Day 356 - Elk hunt and life

Stacy here, I thought it should finally be my turn to post on the blog and give Jason a bit of a break.  Jason went to his one time a year elk camp.  This is the ONLY thing he does for himself.  I was really pushing him to go.  With all the stress he has had lately, he needed an outlet to unwind.  This proved to be a really good thing.  He really enjoys the guys he hunts with and even knocked down a very nice 6 point bull elk in one shot.  He was pretty proud of himself and I am really excited for the meat we will have in our freezer.  When he called he sounded very at peace and relaxed, I hated to let him know all that was going on here.  Thank Jon, Blake, Skye, Eric, and Flint.

It is always an adjusting period when Jason leaves and again when he returns.  We get into a routine when he is here, then have to change that routine when he leaves.  Sierra is doing really well.  She is absolutely loving her job.  She said something to me yesterday that made me scratch my head and wonder, "Who's kid is this?"  She said, " Mom, I just love my job and being around people.  I get to see all kinds of people. When they come in the door at work, I think you are a child of God.  And, I see that and instantly love them."  I was thinking she was going to say that there are all types of people, weird, cranky, obnoxious and fun.  This comment surprised me.  I'm not sure how I was so lucky to receive her special spirit as my daughter.  She is doing great at school and really trying hard. She took the ACT and PSAT in preparation for college.  It's been fun to see her get a grasp for the cost of college and compare that to her paychecks.  The wheels are turning.

Megan had a rough day yesterday.  Her team had their first playoff game for state.  They lost in 4 games.  She was pretty upset.  I wished so bad I could have been there.  I am really missing her and missing being a part of her life.  I hate having her in Oregon with the rest of us here.  I keep questioning if we are doing the right thing.  Usually if you are continually questioning it, that just might be your answer.  We are still considering bringing her back to Paly for basketball.  However, we want it to be her choice so we don't have WWIII on our hands. I trust her and know she will make the right choice (even if it's with some gentle persuasion).

Lindsey is finishing up her volleyball this week.  She has playoff games Tuesday - Thursday.  We will see how her team does.  It has been fun to watch her play.  She is really good to make sure we are taking pictures.  She is learning how to study for test and quizzes and LOVES to socialize with her friends at school.

Hunter is doing great at school and is being challenged, which I love! He needs the challenge.  He is learning how to play the cello, partly due to my encouragement, as I played the cello in junior high.  He is doing well and enjoying it.  It will be good to find him some basketball to be involved in.  I think the YMCA is getting ready to start up here.  That will be good to get him doing that.

Gage is still doing good.  He is losing a little weight and his appetite hasn't been as great for the last few weeks.  He has clinic on Tuesday, so we will meet with the dietitian and make a plan of some sort.  Whether that is going up on his feeds or what, I don't know.  His device kept giving a "critically low" battery alarm.  This is not the typical low battery, "beep-boop" you hear when it is time to change his battery.  This is the sound of a fire truck coming out of his device.  Very loud and very obnoxious.  This alarm goes off if you ignore the low battery alarm and the battery goes to "critically low."  We have never had this alarm go off because we ignored the "low battery" alarm.  It usually goes off because there has been something wrong with the battery.  Gage's only fear is that it will go off in the store or at school and he will be really embarrassed.  Unfortunately, it went off twice this week at school and both times the batteries were full.  I called our nurse practitioner to inform her of what was going on.  Long story short, they decided to change out his controller.  The last time they did this was in May and Gage almost passed out.  He remembered that and was scared to have it done again.  They put him in a room in the CVICU, hooked him up to a monitor and switched it out.  Almost that fast.  No passing out or long pauses with his machine.  Then, we were on our way. Other than his low appetite, nothing has changed.  He is loving school and his friends there, he is catching up academically and is ready for his transplant!

