This is way overdue, but long-time readers might remember that Rudy was an award-winning photo subject. In addition to what I’m sure was an obscene amount of cash and world-wide acclaim, Greg Lawler won a cool six-pack of Root Beer with his shot on the label. We’re so thankful to Gabe and Glen at Specialty Color Services for sending us one of our own. We’re still debating over what special occasion we’ll crack them open on! Thanks, Greg, Gabe and Glen!
A sweet award! (Better than an Oscar)
Rudy thinks it’s pretty neat to have his face on a bottle of soda. He also thinks it’s pretty fun to hang out on the couch with his big brother and take his speaking valve for a spin:
Rudy’s bronchoscopy involved a rather challenging time change for us–from the Pacific Daylight Time Zone to the Hospital Time Zone. In the round-the-clock world of the UCLA Med Center a pre-op check-in time of 4:45AM is part of business, but it was a bit of a start for us. It meant getting Trish and Rudy up at 2AM and then on the road by 2:45–at least there’s not much traffic at that hour.
Trish called shortly before lunch to say that everything went very smoothly. Rudy went in at 7AM and was back in recovery by 8:30. He took a bit to wake up and is a bit bugged by the lines attached to him (that’s actually an encouraging and new development to see him spunky instead of lethargic and resigned).
Dr. Shapiro said everything looks good except for a node of scar tissue just above the trach that will require surgical removal when it comes time to remove the trach. This is not uncommon, but it will likely mean that the trach will stay in unless it is certain that we have over a year to wait before the Glenn (highly unlikely). She said that Rudy’s vocal cords look mushy (OK, that’s our term because we forgot the science word Dr. Shapiro used). It simply means they are not toned and tight like they would be through vocalization, but there is no reason to believe they won’t develop properly when the time comes.
Dr. Shapiro would like to keep Rudy overnight, but there is a bed shortage upstairs so that may change. Thanks for praying. Now, I’m about due for another cup of coffee…
It’s Friday night and Rudy & I are sitting in our quiet house, smiling at each other and enjoying each other’s quiet company. It’s so surreal to think it was a week ago tonight that I sat at my Dad’s side after a VERY LONG travel day to get there…although he was out due to the morphine drip and his breathing seemed labored, I was just so relieved that he was comfortable and I was there…the anxious tears I shed all day as I was in transit disappeared, my heart relaxed and I just tried to take it all in. My mom, brothers, their wives and the Wilson cousins were all there too and we spent Dad’s last night celebrating my folks’ 54th wedding anniversary (which had been the day before) with cake and milk, singing, looking through his scrapbooks and chuckling over some old letters Dad wrote over a half century ago. My brothers and I spent the night with Dad and I drifted in and out of sleep listening to his breathing…heavy but strong and steady. We decided the next morning that Dad must have been marathoning to Jesus which made sense because he always was a distance runner. And then it happened…that Holy Moment when life on earth crosses the threshold into life eternal…we were there, my brothers and mom and sister-in-law, talking about our breakfast plans when his breathing became shallow and then just stopped…so peaceful. A peaceful finish for a man who wasn’t always at peace…a man who didn’t find out he was adopted until his mother told him in a fit of anger as an adult; a man who had trouble expressing his feelings, communicating and relating which contributed to a strained marriage for many years; and a man who lived for decades with the disappointment of an unmet dream and yet I noticed a change in Dad the last 10-15 years. In a season of life when many get even more set in their ways, Dad demonstrated humility and growth and the ability to change as he learned to communicate and share his feelings freely…he began to relax and enjoy life. A woman from the church told me at his funeral service that when she visited Dad in the hospital early last week, they were joking around and bantering as they always did and at one point she said “How do you feel Dick?” to which he answered “Happy”. What a gift! I’m proud of my Dad…and not because of all his athletic accomplishments but because he was a man of quiet character, kindness, respectfulness, discipline, humor, faith and loyalty. He worked hard, loved his family and honored his commitments…he ran a good race with all its hills and valleys and , in the end, God awarded him with grace in his journey with cancer, peace in his final months of life and happiness in the hours before death. Oh, that I might have a finish like that too! Thank you, Dad, for the love you shared with me, Rolf and the children; for laughing at my jokes and for affirming my life choices. I’m going to miss your big smile and strong hugs, the pinochle challenges and the stops at Dunkin’ Donuts but the greatest gift you gave me was your example! How grateful I am to God for you!
After the whirlwind of planning and executing Dad’s funeral service, I flew back to California early Wednesday morning in time to take Rudy to his appointment with his ENT surgeon at UCLA. It was of great comfort to spend the day with Rolf and Rudy even if it was within the walls of the UCLA Medical Center…and we were encouraged by our consult with Dr. Shapiro. Based on the little she could examine in her office, she thought Rudy’s airways are looking healthy…she was encouraged by his growth and color. She’ll conduct a bronchoscopy on August 3rd which will allow her a closer look at his airways to make sure there isn’t any scar tissue and that the cartilage supporting his trachea is not compromised. ‘Still not sure if Rudy will wean off the trach before or after his next heart surgery…waiting for details to unfold.
The big kids are still in Alabama and Rolf joined them yesterday for a little Geyling family reunion…they all return on Monday and life will move forward…slowly getting back to a familiar routine. I admit that losing Dad does shake my confidence a bit as he and Rudy started their battles for survival at the same time and his fight was a source of great encouragment and inspiration to me as I’ve walked alongside Rudy. So now we take a minute to catch our breath, regroup and focus our energy on the steps ahead…right foot, left foot, one step at a time!
