February 2024

Friday 2/2

We were up very early this morning in preparation for Steve's back surgery.

It was raining and a little bit foggy as we arrived at the hospital at 5:30 a.m.

Round 2 ! No one should have to do pre-op twice

After listening to Steve's lungs, the anesthesiologist gave the thumbs up to go ahead with the surgery and then proceeded to get the last IV done.

As a precaution, he ordered a breathing treatment for Steve to do before the surgery begins.

Steve's pre-op nurse giving him a few last minute instructions before the OR nurses come to take him off to surgery.

and . . .  away he goes !!

The surgery is scheduled for 360 minutes (6 hours), but the doctor estimated about 5 hours. He will call Linda when the surgery is completed and Steve goes off to spend a couple of hours in recovery. The pre-op nurse told Linda to go home and get some rest.

Linda received the phone call from the surgeon at 1:35 (6 hours after leaving pre-op). Steve is out of surgery and on his way to recovery. The surgery went well and just as planned with the laminectomy of L1 - S1 and a fusion of the 4/5 vertebrae. Linda went back to the hospital at 3:30 and waited in Steve's assigned room, 9503 on the 9th floor, for him to arrive from recovery.

At 5:00 they finally brought Steve up to his room.

As you can see there is already a bed in the room so . . . .

They had him get up and walk to the new bed. It took them a while to get him all settled, but once they did, we were able to order him some dinner. After dinner, Matt came up for a visit. Both Matt and Linda left shortly after visiting hours ended. It's been a long day but hopefully it will all be worth it in the end. Thanks to everyone that kept Steve in their prayers today!

Saturday 2/3

Steve had a good day today!

He was able to sit in a chair for all of his meals and . . . .

Went for 4 walks . . . . lookin' good !

Kevin came from Utah to help out for a few days and Matt joined us shortly after Kevin arrived.

Steve has a nice view of the Capitol from his room. You can see in the picture that it was a stormy day with wind, fog, snow, and rain all day.

The view at night is beautiful

Monday 2/5

Today was "Going Home" day!

These two girls were from the hospital rehab department. They went through the

"How-To"  list and made sure Steve was doing everything properly. He passed with flying colors!! The big black thing on his back is the brace he is supposed to wear for walks and when he sits up to eat.

It was a beautiful day to be going home... warm and sunny !

The ride home was interesting. Steve started out with the seat reclined a little bit, however, about half way home he started hurting so he decided it needed to recline all the way and that helped a lot. It's about a 35-40 minute drive.

We made it home and with Kevin's help he got out of the car and  . . . .

settled nicely in his recliner.

Kevin helping his dad get into his back brace.

Then, relaxing together! This relaxed picture didn't last long as Steve's pain began to worsen.

Steve has had a rough evening and has been in a LOT of pain. We believe it is because, at the hospital this morning, he was up way more than he should have been while waiting for all the people that needed to see him before they could authorize his being discharged. Then we had to wait for the pharmacy to bring his medication and for transportation, who never did come. The nurse's assistant finally decided to get a wheelchair and transport him herself. Kevin had the car at the ready, just outside the doors, but the wheelchair "driver" got stuck in the revolving door. She was sooo embarrassed. Once he was in the car, he had the 35 minute ride home and then the task of getting settled at home. 

We finally got enough pain & nerve medication in him that he is now resting. Tomorrow will definitely be a "day of rest" for him!

Tuesday 2/6

We have had several calls today from nurses. After a rough night and morning, he seems to be doing better this afternoon. 

One of the IV's they did during the surgery is called an ART (arterial) line. It goes in a long way and the result is this six inch long bruise.

We changed Steve's dressing today

This was the dressing we changed. The bandage is 10" long and . . . 

his incision is a good 8" long. There are dissolving stitches inside but it is just glued on the outside.

Today, Kevin started doing a few "projects" for his dad.

Along with filling the Vole Holes in the backyard, he has changed a lightbulb in the vaulted kitchen ceiling and fixed a couple of kitchen cupboard hinges.

He has been helping us get ready to paint all the patchwork Matt has been doing for us.

This involved making more than one run to Home Depot to try and match the paint to the walls.

This is what our first try looked like - not even close!!

This is about our 4th try and it is looking pretty good now. Maybe one more adjustment to get it just perfect.

 Of course, he continues to help Steve 

Get up

put on his large brace

and get around the house in his walker

He also keeps the perpetual ice pack filled with ice

Wednesday 2/7

Kevin made one last run to Home Depot before he left for home back in Bountiful Utah.

It has been so nice having him here. He has been a huge help and emotional support for both of us. We are grateful that he was able to take the time off from his family and work to be with us. We love and appreciate you Kev !!

One "project" that Kevin didn't get to help with was installing a new hand-held shower head. We ordered it from Amazon anticipating it to arrive while he was still here, but it came a day late sooo . . . .

Linda put on her DIY hat and went to work !

voila' . . .  done !

The next day, we figured out where to put the wall bracket and . . . . 

Now the shower is all ready for Steve - He said it works great, YaY !

Our bed is a little bit high so, we purchased this exercise step thing to put beside the bed. It has been a big help for Steve as he gets in and out of bed. 

This afternoon we had "A Cut Above" come out and trim all of our trees. 

This is the first time in 16 years that we have had that done.

They began by trimming a few limbs from our neighbor's tree that were hanging over on our side and laying on our roof

This worker is all decked out to start climbing our large maple tree

 He started out down low then . . . 

worked his way up, going higher and . . . .

Higher

While one person was working on the maple tree, Someone else was working on the flowering pear tree.

 We had this nest in the top of the tree but it was built on a group of limbs that had to be thinned out, so sadly . . .

it ended up coming down.

now we know where the squirrels took all that stuffing they have been tearing out of our patio furniture chair pads !

