I'm spending Monday through Friday in Colorado. My cousin Marci and I flew out on Monday and are spending the week at my cousin Brian and his wife Darci's place. Yesterday, after sleeping in (I've been having trouble doing that) we got coffee at their complex's gathering center (free) and then got Brian and Darci's bikes ready to go on a ride. We packed one of the bike pouches with some snacks, credit cards, IDs, cash. Then we adjusted the bikes... We had just gotten to the Garden of the Gods when we realized we never put that pouch back on the bike. So we turned around and didnt actually get to ride through the Garden. It was about a 5 mi ride there and back, which was a bit tough with some of the hills. Sure glad my triathlon for Sunday is supposed to be all flat!
Things have been very busy. I've been working 50ish hours per week (two part time jobs, one at Perinatal consuling, and now again at St. Elizabeth). Jeremy has been doing some urgent care work and volunteered at the PGA last week. End of July he took his sports med board exam so glad that is over.
Iris started making 4 word sentences! that came out of nowhere, she is more like her father in the sense she is not a big talker. I can't wait to see Iris when I get home on Friday. Last night, before we went to bed, Marci and I watched videos of Iris.
I fly back into GB Fri, then Sat Iris and I take the SS BAdger to Ludington where we meet up with Lauren and Donald for Sunday's triathlon. Return Monday and back to work on Tuesday!
My dad is doing pretty well, still recovering. He doesnt seem to use the walker at all anymore, so that is good, and he is now able to go up and down some steps.
Jeremy starts his job next Monday, the 23rd.
I'm just watching the news and am so sad about the lady who suffocated her kids and then put the car in the river. HORRIBLE, UGH, I feel sick about it.
Anyway, that is all for now.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Another End - Another Beginning
So it is that time of year again in a physicians training that things change. Bitter sweet times of course. Coming to an end is fellowship. It has been one of the best years of my life. Other years have had great moments, 2003 - Wedding, 2006 - graduation from medical school, 2008 - birth of Iris but has a whole this probably has been the best year of my life. Don't get me wrong this year also had its ups. Big wins. Bowl game. Another Final Four run. And downs. Big losses. Lots of time spent away from Karen, Iris, Heatley. The "Squirrel Episode." Have met a lot of great individuals. Many of them will be on my speed dial forever - you know who you are.
My parents crossed Lake Michigan along with Karen and Iris on June 9th to head to East Lansing for my graduation celebration on June 10. It was a very low key affair which was really nice. Got some nice parting gifts including a stuff squirrel wearing MSU attire. After lunch at the clinic most of the staff and physicians went mini-golfing. It was a very entertaining time.
Later that evening we loaded up my parent's truck to move most of our stuff back to Wisconsin. They left the next day. Karen, Iris and Heatley spend another week or so in Michigan with myself - living with the bare essentials and then they headed back to Wisconsin on Father's Day morning which was a little difficult. Thus I have been along in Michigan for a week now. It has been a very boring week. House is empty and I also had lots of free time this week given that fellowship is winding down. Been trying to use up all the food in the house - it is amazing some of the crap you can buy during a year. Looking forward to packing up my car and saying good bye to the state of Michigan again. As mentioned earlier it will be a bitter sweet moment given that I am leaving behind a wonderful group of people and friends.
To say that I am excited about starting the next chapter in my life is an under statement. Freaked out is probably a better descriptor. No more formal education. No more having to discuss every patient with a faculty member. The patients I see will now truly be my patients for better or worse. Hopefully mostly better.
Will be starting my new job on August 23 at Prevea Family/Sports Medicine Clinic. Will be working out of their Ashwaubonen clinic. I will also be involved with St. Norbert Athletics as well as Luxemburg-Casco High School.
Some of you may say that is a lot of time off - hope you are doing something fun. Well not really. Will be studying for my sports medicine boards which I take on July 21st in Madison. Also will be picking up some urgent care shifts to earn some extra money to help pay for the biggest investment of my life. Will be volunteering at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straights in Kohler in August. And of course the biggest time consumer will be building our house.
It has really taken off over the past week or so. Pictures below of are of the foundation being poured, etc.
