Just a BIt Better Today!
Dear Fods,
Although the counts won't show it, i.e., wbc .4; ANC 240, Debbie seemed a little perkier today. She was awake and alert when I arrived and had a new "proper" bike delivered to the room today. It is a sleek recumbant model with real peddles, a front wheel, resistance and a timer! Arranging the room to accommodate this goliath will be a challenge and we can either open the refrigerator or use the microwave -- but not at the same time. Debbie peddled for a little while today and spent 1/2 of the visit outside of her bed today. This was the best she was all week.
We caught up on three days worth of blogs today and she enjoyed hearing all of your kind words, poems, and jokes. Every time I thought that she was sleeping and finished reading a blog she would say, "who wrote that one?" and I would tell her the name. She was very alert today and I say that she was "present" for the readings which is the first time this week.
The gall bladder drain is working well although she is still very filled with fluid. Her BUN moved down today and that was good as well. If she is able to move around a little more and maybe use the bike, I think that this will help her lose that excess fluid.
Thank you for the cards and blogs -- we read them to Debbie when she is listening -- and sometimes when she is not. She keeps all of her cards in a basket next to her bed and I know that she looks at them over and over.
Debbie sends her love to all.
posted by Joe @ 8:25 PM
26 Comments:
Since you are on elevators a lot at the HUP. you might find some of these things useful or fun to do.
Love The Joke Person
24 Fun Things To Do In An Elevator...
1. Grimace painfully while smacking your forehead and muttering: "Shut up, dammit, all of you just shut UP!"
2. Whistle the first seven notes of "It's a Small World" incessantly.
3. Crack open your briefcase or purse, and while peering inside ask: "Got enough air in there?"
4. Offer name tags to everyone getting on the elevator. Wear yours upside-down.
5. Stand silent and motionless in the corner, facing the wall, without getting off.
6. When arriving at your floor, grunt and strain to yank the doors open, then act embarrassed when they open by themselves.
7. Greet everyone getting on the elevator with a warm handshake and ask them to call you Admiral.
8. On the highest floor, hold the door open and demand that it stay open until you hear the penny you dropped down the shaft go "plink" at the bottom.
9. Stare, grinning, at another passenger for a while, and then announce: "I've got new socks on!"
10. When at least 8 people have boarded, moan from the back: "Oh, no, not now, damn motion sickness!"
11. Meow occasionally.
12. Holler "Chutes away!" whenever the elevator descends.
13. Walk on with a cooler that says "human head" on the side.
14. Stare at another passenger for a while, then announce "You're one of THEM!" and move to the far corner of the elevator.
15. Wear a puppet on your hand and talk to other passengers "through" it.
16. When the elevator is silent, look around and ask "is that your beeper?"
17. Say "Ding!" at each floor.
18. Say "I wonder what all these do" and push the red buttons.
19. Listen to the elevator walls with a stethoscope.
20. Draw a little square on the floor with chalk and announce to the other passengers that this is your "personal space."
21. Announce in a demonic voice: "I must find a more suitable host body."
22. Make explosion noises when anyone presses a button.
23. Wear "X-Ray Specs" and leer suggestively at other passengers.
24. Stop at every floor, run off the elevator, then run back on
deb; mo is in scranton, her father was discharged from the rehab unit. he is doing fine, his final diagnosis is pmr. michael looked good, i hope they liked the stew. mo and i are keeping you in our prayers and heart. we love you. bob
Deb and Joe,
So glad to hear you're feeling a little better today!! That was great news! Keep peddling and getting your rest and you'll be home soon! We've said a lot of prayers here for you this week and you are both in our thoughts always.
Love,
Jeanne
Debbie:
Just got back from dinner with the new inlaws, Cyrus' parents. The honeymooners fly home through the night and arrive early tomorrow morning. Sarah will be glad to hear that you're a bit better today, albeit just a bit. But we'll take any progress we can get, Deb.
