Buckethead's "Jordan"

Listen to Buckethead's "Jordan" here! This is a really high energy song. Try it on Guitar Hero....good luck with that. (Thanks Erin for teaching me how to link!)

All Hail KFC

I love KFC - this borders on obsession. It is right up there with a nice fire, warm blanket and a nap. Total indulgence. I will turn down an offer of dinner but shamelessly change my mind if the dangling carrot of KFC is placed before me (Mary Davis). I like it so much that I like this guy, aptly named...(wait for it)....Buckethead!

If anyone has ever tried to play "Jordan" on Guitar Hero, you KNOW his talent isn't just in picking hats.
Random.....maybe. A grateful post as I eat my left-over lunch of KFC? Yes. Just let me enjoy the moment...

Darrell Released for Good Behavior

So happy to report that Darrell is out of the hospital and home with us. We joke that he was released for good behavior. If there is an award for patience and long suffering, I nominate him. Throughout all of this, he has endured without murmur or complaint...seriously. If it were me, the hospital would have thrown me out long ago. I only aspire to be like Darrell.

For all of you that helped us, and brought us treats, and dinner, bread, called or text us with encouragement and even visited me while I cried, here is my corny thought, inspired from a commercial:

diet pepsi...$1.25
dinner.....$10
moral support and loyal friendship.....priceless.

Thank you for being priceless to the Hadder family.

Surgery Successful

I am relieved, grateful and happy to report that Darrell's surgery was successful! The procedure was unremarkable (which for Darrell is good) and the stone was removed. At this posting he is still in recovery, but no problems anticipated or experienced, despite the clots in his lungs. Now we can focus on dissolving those, but the good news is Darrell is no longer in excrutiating pain and on his way to recovery. Thanks to all our friends and family for their support and love during this time. You are wonderful!

I Hate the Hospital on Weekends

Be warned...never get sick on the weekend because it seems everything stops. They said now that the Urologist is stuck at another hospital and won't be able to do Darrell's surgery until tomorrow. On the weekend they only have one surgeon on call. That stinks and a poor way to manage things. What no one gets sick over the weekend? The schedule trumps urgency for the surgery. Another 24 hours for him to be in pain, another 24 hours for his kidneys to worsen. This is the lesson on long-suffering and endure. Ok OK we got it already!

Kidney Stone Surgery

Darrell's kidney function is worsening and the stone is stuck, so he will undergo surgery at 1:00 pm today. I am just happy he will at least be out of this awful pain. They placed a filter in his femoral artery to catch any blood clots that could break away. It also catches any small ones and keeps them from joining together and stopping blood flow to his heart or brain.

Please keep a good thought and prayer for him as he undergoes this procedure. Hopefully it will go well and his kidneys will improve (anesthesia causes more strain to the kidneys so initially he will be worse, then hopefully better). We can then concentrate on dissolving the blood clots in his lungs. I will post an update later today.

When a Kidney Stone is Good News

As if my poor honey didn't have enough to go through, yesterday he developed excrutiating pain. We took him to the ER and he is trying to pass a kidney stone. I know many of you have experienced this and would not wish it on anyone. That's the good news. When they did the CAT scan, they caught just enough of his lungs to see he had developed blood clots in both. A subsequent leg unltrasound showed clots there too. As of this posting, he hasn't passed the stone but is still in lots of pain. They are nervous to do surgery to remove the stone because of the clots, and because they need to start him on blood thinners to dissolve the clots. But they can't start dissolving the clots if they have to take him into surgery. He's in an impossible position and they will have to make a decision soon.

Please join me in praying that this stone will pass without invasive intervention and they can start dissolve those clots. We had no idea he was walking around as a potential stroke waiting to happen. I never thought I would be so grateful for kidney stones because if he hadn't been in so much pain passing the stupid thing, we wouldn't have found out about all the blood clots.

We are in our home-away-from-home, Banner Gateway. We would appreciate all your prayers and positive energy. This one has really sapped my energy. I think I am just tired, so please add your faith to mine so it can help overcome this trial for Darrell. We love you all and appreciate everything you do for our family.

One of Those Perfect Weekends

This weekend was just about perfect!

1) Bryanna had a wonderful game where she made an exceptional keeper save that the crowd yelled for and even the line ref complimented. It was a sight to see her dive sideways in full layout to keep a ball out of "her" goal. She sure loves soccer, but not necessarily the cuts and bruises that come with it. Ok, she does....
2) I got the Christmas stuff finally all taken down, the house cleaned and the laundry done. This makes me very happy.
3) Played lots of RockBand, complete with lots of Pepsi Max (this makes me happier).
4) Went to Sonic with Eric and had some quiet Mom & Son time.
5) Did my visiting teaching for the month for both Sisters.
6) Went to dinner with new friends Preston and Tami Cameron. We sure love our new Ward - it is starting to feel like home. It's great to make friends with similar tastes, not the least of which is the gospel. After dinner we went to the Cameron's home and found that they enjoy music as much as we do. Between the game room with the projection TV and huge speakers, RockBand, the real drum set that Brother Cameron plays, and their concert footage DVD collection, and it was all Darrell could do make me leave their house. I felt like a kid on Christmas and kept looking for a place I could hide in and stay a while. We sure love the Camerons.
7) Darrell is feeling well.
8) The Cardinals make it to the SuperBowl.
9) Monday was a work holiday.

Can every weekend be like this please? I just loved it.

Dad's Visit

 
It has been wonderful to have my Dad come visit from Pennsylvania. He came for my birthday, and we have really enjoyed having him for the last week. We each took a day off to spend with him, so everyone got some one-on-one time with Grandpa Bubb. We took some photos after Church today. Dad was released as a Bishop the Sunday before he came out after 6 years of service - I think he enjoyed just sitting in the pew with the family. He leaves tomorrow for the snow- thanks for coming out Dad! We really enjoyed seeing you.

Happy New Year 2009

 
We had a wonderful time with Mom & Russ and Mary & Rey for New Year's Eve. The theme was Oriental Fantasy (yes we had lots of jokes for that one), but it was really festive and we really enjoyed being together. I realized a few days ago that I have lots of hope for this year - and it surprised me. I am doing good on this "choose hope" and "live my faith" campaign. It is starting to take hold deep down. Besides, who wants to be around negative energy all the time? I don't, and I don't want to be the (-) geiger counter in the room.

I have some resolutions - I think it's the first year that weight control isn't topping the list. Oh it's there (hope springs eternal) but I have three pressing goals: 1) get Darrell healthy, 2) get our financial house in order (we have made huge strides there) and 3) get Eric to ASU. I think it's interesting that I'm really not in that list - all are for my family. I have a true testimony that family is all that matters. And I would give every dime and every possession I have now, ever had, or will ever have in the future, for the happiness and health of my family. I know you all share that same sentiment and I haven't said anything new. It just becomes more obvious when you face major challenges in your life. It really is about the relationships in your life. Take the time to love one another, express that love, and reach out to others. May 2009 be all the things you hope for.