My parents crossed Lake Michigan along with Karen and Iris on June 9th to head to East Lansing for my graduation celebration on June 10. It was a very low key affair which was really nice. Got some nice parting gifts including a stuff squirrel wearing MSU attire. After lunch at the clinic most of the staff and physicians went mini-golfing. It was a very entertaining time.
Later that evening we loaded up my parent's truck to move most of our stuff back to Wisconsin. They left the next day. Karen, Iris and Heatley spend another week or so in Michigan with myself - living with the bare essentials and then they headed back to Wisconsin on Father's Day morning which was a little difficult. Thus I have been along in Michigan for a week now. It has been a very boring week. House is empty and I also had lots of free time this week given that fellowship is winding down. Been trying to use up all the food in the house - it is amazing some of the crap you can buy during a year. Looking forward to packing up my car and saying good bye to the state of Michigan again. As mentioned earlier it will be a bitter sweet moment given that I am leaving behind a wonderful group of people and friends.
To say that I am excited about starting the next chapter in my life is an under statement. Freaked out is probably a better descriptor. No more formal education. No more having to discuss every patient with a faculty member. The patients I see will now truly be my patients for better or worse. Hopefully mostly better.
Will be starting my new job on August 23 at Prevea Family/Sports Medicine Clinic. Will be working out of their Ashwaubonen clinic. I will also be involved with St. Norbert Athletics as well as Luxemburg-Casco High School.
Some of you may say that is a lot of time off - hope you are doing something fun. Well not really. Will be studying for my sports medicine boards which I take on July 21st in Madison. Also will be picking up some urgent care shifts to earn some extra money to help pay for the biggest investment of my life. Will be volunteering at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straights in Kohler in August. And of course the biggest time consumer will be building our house.
It has really taken off over the past week or so. Pictures below of are of the foundation being poured, etc.
Since these pictures were taken however things have progressed rapidly. They started framing this past Wednesday and from what I have been told they are pretty far along. I have not seen any pictures of this part of it yet. This also made these past few days a little hard. Not being able to see the progress of your house being built. Not sure why I feel so attached to this house and project. My family thinks I am a little weird with wanting pictures taken on a daily basis. My goal after the project is finished is to put together a photo album documenting the building of our house.
So far the building process has been pretty smooth. There were tough decisions to make but with the help of our builder and Sue at Maccos (who has been a god send) everything worked it self out. I am sure that we will have more problems to handle in the next few months as the building process proceeds. This project will also be very interesting in the fact that hundreds of people will get to see our house prior to us moving in given that it is part of the Brown County Fall Showcase. I am undecided if I want to be at the house during the showcase just walking around acting like a normal participant of the showcase to hear what other people are saying about our house or if I will just stay clear of it during the showcase.
In the meantime, Karen, Iris, Heatley and I are living at my sister Nicole's house till we can move into our new home. Currently, move in day is scheduled for Thursday, September 3o. Things worked out really well given that she is in Kansas with her husband for the next few months and thus their house would have been sitting empty.
Well as one chapter comes to an end and another one begins it almost feels like the end of a book with my medical education and the beginning of a new book. The next few months will be the prelude of the new book until we finally get settled down in our new home which will be the official start of the next part of our lives.
Will try to keep this posted with pictures as the building process continues.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
My Dad The Cat
Although my dad wouldn't think this is too funny, I swear he has some cat genes. He has survived yet another life threatening experience. Last Sat AM I spoke with both of my parents on the phone, as did Iris. About about 30 to 60 minutes later my mom calmly called to let me know the rescue squad was on the way to St. V's with dad. I thought this would be some sort of false alarm and if there was a concern, easily fixed. Well as it turns out it was a long, roller-coastery type day. My brother and sister in law met Mom at the hospital (seemed similar to last time dad had a life threatening trip to St. V's--- except that time I was a quick drive away in Appleton).
I think he technically had the heart attack in the ER. Lucky for my dad, his lungs are bad so he was intubated. In the cath lab he coded several times (I recollect 3, as do others, but mom only recalls being told he coded twice). Reportedly, CPR was done for quite awhile at the last of the codings (is that the right word) and at that point mom, Dan and Pat were informed of this situation from the chaplain...
