Dad Things!

 "A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society."

                    Billy Graham

I find myself thinking about the early years during which we had young children growing up in our home, and occasionally call to mind my own childhood and recall with fondness many experiences that were had with my own father. Time and distance make many of these memories a little fuzzy, but they still seem to resonate upon consideration.

Today I think I'll spend time expanding upon some of the experience I had with my children (I'll save my childhood for another day).

Some of my favorite time spent with family was when we would travel to many destinations with everyone in a car or van. It all felt like an adventure. I don't recall any conflict arising among the children (it is possible that I have blocked this out) but we really did enjoy spending time together. We often sang songs that were learned in church meetings (Primary classes) or other places where children learn music. I may not have always known the lyrics perfectly but the Mahan children and their mother certainly did. Mrs. Mahan helped me as much as she could, and eventually I learned those lyrics and usually got them in the right order.

These trips might be a 6-7 hour drive to Bayfield, CO, or a 3.5 hour drive to Grand Junction, CO, or, what became a family favorite a 4 plus hour drive to Powderhorn Resort on The Grand Mesa. A lot of laughter, singing, and quiet conversation occurred during these drives and continued upon arrival at our specific destinations. Extended family was always part of the destination and relationships were forged with Grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles. Looking back I realize how important those relationships have been and I am extremely grateful that we had the opportunity for them to be formed. It really does take a village, though sometimes I think society forgets that a village is often quite small. 

Moving on: For a few years I was employed in a job that began each day at 10:00p.m. and ended anywhere between 5:00a.m. and 10:00a.m.. On the days when my workday stretched into mid morning I came home and went straight to bed. During the summer months my children would have a small swimming pool in the back yard that got dumped at the end of the day and refilled with cold water each morning. By lunchtime the water had warmed up enough that they could enjoy some fun running into and out of the pool kicking and splashing water on each other and the dog(s). When I would awaken during the hot part of the day I would often go out and sit in the water with them. There were days when I would walk straight out while still in my work clothes and sit. Fun for me, fun for them, even the dog(s) seemed to enjoy the joke.

Another favorite memory of mine was playing kickball with the family in the back yard. With seven, sometimes eight, of us playing we made a lot of noise. I'm sure the neighbors enjoyed listening to the hullaballoo as much as we enjoyed creating it. My son and I played a lot of a catch in that same back yard. Baseball, football, really any kind of ball that could be tossed back and forth. As they got older this happened less often but still was an occasional burst of familial frivolity.

I don't sneeze a lot, but when I do it is loud. I have startled many a child and even my spouse with a sudden burst of two or three very loud outbursts. I'm sure the sneezes themselves are not a good memory but the laughter (or, at least grinning grimaces) following may be a memory each of my children have. Mrs. Mahan still has the pleasure of the more frequent outbursts which may not be such a positive recollection for her. I believe most of the kids have not inherited from me this habit that I seem to have developed after hearing my own father shake the rafters for my entire youth.

"My father didn't tell me how to live. He lived and let me watch him do it." 

                                                    Clarence Budington Kelland

When our oldest children were small I have a few specific memories I'll share now. 

We lived in a house that was situated in the middle of a forty acre field (usually of onions). While on that property we had three dogs who joined us. Our oldest child was born while we lived there. Each evening after dinner I would often go sit on a lounge chair under the shade of the ancient Cottonwood trees that surrounded the house and out buildings. Those dogs would usually join me in the shade. When our daughter reached toddler age she would also come out and play nearby. Often she would sit on the back of one of the dogs and chatter at him. She would climb on and off and on and off and.... well you get the idea. They were very patient with her even when she played with their ears and stayed on a back for a long time. 

Our second child arrived after we had moved from that property and as he grew to toddler age he liked to climb all over me as I lay on the floor of our domicile. He didn't play with my ears but he rolled over my back and hips for lengthy periods of time. I doubt that either of them have any recollection of these occurrences but they are fond recollections of mine.

All of our children have made (or are making) more of themselves than we ever did. For this great blessing I am grateful. My hope is that we have contributed in some small way to who they have become.

Thanks for checking in. More to come soon, See you then.

More about me.

 "A day without sunshine is like, you know, night." Steve Martin

We had a very long week beginning Monday the 7th of April. 

Over the weekend leading up to that day I had an unusal amount of chest pain (angina) that was occasionally relieved by the use of nitroglycerin (sub-lingual) and a longer acting version that I take twice daily. The Aortic valve replacement I mentioned in my last post was scheduled for the morning of the 8th. Monday afternoon and evening I was not obtaining any relief from using the nitro tablets. By 8:00 p.m. it had become so intense that I called 911 and the paramedics were dispatched.

