Ok, Laura. Now I'm wasting my time, too.

1. What time is it? 10:19AM

2. Name as it appears on your birth certificate: Aurora Seaton

3. Nicknames: Then: Rory, MollyMoo, Mcgillicuddy, Red, Babycakes (Carl's nickname for me. Not sure why I let him call me that)

4. Parent's names: Pandora and Kent

5. Number of candles that appeared on your last birthday cake? Figuratively, 21.

6. Date that you regularly blow them out: Late October

7. Pets: 2 greyhounds, a chihuahua and a husband. ;)

8. Height: 5'6"

9. Eye color: Blue

10. Hair Color: Strawberry Blonde/Red

11. Piercings: Ears only. I don't want to look like a pincushion

12. Tattoos: I'm thinking about one, but Carl nixed it.

13. Place of Work: Someone's home. I'm a nanny.

14. Birthplace: Southern Cal.

15. Hometown: Lakeport, California

16. Current Residence: Sausalito, California

17. Had the drink Calypso Breeze?: No.

18. Been in love before?: Of course.

19. Been to Africa?: Yes I have! Uganda, East Africa

20. Been toilet-papering (rolling)?: No. That's lame. Plus, I hate cleaning stuff like that up. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time! :)

21. Been drunk?: Very tipsy.

22. Been toilet-papered (rolled)? No. I'd like to have seen them try.

23. Loved somebody so much it made you cry? Yes, both romantically and not. Family is definitely worth crying over.

24. Been in a car crash?: Yes, three.

25. Croutons or Bacon Bits: Bacon bits (if they're not real) are GROSS. Croutons are kinda stale... I guess I'll go with croutons.

26. 2 doors or 4 (on a car): 4. I really can't stand 2 doors.

27. Sprite or 7 Up: Sprite.

28. Coffee or Coffee Ice cream: I can't decide. I'll echo Laura and say espresso over gelato.

29. Blanket or Stuffed Animal: Neither. I don't form attachments to inanimate objects.

30. Dumper or Dumpee : I've been both. Turned out okay, we're married now.

31. Salad Dressing: Parmesan Ranch from Trader Joe's. My classic favorite is Italian.

32. Color of socks: White.

33. Number: 7 is a good one.

34. Why?: I don't know. When I was a kid I assigned personalities to the numbers 0-9 and decided 7 was the most practical and interesting.

35. Place to be kissed?: Back of my neck.

36. Movie: Too many to decide from. Maybe "Twelve Angry Men" - the original with Henry Fonda.

37. Quote from a movie: Probably, "God help us; we're in the hands of engineers. " Dr. Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park.

38. Favorite Holiday: Christmas. I hope to be able to experience the joy and wonder of Christmas morning again through the eyes of my children.

39. Foods: Indian. Japanese. Pastries.

40. Day of the week: Right now I have no idea what day of the week it is. Most commonly I'd say my favorite day is Wednesday, though. After Wednesday, the week is almost over!

41. Song at the moment: Right now, "Far Away;" by Ingrid Michaelson

42. TV show: Grey's Anatomy and I Love Lucy. House is sneaking into my favorites, too.

44. Word or Phrase: "Oh, Dear!"

46. Toothpaste: Whatever Carl buys. I usually hate it for 2 weeks and then get used to it right as the tube is almost empty.

47. Restaurant: Lotus Indian Cuisine in San Rafael

48. Flower: Peonies, roses, daffodils. Lots of flowers.

49. Least Favorite Subject In school: Geography.

50. Alcoholic Drink: Piná Colada

51. Sport to Watch: Professional Cycling. It's the one Carl watches that I hate the least.

52. Type of Ice Cream: Häagen-Dazs chocolate or Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey

53. Zoo Exhibit: Tigers. They are so powerful. Inversely, penguins, because they seem to have little defense.

54. Sesame Street Character: I want Elmo to die. I like Bert and Ernie, though.

56. Fast Food Restaurant: In-N-Out, hands down.

57. Least favorite nickname: I don't allow people to call me stupid names.

58. Greatest memory: Watching Carl cry his eyes out when I walked down the aisle. That and my whole trip in Kauai. I think my proudest moment so far was overcoming fear and claustrophobia in the irrigation tunnels.

