Some updates for Ivory Keys Digital Dreams


Susan aka Ivory Keys has been selected to be in another store!!! That means she is great!  LOL  She will different things in each store, or in both... you just never know. The suspense will keep you coming back for more :D
Please notice the announcements below, & i will add my pages when my eyelids are not closing (must be the gravity).
Enjoy the new site, WLS, Susans web page, & of course our golden oldie store... STS.
Night Yall!!!
(Scroll down for an update to last... I mean early mornings post  LOL)




This is the page I made from IKDD Christmas Traditions.
Credits: IvoryKeys Digital Dreams created “IKDD Traditional Christmas”, & it is available at *With Love Studio* http://www.withlovestudio.net/shop/
I think I loosly used a template from DSP- I'll have to look.


The photo is from a Very Merry Christmas when we were little. Just look at those smiling faces. LOL I'm not sure of the year.



I made this page & had fun trying to modify Baileys picture. It has become a joke that I cannot remember how to spell her name. I'll have to post a pic of her stocking. LOL I'm not sure of I corrected the middle name in this photo. I think I did- it is a z- not a s. LOL
 Credits: IvoryKeys Digital Dreams created “Positive Thoughts” kit, and it is available at Stuff to Scrap. The border used was created by Dee J of Susans CT. Thank You


IvoryKeys Digital Dreams http://ivorykeysdigitaldreams.com/



Now I feel better that I have modified the quick post I did early early this morning. I wish I knew why I felt compelled to do it when the brain is long gone. I think cus I'm afraid if I dont Ill forget.

Have a Wonderful day after eating leftovers & playing with your new toys! I wonder how many of us got a electronic gadget of some kind. :D

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darn computer

For some reason I cant leave comments on blogs. I will google when I find time.
My computer is all messed up- and I am not happy AT ALL with my Comp Repair Service which I pay a yearly fee. Apparently 24/ 7/ 365 days does not mean with all of the techs that work there, or at my convience- but at theirs. Can you tell I am not a happy customer??? The one person that the others keep telling me can fix it (for the last 3 days) will be there today when I am actually able to make it. We will see if he can make me a happier person.

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FAMILY TREE LETTERHEAD TEMPLATE from Zazzle.com

FAMILY TREE LETTERHEAD TEMPLATE from Zazzle.com

Some days it feels like this. LOL

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Sept 24, 2011
Hi everyone! I am so far behind, I guess because I don't have anything interesting going on.

WHAT???? I AM A BIG LIAR!!!!

We have a new granddaughter in the family! I have no idea why I never posted about her here. Dingy me! Her name is Ms. Bailey Elizabeth, & she was born on Aug 31st. She is so precious, & she looks just like Brad did. This is Mike &; Bailey, he LOVES being a PawPaw.


Mommy, Daddy, Big Sis Bella & Baby Bailey are doing well. Bailey has had a few minor issues, but overall they are doing great! Bella pretty much just ignores her. I'm not sure if that's good or not.... hmmmm.  Will they bond if she does this? At least Bella is not trying to drag her around by her head or something. LOL 
 
Mike has had some rough days, he is almost reconciled to the fact he wont be able to work in the near future, if ever. He does not want to admit that at all. He is seeing a physcholagist to help with his brain injuries, & to deal with his emotions about his life changes. Due to the injuries, he can't physically or mentally do a lot of things he has always done. And for a man who is used to being "the boss" this is very hard for him. And reminding him to be glad that he is alive has worn thin with him, since he doesn't remember anything.

I have been working on my NEW Zibbet Store...  "Robins Painted Nest... & more"  I didn't know there would be so many things to do for this. LOL  Today I am trying to create some Logo's... I did a few earlier this week & put them on the photos for the site. They are AWFUL! I kept creating PSE brushes like I read, but I hated them. So I found a free logo maker site today (the link on the right), & have made a bunch of different ones. Now I will have to recreate my site photos- cus once I added the PSE brush- I couldn't remove it. Weird.

I have been having a craving to paint- but I STILL cant find the table down there. GRIN I know it is in that mess somewhere. LMBBO  I will get to cleaning it sooner or later.

Our oldest son David evacuated Hatteras (where he lives) for Hurr Irene, & finally got back after about 2 weeks. I think he is going to move to Islamarada, Fl (one of the Fla islands) & work there for a while. His job was with the tourist industry, & well, the islands really got hit badly, so not many tourists now, and its almost the off season for them, so they had to lay some people off... guess who was one. :(  I don't understand why this is not in the news, if it was NYC or another big area we would still be hearing about the recovery. And wouldn't you know he bought a vehicle while he was evacuated????