They were keeping us updated in Michigan. After that report, Jeremy informed me that Dad would not survive. Low and behold, he was revived! (Turns out the intubation saved his life--- it is not usual to be intubated in a cath procedure--- so bad lungs saved his life). After finding several concerning blockages-- two options presented: Let dad die, or bring him into the OR for open heart surgery, which obviously could result in the first option, or lead to his survival... at that point everyone was ready for surgery already- and the surgery quickly began. It was expected to last approximately 4 hours, with no real time line. At about the 3.5 hour mark, we were told the heart lung machine was on and they expected that to be on for about an hour to an hour and a half. We also knew at this point,the greatest concern for him to survive the surgery was for his heart to restart... which given the stress the heart had in the AM, was a pretty concerning scenario.
As the time for him to come off the machine approached I sensed a huge amount of physical anxiety. It took a bit longer than expected, but he survived the surgery and came off the heart lung machine remarkably! (everyone in the OR thought that went better then expected apparantly). We were all (maybe not Jeremy) being a tad optomistic at this news, when mom called me back to tell me that things were not good at all and that his body was not accepting oxygen. At this time, Jeremy again explained that one can't live without oxygen (which I clearly knew, but hearing it from his makes it different) and that if his body wasn't "accepting oxygen" that was a very bad thing.
Dad's body starting improving on his own, and he has been on the mend ever since. He has had some set backs (some not so good infections, having a LOT of trouble with one of his legs). He got discharged to the rehab floor today, and we are hoping for (another) full recovery.
So all of Saturday, I was in Michigan. I contemplated hopping in the car with Iris, but an 8 hour drive with a crying child, knowing my dad was going through what he was going through, was NOT a good idea. Last time dad was in that type of situation, I remember my driving leg shaking as I was driving from Appleton to GB--- We all did NOT think it was a good idea for me to drive that. All of us (Jeremy, Iris, Heatley and I) were planning on catching the SS Badger on Wed, so we just moved that up to Sunday. JEremy's employer was very understanding and gave him that Tuedsay off (Mon was Memorial Day). The docs were all very nice as well. We were conferenced in on the conferences, and the cardiologist even spoke directly to Jeremy at one point to, so he could translate the situation for me.
So once, we got home on Sunday, dad was already "with it." The plan had been to keep him sedated 3 to 4 days with his "balloon pump" in, but they took it out already on Sunday. I spent alot of time at the hospital on Sunday and MOnday. Starting Tuesday I spent less time at the hospital and helped Jeremy with getting things picked out for our house. (Picking out things for the house was the reason we planned on coming home in the first place).
So this week we got almost everything picked out for the house. Today I completed my first sprint triathlon. I finished last in my division and second last in my age group, but I finished! So I'm proud of that and now know what to expect at the triathlon I plan on doing in August in Ludington.
That is what is going on with the HIJK family this week!
Karen
I think he technically had the heart attack in the ER. Lucky for my dad, his lungs are bad so he was intubated. In the cath lab he coded several times (I recollect 3, as do others, but mom only recalls being told he coded twice). Reportedly, CPR was done for quite awhile at the last of the codings (is that the right word) and at that point mom, Dan and Pat were informed of this situation from the chaplain...
They were keeping us updated in Michigan. After that report, Jeremy informed me that Dad would not survive. Low and behold, he was revived! (Turns out the intubation saved his life--- it is not usual to be intubated in a cath procedure--- so bad lungs saved his life). After finding several concerning blockages-- two options presented: Let dad die, or bring him into the OR for open heart surgery, which obviously could result in the first option, or lead to his survival... at that point everyone was ready for surgery already- and the surgery quickly began. It was expected to last approximately 4 hours, with no real time line. At about the 3.5 hour mark, we were told the heart lung machine was on and they expected that to be on for about an hour to an hour and a half. We also knew at this point,the greatest concern for him to survive the surgery was for his heart to restart... which given the stress the heart had in the AM, was a pretty concerning scenario.
As the time for him to come off the machine approached I sensed a huge amount of physical anxiety. It took a bit longer than expected, but he survived the surgery and came off the heart lung machine remarkably! (everyone in the OR thought that went better then expected apparantly). We were all (maybe not Jeremy) being a tad optomistic at this news, when mom called me back to tell me that things were not good at all and that his body was not accepting oxygen. At this time, Jeremy again explained that one can't live without oxygen (which I clearly knew, but hearing it from his makes it different) and that if his body wasn't "accepting oxygen" that was a very bad thing.
