Brrrrrr it's cold!

Yes it's January in Winnipeg but boy it's been cold this week!  The kids did not have one outdoor recess all week! (can you say caged animals!)

We don't really have much to update you on.  Karen has settled in well at Riverview and especially enjoys the nursing students that come Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday each week in January - Nicole and Cyle give her lots of attention which she loves and we really appreciate!

We've been seeing the effects of the progression of things, with Karen being somewhat more confused as the days go by and also feeling weaker - last week we walked down to the atrium room on the main floor but this week those outings were by wheelchair.  While some days she might sleep more than others, she still enjoys the company of family and friends.

As always, thanks to everyone for your calls, e-mails, thoughts and prayers - you have no idea how much they are appreciated!

I'm sure the regular blogger will be posting soon and will update you on winter camp

Thanks again
Love
Doug and the gang

The newest, bestest room yet!!

Hi everyone!!  Sorry we kinda disappeared again!

Mom was moved to a new room on Thursday, a room at Riverview.  She still enjoys visitors, but just not at her naptime (1-3ish)  The new room is great, i think it should be called a health-hotel.  It's got an electric, yes I said electric, recliner, a TV(yay!!!) and even a fridge! (great for stashing snacks in!)  It's much nicer than HSC and the food is way better than HSC. 

Thank you so much for all the flowers, visits, overnights and meals.  And thank you especially for the love and hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You won't hear from me for a few days because I'm off to winter camp with my school on Wednesday!(Lets hope for some warmer weather!) 

Love
Jen and the gang

PS To anyone that read the last post: you do not know I hurt my chin! (Thanks a lot Dad!!!!)

Christmas break

Seemed like time for an update and the young blogger has been busy.  On our last post we were heading off to pick Karen up for another home visit for 2 nights this time.  The visit went well for Karen but on Saturday, which was supposed to be the day the 4 of us got to spend at home together all day, there was a tobogganing incident at noon and after finding someone to stay with Karen and Kris, I was off to Children`s Emergency with Jen where we would spend 5 hours and leave with 7 stitches in her chin (I don`t think I was supposed to post anything about that but people need to know!)

The rest of the week seems to have flown by with a relatively quiet New Years,  a few playdates for the kids with friends and regular visits to see Karen.  Unfortunately we didn`t get another home visit in but will keep working on that for the future.

The coming week will see the kids return to school, me try and fit in some work and Karen enjoy a visit from another friend from afar (Moscow this time!)

As always, thanks to everyone who continues to do so much for us and all of those who keep us in your thoughts and prayers - we truly appreciate all the support!

Stay tuned for the return of your regular young blogger (and her response to my unauthorized posting of her medical information no doubt!)

Thanks again, love
Doug and the gang

Home for the Holidays!!!!!!!

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!  We certainly did!  It was a bit of a different Christmas, but it was great to have Mom home. We opened our stockings and then went off to get Mom.  She seemed very happy to come home.  After lunch she went over to the sink and started doing the dishes!  Dad said that she didn't have to do the dishes but her reply was, "too bad"  Then we convinced her to go have a nap before everyone came for dinner.  Thanks Grandma and Auntie for the meal!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It was good!  Mom said she had a great night in her own bed.  We are bringing her home again later today for 2 nights this time! We are planning a fun movie night tomorrow with our new popcorn maker. 

Thanks for all the Christmas wishes, presents and baking!  We did manage to bake our favourite cookies 2 days before Christmas though.  Have a great holiday everyone, and happy new year!!!!!

Love,
Jen and family

Good news

Mom and Dad met with the doctor yesterday he said mom could come home on Christmas and stay the night.  Me and Jen met with the social worker today.  Hope will be crazy and happy when Mom comes home.  Tomorrow is the last day of school and my class is doing chapel, I'm a shepherd.  Me and Jen are looking forward to lots of Christmas fun at school tomorrow.  After that we have to finish getting ready for Christmas.

We will try to keep you posted.

From
Kristjan and family

An update......finally

As mom would say, "Sorry we disappeared off the face of the earth again."  

First we should tell you that mom is doing alright and has continued to improve over the past few weeks.  Dr. S says that the seizure effects took a long time to wear off because of where the tumor is.  Moms up and walking around.   Personally I think that soon the 6th floor might not be a long enough lap for her!  She's also able to visit more, just not during her afternoon nap.  If you do visit, please leave a note so we know you came because she might not remember to tell us.  Mom and Dad will meet with Dr. S on Wednesday, so we'll try to keep you posted. 

Oh right, we should tell you a few reasons (or are they excuses?) why we've been so late about this.  Well I was singing with the WSO as well as our regular Christmas concerts.  Plus a school concert for me and Kris, a piano recital with my piano class.  And the best one, Kris and I curling with frozen turkeys.  Oh and then there was Christmas shopping to be done.(thanks Dad for getting us to all this stuff and thanks to all the people at Dad's work who are helping him so he can do this for us!!!)

A very big thank you for all the flowers, visits, baking and everything else!!  A special thank you to those of you that sleep over with Mom, visit her at meal times and help us out with Hope and with getting us places.  We really appreciate it!!!!!!  And we can't forget our friends and family that have come from far to see us.

As always thanks for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. 

Love,
 Jen and family

A New Room

Karen was moved to a new room on Friday, it's much quieter than MICU and she has the room to herself.  They continued to adjust the medication and she is more alert every time we see her.

Dr. S talked to us today to show the MRIs to the kids and explain to them what's happening.  He told us that Karen has no pain and doesn't worry about what's happening because of where the tumor is.  Because connections in her brain are broken she may recognize you but can only get some people's names, for example at one point today everyone was either John the psychiatrist or a security guard.  Later she figured out most of our names.

For now she will still be in the rehab hospital and we will take things day by day.  She enjoys visitors just not too many at once and she likes having friends stay the night.  The flowers she's received brighten up the boring room.  Thanks to everyone for these gifts!

Thanks also for all the calls, meals and offers for help!  We really appreciate it!

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.  We will try to keep you posted.
Love,
Jen and family