The last tree they did was the flowering plum in the front yard

They gathered up all the limbs and ran them through the chipper. They cleaned up everything-lawn, sidewalks, patio & street. They not only did a great job, but were prompt, efficient, happy, and easy to work with. Thank you A Cut Above !

Thursday 2/8

This morning, TruGreen - the company that fertilizes our trees and shrubs, came for the first treatment of the year. 

Trimming yesterday and fertilizer today ... our trees probably wonder what is going on!

Friday 2/9

Today was our Brother-in-Law's funeral.

Steve's sister, Marilyn, with her husband Keith, just a few hours before his passing. They were married for 62 years and shared the same anniversary date as us and Dave & Gayle - August 1st.

Because Steve was just one week into his recovery from major back surgery, we weren't able to attend in person but grateful for the Zoom they provided so we could attend virtually.

Here are some pictures that Marilyn & Keith's oldest daughter, Lisa, posted

Casket bearers . . . grandsons

Flowers and table centerpieces. KP was Keith's ranch "brand"

Welcome table

Memory table

Casket spray with personal items woven throughout... belt buckles, horse statue and antlers

Marilyn and kids

Jeff, Steven, Greg, Randy, Adam

Melissa, Jennifer, Marilyn, Lisa, Amy

Casket with Keith's "Brand" stickers placed, maybe by the casket bearers?

The Program

Back and Front cover

Inside

We loved doing things and going places with Marilyn and Keith. There were trips together, attending the temple together, working together at their cabin in Cascade, going out to eat and just being together. As was brought out at the funeral, Keith was a quiet man, but a wonderful person with amazing "how to" skills and he was a spiritual giant. At the funeral, each of their nine children shared two personal memories they had with their dad. One was a fun experience and the other was a spiritual experience. 

Sunday 2/11

Today was Super Bowl Sunday

If you know your roman numerals you know that it was Super Bowl 58.  

 San Francisco 49ers vs Kansas City Chiefs.

When time expired in regulation, the score was tied at 19 and went into overtime

The 49ers scored first with a 3-point field goal, but the Chiefs came back with a 6-point, winning touchdown and were crowned Super Bowl Champions!

Wednesday 2/14

Cupid made a stop at our house last night !

He left a bag full of Valentine goodies for . . . .

These two love birds - our 55th Valentine's day together

Thursday 2/15

 It has been a sad day at Debbi's house. Her first-time pregnant kitty, Mavis, gave birth today. Sadly all five fetus' were underdeveloped and still born.

today, Saturday 2/17, both Mavis and Debbi are doing much better and sharing some TLC-time together.

Sunday 2/18

We had our Stake Conference yesterday and today here in the Star Idaho Stake.  We participated in both the Saturday evening session and today's general session via Zoom. Last night's theme was "making our homes feel like Heaven so Heaven will feel like home" and today's theme was "Becoming a Disciple of Christ"

Our Stake President, Rob Ririe, was our concluding speaker, then . . . .

The last half an hour of the meeting, which was a highly anticipated and exciting time, he began the task of . . . .

introducing the creation of a new Ward, New Hope, and adjustments to each of the other nine wards in our Stake. President Ririe noted that we are only about 500 members short of being large enough to split our stake.

These are our new, Star 1st Ward boundaries. We were the smallest ward in the stake with just 213 total membership (250 is now the minimum -down from 300- to create a new ward) so hopefully we have added several new members to our ward family and we didn't lose anyone!

For the last 16 1/2 years, since moving to Idaho, we have been in the 1st ward, surviving many, many boundary "adjustments" and the creation of new wards and a new stake. Aren't we lucky!

Our Stake is really into QR codes. So, they created this one that, when scanned, you can find out which ward you ended up in, where it meets and what time it begins.

We are excited to welcome the new members of our ward family and look forward to getting to know each of them.

Thursday 2/22

It was a beautiful day today

While heading to Boise, we enjoyed a view of blue sky, puffy white clouds and snowcapped mountains

We also encountered the motorcade for a Marine helicopter pilot, Captain Benjamin Moulton.

He and four other marines were killed when their helicopter crashed during a training exercise in California.

  He was from Emmett so the motorcade's route passed by Star just at the same time we left home for Boise. 

The Emmett highway was lined with people from the area holding American flags to honor him. 

Friday 2/23

It's sad when you are too old to renew your driver's license online.

Today Linda renewed her license at this Meridian DMV office where they only do Driver's licenses and by appointment only. We were 15 minutes early and by the time her appointment time came around, she was all done and we were on our way back home! No long lines, short wait time, quick renewal process - in and out, such a nice change from the old system. 

Wednesday 2/28

Today is Linda 75th birthday

Even though we didn't get to go anywhere (due to illness), She enjoyed Happy Birthday wishes from family and friends all day long

Matt came for a visit and . . . .

This soft, cozy, warm, hoodie blanket arrived via Amazon

Thursday 2/29

It has been a month now since Steve's back surgery

He has gone from this . . . .

To this.

The walker, shower chair and perpetual ice pack have been moved to the garage and . . . .

the step to help him in and out of bed is now a leg strengthening exercise device. As he walks around the house, he stops and, holding on to the counter, does a series of steps. In addition, on nice days (and we've had a few) we go for a short walk outside - and yes, he still wears his brace.

Steve started a prednisone step-down pack (to help reduce inflammation) the first of this week and had some, not very nice, side effects - so he is looking forward to being done with them . . . tomorrow! 

Today Steve is finally beginning to feel better so . . . 

 he decided to try out stair climbing

Y  E  S   ! ! !

 After a month, we are able to see some good progress in Steve's recovery and now we are hoping that he will make even more progress during this upcoming month of March . . . Onward and Forward we go !!