Sad News...

Sad news... Dr. Bowman died on Saturday. For those of you at my b-day party...he was there. He has been like a grandfather to me...and Mike too. He thought very highly of Mike and they liked to talk about wood-working. I think I may be in a little bit of shock over all of this. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed by so many people.

BOWMAN, Dr. Edward Randolph, 80, of Richmond, born in Mercer County, W.Va. on February 26, 1927, went to our Lord in Heaven on January 26, 2008. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Wilma H. Bowman; his devoted daughter, Gay Bowman; brothers, William Bowman, Lance Bowman, and Garland Bowman; sisters, Elizabeth Woody, Barbara Fogus, and Mary Shrader. He was a United States Army veteran and served in both World War II and the Korean War. He was a doctor of pharmacology and a research associate with the MCV Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology for 51 years. He was a member of Grove Avenue Baptist Church, and a past master of St. John's Masonic Lodge #36 AF&AM. He enjoyed working in his garden, and he was a skilled wood crafter. The family will receive friends on Monday, January 28, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the West Chapel of Bennett Funeral l Home, 11020 W. Broad Street. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, January 29, at 10 a.m., at Grove Avenue Baptist Church, with visitation one hour prior to service. Interment at Westhampton Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Grove Avenue Baptist Church Media Ministry, 8701 Ridge Road, Richmond, Virginia 23229.


Mrs. Bowman, Dr. Bowman, Dr. Aceto and Mrs. Aceto at my 30th b-day party.

WILLY'S NEW JACKET!

Here is a picture of my "nephew" Willy in the new jacket that I crocheted for him! I was worried that it would be too big...but, it looks like it fits him perfectly! They say that he really likes wearing it!

Our new toy/torture device

Here is our newest investment... A Bowflex Xtreme! I think it will really help us get back in shape (now all we have to do is put it together!!)

A Hat For Chuck...

Here are some pictures of me modeling the hat that I made for my brother Chuck! If he doesn't like it... I want it back b/c it is very comfy and warm! I need to make me a hat with ear flaps!!

p.s. do you like my new sweater?!?! Kohls... $1.30!!!!!

Surgery Went Well

Sorry for the delay in posting. Things have been a little crazy around here. Taking care of a man in pain can be a full time job!!

Mike's surgery went well. It turned out that there was not a tear in the meniscus (which is a good thing). However, part of the meniscus had worked itself loose from the surrounding tissue and was flapping around... acting much like a meniscus with a tear in it. There was also quite a bit of "early arthritis". The doctor says that the arthritis is a bigger concern...as it will have more lasting affects on Mike. The doctor repaired the loose flap of cartilage and drilled away some of the built up arthritis.

Mike says he was in more pain than he ever anticipated. With the help of some narcotics... he pretty much slept for four days. He is back at work now. He went to the doctor this morning for his surgical follow-up. Luckily, he doesn't have to go to therapy!! But, the doctor did give him some exercises to do at home and he has to go to his parents house to use their stationary bike (his doctor knows about their bike b/c he has done some of the work on his parents joints...bad joints run in the family).

Here are some pictures of Mike's knee on Saturday (the day after). He knee and thigh were pretty swollen.... it looked like he was missing his knee cap!! The writing on his leg are Mike's initials and the doctor's initials... The both initialed the knee that was to be worked on (not that it helped my step mom when she had this done...they operated on the wrong knee! and then ended up doing both knees at the same time!).

Fingers Crossed...

Okey Dokey Everyone...

Keep your fingers crossed for tomorrow... Mike is having knee surgery. He has a torn meniscus. I have been doing lots of research online about this (but, of course!). Looks like the recovery process will depend on what they do once they actually get in there... Because the meniscus is cartilage, only a small portion-the outer section-has blood supply. For this reason, only the outer portion of the cartilage can be repaired. if the tear is elsewhere...they remove the damaged area. Healing is quicker with meniscus removal...but in terms of long term recovery... repair is better. But the recovery rate is much, much slower with repair.

Ok...so that is reason #1 for keeping your fingers crossed. Reason #2... is that I still get to use my 30% off coupon at Kohls!! I don't want to leave Mike alone for long periods of time.... so, hopefully his mom will come over and sit with him this weekend so I can do a little shopping (does that make me sound really selfish??... I sure hope not... I just really need some new shoes!).

well...back to my rats....

oh yeah... and we have to be at the hospital at 6 am tomorrow!!!!!!! that is not going to be fun!

Shopping!

Guess who just got a 30% off coupon in the mail for Kohls!!! That would be me!!! I am very excited!! Looks like I will be doing some shopping later this week!!

Dr. Bowman and his hat!

Here is a picture of Dr. Bowman in the monkey hat that I made for him. This picture was from before Christmas...when he was in the rehab facility. Since then... he has been in and out of the hospital. mostly in... and while there, in and out of the ICU. His spinal surgery was a success... however, something is going on with his lungs now. He is unable to maintain his oxygen levels. He has to be on oxygen constantly, or his levels plummet... sending him back to the ICU. I was able to visit him yesterday. His spirits are low...as he has been in the hospital for practically 35 days. way more than what he expected. If you could keep him in your prayers...it would be greatly appreciated (along with my mom and baby Rachel --who is more toddler than baby now!).

Pictures from the holidays...

Here is a picture of my brother, Chuck, looking oh so regal in one of my mom's wigs! he wanted to keep it, but she said no. Don't know why...she has never worn it... She says that it is way too "poofy" for her. She isn't used to having that much hair. When she had hair... it was like mine...very fine.


Here is a picture of my mom and my nephews, Joey and Zach. Joey is 2 and Zach is 4. Aren't they cute!! They love their "Untle Tannon"


Brother Mike, Darcy, Zach (in his new dinosaur jammies) and Joey.


Newlyweds... Chuck and Christen. (they just moved into my Uncle Clifford's house! I can't wait to see what they have done to the place!!)


Papa (aka...dad) and Zach. The kids call my dad "papa" and my stepmom "nano".


Nano and Joey having some fun.




My niece, Tory, modeling the hat I made her. She will be a teenager come February!!