Birthday

So Jen's birthday is coming up on the 22nd. I think it'd be best to have people visit on the same day, probably Saturday so that everyone has time to visit. It's unclear on whether she'll be at Walnut Creek or UCSF, but I'm guessing Walnut Creek. I'm not planning anything really so feel free to contact me if you have an idea that you think she'd like.

Jen's fistula looks good, they've started dialysis with it so if all goes well they will pull out the chest port by next week. After that they'll ramp down her Fluconazole antibiotic, and then look to transfer her to UCSF.

Jen has been doing really well, she's been eating normally for the past 3 weeks (a record) and only had a couple of days of nausea. Progress is obvious. I'm optimistic that after her surgery for the gastric pacer she'll be able to start living a more normal life sooner than later.

So, that's it for now...

Random note: I attempted my fist motivational poster below, what do you think?

A Japanese man 'gets his wood on'

Yes, that is made of wood.

Thought I'd share this amazing artist's work. He builds wooden sculptures are just awesome. I tried to see if I could get one for Jen but he only sells at art shows. Another reason to go back to Japan!

http://take-g.com/ Go to the 'crafts' section to see these incredible sculptures.

Birthday

Careful, it has a hair trigger.

Jen's birthday is coming up soon (5/22)...any ideas for gifts? It looks like she'll most likely still be in the hospital for it...but most likely at UCSF. No official word on when that's taking place yet.

uhh

All is the same...delivering food to Jen and basically crossing my fingers that it stays good and gets better.

The vascular surgeon will be looking at her arm in the next few days to pronounce judgement on her fistula. One step closer to getting her to UCSF.

Fowl

Even chickens suffer from 'snack attack'.

Jen called me up at work today asking if I would pick up some popcorn chicken for her from KFC. Of course I will! That's a very good sign, so good that I will not even mention the horrible-ness-es? of the fast food industry. I'll just post a link here instead. (I'm even more fun at parties!) Fast food...what exactly are you putting in your body?

Good eating!

P.S. Think you're having a bad day? Feeling increasingly confused? Imagine what this chicken was thinking.

Dogs are the masters of all that smells

Photo: Master Doga instructs new pupils in the way of 'Hypoglycemia'.

So Jen had a nurse introduce her to 2 diabetic patients that have dogs that can 'sniff out' an episode of hypoglycemia. She recommends that we look into getting Jen a 'Diabetic Dog' as a helper when she goes home. I'm all for it, and I'm sure Bjorb the cat will love having another gigantic hair-shedding companion.

These dogs are mostly 'rejects' from blind guide-dog schools. The reasons they were rejected are minor, usually if a dog shows reluctance to enter elevators, or walk in water. The dogs are then trained to recognize the subtle smell that is associated with hypoglycemic episodes. When these dogs detect one of these episodes, they alert the owner by gently tugging on a necklace that the person wears, and also licking the face. The dogs are not ready for service until they dosplay at least a 90% accuracy rating. The organization that started this is down the road from us, Dogs For Diabetics.

I contacted them and they are willing to help, but won't be able to start until Jen is released from the hospital. I think it'll be a great thing, great companionship and a great alert system in one!

Evasive nothingness

Photo: Wee little octopus make big human go 'awwww'.

Jen is still sick at the moment, but is on tube feedings. I can't wait until they get her to UCSF.

I am pushing to get her glucose monitor covered by insurance. I am also trying to collect data for Social Security...who seems to have no clue how to get information on their own.

Another update

Unfortunately it seems that Kaiser and Health Net will not cover a continous glucose monitor as it "...has not been demonstrated to improve the condition of diabetic patients." Like it'll hurt?

I have Jen's doctor working on an appeal to both companies. It's a long shot, but you never know.

Jen is still sick...and has refused tube feeding for the past 48 hours...


UPDATE APRIL 7: Jen is back on her feeding tube as of yesterday...

Status

Unfortuately Jen is sick again, and has been for thepast 2 days. She is feeling somewhat hopeless, I'm trying to keep up her spirits by reminding her of all the positive developments that have happened over the past couple of months.

In other news, there is a possibility that her glucose monitor may be covered by my insurance. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Great news

So the trend is continuing to be positive, Jen's latest Echocardiogram show that the fungal infection is no longer there. How fricking awesome is that? A lot I tell you, a lot of, erm...awesome. ness. full.

UPDATE:

It turns out the latest theory is that it wasn't fungal but just a clot. Strange, and they are surprised that it just went away the way it did, though she's been on Warfarin and/or Lovenox for over a year now. I think it was due to the soothing magic of this man.