Saturday was a bit of a rough day for me.  It gets really hard to be positive for so long.  I admit, I have times when it is depressing and I struggle with the limbo waiting process.  When we were here with Lindsey it was okay, because I kept telling myself, "It's alright, it's just one Halloween, it's just one Thanksgiving, it's just one Christmas, etc."  Gage has been here for a year.  Tomorrow we will be spending our 3rd Halloween here in California.  Which means our 3rd Thanksgiving, our 3rd Christmas, etc.  Sometimes it feels like it is never going to end.  Not that California is horrible.  It's just the traditions we love at home, are more difficult to carry out here.  My home made spudnuts I would make and the Halloween party we would have with our family.  The Turkey Trot run Thanksgiving morning and getting our Christmas tree the following day in the mountains.  Also struggling with seeing what living in a confined space with no responsibilities is doing to our children.  I find they are getting more selfish and lazy.  Without chores or ways to give them chores it is difficult to find ways to make them responsible.  So, I'm getting out of my pity party and finding ways to give service to others.  I know I feel better afterwards and I think it will help my kids take off their selfish blinders.

Jason and his bull elk. 

Lindsey playing volleyball

Megan's homecoming pictures.  It was so nice to be there with her. 

Lindsey and I flying back from Oregon 

My cousins I haven't seen in awhile and below my grandma and grandpas legacy they left behind.  So good to see my family! 

Sierra ready for her homecoming dance.

 Carving pumpkins, getting ready for Halloween tomorrow.

Day 348,

October 21, 2016

Well Stacy is back, the kids survived, and time to check in from Alaska Air.  One of the best things we have done while in Calif was getting Stacy to Logan Utah for her Grandpa Hobb’s funeral.  She didn’t want to leave, but after we insisted and thanks to relatives that helped with the plane tickets, she went and absolutely loved it.  She saw all but one of her siblings and most of her numerous cousins. What was nice is she didn’t have to worry or watch over any kids or medical equipment. She was able to visit and laugh and visit some more until the late hours of the night guilt free. 

As for the front lines in Calif, all went well.  She made me a detailed list for the 3 days and I stuck to it.   Got the kids off to school, helped with homework, fed them dinner, helped Hunter and Gage with cub scout boats, played school nurse for Gage, and was a chaperone for Gage’s fieldtrip.   There was a medicine adjustment for Gage that was NOT on the list that I forgot about.  I was even there at heart clinic when they made the adjustment but still I forgot to make the changes to his meds.  He is now back on track and going strong (thanks to Stacy’s reminder).

Gage is still keepin’ on.  He is doing his best to wear out the 2^nd backpack.  He still prays (as we all do) very sincerely that his heart will come soon.  They said in clinic he has not been forgotten and still on the active 1a list (or the list of the highest priority).  I am still guessing they can be pretty picky on the heart they accept for Gage.  He is doing so well I hope he can get a great match.  He is approaching the 1 year mark of being on the HeartWare LVAD.  Some of the medical staff what to have a little party for his one year anniversary. Stand by for that.

I will be home for two and a half weeks this time; a long time to be away from the crew. I hate being gone this long but my trip is a threefold trip.  Tomorrow Megan plays in district volleyball in LaGrande.  Good games coming up there.  They are must wins if they want to go to state.  Then, the next week I am going elk hunting up in the Eagle Cap Wilderness with a great bunch of guys.  I have done this for several years now and really enjoy going. We laugh, tell stories, play pinochle, and even hunt elk. Hoping to get my first elk with two antlers, (I did get a one horned elk a couple of years ago) but if not, the experience is awesome.  

The 2^nd week will be Megan’s state volleyball.  The ONLY way they are going to state is by winning in districts.  They need to beat Helix tomorrow morning and then either Joseph or Echo tomorrow afternoon.  All 4 of these are very close in talent, so it will be a battle to get there.  I am assuming they are going to win it so I am hanging around the 2^nd week to support her.

Stacy and the kids are really missing their sister.  The pressure is there for her to go to Calif the second half of the year and play basketball for PALY.  I doubt it will happen, but it sure would be nice to support all our kids in the same place.