We have had a drought here in SE Alabama- this USED to be a pond! You can see a bit of water on the left in what we call the middle pond. I asked Mike if I needed to mow the top pond!!! What does that tell you????


And FINALLY- work has begun on repairing the deck roof & sun-room that were destroyed in April while Mike was still in the hospital. But if anything can go wrong (short of bodily injury) with this job, it has. It took forever for the crew to get started, & then there were so many complications. They did finish the roof & put in 4 of 5 windows yesterday. They are supposed to be back this morning, but I haven't seen them. LOL  They do good work- and are one of the nicest bunch of guys ever-  but the management skills STINK! The job should have taken 3-4 days, I think we are on week 3 now. LOL  Good thing Mike & I are so nonchalant about it. After the first days, timing became a "whenever joke" to me. አትህስ ውልል በ አ ሱንርኡም/ ፕላይርኡም/ ዶምኖ ፕላይንግ ርኡም/ & አ ፉቱረ ርኡም ፎር ትሄ ግርልስ ውሀን ትሄይ አረ ኦልደር።


Uh Oh- I hit a wrong button. I cant get that back to English! BUWAHAHAHAH
And now I don't remember what I typed. Yes- I have to watch the keyboard or my typing would look similar to that on purpose.

Well- I guess I need to get on with my day. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this.


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the letter 4: It's grocery shopping time!

the letter 4: It's grocery shopping time!: "Fun.  If you missed our post last week , check it out to see how to make these into a notepad. Thanks to everyone last week for all your..."


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DecoArt - Always The Best

DecoArt - Always The Best

This is such a cute pattern a ToleTown friend brought to my attention. I love frogs!!!

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WOW- playful - My Photo Gallery

Hi. I just wanted to share some of what I have been doing besides running Mike around ... I havent been cleaning. LOL

Template By Ivory Keys
Kit- 'Fun Lovin' by Ivory Keys @ STS
This is the first time Bella played on the slide I picked up at a thrift store. She almost never got off of it.




Kit *What a Gem* by IvoryKeys Digital Dreams available soon at STS template by Shel Belle Scraps
Some of the elements in the kit have been recolored It is so much fun that kits can be that versatile!!!!





I am counting this as my Use it or Lose it challenge.Softly add-on By Adriana's cafe
template by Shel Belle Scraps. LOL (Template challenge)
NEXT MORN- do you think my tag is to big??? I was so proud that my Beach text had a photo of the water as its color, I wanted to show it off I guess. LOL I forgot to make it smaller.
And I figured out how to change the BG on my picture Woo Hoo!!!! The original had a group of people. chairs, umbrellas, stc. in it.
I'm still excited




Kit *What a Gem* by IvoryKeys Digital Dreams available soon at STS
3d template by Bellabugas Scrap Freebies




Kit "To Hope For" by B2N2 Scraps @ STS


JOURNALING- On April 15, one month after Mike's accident, Kelsey went to visit Mikefor the late visiting hour at the hospital. I stayed with sleeping Bella at the Vineyard. Kelsey came back, she was so excited & crying!
Mike had the STRENGTH to reach up hold Kelseys hand. That was the first time that he had done it on his own. We had always picked it up to hold it. Kelsey was quick-thinking & took a picture with her phone.
Miracles do happen.





This is a change of pace for me, along with the journaling, which is very hard for me. My normal type of journaling reads like a 10yo wrote it. This is the way I talk. I have tried to write like most journals I have seen, but it just isnt me. My idea of scrapbooking IMO is to also portray the emotions I have at the time. And this was a great outlet for the frustration. I also decided that journaling is mostly for me, & anyone that reads it in the future might as well read it the way this ole' southern gal talks, LOL. I have thought of one more thing to add to this page- a ink pen. So I'll add that before printing. BTW- my hubby had a VERY serious car accident March 11, which helps to explain why we were so upset about this Dr visit. All of the pages I am doing for a future Scrapbook about it are normal paper size. This was fun- Thank You!!!