59. Future pet: A baby. ;)

60. What you wanted, but didn't get for Christmas: I didn't pine over anything, so I wasn't disappointed. Maybe a couch? But I got that later anyway.

61. If you had 48 hours to live, starting now, what would you do?: Hah. Cancel my MCAT test and go to Mendocino with Carl. It's sad, but I guess I don't have anything else to live for. I'd pray a lot and spend time writing to the world. Maybe I could write a best-selling book (like The Last Lecture) and leave Carl some money.

62. Favorite things: Kauai, Jazzy (my chihuahua), laughing with Carl, Pumpkin Pie.

63. Best aspect of your life: Being a Christian wife, a student.

64. Do you have anything you cling to from your childhood? The love of chickens.

65. Favorite jewelry: My rings.

66. Favorite word: preposterous!

67. Least favorite thing: Lack of communication.

68. If you could change something in the world: I'm with Laura on this one. Spiritual revival. I think many of our problems and superstitions (can anyone say Global Warming?) arise from a need for God.

69. Dark or light(your first reaction): Light.

70. Favorite CD of all time: I love all my CD's equally. ;)

71. Best dream: Flying

72. Favorite physical trait: My lips.

73. One thing you would change about yourself: My body shape. I wish I were slimmer and more streamlined.

74. Define, in your own words "time": A measure of the progression of life.

75. What book are you reading right now: The Mold in Dr. Florey's Coat (It's about Penicillin) and Buried Alive.

76. What's on your mousepad: It's not even a mousepad. It's a piece of paper.

77. What's your fave board game: Does Taboo! count as a board game?

78. Favorite Magazine: Real Simple

79. Favorite Smell: Ripe Mango, clean ocean, fresh sheets, baking.

80. Favorite Sound: I actually like chimes quite a bit.

81. Worst feeling in the world: Guilt.

82. What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning: Why am I so tired?!

83. Favorite roller coaster: There was a pretty cool one at Knott's Berry Farm. I can't remember what it's called.

84. How long does the phone ring before you get to it: however long it takes. \

85. Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate

86. Do you like to drive fast: No. I'm a relatively safe driver.

87. Do you sleep with a stuffed animal: If Jazzy counts, then yes, whenever Carl will let me.

88. Storms--Cool or Scary: SO COOL!

89. What was your first type of car: 1973 Ford Mustang Convertible.

90. If you meet that one person, dead or alive, who would it be: Jesus

91. What would you ask him/her?: I'd just want to be held.

92. Favorite color: PURPLE

93. What is your zodiac sign: Libra, but what does that even mean?

94. If you could have any job you wanted, what would it be: Doctor!

95. If you could dye your hair any color: Redder.

96. Half empty or half full: I like to think half-full.

97. Lefty or Righty: Righty

98. Full Name: Aurora Cruz

99. Family stats: Married, no kids, too many dogs.

100. First job: child labor for my mom's business. I never actually got to cash my check!

101. Currently in CD player: CD's are so yesterday.

102. Most annoying habit: Nail biting.

103. What was in your bag the last time you left Target: I wish I went to Targét more often. It's been so long that I can't remember.

104. Best gross out story: Hiking for 10 miles in mud and pig manure then throwing up when I got home.

105. First album you remember buying: I don't remember. I remember my first favorite CD. It was a Jukebox mix of classics from the 50's. It was awesome.

106. Goofiest thing you believed as a child: That people couldn't see me if I couldn't see them.

107. Thing you can't do to save your life: clean my desk.

108. Best advice you've ever given: You'd have to ask someone else. I don't keep a notebook of my best sayings.

109. Worst trouble you got into as a child or teen: I got caught cheating on a 1st grade spelling test. That straightened me out.

110. Most incredible date: Oh jeez. I don't know.

111. Best way to make you laugh: I don't know this one, either.

112. If a movie were made of your life, who should play you? Lindsay Lohan. LOL. I'm kidding.

113. Best dish you can prepare? Dessert or Main course? Dessert. Probably my ginger-lemon cheesecake. I don't know. I love baking.

