Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Friday, June 21, 2013
Friday, June 21
We have spent a lot of time in the car, driving to and from Temuco. Eight doctor visits in the last three weeks. The days are short, so we often come home in the dark. It is sunset under the clouds not burning fields. Last Thursday we had blood test at 8:00 and an appointment with the neurologist at 4:30, so we took a drive to the coast in between
Elder Babcock took a lot of photos from inside the car that he needs to crop and make decisions about, but I like this one he took at the beach. You can barely tell the difference between the water and the sky. It was a foggy day, but this boat on the grass is a testament to the power of the waves.
The English Class went very
well last night. We had two men, and a mom with her two daughters, plus
two Elders, one Spanish speaking and one English speaking. We did a hotel
lesson with a lot of repetition.
We have spent a lot of time in the car, driving to and from Temuco. Eight doctor visits in the last three weeks. The days are short, so we often come home in the dark. It is sunset under the clouds not burning fields. Last Thursday we had blood test at 8:00 and an appointment with the neurologist at 4:30, so we took a drive to the coast in between
Elder Babcock took a lot of photos from inside the car that he needs to crop and make decisions about, but I like this one he took at the beach. You can barely tell the difference between the water and the sky. It was a foggy day, but this boat on the grass is a testament to the power of the waves.
We are finished with appointments until the end of July when we
see the doctor of infectious diseases again. She wants to make sure he is
ready for the pneumococcal vaccine she wants him to have. Most of the
doctors said we didn't need to come back for three months. I think it may
take me a bit longer than that or maybe not at all. It is time for me to
get together all the receipts to see if we can get reimbursement from our
insurance.
The cold is hard on the sinuses. Since we got a new tank of
gas we haven't had any problem with the shower getting cold. We wear lots
of clothes Ken is going to wear a nose mask when he is in the cold rooms
and we are going to leave a heater on in the bedroom all night near his side of
the bed. Today is rain all day and tomorrow or Sunday it will be below
freezing for the first time this year.
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Friday, June 17, 2016
Monday, June 17, 2013
Competition for computer time is a good sign. I keep writing
blogs and emails in my mind and forget I haven't sent them. I am getting
reminders from all corners that I have not been updating. For a while I
was waiting for one more doctor appointment and one more bit of information to
include. I am not sure now where to begin.
Ken had his hearing test and Dr. Suazo was pleasantly surprised, much better results than he anticipated. The surprise is that is left ear, where the infection started, is better than the right one. He suggests that there may still be some improvement over time and that there is no hurry to get a hearing aid. He can manage normal conversation, but prefers me to speak into his left ear. We did ask the Dr. about a red spot on Ken's cheek, definite inflammation, and he prescribed a skin antibiotic and antibiotic cream so we wouldn't have to go see a dermatologist.
We have decided not to go back to the urologist, because all his tests look good.
We don't need to go back to the diabetes doctor, because glucose levels got better as the cortisone levels decreased and as of yesterday, he is off cortisone.
The hematologist and the infectiologist are competing with each other and I hope we can drop at least one of them. They are looking at the same information and we see them both this week, one today and one on Thursday. They were concerned about high white blood cell counts before.
We figured out Ken's regular asthma medication this morning, now that he is off prednisone, it looks like he needs to get back on it, especially with the cold weather.
Dr. Rivas says that as far as he is concerned, the brain is in good shape. We have his email address and we don't really need to see him again. The only concern he has is that he thinks Ken needs to stay on the blood thinner Pradaxa, and it would be very dangerous for him to have a serious bleeding incident. He teased us that he would see us in ER. This is Doctor Rivas and the cranial doppler scanner. He rarely looks as dressed up as in the third picture, but he is becoming increasingly friendly and lovable.
Ken had his hearing test and Dr. Suazo was pleasantly surprised, much better results than he anticipated. The surprise is that is left ear, where the infection started, is better than the right one. He suggests that there may still be some improvement over time and that there is no hurry to get a hearing aid. He can manage normal conversation, but prefers me to speak into his left ear. We did ask the Dr. about a red spot on Ken's cheek, definite inflammation, and he prescribed a skin antibiotic and antibiotic cream so we wouldn't have to go see a dermatologist.
We have decided not to go back to the urologist, because all his tests look good.
We don't need to go back to the diabetes doctor, because glucose levels got better as the cortisone levels decreased and as of yesterday, he is off cortisone.