That’s it for now.  ‘We just keep on keepin’ on’.

Till next time,

Jason

October 22, Saturday evening.

Great games over in LaGrande.  Megan's volleyball team took 1st in districts.  Beat Helix and Joseph to win it.  Now on to state.  They will have a state home game next Saturday.  

     

Day 343

October 17, 2016

Day 343.

Exciting week coming up. No change with Gage’s status, but life is going to get really exciting for the next three days. Stacy’s grandpa, Glen Hobbs, passed away after a very full life. He was 90+ years old and was ready to see his dear wife.  I strongly encourage Stacy to go to Utah for the funeral.  It will be so good for her to spend stress free time with her siblings, parents and extended family.  So, she will be flying out tomorrow (Tuesday  noonish) and returning Thursday afternoon.  That’s all well and good, but that means someone has to pickup the slack in Calif.  That is where I come in.  I am flying back to Calif tonight (Monday) and putting on my big boy pants to take care of the crew.  Stacy started giving me a list, but I told her to hold off until I was there and acclimated back to Calif life.  As I have said before, it is quite an adjustment to each time I travel from our rural lifestyle in Eastern Oregon to the busy compact urban live of Palo Alto.  So far I have gathered there is 2 clinic appointments, a blood draw, Gage’s school, and Lindsey’s volleyball game and something else…..I think.   Stacy has been running the show for months now, I think I can handle 3 days! 

Sierra had a biopsy a few days ago.  She got a 1a.  Wish it could have been a zero, but we will take it.  Her heart pressures were up slightly, but still within normal ranges.  No changes to her meds and not sure when they will want to see her again.

Megan’s volleyball disticts is this Saturday in LaGrande.  This will determine if they go to state or not.  There will be some tough teams to beat out to get there.  I will be flying back Friday so I can support her in that.

Basically, life is matches on. 

Till next time

Jason

       

Oct 11, Day 337

October 11, 2016

Day 337 and time to check in.

Gage Aurelius’ status is exactly the same.  He is still on the LVAD and tryings his best to wear out the 2^nd backpack.  He has been on the list for 11 months and 1 day and doing great!  I took the boys to one of those bouncy houses the other day and I couldn’t believe how hard he and Hunter played.  They were wrestling and fighting and jumping and playing.  I know Jen and the heart doctors would have had a complete FIT, but I let it go.  He is still a boy and loves to play. I didn’t take any video so they can’t pin me on anything! Haha

Stacy and Lindsey had a great trip home to Oregon.  She was only there Friday and Saturday but her and Lindsey made the most of it.  They went to 3 of Megan’s volleyball games and saw darn near every friend and family there.  She was also there for Megan’s homecoming and had a great time.  After the dance, Megan and a bunch of her friends came over for night games, bon fire, and hangin’ out.  That was a good thing for both Stacy and Megan.  I held the fort down at the RMH with the boys.  Sierra would have went but had to work.  Sinks to have to be responsible.   Honestly, Stacy needed a break from Gage’s monitoring and a whole lot of Hunter’s attitude (which is all over the place these days).  So all-in-all, this trip for her was well needed on many fronts.

Had a great Saturday with Hunter and Gage. We went to a park, played basketball, soccer, and most importantly we played capture the flag with nurf guns.  It was awesome! 

We (mostly myself) are still learning to adapt to the cozy one room living quarters and shared kitchen space at the RMH.  We are making it work, and grateful to have it, (I mean that) but it is definitely a change in your mind set.  I don’t know what we would do without the RMH.  We are always looking for options, but this is the best thing for us at this time.  Without going into detail, it has been a humbling experience.

That is about it for now, let me know if we are missing anything or any questions we need to address.  Still having problems loading pictures, but when I do, look out.

Later

Jason

  

Deer Hunt

Day 329

September 29, 2016,

Right now Hunter and I are on a plane heading home for annual deer hunt.  I don’t have a deer tag, but we have so much fun and it would good for Hunter to get out and do some boy stuff. 

