Metro Update, 3 months and 1 day

On February 23, we didn't know if Metro would survive the ride to Vidalia.

Without him, our life would never be the same. I think he knows that... Even now he is caring for Sarah. Caring for her the only way he know how. By being close and being just the best little Yorkie in the world. More on Sarah's surgery as I get more up to date on my Blog.

Metro is fully healed. No problems with his jumping like he did early in April. He is able to run at his full speed.

We are so thankful that he is fully recovered. For him to be loved and for him to love us!

Day Four of Week One

More airports....ARGGGGGHHHHH!!!

Home to Atlanta... late arrival. Long drive home...

Metro comes to the door, all barking and frightened at the same time. 5 pounds of tenacity. "Waitaminnit, I know you. *sniff, sniff* Daddy!!! Mommie, Daddy is home!" He runs back to the bedroom and doesn't leave my side the rest of night. I think he missed me!

Day Three of Week One

More airports... Oh, I loss 3 buck in the slot machine in Las Vegas!

But the highlight of the whole week came on Wednesday night! Cheerios Meet in Seattle! YAY!!!

Several of the PNW locals and I had dinner at Sharp's Roaster & Ale House. The food was good, but not as good as the company! :big grin:

We then drove over to The Jester Doesn't Play With A Full Deck cache. I did three caches in the dark this week. Two in Tennessee and one in Washington!

Day Two of Week One

Nothing but airports and hotels. The one highlight of the evening was listening to the Jazz Trio in the hotel lounge. Webfooting Cheers, Diet Coke with Lemon and Jazz. Ahhhhh, and a little sleep!

Day One of Week One

I got to visit with my sister (PandaSRO). While it was much to short, we were able to do a couple of caches in Smyrna. We visited with Rick and Debbie and I am so glad we did. Debbie's time on this earth is very short. Hospice has taken over her care and she has grown weaker and weaker. That ugly, ugly word: Cancer!

The month of May - Week one

World Luggage Tour 2006!

The Stever Miller Band said it best:

I went from Phoenix, Arizona
All the way to Tacoma
Philadelphia, Atlanta, L.A.
Northern California where the girls are warm...

Day one:

Atlanta to Miami
Miami to Orlando
Orlando to Nashville

Day two:

Nashville to Chicago
Chicago to San Francisco
San Francisco to Los Angeles

Day three:

Los Angeles to Las Vegas
Las Vegas to Phoenix
Phoenix to Seattle

Day four

Seattle to San Francisco
San Francisco to Atlanta

and to quote them again:

Oh, Oh big ol' jet airliner
Carry me to my home
Oh, Oh big ol' jet airliner
Cause it's there that I belong...

So what happened to April???

Well, frankly I'm not sure!?!? Maybe I can hit the high points.

Of course Easter was in April this year. The Sunrise service was beautiful. The Easter breakfast was delicious and the time of Worship was wonderful. Our Easter cantata was nearly perfect. I believe that everyone was in prefect pitch and we blended together to "make a joyful noise".
I finally got the Royal Ambassador class started on Wednesday nights. Tommy is my Adult helper and we have 9 young men that are so willing to learn. I am looking forward to helping these boys in understanding more about the Father and about nature. We will be camping, fishing and exploring the wonders our world have to teach us. And I say us, because it will be a learning experience for me also.

Sarah and I faced some difficult decisions regarding her back. The decision whether to actually to have the surgery itself was actual very easy. The tough part was the impact the recover time would have on Mama. We will have less time to do for her and be with her. But there are others (folks from church) ready to step in and help.

Spring has brought a time of renewal to the brown of winter. Possible one of the prettiest, blooming springs I can remember. Dogwood, wisteria, iris, daisy, oxalis, azalea, even the china berry trees were the most beautiful of my lifetime. Or did I just take the time to notice??

I have been super busy at jbex, several projects were started and finished. The one not started, that I must work on very soon, is the Repair Video Project. The thing that is causing delays in getting started is I must depend on others to assist me with the project. And our schedules have conflicted many times. Now we gotta just make time to work on it. But, I must be doing something right, I recieved the best raise (percentage) since I have been jbex-ing at Tumi. And my bonus this year was equal to two months salary. What a blessing!!!

We have new fowl family members: Marty, Mark, Maggie, Martha, Melissa and Melinda have joined us on the farm. Molly the Goat has been a bit jealous, but now I think she enjoys sharing her pen with the chickens.