The hematologist and the infectiologist are competing with each other and I hope we can drop at least one of them. They are looking at the same information and we see them both this week, one today and one on Thursday. They were concerned about high white blood cell counts before.
We figured out Ken's regular asthma medication this morning, now that he is off prednisone, it looks like he needs to get back on it, especially with the cold weather.
Dr. Rivas says that as far as he is concerned, the brain is in good shape. We have his email address and we don't really need to see him again. The only concern he has is that he thinks Ken needs to stay on the blood thinner Pradaxa, and it would be very dangerous for him to have a serious bleeding incident. He teased us that he would see us in ER. This is Doctor Rivas and the cranial doppler scanner. He rarely looks as dressed up as in the third picture, but he is becoming increasingly friendly and lovable.
Ken wanted to see him again to ask about his reading of the Book
of Mormon he gave him. But he decided to ask before we left the appointment.
Dr. Rivas admitted he hadn't read any of it. No surprise. But we
know he has it. And he knows he has it.
We still haven't got a picture of Doctora Carla Andrea Concha
Fuentes. I have been trying to find one on the internet. We have
just about finished the history of those six weeks. I say we, because Ken
has been very involved in editing. It is in Spanish and I will put it on
Google Drive for anyone who is interested. Let me know if you want me to
share it with you.
We are still working on recuperation. Ken goes to all three
meetings on Sunday and this week we stayed an extra hour and a half for a
baptism. Meetings are stressful for him though. He doesn't want to go to
the district missionary meeting during the week. We turned down a Family
Home Evening invite. By 8:00 or 9:00 he is sometimes pretty tired. Ken
will be giving a talk in Sacrament meeting next week and I think he will be able
to do a good job. Sometimes his Spanish hits a stumble.
We are still talking in English at home, and will continue to do
so. Communication is enough of a challenge even in English. We pray
in Spanish, but get frustrated with each other in English.
I will continue having the English class here and on Wednesdays I
will be teaching keyboard lessons to two girls in an investigator family.
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Saturday, June 8 –
Summary report to Mission President
We have had many trips
to Temuco for follow up appointments with doctors. The diabetic doctor said
Elder Babcock didn't need to worry about insulin. His glucose counts were
going down with the decrease in Prednisone. The urologist wants a blood test to
do the prostate cancer check. The neurologist, Dr. Rivas, recommended more
blood work and a hematologist. The infectious disease doctor said its tests
from the new blood work are good and didn't see why she wanted more tests.
But they want to monitor the effects of the drug withdrawal. In the coming
week Elder Babcock has a hearing test and an appointment with the ear doctor.
In addition to the new blood tests there will be an
electroencephalography test an another appointment with the neurologist.
The week after the Elder Babcock sees the hematologist and infectious
disease doctor again. We may skip the urologist if we can tell the test results
are good. You pick up the test results and hand carry them to the
doctors. I have to carry around all the tests that were done while Elder
Babcock was in the clinic, so the doctors can compare them with what is going
on now. Every appointment costs between 60 and 70 dollars.
We think that generally everything is improving. Elder Babcock has difficulty focusing after a while if meetings go too long. He attended all three meetings on Sunday and branch council afterwards and ended up tired but animated. He decided not to attend the zone meeting on Tuesday, but wanted me to attend.
Hearing continues as a problem, and he doesn't like to answer the phone. But he has tried been willing to make a couple of phone calls. The biggest problem is that he can not remember almost nothing about the first months of our mission. He had no memory of the District of Victoria and the presidency meetings he had. He can remember faces, but without information and experiences. He can use the computer and is gradually figuring out how to do things in the process of reorganizing everything. He is having to relearn how to use excel and google drive. He doesn't remember why things are organized they way they were and it has sometimes been a challenge for me to find where he has put things.
He is quite concerned that he has no memory of the church computer systems or how to the training of branch clerks. Pieces of memory often come back, but he doesn't always understand how new information fits with old information. It is a slow process. He doesn't know what he doesn't know. There is a great potential for confusion and misunderstanding. Confident communication with church leaders seems almost impossible.
Communication between us has been a challenge. Some decisions that were made in the past are not remembered as decided. Sometimes we find we have moved in different directions. I often think he understands things when he doesn't have enough context to really know what I am saying or the ramifications.
He has no confidence in driving the car. Too much confusion and more than one thing at a time is difficult. He needs many reminders about appointments and medication. It is a test of humility for him and difficult to explain to others. He feels like I am always looking over his shoulder and second guessing his decisions. And I am.
