Welcome back to California. Fires in Southern California and tonight an earthquake here. I was working at the computer and the house started shaking. I realized what it was and got to a door jam quickly. This one went on for a VERY long time. My parents live in a mobile home and all joking aside I thought the house was going to go off its foundation it was that big. It lasted 30 seconds, was centered about six miles (or less) from our house, and measured 5.6 on the richter scale. I was in the door way in a flash, my mom was holding the turtle tank from falling over, my sister was trying to get to my nephew, my dad was in bed covering his head and my nephew’s from falling stuff.

So far there are no reports of damage or injuries — thank goodness. But, it was pretty big. It really felt a lot larger than 5.6 to me. We need to go inspect gas lines right now. It was felt pretty far and wide. Started pretty jerky and was quickly followed by some big rolls.

My sister called (she lives about 40 miles south of us) and she felt it in her upstairs apartment (it was her girlfriend’s first earthquake and I guess she was a little scared). They’ve reported it was felt in San Francisco which is about 40+ miles north of us. My nephew’s first comment was “that was scary” not sure what was scarier for him…the things falling from the headboard, the house rocking all over the place, or Auntie yelling at him to “COME HERE NOW!” trying to get him into the doorway with me.

So, forget about TV tonight for us….we’ll be listening to Earthquake news for a couple days which I guess is OK. The experts are saying that the magnitude of this earthquake is a sign of a lot of aftershocks and it could possibly be a precursor to a much bigger earthquake due to the size of the release. My aunt and uncle have moved their cars out of their garage and have their evacuation kits ready. We’ve moved my dad’s medicine so we can quickly evacuate if necessary. Hmmm…I might be going home to Idaho sooner than I thought if our family has to evacuate there.

Till later…

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Surgery was yesteray, they were supposed to go back at 3 but didn’t go back until a little after 5. My sister went back first then my dad followed a short time later. About 3 hours later the doctor came in to tell us my sister came through with no problems and that my dad was doing really well but would probably be in ICU for a day. We fully expected that. They had also told us he’d probably have to have one round of dialysis. He was expected to be in surgery for about another hour.

An hour later they were bringing my sister up to her room. We talked to her and she said my dad was in recovery and that the doctor had talked to him and he was going well. She was able to talk to him and he got to see her. That was really awesome.

My dad’s doctor came up later and said he wasn’t going to ICU and that the kidney started working within 2 minutes of hooking it up…even before they were done sewing everything in place! He said my dad would be in recovery for the night just to be extra careful but would be in his room by morning.

My mom, brother, and I went to the hotel to get some sleep. My other sister and her girlfriend stayed with my sister. At midnight my sister called to let us know she’d been in to see my dad. At 5:45 we got a call from Tami to let us know that she’d just had a visitor. My dad got to his room around 3AM. My sister walked over to see him at 4AM and at around 5AM my dad walked to her room to see her.

I can’t begin to tell you how GOOD they both look. In all my secret hopes and wishes of how he’d come through surgery I never imagined he look this good.

The surgery was difficult, he lost a lot of blood and they are watching him very carefully. But, he looks great and says he feels great. Amazing day.

Till later…

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I can’t believe it’s already Thursday. This week has been CRAZY. I arrived on Saturday without any problems or delays.

Sunday we had a really nice prayer time after church that was an awesome experience for my dad and sister. My mom and I went to the mall because I DESPERATELY needed a new pair of jeans (I was really worried mine would split they’re so old). The mall was a complete zoo so I ended up just leaving…I couldn’t handle the craziness.

Monday my dad and I got up to leave the house at 6:30AM for the hospital. We got there in plenty of time to have them call him back 45 minutes AFTER his appointment was scheduled for. On top of that it took an hour longer than we’d expected. Just a fun day. But, my dad did fine so it wasn’t too bad.

Tuesday he had dialysis. My nephew had a difficult time Monday at school so I kept him home. Tuesday was pure craziness. Luckily I was able to get access to my home computer on Monday thanks to a friend going by to fix that.

Wednesday I had to stop by a clients for some stuff then came home to check on my dad. The nurse was here for his infusion to get his body ready to accept my sisters organ. The infusion was a little riskier than we first thought and he wasn’t taking it too well so my mom and I stayed home for the evening. The infusion was supposed to last about six hours. It ended up taking 12 hours. He had to have the same infusion today so we got his dialysis moved up to 6:30 this morning.

