May 13: the day the world changed

Day 13

This is a hard post for me to write. Today is day 13 post surgery for Grampys back surgery. He went in to have a surgery that was going to give him relief from pain on his lower back, and was supposed to be in the hospital 2 to 3 days. He did not rebound as quickly as planned, and two days ago his bowel burst and he had to have emergency surgery to repair it. At the time, Cindy, the kids and I were in Port Townsend enjoying the weekend at the beach. We received a 2 AM phone call that he was going in for surgery. There was not enough time to rush back before he was going in for surgery, so I was only able to speak to him on the phone before he went in for the second surgery in lesson two weeks. He did not think that he was going to survive it, but we are very thankful that he did.

Today was a good day. He sat up for two hours, still in the critical care unit. He likes Kenzie's cold facial baths and quacks at her if she cuts them short. We spent several hours there, where time seems to stand still, and you can see the pain and frustration on his face. At the same time, today was a good day. His kidneys started working and his heart remain strong. Each day we measure the progress and count our blessings that today was a little bit better than the day before, and hope the same for tomorrow.

Every picture I have puffy eyes. It was a tough weekend. But he's a fighter and he's fighting. 

Our Mother's Day hospital selfie

Coach Michael

Mason has been with Michael for two years now. Tryouts are happening now so we aren't sure if next year will bring change. 

The trio

Digitized

Cindy and I upgraded our phones and somebody else benefitted as well. 

Last tourney of the year

They lost their first game 3-7. The first half they were down 0-6. Coach moved Mason to defense and told him to start yelling and getting physical, including pushing and tripping, which he took to heart, and was not easy for Cindy and me to watch (especially since we didn't know the orders that had been given). Mason was eventually awarded "Man of the Match." Cindy was yelling at him to keep his arms to his sides - and he continued to ignore her. We clearly forgot that clause about no sideline coaching this game. He flattened one kid and we heard the other team talking about "number 10" as we were walking off. (Pretty sure it was the kid in the last picture below.) Nobody got hurt, I guess they're learning the game. But it's hard to be the mom. Tomorrow I'll work harder to be a silent sideline contributor - and make sure Cindy does the same. I should write that sentence 100 times.

Pushing? it looks more like holding to me.

Little soccer brother

Bamboo

Car full of bamboo

Surviving a younger brother, by mason

Masons school project

Last regular game of the season

The Gunners came in a very close second place. These two knuckleheads helped lead the team.

Nathan and Kenzie

Indoor/outdoor office

Today I supervised this guy:

as he installed broadband in our house. 

So now I have an indoor office:

And an outdoor one:

While our kids did stuff like this:

And tomorrow I go back to the real world. 

Two down

It's spring break here. The older two each got on a plane to see cousins today. Kenzie went to San Fran to see Janel and Ryan, and Mason went to Vegas to see Sarah and Kyle. The planes departed 10 minutes apart from each other in separate terminals but Cindy managed to get them off without incident. Ermias is next door watching the Mariners with Grandpa and has sleepover plans with Grammy and Grampy later this week!