They came and did their assessment determining that it did not appear that I was having a heart attack. We explained that I was scheduled for an aortic valve replacement the next morning and asked if they would transport me to Utah Valley Hospital so they could examine me and monitor the difficulty through the night. Since they determined that there was not an emergency situation they would transport me to that facility. On the way they administered 2 doses of pain relief that helped somewhat and they also communicated with the emergency department that they were transporting me to their facility.

We arrived at about 9:00 p.m. and the emergency personelle took over. Long story short, I ended up in the Cath-lab that night with the on call doctor who had just worked on my heart a few weeks earlier. He found no other blockages and was in and out of my heart arteries pretty quickly. 

My family members who had followed the ambulance to the ER went to their various homes after I had been settled into the ICU for the night.

The TAVR (TransAortic Valve Replacement) occurred Tuesday morning and all was well. Back to the ICU for that day and night. The overnight RN who cared for me mentioned that there was a brief rhythm issue about a half hour prior to her coming check vitals and surgical sites. 

She mentioned the skipped beats to me and indicated that she would be closely monitoring my heart beat for the remaining hours of the early morning. It seemed to have settled into normal rhythm through the remaining overnight.

That did change during the daylight hours and we met with the cardiac electrician that afternoon. He gave me a couple options to be monitored - one in the hospital and one at home. We chose home but the plan changed as the condition worsened over the next hours. and we went back to the Cath-lab with the same physician who placed the new valve to place a temporary (Transvenous) pacemaker through my jugular vein. 

Something happened when the first one was placed and it somehow bent and cracked. The second one I apparently tore at while coming out of sedation. Finally the third was successful.

The next morning the cardiac electrician ( Dr. Wang) placed a permanent pacemaker and removed the temporary. All was well once again. A few more hours in the ICU and then we were moved from ICU to a more general care floor. 

4 times sedated and entry made into this old body nearly wore me out. My sweetheart and daughters didn't fare any better than I, but they did get to sleep in their own beds each night (Cindy stayed with me the night of the temporary pacemaker placement). 

We returned home on Friday afternoon and settled in for a restful weekend. No complications since (so far) and I feel great. My hope is that I can return to work in a few weeks. 

I'm not sure I have words to express the gratitude I feel toward the nurses who cared for me. Their professionalism, knowledge, and kindness blow me away whenever I think of the care I received. The truly amazing thing to me is that they each have their own life concerns (family, relationships, personal health), yet they put those troubles aside and care for their charges above and beyond expectations.

More to come soon. Thanks for checking in. See you soon.

Health update

 "I installed a skylight in my apartment... the people who live above me are furious."                                                            Steven Wright

So to give an update to one of my posts (maybe my only post) from last year. 

I had a mild heart attack on February 29 of 2024 which resulted in 3 stents being placed in heart arteries. Following that procedure I was feeling great for about a week and then some slight angina returned with more strenuous exertion (more than normal since there is a very small part of my heart muscle that does not have any blood flow). It got progressively worse over the next few months prompting a return to my Cardiologist for a follow up visit. We scheduled another angiogram as a result.

July 27, 2024 that angiogram was completed and it was discovered that one of the stents placed in February had become partially occluded and some additional areas needed to have stents placed (3 this time). Again I had a period when I felt better than I had for some months but the angina returned and some additional stresses were introduced into my life that made things slightly worse (I won't go into details now).

November 7, 2024 I experienced another slight heart attack. This event was a bit more intense but still I was able to summon the ambulance and let my wife know what was happening so she could meet us at the hospital. Another angiogram with several additional stents added to the total and the surgeon re-inspecting all the other areas that had been a problem before to make sure that they were open and clear of occlusion. Once again I was feeling pretty darn good for a few weeks but then angina and other new issues began to appear, so...

March 10, 2025 I met with my primary Cardiologist at one of his offices to discuss all the discomforts I had been experiencing for several months. He suggested that we have a cardiac MRI done and got me added to the schedule for the next day.

March 11, 2025 Cardiac MRI. This imaging (with contrast) takes about an hour of your life. It feels like it takes much, much longer. There is a need for the patient to hold their breath for 5 - 20 seconds about 45 times during the hour you are in the MRI device. I survived this imaging test and was headed to the changing room so I could get dressed to go to work. On the way I met my cardiologist coming in to view the images so we could discuss what he saw. He took a look while I was being given another EKG and blood pressure check and came to let me know that he saw some potential problem areas that we would discuss the next morning via telephone call. He did let me know that after a quick look at the images there is a new blockage that needs to be addressed.

