Ben going home

Well, Ben is definitely going home on Tuesday come Hell or High Water. The Case Manager is ordering us the stuff to take with us. Hospice is going to set us up with what ever else we need. He still isn't eating much but he wants to go home. So we will go. Plan is still to make it to the coast but have to set things up for that. So will let you all know when we get it figured out.

He did eat a little better today when I told him we were going to go home. He also walked out to the trailer 3 times today to watch the rain. He still has his back pain and the migraines but just the thought of going home is cheering him up. So we are off like a herd of turtles. Slow going but we will get there eventually.

Will talk to you all tomorrow. Love Ben and Illa

It's my fault...I forgot

Click on the title.
Sorry,
Jim

Update on Ben 10-29

Well, I got Ben to eat more today. Four spoons this morning plus half his milk. lunch kind of got screwed up with the bags changing. Finally got them to stop leaking today. It took me two trys but got it so far. I took over changing the bags and dressing changes today. I didn't ask them, I just did it and they didn't say a word about me not doing it. Now the only things the nurses are doing is the medication. I was watched by the nurses and Ben still had to have the dilaudid push IV both times. He is really a mess around one of the bags. I hate to put the glue back on there but it has to so the stuff won't make it worse. The incision is healing really well. No fistulas there. Only one spot that has new tissue that is really sensitive and that is where the bags leak on too.

He ate 3 spoons at dinner plus some peach juice. So all in all it was better than yesterday. He is really weak now tho. Only got up once today and went down to the trailer area. I washed and braided his hair. The air mattress is helping his back a little but not his migraine. He did not have the strength to walk this evening. He kept trying but couldn't get out of bed so I told him to rest and we would try it again tomorrow. He is also running 99.9 tonight which is up from this morning. I keep thinking of the saying "feed a cold, starve a fever" but I was just getting him to eat. What a quandry. He is also having nose bleeds now. One good thing tho is the bags are working good and his intestines are starting to work right. the stuff coming out looks like baby $%&* yellow and the same consistancy.

The Case worker is still trying to get him home. She has come up with another idea that she is working on. I really hope it works. If it does, sounds like the first few days are going to have to be at home to get things all set up. then we can see what happens.

Well not much more to report. He was sleeping when I left so I am going to get some also. You all have a good night. We Love You All. Love Ben and Illa

DICK, SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Even though I am not a good communicator, I hope you know we all give a crap, a lot of crap. Every time I think of our growing up years, I think of you, we had awesome times. I just wish I could go back and take away all the crap I gave you. I didn't appreciate what I had and what we could have had together as a brother and sister sharing the hurts and pains of being torn away from our other siblings. No we are older and I want to be closer to all of you but distance makes it so hard to feel that closeness I need so much. One reason why Rick and I are still trying to figure out how and if we should make a move back West. whether it be Oregon, Washington or Calif. I told him we could get jobs driving school bus anywhere, and I know they pay alot better out there than here. I told Rick a long time ago that if anything ever happened to him, although it better not, I don't know what I would do without him. He is my soul mate. Anyway if it did, I would be going back to be near my family. You all mean that much to me. Now that we finally have a relationship, I HATE THIS DISTANCE!!!!!!!!!!
Not to go and see Ben and Illa is driving me nuts.
That reminds me, since I am home now, you can reach of me on my home phone better than the cell because of the bad signal here. If you need the # I'll send it to you by email.

Ben still here

Well, they have taken Ben off the discharge list for today. Going to take it one day at a time. He is still not tolerating food. Going to try to start him out on baby food. He is running a low grade temp when I got here last night.

Sometime over the weekend, when changing the bags, one of the nurses managed to glue the two drain holes shut, building stuff up and pushing it out the incision again. They had to be changed again last night and at least I was there to tell them how to do it right. I just hope they were able to get the glue out of the holes.

He is really getting weak and his back hurts him alot. He is now starting to get migraine headaches. Now he says he understands how I feel when I get one. I don't know if they are starting to treat the temperature thing or not. I have a lot of digging to do today and some @$$ kicking to do. I can't believe the incompetence of some of these nurses. I believe that all of them should be trained in the care of colostomies, not just certain ones and I am making sure the Administration gets told that today when I talk to Ben's Case Manager. I like to think I am pretty easy going about things but I really need to speak up about this and tackle it head on. You have to pick your fights in life and I guess this is going to be one of them.

