One Week ...

Ron's surgery was a week ago this morning at 6:00 AM. I have just met with his Neuro Surgeon, Dr. Wellman, (get it?) and he said the patient is doing fantastic. Yesterday and last night were the absolute worst though ... the head pain is just fierce. He was given oxicontin, the Rush Limbaugh drug, and it ended up being a nightmare for all of us. He "tripped" until 2:00 this morning, trying to get out of bed, trying to get me into bed : ) and fighting sleep. At 10:00 the Doctor ordered another cat scan of his brain to see if perhaps the wound was bleeding. It was not. His physical therapy started yesterday morning and he's standing, walking, and exercising. Ron's sister, Karen, is my new best girlfriend. This chick is the perfect mix to this mingle. But excuse my selfishness if you can. All I can hope for at this point, is to hear Ron call out to me just one more time, "Please, I'm begging you, get into this bed"!

Ron is On the Mend ...

Ron continues to make progress and was moved last night from the Acute Neuro Care Department of Sanford Hospital. He is now in a room for a few days prior to being moved to the Physical Therapy Department. He is now much more alert; however, the pain is tremendous still. I had help yesterday moving some of our things back into the main floor of our house. Ron's sister, Karen, is with him now and I am heading back later this morning.

Thank you to everyone for your calls, emails, and offers to help me. More importantly, knowing the power of your prayers and the knowledge of God's love has been of great comfort to us both. Bless you right back !

I Interrupt This Program ...

Ron had surgery Tuesday morning to remove a subdural hematoma from the right side of his brain, which was the result of a hard fall on the stairs to our lower level. We are at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, where he was brought from Watertown by ambulance.

The surgery went well, he regained consciousness yesterday morning and is breathing on his own. He has just been moved from ICU to the Acute Care Neuro Floor. His children, Brad and Allison arrived last night, along with his sister, Karen.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

With love from the prairie,
Laurie

"Mornin, Mam" ... "It's Sky Watch Friday" ...

I went for coffee yesterday morning at the Starbuck's drive through. It's out at Interstate 29, so for a city of 23,000 plus and or minus, it's quite a drive ... that would be 6 minutes in peak traffic at 6:00 AM, with a total of 12 cars at the light. When I pulled up to the intersection of Highways 212 and 81, where the Magic Mile begins and my Dad had "Carroll's Texaco", the sun had just started peeking through the clouds. It had rained a bit earlier so everything looked freshly bathed. The sky was gorgeous. I looked up to my left and noticed "Cowboy One" tipping his hat at the sun. She's a girl in my world. skyley.blogspot.com

Red Love and Blue ...

What's left to say ???

The Zucchini Bikini Birthday Boy ...

It's a big day today in our life ... it's a Decade Birth Day. I took this photo last night while we were on a drive to the Henry Steak House. I was photographing a huge herd of Angus that came running just as soon as I did my cow call. Yes, I have a cow call. It must have met with Ron's approval ... look at that smile I caught on my way back to the car. It was a fun road trip and I just knew this would be my shot for today's post. Happy Birthday, Boyfriend. It's a love connection for sure ... your silver hair matches my silver Subaru. And a special thank you to Jim Aesoph at KDLO Radio 96.9, for making our morning such fun with his "Ron Keller has a birthday today and a yard full of "Zucchinis" . "Or is that Bikinis" ?

Smith Family Robinson ...

Meet my Wicked Step and a Half Daughter, Allison, (WSD.5) and her family plus a Girlfriend of my oldest Grand Daughter, Anna. I guess listing her name isn't critical ... her parents won't let her hang out with them any longer.

Guide in the back, Allison in front of him, Emily in front of her, my fellow Baby Boomer Son in Law, Wally, across from Em, Meg in front of Wally, ex Girlfriend across from Meg, Anna across from her, Jaws One munching Em's oar, Jaws Two front right, advertising for Oral B 40.

Photo courtesy of Skip That Lunch Rafting, Blue Mountain, Georgia. Photo Shop courtesy of R. Brad Keller, Jr., Wicked Step and a Half Son (WSS.5).

Wipe Out ...

of both the signs, and my Mom. I have been walking by these for a week now, since I had to put her back in the hospital. When they disappear tonight everyone will know they are in my possession. Sorry ... I have to have them. And they have been laying there so long they belong to me.

Mom had to have surgery again. This time to correct an adhesion and collapse of her lower intestinal tract. I think I explained that correctly : ) She has had a terrible time but is on the mend again.

The Nurses wear the cutest outfits these days. This week I've seen Scooby Doo, Mister Potato Head, and a myriad of colors from hot hot hot pink to a turquoise blue that knocked my socks off. These awesome ladies work their butts off and all have a great attitude and sense of humor. When Mom sits in her chair I take the bed ... so yesterday when the Respiratory Therapist came in with the Nebulizer I told her I was her new patient. She smiled and said, "Cool". "Here is your enema"!

Mom has a touch a pneumonia ... that will get your attention. She has tons of antibiotic going into her, as well as morphine. Every once in a while she pushes her little black button for me. I wish ...