I'm hoping you have an easy night, sweetie, and hope tomorrow is a bit brighter for you. Love you,
Cathy
hallelujiah, i just love her so! thrilled to hear you are headed close to the intersection and ready to turn that corner! i am not sure how in jehosophat's name you are gonna get on that bike but if anyone can deb, you will! love you lots and miss you more. kathi
HOly Crap. you rode the bike today!! Deb.. looks like your wbc is slowly going back up also from yesterday..
don't overdo.. but i think like joe said, that riding a little will help, plus didn't you get the cadiallac version of exercise bikes?
I hope all your drains and antibiotics are working well, letting those wbc's finally multiply and get stronger..
YOur make us all proud to be your friend Deb.. that goes to all you teklits.. mdf
deb, there are two things you will need to orient yourself to before you come home.
1. our beloved green spinach is now hazardous to our health and not on your grocers shelf.
2. your grocer isn't the same either. clemens had a buyout from giant and some other big brother outfit. no more "it's all about family" for us.
numbers 3 and 4 i cannot blog but will divulge when the time is right! in the meantime, keep your eye on the prizes
1.tennis way
2. cosmos and bar food
3. ice cream with joey
4. the khouri gang
5. ducks in the yard
6. more cosmos
7. brunswick stew with a fire and joe in the grammy sweater
8. hanging the notre dame flag out front
9. mo's lemon squares
10. few more of those tasty cosmos
11. fod party with allison and mdf as special guests
12. seeing your favorite visiting nurse again
13. watching joe work on the lazy susan again
14. thanksgiving with hal and kris
15. rices
16. cosmos
additions anyone?
Prizes THE DEBSTER needs to keep her minds eyes upon.... Joe ,Joey and Mikey putting all the Christmas Santa's out just the way the Debster loves them...all the GREENS from Rices on the windows (just so)...the "new wave" utility room...always more Cosmos...Nonas fried pound cake with vanilla ice cream...lounging in the Debster tub with jets bubbling frantically and a nice hot cuppa with love from Joe...snuggled in your own bed with a great book and no distractions(maybe Joe:)...soooooo happy you are feeling even a tiny bit better..my heart jumps for joy..it won't be too long now,so keep your eyes on the prizes!!!GO GIRL,GO!!Love and Hugs :)Bev
Dear Debbie,
It sounds like things are progressing in the right direction. This is good to hear. Thanks for posting, Joe. I'm sure you are tired at the end of the day and for you to give all the FOD's an update on Debbie's progress is very considerate. I check the blog often during the day, as other FOD's are doing, and tonight when I read your heading JUST A BIT BETTER I went "YES"!!...one day at a time
Not much happening here---Macy has learned to say "Go Irish" --so cute :) I will be able to see her this Sat. Kelly and Aaron are bringing her to Collin's game in Indy.
I hope and pray this weekend you find yourself getting stronger. Know that I think of you all the time. Have a restful night. xoxoxoxoxoxo
love, tessa
Dear Debbie, Joe & family...
oh my heart is lightened...
brilliant, just bloody brilliant (remember the guinness ad!)... so very very happy to hear that Debbie is just a tiney weeny bit better today...
I feel so much better now after reading that...
God bless Debbie,
lots of love, visitor alison
p.s I almost made the top ten list of things to look forward too! boy mdf and I are truly honored to be number 11... lol.... here's to cosmos!
Debbie,
I am so happy to hear that you are
feeling a little better!! That puts a big smile on my face. One day at a time and before you know it you will be home sweet home. We all continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers and you My Friend have a special place in my heart! You are the BEST!!!
Love,
Donna, Chuck, Wyatt, Joan and Earl from Ocean City
dear deb,i had no doubt you would rally but i was getting a little impatient...i can't wait until i can at least hear your voice. and know that you are gaining stregnth.
as you know you are in my prayers and thoughts always along with joe the boys and jessie.joe, thanks so much for keeping all of us informed, being unable to speak wih debbie directly this hasbeen the next best thing .
much love, marian
Dear Deb and Joe,
So glad to hear you're feeling a little bit better. Keep it up Deb.
What a great idea to have an exercise bike. AS much as we hate it, exercise can make us feel sooooo much better. Hope your numbers continue to improve. Our thoughts and prayers are with you every day.