Thursday my dad was at dialysis at 6:30. He was very restless and just didn’t feel good. Dialysis went OK and he got home just after the nurse had arrived. He got started on the infusion and had a really difficult time with it. His blood pressure kept going up which meant they had to do a slower infusion. At the rate he was at it was going to take 24 hours to infuse him. Not acceptable at all. The nurse had him take the anxiety pills the doctor prescribed and that helped a little. Then his very good friend, our old pastor, showed up to spend the day with him. Immediately his blood pressure dropped. It was CRAZY. I had told the nurse that it would probably drop after he got here but didn’t expect it to happen that fast. But, we were lucky it did. He was done in about six or seven hours.

My brother arrived early evening, my dad’s sister and brother-in-law arrived just after that. They actually picked my brother up from the airport and brought him here. We had a great family evening.

Everyone is in bed now to get up early for tomorrow.

My dad, sister, mom, and brother are leaving at 6:30AM. I’m staying here with my nephew. He’s getting picked up at 9AM to spend the weekend with some friends of his. (His first sleepover at a friends house. ) My aunt and uncle are picking me up around noon to go up to the hospital.

Tomorrow will be a long day. But, it will be very nice to have this next step done.

Surgery is supposed to start at 3. Usually they would take my sister back first but they need to do some exploring in my dad to see where they will be able to put the new organ so he will go back first. Tami will probably be done around 6, my dad probably not until closer to 9 but hopefully sooner.

I should have updates tomorrow.

Till later…

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So, here’s the plan for the next week so you can support us in prayer.

Today, I plan on going crazy.  LOL  Actually, today I’m finishing up some work stuff, finishing packing, and doing some last minute cleaning.

Tomorrow I leave for the airport to fly to CA.  My dad has to be at the hospital at 8AM tomorrow for his first procedure to prep him for surgery then they’ll go home and pick me up at 4:30.

Monday my dad and I have to be at the hospital at 8AM for his second procedure.  We’ll be there for 2-3 hours then go home.

Tuesday he has dialysis.

Wednesday a nurse is coming to the house to do his 5 hour treatment prior to surgery.

Thursday he has an early dialysis appointment then the nurse will meet us at the house for his last 5 hour treatment. Then we will all head up to San Francisco — the family is staying in a hotel near the hospital.

Friday morning my dad and Tami need to be at the hospital at 8AM.  I’ll stay at the hotel with Rider until the people who are watching him that day arrive then I’ll head over to the hospital.  I’ll probably take a cab or the bus since parking at the hospital is so expensive and there’s no reason to have that many cars up there.

Surgery is scheduled to begin at 3PM.  (I know you’re thinking the same thing we are…why do they need to be at the hospital at 8AM if the surgery isn’t until 3PM.)  Well, good question.  It’s not uncommon for something to go wrong and a surgery to be postponed the day of.  So, the social worker recommended they be there and ready to go in case the morning surgery gets postponed.

So, that’s the plan for next week.

Till later…

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Tami just called, they are through most of the appointments this morning and everything is going good.  :)  They were eating lunch then were going to sign some paperwork and my dad has to meet with the research team.

Guess I’m leaving on Saturday.

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Of the pre-op appointment again. I know, we just went through this not too long ago. Well, hopefully tomorrow will go much smoother. Seriously, because I really can’t handle the stress of another postponement (not that my dad and sister could either but really THIS blog is all about me LOL).

The appointment is at 7AM pacific time tomorrow (Thursday). Hopefully when I talk to them at 10 or so they’ll ALL be on their way home with dates and times of their appointments next week.

Which, by the way, is a small gripe of mine. I arrive Saturday. I REALLY want to see my chiropractor before the surgery to get “tuned up” for that whole event. She’s open Monday, Wednesday and Friday well, Monday I have to take my dad for one of his procedures. All I wanted to know what an approximate time of the procedure (morning/afternoon) and approximately how long it would take (1 hour/6 hours) so I could make my appointment. I really don’t think that was too much to ask for, but I guess it was because the coordinator couldn’t provide us with that information until tomorrow.

Luckily my chiropractor likes me…she was able to book me a couple appointments so I should be able to see her no matter when they decide to see my dad in the city.

Till later…

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