Daley Ponderings

Wednesday's many tests all went well. The MRI showed shrinkage of the tumor, especially around the ear canal (less so in the cheek/salivary gland.) The hearing test confirmed Grace's attestation that her right ear is significantly improved. Her eyes are still perfect. Her heart is also good, no... (More)

Sorry we left you hanging about Grace's recent appointments. Here are some things to be thankful for about Grace. She did really well during her audiology appointment. It took a long time, but she followed all the directions and was cooperative as usual. She does still have some hearing loss in... (More)

Last weekend, Heather took all of the girls on a retreat and had a lot of fun together.  Those of us at home had a work day at Grammy's and another friend's house and then had a really great day at home with a friend from church.  Elbereth, Jonathan's snake, was out and various people... (More)

We went back to the clinic in the late morning after Grace threw up her NG tube.  She did manage to take her meds by mouth that morning, but she doesn't really like it.  They had tested her stool when she had so much diarrhea at her appointment the day before and it did come back... (More)

The last several days have been back and forth. I’ve started several posts in my head, and then they end up changing. The weekend doctors cancelled the stool studies, then the attending on Monday re-ordered them. Jon had some very frustrating conversations with the doctor, but an... (More)

Days +2 and +3 have been full of desire for eating but not the ability to keep it down. Also, bare bottom and oxygen blowing has been keeping the diaper rash from getting worse, and it might even be a bit better.  She has lots of diarrhea.  She has been sleeping a lot. She had a... (More)

Faith steadily improved throughout the day as she slept through most of it and has now transferred to our Boston apartment. She got a present (mailed to Grace at the hospital) so that was fun. Grace's diaper rash did not get worse overnight, and without oral meds, she ate well and did not... (More)

For the most part, these last two days went pretty well.  Grace was a trooper as we navigated the multiple confusing buildings and talked with many providers and was poked and prodded by various specialists. Her audiology appointment went pretty well.  The doctor was impressed with... (More)

I am posting my backlog of pocket notes. Sometimes details are sparse. 11/10 - Nathaniel was a messenger to me from Joy: "mum" [come], held my hand to bring me to her. 11/22 - Jeremiah singing while playing, "I love you God, 'cause you make me happy..." 12/4 - Joy pinworms ~12/10 -... (More)

I typed up my memorial service reflection for a presentation we did at our church recently.  I don't think it has been typed up before, so I thought I'd post it now.  (Am I allowed to be amazed at myself?) Heather's memorial reflection, March 16, 2003 Isaac Christopher Daley - a... (More)

Yesterday was an exhausting day, so I made sure to get us ready for bed early.  We were in bed by 9:00.  But Jeremiah kicked his covers off just about every hour and asked me to put them back on again.  By 3:30 or so, his medicine had worn off and he was wheezing and... (More)

Got a bunch of spam comments and then when I was looking at posts, the boys pointed out that my last post was a month ago and I said "trip to DC goes in a separate post"...  So here we go. When we went into downtown to see the sights, we split up into smaller groups.  Jonathan,... (More)

2/15 - JPD walked up to me and hugged my knees.  He now does this often. 2/19 - JDD quotes from The Incredibles, with an Indian flair: "This is your automated captain speaking. Would you like more samosas?" 2/24 - JDD "What's the difference between lo mein and chow mein, and why isn't... (More)

I think I have found a key to living selflessly.  When there's an emergency, it's easy to serve.  I see the great need, and I know it's temporary.  It's hard to keep serving in the ordinary, mundane, because it feels like it will never end and the needs don't always seem so great.... (More)

I'll take this opportunity, home from church with two sick kids, to post my notes. 10/19 - JDD, "Most fun things are spoiled if you HAVE to do them."  I forget the context of his quote but it reminded me of my thought at the harvest supper.  The middle and high school youth groups... (More)