Trains, Buses, Cabs & Planes

There seems to be a growing conspiracy against our family members who travel.  It started with our niece Emily.  If you follow her blog, she has shared this information many times.  For our immediate family, this hasn't been much of a concern over the years.  Sure, we've had our few issues here and there but nothing too overwhelming.

Well, if you remember, last September our son Kris and his new wife Hannah were in Cabo, Mexico when the hurricane hit.  It took them four (not so lovely) days to get out of Mexico. 

Les recently decided he wanted to try a little trip with our kids.  Since he travels primarily in a wheelchair, we decided to travel by train.  Most of us have not traveled by train and most of us have not spent any time in Portland - we booked a weekend train trip to Portland.  An adventure!

 The trip down the coast was beautiful, even tho it was a rainy day.  We were soon notified we had to switch to a bus for a brief period because of mudslides.  Well, not ideal, but we could handle that.  Onto the bus we got - another new ordeal with a wheelchair!  Back on the train in Seattle, and off we headed to Portland.  Part of the way down we found out we had to get on ANOTHER bus before we got to Portland - again, because of mudslides.  We were waiting to board the bus, and the (lady) bus driver couldn't get the wheelchair lift to work.  We waited patiently in the rain.  Les and Kris finally headed down to the bus and gave some suggestions.  But she couldn't do what they recommended for "liability" reasons.  Finally with the help from a guy across the street, Les got on the bus with a portable lift.  (We then drove past the train station 3 times - lost maybe??  "Clueless in Kelso"  Les texted to all of us.....) Off the bus again in Portland on a portable lift.  Whew, we made it.  Our hotel downtown was beautiful and comfy; we relaxed, had dinner, explored a bit.

Portable lift

Wheelchair access bus to ourselves!!! (Nobody else wanted to wait)

Early the next morning I received a phone call (not an email this time! Bad sign....) and I was told that there were NO trains going north this day.  Buses were being used to transport everyone, BUT there were NO wheelchair accessible buses available until Tuesday.  Les and I were scheduled to be bused out Tuesday.  Um, EXCUSE ME??  Not acceptable I said - we have no extra meds with us and no extra feedings for the tube feeds.  I had to work Monday - important things needed to be done that day.  Sorry, she said, nothing they can do.

After three hours on the phone between Amtrak and Alaska Airlines, we booked to fly out of Portland that evening at 10:00.  Les decided he wanted the kids to fly with us so we all stuck together for the day.  Little man did great - he kept going all day.  We had a pretty nice afternoon downtown - VooDoo Donuts and all!  I was SO GLAD our boys were along with us to help - this wheelchair stuff is all a new adventure for all of us.  We also had to take a cab (well, two cabs for all of us) from our hotel to the airport - another new adventure in the wheelchair!

Waiting for a VooDoo Donut!

When we were waiting to board the plane, we noticed lightning in the sky.  We all looked at each other and were just waiting to hear the announcement that our plane was canceled.......but it didn't happen and we all arrived home safe and sound.

Getting on the plane!!

This guy was a trooper.  He depends on others to help him, and he is still smiling.  Most of the time the transporters were very kind and gentle - especially getting on and off the airplane.  Not an ideal weekend, but we survived and we were together.   Our kids were great, and very patient.  Another one for the books!!

Just wanted to warn you if you ever thought about traveling with someone from our family......

3 Month Check

This week Wednesday Les had another 3 month checkup at UW.  These appointments don't tell us anything that we don't already know; as Les likes to say "I still have ALS and I'm still deteriorating..."  But it's nice to check in and visit with our "friends".  We almost missed nurse Jen - but the receptionist made us wait as we were leaving and we ended our day with a nice chat with Jen.

This was a new adventure for us because we took the van and wheelchair.  A little more stressful for me, the driver!  And then there wasn't any parking in the stinking parking garage....ugh.  BUT we made it and the van worked great.  Les was a little sad - another milestone - he said he always wondered about the first time he would go to UW in his wheelchair.