So our travel plans are put on hold for the time being. It will depend on how he is doing how soon we will go. I may just head him over there as soon as he is released instead of taking him home for a few days first. He wants to go to the beach so bad. I have let my Boss know that I may go there first instead of coming to work. She says that is fine. I just have to call her to let her know so she can cover my shift. I told her I may only have 24 or less hours notice and she said that was ok. They have been expecting that I would want some time off when he is released so they are prepared. Which I think is really cool. Cindy lost her mom this summer and even tho they had been expecting it for the last couple of years, she said it was still a shock so she knows how I feel and how things can turn quickly.

So will give more info when I know it. Just know that we love you all and thank you all for your prayers and thoughts and for the help you all have given. I know I don't say it enough but Thank You!!!!!!

Love Ben and Illa

Pumpkin carving time

Does anyone else in the family carve pumpkins? The kids came over and, well, were kids carving pumpkins. I didn't carve a pumpkin. I just enjoyed the moments and pressed some apples into juice.
Click on the title for more pics.

Lili in St. Helens

Just wanted to let family know I miss them and kinda lonely here, been busy. But no where to go and see, alone out here, as Jess is not one for people.

He's doing great, and have the back done but for the storage unit in the back. Will work on that, Monday and start clearing out the garage. Once that is done, then we bring in the unit to trash it all,..... clear out the cars at the same time. Back hoe time, then storage until brought in for the house so that we can clear the house out. It's going good......

I will stay here until this is finished then up the Tacoma where there are people, and I can get out and maybe make some friends. Over to see Bonnie, if they will have me,.... come back for the family reunion, go back with them, and see the area. Jess will be staying at the house in St.Helens. If he wants to he can go back with us, to Ricks and Bonnie, it's up to him.

All I do is work, and see others when we go out for our coffee, otherwise no human contact. Don't have a sole to have fun with here or talk to,...... sorry about this, just truthful. I look forwards to going back to Hawaii, down the road as I do have friends there and they love to have fun with me.

Just havin' fun.

Click on the title. Nope, no more swimming pictures.
Jim

A Dip taking a dip

After getting wood last week Ohmah 'convinced' me that I needed to cleanse myself, so we decided to take a swim. Yes, it was cold...but cleansing. See, there is a fool born every minute. In my case, I'm in the company of 76,320 other fools. At least that's the number of people born after me if it's really true, "There's a fool born every minute."
I love the fall too!
Jim

10-22-08 Additional news

Additional news. Today the Dr. said he is going to put Ben on fluids and soft foods by Friday. Then the plan is to send him home Tuesday. So will see how things go. Then the plan is about a week after he gets home to go to the coast for awhile. So Jim, hope you have room in the driveway for a small trailer. That is the plan anyway.

Love Ben and Illa

Ben 10-21-08

Well, the surgeon came and removed the retention sutures and the penn rose drains. He is going to watch the incision to make sure it is doing ok then in about 2 days start to give Ben something more than ice chips. He says that he thinks his body made his own illiostomy. Says that he will have three bags instead of one. Doesn't sound like he plans to do a reconnection or even try for one anytime in the near future. So will have to wait and see how things go. At least if he had eat something then he will be sending Ben home. He will come home then with Hospice care. So,I don't figure that he will be out for about 2 weeks as he will have to do the food thing slowly and see how things progress.

He was moved to a private room tonight. It is 231. At least it has it's own bathroom which is good for me. He really doesn't have much of a view but at least he can have the room the temp. that he needs. Not sure of his room phone number but If you call the front desk then can tell you the number or Jim can post it as he called just as we were getting moved into the room.

Well that is it for tonight. Talk to you all later. We love you. Ben and Illa

The latest on Chuck

I called Chuck this evening. He said that he had just signed up for medical benefits through the Veterans Administration. I'm not sure how it all came about, but they gave him a card that gives him the ability to get his prescriptions paid for by the VA. He sounded pretty good and upbeat.

I gave him something to do to fill up some of his free time. I asked him to see what he could find about infrared heaters and how feasible they are. Since he lives in Sacramento I thought that there may be a store that sells them around him.
Jim

up date in the-

There was a mis-understanding, so I do wish the family to understand, with Ben and Lisi, they have no legal connection, only that I wish that if they are into something, in their own outreach, if they wish to connect with my outreach to meet this need, they are welcome to ask, and if it can be done, it will be addressed, as I support those in Law inforcment in their own outreaches. It is because I know the hare work they serve also those that look down on them in their field.

