Update on Rick ... time with the kids and grandkids ...

We went to the dialysis center and Dr. Greenwell on Wednesday, this week. Not the best report.
Dr. Greenwell said that Rick does not have any congestion in his lungs - Thank God!
There is a little fluid in the lower of one lung - but not enough to be worried about - Thank God!
He does have about 25 pounds of fluid overload though. At this time, it is seen in his legs from just above the knees down to the toes, and in that small part of your back right above your butt. He is definitely swollen in those areas.
Dr. Greenwell said it would be like carrying around 8-10 gallon milk jugs at all times! Whew!
Rick's total blood count was down to 8.1 - but we were told not to be too concerned at this time, because with that amount of salt water in him, it would dilute the blood to the degree that we couldn't get an accurate reading.

Dr. Greenwell said to give Rick 6 tablets of Lasix each day - 3 in the a.m. and 3 in the p.m.
Also, we normally use 2 bags of the 1.5 dialysis solution, or a 1.5 and a 2.5. But due to the fluid overload - we are having to use 2 of the 4.25 solution for a few nights.
Last night was the first time since Rick started on dialysis that we have used a 4.25. This morning we were thanking God for it - cause his UF number was 2703!!! (this UF number is the difference in what the cycler puts in to Rick - 6200 mL - and what it takes out.)
Yesterday at the dialysis unit, Rick weighed in at 280 lbs - this morning he was down to 275!

We were told that it should take only about a week to take this fluid off him. And that with the first 10 pounds off, we should see a major difference in the way Rick is breathing.
It might take the whole amount for him to feel a major difference.

Please help us pray for Rick during all this. It is not a pleasant experience by a long shot. He not only has more aches and pains - due to the fluid overload. But he has a host of thoughts, feelings, and such to deal with as well.

We were blessed to see Joshua, Dessie, Shell and Kyla on Tuesday night. We enjoyed supper with them. Laughter. Love. Hugs.
And then on Wednesday night, we were blessed to see Mandy, Elijah, and Brooklyn - supper with them. Laughter. Love. Hugs.

I sure do love our kids and grandkids. I miss them, too.
In a more perfect world we would be able to live close to them all - spend quality and quantity time with them.
I had it all planned out - I was going to be the "Grannee" who baked cookies with the grandkids, taught the girls all how to quilt and can and cook. We would go shopping together. I would never miss a school event. Birthday parties at Grannee's house. Going swimming. Sitting under the shade tree with a cold glass of sweet iced tea. Drinking coffee together on a cold morning. Creating crafts. Sewing clothes. Decorating for the holidays.

Life didn't happen that way. So, we make the best of what we can.
We have baked cookies together, but we have also bought cookies together.
We have learned to can and to cook over the phone and together.
We occasionally get to go shopping together.
I have missed more school events than I have been able to go to - but oh how much I enjoyed those that we did get to go to! 
I have missed birthday parties and holidays. But never missed getting and giving hugs and kisses when I get a chance. 
We have gone swimming. Had a glass of cold sweet iced tea. Drank a gallon of coffee when we can - sometimes while we talked on the phone.
Talked about and shared creating crafts, sewing some clothes, and decorating.
We have also talked and dreamed about what life could be like ... what we wished it could be like ... all the while trying to make the best of what life really is.

Thank God for the telephones ... for the Internet ... for text messaging ... for web cams ... for picture sharing ... for Facebook ...
Thank God for all the ways we can use to stay in touch across the miles.

I love you - Mandy, Joshua, Dessie, Elijah, Brooklyn, Shell and Kyla! Thank you for loving me - even when I cannot be with you! You are all my heart, my love ... the wind beneath my wings.
I love you!!!!!