March 12, 2025 Before I heard from my primary cardiologist I received a phone call from the hospital cath. lab. scheduler to get me on the calendar for March 14. A few hours later my cardiologist called with the confirmation that there was a blockage near a previously placed stent but the larger concern is that the moderate stenosis of my Aortic Valve had progressed to a severe. He indicated that he would speak with the surgeon who would be performing the angiogram to take a closer look at the Aortic Valve to confirm the imaging.

March 14, 2025 Catheterization Lab. An additional stent was placed in the area that was becoming occluded. The imaging of the Aortic Valve was confirmed. 

April 2025. We (me and my heart) will be receiving some attention from a new (to us) cardiologist who will be placing a new valve in my heart. I will keep you updated as we move through this new adventure. 

More to come soon. Thanks for checking in. See you soon.

"Joy is the serious business of Heaven." C.S. Lewis

 As I was sitting at the drive through window at a local mixed soft drink store, I noticed the young woman who was taking orders and receiving payment was wearing a sweatshirt that had what I thought was a logo on the front. I finally got a good look at the words and saw this:

                                                I Love you

                                                Say it back

After she handed me the finished product and started to turn away from the window I asked her if I could ask a question? 

She indicated that I could so I asked about the words on the sweatshirt. She spread the shirt a little so we could both read it. I asked what it meant to her? She didn't have a response other than she just likes the shirt. (It is a logo).

I said to her,

                                                "I love you"

just to see what her reaction would be. Keep in mind I'm old enough to be her grandfather. 

She and the other young women in the store started squealing with surprise and delight. Then I drove off.

I've shared this story with several people over the last months since it happened and they all smile and sometimes chuckle at the experience. which leads me to think that it may have just been happiness that the interaction at the drive through window caused - not joy. After all, happiness is fleeting but joy is something we can have every day.

Carlos Santana is quoted as saying, "If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment." (Rolling Stone March 16, 2020).

I'm discovering that one of the best ways to carry joy in my heart every day is to share that joy, in some small way, with others (the drive through window) even if it just brings a fleeting bit of happiness for the other person. I think that, sometimes, those fleeting moments bring about a simple joy as these interactions are shared with others.

I'm learning that brief but more in depth conversation with others can bring joyful moments. Beginning to learn about a co-worker and their family for example can cause a simple smile to blossom into a warmth in those relationships and cause a reverberation of joy through all future interactions between those involved. I sat at the break room table recently with a co-worker who I met, in passing, during my new employee orientation, many months ago. We had a great conversation about  different topics related to the job I am currently serving in. We shared some personal and some general experiences that led to additional training and discussion. It was a good 2 hours of sharing that will help me be a better person and employee. I hope her view is the same as mine.

I came home later that day in a much better than normal mood (and I'm a pretty positive person) for a day of sitting in the office waiting for an assignment to come my way when none did. 

I've had other similar opportunities to spend a few minutes to a few hours getting to know co-workers on a personal level. I guess I'm fairly easy to talk with. I have learned that I also am willing to share my life experience with others once a conversation has started. I understand that I am not always easy to approach and can be a little stand-offish at times. Once that wall comes down there is very little that will not be thoughtfully shared.

My belief is that we ought to take every opportunity to spend time listening to, and sharing with those around us. 

Jim Rohn said, "The walls we build around us to keep sadness out also keeps out the joy."

Today let's knock down some walls (or at the least, poke some holes) and let joy become a part of our day. 

Thanks for checking in. More to come soon. See you then.

A wakeup call!

29 February 2024.

It began at about 9:00 a.m. - something was not quite right with me that morning, but I could not identify what it was. I was sitting in one of my favorite spots eating a little breakfast and watching an episode of the "Daisy Jones and the Six" series. I had several hours before I had to report for work and figured I would discover what was off before I had to head that way to begin my workday. I moved around a bit, took dirty dishes to the sink dropped some debris into the garbage can, and just started thinking about what I needed to get done before heading out. 

As I was sitting on the chair taking my morning medication and vitamins I noticed that I was having some discomfort in my arms (yes both) that felt a lot like the angina I occasionally have in my chest but a little more intense. I then realized that there was a building pressure in my chest that immediately gave me some concern. I reached for the nitroglycerin that I always have nearby (usually in my left pants pocket) but didn't find it there. I recalled that I had placed it on the island in the kitchen along with my wallet, keys, and glasses. Getting up to retrieve it was uncomfortable but tolerable.