Dad's body starting improving on his own, and he has been on the mend ever since. He has had some set backs (some not so good infections, having a LOT of trouble with one of his legs). He got discharged to the rehab floor today, and we are hoping for (another) full recovery.
So all of Saturday, I was in Michigan. I contemplated hopping in the car with Iris, but an 8 hour drive with a crying child, knowing my dad was going through what he was going through, was NOT a good idea. Last time dad was in that type of situation, I remember my driving leg shaking as I was driving from Appleton to GB--- We all did NOT think it was a good idea for me to drive that. All of us (Jeremy, Iris, Heatley and I) were planning on catching the SS Badger on Wed, so we just moved that up to Sunday. JEremy's employer was very understanding and gave him that Tuedsay off (Mon was Memorial Day). The docs were all very nice as well. We were conferenced in on the conferences, and the cardiologist even spoke directly to Jeremy at one point to, so he could translate the situation for me.
So once, we got home on Sunday, dad was already "with it." The plan had been to keep him sedated 3 to 4 days with his "balloon pump" in, but they took it out already on Sunday. I spent alot of time at the hospital on Sunday and MOnday. Starting Tuesday I spent less time at the hospital and helped Jeremy with getting things picked out for our house. (Picking out things for the house was the reason we planned on coming home in the first place).
So this week we got almost everything picked out for the house. Today I completed my first sprint triathlon. I finished last in my division and second last in my age group, but I finished! So I'm proud of that and now know what to expect at the triathlon I plan on doing in August in Ludington.
That is what is going on with the HIJK family this week!
Karen
Sunday, May 23, 2010
May 23rd---Random Updates
Iris and I (Karen) were in WI for awhile recently. I worked on some things with the house. Jeremy's dad and I spent 3 afternoons cutting down trees. He used the chainsaw and I brought the branches/logs to the curb. Tom also brought things to the curb. Jeremy's Uncle John (Iris' godfather) helped one afternoon as well.
Plans are getting finalized with the house. We decided to nix the playroom because in order to do the bonus room correctly (higher roof, more insulation, seperate heating/cooling system etc) it would add up to 17,000. Jeremy and I felt that window was best spent otherplaces, as in the higher efficiency windows and furnace.
We have also decided to expand the master closet a bit so plans and we've figured out all the details so we know what windows need to be ordered (which will be ordered ASAP). Plans should be redrawn tomorrow to include the larger closet (and slightly larger dining room and 2/3 bedrooms for more closet spaces in those bedrooms).
Yesterday was a beautiful day to turn 29. Jeremy got up early with Iris and then brought her to the gym, where she played in kids club and he worked out. I slept until almost 10 eastern! I was a bit wiped out from traveling the day before (2 hour drive to Milwaukee, one hour wait for ferry, 3 hour ferry ride and 2 hour drive from port in Michigan). Iris traveled well. It was a bit scary on the drive in MI as we almost got hit by a semi (my fault) in pooring rain where the road could not be seen. Prior to that incident I had asked my Angels to watch over us, and afterward you better believe I thanked the Angels and God for protecting us.
This morning (Sunday) I ran around the block the entire way (2.5mi), and if you know me I am no runner! I was pretty proud I didnt stop once and I finished in 30 minutes, which is faster then I ever ran EVER. Afterwards we went to the gym and I did spinnging class, putting on about 18 miles. I hope I'm getting myself into good enough shape to finish my sprint Tri I'm doing in two weeks (~400 m swim, 15mibike, 5krun). I know I can always walk the run and there is no time limit. It will be hard that the easiest thing for me to do will be first and the hardest portion will be last. Iris and I went swimming afterward my gym workout for about 10-15 minutes. It was more of a lesson and less play, and she wasn't teh biggest fan of doing birdie (kicking and finning on back) with her ears in. She did float on her stomach by herself and of course did some bobs. She does well with the motion of big arms with me controlling her arms, but if I ask her to do the motion herself she does not do it properly. My goal is to have her swimming by herself on her back by age 3, so we definitly have some time.