Kit *Not So Good * by Adriana’s Scraps @ STS
Fonts: Lucinda Handwriting & Cheryl’s Hand
Journaling:
Dr. *Quack* Williams
June 29, 2011
Mike & I just left one of the STUPIDIST Dr appointments ever for Mike!!! Dr. *Quack* Williams is Mikes General Practice Doctor, or supposed to be. We need a new GP Dr., this one’s a freakin idiot, and we left extremely frustrated!
When we left Shepherd Rehab Center on April 27, we needed a GP. Our Dr. that we had for many years had decided to close his practice, & Mike & I had not got around to picking a new GP, honestly, because we were not crazy with the choices we had. Then Mike had a serious car accident, & we found ourselves desperate for a GP. Dr. Williams was the only local Dr that we could get to take Mike on in his condition.
We knew at our first visit we didn’t have any confidence in him, but we had to make do with what we could get. Then today we went to a check-up with him, almost two months after he has been home recovering.
He wanted to put Mike in a nursing home or hospital, x-ray his entire body, even though we were scheduled to see Mikes Ortho & Neurologist Dr in the next few days, all because we asked about pain. When I mentioned that the other Drs would probably want x-rays, & insurance would not pay for the same X-rays twice, he said we have to be prepared to cover some expenses. Good Grief! Mike hasn’t worked in four months! Oh- & he also needs to go back to a wheelchair- Arrgghhhhh!!! My husband takes care of himself, has been going to Physical Therapy 3 times a week, walks with a cane in public, & walks by himself around home for crying out loud! Dr. Williams said there was nothing we could do for Mike’s brain injury. Wrong Doc- there is therapy for brain injuries. He asked what, & I told him some of the things that were done at Shepherd, so he suggested Mike come in the next morning & they can play scrabble. Are you kidding me???
Mike & I are now looking for a new GP. We have learned a valuable lesson- always interview a Dr. before deciding to be his patient. Sometimes nothing is better than something.
On the photo: Does he look like he needs to be in a hospital?






Stars & Stripes kit (retired) by Ivory Dreams Digital Designs @ STS
Leaves are from Ivory Keys DD "Spring Days" kit, Overlay By Robyn Gough Designs
The Left top corner star has some journaling that explains the photos...
My Dad
1943
Age 17
William F. Tomlin
Great Lakes Naval Basic Training Center, Chicago IL

William F. Tomlin Jr.- My Brother
Age 18 Year 1969
William F. Tomlin- My Dad
Tommy had just graduated Naval basic training at Naval Great Lakes Basic Training Center in
Chicago Il.




Credits: "Spring Breeze" kit by IvoryKeys Digital Dreams, coming soon to STS. <3

It took some work to get a layout I liked, but I *think* I fianlly got it. I had a hard time finding photos that went with the kit. LOL And then I saw our wedding pic scans- they are perfect to me!!!! Thanks for the template



I think that is enough for right now. GRIN... yes there are more.



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Sweet Cravings Scraps by Kara: Digi My World Contest Blog Candy Contest

Sweet Cravings Scraps by Kara: Digi My World Contest Blog Candy Contest: "This is Digi My World's first time doing Blog Candy, and they sure do hope you will play along and join us!" Follow the instructions & you may win. If you do- you owe me!! Just kidding :D

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Pinterest / What is Pinterest?

Pinterest / What is Pinterest?: "Pinterest"

Yep- I am another *ADDICTED* pinterest addict. I think I can send you an invite. But I KNOW I can pin stuff- but thats about as far as I have got.

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DIY: Make a Pet Hammock for The Car » Curbly | DIY Design Community « Keywords: dog, pet, beds, travel

DIY: Make a Pet Hammock for The Car » Curbly DIY Design Community « Keywords: dog, pet, beds, travel: "DIY: Make a Pet Hammock for The Car"

Different.........

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Chronicle Books Blog » Blog Archive » Chronicle Craft: Sneak Peek Project and Book Giveaway

Gotta do this!!!!!!

Chronicle Books Blog » Blog Archive » Chronicle Craft: Sneak Peek Project and Book Giveaway: "Oh Dear, Deer Head
Excerpted from Dorm Decor (available May 2009)
For the animal lover, activist, or simply anyone with a sense of humor, this faux buck will make any dorm-room dweller proud. Hang a scarf or hat on his antlers, keeping floors free and clear, or use him as witty wall art."

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matsutake: It's Done: The Glampsformation!

matsutake: It's Done: The Glampsformation!: "Glampsformation" cool lamp

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I am so far behind-

with Mikes updates. Please look on my FaceBook page under notes for current updates. There is a FB badge on the right side of my blog.
But I do want to share a few scrap pages I have made recently for challenges or fun. Usually it is for both. :D

This is for a Ad Challenge on Jen Reeds blog.

I'll add the text.... & credits.  I am still looking for it. LOL
Well I found it... but I cant figure out how to copy the text! Weird!!! I can do it on other pages.

This is one line...  "Have I mentioned that complaining is a classic Brain Injury symptom?"
Have I mentioned that complaining is a classic Brain Injury symptom?
It just tells the basics of Mikes dif halos & why.


****



I was playing with "software tools", trying to get the hang of some of them. IvoryKeys Digital Dreams created this beautiful kit “Spring Day”, and it is available at Stuff to Scrap.


