Haircut & Cont. Recovery

Aug. 22. Thurs.
Elder R decided it was time for a haircut. Eugene volunteered to come & trim his hair so it wasn't lopsided any more. It was kind of like a little party. Coopers had come to visit so we were all giving directions how he should look.

For the next 2 weeks, several missionary couples visited.  Coopers came each evening, always bringing a fun surprise. Maples bopped in often. Elder Przybille came many times during his lunch hr.  Elder Mikits came  in the afternoons Robinson's, Nielsens, Walkers, Cardnos, Waites, Swensons, Freis & many others. They brought dinners, & yummy treats. We were so blessed to have such great friends.

After being In the hospital for a week, Gary was able to come home & sleep in his own bed. I would take him up to Kuhuku for the PICC line antibiotic each morning @ 10 am.  He tried to walk daily to build his strength up. He struggled. Was too hot to walk outside so we sometimes went to the Aloha Center. One time we went to Kanohe & walked in the mall.

Sept 1 was  last day for the PICC line treatment. We were glad to finally have it removed Sept 5. We struggled finding Dr. Wongs office. What a challenge to drive in Honolulu. Gary didn't enjoy having me drive!!!  We still had to wait for the brain to heal before we could fly home. Elder Pollock called daily because the church was putting pressure on him to get us home ASAP.
I was sad knowing our mission would soon be ending. I Didn't Want To Come Home!!

Recovery Round 1

Thurs. Aug. 15.  I took a break from hospital & went back up to Laie. Nice to sleep in my bed. Gary improved each day for the rest of the week. I slept on my little hard bed for 4 nights. Shared meals with him. 

Sat. Night,  Eliu & his wife brought dad his fav. drink, Mt. Dew then returned the next am (Sunday) with the sacrament that had been blessed. It was such a sacred experience to partake of those tiny pieces of bread & water.  He told us he had been prompted during the night to return to the hospital with the sacrament. He then gave both of us such a wonder blessing of healing & comfort. This was an experience we shall cherish forever.

 Mon. The PICC in Gary's neck was removed & a new one put  in his right arm. This was amazing to see how this procedure was done with ultrasound. We thought we were going home but were told he would have to remain in outpatient care for 2 more weeks. I was so upset!!!!  More prayers were answered &  Finally got to bring dad up to Kahuku Med Center on Tues.  We made the trip in 45 min. Little traffic.  Was so thankful to have him only 7 Min. from our apt. 

 Aug. 20. Tues.    Kahuku Med. Center was a great recovery hospital.  Gary had his own private little room. The nurses were awesome to give him his I V antibiotic each am. He was served pretty good food. We walked the halls each day several times & eventually went outside. (Came across a lovely large cockroach one time who was also roaming the ancient hospital halls) We especially enjoyed visits from missionary friends. Was wonderful to go home each night to sleep. Soon I was able to take Gary home for a few hrs. each day & by the next Mon. he was back home in his own bed. Yeahhhh. Finished up all the I V treatments by the following Sun. Aug 1. 

August Trauma

AUGUST TRAUMA
During the first 2 weeks of Aug.  we both suffered from sinus headaches.  Mine settled in my ear & I temporarily lost hearing my left ear.  I'm very protective of my ears since I only have hearing in  my left ear.  I went to "The Country Doc."  He diagnosed it as swimmers ear ......NOT!! Called our reliable Doc. Jeff @ home & he prescribed medicine for me.  We traveled to Mililani - Costco to pick it up. It was a good cure.

Elder R has suffered from sinus infection since we arrived on the Island. He went to a Kahuku physicians assistant & they prescribed Amoxicillin 500 mg. for him.  It seemed to take the edge off but he had to discontinue use after a week because of diarrhea. Headache returned more intense. Each day he got weaker & was suffering from Heat Stroke (we thought).

Aug. 8 - Thurs. he stayed late & worked on car brakes.  Came home so sick. I kept treating him for heat stroke. Sat night our Missionary friends administered to him. Thought he would improve but by Sunday he was worse so took him to Kahuku Emergency Room.  They thought he had meningitis & sent us to Kailua Castle Emergency Center for further testing.  They did a cat scan & MRI. Diagnosed his headache as a possible Tumor (likely cancerous). Whatever!!!   Scared me to death. By 1 am Monday we had been transferred once again. This time to Queen's Medical Centre in Honolulu. The neurosurgeon, Dr. Graham talked with us & said it could be a tumor or cyst on the brain. Put him on IV's of antibiotics & steroids to help with infection & swelling. Sunday night was the absolute longest night of my life!

We will be forever grateful to very dear missionary friends: Maples-Coopers-Mikets. They transported us & were with us during these difficult 2 days.

Elder & Sister  Maples were sure a little Mt. Dew in the I V would help.

We called on family & friends for fasting & prayers. We had all our family prayers; Missionary prayers, Ward member prayers, Temple prayers & so many many more. Faith was exercised & stretched.

