Dimick Clan

Surgery Update-Finally Home

Ghostwytch — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:09:05 GMT

Hello All.
I aplogize for taking so long to update everyone. Howver, things didn't quite go as planned with the sugery and I've been in the hospital all week.

Finally getting released to go home this afternoon.

What was originally started as a simple gall bladder removal done laproscopically, turned into a full blown major surgery that involved removing the

gall bladder, removing stones from the bile ducts the flow between the gall bladder and the liver, repairing damaged bile ducts, and doing

reconstructive surgery to all the bile duct work. Apparently all the duct work was malformed, and attached to the gall bladder and liver in the wrong

places. Most likey the result of a birth defect. The surgeon said that it is a wonder that it took 45 years for my gall bladder to start giving me

problems. He said that from the way things were malformed, I should have had some kind of gall bladder or liver issues many, many years ago.

So, I have all total 7 incisions, and 2 drainage tubes. If all looks well, the drainage tubes will be removed within 1-2 weeks. I tell ya, it is

pretty bizzare, to look down and see those tubes. I feel like some of the patients I used to care for in inter-hospital transfers when I worked

Emergency Medicine. It's very sobering. I haven't been in the hospital or had any kind of surgery in about 15 years and that was just simple

lumpectomy.

At any rate, I can't do much of anything. The doc issued lots of restirctions. Not that it matters, I'm in way to much pain to try and do much. I'm so

very grateful for Vicoden right now! I'm kind of thinking they might even be better than jelly beans, lol. Though they don't take the pain away

compltely, as least I don't want the rip the head off the first living being that comes near me. They do make the pain somewhat tolerable, dropping it

from about a 9 down to a 5.

I've managed to actually eat and hold down food the last two days. I've not been able to do that in months. I will admit however that meals and just

the sight of food do still stirke a certain amount of anxiety and fear in me. Before, everything eat or drank caused horrid pain followed by vomiting.

Now when I see food, I'm afraid that the same thing will happen. Fortunatly it hasn't yet.

Well, the Vicoden are kicking in and words are getting a bit fuzzy. That my cue to close. Thank you to all my wonderful friends and family for all

prayers, candles and positive ehaling energies that have been sent. It has really meant the world to me and my family. May you and yours be blessed in

return.

Blessed Be!

Appt. with Surgeon Today

Ghostwytch — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:47:54 GMT

Many of you wanted an update after I got back from the consult with the surgeon today. And I want you all to know that I very much appreciate your concern, prayers, energies and lit candles directed at my recent illness and recovery. It means more than you know.

After todays appt. with the surgeon I just found it a bit overwhealming to try and deal with sending out the multitude of emails necessary to update everyone. So I hope you don’t mind my putting it all into a single blog post.

The appt. today revealed a bit more information than I would have liked to have known. What started a year ago as mild stomach pain. And has progressed into unbearable, excrusiating pain, was diagnosed last week as severe, multiple gall stones. However, according to the surgeon today, apparently, the test results showed that my liver enzymes were also elevated enough to cause the surgeon some concern. He informed me that on rare occasions a gall stone can slip out of the gall bladder into the bile duct (gross, i know) and block the flow of bile to the liver causing it to back up. In which case they need to go in and flush or open the duct and remove the stone. In the event that flushing doesn’t work and they need to open the duct, then they will need to open me up completely instead of the lap surgery.

So, bright and early tomorrow morning (8 am PST) I will go in for lap surgery to remove the gall bladder. At the same time they will inject dye into the liver and bile ducts to do an x-ray and try to see if the ducts are blocked or if a stone has passed into the liver. If a stone is present in the duct, they will attempt to flush it out. If that works….groovy! I’ll stay overnight and go home the next day. If flushing doesn’t work, they will open me up and discect the bile duct attempting to remove the stone that way. In which case I’ll be in the hospital 3-5 days. If that is unsuccessful, then I will have to see a specialist to investigate further options.

If there is no stone present, well……then we check the liver function levels again in 6 weeks and go from there.

Again, thank you all so very much for all the suppport, prayers and concern. Please keep me in your thoughts tomorrow. The surgery could take any where from 2-4 hours.

Blessed Be!
Donna

Greenhouse Construction Update

Ghostwytch — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:41:24 GMT

Monday, August 17, 2009

It’s been a few weeks since I posted about the greenhouse. The project did not stall out, hubby just needed a few days off. And let me tell you he got allot accomplished during those few days!