Love you guys,
Bob and Lorraine
Deb, we just want you and Joe to know that though we haven't done much blogging, we are FODS and follow these reports closely. Maybe we are just computer phobic FODS (CPFODS).
Anyway, we pray for you, Joe, and your family all the time. We picture you healthy, happy, and baking the best chocolate chip cookies ever!
What a person you are to have so many loving friends. I've never seen anything like it. Please get better and trust, no matter what, the Lord has you securely in His arms. He doesn't fumble.
Love, Bob and Kay
Debbie & Joe,
We were delighted to read that Debbie had a better day yesterday, & let's hope that there are more of these ahead. The size of the room must be tiny, & is more suited for a person of Mom's size. It was heartening to read that Debbie was alert for your reading of the blogs. There's agreement on your stating the usage of the bike would assist in the reduction of fluids. However, we realize it is a daily balancing act between riding & having the energy to cycle. We'd sure like to see Debbie's being a little "perkier" resulting in her being able to eat just a bit. Hopefully, Debbie will be able to sit up & see a little of the PSU - Buckeyes game later today. We're afraid that the game will either be a defensive battle, or a blowout, & we'd prefer the former. Mom wanted you to know that today is Padre Pio's feast day, & she said a prayer to him for you at Mass today. We also pray Padre Pio's Novena every day for you. Love, Mom & Dad
Yeah! Some good news! I'm happy to hear that you are up and moving, Aunt Debbie. You had everyone scared for a while there. It looks like the Teklits spunk finally kicked in and you are ready to recover and get the heck out of there.
I loved reading the recent blogs. I had looked for some good joke websites and couldn't find anything decent. I loved the "24 Fun Things to do in an Elevator!" If only I could find an elevator...
Of all the lists of things to get you home, I could come up with my own list of things I've learned through this blog.
1. I really need to drink more cosmos.
2. Nurses sure are party animals!
3. Nothing brightens a dreary day like a bunch of (wild) friends and family members.
4. Laugh every day.
5. You never realize how many lives you've touched.
I could go on and on. Anyway, thanks for the updates Uncle Joe and Jess. I hope things continue to improve for you, Aunt Debbie. I hope Mikey's knee is ok and please tell Joey I said hi.
I'm sorry I don't blog as much as I used to. I'm back in school, we still don't have a contract, and things aren't looking good. We've been having tons of meetings, passing out flyers to inform the community of our situation, and making ourselves very visible. I'm hoping to know within another week or so whether we're going to strike. Let's hope not!
Love,
Lisa
Hey Deb:
Chances are that you have pulled our blogs for the day but just wanted to say hey!
Spent today with Aunt Angie. She is two days shy of the Big 8-0! We went shopping as she just can't find pants anywhere. Well I sure thought we would find something but those darn designers are making the rises in the pants so short my poor mom is about to go crazy. Let me tell you, I saw plenty of near pubic bones today in the mall. What are these girls thinking! Needless to say, Aunt Angie couldn't begin to wear her pants that low.
We were also on the lookout for something for Tammy's soiree next month in Clarksville, TN. No luck there either. I hope that Bev (MOB) has better luck looking in P'burg next week. I don't understand why we have to be such slaves to fashion. Isn't there something equivalent to the blue blazer and khakis in a woman's wardrobe. I guess that might be the little black dress.
Enough with the rambling. No plans for Mom's b-day as you remember I got that Crispino finger wagging about surprises. I guess the 70th with the sisters will have to suffice for surprises.
Thrilled to see you have enough energy to even think about sitting on a bike. You know better than anyone you have to keep moving.
You've got more guts than I do Deb. Dave remarked the other morning after we read the post that he can't even begin to imagine Debbie unable to keep up her usual 90 mile an hour speed. We all here can't fathom it.
A quiet weekend post football here. Both boys teams were victorious. Colin's team by the grace of God. They were down 17 -20 when the other team had to punt with 3 minutes left. The punter let the ball touch the ground before kicking it off on the 2 yard line. So we got the ball at the two yard line. Final score 24-20! AMAZING. Today Bee played a team from the little town of St. James which was on the national news yesterday for having a tornado hit it. They are about 1 hour from here. The storms went just south of us.