114. Pet peeves: When I'm being ignored.

115. Food you refuse to eat: Anything that smells rotten or fishy.

116. Most memorable concert experience: U2

117. Most prized possession: Jazzy.

118. Best gift received: Hmmm. Most practical: my Kitchen Aid. I love my engagement ring.

119. If you were an animal, what would you be? Tiger, for sure. I'd love to be queen of the jungle.

120. You've been made president of the United States for the day, what are you going to do? Drill for oil (good one, Laura), cap all malpractice settlements, stop overspending on stupid things, re-introduce prayer into schools.

121. Dream car: I'm happy with my cars.

122. If you could swap lives with someone for a day, who would it be? Some awesome surgeon.

123. Future plans: Baby, Graduation, apply to medical school, lose some weight.

124. Collections: I don't have time to collect anything.

125. Last video rented: I have no idea.

125. Movies that make you cry: The Notebook, The Passion of The Christ, Bambi

126. Best practical joke played on you: April Fool's Day 1998. My whole class (including my teacher) played an awful joke on me. They told me I was a disturbance to the class, was moved to the broken desk next to the teacher's desk, and got an F on my paper. I cried. I still have nightmares about it.

127. Vacation spot: Mendocino, Kauai, Downieville.

128. Bible character: Esther

129. Scripture: Books: I like a lot

130. Pizza: Endless Summer from Pizza Orgasmica

131. Hymn: Amazing Grace

132. Favorite City: SF

133. Breakfast cereal: Cheerios

134. Favorite drink? Perrier

135. What color is your bedroom's carpet?: light beige

136. What was the name of your childhood blanket? Again, I don't form attachments to inanimate objects.

137. How many times did you fail your Permit and/or Drivers License Test? None. I don't fail. ;)

138. What do you think of Ouija boards? Dangerous. I don't want Satanic forces moving my hands, thank you very much. Have you seen the Exorcist?

139. Where do you see yourself in 10 yrs? A few kids, finishing residency, wherever God leads me.

140. Who is the last person that you got mail from before this one? N/A

141. Have you ever been convicted of a crime? No.

142. Which single store would you choose to max your credit card? Bad idea in this economy. If I got a FREE shopping spree at any store, I'd have to say CostCo. At least we'd have toilet paper for years...

143. What do you do most often when you are bored? Go online

144. What words or phrases do you overuse? I don't know!

145. Name the person that you are friends with that lives the farthest away? Chris and Angie in London

146. Most annoying thing is: Bad drivers.

147. Best thing: Hawaiian mangoes

148. Bedtime: around 10 or 11

WHAT KIND OF ___ DO YOU USE---
149. Deodorant: Secret something

150. Shampoo: Organic Chamomile Honey
151. Conditioner: same as above
152. Soap: Dr. Bronner's Peppermint

153. Shaving Cream: I don't have space for shaving cream in my shower.

154. Toothpaste: repeat.

155. Floss: Whatever Carl uses

156. Toilet paper: whatever is on sale.

157. Who will respond to this fastest? I have no idea

158. Who is the person you sent this to that is least likely to respond? ??

159. Who will definitely NOT respond: me

160. What time is it now? 11:56am

God Bless America!!

So, we had a fun Fourth! We enjoyed a BBQ with our church friends (Thanks to the Gillmers for hosting!) and I started a new tradition! The Flag Cake! I love it, it's so classic. It's an Ina Garten recipe, so of course it calls for 2 lbs of butter!! But it was amazing. I'm quite proud of the result.



Carl also had a blast with the kids.