****



This was for a challenge at Digital Scrapbooking Place. I was to create a page that expresses how you feel w/o using any photos. SO- what do I feel????
****


I hope this is a better photo. For some reason the JPEG's look awful. I also changed the background paper from the origunal version. I should have left the before & after! Darn it- too late. LOL  This was a sketch challenge at Digital Scrapbook Place. "Butterfly Dreams" Page Kit Created by Lauren Bavin & "Sweet Summer Breeze" Created by Lauren Bavin @ Digital Scrapbook Place

****


This was also for a contest at Wacom Pen Scrappers. That is my real birdbath.
You may still be able to vote at Wacom. :D
****


I am a HUGE fan of Susans, & not just because she is a sweetheart, & also asked me to be on her Creative Team :D, because I LOVE her designs!!! Thanks Susan.

Credits: IvoryKeys Digital Dreams created this beautiful kit “What a Gem”, and it is available at Stuff to Scrap.

The tag says- "These photos were taken with my cell phone while Mike was at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. By this time, we knew he would recover, but not how much. This was truly a Happy Moment during a time when I did not know what the future would hold for us."
We still arent sure- but it will be a good one!
****

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Day 16 Saturday

Saturday- the days seem to run together. Today I did a few things here at the Vineyard, & got a haircut on the way to the hospital (Sorry Janna). I am really second guessing my thought of letting the gray grow out. LOL My hair straightener stopped working, so I need to get a new one. Wow- my hair is wild today!
I also realized thanks to BIL Rick that I can get a head set for my phone (I hope), & Mike can at least hear people talking to him. And as bad as I hate to admit it appears I have lost my debit card!!!! That stinks.
Brad talked to the man who found Mike & stayed with him. He said that was the hardest thing he has ever done, & he is a firefighter. Joey- you will forever be remembered as the one who saved Mike for us! Our own special angel. I don't know If I said it or not, but Mike quit breathing twice that I have been told of at the scene. Also getting him out of the car was extremely difficult, so we owe all the Paramedics & everyone who helped at the scene a huge thanks!
I arrived at the hosp earlier than I thought it was. Mike was in & out for a while. The trauma Dr's came by & checked on him & they said the same thing everyone says- hes going to Shepard. And I said what I always say- not necessarily. LOL Those Docs looked stunned. I said it depends on insurance, but I'm trying. One of them said they are trying also, but Uncle Sam, insurance & something else make it hard. They also said the back brace is for when Mike can sit up. Hmmmm.... now I wonder when that will be! I piped in & said that I don't think anyone knows anything about it. Wherever Mike goes, the brace goes with him. LOL And no one knows what, where, when, or why.
We had a sweetheart nurse today- she put in a request for Mikes trache to be changed to the type so he can talk. But of course that goes thru the speech dept after the Drs approve it. Big hospitals!
It seems that when I am not there Mike likes to pull his feeding tube out. Which is not good because they have to have a xray after replacement showing that its where its supposed to be. So they restrain his arms. The nurse said that I may have a calming effect on him, which made me feel good cus I barely know that Mike knows I am there. I worry that he will get depressed laying in this bed day after day. Brother Rick talked to Mike as I held the phone. That was cool! Not sure what was said but sometimes Mike would open his eyes really wide like in surprise! And Mike watched some TV- they can sit him up some & he can see the TV now.
The big news was that they were moving him to the Neuro floor on 5th. So I wasn't leaving then for sure. So I just stayed & read in my book reader some, then watched TV with Mike. I teased him & told him its our typical Saturday night- watching TV. They never did get him moved- there was some kind of confusion about the room status. At one time Mike was waving his hand fanning himself- so I asked a nurse if the air could be turned down. She said no- but they would get a fan. Then  a few dif ones came in to move him up in the bed & they commented how hot & humid it was. We were roasting. Come to find out- the man in the other bed was cold, so they opened a window for him & then he went to dialysis & was gone for HOURS! And the AC is on his side- so it went right out the window & the humidity & heat found its way in. Mike liked the fan- so we left it on anyway. When I left he had not been moved, & they weren't sure if he would be tonight or not.
Then I tried to find the Wal-Mart- as usual I didn't. Guess I'll go in the morning. Maybe I'll fix my hair in Mikes room in the morning. LOL
I like coming back earlier than 10:00 pm after visitation. I get a good wind-down & maybe I'll start going to bed earlier now. Guess I should think about the eastern time zone in case we go to Shepard.
Ive been kind of watching Peter Pan as we sit here- I needed a mindless TV show tonight.
Love to everyone & ask those angels to drop by.