On Saturday our good friend and neighbor John came over to help set the huge and very heavy windows while I was gone to my nieces baby shower. I really had no idea how different it would look once the windows were in, but it just really changed the whole appearance of the structure so dramatically.

East side door. West side door.

Windows done, the roof went on. This is where we recycled, using the metal roof and siding from the old chicken coop. It had been previously attached with screws as opposed to nails, so it was in really good shape. It was a bit of a tedious job to remove from the coop, but it was well worth salvaging. To have a metal roof that allows the snow to slide off of, instead of having to shovel it off, is a real asset around here. And it saved us a chunk of change by not having to buy it.

Full bank of windows. Total southern exposure!

On day two John came back over and wired the building for lights and power. John is an Electrical Engineer and we are SO very grateful for his talents, time and help. He also wired a few more outlets into Matt’s shop while he was here. He’s a great guy! And we owe him a case of Dos Equis at the very least!!

Wiring for outlets and overhead lighting. North wall, west and east corners.

Then it was time to put up the insulation. What an Un-fun job that is. But thankfully the insulation is finished. Now all we need to do is put up the interior walls, lay down the weed block and gravel, hang the doors and paint. I think that’s it anyway.

Light switch on east wall & insulation in ceiling & walls.

We even have enough lumber left to build potting/growing tables for the inside. And I would like to find some siding to match the house for the few areas of exposed exterior wood.

I am SO excited I can hardly stand it. I want to rush out and buy seed starting soil NOW! I do plan to at least grow greens for salad during the winter in this baby. We plan to heat it will a self contained oil heater. They are safe and efficient. And I think will heat an area this small and insulated quite nicely. I will have a small barrel pond inside as well as I hope to winter over some of my non-hardy pond plants in the greenhouse. My hope is that the mini pond will help keep the humidity level up. And of course there will be a fan to move the air.

So, there is the update. And I'll let you know how the growing goes :-)

Blessed Be!

A Dream Comes to Fruition!

Ghostwytch — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:21:21 GMT

Sunday, July 26, 2009

I don't think I've ever been so excited about a construction project before in my life. It all started when we found 5 large windows for sale on Craig's List for only $100. That Ad put our dreams for a greenhouse within reach. So we picked up the windows a few months ago and they have been tucked away safe in the carport. Hubby got his normal week off for the month and we had the amount of money we needed saved so yesterday we headed for the lumber store. Thank goodness we have a big truck!

Construction started early this morning. And within a few hours it was already starting to look like the bones of bones of our dream greenhouse with great southern exposure.

We kept asking Mother Nature for overcast skies and a cool breeze to get us through the day. And thankfully she obliged for the majority of the day. Although my dear hubby did suffer a wee bit of a sunburn to the backs of his legs, it was nothing that a bit of cider vinegar could not fix.

I also managed to harvest a pint of St. Johns Wort Flowers from that bush that you see in the above photo right to the left of my husband. But I'll blog more about that tomorrow J

As the day wore on, we took an iced tea break in front of the pond in the front yard, and were blessed with a visit from our resident squirrel. We had fun watching him stuff his face with sunflower seeds from the platform feeder and then take a siesta of his own on the nearby fence railing.

By 5:30 pm we were both ready to call it a day. And we were quite happy with the amount of work completed for Day 1 of our newest project.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing in our exciting new project! We will keep updating as things progress.

Blessed Be!

Something Blue? Ok it was Lavender.

Ghostwytch — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:24:22 GMT

I'm late as usual reporting this news. However, though our son Brandon and Ariel are already married, they threw a formal affair with the white dress and white tux this past summer. It was a beautiful event held in her parents lovely backyard. Vows were said under a flower entwined white iron gazeebo. The bride was blushingly beautiful and the groom was handsomly nervous. Just as it should be!

Family Invasion

Ghostwytch — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 03:12:32 GMT

It has been a long time since I've bounced over here and updated this blog. Too long!

We have had a very busy year. Kids have gotten married, sisters have moved away, grand-children have been added to the family tree. The list of happenings just goes on and on. It's a sure fire bet I can't update all of these events in one sitting. so, I'll start with the most recent.

Visitors, Visitors and More Visitors!