So, family there is no legal connection, just an open heart. Also with the house that I am taking, in Longview, the person studied to be a Priest, and became the Faith the Bonnie and Wess, were for years, and so I hope Bonnie, I wished to have this issue addressed as it's not the teaching of that Faith. I plan to plant biblical flowers and such on the place, also the Indian Way, of correction.....it has it's history, and haunted and such, as the place Lisi was was the same way, also the house I rented in the back for a few days, they practiced Black magic, while I was there in the place, even though I did not sleep there, I played christion music in the place, also the Indian way's of Christian Faith. We had both places, Blessed with Christian Minister's, and all.

So, know that if any of Ben's Family or Bonnie's, with what I am dealing with, I make sure it's corrected, and Ben is not connected in any way in my own Field and practice, it's just if he needs help in his own area, and as family, you understand, it's open to help if I can, also with Lisi, they are not partners in the legal issue, but my brother and sister, and if I am working else where, it's first to meet their request, with there family, any of them.

Ben and Lisi, I would not do anything without them in person.

Love sister Lili

Did You Know -

Every time a person says, "That's not fair", or a person complains about another persons behavior towards them, they are promoting and appealing to some universally accepted standard of behavior.

Try this, next time you see an atheist, punch him in the nose. If he simply punches you without comment, he is a true animal; if he complains- raising the issue of "why", he is a fake. Peter

PS Make sure the atheist is smaller than you.

God is wonderful From Longview

Just wanted you to know all is great and moving forward,..... I see it, so much is happening it's hard to believe. I have started the non profit, in Longview, as things are moving forward. My work is starting, the next move will be towards Tacoma for me, though if Ben needs me when he gets home, there I will be.

Chapel of Enlightenment
"Highway to Heaven"

national and international outreach
Minister Alilia J. Nelson-Lange

I am in the works of getting the paper work done. Also am looking for the day when Rick ahd Bonnie can help in their own Faith and work, as it's their work, and I will
use what he can create in my work also. It's in the planning stage and so many wish to connect and work with me, God is opening the way, and I see it.... What was on the news last week in Portland, were friends of mine, in Longview, also Lisi's. She wished to have it start here, as we've worked so hard in what we had here, though she can't come back at this time, her heart is still here, and this way they know that I'm working for the needs here. It's going to be wonderful to have this take place.

Jess is busy with the house and so am I, we are getting things moving forward faster then Jess even thought, also with what is going on, we will know in March, Also the house is going to be called, God's Tithe House here in Longview, as it will be used for the outreach with the police and other's. Please keep your prayers in this for this outreach, as I told this, this is her tithe that she's never payed, out as she has wanted, so know, her tithe is payed!!!!!

This Chapel in Longview, is her choice of location, though she does not have her name on it, she is the silent partner, family, and also as the police here in Longview WERE so wonderful, Ben is a silent partner, so this location, is for the outreach and work of both, Lisi and Ben, ok Family..... When we do get the location, the pastors, police and so others plan on coming to the dedication of the location, and they are dedications sending their prayers is the setup of what I am doing here, family add your prayers to go in this. Love Lili

A fall picture for Suzie

Update on Ben 10-19

Well, not much new is happening. Stilll unable to get Ben home. Was going the Hospice route but they are End of Life Comfort only. So still waiting to get a nurse to stop by. Ben was a little weaker this week and still loosing weight. He had been up to 144 but is down to 135 yesterday. Have been trying to get the dietian to up his protein intake to raise it again. He accidently pulled out a drain after it had finally started to do it's job again. Some things are starting to look better. So until we can get a nurse or find out what the Dr.'s game plan is, he has to stay there. It is a cluster there. Hope we can get out of there soon.

He is holding up mentally. Still getting outside but not as long ans the last couple of weeks. Yesterday someone tried to stop him from going out to his usual place. I guess Ben won. Will be back down there on Monday evening hope to see the surgeon or learn that he stopped by. Almost a month there and he hasn't stopped by yet.

Teresa came to the house last night. She is here for a few weeks. It is good that she is taking a break. She needs a rest.

So until I know more this is it. Have to leave for work, so you all have a good weekend. Love to all from us, Ben, Illa, Teresa and BJ and the Kids.