Wed. a.m. a procedure was performed by Dr. Graham.  He bored a hole in Gary's skull. Thankfully there was no tumor. The abscess  was drained & a biopsy was sent for lab tests. The biopsy revealed it was a Strep Virus & possible fungus. Prescribed medication was ceftriaxone & vancomycin & many more for pain etc.

Gary tried to keep his sense of humor through most of this trauma.  Even joked about his new "Blue Shirt Uniform" & his fav. Nurse the other Kathy.

We were honored  to have Pres. Grace from the PCC.  Our new Mission President, President Warner also come to visit us.

Many Prayers were sent & answered from me. Never thought I would be able to drive the 1 Hr. trip from our little apt to Honolulu through the big long tunnel. It's a gorgeous drive if you're not nervous of either falling in the ocean or off the steep road!!!   But I made it safe & sound every time. Someone said "If U get lost, just keep circling the Island!"

June and July

 July  -  What a HOT HUMID month!!!!

This was our sick month.  I had an ear infection and a week later Gary had sinus infection. I first went to a country doc. here in Laie.  {Not a good idea}  He thought I had swimmers ear.  NOT......so I called Doc. Jeff from Idaho & he fixed me up with a wonderful antibiotic.  Gary went up to Dr. Hughes in Kahuku. He prescribed good drugs for him. We fight sinus problems daily because of the mold & fungi that we work and live in.  (Little did they know what would come of this!!!)

 

July 29  Happy Special 8 Bday Spencer!! Today we were supposed to get Hurricane Flossy. I hiked up behind the temple to check the ocean view & it was a gorgeous day.  We were sent home early to prepare but she fizzled out & it rained more the day after. It was like taking another HOT shower only with clothes on.  

 

 

July 13/13 Moving Day      I think this was the best day of our lives.  We moved into a 3 bedroom duplex.  The Ainas went home & we were able to take the apt.  they had been in.  We were so excited.  It is much quieter, has more room, air conditioning and same amount of rent & utilities (if we don't run the air conditioners too frequently.  We moved a few things each evening and during our lunch hours and were officially in by Friday night, July 12.  WE SLEPT SO GOOD AND WEREN'T AWAKENED BY BARKING DOGS OR SIRENS FROM THE KAM. HIWAY.  HUGE BLESSING!!

 

 

 

 

budda stuff  

4th of July - Today was an official holiday.  We missed being with our family for our regular traditions.  So planned a celebration with friends instead.  Drove down to "Temple of the Gods". There is a huge cemetery built on a hill and behind it was a beautiful Buddhist Temple.  We hit the BONG, watched the ducks & shopped in a very unique Oriental Store.  Purchased this cute little chubby Buddhist statue.  We have a fellow missionary from Vernon Canada who resembles this fat-bellied little budda!   Shopped @ seashell/ crystal store and ate lunch @ Kualoa Ranch.  They make THE BEST grain-fed beef hamburgers on this Island.

  

 












 

  

July 1st Canada Day  -   Supposed to be a CN Holiday eh???  Well we arrived @ work & unanimously decided to take the morning off & go to the grand opening of LONGS DRUG right here in Laie. Sis. Cooper, Eugene, his wife & I hopped in my car and away we went.    Enjoyed many free samples & hit some wonderful bargains.  Even got to spin the "Wheel of Fortune"  & won a cooling cloth for our hot foreheads & necks. We enjoyed a very fun morning!!!

 

 

 

 

June 16 - Happy Father's Day.  A couple of wards are combined right now during these summer months.  All bishopric & Elder Missionaries were presented with hand crocheted leis. 

 

 

Enjoyed another graduation for 5 missionaries returning home.  The Ainas from Oregon, {we will be moving into their apt.} the Allen's, from AZ and Sis. Lee from Ut.  Elder Allen carves these beautiful figures out of Styrofoam.  He has been blessed while he serves here @ PCC because he has tremors and his hand shakes so bad, it is amazing he can form these figures with his saw.

 

 

 

 

 

Had a fun evening hosting a 50th wedding anniversary for the Tremea's, from St. George.  Maples just moved into a beautiful TVA Apartment so it was a treat to be in a real home.  We have great fun when we get together.

 

 

 

June 14 & 15 was Education Weekend.  I assisted my good friend Sister Maples display various food snacks.  She taught a class titled "Eating Around the Table" and the importance of eating together as a family.

June 13.  Today I helped Eugene with a presentation entitled Summer Institute "Learn, Lead, Build through Sustainability".  We met with about 50 other college departments and educated them about "Give and Take".  It was rather intimidating sharing our information with educators who have college degrees but I was proud of Eugene.  We made it fun, modeled our fancy name brand clothes, showed our video how G&T started and the progress that has taken place in the last few months.  We had a great time and received many compliments.  We belong to Swatt Team and wear these green shirts when we are in the limelight and picking up donations.  