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Day 15- Friday March 25, 2011


.by Robin Tomlin Rakes on Friday, March 25, 2011 at 11:25pm.
Two weeks- but 15 days. In some ways it seems much longer. And I have the easier part of this healing. In some ways its good that Mike has been "drugged out" of a lot of this. Less boredom for him, we all know how he hates sitting still.
Mike was much better today, between his eye expression & hand movements, he got most of his messages across.
Today was the day that I realized he wants to know what happened. Even though he cant talk, I knew it. So I told him what had happened, about his injuries, but I didnt go into details. You could tell he didnt know much of this, he understood the injuries better, but when I told him he has been there for 2 weeks he was shocked. After that you could just see it going around & around in his mind. I kept telling him how great he is doing, & he had angels, prayers & God looking out for him. And how much he has improved in record time.
When I went back tonight he still seemed to be tossing it all around in his brain. It took us days to realize this really happened, so it might for him. It is still unbelievable to me.
Monday the liaison from Shepard will be here to talk to us. So no trip to Enterprise. I hope that soon he will be moved to the neuro unit. They have private rooms. These shared rooms on the PCU unit are awful. The people in the next bed were not happy that a chair was taken from their side to Mikes so I could sit. And they repeated that many times. After a while most of them left, the wife & I talked for a few minutes- she seemed nice. I felt sooo bad for the older man- tonight they were trying to find a vein- and they couldnt, even using a ultrasound. They kept trying & he hurt every time. When I left it had been 1 1/2 hrs & they still hadn't got one.
Other than that & missing my family- that sums up today.
Thank you aGAIN to everyone for keeping us in your prayers.

.

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Day 14- almost 2 weeks


.by Robin Tomlin Rakes on Friday, March 25, 2011 at 12:52am.

HI everyone. It is hot down here already! But also beautiful.
Tomorrow morning will be 2 weeks since Mikes accident. I have heard it- but never really lived it like this- its amazing how your lives can change in a matter of seconds.
Mike got moved to a step down unit to PCC... Progressive Critical care. I thought that was exciting til I saw the room he is sharing, & trust me- you will not have many visitors at once in there!! It is a shared room & since he is by the door his side is darkkkkkk. Yuck. Oh well- this means hes getting better. Room 325. But no room for me to do any computer work- that's for sure!
Also it appears that the person from Shepherd Center, or maybe I did, jumped the gun a bit.... cus not everything is as go as she told me. I was trying to get some paperwork done & ended up talking to the insurance company & checked on this. And yes- I had planned on checking on it anyway. So I need to talk to the social worker tomorrow & see whats happening. At least in this unit the visiting hours are flexible.
He's still not able to talk due to the trachea. Another thing to find out- why they haven't tapped that thing off so he can start learning to talk again. I hope the nurses are as great on this unit as they were on the other one.
That's most of the days events. My host family took me & our other house guest to dinner tonight. It was really good. This restaurant opened in 1939, & it is still in the same place. I dont think it has been updated very much since then... but as long as the food is good that's what matters.
OK- night everyone- please remember Mike in your prayers. Love Yall!!!

.

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Day 13- Update


.by Robin Tomlin Rakes on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 11:33pm.
what a day. I got up & did some stuff here at the Vineyard. Went to the hospital to visit Mike. He was still kinda blah like he was yesterday, not as peppy as he was two days ago. But a real live Dr came by & said that he may be moved soon to a step down unit!! Yippee.......... and than a nurse came in to start Mike working on some physical therapy. That was a first. But then a real Physical Therapist came in to talk about getting him started on a program, & to try & figure out what the deal is with the brace that is supposed to be on Mike. She promised to get to the bottom of it & let me know. So that was a informative & busy visit.
I then went to Kmart as it is hot & I wanted some cheap shorts. Then I get a phone call from Shepherd Rehab center in Atlanta. An hour conversation & zillions of questions later, & Mike is going to Shepherd, possibly soon.
I know the location is not perfect for all of us, including me, but I have to decide what is best for Mike. And from what I am learning, this place is it. The insurance covers it, there is a place for me to stay, at least for a while, & they can get him there. I will need help when he comes home, so if you wanna volunteer, go ahead. LOL
I went with our host family to their church for dinner tonight, & to talk to the youth about Martha's Vineyard & what it is. They had also collected a variety of things to help here. Soap, cleaning, & some baby stuff. They LOVED hearing about Bella, & Baxter the mascot (a 22 oz lil Yorkie (I think) dog). The kids were so sweet.
I went to the last visitation & Mike was either really into the movie on TV, or so tired out that he didnt do much. So I did not stay for the entire hour.
And that about sums up today.
If you do know anything about Shepard in Atlanta, please share it with me. Thanks.

.