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeshhhhhhhhhh........

........these five day weeks are long. I was expecting to be gone today to go to Medford to get an 'enhancement' on my LASIK surgery, but it was moved to Nov. 15, so I was at school today. It was conference week, and now it's over.
So, as you can see, not a whole lot new here. What's new everywhere else?

It's Saturday morning now and it just started raining. Winter has begun?

Randy and Claudia came over, so I guess I know what I'm doing the rest of today. Randy wants some help building a dog house. No, he's not moving into it, they have a new dog.

OK, we're back, and we're done. We already have a name for. We're calling it the Taj MaDog. It's not really that fancy we just thought that was a good name.

Does anyone else have the ice cream gene? I have to confess, I’ve never met an ice cream I didn’t like. Of course, Turdbuckle is my all time favorite. Hard it come by, but worth the wait. I’m not racist at all. I like ice creams of all flavors, colors, and persuasions. Anytime there’s ice cream in the house, there I am, it generally doesn’t last very long. I know that a few of us share the donut gene, but what about the ice cream gene?



Jim

From the world of St. Helens OR

Jess and I have been working in the yard, doing to burning, and clearing the back, also getting ready to rent a back hoe, and work on the yard. Moving everything out the front to remove, also some car's, looking at the mission outreach where they can work and learn on the car's..... Take the dirt down around the house and dig the area out where we will put in a fish pond, and such also a trench going to the front for the water that comes though our area..... Getting ready to till the back next year and plant what we wish and get it ready to do, coming Spring. During the winter, look at working on the house, inside, dealing with what we wish to keep, and letting the rest go. Moving in a storage unit, putting everything in the house in it, and going to town on the place. Jim you know what I mean, we are the old geezers, but it's just the two of us, so teach Jess what I used to do as a child with my father inside the house..... It will be a interesting time teaching Jess, these area's, as it's not what he's done. I have the book's he can follow, and it will be good for him, he can go slow and easy. Something new for the brain!!!!!!

Lisi is so happy with her place, and we took her a kitten, we are going to give her another one, once it's eye is healed, as we had to have an eye removed. We took the one over, this last week-end, with the kitten, that just got out of the hospital, but have two weeks, before it can go to her. We take the kitten in for a checkup tomarrow. It's doing great. Love to all Lili

I look forwards to the date that Suzy set's for the gathering, she just needs to see when Glenda can make it, also talked to Bonnie and I'm hopping I am with her at that time so they can drive me to the family reuion, that way they wont miss it, laugh!!

No, this wasn't me this weekend...........it was a few weeks ago.

A friend of mine and I went perch fishing at Kellogg Beach just north of CC. I probably caught 20 perch and let all of then go. They're probably 1 to 1-1/2 pounds each. Legal minimum size is 10 inches. It was fun and we were really into them. 50' down the beach...nothing. They are really good filleted out and fried in butter, but I didn't want to hassle with it.

This weekend I was actually responsible. I know, it's hard to believe, but I didn't play. We worked around the house, me too. I need to get back to work so I can get some rest. It was a really nice weekend in CC, cool, windy, but nice. There was a big car show, but we didn't go, too many people. I washed the windows, mowed the yard, worked in the greenhouse, hooked up the water to the fridge, trimmed the trees, cleaned the cobwebs off the house (Sandi doesn't like spiders), and put new flappers into the toilets, gave away some bookcases...sans yard sale.

I'll see if I can get back on schedule and play next weekend.

Jim

Coast Run

Well, I am going to try and see if Illa and I can hit the beaches by Jim. We want to take the small trailer, so, it can rain as much as it wants !
I would love to continue the discussion with Peter, Jim, and Dick and any one else who is willing to open their minds and give their thoughts of why we are here and the old issue of we can't be saved by our actions, rather by the grace of God!? Also their is the part that says only God knows who is saved.It says , believe in God and you shall be saved.
These are questions I had been hoping we could discuss, but with the younger ones there it always seemed the wrong time to really open and try to talk.
If anyone is open to this, how about lets try and get together, not a reunion so much as to listen and explore with each other.
Chuck, Illa and B.J., as well as Teresa had a pretty good discussion discussion touching some points when we had stayed and everyone else had gone.
If not meet for that, just meet because we can and I am not in the hospital !! lol I know Illa tries to do for me what she thinks I need, but, I really hated people seeing me in that condition. Yet, it touched my heart that so many gave up part of there time and funds for me. You each are special and appreciated
I get so lonely when Illa goes home. She is the steel in me. I look at here each day and fall in love with her all over again. To feel her place her head on my shoulder and feel her take my hand in hers, I feel so lucky. I had prayed for a partner when I was working in Portland and I have always felt meeting her was because God heard me. bg