"Paging Dr. Harrison" - Rolf is becoming a bit too familiar with UCLA Medical Center!
We didn't need KU to tell us he was a Hall-of-Famer, but it made us all the more proud!
Rudy’s Grandpa Dick crossed his final finish line this morning. Trish made it to Kansas and was able to be at his side with her mother and brothers. I know that she will want to write more when things settle down so a longer post will be forthcoming. We love you, Grandpa Dick!
Perfectly on cue, some incredible summer weather came for Memorial Day weekend. The cool weather hasn’t stopped the kids from swimming previously, but today was one of those perfect days to have a pool.
Rudy sat on the deck and was having fun watching Max. It wasn’t too long before he got splashed. A bit startling at first, but then it was kinda funny!
That gave me and Max an idea, so we rigged up the kayak…
We’re counting down to the end of school so it seems that there’s some special event every day. Wilson had a band concert and got inducted into the Junior Honor Society. Olivia had two field trips and participated in the school lip sync. Max had a spring sing and a special class presentation this morning. Rudy is a trooper and goes along for the ride, even though he doesn’t like crowded rooms with lots of applause and cheering. That’s why he really liked Max’s presentation as it was in a room full of quiet and well-behaved kids.
Listening to Max's presentation
As Miss Grant and Max’s classmates have been following Rudy, they were particularly interested in Max’s reports about Rudy being able to speak with his new valve. So, Max promised them a little show and tell.
Max showing everyone the speaking valve
Rudy knows when the spotlight is on him so he happily gave them a show with a few really good squeals.
Max showing off his little buddy
The kids are counting down the days until the final school bell rings on June 3rd. We are so proud of them and are glad that Rudy has such caring and dedicated older siblings. He lights up when they come near him so we’re looking forward to a lot more of that with them home for the summer. We’re also so grateful for the special school community at La Patera and how they’ve taken interest in Rudy and surrounded our family on this journey.
We finally have blue skies and sunshine. It’s going to be a great weekend!
I’ve mentioned before that I do internet rounds just about every morning to check on Rudy’s heart buddies. Even though this can evoke a heaviness, it’s just something I can’t avoid doing. On the other hand, there are mornings where it brings forth the good kind of tears, like when I read about Gabriella’s miraculous day yesterday. What a courageous girl; what dedicated parents; what incredible doctors!
Even among an unchosen path, there is richness one wouldn’t have found otherwise. The anguish and worry have a way of finding us–we better not let the moments of joy escape unnoticed.
Last night, we headed to the Goleta Valley Junior High Talent Show. Surprising the amount of talent among the student body. Among them was our Wilson. Despite parental suggestions of a Shakespearean monologue or a perhaps a catchy show tune to wow the audience, he instead opted for The Who’s “My Generation”. Not only was he right, but from the sounds of it he might also have to rethink his apprehensions regarding the fairer sex. The screaming adulation is so reminiscent of my own adolescence. Oh wait, those screams were from girls as they ran the other way…never mind.
Anyway, depending on your tastes, I suggest you to turn your volume fully up (or down).
It’s April 7th…APRIL 7th!!! Perhaps only the most astute Rudy’s Beat followers will note that date, but for our family, I don’t think it’s a date we’ll ever forget. One year ago, it was the day we wondered would ever come; the day we got to bring Rudy home from the hospital. Maybe he missed the place a little and went back for a couple weeks before he was home for good, but we’ll never forget seeing those indefinite conversations begin to include ruminations of discharge dates. First the windows were spoken of in terms of potential weeks (give or take); then certainty increased and actual days and dates were pinpointed. Of course, the Rudycoaster made for a few fits and starts, but few days defy description like the one that saw seven months in the hospital come to an end.
…and it’s been a year. The docs were hoping that we could get Rudy out of the hospital for even as little as four to six weeks, just to create a bit of space before he needed to go back for the Glenn. I believe it was Dr. Rick who held forth that, beyond any medical reason, he felt it was important for Rudy to know what home was. That it was nothing like the regulated environment of the ICU. The bed is comfier at home–and you can snuggle in your sister’s, brothers’ or parents’ too. It’s warm sometimes, cold others. It gets light in the morning, dark at night, and flickers when the sun comes in through the trees. There’s noise from brothers, sisters and birds outside the window. There’s laughing, dancing, singing, nerf wars and wrestling matches. The room can smell like flowers, dinner (when Trish cooks) or Febreze (when Trish cooks tacos). Things change; there’s variety–hopefully experiencing that will instill a desire to fight his way out faster next time.
We’ve stayed put more than any other year we can remember, but have also been able to have our share of adventure. There’s no way around the trite observation of how quickly twelve months have flown by. They’ve been stuffed with the emotions and stresses that we’ve come to see as part of this unique journey. But along with the challenges come particular riches and beauty. We’ve been blessed to have twelve months of that.
Great to have you home, Rudy!
April 7, 2009--home at last...
April 7, 2010–Still home, still happy!
We never get tired of reliving that day. I think we’ll be watching this a few more times in our home tonight…
The usual view of our house became obstructed this afternoon (actually, not a bad thing if I consider all the weeds on our lawn). We’ve taken possession the mother ship and are now configuring it for the big journey. Efforts today were a bit hampered by three VERY excited older siblings exploring every nook and cranny of the craft, but we’ll be able to get down to business now that they’re in bed and when they go off to school in the morning. We’ll grab them at lunch and then off we go!
Rudy's Beat 