It started on or around Aug. 13th. when Matt's lovely sister Mitzi and her wonderful hubby Keith drove all the way from Roseville, Calif. for a 4 day visit. It was so great to see them again. We had seen Mitzi and beautiful daughter Cheryl last summer when they flew up for a visit but it had been about 4 maybe 5 years since we had seen Keith. Their visit just happened to fall on a few of Matt's days off so we were all able to spend some precious time together catching up and just enjoying one another's company.

A few days after they left in drove Aunt Janice and her brother Uncle Jim (this would be Matt's mom's sister & brother). Two finer folks you'll never meet. They are a joy to have around with their upbeat and humorous attitudes. We've had great fun laughing and joking with them for the past week. Janice will be leaving in a few days for her high school reunion in Boise, ID. Which left Uncle Jim without a ride home (he decide at the last minute not to go to the reunion). So, along comes Rennie (Matt's brother's wife) to the rescue. She was going to head down to Portland to see her daughter and grandson anyway. So, she headed up from Meecham, OR, stayed a few days to visit, then she and Uncle Jim left yesterday morning. It was so much fun having her here again to chat and "soapbox" with. She and I jump on soapboxes really well :)

So, for the past three weeks we have had family from distant places visiting and it has been such a blessing to see them all again. I for one have enjoyed every minute of it.

Happy Birthday Brandon!!

Ghostwytch — Mon, 14 May 2007 03:45:58 GMT

Well Kid, ya kid it! You made it past 25 years old!! I have to admit that there were times when I had my doubts. Lying awake at night wondering where you were. Or if you were doing ok. Or those days when I knew you were heading into something that was going to back fire on you, but knowing that I had to keep my mouth shut because you had to figure it out for yourself. Besides, you wouldn't have listened anyway. You always were a "figure it out yourself" kid since the day you were born.
But that's ok. Look at you now. All grown up and making us proud. But most importantly, making yourself proud. You set your sights on a goal 6 or so months ago. And you have worked very hard to accomplish it. And you just keep on going with it. And that makes you happy. And seeing you happy makes us happy.
So, Happy 26th Birthday Son! And may you continue to be successful in all your goals and dreams.
Love,
Mom & Dad

Easter with the Family

Ghostwytch — Sat, 05 May 2007 00:56:45 GMT

My apologies for being so behind in updates. Life has been very busy since the snow melted.

Let's start with Easter. We had a great time. The house was full that's for sure. Mom and Mary were here. Brandon rode out with Natalie, Zech, little Zach and Zech's daughter Emerald. Yes, a new family member. Zech has just gotten custody of his daughter (5-6 years old) and spring break was the trial run for them. We enjoyed having her here with us. She is adorable and well behaved and was soon calling Matt "Poppa".

The food was great as usual. Mom and Mary brought a turkey and some side dishes including a yummy jello of some kind. Mary is the Master of Jello's. You should see the things she does with a simple box of powdered jello. It is amazing and tasty. We provided the ham, as Natalie is not much of a turkey fan. And Natalie raided my cabinets so she could make Mom's homemade biscuits. Nobody walked away from the table hungry. Everyone had to wait some time before they had room for Mary's beautiful Lemon Merengue Pie.

The biggest hit of the day however, had to be for little Zach. Forget the traditional Easter egg hunt. He got to play "Bob the Builder" with Poppa. You can read more about it on the All About Zach page and check out the pictures. Poppa was busy digging a BIG hole. But that's another story.

Happy Birthday Natalie!!!

Ghostwytch — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 09:34:52 GMT

It is so hard to imagine that you are 24 years old already. WOW!!
it really doesn't seem like it was that long ago that I was walking in the door bringing you home from the hospital. You were so tiny compared to your big ole chubby brother when he was born. I don't feel like I have children that are almost 26 and 24. But there you are, 24 in just two days. Amazing!! :-)

Happy Birthday to you! And may this year bring you love, happiness, health and peace my wonderful, beautiful daughter. I wish for you everything that your heart wishes.

Love ya,
Mom

Welcome!

Ghostwytch — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 14:10:18 GMT

I thought that it would be a great idea to start a little blog of sorts so that friends and family could pop in and see what is happening in our world. Not that it is all that exciting, but we do get phone calls and emails from you all wanting to know what's happening up here, so you at least must be interested.

New Years Eve we had "visitors" and everyone has been talking about it. Sending us emails wanting pictures of our "visitors". So, rather than sit here for hours waiting for our molasas is January slow dial up connection to send you those pictures I thought why not just post them here for all to see.