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Day 11- late

One day Kelsey will learn to log out of her Facebook!!! I didnt even notice I wasnt on mine!!! I went straight to "Write A Note"
by Robin via Kelsey Rakes on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 11:43am

Yesterday was one of those days. Up & down. We started out thinking Mike doesnt know who we are, knowing that if that's true it is probably temporary, but it was still very depressing. We still aren't sure if he knows us, or was tired, or don't want to squeeze his hand. He did seem more responsive to Kelsey at the late visit last night. He don't seem to respond me as well as he does others- it could be that he cant see me (I'm to short to see in his face), my voice is uhmmmmm...... scratchy due to the cold, or it may have been the mask I have wearing at times.
Then they talked to Kelsey about sending him to a rehab center in Atlanta sometime down the road. As I told the Social Worker they can say that's where they want Mike to go- but it has to be covered by insurance & have a place for me to stay. The more I read the more I am finding that most large places do have arrangements for families.
Brad & one of Kelsey's friends got here last night. I think Brad was relieved to see Dad looking much better. I am glad that they are here for Kelsey. She has been such a wonderful support for me! But she needs a break from me, & to get back to her home & life. And I will be AOK.
Mike is not on oxygen, but it is on as a precaution. A lot of the machines are gone... his room almost looks empty. LOL There is no *guesstimate* on when they want to send him to a rehab center. Like I said the Drs prefer Atlanta- we will see.
And sorry- no big surprise yesterday. We were disappointed as well. But every day he doesnt get worse he gets better :)
Guess what time it is???? Happy Hour... aka visiting hour. Yall have a good day & keep the prayers coming.

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Day 9 (late) & Day 10....

Sorry yall. Of all times to start getting a cold. I have been vitamin c & Zicam'ing it, & wearing a mask when I go see Mike.


The last two days have been miracle days with more to come. Yestuarday Mike was breathing mostly on his own, even with the trac, he was just moving his right side great. I got to take the arm restraint off & he raised his right arm while holding my hand, & he did it with Kelsey also.

Today was even more amazing! He moved his left hand slightly, & was more alert. And he lifted his left leg completely off the bed!!!! He looked really good & they left his restraints off. He promised his nurse he wouldnt pull on any tubes & stuff & he didnt!! He kept moving his arm & feeling around anything he could reach.

And Carl just called & hes a new Grampa!! His grandaughter wasborn today a little early, but she weighed over 5 lbs. So they are healthy!

It is almost visiting time again, so I am going to make it short. All news is positive on the Mike front. And............... I may have a really big surprise tomorrow.

Love yall & keep those prayers coming- because they are working fantastically!!!!



.

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Day 8 Pt 2

Well- I cant count- most of you already know that. :)  The last post should have said Day 8.
The surgery went much longer than anticipated. Apparently- & I have to research this- where his tibia bone broke, has something to do with his knee. And it wasn't just a break, it was broke in about 7 pieces. The ortho recreated & put back together as much as he could, and added LOTS of plates & pins & bolts. I believe he even said a type of plastic bone. Mikes nurse said he was told he had a lot of metal on that knee. The Dr says that usually in any injury like this, arthritis will be very bad, & Mike will probably need a knee replacement in 10- 15 years. But it is fixed for now & that's what matters.
They put the trachea in, & he is back on the ventilator- but the air now goes into the traich. So we can see his face, & he finally got to close his mouth. When we left at 9:30 the surgery meds were wearing off & his regular meds were starting to take over. I told him I was getting jealous cus he was squeezing other women's hands, & not mine, & I felt a slight squeeze.  
But what was really funny was that the nurses were buzzing about Mike & a picture we hung up in his room of Bella & Kelsey. They thought he was married to Kelsey & Bella was his daughter. That's it- I have to get a picture of us to hang up. What would that make me- his Momma?????  GRIN  We have had a good laugh over that.
Brad- she did it again!!!!! Kelsey left her phone on top of the car when we left & went to get something to eat! Then she said she wasn't going to tell me why we had to go back- cus I would make fun of her. And shes right- I did!!! I cant count how many times she leaves something on top of the car & it falls off. She got lucky this time & no one ran over it.
We went to Denny's & it didn't take long to figure out we weren't going to be able to eat in time to get back to the hosp for visiting hour. So we told the server to make it to go. Bella was hungry & tired & she made a really cute squeal/ yell noise. Well the kid at the table behind me said that they should make babies that can be shut off so they don't make noise. Not good to say about our Granddaughter- & I think he got the jest when I turned around & looked him straight in the eyes. Then I turned back to Bella & said go ahead & scream, lets take her drink away & let her scream. Lets let her run all over the restaurant, all of this said very loudly. I didn't want him to miss the point!
Now you have to realize I had sat in the waiting room for 6 hrs for a 2 hour surgery, & the longer it went the more worried I got. So my patience level had been maxed at about the 4th hour. And by Denny's- I had no more left for a silly young man. We got our food & left, but not w/o them knowing what I thought of the comment.
Mikes lab work came back fine after his surgery & he looked good also, considering. He will be in a soft cast for 8-10 weeks. Hopefully the face Dr will be through tomorrow & Mikes day nurse- James?- (sleepy meds are kicking in) said he was going to find out what was going on with that.
Oh- & apparently he was the talk of the hospital the day he arrived. A woman in the waiting room had seen the helicopter fly him in, had heard about him & all the broke bones. My gosh- maybe a huge hospital is like a soap opera as well as a small hospital. I think one of the patients on the Critical Care  Unit died tonight. There are a number of us there for visiting hours & some you talk to, some you just say hi when you pass. I try not to ask many questions of people. But some want to talk, as the lady did when she was telling me about the arrival of Mike. So you recognise many of the family that is there all the time. My heart aches for the family.
And I am so thankful that is not me in their place. I guess that could seem selfish, but I don't think so, I'm just grateful that Mike is still with us.
We know nothing about what the next few months hold for us, but as long as he is alive we don't care.  And as long as everyone keeps those prayers & positive prayers coming, we, his family & friends, will do what we have to.
Its past my bed time, so I headed that way.
If I didn't know they were loading Mike on the helicopter I may have thought this was a pretty picture!!!



