Aunt Betty - 87 yrs old on December 31, 2009

Yesterday, after the rain stopped and the sun was peaking through a cloud Aunt Betty (Jerry's mother's youngest sister) went outside to bring her trash can (on wheels) up from the street. Aunt Betty slipped and fell on the ground and fractured her knee cap. She obviously couldn't get up and was laying there on the side of the street. She tried to get help, but no one could hear her. She laid there waving at the few cars that drove by and no one stopped for her. Maybe they thought she was waving "Hello". Finally, someone stopped and to help her out. The person that stopped went across the street to get another neighbor (and friend) and the two of them helped Aunt Betty into her car. Her friend, across the street, drove her to the Kaiser ER (close by us). Aunt Betty called me before leaving the ER to ask me if I would be able to stay the night with her and help her overnight. We were all at Aunt Betty's last night getting her settled in with the brace on her leg. I heated up some dinner for her. After she ate she started feeling weak. She was clam'ee and nauseous and started to throw up. Since she hadn't urinated during the 5 hours in the ER she couldn't hold it. The urine got all over her clothes, cloth chair and on the floor. I called her friend (across the street) to come over and help me cleaned her up, clean up the floor and finally get her into bed for the night. Once Aunt Betty was in bed she started feeling better. She got through the night okay, but about 2:00am she needed to urinate again. I got her on the porta potty and she went, and went, and went... must have been holding it for a long time. After that she took some Tylenol and I heard her snoring so she got some sleep. This morning, at first, she was doing pretty good. We were able to wheel her into the bathroom so she could urinate again, she washed up a little and got ready for her 9:45am orthopedic appointment today. Before she was done she started feeling weak and faint'ee so I got her back into bed. She wanted a coke a cola to get her sugar level up. I fixed her some toast, as well. She recovered a little, but never felt too good. Her son, Dana arrived around 9:30am to drive her to the appointment. They need to put a pin(s) in her separated knee cap. Dana will be contacting me later to fill me on on what's next.

Please continue to keep her in your prayers, she's had this blood pressure issue for awhile and she tends to have fainting spells. I am very concerned for her right now.

Trip to Virginia and Washington D.C.

Over the past several weeks, Jerry and I have been discussing taking a vacation after a long year of illness and 6 months of chemo therapy. Jerry's sister invited us to go on a cruise with her and her husband to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Unfortunately, the ship leaves of Feb 21st thru Feb 28th. Jerry is planning to go back to work the third week of February. One of his employees will be taking a FMLA (family medical leave of absense) for 6 weeks and he fell like he'll need to be there more than the two (2) days he is currently working on disability, right now. So since we are not able to take the cruise, Jerry and I talked about making a trip to Virginia and Washington D.C. to visit my niece Katrina, Jerry (her husband), my great nephew Justice, great niece Harmony and their exchange student, Ivy, from China. Our trip is planned for leaving January 28th (the day before Jerry's 67th birthday). We are also hoping to opportunities to visit with Jerry's niece Christy (Silver Springs, MD) and Meagan and Nick Lepire (Virginia Beach, VA), as well as, a long time family friend Harry Clark (Alexandria, VA).

Really looking forward to this trip, I am looking forward to Jerry visiting my birthplace along with the magnificent Washington DC, particularly a week after such an historic inauguration.

Harmony turns 5 years old.

Miss Harmony turned 5 years old on Friday November 16th. Happy Birthday little miss Harmony. Jerry called her on his way to work on Friday. However, evidently, when they were finished talking Harmony neglected to hang up the telephone. I was trying all day and into the evening... without success. I even called Jerry's (Harmony's) dad's cell phone. Finally, I was able to get through to wish Harmony a happy birthday. Harmony was too busy playing Hungry-Hungry hippo's to talk much and I was late for my Bunco party... so I told Harmony I would call her over the week-end. Happy Birthday Harmony. Sounds like you had a nice day!

Love You, Jerry and Karen

Derrick Family From Hawaii to CA to VA

Jerry and I had such a great time enjoying the Derrick family during their stay in California on their way from Honolulu, HI (8 years) to King George, Virginia. Jerry and I took every opportunity to spend time with our great nephew Justice and great neice Harmony. What a joy it was to have the opportunity to enjoy these wonderful children. We also enjoyed introducing Justice and Harmony to our neighbor kids, Jake and Zack. The kids seemed to have alot of fun with each other.

more pictures of Harmony while in California

Hawaii to California -final destination Virginia

It's been awhile since I posted on my blog... we have been so busy enjoying the little ones from Hawaii who stopped over in California until their new home in Virginia closed escrow. Jerry and I had such a wonderful time with Jerry, Katrina, Justice and Harmony (aka "the muggers"). Jerry and I enjoyed every minute we were able to spend with them. My sister, Kathy (Grandma), Vicki and I drove 2 cars to LAX to pickAfter picking them up at LAX on April 30th, Jerry On the first Saturday of April Jerry and I

more pictures of Justice while in California

California here they came...

The Derrick family... 2 adults (Jerry and Katrina) 2 children (Justice and Harmony); 3 cats (Hope, Charity and Christina) and 1 dog (Spirit). Are on the move. They left Honolulu, HI (where they have lived for 8 years) heading for Virginia. Their house in Virginia will hopefully close escrow the end of May. Until then they will be visiting us in California.

ONCOLOGIST APPOINTMENT

While Jerry and I were in Hawaii, Justice and Harmony helped Jerry give his injections.

Jerry had his monthly scheduled oncologist appointment, today. Once Jerry arrived home he seemed okay. Jerry had told me that they increased his dosage of Avastin, this time. Later on (about 10:00pm) he staggered into the bedroom (as if he were drunk). I was concerned he would fall and get hurt. I told him he would need to wake me up during the night so I could help him, if he needed to get out of bed. Once he fell asleep he was moaning and groaning, as well as, snoring. Once during the night he was moaning and was shaking his legs. I couldn't sleep because I was afraid for Jerry. I got up during the middle of the night, got on the computer and went to the Avastin website (link below). I notice some side effects can be fatal, however, I don't really understand the terminology the use. But, I wanted to make sure Jerry wasn't having any adverse reactions and in need of medical attention. He seemed okay the rest of the night, but of course I didn't get much sleep myself. http://www.gene.com/gene/products/information/pdf/avastin-prescribing.pdf

Jerry's PSA is: 3.74. It seems to be creaping up as the rest of him seems to be breaking down.

Yesterday (03/08/07) Dr. Gorbaty contacted Jerry and called in another injection for Jerry to use every night. This is suppose to increase his immune system. (see information on the web site link attached below)

http://www.hepatitis-c.de/whatinf.htm

SPIRIT A "LABRADOODLE"

We will have the opportunity to meet and play with Spirit when we go to Hawaii from 02/11 thru 02/18. We can't wait to see Harmony, Justice and of course Katrina and Jerry, too! Aloha!