Les' weight is hanging right around 180 so that's good.  His limbs are definitely getting weaker.  His right hand/arm is pretty much useless.  He drags his left foot/leg which makes walking very difficult.  His right leg is also getting weaker.  He had a lung test (which is difficult to do with a stoma!!) but his lungs looked pretty good.  He is still eating and enjoying that so much.  It takes a while and it's a little messy, but he is eating!

We also met with the ENT clinic because Les was feeling air puff out in the skin above his stoma.  He was a bit worried about this.  But the doctor ran a scope through his stoma and through his nose and everything looked fine.  Dr. Hillel was in Portugual at a conference of some sort - a pretty prestigious thing to be at!!

Dr. was excited to use a new "toy"!!!

The cleaning fairies made an appearance while we were gone for the day.  Clean windows!  Clean sinks! Clean basement!  Mopped floors!  It's such a great feeling walking in the back door and smelling a clean house.  Such a relief to me!  The flower box fairy also made an appearance.  Spring is coming!  We also received yummy meals from Pam, Lu and Dan & Deb.  So, so appreciated.

I have been super busy this month with bookkeeping busyness.  Kind of a good thing because the month of January always flies by!!  February looks like it is filling up with visitors - another good thing!

GO HAWKS

Thanksgiving in January

We have so many people to thank.  I kinda hate to do this cuz I'm sure we will leave someone out.  But we really need to do some shout outs.

Our son Kris asked in December if Les would like a new walking stick or a new cane.  Well, I didn't know!  He schemed with my nephew Derek, and Derek made this new cane.  Amazing.  This guy has been making some very creative things lately (he made Kris & Hannah's dining table for their wedding gift!!!)  Les is very dependent on his cane right now.

See his wood burning?  Bird feathers on top and Hank on the bottom??

Joey, Joe and Jeff built this ramp on a Saturday morning in December. 

For some others who thought of us recently:
neighbor Jeany, neighbors David and Karen, neighbor chef Dan (and wife Melinda), bestie Lori and family, Carolyn, neighbor nurse Kay, Joel S., Lu, Trisha and Doris, David and VW family, Tom, Iowa bestie Nancy, Lori VW, Brian and Lonnie, Steve and Sheri, Carl and Renee,  Bruce and Jermaine, Sherm and Phyllis, my parents, our families.  AND the cleaning fairies made another appearance!

We received goodies, soup, pies, Christmas decorations, poinsettas, notes, casseroles, boot cuffs (for me - not Les!), gift cards, California lemons, coffee beans, special sweat pants, special keys from France.......we are so thankful for each of you.  And we are thankful for everyone's prayers - I've said it before, WE FEEL THEM.

From church on Sunday:
-"O for a closer walk with God, A calm and heavenly frame, A light to shine upon the road, That leads me to the Lamb!
-Where is the blessedness I knew, When first I saw the Lord? Where is the soul refreshing view, Of Jesus and His Word?
-What peaceful hours I once enjoyed! How sweet their memory still! But they have left an aching void, The world can never fill.
-The dearest idol I have known, Whate'er that idol be, Help me to tear it from Thy throne, And worship only Thee.
-So shall my walk be close with God, Calm and serene my frame; So purer light shall mark the road, That leads me to the Lamb."

We were blessed with a soul searching sermon from Pastor Ken about the things in our lives that keep us from Jesus.  We hope and pray that this new year finds you at peace with God.

Happy New Year

Yikes, how did it get to be January 6??  We had a nice relaxing Christmas/end of the year season. We don't have extended family here, so we don't have tons of extra Christmas get togethers.  We did have a fun evening with some friends, "ugly sweaters" and all!!  These people have shown us what it's like to be a servant.

Christmas Eve Les and I went to our church's candlelight service.  I love that service!  We hold our candles high in the dark singing "Silent Night, Holy Night".  Love it.

