Finally an update...

So the world has been crazy for us Millers. We got MamaNona settled into the top of the line skilled nursing facility in Mount Angel (Providence Benedictine) where she is getting therapy 2-3 times per day and the food is much better. She saw the infectious disease doctor last week who confirmed that she would remain on the three times a day antibiotic until May 9th. She should be able to come home after that which will be a nice mother's day present for all of us. We also saw the hematologist this week who confirmed that her amyloidosis is only involving her skin, not any of her other organs which is also good news. She will begin to get more regular diagnostic tests a few times a year to ensure that if it progresses they catch it as soon as possible.

She is moving much better and has even been able to get herself into bed if it's down low enough. They'll spend the next two weeks practicing at the height her bed is at home. Pamela is due back from France next week, so that will be nice. Her husband, Dan, came back this week and has already been to see MamaNona.

Mateo and I have been to see Papa two weekends in a row. We went to North Idaho two weeks ago, and then to Boise last weekend. It has been great to spend time with him, and the cousins dig hanging out together too. It will be nice when Rachel and John are able to relocate to North Idaho so we can have those visits more often.

And I fell in love with the fountain that John made in their back yard. Man, I want one. Maybe John & Rachel will come visit so that he can show Matt how it's done. Matt took Mateo to the Ag Expo in Salem yesterday. Apparently there were lots of animals and much singing of Old MacDonald...if we're not careful, Mateo might grow up to be a farmer!

That's the news from Oregon. Hope all is well for all who read this. Love, Sarah, Matt & Mateo

Spoons anyone?

So the last night we were at MamaNona's before the subdural hematoma episode, Mateo was jammin' with some spoons...and Matt caught this gems!

For those looking for a Louise update, she had a repeat CT of the head on Monday (which was standard post-op checking) and that came back clean. Unfortunately, she had some infection symptoms and so she got readmitted into the hospital. For the past few days, we have been having lots of work-ups to try to find out where the infection is. Turns out, she has some infection below the scalp, so the neurosurgeon is going to go in again this evening and do some owound debridement to clear out the infection. Should be a relatively simple procedure, but it makes the rehab clock start over. Good news is, we think we have a bed at the skilled nursing facility in Mt. Angel--which is closer to home and has a waiting list (good sign about the level of care there).

Bottom line is: things should be on the upward course. Please keep sending prayers this way. We'll post an update once we get discharged from the hospital.

Love from Salem!!

Overdue Louise Update

Hi friends,

Sorry for those of you who have been checking frequently for updates...it has been a crazy few weeks for us, and we have been focused on caring for Louise and Mateo. First Mateo is healthy...but he is 15 months old and does require caring for his daily needs! Oh, how different being a parent is for us!!

Louise is better and recovering from her neurosurgery remarkably well. She came home from the hospital last Monday (3/26) but ended up back in the hospital on Tuesday 3/27 for complications associated with a large blood clot in her right leg. She is back on anti-coagulation therapy (blood thinners) but is having some side effects from that treatment. She agreed to go into a skilled nursing facility in Woodburn so that she wouldn't have to go to a clinic twice a day for shots.

In the meantime, she's been back to see the neurosurgeon to check her head sutures, which were healing but needed a few more stitches to prevent some seepage. Today, she was in the ER because she had blood draining from her ear. Turns out, she has a blood blister inside her ear which is partially blocking the ear canal. Normally, an ENT would have just lanced it, but because she is on blood thinners, that is not a good idea. So, we are taking the wait it out approach.

As for the place where she is currently staying, she doesn't really like the food (too salty) and the Alzheimer's patients (who wander into her room uninvited) and we (mostly Matt & Pamela) are having to keep vigilint duty to make sure she gets the appropriate medication at the appropriate time intervals. So, we are tired.

Matt & I talked tonight about trying to find some full-time daycare for Mateo at least for a while so that I can go to work consistently, and Matt can focus on his mom. Pamela is leaving on a 3 week trip early next week, so we're it for a bit in terms of taking care of MamaNona. We expect that she will get to come home in the next 2 weeks or so, but she will still need 24 hour care until she is mobile enough that falling isn't really a risk (because doing so while taking blood thinners is a really bad idea!!)

We are so grateful for our local friends who have been so magnificent in helping us care for Mateo and keep our spirits up. We are just so grateful that each new problem is really just a tiny, tiny issue in the whole scheme of things. We fully expect MamaNona to recover fully from this episode and have many more years to spend with our family.

Thanks so much for all your thoughts and prayers. Keep them coming!!

We love you, Sarah

Louise Update #2

HI friends,

Things are progressing well for us. Louise has been having aggressive therapy at Salem Hospital and she was able to walk five times yesterday. She certainly gets tired out, but by all accounts, she is getting better. She has no neurological deficit, and there is every reason she will be back to her spunky old self in no time.

We have been fighting with the insurance company since Friday to get approval for her to go to in-patient rehab at the hospital's other campus. The insurance company originally denied the claim saying she could get the same services at a skilled nursing facility (nursing home), but appears to be reconsidering during the appeal process. Depending on her progress this weekend, she will either go to rehab on Monday, or she will come home with 24 hour care (from us) and some outpatient rehab that will come to the house.

We count ourselves very blessed that she is making such miraculous progress and that we are so surrounded by friends and family who love unconditionally during our time of need. We give thanks to God for our many blessings and for the prayers from all over the country that we have received.

Quick Mateo update...he has **finally** mastered Mama...which couldn't have come at a better time for me. He was passed from house to house this week while Matt & I focused on being with Louise, and the first time I picked him up, he was like "Mama"...that is enough to melt your soul!! I have to go back to work tomorrow, so things maybe a bit crazy this week depending on what happens with MamaNona. Hope to post another update soon.

Hugs from all of us, Sarah

Louise Update

HI friends,

Louise was moved from ICU to the Neurology floor today. The ICU folks tell her she "graduated". She has been having lots of therapy visits, physical to get her moving, occupational to make sure she can take care of her every day needs, and speech to make sure she is swallowing and talking correctly. They expect to release her from the hospital on Friday or Saturday...the question now will be whether she can come home directly or if she will need to go to a skilled nursing facility for a short stay.

Physically she is holding her own...and her humor is in fine form! We'll keep you posted as the news progresses.

Love from Oregon, Sarah