to cold for feet

roll call

Well,I was able to talk to Chuck this evening. Seemed in pretty good spirits and made a comment before I asked. He said he is taking him meds and feels good. I was glad to hear his voice and think he is doing better. As for his meds, I think he needs help to write down the name of the meds and what they are for. Still, good to hear his voice !! Ben

It's 10:00 a.m. on a Monday morning, do you know where your teacher is?

From Oct. 5-7-08 Klamath River

Click on the title to read the rest of the story.

Fishin

yes Jim and catching.
I went out on wednesday and found a little hole along the Wilson and caught 4 trout. all cut-throat. ranging from 6-10 inches.
The river isnt quite high enough to bring the Salmon in yet, but im hoping that tuesday or wednesday it will be and ill go out again. It rained pretty well the last couple of days to bring the water up about a foot. we just need about another 2-3 inches of rainfall to bring the river up to let them start running.
Oh ya i went out today and caught a sea run trout about 14" and had to release. and 7 rainbows. smallest was about 9 inches.
a keeper. but you know how much i like to eat fish..NOT!!!!!
anyway it was a VERY good day.

Love

Each day, when I look at Illa, a feel my heart warm with pride and quite content just hearing her when she says she loves me. I can never figure out how a man can be so stupid and hurt the gal he loves. Just small things like helping me get her reminds me even more why I love her !!
To all that care, thank you. I was laying here one night and this came into my head," I am to busy to die right now, I might as well get better now !! The next day, things started showing a mend !!
luv to all, me

illa

remember the modem is for dial-up. which willl be ALOT slower than high-speed. so Ben will have to learn to be patient.
oh hahaha. he is already a patient, which i know he has had to learn to deal with. Now for another lesson. Im sure that he will do well.

Ride to see Justin this sunny

We rode for 3 hours each way .

i'm back from Lueria lol

lol, I could comment on others titles, but I could not get in to the blog. lol. Life has been crazy.

Justin left and it's been harder then expected. I hear from him when he needs something.lol. I remember that time of life. I laugh. He decided not to take aberest. How ever you spell it. He wanted to be outside and work on trees. But changed his mind. lol. I forgot he does not like heights. lol. So he is trying to get in welding. Please pray that he gets in that one. The other choices is construction and masery. I told him construction is not stable. The other day we rode with 30 bikes to say hi to justin. He loved it. And he is happy at Job Corb. He wants to come home next weekend. But he wants to see his friends.lol. love him

Rich has good news. I will report soon. And Uncle Ben called. We laughed a lot. He wants an indian bike. Nice bike. So lets all vote to talk Aunt Illa to support that.lol. So I want to ride bikes to see him on that near the beach. We are planning to do that. Hey we can all hope he will get one.lol.

thanks for all the updates. and posting Good news too. And congrads Uncle Jim and Aunty with the baby boy. I love my boy. They are better then girls. lol. Not so much drama. lol. I think I am a boy at heart. lol. Bikes, and not needy with my boy. lol.

Ben is doing better

Well, my pc does get on wireless here at the hospital. First time I tried it. Will work on Ben's tomorrow. Maybe they invested in the WiFi after all. It is low signal out here in the trailer but at least it is working. I wasn't sure as I had not tried it yet, so ran up to the hill and the other hospital and sat outside to do bill work real quick.

He is doing better and the incision is looking really good. They used a new machine on it to clean it out and did a great job. He is hoping that they use it again. He had been walking farther. Not as many times a day as he wants but lots farther and we go outside and sit in the shade and listen to the stream and the birds in the trees. It is probably 600 feet round trip and we make it 2 times a day. He still is not eating but the drainage is a lot less. His pain seems to be under control also. All in all he seems a lot better.

Well, I am going to finish setting up this trailer and then go to bed. Talk to you all tomorrow. You all have a good night.

Love Ben and Illa

BEN

I talked to him a little tonight, seems to be doing real good.
Dick