HAPPY LABOR DAY

Melissa made homemade bread - YUM!

Where to begin... the bumps in the road have continued the last couple of days.  It's been full of emotion, nausea, and uncertainty.  It seems that when we figure one thing out, another thing gets in the way.  So, we press onward with the help of family and friends..... like you.

The picture to the left is one of Valerie's nieces, Melissa.  She made some homemade bread that might "benefit" me more than Valerie.  It is DELICIOUS.  I put benefit in quotes because I plan to eat too much and I plan to forget to offer some to Valerie.    JUST kidding - kinda!

Melissa and her grandmother have been here over the weekend - offering Valerie and I some quiet time and popping in every now and then to drop off some pancakes (which Valerie has eaten quite a few of), take out the trash, deliver groceries, and just all around make our lives easier.  We continue to be very lucky to have such loving and giving people around to help take care of us both.  I know some people say that "that's just what family does" but I think this family has set the standard for "being there when you're needed."

Beautiful shawl knitted by Aunt Sandy

I have some catch up news and clarifications to make.  Several days ago, Valerie received a package in the mail from her Aunt Sandy.  It is a beautiful, soft, luxurious, hand knitted "prayer shawl."  I kept putting off posting about it because I had hoped to post a picture of Valerie with it.... the picture with her will have to wait, but the thank you can wait no longer.  It is such a lovely gift and Valerie always has a blanket, jacket, something warm close by.  It will soon become a frequent, if not constant, companion of hers.  Thank you Aunt Sandy.

I also received some questions about the bathroom that I posted last time.... No, Jon did not do ALL of it.  And this is not meant to detract from his efforts (more to come) but to give proper credit where it is due.  Jon put in the vanity and toilet - which is what finally made it a usable, REAL bathroom.  Vanessa and Melissa did the painting.  The floor was already in.  And Valerie, Conce (a friend's father), and I did the demo when it was a pepto bismol room.  So, it's been a work in progress for quite some time.

Jon did MANY things - some that are hard to articulate.  Our door threshold was about 3" high and I constantly complained that I kicked it or tripped over it.  Not only did he lower it substantially, he got the threshold, bottom of the door, and screen door all to match so that it is more pleasant to step over and MUCH more pleasant to look at.  He also installed a new screen door - a HUGE improvement to the flimsy one that was there before and falling off it's hinges.  He set up one of our bikes as a stationary bike in the back room soValerie can get some exercise without having to go anywhere.  He put the molding back on to our bathroom doorway.  He shaved down the bathroom door so that I don't have to throw my body against it to open it (not exaggerating).  He adjusted some closet doors so that they slide back and forth effortlessly - where before they had to be forcefully yanked from one side to the other.  He repaired some drawers we had built so that they close without me having to kick them closed every time (again, I'm not violent, but also not exaggerating).  This is the list I can rattle off at 9:30pm (feels like midnight).  He did one hundred other things that all together are making this a more conducive place to heal and get stronger.  Thank you Jon.

Valerie has continued to have trouble eating and keeping food down the past 2 days.  She will eat 6 pancakes and do fine and then have a few bites of spaghetti and not be able to tolerate that.  It's just very unpredictable.

She has the MRI of her brain tomorrow, Tuesday, at 11am PST. So, thoughts, prayers, good juju, anything like that you can spare towards a positive outcome is appreciated.  They are checking to make sure there isn't cancer in her brain triggering the nausea.

During a rough patch yesterday, communicating back and forth with Valerie's sister, Michelle.  Valerie expressed a desire to see her big sister.  Without hesitation, Michelle responded, "I'll be there tomorrow."  She, and her trusty sidekick, Carmen, hit the road last night - from Denver - and arrived here at about 1pm today.  Yes, they drove all night.  Valerie and I both cried when we saw them.  Such a powerful, immediate, loving response is hard to put into words adequately.  Thank you Michelle and Carmen.  It's been really, really good to see you both today.

Today is really the day to be thankful.... there's more. :)

I ran out of one of Valerie's pain medications today.  It's one that I can't get here... just in Mexico.  So, I texted a friend about a week ago.  She goes to Tijuana every so often and she said that her uncle might be going in a couple of weeks.  Well, Saturday, I got a text from her saying that her mom was in TJ right then and she had instructed her to bring us back 3 boxes of the medicine that we need.  Thank you Sonia.

We also received a few more checks and paypal donations from friends at the Public Defender's Office wanting to help with Valerie's medical expenses.  Thank you guys!!!  (I will one day make a list of people and thank you all by name.)

Since Valerie has been taking an anti-anxiety medication for the nausea - and since she's been nauseous the last few days - we've been wondering if her medication needs to be changed.  After consulting with some friends in that field, it seems that she might be able to increase the dosage a bit to see if that helps the nausea.  Right after hanging up the phone today, I gave Valerie a little bigger dose of the anti-anxiety and we are hopeful that it's helping.  She hasn't thrown up again today and she has eaten and kept everything down.  Fingers crossed.  Thank you Alexi and Donald.

Gorgeous Long Beach sky today

Today, there was a BBQ in our courtyard.  Because things have been so stressful, we weren't sure we would go.  But some people (Joaquin) can get away with things that others (ME) can't.  :)  Joaquin, the Pranic Healer that's been working with Valerie, was here.  As usual, he and Valerie spent quite some time talking.  Before long, he had her outside and greeting the rest of his family and saying hi to the neighbors.  Thank you Joaquin for your strength and uplifting nature.  Thank you Maricela for the advice to "look up."  (that's where the cool sky picture came from)  Thank you Ms. Renteria for the warm, healing touch that you gave to Valerie.  Thank you Karim for the book - I've already made notes. Such a beautiful bunch of people that we live around and near.  The love was abundant today.

I will say it again... anytime I start to say thank yous I cringe a bit knowing that I'll forget someone or something.  Please know that it isn't for a lack of appreciation or love for you, it's for lack of sleep, concentration, or ability to manage so many balls in the air at one time.

We love and appreciate you all - whether you give your money, time, prayers, food, or love.
Thank you.