Thank you for the comments to our blog.  Stacy and I read and ponder each one.

Not a lot has changed since the last update.  I am going back and forth to Oregon spending about a week in each state.  Megan is still in Oregon living at my brother’s place, playing volleyball and going to school at Powder Valley.  Sierra is still very busy with homework, band, and work.  She took a practice ACT test to see the areas she needs to focus on.  She has decided she needs focus on everything!  She celebrated her 17th  birthday on the 20th.  I can't believe she is 17! Where is the time going? Lindsey is at Jordan and loves playing on the volleyball team.  She had some good hits at the game in Half Moon Bay. Hunter is still Hunter, he has his good days and his not so good days.  Sometimes his attitude gets the best of him (or the worse of him).   He did get elected as a class representative on the student council.  He gave a great election speech to win the bid. Hunter celebrated his 10th birthday on the 24th.  His buddy Bradey, Gage, Hunter and I went and played miniature golf and had a great time.

Gage Aurelius is having some incredibly good days.  He loves going to school and loves having his mother there with him.  If we didn’t have to change batteries and do dressing changes, you wouldn’t know there were any heart issues at all.  We are planning a trip for Stacy to go back to Oregon to watch Megan play a few games, be there for Megan’s homecoming, and just be a Mom in Oregon.  That would be good for both of them.   I will have to man the post in Calif with the rest of the gang. 

Stand by for that. 

Ready to land.

I will report back on the flight home.

Till next time.

  Jason

October 3, 2016

Now we are on our way back to Calif. As per usual we had a great time. Megan lost her game to Joseph in a grueling and stressful 5 matches.  4 of the 5 games were decided by only 2 points. We hunted into a nice black bear. It was quite a team effort to find, track and hunt him.  Not sure I have hiked harder coming up out of Packsaddle tracking and following the bear. Nick finally caught up with him in Corral Creek. I had to leave Hunter, Roper, Keanna, and Dalley Jo behind in Packsaddle as I pushed on in the hunt (and get Megan to her Wallowa game on time).   They all did great coming out.

I guess as Nick and Jake were cleaning out the bear and preparing it to pack out, Jake’s horse Sammy reared up, broke his halter, and rolled down the hill head first 5-6 times through thick brush, trees, and down timber.  VERY scary!  That country is so steep, Sammy should have went to the bottom and/or broke bones in the fall.  Somehow Sammy stopped on the hill side and came out of it with only a small scratch.   Very lucky.   Jake and Justin also hunted a couple of bucks in Fence Creek, but never able to get on top of them.  Jake and two of his boys are still there today and hope to hunt into them.    Anyway, there are always good stories each year after deer camp.    

Called Gage and the Calif crew over the weekend.  Gage had a fun but anti-climactic 8 year old birthday. He took his Mom, Lindsey and Sierra to the same miniature golf course Hunter went to on his birthday and had a great time.  Eight year old birthdays are a big deal in our family and faith, but not so much for Gage this time.  When kids turn 8 they are old enough to be baptized into the church and go on the deer camp.  Because of Gage’s situation, he was not able to do either.  Hopefully he can get baptized soon (after he gets rid of ole’ Blackwood) and he can go to deer camp (after his transplant).    

I guess Sierra was asked to the PALY Homecoming by a kid named Theo.  Stand by for that.  Also, Megan and Stacy have big plans for the Powder Valley Homecoming this weekend. Stand by for that as well.

Till next time.

Jason (and Hunter)

  

Sierra's birthday celebration. 

Hunter's birthday celebration, with his buddy Bradey. 

Jason and Hunter getting ready to take off on the big deer hunt. 

Gage's birthday breakfast of boiled eggs (whatever it takes to get him to eat something). 

Birthday dinner at California Pizza kitchen. 

Miniature Golf, we are all definitely headed for the pros! 

Gage's birthday party! 

Lindsey getting her volleyball face on.