Besides all this...I am catching up on laundry, the boys will be home with me. Dave is at a poker tourney to raise money for Fr. Brune (a local fellow who is stationed in Brazil and he needs eye surgery). Mere (perfect child) is at the high school preparing for "Healthy Lifestyles". It is a program for area 8th graders that promotes..you guessed it "healthy lifestyles"....That will be about 150-200 kids. That will take place Thursday/Friday of this coming week. Mere is one of the student leaders.
After shopping with A.A. I think I will lay low and enjoy some quite time. More than likely my thoughts will drift to you and how you much effort you every move must be. I pray that each day gets a little better as it seems to be at this time.
Hang in there Debbie. We miss and love you bunches. COD Eileen and DOC Dave...how do you like that one Joe?
Dear Deb Joe and family;
My daughter Eileen is something else.I just read her blog.I,m tired just reading it.
We spent the whole day together.
Had lunch at The St. Louis Bread Co. Had fun at ABE's .
So glad you are feeling a bit better today. If you can get on the bike wow!.
Thinking of all the family and love you all.
BIG HUGS
Your Aunt Angie
oh deb-every little step towards positive is HUGE!!!!! You go girl---I will do 20 minutes on the treadmill for you tonight-God I hate that but will do it and will think of you! keep doing everything you can-you can beat this i know it!!!! love you bren
Hi Debbie,
Hoping Saturday found you a little tiny bit better again!
thinking of you all the time, sending lots & lots of prayers, hugs, love your way.
Visitor Alison
Deb, i really hope today was a good one for you!! Just got thru watching the nd game! That is an advantage out here.. it's over,and it's only 8:45 now! It waa a great game.. Hope everything in pa. is good, and that the male teks got a chance to watch it.. sorry to all you penn state fans thou..
Deb, the prayers will continue to get you stronger,and healthier and out of there! love, mdf
Good Sunday morning to you Debs and the whole T-gang ..hope you all had a restful,and decent weekend(under the circumstances:) I hope you are continuing to feel better and better Debbie..of course ,we all pray that this is so almost costantly throughout each day, I can't imagine how it couldn't be so... I think of you riding your new bike and remember us riding on the path at Valley Forge...when you decided to try and take up bike riding with me..what a riot that was...I think you did well,but I think your butt hurt too much...do you have a "Cadillac" seat on the bike in your room??? The butt DOES stop hurting after a week or two (if you can get past that)anyway, getting ready for Mass now ..will most definitely dedicate this to you and your continuing recovery my dear friend Love and Hugs XXOO:)Bev
Debbie,
We were thinking about you all weekend. Kevin had a chance to see Joey Friday night for a few minutes and said they he looked great.
So glad to hear that you were up and on the bike for some exercise this weekend. You little Peppermint Patty!
I watched the N.D. game yesterday -such a good game!
Keep up the good work. Always thinking of you.
Donna S.
Hello my little Chizzie-
Just a quick note to let you know that I am thinking about you and praying for you today.
Had lunch with the Pfosts yesterday. Went to a south Indian place over in Bucks County and enjoyed idlis, dosas and samosas. They were quite tasty - you know Lady G loves the whole Indian scene. They came back to the house and the guys enjoyed cigars and martinis, Lady G and I enjoyed Chocolate cake with fresh raspberries. It was a good day but you were never far from my thoughts.
Hope you had a good day yesterday as well. So glad to hear that you got your new bike - you have inspired my to crawl back on mine!
Hope the Jesster had a safe trip up from DC today and that you two are enjoying some quality time.
Love to all the Teklits men.
I love you, honey.
K
Hi Debbie! So glad to hear things are improving - if only a little bit! We were down the shore this weekend and went to Atlantic City for dinner and a LITTLE gambling! Matt's girlfriend was the only winner. We ate at Morton's and enjoyed cosmos ($13 - YIKES) From now on we will be making our own....or maybe at the MAINLAND!!!! So glad you enjoyed a pedicure by Jess. That always makes you feel better. Get back on the bike - you'll be back riding in the neighborhood soon! Sending lots of prayers and love, Trudy
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