After the BBQ, we went to the Sausalito Fireworks. The fireworks were lovely, but some as...*clears throat* gentleman in the crowd screamed a political endorsement during the show, and I almost lost it. I H-A-T-E election year. Four years ago I nearly lunged at a float in the Sausalito Fourth of July Parade because I beleive what they were saying could be considered treason. Carl had to grab me by the collar so I didn't give those rude, unpatriotic hippies a serious beat-down. I TOTALLY respect different opinions, I just believe that a "Marines are Baby-Killers" sign is wholly inappropriate at a parade celebrating our country's birth. Note the lack of "McCain 08" written on my cake above. Honestly, if a Reagan were running, I might be tempted. Alas, I choose the lesser liberal this election year rather than the consevative candidate. Where are you Fred?

Ziplining and Rope Swings

Some video from today. Visit http://picasaweb.google.com/CallMeDrCruz/Hawaii for pics. I update it daily.

Video

Fun waterfall slide.



That's me




This is Jo going down

Welcome to the South Pacific

All I can say is.... Oh My God. I need to move to Kauai.

We flew into Honolulu Wednesday afternoon, checked out Waikiki (see photos) and bought some overpriced souvenirs for ourselves (I got a skirt and a necklace, Joanne got a necklace and sunglasses).

We were due to leave Honolulu this morning at 1025am. It's 1030am and the woman at the desk says (despite the computer on the wall that say "Final Call"), "We run on a different schedule than the computers." Great. Then, a few mins later, we hear the preboarding (disabled passengers and people with kids) call. Then, about 45 seconds later, "Final call, flight 1963." WHAT?! I run up to the desk, confirm that it is OUR plane that is leaving the airport and we RUN across several lanes of runway to our plane, having to pause briefly to allow another plane to pass. We made it. 30 mins later, we touched down in Lihue, Kauai. It reminded me SO much of Uganda. Rural, tropical, RED. The dirt is SO red. It's lovely.

We went to CostCo for lunch and provisions for the week right after picking up our jeep. Chickens were everywhere.

More later. Until then, see pics.

It's all about the toes

Terrible iPhone pic, but I think I'm ready for Hawaii now!!

For the love of Poppy...

Arthur George Kaub
March 30, 1932 - April 2, 2008

I was looking through some photos I took on PhotoBooth on my laptop and came across a photo that made me laugh about someone I've only cried about the last 10 weeks: Poppy. PhotoBooth has some cool features that make for funny photos. I brought my laptop to LA when I went to visit my family in December and I got to show Poppy the fun PhotoBooth features. Here's my favorite photo:


Isn't that great? He thought it was pretty hilarious.

Here's what I know (and remember) about Poppy:

Art was born March 30, 1932 in Chicago, IL. His parents were Hank and Pearl Kaub, Americans of German descent. Poppy was an only child and had an early affinity for music. He learned to play the accordion and organ and was often found playing at his father's bar. He joined the Marines and played music in the band on a ship during the Korean War. He met his first wife (who's name escapes me...it was something cute, like Bitsy....) in the service (she was a secretary) and the married soon after. He had two children, Arthur George Kaub Jr. (called George) and Lani. When the children were still very small, Poppy and his first wife divorced. Around that same time, he met my grandmother, Helane. Helane had a daughter, Pandora (my mother) from her first marriage and they both shared a love of music and performing. My mom (then 3 years old) commented that he looked "like a turtle" and turtles became a themed gift for Poppy the rest of his life. Helane and Poppy married and toured as a musical duo, often leaving my mother with relatives and friends. 6 years after their marriage, their daughter Tami was born. When my mom was 12, they moved the family to Australia, where my grandmother remains to this day (or so I've been told) with Tami. During their time in Australia, Poppy and Helane divorced and Poppy returned to the US. At some point he lived in Honolulu with his dad, Hank. Sometime in the early 70's, my mom and Poppy found each other and opened a series of businesses. I was born in 1986 and suspecting her fate as a single mother (my dad left a year later) my mom asked Poppy co-parent me. He was a great father figure to me until (and beyond) my mother's marriage to my wonderful stepdad, Kent. The things I remember most about Poppy: he loved to hold me and dance to old Ray Charles and Patsy Cline songs. He loved all sorts of gross (to me) foods, including chicken liver and onions, liverwurst, and (during the holidays) Hot Buttered Rum. Poppy also made the best sandwiches in the world. I mean, these things were incredible. Spinach, blue cheese dressing, cheddar cheese, turkey, pepperoncinis, tomato, and all sorts of things he'd find in the fridge. He used to make me awesome Tuna Melts and Reuben Sandwiches were a favorite. He always had the softest down pillows on his bed, and I'd often climb in and watch an old movie with him. Poppy stopped wearing cologne years ago, but he kept smelling like it. He always bought us the most impractical gifts for Christmas. I mean, seriously. One year, he found a purse sale and bought me like 10 purses. I don't even carry a purse. But he loved me, and he was a beautiful writer. He wrote a lot of songs that I can still remember and will sing to my kids. He wrote the nicest cards, and as the disease progressed and writing became more difficult, I missed my beautiful (but illegible - Poppy always had terrible handwriting) cards. Poppy was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD) in the early 90's. He underwent two surgeries called pallidotomies in the subsequent years, which improved his condition greatly. I believe those surgeries gave us more than a few extra years with Poppy. His condition worsened over the years and about a year before his death, he began experiencing trouble swallowing (dysphagia). PD causes uncoordinated movements, and he was not able to swallow food, water, or even saliva properly. None of his physicians had warned us about this very common symptom of late-PD so we were surprised when he had trouble breathing and asked to go to the hospital. At the hospital, his lungs were suctioned and found to be infected. He underwent surgery to remove the necrotic lung tissue, but a few days later began experiencing organ failure and breathing problems. He had a feeding tube, but even his saliva was being aspirated into his lungs, and we all (including Poppy) realized that this was how Parkinson's Disease ends. Before he had decided that he no longer wanted to pursue medical treatment, he crashed and they placed a ventilator. He hated the ventilator and wanted it removed, but legally the hospital was unable to remove it. In a final act of defiance (a character trait of his) he politely requested his hand restraints be removed and when the nurses backs were turned, he yanked that tube out of his throat, then refused to let them put it back in. A kind nurse called me and let me stay on the phone and talk to him as his respiratory problems finally claimed his life 2 hours later. He was strong and loving to the last breath, telling me and my mom, "I love you both. Don't cry about me, I'm okay."

Poppy, I love you, and I miss you so much. I try not to cry because I know you hated people wasting tears over things they couldn't change. I've decided to spend my energy making you proud and working hard. You're a source of strength and comfort to me now, as you always have been. Get those pillows ready for me, I'll see you soon enough. I love you.

I'm exausted.

Well, what else is new?

1.) I finished year one (of two) at UC Davis. It's such a relief to be on the other side of the "Can I really hack it in a University?" paranoia. I can, and I'm pretty darn good at it, if I say so myself. I love Davis. I don't love the panic, the stress, and the lack of a social life I now suffer from, but I love Davis.



2.) I'm going to Hawaii next week. I need it. I'm calling it "Prophylactic Burnout Treatment." I need a vacation, considering I can count on one hand the number of times I've had a real break from work and school in the last 6 years. I'm tired, I feel like I'm 85 years old (and starting to look it), and I want a fruity tropical drink, dammit. Time to let my hair down and be a human being, for God's sake. My wondering Dad is paying for the trip (thanks, Dad!) because we've spent all our money on my MCAT prep course ($1800) and Carl's Ironman (I'm not even going to tell you how much that's going to cost).

3.) Carl and I celebrated our second Wedding anniversary. I feel like an old married woman. We went out to a FANTASTIC dinner at our favorite restaurant of all time: Lotus Cuisine of India. Amazing! I can't believe it's been 2 years... before we know it, we'll have been married longer than single! :) (Sooner for me than Carl.)



4.) I have baby fever. 'Nuf said. (No, I'm not pregnant. But diagrams like to one below make me all sentimental. Weird, I know.)



That's it for now. I'm still alive, I survived the quarter, and I'm ready for some warm, Kauai surf...

I'm back.