Oh!!! and then there's geocaching - I was able to get a FTF!!! And that's a rare treat around here! Off You Rocker -- Dublin hidden by ParentsofSAM (a freshman Cherrios). So that made it a double WooHoo moment!

Someday

Metro is getting stronger

Metro is getting much better! It has now been 5 weeks since he was attacked in our yard. He was able to jump onto the golf car yesterday by himself. He is playing more and sleeping less. More and more he is getting his normal personality back!!!

Mom and Dad

Wow, has it really been 5 months since Mom passed away and 2 months for Dad?

I still find myself wanting to pick up the cell phone while driving home in the afternoon to call them. The other time that is tough is after finishing lunch at my desk. I want to reach over and start dialing their number. :(

Healing is slow but sure. Sarah has been so supportive, she has allowed me to pour my heart out to her in words and tears. Thank you, Sarah...

Sarah goes to the doctor next week to see if the fusing of the L4 and L5 vertebral have advance on their own. If so, an additional surgery may not be needed.

Sherry is the best sister in the world!!! We talk to each other nearly every day. And if we don't get to communicate via the phone - we will instant message or email each other. We are talking about me going to visit her in Symrna soon... Of course, caching will be included!

GGA March 2006 Event Cache

What a great Day... Dustin and I found 7 caches plus the Event Cache...

I got a Mtn-Man and Monster Puppy GeoCoin and a Puzzle Cache Geo-Coin also!

Woo Hoo... Going Caching Tomorrow!!!

7 Caches planned for tomorrow... along with the March GGA Event Cache!!

Tubes Out

Yesterday, Metro had the eight tubes removed!!! Yay!!!
He looks so much better! Dr. McArthur says the open areas will drain for another few days and then dry up. He has a lot of muscle tissue damage that continue to heals. The biggest problem that he shows is the inability to make it up the steps of the deck.

We weighted him last night... 5 pounds and 4 oucnes of tenacity!

On the Road to Improvement

We are so amazed at the tenacity of Metro...

He is wagged his tail for the first time on Friday!!! And again when he saw Geli yesterday. He is able to walk all the way to the end of the driveway (about 250 feet) - but he shakes and trembles when he gets back to the house. The vet says this is most likely from pain and exhaustion.

The tubes are scheduled to come out tomorrow! YAY!!!

Is there no dignity?

Sarah came up with a diaper type garment to give Metro some mobility today...

Baby Steps

I am back at jbex today... Sarah wanted to see how Metro navigated the steps of the deck without assistence. He was able to walk down the steps - the length of the house - to the back of the carport - back to the deck - up the steps without any help...


YAY!!!

Vent for a Pressure Cooker

Per the "gentlemen's agreement" with my boss...

Today is Sunday, December 11, 2005... One of the Sundays that I jbex-ed/traveled while I was in Asia...

I have been a blubbering mess and was not ready to face people... With all that I have gone through with the passing of both my parents - Metro's injuries has made me stop and realize that my over-boiling point was reached a long time ago. The pressure has built to a point that a release had to come.

I took day to reflect. Walking in the woods back towards Big Branch, it was a beautiful day...and I had time to unwind, recoup and refresh. I left some sadness in those woods. And I took some great photos!!!

"Look at me I'm Walking"

If you are a child of the sixties, and watch the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon from Nashville - you are welcome to sing along. Wow, that was a long time ago...

Metro is taking longer walks outside. He tried to raise his leg a couple of times, but settled for a half squat.

If it wasn't so sad, it would be funny! :(

"Yummmmmm.... Chicken and Rice!"

Rainbow Bassinet

We remembered the bassinet that we bought for the dolls years ago... Perfect for Metro to rest in while he recuperates!

Welcome Home, Metro!

Yay!!!

Metro is home now!!! 8 drainage tubes were placed in the most damaged areas. Stitches and staples are holding other things together...

Two antibiotics, Pain drops and Betadine & Neosporin to apply topically.

He is scheduled to return to the doctor on Monday, March 6th. Thankfully, he is resting comfortably with the pain medicine.

Oh, and the neighbors are conveniently absent this weekend. :smirk face:

WARNING LINKS CONTAIN GRAPHIC IMAGES:

OUCH!!

Metro in my lap

Stitches!

Stitches up close!