I noticed the time as I placed one tablet under my tongue (to dissolve) and returned to my seat.

 Nothing changed.

I placed another tablet under my tongue about 6 minutes later.

Nothing changed.

I placed another tablet under my tongue about 6 minutes after the second and moved to a more solid and upright chair.

Nothing changed.

I am a firm believer in following medical instructions and I knew that with no change in pain, pressure, and discomfort I needed to call 911 and request an ambulance. I called my sweetheart at work and let her know what was happening and asked her to find a ride home right away (we are functioning with just one car currently) which she did.

I called 911 and explained what was happening to the dispatcher who immediately sent an ambulance my way. I unlocked the apartment door and opened it slightly so the EMS crew could come right in to the apartment upon arrival. The woman on the phone stayed with me until the EMS crew came through the door. 

These men and women are amazing. This crew went to work right away getting my medical history, starting an ECG, and generally putting my mind at ease. 

Cindy arrived home and right away one of the other team members began collecting my medical history, medications taken, and surgical procedures for the record they would transmit to the ER. 

Once they determined that I should be transported to the hospital things moved pretty swiftly. I climbed onto the gurney and they whisked me out the door into the ambulance and to the ER at the Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem, UT. During transport they completed another ECG and inserted an IV needle into my right arm. In a moving ambulance - one stick and right into the vein. They also transmitted the information to the ER and called them to let them know they were bringing me to the hospital. They (the ER nurses and docs) were ready when we came through the door and took over once I had been taken into one of the exam rooms. 

By this time the discomfort in my chest started to subside but the sharp pain in both arms continued. 

A technician came and drew some blood for testing. They were looking for evidence of a protein (troponin) in my blood. Troponin in the blood indicates that there has been damage to heart muscle and is only found (if I understand correctly) in the blood when there has been a heart attack. The initial blood draw showed a low number of the protein in the blood so they knew there had been a heart attack but still did not have clarity as to the severity. About an hour later another blood draw was done and that came back with a much higher troponin level than the first. The decision was made to admit me to the hospital and my cardiologist and one of his partners would consult together and get with me and my family sometime later in the day.

We met at about 7:00 p.m. (I think) - time kind of blurred through the afternoon. He/they recommended a catheterization to inspect the arteries feeding the heart muscle. He (Dr. Weaver) was on call that night so he asked if I wanted to do it then or wait until the following afternoon. I opted for that night. 

He called his team in and I was taken to the cath. lab. at about 9:00 p.m..

The result is that they placed 4 stents in one of my natural heart arteries because the graft that had bypassed that artery had become blocked and it made more sense to open the original equipment if he could. It took about 2 hours to accomplish but it worked. The before and after photos are remarkable. There is an area of my heart muscle that has not seen regular and normal blood flow for at least 13 years (that is how long since the bypass). I feel better than I have for quite some time and have returned to normal daily activity.

Modern medicine is amazing. 

There are many changes that will be made in my lifestyle. I have already been losing weight and will work to continue that trend. We will be changing eating habits as we can - per direction from a dietician we met with before leaving the hospital. 

I have written this primarily for my family members but if anyone who reads this and adjusts their own life for the better I will be very pleased.

Thanks for checking in. More to come soon. See you then. 

"I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage." Erma Bombeck

 

     We have a son-in-law who really does consider gravy to be a beverage. All that was left on his plate yesterday after the many helpings of turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing was a big puddle of gravy. He is the one who brought the gravy having cooked a bird earlier in the week just so he could provide that liquid refreshment for the Thanksgiving meal. It was very good. I'm fairly certain that every drop that was not consumed during our feast was taken home for further consumption. It was really very good.

     A friend posted to Facebook yesterday (Thanksgiving Day in the USA) asking his friends to post things they are grateful for. He indicated that he would post what he is grateful for on Friday. I had already planned to make this entry today so didn't change my plan.

     John F. Kennedy is quoted as saying, "We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives."

     That would, of course, include my family, friends, co-workers, and many others with whom I have crossed paths over the years I have been on this earth. The sentence seems trite when I look back and read it, but it is so very true. We spend more time together with family than with almost any others. So many people cross paths with me and each has an influence for good or ill, even if I don't always recognize that impact.

William Shakespeare said, "O Lord that lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfullness." 

