January 2015 and Happy New Year!

I planned on a nice quiet October and actually did pretty well till Dad went into the hospital.  Dad mentioned in conversation, having trouble breathing and that sometimes his chest hurt.  Well, i knew that was not a good sign!  A quick trip to the doctor and Dad is admitted for a double bypass and valve repair.  So i went home to Arkansas to help play 'home healthcare nurse.'  My nursing career was from late October till mid December.  Dad has been a great patient and continues to improve.

Nurse Karen and Dr. Bauer Post-op

X-ray with wire closure.

Dr. Bauer explains procedure pre-op.

on the way to surgery

day two post-op sitting up

'Baby's first steps'  (day 3 post)

 Ugly nurse Lynn  (not even voted on)

 Beautiful nurse Alyx  (skips fave)

Shanyce nurses aide.

Dad spent a week in the Hospital, then two weeks in rehab, building up his strength before returning home.  He has been home now since mid November and managing his diabetes, checking his blood sugar and self administering his insulin daily.  All us kids enjoy getting his email reports sharing blood sugar numbers and weather reports mingled with menus and drive time info.

The nursing tasks were a team duty with all siblings involved.  

First on site were Steve and Susan.  

Then i took up residency at the hospital, followed by Lynn and Jane.

Lynn in the chair at night

Jane with Jenny and Dad @ speech therapy

Jane checking daily meds at home

'It takes a village to raise a child.'  
It takes an entire family to get an 86 year old man through heart surgery.
Dad was very patient and understanding with all of us:  'learn on the job nurses.'

The better to see you my dear...

Nurse Mandy

Shay. home health physical therapy. balance / footwork steps.

 Cherry Cobbler smuggled into hospital

MEAN Phylis walking in rehab

Lynn, Jane, Dad, Skip

Plaque at the college library for dads book collection.

Jenny - Speech therapy

Nurse Amber.  'the tough one'

After Dad returned home we got invited to Little Rock to see Hannah dance in the Nutcracker Ballet. (Hannah is sister Lynn's youngest daughter, 20 and a ballerina)  This was my first time to ever see Hannah dance and i was very impressed.  Quite the little dancing ballerina.

During the middle of my nursing visit we had Thanksgiving vacation and i even took a week to go work in Orlando at a convention.  *(during my travel i ran into 1/3 of the Dixie Chicks at the airport)

Between Thanksgiving and the Christmas Holidays i got to see several old friends.

Al and Kristie Sexton

Al, Skip, John, Cam

David Wallace, Susan Alston, Richard Roberts, Ellen Walker, Rhonda Moyer, Ginan Guffey, Cathy Angel, Skip, Vicky Rogers

Cam and Robin Prock

I'm back home now on the boat.  Dad sent the kids home the week before Christmas.  It's finally quiet again, just a lot colder.  I did get out Friday night and saw Joe Ely up in Houston at a tiny little club - Mucky Duck.  All else it back to normal.  I am back at work and into my normal routine.  I hope you all enjoy a great 2015.          - skip

It's great to be back on the boat and into my routine.

Mexican food at the Cadillac Grill

Dollar Sushi night at Ichibon

$5 PLATE

Tina the waitress

$8 DOLLAR PLATE

A boat stir fry meal w/ Pork

My Birthday on show site in Orlando.