December 6, 2009

St. Nicholas Day

Today started out at some point or another with Galadriel at a "5" for pain which is the highest so they gave her morphine. Mind you she has not complained one bit. By mid-day she was down to "2" for pain. They had her sit up briefly, that didn't work out too well but it was an attempt! She has had increased movement in her arms and legs and is opening the left eye a bit more when she is at a strong point in the day.


The neurosurgeon came in today for a follow up and he was so happy and said she is doing far better than expected. That was wonderful news! Of course one can hardly think otherwise when 1/2 the planet is praying for her!! Unbelievable!

I was allowed to feed her the first solid meal since her surgery.... if ice cream is considered a meal. She tolerated it very well.... very, very well so she can now eat. I started her on soft foods of course. So this was another triumph.

A family member came to stay with Galadriel so Aragorn could come home so all the rest of us were able to go to Mass together. That was very nice since it was the first time we have been together in months... ok, a couple days.


I spent the afternoon/evening at the hospital while Aragorn stayed home to sleep for a while. At the end of the day Galadriel needed sleep and her pain was back up to "5" . So she received another does of morphine.


When I left for home last night I asked Galadriel if she wanted me to bring her anything and she said "Lord of the Rings" so here they are watching "Fellowship" She is sporting a nice crocheted blanket one of the ladies from the "Linus" group who donates blankets for the patients to bring home. She also received a patchwork quilt when she was in her last room.

I will add her a huge thank you for the overwhelming number of prayers. Wow! You just wouldn't believe it. I have gotten hundreds and hundreds of emails. I have read every single one. We have gotten meals and promises of more meals. I have to say the funniest part of all this is that I am absolutely notorious for never remembering to send a thank you card. So I'll say here and now that we are ever so grateful for everyone for each and every single prayer, Mass, gift, card, etc... I will say that one of the greatest things we the little notes sent on this blog. I get them in my email and to hear all the "that is great news!" helped me alot. After I saw Galadriel in the recovery room I was shocked and it felt hopeless. It took me a full day to realize that I'm so in the middle of all this that I just wasn't able to see that. So each word, has been meaningful in some way.



Hmm... we need to work on Poppy's modesty... we'll make exceptions since bloomers are so cute.

HAPPY ST. NICHOLAS DAY



I printed up a story for Galadriel for St. Nicholas Day. She cannot read at this point since she is having double vision (this is very sad since she is a very avid reader and had already read well over 200 books since August) And JOY of JOYS! Galadriel *laughed*. It would have been one of her hearty laughs but of course it was a quiet laugh but she had a big smile and then she started to have all the laugh motions. I was so delighted I read it three more times. So you wonder what makes her/us laugh:

St. Nicholas was at the Council of Nice and became so incensed... outraged... that the heretical Bishop was denying the dual nature of Jesus Christ (fully God, fully Man) that St. Nicholas slapped him across the face.

The story about St. Nicholas and the Seafarers:

It is read in a chronicle that, the blessed Nicholas was at the Council of Nice; and on a day, as a ship with mariners were in perishing on the sea, they prayed and required devoutly Nicholas, servant of God, saying: If those things that we have heard of thee said be true, prove them now. And anon a man appeared in his likeness, and said: Lo! see ye me not? ye called me, and then he began to help them in their exploit of the sea, and anon the tempest ceased.

(Thank you to Fisheaters for this story)

We put up our Christmas stockings each year for St. Nicholas day. Usually the children get socks and gold chocolate coins. This year however I was sick of plastic cups that spill more milk. So instead of crying over spilled milk I bought 10 stainless steel "tin" cups. Apparently they are so difficult to spill that the 3 year old decided he needed to pitch it across the room to get the milk spilling effect. I was not at home at the time and I'm always secretly glad with interesting catastrophes occur when Aragorn is at the helm. heh-heh


My mom has always gotten all the babies their Christmas stocking for their first Christmas. Poppy's has a partridge in a pear tree on it. And here she is with her cup.


Poppy is interested in everything except cameras.
Advent
We usually have a list of things we do for Advent but this year we are just trying to survive.
One "project" we are able to keep is putting up a piece of our rather extensive and growing Fontanini Nativity set. We had received the original pieces as a wedding gift and I've added to it every year.


Thanksgiving
Backtracking a little here.
This year I decided to get a ham for the mid-day meal for Thanksgiving since we'd go to Aragorn's family's house for dinner. This is before dinner.

This is during dinner. Thanksgiving seems about 100 years ago so I'm trying to think what we served besides the spiral honey-glazed ham... fruit, rye bread dip, rolls, cranberry salad, pumpkin and chocolate pies and a cranberry/orange hot drink and more I suppose.
As it turned out Pippin... of course... drank lots of hot drink and cool whip and precisely as everyone finished their last bite of pie he threw up. Figuring this was going to turn into an epidemic, which is what happens when a large family gets *that* we had to cancel getting together with family.