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1 week/ 7 days


.by Robin Tomlin Rakes on Friday, March 18, 2011 at 3:02pm.Mike is in surgery now. They are fixing the bottom tibea break which is actually right below his knee. That are also putting in the trachia- which should not be permanant. Actually- I can say it wont, but of course the medical staff cant say that. He has been breathing on his own during the day with very little, if any, assistance from the vent. I *think* they will still leave the vent in for a short time to be sure the trac is working like it should. They have also taken him off the tranqualizing medicine, so he is opening his eyes, wiggles his toes, & squeezes your hand. Unfortunatly his left side isnt doing much- his right side is doing much better. But thats what rehab is for!! We are all getting a chuckle out of the fact that he responds to women, and not much to me & not at all to his male nurse. Wonder why! I think he just auto tunes me out like at home!
Unless he has a change they probly wont do anything about the bleed & bruising in his brain. NO change means its okay. Nothing on the jaw either. And of course until he can sit up they cant put the back brace on for his spinel injury. Now how hes supposed to sit up with a broken spine I havent figured out. Of course I thought it odd that they didnt realize until they went to put the brace on that they couldnt do it with him laying down. Duhhhhh.... seems like they would have realized that he isnt able to sit up being in a drug induced coma.
Kelsey & Bella have been here with me. I stayed with Mike til they ran me off to get him ready for surgery. Bella needs her nap so Kelsey just took her back to the Vineyard. Yes- I ate, & I am okay. I am so grateful to have Kelsey here with me.
There is really not much else to report at this time.
This time last week we were sitting in this same room waiting for any news on Mike & his condition. Its amazing how much our lives are changed, forever.
Please keep the prayers coming. Thanks for everything & I love yall!!!

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A few comments on FB

Brad N Kelsey Rakes

I love u! And I am so thankful that bella and I can be here with you. It makes me feel like I'm doing something to help even though I know there isn't much for me to do as far as dad. I actually think he helps me more than anything. He gives me hope! You are amazingly strong and I know all this is making our little family stronger!

Robin Spear Godshalk

You have done a excellent job keeping us informed. I have read posts from you every morning, copying them e-mailing to work and sending out trying to help keep people informed. I have loved FB because the correct information is written by you and passed along. Great work Robin, know that all of you are in our thoughts & prayers!!! Keep the faith, you are staying strong and it shows!!!!
Tuesday at 8:51pm ·
 
Kathy Wegener

Hi Robin. Kathy let me in on her Facebook page so I could check in on Mike's condition. He will be in our thoughts, as will you. Kathy will put both of you on the YMCA Middle Tennessee prayer chain. Please tell him Fred and Kathy Wegener are rooting for him to make a full recovery!
Tuesday at 7:53pm

Prayer Chain for Mike Rakes

Location: Everywhere
Time: ‎9:00PM Tuesday, March 15th..

Tracey Rasnic

Hang in there Robin I love you





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Thurs Day 7 (I think)


.by Robin Tomlin Rakes on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 3:22pm.Sorry- never made it back on last night. After the hospital visit, & Kelsey & I getting our stuff organised here at the Vineyard, & trying to get Bella to sleep, I just wanted to sleep. And there aren't any real changes.

BTW- before I forget again- if by some chance you would like to visit him- He is at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf in Pensacola. For now he is on the Adult Critical Care unit. Anyone can visit as long as you come during visiting hours... 9:30- 10:30 am, 12:00- 1:00, 4:00- 5:00 & 8:30-9:30 pm. He is in bed 6 on the 2nd pod (I think)... & you have to be on elevator C to get there. If I vere off slightly- I am lost!!