Christmas morning is with our kids.  They came pretty early this year - ready for lattes, breakfast and finding their stockings!  Yes, Santa hides our stockings.  We kinda had to go right into opening gifts - we were having Christmas dinner at my parents about 1:00.  Les had the prime rib roast going on his Traeger grill all morning.  Yummy.

Auntie Hannah helping little man

New fan - go Hawks!!

Ready for SAFE snowmobiling

My sister and her hubs decided on Tuesday to fly in on Christmas Day (Thursday)!  They wanted to surprise our mom and dad, so I picked them up at the shuttle drop-off right after our Christmas dinner.  They stayed with Les and I for several days - it was great to have them around.  My younger brother and family were also here for several days.  They come every other Christmas.

Only pic of my sister! 

Almond Banket lessons with grandma

We had a fun New Year's with friends - our customary New Year's.  We were gonna celebrate at east coast time, but we were having too much fun so postponed our celebration til about 10:00 our time.  Les did good! and we had lots of fun.  Dear, dear friends.

Feeding the Brown

Last December Les was newly "retired" from UPS.  He wanted to feed the UPS boys on Christmas Eve morning.  He knows what this month is like for these guys!  He wanted to feed them again this year.  He conferred with his dear friend Rose and she whipped up breakfast for 50.  I went along to help serve this morning.  Thanks to Rick, Gunnar and Janna for their help setting up and getting the coffee, juice and plates there.

Thank you Paula and Kristi for helping!!

We hope you appreciate your UPS driver.  These guys are working 12-14 hours a day.  They will be back at it again on Friday. 

Les came home tired, and sad that he wasn't working alongside these guys anymore.  He misses the craziness of it all.  He says to be thankful for your ability to work.

Merry Christmas!  We have a quiet Christmas Eve.  We have our Christmas with our kids on Christmas morning, and will have dinner at my parents later in the afternoon.  We have some family coming in for the holidays, and we are very happy about that!  Remember the reason for the season - JESUS!!

New Wheels

Les got his new wheels.  His chair was delivered recently.

We are very fortunate to be able to borrow Geri's van.  Her husband Marty, who was my dad's very good friend,  used this van.  Les' chair needed a bracket on the chair to fit into the bracket that was in the van.  It was gonna cost a near fortune to put that thing in.  But between our friend Barry, our son Kris and our son-in-law Brett, they figured it out themselves and got the bracket installed!  Les had SO MUCH fun that evening hanging out with the boys!  Thanks also to David for his help, and to Dustin and Rick for checking in.

We sold the Explorer to our friend Joey.  That all worked out so well!! 

We have been enjoying just being home.  No appointments at all this month besides Les going to Physical Therapy twice a week.  They are trying to loosen up his shoulder a bit.  His right hand is pretty much useless and his left leg is really dragging.  But, he is eating and swallowing and enjoying that! We would ask for prayers that his left hand stays agile - that hand is key to his texting/emailing communication.

We are thankful for continued visits from neighbor nurse Kay.  Besides checking on Les' health, she brings yummy baked goods along!   Dr. friend Steve also visits often.  Les looks forward to those visits - he can talk to Dr. Steve about anything.  We have had lots of visitors lately and we are enjoying the business of the season.  We pray that you, too, are enjoying this Christmas season, and more importantly, the REASON FOR THE SEASON!

Les' Birthday

Les had a pretty good birthday!  When we got to church that morning, we saw this:

That's cake for the all the people!!  We didn't see that coming.  At the end of the service, the congregation sang happy birthday to Les.  Thanks to Darla and Fran and their small group for this surprise.  Another reason we are so glad to be a part of this church family.

We had lunch with our kids and my parents.  A beautiful SUNNY, crisp day.  Kris and Hannah left right before our small group came that evening.   Good thing Les (and Kris) got a quick nap in that afternoon!  Our small group has been meeting for several years now.  We started out as random people who signed up for a Bible study; now we call them our family. Through thick and thin.

 Thanks for all the texts, messages, cards and shakes :)  Les is very thankful for all the love.