Just Kidney Stones

I have decided Dr.'s throw around words like "mass" and "tumor"  a lot just to make you feel like what is really wrong isn't so bad!  

After some pain, discomfort and other not fun to mention symptoms, mom took dad into the Dr. where they did an ultrasound.  Tests indicated that there was no kidney infection but there was internal bleeding.  Dad was put on antibiotics anyway and was told the Dr. would call them soon to get a CT scan.  Kidney stones were our first thought, but the symptoms were not consistent and the technician didn't think that is what it was.  The next day when they finally heard from the DR. they were told to get to the ER for the CT scan as that was the fastest way to get it done.  It takes them all day to call them and now suddenly we are in a hurry to get it done at the ER??  

At the ER they were told they were looking for a "mass" that was found when they did the ultrasound.  There's that word!  One nurse kept referring to it as a "tumor" or growth.  Ugg.....we all were thinking the worst!  

Kristi was at the ER with them giving the rest of us updates via text messages.  Mom barely knows how to do voicemail so texting is out of the question!  Text messages that contain those words are awful.  Soon, my phone started ringing as other siblings and my daughters want to know what is going on with Papa!  It seemed like forever for them to get the results back from the CT Scan and for the Dr. to come in and explain what was going on.  We were all prepared for the C word due to the "mass" and "tumor" vocabulary.  

Boy were we all relieved to hear it was just kidney stones!  Can you believe we are happy about JUST kidney stones?  Dad still isn't so happy, but at least that is treatable!  Painful, but treatable!

So, almost as quickly as this was diagnosed, dad was in the surgical center having surgery to remove one very large stone that was totally blocking his right kidney.   All went well and the dang thing is gone.  Another is lurking high up by the kidney, but isn't causing any problems yet.  Poor dad!  We are all relieved that it wasn't the C word, but he didn't feel all that relieved!  Roger gave him lots of sympathy as he had strong memories of his own kidney stones last summer!  

It has been a crazy 48 hours, but all is well.   Dad is recovering at home having missed a weekend trip with friends to St. George for some golf and sunshine.  Oh well, the weather was yucky down there this weekend anyway!  

Feel better dad!  We love you!  Aren't you glad I don't have pictures to post??

Our little Sydney

Today our 3 year old granddaughter Sydney, Jeff's youngest, underwent brain surgery to cauterize a part of her Cerebellum and to shave down part of her spine.  She had been experiencing a lot of bad headaches and was diagnosed in November with Chiari (pronounced Kee-are-ee)Malformation I.  It is a congenital brain/spine abnormality that is not easily diagnosed.  There was not enough room in her skull/brain cavity and it was causing pressure and fluid to leak into her spinal column.  So today they created more room to relieve the pressure.  She did great!  She was not very happy to go with the nurses in the wagon and went screaming, but it is all over and now she can start healing.  We are so grateful for all the prayers and fasting on her behalf.  It has been an emotional and scary experience for her parents and the rest of the family.  Her big sister Nataly will take good care of her when she comes home from the hospital.  Doctors are confident that she will fully recover and will have no lasting effects.  We are so grateful!  Love you Syd the Squid!

Sydney in her new jammies the night before surgery.

Dr. Sydney 

Dr. Nataly and Dr. Sydney

After a 3 hour surgery.  She looks so tiny in that big bed.  

Christmas Cookies

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Thanksgiving at Grama & Papa Doc's

Grandkid Invasion!

My grandkids are the cutest in the whole world! This is just the beginning of the Thanksgiving week photos! More to come!!! All 4 families were here for Thanksgiving, Papa Doc's 70th birthday and McKenna's baptism. It was a fun week!

Ready for some FOOTBALL!

vs. 

UTAH

It doesn't get any better than this!!  Dad has always celebrated his birthday along with the BYU vs. Utah game and this year is no exception.  

Go  Cougars!!!

Happy 70th Birthday Dad!

70 Years!  That's a lot of memories and pictures!!  

Some things haven't changed, you still have blonde hair and you are still wearing BYU sweatshirts!  We love you!  Thanks for all you have done for us and the memories and values you have shared with us!

Love, Randy, Julie, Jenni, Ali, Brad & Ryan