And this is after dinner. Let's say it took about 2 days to finish all the dishes!

Aragorn's family sent us over some of the dinner. As it turns out one of the families that was suppose to come hit a deer so it really was a bum-deal for Thanksgiving. But we all take things in stride so we'll aim for a wonderful time together at Christmas.
How to make some cute pink underthings for the baby: stupidly (or brilliantly, however you want to look at it) wash the nice red tablecloth with white onesies "voila" cute pink onesies.

Bilbo wanted to go outside and came up with this get-up. We are always making a fashion statement around here.

We had a new neice born a couple weeks ago. She is soooo adorable and has a whole crop of jet black hair! This was taken on her baptism day.

16 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your beautiful family with all. Love reading how all are doing and what you have to share makes me smile. Continued prayers on my end and I know she will get better. ((((HUGS))))

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  2. I am so sorry that your daughter is in so much pain and hope that she feel better soon!

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  3. Julie,
    You have such a way with words...your blog is so entertaining to read!!! I must admit though...a bit disappointed NOT to see JELLO on that Thanksgiving table! Haven't I taught you anything?? LOL
    Maria looks beautiful. Her recovery just sounds amazing.
    When do they think she may come home?
    God Bless!!!
    Lesa Z.

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  4. Why, yes, ice cream is a real meal. Praying and cheering for every little triumph.

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  5. My friend Ann from Dublin told me to tell you that Ireland is praying for "Galadriel".

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  6. You and your family remain in my prayers. I am a 25 year old Catholic seminarian who was recently diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. I hold your daughter in my heart in a special way!

    In Christ,
    Philip

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  7. Kids have an amazing ability to heal, Julie. Maria will do great!!!
    Don't be discouraged when she has setbacks, it is often two steps forward and one step back but she *will* reach the finish line!
    Would she like some audiobooks?
    Make sure someone gives you Kelly M's contact info (Kaz has it for sure). Her son Stephen had a brain tumor about 5 or so years ago, she knows exactly what you are going through.

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  8. Oh Julie! How wonderful that so very many people have the great privilege of praying for your dear daughter! Thank you for keeping us updated! My dc heartily approve of her meal and wonder why I don't think so highly of them to serve them ice cream for breakfast.;o) It is a meal of champions! Kiss your sweet champion for me, will you??

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  9. What wonderful news, Julie!! I know it must be hard for you to find time to update, but I think I can speak for everyone by saying how grateful we all are to have the updates. All of us here in the Sarsfield house are still praying!

    Love,
    Heather

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  10. Thank you for sharing the positive news. I am continuing to pray for your daughter and your whole family. I pray that her pain subsides.

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  11. Julie,

    Know that we have been praying & praying hard for your dear little girlie. I can only imagine the feelings you guys are going through as a family right now. Praise God that they could remove the tumor. Prayers will keep on coming!

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  12. Dear dear YOu and Beloved Daughter, ;) (Suz here from MK's), Since it helped you to hear how miraculously she is improving , I'll just say it again. I went through a brain surgery with 2 family members and read a LOT on it and y=talked to different docs etc..... . Beloved Daughter heart is DOING OUT OF THIS WORLD AMAZINGLY WELL! IT'S AWESOME!!!!! But ya,know, I am terrible but i took it for granted (per se) that she simply would do Miraculously well. :) And will continue to do so! :D Prayers continuing, never stopping until she is back to 100% NORMAL. :D Sending sooooooooo much love and prayers! Oh and tell her I laughed at that part two in the St. Nick readings and so did Mary Charlotte. hehehe~ How this post swelled my heart and thoroughly entertained me with the telling of the milk escapades and cups and Poppy :)
    In Mary's Mantle of Ultimate Divine Protection,
    Suz & Mary Charlotte

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  13. Julie, you are such a blessing to me. Thank you for this update. Your faithful attitude, your unification with divine providence, your sense of humor--I am inspired to be a better Christian. Please know that I lit a candle before the statue of the Blessed Mother on Sunday for your daughter, and today I gave up something I desperately wanted to eat for her (a small mortification, a pathetic widow's mite really).

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  14. I'll be praying for your precious daughter for healing and comfort and peace for your whole family.

    God Bless you all.

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  15. Dear Julie, Maria and all;

    We, too, are so edified by your story. Over this First Friday and First Saturday weekend (we love your pictures of the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart) you have been remembered in 20 Masses, 60 Rosaries (we loved your Rosary Maker story, tell them hello for us) and dozens of extra Hail Marys.

    Thanks for the good story, we know that it will end up good in the end because of your Faith and trust in God!

    You have a beautiful family! We pray God preserves each of you. We are happy to have learned of your story (MK) to help our fervor during Advent.

    We are happy to pray for Mr. Johnson, too. May God grant him relief on his Calvary.

    The Fifer Family
    at St. Anne's Helper

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  16. Great update Julie! Our prayers continue for your sweet girl, and yall. +

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