He remembers his decision to do the dishes for me and I try to be patient enough to let him do them, but they still aren't a high priority for him. When dirty dishes don't fit neatly in the sink and when I can't find what I need to cook, I end up doing them myself.
I have decided that my housekeeping priorities are:
1. Get rid of the garbage, empty bags and boxes, and junk papers. out of the house.
2. Collect all the dirty dishes into the sink the food scraped out and disposed of)
3. Get the dishes washed and put away.
4. Have clothes hung up or put away as wearable or put in dirty clothes hamper.
5. Deal with piles. - have as few as possible.
a. Have like things together
b. Eliminate garbage from piles
c. Put things on shelves or in drawers or as a last resort in organized boxes.
d. Whenever possible have things near where they will be used.
6. Sweep when the floors get embarrassing.
7. Clean counters and surfaces before they are embarrassing or unsanitary.
8. Wash and dry clothes and put away clean clothes before I have to wash and dry more clothes.
9. Make my bed every day.
Married life is complicated, but I am grateful to have someone who needs me. I am grateful to have someone I can ask for help. I am grateful I don't have to do everything alone. My sweet husband does many things that make me happy. He helps me feel loved and appreciated. I love him and need him. I am glad he is alive and that we are together on a mission.
I know this is a hard time for him. The doctors talk about recovery being a matter of months. It would be nice if we were able to do more missionary things. We are working on daily exercise and scripture and communicating with missionaries. I have a list of things that are waiting for windows of energy and desire. I try to be patient and helpful.
I need to focus my prayers and efforts on how to
hear and be heard when hearing is a challenge.
determine what has and hasn't been communicated.
remember medications and appointments.
know when reminders are needed.
give reminders in a helpful way.
understand who is responsible for what.
know how best to help each other with responsibilities.
understand when and how to transfer responsibility or quit helping.
reestablish good patterns that have been disrupted.
adjust to new patterns and work together on building better ones
We think that generally everything is improving. Elder Babcock has difficulty focusing after a while if meetings go too long. He attended all three meetings on Sunday and branch council afterwards and ended up tired but animated. He decided not to attend the zone meeting on Tuesday, but wanted me to attend.
Hearing continues as a problem, and he doesn't like to answer the phone. But he has tried been willing to make a couple of phone calls. The biggest problem is that he can not remember almost nothing about the first months of our mission. He had no memory of the District of Victoria and the presidency meetings he had. He can remember faces, but without information and experiences. He can use the computer and is gradually figuring out how to do things in the process of reorganizing everything. He is having to relearn how to use excel and google drive. He doesn't remember why things are organized they way they were and it has sometimes been a challenge for me to find where he has put things.
He is quite concerned that he has no memory of the church computer systems or how to the training of branch clerks. Pieces of memory often come back, but he doesn't always understand how new information fits with old information. It is a slow process. He doesn't know what he doesn't know. There is a great potential for confusion and misunderstanding. Confident communication with church leaders seems almost impossible.
Communication between us has been a challenge. Some decisions that were made in the past are not remembered as decided. Sometimes we find we have moved in different directions. I often think he understands things when he doesn't have enough context to really know what I am saying or the ramifications.
He has no confidence in driving the car. Too much confusion and more than one thing at a time is difficult. He needs many reminders about appointments and medication. It is a test of humility for him and difficult to explain to others. He feels like I am always looking over his shoulder and second guessing his decisions. And I am.
He remembers his decision to do the dishes for me and I try to be patient enough to let him do them, but they still aren't a high priority for him. When dirty dishes don't fit neatly in the sink and when I can't find what I need to cook, I end up doing them myself.
I have decided that my housekeeping priorities are:
1. Get rid of the garbage, empty bags and boxes, and junk papers. out of the house.
2. Collect all the dirty dishes into the sink the food scraped out and disposed of)
3. Get the dishes washed and put away.
4. Have clothes hung up or put away as wearable or put in dirty clothes hamper.
5. Deal with piles. - have as few as possible.
a. Have like things together
b. Eliminate garbage from piles
c. Put things on shelves or in drawers or as a last resort in organized boxes.
d. Whenever possible have things near where they will be used.