I hope to avoid being to mawkish here but the topic lends itself to being so. 

     As this month unfolds and acquaintances post on Facebook or Instagram about all the things they are thankful for I think to myself "I wish I had said that" so, I hope you will accept that I am thankful for all the things you are plus a few more that are unique to my circumstance. I may not write about them here but it doesn't change the reality. 

With apologies to Bill Watterson;

Is there really anything needed more than a good home and a best friend?

We had a brief discussion yesterday about the way so many families are depicted on social media, and even in our current reality, with infighting and usurpations happening among family members. 

     I/we have not experienced anything like this. We seem to like one another and get along even when issues do arise (and they do). Cindy commented that there is a tendency for us to move past the negatives and get along. I agree. I hope that there is less distress among families than is depicted. Perhaps in this season of gratitude we can all learn to be more tolerant and grateful. 

     Robert Louis Stevenson stated, "Keep your eyes open to your mercies. The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life."

     I agree, though it might be that in the hustle and bustle of life we lose track of what is of more importance. I am very thankful for these days (holidays and long weekends) that afford us the opportunity to slow and be grateful. Life is too short to just be busy moving from one project to another without taking the time to see all the other good things and people in life.

     Well I've repeated myself a few times here so maybe I should call it good. Please take time to reflect on the things that matter in your life. 

     Emphasis on family and faith.

Thank for checking in. More to come soon. See you then.

 

Random thoughts from a random guy.

As I look back at this blog I am stunned that I have not posted for well over a year. There have been many days when I have started to write about something going on in the family but I have just not been able to put into words all the thoughts streaming through my little brain. I'm not sure that today will be any different but a serious attempt to organize and write is underway.

The world is dramatically different today that it was the last time I posted. Our family, thus far, has been spared illness related to the COVID 19 causing virus. Although Cindy has an aunt and a cousin who are being carefully monitored. Her aunt has the virus but has not exhibited any serious symptoms and her cousin has some symptoms and has been tested but has not heard if he has the virus (last we heard anyway). 

Cindy and I are fortunate that we are both able to work from home. She meets with students several times a day via Zoom and I do what I do on the phone and via Microsoft Teams meetings and even on occasion via RingCentral Meetings. It helps to maintain a regular schedule and remember which day of the week we are living in. We still have those moments when we are stir-crazy and really need to get out and do something (but we don't). Once in a while one of us will venture out to pickup food from a restaurant or make a run to the grocery store to grab something that was out of stock when we placed a click list order. Mostly we stay in - working, reading, video chatting with family, and staring at each other grateful for the companionship (at least I am).

This past Friday evening we met with 2 of our daughters at a local park to have a socially distant meal - just the 4 of us. It was a beautiful evening and there were others who had the same idea so we had to be selective with where we sat. It was good to sit with them (no grandchildren) eating a meal together and having conversation. We spoke (well the 3 - Cindy, Holly, Lisa did) about books that have been read, that are being read, and those next on the list to be read. We spoke about those just mentioned grandchildren and some of the fun things they are doing now. We also realize just how much we are missing in the development of the 2 youngest since they are at that age when life changes so very quickly. I listened, mostly, and chimed in when I had an inclination to do so. I realized that while we have a lot of technology that allows seeming quality interaction - face to face is still the better way. 

Earlier in the week we celebrated the birthday of a 5 year old grandson via one of the hangout platforms. We sang "Happy Birthday", he shared what a great and fun day he had with family and neighborhood friends. I am glad we could participate in this fashion and since we live in different States (United States) I asked Cindy why we haven't been doing this all the time for these celebrations. I think we will do this for every distant birthday celebration in coming years when we cannot be proximate (it often takes a crisis to identify such simple solutions).

One of the other positives I see in our current circumstance is that we have the opportunity to get to know our neighbors (from a distance, of course) a little better. Time spent speaking with them from the porch or in the hallway is more than a cursory "how are you? or just a nod of the head. No one seems to be in a hurry to go anywhere and it gives us time to greet sincerely and spend time getting to know each other better. We have a neighbor who I have greeted for several years and spoken to his dog (an old and gray Beagle) but for a long time did not even know his (the man) name, though I knew the dog well. He and I have gotten to know each other a bit better since life has slowed and now I consider him to be a good friend.

Life in quarantine (sort of) is actually pretty good. Oh, I miss personal interactions with gatherings of family and friends in person but, overall, it is pretty good.

Thanks for checking in. More to come soon. See you then.