tina's Journal

Joey is doing great! 8 weeks post op. ~ AMAZING! ~ God bless you all!

Quick Update ~ Joey is still doing super ~ super well ~ He is at 4 weeks post op and we are 'amazed' at how great he is doing! We are so thankful. ~ Thankfully time flies and we have moved past the first several weeks. He is full of it and rearing to go full speed ahead...... He does have a lot to get back to but, ~ One more week he says of taking it easy and then he is getting back to half speed till he is ready for full speed! He is doing so well! ~ We have a nice walk planned this week, together, just the three of us. ~ Walking and talking and cherishing our time together. ~ THANK GOD FOR HEART HEALING TECHNOLOGY ~ can I get an amen?

Happy New Year Everyone ~ The past long week or so I have been picking up my routine again. ~ Joey's surgery was 12/15/14 and for two weeks straight all we could do was comfort one another and watch Joe recover from his heart valve surgery. He is three weeks post op this week and he has experienced an amazingly good recovery. Challenging, "Yes" there were a few days that everything was hard. Adjusting to starting over in the stamina department ~ He has a good attitude overall! His amazing wife........... "she is amazing" and has taken care of him so well. Recovery is going by the book. He is progressing more each day. His first appointment with his surgeon is tomorrow ~ "can't wait to hear back about that" ~ Everyone noticed Joey turn a huge corner a day or so ago, it was a few days after weaning off the high powered pain pills to Tylenol. He had a tough day the first day and then the next day was really good again. ~ This past week I have spent the needed time getting back to work and into the routine I carried before his surgery. Between the surgery and 5 boys home from school for two weeks, Christmas and new years........ rest and routine are welcome ~ We are so proud of Joey (and all of you) to walk out this journey. I have always been a person that acknowledges how challenging life can be and I treat everyone with utmost tender love,..... through this I have become even more tender toward life and in many ways a more "simpler" person ~ I don't want or need much ~ I really do know what is important. Thankfully I am a women of faith and I praise God for the many ways he has matured me to this great understanding. ~ on a side note, I sure wish Joey would post for himself, but he is not a social media kinda guy. ~ We are very relieved that Joey is doing so well. ~ I believe all we experience goes through God's hand first and I trust in that alone. This experience was so unknown, and so hard to watch a loved one go through. The word "Roller coaster" will never sound the same again. Thank you all for helping me the way you did ~ Joey is doing well!!!!! :) :) :) Moving forward each day ~ We are enjoying the good news of his reports to us each day. ~ (since I am a family member, I have laid low on posting, but I do jump on and read through the feeds and I pray as I go)

Christmas day, our evening walk long the Edmonds water front.

On my walk this morning in honor of my brother (and all ya all) I found this rock with his initial engraved in it. Sweet! I am going to clean it up and use something to enhance the J. ~ this is a very nice Christmas gift ~

Wanted to update on Joe. He is home his 2nd full day. He is working out the sweet spot with his pain management and is faithful to manage his walking. When his pain meds wear off he feels pain and has a slight fever. He is getting the "time between doses" down now. Is it normal to have a slight fever?

I was curious about the pain RX options. Did any of you all have an option? Would love to hear about your research or experience on that

Joey came home today! We are on to phase two of recovery. I will get the report in the morning about how ABSOULTELYAMZING his own bed feels........................ Thank you everyone who helped me get through this past week of his OHS. I learned a lot from you all. ~ and even though I was not the patient, to be amongst you in thoughts and communication made such a difference because you reached out understanding me. You cheered and gave reassuring encouragement to the process. Thank you so much! HE IS HOME, HE IS HOME, HE IS HOME! HALLALUYA.

This is how I looked when my brother was in surgery. I took a few "sorrow art selfies" ~ this is pretty much how the pictures look to a T. As in T for Tina who was one sad girl. ~ I trusted with confidence, however, it breaks my heart the journey he had

http://www.jamesmacdonald.com/radio/
~ A timely message on how people comfort one another. As I have experienced my own comforting here and the comfort to and from others.

I was straightening up the house this morning and a BIG thought came rushing to me ~ "UNTILL GOD BRINGS ME TO IT, TO GO THROUGH IT, I WON'T LET MY MIND THINK TO ALL THE "WHAT IF'S" TO IT" ~ I am going to print that out and hang it up. I want to be disciplined to this saying no matter what I go through.

Joey is doing well. He spoke with my mom and explains that he feels good! YAY! Next step is the drainage tubes to come off. The plan is home by Sunday or Monday. Either watching the Seahawks play from his cozy hospital room or from his home. Either way, it will be fun for him to watch and he looks forward to the game. I have been copying journal updates and emailing them to my mom because she is not compute savvy. It has been the best to hear each and every update and we are learning what we need to understand the process. So important for the family. Thank you EVERYONE and God Bless you STAY POSITIVE AND STRONG! Let your perspective be GLASS HALF FULL! THINK TO WHAT IS PRAISEWORTHY!

During the harder times of life, when "funny" sneaks in for a good laugh........My mom sits on the lake every morning for her time of solace while rocco gets his run around time.......she explains to me that the winter pelican is back. He starts off shy, flying off his spot, the first Bouie, upon her arrival. Graduating to his wide spread wings while she approaches, but does not fly away. She is now well accepted, as he stands on his perch, and shoots his poop out meters through the air for her enjoyment. ~ yes..... enjoy. This will be our motivation story to Joey, encouragement to after surgery movement. ~ Life is tender!

post op day 1 ~ I TALKED TO HIM!!!!!!!!! He slept on and off through out the night and by early morning he was sitting in the big chair. He ate a bit of oat meal and slice of banana and was put back to bed to rest. We are awaiting news if he needs a blood transfusion at this time. The plan is out of ICU by tomorrow ~ I will keep you posted. I can't wait to hear that he has enjoyed his pop cycles..................... It was super great to hear his voice! His wife stayed by his side all day and night and back into today. Physical therapist comes in a minute to have him take some steps. ~

The breathing tube it OUT. My mom just texted me that he said "HI"
Tears of joy, AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe is in ICU! He is moments from seeing his wife and our mom. I can not wait till the next update!!!!!!!!!!!! ~

JOE IS HEADED INTO THE ICU WITHIN 45 MINUTES. ! THE DOCTOR IS VERY PLEASED WITH THE SURGERY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joey is checked in. Will update on the other side of today.

We are the "day before" ~ This site has covered us with a sense of calm. I have never experienced how it feels to have others, who have gone before us, reaching out. And it brings healing and comfort to this moment of anxiousness for Joe and the family. I am in awe of this and it has been much needed. It is a powerful dose of goodness (medicine) for the soul. We are on the side of "just one more day to be on the other side" . It will be a Monday like no other.