I've been SO busy. I promise I'll sit down and write a little obituary for Poppy when a get a break from midterms. I've been so caught up with just trying to survive this last month. It was one month ago that I got on a plane and flew down to LA to be with Poppy. Next Wednesday, he'll have been gone 4 weeks. I can't believe it's been 4 weeks. I see him often when I sleep. He's doing fine, I just know it. We were blessed that he accepted the Lord before he died. That's been a harder realization for me than his death. I've been anticipating his departure for so long (I remember being 10 and doing the math and figuring he wouldn't be around to see my first child. I was right) but his salvation was a surprise. I've spoken to him so many times about the blessings in my life since I found Christ. He always patted me on the head and told me it was no use. Well, it's a comfort and a relief.

On to the rest of my life. I took a quiz last week in my Cell Regulation class (my major, taught by my master advisor) and thought I bombed it. When she revealed the mean was 11/15 points, I nearly puked. I NEVER get below the mean. Then she said she doesn't curve (unusual for a 150-person upper division science course) and I knew I was screwed. I grabbed my quiz and flipped to the back page. 15/15. A perfect score! WHAT?! Apparently because she doesn't curve, she accepts "creative" explanations :) Hah.

Let's see, I took a midterm in Human Physiology (love this class, wish it were my major) and got almost two Std Dev above the mean, which means I got a solid A. Excellent. I've got two big midterms this next week in Physics and a full-length midterm in Cell Regulation. *sigh* Then two weeks with nothing and one week with 3 midterms!! WHOO! [/sarcasm]

Carl's chugging along with his triathlon training (full-distance Ironman in September) and I'm getting ready to go to Hawaii with my friend Joanne. I can't wait. The only real vacation I've ever been on was my honeymoon, so this should be fun. Check out this awesome picture:

I can't believe that is the same water that touches our beautiful but freezing shore. I've never been in warm sea water, so it should be awesome! More details to follow.

Rest in Peace, Poppy

Poppy passed away on Wednesday the 2nd at 7:02 pm. I'll post about it more later.

Update on Poppy

Poppy's PEG (feeding) tube placement went well. He's sleeping and recovering well.

I'm very relieved.

Spring Break

So much for a relaxing, productive Spring Break! Monday morning I got a call that my Poppy (mom's dad) was in the hospital. He has Parkinson's Disease and was admitted because he couldn't breathe. They suctioned out his lungs and found over a quart of fluid. The following "posts" are emails I sent to friends.

Monday morning:
My Poppy (my grandfather that I've lived with since infancy) is in the hospital. He has pneumonia and swallowing problems (dysphagia). They're trying to convince my mom to authorize a permanent feeding tube, but they aren't sure what to do yet.

As of yesterday, the doctor was discussing end-of-life care and giving him a "maybe 50/50" chance of surviving. He's looking a better today, but he's still in the Intensive Care Unit. I'm waiting until the next check from the doctor to decide whether or not I'll fly down to LA.

Please pray for Poppy, as he's not a believer. Also, pray for my mom, she's very unstable and I'm concerned about her becoming suicidal when he passes. Please pray for me. I have a very small family circle and Poppy was the only father-figure I knew when I was little, and the only grandparent I've ever known. I'm going to have a tough time when he goes, and I need strength. I need to know the right time to fly down there to be with him. Carl doesn't know what to do for me, he's never experienced a death in his immediate family, so he's in new territory right now, as well.

Monday night:
I spoke to Poppy's doctor and Poppy seems to be doing better. He has advanced stage Parkinson's disease and one of the symptoms is problems with swallowing coordination (dysphagia). He inhales when he is breathing, so fluid and food builds up in his lungs. They took more than a quart of fluid out of his right lung yesterday and he's breathing better now.

Right now the main concern is the the aspiration pneumonia, but after that it's preventing this from occurring again. They want to place a PEG tube (a tube from his stomach to the outside of his abdomen) to avoid him needing to swallow for nutrition. It's a gastric feeding tube. It's a fairly easy procedure, but he has a bad history with surgeries and is now refusing to consider the surgery.

The doctor anticipates that he will either choke or drown on food or water within a month if he doesn't get the surgery. He is getting weaker and weaker because he can't eat very much and he is already dangerously thin. The doctor anticipates the surgery could improve the quality of life by allowing him to gain weight and grow stronger. If things stay the way they are now, my mom will no longer be able to care for him and he'd most likely end up in a nursing home if he doesn't get the surgery, though Poppy is in denial about it.

