Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Sleep Deprived

I hate to complain but things have been a bit tough around here lately so I need to vent a bit. The DD were both sick about 10 days ago and passed it to me and Marc. I have not been able to shake it because Miss Katie is keeping us up at night. Katie and her 3 1/2 year old self, full of vivid imagination has decided that monsters have taken up residence in her room and they are just laying in wait for us to tuck her in to come out and play. She does not like them at all..."they scare me so much Mom!"

We have tried all kind of things, brighter night lights, talking about imagination, spraying imaginary stuff from a spray bottle to keep them away, etc. We know it is just a stage and this too shall pass but boy oh boy, are we tired!

Another thing that keeps me up at night is financial worries and mine and my father's real estate business. I know I am not alone in this as many of you are facing the same scary times as we are.

Most importantly, what also keeps us up at night worrying, is that Marc's Dad is in the hospital. My father in law, Big Al, is a diabetic and has been an insulin dependent one for years. This heinous disease has robbed him of a good deal of his sight, has depleted his kidney function and has damaged his heart, in addition to a host of other maladies brought on by his diabetes. He has known for some time that he would have to have heart valve replacement surgery but was taking a wait and see approach, as he, as well as we, knew what repercussions such a surgery would have on his low functioning kidneys. Unfortunately, the time has come to face this head on as he was admitted to the hospital under emergency conditions last week and has now had a cardiac cathiterization to determine the extent of his heart issues.

The bad news is that is has to have a bypass and valve replacement and now due to the iodine used during the cathiterization, his kidney function has worsened. It now seems Dialysis is in his future. The good news is that he has a wonderful surgeon and a very good attitude about everything.

Please keep my wonderful father in law, Big Al in your thoughts and prayers. He is the best fil a girl could ask for.

Too many things on our minds these days. We are looking hard for brighter days down the road. We know that they are coming but I wish they would hurry up and get here.

13 comments:

Stacey T. said...

Oh wow, big cyber hugs coming your way!!! My thoughts are going tou to Big Al, and to the monster in Katie's room to just go away!!

Gail said...

Lori, I'm so sorry you're going through some difficult times. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Better days WILL be coming, I'm quite sure.

Katie's monster made me giggle, though I shouldn't because I know he'll be coming up to Wisconsin soon. Will has just started to talk about 'monsters.' A new phase starting here too.

I am praying for your FIL.

hugs from your SFAM,
Gail

Candy said...

Big Al is in our thoughts and prayers. I hope he's feeling better real soon.

I hope the Monsters in Katie's room leave as quickly as they came.

Thinking of You my dear friend.

Unknown said...

Thoughts and prayers headed your way. Surgery is always scary- and when it is emergency surgery the fear is greater.
I hope Katie overcomes her monsters. Goose is asleep in her bed tonight- the first time in many moons that she is sleeping in her bed and not the couch.

Vivian M said...

Big Al is in our thoughts and prayers. Huge hugs to Marc, I can only imagine how hard this is for all of you. Please let us know how his surgery goes.
Kerri had monsters too, and we tried the spray, Daddy went into her room and physically "fought" the monsters and kicked them out of the house, we also told her they were afraid of lights and our dog, so for awhile she had a little child safe flashlight in bed with her.
The Daddy fighting the monsters act had her fooled for awhile, but even that did not work permanently. The flashlight worked miracles until she lost it under her bed and had a complete meltdown. It is a normal stage and it will eventually pass!
As for your worries, I know how difficult these times are right now. If it helps, we have it way easier than our ancestors did (mine lost everything, including their lives to the Nazis). Keeping that thought in my perspective and knowing that I have the important things in life: health, my husband and daughter, loved ones....that helps. We have made large adjustments in our lives because of the economy, but the important stuff, the stuff that makes me happy and smile is priceless and free and always with me and within reach. I hope that helps! Huge hugs.

Brownie Troop 157 said...

wow. Hope things take a turn for the better for you and your family. Health issues like this are so scary. Here's hoping things bottom out quickly, the credit crunch ends, and properties start moving again. That's so important for not only you and your familiy, but the whole country.

T has yet to fear the monsters, as all my friends' kids have. But then, she's usually in my bed somehow. Only help I can think of is maybe Monsters Inc? Such a sweet movie. If you're unfamiliar, its about monsters under the bed and how they're more scared of us than we are of them.

Hang in there, we're all rooting for you .

hugs from Miami,

Carol and Taylor

tumbleintodreams said...

I'm sorry things are hard right now. You are in my prayers. BTW, you are looking thin, girlfriend! Love you. sherri

M3 said...

Sounds tough!! Sending big hugs for everyone and HUGE good thoughts for your father-in-law.

Minouche said...

I am so sorry to hear about your FIL's health situation, Lori. I can only imagine how hard this has been on Marc and you. Your FIL is in our thoughts and prayers. I hope that Katie's imagination eases, and the monsters go away from her room!! I can only imagine how all this and your business situation has been tough on you. You know you can count with me if you need me. You are in my thoughts, and I wish the brighter days you deserve arrive ASAP.

Huge, humongous hugs for you and marc!
Minouche

dawn said...

Sending hugs...big ones.

We had monsters too and being such a wonderful Mother I can't even remember how we combatted them!

Sending good vibes for your FIL and to Marc...another big hug.

The economy sucks like a Dyson and it is really rather scary. You have worked so hard and you and your business will pull through.

Love us

Tammie said...

I can't tell you how saddened I was to hear that Big Al is having such horrible health issues. There are no words for how I feel about diabetes. It has wrecked havoc in our home also. Please know that I will be praying for him.

Katie Starr really has a wonderful imagination. I wonder if she could draw a picture of her monsters.

I'm here if you need me. Hugs to all of you!

Unknown said...

We are definitely sending positive thoughts out to your family and hope that Big Al is doing better soon. Having good doctors is so comforting and such an important & good thing to have!

I am right there with you on the economy and having a family business, we just have to hope that the good bump is not too far down the road here!

And as for Katie and her monsters, night lights and the "magical protective blanket" always worked for me!

Hugs & Love & know that I am here with an ear and a shoulder if you need me.

Shari : )

Kelley said...

Hugs, good thoughts, and prayers headed your way for ALL of the "monsters" that your family is facing right now!