AS for the BIG news!! We have not really been potty training per se, but we have introduced the potty, etc. Today Iris pooped and peed on the potty! That is a step in the right direction. I'm thinking about starting full on potty training and seeing how that goes. I just read info about a recent study that says optimal time to potty train is about 27 to 30something months. The drawback to training before that is that it can take longer. but if that is the only drawback i am okay with that. we will see how it evolves. gtg iris wants out of the bath.
Plans are getting finalized with the house. We decided to nix the playroom because in order to do the bonus room correctly (higher roof, more insulation, seperate heating/cooling system etc) it would add up to 17,000. Jeremy and I felt that window was best spent otherplaces, as in the higher efficiency windows and furnace.
We have also decided to expand the master closet a bit so plans and we've figured out all the details so we know what windows need to be ordered (which will be ordered ASAP). Plans should be redrawn tomorrow to include the larger closet (and slightly larger dining room and 2/3 bedrooms for more closet spaces in those bedrooms).
Yesterday was a beautiful day to turn 29. Jeremy got up early with Iris and then brought her to the gym, where she played in kids club and he worked out. I slept until almost 10 eastern! I was a bit wiped out from traveling the day before (2 hour drive to Milwaukee, one hour wait for ferry, 3 hour ferry ride and 2 hour drive from port in Michigan). Iris traveled well. It was a bit scary on the drive in MI as we almost got hit by a semi (my fault) in pooring rain where the road could not be seen. Prior to that incident I had asked my Angels to watch over us, and afterward you better believe I thanked the Angels and God for protecting us.
This morning (Sunday) I ran around the block the entire way (2.5mi), and if you know me I am no runner! I was pretty proud I didnt stop once and I finished in 30 minutes, which is faster then I ever ran EVER. Afterwards we went to the gym and I did spinnging class, putting on about 18 miles. I hope I'm getting myself into good enough shape to finish my sprint Tri I'm doing in two weeks (~400 m swim, 15mibike, 5krun). I know I can always walk the run and there is no time limit. It will be hard that the easiest thing for me to do will be first and the hardest portion will be last. Iris and I went swimming afterward my gym workout for about 10-15 minutes. It was more of a lesson and less play, and she wasn't teh biggest fan of doing birdie (kicking and finning on back) with her ears in. She did float on her stomach by herself and of course did some bobs. She does well with the motion of big arms with me controlling her arms, but if I ask her to do the motion herself she does not do it properly. My goal is to have her swimming by herself on her back by age 3, so we definitly have some time.
AS for the BIG news!! We have not really been potty training per se, but we have introduced the potty, etc. Today Iris pooped and peed on the potty! That is a step in the right direction. I'm thinking about starting full on potty training and seeing how that goes. I just read info about a recent study that says optimal time to potty train is about 27 to 30something months. The drawback to training before that is that it can take longer. but if that is the only drawback i am okay with that. we will see how it evolves. gtg iris wants out of the bath.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
House Staked Out on Lot
Below are some pictures of the house staked out on our lot. Still a little bit hard to believe that we are building a house. It is very exciting yet very difficult at the same time. There are so many things that have to be done, picked out, decided on, etc. That was the nice thing when looking at houses if you saw something you did not like you blamed it on someone elses decisions. However, now if we do not like something with this house it will be based on our decisions.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
House Poll
The house we are designing our house after has in the island (overlooking the living room) the sink and dishwasher. I was thinking ours would be the same. We will have a window in our kitchen so the builder put the stove in the island and the sink by the window. Jeremy and I are thinking we want the sink in the island because we will spend more time in front of the sink then the stove. If you dont mind posting your opinion-- sink or stove in the island?
Also, for the playroom we are thinking about tile versus carpet (plan on having crafts and things in the playroom as well--paint, play doh, etc). Please comment on your opinion regarding this as well.
Thanks!
Also, for the playroom we are thinking about tile versus carpet (plan on having crafts and things in the playroom as well--paint, play doh, etc). Please comment on your opinion regarding this as well.
Thanks!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
building
Also, if you have ever built a house and have tips, or have ever thought, "if I build a house one day I'm going to make sure I..." we are looking for any suggestions on tips to make the house more functional!
Thanks!
Thanks!
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