They have him off the meds that made him coma like- just some strong pain meds. They keep him pretty well knocked out but he can still respond to some requests. And he can have & show pain as Kelsey found out when they were working on his trachiak & making him cough- cuz he squeezed the stuffing out of her hand when the nurse did it. From everyone I have asked they say this is a normal response.

Today they are putting ina pic line. The pic line is to take the place of a IV that is in his neck. His numbers aren't quite right infection wise, & apparently the neck IV is a common site for infections to start. As a precaution they want to change it. As soon as they see the pic line is working they will remove the IV.

Tomorrow they will be doing 2 surgeries- inserting the trachea & working on his knee. Apparently it isnt the bottom leg that was broke, its around the knee. They are happy with the amount of swelling that has gone down. They aren't sure if he has an infection as the silly labs come back different. But they are doing what is needed as a precaution.

I think I am going to try & squeeze in a quick nap before the next visiting hour. I have other things to do- but I don't feel like dealing with it right now. bad girl.

Oh- I also wanted you to know that writing this almost daily, is good for me, & also there will come a time when Mike will want to know everything.

Also- I am attaching a picture of the car- so you will realize what we know- he is a miracle man! I could not believe he lived thru this. The crew did do a lot of damage to the car to get him out alive, but most of what you see is from the accident. Brad & I went & checked the accident site & went to the towing place to get any perrsonal things we could get out of whats left of the car. For me it wasnt near as bad of an experience as I expected- because it didnt even resemble a car- much less Mikes. This is where the car ended up after hitting2 trees & we think spinning into the culvert. I have some photos of that still on my camera that will show how deep it is.

Love you for caring & please keep the prayers coming & ask your special Guardian Angels to give Mike a visit.


 

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Day 6- Mike


.by Robin Tomlin Rakes on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 4:17pm. Wow- been a busy & emotional day.

Kelsey Brad bella & I got home last night. I couldnt decide if I wanted to stay here or stay with the kids- wasnt sure I wanted to stay here w/o Mike (Ive done it plenty of times before), I didnt want to oversleep for the Ultrasound appt. But I decided to stay here. I am glad I did- until I woke up & was so proud of myself that I woke up before the alarm, & then realized none of the clocks were reset for the time change. SO I hustled & got to the ultrasound appt. in time- barely. Sorry folks- no sex news :( But it was amazing what you can see on that screen. Then the running started, & we got a lot accomplished. Brad & I went to the tow company to get what we could out of Mikes car. when I get back to my computer, I'll share a few photos of the car.

BTW- if you happen to have any of the photos- please dont share them with others, these are personal, & I'll decide what needs to be shared. Thank you- I know you understand. A few dif people at the site took pics & like all things- they can get passed around.

We did find the missing laptop & keys. Yep- the laptop is crunched some, but not as bad as you would have thought. I also took a little fall that ended with a head dive & got a face full of dirt. I am still picking sand out of my teeth. At that time & place Brad & I enjoyed the laugh.

I talked to Mikes nurse a while ago- & they have removed his chest tube- which means his collapsed lung is AOK now :) However they want to put a tracia in, No clue how to spell that, & take the vent out. I am not really sure why- they may want to do some work on his jaw. And if i understood her right- this will stay in as long as Mike is in the Halo- 3-6 months. Now that doesnt sound good to me- but these people know what they are doing. So I trust them... but Ill be looking this up later. Other than that change, they are still keeping him pumped w/ blood & potassium, (in addition to a kazillion other things) I think in anticiapation of upcoming surgeries.

I am going to go wash the sand out of my hair & finish the laundry so hopefully I will be ready yo head back to Pensacola when Kelsey gets here. We want to be back before the last visiting hour.

Thank you to everyone for all of your offers of help, and especially your prayers. Financially- we are okay right now, but if you want to help financially- think about a donation to the place that is keeping my family in better spirits- & goes way out of there way to be sure we have a comfortable place to be for these next few months. http://marthasvineyardpensacola.wordpress.com/

Unless there are any changes- this should be my "check-in" for the day.
Love Yall!!!!!







.

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Robin Tomlin Rakes
Tuesday at 6:07pm

I will be in Enterprise tomorrow for a short time. If you need me to contact you, please let me know by leaving a message here.


Mike had a good day today, as far as we know nothing is scheduled tomorrow except to rest. The nurse woke him up today enough for Mike to squeeze Brads hand, wiggle toes & open his eyes. Every day that nothin...g changes is a good day because that means he gets better. C u @ the prayer chain!

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