Please keep us in your prayers. Poppy is being stubborn about the surgery, and I'm praying he gives in soon. We have a couple days before he'd be ready to have the surgery, so we have some time. My mom is really upset and angry with him right now, so please pray for her strength. I've decided that I won't be going down to LA right now. There isn't much I can do and Carl and I can't afford to shell out $300 for the flights. The doctor promised to make it clear if things take a turn for the worse.

Wednesday AM:

I'm at the airport right now.

I'm not sure what the last update I gave you was, but they now need to open up his chest to remove most or all of his right lung. My Poppy is refusing surgery at this time, so I'm going down to be with him and try to convince him. The surgery is risky because he is so weak, but if he doesn't have it, he'll die of infection in a few days. The surgeon said that if he gets the surgery today, he'll be in pretty good shape to make it out alive, but tomorrow he is likely to be critical and the surgery will kill him. He's being stubborn and foolish and my mom and I are doing our best to convince him to get the surgery. The surgeon ordered a psych consult to determine his ability to make medical decisions. I'm hoping that if he continues to refuse the surgery, they will give my mom the ability to make medical decisions for him.

Wednesday afternoon:
Poppy agreed to surgery while I was on the plane and got wheeled in as I was landing. After 2 hours Mom and I got word that he came out safely. They removed 1/4 of his right lung and a quart of fluid. He is on a ventilator for at least 24 hours and isn't out of of the woods yet. Now we need to worry about infection and he still needs surgery to insert a feeding tube.

We are very happy he made it through this major surgery and we're hoping for more good news with his recovery. Thanks again for all the prayers.

Thursday:
Poppy is doing SO much better. I just got home (Thurs 11pm) and I'm exhausted. I miss Poppy, but I have to get things together before school starts on Monday. I spent the whole day with him in Critical Care, fluffing pillows and putting Chapstick on him. I was with him when they removed the intubation tube, and he was MUCH happier without it. He is off the ventilator, talking, sleeping, and all that. He is still in a lot of pain, but the doctors said he needs to stay off the serious pain meds because they might make breathing difficult and they'd have to put him back on the ventilator.

So far the cultures of his lung fluid are coming back with just normal saliva bacteria. The big worry was some antibiotic-resistant bacteria. We still are waiting on the cultures from the surgery. His heart is doing well, everything is on track.

His behavior is much better, too. He agreed to the feeding tube and they are setting up a consult for the procedure tomorrow.

Please pray that infection stays away. That's the big worry and it could kill him very quickly. Also pray that once the feeding tube is placed, he'll gain weight and strength. My mom is facing financial and health problems right now, on top of the stress of Poppy's hospitalization. Please pray for her strength and provision during this time.

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

—James 5:13-16

Dear God, She Can Cook!

I am here to tell all (one) of my readers that I can actually (still) cook. It's been so long since I've cooked in anything beyond a CrockPot (not real cooking, but still has its place in the busy family's life) or a frozen lasagna box.

Tonight, I made a delicious Tortellini Soup! I know, I know, it's painfully easy to make a tortellini soup, but still, I did it, and it was delish! It had spinach cheese tortellini, leeks, yellow squash (thinly sliced), zucchini (again, thinly sliced), tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a grated Parmesan garnish. Damn me for forgetting the crusty French rolls that belong with this yummy (and healthy) soup.

So, a few days before my first finals and I attempted to be a good little wife and make my husband dinner for our "Date Night." He liked the soup and wants a repeat with a few changes (thicker sliced veggies, red pepper flakes and those rolls that I forgot). Wish me luck on finals. Physics and Health Sciences Writing on Tuesday, Genetics on Friday. I can't believe Spring Quarter is just 2 weeks away! Yikes!

P.S.
I know this is a pathetic first post in three months, but I'm working on it and I'm going to attempt more regular posting. I need to brush up on my writing skills now that the MCAT is less than 6 months away.