should help to even out the breathing, and follow up in 8 weeks. Next, we went to have a CT scan of the sinuses, which luckily didn't take much time at all. Then...the waiting game. We had to wait until 5:00 to see an ear, nose and throat specialist, so we went about wasting 6 hours around Rochester. We then saw Drs. Fama & Pallanch. They both looked into Dad's sinuses with a scope, and asked several questions. Then came the surprise...they both said that the sinuses look good, and the previous surgery appeared to have worked. They prescribed an antibiotic rinse, and suggested that Dad get a local ENT who could run cultures each time Dad gets a sinus infection, and to continue on the prescribed therapy that Dr. Lim has him on. We were expecting, per Dr. Lim, that they were going to give a steriod injection and suggest surgery. I love it when doctors are contradicting!!! So, we shall see what progresses in the next 8 weeks.

Mayo Clinic: Trip 2, Day 1

Mayo Clinic: Trip 2, Day 1
Share
Today at 9:23pm Edit Note Delete
Greetings from Rochester...We started the day @ 7:30 with some lung testing. Then we visited with the doctor who specializes in sleep apnea, just to have a short exam and confirm the sleep study, which dad is doing right now. We then went in the afternoon for more lung testing, and a follow up visit with our main doctor. He told my dad that he again "flunked" his pulmonary tests - matter of fact, his numbers were worse than they were the first time we were here, despite the intensive treatments he has been doing for the past 6 weeks. So, now, tomorrow we have to go for a CT scan in the morning, and then wait to be seen by an ear, nose, and throat specialist. Dr. Lim told us that they will probably give him a high dose steroid injection, and want to see him again in 4 weeks. If at that time he has not improved, we will be looking at another sinus surgery. Dr. Lim stated that the infection in the sinuses is so severe that medications aren't penetrating to do their job. He also increased his asthma inhaler, and declared one of his diagnoses as "steroid-dependent asthmatic". So, that's where we stand for now. We are still very impressed with Mayo Clinic and Dr. Lim and feel he is doing everything possible to get Dad better. Thanks to everyone who is keeping us in your thoughts and prayers! I will post another update tomorrow once we talk with our next doctor.