 

Big Post Update! Healthy Service

 **WARNING** Big Post Update!!

May 23/13Visited Dr. Hughes today to get medicine for sinuses. We waited outside with the wind gently caressing us with cool breezes We both get headaches from the VOG and mildew here in Laie. Also had my A1C checked. It was 6.0 Hurrah! Doc said I could go off the Metformin. I'm taking 750 mg. per day. Great very active missionary service. I try to walk each a.m. for 30 min. then run, run, run every day @ G&T. It's all great (except when it's HOT & we're tired).

We also got a much needed new/used fridge. No more de icing the freezer part or mopping up a cup of water from lower part of fridge.

P.S.  Happy 5th bday Brennen. We love our cute little "jabber box" grandson!!!

May 26 - Family Visitors

Was so excited to pick up Robyn, Logan & Saydee from the airport. They left Steven home to keep busy with the farming while they returned to visit us for 2 weeks. They slept on blowup mattresses & the couch. The kids loved helping me @ G&T. They found many treasures and Logan even had to take 2 extra suitcases home with him, he accumulated so many "things". They enjoyed our close beach, going to PCC, hiking Weimea Falls & eating @ Kahuku Grill. So proud of Saydee for doing baptisms for the dead in the Laie Temple.

June 1 (Sat.) We Island Hopped and flew over to Kona, Big Island. The Hilo side is wet and tropical, with more than 150 " of rain. Kona side, at the airport, gets less than 10" of annual precipitation. This Big Island is 4,028 sq. miles and is twice the size of all other Hawaiian islands combined. It's still growing. It is the youngest Island 800,000 yrs. old and of course the most volcanic. Kilauea is the world's most active volcano. Mauna Keo is the world's tallest mountain 33,476 ft. high. (13,796 ft. from sea level.  

 Mauna Kea Observatory houses the world's largest telescope,

 

We stayed @ Wyndam Worldmark, Village, (one of our timeshares)  It was beautiful.  Two bedrooms, 2 bathrooms downstairs ,  with kitchen, big living room, another 1/2 bath & Lanai upstairs.  We LOVED the AIR CONDITIONING!!!! Had a nice little swim pool which we played in each a.m.

 

 

 

We went to see "Place of Refuge" It was a safe area where native Hawaiians could escape from their enemies.  They had to get to the ocean from wherever they were being pursued then swim until they reached this Refuge area.  Running over the rugged craters would cut their feet, then hopefully sharks didn't eat them before they swam many miles to safety.

 

 

One day, we toured the Hilton Grand Vacation Resort.  Rode on this cute train all around the 62 acreage.  Saw Dolphins playing with tourists, beautiful beaches, shops, little boats taking guests to various restaurants etc.  It would be such a fun place to stay.  This resort area is only about 10 yrs. old rebuilt on top of old lava flow. They hauled in foliage and palm trees from the northern part of the Island. We enjoyed "A" or Anaehoomau Beach, one of the few nice beaches on the Island.  The sunsets were so beautiful!

 

 

 

We took a "Circle Island Tour Bus".  Derick was our driver and very entertaining. We went all around the Island - It took about 12 hrs. We saw rolling hills at the north end (Weialea & Parker Ranch)  It reminded me of home in Canada.

 

Punalu'U Bakery.  Ka Lae, (South Point) is the southernmost point in the U.S.  We ate at this little bakery. 

 

 

One day we took the Kohala Ditch Adventure Tour.  Enjoyed a 2 mi. ride on Kayaks through water filled irrigation ditches. We met a new lady from Salmon who teaches school in Alaska.  She was fun.  We travelled through many acres of Mac. Nut Tree Farms.  The nuts fall from the huge  trees when they are ripe, then are scooped up by some kind of a vacuum or hand picked off the ground.   

We invited our new friend to eat lunch with us @ Figs. Yummy hamburgers from the beef raised @ Parker Ranch.

Toured Hamakua Mac. Nut Factory - The first Mac. Nut Trees were planted in 1881.  These are the world's best macadamia nuts, grown environmentally friendly. We purchased a few boxes.  Hawaiian Sun (brand name) Passion Orange & Pineapple Snow & Dark Chock. dipped were favorites.

Visited the Kona Temple.  It is small but definitely a landmark on this beautiful Big Island. 

Hope we can return soon.

 

 

Excitement in JUNE

Summer semester 1 ended & we were busy @ G&T.  So happy to get a another container to expand our expanding inventory.  Eugene & I did a wonderful presentation for the Summer Institute.  "Learn, Lead, Build through Sustainability" was the theme.  We showed a fun video about G&T, how it started and the progress we've made in making it a "Mini Macy's".  We modeled clothes and had everyone laughing, eager to come shop @ our stores.

We will miss our Sunday  School Class members from this past semester. Some are getting married and some will be going on missions.  We look forward to Sundays where we teach Temple Prep. Class to these awesome students from all over the Poly Islands.

Would love to bring this Father's Day Tradition home with us.  Croched Leis from "Chile" R.S. Pres.  Cake & icecream outside after church.  Paradise Sunday.  Elder R. was so happy to talk with all our kids & grandkids.  You are the BEST!!! Mahalo for your love & support!