6. Sweep when the floors get embarrassing.
7. Clean counters and surfaces before they are embarrassing or unsanitary.
8. Wash and dry clothes and put away clean clothes before I have to wash and dry more clothes.
9. Make my bed every day.
Married life is complicated, but I am grateful to have someone who needs me. I am grateful to have someone I can ask for help. I am grateful I don't have to do everything alone. My sweet husband does many things that make me happy. He helps me feel loved and appreciated. I love him and need him. I am glad he is alive and that we are together on a mission.
I know this is a hard time for him. The doctors talk about recovery being a matter of months. It would be nice if we were able to do more missionary things. We are working on daily exercise and scripture and communicating with missionaries. I have a list of things that are waiting for windows of energy and desire. I try to be patient and helpful.
I need to focus my prayers and efforts on how to
hear and be heard when hearing is a challenge.
determine what has and hasn't been communicated.
remember medications and appointments.
know when reminders are needed.
give reminders in a helpful way.
understand who is responsible for what.
know how best to help each other with responsibilities.
understand when and how to transfer responsibility or quit helping.
reestablish good patterns that have been disrupted.
adjust to new patterns and work together on building better ones
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Tuesday, June 4
I made peanut
butter brownies with chocolate frosting for Zone Meeting. They were
a hit. It was a about a two and a half hour meeting with a short break.
It was good that Ken decided to stay home. It was cold in the church and
I felt I was able to represent us both. And he isn't supposed to eat
brownies.
We walked this afternoon for about 45 minutes in the country out toward the airport, where it was less smokey and in the afternoon it was less cold. Ken had blood tests in the morning yesterday at 8:00 and an appointment in the afternoon at 3:00 and a visit to the municipal market and lunch and watching the young missionaries bowl in between. We have another doctor appointment tomorrow and one on Thursday. So some between days need to be rest days.
Sunday was long, and not a rest day. We stayed to all three meetings and Ken got pulled into a branch council afterwards. The building was very cold because they were doing construction outside and couldn't turn on the gas. Everybody wore their coats.
Last night we enjoyed reading together a BYU Hawaii devotional talk "Bread or Stones: Understanding the God We Pray to" by S. Michael Wilcox given March 31, 2009. Click here. It deals with questions we have about God not answering prayers. It was a good family home evening activity. It was a strange evening. Ken went to bed at 5:00 when we got home from Temuco. I went to bed at 7:00. We both woke up at 9:00 and had dinner and then an after dinner, after 10:00 family home evening.
We walked this afternoon for about 45 minutes in the country out toward the airport, where it was less smokey and in the afternoon it was less cold. Ken had blood tests in the morning yesterday at 8:00 and an appointment in the afternoon at 3:00 and a visit to the municipal market and lunch and watching the young missionaries bowl in between. We have another doctor appointment tomorrow and one on Thursday. So some between days need to be rest days.
Sunday was long, and not a rest day. We stayed to all three meetings and Ken got pulled into a branch council afterwards. The building was very cold because they were doing construction outside and couldn't turn on the gas. Everybody wore their coats.
Last night we enjoyed reading together a BYU Hawaii devotional talk "Bread or Stones: Understanding the God We Pray to" by S. Michael Wilcox given March 31, 2009. Click here. It deals with questions we have about God not answering prayers. It was a good family home evening activity. It was a strange evening. Ken went to bed at 5:00 when we got home from Temuco. I went to bed at 7:00. We both woke up at 9:00 and had dinner and then an after dinner, after 10:00 family home evening.
Friday, June 3, 2016
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Saturday, June 1
Today we went to Entre
Amigos for lunch after a walk to the vegetable market and through the country
market. We walked a few streets that we had not walked since Temuco.
We met people Elder Babcock has not seen since Temuco. He
recognized faces, but not much more than that.
I have been impressed tonight that I need to relax, to be more loving and more patient. It is not something I need to do, but something I need to be and feel. The peace I felt in Temuco was a great blessing. I need to feel that here now. It is not something I can do.
Reading the Ensign has helped me today and Book of Mormon and exercise and practicing piano and making new English class posters and taking a nap and fasting and thinking about prayer. But peace is not something you do.
I have been impressed tonight that I need to relax, to be more loving and more patient. It is not something I need to do, but something I need to be and feel. The peace I felt in Temuco was a great blessing. I need to feel that here now. It is not something I can do.
Reading the Ensign has helped me today and Book of Mormon and exercise and practicing piano and making new English class posters and taking a nap and fasting and thinking about prayer. But peace is not something you do.
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