I never did post about how I was able to remove the sutures and pull the drain from her shoulder incision site! It was about 6 days after she came home from Mayo and I had to empty the drain three times a day while measuring to see how much fluid was coming out. So on Thanksgiving morning she was under the threshold which meant I could take it out. Two sutures were cut and removed by me, and then I pulled 15” of drainage tube out. I thought it was never going to end! 

A couple weeks ago mom called and mentioned she had a little choking episode at home and couldn’t breathe so dad pulled the bandage off the site where she used to have her trach. Since that hadn’t closed up and healed yet, it provided an alternate airway. (I’m sure she will hate that I wrote about this!!) While I’m sure that was a terrifying event, I am so proud of dad for remembering that I told him she could breathe through that when uncovered. Way to go dad!!! Just saving lives over there! ❤️

They have escaped to the cabin a few times, which is wonderful since it’s mom’s “happy place”. She completed all of her hyperbaric chamber treatments so they now have more free time on their hands instead of driving to Mayo every single weekday. Now we just wait for some residual swelling before working on the dental process. 

Christmas Eve was spent with 2 of mom’s brothers and  our grandma who came out for their traditional dinner of Puerto Rican rice and beans (a chili of sorts over pork and white rice). This was a meal they’ve made from a recipe when they lived on the military base in Puerto Rico about 60 years ago! And then oddly enough, Julie’s family, my boys and I were all able to join them for dinner. Typically Christmas Eve is when all of us kids have time with the other side of our families but some schedules changed and we were available. We know with Grandma being 94 years old, she loves every opportunity that she can see her family, and we are thankful for every year she is with us! 

Christmas Day will be all of us kids with our kids at Mom and Dad’s for the day. Tons of appetizers, gift exchange, games, and a new menu of a hibachi dinner! (This is a favorite at the cabin every summer on the Blackstone!) 

We sure hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Count all of your blessings, and don’t forget to count yourself because WE are thankful for YOU! Now where is our snow?!?! 

Much love,

Don, Kay, Julie, Mark, Andy & Katie